An excited group of young Croydon Harriers put their winter preparation to the test on Sunday, at Crystal Palace National Recreation Centre, in the big Hercules Wimbledon Open Meeting.

They were rewarded with a series of very promising results, which featured two second places, three thirds, and also included an astonishing total of 16 personal bests.

Both runners-up spots came from the field and in particular the shot put, with U17 Luke Adekoya heaving the 5k implement a promising 12.60m while his younger team mate Erasmus Ntim achieved 12.55m in the U15 event.

U17 sprinters Jorden Berkley and Kayleigh Ferguson ran PBs of 13.3sec and 27.3sec in the 100m and 200m for worthy third places and Daisy Collingridge, who snatched an 800m third with a strong late burst in 2:31.1.

It was also encouraging to see the highly talented Lawrence Dight back in action again after a long absence through injury. He can be encouraged, by coming through his U17 200m unscathed for a close-up fourth in 23.7sec. Other fourth places went to Emma Campbell U13 100m 14.3sec, Dami Segun U15 boys 100m 12.4sec, and Odette Campbell U17 long jump 4.60m.

With the Croydon Arena now out of action for eight weeks for refurbishment, most of the Harriers’ training sessions will be co-ordinated by the club’s qualified coaches, at Trinity School and at Sutton Arena.

Phone 020 8647 1341 for details, which will be regularly updated.