Paul wins annual Striders triathlon

Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition in the Wimbledon 5 kilometre road race on Sunday, which incorporated the Surrey Championships and was the final event in this year’s Surrey Road League. Their first man home was Justin Macenhill who ran well to place 53rd of the 244 finishers, covering the hilly course in 18 minutes 31 seconds. Colin Hann was 68th in 18 minutes 52, while Matt Stone, in his first race for Striders, also ran well to place 80th in 19 minutes 09. Andy Perks was 92nd (19.30), Steve Massey 112th (20.16), Darren Woods 146th (21.05) and Alan Dolton 172nd (22.06). For Striders’ women, Becky Laurence again ran well to finish 180th overall in 22 minutes 47 seconds.

Striders held their annual triathlon from Trinity School last Thursday. Mark Bayliss led on the swim and cycle legs, but was overtaken on the run by eventual winner Paul Finch and runner-up Greg Williams. The first woman was Helen Rees, with Becky Cox placing second.

Meanwhile Krzysztof Klidzia, on holiday in the northeast of England, won the Hartlepool parkrun, covering the five-kilometre course in 17 minutes 50 seconds. Striders had a total of 42 finishers in the various weekly parkruns.