The first three
Striders to finish the Brighton Half, Josh Rudd, Simon Fletcher and Scott Hitchcock.
The Brighton Half is a good solid, flat race with few corners, which is well organised with copious amounts of marshals, signposts and volunteers, with fantastic support from the crowds who flock to watch the race. The long flat course gives great potential for PBs – personal bests – and the Seaford Striders did not disappoint, despite the winds, which added a fair amount of unwanted resistance.
The race started on Madeira Drive, taking in the surroundings with the sea, Pier and Big Wheel before a quick circuit around the Old Steine. Then runners headed east along the coast towards Ovingdean for 2 miles, before a sharp turn saw them heading west along the coast for 3 miles back towards the centre, where the masses of crowds and supporters were in loud voice!
The route then continued along the coast for further 3 miles until the Hove Lagoon turn on mile 9, with the next 2 miles being on the Hove Promenade. At mile 12 the runners headed back on to the main road, eastbound with the finish line in sight. The final push along the last mile being made so much easier by the thousands of cheering people and the atmosphere helping more than one of the runners complete their final sprint.
Eleven Seaford Striders took part and delivered some cracking results with at least five of them achieving PBs. The first Strider across the line was the ever-improving Josh Rudd in a cracking PB time of 1:17:33, closely followed by Simon Fletcher who was first in his age group in 1:18:19. Next to finish in another PB time was Scott Hitchcock 1:23:32 and Luke Borland, 1:26:31 (another PB). Heading out for the first time for the Striders over this distance, Ed Tuckley was close behind the early finishers in 1:27:44, with Josh Nisbett finishing in 1:39:03.
Claiming the position of first female Strider was Anneka Redley, again running for the first time over this distance as a Strider, in a very impressive time of 1:48:30, closely followed by Karen Clinton in 1:52:10 and, in another PB time Carlie Watts made it home in 1:56:07. Not to be outdone, yet another PB was achieved by Emma Goodwin in 2:13:35, with Tom Roper closing the interest for the Striders in 2:22:01.
As always in this race, there was a great mix of runners of all abilities who collectively will have raised an amazing amount of money for numerous charities.
Congratulations to all the Brighton Halfers!