Press Releases 2026

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

BHR Press Officer email address  - bhrpressrelease@gmail.com

07.02.2026

Club runners kicked off the new year with an impressive spread of performances across road, trail and endurance events, despite some challenging winter conditions.

The ever‑popular WSFRL Hangover 5 once again provided a muddy and undulating start to January. First for BHR was Oliver Day in a time of 37:59, followed by Paul Prosser (39:06), Travis Golbey (39:16), Annette Maynard (45:36), Stephen Divers (46:32), Michelle Craen (49:37), Tshepho Mati (49:37), Loretta Gendle (50:26), John Schofield (50:54), Fran Ruocco (51:14), Richard Gendle (51:26), Selina Anderson (52:23), Jill Bennett (52:29), Chris Page (54:43), John Palmer (56:07), Karen Harvey (57:57), Stephanie Harding (1:00:03), Tlou Mati (1:01:21), Theresa Chalk (1:01:37), Hugh Stevenage (1:03:44) and Ella Chislett (1:05:59).

Further afield, several members took on the famously tough Winter Tanners, a self‑navigated challenge across the Surrey Hills known for its mud, cold and relentless climbs. In the Winter Tanners 20, first was Karen Harvey in a time of 5:54, followed by Stephanie Harding (5:55), Errol Curling (6:34), Nicky Callus (7:08) and Nicola Saunders (8:08). In the Winter Tanners 30, Dan Belton and John Palmer finished in in 10:19.

A small group took part in the Phoenix Running Red Robin Run along Downslink, allowing runners to run as many 3.28 mile laps as they wish. Carlos Reyes managed 17.5 miles in a time of 2:29:29. And Mark Santer and Vicky Rowe managed 21.8 miles in 3:10:02 and 3:32:58 respectively.

Ruth Day completed the Romsey 5 Mile Race in 57:52, while in the BrighTen ten‑mile event, Ella Chislett finishd in 1:40:35, followed by Hugh Stevenage 1:42:22. Rob Carr managed 51km of the challenging Arc of Atttrition, in some particularly tough conditions.

Rounding off the month, the Ashdown Forest 10 Mile delivered a tough trail test, with steep climbs and technical woodland tracks. Ben Peters finished in second place overall, in a time of 1:08:01.

Photos: (BHR team at Hangover 5), (Carlos and Mark, Phoenix Running)

Courtesy: (Stephen Divers), (Carlos Reyes) 

08.01.2026

From winter cross‑country mud to sunny marathons abroad, even over the festive period Burgess Hill Runners were out in force. Here’s the latest round‑up of racing adventures across trails, tarmac, and everything in between.

First up, the last Cross Country event of the year, this time at Ardingly. In the women's 5k, Katherine Wallek was first for BHR in 27:50. She was followed by Gayle Tyler (28:16), Annette Maynard (29:01), Susan Wintle (30:55) and Suse Potts (32:25). And in the men's 8k race, Stephen Divers was first for BHR in 46:24. He was followed by Andy Sayers (48:58), Rob Carr (49:32), Stuart Condie (51:05), and John Palmer (60:01).

We had a festive group take on a December highlight, the Seaford Striders Mince Pie 10 - complete with hills, mud, and plenty of Christmas cheer. Oliver Day was first for BHR in 1:16:23. He was followed by Travis Golbey (1:16:49), Andrew Bishop (1:27:19), Neil Philpot (1:26:05), Annette Maynard (1:29:03), Fred Sykes (1:31:28), Loretta Gendle (1:44:47), Richard Gendle (1:48:41), Chris Page (1:54:11), Stephen Divers (1:57:55), Jill Bennett (1:57:55), John Palmer (2:00:22), Hugh Stevenage (2:02:43), Sam Chislett (2:06:36), Ella Chislett (2:06:59), Jane Owen (2:10:30), Theresa Chalk (2:16:59), and Sarah Broom (2:17:53).

We also had a group take on the Run Rebel South Downs races, including a 12k and Half Marathon route. In the 12k, Phil Latham was first for BHR in 1:35:37. He was followed by Nigel Cruttenden (1:39:06), Paul Kaynes (1:39:08), Ella Chislett (1:39:09), Angie Bower (1:59:38), and Kim Cruttenden (1:59:39). And in the Half Marathon, Vicky Rowe finished in 2:19:51, followed by Jayne Leaney (2:53:16).

On a day over "twixmas" was the annual Darklink 10k. A night‑time trail race lit by headtorches which takes runners along a stretch of the popular Downslink trail. Stephen Divers was first for BHR in 53:20. He was followed by Laura Walton (1:01:28), Chris Page (1:01:47), Karen Harvey (1:07:51), Ella Chislett (1:08:58), and Stephanie Harding (1:11:03).

In the Goodwood RunThrough 20‑mile race, Mark Santer finished in 2:27:06. And in the 10k, Caroline Santer finished in 1:15:53. In the Málaga Marathon, Chris Maule finished in 2:47:12.

Photos: (BHR team at RunRebel South Downs race), (Stuart, Andy, Stephen, John at Cross Country), (Mark and Caroline, RunThrough Goodwood)

Courtesy: (Ella Chislett), (John Palmer), (Mark Santer)