A monumental weekend for Burgess Hill Runners

Sunday saw the increasingly popular Three Forts Challenge event which includes very tough events of 27 and 13.1 miles that both include steep downland climbs.

In near-perfect conditions for long distance running, Jo Brice ran an exceptional race to win the ladies full marathon (and a bit) event in 3 hrs 42 mins 44s. Last year’s men’s winner Paul Sargent found himself up against some elite competition but still managed a superb 6th place in 3.25.26.

Neil Grigg was competing in his first long-distance trail event and finished in 135th place in a creditable 4.36.21, Susan Lyle did brilliantly to secure 3rd place in the F50 category in 4.46.58 followed by Jan Lavis (4.58.24), Neil Dawson (5.13.05), Karen Harvey (5.23.48), Diane Delderfield (5.28.30), Kevin Walker (5.47.44) and Jon Lavis (6.00.23). In the half marathon, Darryl Webb grabbed an excellent third place with 1.28.06, supported by Sheryl Caldecourt (2.23.59), Linda Russell (2.24.50), Hannah Brett (2.27.27), Steph Harding (2.30.59), Paula Ridley (2.33.07), Elaine Sugg (2.33.12), Allie Wood (2.35.19), Jenny Nicoll (2.36.20), Niki Roberts (2.39.54), Nina Ecroyd (2.39.59), Helen Pratt (2.46.21) and Leanne Cleaveley (2.46.29).

The Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend is becoming something of a fixture ion the local running calendar, with three races over the three days of the bank holiday weekend making up the traditional 26.2 miles of the marathon with 10 mile races in East Grinstead on Saturday and Haywards Heath on Sunday followed by a 10k (6.2 mile) race in Burgess Hill on Monday, plus a one mile children’s race. Official results were still awaited at the time of going to press, but several BHR members completed all three events including Hannah Watkins, Leigh Smith, Jason Wadey, Mark Craigs, Marie Carey and Dave Risby.

In the one mile event, the club were very well represented by members of it’s flourishing Junior Academy.