Beachy Head Marathon

Just seen entries are open, but there is now a 5p.m. cut off, no early starts and no walker/jogger/runner categories.  Can understand latter, but other 2 changes are making it less inclusive than it has been in the past.

That's a shame.  Used to be nice getting words of enouragement, slogging past the early start walkers.  Seems to me that could change the atmosphere of the event.

It is just that the cut off was always 6pm before with early starts permitted.  It was always meant to be an event open to runners and walkers alike and not primarily a running marathon where some people chose to walk.

Bear I am not sure that the early starters have ever been 'permissable' tho?  Its an open course and I doubt if they will be able to stop anyone from starting earlier
I do think that they need to put some form of end time on tho and that again wont detract from people coming in after 5pm, they just wont get the full package of the finish gantry

Of course there has to be a cut off time, but it has 6 p.m. in previous years.  The early start was never specifically prohibited before and now the web site makes threats that the back markers will 'remove' those who are not likely to make the finish in the specified time - although this is clearly unenforceable. 

I see

No not enforceable easily I should think and probably not an easy call for them to make either
So many H&S rules out there coupled with race insurance and everything which are being the demise of a lot of races

Will contact them tomorrow to ask why changes - although I strongly suspect H&S will be quoted...

Sadly I think it will

Yes - I received lengthy reply raising what I thought were somewhat spurious concerns about people still being out in the dark.  As it was still light at 6pm all that was required was for the sweepers to make sure that those at the back would make this time.  If necessary a 5.30 finish would be more than adequate, but bureaucracy had its own methods.

You are completely ignoring the point about the event in previous years being aimed at walkers as much as runners.  Whatever you might think there are precious few marathons that actively encourage walkers that are not connected with some charity.  Of course anyone can walk the course, or run it or whatever - in fact why should anyone bother with the entry fee - it would buy a heck of a lot of sausage rolls.

Totally agree with you, Bear. I've done it 9 times, but never again. I think the whole H&S thing is over-rated, and it's just being turned into a way of grabbing more and more money for Eastbourne. Lovely course, great food, but there are other events nearer home for me where I can be made to feel more welcome. So bye bye Beachy!

I was a little disappointed when they added chip timing, and the price went up.  

If I was you Bear I would just set off early and say your chip failed.  Having looked at the website it says there are runners finishing between 12 -6pm!