INTRODUCTION

I think that this event has provided a great opportunity for our area; encouraging people into 1066 Country, raising the profile of Hastings Runners, and netting over £3000.00 for local charities in the process. It has been very encouraging to receive such positive feedback from all the clubs and teams that have taken part in 2011 and 2012, and we look forward to  seeing you back at some stage in the future!

The opening stage itself takes some beating....starting in the grounds of Pevensey Castle and finishing at Herstmonceux Castle; the second and longest stage finishes outside Battle Abbey; whilst the fifth and final stage from Icklesham offers some truly glorious views on the way to the finish at Rye. it is not often that you will get opportunities to run past such iconic landmarks!

For road safety reasons we have set an entry limit of 65 - 70 teams for next year's event. There will be men's and women's senior teams, men's and women's vet teams, and a mixed team category; 5 runners per team. In addition there will be awards for the first non-athletic team, and a long distance trophy for the team that have travelled the furthest to take part - the Minnesota Loons (at 4100 miles!) have won the trophy twice but may not be able to defend their title in 2013!

Similarly for safety reasons each stage will be treated as a separate race, with runners setting off at the same time. Apart from the opening stage, all stages set off circa 10 mins before the first runners from the preceding stage start arriving. Please see FAQs for a more detailed explanation. The route follows the 1066 Country Walk path as closely as possible, but there are amendments to the course for safety reasons to avoid major road junctions and level crossings.

I am indebted to Sean Davis of The Stragglers Running Club in Kingston whose Green Belt Relay, which I have competed in twice for Dulwich Runners, gave me the inspiration for the forthcoming 1066 Relay. Check out the website www.greenbeltrelay.org.uk to get a flavour of this amazing 220 mile multi-terrain event which allows runners to explore the leafier parts of M25 country over a weekend in late May, starting at Hampton Court on Saturday morning and finishing in Kingston on Sunday evening.

Nick Brown, 1066 Relay race organiser