The combined Hastings Runners/Hastings AC cross country team has jumped to joint 2nd in the East Sussex Sunday Cross Country League, after finishing 3rd out of 17 teams in the latest fixture at a muddy, rain sodden Snape Wood in Wadhurst on Sunday (27th November).
The two clubs fielded 32 runners in the 379 strong field. The six race series finishes at Pett in March next year.
An eventful morning started with HR’s Martin Noakes nearly colliding with a deer whilst warming up, and finished with Rick Burne emerging like a latter day Terry Butcher with a bloodied head after a close encounter with the stony track leading up through the wood! Persistent rain made the undulating two lap course even more challenging, as most of the five mile route was across very greasy, woodland sections.
HR times were: Will Withecome 34.00; Paul Lambert 36.26; Andrew Shipilov 37.17; Martin Noakes 37.25; Kevin Blowers 39.00; Neil Jeffries 40.21; Martin Snape 40.27; Claire Thomas 42.01; Simon Trevena 43.49; Andy Knight 45.34; Piers Brunning 45.40; Tamsin West 48.02; Jo Nevett 49.59; Guy Ramage 51.47; Paul Hope 51.49; David Bratby 52.31; Trish Audis 54.54; Rick Burne 54.59; Phil Morris 55.56; Sarah Marzaioli 57.27; Jo French 58.04; Nick Thompson 58.30; Sylvia Huggett 59.12; Yockie Richardson 60.51.
Current HR individual standings after two races are: Will 3rd M35; Claire 3rd F35; Martin 1st M55; Neil 3rd M60; Trish 2nd F65; Sarah 1st F75; Sylvia 2nd F75.