Race seeks marathon descendants

Descendants of the winners of a marathon, which first took place in an East Sussex resort 100 years ago, are being sought by this year's organisers.

Fifty-one competitors took part in the Hastings Marathon in December 1908, including six Olympic runners.

To commemorate the centenary, an anniversary marathon will take place in the town on 14 December.

Race director Eric Hardwick said he hoped relatives of the original winners would bring along their medals.

The first Hastings runner home was George White, while Edmund Catt won the Silver Cup.

"We want some of these local people or anyone else that took part in the 1908 race - any descendants or people that know about it - to please let us know," said Mr Hardwick.

The overall winner of the race was WT Clarke, of the Sefton Harriers in Liverpool, in 2 hours 37 minutes and 16.8 seconds.

Mr Hardwick said Mr Clarke's descendants had already been located.