Harriers make hay in the Brighton Marathon sunshine

There was cause to celebrate at the Brighton Marathon on Sunday where the Haywards Heath Harriers put in some incredible performances.
By Ben Adams
Published 14th Apr 2015, 11:30 BST
Jack Chivers took 12 minutes off his PBJack Chivers took 12 minutes off his PB
Jack Chivers took 12 minutes off his PB

Spurred on by stunning conditions and thousands of spectators lining the route, there were a number of personal best times on this flat and fast course.

Jack Chivers led the Harriers’ charge with his time of 3:05.13: “I ran well, felt strong and was thrilled to take 12 minutes off my PB which also qualifies me for the Boston Marathon – something that has been on my bucket list for some time”.

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The popular race winds it way through the city streets, finishing up on the Brighton seafront. The Harriers joined almost 10,000 elite, club and fun runners in a fantastic atmosphere with Friday’s pollution a distant memory.

Barry Tullett, nothing but dedicated in his training and preparation for the event, was next Harrier home. He ran evenly, looked comfortable throughout and smashed his best time from 2013, crossing the finish line in 3:06.46. It was well under his 3:15 goal and the performance suggests there is more to come.

Howard Booth clocked a personal best of 3:35.49 and Carl Bicknell (3:34.19) was just outside his best and only three seconds slower than his 2014 time.

Several Harriers took on the 26.2 mile distance for the first time including Will Herbert (3:25.43), who set off well but suffered in the latter stages, Matt Quinton (4:58.44) and Richard Neale (5:59.21), the latter running with a heavy rucksack and after a full weekend of training in preparation for a forthcoming ironman event.

Full results

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Barry Tullett ran evenly, well inside his target timeBarry Tullett ran evenly, well inside his target time
Barry Tullett ran evenly, well inside his target time

David Roper (3:22.20), Stuart Austin (3:36.03), Nicholas Holdridge (3:40.55), Graham Jenner (3:49.44), David Kirby (3:50.49), Shelagh Robinson (4:13.53), Hos Davies (4:52.36).

10 km

Ahead of the marathon, it was an early and chilly start for several Harriers who took on the 10km race, on parts of the same course. But it was worth it with a number of personal best times despite contending with cross winds on the seafront.

Paul Tomlinson was first in his age group with a new PB of 34:27, finishing 28th overall. Kim Lo, agonisingly missed out on a sub-39 minute time, but topped her age group and finished 7th lady with her new best of 39:00. There were also best times for Ben Adams (39:26), who was delighted to dip below the 40 minute mark, Kat Barrett (42:36) and TJ Watson (46:56).

A below par Tom Mullen (35:15) was caught on his own after the mid point and found the winds tough. Phil Hardaway (36:16) ran well despite recent injury and there were strong performances for Richie Amer (42:13), Chris Glanfield (51:34) and Klara Boarder (55:56).