Phil leads Striders relay team to 6th place

Striders of Croydon fielded three teams in the East Surrey League’s annual cross-country relay, held on a muddy two-mile course at Wimbledon Common on Saturday afternoon. Their A team placed sixth out of the 25 teams. Paul Stanford ran the first leg in 12 miles 13 seconds, handing over to Darren Woods who ran 12 minutes 23. On the third leg Phil Coales ran 10 minutes 44, which was Striders’ fastest time of the day, while on the final leg veteran Krzysztof Klidzia ran 11 minutes 19. Striders’ fastest woman was Lynn Seymour who ran 16 minutes 00 for the club’s B team. Raquel Janeiro ran 17 minutes 06, while Melanie Hinds ran 18 minutes 42.

Earlier in the day Striders had the first four finishers at the weekly parkrun in Lloyd Park. Simone Luciani gained a comfortable win, covering the five-kilometre course In 18 minutes 17 seconds. Krzysztof Klidzia was second (19.10), Steve Starvis third (19.14) and Lee Flanagan fourth (20.00). Selena Wong was the third woman to finish, placing 44th overall in 25 minutes 42 seconds. Meanwhile veteran John Foster won the Shorne Woods parkrun in 19 minutes 51 seconds. Striders had a total of 47 finishers in the various weekly parkruns (33 at Lloyd Park and 14 at other venues).