Category Archives: Race Reports

Race Reports, Races

If you go down in the woods today…

I was given some shrewd advice on Saturday evening by a wise, unnamed individual. “I think you should learn the route for tomorrow’s race”. 

For the first time in my life, I chose to ignore this person’s guidance and somewhat inevitably it proved costly. 

For the first 23 kilometres myself and race buddy Neil Jeffries were having a cracking morning in the autumnal sunshine. Running along the beautiful trails, through orchids, woodland, past 5 Norman churches and generally loving life. 

Sadly someone didn’t want our fun to continue and had gone to the effort of leading runners off the correct route. Shortly after the 23k mark, we were tricked to take a left turn by a rogue piece of pink ribbon. They had been carefully placed to guide us around the course, but this rebel had other ideas. It became clear we were lost as we continued up said path, unable to find our way. After a brief discussion we retraced our steps and were glad when we discovered a Run Route sign pointing us in the right direction. Or at least that’s what we thought.

Often it’s the sheep that looked lost in the field, on this occasion it was the 50 or so runners, totally bewildered as to where to go next. To the extent they split up into 3 groups and headed in opposite directions. 

A few of us retraced our steps and thanks to the knowledge of a fellow runner, we found the guilty sign and were back on our way. By now our spirits were dashed, the hills grew steeper, and the sun even hotter. We were defeated. Trudging our way up the final steep incline, our spirits briefly lifted by the beautiful views across Rye. What seemed like a short jog back to the finish line took an age. But conquer it we did and there were excellent times among the Hastings Runners contingent that took part.

In the 30k race Paul Lambert ran a blinder to finish 7th overall. There were age category wins for Kevin Blowers, Tamsin West, Bill Edmondson, Bob Dennis and Sylvia Huggett. Also completing the course were Jamie Kennedy, Sarah Bendle, Charles Bowley, Martin Snape, Darren Kilby, Simon Linklater, Luke Evans, Emily Allchurch, Neil Jeffries, Jamie Hitchman, Annette Fry, Jan Young, Alison Anderson, Sarah Marzaioli, Marie Appleton, Ellie Swaine, Victoria Sims, Helen Rothermel, Helen Munday and Alison Tanner.

I will mention one time from the race. That of Will Withecombe who took on the 15km route, finishing in a time of 1 hour 2 minutes and 41 seconds. An average pace of 4:03 per kilometre. Remember this is a hilly trail race with stiles to negotiate. Bonkers. Will won the race by the way. He often keeps that quiet when people ask him how he fared.

Richard Cross, Ben Sayers and Stephen Slater were the other 3 runners taking part in the correctly marked 15km race.

 

Race Reports, Races

Sunsets and Vets

With the darkness looming and the sad realisation the summer was coming to a conclusion, our smiles lit up the room as one by one, Hastings Runners skipped across the sailing club to collect their age category awards.

Robert Weeks 1st Junior
Hayley Ranson Female Vet 55
Irene Kitson Female Vet 65
Sarah Marzaioli Female Vet 70
Craig Weeks 1st Male Vet 45
Andy Knight 1st Male Vet 55
Kevin Blowers 1st Male Vet 60

“We’re pretty good in the old people’s categories” came the remark from a slightly younger HR member, who shall remain nameless (it wasn’t me).



It was the final event of the Rye Summer Series. A trio of races which take place at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Known for its outstanding beauty, incredible sunsets and relentless wind. On this rare occasion one of these was missing from the recipe, much to the delight of the runners, it was the stiff breeze.

With Will Withecombe offering vocal support on the sidelines, the honours were left to Adam Weller. He was the first Hastings Runner across the line, in a superb time of 17:38.

A slightly heavier version of Paul Lambert, from the last time I saw him, came home in 19:30, much to his own surprise having spent the majority of his pre race routine talking down his chances after a week of eating takeaways. “I’ll be lucky if I break 21 he told me”. I’ve got my takeout menus ready for my next race after Paul’s incredible efforts.

Kevin Blowers produced a stunning performance to knock over a minute off his PB. Was it the shoes? Or was it the hair? Either way, 19:48 was a fantastic effort, to scoop yet another age category win!



Andy Knight continued his excellent recent revival with a season’s best of 20:52. Jacqueline Scott knocked a minute and a half off her previous 5k PB, who alongside Marie Crawford enjoyed the sunset and spent 27 and a half minutes chatting away. Imagine if they tried? 

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable evening, in the company of wonderful people, in a cracking setting. Go Hastings Runners.

Race Results
Adam Weller 17:38
Paul Lambert 19:30
Kevin Blowers 19:48
Andy Knight 20:52
Stephen Ingram 21:55
Rachael Inns 25:58
Adam Holland 26:40
Craig Weeks 26:43
Jacqueline Scott 27:32
Marie Crawford 27:38
Sarah Marzaioli 30:00
Robert Weeks 31:22
Irene Kitson 31:45
Hayley Ranson 32:01
Catherine Southgate 34:58
Henry Worthington 41:08

Race Reports, Races

BATTLE 10k PRODUCES MULTIPLE VICTORIES

Another day, another sea of black and green. (Except in the junior race, of course, which would come as a surprise to none of us.) Fifty-two of us – plus Danny Ratnarajah sadly taken unwell before the start – in a field of 258. All the best to you, Danny…

We Battle first-timers were in for a treat, despite the warm weather – a lovely, mostly wooded, oblongular course that sent us downhill for the best part of 3k, then uphill for approximately 15 miles, before a final 3k of flat-to-coasting downhillish to the finish, right in front of Battle Abbey gates.

There I spied a friendly chap offering me a medal, then noticed the mayor handing out medals to people less sweaty than myself. I then sat down beside an utterly exhausted Martin Snape who had somehow finished about half an hour before me despite having been awake for three days welcoming new-born twins into he and his wife Jess’s world. Congratulations!

Creaking slowly to my feet, I looked around and saw plenty of others to congratulate – not least Will Withecombe, placed second in a time of 35’32 and our fastest woman, Nicky Steed in 45’58 who was also placed first in her age category.

There were further age-cat wins for Keiran Price, Martin Noakes, Neil Jeffries (who?), Jo French, Yocklin Richardson and Robert Dennis – and plenty more for whom glory was measured in more personal triumphs, such as beating last year’s time: Patrick Bermingham, Charlie Bowley, David Harding, Andy Knight, Chris Weeks, Jacqueline Scott and Krista Barzee – with apologies to any I’ve inadvertently missed.

Hats off to our fifth fastest entrant Andrew Shipilov, who seems to get faster with every run, and Craig Weeks – who ran to the finish despite nursing a hip injury. Well done to Battle first-timer Heidi Rossetter whose never-say-die attitude saw her clinch the Grin of the Day award.

Special mention, finally, to Louise Cavill who not only knocked the best part of six minutes off her 2021 time, but did so replicating Lioness Chloe Kelly’s sports bra celebration all the way down Battle High Street. Girl power to the MAX!

Written by Neil Jeffries

News, Race Reports, Races

BARRY RICHARDS 10K… ALMOST TOO HOT TO TROT

On the face of it, a relatively straightforward 10k – a seafront out-and-back. So flat – in theory. And yet… there is that 39m of elevation. Kicking in just when we leave the cooling effect of the sea.

Did I say cooling? We ran gratefully into the all-too-few patches of shade to the De La Warr. After which… virtually none. The weather experts forecast a worrying 27 that “feels like” 30. But that was for those standing still. In the shade. For runners, mostly in the glare of the setting sun… Who knows? If this is what an Amber Heat Warning feels like, do not run in Red.

It gets hotter still near the western end of Hartfield Road, where the black tarmac of the road and pavement combine with the reflective white paint on the house to our left to create a blast-furnace effect. As we reach the Cooden Beach Hotel and finally turn, adopting the shaded side of Cooden Drive, the gradient cranks up a little. And the anticipated cooling effect of a 10mph breeze only adds to the struggle.

Here, a special mention for birthday boy Michael Norris – and Turn Marshal Kevin Blowers who raised a smile by revealing his beer-flavoured best wishes sign under his hi-viz. (Credit, though, to ALL 20 Marshalls who were made even warmer by those hi-viz tops… guiding us on our way, counting us at the end.) Michael, meanwhile, ran beside me step for step for 7.5k. A metronome driving me along through the heat.

Then, at the water stop, he disappeared. Had he ever been there? Had I hallucinated the whole thing? Thoughts of Foreign Legionnaires trudging across endless sand, towards oases that prove to be mirages… I spy one, two, three… five giant psychedelic ducks! Am I losing my mind? No matter, the finish is in sight now.

The finish is where all of us staggered, sunk to the ground, looked at our watches – and winced at how slow we’d been. One by one we returned. The eastern end of Bexhill prom looking ever more like a scene from some green-and-black zombie apocalypse.

Protocol dictates that I salute the ultimate warriors Will Withecombe, Zowie Fairclough, and the fastest “oldies” Kieran Price and Annette Fry… But in their wake – punched through the baking air, behind the sharp end of their magnificent times – each and every finisher was a hero. Take a bow first-timers Heidi Rossetter, Finlay Garlick and Catherine Jones. Welcome aboard and trust us – you picked a hell of night to start! Take a bow Catherine, Louise, Irene and Henry. Take a bow EVERYONE…

We had started as 58 individuals with personal goals, but finished as one great club – a little dehydrated and disappointed that (for the most part) those goals had been vanquished by the heat, but united by desire and dogged determination to reach the finish line. We are Hastings Runners. And we did this.

 

News, Race Reports, Races

SOPHIE TURNS ON THE BURNERS!

Another great advertisement for Hastings Runners with 77 runners taking part in the club’s 5 kms handicap race on a blustery Wednesday evening, and another 24 volunteers donning their hi-viz vests.

Many congrats to junior Sophie Ashby who burned off the opposition on the out and back seafront course from Grosvenor Gardens to land a stunning victory, coming home 57 secs clear of the field having started with 19 runners ahead of her.

She hit the front with about 1500 m to go, having passed her mum Lorraine Ashby who had led since the 1 km mark. Her time of 25.31 was her fastest for over 4 years.

Runner up Andy Knight posted an excellent time of 20.43, making up an amazing 57 places.  In a triumph for handicapper Simon Linklater 90% of the field finished within 3 mins of each other, with Ashley Vora passing no fewer than 66 runners, Zoe Fairclough and star junior Finlay Goodman 56 runners each.

Finlay, setting off stone last of the 77 runners, ran a superb time of 16.20 given the windy conditions and the fact that he didn’t pass another runner until 3.50 kms into the race. 2nd quickest was Ashley in 17.41, with Adam Weller 3rd in 18.12.

Zoe recorded the fastest ladies time with an impressive 20.04, followed by Claire Thomas in 21.08 and Manami Cheves in 23.37.
9 members were taking part in their first HR race – Helen Rothermel, Julie Sapsford-Brooks, Adam Holland, Ashley Sapsford-Brooks, Andrew Shipilov, Kelly Derosa, Eric Hardwick, John Beacham and junior Robert Weeks.

And finally Jessica Hayward was presented with the Alan Corke Improvers Award,  having taken an astonishing 12 mins 16 secs off her 2021 time for this race which equates to an improvement of 70 seconds per kilometre!

Many thanks to our handicapper Simon Linklater, race director Susan Mann, and Terry Kitson who co-ordinated our team of volunteers.
News, Race Reports, Races

Bewl, Brass Bands, Beer & Bling

A cold beer, free cake and the vibrant tunes of the Wadhurst Brass Band greeted over 30 Hastings Runners who tackled the undulating 15 mile route around Bewl Water.

It’s a beautiful location, but don’t be fooled, with the July sunshine breaking through the clouds and the course difficulty increasing with each passing mile, this was no Sunday saunter.

Yolando King was the 5th female to complete the course. What was really impressive about this achievement was Yolanda had never run 15 miles before. She entered the race believing it was 15km. But that slight oversight didn’t stop her scooping up an age category award.

Likewise, Bob Dennis (MV75), Sarah Marzaioli (FV70) and Erica Wilson (FV75) all left Wadhurst with a trophy to add to their cabinets, winning their respective age brackets.

The first Hastings Runner to complete the course was Paul Lambert in 1:52:58. A testament to his recent hard work in training that continues to bring improvement to his race times. Less than 3 minutes behind, was Martin Noakes, running a superb race to finish in 1:55:31.

Martin Snape surprised many by managing to stay on his feet for the whole 15 miles, despite his inappropriate footwear falling apart. Alongside Kieran Price they came home in 1:58:20, shortly followed by Yolanda (1:58:43) and Darren Barzee (1:58:51).

Picture: Bill Edmondson & Jan Young

Friday evening marked the start of the 17th Rye Summer Series, beginning with the 10K. 5 Hastings Runners took part with Adam Weller the first home in an excellent time of 39:24.

Kevin Blowers took on board some wise words and tucked in behind a fellow runner into the breeze. His human wind break was having none of it though and started to shuffle from side to side to fend off his new nemesis. Kevin found himself exposed to the headwind and when he next glanced behind him, a line of runners had taken refuge from the elements, close on his tail.

Many a runner would have been left dejected by this exploitation, not Kevin. He produced a superb 2nd half of the race to clock a new 10K PB of 42:00.  Nicola Steed (45:20), Adam Holland (1:00:55) and Henry Worthington (1:13:29) also sailed home to record excellent times.

In a somewhat contrasting challenge, Helen Rothermel and Nick Thompson headed West to complete the Rat Race Man v Coast over the weekend. An event which involved twice venturing into the sea to complete the route.

Bewl 15 Results

Paul Lambert 1:52:58
Martin Noakes 1:55:31
Kieran Price 1:58:20
Martin Snape 1:58:20
Yolanda King 1:57:43
Darren Barzee 1:58:51
John Simcox 2:08:53
Richard Towner-Roethe 2:11:56
Mark Storey 2:15:37
Simon Linklater 2:16:14
Kevin Blowers 2:16:15
Piers Brunning 2:17:16
Michael Norris 2:18:13
Charles Bowley 2:25:43
Amanda Link 2:26:29
Sarah Bendle 2:26:30
Simon Trevena 2:27:11
Matthew Miller 2:32:32
Trevor Briggs 2:35:44
Lucie Smitalova 2:35:25
Bob Dennis 2:42:40
Sue Wilkinson 2:47:35
Jan Young 2:48:32
Sarah Marzaioli 2:55:34
Bill Edmondson 2:56:19
Nina Lambrou 2:57:49
Sue Alabaster 3:01:32
Dave King 3:02:34
Kerry Freeman 3:05:27
Shana Burchett 3:23:18
Erica Wilson 3:47:22

I know a few of you are missing from the Nice Work results. So if you ran a race this weekend, let me know and I can add you to the report.

Simon Linklater

News, Race Reports, Races

Black & Green Fashion show in Robertsbridge

Friday evening marked the 8th race in the 2022 Hastings Runners Club Championship. As the field gathered on the start line it was clear that Black & Green was the colour of fashion at the Robertsbridge 10K (apart from one lost sheep who rocked up in orange, but we won’t mention him).

We eagerly awaited the starting pistol. Bouncing up and down raring to go. Excited to get those legs moving and the blood pumping. No sooner had we dashed from the start line, we found ourselves once again huddled in a group, laughing and nattering as the narrow  course saw runners come to a standstill (bear that in mind when looking at times folks).

It was pretty much single file until we reached the hill of doom. Was that path created purely for this race? The length of the grass certainly suggested that was the case and a few eager & brave souls ventured into the long stuff to gain a place or two.

As we entered Darvell Community the field began to spread out as the unforgiving elevation saw runners gasping for air. Support was on hand around the course and gratefully received. Although I do suggest a new club rule that states “taking photos at the top of any hill is forbidden”.

As we finally descended through the high street it was back round for lap number 2. Jacqueline Scott was our only female representative in the 5K or as she put it “The Hastings Runners Robertsbridge 5K Female Champion of 2022”, completing the course in a shade over 32 minutes.

A somewhat more modest Trevor Briggs was the first (and only) male in the 5k in a time of 24:26.

In the 10K race the on form Adam Weller produced a fine display to cross the finish line in 3rd place and a time of 41:54. Martin Snape also landed a Top 10 finish, coming home in 6th place in 42:56.

Claire Thomas swooped the 1st Female Prize in 46:51, encouraged along by good friend Kevin Blowers (1st MV60 in 46:53). Although I believe the key moment was when my good self sacrificed at least 2 seconds of my own time by kindly holding a gate open midway through the 2nd lap (you’re welcome).

There were also age category wins for Ruth Spiller (FV55), Sarah Marzaioli (FV70), Yockie Richards (FV75) and Irene Kitson (FV65).

2 days later Ben Sallows (52:26), Kerry Freeman (1:05:19), Adam Holland (1:11:16) and Andrew Clubb (1:13:04) and  all completed the Hawkhurst 10k.

James Graham and Catherine Catterway made the long trip along the coast to Torbay to tackle the half marathon. Both put in stellar performances to complete the course in 2:25 and 3:10 respectively.

Sarah Marzaioli was back in action at the 30K North Downs Run, which included some gruelling hills and stunning descents. Sarah completed the course in 3:49:36 and claimed the British Masters Gold Medal for the V70 Age Category. Go Sarah!!!

I heard rumours that Jacqueline Mannering and Darren Kilby were considering a week off. They turned out to be false as alongside Annette Fry they completed the Brighton Trail Marathon. The highlight being the 817 foot climb up to Ditchling Beacon. Ouch.

As always if I I’ve missed you out, please drop me a message or comment below and I will update the report.

Robertsbridge Results

5K
Trevor Briggs 24:26
Jacqueline Scott: 32:18

10K
Adam Weller 41:54
Martin Snape 42:56
Keiran Price 44:41
Patrick Bermingham 45:36
Simon Linklater 46:12
Claire Thomas 46:51
Kevin Blowers 46:53
Graeme Grass 47:49
Andy Knight 48:52
Matthew Millar 50:12
David Harding 52:11
Charles Bowley 52:18
Simon Weatherley 53:57
Roland Baines 54:07
Jamie Hitchman 54:10
Ruth Spiller 56:04
Jon Smalldon 57:07
Marie Crawford 59:12
Keith Goodsell 59:14
Susan Wilkinson 1:00:11
Jo Nevett 1:00:35
Craig Weeks 1:03:08
Joe French 1:03:30
Louise Cavill 1:04:53
Adam Holland 1:04:59
Sarah Marzaioli 1:06:37
Yockie Richardson 1:07:19
Krista Barzee 1:09:01
Tracy Ratnarajah 1:09:49
Chris White 1:11:03
Irene Kitson 1:12:39
Henry Worthington 1:32:07

 

News, Race Reports, Races

HRs star at Rye Sussex Grand Prix event and at Hastings parkrun!

Some great performances at the weekend with Yolanda King, following up her 19.03 5 kms pb and ladies win at Hastings parkrun on Saturday by finishing first lady in Sunday’s Rye 10 miler in an excellent chip time of 69.23 over what is a punishingly hilly course.

Club mate Zoe Fairclough finished a very close 3rd in 69.50, coming in just 3 seconds behind the runner-up. Martin Snape was the leading club member in 10th place in a time of 66.55, just ahead of Kieran Price in 66.57, Paul Lambert 69.16, Paul Burchett 73.00, Ben Park 73.34, Kevin Blowers 73.44, Neil Jeffries 74.54, Richard Towner – Roethe 76.50, Andy Knight 79.48, Sarah Bendle 82.38, Andy Alabaster 83.28, Ben Sallows 85.24, Simon Weatherley 87.55, Robert Dennis 88.39, Annette Fry 91.24, Lucie Smitalova 92.41, Keith Goodsell 93.27, Marie Crawford 93.59, Danny Ratnarajah 94.57, Sue Wilkinson 101.22, Stephen Slater 101.25, Klare Beecroft 101.39, Sue Alabaster 101.42, Yockie Richardson 105.54, Tracy Ratnarajah 107.14, Samantha Welfare 107.51, Louise Cavill 107.52, Krista Barzee 109.35, Shana Burchett 109.58, Hayley Ranson 115.42, Erica Wilson 135.08 – all chip times.

There were age category wins for Paul Burchett (MV45), Kevin Blowers (MV60), Robert Dennis (MV75), Sarah Bendle (FV45), Annette Fry (FV50) and the evergreen Yockie Richardson (FV75), as the club fielded 33 out of the 146 runners.

After a comfortable Hastings parkrun success in 16.34, Will Withecombe also pulled off a double by winning the Rye 5 mile event in a time of 29.36 which was an amazing 4 minutes faster than his victory in the race last year. Other HRs in the field of 32 were David Fairclough 43.06, Hannah Towner – Roethe 44.52, Adam Holland 48.06 and Joanne Fellows 60.19.

Many congrats to club secretary Andy Lee who recorded a superb time of 19.35 at parkrun to knock a full 25 seconds off the Hastings MV65 category record! There were also pbs for Andrew Shipilov 19.42 and Adam Holland 25.44.

Helen Rothermel achieved a new half marathon PB of 2 hours and 1 second at the Edinburgh Half Marathon. Also making the long trip north of the border were Nick Thompson (2:26) and Rick Burne (2:07).

Jacqueline Mannering and Darren Kilby were spotted outside Arundel Caste at 5am on Sunday morning. There was another sighting later that evening in Eastbourne. The first assumption was the traffic must have been bad, but the two of them actually ran the 102km as part of the UK Ultra South Downs 100k. In the process Jacqueline scooped up first place in her age category.

Husband and wife duo Sharon and Paul Wadham, flew the green and black flag at Arundel on Saturday morning, completed the scenic undulating 10K route in just over an hour.

News, Race Reports, Races

Hastings Runners 5 Miler a Big Success!

An excellent turnout yesterday as Hastings Runners flagship event, the Keith Chandler Memorial Road Race, returned for its 15th anniversary with no fewer than 98 HRs in the field of 408 runners whilst close to 40 current and former club members formed the majority of the volunteers.

The return to Sussex Grand Prix status ensured that runners came from all over Sussex to take part, whilst there were also clubs represented from Kent, Surrey and London. The feedback for the new course, which included a 550m loop of the town’s historic pier, has been very positive and hopefully the weather gods will be kinder for the 2023 event!

There were some superb performances across the board with Will Withecombe first club member home in 10th place in 28.29; Yolanda King 3rd lady finisher in 32.19; Yolanda, Zoe Fairclough and Claire Thomas finished as 2nd ladies team; Will, Ashley Vora and Kieran Price were 4th men’s team.

There were age category wins for Lewis Betts (male junior), Kieran Price (MV50), Neil Jeffries (MV60 and Christine Sanderson (FV75).

Many thanks to chief marshal Alan Croucher for co-ordinating the large team of volunteers, and hopefully the event will add a few more thousand pounds to the £56,000 raised so far in its history for St. Michael’s Hospice. Well done to everyone who took part, and making this a great advertisement for our club!

On Saturday 15 Hastings Runners travelled to Horsham to take part in the Run to the Sea 50K Ultra.

It was a superb performance with the club claiming 3rd place in the team prize. Kevin Blowers took 1st place in the MV60 category, competing in his first ever Ultra in a time of 5:13:05.

Richard Roethe, Sarah Bendle, Rob Thomas, Nina Lambrou and Emily Allchurch all came in under the 6 hour mark!

 

News, Race Reports, Races

London’s Calling

With Saturday’s hangovers a distance memory some of our club’s finest were in race action at the weekend.

Multi award winning Kevin Blowers achieved his goal and smashed the “Good for Age” time for London Marathon, by running a massive Marathon PB of 3:30:08 in Milton Keynes.

Darren Barzee ran an amazing time too, clocking a personal best of 3:23. An hour in the First Aid tent post race showed just how much he pushed himself to cross the finish line. Lucky for him, Kev was able to walk (just) and limped off to McDonalds to fetch our man a Big Mac and fries.

I (Simon Linklater) managed to knock 64 minutes off my personal best Marathon time to join the Three PBigo’s, running a time of 3:40:00.

Whilst Kevin plans his trip to the capital in 2023, several of our members were heading back from the capital having competed in the Vitality 10K.

There were PB’s for Nicola Steed (43:59), Lucia Smitalova (51:05) and Rachel Inns (52:12). Sharon Wadham (57:07) narrowly beat hubby Paul (57:29) and Linda Beddis crossed the line in 1:10:55.

Presentation host Andy Knight continued his good form with a time of 1:19:55 in the Haywards Heath 10 Miler.

If I’ve missed you out, then get in touch. Apologies for the delayed report as well, turns out a Marathon is actually quite hard.