Press Releases 2025

All Press Releases are by our PR Officer Ella Stanbrook unless otherwise stated. 

BHR Press Officer email address  - bhrpressrelease@gmail.com

13.04.2025

As the sun continued to shine over the course of March, our members took part in a range of races up, down and outside of the country (and outside of!). 

First up, one of the biggest local races and always a popular one with the club, the Brighton Marathon: First for BHR was Ben Peters in a time of 2:45:37, who also came 19th overall. He was followed by Dylan Wallek (2:53:40), Phil Wallek (2:56:12), Oliver Day (3:25:13), Kath Wallek (3:28:20), Yasmine Allfrey (4:00:05), Isobel Newman (3:48:01), Claire Giles (4:47:28), and Tlou Mati (5:03:55).

Continuing on the theme of marathons, next up, the Moyleman Marathon: First was Mark Nicholls in a time of 3:31:26. He was followed by Nicky Callus (5:21:49), Jill Bennett (5:43:13), and Emma Buckland (5:43:15). Dan Belton finished the Cambridge Boundary Marathon in 4:07:24. Claire Giles travelled to Rome for the Rome Marathon, and finished in a time of 4:52:43. Briege Turner completed the Tokyo Marathon, in a time of 5:03:19. And also travelling abroad was Rob Carr, who completed the Vienna Marathon in 4:17:46.

Stepping up into ultras, Rob Carr completed the Centurion Hundred Hills 50k in a 7:34:06. Mark Nicholls completed the Sheeps Head Ultra in 9:17:39. And Dan Belton finished the Lea Valley 50k in 4:58:25.

In the month's half marathons, Andy Biggs finished the Bideford Half Marathon in 1:29:38, Steve Barrett the Paddock Wood Half Marathon in 2:04:06, Neil Philpott the Malaga Half Marathon in 1:32:03. And Andrew Bishop completed the Bath Half in 1:39:42, as well as the Vienna Half Marathon in 1:56:30.

In another local favourite, Jamie Goodhead and Mark Nicholls ran the Steyning Stinger Marathon, both finishing in 4:19:42. And in the 30k race, Phil Wallek finished in 3:21:58, followed by Chris Alden (3:41:28), and Kath Wallek (3:49:14).

Elsewhere, in a less common distance, some members took part in a couple of 20 mile races. In the Lydd 20 Mile, first was Annette Maynard in a time of 2:46:10, followed by John Palmer in 3:42:01. And in the Thames Riverside 20, Mark Santer finished in 2:28:05, followed by Carlos Reyes (2:48:44).

Antonia Boxall was first in the Brighton 10k in a time of 54:36. She was followed by Sheryl Caldecourt (54:37), Leanne Cleaveley (56:09), Russell Taylor (1:12:22), Kay Smith (1:14:04), Nina Ecroyd (1:20:11). And further afield, in the Paphos 10k Antonia Boxall was first up in a time of 59:44, followed by Theresa Chalk (1:03:20), and Lorraine Hewitt (1:15:24).

And last but not least, in the Balcombe Bull Run, Ben Peters was first for BHR in 28:17. He was followed by Charles Ball (38:52), Nicky Callus (42:50), Stuart Condie (43:01), Ella Chislett (46:25) and Kim Gow (55:59).

Photos: (Mark and Carlos, Thames Riverside 20), (Rob Carr, Vienna Marathon), (Oliver, Brighton Marathon), (Claire Giles, Rome Marathon)

Courtesy: (Mark Santer), (Rob Carr), (John Palmer), (Claire Giles)

09.03.2025

It's been a bumper month for BHR, with races and PBs galore.

First and foremost, the return of one of the most popular events in the BHR calendar, the Brighton Half. The BHR army was out in force on this sunny Sunday in March, both running and spectating. First to cross the finish line was Ben Peters, who finished in 1:15:51. He was followed by Jon Boxall (1:18:26), Dylan Wallek (1:20:50), Sam Mayes (1:22:35, PB), Phil Wallek (1:22:45), Richard Jerome (1:27:15, PB), Chris Alden (1:27:38), Jamie Goodhead (1:29:31), Thomas Wheatley (1:33:04), Kath Wallek (1:37:03, PB), Andrew Bishop (1:41:33), Christie Matthews (1:43:40), Charlie Pountney (1:44:18), Susan Wintle (1:46:22), Fred Sykes (1:47:36), Mark Nicholls (1:48:54), Hannah Goodhead (1:49:36), Gary Parr (1:53:42), Emma Goodhead (1:56:16), Lucy Ward (2:01:33), Ella Chislett (2:08:57), Sam Chislett (2:08:57), Richard Gendle (2:09:06, PB), Sarah Parr (2:10:56, PB), Laura Walton (2:09:39), Antonia Boxall (2:11:13, PB), Katie Howes (2:34:42, PB), Wendy White (2:48:31), and James White (3:03:58).

February saw the first WSFRL of the year, the Crawley Run Craw Run Your Heart Out 5 mile race. First up was Kirsty Phillpot, who finished in 36:06. She was followed by Neil Phillpot (39:18), Steven Barrett (39:35), Annette Maynard (40:54), Stephen Divers (42:51), Tshepo Mati (46:26), Nicky Callus (47:01), Jill Bennett (47:04), John Schofield (47:16), Stuart Turner (47:40), Loretta Gendle (48:44), Antonia Boxall (49:06), John Palmer (49:14), Richard Gendle (49:15), Bill Whitehead (50:14), Chris Page (50:50), Tlou Mati (54:30), Theresa Chalk (55:01), Hugh Stevenage (56:25), Kim Gow (58:01), and Viv Smith (1:00:13).

It may have been the first WSFRL event, but February also saw the last of the Cross County events of the season, this time hosted at Stamner Park. In the womens race, Kath Wallek, finished first in 27:50. She was followed by Annette Maynard (28:37), Cath Beckett (29:10), Jill Bennett (30:52), Nicky Callus (32:35), and Theresa Chalk (38:55). In the mens race, Phil Wallek finished first in 40:53. He was followed by Steven Barrett (45:06), Andrew Sayers (47:13), James Hedley (47:19), Jack Maynard (49:44), Stuart Condie (51:31), and John Palmer (61:43).

Elsewhere, Ruth and Oliver Day completed the Punchbowl Marathon, a 30 mile route along bridleways and footpaths in Surrey. They finished together in 9 hours 59. Ben Ayling travelled to Malta to complete the Malta Half Marathon in 1:43:09. Daniel Belton completed the Baldock Beast Half Marathon in 1:47:28. And Yasmine Allfrey and Kevin Cross completed the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon 1:48:31 and 1:48:23 respectively.

Photos: (Sam Mayes, Brighton Half), (BHR team at WSFRL), (Theresa, Nicky, Jill, Annette, Kath, Cath, XC)

Courtesy: (John Palmer), (Jill Bennett), (John Palmer)

03.02.2025

As we moved into February, our runners continued the year busy with races.

First up, Nicky Callus took part in the Pilgrim Challenge Multi-Day Ultra. This challenging event sees runners and walkers take on a one day (33 mile) or two day (66 mile) ultra marathon over the North Downs Way. Nicky Chose the two-day challenge, finising day 1 in 7:55:31, and day 2 in 8:36:09.

Elsewhere, Ben Peters finished the Chichister 10k in 34:58. Simon and Sarah Thompson also took part, finishing in 1:05:21. Kevin Cross and Yasmine Allfrey finished the Bedgebury 10 Mile in 1:25:52 and 1:25:55. 

And we even fit in a few marathons - Mark Nicholls and Jamie Goodhead completed the new 4 Piers Marathon, from Bognor to Brighton via the English Coastal path. Mark finished in 3:52:52 and Jamie in 4:02:04. Going further afield, Rob Carr completed the Miami Marathon in 4:32:28.

Photos: (Rob Carr at Miami Marathon & Nicky Callus at Pilgrim Challenge)

Courtesy: (Rob Carr & Nicky Callus)

19.01.2025

It's been a busy start to the year for Burgess Hill Runners. First, we saw the return of a popular event for the club, the LDWA Winter Tanners 20 and 30. This challenge is not for the faint hearted, with the options of a 20 mile or 30 mile walk or run, along cross country footpaths and bridleways. Map reading skills are required! In the 20 mile route, Jill Bennett and Stephen Divers finished first for BHR in  4:54. They were followed by Karen Harvey, Nicola Dawson and Stephanie Harding who all finished in 7:18. In the 30 mile route, Nicky Callus finished first for BHR in 7:08. She was followed by Daniel Belton and John Palmer who finished in 9:34.

Staying local, some of our members took part in a new race for the area, the BrighTen, a 10 mile race along the Brighton seafront. Neil Phillpot was first for BHR in 1:08:45. He was followed by Kirsty Phillpot (1:10:17), Annette Maynard (1:22:03), and Luke McMahon (1:31:17)

A group travelled over to Newhaven to take part in the costal Newhaven 10k. Karen Willett was first for BHR in 1:01:26. She was followed by Antonia Boxall (1:02:01), Theresa Chalk (1:03:43) and Karen Sargent (1:08:19). And Ruth Day completed the Romsey 5 mile in 56:49.

Photos: (Karen S, Karen W, Antonia, Theresa - Newhaven 10k)

Courtesy: (Theresa Chalk)

12.01.2025

Some of our runners managed to squeeze in a few more runs either side of the New Year's Eve fireworks, starting with Jamie Goodhead who snuck in the Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon just before Christmas. Described as a "festive flat and multi terrain out and back route", Jamie finished in 3:48:38.

Elsewhere, a group travelled to Shoreham for the annual Darklink 10k, a popular headtorch run "in the weird bit between Christmas and New Year". The route takes runners North up the Downslink, over the Southdowns way bridge towards Bramber and back. Oliver Dewdney was first across the line for BHR in 47:41. He was followed by Jamie and Sam Goodhead (51:43), Isabel Dewdney (56:33), Stephen Divers (59:49), Jill Bennett (59:51), Chris Page (1:00:56) and Claire Giles (1:05:51). 

And finally, Jamie Goodhead and Mark Nicholls started the New Year with a bang, completing the Country to Capital Ultra, a 43 mile point to point race, in 7:14:54 and 6:11:54 respectively.