Saffron Striders enjoyed their most memorable Hereward Relay ever last weekend. Saffron Striders entered a record number of six teams for the 38.4 mile, four-stage race, from Ely to Peterborough. The Spice Boys lived up to their elite billing by finishing

Saffron Striders enjoyed their most memorable Hereward Relay ever last weekend.

Saffron Striders entered a record number of six teams for the 38.4 mile, four-stage race, from Ely to Peterborough.

The Spice Boys lived up to their elite billing by finishing as the first veteran (over 40-years-old) team in a time of 4hr 04min 15sec.

Great runs from Tim Gardner, Chris Dodge, Nick Mahoney and Nigel Coates ensured the team took eighth place overall.

A new look Saffron Crocus team produced a fantastic team effort to finish 25th overall. Andy Bryant Toby Lumsden, James Snell and then Paul Burgess ran excellent stages to finish in 4hr 28min 08sec.

Kate Holden and Paul Waters were drafted into the injury hit Saffron Sprint team to join Gavin Long and Rob Woodward. Waters who had only ever run over nine miles once before brought the team home in

40th place - one of the highlights of the day.

The low point of the day, however, was when Saffron Continentals first-leg runner Anne Williams collapsed during stage one. She was rushed to hospital but fortunately had nothing more serious than low blood sugar levels.

Margit Wendelberger-James was obliged to start stage two from the back of the pack, but worked her way forward impressively and Stephane Toussenel and John James kept up the impressive form as they finished 85th in 5hr 13min 15sec.

Saffron Belles, the all-female Saffron Strider team led off by Frances Reynolds, came home in 5hr 10min to take 80th place.

Janet Lipski and Lucy Stebbings were joined by Andy Bryant who, after running the first stage for Crocus, had to replace Claire Waters, who had attended the hospital with Anne Williams.

John Howe, captained Saffron Howe, a team made up of son Gary, daughter Carole Wigley and daughter-in-law Julie.

A super performance from all four runners saw them finish in 120th place, with a time of 5hr 50min 26sec, to complete a special day, which will long be remembered in Saffron Striders folklore.