The medals are ready and regular competitors will notice a new member of the family for this year's Beachy Head races. In an ambitious extension to the two-day programme, Visit Eastbourne's Events Team has added a new 52K Ultra Marathon option.

All four medals feature the Belle Tout Lighthouse and the famous Seven Sisters cliffs in the South Downs National Park that provide the spectacular background to this bucket list event. Last year, more than 2,000 runners did indeed visit Eastbourne to compete in the original Beachy Head Marathon and 10K races, so that's the measure of success for this year's promotion.

The defending Beachy Head Marathon champions are James Turner (Brighton & Hove AC, 2:44:33) and Jemima Farley (W35 Fulham, 3:05:48). Spookily, for an eve of Halloween event, the winner was wearing race number 666! 

The Beachy Head Half Marathon title holders are Rowan Tully (Seaford Striders, 1:26:09) and Katie Stephens (1:40:18) from the local Meads Runners, while the 2021 10K winners were Matt Edmonds (Hastings, 37:54) and W45 Sue Fry (Eastbourne, 43:55).

The revised race programme will see more than 3,000 runners tackle the original Beachy Head Marathon or the new 52K Ultra Marathon at 8:00am on Saturday (22nd October). The 10K race commences 20 minutes later and all three races start and finish on Duke's Drive, outside Bede's School. The Half Marathon is on Sunday (23rd October) at 8:00am.

Eastbourne Borough Council’s Lead Member for Tourism & Culture, Councillor Margaret Bannister said: “Beachy Head Marathon attracts such an impressive field of athletes every year and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to this epic course in our new Ultra Marathon year. With runners and their families attending from all over the country, this is a super boost to our autumnal tourism economy, with many staying overnight to enjoy an extra break by the sea.  Please do come along and support these amazing athletes, it really is a great atmosphere.”   

Previous race reports and results are at runABC South race listing here

Image courtesy Beachy Head Marathon on Facebook