Skelton pips Coleman for race victory

Blue sky and sunshine greeted athletes in the 10th Hastings Runners Five Mile Race on Sunday and competitors responded with some excellent performances.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th May 2015, 17:45 BST

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Hastings Runners Five Mile Race winner Ross Skelton approaches the finish lineHastings Runners Five Mile Race winner Ross Skelton approaches the finish line
Hastings Runners Five Mile Race winner Ross Skelton approaches the finish line

The men’s race was a closely-fought affair with local runner Ross Skelton, representing Brighton Phoenix AC, battling it out with 2006 Hastings Half Marathon winner Michael Coleman, of South Kent Harriers.

Skelton made a decisive break at four miles and went on to win by around 20 yards in a time of 25 minutes and 25 seconds, just 10 seconds outside the course record. Third place went to Dan Watt, of Tonbridge AC.

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The ladies’ race was more clearcut with Sarah Roff, of Hastings AC, winning for the second consecutive year in 28:57, just seven seconds outside the ladies’ course record.

Second place went to former winner Erica Martin, of Brighton Phoenix, in 30:12 and Melissa Neal, from March AC, finished third.

Brighton Phoenix and Lewes AC won the men’s and ladies’ team prizes respectively, and in all there were 419 finishers.

The junior boys’ race was won by Ben Macallion (34:32) and the first junior girl was Hannah Nunn (56:38).

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Among a host of age group awards, Caroline Wood, of Arena 80 AC, set a new record in the ladies’ FV 50 age group of 32:26. Other local age group winners were Martin Noakes (MV 50), Riz Maslen (FV 45), the evergreen Sylvia Huggett (FV 65) and Irene Ellis (FV 70), all from Hastings Runners.

Hastings Runners Five Mile Race winner Ross Skelton approaches the finish lineHastings Runners Five Mile Race winner Ross Skelton approaches the finish line
Hastings Runners Five Mile Race winner Ross Skelton approaches the finish line

Hastings Runners would like to thank all the runners, marshals and helpers, not to mention the sponsors, who helped to make the event such a success.

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