Hassocks midfielder James Westlake has been named in the Mid Sussex Times’ top 10 sportspeople of 2018.
The list produced by the local newspaper highlighted Westlake’s marathon running achievements last year which culminated in his selection to represent England in the Toronto Marathon in October.
Sports Editor Mark Dunford selected Westlake in sixth place, writing; “Westlake had a year to remember. He finished the London Marathon with an impressive final time of 2:24:19. That time earned Westlake seventh place out of the British runners. He also won the Worthing 10k and was selected to represent England in October’s Toronto Marathon.”
Despite suffering an injury hit preparation for the race in Canada, Westlake still managed to score a personal best time of 2:23:05.
That was enough to finish 20th in the race which was won by Kenya’s Benson Kipruto in 2:07:24.
It also broke the long-standing marathon record for Westlake’s athletics club, Crawley AC which was the 2:23:38 set by Dave Cowell at the 1974 Commonwealth Games.
“Today was one of the proudest moments for me and my family,” said Westlake afterwards. “To say that I have now represented my country and worn the England vest is a dream come true.”
As well as winning the Worthing 10k, Westlake also won the Brighton 10-mile event. As a result of his running commitments, Westlake featured sporadically for the Robins over 2018, not making a first team appearance until late November.
He was soon back into his groove though, winning man-of-the-match in his second game back away at Eastbourne Town.
Westlake wasn’t the only sportsperson with a Hassocks connection to feature either – Dan Strange, who made one first team appearance in the 2008-09 season a year after being part of the Under 18s side who lifted the League cup was selected in second position for his feats in bowling our friends at Burgess Hill Cricket Club to their first championship since 1999.
Strange’s entry read; “Strange has had a fantastic year on both a personal and team basis, as his Burgess Hill team secured promotion to Division 2. Strange set a club record of 67 league wickets throughout the season.”
Congratulations to both Westie and Strangey on their achievements.
