St Albans Striders had a double dose of cross country running at the weekend, with league races taking place on both Saturday and Sunday. 

A total of 20 senior men and 16 senior women turned out for the club at the latest Chiltern League fixture in Keysoe, rural Bedfordshire. 

Wendy Walsh was the club's first runner in the women's 3.7 mile race, finishing 26th in division one in 27:15, accompanied by Catherine O'Connor who was 32nd in 27:37 and Jenny Maddocks 37th in 27:55.

James McMurray was the first St Albans Strider to finish the men's race of 6.3 miles, coming sixth in division one in 34:28, followed by Jonathan Scott in 36:59 and Philip Evans in 37:26.

The following day returning Scott and Walsh were amongst 40 Striders who respresented the club at the fourth Sunday League XC race, in Cassiobury Park, Watford, where men and women ran the 6 mile course together. 

Jonathan Scott was the club's first finisher, coming 9th overall, with Gary Warren, Pablo Plaza Lastras, and Mike Lancaster close behind in 26th, 36th, and 45th respectively. 

For the women, Penny Habbick was 77th overall, followed by Wendy Walsh, Helen Cartlidge, Katherine Caris-Harris, and Deirdre Heydecker making up the female scoring team. 

Also taking place over the weekend was the 'Country to Capital' event, a 45-mile trail ultra-marathon from Wendover Woods to Little Venice in London. Andrew Mckillop and Andrew Maher took on the challenge with times of 6 hours 36 minutes and 8 hours 45 minutes respectively. It was Maher's fourth time competing in the event, and this was his best time.

Report by Howard Bull.

All photos by Chris Barr.