Category Archives: Races

Race Reports

A muddy but successful weekend for Hastings Runners

Whilst the sensible runners among the club took advantage of the Callow hospitality and devoured the bacon butties and other nibbles on offer, the mud lovers headed to New Place Farm for the latest instalment of the Cross Country League.

It would appear, judging from the photos titled “Look how muddy my legs are”, that conditions underfoot were rather challenging.

Around 20 in total (results not yet in, will be added when available) tackled the course with Matt Edmonds continuing his fine season by finishing 4th place overall. Jane Coles was the 1st female Hastings Runner across the finish line, with Susan “PB” Rae in 2nd.

On Friday evening Kevin Blowers and Richard Cross took on the Rye 5 mile twilight race. Once Kevin worked out how to align his head torch, there was no stopping him, finishing in a superb time of 36 minutes and 36 seconds. That was good enough for 4th place overall. Richard also managed to finish in the Top 10.

Nick Brown and Helen Brown both tasted success in the Orihuela 5km. Nick was 5th in the MV45 category in a fantastic time of 20.42. Helen finished a superb 2nd in the FV45 in a time of 24.31.

If anyone else took part in races over the weekend then please let me know. Once the Cross Country results have been published, I will update the report.

Simon Linklater (Communications Officer)

News, Race Reports

Mince Pies and Sunshine

It was a quiet weekend on the racing front, with just a handful of Hastings Runners in action, whilst the rest of us put up our Christmas trees and spent even longer getting the perfect photo for our Social Media accounts.

Three wise runners made the short trip to Seaford to take on the Mince Pie 10 Miler, organised by the local Striders club. Terry Kitson was the first home, completing the challenging multi-terrain course in a time of 1 hour 45 minutes and 23 seconds.  Close behind in 1:46:56 was Sarah Marzaioli, with Katherine Hill finishing in 2:07:31.

Nick Brown and Helen Brown both competed in the Turkey & Father Xmas 5K. Nick has only just returned from a serious knee operation and managed to complete the 5.2km course in a fantastic time of 22 minutes dead. Helen came dashing across the finish line in a time of 26 minutes and 24 seconds.

The final Club Championship race is just a few weeks away. The Christmas Pudding Dash at Pett Village Hall. A great opportunity to dress up in your finest Santa or elf costumes and have a bit of fun. Places are still available via the Nice Work website.

The night before is the Xmas Jumpers drinks. We will be meeting at the Albion at 7.30 pm. Everyone in a Christmas jumper is welcome. If you’ve not already booked your place at the Social & Awards Night then make sure you are part of this unforgettable night.

News, Race Reports

Hastings Runners Head for Winter Sunshine

With the winter chill setting in, a select group of Hastings Runners reached for their passports and headed to sunnier climates for their latest race fix.

It’s been a remarkable year for Matt Edmonds, setting new club records and travelling the globe to run in some amazing countries. Last week was, without doubt, his toughest challenge yet. An Ultra Marathon in the blistering desert heat of Oman.

It’s hard to imagine how difficult this race must have been. Not only having to cope with the searing temperatures, but also some dramatic changes in elevation.

To give you some perspective the route was 10 times hillier than the Hastings Half Marathon. All this with a heavy backpack, carrying a long list of supplies, to ensure a safe return to the finish line. Matt, you are amazing.

The Hughes family headed to Valencia for the weekend and Ken, alongside his three children, completed the Marathon. Despite a recent injury, which threatened his participation in the event, Ken completed the race in 3 hours and 54 minutes.

With her first Marathon completed just a few months ago, Jane opted for the Valencia 10K and came in with a superb time of 49:39, 3rd place in her age category. Also competing in that race was the ever-improving Susan Rae.

For the 5th time this year, Susan smashed her 10K PB, but on this occasion, she knocked off 2 minutes from her previous best, recording an incredible time of 47:56. It was good enough to win her age category ahead of 65 other runners. Bien Hecho Susan!

If anyone else took part in races this weekend then please let me know and I will add you to the report.

Thank you for reading.

Simon Linklater

News, Race Reports

Hills, Mud, Sunshine, Marathons & Ultras

The 2019 Sussex Grand Prix came to a conclusion on Sunday at the Crowborough 10K.  17 Hastings Runners took on the undulating 2 lap course around the surrounding country lanes.

Colin White was the first past the post in a time of 40:49, good enough for 22nd place overall. Andy Lee capped a fine SGP season with 2nd place in his age category in 44:40, 2nd among the Hastings Runners, with Graeme Grass in 3rd in 46:39.

Jane Coles was the clubs first female runner home in 49:16, 2nd in her age category. Susan Rae continued her remarkable progress with another age category win in a time of 51:30. The in-form Manami Cheves made up the top 3 in 53:43.

4 Hastings Runners headed for warmer climates and were greeted with sunshine and blue skies for the VIII Carrera 10K en Benidorm.  Louise Coates running her 1st Race of the year produced a fine performance to break the hour mark and finish 3rd in her Age Category (59:56).  Ken Hughes (46:23), Jane Hughes (51:20) and Richard Coates (49.09) all completed the race.

Those tackling the Gatliff 50K on Sunday could only dream of such conditions as the mud and soft ground made running parts of the route impossible. 7 runners bravely took on the challenge: Lisa Peterson, Piers Brunning, Jacqueline Mannering, Pete Heasman, Elly Swaine, Nina Lambrou and Anthony Gardner. Results to follow.

Mud was also an issue in the Owler Half Marathon with much of the course off road. In didn’t stop Nathan Godden getting rounds in 2 hours and 5 minutes. An excellent time given the conditions.

On Saturday Sarah Marzaioli and Allison Tanner took part in the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Winter Chase. A 4.4-mile course, with runners given 6 hours to complete as many laps as possible. Allison completed a total of 17.6 miles in 3 hours and 47 minutes. Sarah completed 6 laps (26.4 miles) in 5 hours and 26 minutes.

Crowborough 10K Results