Over the years Hastings has attracted some very famous names. Ron Hill, the great middle and long distance runner who went on to commentate for the BBC and produce a range of running clothing took part for may years. Olympic medallists include Ian Thompson and Don Thompson (no relation), and of course no role of honour would be complete without mention of Hastings own Sean Baldock, Commonwealth Gold Medalist and Olympic Team member.

In 1989 a world record was set by Paul Davis-Hale. He ran the course in a time of 62min 10 sec which was the fastest half marathon run anywhere in the world that year. He held the fastest time until Samuel Oteino ran 61min 37sec a couple of years ago.

1989 also saw a tremendous run by Andrea Wallace who set the ladies record at 71min 13 secs. This time remains unbeaten � any takers?

Every year in April a prize giving ceremony takes place, originally in the Marina Pavilion, but now at the Hastings Centre. Cheryl Baker from Bucks Fizz and later Record Breakers has been guest as was in 1993 Eamonn Martin. In that year Eamonn, a short distance runner, decided to move to long distance running and used the Hastings Half Marathon to train for London. Not only did he win Hastings, but he went on to win London. However in the middle of a busy schedule for TV, radio etc he still made a point of coming back to Hastings to present the prizes just days after the big event. A true star and a great gent!

Things haven�t always gone well though. In the early days Maidstone Prison would enter a team of prisoners. In 1988 they counted them all out, but when it came to the finish one was missing. He, evidentially, had decided it would be nice to visit his family in Birmingham and half way round headed off in a northerly direction. Not only did this make the national news, it was immortalised in a Giles Cartoon.

So far to date the event has raised �2.5 million pounds for charity, and that�s just the total the Lions know about. Many, many runners raise sponsorship for charities close to their hearts and the Lions have no idea how much this totals. The event was original conceived as a fund raising idea by the Hastings Lions, motto �We Serve�, now it is more about raising money in general for charities, any charity, as well as providing a flagship event for Hastings.