All reports by Alan Dolton unless otherwise credited.
South
of Thames - senior - 17th December 2005
Pirie 10 - 3rd
December 2005
Surrey League XC -
fixture 2 - women & men - 19th November 2005
South of
Thames - junior - 12th November 2005
East Surrey League - fixture 1 - 22nd October 2005
Amsterdam
races and Abingdon marathon - 16th October 2005
Surrey League XC - fixture 1
- women & men - 8th October 2005
Switchback 5 - 25th
September 2005
Surrey Road Relays - 10th
September 2005
Wimbledon 5K - 14th
August 2005
Elmbridge 10K - 24th July 2005
Lloyd Park Grass relay - 6th July
2005
Dysart Dash - 26th June 2005
Southend Half - 12th June
2005
Dorking 10 - 5th June 2005
Heatherley 10 - 15th May 2005
London Marathon - 17th April 2005
Cranleigh 21 - 19th March 2005
Box Hill relays - East Surrey League -
12th March 2005
Harriers invitational XC - 5th March 2005
Surrey League XC - fixture 3 - women - 12th
February 2005
Surrey League XC - fixture 3 - men -
12th February 2005
Southern Championships cross country - 29th
January 2005
Surrey League XC - fixture 3 -
women & men - 15th January 2005
Surrey cross country championships - Lloyd
Park - 8th January 2005
Scott returns to Striders colours
Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition at the South of the Thames senior cross-country championships, held over seven and a half miles at Wimbledon Common on Saturday. The team showed their strength in depth by placing fifth in the 12-to-score event, and were 17th in the six-to-score event.
Striders' first man home was Justin Macenhill, who ran well to place 61st, recording 46 minutes 41 seconds. Scott Anthony made a welcome return to club colours with his first race for more than six months, and did well to place 104th (49.54). Club stalwart Nigel Davidson was 115th (50.41), two places ahead of Paul Finch (51.10). Veteran Dave Batten was close behind in 119th (51.34), two places ahead of team manager Chris Morton (51.48).
Striders' other finishers were 150 Gerry Crispie (55.21), 159 Alan Dolton (56.35), 161 Barry Finch (56.59), 162 Simon Reay-Jones (57.13), 178 Tom Littlewood (62.08), 183 Dave Denton (67.41) and 188 Kevin Burnett (86.05).
Justin leads Striders to team prize at Coulsdon
Striders of Croydon produced some good performances at the annual Pirie 10-mile cross-country race, organised by South London Harriers, at Coulsdon on Saturday. Striders' Justin Macenhill had an excellent run to finish second, covering the testing two-lap course in 60 minutes 25 seconds. Veteran John Foster also ran well to place 12th in exactly 65 minutes, while team-mate Dave Batten was the first over-50 to finish, placing 17th overall in 66 minutes 39 seconds. Club secretary Chris Morton was 22nd (68.39) with Paul Finch 23rd (69.07). This ensured that Striders won the team prize for the first visiting team. Richard Edwards placed 42nd (74.27) with club chairman John Gannon 47th (77.08) and Steve Smith 50th (77.40). Striders' only woman finisher was Kerry Backshell who placed seventh in the women's race and 60th overall (80.53). There were 84 finishers.
Duncan and Serena lead Striders in league races
Striders of Croydon's in-form distance runner Duncan Lancashire produced another good performance in the Surrey Cross-Country League Division Two race at Richmond Park on Saturday. He ran well to place seventh of the 170 finishers, covering the five-mile course in an impressive 28 minutes 29 seconds. He was closely followed by club colleague Justin Macenhill, who placed tenth in 28 minutes 39.
Matt Morgan also ran well to place 35th (30.26), while veteran Tony Sheppard was 52nd (31.09) and Alex Aronberg was 55th (31.16). Striders' next five runners were all veterans. Bob Ewen ran well for 58th (31.24), with Dave Batten 72nd (31.59), John Foster 75th (32.08), Don Kayum 77th (32.13) and Nigel Davidson 79th (32.17).
In the team event, Striders placed fifth of the nine competing clubs. Ranelagh won the match with 170 points, ahead of Hercules-Wimbledon (252), Dulwich (391), Stragglers (437), Striders (513), Croydon Harriers (565), British Airways (567), Epsom (579) and West 4 Harriers (597).
Meanwhile Striders' women again faced strong opposition in their Division One race at Reigate. Team captain Serena Stracey again led the team home placing 50th out of the 154 finishers, and covering the undulating five-kilometre course in 21 minutes 49 seconds. Striders' next woman home was Clare McFadzean, who ran well for 64th (22.22). Stephanie Noyce placed 75th (22.55) and Kerry Backshell was 89th (23.30). Tina Macenhill, making her league debut, was 126th (26.20), while Amalia Da Silva Lima placed 135th (27.11) and Patricia Edwards 143rd (28.30).
Lancashire leads Striders home
Striders of Croydon produced an excellent team performance in the annual South of the Thames cross-country team race, held over a five-mile course at Lloyd Park on Saturday. The eight-to-score competition for the Brent Shield was won by Kent AC with 151 points, with South London Harriers second with 338. Striders did very well to place third with 470 points, ahead of Hercules-Wimbledon (519), Herne Hill (532) and Croydon Harriers (637). Striders' B team showed the club's strength in depth by taking seventh place. In the four-to-score event, Striders did well to place ninth of the 32 competing teams.
Striders' first man home was Duncan Lancashire, who ran very well to place 16th in a strong field, recording 30 minutes 34 seconds. Justin Macenhill again ran well for 25th (31.00), while Matt Morgan had a good run to place 56th (32.41). Striders' next two runners were both veterans, with Tony Sheppard placing 65th (33.14) and John Foster 67th (33.19). Alex Aronberg placed 81st (34.02), with Paul Finch 87th (34.25). Veteran Dave Batten completed the eight-man team in 90th (34.30).
Striders' B team was led by team manager Chris Morton, who placed 98th (34.48). Their other team members were: 122 Richard Edwards (36.37); 133 Neil Millard (37.14); 149 Alan Dolton (38.07); 151 Barry Finch (38.47); 157 John Gannon (39.11); 159 John Ralf (39.15); 160 Colin Cotton (39.21); 175 Steve Smith (40.28).
Three of Striders' women also competed. Their best performance came from Stephanie Noyce, who ran well to place 27th in the women's race, recording 40 minutes 33. Tina Macenhill was 47th (47.06) and veteran Pat Edwards was 50th (49.41).
Justin leads team home at Lloyd Park
Striders of Croydon had a good turnout of 19 competitors at Saturday's East Surrey Cross-Country League race in Lloyd Park. Their A team placed fourth, again being led home by the consistent Justin Macenhill, who ran well to place seventh of the 105 finishers, covering the undulating five-mile course in 30 minutes 42 seconds. John Foster also ran well to place 21st in 33 minutes 03 seconds, just one place and two seconds ahead of club colleague Matt Morgan. Veteran Bob Ewen ran well for 24th (33.31), placing fifth in the over-50 category. Damian Macenhill was 27th (33.51), while Dave Batten placed 30th (34.02) and was fourth in the over-50 category. Nigel Davidson, returning after injury, was 34th (34.21) and team manager Chris Morton was 41st (34.58).
Striders' leading woman was Patricia Carr who was the 15th woman to finish, in a time of 48 minutes 22. In the young athletes' race, over two miles, Laura Pennells ran steadily to record 18 minutes 52, placing fifth in the under-15 girls' category.
Striders blooming in Amsterdam
Striders of Croydon's women's captain, Serena Stracey, produced another outstanding run in the Amsterdam Half-Marathon. She placed fourteenth in the women's race, and her time of 91 minutes 44 seconds moved her up to fourth place in Striders' all-time women's rankings. There were also good performances from the Macenhill brothers. Justin placed sixteenth in the men's race in a personal best 77 minutes 22 seconds, while Damian placed 56th in 81 minutes 52 seconds. Striders had a total of nine finishers in the half-marathon, plus four finishers in the full marathon, where their leading runner was club stalwart Alan Purchase, who recorded 3 hours 38 minutes 6 seconds.
Meanwhile Striders' Kerry Backshell led the club contingent in the Abingdon Marathon, beating all the club's men as she recorded a personal best of 3 hours 35 minutes 41 seconds, placing 31st in the women's race and lifting her to tenth place in Striders' all-time women's marathon rankings.
Striders begin cross country season
Striders of Croydon's women faced strong opposition in the first Surrey Womens Cross-Country League Division One match of the season, at Wimbledon Common on Saturday. Having been promoted from Division Two last season, they had to settle for 14th place of the 15 competing clubs.
Striders were led home by team captain Serena Stracey, who ran well to place 48th of the 148 finishers, covering the undulating six-kilometre course in 25 minutes 52 seconds. Kerry Backshell also ran strongly to finish 64th (27.11), while Stephanie Noyce, making her league debut, did well to place 68th (27.18). These two were closely followed by Clare McFadzean, who placed 70th (27.23). Veteran Patricia Edwards was 128th (33.07), while Amalia Da Silva-Lima completed Striders' contingent in 143rd (35.41).
Meanwhile, Striders' men were competing in Division Two of the men's league at Epsom Downs, where they finished a respectable fifth of the nine competing clubs. Ranelagh won the match with 170 points, ahead of Stragglers (311), Dulwich (384) and Croydon Harriers (461),. However Striders' total of 477 points saw them comfortably clear of Hercules-Wimbledon (525), Epsom (542), British Airways (594) and West 4 Harriers (651). Striders were led home by the consistent Justin Macenhill, who had another excellent run to finish ninth, just two places ahead of club colleague Duncan Lancashire. Striders' next two finishers were both veterans, with Tony Sheppard just holding off a late challenge from the fast-finishing Bob Ewen. Striders showed their strength in depth with a total of 18 finishers.
Marriott leads the way again at Switchback
Striders of Croydon staged their annual 'Switchback' cross-country race on
Sunday, on an undulating course in Lloyd Park and Addington Hills. The winner
was South London Harriers' veteran Ray Marriott, who covered the five-mile
course in 28 minutes 15 seconds. He was followed by Striders' Justin Macenhill,
who placed second in 29 minutes 18, while Chris Hogg (Blackheath & Bromley)
placed third in 30.14.
Striders' veteran Bob Ewen had an excellent run, winning the over-50 category
and placing fourth overall in 30 minutes 44. He was followed home by another
Striders veteran in Tony Sheppard, who made a welcome to return after a
hamstring injury and placed fifth in 31.09. Striders' club secretary Chris
Morton also ran well for seventh (32.21).
Striders also had the first woman to finish, with Helen Furze producing an
excellent run to place 13th overall in 33 minutes 52. The second woman home was
Helena Laczko of Herne Hill Harriers, who placed 23rd overall (35.25), while
third place in the women's race went to former South London Harrier Yvonne Hill,
who placed 29th overall (37.24). There were 69 finishers.
Vets lead the way in Striders relays
Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition at the Surrey Road Relays, held at Wimbledon Park on Saturday. Their best result came from the over-40 men's team, who placed eighth. Team manager Chris Morton led the way, running the first leg in 18 minutes 58 seconds. He was followed by John Foster (18.54), Dave Batten (18.59) and Alan Dolton (19.54).
Striders showed their strength in depth in this age group by fielding a B team, which placed twelfth. The team comprised John Ralf (20.26), Phil Richards (20.55), Steve Smith (21.14) and Dave Denton (23.12).
Striders' women's team placed 12th in their event. They were given a good start by Clare McFadzean, who ran the first leg in 20 minutes 59 seconds, She was followed by new member Stephanie Noyce, who made an impressive debut, running the second leg in 21 minutes 32. Amalia Da Silva-Lima (26.34) and Faye Stammers (22.23) completed the team.
Striders' senior men were well below full strength, and had to settle for 18th place. Their best performance came from Alex Aronberg, who ran 18.35 on the opening leg. He was followed by Gary Smith (21.21), Tom Littlewood (22.09), and Neil Furze (19.28). With Striders having been hit by late withdrawals, veterans Chris Morton (19.45) and John Foster (22.11) ran their second legs of the day to complete the team.
Outstanding team performances for Striders at Wimbledon
Striders of Croydon's women's team produced one of their best ever performances to place second in the Surrey 5 kilometre road running championships, held on a hilly course at Wimbledon on Sunday. Ranelagh Harriers gained a comfortable victory, but Striders' total of 25 points saw then finish one point clear of host club Belgrave Harriers.
Striders' women were led home by team captain Serena Stracey, who was the 13th woman to finish, placing 114th overall in a time of 20 minutes 20 seconds. Clare McFadzean also ran well to record 21 minutes 20, placing 135th overall and placing fourth in the over-35 women's category. She was just 18 seconds ahead of club colleague Kerry Backshell, who completed Striders' scoring team, placing 142nd overall and fifth in the over-35 women's category.
Striders' men also produced a good performance to place fourth in their team event. They were led home by Duncan Lancashire who ran very well to place twelfth in a strong field, recording 16 minutes 27 seconds. He was closely followed by Justin Macenhill, who placed 16th (16.51). Matt Morgan completed the scoring team in 29th place (17.17).
Striders again showed their strength in depth with a good turnout of 18 competitors. Their other runners were: 64 Damian Macenhill (18.20); 78 Dave Batten (18.45); 84 Alex Aronberg (19.04); 92 Chris Morton (19.16); 101 Alan Dolton (19.43); 118 Paul Weir (20.34); 122 Phil Richards (20.39); 161 Dave Denton (23.18); 183 Matthew Batten (24.23); 189 Karen McDermott (24.55); 195 Pat Edwards (25.30); 215 Kevin Burnett (30.07). There were 217 finishers.
Sheppard leads Striders flock home
Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition in the annual
Elmbridge 10 kilometre road race on Sunday, held in cool and wet conditions. Striders were
led home by veteran Tony Sheppard, who ran well to place 56th in 37 minutes 11 seconds.
Damian Macenhill was 70th (37.51), Dave Batten 93rd (38.59) and Mike Willans 147th
(41.02).
Striders' women were led home by Serena Stracey, who placed 180th overall in 42 minutes
20. There were also good runs from Kerry Backshell, who placed 204th in 43 minutes 37 and
Clare McFadzean, who was 215th (44.12).
Striders' other runners were: 188 Neil Furze (42.43); 212 Paul Weir (43.55); 220 John Ralf
(44.31); 271 Mike George (47.03); 276 Tom Littlewood (47.22); 322 Dave Denton (49.29); 336
Patricia Carr (49.51); 364 Matthew Batten (51.06); 373 Karen Peake (51.24); 403 Carol
Hollingworth (53.28). There were 538 finishers.
Vets Bob and Tony help Striders to win relay
Striders of Croydon produced another good team performance to win their annual
inter-club cross-country relay at Lloyd Park on Wednesday. Justin Macenhill gave them an
excellent start on the first leg, leading the field home and covering the four-kilometre
course in 14 minutes 41 seconds, which was the fastest time of the day. Veteran Bob Ewen
ran the second leg and held Striders' lead with 15 minutes 31, which was the sixth fastest
time of the day. Tony Sheppard, making a welcome return to racing after a long absence
through injury, consolidated Striders' lead on the final leg, running 15 minutes 26 which
was the fourth fastest time of the day.
Striders' time of 45 minutes 38 seconds saw them finish 46 seconds clear of second-placed
Beckenham, whose fastest runner was Eric Crane (15.01). Collingwood placed third in 49.41,
their fastest runner being Dan Gillett (15.00).
The fastest woman was Striders' Serena Stracey (17.51), with Collingwood's Melanie
Johnston second (18.53) and Striders' Kerry Backshell third (18.55). Eleven teams
completed the race
Strider Serena Stracey Stunning in Sunny Southend
Serena Stracey ran a 1.35.01 in her first half marathon for Striders in a race that started in the sun but finished in a downpour for slower runners. It was also a good race for Dave Goodall 1.37.56 and Karen McDermott 1.56.58, who both got PB's. Phil Mazur, who has been training hard on his long runs, did well to get 1.45.53 and even old man Alan Purchase got 1.30.28. A race to put in your diary for next year. AP
Strong women's team finish fifth
Striders of Croydon produced some good performances in the Dysart
10 kilometre road race at Petersham on Sunday. The race incorporated the Surrey
Championships and was the third race in this season's Surrey Road League. Striders' women
again outperformed the club's men, placing fifth in the team event. They were led home by
Serena Stracey, making a welcome return to the team after missing the previous two league
races. She ran strongly to finish ninth in the senior women's race in a time of 42 minutes
4 seconds, finishing 125th overall.
Striders' next two women both ran well to record new personal bests. Faye Stammers gained
the reward for some hard training by finishing 13th in the senior women's race in 43
minutes 45 seconds (163rd overall). She was chased hard by club colleague Clare McFadzean,
who finished just eight seconds behind her, placing eighth in the women's over-35 category
(169th overall). Striders' men also did well to finish seventh of the 23 teams competing.
Their first seven runners were all veterans. They were led home by Bob Ewen who ran well
to place fifth in the over-50 category and 38th overall, in a time of 37 minutes 44
seconds. John Foster placed 56th (38.43) and Chris Morton 69th (39.16). Dave Batten also
ran well to place eighth in the over-50 category and 77th overall (39.40). Alan Dolton was
116th (41.44), Mike Willans 122nd (41.59) and Phil Richards 140th (42.56).
Striders showed good strength in depth with 25 of the 389 finishers. Their other runners
were: 151 Paul Weir (43.19), 152 Dave Goodall (43.20), 195 John Gannon (45.17), 209 Tom
Littlewood (46.05), 220 James Mason (46.40), 225 Mick George (46.49), 226 Dave Denton
(46.52), 242 Peter Shew (48.11), 291 Patricia Carr (51.05), 299 Karen McDermott (51.53),
301 Karen Peake (51.59), 302 John Ralf (51.59), 311 Pat Edwards (52.33), 346 Winsome Levy
(56.50), 367 Susan Haynes (59.12)
Kerry leads the way at Dorking Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition in the Dorking 10-mile road race, which incorporated the Surrey Championships and was the second match in this season's Surrey Road League. Striders' women placed ninth in the team event. They were led home by Kerry Backshell, who placed 23rd in the women's race and 187th overall, recording a time of 72 minutes 33 seconds. The improving Clare McFadzean also ran well to record a personal best 75 minutes 04, placing 34th in the women's race and 236th overall. Stephanie Upton made a welcome return to club colours, running 79.20 for 55th in the women's race (316th overall). Pat Edwards, the oldest member of the team, ran 88.48 to place 106th in the women's race (467th overall). Striders' men had to settle for 26th place out of the 46 men's teams competing. They were led home by club secretary Chris Morton, who placed 81st in 65 minutes 54 seconds. Next home for the club was Damian Macenhill, who placed 94th (66.37), while club stalwart Alan Purchase, the longest-serving member of the team, placed 149th (69.58). Gary Smith placed 330th (79.58), John Ralf 337th (80.14) and Steve Tyler 588th (103.36).
Damian wins in the battle of the brothers Striders of Croydon's marathon runners produced some very good performances in last Sunday's Cranleigh 21-mile road race. They were again led by the Macenhill brothers, with Damian producing an excellent run to place third overall in 2 hours 16 minutes 57 seconds, gaining a rare victory over his younger brother Justin, who placed sixth (2.17.37). Veteran Don Kayum returned to form with 13th place (2.22.06), while club secretary Chris Morton was 34th (2.29.32). Serena Stracey produced an outstanding run to place second in the women's race and 47th overall (2.35.44). Other Striders competing included Nik Allison (99th, 2.45.38); Jo Corrigan (140th, 2.53.16); Dave Goodall 155th (2.56.11); Elene Kayum (167th, 2.57.42); John Humphries (172nd, 2.58.28); Phil Mazur (174th, 2.58.50); Tom Littlewood (176th, 2.59.14); David Denton (235th, 3.08.32); James Mason (281st, 3.17.54) and Karen McDermott (304th, 3.23.27). There were 383 finishers.
Scott leads striders to relay victory Striders of Croydon produced an excellent team performance to win the East Surrey League's annual road relay at Box Hill on Saturday. They were given a good start by Damian Macenhill, who placed fifth in a competitive first leg, covering the undulating 2.2 mile course in 11 minutes 38 seconds. New signing Matt Morgan made his Striders debut on the second leg and gained three places, lifting Striders to second (11.49). Justin Macenhill ran the third leg in a very good 11 minutes 13 seconds, closing the gap on leaders Dorking. On the final leg Scott Anthony rapidly caught and passed the Dorking runner, running a very impressive 11 minutes 03 seconds to bring Striders home as clear winners.
Striders win inter-club match Striders also won the team event at an inter-club cross-country match in Lloyd Park, organised by their local rivals Croydon Harriers, and held over a very muddy ten-kilometre course. The race was won by Colin Oxlade of the Harriers (41.49), with Striders' veteran John Foster running very well to finish second in 42 minutes 21 seconds. Striders packed well to have five of the first 13 finishers. Scott Anthony had another good run to place fourth (43.34), while veteran Bob Ewen moved steadily through the field to place 11th (45.07). Andy Allison was twelfth, just one place ahead of team manager Chris Morton, with both runners recording 45 minutes 32. Striders' Kerry Backshell was the first woman to finish, placing 26th overall. Striders' Sophie Shaw ran strongly to place third in the under-15 girls' race, which was won by Daisy Collingridge of the Harriers.
Team spirit sees Striders promoted Striders of Croydon's women's team produced an excellent performance to place second in the final Surrey Womens League Division Two match at Ewell last Saturday, and gain promotion to Division One for only the second time in the club's history. Wimbledon Windmilers won the match with 39 points, but Striders' total of 103 placed them ahead of Walton (111) and Holland Sports (129), and well clear of promotion rivals Sutton Runners.
Dramatic promotion clincher for Striders Striders of Croydon produced their best performance of the season to win the final Surrey League Cross-Country Division 3 match of the season at Wimbledon Common on Saturday, and gain promotion back to Division Two after just one year in Division 3. Striders' total of 258 points saw them well clear of nearest rivals Epsom (308), Sutton (329) and Dorking (383). In the overall Division Three table, Epsom were clear champions with 1263 points, but Striders' total of 1471 saw them take the second promotion spot, ahead of Dorking (1501), Sutton (1502) and Woking (1624).
Justin keeps a grip in the mud Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition and a very muddy course in the Southern Cross-Country Championships at Parliament Hill Fields on Saturday. Their best performance came from Justin Macenhill, who placed 224th out of the 830 finishers, covering the 15 kilometres in 58 minutes 15 seconds. Former hockey player Scott Anthony made an excellent debut for Striders to place 337th in 61.09, despite not running in spiked shoes. Veteran John Foster was close behind in 358th (61.46), while Damian Macenhill was 397th (62.45). Team manager Chris Morton was 439th (63.46), and marathon runner Ian Campbell, returning to action after a calf injury, completed the scoring team in 634th (70.00). Striders placed 41st of the 63 complete teams. Striders also had two non-scorers: Paul Weir was 741st (74.50) and Tom Littlewood 785th (79.28).
Serena keeps Striders on the level Striders of Croydon's women team produced an excellent performance to place third of 15 clubs in their Surrey Womens Cross-Country League Division Two match at Richmond Park on Saturday. With one match to go, Striders retain third place in Division Two. Walton lead the table with 160 points, ahead of Wimbledon Windmilers (188), Striders (306) and Sutton Runners (416). With the top three teams to be promoted, Striders have an excellent chance of gaining promotion to Division One for only the second time in their history. Striders were led home by team captain Serena Stracey, who produced an excellent run to finish fifth of the 87 finishers, covering the 5800 metre course in an impressive 23 minutes 46 seconds. Both Clare McFadzean and Faye Stammers also ran well to produce their best performances for the club, with Clare finishing 13th in 25.30, just one place and two seconds ahead of Faye. Patricia Carr ran steadily for 41st place (29.23) and Amalia Da Silva Lima completed the scoring team in 46th (29.46). Meanwhile Striders' men were hosting a Surrey Cross-Country League Division Three match at Lloyd Park. Their team was weakened by some late withdrawals, and they finished in a disappointing fifth place of the nine competing clubs. Their best performance came from Justin Macenhill, who was short of training following treatment for a hip injury, but who moved steadily through the field to finish in ninth place, covering the muddy five-mile course in 31 minutes 20 seconds. John Foster confirmed his status as Striders' leading veteran with another good run to place 15th in 32.40, just one place and four seconds ahead of the improving Iain Harrison. Team manager Chris Morton was 31st (34.31) with Damian Macenhill 33rd (34.42). Club stalwart Simon Smith was 59th (37.21), while Steve Muntzer ran well for 63rd (37.32) and Paul Finch was 66th (37.47). Veteran Peter Yarlett, nursing a calf injury, was 73rd (38.39), while Paul Weir completed the scoring team in 76th place (39.06).