Simpson is excited by Sussex challenge
With just under a week to go before the opening night of the Chichester Corporate Challenge Road Races, there is still time to enter this exciting series of races.
Virtually unique in being raced in the centre of the historic city, many competitors young and old have said it is their favourite event of the year.
It started as a senior-only event in 1992, nowadays juniorsplayanequallyimportant part in proceedings.
While individual perfrmances are always of note, much comes from the excitement of team competiton with the fastest times added up to give a team total.
All the junior teams have three runners to score as does the female section of the senior race, whereas senior men’s or mixed teams are four competitors to score.
The organisers always take a lenient view over corporate teams with any bonafide connection with the company accepted.
Multiple winners Dstl Portsdown have already entered a strong squad while three local GP surgeries will be setting a good example with Crawley Crawlers, Southbourne Springers and Langley Leapers vieing for bragging rights.
In the sports section, there will be a strong representation from the talented teenagers from Chichester, Portsmouthandworthingin particular as well as Hampshire-based Team Purser, who dominated last year’s rankings.
The men’s and women’s course records are of a high quality for the 4500m senior course.
American doctor Chris
Zablocki shaved a second off the mark set by Commonealth Games gold medallist Mike East with a 12min 38sec clocking in 2016 while the 14.12 finish by GB international Zara Hyde has stood the test of time since it was set in 1996.
Entries are still being accepted on the Chichester Runners & AC website and there may be space for late entries on the first night, next Wednesday (February 28) but only if space permits. It is better not to leave it to chance.
The action starts with primary-school races at 6.30pm with the main seniors off at 7.30pm. Get your work colleagues, friends or school firiends signed up!
Having brought an end to a 16-year spell at Middlesex, Sussex’s new County Championship captain John Simpson has instantly set his sights on promotion.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Simpson told Sussex Cricket: “For me, it’s about getting promoted into Division One – that’s our goal – and I think the same message has been reiterated about T20s.
"The minimum for us is the quarter-finals, so for me, without saying I’m coming to the back end of my career, I’m saying I’m still as fit and as hungry as I’ve ever been.
"I want to win trophies and if we can really pull together as a team, game by game, we can do something really special and that’s the really exciting part for me.”
Now 35 and with plenty of experience under his belt, Simpson knows he has an important role to play both on and off the pitch with Sussex’s younger wicketkeepers.
He said: “I’ve been working quite closely with Charlie Tear this winter and took him down to meet Jack Russell, which was a little bit surreal for him, a great opportunity to spend an hour with Jack.
“And I spoke to Ollie Carter and reiterated that I’m very open to anything in terms of any conversations he wants about, keeping, batting.
"I'm really excited to work with Ollie and Charlie.”
Simpson won trophies at Middlesex and wants a repeat following his move to Hove.
“The project Paul presented to me was one that I couldn’t turn down. I think we’ve got a hugely exciting squad,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent. Hove is a great place to play and bat.”