Sussex runners were well to the fore in both the Men’s and Women’s races on a sunny but coolish Brighton Marathon on Sunday.
They did not get to share the big money prizes as North African runners were flown in to scoop up those and the Kenyan title holder Duncan Maiyo eventually put a good buffer between himself and his nearest rival as he clocked 2:09.15 well over one minute clear. It was an outstanding effort and he finished less than one minute outside the course record.
Raymond Chemungor took second place in 2:10:55 and Edwin Kypto third in 2:11:29 all times that are challenging for the leading British runners in next Sunday’s London Marathon.
Thomas Roach from Lewes was the leading Sussex and indeed British finisher placing sixth in 2:27:30 one place ahead of club mate Mike Ellicock in 2:38:31, the first M40 to finish while Marcus Kimmins M40 (Haywards Heath) was 18th in 2:46:29 and Brighton & Hove’s Ashley Witcomb 23rd in 2:4921.
In the women’s race, which was won by Grace Momanyi in 2:34:11 from Asnkechi Merigistu in 2:35: 42 and Peninah Wanjiru in 2:56:01 Worthing’s Sarah Kingston (W40) was the leading British finisher clocking 3:01:38 in fifth place, two places ahead of Hailsham’s Sue Fry, who is also in the W40 age group, in 3:2:28 while Brighton & Hove’s Cathy Ulliott (W50) placed 15th in 3:12:38 and Kim Lo (Haywards Heath) in 3:12:39.
There was a brilliant run from Brighton & Hove’s Martha Coyle in the 10k race that preceded the Marathon.
Coyle, who is in the U20 age group finished second to leading British performer Gemma Steel (Charnwood) who had finished well clear for victory in 34:11.
Coyle set a PB of 36:18 with Izzy Coomber (Lewes) clocking 36:36 in third spot and Emily Proto (Arena 80) fourth in 38:24.
In the men’s race, which was won by Adam Hickey (Southend) from Morpeth’s reigning champion Jonny Taylor clocking 29:02 to 29:11 Ross Skelton (Brighton Phoenix) led the Sussex runners home in fifth place in 30:55, one place ahead of Brighton & Hove’s U20 athlete Stephen Ferroni who clocked 32:14 with fellow Phoenix runner James McCarthy in seventh place in 32:33.