WSFRL: Chicken Run - Run 5

AS THE FIFTH run in the West Sussex Fun Run League got under way Haywards Heath Harriers were joint 1st on the leader board.   For this run there was a massive turn out of 50 athletes taking part from the club, once again aiming for maximum points trying to create a significant lead before the Harriers host their own run in the event, which they cannot get any points for.

Burgess Hill Runners usually have their run in Hassocks, just beneath the South Downs, but this year they arranged a change of venue, which prompted a change in name for the run along with it!

On the 19th April at Macs Organic Chicken Farm in Ditchling the run took place.   The route was across many of the fields on the farm and in some places the marshalls were trying to hold the chickens back, so that nobody could cry foul!

The route was quite complex and difficult to orientate with a few overlapping points on it.   Marshals were there to ensure the run was smooth and problem free as possible, especially as this was a new route for them, which means everybody gets a PB on the day.

Due to the number of people and routes being used by the athletes there was some confusion with runners going the wrong way.   I went past one marshal who was shouting, "I've sent them in the wrong direction".   This is a new route and there are bound to be some teething problems (they are rare like hens' teeth).   Also because of the complex nature of the course, nobody could leave until the last runner was across the finish line.   This gave everybody space to enjoy the day, find a drink, some cake and have a chat.   This was a great run and social event in the calendar as well.

There are a number of runs that I look forward to on the WSFRL calendar and this is going to be one of them.   I hope that Burgess Hill Runners use the venue again next year.   They will have sorted the teething problems out by then as well.

The big question now is where does this leave Haywards Heath Harriers in the leader board?