Sandra and Rachel lead Striders in track and long distance

Five members of Striders of Croydon won medals at the Surrey Masters Championships, held at Ewell on Sunday. Pride of place went to Sandra Francis who won the over-55 women’s long jump with a leap of 3.38 metres, was second in the 200 metres with a club age-group record of 35.51 seconds, and was also second in the 100 metres (16.73). Striders’ oldest competitor, 74-year-old Kevin Burnett, claimed six silver medals. He was second in the over-70 3000 metre walk (22.54.7), discus (17.51), javelin (15.56), shot (6.36), hammer (17.39) and heavy hammer (7.23). Alan Dolton was second in the over-55 1500 metres (5.29.76), while Paul Stanford was second in the over-45 400 metres (60.97) and Paul Cripps was second in the over-45 high jump (1.45).

On the same day, Rachel Lindley had an excellent run to be the third woman to finish in the Dorking 10-mile road race, which incorporated the Surrey Championships. She covered the undulating course in 66 minutes 36 seconds, finishing 86th overall and lifting herself to third place in Striders’ all-time women’s rankings. Striders’ second woman home was Becky Laurence who was the 41st woman to finish, placing 250th overall in a personal best 78 minutes 25. Striders’ men were led by Krzysztof Klidzia who placed 38th in 61 minutes 51. Simon Ambrosi was 64th (64.26) and Graeme Drysdale completed the scoring trio in 121st (68.53). Club secretary Chris Morton was 131st (69.47) and was followed by Andy Perks (72.21), Darren Woods (73.54), Steve Smith (76.26) and Jonathan Burke (97.19).