North Herts Road Runners are top of the Herts Midweek League Division Two after the opening race. The Squirrels are level on points with local rivals Fairlands Valley Spartans but ahead on overall runners score after the race at Bishop s Stortford last W

North Herts Road Runners are top of the Herts Midweek League Division Two after the opening race.

The Squirrels are level on points with local rivals Fairlands Valley Spartans but ahead on overall runners' score after the race at Bishop's Stortford last Wednesday.

North Herts' ladies' team were dominate in the first race of the series, securing first place by a comfortable margin.

Astrid McKeown finished first over the 10k course in 37:31.

She was followed home by Paula Adams (40:59) in second place and Melissa Winters (41:32) in third. There were also excellent performances from Jane Chappel (sixth, 42:47), Jo Summers (16th, 46:17) and Jo Harbon (18th, 46:37).

The men's team finished third overall with Steve McKeown leading the way in 10th place in a time of 35:35.

Gary Cook followed in 14th in 36:39 and Kieron McGill continued his splendid form finishing in 20th place in 37:34.

Christophe Mercer recorded a time of 38:27 to finish in 25th place and Pete Scrowther followed behind in a new best time of 39:11 to secure 39th place. Stewart Smither was second in the V60 age category crossing the line in 43:37.

Fairlands Valley Spartans had 53 runners - 16 women and 37 men taking part - and they were equal first on league points scored.

The men finished second to Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers and the ladies second to North Herts Road Runners to give the Spartans second overall.

In the veteran leagues, the Spartan men are in first position and the ladies second behind North Herts.

Notable performances included Simon Bell who finished fifth overall and second Vet 40, Ron Cohen second Vet 70, Annette Bell fifth lady and third Vet 35, and Chris King first Vet 45.

Men's times: Simon Bell 35:18, Simon Jackson 35:43 pb, David Bowker 36:55, Richard Bate 37:10 pb, Phil Gale 38:33, Todd Gray 39:10, Graham Blackburn 39:49, Ben Harris 39:57, Michael Green 40:17 pb, Richard Sidlin 40:18 pb, Matthew Jamieson 41:12, Alan Donald 41:43, Steve Smithson 41:46, Les Betts 42:15 pb, Jim Brown 42:23, Andy Bramall 43:03, Nick Stewart 43:22, Roger Biggs 43:24, Gerry Corrance 43:40, Mark Collins 44:02, Mick Connell 44:09, Alan Goodman 44:48 pb, Simon Owens 45:23, Steven Mills 45:58, Andrew Hull 46:31, Mark Goodwin 46:54, Ian Stretch 47:11 pb, Andy Jay 49:04, Mark Glading 49:34, Paul Holgate 49:37, Roy Bowdery 52:05, Tony Willson 52:46, Doug Hall 56:46, Alan Goodwin 57:31, Ian Chappell 57:57, Ron Cohen 59:37, Steve Gough 1-02:57 pb.

Women's times: Annette Bell 42:39, Chris King 43:34, Tracy Pez 45:23 pb, Chris Feely 46:36, Barbara Wilson 50:08, Laura Law 50:57 pb, Bev Aitken 52:26 pb, Sharon Crowley 52:44, Julie Goodwin 54:31, Sue Leigh 55:33 pb, Nikki Nation 56:13, Beverley Harlow 56:51, Jeanette Collins 1-01:17, Penny Armstrong 1-01:52 pb, Katrina Doyle 1-01:53, Maria Thorne 1-03:26 pb.

The top two clubs after the four league races will be promoted to the First (top) Division. The next midweek league race is being hosted by the Spartans in Stevenage next Thursday evening (May 29).