Gold for Striders’ Kevin at Surrey Masters

Four members of Striders of Croydon won gold medals in the annual Surrey Masters Championships, at Ewell on Saturday. Striders’ oldest athlete, 73-year-old Kevin Burnett, led the way by winning the over-70 100 metres (19.8) and 200 metres (42.3). He also placed second in the shot (6.32), discus (18.34) and heavy hammer (6.93). Club middle-distance coach Alan Dolton took gold in the over-55 800 metres (2.41.6) and 1500 metres (5.22.1), while Paul Stanford took gold in the over-40 400 metres (60.9) and Kim Ford won the women’s 3000 metre walk in a club record of 23 minutes 55.0. Steve Massey took silver in the over-45 800 metres (2.37.7), and Striders finished with six gold medals, four silvers and four bronze.

Striders’ women produced a good team performance to place second in their Rosenheim League match at Croydon Arena on Wednesday, while their men were sixth. For Striders’ women, Steph Upton placed second in the high jump and led Striders to second place in the 4 x 200m relay. For Striders’ men, Daniel Hassett was second in the 400m hurdles (64.5), while Sam O’Dongo set club veterans’ records of 12.5 for the 100m and 25.4 for the 200m.

Damian Macenhill ran well to place 32nd out of 482 finishers in the Dorking 10-mile road race on Sunday, recording 61 minutes 38. Club colleague Lee Flanagan was 36th (62.15), while Striders’ fastest woman was Michelle Campbell who ran 83 minutes 56.