Big turnout and excellent results inHill’s last major race of the year

Burgess Hill Runners signed off in style in the last major race of their 2013 programme.
barry tullett (hh harriers)barry tullett (hh harriers)
barry tullett (hh harriers)

They sent more than 40 runners to contest Sunday morning’s Brooks Brighton 10k, a flat and fast race that starts and finishes on Madeira Drive.

The race was also the last qualifying event for the club championships and it was no surprise that Paul Sargent was confirmed as the men’s champion, knocking 2 minutes off his personal best in clocking 35mins 11secs to cap a superb season.

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The ladies champion was deservedly confirmed as Sharona Harrington, who finished in 44.29. Both Paul and Sharona ended the championship on maximum points, meaning they were the first club members home in each of the qualifying events they entered.

Meanwhile, there were a multitude of other fine performances on Sunday, with numerous personal bests for both new and experienced runners and some excellent efforts by first-timers.

Other times were James Collins 36:32 (PB), Mark Nicholls 37:30, Neil Grigg 39:08, Jon Boxall 40:56 (first-timer), Andy Sayers 42:16, James Sorbie 42:52 (PB), Simon Alexander 43:23, Neil Phillpot 44:05, Alan Fry 44:18 (PB), Mark Craigs 46:48 PB, Lee Crow 46:55 (PB), Martin Skeats 47:07 (PB), Jonathan Leak 47:41 (PB), Bryony Monnery 48:44, Emma Buckland 49:10, Susan Lyle 49:58, Emma Leeson 50:36 (PB), Dave Woodhouse 50:36, Luke Phillpot 51:05, Sally Symes 51:14, Jean Leak 53:37 (PB), Vicky Connolly 54:05 (PB), Elaine Scott 55:04, Kim Gow 55:40, Linda Dalgleish 55:48, Stephanie Harding 56:04 (PB), Jill Bennett 56:04, Paula Ridley 56:42 (PB), Melanie Acres 56:22, Debbie Beckett 56:39, Dawn Duffy 57:28 (first timer), Jon Lavis 58:23, Sarah Hellier 58:58, Lucy Tyrrell 59:25 PB (by 6 mins), Helen Pratt 1:01:17, Christopher Spencer 1:02:59, Jason Wadey 1:03:16, Caz Wadey 1:03:17, Hannah Watkins 1:06:52 and Emma Morris 1:10:12.

On Saturday, several of the BHR Academy juniors, led by coaches Bryony Monnery and Dave Oldfield, took part in their first event and all were delighted to complete the Clair Parkrun 5k event in Haywards Heath.

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The club would also like to congratulate coach Jan Lavis who on Sunday passed her Coaching in Running Fitness (CIRF) exam after several months of study.

Also at the sell-out Brooks 10k were 28 Haywards Heath Harriers, with the contingent led home by Russ Mullen, who produced a fine comeback run to finish 34th in 34.09.

Not far behind was Rob Watts, 48th in 34.42, followed by Tom Mullen 66th in 35.22, Josh Pewter 36.20, Andy Guy 37.36 (1sec pb), Phil Payne 37.36pb, Richard Sutor 146th in 37.41 and Will Herbert 38.10.

First Harrier lady back was the ever-impressive Izzy Coomber, inside the top 200 in 38.26, while also in the top 200 was Jack Chivers with his first sub 40-minute run.

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Steve Dallman continued his good form with 39.11 and Mark Davies was pleased to be coming back from injury with a positive 39.29.

Barry Tullett finished with 39.55, a first sub 40-minute 10K and 270th place. He was delighted at this key breakthrough.

Ben Adams ran well for a solid 41.3, closely followed by Graham Jenner 41.45 and Carl Bicknell in a strong 41.58.

Andrew Biggs was delighted with his showing, indicating his injury concerns are diminishing with a time of 42.46.

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Close up was Stuart Austin in 43.03 and after that came Dominic Roberjot, who finished in 48.56, and Peter Cobbett in 54.44.

For the rest of Harriers ladies, Katherine Barrett ran well for 45.04, Amanda Soper clocked 46.52 and Lisa Caig returned a solid back to fitness run of 47.02.

Michelle Pearce was delighted with her pb of 48.57, while Marion Hemsworth completed in a positive 49.37, and Natalie Chivers’ pb of 53.37 continued her impressive season of competition. The other times were Penny Rea 57.58 and Maureen Rea 58.24.

Next up, the cross country season heads this weekend to Plumpton College and in early December it moves to Lancing Manor.