A bustling weekend of races marked the end of the Sussex Track and Field Season.
The weekend kicked off with the fourth and final fixture in the Under 15 league at Withdean on Friday night.
Athletes from the 11 participating clubs took part with Brighton and Hove AC being the victorious league team for 2024.
Eastbourne came in second and Crawley AC third.
There were three league records on the night.
Crawley’s Archie Oates threw a whopping 13.49 in the shot put breaking the previous 12.83 record whilst Harry Dunne (Chichester) broke a nine year record clocking 2.03.6 in the 800m.
Chichester were also celebrating after their 4x300m relay team ran 2.41.0 – faster than the previous record of 2.42.80.
Skipping to Sunday where the K2, Crawley, played host to two events in one - the Sussex AA Under 13 Track & Field League Final and the Sussex 3K Champs.
After a summer of up and down weather, the sun shone brightly on the athletes and spectators across the day.
Crawley AC and Brighton & Hove AC pushed each other to the wire in the league with Crawley coming out champions at the end of the day. Chichester placed third.
Although no league records, the standards have been strong and the numbers competing even stronger.
Athletes in the 3K races had to contend with the heat to complete the seven and a half times around the track.
In the U15 age boys Fin Lumber Fry (Eastbourne) comfortably took gold with George Gilbert (Brighton & Hove) silver and Byron Roberts (Eastbourne) bronze.
Izzy Wheeler (Horsham Blue Star) won the girls’ race in the same age category where Bibi Webb (Crawley) was second and Amelie Whitehouse (Crawley) third.
The winners couldn’t be split in the Under 17 men’s contest and it was announced a dead heat with Brighton & Hove team mates Freddie Matthews and Arun Khursheed both coming away with the gold medals. Finlay Blythe (Bodyworks) was third.
Several athletes dropped out, possibly suffering from the conditions, in the combined Under
17/Under20 and senior women’s race.
First placing Under 17 finisher was Raya Petrova (Eastbourne), second Lillie Hellyer (Worthing) and third Zoe Neal (Horsham).
Ellie McLean (Eastbourne) was first Under 20 woman with Kayleigh Oldfield (Crawley) second, whilst Eastbourne’s Alison Moore won the senior women’s contest and Lucie Bourne (Brighton & Hove) second and Laura Seaman (Vegan) third.
Last to go in the 3K races were the U20 and senior men. A comprehensive win for (senior) Hugo Hewitt (Crawley), second for Bryon Brett (Eastbourne) and third Zared Arasaretnam (Brighton & Hove). Luke Newton scooped
Under 20 gold and Eastbourne training partners Fintan Pearce silver and Benjamin Brown bronze.
An amazing surprise for all top placers was Olympian Gemma Reekie presenting the medals on the day.
Meanwhile at the School Games in Loughborough, Lewes' Ava James broke the British U17W Steeplechase record clocking 4:49.48.
This success followed Alex Riley (Brighton & Hove) who represented Britain in the 1500m at the World Athletics U20 Champs.
As the clear up of the season begins, the curtain falls on the Sussex summer season. With just the SEAA Inter Counties left next weekend it has been a long and busy few months.
Thanks to all the officials, volunteers, athletes, coaches and spectators who have contributed to making summer 2024 a great success.