Striders out in force to remember Helen

Striders of Croydon produced an excellent team performance to win their mobmatch against Wimbledon Windmilers, for the Helen Furze Memorial Trophy, in conjunction with the weekly parkrun at Nonsuch Park on Saturday. Striders had 65 of the 497 finishers, which was Striders’ biggest turnout in any event since the club’s formation in 1982. They beat Windmilers by 3572 points to 2032. Striders were led by Matt Morgan who ran very well to finish fourth, covering the muddy five-kilometre course in 18 minutes 15 seconds. Ernie Hann also ran well to place ninth (18.46), while Simon Ambrosi was 15th (19.46). Veteran Dave Shaw made an excellent return to Striders’ colours and placed 23rd (20.30) with Chris Morton 24th (20.33), Paul Finch 25th (20.36) and Mick Turner 27th (20.42). Striders’ women were led by Serena Stracey who was the second woman to finish, recording 22 minutes 17. Alice Ewen was fourth (22.59), Steph Upton seventh (23.07), Becky Laurence 13th (23.51), Michelle Clarke 14th (23.54) and Zoe Williams 20th (25.06).

On the following day James Bennett was third in the Kingston 10-kilometre road race in a personal best 34 minutes 47 seconds.