Chichester runners are out in force at Goodwood

Nearly 600 runners, from under-11s to veterans, faced the challenges of the firm but undulating course, with the later runners also battling against a strong north-easterly wind on the more exposed parts of the course.

For host club Chichester Runners & AC, it was a day of records with more than 80 runners taking part in a single event for the first time in their 31-year history.

The day was capped by individual wins from Ben Collins and Olivia Wiseman in the two under-15 races and a senior men’s victory from the club’s newest recruit Chris Zablocki.

The under-15 boys and under-17 women lead the county team rankings with most of Chichester’s other teams in line for a top-three placing based on early-season form.

Senior men

In the absence of James Baker and Peter Concannon, Chichester were concerned that their return to division one would prove a difficult step.

But up stepped Zablocki, who allowed talented Chris Smith, running for Haywards Heath, to make the pace over the first lap. He then joined Brighton’ under-20 star Stephen Ferroni to overhaul the early leader and pull clear on the second half of the final lap to win in 24 minutes, a new course record for the Sussex League.

Ferroni, in second, was also inside the previous record while Jo Corbett had a fine run in seventh place to post 25.38 for the five-mile course, one of Chichester fastest-ever times.

Needing six to score, there were good runs from Conrad Meagher in 23rd and Mike Houston in 35th with under-20 Harry Lyne 55th and Mikey Neville sixth scorer in 86th for a team total of 207 points, which earned fifth place.

Reigning champions Brighton & Hove continued their dominance with a low score of well under 100 points.

Chichester had better strength in depth than at any time over the previous decade with veteran John Bullard leading the B team home in 90th followed by Derry Lozano-Hoyland 91st, Justin Eggins 96th and Chris Tucker 120th for sixth place in division three.

Gary Wiliams led the thirds in 122nd with support from Jason Boswell 123rd, Tom Blaylock 128th and Philip Carr 132nd. For the first time there was a complete D team with Alan Rowley 134th, Tony Cooley 141st, Mike Moorcroft 143rd and Dave Reading 157th with reserve Paddy Clarke in 165th, one of four over-70 runners to finish.

Senior women’s race (including under-17s)

Team manager Sara Ellis had high hopes before the race of a good team result in all three categories in the senior women’s 8k race and was not disappointed.

The squad of 12 produced two runners-up spots in the senior and veteran races while Chichester’s high-flying under-17s romped away, with their team taking the lowest team total of the day – just nine points from the three athletes.

The race was won by a dominant display from Worthing’s Emma Macready, with Izzy Coomber from Haywards Heath and Chichester’s Rose Ellis side by side early on.

Ellis was forced to let her rivals go clear feeling slightly under the weather but bravely finished 14th behind club-mate Grace Wills, who had her first Sussex senior top-ten finish with ninth overall and second under-17.

Veteran Jane Harrop made her usual steady start but soon scythed through the field to finish in 16th and well clear in her veteran over-55 category.

The team was closed in by Karina Bennett, another under-17, who is showing great form in her first year in club athletics in 21st place for a total of 60 points, just 13 points off leaders and last year’s champions Lewes.

With the club’s third and fourth under-17s Saskia Gardam and Amber Westron 24th and 27th, veteran Anne Sydenham was the final member to score B team for 86 points and second place in division two.

Charlotte Reading led the C team in 53rd with support from Becky Neal in 54th and veteran Linda Roberts in 60th with reserves Nicky Hill in 67th and highly-placed over-60 Helen Dean in 72nd.

Junior Boys

As reigning Sussex cross-country relay champions, the und