Winter series is offtoa fine start
There is just over a week left before one of the highlights of the road running calandar in the south of England when the Chichester 10k returns to Goodwood.
Organisers are expecting a bumber turnout this year after numbers did not quite match up to ptevious levels in 2023.
Well over 1200 entries have been received with a possibility that ‘entry full’ signs may have to be posted before the Sunday, February 4 race date.
Last year it was Bedford and County athlete Matthew Leach who broke the coveted 30-mniute barrier with a finish of 29 minutes 50 seconds.
Portsmouth runner Cassie Thorp turned the tables on nationally ranked Niamh Brown from Aldershot with a win in 34.37 in the women’s race.
One of the standout performances last year was the time of Adrian Mussett in the veteran over-50 category with a stunning 31.51 in 14th place overall.
With the event also hosting the British Masters Championships this year, a number of star studded veteran runners will be on display.
Race Director Gavin Stephens commented: “It's looking like a bumper year for the race.
"We'll be hoping for a repeat of last year's settled conditions, which saw new course records in both the male and female races.
"The event always attracts a quality field, and the inclusion of the British Masters Championships will make this year extra special – we can't wait.”
We’ll have more on the 10k in next week’s paper and on the new Observer app (see page 2 for details of the app) and will bring you full coverage of the race itself.
- PHIL BAKER Cross country action
Both ends of the age spectrum have been in Sussex cross country action in the past couple of weeks.
The Masters event was held last weekend at Lancing while the schools championships were once again very well supported at Waterhall, Brighton.
Reports on local interest in both events will appear in next week’s Observer.
Get more local sport on the Observer app and at sussexworld.co.uk/sport
Expectations of a fun day’s racing for the start of the Snowflake series at Chichester Yacht Club were not high as a cold, grey, windless day dawned.
But, in the end, the fleet of 35 or so boats enjoyed some competitive racing in sunshine and a force two to three wind. In the fast fleet, the 400 of Jack Holden (CYC) finished first on the water chased home by George Yeoman (ISC) in his Merlin Rocket but was just beaten on handicap by Richard Sharp (ESSC) sailing a Finn.
In the second race the two Ospreys of Ben and Simon Townsend (ESSC) had a great start and built a good lead. But in the end Jack crossed the line first and won on handicap with Richard second and Luke South (ESC), in his 300, third.
In race one in the medium fleet Mark Riddington (ESSC) in his Aero 7 finished first but Rob and Gemma Burridge (Weir Wood SC) in their 2000 beat the other 18 on handicap with Lucy Boreham (CYC) in her Europe narrowly beating Alex Butler (HISC) by eight seconds for second.
In the second race Alex Butler took first place by seven seconds from the Europe of John Rees (HISC) and they were followed by the Aero 7 of Mark Riddington ESSC) with the Burridges fourth.
In the slow fleet, the Mirror of Terry and Charlie Hunt (Nsc)beatf Freddie Jones (CYC) in his Optimist in the first race. In the second race the positions were reversed.
There was great competition with close results in all fleets. Next races are on Saturday, January 28.