There were 62 Fairlands Valley Spartans racing at the weekend – 49 were at the local Standalone 10k (see news pages 40 and 41) while others were in Canada, Belgium, Scotland, Suffolk, Sandy and also at the Great North Run. Three Spartans lived up to the c

There were 62 Fairlands Valley Spartans racing at the weekend - 49 were at the local Standalone 10k (see news pages 40 and 41) while others were in Canada, Belgium, Scotland, Suffolk, Sandy and also at the Great North Run.

Three Spartans lived up to the club name when they braved high winds, storms and sudden downpours during the flower of Suffolk off road marathon based around Walberswick.

First to finish was Mike Newbitt in 4-48:05, next was Sharon Crowley in 5-18:10, and then Robert Hardy in 5-39:49.

Chris King was in Toronto, Canada, for the Waterfront Marathon. She was second woman in her category and 106th out of the 1,906 finishers with a time of 3-22:37 in hot conditions and quite exposed with strong winds.

Chris Feely tackled the biggest half-marathon in the world. She completed the Great North Run on Sunday in a time of 2-08:33.

Ian Collier completed the run in 2-25:38 - 15 minutes faster than last year.

Roger Biggs continued his world tour of marathons with his best time since London back in April at the De Kust Marathon in Belgium.

It was on a flat point to point course on the Belgian coast from De Panne to Ostend. Biggs was 347th from more than 1,000 finishers with a time of 3-33:01.

Mark Sanders and Michaela Norton-Lay enjoyed some rolling hills on the marathon course that follows the shores of Loch Ness, then along the banks of the fast flowing River Ness to finish in Inverness. Sanders finished in 4-40:15 with Norton-Lay not far behind in 4-40:35.

Dave Stephenson took his last chance of the year to complete a 1500m race at a meeting held at the track in Sandy on Saturday.

On a warm, windy afternoon, he just managed to finish before the rain started in a time of 5:05.3.

North Herts Road Runners had members tackling distances at both ends of the running spectrum over the weekend.

On Friday at London's Hyde Park, six Squirrels competed at the monthly 5k.

Martyn Annetts was first home for the club in 19:29 followed by Duncan Hooker in 19:47.

Jo Summers was the first Vet 40 female in the race in 21:58 and Anna Priestley was second female in the Vet 50 category with a time of 24:13. There were also fine runs from Simon Dearn (25:44) and Lindsay Cook (27:19).

At the other end of the distance scale, three club members completed the Loch Ness Marathon.

There were superb personal bests by veterans Christine Sharp, who who went under four hours to complete the race in 3-58, and from Sally Harkins, who reduced her previous best time by 11 minutes to finish in 4-23.

Dave Harkins also did well to complete the 26 miles in 4-36 despite suffering from injury.

In the final track and field event of the season at Sandy, a handful of Stevenage and North Herts athletes wound-up their season.

Cameron Webb, under-17 man, clocked 11.8 and 23.9 in his two sprint races, while under-15 girls Amy Pritchard clocked 15.3 and 31.9 in hers.

David Paar posted a personal best of 24.9 for 200m as well as 14.6 for his 100m hurdles race.

Nick Stoppard (under-15 boy) and Bethan Scanes (under-15 girl) ran in their respective distance hurdle races, clocking 12.0 and 14.6 respectively.

P Local triathlon club FVS TRI had two members taking part in the inaugural autumn Bedford Sprint.

Jeremy Lintott and new member Stewart Kay competed in the event which was a 400m pool swim, 25k bike and 5k run in the park.

Times: Jeremy Lintott 1-14:37, Stewart Kay 1-24:01.

Mark Robertson headed up North and finished the Great North Run in 1-40.

Jan Forrester completed the Windgatherer Fell Race in Buxton and was rewarded with wine and chocolates for her top veteran 50 performance.

The event was over 13.5 miles - 2500ft of climbing - which Jan completed in 2-31.