Masters In Action

The cross country focus turned to masters athletes at Coombe Farm at the weekend.

More than 200 runners turned out to compete across the 8K courses at the idyllic Lancing farm, with some impressive performances across the day.

One of these came in the M35-49 race where Brighton & Hove’s James Turner (M35) won in 25.36, 1 minute 22 seconds clear of fellow M35 Ben Short (Crawley) in 2^nd and 1^st M40 John Franklin (Brighton & Hove) in 3^rd in 27.12.

Toby Meanwell (Lewes) was 1^st M45 in 27.45.

With 4 scoring in this age category, Worthing took the team title with 65 points followed by Arena 80 on 82 and Henfield Joggers 105.

The day had kicked off with the M50 and above race where athletes not only score in individual 5 year age bands, but also for two team categories – M50-59 and M60 and above.

Comfortably winning overall was M50 Howard Bristow (Brighton & Hove) clocking 28.06 followed by team mate Louis Taub (also M50) in 29.35 and Vets AC M50 Michael McLaughlin in 3^rd (30.53).

Michael Ussher (Lewes AC) was 1^st M60 in 31.28, Tim Hicks (Haywards Heath Harriers) 1^st M65 in 36.02, Michael Schofield (Phoenix) 1^st M70 in 45.51 and Bob Hughes (Lewes) 1^st M75 in 44.21.

Brighton and Hove won both the team 50-59 and over 60 contests with Arena 80  and Lewes 2^nd and 3^rd in the 50-59s and Lewes and Phoenix 2^nd and 3^rd in the over 60s.

All women compete in the same race but are scored separately depending on their age categories.

There was no doubt about the overall winner with Brighton & Hove’s Kathleen Law (W35) crossing the line in 30.58 – 1 minute and 5 seconds ahead of Phoenix’s Suzy Rushforth who was 2^nd overall and 1^st W50.

Third place went to 1^st W40 Rachel Hillman (Lewes) in 32.14.

The 1^st W45 was Fay Cripps (Chichester) in 34.47 whilst Marina Davies (Eastbourne) was the 1^st W55 in 37.19.

The event could not have gone ahead without the help and support of Mark Stephenson and Caroline Wood, who herself, competed and won the W60 age contest in 37.04. She also led her team to the gold medal in the over 60s age group with 14 points to Chichester 2^nd on 25 and Lewes 3^rd on 30.

Steyning’s Joan Lennon placed 1^st W70 in 41.54, Chris Naylor (Arena 80) 1^st W70 in 42.34 and Val Brockwell (Portslade Hedgehoppers) 1^st W75 in 54.50.

Arena 80 won the 35-49 age band gold on 18 points whilst Phoenix were 2^nd on 24 and Chichester 3^rd on 34.

Haywards Heath Harriers enjoyed the 50-59 victory (21 points) followed by Phoenix on 26 and Worthing on 38.

Well done to everyone who competed and thank you to all the officials and volunteers on the day.