Terrific Todd smashes race record

Todd Leckie, from Hailsham Harriers, bettered the previous mark by some 11 seconds as he raced to victory in 25 minutes and 16 seconds.

The 24-year-old Team 2012 athlete finished almost two minutes clear of runner-up Joshua Varney (Hastings AC), who pipped top fell runner Steve Cale (Shrewsbury AC) by two seconds.

Leckie was runner-up in the British Elite Duathlon Championships 2011 and is on the British Triathlon World Class Performance Programme. He was also third in the 2010 Eilat ITU Triathlon Premium European Cup last November.

Former winner Jamie Larkin was fourth and West Hill boxer Barry Buchanan finished an excellent sixth. Emma Richards held off a challenge from Hailsham Harriers clubmate Samantha Alvarez to win the ladies’ race.

The men’s and ladies’ team titles also went to Hailsham Harriers. Among the age group trophy winners were Hastings Runners pair Sally Lovell (FV2) and Rodney King (MV7).

A total of 367 runners from all parts of the south east entered an event held in bright and breezy conditions. It started and finished outside Hastings Town Hall, and took in the promenade in between.

More pictures and a list of the top 50 finishers will appear in Friday’s Hastings Observer.