We'll drink to Hangover race success

While not quite being able to emulate last year’s perfect start, Chichester’s 26-strong squad put in a fine performance at the start of another West Sussex Fun Run League campaign in the Hangover 5 at Goring.

Missing a number of runners who would normally score in the top 20 and gain maximum bonus points, team manager Jill Renson did well to get a competitive squad together and amass 82 points, just three short of the maximum.

Even though there are another 16 races to go in the league, between now and November, a good start is always important and it has put Chichester well in contention for yet another top-five placing at the end of the season.

Stealing the headlines on the downland Hill Barn course which encompassed the top of Cissbury Ring was Fay Cripps, who crossed the line in 22nd place overall and as the winner of the women’s event.

Only two of Chichester’s men were ahead of her with John Leonard in 15th and veteran Kevin McGreal 18th.

As well as these three, who scored maximum ten bonus points, Katherine Bond just made the top ten in the women’s race and James Woodward was a nine-pointer for the men.

The rest of the men’s squad comprised a strong over-60 contingent of Don Faircloth, John Betts, Martin Miller and David Grunwell together with Angus Farrely, Steve Haslar, Terry Healy, Dave Jobe, Nigel McNestrie, Dave Reading, Kevin Lockyear, Tony Cooley, Gary Tompsett, Jan Hill and Ray Adams.

The women were represented by Sue Baker, Sue Barty, Trudi Cunningham, Tracy Jayant, Rachel McKinney and Sarah Richardson.

As usual the league programme has a busy start to the year with another two events in January – the Plumpton Classic on Sunday 16 and the fast Worthing Lido four-miler on Sunday 30.

PHIL BAKER