Runners stay up – but it’s so close

Royston avoided relegation and condemned North Herts Road Runners to the drop after both clubs were locked on 14 points in their final midweek race. North Herts had the advantage as they were 70 individual scoring points ahead and beat Royston convincing

Royston avoided relegation and condemned North Herts Road Runners to the drop after both clubs were locked on 14 points in their final midweek race.

North Herts had the advantage as they were 70 individual scoring points ahead and beat Royston convincingly in the previous race, and Royston looked odds-on to go down.

But they fielded their strongest teams for the final race at St Albans - one of the longest and toughest of the season.

It was looking good for the men's team, with Ian Murray coming home in sixth position in 39:22 followed closely by Karl Cable, Richard Lowden, Jared Walbridge, Dave Bowker, Ryan de Vooght-Johnson, Godfrey Tofts and Graham Hill, all finishing inside 44 minutes.

The men's impressive display left it all down to the women, who accepted the challenge and they all finished within 62 minutes.

Michelle Maxwell was first home in eighth position in 46:33, followed by Nikki Tyrell in 13th 47:44 and Kate Nankivell 22nd in 50:40 and Royston had done enough to stay up.

It was incredibly close, with both teams level on points, but it was North Herts who were relegated by just 10 scoring points.

It was a struggle, but Royston achieved their season's target and remain in Division 1.