Krzysztof leads Striders to third place at muddy Lloyd Park

East Surrey League, fixture 1 & Abingdon marathon – 27th & 21st October 2012

Striders of Croydon did well to place third out of 17 teams (from eight clubs) at the East Surrey League’s annual cross-country race at Lloyd Park on Saturday. They were led by the consistent Krzysztof Klidzia who placed eighth of the 76 finishers, covering the muddy five-mile course in 31 minutes 17 seconds. Tyler O’Callaghan was not far behind in tenth (31.57) with Ernie Hann 13th (32.24) and Lee Wadsworth 14th (32.44). Striders showed their strength in depth with their B team finishing sixth overall. This team comprised Matt Chapman (16th, 32.55); Taylor Huggins (19th, 33.32); Chris Morton (26th, 34.03) and Simon Webster (41st, 36.08). Striders’ women were led by Steph Upton who was the fourth woman to finish, placing 45th overall (36.45). Yasmin Anderson was 58th (39.47) and Becky Laurence 69th (42.53). Striders had a total of 17 finishers, the largest of any of the eight competing clubs.

Meanwhile John Foster set a club over-50 record of 2 hours 55 minutes 11 seconds at the Abingdon Marathon, placing 46th out of 732 finishers. This lifts John to 15th place in Striders’ all-time club marathon rankings.