James continues to set new records from Striders

James Bennett, from Striders of Croydon, had an excellent run to place seventh in a field of more than 7000 runners in the Oxford Half-Marathon on Sunday, setting a new Striders club record of 71 minutes 35 seconds.

On the same day club colleague Phil Coales ran very well to place third in the Croydon 10K, covering the undulating course in 34 minutes 27 seconds. Simone Luciani was fourth (34.50) with Krzysztof Klidzia ninth (36.10), Lee Flanagan tenth (36.27), Steve Starvis 11th (36.44), Alastair Falconer 13th (36.59) and Rob Lines 14th (37.05). Striders’ women were led by Michelle Clarke who was the 15th woman to finish, placing 120th overall (46.41). Debra Bourne was 125th (47.06) with Ally Whitlock 152nd (49.00), Selena Wong 165th (49.40) and Yasmin Anderson 167th (49.58). Striders had a total of 39 finishers.

On the previous day Justin Macenhill ran well to place second in the Roundshaw parkrun, recording 18 minutes 54 seconds. Simon Ambrosi was third in the Lloyd parkrun (19.14) with Andy Perks fourth (19.33). Lucy Finch was the third woman to finish the Riddlesdown parkrun, placing 22nd overall (22.21). Striders had a total of 46 finishers in the various weekly parkruns (18 at Lloyd Park and 28 at other venues).