Dry, cool weather and a flat, fast course helped Seaford Striders achieve a trio of personal bests plus top three age group performances at the Hastings Runners 5 mile on May 13.
The Striders had a brilliant turnout, with 22 team members among the 525 finishers making the trip to Hastings. The race, now in its 13th year, is run in memory of Hastings Runner Keith Chandler with the proceeds donated to St Michael’s Hospice – more than £50,000 has been raised so far.
First man home for the Striders, and 14th placed overall, was Timothy Dymott, running the race in under 30 minutes in 29:15. Josh Nisbett, taking a break from marathon distances, came in next at 31:05. He was followed by Jeff Young (31:50) who was 3rd placed in the MV45 age group and junior Joe Plant in 31:55.
Then came Nick Farley in 32:10, Damien Partridge (33:12), Ben Barnett in 34:00 and Andy Farley just behind in 34:03. Matt Franks was pleased with his comeback time of 35:27 in front of Graham Jones in 37:29.
First lady home for the Striders was Anna Norman in 37:58, followed by Kristiane Sherry, delighted with her time of 38:31. Jazz Shiret smashed her target of a sub-45 minute race to finish in 42:14. Hilary Humphreys was third placed in the FV65 age group category, finishing her race in 43:22.
Simon Nixon ran as a pacemaker for Simon Homer (both finishing in 44:34) and Emma Cooper, a few seconds behind in 44:39.
With family and team mates cheering loudly at the finish line, a trio of former Couch to 5k graduates all achieved new PB times. Stacey Jones (46:27), Debbie Plant (47:17) and Becky Souissi (53:32) all coming home with their best times yet over this distance.
They were joined by Victoria Maleski, running a good, even pace alongside team mate Becky at 53:41 and concluding with Sandra Standen in 57:55.
* Anneka Redley completed the Run Gatwick half marathon in 1:56:43, pacing dad Jonathon who finished in 1:56:45.