British Masters 10km Championships – Chichester

This years Chichester 10km also doubled up as the British Masters 10km Championships.

The start/finish area at the Goodwood racing track circuit saw 4km of traffic free running followed by 5km of racing on the surrounding roads ending with quite a tough last 1km of headwind to the finish line back on the race track.

The last couple of years has seen the 10km Champs hosted in Grangemouth, Scotland so with this years Champs pretty much on our doorstep SAC were well represented in both the Men’s and Ladies competition.

Sebastian Hoenig and Ellie Monks stole the show as SAC’s front runners both winning Gold to become Masters National 10km Champions for 2024. What a way to win, not only their first BMAF medal but a National Title to boot, both smashing their personal bests and Club Records for their respective M45 & W40 age categories in the process.

Ellie stormed home in 5th place overall in a personal best time of 34:49 taking over a minute off her previous best and nearly 2 minutes off the W40 Club Record leading the Ladies to a comfortable victory in the team event to take the National Title!

The SAC Ladies won the Gold medal showing great strength in depth and good team packing with Sarah Winstone close behind in 6th overall (3rd W35, 34:55), Sarah Kingston 4th W35 (37:40), Lucy Short 9th W35 (39:36), Amanda Miles 7th W40 (40:33 PB) and Alice Burch 11th W40 (42:11)

This National 10km Title adds to the Ladies National Cross Country Title they won in Tonbridge 2022 and having won Silver in December’s BMAF 5km Road Champs they are becoming a force to be reckoned with such is the quality and strength in depth of the squad.
So, roll on the National Road Relays in May.

Sebastian Hoenig had an SAC debut to remember after a recent switch from Lordshill to win the M45 National Title, smashing his personal best with a 32:14 clocking which in turn obliterated the M45 Club Record by nearly 3 minutes leading the team home for the National Silver medals!

M45 Emlyn Hughes, also running his club debut on the roads won his first National team medal after his recent first claim switch from Fareham Runners. Equalling his own personal best of 35:00 has him in good stead for his assault on the London Marathon in April.
Good back up from M50’s James Smith 11th 39:38 and Keith Hollis 15th 47:17 completed the team.

Matt Risden, a BMAF medalist at the recent 5km Champs has been in good form of late and again ran well to equal his lifetime best of 32:55 to finish 9th M35 while Lee Cooper back from months of injury was happy to get round in one piece on pacing duties in 35:31

Scott Augur, another recent BMAF medalist at the 5km road champs finished 15th in the M55 category (42:59)

Next up for all age category Vets:
National Indoor Champs - 17th Feb.

National XC in North Wales - 16th March

National Road Relays Leicestershire - 25th May