Stevenage was the destination for two big events for Garden City Runners.

They began with the Fairlands Valley 3k relays, and it proved highly successful.

The club had a total of 21 teams of our, each running a 3k leg around the park.

They won gold for the fastest women's team, with the quartet of Juliet Vine, Jessica Timmins, Martha Hall and Zoe Stephens all getting inside 12 minutes.

Vine's 11:17 made her the fourth fastest woman on the night.

Bradley Birch, Ben Carr, Chris Baylis and Joe Ansbro took bronze in the men's event with the 9:24 from Birch being the fifth fastest individual male time.

At the other end of the field, the GCR squad of Hayley Connolly, Willow Gibson, Tendy St Francis and Val Levison were the last finishers in 1:18:41, just four seconds adrift of hosts FVS.

Gibson said: "It was a fantastic race and very inclusive for all runners, including slow ones like me."

The club's Richard Sidlin, who works for RacesOnline, also provided the electronic timing, used for the first time in the event's 35-year history.

All in all, GCR achieved five medals in the open race and 11 county medals, including a podium place in almost every county vet category.

They were back to Stevenage at the weekend for the Fairlands Valley Challenge.

This is self-navigated event with multiple distances on offer, all of which start and finish at Marriotts School.

Rebecca Barden ran the 18.6 mile route with Steve Ellerd-Elliott, Roger Adey and Helen Stafford.

They were joined for the first five miles by Hannah Frank, who ran the half marathon distance, and by Colin Grace from Datchworth onwards.

They had to battle through fields and other obstacles but with the help of GPX maps, they were able to get round after a thoroughly enjoyable run.

Martin Mitchell meanwhile took on the Chilterns 50k Ultra at Princes Risborough.

He said: "It was a well organised event that looped through the scenic Chilterns.

"The weather was muggy with lots of hills and some sections were a bit overgrown which resulted in a few minor cuts from brambles, but it was worth it for the views.

"I missed a turn at 38k which cost me a few places, but I was happy with 16th place and a time of 4:54."