Striders’ Half Marathon won by Michael from Norfolk

Striders of Croydon successfully promoted the sixth annual Croydon Half-Marathon from their headquarters at Sandilands on Sunday. The men’s race was won by Michael Eccles of Norfolk Gazelles, who covered the undulating course in 74 minutes 15 seconds, while the first woman home was Carol Penlington of Blackheath & Bromley who placed eleventh overall in 84 minutes 53 seconds.

Striders were led by Peter Mills who had another good run to finish second in 75 minutes 32. Club colleague Simon Ambrosi was 13th (85.24) with Phil Coales close behind in 14th (86.17), ensuring that Striders won the men’s team prize. Graeme Drysdale was 17th (87.17), having placed second in the Riddlesdown parkrun a day earlier, while Greg Williams was 20th (89.32).

Striders’ women were led by Katie Chadd who was the fourth woman to finish, placing 76th overall in 1 hour 42 minutes 03 seconds. She was supported by Laura Walters in 175th (2.03.21) and Jennifer Hart in 194th (2.10.28), giving Striders an unexpected victory in the women’s team event.

On the previous day Krzysztof Klidzia was fourth in the Crystal Palace parkrun (19.46), while one of Striders’ youngest athletes, Lucy Finch, was the fourth woman to finish the Riddlesdown parkrun, placing 21st overall (23.28). Striders had a total of 41 finishers in the various local parkruns (14 at Lloyd Park and 27 at other venues).