A RUNNER seized his opportunity to pull away from the pack while his competitors took on water to win the Brighton Half Marathon.
Paul Navesey, the course record holder, claimed another victory at the annual event on Sunday.
But this time, it wasn’t as conventional as before.
Paul, who previously lived in Sussex but now resides in Emsworth, was in a three-way battle for much of the 13.1-mile race.
At the seven-mile mark, his two competitors strayed away to get a drink from the water stand – and this was the opportunity Paul had been waiting for to pull away.
“As soon as they went to get a drink, I ran a bit faster,” he told The Argus after the race.
Paul set the course record in 2019 with a time of 01:04:56. Two years later, he crossed the finish line in a time of 01:08:10.
He was closely followed by Marcus England (01:08:55) and James Turner (01:09:29).
“Winning is always really, really nice. I’d have liked to have got close to my course record, but maybe in February for the 2022 event,” he said.
“The race was great overall – I just love being outside and running. It’s so lovely to have all the local people right behind you.
“I’ve only raced a few times recently, but I would race here every year if I could.”
Among the women, local runner Bobby Searle claimed her first Brighton Half Marathon win in front of an adoring home crowd.
She finished in a time of 01:22:25.
Bobby, who has lived near Preston Park for 11 years, led the race throughout but said she kept thinking she would be passed.
“I was a bit worried at some points early on I was going a bit too fast,” she said. “It gives you a bit of a worry when you look down at your watch and you’re ahead of schedule.
“I knew when I turned that corner with three or four miles to go that I would be hanging in there by the end. And the pressure really hit me in the last mile.”
Bobby was followed by Dani Tarleton in second (01:23:03) and Emily Proto in third (01:24:33).
Bobby, who is eyeing the Brighton Marathon in April as her next big event, said racing in Brighton was a dream come true.
“I certainly wasn’t expecting to win the race, but the Brighton Half Marathon is my favourite race,” she said.
“I love racing on my home turf. The support is amazing, and it always seems to end up a nice day.
“To celebrate, I am going out for brunch. I’m not much of a drinker, so I’m just going to eat.”
Among the non-elite runners was comedians Zoe Lyons and Joe Wilkinson.
The Brighton-based stars were among the thousands of people to complete the race.
The event, organised by The Sussex Beacon charity, was the 31st Brighton Half Marathon.
The 2022 Brighton Half Marathon is due to be held on Sunday, February 27, 2022.
Registration is now open.
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