Matt Stone wins the M60 age-group in the World Aquathlon Championships

Matthew Stone did very well to win the M60 age-group in the World Aquathlon Championships in Ibiza on Monday. He completed the 1000 metre swim in 17 minutes 49, in second place, and overhauled his Czech rival on the five-kilometre run, which he completed in 18 minutes 43.

On Sunday Striders faced strong opposition in the Ranelagh Harriers Richmond Half-Marathon, which incorporated the Surrey Championships and was the first event in this year’s Surrey Road League. They were led by Andrew Aitken who ran very well to place 13th out of 331 finishers, recording 77 minutes 52. Tatsuya Okamoto also ran well to place 19th (78:52). Erik Schrijnemaekers placed 66th (86:12), and was closely followed by Steve Corfield who was second in the M60 age-group and 67th overall (86:13). Striders’ women were led by Niamh Vincent who was the 19th woman to finish, placing 122nd overall (93:36). Ellyw Evans was the 33rd woman to finish (1:41:11) while Cindy Siu was the 56th woman to finish (1:46:54), completing Striders’ scoring team. Striders’ other finishers included Tim Lawlor (1:40:45), John O’Mahony (1:41:53), Lyes Fridi (1:49:30), Paul Ayers (1:49:30), Vanessa Wheeler (2:07:49), Steve Tyler (3:04:59) and Stanka Petrova (3:15:28).

On Saturday Striders had 103 finishers in the various weekly parkruns. Tatsuya Okamoto was first out of 227 finishers at the Lloyd parkrun (17:53). Consuelo Kennefick was the second woman to finish the Riddlesdown parkrun, placing 22nd overall (22:31). Jay Lidbetter was third out of 499 finishers in the Dulwich parkrun (16:21).

Ally Whitlock was the 30th woman to finish the Milton Keynes Marathon, recording a personal best 3 hours 33 minutes 33. In the Aintree Half-Marathon there were personal bests for Chris Green (1:42:59) and Maryna Sedin (1:43:58).