Another big turnouthelps Hill runners tovictory at Hickstead

The 5-mile Hickstead Gallop is based at the Showground and the increasingly heavy rain on Sunday morning made for a particularly muddy run.

James Collins led the club contingent home in 6th place overall in a fine 30 mins dead. That was a new course club record for a Burgess Hill Runner and was good enough to make him the first finisher in the league race.

He was well supported by Paul Leak 31.12 and Mark Nicholls 31.15, who also scored maximum points on the day.

Trevor Symes finished in an excellent 33.39 followed by Alan Fry 37.02, Jon Herbert 37.28 and Neil Philpot (37.37).

Janet Clapton again scored maximum points in the ladies race in 37.45 and was backed up by Bryonny Monnery 41.14, Sally Symes 42.17 and Jean Leak 43.40.

Meanwhile a small group of club members made their way west for the Chichester half marathon, a tough event that includes the notorious Trundle Hill.

James Sorbie clocked 1hr 41min 4secs and was followed by Emma Buckland 1.53.39, Liz Carter 1.55.42 and Hannah Watkins 2.34.26. They can all be very pleased with their efforts.

Finally, Jan Lavis, seemingly coming out of retirement from long distance racing, to no-one’s surprise, braved the Jog Shop Jog 20-mile race.

This is one of the toughest 20-mile races on the calendar, starting and finishing in Brighton Marina and taking in several climbs of the Downs.

What made it even more of a test was the rapidly deteriorating conditions.

Unfortunateley, finish times were not confirmed at the time of writing.