Phil Baker’s race report…
Overnight torrential rain abated just in time for 1,400 runners to set off on Sunday morning for the eagerly awaited race.
The absence of a strong wind on the exposed parts of the course meant fast times were anticipated and the organisers, Worthing’s Runbase company, were not disappointed.
They had a competitive field at the front of the race, the fastest 10k time by a woman in the UK in 2026 and, the icing on the cake, a potential age group world record.
Starting with a complete lap of the motor circuit, a large group quickly established themselves at the front of the race with several of the race favourites having their eyes on dipping under the magic 30-minute barrier.
As the group went out on to surrounding roads just short of the 4k mark, a group of three had broken clear which included all three pre-race favourites, Charlie Sandison from Hercules Wimbledon, John Beattie of Leeds City and reigning champion Jack Woods from Worthing Harriers.
No one from the chasing pack of more than a dozen was able to close the gap so it was the same three who rejoined the circuit for the final 3k.
Sandison proved strongest to cross the finish line in 30min 7sec, with Beattie 12 seconds adrift and Woods on 30.36 – with two more fast-finishing Sussex athletes occupying the next two places, Josh Burgess from Lewes and Reuben Hoyte from Brighton Phoenix, all five breaking the 31-minute barrier.
The race has always had great strength in depth from the early days of previous race director Graham Jessop and this year’s version did not disappoint with just over 100 runners inside 35 minutes.
This included the winner of the women’s race, Naomi Taschimowitz from Shaftesbury Barnet, who blitzed round the course in a superb time of 32.33, a time only beaten by runners in Valencia in early January and the fastest by a woman on British soil in 2026.
Kate Estlea-Morriss from Aldershot, Farnham & District was next home in 33.25 with first veteran Lauren Reed from Havering third in 34.46.
Hosting the British Masters Championships, there was much excitement further down the field with Karima Harris from Highgate Harriers having the race of her life in the over-55 women’s age group.
Already well known in British masters circles, the North London-based runner crossed the line in an amazing 35.54, incredibly in the top 140 runners overall and in the top 10 per cent of all finishers.
Race director Gavin Stephens is confident Harris’ gun time meant Goodwood saw not only a UK record but a European and possible world record to boot.
This was not the only age group with saw impressive times with race runner-up Beattie now in the over-40 men’s category and whose time puts him near the top of the UK all-time list.
First over-45 home was local favourite James Baker finishing just outside the top 50 overall in 33.08, while in the older veteran age groups there were some astounding performances.
Chichester Runners’ Helen Dean won her over-70 age group by a clear margin with a time of 46.48 which cements her position of No1 in the UK rankings while there was further proof that age is not barrier when it comes to road running.
Here is the full race gallery from the organisers – pictures by Steven Farley and Graham Smith – some of which you can also see in pur pictures on this page and those linked.
Peter Giles from Hercules Wimbledon had a gun time of 48.37 to win the over-80 age group while David Moorkite broke the hour barrier by nearly five minutes with 55.18... not bad for an over 85.
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Here is how some Sussex clubs reported their members’ efforts in the race…
Hastings AC
Hastings AC athletes enjoyed a superb Sunday at the Chichester 10k, recording an impressive five personal bests.
The race, which starts and finishes on the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit, once again proved fast and well-organised, despite some wet conditions.
Grace Baker was second senior female, missing a new PB by just a single second.
Ben McCallion continued his fine form with a personal best of 32:22, while Jack Madden finished 4th M45 in 35:04.
Alfie Johnstone ran well with a strong new best of 35:50 and Mark Barham also set a personal best, clocking 35:55.
Jack Matthews, making his debut in the Hastings AC vest, ran a new best of 37:37, with Gary Chatham close behind in another PB of 38:06. Martyn Cooper completed the day with 50:22, marking his fastest 10k in 15 years.
Second-claim members also put in excellent performances – Hastings Runners duo Louis Dargan (32:41) and Ashley Vora (34:12) both celebrated new personal bests.
These results reflect the success of a solid winter training block.
The endurance group now turns focus toward spring half and full marathons, including Hastings, Brighton, Lisbon, Manchester, London, and Prague.
Lewes AC
Lewes Athletic Club enjoyed a successful outing at the Chichester 10k, with 40 club members taking part in the popular event held at the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit.
The race started and finished in front of the main grandstand, opening with a 4km lap of the wide motor circuit before runners exited onto the surrounding country roads for a 3km rural section. Competitors then returned to the circuit for the final 3km run to the finish line.
Lewes AC athletes delivered a series of impressive performances across a wide range of age categories.
Josh Burgess led the club home with an outstanding run to finish fourth overall and third in the senior men’s category, recording a chip time of 30:42. Ben Pepler also ran strongly in the senior men’s race, finishing 14th with a time of 32:14.
In the women’s events, Rachel Hillman produced an excellent performance to place second in the FV40 category with a time of 37:07.
Lizzie Keep finished seventh in the senior women’s category in 36:31, closely followed by Flaminia Gold who placed 10th in the same category with a time of 36:53. Clare Martin secured sixth place in the FV35 category (38:28), while Laura Douse finished fifth in the FV40 category in 39:30.
Further notable performances included Aaron Loughlin, who placed fifth in the MU17 category with a time of 43:42, and Karin Divall, who finished fourth in the FV65 category in 49:04.
Club chair Philip Westbury praised both the performances and the collective spirit on display, saying: “It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout from Lewes AC and great support among the runners throughout the day.
"Performances like these reflect not just individual talent, but the depth, commitment and team spirit that run right through the club.”
41. Contributed
Aaron Loughlin places fifth in MU17, celebrating with his dad and brother who also took part in the Chichester 10k Photo: Submitted
42. Chichester 10k 2026
Some of the runners in the Chichetser 10k at the 4k mark at the Goodwood Motor Circuit Photo: Chris Hatton