Sadness as marathon is scrapped

The Seven Sisters Marathon, for runners and walkers, has been going for 21 years, has 1,500 competitors each year and has raised more than £1 million for charity.

But the increasing difficulty of ensuring the safety of runners and the departure of some key organising figures has made this year's event, on October 27, the last.

Event director Leslie Smith said: "It will be a great loss but we felt after 21 years it would be best to call it a day while it is still immensely popular, rather than let it slip.

"The people involved in its organisation have become a huge family, as you would expect having been involved for more than 20 years.

"This last one will be quite emotional."

The event first started on February 28, 1981, with 182 walkers setting off across downland from Eastbourne to Jevington, Alfriston and Litlington before returning over Seven Sisters and Beachy Head.

By 1984, the number of participants had swelled to 2,500 but organisers felt it would grow to beyond a manageable number, so a limit was set in 1985 at 2,000, before being further reduced to 1,500, which still stands.

It has a 26-mile course with competitors negotiating gates, stiles, bridges, cattle grids and several flights of steps.

Paul Charlton, of Langney, Eastbourne, who has competed eight times, said: "It's a tragedy that it could be the last one because it's such a fantastic event.

"You would have to travel miles elsewhere to compete in an event of this kind."

Robert Woods, of the Beachy Head Ramblers, said: "It's of very great regret that the event is going, as it has been organised well over the years."

The event's demise is a sore loss to charities and the tourist trade in Eastbourne and surrounding areas, which benefit from hundreds of visitors who stay during the weekend.

David Elkin, vice- chairman of Eastbourne Hotels Association, said: "It would be sorely missed, as it brings in a nice income for businesses at a time of year when trade is a bit lean."