Stevenage and North Herts AC were runners-up at Walthamstow in their first Southern Men s League match of 2008. They finished behind Harrow AC, beating Vale of Aylesbury AC and the host club, Forest AC. At least four personal bests were set, led off in th

Stevenage and North Herts AC were runners-up at Walthamstow in their first Southern Men's League match of 2008.

They finished behind Harrow AC, beating Vale of Aylesbury AC and the host club, Forest AC.

At least four personal bests were set, led off in the first event, the pole vault, where Connor Winters (first year under-17) leapt 20cm higher than before to take second place with 3.10m.

Aaron Hull, a long-standing club member now in his second full year as a senior, won the B string javelin with a personal best of 45.73m, and then took second place in the B shot with another best of 10.29m.

Adam Searle ran his fastest track 5000m time, coming second in 16:34.1.

First places in the match were achieved by Ton Tomu (200m A; 22.1), Dan Poulton (1500m A; 4:10.4 and 400m B; 52.9), Sam Poulton (1500m B; 4:34.6), Neil McLellan (javelin A; 67.13m), and the 4x400m relay team of Josh Moss, Aaron Reynolds, Dan Poulton and Ton Tomu (3:30.3).

Second places were achieved by Cameron Webb, Josh Moss, Callum McKechnie, Barry Mainstone, John Mayor, Neil McLellan, Mick Shortland, and the 4x100m relay team.

The other team members were Sam Pollard, Tanake Chitate, Lee Grint, Nick Stoppard, and Reece Barber.

Hayley Beard, studying at Birmingham University, started her season in style.

She won the silver medal for second place in the British University Students Championships at Bedford. Hayley clocked 2:08.42 in the 800m event.

* Melissa Winters of the North Herts Road Runners finished second in the ladies' race at the Watford 10k on a sunny Bank Holiday Monday.

She completed the course in 41:33 to secure her place on the podium, around a minute and a half behind local lady Sandra Williams.

* Biggleswade AC marathon couple Paula Dawson and Gavin Elliott completed the Heritage Coast Marathon in Thorpness, Suffolk, on Sunday.

This 26.2 mile race was no ordinary marathon as it was run on coastal paths, sand dunes, shingle and woodland trails.

Gavin (3-51, 12th) led the field at a blistering speed for the first 13 miles before relaxing his pace due to running the London Marathon only three weeks earlier.

Paula (4-53) took the first half of the race more professionally. Saving her energy to ensure she had a strong finish, this tactic worked well as she over took three competitors in the last two miles.

* Twenty members of Hitchin-based triathlon club FVS TRI raced at the first local event in Bedford.

Mark Robertson led the team home in sixth overall and second in 20-24 age group with 1-04:54 for the 400m pool swim, 24k bike and 5k run.

Simon Patenall was second home for the club and also second in the 40-44 age group in a time of 1-09:44 for 14th.

Kerri Renshaw was first female for the club and second in the female race in a time of 1-12:28. Suzy Hawkins was second female for FVS TRI in her first outing for the club finishing in 1-20:45.

Andy Mussett was first in the 17-18 age group in 1-14:52 and 32nd overall. Brenda Bozwood Davies was first in the 60-64 age group in 1-39:26.

There were significant personal bests for Graham Perry and Simon Douglas who both improved by six minutes from last year. Drew Lowrie completed his first triathlon finishing in 1-23:41 and Shawn Reader also competed for FVS TRI for the first time finishing in 1-24:58.

Times: Mark Robertson 1-04:54, Simon Patenall 1-09:44, Kerri Renshaw 1-12:28, Simon Shaw 1-13:58, Andy Mussett 1-14:52, Richard Thomas 1-17:26, Gerry Corrance 1-20:32, Suzy Hawkins 1-20:45, Nat Whitley 1-21:11, Ed Manson 1-22:24, Richard Easterbrook 1-23:06, Drew Lowrie 1-23:41, Pete Hodgson 1-24:25, Shawn Reader 1-24:58, Simon Douglas 1-27:29, Graham Perry 1-33:37, Meli Fletcher 1-36:35, Alyson Sprawson 1-36:46, Brenda Bozwood Davies 1-39:26. Greg Blount 1-44:48.

Top veteran triathlete Ian Mackerness completed the Icknield Road Club 25-mile cycle time trial in his fastest time for 12 years in a superb time of 56:55.

Mark Robertson was recently sixth overall in the Dunston Triathlon in 58:05 for the 400m pool swim, 20k bike and 5k run. Natalie Barnard was third female overall and first in the 20-24 age group in 1-01:24. Brenda Bozwood Davies won the over-60 female race in 1-28:12.

Richard Melvern raced the tough Ashbourne Duathlon over a hilly 12k run, 40k bike and 4k run to finish first male over 60 and hopes to now compete in the Age Group World Duathlon Championships.