HY athletes shine at schools championships - and across Sussex

On Saturday, 8th June, the Sussex Schools Championship brought together some of the best young talents in the area. Sophie Smith competed fiercely in the girls' 200m, finishing 4th with a time of 28.61 seconds.

In the boys' 1500m, Zion Okojie clocked in at 4:48, while Aiden Larkin set a new personal best with a time of 4:56. Beth Wilson showcased her skills in the pole vault, reaching a height of 2.20 meters.

Antalia Cole delivered a stellar performance in the girls' 300m, securing 2nd place with a time of 43.62 seconds. Jessica Harmer and Layla Harmer also participated in various running events, demonstrating remarkable effort and determination.

In the U15 girls' 800m, Daisy Welch earned 7th place, finishing in 2:32.

Isabella Buchanan stole the show in the 1500m race, finishing 2nd with a remarkable time of 4:39, setting a new county record. Florence Tewkesbury also competed admirably, finishing 5th with a time of 5:10.

Meanwhile, at the Chichester Triathlon, young competitors gave it their all. Ben Sims placed 19th out of 67 in the Tristar 2 category, while Francesca Tarrant came in 46th. Sophia Tarrant competed in the Tristar 1 category, finishing 37th out of 41 participants.

In a separate event on Saturday, Holly Wigmore made significant strides in her running career by shaving 48 seconds off her 5k time, achieving a new personal best of 26:03 and securing 1st place in her age category.

The following day, Isabella Buchanan continued her stellar performance by competing in the girls' 3000m race at the South of England Championship, where she earned 2nd place with a time of 9:54.

The Worthing 10k, renowned for its fast, flat course ideal for personal bests, also took place on Sunday. In the children's 1-mile race, Noah Mayhew achieved 4th place with a time of 5:39, making him the fastest in his age range. Miley Wigmore finished 26th with a time of 7:09, earning the title of first U11 female among 191 participants.

For the adults, numerous personal bests were recorded. Nickly Stiles finished in 39:54, Terry Puxty in 40:02, Joshua Gilbey in 42:06, Rachel Wigmore in 43:04, Ben Jones in 43:33, Sharon Gates Mayhew in 47:45, and Stewart Ide in 48:52.

Additionally, the MacTuff Mud Run at Pippingford Park, Nutley, saw a group of local athletes tackle a challenging muddy course. Participants included Susannah Gates, Ellen Gates, Jenna Harmer, Ben Harmer, Sophie Sims, Jessica Harmer, Layla Harmer, and Elsie Harmer, all of whom braved the tough conditions with determination and grit.

This weekend's events highlighted the talent, dedication, and community spirit of local athletes. Whether on the track, in a triathlon, or through a grueling mud run, these competitors showcased the best of what Sussex has to offer in sportsmanship and athletic prowess.