The Three Forts Challenge, held on Sunday, included a 27-mile marathon visiting the Iron-Age forts of Cissbury Ring, Devil's Dyke and Chanctonbury Ring; a half marathon, a 10-mile hike and a five-mile family friendly walk.

In terms of numbers, the event proved a real success with nearly 500 people taking part in the four events and more than £5,000 being raised for the RNLI Shoreham Lifeboat Station Appeal.

However, a marshalling problem did lead to frustration for some runners.

The first three in the half marathon ran almost an extra mile before crossing the Worthing finish line after being misdirected.

The confusion meant runner James Baker, from Havant, finished the half marathon first. Shortly after Bill Gristwood, Martin Airey and Jean Briens finished after completing their detour near Cissbury Ring.

Race director Mike Airey said James Baker was happy to concede his "first place" and take the fourth place slot behind the other three.

Mike admitted marshals were not in the right place when the first runners approached and when the first person took the wrong route, the second and third followed.

"The person who got first was very upset at the time but they are all quite happy now," said Mike.

Shoreham lifeboat coxswain Peter Huxtable also went the extra mile – or three.

Peter, who was walking the five-mile route with his dog in aid of the lifeboat appeal, said: "I asked a marshal which way to go because some of the route wasn't marked and ended up walking an extra three miles on the five I had already done."

Mike said the marshalling issues will be reassessed for next year's event.

One person who took the right route and raised a staggering amount by doing so was Gavin Baylis, from Anscombe Road, Worthing.

Gavin, 49, raised more than £2,500 after convincing visitors to his weathercam website to sponsor him. Despite struggling with the heat, Gavin finished the marathon in four hours and 35 minutes.

The Three Forts Challenge is organised by local Rotary Clubs from Worthing Steyne, Worthing, Steyning and Henfield and Storrington and is now in its eleventh year.

The full marathon was won by Tim Short, 26, from Sevenoaks who finished in two hours, 55 minutes and nine seconds – a new course record.

Second was Stuart Mills, of Brighton and Hove AC, in three hours, 11 minutes and 29 seconds. And third was Raymond Pearce, of Istead and Ifield Harriers, in three hours, 14 minutes and three seconds.

The half marathon was won by Bill Gristwood, of Ealing, Southall and Middlesex running club, who finished in one hour, 28 minutes and 30 seconds.

Second was Martin Airey, running for Black Heath and Bromley Harriers, in one hour 29 minutes and four seconds. And third was Jean Briens, of Witney Road Runners, in one hour, 29 minutes and four seconds.
(The half marathon times were adjusted due to the marshalling problem)


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