2005 Hastings Lions Half Marathon Summary
Hastings Half Marathon Sunday 13th March 2005. Summary.
On a dry and clear day, the race started in Sunshine, and later in day turned colder and windy as the tide came in -not that the leading Athletes were affected by this ! Fred Mogaka(Kenya) won for the second year in a row, from Tanzanian Malack Olemengera, to take the £2000 first Prize, in a time of 1.04.10, thirteen seconds faster than 2004. Huw Lobb(Beds) won the AAA and U.K. and SEAA Titles, and with it an extra £1000 to go with his third place finish. Martin Cox(Bristol)came 4th(2nd UK), and last year's UK Winner Michael Coleman(M & M) 5th overall and 3rd UK. The Biggest winner on the Day was Jo Kelsey(Winchester & DAC),who besides winning £2000 for the Womens Race, added a further £1000 as top U.K. Athlete, in winning the AAA and SEAA Titles. Her time of 1.18.19 reflected the tough Hastings Course. She won a tight race from second place Michaela McCallum(Winchester), by twenty seconds., with Kerrie Clarke (M & M) a further 17 seconds back. These three took all the titles on offer. A Record entry of 4591,saw the biggest field in the Event's 21 year history, and indeed the crowds also turned out in greater than ever numbers. The Event was preceded by a fine sight of the Hastings Corp of Pipes & Drums parading up and down the start/finishing straight , and an aerobic musical warm up. The new features of the event -Electronic Chip Timing incorporated in the race number, worked well, but some runners were not sure if it was 'Gun to Finish or chip to chip timing'. We always stated it would be Gun to Finish timing. The Park & Ride Scheme was a great success, and we will improve further on this for next year. The ABC Family Nursery Creche Facility, worked well, but could have coped with many more children, and we hope that more parents will trust us with their children next year. We Apologise for delay with Prize Giving on The Day, but we had Officials from AAA, UK, and SEAA to make decisions, which owing to some disqualifications and doubt about qualifications, had to be delayed and shortened. The Main Prize Giving Evening will be on Friday 22nd April,. 7.p.m. for 7.45p.m. at The Hastings Centre(opposite the Conquest Hospital), The Ridge, Hastings. This great Family occasion is open to All, and you can see the Fantastic Thor Taylor DVD of the Event, and buy a copy. This DVD, is a 'fly on the wall' documentary leading up to the Event, and everything about the Race and The Day. Good Buy! You can order Photos from asiorders.com and souvenirs are available of The Event. The race is on now to see how much money has been raised. Get your sponsor forms in by 22nd April, and tell us how much you have raised. There is a draw of Sponsor forms for Prizes on the Night. The Dyer Charity Trophy is for the person/organisation raising the most money by Prize Giving Evening. The General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited Charity Awards of £1000, will also be presented.We hope everyone enjoyed The Event, and we can see you next year on Sunday March 12th 2006.
Get your sponsor form in by 22nd April!
Eric Hardwick
Race Director
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