Multi-event Paul and Kevin help Striders to third place at Walton

Striders of Croydon produced a good team performance in their third Southern Veterans League match of the season, at Walton last week. Their men placed third of the seven competing clubs, while their women were fourth.

Striders’ star performer was Paul Cripps, who won the triple jump with a new club over-45 record of 10 metres 21, and also competed in four other events during the evening. Striders’ oldest competitor, 75-year-old Kevin Burnett, set new club age-group records in the 2000 metre walk (15.26.2), discus (18.98) and javelin (11.95). Bob Ewen set a club over-60 record in the 2000 metre walk (12.43.2). Krzysztof Klidzia was second in the over-50 5000 metres (18.22.4), and competed in three other track events.

For Striders’ women, Rosemary Egbe set a club over-50 record of 16 metres 40 in the hammer, while Sandra Francis showed her versatility by placing third in both the over-50 200 metres (36.5) and the 2000 metre walk (14.18.1).

Striders had the first two finishers in the weekly parkrun in Lloyd Park on Saturday. Simone Luciani finished more than a minute ahead of the rest of the field, recording 17 minutes 44, while Lee Flanagan was second in 18 minutes 55. Striders had a total of 36 finishers in the various local parkruns (18 at Lloyd Park and 18 at other venues).