Striders of Croydon maintained their promotion challenge with an excellent team performance in Division Two of the Surrey Cross-Country Leagues on Saturday.

Striders’ men were competing on their home course at Lloyd Park. In a competitive match they finished a close third, just four points behind second-placed Dorking. In the overall Division Two table Striders still have a clear lead with a total of 955 points. Dorking are second with 1034 and Stragglers are third with 1161.

Striders’ first man home on Saturday was the consistent Matt Morgan who ran well to place sixth of the 139 finishers, covering the muddy five-mile course in 31 minutes 01. Lee Flanagan also ran well to place 14th (31.57) while Tyler O’Callaghan, in his first Surrey League race, showed great potential in placing 17th (32.14). Richard Lee-Smith moved through the field to place 25th (32.58), while Steve Starvis, in his first race after injury, did well to place 32nd (33.25). Mick Turner was next home in 49th (34.50) while John Foster ran strongly to place third in the over-50 category and 53rd overall (34.57). Barry White was 55th (34.59) with Chris Morton 61st (35.20) and Simon Ambrosi 62nd (35.24).

Meanwhile Striders’ women were competing in their Division Two match at Richmond Park. They finished a close fourth in the match but held onto third place in the overall Division Two table, and are now 64 points ahead of fourth-placed Kingston. Helen Furze again ran well to finish sixth of the 134 finishers, covering the five-mile course in 33 minutes 17. Suzy Yates also ran well for 19th (36.08) while Faye Stammers was 28th (37.10), Alice Ewen 34th (37.25) and Josephine Thompson 35th (37.26).

Richard and Suzy battle through the mud at Pirie race

Lee and Tyler take Striders to fifth place at Sparrows Den

Striders storm to victory at wet and windy Dorking

Justin and Josephine lead Striders' relay teams at Reigate

Matt leads Striders to fourth place at Lloyd Park

Justin and Suzy improve Striders' club records

Richard leads Striders' teams to success at Croydon 10K

Duncan leads Striders to victory at Esher

Striders of Croydon produced an excellent team performance to win their Surrey Cross-Country League Division Two match at Esher on Saturday. Their total of 248 points put them well ahead of second-placed Dorking (316).

Striders were led by Duncan Lancashire who had an outstanding run to place third of the 148 finishers, covering the undulating five-mile course in 27 minutes 56. Two more Striders made the top ten with Justin Macenhill finishing sixth (28.18) and Matt Morgan eighth (28.51). Lee Flanagan, making his Surrey League debut, also ran well for 15th (29.16), two places and two seconds ahead of Abdul Rashid-Abdi. Steve Starvis was 26th (29.57) with Iain Harrison 28th (30.10) and Tony Sheppard 34th (30.49). Taylor Huggins, making his cross-country debut, was 54th (32.03) while team manager Chris Morton, who had run the Clarendon Marathon only six days earlier, completed the scoring team in 59th (32.20).

Striders of Croydon gained a double victory in the Roundshaw Downs Park Run on Saturday. Matt Morgan won the race, covering the five-kilometre course in 18 minutes 01 and finishing 17 seconds clear of his nearest rival. Club colleague Josephine Thompson, in her first appearance on the course, was the first woman to finish, recording 21 minutes 29.

Meanwhile Striders’ Alice Ewen ran in the Bromley Park Run and was also the first woman finisher, finishing eighth overall in 21 minutes 26.

Bill Makuwa, from Striders of Croydon, made an excellent return from injury to gain his second successive win in the club’s annual Switchback five-mile cross-country race on Sunday. He broke away from the field along with local rival Mike Cummings of Herne Hill Harriers. In a close finish Bill held on to win in exactly 29 minutes, just one second ahead of Mike. These two were more than two minutes clear of the third finisher, Ron Taylor of Kingston, who finished in 31 minutes 02, just one second ahead of Striders’ Iain Harrison. Striders’ Tony Sheppard also ran well to place fifth in 31 minutes 17, winning the over-40 category and ensuring that Striders won the team prize. Two more Striders made the top ten, with Ben Fancourt placing eighth in 32 minutes 40 and Bob Ewen tenth in 33 minutes 09. Bob was second in the over-50 category, which was won by Colin Oxlade of Croydon Harriers, who placed seventh overall in 32 minutes 34.

Bob leads the Striders over-50s at Croydon Arena

Striders of Croydon produced some good performances in their final Southern Veterans League match of the season, at Croydon Arena last Monday. Both their men and women finished fourth of the six competing clubs in the match and in the final league table. Bob Ewen placed second in the 2000 metre walk (12.07.9), while Dave Hoben was fourth (13.06.1), gaining maximum points in the over-50 category.  An hour later Bob placed second in the over-50 5000 metres (19.36.1), with Richard Lee-Smith third in the over-35 race (17.37.5).

Taylor Huggins made a successful debut, placing second in the high jump with a club over-35 record of 1.40 metres, and third in the 800 metres (2.28.7). Chris Morton placed second in the B race (2.44.6), with Dave Batten third in the over-50 race (2.38.7) and Andy Elliott third in the over-60 race (3.08.6). Kevin Bannister set a club over-55 record of 8.36 metres for the triple jump, placing third.

Kim Ford set a club women’s record of 14 minutes 27.6 for the 2000 metre walk, placing third in the over-35 A race. Club colleague Victoria Legge was second in the B race (17.27.2). Kim competed in four other events during the evening, while Linda Daniel and Louise Gough also gained valuable points for the club, competing in four events each.

Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition in the fifth Rosenheim League match of the season, at Tooting on Wednesday. Their leading scorer was again team captain Matt Morgan, who placed third in the 1500 metres (4.23.5) and fourth in the 3000 metres (9.19.6). Eliot Osher was fourth in both the 100 metres (12.7) and 200 metres (25.3). The oldest member of the team, Kevin Burnett, placed fifth in the shot putt (5.27) and sixth in the javelin (15.46). Both these performances were club over-70 records.

Striders of Croydon did well to take second place out of 41 teams in the Sri Chinmoy 3 x 1 mile relay at Battersea Park on Monday. Matt Morgan ran the first leg and took second place in 4 minutes 56, just one second clear of his nearest rival. Alex Aronberg held second place in 5 minutes 09, moving to within two seconds of the leaders. The third leg saw the two fastest times of the day, with Duncan Lancashire maintaining Striders’ second place with 4 minutes 46.

Morgan and Lancashire were back in action two days later in the Rosenheim League match at Tooting. With a small team, Striders did well to place fifth of the seven competing clubs. Team captain Matt Morgan led by example, competing in five events and gaining 20 points, which exceeded the combined total gained by the rest of the team. He ran well to win the 1500 metres (4.27.0), and also placed third in the 400 metre hurdles (73.4) and fourth in the triple jump (8.70).

Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition in their third Rosenheim League match of the season, at Wimbledon Park on Wednesday. Their women did well to place third, while their men were sixth of the seven competing clubs.

Natalie Osher made a welcome return to Striders’ team after illness, and showed her versatility by placing third in the 1500 metres (5.59.6) and fourth in the discus (10.97). Club colleague Karen Knight ran well to place third in the 400 metres in a new club women’s record of 66.8 seconds.

For Striders’ men, Eliot Osher placed fourth in the 100 metres in a club record of 12.1 seconds, and also placed fifth in the 200 metres in a club under-20 record of 25.0. Stephen Harrison was fourth in the 400 metres (61.0) while Matt Morgan was fourth in the 1500 metres (4.26.3) and Duncan Lancashire was fourth in the 3000 metres (9.20.6). Osher, Harrison, Morgan and Lancashire finished the evening with fourth place in the 4 x 200 metres relay (1.50.4).

Two days earlier, Striders’ over-35s were in action in their second Southern Veterans League match of the season, at Ewell. With a depleted team, Striders’ men placed fourth, while their women were fifth of the six competing clubs.

For Striders’ women, Andrea Jeffries placed third in the 800 metres (2.55.4) and second in the B 200 metres (33.6), both these performances being new club over-45 records. Kim Ford competed in five events, placing third in the long jump and gaining a total of 22 points.

Striders of Croydon produced some good performances in their second Rosenheim League match of the season, at Croydon Arena on Wednesday. Their women did very well to finish third, while their men were fifth of the seven competing clubs.

For Striders’ women, Alice Ewen produced an excellent run to win the 3000 metres in a personal best 12 minutes 29.6 seconds, leading all the way to finish fourteen seconds clear of her nearest rival. Karen Knight made an impressive debut to place second in the 100 metres in a club women’s record of 15.1 seconds.

For Striders’ men, team captain Matt Morgan led by example, placing second in the 1500 metres (4.33.3) and fourth in both the long jump (4.64) and the 400 metre hurdles (78.1). Steve Starvis ran well for third in the 3000 metres (10.03.1). Eliot Osher set a club record of 12.4 seconds in the 100 metres, placing fifth in a good-quality race. He also placed fifth in the 200 metres in a club under-20 record of 25.3 seconds.

Four members of Striders of Croydon won medals in the annual Surrey Veterans Championships, at Ewell on Saturday. Their most impressive performance came from Justin Macenhill, who ran a well-judged tactical race to win the over-35 5000 metres. Staying at the back of the leading group in the early stages, he took the lead before the bell and produced a very fast final lap to win in a new championship best performance of 16 minutes 44.3 seconds.

Club middle-distance coach Alan Dolton won a hat-trick of gold medals in the over-50 400 metres, 800 metres (2.46.7) and 1500 metres (5.35.1). Dave Hoben won gold in the over-55 3000 metre walk (20.11.7). Striders’ oldest competitor, Kevin Burnett, came away with five medals (two silver and three bronze). He took silver in the over-65 discus (20.78) and 3000 metre walk (21.24.9), and bronze in the over-65 shot (6.11), javelin (17.49) and hammer (17.58).

Striders also produced some good performances in their first Southern Veterans League match of the season, at Croydon Arena last Monday. Their men did well to place third, only 19 points behind Epsom and 27 points ahead of Kingston. With a small team, Striders’ women also did well to place fourth of the six competing clubs.

Striders’ only winner was Bob Ewen who won the over-50 2000 metre walk (12.00.1) and later placed second in the over-50 1500 metres (5.21.9). The 1500 metres was a good event for Striders with Colin Cotton placing second in the over-60 race (5.57.1), Steve Starvis second in the over-35 A race (4.44.5) and Ian Campbell second in the over-35 B race (5.19.0). Steve Massey placed second in the over-35 400 metres (67.7), while team manager Dave Batten was third in the over-50 race (68.1). Mick Turner placed second in the over-35 2000 metre walk (12.01.9) with Dave Hoben second in the B race (12.59.7). Steve Smith was third in the over-50 shot putt (6.68) and Kevin Bannister was third in the over-50 long jump (3.79). Andy Elliott became Striders’ first over-60 high jumper, placing fourth in his event.

Striders of Croydon produced some good performances in their first Rosenheim League match of the season, at Battersea Park on Wednesday. Their women did very well to finish second in the match, while their men were equal fifth of the seven competing clubs, level on points with local rivals Croydon Harriers.

Striders’ team captain Matt Morgan led by example, gaining a comfortable win in the opening event, the 2000 metre steeplechase, in 7 minutes 07.4. He also placed third in both the 1500 metres (4.39.7) and long jump (4.29)

Natalie Osher led the way for Striders’ women, doing well to take second place in both the women’s 200 metres (32.5) and long jump (3.40). Alice Ewen was fourth in the women’s 800 metres in a personal best 2 minutes 57.4.

Striders of Croydon produced an excellent team performance to finish first out of 40 teams in the Beckenham Road Relays last Wednesday. On the first leg Matt Morgan, not at full fitness after a holiday in South America, covered the 2.6 mile course in 14 minutes 29 seconds to bring Striders into fifth place. Duncan Lancashire ran an excellent second leg with 13 minutes 43, overtaking all four runners ahead of him to bring Striders into the lead. Justin Macenhill ran 13 minutes 49 on the third leg, ensuring that Striders finished 30 seconds ahead of second-placed Beckenham and more than a minute ahead of third-placed South London Harriers.

Striders of Croydon produced some good performances in Sunday’s Sutton 10 kilometre road race, which was the first event in this season’s Surrey Road League. Striders’ men did very well to finish fifth, while their women were eleventh. Striders showed their strength in depth by providing 27 of the 387 finishers.

Striders were led by Richard Lee-Smith who ran well to place 25th in 37 minutes 07 seconds. Veteran John Foster had an excellent run to place 37th overall and second in the over-50 category, recording 38 minutes 21. Mick Turner completed the scoring team in 44th (38.50).

Striders’ B team did well to place 12th. Alistair Price led them home in 53rd (39.34) and was followed by Paul Finch (59th, 40.18)  and Paul Stanford (79th, 41.32).

Striders of Croydon had 20 finishers in Sunday’s London Marathon. Their first runner home was Lee Wadsworth who ran  3 hours 5 minutes and 45 seconds. He was followed by Damian Macenhill in 3 hours 10 minutes 31 seconds. Long-distance specialist Dave Shaw was next home in 3 hours 23 minutes 49, and Steve Massey also ran well to record 3 hours 25 minutes 21. Striders’ first woman was home was Kerry Backshell who ran 3 hours 27 minutes 25, very close to her personal best. She was followed by her training-partner Suzy Yates, who ran 3 hours 30 minutes 58.

Striders of Croydon had several runners in the annual Maidenhead 10-mile road race last week. They were led by Justin Macenhill who finished 31st in a field of over 1100 runners, recording a very creditable 58 minutes 34 seconds. Mick Turner ran a personal best 64 minutes 26, and was followed by Chris Morton (66.05) and Darren Piper (71.37). Striders’ women were led by the fast-improving Cara Kayum who ran a personal best 75 minutes 31. She was followed by Yasmin Anderson (76.52), Karen Macenhill (87.52) and Karen Peake (90.55).

Duncan Lancashire, from Striders of Croydon, produced another very good run in the annual Paddock Wood Half-Marathon on Sunday. He finished 18th in a field of almost 2000 runners, in a time of exactly 77 minutes which was less than half a minute outside his personal best. Club colleague Damian Macenhill also ran well to place 80th in 84 minutes 28 seconds. Steve Massey also made the top 200, placing 173rd in 89 minutes 17 seconds.

Justin Macenhill, from Striders of Croydon, continued his return to form with an excellent run to win the MABAC 15-mile road race at Cranleigh on Sunday. He covered the undulating course in 1 hour 32 minutes 50, finishing just over a minute ahead of the second-placed runner, Matt Ward from Clapham Chasers (1.33.52). Striders’ club secretary Chris Morton also ran well to finish eleventh (1.46.02)

Striders also had several competitors in the 21-mile road race, held in conjunction with the 15-miler. They were led by Damian Macenhill who placed 38th in 2 hours 24 minutes 38. Ian Yates placed 129th (2.44.26), one place ahead of club colleague Paul Finch (2.44.43). Striders’ women were led by Suzy Yates who placed 134th overall (2.45.07). She was followed by Kerry Backshell (137th, 2.45.15) and Cara Kayum (183rd, 2.50.42).

Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition in the East Surrey League’s annual road relay at Box Hill on Saturday. Without most of their first-choice runners, they had to field a team consisting entirely of veterans, and had to settle for eleventh place. Their best performance came on the final leg from Steve Starvis, making his debut for Striders, who covered the undulating 2.1 mile course in 12 minutes 03 seconds, more than a minute faster than any of his team-mates.  Earlier team manager Chris Morton had run the first leg in 13 minutes 25. He was followed by two of Striders’ over-50 runners, with Bob Ewen running 13 minutes 05 and Alan Dolton running 13 minutes 34.

On Sunday Striders had several runners in the annual Hastings Half-Marathon. They were led home by Justin Macenhill who placed 40th of the 3827 finishers in 80 minutes 03 seconds. His elder brother Damian was 65th in 83 minutes 26. Club secretary Chris Morton had his second race of the weekend, placing 176th in 89 minutes 34. Striders’ first woman to finish was Suzy Yates who ran 95 minutes 26, finishing two seconds ahead of her husband Ian. Striders’ second woman was Serena Stracey who ran 96 minutes 16. She was followed by Stephanie Noyce (1.41.47), Tina Macenhill (1.45.35) and Tara Mayhew (1.57.10).

Striders of Croydon finished the cross-country season with a good team performance in the final Surrey League Division Two match of the season at Lloyd Park on Saturday. They finished fourth of the nine competing clubs, and also finished fourth in the final league table, which was their best placing since 2003. Duncan Lancashire led the team in ninth place, covering the five-mile course in 31 minutes 01 seconds. Justin Macenhill had his best run of the season to finish tenth (31.13), while Matt Morgan also ran well for 14th (31.33). Richard Lee-Smith was 37th (33.19) with Damian Macenhill close behind in 39th (33.27). Veteran John Foster ran well to finish 44th (33.43) and was followed by Lee Wadsworth (51st, 34.11), Mick Turner (64th, 34.57) and Tony Sheppard (67th, 35.13). Teenager Nick Batten completed the scoring team in 76th (35.40). Striders also had seven non-scorers.

Striders of Croydon produced some good performances at the East Surrey League’s annual cross-country relay at Wimbledon Common on Saturday. Their A team finished fourth out of 17 teams, while their B team were ninth and their C team were sixteenth. Veteran John Foster gave Striders a good start on the first leg, covering the two-mile course in 11 minutes 13 seconds, and finishing 38 seconds ahead of his son Graham, who was running for Striders’ B team. Striders’ team manager Chris Morton ran 11.57 on the second leg, and Nick Batten, the youngest member of the team, returned to form with 11 minutes 26 on the third leg. On the final leg Surrey steeplechase champion Matt Morgan ran an excellent 10 minutes 12, more than a minute faster than any of his team-mates, to overtake host club Hercules-Wimbledon and lift Striders to fourth place. Striders’ veteran Bob Ewen continued his return from injury with an encouraging 11 minutes 51 for the B team, while his daughter Alice was Striders’ only woman competitor, running 14 minutes 17.

On Saturday (7th) Striders will be hosting the final Surrey Cross-country League races of the season, in Lloyd Park. The first race is at 12.15am. Striders’ women need a good turnout to avoid relegation from Division One. After the snow which covered Lloyd Park on Sunday night, athletes and spectators will be watching the weather forecast with interest.

Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition and a very muddy course in the Southern Cross-Country Championships at Hillingdon on Saturday.

Striders’ first woman home was Josephine Thompson who ran strongly to place 162nd, covering the five-mile course in 42 minutes 01. Club colleague Alice Ewen was 250th (47.28).

Striders’ first man home was Damian Macenhill who placed 295th, covering the nine-mile course in 67 minutes 45 seconds. Striders’ next three finishers had their own private battle with Simon Ambrosi 365th (70.45), Chris Morton 368th (70.50) and Mick Turner 372nd (71.01). Matt Anderson placed 580th (82.35).

In the under-20 race, Striders’ Nick Batten placed 90th, covering the five-mile course in 37 minutes 02.

Striders of Croydon placed sixth of nine clubs in their Surrey Cross-Country League Division Two match at Lightwater on Saturday. Striders’ leading two runners, Duncan Lancashire and Matt Morgan, both ran very well and had a close private battle culminating in a sprint finish. Duncan placed sixth in 29 minutes 08, one place and one second ahead of Matt. Striders’ next man home was Justin Macenhill who placed 27th (31.18), while his brother Damian was 39th (31.55). Lee Wadsworth, making his league debut, also ran well for 54th (32.46) with team manager Chris Morton 66th (33.21). Simon Ambrosi was 72nd (33.53) and Mick Turner 74th (33.59). Veteran Bob Ewen was 81st (34.54) and Steve Massey completed the scoring team in 98th (35.45). Striders are now fifth in the Division Two table with one match remaining (at Lloyd Park on 7 February).

Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition in the annual Surrey Cross-Country Championships, held at a frozen Lloyd Park on Saturday. Their men did well to finish eighth, while their women were eleventh.

Striders’ men were led home by Duncan Lancashire who ran very well to place 30th of the 140 finishers, covering the twelve-kilometre course in 46 minutes 51. Matt Morgan also ran well to finish close behind him in 32nd (47.12). Striders’ next man home was Richard Lee-Smith who moved through the field to place 72nd (51.42). Damian Macenhill was 77th (52.13), one place and one second ahead of new member Lee Wadsworth. Veteran John Foster completed the scoring team in 85th place (53.39), while team manager Chris Morton also made the top hundred in 91st place (53.55).

Striders’ women were led by Serena Stracey who ran well to place 38th of the 97 finishers, covering the eight-kilometre course in 38 minutes 13 seconds. Kerry Backshell also ran well for 49th (40.02), while Alice Ewen was 69th (43.11) and Yasmin Anderson completed the scoring team in 72nd (43.58). Natalie Osher was 86th (47.28) with Sarah Hansbury 88th (48.05) and Kim Ford 90th (49.42).

In the under-20 men’s race, Striders’ Eliot Osher placed 24th, covering the seven-kilometre course in 35 minutes 08 seconds.