The field of more than 500 participants were in good cheer when they set off out of Lloyd Park Avenue in the annual Lexus Croydon Charity 10k.

Peter Chambers of host club Croydon Harriers and South London Harriers Kevin Quinn were prominent early doors as the hordes disappeared down Coombe Road.

Working hard at the rear were 40 or so dedicated runners raising funds for Malachi Reid, a New Addington youngster in urgent need of £80,000 of spinal surgery in the United States.

Speeding past the Surprise Inn downhill towards Trinity School the front runners were isolating themselves from the rest.

Chambers and Quinn were by now clear of a determined pursing group of SLH's Ryan Evans and a Croydon Harriers trio comprising Jake English, David White and Ben Savill.

Up Sandilands and into the residential area of the route it was looking likely that the Trinity School's Maths Staff, with Matthew Smith their leader, were setting themselves up for the corporate team award.

SLH international Natalie Harvey was keeping the serious men on their toes in the top 20, with her nearest female challenger Jess Fawcett of London City AC 30 seconds adrift.

Into Park Hill, and it was clear that Chambers had shrugged the effects of a midweek training tumble as he progressively extended his lead.

He eventually won in 32 minutes 21 seconds, with runner-up Quinn (33:16) not yet in in view in Lloyd Park Avenue.

His colleague Ryan Evans was a further 27 seconds in arrears, while Croydon Harrier White made an impressive final mark in fourth, clocking 34:00.

Joseph Lyne (SLH) ninth overall, won the junior men’s category in 37:20, with Croydon Harrier Kartik Iyer 15th overall, the runner-up in 38:00.

Team mate Stevie Lawrence was 73rd in 43:58 to head the junior women.

Trinity School master Matthew Smith was an outstanding 10th in 36:29, and was the sole non club runner in the top 50.

Natalie Harvey won the women’s title in 13th place overall in 37:40, while Karen Stretch (Striders of Croydon) in 40th overall placed third of the women in 40:57.

Wimbledon Times:

Getting warmed up: The runners are put through their steps

The veteran category winners included Trinity School master Lee Flanigan M40 in 37:44, Gordon Henessey M50 (Collingwood AC) in 38:07, and Croydon Harriers seemingly ageless chairman Colin Oxlade in 40:03 the leading M55.

The 40-strong Fairchildes Primary School fundraisers in support of the Malachi fund serenaded by the wonderful New Addington steel orchestra, did themselves and the cause proud, all reportedly finishing before sunset.

More than 60 youngsters ran the Lexus 3k fun run with Croydon Harrier Jordan Odongo taking the boys' honours in 12:48.

Fast-improving Croydon Harrier Jessica Moore was fifth (13:54) leading the girls home, with team-mate Shaawa Nawaz 12th (15:15).

Team scores

Inter-Club:

1, South London Harriers - 38
2, Croydon Harriers - 89
3, Striders of Croydon - 266
4, City of London AC - 487

Corporate teams:

1, Trinity School's Maths Department - 405
2, Team Wallington - 951
3, Malachi's Marvellous Movers - 1,255
4, Kelly's Plodders - 1,275