A tremendous run by Hastings Runners’ Yolanda King, finishing 3rd lady on her cross country debut at Newplace Farm, Framfield in the third East Sussex Sunday Cross Country League race of the winter series. On a bitterly cold morning, 23 HRs braved the elements and the permafrost conditions underfoot on the tough two lap 5 mile course with Will Withecombe first club finisher in an excellent 9th place out of a field of 354 runners.

Times were: Will Withecombe 30.54; Yolanda King 35.05; Martin Noakes 35.38; Darren Barzee 35.46; Neil Jeffries 37.27; Kevin Blowers 37.47; Claire Thomas 38.44; Martin Turner 41.14; Andy Knight 42.24; Piers Brunning 44.21; Jane Coles 44.32; Jo Nevett 45.30; Tamsin West 45.41; Guy Ramage 46.17; Ruth Spiller 46.43; Paul Hope 46.51; Phil Morris 50.33; David Bratby 50.56; Trish Audis 51.25; Sarah Marzaioli 54.15; Nick Thompson 56.18; Yockie Richardson 57.22; Natasha Slow 60.07.

Will currently lies 3rd in the M35 standings; Martin leads the M55s; Neil 3rd in M60s; Claire 3rd in F35s; Trish 2nd in F65s; Sarah 1st and Yockie 3rd in F70s. The combined HR/Hastings AC team finished 5th out of 17 teams on Sunday, and lie a very close 5th overall now with 4 clubs vying for the runners-up spot behind leaders Crowborough AC. The next fixture is at Heathfield Park in January.