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Six Times Lucky for Marathon Runner Stuart

28 October 2009

Cllr Morris and Stuart Mills

This weekend's eighth Beachy Head Marathon saw a sixth victory for University of Brighton lecturer Stuart Mills who covered the challenging 26-mile route in just 3 hours 3 minutes despite the heavy rain.

 

A regular entrant who has competed in the event every year, Stuart Mills who is originally from New Zealand, claimed first place for the sixth time and despite poor weather conditions took just one minute longer than last year.

 

Stuart was joined by more than 1,700 entrants from around the world, who didn't let the wet weather dampen their spirits on Saturday morning as they set off across the South Downs to complete the country's largest off-road marathon.

 

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Susan Morris said "The marathon was a brilliant event this weekend and although the weather wasn't great, the entrants were out in force to make it a fantastic success. I want to say a special Congratulations to Stuart Mills for his sixth win and a huge Well Done to everyone who took part. With a large team of volunteer stewards and marshals around the course all helping the event to run smoothly and being on hand to encourage entrants around the course, it's no wonder the Beachy Head Marathon is one of the country's best loved!"

 

This year's event saw more women than ever taking part at nearly 40% of overall entrants and local runner Samantha Alvarez from Hailsham notched up a special victory for the women. Finishing in tenth place, Samantha recorded the highest finishing position for a woman for at least 20 years in just 3 hours 27 minutes.

 

The top ten finishers also included John Hudspith from Serpentine Runners Club who crossed the finishing line seventh despite losing the sole from one of his running shoes after just six miles and covering the remaining 18 miles with a trainer sole missing.

 

A staggering 846 entrants completed the marathon within the magical six hour barrier this year, and blind runner Linda Gaitskell was guided around the course by her sighted running club colleague finishing in just under seven hours.

 

With the junior event attracting a record number of entries in 2009, 120 children took to the South Downs for their own mini marathon on Saturday morning taking on specially organised 2km and 3km routes around Whitbread Hollow.

 

Ryan Welch, aged 9, took first place in the 2km challenge taking just 9 minutes 5 seconds to complete the course, while Luke McWilton aged 13, took first place in the 3km challenge finishing in 12 minutes 19 seconds.

 

Voted amongst the top 10 UK routes by readers of Runners World, the Beachy Head Marathon is scheduled to return next year on Saturday 23 October 2010.

 

Organisers Eastbourne Borough Council are appealing to anyone who thinks they can challenge Stuart to claiming his seventh victory and encourage budding runners, joggers and walkers to put April in their diaries when places for next year's event will open.

 

For more information on the event and to see the 2009 results table visit www.beachyheadmarathon.org.uk or www.visiteastbourne.com .