After a four-year absence, local running club Hailsham Harriers hosted its flagship club race, The John Faulds Hellingly 10K, now in its 36th year.
Over two hundred runners gathered on the start line at Station Road, Hellingly last month on a dry morning with temperatures a warm 22 degrees. Runners faced an undulating course around Hellingly country lanes, with a new finish line location at Hellingly Cricket Pavilion, Roebuck Park.
Along with organising the race, which forms part of the Sussex Grand Prix, a series of twelve races held throughout the year, Hailsham Harriers also produced the biggest club turnout with thirty-seven members running the race, followed by Wadhurst Runners second and Heathfield Road Runners third.
Hailsham Harriers, Tina Macenhill, Audrey Haddon and Helen O’Sullivan picked up top awards for winning their respective age categories whilst Katy Reed, Robin Warwick. Louisa Geer and Claire Hope ran 10K personal best times. For two Harriers, Louisa Geer and Dave Garratt, the Hellingly 10K represented their debut race in Harriers colours.
Runners were presented with a bespoke, sustainable medal by Hailsham Harriers senior and junior members, their families and club Chairman Andy Ruffell. Tea, coffee and an abundance of cake were available to purchase at the Pavilion with donations to the Hellingly Scouts who helped out at the event to raise funds for their 2025 camps international expedition to Cambodia.
Hailsham Harriers would like to say a big thank you to the following: their race sponsors – Brewers Decorator Centres, Waitrose Heathfield and Jason Kearns Plumbing & Heating, to Hellingly Scouts, Sports Systems Timing, all the race volunteers and marshals, to Hailsham Harriers club members along with their families, friends and especially to race Directors Samantha Neame and Graham Purdye.
Congratulations to Bryan Brett of Eastbourne Rovers first male and overall winner in 34:30, Ollie Sprague of Seaford Striders, second place male in 35:55 and Dan Stent from Vegan Runners, third male in 36:12. For the ladies, congratulations go to Sarah Morris from Heathfield Road Runners, first female in 43:26, with Hailsham’s Ladies captain Helen O’Sullivan second place in 44:48 and fellow Harrier, Audrey Haddon, third place in 45:01
For Hailsham, first Harrier across the line saw Rob Chrystie 39:51 followed by Chris Doherty 40:06, Carl Barton 40:15, Dave Garratt 41:37, Los Burrett 41:53, Helen O’Sullivan 44:48, Audrey Haddon 45:01, Simon Haddon 45:57, Gary Crossan 46:05, Robin Warwick 46:19, Chris Shoult 46:32, Tom Price 46:47, Gary Smith 47:17, Tina Macenhill 48:04, Don Currie 48:36, Andrew Moore 49:05, Katy Reed 49:15, Tracy Erridge 50:05, Leeland Pavey 50:15, Abi Morris 50:58, Stephanie Bassett 53:27, Hannah Deubert-Chapman 57:42, Katie Manley 58:32, Louisa Geer 59:31, Cathy Gilling 59:55, Julie Deakin, 1:01:38, Kirsty Groves 1:02:29, Claire Hope 1:06:36, Darren Gillett 1:06:36 Sandra Fowlie 1:09:21, Maria Stanford 1:09:44, Lisa Phillips-Horner 1:09:45, Roberto Proietti 1:09:51, Els Ruffell 1:11:47, Anne Brandenburg 1:18:21 and Norman Harris 1:24:45.
Full results can be found at www.sportsystems.co.uk
