Category Archives: Race Reports

Race Reports, Races

PBs aplenty in Barry Richards 10K

As tea time approached the first eager runners arrived at the foot of Galley Hill for our 2nd club only race in what seemed an eternity. Alan Croucher was on hand to deliver instructions for the kind natured marshalls, who had given up their evening to guide us safely to Cooden Beach Hotel and back, whilst offering us morale support on our journey.



As the minutes ticked by, more green & black vests began to emerge from their cars. Warm ups commenced, ranging from 300 meters to the toilet and back, right up to 2 miles. As the front runners laced up their Nike Vaporflys, the rest chatted with old friends to ease pre race nerves.

We made our way to the start line, unsure exactly where it lay. Our Vice Chair Susan Mann was on hand for some last minute instructions and to count us down. 3-2-CAR!!! The good natured spirit of Hastings Runners took over and the crowd parted to allow the patient driver through. This time Susan changed her approach, 1-2-3 and we were off. Steady pacing appeared to take a back seat as a few sprinted off the start line. Logic soon took over and the runners found their natural pace. The cool temperatures on this late summer evening offered perfect running conditions, only hampered slightly by the moderate northerly wind. Combined with minimal elevation, this was a recipe for fast times and PBs. The Black & Green brigade certainly didn’t waste this opportunity. 

A real spectacle of a race was developing at the front of the field. Defending champion Jack Madden was back in an attempt to retain his title, fresh off a 5K PB at Hastings parkrun on Saturday morning, his confidence was high. 

But it wasn’t going to be easy. Newcomer Will Withecombe who has been mopping up race titles all summer was keen to add to his trophy collection. Alongside Colin White, who himself had smashed nearly 30 seconds off his 5K PB just five days earlier, the trio arrived at the turnaround point together, the race was on and what a race it was.

It was only with 300 meters to the finish line that Jack was able to pull away, completing the course in an amazing time of 36:05. Will had pushed him hard, coming up just 5 seconds behind. Colin added to his 5K PB with another personal best, finishing in 36:49 and with it, landing the Vet’s prize. Superb running, a great advert for our fantastic club.

The female race was won by Claire Thomas who ensured she took the Barry Richards Shield home with her for another 12 months. Claire finished in a cracking time of 44:54, running much of the course with her good friend Susan Rae.

Susan added to her recent list of accolades by claiming 2nd Lady and 1st Old Lady (her words not mine). Let me rephrase that, 1st Female Vet (that’s better). Her time of 45:53 was another personal best. 

They weren’t the only runners to land a 10K PB. Martin Snape ran a sub 40 for the first time. Simon Linklater (me, the author) sneaked a Top 10 finish in 41:53. Kevin Blowers used me as a human shield to protect himself from the zephyr for the first 3 km and let out a roar as he crossed the finish line, setting his 10K record in 42:24.

Simon Weatherly produced the most exciting finish of the evening. Head to head with Matt Smith approaching the final 100 meters, they sprinted towards the line like two Olympians battling it out for a place on the podium. The result, a new PB of 50:21 for Simon.



Marie Crawford overcame her own showdown, not with a fellow runner, but an angry seagull who chose to bosh Marie on the head as she gathered up speed towards the line. Not even this surprise assault could stop her from a new 10K PB in 53:01.



Barry Richards 10K Times:
Jack Madden 36.04
Will Withecombe 36.10
Colin White MV40 36.47
Keiran Price 39.36
Martin Snape 39.44
Paul Burchett 40.18
Jamie Wilkinson 41.33
Martin Noakes 41.3
Simon Linklater 41.54
Kevin Blowers 42.3
Graeme Grass 43.53
Neil Jeffries 44.06
Claire Thomas 44.00
Susan Rae 45.52
Ben Sallows 46.15
John Simcox 46.26
Lewis Wadham 47.14
Paul Gallop 47.30
Andy Knight 47.57
David Harding 49.34
Dean Fox 49.47
Ashley Sapsford-Brooks 49.51
Matt Smith 50.04
Simon Weatherley 50.04
James Graham 50.14
Matt Beaver 50.43
Darren Owen 51.57
Bill Edmondson 52.28
Paul Baxter 52.53
Lauren Coleman 52.57
Marie Crawford 53.02
Rachael Inns 53.05
Nick Webb 53.24
Mike Addison 53.32
Steve Slater 54.03
Jan Young 54.38
Mike Ellis 55.57
Sue Quincey 56.02
Sharon Wadham 56.58
Paul Wadham 56.59
Ellie Swaine 57.10
Krista Barzee 58.08
Lilly Share 59.21
Jacquiline Scott 59.45
Shana Burchett 59.56
Samantha Welfare 1.00.49
Michelle Krombholz 1.00.50
Kim Callow 1.01.13
Alan Croucher 1.10.18
Louise Cavill 1.02.30
Marie Appleton 1.02.43
Henry Worthington 1.30.33
Linda Beddis (Sweep) 1.30.33

The whole evening was a huge success. Well done to all those involved. If you ran a PB and I haven’t included you, then get in touch, especially if you had any mid race altercations with an irate animal. Thank you to Alan and his team of volunteers, without their help, these races would never be possible.

See you all at the next one.

Simon Linklater. Communications Officer.

 

News, Race Reports

Everyone’s Favourite Race – The Alan Corke 2021

The first club only championship race for 21 months was a fantastic advertisement for HR, with 56 runners taking part and 35 marshals – expertly co-ordinated by Alan Croucher – giving up their time to ensure that everything went smoothly.

The well above average recent rainfall meant that some sections of the 10.30 kms course were extremely muddy, and the 2.66 laps in the stunning setting of Hastings Country Park at Fairlight proved a real stamina sapping test with over 220 m of elevation.

Many congrats to Will Withecombe and Nicki Steed who won the men’s and women’s trophy in 45.26 and 53.35 respectively; both were participating in an HR club race for the first time as were Charles Bowley, Chris Weeks, Debbie Clark, Jess Hayward, Patience Cooper, Robin Beck, Samantha Welfare and Tracy Brown.

Will, runner up Ashley Vora and 3rd placed Darren Barzee were very closely matched for much of the race, with Will gradually pulling clear on the final lap to finish 19 secs ahead of Ashley with Darren just 25 secs further adrift.

The women’s race was also a tight affair with Nicki and Sue Rae locked together after the first lap; however Nicki steadily forged ahead to claim a comfortable victory by nearly 3 mins. Sue at least had the consolation of winning the FV 50 plus trophy, from runner up Manami Cheves who ran a fine race to come in just 2 mins behind. Darren won the MV 50 plus trophy, with runner up Martin Noakes just over 2 mins behind.

Times were: Will Withecombe 45.26; Ashley Vora 45.45; Darren Barzee 46.10; Martin Noakes 48.29; Paul Burchett 49.26; Patrick Bermingham 49.48; Simon Linklater 49.58; Charles Bowley 53.03; Simon Trevena 53.07; Neil Jeffries 53.11; Graeme Grass 53.24; Nicki Steed 53.35; Susan Rae 56.29; Rob Thomas 57.07; Manami Cheves 58.22; Luke Evans 59.11; Chris Weeks 59.50; Robin Beck 60.56; James Graham 62.04; Jacqui Mannering 62.44; Simon Weatherley 62.45; Jessica Cull 63.06; Jo Lambourne 63.07; Piers Brunning 63.23; Leanne Spring 63.35; Janice Young 64.18; Nigel Thornely 65.42; Sarah Bendle 65.42; Paul Baxter 66.09; Joanne Smith 66.41; Mike Addison 67.03; Keith Goodsell 67.31; Bill Edmondson 67.56; Marie Crawford 67.57; Sarah Marzaioli 70.01; Elly Swaine 70.24; Krista Barzee 70.55; Emma Stubbs 70.55; Victoria Sims 71.17; Sylvia Huggett 71.57; Mike Ellis 72.21; Shana Burchett 72.28; Kim Callow 73.56; Patience Cooper 75.24; Irene Kitson 78.15; Sue Palmer 79.11; Jessica Hayward 79.29; Samantha Welfare 80.20; Michelle Krombholz 80.21; Tracy Ratnarajah 80.32; Danny Ratnarajah 80.32;Tracy Brown 83.00; Louise Cavill 83.00; Debbie Clark 83.01; Chris White 91.19; Alan Croucher (sweep) 91.35.

Race Reports, Races

RYE 10 miles, Sunday 23rd May

17 Hastings Runners took part in the first club championship race of the calendar over a very hilly course along the leafy lanes of Beckley and Peasmarsh.

They were led home in fine style by star veteran runner Darren Barzee, who clocked a very impressive 65.16 to finish 7th out of a field of 164 runners. Starting out from Jempsons in Peasmarsh, the runners were sent off in wave intervals every few minutes in line with current Covid precautions and the race was excellently organised by Nice Work.

There were age category wins for Darren (MV50), Neil Jeffries (MV60) and the evergreen Yockie Richardson (FV75).


Meanwhile in the 5 mile event which attracted a field of 65 runners, many congrats to new club member Will Withecombe who scored a comfortable race win by 45 secs in a time of 33.46. Well done also to Claire Thomas, 2nd lady finisher in 37.53, and to Sharon Wadham who won the FV50 category.

10 mile results: Darren Barzee 65.16; Kieran Price 69.11; Kevin Blowers 72.43; Ben Park 73.08; Neil Jeffries 75.22; Simon Linklater 75.31; Simon Weatherley 87.10; Jon Smalldon 1.30.05; Stephen Slater 1.30.09; Marie Appleton 1.40.02; Sarah Marzaioli 1.45.18; Louise Cavill 1.46.06; Michelle Krombholz 1.46.07; Krista Barzee 1.46.08; Tracey Ratnarajah 1.48.27; Terry Kitson 1.48.34; Yockie Richardson 1.50.33

5 mile results: Will Withecombe 33.46; Claire Thomas 37.52; Paul Wadham 46.45; Sharon Wadham 47.58
News, Race Reports, Races

RYE SUMMER CLASSIC SERIES 5kms, September 4th

RYE SUMMER CLASSIC SERIES 5kms, September 4th

A tremendous club turnout for Friday’s evening 5kms in the picturesque setting of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, with 33 HRs taking part out of the field of 172.

Only the recently formed Hy Running Club, with 29 representatives, came anywhere near matching this.

First club member home was Dan Snellgrove, putting his Zoom Vaporflys through their paces in an impressive time of 18.09 (an 8secs pb); whilst there were age category wins for Darren Barzee (MV50), Neil Jeffries (MV60) and Irene Kitson (FV65).

Despite a slight headwind all the way out to the turnaround point at Winchelsea Beach, there were also pbs for all three Simons (Newstead, Linklater & Weatherley!), Ruth Spiller, Krista Barzee and a very promising 5kms debut for Elora Wadham.

Also notable runs, showing a welcome return to form, for Neil Jeffries, Marie Appleton, Sue Palmer and Marie Crawford.

The event was excellently organised by Nice Work, with race numbers sent out in advance; temperature checked on arrival in the nature reserve; social distancing observed at all times; runners sent off in 19 waves of 9 – 10 runners every 5 minutes.
Great to see some familiar club faces helping out with the organisation, including Lee & Steph Miller, Andy Bashford, Corrina Skinner and Gary Lancaster.

Chip times were: Dan Snellgrove 18.09 (pb); Darren Barzee 18.38; Simon Newstead 19.30 (pb); Andrew Watson 19.40; Danny Firth 19.46; Simon Linklater 19.49 (pb); Neil Jeffries 20.27; Kevin Blowers 21.28; Ben Sallows 21.55; Elora Wadham 23.09 (pb); Piers Brunning 23.11; Nicola Steed 23.35; Nick Brown 23.36; Simon Weatherley 24.11 (pb); Ruth Spiller 24.14 (pb); Marie Appleton 25.17; Paul Wadham 25.21; Sharon Wadham 26.24; Susan Wilkinson 26.56; Sue Palmer 26.58; Marie Crawford 27.10; Debra Van Aalst 27.33; Krista Barzee 27.43 (pb); Louise Cavill 28.28; Leigh Yates 28.57; Alison Campbell 30.31; Susan Mann 30.43; Hayley Ranson 31.04; Terry Kitson 31.11; Jo Edwards 31.32; Irene Kitson 31.47; Jenny Hudson 33.14; Alison Leonard 33.23.

Race Reports

Rye 10 Race Report

12 Hastings Runners took part in the rearranged Rye 10 miler on Sunday. The route is regarded as one of the toughest in the local racing calendar with over 1000 feet of elevation. The race had a slightly different feel with new regulations in place. Something about a virus or other.

Runners headed off in groups of 12, spread across a 2-hour starting window to ensure social distancing was maintained. The organisers Nice Work received glowing reviews from those that took part.

Warm summer temperatures, in excess of 20 degrees, made the challenge even tougher, but there were some excellent performances.

Martin Snape produced the best time among the Hastings Runners entries, finishing in 1:11:50. Simon Linklater improved his time from last year by over 10 minutes, crossing the line in 1:17:45. Paul Gallop continued his recovery from a nasty injury with a fantastic time of 1:20:40.

Susan Rae failed in her attempt to keep up with Simon, but received the consolation of an age category award (again) and beat her previous best 10-mile effort by 8 minutes, finishing in 1:23:14.

Sue Wilkinson landed her first-ever age category win, taking the top spot in the FV45 bracket in a time of 1:46:17.

Spurred on by her running buddy, Elly Swaine produced an 8 minute PB in 1:42:48. Emma Stubbs was just a second behind as they ran the whole route together, a meter apart of course. Both were on hand to pose for the cameras at every opportunity.

Ben Sallows was the 3rd Hastings Runner home in 1:23:20. Stuart Woolford (1:32:46),  Jenny Hudson (1:47:26), Susan Mann (1:48:14) and Terry Kitson (1:51:02) all ran strong races to make up the Hastings Runners contingent.

Thanks to Darren Barzee for riding all the way out to Rye on his bike to support us, after the race had finished 🙈

The next Nice Work race is the 15th Rye Summer Classic Series 5K Race Three. It takes part at Rye Harbour on Friday the 4th of September. Runners can select their desired start time ranging from 5.30pm – 7.00pm.

Race Reports, Races

Sarah Marzaioli joins the 100 Marathon Club

Ask anyone that has completed one and they’ll tell you the same thing. Running a Marathon is tough. 26.2 miles. It will test you both physically and mentally.

So running 100 is just mind-boggling. That’s a feat our very own Sarah Marzaioli achieved at the weekend. Sarah had hoped to complete the century in London next month. Rather than mope around for the weekend she laced up her trainers and completed the Moyleman Marathon on Sunday.

It just so happens to be one of her favourites. A memorial race for a local runner which is staged over the beautiful South Downs around Lewes.

If achieving 100 Marathons wasn’t special enough, it’s even more an achievement for Sarah who didn’t even take up running until her early 50s.

Among the century there have been 15 London Marathons. At the age of 66 she broke 4 hours for the 6th time around the capital. Amazing!

Last year she finished 5th in her age category at London. The same place Mo Farah finish in his bracket #JustSaying.

Her remarkable journey has taken her all around the World. Running Marathons in Vancouver, Rome, Paris, Istanbul and New York.

She’s even done some Ultra Marathons including the 65 miles from London to Brighton. 82 miles in 3 days to complete the Druid Ridgeway Challenge.

Sarah has been raising money for the RNLI, so please, if you have not done so already, consider making a small donation for this incredible woman.

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SARAHMARZ100

I should give a mention for Kim Callow as well. Just 7 days after completing the Lydd 20, he also ran the Moyleman Marathon this weekend. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t his 100th though. Come on Kim, keep up.

If anyone took part in any races over the weekend that I missed then please drop me an email [email protected] and I will add you to this report.

Simon Linklater

 

 

News, Race Reports, Races

Jethro produces Top 5 finish in Eastbourne Half Marathon

Try as it might, the weather failed to put pay to another Club Championship race and the 2020 season got underway, 19 miles along the coast in nearby Eastbourne.

Combine the wind speed of over 20 mph and one of the toughest hills you’ll find and the Eastbourne Half Marathon provided a stern challenge for the 35 Hastings Runners that competed on Sunday. It didn’t stop as many as 6 Half Marathon PB’s.

The first of those was recorded by Jethro Atherall who smashed his previous best time by 7 minutes. He came home in 1 hour 21 minutes and 37 seconds, good enough for 5th place in a remarkable effort.

Above: Paul Lambert enjoying a day out at Fort Fun.

Dale Saxby also produced a PB of 1:25:53 and came 11th place overall. Dan Snellgrove (1:26:23) and Colin White (1:27:56) both finished inside the Top 20.

The first female Hastings Runner across the line was Debbie Humbles in 1:49:20. Sarah Bendle was less than a minute behind in 1:50:08, whilst Marie Crawford produced her Half Marathon PB and was the third female home in 2:04:49.

There were also PBs for Paul Lambert (1:34:13), Simon Weatherley (2:15:35) and Louise Cavill (2:19:09).

Also worthy of a mention is Darren Owen who completed the course dressed as Mr.Potato Head in a time of 2:08:41. An easy choice for “Photo of the Week”.

We had two representatives taking part in the London Vitality Big Half.  Jamie Webb produced a PB of 1:37:12 and Nathan Gooden finished in 1:42:32.

Above: Jamie Webb celebrating his PB in the Vitality Half and looking a tad scary in the process.

Jane Hughes, Ken Hughes, Julia James and Rick Burne all ran in the Cartagena 11km in Southern Spain. Jane and Julia finished 1st and 3rd in their age categories.

It was just another normal week for Marathon Queen Sarah Marzaioli who notched up marathon number 98 and 99 in the space of 4 days.  London next month will be her 100th, despite only taking up running in her 50s. Please, if you haven’t already done so, celebrate this amazing achievement by making a small donation to Sarah’s worthy charity, the RNLI. CLICK HERE TO DONATE. Thanks and well done Sarah!!

CLICK HERE FOR EASTBOURNE HALF MARATHON RESULTS

If I’ve missed you off the race report or you had a PB and would like a special mention, then drop me an email at [email protected].

Simon Linklater

News, Race Reports, Races

Hastings Runners brave tough weekend conditions

If there is one thing we love at Hastings Runners it’s a weekend storm!! This week it was the turn of Storm Ellen with gusts up to 50 mph in exposed parts of the region.

But once again our members put on a brave face, donned their green and black vests and did the club proud.

On Saturday morning Finlay made the long trip up to Nottingham (not on his own I should add) to run in the National Cross Country Championship at Wollaton Park. If you’ve not seen the videos on the HR Facebook group then I suggest checking them out. To suggest conditions were tough and the standard was high would be the biggest understatements of the year.

 

Despite competing against boys a year older, Finlay finished an excellent 11th place in a race with several hundred runners. He made up 10 places on the 2nd lap.

On Sunday, in equally challenging muddy conditions, we had 8 runners competing in the 8K Gunpowder Run in Battle. The results were as follows.

Ben Sallows 43:41, Jo Nevett 45:38, Andy Knight 49:39, Emma Stubbs 58:58, Linda Beddis 64:20, Jess Tanner 72:06, Allison Tanner 72:06, Mary Le Pla 73:24.

The wind played a big role in the Brighton Half Marathon, but remarkably 3 of our 6 runners came home with PB’s. Manami Cheves finished the race in 1:48:58. Susan Rae was close behind in 1:52:04, good enough for 3rd in her age category. I just about managed to keep my feet on the ground and get round in a PB of 1:57:25.

Also braving the testing conditions in Brighton were Stuart Woolford 1:57:00, Matthew Beaver 1:59:07 and Sarah Holmes 2:12:22.

Dan Snellgrove ran in the Wokingham Half Marathon, producing a stunning PB of 1 hour and 25 minutes.

For some of our runners, 13.1 miles isn’t nearly enough as Jacqueline Mannering, Pete Heasman and Elly Swaine were back out conquering the world by completing the Lenham Cross Winter Marathon. Wind, mud, hills. They can’t get enough. Their efforts making them a worthy winner of the photo of the week.

Danny Firth ran an excellent time of 41:06 in the Lostock 6 miler. That was good enough for 76th place in a field of 453 runners.

There was more success in Spain for Helen & Nick Brown. Helen scooped first place in the FV50 category in the El Campelio 5k, whilst Nick stood proudly at the summit of the podium by finishing 1st in the MV60 category. Just ahead of his new nemesis Andy Key.

As always, if I’ve missed a race or not given you a mention, drop me an email at [email protected] and I’ll get you added.

Well done everyone. A fantastic effort this weekend in such challenge conditions (in the UK at least).

Simon Linklater – Communications Officer

News, Race Reports

Shaz grabs the honours in Tenterden 5 miler

No sooner had Ciara skipped her way out of town, had her slightly less aggressive cousin Dennis popped in for a weekend visit of his own.

But we Hastings Runners are made of strong stuff and not even howling winds and persistent downpours can prevent us from taking to the streets and putting in the miles.

It was a quiet weekend on the race front with several events falling foul to “The Menace”, including the eagerly awaited Bodiam X-Country.

We did have a few runners in action. The Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon went ahead after a one hour delay. The conditions were far from ideal. On a normal day, the brutal climb up Spring Hill is a tough enough challenge. Add in the gusty winds and ankle-deep waterlogged sections of the route and it was a real slog.

Emma Stubbs gave her ever-growing Instagram following something to smile about as she completed the course in 2 hours and 18 minutes. Jessica Cull was the only other Hastings Runners to brave the conditions and crossed the line in 2:08.

The Wadham’s were back in action on Sunday, this time taking on the Tenterden 5 miler, which also survived the weather. Likewise, Paul and Sharon both completed the course unscathed. Paul in 43 minutes and 11 seconds, Sharon in 44:55, good enough to scoop first prize in her age category. GO SHAZ!!!

If you took part in a race this weekend or any date in fact, get in touch and I’ll add the details to the website. Fingers crossed Ellen doesn’t come out to play just yet.

News, Race Reports, Races

Ciari puts pay to season opener

An ill tempered Ciara put pay to the season opening Brenda Boyle Pier to Pier on Sunday. It meant it was a very quiet weekend on the racing front.

On Saturday morning the Goodman brothers proudly wore their black and white Hastings Runners tops in the Sussex Cross County Finals in Bexhill.

Oliver, racing well above his age in the Under 11s put in a fine performance to finish in the middle of the pack. Finlay continued his excellent recent form by winning the U13s race and will shortly be making an appearance in the National Finals.

Nick and Helen Brown competed in the Torre Pacheco 7km. Over 200 runners took part in temperatures of 18 degrees.

Helen finished 2nd in the FV45 category in a fantastic time of 36:54. Nick also made the podium, finishing 2nd in the MV55 in a very quick time of 30:01.

636 female runners took part in the North Beach parkrun in Durban at the weekend. Why is he telling us this?

Well in 3rd place out of those 636 runners was our very own Susan Rae.

If anyone takes part in a race that I miss, feel free to drop me an email and I will add you to the weekly reports.

Simon Linklater – Communications Officer