By Hilary Humphreys
Striders at the first-ever Peacehaven Parkrun
Saturday 20 May was the inaugural Peacehaven Parkrun in Centenary Park, Peacehaven, and Seaford Striders were out in force to celebrate having a Parkrun so close to home.
After early morning rain the weather was ideal for running, with just a slight nip in the air to keep the runners from overheating. The undulating course is run on a mixture of wide pea shingle path and grass, a three-lap route starting just east of the café, with the first lap being slightly longer than the final two.
Jason Harrold (Crawley Saints and Sinners) was first to finish in a cracking time of 18:09 and the first female across the line was Seaford Strider Emily Eaton in a fabulous time of 22:00.
You could almost have thrown a blanket over the first four Striders, who finished in 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th position overall. First of them was Joel Eaton, pushing son Caleb in a buggy, finishing in a superb time of 20:18. He was followed by Josh Nisbett who was first in his age group in 20:32. Hard on his heels was Ed Tuckley in 20:40 and Jacob Miles in 20:42.
Next to cross the line for the Striders was Dave Freeman in 21:49 and Ben Shorer in 23:06 both maybe wishing the night before hadn’t been such a long one! The youngest Strider on the course was Joe Plant and he crossed the line next in 24:11, giving him a very well deserved first slot in his age group. Simon Nixon was next to finish in 24:53, just seconds ahead of second female Strider home, Kristiane Sherry who was also first in her age group in 24:57.
Richard Honeyman finished in a reputable 26:54, just ahead of Peter Weeks 27:41 and Emma Goodwin in 29:04. Then it was the turn of the newly graduated ‘couch to 5k’ members with Debbie Plant nursing an injury but still managing a very respectable 36:13; Victoria Maleski in 37:24; Sandra Standen in 37:29 and Tina Butterworth in 40:28, all matching their last week’s scores at Preston Park – an excellent result given that this was a hillier course, so overall times were down.
A mention must also be given to Striders who, once their own race was finished looped back to run with and encourage their newer team members, or waited at the finish line to cheer them home – once again demonstrating excellent sporting camaraderie from a running club noted for their friendliness.
Thanks also from Seaford Striders to the organisers, marshals and runners at Peacehaven Parkrun for making us all so very welcome – very much appreciated!