By Matthew Kiernan

Croydon Harriers’ young athletes tackled the Bruce Judd Surrey County young athlete cross-country championships this weekend.

The U15 boys’ team spearheaded the club’s efforts, with a consistent display being rewarded with a fourth place finish in the field of 21 clubs.

Omar Harhara placed the team in fifth on his 2.5km course in seven minutes, 48 seconds. Charlie Brackenborough (7:50) held his form on the second leg, handing to Rob Spalding in seventh.

Spalding (7:44) fought his way into silver on the final leg, but was edged out into fourth. 

In the individual standings, Patrick Lucas (7:18) was sixth fastest in the U17 men’s category and Stevie Lawrence (8:29) was one place higher in the U17 women’s standings.

The U15 girl’s sneaked into the top 10 with Naomi Carty (9:11), Josie Kavanagh (9:29) and Emily Howe (9:17) helping the Harriers to ninth in the 23-club field.

Elsewhere, at the East Surrey League, Peter Chambers notched second in a field of 80 runners completing the five-mile course in 28:27.

Croydon’s senior men finished fifth overall thanks to Neil Aikman (32:48, 15th), Andy Del Nevo (33:47, 22nd) and Colin Oxlade (34:06, 28th) joining Chambers to complete the scoring quartet. Abbie Burrett was runner-up in the young athletes race.