21st October 2007
Philippa Stanyard and top Scottish cricketer Neil McCallum – who scored 60 against Pakistan in the summer – sportingly donned heart suits to publicise CRY and to help raise funds in memory of Croydon Harrier Cecilia Barriga.
Down from Edinburgh for the weekend, they volunteered to run with just one day to go. Neil ‘batted along’ to finish 164th in 47 minutes 45 seconds, with schoolteacher Philippa finishing 196th in 49 minutes and 20 seconds.
British 400m runner Martyn Rooney, Croydon Harriers’ very own guest of honour at the Lexus Croydon 10k, was also present at the event, and congratulated the two “Brave-hearts” at the end of the race.
Although still only 20, Rooney has already competed in the full GB team in two World Championships, and won two bronze medals in the World Junior Championships. He was the leading British 400m runner when he finished 5th for England in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006. He is also holder of the British Junior 400m record at 45.35 seconds.
Mike Fleet, Croydon Harriers
