22 Croydon Harriers compete at Lee Valley

Over twenty Croydon Harriers took part in the Lee Valley Open last weekend, the first major athletics competition of the Covid-hit summer. 

There were five top-three age group finishes on the day, including four wins, an achievement all the more remarkable with the club’s training facility Croydon Arena still shut. 

Lia Bonsu topped the standings in the Under 15 girl’s 75m hurdles in 11.42secs. Thrower Reuben Vaughan went to second in the club’s all-time rankings lists behind Lawrence Okoye with three throws in excess of 48m to win his event. 

In the 100m, Croydon enjoyed 1st place finishes in the Under 20’s age group. Derek Kinlock clocked 10.75secs for his win, while Rachael Largie-Poleon recorded a huge lifetime best of 12.12secs in the women’s equivalent. 

Samir Williams (10.86s) was fifth in the men’s event, while Ella Pippim (12.60s) and Rhiannon Gayle (12.70s) were fourth and sixth in the under 20 women’s age group.  

Ninsola Adewale finished fourth in the Under 17 women’s 100m in 12.63secs, while Henry Thomas went one better in the Under 15 boy’s 80m hurdles finishing third in 12.83s. 

There was a good representation in the Under 17 men’s 100m thanks to Francesco Calemma (11th,11.66s), Ammon Read (22nd, 12.05s), Ethon Phillips (25th, 12.28s) – U17M 100m.

Rush Yadave took on the Vanguard Way Marathon, which started in Lloyd Park. He placed 8th, 1st M60 in four hours and sixteen minutes. 

Other results: 

Micah Francis Dwyer, 11th men’s 100m, 11.19s

Nicholas Hamilton, 11th U20 men’s 100m, 11.23s PB

Suhuyini Osman, 13th U20 men’s 100m, 11.29s

Jack Ennis, 17th U20 men’s 100m, 11.42s, PB

Louis Smithen, 22nd U20 men’s 100m, 11.69s

Tre Poponne, 25th U20 men’s 100m, 12.56s

Zoe Dake, 8th U20 women’s 100m, 12.80s

Jesaiah Richards, 8th U15 boys 100m, 12.20s

Jessica Duggan, 12th, U15 girls 300m, 46.26s

Nithipan Vananathan, 30th U20 men’s 400m, 58.11secs