Close Call for first place in Beachy Head Marathon

Race report: Beachy Head Marathon - Saturday October 22, 2011

An Orpington Road Runner was first over the finishing line in last weekend’s Beachy Head Marathon stealing an eighth victory from the University of Brighton’s Stuart Mills by less than 30 seconds.

Steve Nimmo, who runs with the Orpington Road Runners, claimed first place in this year’s Beachy Head Marathon finishing the 26-mile cross country course in just 3 hours 2 minutes and 28 seconds. Seven times winner Stuart Mills was hot on his heels completing the course just 27 seconds later matching his finishing time from last year.

More than 1,700 runners, walkers and joggers came from across the globe to take part in the event on Saturday, with one of the country’s largest off road marathons covering a challenging route across parts of the new South Downs National Park.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, Cllr Neil Stanley said “What a fabulous day we had on Saturday for the 31st Beachy Head Marathon with a sunny morning getting the entrants off to a great start! All of the entrants put in fantastic effort to complete the course and I’d like to offer special Congratulations to Steve Nimmo for winning this year’s event, and a big Well Done to everyone who took part.

“I’d also like to thank the large team of volunteer stewards and marshals who worked with our Events team to stage the event and who were available around the course to cheer the entrants on and ensure everything went smoothly. Thanks must also go to our event partners Clif Bar, Bookers Wholesale, Eastbourne Motoring Centre / Eastbourne Suzuki and Eastbourne Hospitality Association who worked with us to make 2011 one of our best years yet!”

Photos: The start, race winner Steve Nimmo and Susie Casebourne, first woman across the line

Susie Casebourne running with Team Lifestyle was the first female across the finishing line this year in 3 hours 37 minutes, followed by Emma Richards from the Hailsham Harriers in 3 hours 38 minutes, and Orpington Road Runners’ Suzy Yates in 3 hours 50 minutes.

A record 908 entrants completed the Beachy Head Marathon within the magical 6-hour barrier this year compared to 851 in 2010, with a total of 1,299 entrants successfully completing the course in less than 9 hours 30 minutes and navigating their way around the 26-mile route, which includes 300 steps and 14 gates.

With new electronic chip timing introduced this year and with For Goodness Shakes rewarding entrants across the finishing line with free samples, organisers Eastbourne Borough Council have received excellent feedback from entrants and are already preparing for next year when the event returns on 27 October 2012.

Entries are expected to open in February 2012 for any budding athletes looking to take on Steve and Stuart and compete for the marathon title or for any runners, walkers and joggers looking to take on their own personal challenge and raise money for charity.

Men's results

Women's results

For more information on the event and to see the 2011 results table visit www.beachyheadmarathon.org.uk