Croydon Harriers Athletics Club has been nominated for the Croydon Champions Team of the Year Award following an array of impressive achievements both on and off the track.

Matthew Kiernan, who coaches the Harriers’ Senior Mens and Under 20 Mens teams, told us he nominated the club on the basis that it includes all ages, abilities and genders.

The Harriers’ club membership has in fact expanded to over 250 athletes in the last year, ranging from those who compete on an international level right through to people getting involved in sport for the first time.

Mr Kiernan believes that the Harriers’ success relies on the hard work of the entire team.

He said: "All our coaches and volunteers contribute hundreds of voluntary hours to help the club, without asking for anything in return.

"Without them, the club wouldn’t find itself in the thriving position it currently does."

Mr Kiernan, from Coulsdon, said, over one fifth of the club’s members are ranked nationally inside the top 100 for their age group and chosen sport.

Prolific Harriers include British 75m hurdles record-holder Shirin Irving, Martyn Rooney, who holds four UK 400m titles and represented Great Britain at the World Championships, and Lawrence Okoye who broke the British discus record with a fantastic 67.63m throw.

As a team, the Harriers reached the Southern Area final of the tough National Young Athletes league, and were represented by 26 members across the Virgin London marathon and mini-marathons.

Additionally, the South Norwood-based club played an important role in organising the first Croydon Half Marathon, and even boasts 10 members who have been selected as kit carriers for this year’s Olympics in London.

The team’s most recent success was their remarkable winning streak at the Surrey County Championships just last weekend, on May 12 and 13.

The Harriers collectively took home an awe-inspiring 42 medals, 18 of which were of much-coveted gold.