London Marathon & East Surrey League round-up, 3rd October 2021

Summary: 27 young athletes represented the Borough of Croydon at the London Mini Marathon, in total, which involved 33 London Boroughs entering teams of six in each age group.

London Mini Marathon Borough report:

Whitgift School pupil Conrad Norman finished runner-up in the Virgin London Mini Marathon on Sunday in a field of 129 finishers. 

Norman would complete the 2.6km course in seven minutes 37 seconds, just two seconds shy of victory. 

He was supported by Croydon Harrier trio Douglas Aikman (32nd), Chizoba Nkamuo (78th) and Ebuka Nkamuo (84th) with the Borough finishing 9th. 

The Under 15 Boys quartet would enjoy the best team finish of the day, placing fifth overall. 

Tom Harmer (14th), Kyron-Bailee Burke (22nd), Noah Findell (32nd) and Max Lorke (35th) packed well to ensure the Borough’s highest finish. 

The under 17 women finished 11th thanks to Sophia Lorke (17th), Roisin Sharma (49th), Holly Perks (64th) and Jana Sethna-McIntosh (92nd). 

Zoha Jetha (48th) led the Under 15 girls home, with Holly Smith (52nd), Ava Clark (71st) and Samanthan Moon in close contention. 

In the Under 13 ranks, Olivia D’Almeida (41st) and Alex Giles (98th) were first home for Croydon in their respective races. 

Seven Croydon Harriers took part in the London Marathon, with Madeleine Armstrong-Plieth breaking the club W40 record with a time of three hours 25 minutes and 21 seconds. 

James Moore (3:38:38), Terry Lapins (3:57:33) and Rush Yadave  (3:59:16, 66th M65) all broke the four hour mark. Rob Monk (4:11:26) and Brendan Musk (4:23:31) completed the Harriers contingent at the in-person event. 

In the virtual event Laura Marshall was 36th W45 in 3:43:33. 

So happy with my time at @LondonMarathon today, especially as a few months ago I wasn’t even sure I could run it. And very proud do do it in a @harrierscroydon vest. Now for a celebratory ? https://t.co/q189RvXMeU

— Madeleine Armstrong (@ByMadeleineA) October 3, 2021

On Saturday Lloyd Park played host to the East Surrey League, the cross-country season’s curtain raiser. 

James Hancock won the adults race in 28 minutes 28 seconds, leading the men’s team to runners-up spot. He was 15 seconds clear of his nearest challenger. Alex Penfold (6th, 29:57), Pat Lucas (9th, 30:38) and Henry Butt (13th, 31:17) completed the scoring quartet. The women’s team would also finish runners-up thanks to Penny Oliver (3rd), Leanne Moore (4th) and Miriam De Souza (16th). 

Thanks so much to all volunteers for all your help!