Burgess Hill Runners take on long distance events

Longer distances occupied club members this weekend with two much-loved local events dominating the calendar.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Mar 2015, 09:04 BST
Linda Russell, Hannah Watkins and Marie Carey enjoying muddy section of the Steyning Stinger half marathon with Anne Savidge in the background. Picture courtesy of Sussex Sport Photography Gm364xESyUaWi3hA_tZ1Linda Russell, Hannah Watkins and Marie Carey enjoying muddy section of the Steyning Stinger half marathon with Anne Savidge in the background. Picture courtesy of Sussex Sport Photography Gm364xESyUaWi3hA_tZ1
Linda Russell, Hannah Watkins and Marie Carey enjoying muddy section of the Steyning Stinger half marathon with Anne Savidge in the background. Picture courtesy of Sussex Sport Photography Gm364xESyUaWi3hA_tZ1

The 14th ‘Steyning Stinger’, organised by Steyning AC, proved popular with members (forming part of the Club’s Championship series of races), offering both full and half marathon distances over the Downs. Although weather conditions were fine, if a little breezy, on the day, due to the heavy rain on Saturday underfoot conditions were horrendous in parts, with ankle deep mud commonplace.

This naturally affected times and several runners established course and/or distance ‘personal worsts’.

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Despite this, the event was, as always very well organised and hugely enjoyable.

Completing the full marathon were Mark Nicholls (4hrs 16 mins 28 seconds), Darren Chilcott (4.49.20), Steve Matthews (4.50.04) and Alan Fry. In the half marathon, James Sorbie led the team home in 2.09.56, followed by Emma Buckland (2.14.26), Dan Foord (2.15.20), Liz Carter (2.15.25), Trevor Symes (2.17.20), Paul Russell (2.48.02), Diane Delderfield (2.56.51), Gill and Kjell Berglund (3.08.04), Linda Russell and Marie Carey (3.10.40), Hannah Watkins (3.11.06) and Anne Savidge (3.20.27). meanwhile, some club members avoided the mud and headed to Eastbourne for the popular half marathon.

There was a welcome return to racing for Dougie Cooper who finished in an excellent 1.44.37, Lee Crow completed in 1.54.08, Jon Lavis was delighted to set a new PB in 1.59.34 followed by Claire Tucknott 1.59.45, Lisa Matthews 2.15.03 and Theresa Chalk 2.34.20.