An Eventful August
Henfield Half Marathon
Running the Henfield Half Marathon was a first for most Club members, it being part of the Sussex Grand Prix season for the first time this year.
What proved to be an an off-road race around a scenic course along the riverbank of the River Adur, along a disused railway line, over flint paths & over stiles was completed by Chris Russell (1:47:29), Sarah Cooper (2:06:32) and Eileen Welch (2:16:46).
As Sarah reports:
“Beautiful scenery and a varied course but a tough cross-country in the heat”.
Pub Run
Our pub runs during the summer months have long been a popular part of the Club’s social calendar with a run starting at a local hostelry and the chance to catch-up with a glass of the necessary afterwards. Well, these are proving evermore popular with 25 members attending the August event held at The Huntsman, adjacent to Eridge Station.
Due to the evenings drawing in, this has proved to be the penultimate run of the season, with the last being from and to the Wheatsheaf in Crowborough on 17th September. Hoping for a bumper turnout to end the season.
Summer Run, Bruch and Pool Party
It looks as though our summer run, brunch and pool party maybe starting to be an annual event due to generosity of one of the Club's coaches.
It was fabulous day very much enjoyed by all who attended.
The route of the run was little challenging in places for some of us but all the better to build up an appetite for what was to follow and we were all not disappointed.
What followed was a brunch to die for, the opportunity to catch-up basking in the sun and for those inclined a dip in the pool before returning back to normal life.
The Kings Head Canter
The King's Head Canter is a must do for many of the Club's runners with the race starting opposite the Six Bells in Childdingly and then it is a gentle climb through some picturesque quiet country lanes to the village of East Hoathly where a pint of amber nectar or the like is waiting for you to refresh the parts a cup of tea can’t reach.
An impressive turnout by the Crows and some amazing performances with Mary Nightingale achieving a 1st in her age category, and great to see so many juniors joining in and giving the rest of us a run for our money.
Dunorlan Park 400th Parkrun
On the 30th August the Parkrun in Tunbridge Wells reached the grand old age of 400.
On the day the regular band of runners, joggers and walkers where joined by none other than double olympic medal holder Dame Kelly Holmes. However, on that Saturday morning she was willing to be just one of the runners taking part. She is a keen advocate of Parkrun, participating regularly, and was a true inspiration to the Crows taking part on the day.
A Family Affair
A popular venue during the summer months for a half-marathon, or a 10k, is around and about Dorney Lake, which is just outside of Windsor and home of Eton College rowing club.
That's were you would have found member Janie Perry and her son Oliver on 27th July 2025. Janie, as you would
expect, ran an impressive 1:43:49 in the half-marathon and her son an equally impressive 0:37:05 in the 10k. An ideal warm-up for Janie for the Big Half on the 7th September 2025.
Life In The 80s
Now we have all read articles that claim that running keeps you younger longer and our senior members of the Club are indeed testament to that. What you might not know is that Bushy Park Parkrun hosts an annual octogenarian event and it was on the 5th July 2025 that members Heather and Graham Stevens joined 1,667 starters for the 8th annual event and the 1,044th Parkrun there.
What was impressive was there were well over a 100 octogenarians there.
Rebecca who was with them romped home in 0:24.38, with Heather and Graham finishing in 0:26:49.
Chase The Sun
Another popular event during the summer months is Chase the Sun which is a regular event around the paths of Battersea Park, adjacent to Chelsea Bridge, with this Thameside setting b.eing arguably one of the most beautiful green spaces in London
Wednesday the 27th August 2025 saw club member Peter Noon knock out an impressive 0:40:25 in the 10k event. To prove it, here is Peter and a compatriot enjoying some well-earned refreshment
after the race.
