THERE is no excuse not to get fitter in Stevenage this month. Fairlands Valley Spartans are organising this Saturday s Sport Relief Mile in the town as well promoting two other major events. The Sport Relief Mile is already full but entries are wanted for

THERE is no excuse not to get fitter in Stevenage this month.

Fairlands Valley Spartans are organising this Saturday's Sport Relief Mile in the town as well promoting two other major events.

The Sport Relief Mile is already full but entries are wanted for the other events.

The Fairlands Valley Challenge which is on Sunday, July 23, is a long distance off road running event that starts and finishes in Fairlands Valley Park. There are already well over 200 entries and the limit is 500.

The challenge offers a choice of 11 miles, 18 miles and full off road marathon routes through the rich countryside of North Herts.

They all start from the Scout Hut, Shephall View, Bedwell (on the edge of the park) at 10.30am.

Entries are £10 (£8 for members of UKA affiliated clubs). Late entries, if there is still space, will cost £2 extra.

You can also tackle the event as a long distance walk. The walkers set out at 9am.

For more details and an entry form, visit www.fvspartans.org.uk or call Roger Biggs on 01438 359173.

Just two days later, the popular Fairlands Valley Relays take place in the park (Tuesday, July 25).

Much shorter and all on tarmac, teams are invited to enter now.

All runners will race over 3,000m. Men's teams consist of five runners (covering a total of 15,000m) and women's teams of three runners (9,000m).

The event includes the Herts senior and veterans' county championships (with the usual eligibility rules). The open event will welcome team entries for all clubs and runners who may be from companies, other employers, fitness centres, social organisations and other sports.

The entry fees are £10 for men's teams (five runners) and £6 for women's teams (three). The race will start promptly at 7.30pm.

For an entry form and more details, visit the club website or call Tessa Stephenson on 01438 354955.

Six Spartans enjoyed the Cranfield 5k road race on Friday.

Times: Paul Maguire 19:48, Kevin Smyth 20:10, Jim Brown 21:16, Paul Holgate 24:00, Veronica Maguire 25:08, Sue Leigh 27:59.

It was two universities in a few days for Paul Holgate as he ran the Milton Keynes 10k, based on the Open University, last Tuesday evening. He was 241st in 51:03.