Crowborough 10K is based at the Beacon Academy, North Beeches Road and as anyone knows or has visited or passed through this attractive Wealden town, situated at the edge of Ashdown Forest in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is far from flat!

The entry for the 33rd annual race was strong, with 335 finishers in 1:50:19, plus exactly 50 more who opted for the supporting 5K. The race attracts club athletes and less experienced runners from far afield and there was a cross border raid from Tonbridge AC in the men's race.

Ryan Driscoll (33:12), Jamie Bryant (33:26) and Michael Ellis (33:31) set up the team victory for the Kent outfit by filling the rostrum. Simon Heath (Brighton Phoenix, 33:37) was next to finish and started the scoring for the successful Sussex Grand Prix club, with Andrew Mitchell (M50 Thames Valley Harriers, 37:06) fifth and leading the master athletes.

Promising under-17 McKinley Loxton-Read (Crowborough Runners, 39:29) was one of the few leading finishers to claim a PB on this tough course.

Alissa Ellis (W40 Hailsham Harriers, 41:22) took a close and exciting women's race from Bobby Searle (Brighton Phoenix, 41:36) and Freya Leman (W40 Brighton & Hove, 42:07). Tina Oldershaw (W50 Tonbridge, 42:27) led the higher age groups in fourth overall.

There was a win double for Hailsham Harriers in the 5K race as Ross Brocklehurst (18:03) and sixth-placed Aislinn Darvell (22:31) led the 50 finishers (in 46:46) across the finish line.

East Sussex club Crowborough Runners' website welcomes: “runners of all ages and abilities, from total beginners to athletes who have race specific goals”. The club has access to an unusual three-lane running track that is floodlit and provides all year round speed training opportunities for its members. The annual 10K race is promoted with chip timing support by Nice Work.

Full results are available through runABC South comprehensive race listing here

Image courtesy Crowborough Runners on Facebook