LOCAL running club Hailsham Harriers embraced the Beachy Head Marathon weekend which saw over forty of the club’s athletes compete across the four race distances on offer.
The stormy weather conditions on Saturday morning, 21st October, did not deter the smiles of nearly 2000 runners as the event started at the early time of 7:30am with the Ultra Marathon, followed by the Marathon at 8:30am and the 10K at 9am.
Running for Hailsham and completing their first taste of the marathon distance were Ros Thomson, Dave Garratt and Oliver Chandler. Dave Garratt has recently joined the club and ran to raise funds for Chestnut Tree House, whilst Ollie Chandler is a proud graduate of the clubs Couch To 5K program and Ros Thomson has always wanted to run Beachy Head with it being on her doorstep, she has never had the confidence to do this until she joined the Harriers.
For one member, Roberto Proietti, he ran the first ‘Seven Sisters Marathon’ as it was previously called back in 1991. In 2021 he ran all three of the distance events as they were split over two weekends and last year Roberto ran the inaugural Beachy Head Ultra Marathon. He returned again this year to run his favourite of the distances, the Marathon, at the young age of 74.
Results for the Marathon were: David Garratt, first Harrier home in 3:58:40, Adam Davies 3:58:58, Ollie Chandler 4:28:12, Lianne Leakey, Gary Smith & Lisa Goldsmith 4:53:31, Connie Griffin 5:06:58, Mick Husarz 5:21:35, Abigail Morris 5:29:34, Darren Gillett 6:57:32 and Roberto Proietti 7:41:33.
In the 10K distance thirteen Harriers took part with Aislinn Darvell first female over the line in a magnificent time of 44:11. For Gemma Mulhern, another of Hailsham’s newest members, the 10K not only signified her first official race, but also her debut race in the clubs black and red strong colours.
Results for the 10K were: Aislinn Darvell, first Harrier home in 44:11, Graham Purdye 50:13, Chris Little 51:24, Charlie Long 51:29, Wendy Robson 52:38, Tash Hawkes 58:58, Victoria Little 1:00:31, Sam Neame 1:01:17, Katie Manley 1:05:10, Maria Stewart 1:05:17, Gemma Mulhern 1:06:27, Cathy Gilling 1:07:35 and Kirstie Groves 1:22:54.
In the Half Marathon distance which took place on Sunday 22nd October, Hailsham Harriers had another strong turnout with fourteen members taking part. On a day with the weather very different from the day before, first Harrier across the line in glorious sunshine saw Ross Brocklehurst in a time of 1:34:10. For Louise Williams and Claire Hope, two of Hailsham’s recent Couch To 5K graduates, this was their first taste of the Half Marathon distance and for Charlie Long, Wendy Robson, Tash Hawkes and Graham Purdye this was their second race of the Beachy Head Marathon weekend as they took part in the 10K distance the day before.
Results for the Half Marathon were: Ross Brocklehurst 1:34:10, David Woollard 1:37:21, Men’s Captain: Carl Barton 1:42:42, Mark Bassett 1:50:44, Annette Feakes 1:59:28, Charlie Long 1:59:38, Graham Purdye & Wendy Robson 2:04:21, Tracy Erridge & Tash Hawkes 2:12:06, Steph Bassett 2:14:46, Louise Williams 2:38:00, Claire Hope 2:42:33 and Julie Lewis-Clements 2:51:33.
Club Chairman, Andy Ruffell said ‘We are proud of all our members who ran, helped out, overcame their fears and achieved great performances. Beachy Head is always a special weekend for us, one which is close to our hearts and we would like to thank the organisers, marshals and volunteers for making it another huge success, especially in Saturdays challenging weather. Congratulations to everyone who took part, respect to you all’.
Many of the clubs members who took part used the Beachy Head weekend as a great warm up to the start of the East Sussex Sunday Cross Country League which began on Sunday 29th October with the first race at Whitbread Hollow, organised by Run Wednesdays.
For more information on joining Hailsham Harriers please visit the website https://hailsham-harriers.org.uk. A running club with a big heart, that welcomes all abilities.
