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Harriers Report - Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend 3rd - 5th May 2014

(May 10, 2014)

The Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend returned with a brilliant set of three local races held in stunning sunshine. Starting with the East Grinstead 10 mile race based at the East Grinstead Sports Club. A children's race set the scene sponsored by Crest Nicholson and then 244 finished the challenging 10 mile cross country race. For some it was the start of a weekend of running adding up to the classic Marathon distance 26.2 miles which would see runners also covering miles in Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill. Over 1000 runners finished the main races with over 100 youngsters and new runners taking part in the Mile race. Sunday moved onto to Haywards Heath and out of very busy race HQ at Victoria Park runners made there way down South Road past the Orchards Shopping centre and back into Ashenground and Bolnore Woods along the new relief road and into Bolnore Village a 2 lap hilly mainly on road as part of the crucial Sussex Grand Prix series. Another mile race including very many children and young Harriers. This race was co ordinated by the Haywards Heath Harriers who where out in force either marshaling, running and supporting. The Burgess Hill Runners too very much helped and supported the weekend and the team work was very much in evidence. 

At East Grinstead for the first 10 miler, 9 Harriers ran 1st place Russ Mullen 1.03:03, 6th Tom Mullen 1.07:53, 8th Mark Davies 1.08:51, 17th Jason Russell 1.13:51, Carl Bicknell in top 50 with 1.22:40, Dan Apps 57th 1.23:30 and 70thRichard Neale 1.25:48. 1st lady Harrier home Ann Sinnett 1.22:06 and close by Kim Lo 1.24:19. 

Sunday in Haywards Heath for the 10 miles full of Sussex Grand Prix runners, saw 390 finishers, 3rd  59.22 Russ Mullen, 9th Tom Mullen 1.03:27 and 10th Paul Tomlinson 1.03:31  and 11th Paul Cousins 1.03:33 . 21st 1.05:00 for Izzy Coomber,  23rd 1.05:29. Mark Davies 24th 1.05:35 for Steve Dallman 1.06:37, Andy Guy 30th 1.06:37.Richard Sutor 32nd 1.07:29. 34th Jack Chivers 1.07:37. 37th Andrew Biggs 1.08:21. 50th place Mags Lazell 1.10:33. Ben Adams 51stplace 1.10:52.  60thRichard Haynes 1.12:12. 66th Jason Russell 1.12:46. Robert Coomber 87th 1.14:51. Ann Sinnett 89th 1.15:00. Maresa Pitt 94th 1.15:58. Carl Bicknell was next with 1.15:59. 99th Graham Jenner 1.16:14. 112 Kim Lo 1.17:27. 115th 1.17:31. Phil Scott 1.18:14, Graham Lyle 1.20:27. Amanda Soper 1.25:24. Mark Sykes1.25:31 Michelle Pearce 1.25:42. Sarah Banks 1.25:45. Mark Quinton 1.31:23.Hos Davies 1.41:46. 7th months pregnant and super runner Natalie Chivers 1.50:11. Michelle Holdstock 1.50:23. Maureen Winborn 1.54:15 and Jenny Denyer 2.10:23. At the Haywards Heath 10 there where new club records for Izzy Coomber, Paul Cousins and Marguerite Lazell ton Sunday with Maresa Pitt and Maureen Winborn filling empty record spaces. Not an easy course so great performances It really was a great weekend of running as the Haywards Heath Harriers took Sunday’s SGP male team prize-Russ Mullen, Tom Mullen andPaul Tomlinson and first female home was Harriers  Izzy Coomber. With a really great turnout from the club of 34 runners.

 Onto the a sunny 10k in Burgess Hill, where race HQ was in The Martlets on Monday with the Mile  race on St John's  park. The race headed out past the railways station and along the line onto Batchelor's Fields and past the water tower on hilly but dry fields. Russ Mullen was 4th 37.27 of the 364 finishers. In  7thplace Rob Watts 39.14, Tom Mullen 9th place 41.07, 11th Steve Dallman 41.48, 13th Mark Davies 42.14, Within the 20 places Andrew Biggs 43.50,   Richard Neale 43.51, 47th place  Carl Bicknell 48.16, Stuart Austin 63rd 49.48, 94thGraham Lyle 52.36. Matt Quinton 59.44, Hos Davies 1.02:51. For the Ladies Ann Sinnett was 46th 48.14, Kim Lo 60th 49.58 and Lucie Venables 54.15, Sarah Hamilton 58.40, Alison Shore 1.12:51, Mims Davies 1.19:50.  Ann Sinnett was delighted to defend her age category on all 3 days and was part of the 1st ladies team along with Izzy Coomber and Mags Lazell. Taking also the 2nd lady vet for the weekend.  Russ Mullen was awesome all weekend, taking the 2014 Mid Sussex Marathon Weeked 2014 title, taking back his title from 2 years ago.  A fantastic weekend supported by Mid Sussex District Council the Town Councils of Eats Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill. Sponsored and supported by Mansell McTaggart, Freedom Leisure, Orchards Shopping Centre, Bright FM, Town Partnership Team Burgess Hill , Crest Nicholson and very many others whose support and prizes are very much appreciated. Races managed by the brilliant Nice Work Team.  

Bank Holiday Monday also saw the Rusper Village May Day Celebration 4-Mile Fun Run First V70:  Haywards Heath Harriers, Rupert Purchase

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