Phil is the fastest Strider at Surrey Relays

Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition in the annual Surrey Road Relay at Wimbledon on Saturday. They finished 23rd of the 26 complete teams. Paul Stanford ran the first leg, covering the undulating 2.9 mile course in 19 minutes 47. Taric Matticks improved Striders’ position with 17 minutes 40 on the second leg, while Mark Kelly, the oldest member of the team, ran 19 minutes 29 on the third leg. He was followed by Phil Coales who ran the fourth leg in 16 minutes 27 seconds, which was Striders’ fastest time of the day. Sam O’Dongo (20.13) and Barry White (18.34) completed the team.

On the following day James Bennett had an excellent run to place fourth in the Richmond Festival Half-Marathon, recording 71 minutes 47 seconds. Michael Stewart placed 28th in the Maidenhead Half-Marathon, recording a personal best 78 minutes 58. Striders’ women were led by Asisat Lamina who ran a personal best 1 hour 44 minutes 19, with Sandie Fay not far behind (1.46.21).

Meanwhile Krzysztof Klidzia was the first man home at the Roundshaw parkrun (18.35) while Lee Flanagan was second at the Lloyd parkrun (18.37) and Justin Macenhill was second at the Riddlesdown parkrun (18.32). Striders had a total of 42 finishers in the various weekly parkruns (18 at Lloyd Park and 24 at other venues).