By Alan Dolton

Croydon Harriers Peter Chambers was the victor in the first ever mob match against Striders of Croydon in Lloyd Park.

However, Striders – who had 51 runners compared with 30 Harriers – took the overall bragging rights by 1,906 points to 1,415.

Run alongside Saturday’s parkrun, Chambers, clocking 17 minutes not only took the mob crown, but also the top spot in the weekly meeting.

Harriers club-mate Kartik Iyer, who had warmed up by winning a mile race at Croydon Arena two days before, finished second in 18:30.

Striders had the next two finishers with Ernie Hann third (18:38) and Justin Macenhill fourth (18:40), closely followed by Harriers’ middle-distance coach Alan Burn who was fifth (18:46).

James Bennett, not yet a registered club member although he has been training with Striders, was sixth (18.58), two seconds ahead of Harriers’ David Chambers.

The first U15 athlete home was Harriers’ Omar Harhara in eighth overall, clocking 19:16, while the first U15 girl was Harriers’ Josie Kavanagh who placed 73rd overall (24:53), and the first over-50 was Harriers’ Colin Oxlade, who placed 11th overall in 19:55.

The first woman to finish was 16-year-old Harrier Stevie Lawrence, who placed 15th overall in 20:24.

She was just one second ahead of her nearest rival, Rachel Lindley of Striders.

Striders had the next two women to finish with Steph Upton 49th overall (22:53) and Zoe Williams 69th (24:16).

Striders had the first over-60 in Colin Cotton who placed 58th overall (23.34), ahead of Harriers’ Norman Hemming who placed 71st (24.25). In the team event, Harriers took an early lead with 12 of the first 18 finishers, compared with only four Striders.

However, Striders fought back with a much stronger middle-order, and 27 Striders finished between 19th and 70th, compared with only six Harriers.

Thirty-two Striders finished the course in sub-25 minutes, compared with 20 Harriers.

Your Local Guardian:

Croydon Harriers

Your Local Guardian:

Croydon Striders