North Herts Road Runners maintained their third position in the midweek road running league after another solid performance at Stevenage. Benefiting from a reciprocal marshalling arrangement with Fairlands Valley Spartans, the Letchworth-based club were a

North Herts Road Runners maintained their third position in the midweek road running league after another solid performance at Stevenage.

Benefiting from a reciprocal marshalling arrangement with Fairlands Valley Spartans, the Letchworth-based club were able to field more than 50 runners in the penultimate fixture on a hot evening which was not conducive to fast times.

The Squirrels finished third in the race behind Welwyn Garden City and St Albans. Astrid McKeown (third) and Paula Adams (fifth) led the ladies' team in and Steve McKeown (11th) and Pete Sibbett (15th) did likewise for the men.

With the final race to come at St Albans later this month, the Road Runners are confident that they can finish ahead of Barnet and Orion (Chingford) to maintain their First Division status for another year.

Dave Frampton continued his fine current form when he finished the St Albans Half-Marathon in sweltering conditions on Sunday.

He claimed the third prize in the Vet 50 category with a superb time of 1-30:37.

In a distance seldom run by Frampton, he nevertheless finished a creditable 39th overall out of a field of more than 1,500 runners in which the heat had the effect of forcing many competitors to pull out over the tough 13-mile course.

Two further Squirrels completed the race with Mike Mello finishing in 1-41:47 and Neil Ward in his first half-marathon in 2-00:10.

Ten Fairlands Valley Spartans also approached Sunday's 25th anniversary St Albans Half Marathon with some care due to the scorching temperatures.

The race was on a new undulating course starting from Verulam Park and via Harpenden and Redbourn.

Jim Brown was the first Spartan home and he was 65th with a time of 1-33:33.

First Spartan woman was club secretary Frances Ridgway who just beat two hours with 1-59:49.

Times: Jim Brown 1-33:33, Chris Newbitt 1-53:36, Mark Goodwin 1-54:19, Rob Shaw 1-55:02, Paul Holgate 1-58:59, Frances Ridgway 1-59:49, Amanda Brook 2-02:30, Andrew Hull 2-03:56, Julie Goodwin 2-15:03, Barbara Wilson 2-22:44.

Ron Church completed the hilly Wobble 10k race at Barton in 51:12.

Spartans are hosting a Sport Relief Mile in Stevenage on Saturday, July 15.

For more information go to the Sports Relief website www.sportrelief.com or contact Paul Holgate on paul.holgate@bt.com or call him on 07764 237659.