Farewell to marathon

THE Seven Sisters Marathon, one of the country s most challenging running events, takes place for the last time next Saturday (October 27).

Tony Raven, Leslie Smith and other key figures in the organising of the event have decided to call it a day after twenty one years creating what is regarded as a unique national success. The event may be revived under a new promoter sometime in the future

The marathon is one of the largest mass participation events on the South Coast and although there will be a good turn-out from Sussex, the majority of entrants are from outside of the county.

The marathon is not intended as a race, but as a personal challenge event for all to test their ability and endurance over the 26-mile course, and enjoy the atmosphere of a friendly day out on the hills. Experienced walkers reach the finish in 6-8 hours. For runners the hilly course takes 30-40 minutes longer to run than a flat road marathon, being almost entirely cross country. With a total ascent of 3,500 feet, gates and stiles have to be negotiated, as well as bridges, cattle grids and several flights of steps.

At 8am on February 28 1981, what seemed like a huge crowd of 182 walkers set off on the first Seven Sisters Marathon. At 11am 68 runners followed, and within a short time all vanished into the fog clutching their route descriptions, with many of the runners going astray in the first few miles! By 1984 the number of entries had increased to 2,500, but a limit was introduced in 1985, which remained at 2,000 for several years until recently, when 1,500 was considered a reasonable number for safety and comfort.

The Heathfield Silver Band, and the Glynde and Beddingham Brass Band, will be playing at Litlington to cheer participants on their way, and regular piper Joe Somerville will be playing on the hills.

The road on the western end of Eastbourne Seafront will be closed to traffic between the hours of 8am and 6pm, and there could be slight delays on the A259 at the Eastbourne Downs Golf Club between 9.00 and 9.30am, and at Exceat between 11 am and 1.00pm.

There will also be delays at Jevington, Alfriston and Litlington during the morning.

The best viewing places are:-

St. Bede s School, from 8.45am for the start at 9am, Alfriston from 10am, Birling Gap from 11.15am, the finish at St. Bede s School from 11.45am and throughout the afternoon.