May 2026 - Out In Force Yet Again

Mid-Sussex Marathon Weekend

The Mid-Sussex Marathon Weekend is the ideal opportunity to complete a marathon in “bit-sized” chunks and has been a regular fixture over the early-May bank holiday weekend since 2012.

The events are multi-terrain so are quite challenging, especially the Burgess Hill 10k that brings the event to a close. However, as always, the Club was represented at all three events.

East Grinstead 10- Mile

The East Grinstead 10 mile is the opening race of the weekend of running.

Based at East Grinstead Rugby Club, it follows a multi-terrain course around East Grinstead and the surrounding countryside, providing a scenic countryside experience with a mixture of surfaces and changing terrain. This description obviously attracted three of the Club’s runners who put in some sterling performances on the day, with Mike Woodrow and the running duo of Oriol and Fay Margo knocking it out in 1:17:15, 1:54:55 and 1:54:56 respectively.

Boars Head Pub Run

A long standing tradition of the Crows is the pub run and summer running wouldn’t be the same if a few of these weren’t added to the mix, and the first of these started and finished at the Boars Head on the outskirts of Eridge.

After heading down Boars Head Road it was across the fields to the road adjacent to Eridge Station and it was then along the footpath beside Hamsell Manor, before emerging on to the fields that eventually took us all back to pub for some well- earned refreshment. A scenic route as you can see and many thanks to member Lou Ellis for defining the route.

An enjoyable time was had by all.

Haywards Heath 10 -Mile

For those that don’t know, the race starts in Victoria Park in the centre of the town and you can feel a buzz as you approach the army of runners completing their pre-race preparations, From the start, it’s an “up and back” along South Road before re-entering the park and off to explore the hinterland of Haywards Heath. For these that have not run it before, it is a 2 lap course and is, in terms of road and trail, about 50/50, with some punishing hill sections through some of the residential areas. As member Peter Noon reported on the day:

“The race was very well organised but with an unexpectedly challenging course which twists its way through parks, along footpaths, streets and housing estates with punchy undulations. With all the twists, turns, ups and downs I found it to be tough going to maintain a consistent pace. The start on the high street was all too enticing to go off too fast (guilty) and pay for that mistake later on! The variety however made the 2 lap course feel shorter, as long as you weren't 'blowing your doors off’ “so to speak.

There were 7 members on duty that day with Mark Redfern leading us home in in 1:06:22, closely followed by Peter Noon in 1:10:23 and Mile Woodrow in 1:12:01.

Horsham 10k

The Horsham 10k was the second race in the month in the Sussex Grand Prix series and has long been a popular race with the Crows.

By all accounts it was a warm day but nevertheless well supported by local clubs and runners.

Not a flat and fast run course by any means with you hitting an uphill road section immediately you have completed a loop of the rugby field and then a gradual uphill section on trail after that. What is somewhat daunting is you know you have to do those punishing uphill sections a second time after about 4k.

Great running by Will Isted who took 5^th place with some great running.

The full results for the Crows were:

Finishing Position	Name	Time
5	Will Isted	0:36:36
96	Chris Russell	0:49:09
210	Mary Nightingale	0:57:31
298	Jayne Meyers	1:05:16

Burgess Hill 10k

The final race of the weekend is the Burgess Hill 10k.

The race starts at Burgess Hill Academy playing fields and exits via Woodland Mead School and on to Chanctonbury Road. It is then up to Nightingale Meadows to complete two laps of the field before returning whence you came.

If you were looking for Crows that day, they we thin on the ground, but gamely representing the Club, and completing his third run for the weekend, was Mike Woodrow, to whom special kudos has to go, turning in very respectable 0:46:28.

Rye 10 Mile

The Sussex Grand Prix events come thick and fast in May, with the Rye 10 miler as it is billed, or the Peasmarsh 10 miler to be more precise, being number 3.

Once again the word challenging had crept into the description. Run on largely quiet country roads, make no mistake the course is undulating, which means hilly, from start to finish.

Completing his second Grand Prix race in the month, Peter Noon writes:

“This one was much less twisty and all on roads from Peasmarsh. Less supported on the course than Haywards Heath but a better course for a consistent pace with a couple of longer, sloggier hills. Again the weather was pretty much perfect and it was lovely to have a little murder of Crows out on the run.”

Some great running by:

Name	Time
Mark Redfern	1:08:51
Peter Noon	1:11:29
Byron Thomas	1:18:10
John Everest	1:20:02
Sarah Cooper	1:27:37
Louise Ellis	1:32:54
Lauren Martin	1:40:00

Hastings 5 Mile

After kicking off the Grand Prix season with a race in March, it was Hastings turn again in May to host another race. This time a 5 mile, which this time is fast and flat, being a jaunt essentially along the seafront and back. It was also the last opportunity for Crows to compete in a 5 mile race as part of the Club Championship, which is possibly why it tempted 13 runners from the Club out of bed that morning.

A turn out and performances that lifted the Crows into 8^th place out 23 teams.

The results for the Crows on the day were:

Name	Time
Will Isted	0:28:00
Matt McCarthy	0:33:34
Tim Probert	0:35:34
Christy Styles	0:36:04
Chris Russell	0:37:21
Claire Styles	0:41:37
Victoria Hosegood	0:44:08
Mary Nightingale	0:44:54
Marie Bolton	0:45:19
Jasmine Jenkins-Khan	0:46:37
Ron Cutbill	0:49:21
Jayne Meyers	0:51:02
Roger Stone	1:03:48

Another Jaunt To The Seaside

The Yeomans Toyota Worthing Runfest took place on 2^nd May 2026. Combining a half marathon, a 10k and a family mile all sharing the promenade and racing for the finish line at the same with the normal Saturday morning strollers may seem to some a bonkers idea. Nevertheless, it also means there are people everywhere cheering you on. It is extremely popular selling out year after year. If you are aiming for a PB though, you will need to aware of the odd buggy or 10. And for your troubles you get a medal that doubles as a bottle opener for that well-earned refreshment at the finish. Well there’s a novel idea.

Crows who couldn’t resist giving a go were as follows:

Finishing Position	Name	Time
592	Yasmin Jenkins-Khan	0:59:35
832	Sharon Wheeler	1:07:17
1022	James Welbury	1:15:20

A Chance To Sparkle

Looking for something a little different Club Secretary, Bob Archer, chose the Rathfinny Run was his second outing of the month of May.

The Rathfinny Wine Estate lies just west of the picturesque village of Alfriston and was founded by husband and wife, Mark and Sarah Driver, on what was a working arable farm with the express intention of producing some of the world’s finest quality english wines.

Located on a south-facing slope on the South Downs of Sussex is one of England’s exceptional natural landscapes with breath-taking views, with breath-taking perfectly describing the 10k that takes place there annually.

Whilst most races have their ups and downs, this 10k has them in spades. Add to this the camber you encounter running along the slopes and areas of uneven ground, plus not forgetting what was a punishing wind on the day, you had the perfect mix for an exhilarating morning outing.

Plane For All To See

If you are looking for another fairly unique location for a race, you can't do better than Run Gatwick, which includes a half-marathon, and which took place on Sunday 10^th May 2026.

Where else do you get to run alongside, and for short section inside an airport, with planes taking off in plain sight just a few hundred metres away. You also get a nice medal and a good bag of swag to boot.

There on the day was super trouper Sarah Cooper who knocked it out a new PB.

She writes:

“It was by pacing another runner that I managed to achieve under a 2 hour half.

It was text book. We stayed around 8.44 all the way round and we smashed it in 1:55:10.

I would definitely recommend Gatwick if you want to practice pacing yourself or set a new PB. It’s a flat route and if you can stomach the smell of aviation fuel along the way it’s definitely worth while morning out".

A Chance to Reconnect with Nature

A famous quote about the Lake District is “ Nature has a way of making us all feel small, but Cumbrian landscapes remind us of our place in the world." So what an ideal location for a three day event that celebrates outdoor adventure, ranging from trail running to open water swimming.

With the event village located on the shores of Derwentwater, it combines event sports with live music, a chance to listen to inspirational speakers, watch films and a large outdoor brand expo.

Taking full advantage of this time away and chance to reconnect was member Alistair Lee who completed the 25k trail run on the 16^th May in 3:19:40, and as he obviously couldn’t sleep, the 10k trail run on 17^th May in 1:11:42.

A Way To Go

A Way to Go

So how far would you go to run a marathon?

London (35 miles)?

Manchester (216 miles)?

Edinburgh (420 miles)?

Okay, if Edinburgh is an okay distance with you, you could be member Hannah Slater who competed in the Edinburgh marathon on 24^th May 2026.

I ‘m not sure if she noticed before entering but this time the word gruelling was included in the write-up, which could refer to the section along the East Lothian coast that I understand can be a little unpredictable. That said, you get to run past some of the city’s many famous landmarks before then finishing in Musselburgh. With a descent of almost 90 metres to near sea level, this flat course is up there with one of the fastest marathon routes in the world.

Congratulations to Hannah for the course in 3:56:47.

Oh, and you won’t be surprised to know that Sarah Cooper was there running the half-marathon in 1:46:58.

Cape Town Marathon

I am delighted to say that Club members Janie Perry and Jeff Morehen took the trip to run the Sanlam Cape Town marathon to join 27,000 other runners, which was also on 24^th May 2026.

A review by one runner on on-line described the race as vibrant, scenic, and electric with the course taking in Table Mountain views, and landmarks along the way with there being lots supportive locals, a festive energy, a strong community spirit and cultural warmth abounding. However, lets hear what Janie and Jeff thought of the experience.

Janie writes:

“I was lucky enough to run the Cape Town Marathon in May and absolutely loved the experience. I was thrilled to finish in 3:30:13, just 30 seconds slower than my London Marathon time a month earlier. The race offered stunning scenery, fantastic crowd support and a wonderfully friendly atmosphere throughout. Despite what the elevation profile might suggest, the course was far less hilly than expected. If you’re looking for a marathon that combines a great race experience with a memorable trip, I would highly recommend adding Cape Town to your bucket list!”

Jeff writes:

“The highlight of my month was running the Cape Town Marathon on 24 May. It was in the final throws of the candidacy process to become an Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) event and is already considered Africa’s premier marathon. If successful it will then bring Africa its first Major. It was a great day with the run taking us around the city on what was a hilly and challenging course. I had targeted 4:15:00 and crossed the line in 4:13:56 so ran pretty well to plan.

Once again many thanks to the wonderful Crowborough coaches and running buddies who helped me achieve my goal.”

As Jeff mentioned, the marathon was in the final throws of becoming the 8^th Abbotts Major when he ran it. Well, it passed and was award the honour, which gives Jeff his 8^th star, making him one of only 1,994 runners in the world to hold all 8 stars.

Jeff reliably informs me that Shanghai is due to become the 9^th and final Abbotts major, which could be in Shanghai, possible in 2027. If you would to join him, you will be more than welcome