Haywards Heath Harrier Carl joins 57,000 others at the Great North Run

Harriers’ Carl Bicknell took to Tyneside this weekend for the 2014 Great North Run.
The U13s won the Plate trophy at the Sussex League Final on Sunday.The U13s won the Plate trophy at the Sussex League Final on Sunday.
The U13s won the Plate trophy at the Sussex League Final on Sunday.

He joined 57,000 runners for the half marathon which was run for the first time in 1981. One lucky amateur became the millionth to cross the finish line of this world-famous race.

Running his 11th successive Great North Run, Bicknell finished in an impressive 1:37:46, spurred on by the crowds: ‘The weather was unusually warm which made for challenging running conditions, but also attracted even more spectators to enthusiastically cheer us on. It was not my fastest time, but given the heat and my recent return from injury I was more than happy.’

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Crowds were rewarded with some fantastic racing amongst the elite. Mo Farah the double Olympic, world and European champion took a hard-fought victory, becoming the first British man to win the Great North Run since 1985 clocking a new personal best time of 60 mins. In the women’s race Kenya’s Mary Kietany broke the course record with 65 mins and 39 secs.

In the Kent Coastal Marathon, a largely coastal route through Cliftonville, Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Margate, Jack Chivers finished in 22nd position in 3:27:52, winning Gold medals for his age group from both the Southern Counties Vets and British Masters Athletics Federation.

Back in Sussex in the Fun Run League, 12 Harriers ran the scenic Fittleworth Flyers five mile and junior one mile multi-terrain course. Izzy Coomber, in fine form, followed up her win at Newick in August with another victory here with her time of 33:03. Phil Payne was the best placed male in 13th place overall (32:48). In the junior race, Harvey Brackenbury was fourth in 7:54.

The Harriers U13 League Team won the Plate trophy at the Sussex League Final at the Withdean Sports Complex Brighton on Sunday (pictured).

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Having finished the league in the bottom half meant contesting the Plate trophy at the final. However, a fantastic team performance saw the Harriers beat Lewes, East Grinstead and Eastbourne to the title. The performance was particularly notable given the absence of some team members and others therefore competing in events they have never competed in previously.

There were also some good individual performances from the U15s taking part in the Sussex League Final on Friday evening, finishing in 8th place with a respectable 153 points.

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