Haywards Heath Harriers celebrate 2014 success and already have eyes on the 2015 prize

The club made history in December by winning the Sussex Grand Prix for the first time in 30 years of competition in the league.

Both the Men and the Ladies had won their leagues in prior years but the club went one better in 2014 with a clean-sweep, securing the overall title as well as the Men’s and Ladies’ crowns.

In a shower of silverware, the club also received a number of individual and age group trophies.

Chichester Priory 10k

No sooner had the awards been collected, did this year’s Sussex Grand Prix season commence. The opening race of the 2015 competition was the popular Chichester Priory 10k on Sunday.

16 Harriers made the trip which attracts a top field of athletes from the south due to its status as one of the major road races in the English road running calendar. The undulating, fast course did not disappoint with some outstanding Harrier performances and personal best times in excellent running conditions.

Kim Lo was 21st lady and first female Harrier in 39:04, with Kat Barrett (42:51) next home in 49th; both clocking brilliant personal best times. Best placed amongst the males and with equally stunning performances and career best times were Phil Hardaway in 40th (34:03) and Tom Mullen in 54th (34:35).

Full Results

Jack Chivers (38:28), Rob Coomber (39:32); Richard Cole (41:30), Carl Bicknell (43:29), Amanda Soper (45:16), Graham Jenner (44:42), Michelle Pearce (45:26), Richard Neale (49:27), Shelagh Robinson (51:36), Peter Cobbett (54:33), Natalie Chivers (57:24), Richard Bates (58:50).

Brighton - Falmer LONGMAN Trail Runs

Stunning scenery greeted entrants of the challenging Brighton - Falmer LONGMAN Trail Runs – with 10k, 10 mile and marathon distance options. Harrier Howard Booth finished the tough marathon event in seventh in an excellent time of 4:09:45.

Clair parkrun

In the Clair parkrun on Saturday, there was a third victory on this hilly circuit for Paul Cousins in 19:22. Ben Adams took second for the successive weekend in a personal best time of 20:03. There was more Harrier success in the shape of Simeon Cousins (20:37) and Julian Boyer (20:38) who had a gripping sprint finish to take fourth and fifth respectively. There were also personal best times for TJ Watson (21:28), who finished seventh and Clare Kenward (24:52) who was eighth female.

Sussex Sports Hall League

Haywards Heath Harrier boys finished third overall and the girls a close fifth in the Sussex Sports Hall League this weekend for the U11, U13 and U15 age groups. All athletes performed extremely well, having a go at events that they had not competed in previously. Full individual results are currently unavailable.