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Medals and personal bests galore for Lewes AC athletes
There must be something in the autumn air that has brought out the best in a bundle of Lewes AC athletes. Of the 14 adult runners that took part in the in the Barns Green Half Marathon no less than eight achieved life time bests. The most impressive must be Chris Gilbert who not only was the first Lewes AC runner in the race by finishing in 6th position overall in a time of 78mins 33sec but was the first over 40 man to finish. This performance meant Chris won the gold medal and confirms him as the most improved road runner in the club. This win has come close on the heels of Chris winning the Sussex County Athletics Association 10K silver medal which was held as part of the Hellingly 10K. This performance helped the Lewes AC team of Chris, David Bradford and Lewis Sida to win the team 10K road running bronze medal.
Other notable performances in the Barns Green Half Marathon with 1,240 runners were Lewis Sida who finished in 25th position overall in a time of 84mins 14sec. Jonathon Burrell (53rd – 87.57); Mauro Lazzati (101st – 92mins 57sec); Lee Woodgate (121st -93mins 58secs); Simon Roberts (157th – 96mins 13sec); Mat Homewood (160th – 96mins 24sec); Dominic Osman-Allu (98mins 02sec); Andrew Chitty (189th – 98mins 18sec); Gerald Dummett (99mins 52secs); Ian Hilder (231st – 100mins 47secs); and Shelly Cornes (306th 104mins 41sec)
Over the weekend the Club’s young pole vaulters took part in the Jim Day open pole vault competition held at the Carshalton Arena and without exception all came away with life time bests. The star performer must be Jack Harris who competing as an under 13 athlete cleared 3.01 metres. This fantastic performance means Jack is only the 4th under13 vaulter in the UK to clear 3 metres. The height gives Jack not only a great personal best but increases his club record gives him the Sussex County record and also means he has claimed the UK indoor pole vault record – a truly great performance.
With Jack at the Carshalton competition were six other extremely able young club vaulters all of whom secured personal best performances. In the under 13 age group Bill Saunders cleared 2.41m and Freya Fitchett 2.41m. In the under 15 age group Scott Staples cleared 2.91m; Millie Hemsworth 2.61m: Lucy Thompson 2.31m and Polly Saunders 2.81m.
At the Sussex County Cross Country Relays held at Goodwood the Lewes AC under 13 boys team of Ben Martin, Joey Webbon and Ben Martin came away with silver team medal. In addition to the silver medal Ben Martin’s lap time of 9 minutes 32sec was the fastest lap of the day for all under 13 boy competitors.