Incomprehensibly fast PB for Burgess Hill Runner Collins

James Collins set himself an incomprehensibly fast 10k PB of 36:10 at the Mel’s Milers event that took place near Christ’s Hospital and finished in a lofty 4th place. He was followed by great performances from: Neil Dawson (47:30, PB), Gill Berglund (56:28) and Kjell Berglund (1:03:24).

Jon Boxall led the Burgess Hill Runners home with another in a long line of personal bests at the popular ‘Spitfire 20’ with a time of 2:25:43. The event takes place on the Dunsfold Aerodrome, famous as the setting for the Top Gear race track. However, on Sunday the runners were a little bit more sensible with their speed whilst taking on the Spitfire 20 Mile event and the Tempest 10 Mile variant for those not wishing to tackle the undulating lap twice.

In the 20 mile race Jon was followed by James Sorbie (2:35:32, PB), Glyn Merritt (2:50:48, PB), Mark Craigs (3:05:10, PB), Helen Slater (3:12:22), Jay Wadey (3:16:17), Jill Bennett (3:20:26, PB), Vicky Connolly (3:20:27, PB), Nick Dawson (3:29:14) and Hannah Watkins (3:53:16, PB). Katia Hannah completed the 10 mile event and finished in 1:28:48 and Carole Mills followed shortly behind with a new PB of 1:32:29.

Jon Lavis was the sole BHR representative in the Paddock Wood Half Marathon and did himself proud with a time of 2:03:46.

In London, runners were treated to a visit from Henry XIII at the Hampton Court Palace Half Marathon. Whilst none of them managed to negotiate a royal wedding, there were some superb times starting with Leigh Smith just short of a PB with 1:39:30. Eleanor Gillespie was next with 1:58:30, Marie Carey (2:00:43), Theresa Chalk (2:03:14), Tracey Harwood (2:07:13), Stephanie Harding (2:07:52), John Carey (2:09:54) and Helen Pratt (2:45:26).

Meanwhile, just down the road from the Spitfire 20, the popular Cranleigh 15 Miles was taking place and Sharona Harrington flew the flag for the club with a superb term of 1 hour 56.