[results and final table]

The final Men’s League match of the season saw the team having to travel to Bromley trying to keep their promotion chances alive. We needed to get at least a 2nd place to ensure a return to Division One and this was achieved with Hercules Wimbledon winning the match to also gain promotion.

Man of the Match was Josh Mouland – returning to the team for the first time this year and getting 16 points covering 5 events including a win in the Pole Vault B string.

The Middle Distance squad achieved MAXIMUM POINTS over 4 events with club captain Dave Boyce’s 1.56.7 personal best in the 800 A string a particular highlight. Andrew Donno finished unbeaten in the 3000m Steeplechase for the season running to victory with 9.59.3 after winning the 5000m A string in 15.39.4. Rich Airey also completed a double winning the 800m B and the 1500m A.

The performance of the day was from Andy Adair who smashed his personal best in the 400m with a scintillating 49.7 - his first time under the 50 second barrier. He later ran a 49.0 split in the 4 X 4 relay.

We can now relax for the rest of the summer, in the knowledge that we can prepare for a fresh start in Division One in 2009 and look to improve on the fine form we have shown this season. Well done to all athletes who have competed and particular thanks to travelling officials and supporters Graham Ingram, Keith Donno, Peter Witcomb, Lesley Parsons, Mike Bazire and Chris Carter. The team would also like to thank Hove YMCA and driver Phil Carey for the use of their minibus over the season.

Nigel Gates ran a British Vet 55 mile record at Withdean tonight (31st August) with a time of 4.48.0 (to be ratified). On a still, summer evening, fourteen Sussex based athletes raced the mile, with Richard Airey winning the race in a time of 4.26.7 from a fast finishing Andrew Donno (4.30.6) and Matt Bristow who had made much of the early pace (4.31.4).

There were some good battles between club mates, with James McCarthy (U17 / 4.33.1) just getting the better of Josh Painter (4.33.5). Chris Thompson ran 4.37.9 from Luke Lambourne (4.40.6) and Dan Titheridge (4.49.0) both back for the summer from University. Mark McLoughlin of Hayward Heath Harriers (V40) ran 4.54.0 from Chris Woolcott (U17 / 4.57.6) and John Lowden (V50 / 5.05.2).

Results:

Pace Makers:
Dave Boyce, Martin Airey

Lap1: 1.05.1
Lap2: 2.12.4
Lap3: 3.19.2

There were great results for Brighton & Hove at Clayton at the weekend in the Downland Ultra 30 miles and the Jack and Jill challenge races. It was first and second for Stuart Mills and Gary Woolgar in the Downlands 30 with Stuart winning in 3.47.46, with Gary close behind in 3.52.43. In the Jack and Jill race Katy Moore was an impressive winner in the womens race, also coming 3rd overall including the senior men. Elaine Everill took second in the womens race.

Results:

Jack and Jill Challenge
Download Ultra 30

[Match Results]

What a fantastic effort! We ended up in joint first place with Stevenage on 144 points in a match which was so close that we were in third place just fifteen minutes from the end! There were so many good performances it is hard to pick out the exceptional ones. Having said that, Grace G made my heart stop when she decide to charge for the line (from 3rd place and some way back) with 20m to go in the 1500, pipping the other two athletes to the line by a hair’s breadth.

Katy Moore ran a blistering race from the front in the 3k and was only overtaken at the end by a Horsham runner who was running in the other match. Laura H had a cold but still ran very well in the 400 and brought home an excellent 4x100 team in 50.4 (still short of that record though!). Philippa successfully juggled the high jump and 80m hurdles and gained maximum points from both events whilst Sarah continued her mammoth team effort and triple jumped off the 7m board, managing to land in the sand (just - photo to follow) and ran a pb in 100 hurdles. In addition, Sarah persuaded Hayley to have a go at her first hurdles race for some time ‘just for the team’ – whereupon Hayley beat Sarah convincingly!

Anne was not happy with her throws but still gained good points and Emma threw a pb in the hammer. Katie decided that the threat of a hard training session next week was enough of a potential punishment to encourage her to run a pb in the 200 and the u15 relay team performed exceedingly well under Roger’s tutelage. Every single point mattered so all in all, a very satisfying day!

As ever, thanks to those who helped, especially Richard, Carol and Howard for their assistance with scoring and timekeeping/track judging. Watch this space for further info about the final match… no league points available yet – go to www.swtfl.co.uk for full results when available.

Nigel Gates goes within half a second of a British Master v55 record over the 1500 at the open meeting at K2.

[results]