Phil and Peter lead Striders at Polesden Lacey

Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition in the South of the Thames inter-club cross-country race at Polesden Lacey on Saturday afternoon. They were led by Peter Mills who ran very well to place 33rd of the 284 finishers, covering the hilly five-mile course in 29 minutes 40 seconds. Phil Coales also ran well to place 43rd in 30 minutes 17. Striders had two of the first four finishers in the over-50 age-group. Krzysztof Klidzia was 62nd overall and third over-50 in 31 minutes 48, while Simon Pannell was 91st overall and fourth over-50 (33.43). Barry White was 111th (34.34) with Simon Webster 125th (35.29), Mick Turner 143rd (36.02) and Darren Woods 155th (36.45). They placed seventh in the eight-a-side team competition for the Brent Shield. Meanwhile Becky Laurence was 64th in the women’s race (41.10).

Earlier in the day Striders had 37 finishers at the various weekly parkruns. Their best placings came from Steph Upton, who was the third woman to finish at Riddlesdown (25.26), and from Debra Bourne, who was the third woman to finish at Lloyd Park (26.53).