Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Saturday 22nd March 2025, at 08:25hrs
The fate of the highly anticipated Hastings Half Marathon hangs in the balance after a chemical incident in nearby St Leonards-on-Sea triggered a major emergency response.
Organizers are working closely with authorities, but a final decision on whether the race can proceed is not expected until mid-afternoon on Saturday.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, involved the discovery of hazardous chemicals at a property on the A259 Marina.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams were deployed to desensitize the substances, and a thorough search of the premises is ongoing.
A 100-meter cordon remains in place, displacing 73 residents who have been relocated to a rest center at the Royal Victoria Hotel.
“This remains a very fluid situation,” stated the Nice Work Team and Hastings Lions, the race organizers, in a released statement.
“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 our top priority.”
The organizers emphasized their commitment to the event, acknowledging the dedication and fundraising efforts of participants. However, they stressed that public safety is paramount.
Sussex Police, in a statement released Friday night, confirmed the ongoing multi-agency operation. Chief Inspector James Scott sought to reassure the public, stating,
“We appreciate there has been a degree of uncertainty, but this is a live incident, and we are updating people as we have the information. Keeping people safe remains our priority.”
Scott also clarified that the chemicals were not related to large-scale drug production or terrorism.
“We understand there is speculation around the circumstances of this incident, however we can confirm that the chemicals are not part of any large scale drugs production and the incident is not believed to be terror-related,” he said.
A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of producing illegal substances and making an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose and remains in custody.
The declaration of a major incident has activated the Sussex Resilience Forum, enabling emergency services and partner agencies to coordinate their response.
While the investigation continues, race organizers are proceeding with course setup, pending a final decision on the race’s status.
They have pledged to provide updates as soon as more information becomes available.
Displaced residents will be allowed to return to their homes as soon as the scene is deemed safe.
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