Even halfway into a daunting 13-mile race, half-marathon runners were feeling good

Striders of Croydon have declared their latest road race, Sunday’s Croydon Half-marathon, as a great success, after more than 200 runners from across London and the south-east took part in the warm spring sunshine.

And with the London Marathon coming up this month, Striders are ready to welcome many new runners to their clubhouse at Sandilands to join them for friendly training runs to prepare for the next big challenge.

Sunday’s race was won by Chris Wright, of Peterborough’s Nene Valley Harriers, who covered what the organisers describe as an “undulating”, which means hilly, two-lap course around Lloyd Park and the Shirley Hills in 1hr 12min 19sec, while the first woman finisher was Carole Penlington from Blackheath and Bromley in 1hr 27min 8sec.

Both men’s and women’s team prizes were won by the host club.

Striders of Croydon is a friendly running club that welcomes people of all abilities.

Sunday’s Croydon Half-marathon field sets off towards the ‘undulating’ hills around Lloyd Park

If you are a runner or are thinking about taking up the sport please feel free to contact the club by email stridersofcroydon@gmail.com  to arrange a free run with the club.