It's near-perfection for Chichester Runners in fun run league

It was part of the West Sussex Fun Run League series and involved a fast flat out-and-back course.

The club were delighted to have three athletes in the top five finishers with Chris Bird a great second in 21.45, edging out Chris Jack in third with 22.31 and Jon Healy fifth in 22.37.

They were followed by two athletes making a welcome return from long-term injury. Gary Wright was a fine 30th in his first race back in 25.07, with Katy Bird 42nd overall and sixth woman to finish in 25.55.

These five contributed a score of 49 out of a maximum 50 performance points, further augmented by a full 25 competitors’ points to give a total of 74 out of 75. This goes with a similar score from the first race in the series to give Chichester a perfect start to the league year, but there are another 15 races to go lasting well into the autumn.

Rest of the Chichester squad: Justin Eggins 50th, 26.14; Darren Knight 58th, 26.46; Terry Healy 59th, 26.48; Martin Miller 82nd, 27.42; Tom Wade 83rd, 27.44; Maria Wright 96th, 28.05; Phil Gaunt 102nd, 28.11; Jan Hill 103rd, 28.11; Tom Blaylock 104th, 28.12; Nigel McNestrie 108th, 28.19; Norman Marshall 111th, 28.24; Nick Palmer 126th, 28.42; Tony Cooley 131st, 28.50; David Knight 133rd, 28.56; Keith Akerman 143rd, 29.10; Roger Hobbs 153rd, 29.47; Dave Barty 158th, 29.53; Sue Baker 220th, 32.33; Jill Renson 222nd, 32.39; Kelly Baldwin 228th, 33.02; Jessica Daniels 236th, 33.19; Rachel Austin 274th, 35.29; Dave Grunwell 324th, 38.54.

In a large field of 400-plus finishers, special mention goes to McNestrie and Blaylock who were running their second race of the weekend.

There is no let-up for the team as they travel to Southwater this Sunday for the Valentine’s event over a fairly short but testing course.