North Herts Road Runners made a promising start to Division One of the Midweek Road Race League at Epping Forest. Encouraged that the team fielded more than 50 runners, the Squirrels just pipped host club Orion Harriers and St Albans Striders into second

North Herts Road Runners made a promising start to Division One of the Midweek Road Race League at Epping Forest.

Encouraged that the team fielded more than 50 runners, the Squirrels just pipped host club Orion Harriers and St Albans Striders into second place behind a powerful Welwyn Garden City Runners team.

Over a scenic five-mile course, Angela Tyrrell and Astrid McKeown spearheaded the ladies' section by coming second and third respectively.

They were ably backed up in the scoring by Melissa Winters (10th), Paula Adams (14th), Jane Chappell (23rd) and Suzy Crowe (24th).

The men did not get a runner in the first 10 but got all of the 12 scoring runners, mostly veterans, in respectably high positions.

Steve McKeown (13th) was first home for the club with Pete Sibbett, Pete Northover, Gary Cook, Dave Frampton, John Franklin, Richard Harbon, John Russell, Johnny Spinks, Richard Thackeray, Martyn Annetts and Stewart Bryant all scoring.

There were also some excellent performances from non-scoring runners as they contributed to the team's success by pushing down the scoring value of the other teams.

The club hope to maintain their good start at the next fixture at Welwyn Garden City on Tuesday night.

Fairlands Valley Spartans are preparing for their first Midweek Road Race League fixture of the season.

The evening 10k race will be in Stevenage on Thursday, May 25, where Spartans start their campaign for promotion back to Division One.

Spartans anticipate getting up to 50 runners out for each event.

If you want to know more about the Spartans and the midweek league, please visit www.fvspartans.org.uk

Jim Brown was their first finisher at the Codicote 10k on Sunday morning in 40:18.

The event was on a four-lap course with several twists and turns.

Other Spartans supporting this local race were Chris Newbitt (45:36), Ron Church (45:39), Gerry McCabe (49:36), William Chappell (53.00), Ian Chappell (53:01), David Smith (53:19), Tricia Hopper (75:26) and Sarah Mann (75:26).

Three Spartans ran the Shakespeare Marathon at Stratford-upon-Avon on Sunday.

Despite a slow start, Roger Biggs finished in 3-35:21. Paul Holgate completed the course in 4-54:54 and Michaela Norton-Lay 4-59:10.

Three Spartans raced the Silverstone 10k last Tuesday.

Tony Osborne was second male 65 plus in 45:40. Next was Paul Holgate in 48:17 and Terry Woolley was sixth male 70 plus in 58:22.

Simon Hall from FVS TRI took bronze at the Shakespeare Half Marathon. Hall had a great race to finish on the podium in third and record a time of 1-14:19 in a field of more than 1,500 runners.

Sam Tophill and Jeremy Prodger competed in the 25th Shakespeare Marathon.

Sam battled through cramp from 17 miles and was pleased under the circumstances to finish in 3-40:42 (218th overall and 14th female). Jeremy completed his first marathon in 3-51.

FVS TRI made a splash at the local Luton Boxfit Aquathlon with some excellent results.

Ladies' times (400m swim and 5k run): Anna Priestley 34:14 (fourth), Alison Clayton-Smith 36:45 (fifth), Helen Robinson 38:26 (seventh).

Men' times (400m swim and 5k run): Ian Hobbs 29:56 (second).

Men's times (400m swim and 10k run): Dave Coard 44:46 (fourth).