Weekend of weather contrasts as Harriers return closer to home

The Harriers stayed local to support a new event and a very much established one.

Saturday saw the club’s inaugural 5K Championships. This was held at Clair Park in conjunction with the local Parkrun. There were 20 Harriers taking part amongst the regular runners, which was up to a pleasing total of 80.

The race was won by a back in form Russ Mullen with a pb of 17.54, while Paul Cousins took the 5K title with 18.42pb due to his V50 age grading. He was followed by Cliff Comber 21.19 V60 and Christian Wilkinson 21.03 Junior Male.

Margaret Hollamby V55 took the ladies title in 22.22, followed by Ann Sinett V50 23.49 and Mags Lazell V35 22.09pb.

Sunday saw a very wet return of the West Sussex Fun Run League and the Harriers’ own event, the Hickstead Gallop. Despite the conditions, there was a fine turn out of youngsters from local clubs and schools getting a real taste of competitive cross country.

In the junior race, Neave Scott came a super 2nd and Katie Grant 4th, while for the boys Simeon Cousins was a terrific winner with 5.47 in a strong field, followed by Matthew Holbrook 3rd in 6.06 and Christian Wilkinson 5th in 6.21.

More than 100 under 11s and 9s took part in the youngsters events, where schools represented included Harlands, St Josephs, Lindfield Primary, St Lawrence, Newick C of E, St Wilfreds and Handcross Park.

Harlands schoolboy and Harrier Teddy March won the U9 race over a 700m course in 2.45 and Adam Bennett was 2nd in 2.50. Young Harry Russell was 17th.

For the U11 girls, Isobel Russell was a very close up 2nd in a hugely competitive race, while Harriet Dray ran really well to win the U9 race, where Meadow Davies was 6th and younger sister Jemimah completed in the rain at aged just 3.

Afterwards 275 seniors took part in the muddy and soaking longer race, where Paul Cousins was a super 7th over an 8k course.

Barry Tullett was a strong 16th in 31.55, followed by Tim Hicks 18th in 32.29. Other Harriers times were Jason Russell, still not fully fit, 36.11, Mark Armitage 37.36, Sarah Banks 40.36, Michelle Pearce 41.50, Steve Horn 43.20, Abigail Redd 45.38, Michelle Holdstock 48.22, Irene Parsley 51.31, Mims Davies 56.40 and Jenny Denyer 57.19.

Rob Watts headed to Brighton to take part in the Jog Shop 20-miler, which he completed in around 3 hours due to the immensely wet and slippery conditions.

This Saturday the Juniors, Seniors and Vets Harriers take part in the first Sussex Cross Country League event at Goodwood.

For more information on this and the full results, head to the Haywards Heath Harriers website.

for the girls 6.43 and

7.14. Simeon Cousins was a terrific 1st

in this strong field 5.47, 3rd

6.21.

and young Harry Russell was

place in a hugely

in the U9 girls.

in U9 girls and younger sister Jemimah completed the

for Barry Tullett 31.55, 18th