Hasting Half Marathon in danger after chemical substances ‘posing menace to life’ discovered at home
Organisers are due to make a decision on whether the half marathon race can go ahead on Saturday afternoon – with road closures for a major police incident still in place
The Hastings Half Marathon is at risk of cancellation due to ongoing road closures for a major police investigation. Late on Thursday night and early into Friday, March 21 morning, over 40 homes were evacuated after life-threatening chemicals were found in a property.
A 28-year-old man was arrested after explosive chemicals, which police said posed “a threat to life”, were found at a property on the A259 Marina, near Caves Road, in St Leonards, East Sussex.
Police stated that searches would continue into today, Saturday, March 22, with the cordon and road closures remaining in place. The public has been advised to “avoid the area” to minimise traffic disruption, as reported by Sussex World.
If cancelled, the Sunday, March 23 marathon’s absence would be a blow to organisers, runners who have trained for months, and charities that benefit from the event.
It is one of the biggest events in the town’s calendar and typically sees around thousands of runners participate each year, with the 40th anniversary edition in 2024 drawing over 3,000 runners. This year, 4,000 are expected to finish the 13.1-mile route.
Officials from Nice Work and Hastings Lions, organisers of the Hastings Half Marathon, issued a statement about the potential impact of the ongoing incident on the race.
The statement read: “We want to warn you about an ongoing situation potentially affecting the Hastings Half Marathon, following an incident in St Leonards-on-Sea that has been widely reported on the news.
“Throughout the day (Friday) we have been in constant communication with relevant authorities. This remains a very fluid situation as following an update at 9pm this evening (Friday) we do not have a definite answer about whether the race can go ahead on Sunday.
“We know how much this race is loved and supported by the community, and we appreciate the dedication, training and fundraising efforts that many of you will have put into this year’s event.
“Therefore we will make a final decision by mid-afternoon tomorrow (Saturday). We do not want to cancel the race until the last possible moment so we can allow it to go ahead if possible.
“Your safety along with that of our supporters and volunteers is top priority. We appreciate your patience and support as we work to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all.
“In agreement with the authorities we are continuing with the course set=up while we assess the situation further. We will update you as soon as we have more information. Thank you for your understanding – The Nice Work Team and Hastings Lions.”
A decision about whether or not the event will proceed is to be made this afternoon.
