Cross country

HELLINGLY S Peter Standen and East Hoathly s Nigel Gates both won titles at the Sussex Veteran s cross country championships over the tough, wet and muddy course at the Pestalozzi Children s Village near Battle.

Nigel, who had returned to racing, after seven months off through injury, the previous weekend became the oldest runner when he won the Over 40 title for the fourth time sweeping aside all challengers.

Nigel, who in his younger days was a successful and indeed international Fell runner, was probably better able, than most of his rivals, to cope with the ups and downs of this course, which is probably the toughest and most varied of all the Sussex circuits.

Taking the lead from the gun Nigel just put more ground between himself and his rivals as the race progressed and he eventually finished more than one minute clear clocking 29min. 51sec. for the six-mile course, a remarkable time over such testing terrain.

It was a pity that neither Crowborough s Dave Lear or Hailsham s Paul Eccles, who have both been showing good form in Veterans events this season, were missing from the race.

Colin Simpson from Heathfield, who runs for the Phoenix Club in Brighton, finished in tenth place in 33min. 48sec.

Peter raced in the Over 50 six-mile race, which incorporated the Over 60 championships, and he had his eyes on Hailsham s Blackwell, who is still in the Under 50 age group.

The previous weekend Peter had won the South of England Over 60 title at Parliament Hill fields so there was no doubt that he could scoop the Sussex crown. Such is Peter s current form, however, that he got amongst the medals in the younger age group as well as finishing third overall with a remarkable clocking of 34min. 23sec., a run that would have earnt him a top ten placing in the even younger Over 40 race.

Barry, at his best over these tough courses, was rewarded with the Over 50 silver medal in 33min. 48sec - one minute down on race winner and Brighton & Hove club mate Peter Witcomb, who was winning his third successive Over 50 title.

Hailsham s Robert Proetti had a good run to finish ninth overall, seventh in the Over 50, in 37min. 30sec.

Framfield s Julia Armstrong, who was expected to get amongst the medals in the Women s Over 35 race, found the conditions too slippery for her liking and was a disappointing fifth in 25min. 27sec., well down on race winner Sarah Coope from Eastbourne, who like Witcomb was notching up her third successive victory.

Karen Bowler from Hailsham filled 11th place overall in 28min. 44sec, but took the bronze medal in the Over 45 age group.