Runners line up to take part in a military team road race in Havelock Road, Hastings in February 1915. There were eight teams and 79 runners taking part in the 9.5 mile race. The following regiments were represented: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, 10th Battalion Loyal North Lancashires, R.A.M.C. Training Corps, 11^th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, 9^th South Lancashire Regiment and 7^th & 8^th South Wales Borderers. The race was won by Corporal Arthur of the 8^th South Wales Borderers, completing the 9.5 mile course in 54 minutes 39 secs. The team event was won by the R.A.M.C .Training Corps.

That finish of 54 minutes 39 seconds is pretty quick. The winner, Corporal Arthur, maintained a pace of 3.39 per kilometer during the race. As a comparison the winner of the 1920 Olympic 10k race, Finn Paavo Nurmi, ran his winning race at 3.11 per kilometer. And he didn’t have the soft cushioned shoes, fitness apps and trappings that runners enjoy these days.

This image is part of a series of Then and Now images I’ve created for East Sussex Council’s World War 1 commemoration website. The website is focussed on the contribution that the men and women of East Sussex made towards the war effort.

The two photographs used to create the image are below. You can view the top image full size on my Flickr page by clicking on it.