Category: News

The Sussex MS Treatment Centre in Southwick, is desperately looking for people to fill their final few charity places in the Brighton Marathon 2014 .

We are a local charity which provides services such as classes, therapies, counselling and support for over 200 people a week who have  neurological conditions. The centre does not receive funding from the NHS or local government, so events such as Marathons are a fantastic way to raise vital funds for the centre’s services.

If you want to take on a challenge of a life time, be part of  major sporting event  and help raise thousands of pounds to help fund the vital services that the MS Centre provides, now is your chance.

Get in touch with the MS Centre and we will send you all the information about how to register for a place. We ask for a registration fee of 20.00 per place and for runners to aim to raise £400 in sponsorship.  All money raised goes towards helping our centre to provide services to 200 people a week.

If you know a sports team or people who would like the challenge of taking part in the Brighton Marathon in 2014 then please contact the Sussex MS Treatment Centre on 01273 594484 or events@msussex.com

On 1 January 2014, despite freezing temperatures, increasingly heavy rain and near gale-force winds, (remember the Hangover 5 was cancelled) around 200 plucky runners including our own Andy Massingale raised themselves from their beds while the rest of the slovenly world was sleeping to attempt Britain’s top-rated trail race, the Knacker Cracker. Following a rousing rendition of the National Anthem, the ‘hardest of the hard core’ set off up the first of the Knacker Cracker ascents of the famous Box Hill Massif. Alas, almost the entire field ran a shortened version of the full course, following a wrong turn after the first road crossing (many finishers were happy that they hadn’t been out in the terrible conditions for longer). All the same, runners were almost universally jubilant to have completed even the shorter course – and oddly enough, no-one elected to go back and run the full course, which was still fully marked out with tape, signs and expectantly waiting marshals. The really atrocious weather conditions, which steadily deteriorated yet further, meant that runners had experienced the full face-tingling, lung-bursting, hand-freezing giggle-fest of the Knacker Cracker. Three nippers even turned up and ran the inaugural Nipper Knacker – Sally Russell (10) and Jaymes Russell (11) were first and second: well done all these future Olympians!

It was a marginal call to run the race at all, but if the race medical providers (St John Ambulance – hooray!) turn up, and the runners turn up, and the marshals turn up, then the race is on! Sadly a particular sign was blown down at a crucial junction – tape was still in place to lead the runners along, but even runners who knew the course followed the man in front and went wrong. However, three runners completed the course correctly: Richard Goulder (in 1:18:38) for the men, and Pauline Mackey and Nicky Donbavand (somewhat later) for the ladies – well done!

WELL DONE TO EVERYONE WHO TURNED OUT – A FIRST CLASS EFFORT!

MEGA-THANKS to the brilliant marshals – and sorry for the hypothermia!

HUUUGE RESPECT to all the fancy dressers!

And ENORMOUS respect to Andy Massingale, who finished 7th in 32:45 just 40 seconds behind the winner. And thanks to Tammy for this wonderful photograph of Andy in full running gear!

For anyone who had been thinking of turning up on the day for the Hangover 5,  I am sad to report that Goring Road Runners, have reluctantly had to CANCEL it.

Thanks must go to Liz and everyone who helped organise the Christmas bash on Saturday – a great time was had by all at The Fountain, despite the violent weather that had the temerity to

see off my burger – blown away by a gust while the waiting staff scurried between the pub and the skittle alley! The free coach home was very welcome, after the winning skittle team had shared the chocolatey gains! And there was even a visit from not one but TWO sugarplum fairy runners, fresh from the panto………..

Some photographs from the night are here.

Merry Christmas everybody!

Too good not to share, here are two of our brave Joggers treading the boards, oh yes they are, in the Ashurst Village Pantomime…..Brian Turrell and Rob Thornton……never will you see (please God) them in their underwear again!! Enjoy, ladies, enjoy!

Merry Christmas everybody!!

The notes from the Annual General Meeting held on 11th December are now available and can be accessed here.

Tonight is our annual “Festive Fun Run (aka The Mince Pie Five)”  – wear something jingly and Christmassy – whatever route you run is fine, just end up at Brian & Jackie’s house (refer to EMail for address), however should you be interested then Hugh has selected this special route, covering about 4.5 miles, ending at Brian and Jackie’s house from where you find your own way back to the Leisure Centre. It could be wet, but hopefully not too muddy! Whatever you do, have fun and see you later!

Ahead of the minutes from the AGM, which will be sent as soon as they are ‘approved’ congratulations must go to the following:

Grace Wells Handicap: Liz Pamment

Most successful runner in 2013: Andy Massingale

Runners runner: Michele Longmore

Best ‘Beginner’ in 2013: Nikki Hargrave

London Marathon Draw: Hugh Martin

Brighton Marathon Draw: Jackie Parsons & Natasha Heasman

Life Membership: Granted to Lesley Besson as she steps down from the Committee, for services rendered to the Club over many years

And of course the 2014 Committee was elected, as detailed here: