VETERAN runners from Loughton Ath-letics Club brought the curtain down on another season with success in Bedford.

The men’s and the women’s teams each finished in third place in the rankings at the Eastern Veterans League Final, held at the Bedford International Stadium.

That was historic for the female runners, as it was their best ever result at the event. They were a mere six points behind the winners.

Meanwhile, the men produced a late surge to climb up from fourth to third place in what was only their second appearance there.

They broke through on the very last event of the day, the relay race.

They sneaked into third by the narrow margin of three points.

Afterwards, the women’s team manager, Gabbie Brooks, expressed her delight.

She said: “This was a fantastic team performance, achieved against very strong opposition, and our athletes should be very proud of themselves.”

The men’s team manager, Tony Babbs, spoke of his pride at seeing his charges produce their finest performance of the season on the final day.

He said: “As the competition developed during the day, our athletes really began to believe that we could get among the leading teams, and to snatch bronze medal position on the final day is the highlight of our season.”