Sandra, Linda, Natlie and Steph team up for Striders win

Striders of Croydon’s women produced their best performance of the season to win their home Rosenheim League match at Croydon Arena on Wednesday, finishing nine points ahead of second-placed Croydon Harriers. Striders dominated the women’s 3000 metres with Steph Upton winning (12.44.3) and Linda Daniel placing second (14.06.3). Sandra Francis was second in both the 100 metres (16.5) and the triple jump (5.99), while Natalie Osher was second in the 200 metres (33.1). Steph, Linda, Sandra and Natalie finished the evening by sprinting to victory in the 4 x 200 metre relay (2.25.6). This win lifts Striders to fourth in the division with one match remaining.

Striders’ men were unable to match their women, and had to settle for fifth place of the six clubs in the match, just four points ahead of Serpentine. Lee Flanagan competed in four events, placing fourth in the 800 metres (2.14.7) and fifth in the 100 metres (13.5), 200 metres (28.7) and 400 metres (61.3). There were also fifth places for Chris Morton in the 1500 metres (5.48.5), Barry Finch in the 3000 metres (12.48.9), and Kevin Burnett in the discus (13.79). Striders remain sixth in the overall table.

Rob Sharpe, from Striders of Croydon, produced an excellent run to place second in the weekly parkrun at Lloyd Park on Saturday morning. On a very hot morning, he moved through the field and completed the undulating five-kilometre course in 19 minutes 20 seconds. Club colleague Alan Dolton was tenth overall and first in the over-50 category (21.59), with Gordon Connor 19th (26.04) and Chris Smith 21st (26.34).

In the Bromley parkrun, veteran Bob Ewen ran very well to finish first in the over-55 category and 29th overall, recording 20 minutes 10. His daughter Alice Ewen was the fifth woman to finish, placing 52nd overall (21.30).

In the first parkrun at Riddlesdown, Striders were led by Russell Harmsworth who placed 14th in 20 minutes 28. Nigel Davidson was 20th (20.57) with Rob Finch 31st (21.50) and Paul Cripps 33rd (21.56). Barry Finch ran well to be first in the over-60 category and 34th overall (22.01).

Steve Starvis, from Striders of Croydon, had an excellent run to win the 5000 metres at the third Southern Veterans League match of the season, at Croydon Arena last Monday, recording 17 minutes 20.8 seconds. Club colleague Mick Turner was second in the over-40 race (18.57.6), while Nigel Davidson was third in the over-50 race (19.13.9) and Barry Finch was third in the over-60 race in a club age-group record of 22 minutes 23.6. Richard Lee-Smith ran well for second in the over-35 400 metres (59.9) with club chairman Robin Jamieson third in the over-60 race (86.0). For Striders’ women, Serena Stracey set two new club over-35 records, placing third in the 1500 metres (5.34.6) and fourth in the 400 metres (72.3). Margaret Faherty was second in the over-60 400 metres in a club age-group record of 1.43.1, while Lesley Bourke was second in the over-50 1500 metres (6.25.1). Sandra Francis set club over-50 records in both the 100 metres (16.3) and the long jump (3.47), while Kim Ford set a club over-50 hammer record of 10.17 metres. Both Striders’ men and women placed fourth of the six clubs in the match, leaving Striders’ women fourth in the division, with their men in fifth place.

In the Epsom 10 kilometre road race last week, Helen Furze was the second woman to finish, placing 31st overall in a club over-45 record of 40 minutes 32 seconds. Cara Kayum had an excellent run against strong opposition in the Richmond 10-kilometre road race on Sunday, which incorporated the Surrey Championships. She was the 18th woman to finish, recording a personal best 41 minutes 13, which lifted her to fifth place in Striders’ all-time women’s rankings. Striders’ first man home to finish was Damian Macenhill who ran 40 minutes 38. He was followed by Richard Edwards (46.45) and Martin Gourlay (49.10).

Striders of Croydon’s track captain, Lee Flanagan, had a hectic evening in the third Rosenheim League match of the season, at Wimbledon on Wednesday. He competed in five races during the evening, with his best performance coming in the 800 metres where he placed third (2.12.3). He also placed fourth in the 100 metres (13.1), fifth in the 3000 metres (10.07.2) and sixth in both the 200 metres (27.2) and 400 metres (58.8). With a depleted team, Striders had to call upon two of their oldest athletes to gain points for the club; 71-year-old Kevin Burnett was fifth in both the discus (13.95) and hammer (12.99), while Alan Dolton was fifth in the 1500 metres (5.26.4). Striders had to settle for fifth place out of the six competing clubs, and remain fifth in the division, just one point ahead of rivals Serpentine.

Helen Furze, from Striders of Croydon, produced an excellent run against strong opposition in Sunday’s Dorking 10-mile road race, which incorporated the Surrey Championships. She was the sixth woman to finish, and the first woman finisher in the over-40 category, covering the undulating course in 67 minutes 35 seconds, less than a minute outside her personal best. She also beat most of the male competitors, placing 74th overall out of 515 finishers. Striders’ next finisher was Steph Upton who also ran well to place 35th in the women’s race and 211th overall in 77 minutes 02. Clive Smith was 392nd (1.31.40) while Dave Lovell was 428th (1.35.28), Jo Penny 450th (1.38.36) and Paula Irving 470th (1.42.00).

In the Beckenham 10-kilometre road race on the same day, Steve Starvis ran well to place third out of 256 finishers, recording 34 minutes 47. Club colleague Lee Flanagan was eighth (36.04) with Barry White 25th (38.33) and Chris Morton 41st (40.26). Striders’ first woman was Carmen Somerset who placed 152nd in 48 minutes 04, closely followed by Lesley Bourke in 160th (48.23).

71-year-old Kevin Burnett, from Striders of Croydon, had a successful day in the Surrey Masters Championships at Ewell on Saturday, winning three gold medals and four silver medals. He won the over-70 shot putt (6.76), discus (18.30) and heavy hammer (7.09), and took silver in the 100 metres (19.5), 3000 metre walk (21.28.4), hammer (19.96) and javelin (18.24)

Two Striders won medals in the over-50 age group. Alan Dolton took silver in both the 800 metres (2.46.8) and 1500 metres (5.29.9), while Steve Smith took silver in the long jump (3.65), and bronze in both the 400 metres (70.5) and 800 metres (2.50.3).

Striders’ women produced an excellent team performance to place second in the Rosenheim League match at Croydon Arena on Wednesday. They finished the meeting on a winning note when their 4 x 200 metre relay team of Sandra Francis, Corinne Carr, Linda Daniel and Natalie Osher sprinted to victory in 2 minutes 34.4. Earlier in the evening Sandra had set two new club over-50 records, placing second in the long jump (3.28) and fourth in the 100 metres (17.1).

Striders’ men placed fourth of the six clubs in the match. Their leading scorer was Ernie Hann who competed in six events, placing third in the high jump (1.35). Team captain Lee Flanagan placed third in the 1500 metres (4.40.4) and fourth in the 800 metres (2.09.3).

At the Southern Veterans League match at Ewell last Monday, Striders’ best performance came from Richard Lee-Smith who won the 3000 metres in 10 minutes 12.1. Paul Cripps placed third in the over-40 200 metres (28.9). For Striders’ women, Margaret Faherty placed second in the over-60 800 metres in a club age-group record of 3 minutes 48.6. Paula Irving gained a hat-trick of fourth places in the over-35 200 metres, 800 metres and javelin. Depleted by late withdrawals, Striders’ women had to settle for fifth place in the match, while their men were a disappointing sixth.

Striders of Croydon dominated the parkrun in Lloyd Park on Saturday morning, with a clean sweep of the first four finishers. Lee Flanagan led from the start to win in 18 minutes 04 seconds. Club colleague Richard Lee-Smith took second place in 18 minutes 39 with Rob Sharpe third (19.03) and Damian Macenhill fourth (19.37). Alan Dolton was eighth (21.49) with Kieron Connor 14th (23.48), Alan Purchase 16th (23.47) and Paul Cripps 19th (24.22).

In the Bromley parkrun Russell Harmsworth was 16th (19.05) with Darren Jackson 36th (20.52), Steve Smith 42nd (21.22) and Bob Ewen 46th (21.29). In the Roundshaw Downs parkrun Phil Mazur was 23rd (22.51) with Clive Smith 37th (24.49).

Flanagan gained another victory in the Hillcrest 10 kilometre road race, where his winning time of 37 minutes 2 seconds placed him more than a minute clear of his nearest rival.

Former British League hurdler Paul Cripps made an excellent debut for Striders of Croydon in their first Southern Veterans League match of the season, at Kingsmeadow on Monday. He placed second in the high jump with a club veterans’ record of 1 metre 45, and also placed third in the long jump (4.38). Bob Ewen gained Striders’ only victory, winning the over-50 2000m walk (12.05.7). Richard Lee-Smith ran well to take second place in both the over-35 400 metres (60.2) and 1500 metres (4.44.5). Steve Massey placed second in the over-40 400 metres (64.1), while team manager Dave Batten took a surprise second place in a controversial 100 metres where all the runners paused, expecting to be recalled for a false start, and Batten responded quicker than most of his rivals on realising that the starter had not fired a recall gun. Mick Turner placed third in the over-40 1500 metres (5.23.6) and 2000m walk (12.07.5), while Colin Cotton was third in the over-60 1500 metres (5.54.5).

For Striders’ women, Kim Ford set a club over-50 record of 14 minutes 21.0 in the 2000 metre walk, placing second in her age-group. Club colleague Karen Peake made her debut at the event and recorded the same time, placing fourth in the over-35 category. Jo Penny did well to take second place in the over-35 triple jump, recording 5 metres 88. Sandra Francis set a club over-50 100 metre record of 17.6, placing fourth. Linda Daniel was fifth in both the over-35 400 metres (82.4) and 1500 metres (6.26.9). Striders’ women finished the evening with third place in the 4 x 100 metre relay. Both Striders’ men and women placed fourth of the six clubs in the match.

Striders faced strong opposition in the Rosenheim League match at Battersea on Wednesday. Lee Flanagan showed good team spirit by competing in four events, finishing third in the 800 metres (2.11.7). Steve Starvis was fourth in the 3000 metres (9.57.8) while veteran Kevin Burnett was fourth in the hammer (11.83). However Striders had to settle for sixth place in the match. On the same evening, Striders placed 15th of 60 teams in the Beckenham Road Relay. The team comprised Mick Turner (15.59), Serena Stracey (17.02) and Barry White (15.47).

Justin Macenhill, from Striders of Croydon, continued his return from injury by winning the weekly parkrun in Lloyd Park on Saturday morning. He covered the undulating five-kilometre course in 19 minutes 10 seconds. His elder brother Damian Macenhill was sixth (20.57), while club colleague Alan Dolton was seventh (21.53). Serena Stracey was the second woman to finish, placing 14th overall in 24 minutes 18. Natalie Osher was the seventh woman finisher, placing 30th overall (27.25).

At the Roundshaw Downs parkrun, Lee Flanagan ran well to finish second (17.27) while Rob Sharpe was fourth (18.34), Nigel Davidson tenth (20.24) and veteran Barry Finch 23rd (22.47).

Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition in the Sutton 10 kilometre road race on Sunday, which was the first event in this year’s Surrey Road League. Their women finished tenth, while their men were 13th. Striders’ women were led by the improving Amanda Barros who ran 51 minutes 30 seconds, finishing 255th overall. Julie Jordan was 374th (60.59) and Sandra Francis completed the scoring team in 389th (62.46). Striders’ men were led by Lee Flanagan who ran well to finish 19th in 35 minutes 56 seconds. Nick Eaves was 123rd (43.35) with Darren Jackson 136th (44.30) and Stuart Bell 175th (46.22).

In the Maidenhead 10-mile road race on Good Friday, Helen Furze ran well to place 105th in 67 minutes 34 and smash the club's Female Vet 45 record by 8 minutes. Simon Ambrosi was 118th (68.25) with club secretary Chris Morton 119th (68.28).

In the Ted Pepper 10 kilometre road race at Beckenham on Bank Holiday Monday, Striders were led by Damian Macenhill who placed 18th in 39 minutes 01. Simon Ambrosi was 26th (40.18) with Steve Smith 58th (43.53), Bob Ewen 64th (44.21) and Alice Ewen 79th (45.35).

Striders of Croydon had 21 finishers in Sunday’s London Marathon. They were led by veteran John Foster who ran very well to finish in 3 hours 08 minutes 19 seconds. Striders’ second man home was Steve Massey who recorded 3 hours 21 minutes 02. Striders’ first woman to finish was Cara Kayum who had an excellent run to record a personal best 3 hours 28 minutes 06, lifting her to tenth place in Striders’ all-time women’s rankings. Suzy Yates was next home in 3 hours 29 minutes 15, while Alistair Price ran 3 hours 35 minutes 28 and Jonathan Lloyd ran a personal best 3 hours 39 minutes 35. Lesley Bourke also ran well to finish in 3 hours 51 minutes 27, less than a minute outside her club over-50 record. She was followed by Mark Hutchings (3.52.07), Hugh Alexander (3.56.09), Dave Shaw (4.11.07) and Stuart Hills (4.20.00). Sue Atkinson had a very good run to regain her club over-60 record, finishing in 4 hours 50 minutes 31 seconds. Lucia Ramirez-Montesinos made her marathon debut in Madrid and finished in 4 hours 54 minutes 05.

Striders’ club secretary Chris Morton ran well to win the weekly parkrun in Lloyd Park on Saturday morning, covering the undulating five-kilometre course in 20 minutes 29 seconds. Club colleague Alan Dolton was fifth (21.27) with early leader Kieron Connor finishing tenth (23.32). At the Roundshaw Downs parkrun Simon Ambrosi was sixth (18.51) with Nigel Davidson 12th (20.33). At the Bromley parkrun Russell Harmsworth finished tenth (19.11) with Steve Smith 35th (21.04).

Margaret Faherty, from Striders of Croydon, had an excellent run in the Brighton Marathon on Sunday. In warm conditions which were better for the spectators than for the runners, she set a new club over-60 record of 4 hours 54 minutes 44 seconds. Striders’ first finisher was Matt Chapman who placed 225th in 3 hours 18 minutes 40, while Striders’ first woman was Hannah Musk who set a personal best 3 hours 57 minutes 50. Ian Yates (3.58.48) and Steve Tyler (4.54.14) also finished in under five hours.

Striders had three finishers in the Paris Marathon on the same day. They were led by Stefano Arcidiacono who ran 3 hours 29 minutes 41, while Corinne Carr ran 4.35.23 and Eve Collins ran 4.46.00. Darren Jackson ran 3 hours 38 minutes 50 at the Rotterdam Marathon.

Lee Flanagan, from Striders of Croydon, ran well to gain a comfortable win in the weekly parkrun in Lloyd Park on Saturday morning. He covered the undulating five-kilometre course in 18 minutes 22 seconds, finishing more than a minute clear of his nearest rival. Club colleague Alan Dolton placed fifth (21.30), while Striders’ youngest competitor, Kieron Connor, ran well to finish eighth in a personal best 22 minutes 21. In the other local parkruns, Rob Sharpe ran well to place fourth at Roundshaw (18.39) while Chris Morton was seventh at Crystal Palace (20.39) and Russell Harmsworth was 12th at Bromley (19.16).

Richard Lee-Smith warmed up for this Sunday’s Croydon Half-Marathon with an excellent run in the Cranleigh 15-mile road race. In his longest race so far, he placed seventh in a large field, recording 96 minutes 22 seconds. In the 21-mile road race held in conjunction, Striders were led by John Foster who placed 29th in 2 hours 24 minutes 45 seconds. Iain Harrison also ran well for 47th (2.28.26) with Matt Chapman 70th (2.34.05) and Steve Massey 117th (2.41.57). Striders’ first woman to finish was Hannah Musk who placed 259th overall in 3 hours 01 minute 15 seconds.

Lee Flanagan, from Striders of Croydon, produced a very good run to place tenth in the South of the Thames Cross-Country Championship at Coulsdon on Saturday. He covered the undulating twelve-kilometre course in 45 minutes 53 seconds. Barry White was 37th (52.25) and club secretary Chris Morton was 40th (53.22). Striders’ women were led by Linda Daniel who was 21st in the women’s race in 68 minutes 22.

Striders’ leading marathon runner, Bill Makuwa, produced an excellent run in the Hastings Half-Marathon on Sunday. He finished 18th in a large field, recording a personal best 1 hour 15 minutes 8 seconds. Club colleague Mick Turner placed 126th (1.27.49). Two of Striders’ women ran particularly well: Tina Macenhill ran 1 hour 42 minutes 16, while Kate Custis - running with a cast over a broken hand - recorded 1 hour 47 minutes 09.

Richard Lee-Smith, from Striders of Croydon, produced an excellent run to place second in the Surrey Spitfire 10-mile road race at Dunsfold on Sunday. He recorded a personal best 58 minutes 33 seconds, lifting him to 13th place in Striders’ all-time rankings. Club colleague Josephine Thompson also ran very well. She was the sixth woman to finish, placing 35th overall in a personal best 74 minutes 18 seconds and climbing to 15th place in the club’s all-time women’s rankings.

Striders had several competitors in the Surrey Spitfire 20-mile road race at the same venue. They were led by Mark Bayliss who placed 62nd out of over 600 runners, recording 2 hours 25 minutes 06. He was followed by Steve Massey (2.33.14). Two of Striders’ women ran particularly well: Suzy Yates placed 136th overall (2.36.16) while Hannah Musk was 316th (2.54.15).

Striders’ club secretary Chris Morton had an excellent run at the Leith Hill Half-Marathon. He finished first in the over-40 category, completing the hilly course in 1 hour 34 minutes 11 seconds, to place 12th overall of the 272 finishers. Club colleague Mick Turner finished 31st in 1 hour 41 minutes 19.

Bill Makuwa, from Striders of Croydon, produced an excellent run to finish tenth in a field of more than 6000 runners at The Silverstone Half-Marathon on Sunday. He completed the course in 75 minutes 46 seconds, less than a minute outside his personal best, and shows that he is in good shape for the inaugural Croydon Half-Marathon on April 3rd.

Striders also produced some good performances at the annual Torrevieja Half-Marathon last week. They were led by Richard Lee-Smith who ran well to place 48th in a field of more than 1500, recording a personal best of 1 hour 21 minutes 20. Damian Macenhill placed 104th in 1 hour 25 minutes 14, just eight seconds ahead of club colleague John Foster, who ran well to place second in the over-50 category. Mick Turner was 171st (1.29.28) with Matt Chapman 175th (1.29.35), Chris Morton 262nd (1.32.40) and Steve Massey 285th (1.33.37). Striders’ women were led by Suzy Yates who made a welcome return to competition and was the 15th woman to finish, recording 1 hour 38 minutes 54. Striders’ second woman to finish was Serena Stracey (1.42.15). Hannah Musk also ran well to record a personal best 1 hour 46 minutes 08, while Margaret Faherty did well to place second in the over-65 category, recording 2 hours 12 minutes 38.

Striders’ leading cross-country runners, Steve Starvis and Lee Flanagan, renewed their rivalry in the inter-club match promoted by Croydon Harriers at Lloyd Park on Saturday afternoon. Starvis gained an impressive victory, covering the undulating ten kilometre course in 38 minutes 31 seconds. Flanagan, who had won the weekly parkrun here the previous Saturday, had to settle for second place in 39 minutes 20. Barry White was ninth (43.16) while Steve Smith completed the scoring team in 15th (49.20), one place ahead of veteran Bob Ewen (49.54). This gave Striders second place in the team competition: both Harriers and Striders scored 27 points, but Harriers won on countback because their fourth scorer was ahead of Striders’ fourth scorer. Striders also had the first two women to finish, with Josephine Thompson placing 18th overall in 51 minutes 11, and Alice Ewen 23rd in 52 minutes 18.

Lee Flanagan, from Striders of Croydon, ran well to gain a comfortable win in the weekly parkrun in Lloyd Park on Saturday morning. He covered the muddy five-kilometre course in 19 minutes 10 seconds, finishing 41 seconds ahead of early leader Patrick Lucas. Club colleague Alan Dolton was third in 22 minutes 52, while Natalie Osher was the second woman to finish, placing eleventh overall (27.32).

With a mainly female team, Striders finished tenth in the East Surrey League’s annual cross-country relay at Wimbledon Common on Saturday. Alice Ewen ran the first leg and placed 13th of the 15th starters, covering the muddy two-mile course in 13 minutes 35. Josephine Thompson gained three places on the second leg, recording 13 minutes 11, while the improving Amanda Barros ran the third leg and finished eleventh in 14 minutes 36. Barry White ran the final leg and produced Striders’ fastest run of the day with 11 minutes 21.

Mick Turner, from Striders of Croydon, took a break from his duties as race organiser to win the parkrun at Roundshaw Downs on Saturday morning. He covered the five-kilometre course in 19 minutes 34 seconds, finishing 36 seconds ahead of early leader Ercole Lugari. At the Bromley parkrun, Russell Harmsworth was fifth (19.55) with veteran Bob Ewen 14th (21.53).

Striders had four of the first nine finishers at the parkrun in Lloyd Park. Barry White was fifth (20.31) with Damian Macenhill sixth (20.38), Alan Dolton eighth (23.02) and Kieron Connor ninth (24.54). Karen Macenhill was the third woman to finish, placing 17th overall (28.59). Club secretary Chris Morton finished seventh at the Crystal Palace parkrun (20.51).

Striders of Croydon dominated the Crystal Palace parkrun on Saturday morning, with the first three finishers. Richard Lee-Smith gained a convincing victory in 18 minutes 01 seconds, finishing more than a minute clear of the rest of the field. Damian Macenhill was second (19.09) with Simon Ambrosi third (19.33). Hannah Musk was the second woman to finish, placing 12th overall (22.58), while Eve Collins was 29th (26.13).

Later that day Striders faced strong opposition in the South of England Cross-Country Championships at Parliament Hill. They were led by Tyler O’Callaghan who ran well to place 171st of the 885 finishers, covering the muddy 15-kilometre course in 57 minutes 42 seconds. Barry White was next home in 463rd (66.29) with Taylor Huggins 508th (67.49), Chris Morton 544th (69.01) and Mick Turner 560th (69.39).

In the Bromley parkrun Lee Wadsworth was fifth (18.41) with Russell Harmsworth seventh (19.21) and Bob Ewen 22nd (21.31). In the Roundshaw Downs parkrun Alan Dolton was 19th (21.55) while Barry Finch was 29th overall and first in the over-60 category (23.21). In the parkrun at Lloyd Park, Phil Mazur was ninth overall and first in the over-50 category (25.27), while Karen Macenhill was the fourth woman to finish, placing 15th overall (28.15).

Richard Lee-Smith, from Striders of Croydon, produced a good run to win the Crystal Palace parkrun on Saturday. He covered the undulating five-kilometre course in 18 minutes 15 seconds, finishing well clear of his nearest rival. Club colleague Hannah Musk was the fourth woman to finish, placing 25th overall in 24 minutes 39.

In the Roundshaw Downs parkrun, Barry White ran well to place third of the 76 finishers, recording 20 minutes 01. Club secretary Chris Morton was sixth (20.33) with Paul Finch tenth (21.27), Alan Dolton 16th (22.23) and Sean Gallagher 22nd (23.41). Barry Finch was first in the over-60 category and 23rd overall (23.53). Lesley Bourke also ran well to be the first woman to finish, placing 29th overall in 24 minutes 51. Michelle Campbell was the fourth woman to finish, placing 37th overall (25.46).

Duncan Lancashire, from Striders of Croydon, produced a very good run in the Surrey Cross-Country League Division Two match at Newlands Corner, near Guildford, on Saturday. He placed seventh of the 145 finishers, covering the hilly five-mile course in 28 minutes 37 seconds. There were also good runs from Lee Flanagan in 12th place (29.01) and Steve Starvis in 18th (29.49). Justin Macenhill ran steadily for 29th (30.54) while Richard Lee-Smith was 36th (31.18) and Simon Ambrosi 56th (32.25). Striders’ last four scorers finished within three seconds of each other: Krzysztof Klidzia was 73rd (33.16) with Matt Chapman 74th (33.17), Taylor Huggins 75th (33.18) and Mick Turner 76th (33.19). Striders placed fifth of the nine clubs in the match, and remain fifth in the Division Two table.

Meanwhile Striders’ women were competing in Division One of the Surrey Women's Cross-Country League at Ham. They were led by Helen Furze who ran very well to place 22nd of the 163 finishers, covering the muddy five-mile course in 32 minutes 14. Striders’ next woman home was Josephine Thompson who placed 80th (35.50). Alice Ewen was 100th (37.41) with Hannah Musk 114th (39.29) and Eve Collins completing the A team in 145th (43.26). Sadly, Striders remain at the bottom of the Division One table.

On New Year’s Day Striders’ Simon Ambrosi won the Greenwich parkrun, recording 20 minutes 31 seconds. Striders’ first man home in the Roundshaw Downs parkrun on the same day was Richard Lee-Smith, who ran well to place fourth of the 72 finishers, covering the muddy five-kilometre course in 19 minutes 19 seconds. Club colleague Alan Dolton was tenth overall and third in the over-50 category (22.10), with Alan Purchase not far behind in 13th place (22.38). Barry Finch again ran well to be first in the over-60 category, placing 21st overall in 23 minutes 53. Michelle Campbell also ran well to be the second woman to finish, placing 29th overall (26.10). She was followed by Karen Peake (43rd, 27.25); Natalie Osher (45th, 27.44) and Jemma Upton (52nd, 29.33). Striders’ oldest competitor was Kevin Burnett who placed first in the over-70 category and 62nd overall (32.54).