James Woolven, Ryan Benjamin, William Axtell, Catriona Smith, Becci Dunne, Aden Simpson, Caitlin Webb and Guy Wilson report on the 25th Brighton Half Marathon. 

PERFECT conditions made for a blistering event as a record 12,500 runners took to the streets of Brighton and Hove to take part in the first major event on the county’s calendar.

The 12,500 places sold out in double-quick time in June last year, and as the day went on, the records kept tumbling.

Paul Martelletti, 35, was the fastest man around the course in a new record of 01:05:48, which meant he has now been crowned champion three years in a row – the first time anyone has achieved the feat.

He said: “I like doing half marathons, you can run them every week if you want to and mix them up, like today I was taking it pretty easy at the beginning and pretty hard at the end.

“You can get into a really tough session that wouldn’t be able to do on your own, it forces you to run rely hard and fast.

“I like the Brighton in particular because it’s great for crowd support.

“The way it doubles back by the big wheel, there’s an amazing crowd there really cheering you on, it’s great.”

Julia Davis was the fastest woman home in 01:18:27.

PICTURE GALLERY: Brighton Half Marathon 2015

As well as the elite runners, a giant tap, three beer bottles and a rhino were among the charity runners.

Rhino Jim Higham, 42, was delighted to cross the finish line after trudging around the course with his huge costume.

It was a birthday to remember for grandfather George Frogley, who was given the number 80 vest as he negotiated the 13.1 miles on his 80th birthday.

He was spurred on by his family and the evergreen granddad is also running the Berlin Half Marathon, climbing the roof of the O2 in London as well as another building in Manchester for a children’s trust this year.

Race director Martin Harrigan said: “It’s been a great day for running in Brighton and Hove today and the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon 2015 has been a huge success.

“Congratulations to Paul and Julia today for their fantastic achievements and to all the runners who took part today.

“Here’s to another 25 years.”