Chichester Runners & AC saw both disappointment and success over the course of a weekend dominated by the weather,

Preparations had been made to welcome runners from all over Sussex for the opening fixture of the Sussex Cross Country League season on Saturday and a record turnout was expected after the relays two weeks earlier.

But after discussions between the Chichester club and Sussex County AA, it was decided that, due to the forecast storm and the exposed venue for the fixture, right at the top of the Downs opposite Goodwood Racecourse, both athletes and officials could be at risk from falling debris from trees. Potential damage to the array of club tents at the event would present another hazard.

Consequently there was a joint decision to cancel, the first time a Goodwood cross country fixture has suffered this fate in 30 years of fixtures at this iconic venue.

Mikeey Kwoka (034) leading Ali Watrous (025) for Chichester at the Steepdown Challenge

placeholder image — Mikeey Kwoka (034) leading Ali Watrous (025) for Chichester at the Steepdown Challenge

There was disappointment for the host club but also the athletes, eager to impress the Sussex selectors.

The opening league fixture of the season will be at Ardingly Showground on Saturday, November 7 with the replacement fourth fixture likely to be in February but unlikely to be at Goodwood.

The cancellation at Goodwood meant the West Sussex Fun Run League squad were fresher for their fixture the following day, the Steepdown Challenge.

After 15 of the 17 races in the calendar, Chichester were lying in second place just 30 points behind league leaders Horsham Joggers and 17 in front of Haywards Heath Harriers with the leading trio seemingly safe from challenges from any of the other 17 clubs.

Chichester Runners at the Steepdown Challenge | Picture courtesy of Mikeey Kwoka

There was a gap of more than 100 points to fourth-placed Lancing Eagles with Worthing Harriers in fifth.

Once again team manager Peter Anderson managed to assemble a squad of more than the 25 needed for maximum team points so all eyes were on those in the leading group to see who could notch the crucial bonus points.

Step up team talisman Mikeey Kwoka who again led the Chichester charge from Lancing Manor Leisure Centre right up on to the windswept South Downs. Always in the top 10, Kwoka was joined by Ali Watrous with David Lewis keeping the pair within sight.

After just over 30 minutes of running over the hilly five-mile course Kwoka came into sight in a fine 8th place out of nearly 300 runners, with Lewis overtaking Watrous in the latter stages for the pair to finish 9th and 10th. All three scored the maximum 10 points as did Gareth Fish in 15th.

The race again showed the equal strength of Chichester men and women with the women equalling the four maximum bonus points of the men.

Kari Mack led the quartet home in a fine 32nd place overall, second women over the line. Close behind was Becky Pearson in 5th with Laura Groot 8th and Emma Hughes 9th.

With just two more bonus scorers to finsh, it was Dave Bulger in 48th who picked up eight points while both Nadia Anderson, 29th in the women’s race, and Richard Miles, 70th man to finish, both scored seven points, each having been part of the club’s veteran medal winning teams at the recent Goodwood Relays.

With all the bonus points added, things could not have been closer at the end with league leaders Horsham on 121 points, Chichester 120 and Haywards Heath scoring 119.

All eyes will be on the final fixture of the season this Sunday in Denne Park, Horsham.

In Sunday’s junior race which preceded the senior event, Louis Copeland was second boy home while Harriet Bulger and Ellie Rees scored a one-two for Chichester in the girls’ race.