Andy Perks lead Striders home at National XC Champs

Two members of Striders of Croydon ran well to finish in the top half of the field in the English National Cross-Country Championships, at Leeds on Saturday. Andy Perks led them home, placing 890th out of more than 2000 finishers, and completing the undulating 12-kilometre course in 48 minutes 34 seconds. Luke Burden was close behind, placing 902nd in 48 minutes 42.

Earlier in the day, Striders had a total of 68 finishers in the various weekly parkruns. Simon Ambrosi was first in the Lloyd parkrun, recording 18 minutes 53, while Steve Corfield was fourth (19:40). Steve Starvis was second in the South Norwood parkrun (19:43) and David Robinson was third in the Newark parkrun (18:48).

On Sunday, Andrew Aitken placed 51st out of more than 7000 runners in the Brighton Half-Marathon, recording 78 minutes 54 seconds. Meanwhile two of Striders’ over-50s had very good runs in the Wokingham Half-Marathon. Krzysztof Klidzia was fifth in the M50 age-group, placing 113rd overall out of 1991 finishers in 79 minutes 46 seconds. Club colleague Graeme Drysdale was eleventh in the M50 age-group and 175th overall in 83 minutes 09.