Bill leads Striders’ marathon runners at Brighton

Bill Makuwa, from Striders of Croydon, had an excellent run to place 60th in a field of more than 6000 runners in the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, completing the course in 2 hours 57 minutes 23 seconds. Club colleague Andy Perks also ran very well to place 205th (3.07.34) while Steve Harris was 408th (3.16.31). Darren Woods ran a personal best 3.36.37, followed by James Burree (3.42.20) and Michael Smaldon (3.45.59). Striders’ women were led by Rachel Tanner who ran 4 hours 47 minutes 50. The club had a total of 20 finishers. Meanwhile Nick Kyritsis was the first over-60 to finish the Ashford Marathon, recording 3 hours 54 minutes 29 seconds in his 253rd marathon.

Phil Coales ran very well to place second in the annual East Surrey League road race at Ewell last Thursday, covering the 4.2 mile course in 24 minutes 40 seconds. Club colleague Lee Flanagan also ran well to place ninth overall and first in the over-40 category (25.25). Team manager Mick Turner was 33rd (29.49) and James Burree 36th (30.31). Steph Upton was the seventh woman to finish, placing 41st overall (31.44). Lee Flanagan continued his preparations for this week’s London Marathon by being the first runner to finish the weekly parkrun in Lloyd Park on Saturday, covering the undulating five-kilometre course in 18 minutes 46 seconds. Club colleague Krzysztof Klidzia was second in the Roundshaw parkrun (18.12). Striders had a total of 47 competitors in the various weekly parkruns (20 at Lloyd Park and 27 at other venues).