St Albans Striders took on Half Marathons across England on Sunday.

In Newcastle, Striders took on the iconic Great North Run, following the footsteps of Sir Mo Farah to South Sheilds. Gareth Parker clocked in at 1:27:21, followed shortly behind by Gregg Taylor on 1:29:14. Allie Park-Crowne and Evie Allan were the first two female runners from the club to finish, in 1:48:44 and 1:59:26 respectively. Also running under the club's banner were David Holcroft (1:50:06), Nikki Francis (1:59:26), David Jackson (1:59:53), David Worcester (2:01:12), Diane Hunt (2:06:55), Beverley Sullivan (2:12:25), Rebecca Wheeler (2:22:25), Danielle Glassey (2:29:30) and Tony Lillico (2:45:56).

Much closer to home, there was excellent representation for the club at the Welwyn Garden City Half Marathon. Chris Wrighton was third overall with a time of 1:19:55. Jamie Sinclair was 14th in 1:25:53, and Gary Warren was 19th with 1:26:47. Nigel Aston was 1st MV50 by finishing in 1:30:42, Ellen Mayes was 2nd FV40 with 1:37:38, and Stacey Harris was 1st FV50 in 1:38:37. Judy Willits was 2nd FV50 with 1:46:11, Rachel Dixon was 5th FV40 with 1:41:45 and Paul Earnshaw was 5th MV60 with 1:53:26. Ali Hills took 23 minutes off her previous Personal Best by running the course in 1:59:23. Overall the club's men took away the first team prize.

Finally, Magda Meier ran the Colchester Zoo Half Marathon in 1:50:37. 

Earlier in the week St Albans Striders took on the first leg of the autumn mid-week Hatfield 5K series. Mike Lancaster was the first Strider home in 17:19, with Stephen Hosty close on his heels with 17:36. Friendly rivals Mike Martin and Gareth Beavis both finished in 17:53. The club won both men's and women's team County Championship bronze medals, and Jen Conway won the individual bronze with her time of 19:32. Wendy Walsh was just behind in 19:43.

In other news, Jack Brooks and Fiona Snailham both ran the Flanders Fields Marathon in times of 4:52:14 and 5:12:00 respectively. Magdalena Petrus set a new 5K PB at St Albans parkrun by going sub-25 for the first time with 24:21.

Report by Howard Bull

Photo of Gareth Beavis, Chris Wrighton and Nigel Aston at the WGC Half with the men's team prize taken by Tim Searle.

Photo of Stephen Hosty, Wendy Walsh, Jen Conway, Rachel Aldridge, Mike Lancaster, and Mike Martin at the Hatfield 5K supplied by Rachel Aldridge.