Ernie, Simone and Bill help Striders to third place

Striders of Croydon produced a very good team performance to finish third out of nine clubs in their opening Surrey Cross-Country League Division Two match of the season, at Guildford on Saturday. Striders were led by Ernie Hann who ran strongly to place 22nd of the 152 finishers, covering the hilly five-mile course in 29 minutes 33 seconds. Simone Luciani, making his league debut, also ran very well for 23rd (29.38) with Bill Makuwa close behind in 25th (29.40). Matt Morgan made a welcome return to Striders colours in 30th (30.07) with Lee Flanagan 41st (30.47), Justin Macenhill 47th (31.05), Simon Ambrosi 60th (31.53) and Damian Macenhill 63rd (31.59). Matt Stone, making his league debut, did well to place second in the over-50 category and 71st overall (32.36) while another over-50, Simon Pannell, completed the scoring team in 80th (33.12). Striders also had nine non-scorers.

Meanwhile Striders’ women also did well to place fourth in their Division Two match at Richmond Park. Alice Ewen led them home, placing 20th and covering the four-mile course in 29 minutes 44, just one place and three seconds ahead of club colleague Steph Upton. Striders’ next two runners were even closer together, with Becky Laurence placing 52nd in 33 minutes 56 and Michelle Clarke 53rd in 33 minutes 57. Debra Bourne completed the scoring team in 56th (34.28).

Striders’ B team placed fifth in their category. Selena Wong was 64th (35.35) with Linda Daniel 92nd (38.18), Sarah Hansbury 106th (39.27) and Victoria Legge 142nd (50.20).