Hailsham Harriers hit the heights - literally - in cross country league

Winds gusting up to 25mph and driving rain did not deter 40 junior runners and 308 senior runners from attending.

The five-mile senior race was running in easing rain as the field left the hollow and went up, up, up towards Beachy Head. The winds were at their strongest as runners fought their way to the turn cone before heading back and feeling the force of the tailwind. After a steep decent into the hollow, followed by a couple of short sharp hills, the finish line was a welcome sight.

Running for Hailsham Harriers were Martin Bell ,28th (36:53), first Harrier home. Graham Woolley continued his strong form placing 30th (37:05) with Carl Barton running another superb race to finish 42nd (37:58).

Helen O’Sullivan finished 82nd (41:01) with Graham Purdye 111th (42:14), Gary Smith 144th (44:37), Chris Little 154th (45:20), Jenny Katsoni 162nd (45:38), Hannah Deubert-Chapman 215th (49:34), Victoria Little 239th (52:46), Sam Neame, who ran a parkrun personal best at Eastbourne the day before, 258th (54:34) with Felicity Williams crossing the line 262nd (54:53).

Hailsham Harriers would like to say congratulations to various junior winners in their age races.

For the under 11s, Henry Cooke (Hastings AC) and Frankie Prime (Bexhill Run Tri) won; for the under-13s, Fin Lumber-Fry (Eastbourne Rovers) and Delia Coppard (Crowborough) and in the Under 15s, Finlay Goodman (Hastings AC) and Rebecca Anscombe (Bexhill Run Tri).

In the senior race Will Withecombe from Hastings Runners was overall race winner and first male in a time of 32:08 and to Grace Baker from Hastings AC, first female in 35:46.