FAIRLANDS Valley Spartans moved up to second place out of the seven participating clubs in the final Mid Week Road Race League match over a five mile course in Welwyn Garden City on Wednesday evening. Although this was their second runner-up result in the

FAIRLANDS Valley Spartans moved up to second place out of the seven participating clubs in the final Mid Week Road Race League match over a five mile course in Welwyn Garden City on Wednesday evening.

Although this was their second runner-up result in the four race series, it was not quite enough to win that important second place overall and promotion to division one.

Forty eight Spartans finished Wednesday's five mile race in Welwyn Garden City. That brings the total number of Spartans who took part in at least one of the races to 88.

Tremendous participation but the difference between promotion and not quite making it was just one or two key runners who could not make certain races.

In Welwyn Garden City three clubs tied on 10 points with the team positions being determined by individual scores so Royston won with 580, Fairlands Valley Spartans had 709 and Bishop's Stortford 718. Once again turnout mattered.

The final league points were: Royston Runners 48; Bishop's Stortford Running Club 44; Fairlands Valley Spartans 38; Herts Phoenix 31; Harlow Running Club 22; Broxbourne Running Club 21 and Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers 20.

The Spartans women's team were an excellent second on the night. Chris King led them with a new personal best of 35:10 and sixth place followed by Claire Haddleton 11th in 36:11, Amanda Brook 15th in a personal best of 36:38, Tessa Stephenson 16th in 37:03, Pippa Sutcliffe 20th in a personal best of 37:42, and Sharon Crowley 23rd in a personal best of 38:07.

Declan Clynes led the Spartan men. He was 25th with a time of 29:59. Simon Jackson was 28th in a new personal best 30:10, Todd Gray 36th in 30:55 and Paul Maguire 43rd in a new personal best of 31:51.

The end of series Mob Match will be over a 9k multi-terrain course in Trent Park, north London on Wednesday evening July 12. Clubs from both divisions will take part.

The heat was on at the Aston Five Mile Road Race which is a popular local event. It has been successfully organised for 16 years as part of the village fair.

Like many others the event is coming under increasing pressure of regulations and extra charges from Hertfordshire County Council so it was great that 23 Spartans were able to support the event by running in very hot conditions.

Martin Wood was first Spartan in a brilliant seventh place in a time of 31:17 seconds. Next was Don Papworth who has recently returned to the Spartans. He was 14th in 32:23.

It is possible that next year's Aston Five will be part of the County Championship series.

In the Aston Fun Run Brett McFarlane was second overall in 9:27. Harry Shires finished in 14:21 and Lewis Clarke in 24:00.

Five Spartans felt the heat in France for the Somme Marathon in poppy country. It started and finished in Albert near Amiens and visited many of the historic sites on the 90th Anniversary weekend of the start of that dreadful battle.

Mike Newbitt did well to finish in 3-57:28 seconds. The other Spartans wilted a bit.

Their times were Dave Paul 5-4:3, Roger Biggs 5-18:48, and Michaela Norton Lay and Carol Paul both 5-22:54.

Doug Hall found the British 10k in central London far too hot. He finished in 1-1:37.

Fairlands Valley Spartans are hosting a Sport Relief Mile in Stevenage on Saturday, July 15.

For more information go to the sport relief website www.sportrelief.com or contact Paul Holgate by e-mail paul.holgate@bt.com or telephone 07764 237659.