Runners continued to dive deep into their winter programmes - with the St Neots Half Marathon proving popular this week.

The course, a undulating but picturesque route through country lanes, attracted 12 from North Herts Road Runners.

And despite some gusty wind, which made pacing difficult, Richard Springall was the first home for the club in one hour 29 minutes 12 seconds, closely followed by Rachel Arnott who secured first female in the V45-55 category.

Four Squirrels took on the Wolverton 5 Mile race in Milton Keynes where Steve McKeown was first to finish in 32:23, followed soon after by Astrid in 34:05, first V50 and a new club FV50 record, Linda Aird finished in 45:18, closely followed by Karen Dodsworth in 45:35.

Katie Harbon and Pete Sibbett headed south for the Brighton 10k for an out and back route that returned into a hefty headwind.

Sibbett finished in 41:30 and Harbon, racing for Hertfordshire, finished fourth female in 36:42.

Hardy Jo Sopala had rain and wind too as she took on the Conwy Half Marathon but was still able to clock a course PB of 2:36.

Andrew Porter, Sue Foot and Jennie Fraser took on the self-navigated Steppingley Step, a marathon route through ploughed fields among other obstacles round Barton Le-Clay.

Porter and Foot completed the course in just over seven hours while Jennie Fraser finished in 5:24:38.

Cross-country captain John Auld was 33rd over a 12km course at the Eastern Cross-country Championships on the Horseheath Racecourse, with the course using some of the designs for horses.

Parkrun action saw Tim Bunting, with support from team-mates, complete his 50th parkrun with Henlow Lakes the venue.

The Comet: Jay Papa and Andrew Liddle of Stevenage Phoenix at the St Neots Half Marathon. Picture: STEVENAGE PHOENIXJay Papa and Andrew Liddle of Stevenage Phoenix at the St Neots Half Marathon. Picture: STEVENAGE PHOENIX (Image: Stevenage Phoenix)

There were two at St Neots from Stevenage Phoenix - and they both impressed.

Jay Papa had another great race, taking nine minutes off of his previous personal best by finishing in 1:30:44 seconds.

He also smashed the club age category record in the half marathon, a record that has fallen four times this year.

Andrew Liddle had another sub two-hour run, finishing in 1:56:15.

Jodie Kantas and Emma Mead meanwhile were at Barton for the Steppingly Step, completing the 18-mile route.

They too found the course challenging after all the recent rain but finished in 4:11.

The Watford Autumn 10k in Cassiobury Park saw Graham Eden finish in  55:23.

The club also had 14 runners at three different parkruns on Saturday, the main one being Jon Boe's 100th at Stevenage where he finished in 29 minutes exactly.

Three from Stevenage Striders were at St Neots and it proved a good day out for Kevin Fisher.

Not only was he first home but he did it in a PB of 1:41:30.

Jess Ives-Keeler also claimed a PB of 1:42:15 for herself, setting a new club record in the process, with Helen Moye following her home in 1:55:21.

They also had Alun Watkins competing in the Dirt Half Marathon and he finished the scenic but challenging course in 2:46:30.

Peter Moye came home in 40:46 at the Brighton 10k while Marc Hagland was back down to Walton-on-Thames for the Phoenix 10th Anniversary Half, where he clocked 2:19.

The Comet: Fairlands Valley Spartans at the club's own handicap races. Picture: KEITH FENWICKFairlands Valley Spartans at the club's own handicap races. Picture: KEITH FENWICK (Image: Keith Fenwick)

Craig Bacon of Fairlands Valley Spartans was at the Wolverton 5, a five-mile race at Willen Lakes in Milton Keynes.

The predominantly flat course followed the footpath around the two lakes and a field of 133 took part with Bacon clocking 36:33 for his first attempt at the distance.

Simon Jackson made a late call to run at the event and was fourth man over 40 to finish in a time of 28:05.

There were four Spartans tackling the mud at the Steppingley Steps.

Paul Holgate and Mike Newbitt finished in 8:22 for the off-road marathon while Sharon and Mike Crowley clocked 9:47.

The club were also raising money for charity at their in-house handicap races.

Runners start at phased times with the theory being everyone will finish together.

The big winners were Judy King, John Harris, Keith Hooker, Vicky Archer and Wendy Tharani.