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Bexhill Seafront 5K – Wednesday 26th July 

Congratulations go to Bryan as first Crowborough Runner home at this year’s Bexhill 5K.  Fran Nelson also ran well in her first 5K and was second lady back in her age category.

Men:-

Bryan Tapsell                           20.31

James Welbury             21.04

Peter Maddison                        21.19

Baz Potter                                21.21

Bob Garrard                             22.22

Mike Garland                           23.51

Ron Cutbill                               25.16

Russell Taylor                           28.22

Ladies:-

Fran Nelson                             21.28

Min Smithers                            26.41

Avis Holden                             27.29

Brenda Styles                           29.50

Annie Sidgwick                        30.36

Dominique Welbury                  31.12

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Firle Beacon 10K – Wednesday 12th July

The flyer said “In the historic grounds of Firle Place”, well I thought that sounds like a nice change from a hilly Wednesday club run. I should have read it more carefully as it said “Start & Finish in the grounds”.

As we waited to go the starter told us it was in fact a 10.3K race or thereabouts, they will check it sometime with Satellite Navigation. We were off and the race followed the foot of the Downs in an Easterly direction towards the Bo Peep road and up to the car park. Those of you who have done one of the Sunday breakfast runs will know the road up to Bo Peep car park is very steep. At this point I decided to let Kevin run on and once he was out off sight I walked for a couple off sections (well I did do Tuesday’s track session). Once at the top we stopped for water and then on to Firle Beacon.  It was a beautiful warm, sunny evening and the views were spectacular, which made the climb well worthwhile (please don’t forget to take time and appreciate the beauty of Sussex, except off course in SGP races).

After the Beacon the run was all downhill (heaven) and I spent the last 3K chatting to a Burgess Hill lady about marathons and other fun races. One interesting fact I learnt was that if you loose 1lb of weight you will run 80 seconds faster in a marathon, roll on Lausanne.

After the run shower facilities were organised by Russell and there was a BBQ, eat all you like for £5.00.  Next year they are banning Mr Lowden and Mr Battell.

I would recommend this race, there were only about 80 runners this year but that will grow as word spreads.

Results as follows:

John Lowden (3rd)                    39.27

Kevin Battell (29th)                   48.40

Nigel Bateman (42nd)                51.26

Pastel Pete (44th)                      53.29

Russell Taylor (72nd)                 65.38

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Bewl 15 – Sunday 2nd July 

Another well organised race by Mr Kemp and the Wadhurst crew.  This year’s Bewl 15 was an absolute scorcher with temperatures reaching 30oC!  This didn’t deter the Crowborough Runners though and our ladies team (Hannah, Fran and Liz) came 3rd for the second year running.  Congratulations also go to Mr Cumbers who is now the proud holder of the V8 record.

Men:-

Bryan Tapsell                           1.54.55

Robin Wynde                           1.58.02

Len Cumbers                            2.50.30

Ladies:-

Hannah Arnold             1.55.41

Fran Nelson                             2.15.07

Liz Davies                                2.15.15

Mary Nightingale                      2.16.21

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Le Touquet 10K – Saturday  1st July 

             Well, Le Touquet was a fun race on July 1st! Like England, I didn't win.  Nearly 2000 runners with the usual pushing and shoving at the start but this year was somewhat hard as it was 30oC and quite humid. It's a great race (chipped*) combining a 10 and a 20K at the same time, and finishing on a nice track in the posh town centre.

    Le Touquet is known as "Paris Plage", for those that don't know, and has many wide green and leafy avenues plus a smart town centre and a lovely sandy beach. It's only an hours drive from Calais. 

    If anyone is interested, I'm thinking of taking the Fast Ferry from Dover to Boulogne with bikes and cycling to Le Touquet on a Friday next year, down the well maintained cycle paths that lead almost all the way from Boulogne down to L2K for about 20 miles (Ullrich and Basso need not apply), running on the Saturday and cycling back on a Sunday. Check out www.speed-ferries.com as prices can be very cheap.  

    For those not wanting to cycle, you can drive, or take the train from Boulogne to Etaples, just outside L2K.   

    Should be an easy warm up ride for Claire, Joe, Jane, Sharon and Roger Watts who have successfully ridden from Calais to the Med to raise money for the Cancer Unit at Maidstone Hospital - well done to them (eat your heart out Lance).  I believe Claire has raised mega amounts in sponsorship. 

     * Kev the word for "chip" in French is "puce", not "frite", although I know how you like "frites". (Peter - don't try and pronounce any of these words...........)

Man:-

James Welbury             48.20

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Heathfield 10K – Sunday 25th June 

On Sunday 25th June 20 of the club's runners turned out for the Heathfield 10K.  John-Boy Lowden was the first over 40 man home in a time of 36.56.  Nevertheless he was beaten by an over 50, Nigel Gates, the current world Champion runner so no shame in that.
Crowborough Ladies Team came third – well done gals.  The team included Fran Nelson who made her debut for the club and ran a good race in 48.51.

Men:-
John Lowden                            36.56
Roger Stone                             41.43
Kevin Battell                             41.52
Robin Wynde                           44.47
Bryan Tapsell                           45.13
Greg Stapley                             45.56
Peter Maddison                        45.59
James Welbury                         47.30
Bob Garrard                              47.51
Andrew Johnson                      49.51
Steve Hickey                            53.13
Ron Cutbill                               56.49
Len Cumbers                            57.50

Ladies:-
Hannah Arnold                       45.07
Fran Nelson                             48.51
Louise Stapley                          53.45
Sharon Wheeler                        57.36
Min Smithers                            65.00
Avis Holden                             65.00
Brenda Styles                           76.16
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Midnight Sun Half Marathon, Tromso in Norway - Saturday 17th June
Man:-
Andrew Johnson                       1.47.49

Ladies:-
Suzanne (St Albans Strider)      1.35.42
Mary Nightingale                       1.48.35
Nicky Watts                                1.51.46
Louise Stapley                            1.57.30
Sharon Wheeler                         2.09.11
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Edinburgh Marathon – Sunday 11th June
On Sunday 11th June Liz Davies represented the club at the Edinburgh Marathon.  Conditions on the day were very hot but Liz still ran a good race and finished in 4.07.26.  Andrew Kitts also competed and finished in 3.59.34, as did Tony Watts who finished in 4.00.35.
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Worthing 10K – Wednesday 7th June
An excellent turnout by the club to this year’s Worthing 10K, the 7th race in the Sussex Grand Prix series.  John-boy was the first V2 home and placed 11th overall.  New recruits, Dan and Robin also ran very good races as did Hannah who continues to improve her times.  Well done to all.

Men:- 
John Lowden                            35.02
Daniel Pike                               37.54
Kevin Battell                             38.52
Robin Wynde                           42.34
James Welbury                         43.25
Bob Garrard                             43.51
Andrew Johnson                       46.31
Ron Cutbill                               51.51
Len Cumbers                            54.17

Ladies:- 
Hannah Arnold                        43.02
Nicky Watts                             44.22
Mary Nightingale                     45.50
Becky Hall                                48.22
Louise Stapley                          49.49
Sharon Wheeler                        54.03
Min Smithers                            57.00
Avis Holden                             57.00
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Junior Runners Update
Sussex Youth Games
After a highly competitive trials session at Uckfield, several Crowborough Juniors were selected for the Sussex Youth Games teams.  Great results were achieved with Wealden winning 1st place for years 5/6 athletics and 2nd place for years 7/8. 
 
The girls year 5/6 were entirely Crowborough juniors and they were:
Hannah Lunn, Isobel Butler, Harriet Somers, Georgina Somers.

In the boys team we had:
Liam Cooper, Scott Ridley, James Bowd.

In the years 7/8 we had:
Abigael Eyres, Ryan Driscoll

All were presented with a gold medal and an engraved silver cup to keep for a year by the Mayor of Eastbourne.  Many congratulations to you all!
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Horsham 10K – Sunday 21st May
This one certainly sorted out the hardier types from the fair weather runners!  The Horsham 10K was wet to say the least.  Still, the club had a good turnout – John Boy came 4th and Kev’s new aftershave “Eau du Haddock” ensured he had plenty of space around him at the start.
Men:-
John Lowden                                          36.09
Roger Stone                                            39.28
Kevin Battell                                            40.20
Robin Wynde                                           43.29
Baz Potter                                               45.50
Ron Cutbill                                               54.43
Len Cumbers                                           58.14
Ladies:-
Nicky Watts                                             46.39
Sharon Wheeler                                       54.04
Avis Holden                                             58.54
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Hailsham 10 Mile Road Race – Sunday 14th May

Congratulations go to John Boy who was first V2 and Len who was first V8.
Men:-
John Lowden                          59.05
Roger Stone                            1.04.44
Dan Pike                                  1.07.04 (PB)
Peter Maddison                       1.11.27
Baz Potter                               1.12.27 (PB)
Robin Wynde                           1.12.29
Greg Stapley                           1.12.39
Bryan Tapsell                          1.13 47
James Welbury                       1.14.09
Bob Garrard                            1.14.55
Ron Cutbill                               1.30.22
Steve Hickey                           1.30.38
Len Cumbers                           1.33.20
Ladies:-
Hannah Arnold                        1.14.20 (PB)
Sharon Wheeler                      1.32.42
Min Smithers                            1.34.48
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Krakow Marathon -  Sunday 6th May 2006
Men:-
Kevin Battell                            3.26
Peter Maddison                       3.28
James Welbury                       3.48
Ladies:-
Nicky Watts                             3.41.34 (PB)
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Flora London Marathon – Sunday 23rd April
Men:-
Len Cumbers               5.11.49
Ladies:-
Hannah Arnold             3.36.45(PB)
Mary Nightingale          3.50.44(PB)
Louise Stapley             4.13.38(PB)
Nicky Watts                4.13.38
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Paddock Wood Half Marathon – Sunday 2nd April
Meanwhile, across the border the Deadly Duo took on the Kent boys and girls and competed in the Paddock Wood Half.  Results were:
Men:-
Andrew Johnson                       1.47.57
Ladies:-
Sharon Wheeler                        2.04.34
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Worthing 20 – Sunday 2nd April
The Magnificent Six travelled south to compete in the Worthing 20 and further their marathon preparations.  Despite being lapped by the “Bullet” Battell, Louise and Nicky achieved their target time for the day.  Hannah and Peter produced excellent times and Len looked as cool as a cucumber as he crossed the finishing line.  Results were: 
Men:-
Kevin Battell                             2.16.20
Peter Maddison                        2.28.53
Len Cumbers                            3.22.52
Ladies:-
Hannah Arnold                          2.44.40
Louise Stapley                          3.03.42
Nicky Watts                             3.03.42
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Tonbridge Fun Run – Sunday 19th March
On Sunday 19th March Isobel and Tom Butler took part in the Tonbridge Charity Fun Run in aid of the Bridge Trust.  Isobel’s race was 3km (in which she came 7th) and Tom’s race was 5km.
Also, Isobel did well in the school’s cross country - she came 2nd in the Crowborough heat, 4th in North Wealden and 11th in the final one for the whole of East Sussex.  There were 75 children in each heat.
Well done Isobel and Tom, keep up the good running!!
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Hastings Half Marathon – Sunday 12th March
Men:-
Kevin Battell                 1:26:48 
Roger Stone                 1:31:58
Martin Potter                1:39:37
Bob Garrard                 1:41:02
Gregg Stapley               1:41:49 (PB)
Andrew Johnson           1:51:32
Len Cumbers                2:06:49
Ladies:-
Nicky Watts                 1:41:51
Hannah Arnold            1:45:18
Mary Nightingale          1:48:49
Louise Stapley              1:50:49 (PB)
Avis Holden                 2:01:48
Sharon Wheeler            2:02:17 (PB)
Sandra Potter               2:40:17
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Eastbourne Half Marathon – Sunday 26th February
Men:-
Bob Garrard                             1.47.02
Neil Thomas                             1.47.23
Mike Garland                           1.48.50
Ladies:-
Rebecca Hall                            1.47.23
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Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon – Sunday 26th February
On Sunday 26th February five Crowborough Runners crossed the border and competed in the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon.  Unfortunately, all five of them were late for the start due to Kevin applying copious amounts of Tiger Balm in an attempt to keep warm and Andrew being unable to decide where to put his gels in his lycras.  All in all, despite the cold weather and the hills, some good results were achieved.  Was also good to see Sid cheering us on at the top of Fordcombe Hill….outside the Chafford Arms!
Kevin Battell                                            1.35.49
icky Watts                                             1.41.55
Andrew Johnson                                    1.43.52 (PB)
Brian Tapsell                                           1.47.24
Sharon Wheeler                                      2.12.32
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Sussex Beacon Half Marathon – Sunday 19th February
The club were out in force at this year’s Sussex Beacon Half Marathon, the second race in the Sussex Grand Prix series.  Weather conditions were very cold, wet and windy but that didn’t dampen the runners' enthusiasm to produce some good results.   Well done to John-Boy who came 8th and was the 1st MV50 and to new boy, Gregg Stapley, who competed in his first race for the club.
Men:-
John Lowden                                          1.18.00
Martin Potter                                            1.38.33
Peter Maddison                                       1.38.34
James Welbury                                       1.40.23
Gregg Stapley                                         1.41.11
Bob Garrard                                            1.45.28
Andrew Johnson                                    1.46.37
Mike Garland                                           1.48.06
Len Cumbers                                           2.05.21