Plodders in fine form in Beachy Head races

Polegate Plodder Patrick Marsden stormed to fifth place at the inaugural Beachy Head Half Marathon.
Patrick MarsdenPatrick Marsden
Patrick Marsden

In his first half, Marsden completed the hilly course in 1hr 26min 57sec.

“I was shocked with the time. With it being a hilly course, it was hard to predict a time so I ran it hard and hoped for the best,” Marsden said. “The conditions were perfect and it was a great day for everyone.” Other half marathon debutants, Dave Moran and Shauni Wells, completed the course in 2:20:41 and 3:16:52.

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Moran said: “At the beginning of the year, I couldn’t run 5k without stopping but joining the Plodders during lockdown has given me the drive to achieve things.”

Shauni Wells (right) with fellow Plodder Rebecca GoldsmithShauni Wells (right) with fellow Plodder Rebecca Goldsmith
Shauni Wells (right) with fellow Plodder Rebecca Goldsmith

Wells added: “I absolutely loved the run, great route, so scenic it was just beautiful. It had that race day buzz about it.” Overall, 24 Plodders took part in the event.

Last weekend, Plodders competed in the Beachy Head Marathon and 10k.

On Saturday, four conquered windy conditions for magnificent marathon times. Chris Jones finished in 5.26.25, Roger Humphries 5:37:42, Joanne Linley, despite an injury, finished in 5:42:22, closely followed by Heather Long in 5:42:23.

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A day later conditions had deteriorated for the 10k.Kevin Burton ran it in 53.34, Mary Northway in 1.06.40.

Dave MoranDave Moran
Dave Moran

Plodders HM results: Patrick Marsden 1:26:57, Ian Weston 1:46:26, Chris Pullinger 1:46:54, Liam Brooks 1:53:41, Marco Fortmann 1:56:16, Andy Britton 2:08:40, Jim Juniper 2:10:16, Peter Cook 2:12:22, Lorraine Wilkinson 2:18:42, Nicola Sangster 2:26:05, Sally Weston 2:26:06, Caroline Skinner 2:31:09, Kirsten Pullinger 2:31:23, Stephen Townsend 2:33:37, Lisa Price 2:33:45, Fay Stevensova 2:34:31, Vanessa Britton 2:39:35, Stephanie Boorer 2:42:38, Nikki Loats 2:48:48, Michelle Breach 2:57:42, Sally Northrop 3:00:38, Denise Dyer 3:13:39, Shauni Wells 3:16:52, Rebecca Goldsmith 3:16:52.