The Steyning 15km race walking event last Saturday was held over a new course away from the traditional start and finish under the town clock. The increase in road traffic meant that the walkers need to avoid crossing the Steyning-by-pass and the course was moved to east of the By-pass and in fact was 200 metres short of the full distance.
Some fifteen walkers completed the course which was an improvement on last year’s event.
The changes made little difference to the winner however and despite now being in the M70 age group Ian Richards shook off the attention of Surrey’s Francisco Reis (M55) by the half-way mark and then drew well clear on the return journey to win 78:07 to 80:34.
Third across the finishing line was U20 Abigail Jennings (Aldershot) who was making her debut at the distance and clocked a creditable 81:10 to win the women’s race ahead of newcomer Silvana Alves (W45) from Barnet in 84:23 and former Steyning walker Sophie Hales, who now lives in Essex and was making a return to race walking. Hales finished fifth overall in 85:36.
Steyning’s Trevor Jones beat fellow M60 walker David Kemp (Arena 80) for third place in the men’s race with 86:03 to 87:00 placing sixth and seventh respectively.
Former British Record holder Julie Drake W50 (Arena 80) continued her return to race walking by placing fourth in the women’s race in 11th place in 95:22.
Schools Inter-county Cross- country.
On Saturday Sussex Schools will be taking teams to all six races of the South East Inter-counties Cross-country event at Chelmsford.
These races a more important than usual particularly as the senior (U19) group races at the recent Sussex Schools championships were cancelled in the appalling weather. This will make selection for the English Schools in March much more difficult than usual.
In the Intermediate (U17) and Junior (U15) age group the championship races were completed and the top four in each age group get automatic selection to the English Schools championships. Four more will be selected and this Saturday’s race will be used to assist the selectors.