Fairlands Valley Spartans are hosting the Fairlands Valley Challenge this Sunday. Around 500 are expected across the three off-road events which will start and finish in Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage. The choices are a full off-road marathon (26.2 mile

Fairlands Valley Spartans are hosting the Fairlands Valley Challenge this Sunday.

Around 500 are expected across the three off-road events which will start and finish in Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage.

The choices are a full off-road marathon (26.2 miles), 18 miles or 12 miles.

The event starts from the scout hut at 10.30am. More details are available from roger@thebiggs.net

The club's popular annual midweek road relays take place for the 16th time on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm.

All runners will race over 3,000m. Men's teams consist of five runners and women's of three.

The event incorporates the Herts AAA senior and veteran championships.

The entry fee for men's teams is £10 and for women £6. Entries can be taken on the night but get to the event headquarters - the scout hut on the Shephall View side of Fairlands Valley Park - early.

Two Spartans made the long journey to Great Bentley near Clacton on Friday evening to take part in the Great Bentley five miles.

On a pancake flat course in ideal running conditions, fast times were guaranteed and Paul Holgate produced his fastest five-mile time for some time to finish in 38:41, while Roger Biggs completed the course in 39:31 even with an Achilles injury to slow him down.

Four Spartans were at the High Weald Challenge trail event.

Michael Newbitt completed the 26-mile course in 5-31. He was followed in by Carol Paul and Kevin Lawlor both in 5-50. David Paul completed the 14.4 mile option in 3-59.

On a beautiful morning, Jim Brown ran the multi-terrain Lee Valley 10k in 42:06.

Three North Herts Road Runners made the journey to the village of Felsted in the heart of Essex for the Felsted 10k.

John Franklin was the first Squirrel to finish in 73rd place and a time of 41:27. Martyn Annetts was slightly behind in 42:24 and 89th place. Rachel Annetts was 284th out of the 425 finishers in 52:52.

Michael Mello and Dave Frampton were also in 10k action at the weekend when they took part in the Lee Valley 10k near Ware. Dave set the pace for Michael who finished the race in 43:15.