Athletics with Reg Hook

LEWES S Nick Lucas followed up his fine victory in the Lewes 5-mile race the previous Sunday by winning the Under 15 5.75km. race at the Haywards Heath Open Cross country meeting at Ardingly College on Sunday.

Nick shook off the attentions of Crawley s Joel Clewett early in the race and romped well clear winning in 20min. 46sec; some 20 seconds ahead of the Crawley athlete.

In the Under 20 Womens race, which was run in conjunction with the Senior Women s 5.75km. event, Katie Kidger from Maresfield notched up her first Open victory clocking 26min. 09sec.

This weekend Nick, along with Craig Ivemy from Ringmer move up to the Under 17 age group for the first of this season Sussex Cross country League events which are being held near the racecourse at Goodwood.

Both runner have made great strides during the summer months with Craig reaching the final of the All England Schools Under 17 3,000 metres at his first attempt and Nick s efforts culminating in his victory in the Lewes five-miler just two weeks back.

In this older age group however they will have to face the likes of Hastings Mark Barham, a former Sussex Schools champion, who also had a good track season but is probably better suited to the cross country scene, and former All England schools 800 metre medallist Andrew Murdoch from Horsham.

In the younger age groups Craig s fellow Ringmer schoolboy Todd Leckie remains in the Under 15 section and is likely to take over Craig s mantle from last season, although Rob Mullett from Lewes, who won the County Under 15 3,000 metre title back in the summer, may well have a say in this age group.

Jodie Hallett from Uckfield, the dual Sussex Under 13 800/1200 metres champion, who is still in the Under 13 age group is injured at the moment and will probably miss this first race.

Ditchling s Jack Vail and Ben Warren from Hailsham have both moved into the Under 20 age group and as such they will be racing against the seniors at Goodwood.

Alice Coutinho from Lewes, who is now in the Under 20 age group, will have to do battle with the senior athletes but she will not be outclassed. Club mate Mary Ross stays in the Under 17 age group and will have to mix it with the talented Saw Webb from Crawley who has just come off a fine track season.

qSeven Uckfield Utopia runners took part in the Cuckmere House Challenge 10 mile run at Seaford. Weather conditions were perfect. First home for Utopia was Peter Wilkes in 1hr 24, followed by Steve Sharples 1.28, Penny Rea 1.36, Caylee Gibson 1.37, Wayne Covey 1.39, Ray Edmondson 1.45 and Judith McArthur 1.46.

Janet Wickens took part in the Great South Run at Portsmouth and achieved a personal best in 1hr 35. Utopia runners meet every Tuesday at 7pm at Utopia Leisure Centre, Uckfield - all abilities welcome.

qThe previous weekend at the Lewes 10-miler, several Crowborough Runners took part with Dave Lear the first veteran home in 1-00.57. His team-mates recorded the following times: Kevin Battell 1-09.11, Roger Watts 1-10.38, Jane Boulton 1-10.55 (2nd lady), Jeff Collier 1-14.40, Tracey Watson 1-16.35, Gill Stevenson 1-18.02, Nigel Bateman 1-18.37, Peter Maddison 1-20.06, Liz Davies 1-27.52, Russell Taylor 1-29.48, Tanya Edmondson 1-31.46, Len Cumbers 1-34.59 (SB), Nicky Watts 1-37.50, Lucy Stevens 1-37.50, Julie Harker 1-40.35. In the two-mile race Mel Davies was the third U13 finisher in 17-43, while Emma Stevenson won the U11 race in 17-53.

Meanwhile, Ian Coates ran the Mascalls 10k in 41-12, with Mike Coates finishing in 49-30 and Lyn Coates 50-12. Michael was heard to say: that s mum beaten, now for dad!