Nearly 200 runners completed the second race in the Stevenage evening 5k series organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans. In a tight race for the first three places, the race winner was James Drinkwater from Bedford and County in 15:43, just three seconds a

Nearly 200 runners completed the second race in the Stevenage evening 5k series organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans.

In a tight race for the first three places, the race winner was James Drinkwater from Bedford and County in 15:43, just three seconds ahead of Thomas Burke from the same club.

Fastest woman was Victoria Webster from Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers in a sizzling 16:56. She was 12th overall in the race.

There were 23 runners from the organising club taking part. First Spartan, in a new personal best of 17:38, was Simon Jackson.

Times: Simon Jackson 17:38 pb, Andrew Garrett 18:19 pb, Todd Gray 18:28, Paul Maguire 19:09, Jim Brown 19:28, Mark Beasley 20:14, Kevin Smyth 20:35, Richard Sidlin 21:19 pb, Mark Goodwin 21:32, Robert Shaw 21:41, Roger Hardman 22:34 pb, Paul Holgate 22:59, Sharon Crowley 23:33, Kevin Williams 23:53 pb, Andy Jay 23:55 pb, Andy Bramall 24:16, David Smith 24:35 pb, Neil Dunbar 24:54, Charlie Robinson 25:01, Sue Leigh 26:03 pb, Nikki Nation 27:35, Katrina Doyle 29:36 pb, Simon Harris 30:12.

The third race is on the Gunnels Wood course next Wednesday evening (December 13).

Six Spartans battled the winds in Sunday's Luton Marathon.

Three times they had to face a howling headwind after climbing the hill through Streatley. First to finish, with an excellent run in the conditions, was Roger Biggs in 3-30:41.

Times: Roger Biggs 3-30:41, Jim Brown 3-41:11, Frances Ridgway 3-47:55, Gerry McCabe 3-51:33, Mike Newbitt 3-54:55, Sharon Crowley 4-27:49.

This was a hard race with many from various clubs failing to finish and few complete teams getting round.

Forty North Herts Road Runners took part in the second race of the Stevenage 5k series with three new club records set and a host of personal best times achieved.

Nick Beresford was the first Squirrel home in seventh place in a time of 16:31, followed by Pete Northover, who reduced his best time by almost a minute to finish in 16:54, Gary Cook (17:09) and John Russell (17:45).

Stewart Bryant lowered club colleague Derek Myall's 10-year Vet 50 club record by just six seconds as he clocked a time of 18:24. Myall posted a new record of his own as he shattered the Vet 60 time by more than a minute to finish in 19:55.

Another record that was reduced by more than a minute was set by Paula Adams, who destroyed her own female Vet 35 record to finish as fourth lady in 18:32.

With less wind, most runners were quicker than in the first race of the series.

Other finishers with personal bests were Melissa Winters (18:51), Roger Bamberough (22:20), Finlay Simpson (22:45), Allison Cook (23:26), Christine Sharp (23:29), Graham Thompson (24:02), Adrian Muxlow (24:29), Sally Harkins (24:57) and Lorraine Hewitt (26:59).

Record breakers Stewart Bryant and Derek Myall joined forces with another club veteran, Billy Crone, to compete at the Luton Three-Stage Marathon Relay on Sunday. The team completed the 26.2 miles in 3-08.

While most club members were tackling winter races at home, Astrid and Steve McKeown travelled to sunnier and warmer climes as they took part in the International Running Challenge in Lanzarote.

Consisting of four races on consecutive days, nearly 500 competitors from all over Europe took part in the gruelling challenge.

Beginning with a 10k road race on day one, it is followed by a 13k off-road race on day two, a 5k beach race on day three and a mixed terrain half-marathon on the final day.

Astrid won three of the four races to continue her superb form of late, and was second in the other to be declared the overall female champion with a total time of 3-10:11, a minute ahead of her nearest challenger.

And there were double celebrations as husband Steve won his age category (35-39) in a total time of 3-00:35 to finish a creditable eighth overall.