THE North Herts Road Runners swept the board at the national cross-country plate final on Sunday. The club won the overall trophy, both the men s and women s individual titles and both team races. Neil Miller was victorious in the men s race over the chal

THE North Herts Road Runners swept the board at the national cross-country plate final on Sunday.

The club won the overall trophy, both the men's and women's individual titles and both team races.

Neil Miller was victorious in the men's race over the challenging five and a half mile course in Ampthill.

Astrid McKeown ensured that the club also took home the ladies' individual championship trophy.

And Astrid's husband, Steve McKeown, added to the trophy haul with second place in the men's race.

Neil and Steve's performances set the perfect foundation for an excellent men's team result.

Gary Cook followed them home in fourth place and James Atkins crossed the line in seventh.

Keiron McGill also recorded a single digit score for the Squirrels; he finished in his highest ever position, ninth place, and continued his good recent form.

John Russell and Richard Harbon completed the men's scoring team with Stewart Bryant finishing shortly afterwards.

In the ladies' event, Natasha Pitman, Paula Adams and Jo Summers recorded excellent points scores to help secure the ladies' team prize.

In Paris, a number of Squirrels took part in the city's marathon.

James Walsh was first to the finish in Avenue Foch in a time of 3-31:26. His time was even more impressive as the race was his first over the classic runners' distance.

Colin Calcutt set a new personal best time in completing the course in 3-48:50 and Roger Bamberough finished shortly afterwards in 3-55:15.

Also in action at the weekend was Steve Taplin who battled fierce blizzards to complete the Bungay Black Dog Half Marathon in 1-33.

Six Fairlands Valley Spartans took part in the snowy Mayor of Hertford's 10k race which was organised in aid of the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund on Sunday morning.

This was on a multi-terrain course with snowfalls before and during the event.

Times: Alan Donald was 24th in 39:59, Jim Brown 35th in 41:34, Steve Smithson 36th in 41:35, Gerry McCabe 92nd in 46:23, Andy Jay 95th in 46:50, Jeannette Collins 65:11.

Roger Biggs spent Saturday running down a lovely river canyon near the City of Yakima, Washington State, USA.

It was cold at the start of the Yakima River Canyon Marathon but a lovely sunny day and almost perfect for running. Shame about the two long hills though! Roger finished in 3-45:14 and was second in the Vet 55-59 age group.

Chris King ran a fantastic time in the recent Rome Marathon.

There were 19,000 runners, 1,600 women, and Chris was 47th woman in 3-20:07. She was the third British female runner.

Mark Sanders ran the Bungay Black Dog marathon, which could have been renamed the four seasons marathon, with the weather conditions.

He achieved a time of 4-34:15 on this two-lap undulating course through the Norfolk countryside.

David Bowker flew round the Peterborough open 3k race in 10:05.

FVS TRI's Richard Easterbrook improved his marathon personal best by more than an hour with 3-59:04 in Paris.

Overseas member John Burgess finished 88th from 1,443 in a time of 1-33:32 for the University of Michigan Dearborn Martian half marathon.