St Albans Striders put the disappointment of a major national postponement to one side and still managed to get out and about at alternative events up and down the country.

Rain meant conditions at Weston Park in Telford were not suitable for the the English National Cross Country.

The English Cross Country Association said: "We very much regret to announce that despite every effort possible being made, we are unable to hold the National Championships at Weston Park.

"Thursday saw torrential rain for many hours, and much of the park, including parking areas are underwater.

"Falling on already saturated ground, this made conditions impossible for parking.

"We have spent the last 24 hours exploring every possible alternative, but we have not been able to solve the parking issues."

 

The ECCA have said they will run it again in September.

The Striders were very quickly over that disappointment though.

There was a very strong ladies turn out of at the Wokingham half marathon with Penny Habbick leading the club home with a PB of 1:25:33, placing her firmly in the top 50 out of a field of over 900 females.

She was also fifth in her age category.

She was followed by Stacey Harris (1:36:55), Nicky Laitner (1:36:42) and Fleur Harvey-Keenan, the latter also getting a PB, her new time being 1:38:55.

Tom Porteous also competed in the race finishing in 1:56:19.

Kate Dixon, Katie Bunting, and Onil Biswas opted for the breath taking backdrop of the Jurassic Coast in Dorset as they completed the Lulworth Cove trail 'long' half marathon.

The 14.5 mile course had some climbs as formidable as they were awe-inspiring.

Dixon successfully finished as second female in 2:12:41

Also opting for an off road challenge of rough, rocky, and muddy surfaces, with a 3,000 feet ascent was Jake James.

He came third in the North Downs Ridge 50km in a time of 3:51:37

Back on firmer, albeit still hilly ground, Jack Brooks was first male in the 70 plus age group at the Mississippi Blues Marathon in the US in a time of 5:41:02.

He was equally proud of being the oldest runner in the race and delighted with his guitar shaped finishing and age category medals, which provide a lovely reminder of the authentic blues music that was played by live bands throughout the course.

In other news round up, John Logan was 11th out of 350 runners and second in his age group at the Regents Park 10km, achieving a new PB of 38:57 in the process.

Archie Marshall from St Albans Athletics Club also placed second at the Victoria Park Half marathon in a time of 1:14:15.

There was a PB for George Booth in the British Universities & Colleges indoor track nationals, held at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

He completed the 3,000m event in a time of 9:19.53.