Stuart Mills has challenged someone to give him a run for his money at next year's Beachy Head Marathon after claiming his fourth consecutive title on Saturday.

Mills led for almost the entire race and romped to victory by more than 12 minutes to claim a place in the record books.

Nobody in the event's 25 year history - formerly as the Seven Sisters Marathon - has won four in a row before but Mills was still not entirely satisfied.

He had hoped to beat his winning time of last year but agonisingly was just 11 seconds outside in 2hr.59min.6sec for the gruelling off-road course.

The 42-year-old sports science lecturer at the University of Brighton believes he needs someone to push him all the way next year if he is to improve his personal best.

Mills, of East Hoathely, said: "I took the lead after about 100m and from then on I was on my own.

"I set myself targets to reach different checkpoints in but it is not the same as having someone with you, forcing you to run faster.

"It would be nice to have someone who could run it in two hours 53 minutes and then I would have to work really hard to stay with them rather than relying on self-discipline.

"It is great to win four times in a row because it is something that has never been done before. I'll be back to try to make it five next year but hopefully I'll have some competition."

Mills had been ahead of schedule at the half-way stage but a combination of the conditions and his isolation at the head of the field conspired to thwart him.

"Although I was 11 seconds slower than last year I probably ran better because it was very muddy and the wind was very unfavourable," said the Brighton and Hove City runner.

"There was a lot of rain the night before the race and that meant you had to be very cautious running downhill.

"Also there is usually a tail wind blowing you back to the finish line from Cuckmere but this time there was a head wind which meant I had to grit my teeth and really work hard."

Clem Dixon trailed in 12 minutes behind Mills to take second place just ahead of David Byrne while Sue Sleath won the women's race in 3hr.36min ahead of Sarah Tucker and Sharon Hawkins.

A total of 1,307 runners completed the race - while seven dogs also made the distance!