Fielding a combined team for the first time ever, the two clubs got off to a superb start in the opening East Sussex Sunday Cross Country League fixture on a glorious autumnal morning on the South Downs at Blackcap, above Lewes.

The 34 strong line up acquitted themselves really well, finishing a close 4th out of 17 teams behind early leaders Crowborough AC, with last season’s series runner up Will Withecombe spearheading their challenge with an excellent 7th place in a record ESSCCL field of 432 runners.

Conditions underfoot on the undulating 4.80 mile course were excellent, with some long steady climbs in the first half of the race and just one short, sharp hill on the mainly flat and downhill second half.

Hastings Runners times: Will Withecombe 30.46; Andrew Shipilov 35.26; Paul Lambert 35.31; Martin Noakes 36.19; Neil Jeffries 38.35; Jamie Kennedy 39.00; Claire Thomas 39.13; Martin Turner 40.02; Trevor Saunders 40.30; Andy Knight 41.10; Mark Storey 42.51; Piers Brunning 43.01; Simon Trevena 43.59; Tamsin West 44.15; Jane Coles 44.15; Jo Nevett 47.07; Paul Hope 48.22; David Bratby 48.39; Phil Morris 50.52; Trish Audis 51.32; Brian Kirkdale 51.34; Sarah Marzaioli 52.48; Sylvia Huggett 53.36; Yockie Richardson 54.50; Jo Edwards 56.16; Natasha Slow 63.16.

Hastings AC times: Nickolaj Kennett 33.30; Dave Turner 33.57; Tim Archer 34.15; Chris Brandt 35.02; Simon Fiddler 35.23; Jenna Levett 37.21; Amy Rodway 40.09; Rosy Clements 49.22.