Claire Hawes

Thirty-two members of Lewes Athletic Club took to the trails on a mild and sunny December morning to contest the third fixture of the East Sussex Sunday Cross Country League (ESSCCL), hosted by Eastbourne Rovers at Abbotts Wood near Polegate. Conditions were near-perfect for the 4.5-mile cross-country challenge. Runners started with a gentle downhill through a wide, tree-lined avenue, negotiating leafy paths and mud before…

Fifty-one athletes from Lewes Athletic Club turned out for the third fixture of the 2025/2026 Sussex Cross Country League, held at Ardingly Showground on Saturday, 6th December. Described by competitors as a “gruesome mudfest”, the testing conditions made for tough racing across all age groups. However, Lewes AC rose to the challenge with several standout individual and team performances. In the junior races, Lewes AC…

Race Walkers from Lewes Athletic Club delivered outstanding performances despite exceptionally unpleasant weather at the Surrey Walking Club Open Track Walks, which incorporated both the Southern Area Championships and the SWC Christmas Cup. The event took place at the Tonbridge School Centre on Saturday 29th November, where athletes battled a severe midday deluge that made for some of the toughest racing conditions of the year….

Lewes Athletic Club is delighted to host She Runs Lewes, a friendly and social women’s 5k running group based in the heart of our beautiful town. The initiative reflects our commitment to making running accessible, supportive, and enjoyable for women of all paces and experience levels. She Runs Lewes provides a safe, confidence-building environment where runners can meet new people, explore scenic routes, and enjoy…

Thirty-two members of Lewes Athletic Club took on the challenging Snape Wood course on Sunday, 23 November, in the second fixture of the 2025/2026 East Sussex Sunday Cross Country League (ESSCCL). The club continues its strong defence of last season’s league title. Snape Wood’s route, near Wadhurst, is a demanding, hilly two-lap course with mud, puddles, tree roots, slippery leaves, and narrow tracks. Heavy rain…

Thirty-two members of Lewes Athletic Club took to the seafront on Sunday, 16 November, to compete in the Brighton 10k, one of the region’s fastest and flattest race routes. Starting on Hove Promenade, 500 metres west of the i360, runners enjoyed a smooth, and wide course. Additionally the running conditions were perfect. Cool at 10°C, with a light drizzle, and a gentle breeze. The race…

Seventy members of Lewes Athletic Club showcased their team spirit at Stanmer Park, Brighton, on Saturday, 8th November, competing in the second fixture of the 2025/26 Sussex Cross Country League. The event, part of a four-race winter series running from October to March, brought together athletes from across the county for a day of competitive running. Strong Performances Across All Ages Lewes AC fielded runners…

Lewes Athletic Club’s much-loved Lewes Downland Santa Run returns for its 4th annual event on Sunday, 21st December 2025. Runners of eight years and above and all abilities are invited to don festive hats and take to the beautiful South Downs in support of local charity, The Friends of Lewes Victoria Hospital. Starting from Wallands School, participants can choose between 5k, 10k, or 15k well-marked…

A strong contingent from Lewes Athletic Club turned out in force over the weekend of October 25–26 to take on the famously scenic yet demanding 2025 Beachy Head Marathon Weekend Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K events. The weekend saw hundreds of runners gather at Beachy Head, with challenging off-road courses that climb through the South Downs National Park and along the Seven Sisters cliffs, offering…

Lewes Athletic Club’s Sarah Webster has made history by setting a new Women’s European and World 24-hour record. Sarah covered an astonishing 278.622 kilometres at the IAU 24-Hour World Championships in Albi, France, on October 19th, 2025. Sarah’s performance surpassed the previous world record of 270.36 km, set by Japan’s Miho Nakata at the last championships two years ago. Competing in a world-class field, Sarah…