Phil Coales represents Striders at National XC Champs
Phil Coales, from Striders of Croydon, had a very good run to place 300th out of more than 1700 runners in the National Cross-Country Championships at Nottingham on Saturday. He covered the muddy 12-kilometre course in 46 minutes 31 seconds.
Meanwhile Striders’ leading marathon runner, James Bennett, had an excellent run to place fourth out of 557 finishers in the Bramley 10-mile road race, setting a new club record of 53 minutes 48 seconds. Club colleague Simone Luciani completed the Tokyo Marathon in 2 hours 50 minutes 15 seconds. At the Thorpe Park Half-Marathon, Striders were led by Graeme Drysdale who placed 63rd in 83 minutes 59 seconds. At the Brighton Half-Marathon, Striders were led by Greg Williams who ran a personal best 85 minutes 33 seconds. He was followed by Matt Stone (85.53), Andy Perks (86.19) and Peter Laurence (89.12). Striders’ women were led by Serena Stracey who ran 96 minutes 04 seconds. At the Torrevieja Half-Marathon, Carolyn Storey ran a personal best 97 minutes 25 seconds.
Striders had the first two finishers in the weekly parkrun in Lloyd Park on Saturday. Robert Lines was first home in 19 minutes 03, just three seconds ahead of club colleague Simon Ambrosi. Krzysztof Klidzia was second in the Beckenham parkrun (18.22), while Martin Filer was second in the Riddlesdown parkrun (18.51) and Damian Macenhill was second in the Sittingbourne parkrun (19.05). Ally Whitlock was the second woman to finish the Roundshaw parkrun, placing 25th overall (23.04). Striders had a total of 59 finishers in the various weekly parkruns (28 at Lloyd Park and 31 at other venues).
