After high winds on November 20 led to the cancellation of the Brighton 10k, the 2016 Harvey Curtis Sussex Road Race Challenge (SRRC) was forced to conclude after five races rather than the intended six.
The cancellation of the Brighton 10k was disappointing for all concerned, not least Howard Bristow (Brighton), who, needing to complete one more race to qualify for an overall position, was poised on just four points. The hotly anticipated showdown between these four fast training partners will have to wait until next year.
Rojas’s hat-trick of SRRC titles rounded out an excellent year for the 35-year-old, who represented England in October at the Toronto Marathon, where he finished ninth despite warm conditions in an excellent 2hrs 24mins.
In the women’s contest, it was SRRC title number two for Rebecca Moore (Chichester AC), who won two of her three qualifying races, and whose lead was thus unassailable after Race 4, the Phoenix 10k, where she sped away from her rivals to clock a swift 34:30. Izzy Coomber (Lewes AC) took second place overall, finishing four points behind Moore and just one point ahead of third-placed Sue Fry (Hailsham Harriers).
In the battle among the over-40s, it was Mike Ellicock (Lewes) and Sue Fry who took the Masters titles. Ellicock finished just one point ahead of team-mate Lewis Sida in second, while Fry was five points clear of runner-up Katherine O’Hara.
The team contest was won by Arena 80 AC, whose excellent women’s squad provided the necessary strength in depth to finish two points clear of Brighton & Hove City AC. In third place were last year’s champions Lewes AC.
The prize-giving took place on Sunday, November 27, at the Crowborough 10k, each champion picking up £300 cash and the SRRC perpetual trophy.
The 2017 SRRC begins with the Chichester 10k on February 5.ÂÂÂ