Croydon Harriers competed in the 3rd Surrey Cross Country League match held over a tough 5 miles on Wimbledon Common, but the hoped for full turn-out did not materialise, and they had to settle for 8th team place out of the 9 clubs in the league. Darren Bradley was first for Croydon taking 47th place with 30.36. Mike Dawson ran hard to place 61st in 31.01supported by Ian Wright's 77th in 31.38. Julian Dillow (M45) was next home in 86th (32.17) and Colin Oxlade (M40) showed improved form when taking 101st in 33.04, closely followed by Robert Langridge, 106th (33.18) and Dave Warren (M40) 109th (33.27). Other scoring team members: 120 Peter Yarlett (M45) 34.24, 131 Andy Del-Nevo 35.26 and 132 Norman Hemming (M45) 35.34. Eric Cambell (137th) ran 36.51 in non-scoring support.

Team Result: 1 Thames Hare & Hounds 119 points (1/568 after three matches). 2 Belgrave Harriers 273 (2/771), 3 Herne Hill Harrier 273 (4/9380, 4 South London Harriers 312 (3/891), 5 Aldershot, Farnham & Dist. AC 515 (5/1462), 6 Ranelagh Harriers 545 (6/1554), 7 West 4 Harriers 581 (7/1783), 8 Croydon Harriers 686 (9/2201), and 9 Borough of Hounslow AC 791 (8/2117).

Croydon were more successful in the younger age groups taking 1st team in the under 13's and 2nd in the under 17/15 races, both run over 1 lap of 2.5 miles. Jack Appleton (U.17) gave his usual strong display to take 2nd in 17.26 and was ably supported by Robbie Powell (U.15, 5th with 18.03. James Harrison (U.15) ran 19.12 for a good 9th spot with Nick Saunders (U.15) 11th in 19.13 in a very competitive finish.

Team Result: 1. Belgrave Harriers 33 (2/168 overall), 2 Croydon Harriers 43.5 1/134.5) and 3 Herne Hill Harriers 69 (3/209.5). A full 5 runners in the final match should ensure the league title next month.

The under 13's were led home by Ian Horn in 3rd with 19.57 ably supported by Mathew Thoroughgood 6th in 20.52 and Robert Agnew 7th in 21.31. Duncan Hall 9th in 23.42 and Robert Baxter 10th in 24.41 completed the scoring five. Teams: 1 Croydon Harriers 35 (1/120), 2 Belgrave Harriers 63 (2/262) and 3 South London Harriers 69 (3/263). They look strong favourites for the 2000-2001 league winners shield.

Next Saturday Croydon's seniors compete in the historic South of the Thames Cross Country Championship Race over 10 km from Putney Vale - again on Wimbledon Common but over a different course.

Ken Crooke 14th January, 2001

1. Dave Taylor HHH 42.39

2. Kevin Nash BEL 43.07

3. Gary Staines SLH 44.25

4. Mike Boyle M40 HHH 44.32

5. Stuart Major SLH 45.00

6. Andy Franklin BOX 45.17

7. Paul Haywood BOX 45.53

8. James Harvey WAL 46.01

9. Robbie James SLH 46.15

10. A. Weir THH 46.30

Croydon Harriers

56. Julian Dillow M45 51.47

64. Barry Cooke 53.02

85 Robert Langridge 55.27

92 Dave Warren M40 55.54

102 Norman Hemming M45 57.02

119 Keith Brown M45 59.19

142 Eric Campbell 67.16

155 finished.

Teams (6 to score):-

1. South London Harriers 59

2. Herne Hill Harriers 65

3. Boxhill Racers 95

4. Thames Hare & Hounds 170

5. Belgrave Harriers 184

6. Guildford & Godalming 247

7. Striders of Croydon 344

8. Stragglers

9. Epsom & Ewell Harriers 418

10. Kingston AC & Polytechnic H. 419

11. Dorking & Mole Valley AC 425

12. Croydon Harriers 436

13. Dulwich Runners 496

14. Lingfield Running Club 673

15. Walton AC (5 runners) 334

. Giles Clifford BOE 29.05

2. Richard Xerri H/W 29.29

3. Tim Beer H/W 29.44

4. Tony Shepherd M40 SOC 30.41

5. Phil Marland H/W 31.07

6. Mark Woodman RRC 31.16

Croydon Harriers

15 Robert Langridge 33.15

38 Eric Campbell 36.59

53 Mike Caudwell M60 43.40

59 finished.

1. M. Critchlow W4H 30.55

2. K. Dyer MILO 33.05

3. M. Harris MPA 33.23

4. W. Graves RAN 33.39

5. E. Griffiths W4H 33.52

6. R. Reeder STR 33.57

Croydon Harriers

20. Robert Langridge 35.08

53. Keith Brown M45 37.41

72. Eric Campbell 39.46

97 finished.

1. Richard Xerri H/W 28.44

2. Martin O'Halloran M40 H/W 30.36

3. Chris Coles H/W 30.40

8. Robert Langridge Croydon 32.03

11.Colin Oxlade M40 Croydon 32.48

28 finished

Croydon Harriers hopes of rising from the depths of the Sweatshot Surrey Cross Country League (Division I) rankings were dashed when taking part in the second of the four matches in the 1999/2000 season. This was held in Richmond Park starting near Richmond Gate over a 2 lap 5 mile course, revised due to flooding near the lake half way round the lap. Sean Sanders was our first home in 44th spot with 31.35, followed by Deron Fagan in 60th timed at 32.16. Julian Dillow returning from almost a year off with injury and running his first race as an M.45 was next to score in 111th timed at 35.06. Ian Wright, now almost fully recovered from a few week off with flu, took 120th in 35.29 and Robert Langridge was 127th in 35.52.Other scoring members were: 131 Dave Warren (M40) 36.20, 132 Paul Lovell (M40) 36.35, 142 Ian Statter (M40) 37.47, 146 Norman Hemming (M45) 38.09 and 147 Keith Brown (M45) 38.16. Non-scorers: 150 Gary Lomas 39.40, 152 Eric Campbell 39.48 and 160 Mike Caudwell (M60) 46.24.

Croydon place 9th, and last, team scoring 756 points, and face relegation to division II next season. The have been nick-named the "Yo-Yo" team. Croydon's young athletes, in contrast, continued on their winning ways - the under 13's were first in their one lap race over 2 1/ 2 miles. Ian Horn, after competing for his school in the morning ran superbly to take runner up spot in 18.25. Matthew Thoroughgood took 3rd in 19.30 with Robert Agnew 4th in 19.53. Daniel Hall finished 10th to close the scoring team. Croydon Scored 47 points for a good win over Belgrave Harriers 2nd with 95. Other clubs: 3rd. Herne Hill Harriers (100), 4th South London Harriers (113) and 5th. Borough of Hounslow AC (120). After two matches Croydon are leading the league table with 85 points ahead of Herne Hill (178) and Belgrave (199) and the other clubs trailing well in arrears. In the combined under 15/under 17 race, held at the same time over the same distance as the under 13's, Mathew Hall (U17) had a fine run to take 2nd in in 16.55 in spite of an arduous week away on an army course. Mark Elsworthy also ran well to take 4th in 17.13 with Robbie Powell a close up 5th in 17.19. James Harrison took 11th place with 18.46 and Nick Saunders 14th in 19.55 to cpmplete the scoring team. Croydon scored 36 points to win, well ahead of Belgrave Harriers' 73 for 2nd. Other clubs: 3. Borough of Hounslow AC 88, 4. Ranelagh Harriers 106, 5. South London Harriers 114 and 6 Herne Hill Harriers 138. League position after two matches: 1. Croydon Harriers 91, 2. Belgrave Harriers 135, 3. Borough of Hounslow AC 135 1/ 2 , 4. Ranelagh Harriers 239, 5. South London Harriers 250 and 6. Herne Hill Harriers 267.

Ken Crooke 20th November, 2000.

1 P.Humphrey SLH 18.18

2 I.Horn CRO 18.25

3 M.Thorougood CRO 19.30

4 R.Agnew CRO 19.53

10 D.Hall CRO 23.33

Team 1^st Croydon 47pts, 2^nd Belgrave 95pts, 3^rd South London Harriers 113pts

1 T.Russell Y BOH 16.30

2 M.Wall Y CRO 16.55

4 M.Elsworthy B CRO 17.13

5 R.Powell B CRO 17.19

11 J.Harrison B CRO 18.46

14 N.Saunders B CRO 19.55

Team 1^st Croydon 35pts, 2^nd Belgrave 73pts, 3^rd Borough of Houndslow 88pts

1 S.Haughian BOH 28.12

2 Y.Yusuf BEL 28.16

3 G.Staines SLH 28.17

44 S.Saunders CRO 31.35

60 D.Fagan CRO 32.16

111 J.Dillow V CRO 35.06

120 I.Wright CRO 35.29

127 R.Langridge CRO 35.52

131 D.Warren V CRO 36.20

132 P.Lovell V CRO 36.35

142 I.Stater CRO 37.47

146 N.Hemming V CRO 38.09

147 K.Brown V CRO 38.16

150 G.Lomas CRO 39.40

152 E.Campbell CRO 39.48

160 M.Caudwell V CRO 46.24

Croydon were 9th team with 765 points

Croydon Harriers improved on the last two years performances when competing in the Redhill & Surrey Beagles AC promoted "Priory Relays" held over a tough hilly course around Priory Park, Reigate. This time we had a complete team of 6 which finished 27th in 1 hour 40.28 secs. Barry Cooke managed to spare some time from his busy schedule before moving away to Worcester in a few weeks time, and ran the first leg in a steady 15.41 to come into the take-over zone in 15th position. Gary Lomas, changing from cricketing mode was next, running 17.45 for 20th on stage two. Colin Oxlade (M40) took the next stint in 16.54 handing over to Robertt Langridge in 18th. Robert clocked Croydon's 2nd fastest stage of 16.29 to maintain position. Eric Campbell pounded round in his imperious fashion to record 18.36, still keeping us in 18th. Mike Caudwell was unfortunate that several clubs just behind had saved their big guns for the last leg and although running a good 18.03 for his M60 category dropped to 23rd at the finish.

Ken Crooke 6th November 2000

21st October, 2000 Surrey County Veterans Cross Country Championships

Several Croydon Harriers took part in the Surrey County Veterans Cross Country Championships in Richmond Park over a fast undulating 10 Kilometres course in fine weather conditions. In the M40 & M45 race Peter Yarlett was 27th overall and 6th M45 from a field of 67 to finish clocking a good time of 38.37. Norman Hemming took 40th overall and was 14th M45 with 40.34. Harriers representative in the M50 and M55 race was former international Don Faircloth who recorded 40.56 for 20th (15th M50) from a field of 54. In the M60+ race Mike Caudwell recorded 49.41 for 10 and was 7th M60 and Ken Crooke, 15th, ran 54.02 for 1st M70. 19 finished in this section.

Croydon Harriers young athletes had another successful day when taking part in the East Surrey A.A. League Cross Country Races, over their home 21/2 miles course in Lloyd Park. The winning Croydon team in the under 13's race was led by Ian Horn timed at 18.13 when placing 2nd to Oliver Ralph of Epsom (18.01). Robert Agnew gave good support running 19.49 for 3rd and the team was completed by new member Mathew Thoroghgood who took 4th in 20.19. David Beeney ran 32.10 in non-scoring support for 8th. Croydon scored 9 points to win and Epsom took 2nd. Croydon B team was incomplete, but still registered in the league rankings when Dan Hall was 6th in 21.04 followed by his brother Josh, 7th with 22.48. After the relays earlier in the month Croydon now lie in 1st with the maximum 24 points with Epsom 2nd on 22. and Croydon B 3rd with 10. The under 15's ran together with the under 17's over the same course and Croydon A were easy winners of this race also, scoring 13 to Hercules Wimbledon's 17, with Epsom taking 3rd with 19. Croydon B took 4th (29) and the C an incomplete "15" score for 6th. The A team was led by Mathew Hall (U.17), confirming his good form over all distances, with 16.25 to take 2nd behind the outstanding Epsom runner Stuart Johnson's winning 15.58. Andrew Jenner and Jack Appleton, both under 17's, ran well to take 5th and 6th spots clocking 17.17 and 17.19 respectively for the winning combination. Martin Rooney, in his first year as an under 15, gave good support, although non-scoring, taking 7th in 17.40. Croydon B: 9. Robbie Powell (U.15) 17.55, 10. Mathew Barrington (U.15) 18.02 and 14. James Harrison (U.15) 18.35 plus non-scorer 18 Clive Jenner (U.15) 19.16. The C "team" was Nick Saunders 19th in 19.28. Overall league positions: 1. Hercules Wimbledon AC "A" 23, joint 2nd: Croydon Harriers "A" 21 and Epsom & Ewell Harriers "A" 21.

Croydon's Seniors did not fare so well finishing in 6th scoring 90 points as did Striders of Croydon, who edged ahead on the last scoring position rule - 35th to 36th.

Croydon "A": 11 Mike Dawson 32.48, 21 Robert Langridge 35.15, 33 Norman Hemming M45 36.01 and 42 Andy Del-Nevo 37.25. N/S: 53 Keith Brown M45 38.49.

10th team - Croydon "B": James Merry (New Member) 40.08, 62 Marie Johnston 4th woman (SW) 41.25, 63 Eric Campbell 41.53 and 70 Mike Caudwell M60 45.13. N/S: Ken Crooke M70 49.26. Overall League status: Croydon "A" 5th (16), Striders of Croydon "A" 6th (14).

Croydon Harriers, as expected, found the opposition tough in the first match of the SWEATSHOP Surrey Cross Country League (Division I) held over a course as tough as the opposition in Brockwell Park, Herne Hill. Although the team gave their best efforts on the day the absence of seven top runners, owing to illness and other commitments, was a hurdle impossible to overcome. Croydon finished last of the nine clubs in the League. Deron Fagan, 35th. in 26.37 was our first home for the supposed 5 miles (which was nearer to 4.5). Barry Cooke was next in 71st. with a 28.19 stint, not far ahead of Mike Dawson's 28.58 for 86th. Evergreen Peter Yarlett (M45) took 104th with 30.09, ten places ahead of a group of four Croydon stalwarts, who had a bit of a private war, before 400 metres specialist Robert Langridge charged from behind up the finishing hill to overtake M40 Paul Lovell's 115 in 30.55 and Norman Hemming's 116 in 30.59. Robert was rewarded with 114th in 30.59. New member Colin Oxlade (M40) was close to this group in 117th with 31.16. Dave Warren's training has been interrupted by the arrival of a new addition to the family but he claimed 121st in 32.11. Another track runner, Andy Del-Nevo followed up with 32.43 for 123rd and Keith Brown completed the scoring ten with a 32.51 effort for 124th. Non-scorer Eric Campbell clocked 36.06 for a supporting effort in 131st. Team result: 1 Thames Hare & Hounds 190, 2 South London Harriers 301, 3 Belgrave Harriers 303. Closer to Croydon in 7th came West 4 Harriers with 617 and Borough of Hounslow AC 8th (666). Croydon's score of 750 presents the Club with a daunting task to avoid relegation, but a full turn out for the other three matches in November, January and February could see them climb to safety by the end of the season.

All was not doom and gloom, however as the younger athletes provided a much happier picture. The under 13's came up trumps by winning the team race over one lap of just over 2 miles, led home by Robert Agnew's 4th spot in 17.16. Team mate David Beeney was only a step behind in 17.24 for 5^th. Duncan Hall was 7th. in 17.40 and his younger brother John took 10th in 18.47. Robert Baxter closed the scoring five with 20.11 for 12th. Teams: 1 Croydon 38, 2 Herne Hill H. 78, 3 Belgrave H. 104, 4 SLH 117 and 5 Borough of Hounslow 118. The other 4 clubs had no runners in this age group.

The under 15's ran with the under 17's as one team and were led by 5th placed Mathew Hall (U17) in 14.27. Martin Rooney (U15) ran 15.16 for 8th, James Harrison (U15).15.32 for 12t. Clive Jenner (U15) was 14th in 15.55 and Nick Saunders (U15) completed the team score with 16.42 for 16th. Team results: 1 Borough of Hounslow 47.4, 2 Croydon Harriers 55, 3 Belgrave Harriers 62, 4 Herne Hill Harriers 129, 5 Ranelagh Harriers 133 and 6 South London Harriers 136.

Croydon Harriers opened the new millenium Cross Country Season by participating in the East Surrey Amateur Athletic Association Cross Country Relays on Wimbledon Common. Ian Wright's good track season has carried over onto the country, which he demonstrated when running the first leg of the Senior 4 x 1.95 miles Relay for Croydon in the second fastest lap of the day, timed at 9 min. 59 sec., handing over to Barry Cooke, just in the lead by 2 seconds. Barry, short of training owing to a hectic schedule before his move to Worcester, ran 10.38 on leg two to hand over to Peter Yarlett within 4 seconds of the lead. Peter (M45) justified his "A" team selection by returning 11.28 for 4th, but we were now 44 secs. behind 3rd placed Hercules Wimbledon AC, and 2 minutes off the lead. Deron Fagan set off fast, determined to make up ground on the opposition and in the process ran the 3rd fastest leg in 10:00, to get clear of Hercules by 37 secs. and into 3rd spot at the finish, only 12 seconds away from 2nd team place.

Boxhill Racers won in a total time of 41.04, 42 sec. down on last year, owing to wet conditions underfoot and Paul Haywood's last leg of 9.28 was well down on his 19.18 in 1999. Epsom & Ewell Harriers took 2nd with 41.53 and Croydon 3rd in 42.05, an improvement on their 45.05 for 6th. last year. Hercules Wimbledon were 4th in 42.42. Croydon (B) finished in 9th - Team efforts were: 10th Gary Lomas 12.17, 9th Robert Langridge 11.37, 7th Norman Hemming (M45) 11.48 and 9th Eric Campbell 13.16 for a team time of 48.58. Ken Crooke (M70) ran as an incomplete team and was 15th in 16.02 for lap 1.

In the 3 x 1.95 miles race for under 15's and 17's combined teams, Croydon finished 4th with runs from James Harrison (13.18), Clive Jenner (13.14) and Nick Saunders (14.02) for 40.34 overall.

Only two incomplete teams turned out for the under 13's straight race over one lap of the relay course. Ian Horn was 2nd in 12.33 and Robert Agnew 3rd in 14.10. for Croydon. Epsom & Ewell had 1st and 4th and both team scored 5 points, but Croydon were declared winners owing to the last man home rule.

Three Harriers ran in the Striders of Croydon Switchback 5 in late September, held over Lloyd Park & Shirley Hills. Norman Hemming (M45) was 6th in 31.12 with Keith Brown (M40) in his first outing for a year after injury taking 21st in 34.35. Mike Caudwell ran 37.53 for 38th (3rd M60) from a field of 50 finishers.