Daryl Hards from Worthing took the Sussex 10,000m title at Withdean on Thursday and also finished second in the South of England championships that was held in conjunction.
For most of the race Hards was content to battle with Chichester’s James Baker for the Sussex crown but in the closing stages he broke clear to chase the leaders.
Although he managed to peg back Wimbledon’s Jonathan Cornish he was unable to get to grips with the tall long striding Serpentine runner John Franklin who took the S o E title in 31:46.70s to the Worthing runner’s 32:14.27s with Cornish in third place in 32:18.54s.
Baker filled fourth place overall and the Sussex silver medal in 32:33.77s while Karl Spielman from Midhurst finished in fifth place in 32:47.42s and and the Sussex bronze medal while Graham Gooden (Brighton & Hove) finished in seventh overall place in 33:13.26s.
Emily Proto (Arena 80) took the Sussex title in 38:48.51 placing second overall to Sarah Webster (Northern) who clocked 38:08.98s and was the only entry for the SoE title.