London Mini Marathon 2022 – Borough Report

Over thirty young athletes represented the Borough of Croydon at the TCS Mini London Marathon last weekend. 

The 34-strong team comprised of athletes from Croydon and South London Harriers, Striders of Croydon and Croydon school children. They took on 32 other London Boroughs as well as regional teams from all over the UK to run the final 2.6km of the London Marathon course. 

Woodcote High’s Fynn Jenkin would secure the highest finish of any Croydon runner on the morning, placing 4th just four seconds shy of the podium. He was backed up by Wilfred Hughes (Reigate) who was 7th, Francis Bambury (Harris Purley, 58th) and George Shepherd (Harris Beckenham, 87th) in the 150-strong field. 

There was a similarly impressive performance in the Under 17 men’s race, thanks to Conrad Norman (Whitgift) who finished 5th in a high quality field, just five seconds away from bronze. Coombe Wood’s Kyron Bailee-Burke (40th) and Ben Whyatt (Caterham, 41st) closed in in successive positions and Riddlesdown’s Tom Harmer completed the scoring quartet in 54th out of 136 finishers. 

A further top ten finish came courtesy of Annice Kemp of Warlingham, who placed 7th out of 124 finishers. Emily King (Riddlesdown, 49th), Ava Clark (Woodcote High, 55th) and Holly Perks (Royal Russell, 76th) were also in close contention. 

In the Under 15 girl’s category, Maya Rungusumy (Woodcote, 23rd) led the way, and enjoyed support from Matilda Welsh (Royal Russell, 54th), Samantha Moon (Croydon High, 64th) and Holly Smith (Coloma. 71st).

Ewan Sone of John Fisher, notched a solid top 25 placing in 23rd, while Tom Cadwallader (Whitgift, 52nd), Daniel Finch (John Fisher, 113th) and Aren McCarthy (Wallington, 115th) would complete the scoring team. 

There was solid packing in the Under 13 girl’s race with Croydon High’s Aida Palomares-Dominguez leading the way in 28th. Grace Sone (John Fisher, 55th), Arabella Howard (Alleyn’s, 61st) and Poppy Traynier (Croydon High, 62nd) would finish within seven places of another to ensure a solid team placing. 

The morning was capped off with a surprise meeting with World Marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge who kindly signed many of the squad’s shirts at the end of the race.