Great Britain international smashes course record in Hastings race

Adam Clarke on his way to a course record time in the 2019 Hastings Runners 5 Mile Race this morning. Picture by Simon Newstead

The course record was broken in the 14th staging of the Hastings Runners 5 Mile Race this morning (Sunday).

Great Britain international Adam Clarke returned to his home town to win the popular annual event in a time of exactly 24 minutes - 33 seconds quicker than the previous record, which was set by Ross Skelton in 2016.

Representing Hastings AC, Clarke, who also won last year’s Hastings Half Marathon, was in a class of his own as he dominated a race which took place in fine conditions with sunny skies and fairly light winds.

See also: * 600 runners expected for popular Hastings race* GB international wins Hastings Half Marathon* I could’ve gone even quicker, says record-breaking RossTalented youngster Marshall Smith (Ashford AC) finished second in 25:58 and Rhys Boorman (Hastings AC) rounded out the top three in 26:47.

Matt Edmonds was the leading Hastings Runners competitor in fourth in 27:37, while Ben McCallion made it three Hastings AC representatives in the top 10 by finishing eighth in 28:36.

Hastings AC’s Rachael Mulvey was the first lady in 15th overall in 30:02 (chip time 30:01). Becky Morrish (Paddock Wood AC) was second lady in 32:08 (chip time 32:03) and Lydia Growns (Brighton & Hove AC) was third in 32:37 (chip time 32:31).

There were 564 finishers in all and the field included seven competitors from France who were running for the Artois Sport Campus.

All finishers received a 14th anniversary commemorative medal and there were cash prizes for the various category winners.