Worthing and District Harriers’ Gavin Stephens (V45) became a double European Masters champion in Madeira, winning both the 200m and 400m titles.
First up was the 400m. Having qualified fastest in every round, Gavin romped to victory in the final, winning in 50.89 seconds.
Four days later, he again led the qualifying heats in the 200m, running 22.77s in the semi, before surging through in the last few metres of the home straight to win the final in 23.06s into a –1.7 m/s headwind.
Gavin’s outstanding 2025 outdoor season has included 14 wins from 15 events, including 110mH and Shot Put.
At the same competition, Brighton & Hove AC’s Stefanie Dornbusch won W55 pole vault bronze with a PB equalling 2.50m clearance, followed by an impressive third leg run for gold, in the 4x100m relay, whilst her clubmate Paul Howard earned M45 4x400m bronze.
Meanwhile, Sarah Webster, a Sussex-based athlete, set a new world record at the IAU 24-Hour World Championships in France, covering 278.622 km, the second-longest distance ever by a Briton. If you thought the face and running style looked familiar, you're not wrong! Sarah is the daughter of Lewes AC and Sussex AA stalwart, Peter Kennedy.
County News
At the Association’s AGM, Melanie Anning of Brighton & Hove AC was elected President for 2025–26, becoming the first Black President and only the second woman to hold the role. Seven new Vice Presidents were also appointed: Lester Medcalf (EGR), Elspeth Turner, Ron Shannon, (HBS), Bob Willows, John Clements, (B&H) Vince Golding and Tim Kimber (CRA). Tim Brown (CHI) joins the Executive Committee.
The Association confirms there will be no Sussex Indoor Championships in 2026, following Surrey AA’s decision to end the longstanding collaboration.
Rising entry numbers in both counties, and increasing time pressures have led to very late finishes in some events in recent years.
Plans are underway to reintroduce a one-day Sussex indoor championship in 2027, if supported by clubs, athletes and officials. A separate pole vault Championships at the Barn in Lewes is also being considered.
South of England Cross Country Relays
There were strong Sussex results at the South of England XC Relays at Wormwood Scrubs.
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Eastbourne Rovers U17 women's trio of Freda Pearce, Raya Petrova, and Daisy Connor ran brilliantly to retain their title.
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EBR's U17 men -Thomas Petherick, Fin Lumber-Fry and George Armstrong took silver. Their U15 boys, Byron Roberts, Adam Meyer and Archie Franklin, placed fifth.
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HY's U15 girls team of Isabella Buchanan, Scarlet Dixon and Amelia Skelton won bronze, with Isabella running the fastest leg of the race by 20 seconds.
The Future
Congratulations to Lizzy Korczak (Brighton & Hove AC) and Gemma Tutton (Lewes AC), both named to the British Athletics Futures Programme. This is a first time for Lizzy, while Gemma is a returnee.
Lizzy has also been selected for the England Athletics Talent Development Programme, alongside her clubmate Alex Riley, and Brighton Phoenix's Alexander Sproston and Eleanor Strevens.
The following athletes have been selected to take part in the England Athletics 2025-27 Youth Talent Programme: Jaiten Best (B&H), Daisy Connor (EBR), Ava Hayes (LEW), Tayan Mutagaya (CRA), Freda Pearce (EBR), Raya Petrova (EBR), Jake Pursey (PHX), Kitty Szabo-Papp (HY) and Julieana Walsh (B&H).
Endurance Squad Launch
The 2025–26 Sussex Endurance Squad season began at Fairlight Country Park, Hastings, after relocation from Camber Sands.
Over 120 athletes attended the highly successful session, led by Terry Skelton (HY), with excellent support from 50 coaches and parents from across the county.
The next squad session takes place in Brighton on 2nd November.