Records tumble in big race

James Baker set a new race best time of one hour, nine minutes and 55 seconds, while Rebecca Moore produced an oustanding performance to clock a new women’s record of 1:18:31 and finish fourth overall.

In glorious sunshine, the 560 runners and the race team marked Remembrance Sunday with a two-minute silence at the race HQ by the Sovereign Light Café.

Baker (Chichester AC) went off at a blistering pace to open up a large lead early on and maintained a great effort throughout the race. Daniel Anderson (Hastings AC), who like Baker is a former winner, secured second place in 1:14:23. Glenn Driver completed the top three in 1:16:06.

Moore led the female race from start to finish. Emily Proto, who dominated the series of summer 5K races along Bexhill seafront, was second lady and 13th overall in 1:26:23 with Claire Gaskill third in 1:28:33.

The overall winners collected trophies, vouchers for thetristore.com in Eastbourne and TL Sports Events race vouchers. Each group winner also collected a trophy and TL events voucher.

The sunshine also brought many youngsters out for the 500m and 1km children’s fun runs with more than 60 boys and girls ranging in age from 3-15 taking part. Greg Bennett and Georgia Landy were the first boy and girl home in the 1km race.

Profits from race t-shirt sales and donations on race day came to over £500. More than £5,000 has been raised for the Royal British Legion from the Poppy Half over its five years.

See tomorrow’s Bexhill Observer for the full article, a list of the leading finishers and more pictures.