Phil Coales, from Striders of Croydon, had an excellent run to place third in the East Surrey League cross-country race at Lloyd Park on Saturday.

He covered the undulating five-mile course in 29 minutes 55 seconds to finish just over two minutes behind the lead man - Mike Cummings of Herne Hill Harriers.

Club colleague Lee Flanagan also ran well to place seventh overall and first in the over-40 category (31:47).

Taric Matticks was 18th (34:01) and Greg Williams completed the club’s A team in 21st (34:56).

Striders placed third in a closely-contested team event.

Hercules Wimbledon won with 46 points, just ahead of Epsom (48), Striders (49), Croydon Harriers (52) and Herne Hill (57).

Striders had the first B team to finish, led by Simon Pannell in 23rd (35:08). Julian Spencer-Wood ran well for 28th overall and first in the over-60 category (36:03).

Andy Perks was 29th (36:04) and Steve Harris 33rd (36:49).

Striders’ women were led by Becky Laurence who was the seventh woman to finish, placing 49th overall (39:01).