There was a reasonable turn out for the “Alf Palmer” 5,000m walks at Broadbridge Heath on Sunday with many athletes coming from across the South of England, including Winchester and Barnett, to compete.
Ian Richards M70 from Steyning kept the Sussex name to the forefront chalking up a handsome victory in the senior race finishing two minutes clear of club mate Trevor Jones in 26:39.7 to 28:28.6, but they were not the first to finish.
Heading up the women’s race was the talented U20 from Aldershot, Abigail Jennings, one of the best in the Country, who clocked 25:21.5.
Malcolm Martin from Surrey WC clocked 28:52.7 filling third place while Stuart Maidment (Steyning) placed sixth in 32:45.8, one place ahead of Brian Kirkdale (Hastings) who recorded 34:01.1.
In the women’s event Steyning’s Anne Jones W65 was the only Sussex walker placing ninth in 33:28.5.
In the U13 boy’s 3,000m race Harvey Perry from Lewes, who is one of a group of young Sussex race walkers finished second to Blackheath’s Jonathan Ellerton clocking 20:51.5 to the winners 18:33.3 while another Lewes walker, Rosie Gauhan, placed fifth in 21:02.7 and Harvey’s younger brother, Charlie, won the U11 boys 1000m event in 5:59.1.