The London Marathon naturally figured high on the priority list for both Fairlands Valley Spartans and North Herts Road Runners.

The Comet: Simon Jackson and Andrew Patterson of Fairlands Valley Spartans at the London Marathon.Simon Jackson and Andrew Patterson of Fairlands Valley Spartans at the London Marathon. (Image: Fairlands Valley Spartans)

Three from the Stevenage club beat the three-hour mark in the capital with Andrew Patterson coming home 274th out of the 40,000-plus field in a time of two hours 38 minutes 29 seconds.

Simon Jackson (2:46:18) and Adrian Busolini (2:58:38) were the others.

The Comet: Zoe Jackson of Fairlands Valley Spartans at the London Marathon.Zoe Jackson of Fairlands Valley Spartans at the London Marathon. (Image: Fairlands Valley Spartans)

Yuko Gordon was the female 70-74 age group winner, running 3:31:54 while Ashley King (4:19:54) and Zoe Jackson (4:29:08) were also among the FVS results.

Robert Wright meanwhile completed the 26.2 miles in 4:15:10, dressed as a chicken.

Other Spartans were also in attendance, volunteering to help with the baggage buses and getting kit back to the runners.

The Comet: Cath Craig of Fairlands Valley Spartans at the London Marathon.Cath Craig of Fairlands Valley Spartans at the London Marathon. (Image: Marian Morley)

For North Herts Road Runners there were 13 from the club taking part.

Mark Vaughan was delighted with his time of 2:36:03 despite admitting to setting off too quickly.

That time broke his own MV50 club record as well as placing him third in the 50-54 category.

The Comet: Mark Vaughan of North Herts Road Runners at the London Marathon.Mark Vaughan of North Herts Road Runners at the London Marathon. (Image: North Herts Road Runners)

Mike Roberts was a London debutant and managed 2:34:52 while Stewart Overton (2:52:11), Vincent Wright (2:54:16) and Nick Malpeli (2:59:36) also ducked under three hours.

Richard Weber crossed the line in a "solid" 3:55:54 while Oliver Parsons managed 3:06:38.

For the female Squirrels, Anna Klucnika was the first over the line in 2:57:03 while Rhia Botha, running her first ever marathon, completed the course in 3:30:32.

The Comet: Michael Roberts of North Herts Road Runners at the London Marathon.Michael Roberts of North Herts Road Runners at the London Marathon. (Image: North Herts Road Runners)

Cara Sutton took 11 minutes off her PB with 4:14:53 while other female squirrels who took part were Natalie Delaney (5:15:09), Carina Quayle (5:29:27), and Amanda Pritchett (7:32:33).