Hercules Wimbledon Athletic Club's senior women made a stunning start to their Max Sports Surrey Ladies League programme by taking the team honours in the opening match at Lightwater Country Park, Bagshot. The victory represented a remarkable turn round in performance. The club is only in its third season in the top division of the ladies league after struggling in Division Two for many years.

Top marathon runner Claire Grima led the team to a magnificent victory achieving her highest-ever finish in a Surrey League race. She was sixth out of more than 160 runners in 24 minutes 3 seconds, less than a minute behind the race winner. Amy Aronson as 16th in 25:34 with newcomer Jordan Folk 18th eight seconds later. Steph Robson was 21st in 27:11 with Hannah Fernando completing the team finishing 41st in 27:11.

Hercules Wimbledon, who were ninth last season, took the team honours with 101 points ahead of Reigate Priory (108) and Woking (115) with reigning league champions Thames Hare & Hounds fifth (139). The top 15 clubs in Surrey take part in the league's top division.

Hercules Wimbledon fielded a record 12 runners and the club's B team also finished well up. The scorers were Debbie Noel (57th in 28:00), Monika Cruise (92nd in 29:46), Louise Bendeus (94th in 29:53), Stacy Wheat (123rd in 31:40) and Caroline Glynn (137th in 33:07). Other seniors to complete the course were Rowena Hornshaw (143rd in 33:24) and Heather Letley (144th in 33:38).

Team manager Janet Fernando said:" We are absolutely delighted with the result. What a transformation! Four years ago we were near the bottom of Division Two and couldn't get the athletes out. Now, we're at the top of Division One and attracting more and more athletes." She added: "There's a great team spirit so fingers crossed for a successful season."

Hercules Wimbledon also had runners in action in the young athletes races. Hannah Baxter was 33rd in the under 13 race in 15:42 followed by Georgina Botros (36th in 17:31) and Hannah Botros (37th in 18:04). They were seventh in the team event. The under 15 team was also seventh with Claire Rogers 21st in 19:20, Aidjean Boyle 24th in 20:10 and Megan Le Doare 27th in 21:33.

Hercules Wimbledon's youngsters also triumphed in the opening 2XU Surrey League Division One race hosted by the club on Wimbledon Common. They were led to team success by Tim Livingston who fought off clubmate Ben Palmer to win the under 17 race by one second in 14:20. Cassian Hyde was second in the under 15 race in 14:45. Augustin Mallon was sixth under 17 in 15:47 and Ross Vance fifth under 15 in 15:56 to complete the winning team. Alex Lloyd-Jones was 16th in 16:03, Alex Bisnoouth 18th in 17:08 and Matt Newton 21st in 18:07. Hercules Wimbledon took the team honours with 35 points from Herne Hill (48) and South London Harriers (69).

Sam Helm finished just outside the top three in the boys under 13 race where he was fourth in 16:07. Alex Bond was 10th in 17:31, Finlay White 11th in 17:34, Harris Mier 13th inn 17:49, Elliott Mier 14th in 17:50 and Harry Clarke 15th in 18:30. The team was second, just four points behind the winners.

With top runner Liam White out of action through injury and Alex Robinson and Kieran White both unavailable, Hercules Wimbledon found it hard going in the senior men's five miles race. A bumper field of almost 200 runners took in the race. Hercules Wimbledon were led in by Adam Przedrzymirski who was 24th in 28:13 with Matt Sharp 28th in 28:28, Phil Glynn 48th in 29:34 and veteran Peter Lee 61st in 30:02. Completing the scoring team were Sean Crunmmy (71st in 30:32), David Grima (73rd in 30:40), Stuart Fraser (74th in 30:41), Ian Peglar (85th in 31:02) and Jamie Helmer (105th in 31:42). Other Hercules Wimbledon finishers were Stewart Bond (125th in 32:47), Richard Xerri (142nd in 34:06), Steve McDuell (146th in 34:17), Frank Wood (148th in 34:22) and Dave Ryan (161st in 35:30).

This weekend, Surrey champions Hercules Wimbledon are in action in the England six-stage ropad relay championships at Sutton Park on Saturday. Meanwhile, some of the club's more seasoned runners will be in action in the Surrey Veterans cross country championships in Richmond Park, also on Saturday. The races start and finish near Pembroke Lodge. The women's 6km race is at 2.30pm with the men's 10km event due off half-an-hour later.