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Cookies, costumes and clifftops: Lewes AC at the 2025 Beachy Head Marathon Weekend
A strong contingent from Lewes Athletic Club turned out in force over the weekend of October 25–26 to take on the famously scenic yet demanding 2025 Beachy Head Marathon Weekend Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K events.
The weekend saw hundreds of runners gather at Beachy Head, with challenging off-road courses that climb through the South Downs National Park and along the Seven Sisters cliffs, offering spectacular coastal views and punishing ascents.
Outstanding Performances in the Marathon
Conditions were moderately wet and breezy on marathon day, but that didn’t deter Lewes runners.
- Izzy Bradford led the charge, claiming first place in the Female Vet 35 category with an impressive time of 3:33:24.
- Other strong performances came from Richard Docwra (M Vet 50, 4:20:19), David Prince-Iles (M Vet 70, 4:53:48) finished 1st in his age category, Dominic Tansley (M Vet 40, 5:20:10), and Steffan Meyric Hughes (M Vet 50, 5:51:02).
- Kate Seymour (F Vet 55, 4:53:48) finished 4th in her age category, while Sarah Robinson (F Vet 55, 5:05:18) and Tara Twyman (F Vet 35, 7:35:42) completed the gruelling course with determination and spirit.
A highlight of the day was the enthusiastic support from newly qualified LAC club coach Julie Deakin, who dressed as a cheerleader and appeared at three points along the marathon course, complete with homemade cookies, to cheer on her tutee, Sarah Robinson, who successfully completed the marathon.
Half Marathon Success in Perfect Autumn Conditions
On Sunday, runners enjoyed a cool, sunny autumn day for the Half Marathon, which featured a coastal route over the Seven Sisters and past Belle Tout Lighthouse.
- Richard Strong delivered a standout performance, taking first place overall in the Senior Male category with a remarkable time of 1:25:48.
- Rhian Davies followed with 1:51:25, placing 5th in the Senior Female category.
Other Lewes finishers included: Robin Edwards (2:28:32, M Vet 50), Claire Raitt (2:24:00, F Vet 55), Steph Masters (2:30:26, Senior Female), Colin Hartland (2:38:30, M Vet 60), Adrian Thompson (2:40:19, M Vet 60), Anne Hagan (2:31:55, F Vet 65), Elizabeth Long (2:32:45, F Vet 55), Lydia Cole (2:43:09, F Vet 35), Larissa Purdie (2:46:31, F Vet 55), Jane Baldwin (2:57:28, F Vet 55), Andrea Uphus (2:57:27, F Vet 55), and Andrea Campbell (3:11:21, F Vet 45).
Promising Young Talent in the 10K
In the Beachy Head 10K, Lewes’ younger and veteran runners also impressed:
- Aaron Loughlin (Junior Male) crossed the line in 50:58, while Amplie Bedford (Junior Female) followed in 55:33.
- Senior runners Gary Bedford (55:34), Gary Loughlin (58:37), Lara Meyric Hughes (58:43), and Claire Davis (1:01:24) all posted strong times over the hilly 10K route.
“It was fantastic to see such a large and enthusiastic turnout from Lewes AC across all three events,” said Club Chair Philip Westbury. “From first-place finishes to first-time marathoners, every member showed the spirit, grit, and camaraderie that make our club so special. The Beachy Head weekend is a real highlight of our running calendar, and this year’s results reflect both the hard work and joy that our athletes bring to the sport.”
Want to Improve Your Running Performance with Lewes AC?
Lewes AC offers various training sessions to help boost your performance at road and trail running events:
- Strength and Conditioning: Join our coaches on Monday nights to improve core strength and stability. Sign up here.
- Track Sessions: Fine-tune your technique, pacing, and endurance on Thursday evenings, or try beginner track sessions on Saturday mornings. Sign up here.