Peter leads Striders in East Surrey League XC

Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition in the East Surrey League cross-country race at Wimbledon on Saturday, and placed fifth in the team event. They were led by Peter Mills, who ran well to place seventh of the 147 finishers, covering the five-mile course in 27 minutes 45 seconds. Striders had two of the first three finishers in the over-50 category, with team manager Krzysztof Klidzia placing 25th overall (31.54) and club colleague Matt Stone 26th (32.00). Striders’ scoring quartet was completed by Martin Filer, who placed 34th (32.43). For Striders’ B team, Andy Perks placed 46th (33.23) with Matt Ostrowski 52nd (33.55), Simon Webster 59th (34.36) and Simon Pannell 60th (34.43). Julian Spencer-Wood ran well to be the first over-60 to finish, placing 75th overall (36.10). Steph Upton was the eleventh woman to finish, placing 89th overall (37.26). Striders had eight other finishers. In the under-17 race, over two and a half miles, Chris Finch ran well to place 45th (17.58) while his sister Lucy Finch was 59th (19.04).

Earlier in the day, Robert Lines was the first man home at the weekly parkrun in Lloyd Park (18.45), while Selena Wong was the third woman to finish (25.05). Steve Starvis was third in the Bromley parkrun (17.47). Striders had a total of 51 finishers in the various weekly parkruns (20 at Lloyd Park and 31 at other venues). Meanwhile John McGilvray set a club over-70 record of 51 minutes 49 seconds for 10 kilometres at Los Montesinos in Spain.