Dragging yourself out to the seafront on a frosty Sunday morning might not be your idea of fun, but for 2,100 mad... cough... I mean fit, energetic people it was the perfect start to a very good day indeed.

The Sussex Beacon Half Marathon has become a favourite pre-London Marathon race and attracts people from all over the country. And I don't think it would be unfair to say that they arrive in all shapes and sizes. From the ultra fit (congratulations to James Baker from Chichester on achieving the winning time of 1h10:33), to the in-it-to-finish-it variety (congratulations to all those who were just arriving through the finish line after lap 1 half an hour after James had finished the whole race!). Congratulations also go to Linda Murdoch as the first woman to cross the line in 1hr24:11.

It was a cold, COLD day, but there was plenty of good cheer being spread by the runners and organisers alike. And, of course, plenty of vaseline being spread by St. John's Ambulance as always.

The race was started by Coronation Street star, Brian Capron (aka Trickie Dickie) and an informal awards ceremony was held with cups and prizes being presented by the Brighton & Hove Mayor.

It actually looked quite fun to me. Now then. Where did I put my 1977 Dunlop Greenflash trainers...?