Stevenage running club Fairlands Valley Spartans are appealing for new members this summer. The Spartans aim to cater for all levels of adult runners, and experienced group leaders and coaches ensure everyone gets to participate. On Saturday mornings, the

Stevenage running club Fairlands Valley Spartans are appealing for new members this summer.

The Spartans aim to cater for all levels of adult runners, and experienced group leaders and coaches ensure everyone gets to participate.

On Saturday mornings, the club hold a session at Ridlins athletics track.

All the activities are based on shorter sessions and you could find yourself running from 100m to 1,000m around the track.

Thursday evening sessions are currently held at The John Henry Newman School.

They are suitable for those who are new to running or more experienced runners.

Tuesday evening sessions also start from John Henry Newman and are geared towards people who are already running. Experienced group leaders and coaches take out groups of runners covering five, six, seven or eight miles.

But from May 6, all Tuesday and Thursday sessions will be based at Marriotts School in Telford Avenue, Stevenage, starting at 7pm.

Spartans are key helpers with the 'Race For Life' this year as well. After last year's successful event, there will be two 5k events taking place this year on Sunday, July 13, at 11am and 2.30pm.

The club are launching the 'Spartans Starter Group' which will be aiming to start from scratch to build up to run at least 5k.

Senior club coach Tessa Stephenson advised: "There will be no distance set to start with, as we want to encourage as many people as possible to join us - as getting out of the front door is often the hardest part."

This group will launch this Monday (April 21) at 7.30pm in Fairlands Valley Park (the top car park of Six Hills Way). The group is open to male and females. Email Tessa at coach@fvspartans.org.uk

If you would like to join, Spartans meet at Ridlins track on Saturdays at 9.15am and The John Henry Newman School changing rooms on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm.

You can view their website at www.fvspartans.org.uk or email info@fvspartans.org.uk

* Hitchin-based triathlon club FVS TRI took part in the National Duathlon Championships.

Nick Downing was the first home for the club at the championships at Emberton Park near Milton Keynes in 2-09:12 for the 10k run, 40k bike and 5k run, just 17 seconds ahead of veteran athlete Brian White.

James Grierson finished in 2-16:10, ahead of Kerri Renshaw in 2-20:52. Gemma Sargent came home in 2-39:55, Richard Easterbrook 2-46:11 and Matt Hickman 2-51:28.

Jon Gillham was fifth in the Tuesday Hitchin Nomads 10-mile TT in 26:21 before racing on Sunday in the Lea Valley 25-mile cycle TT and finishing first for the club in 1-04:19.

Rob Wilson was second for the club in 1-06:08 followed by Mark Grayson 1-09:01, Tim Somers 1-16:31, and Darren Greene 1-20:30 (2:36 late start penalty).

Chris Suckling and Jeff Ryan completed the Exmoor Coastal Marathon in 6-12 and 6-25 respectively for the 28.3 miles and 9,000ft of ascent over steep cliff paths, open moorland and muddy tracks.