Brighton and Hove swept to victory in the Sussex Road Relay Championships, held at Christ's Hospital, Horsham.

They regained the senior crown they lost to Phoenix 12 months ago, won the over-40 veterans' crown they lost to Worthing last year and retained their over-50 men's title.

A memorable day was completed when the B team took the silver medal in the senior event.

Arena 80 retained the women's title with Lynn Williams, Chris Naylor and Caroline Hoyte finishing three minutes clear of Phoenix.

Richard Airey was a little off the pace and was overall for Brighton on the first leg, but Joe Stephenson came through strongly on the second leg gaining three places, but was unable to catch clubmates Nick Hyett, in the B team, or veteran Tom Ulliott, who overtook Hyett to lead overall at the end of the second leg.

Matt Bristow took Brighton and Hove into a substantial lead and when Nigel Gates was unleashed on lap four, there was never any doubt which team was going to win.

Gates ran 10min.01sec, the third fastest of the day, behind Crawley's Kevin Holland (9min. 59sec). Steady efforts from Keith Newton and Martin Airey, Richard's elder brother, took the Brighton and Hove squad one- and-a half minutes clear.

Steven Standen brought the Hastings team through to third place on the fifth leg, a position that Dan Anderson retained to make sure of the bronze medal.