Fairlands Valley Spartans had almost 50 runners in the race as they hosted the penultimate round of the Sunday Cross-country League.

The Comet: Nick Gill Gabbie O'Brien and John Harris of Fairlands Valley Spartans at Sunday's cross country. Picture: KEITH FENWICKNick Gill Gabbie O'Brien and John Harris of Fairlands Valley Spartans at Sunday's cross country. Picture: KEITH FENWICK (Image: Keith Fenwick)

The event, held in Fairlands Valley Park, had 33 men and 14 women from the Stevenage running club taking part with many more volunteering as marshals, race director, chief marshal and various other tasks.

Andrew Patterson was the lead Spartan, finishing sixth out of 433 runners around the three-lap, nine kilometre run, while Ashley Johnson was the club's first woman.

Adrian Busolini, Charlie White, Gabrielle O'Brien and Yuko Gordon filled out the remaining FVS podium positions.

Full results and team standings have yet to be finalised with the fifth and final league meeting taking place at Therfield Heath in Royston on February 18.

The Comet: North Herts Road Runners at the start of the Three Counties Cross-country League in Weston. Picture: NHRRNorth Herts Road Runners at the start of the Three Counties Cross-country League in Weston. Picture: NHRR (Image: North Herts Road Runners)

It wasn't the only cross-country event hosted in north Hertfordshire though, as North Herts Road Runners led the way in their leg of the Three Counties Cross-country League.

Held around the trails and hills between Baldock and Weston, a total of 55 from the club ran the event while many more supported in various roles around the challenging course.

In the women's category, the Squirrels secured a commendable second place, led home by Katie Harbon who was victorious in the ladies' race.

The men dominated though, clinching top spot in the team event and helping the club to an overall second position on the day.

Team captain John Auld said: "It was a fantastic morning for NHRR, and their continued success in the Three Counties League is a testament to everyone’s dedication and teamwork. 

"Congratulations to the entire NHRR community for a stellar performance, setting the stage for more triumphs in the upcoming events."

The Squirrels also had Richard Springall at the Portsmouth Coastal Marathon, and he was able to smash his PB despite the beach and marsh sections, finishing in 3:06.

The Comet: Jess Ives-Keeler of Stevenage Striders rings the PB bell at Stevenage Parkrun. Picture: STEVENAGE STRIDERSJess Ives-Keeler of Stevenage Striders rings the PB bell at Stevenage Parkrun. Picture: STEVENAGE STRIDERS (Image: Stevenage Striders)

Elsewhere Stevenage Striders have had yet more PBs to celebrate too.

At Stevenage Parkrun, Steve Dennis (21:24), Jess Ives-Keeler (21:53) and Lina Tzompova (24:23) went quicker than ever before while Tony Randfield was first in his age category.

Abdullah Athar, however, was first overall in 18:01.

Adam Hough smashed another club record, one that had stood for nearly a decade, by finishing the Queen Elizabeth Park 10k in 36:52.

Chrissie Thomas and Marc Hagland took on the Phoenix Meep Meep Christmas Coyote half marathon on their road to 100 half's, both completing it in 2:32:18.