Thousands of runners gear up for re-scheduled Hastings Half Marathon
It was cancelled due to a police incident in March
Hastings Half Marathon 2025 is getting underway today, seven months after being cancelled.
The 13.1 mile race will begin at 10:30am, with runners able to register from 8:30.
One of the most prestigious half marathons of the racing calendar, it was cancelled in March after a police incident led to St Leonards seafront being cordoned off for several days.
Officials made the decision to cancel after explosives were found, affecting an iconic part of the seafront, and route for the race.
However later the same month, a new date for the 2025 race was confirmed, and it has finally arrived.
Organisers also reopened entries, with those who were already due to take part in March having their entries deferred.
Over 3000 runners have travelled to the coast today to take part in the event.
Sophie Cloute is among those raring to go, after her place was deferred following the event cancellation earlier this year.
She said: "I'm feeling super excited. I think where the March one got cancelled, I feel so prepared for it, so well trained, and it's actually given me the opportunity to do some great races in the months between.
"There's only about five or six months after this race is done, until the next Hastings Half, which is a very exciting thought.
"I think having these few extra months has allowed all the charities to potentially fundraise a little bit more, which is obviously brilliant for everyone involved."
The event's been running for more than 40 years, and sees runners travel from far and wide to participate.
The route begins and ends at Grosvenor Gardens, with a big group warm up taking place at 10am.
"It is a great race to run. It's such a popular event, that so many people come from all over to participate in it, and I think where we've had these extra few months in between it's allowed so many people to sign up, that possibly didn't sign up before.
"The atmosphere is just going to be incredible, there's going to be so many runners that you'll just be carried along with it!."