Croydon 10K report 2022

The Croydon 10K road race made a welcome return to the athletics calendar last Sunday after a three-year hiatus. 

There was double joy for the hosts Croydon Harriers with James Hancock and Penny Oliver triumphing in the men’s and women’s races which started and finished at Lloyd Park Avenue.  

Hancock led from the gun to tape over the undulating 10K course, which was started by the Croydon Civic Mayor Cllr Alisa Flemming. He clocked 32 minutes and 37 seconds over the undulating course to win the Coversure Croydon trophy, 80 seconds clear of runner-up Jake Simmonds from Kent AC.

Bronze medal position was secured by South London Harriers’ James Lyne in 34:43. 

Penny Oliver would win the Coversure Croydon women’s title in 39 minutes and 53 seconds, a new lifetime best and the first time she has broken the 40-minute barrier. Croydon teammate Zoha Jetha was runner-up in 42:58 and Jennifer Gutteridge from Striders of Croydon would secure third in 43:44. 

Both team prizes were won by the hosts Croydon with Hancock joined by Alex Penfold (4th, 35:45), Douglas Aikman (6th, 36:15) and Patrick Lucas (7th, 36:24) for the men’s team prize, while Oliver and Jetha were supported by Madeleine Armstrong-Plieth (4th, 44:47, W35 winner) and Katherina Warren (8th, 47:01). 

Age group category winners included: 

W45 Liz Pepper, Crystal Palace Fun Runners, 46:17

W55 Phyllis Flynn, Stragglers, 44:57

W65 Jo Quantrill, South London, 49:36

M40 Zekeriya Adem, 35:50

M50 Krzysztof Klidzia, Folkestone, 37:42

M60 Steve Corfield, Striders of Croydon, 39:23

M70 Vincent McLaughlin, 68:37

There were 235 finishers overall who braved some of the worst conditions the race has experienced in its history, with torrential rain affecting the build-up. Four-time Olympian Donna Fraser and GB Junior International Derek Kinlock were on hand to give out medals to the finishers. 

In the 3K fun run, Croydon’s Ernesto Kelly took the spoils in 12 minutes and 39 seconds, with South London’s Edward Englefield runner-up. Aida Palomares-Dominguez won the girl’s category, with Croydon teammate Lucy Cole in runner-up. 

Over 50 volunteers made the event happen on the day with volunteers from Striders of Croydon and Good Gym Croydon assisting the hosts.

Local businesses who sponsored the race included Kinghams of Croydon, Craft Beer Cabin, the Portland Arms, Zag, Mamma Dough, Coach Horse Cafe, the Winning Margin, Majestic Wine Sanderstead. 

Other businesses to provide support included Toyshade, Ronhill, Herbal Life and Wynn Massage.