Sunday 5^th April, The Open University, Milton Keynes.

In near perfect conditions at The Open University in Milton Keynes the men’s team finished in 22^nd position and qualified for the National Road Relays for the 5^th year in succession and the Women finished an impressive 10^th in their first outing in this competition for many years.

The format in the men’s race was 6 long legs of 7.98k and 6 short legs of 5.5k alternating long followed by short. The fastest long leg from the Brighton team and by any Sussex runner came from Kev Mason with 25:47. Kev proved last weekend that he was in great shape by taking over 30 seconds off his 10k time to record 32:01 at the Eastleigh 10k. The fastest short leg of the day was run by Dave Boyce on leg 2 with 18:17. Although there were impressive runs throughout the team to gain a qualification position, another notable performances came from M50 athlete John Lowden who in the absence of Nigel Gates stepped up to run a long leg in a time of 28:17.

Under the guidance of the new women’s team manager Tom Ulliott, the women were required to run 6 short legs of 5.5k. Jeanette Kenneally had the competitive first leg and ran 21:55 to bring the team back in 24^th. Katy Moore on second leg was the fastest Brighton woman of the day with 20:04 lifting the team up to 10^th. There was a brief spell outside the top ten as Julia Downes and Laura Lambourne ran 21:49 and 23:54 respectively. It was a last minute call up for Laura who stepped in to replace an injured athlete. Fiona Powell on leg 5 brought the team back inside the top 10 with 20:45 and Grace Geilinger held this position with 22:10.

Results are on the mkac website.

Next race for the Brighton Men and Women’s teams is the Sussex Road Relays on Saturday 11^th April. On the 18^th April the men will be contesting the National 12 stage Road Relay Championships at Sutton Park Birmingham.

It has been an excellent season for the girls cross county this year. The under 13 girls have won 3 team medals this season – bronze for the Cross Country Relays, Gold at Preston Park Phoenix Run and Silver in the League Competition. It has been fabulous to see so many girls out representing the club at cross country – and all appearing to be enjoying the experience! Well done to all our runners. Our thanks to our John, Peter, Sam and Toni for their enthusiastic coaching.

Cross Country Championships at Stanmer Park – 3^rd January

The cross country championships saw a fantastic run by our under 13s. At the finish line there was a constant stream of red vests as our 6 girls all finished together separated by just 24 seconds!

16^th Holly Turner, 17^th Laura Smith, 18^th Ella Faulkner, 19^th Ella Spurgeon, 20^th Beth Faulkner and 21^st Esther Lutz Davies. An amazing achievement out of a field of 43 runners, with all girls finishing in the top half of the race.

Due to injury and illness there were no under 15s, while in the under 17s Emma Palmer ran an excellent race to finish 11^th in her first run for the club.

Cross Country League Race 3 at Bexhill – 10^th January

Despite freezing conditions seven girls took part in the under 13s race, which was the last league race this season for this age group. An excellent run by all the girls

Under 13s results 11^th Laura Smith, 14^th Ella Spurgeon, 15^th Holly Turner, 16^th Ella Faulkner, 23^rd Beth Faulkner, 24^th Steffi Parskevas, 27^th Esther Lutz Davies

The overall team positions in the league were 2^nd for Brighton A team and 6^th for Brighton B team. Holly Turner, Laura Smith and Ella Spurgeon have been the top scorers in all the races and were presented with their silver medals, all looking noticeably very smart in their bright red club hoodies.

In the under 15s Rachel Titheradge was 17^th and Ellie Woolcott 19^th

In the under 17s Emma Palmer was 12^th

Brighton Schools Race at Waterhall - 14^th January

Brighton and Hove Athletic Club was well represented in the Brighton and Hove Schools Race with our girls featuring in the top positions (two firsts, two seconds and a third)

Year 7 race 1^st Ella Faulkner, 3^rd Steffi Paraskevas, 4^th Beth Faulkner and 6^th Ester Lutz Davies

Year 8 and 9 race 1^st Holly Turner, 2^nd Ella Spurgeon

Year 10 and 11 race 2^nd Rachel Titheradge

While in the Burgess Hill Area race Laura Smith came 1^st in the Year 7 race.

Sussex Schools Race at Stanmer Park 31^st January

Juniors (Year 8 and 9) 15^th Ella Spurgeon and 19^th Holly Turner

Intermediates (Year 10 and 11) 16^th Rachel Titheradge and 24^th Emma Palmer

Seniors (Year 12 and 13) 4^th Grace Geillinger, 7^th Nicola Silsby and 9^th Laura Lambourne.

The girls in the top 20 were all selected to run for Sussex Schools in an inter counties matches which regrettably had to be cancelled due to the snow.

South of England Championships at Hillingdon - 24^th January

Three girls travelled to Hillingdon to compete in the South of England Championship. In the most appalling muddy conditions they all had a great run and from field of about 220 finishers Laura Smith came 108^th and Ester Lutz Davies 113^th in under 13s and Rachel Titheradge 175^th in under 15s.

National Championships at Parliament Hill 21^st February

Three girls represented the club at the Nationals in fantastic sunny conditions

In under 13s from a field of 350 Esther Lutz Davies 240^th and Laura Smith 262^nd

In under 15s Rachel Titheradge 265^th

League Race 4 at Lancing 28^th February

Due a clash with Year 7 and 8 Schools inter counties match most of the girls were in Bexley and just 3 girls competed in this race.

In the under 13s Laura Smith came in 1^st and in the under 15s Rachel Titheradge 16^th and Ellie Woolcott 18^th.

Well done girls for a fantastic season, we look forward to seeing you all running cross country again next year.

Ann Titheradge and Judith Woolcott

Girls Team Managers