Month: June 2012

News Release   24^th June 2012

BIG PUSH NEEDED IN MID WEEK LEAGUE

Getting in the Olympic Mood

Fairlands Valley Spartans will have to work hard in Thursday evening’s fourth and last counting event in the Mid Week Road Race League after a mishap in the Harlow race on Wednesday.  In order to avoid relegation the club is calling on all who can to run the seven mile event in St. Albans on the 28th.

A slightly reduced but still impressive contingent of sixty two Spartans lined up for Wednesday’s Mid Week League race which was on a largely cross country 10K course in Harlow.  The running surface and undulating terrain did not seem to worry some as their were several personal best times.

ROB WILLIS (35^th) ran his first 10K for the club in 38 minutes 14 seconds; DARREN WILBY (135^th) improved to 45:09; JON SYPULA (152^nd) to 45:54; JULIE SIMMONS (175^th) to 47:21; RHIANNON GRIFFIN (180^th) to 47:38; JENNIFER ROBERTSON (195^th) to 48:44; VISHAL SHAH (201^st) to 49:05; TONY VICKERS (204^th) to 49:14; TRACY BULLOT (226^th) to 51:19; and SARAH SAPSTEAD (312^th) to 1:04:46.  Many improved on their times on the faster Welwyn Garden City course!

TRUDIE MOLLOY and SIMON STEWART ran their first 10Ks in 52:19 and 52:49 respectively.

SIMON JACKSON (11^th in 35:56); SHAW PYE (16^th in 36:20); ANDY NEATHAM (17^th and fourth “vet” in 36:22); GRANT RAMSAY (30^th in 37:42) and ANDREW PATTERSON (31^st in 37:53) were the fastest men for the club.  TRACY PEZ (150^th in 45:51); Julie Simmons (above); Rhiannon Griffin (above); Jennifer Robertson (above) and DAWN EASBY (198^th in a season’s best 48:48) were the quickest Spartan women.

IRIS HORNSEY was the first woman vet (65 plus) in a season’s best 59:35; BEV HARLOW was second woman vet (55 plus) in 52:22: and BARRY OSBORNE was third vet man (60 plus) in 43:42.

A club casualty on a bridleway just over 5K stopped or delayed several Spartans who were in the top half of the field.  This inevitably had an effect on the team result.

The Spartan men came fourth out of the six teams but unfortunately their women, more dramatically affected by the incident and missing some of their faster runners, came last.  This meant the club were fifth on the night and in the same position in the league.  They must improve to at least fourth to survive in division one.

The results for all sixty Spartan finishers will be found at the very end of this release.

Hadrians Wall

This weekend Spartans TRICIA HOPPER and KAREN LIDDLE took part in the Hadrians Wall ultra 69 mile race over 2 days, finishing in a total 16 hours and 57 minutes.

They both feel tired but fab and even had a little left to break into a sort of sprint over the Millenium bridge.  Tricia and Karen quite rightly really chuffed at their achievement.

Roger’s a Winner in Hardest Marathon

ROGER BIGGS took part in possibly the hardest road marathon in the UK on Sunday — the Lancaster Castle Marathon.  There was a long climb out Lancaster into the surrounding countryside, then several stiff climbs before a monster hill at 18 miles.  Despite this, Roger ran the whole 26.2 miles in good conditions.  Roger’s time was good enough over a tough course to place as the first vet 60, winning £50 for his troubles, with a time of 4 hours 8 minutes 10 seconds.

Herts Hobble

Nine Spartans slipped and slid their way around a not surprisingly extremely muddy Hertfordshire Hobble which this year took in the Hertfordshire villages of Bramfield, Chapmore End, Westmill, Thunderidge, Sacombe, Dane End, Little Munden, Green End, Great Munden, Ardeley, Walkern, Benington and Watton-at-Stone.

Their times for the 26.4 miles were Carol Paul 5 hours 35 minutes 24 seconds; Mike Newbitt 5:35:24; Sharon Crowley 6:14:42; Paul Holgate 6:14:42; Dave Paul 6:18:11; Rob Hardy 6:23:54; Chas Avis 7:14:41 and Dave Carter 8:00:00.

Ramsay’s Recovery

GRANT RAMSAY continued his road to recovery with an impressive sixth place in the Colworth 8.1 mile trail race and a time of 56 minutes 50 seconds.  There were 200 finishers.

Olympic Warm Up

Fairlands Valley Spartans got in the Olympic mood with their own torch procession and games at Ridlins Track on Sunday afternoon.

Coming Events 

Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:

• Mid Week Road Race League Seven Miles in St. Albans on Thursday 28^th June.
• Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11^th July.
• EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11^th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15^th July.
• Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19^th July.
• County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9^th September.
• County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23^rd September.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 4^th November.

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has over 400 members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights — there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9.30a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome — those who have not done very much running yet might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £27 per year.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (01438 354505 or 0793 968 7509), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S 

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859

www.fvspartans.org.uk

***********

Full Mid Week League result for all 60 Spartans:

Race	Pos	Name	Surname	Cat.	Time	PB
11	11	Simon	Jackson	S	35:56
16	16	Shaw	Pye	S	36:20	YB
17	17	Andy	Neatham	V 40	36:22	PB
30	29	Grant	Ramsay	S	37:42
31	30	Andrew	Patterson	S	37:53
35	34	Rob	Willis	S	38:14	1st 10K
40	39	Chris	Westcott	S	38:29
55	52	Danny	Hukin	S	39:18	YB
71	65	Todd	Gray	S	40:57
86	78	Pete	Smith	V 50	42:20
88	80	Barry	Osborne	V 60	42:21	3rd MV60
110	97	Steve	Mayfield	V 40	43:42	YB
135	116	Darren	Wilby	S	45:09	PB
140	119	Steve	Elder	V 50	45:16	YB
144	122	Lee	Lawrence	S	45:29
150	24	Tracy	Pez	V 35	45:51
151	127	Matt	Gill	S	45:48
152	128	Jon	Sypula	S	45:54	PB
157	131	Jody	Flett	S	46:13	YB
159	133	Mark	Goodwin	V 50	46:10
162	136	Robert	Evans	S	46:25
175	30	Julie	Simmons	V 45	47:21	PB
177	146	Roger	Biggs	V 60	47:24
180	33	Rhiannon	Griffin	S	47:38	PB
195	40	Jennifer	Robertson	S	48:44	PB
198	43	Dawn	Easby	S	48:48	SB
201	158	Vishal	Shah	S	49:05	PB (equal)
204	159	Tony	Vickers	V 40	49:14	PB
220	165	Andy	Jay	V 40	50:31
221	166	James	Day	S	50:31
222	167	Matthew	Palacio	S	50:54
226	57	Tracy	Bullot	V 35	51:19	PB
231	60	Trudie	Molloy	V 35	52:19	1st 10K
233	172	Robert	Shaw	V 60	52:26
235	62	Beverley	Harlow	V 55	52:22	2nd FV55
236	173	Simon	Stewart	S	52:49	1st 10K
238	174	Paul	Holgate	V 50	52:47
243	65	Sarah	Pike	S	53:38
245	66	Karen	Ellis	V 35	53:57
247	179	Steve	Pike	V 50	54:15
250	181	Steve	Carter	V 40	54:46
251	182	Mark	Cheadle	S	54:54
252	69	Stephanie	Mayfield	V 35	54:50
260	72	Sharon	Crowley	V 45	55:37
266	188	Nick	Witcombe	V 40	56:06
267	189	Chris	Leigh	V 40	56:05
268	190	Barry	King	V 40	56:05	YB
271	79	Julie	Twomey	V 45	56:19
272	192	Roger	Hardman	V 60	56:10
280	86	Lorraine	Thomas	V 45	58:12	YB
281	87	Victoria	Sealy	S	58:15
287	91	Jeanette	Collins	V 45	59:14
288	92	Iris	Hornsey	V 65	59:35	1st FV65 SB
293	97	Lisa	Gavigan	V 35	1:00:22
296	100	Andrea	Westcott	V 35	1:00:48
304	107	Claire	Drake	S	1:02:01	1st 10K
311	111	Tracy	Stiles	V 35	1:04:45
312	112	Sarah	Sapstead	S	1:04:46	PB (equal)
318	201	Jim	Brown	V 60	1:13:50
319	202	Mick	Connell	V 50	1:13:50

There were 320 finishers.  203 men and 117 women.

WOMEN FIRST IN EVAC FIXTURE

National Championship Bronze for Monica

Fairlands Valley Spartans enjoyed a day at the races on Wednesday.  The club hired a mini bus to take their team to Kettering for the third fixture of the EVAC (Eastern Veterans Athletic Club) central division track and field league.

Travelling the furthest distance out of the four meetings did not deter the women’s team winning the match with a score of 142.5 with Milton Keynes in second place with 119.5 followed by Bedford, Kettering and Corby.  The men’s team were definitely stronger than before and finished a close third place in 100.5 to Bedford 105.5 and Milton Keynes winning the match with 141 points.

Good performances were produced by Rosie Canham, Monica Brown, with wins in the 100 metres in their age groups.  Carolyn Shortland won the shot putt in the older age group (over 55 years) then completed in the hammer in the youngest age (35 plus) and came second.

In the men’s team Steve Mayfield continued to progress by winning the men’s over 40 years age group long jump along with Andy Neatham who won the over 40 1500 metres comfortably and Mick Shortland who won the over 60 Shot Putt.

Dave Bowker returned from injury to win the over 50 walk.  Dave Stephenson produced a great run in the men’s 4×100 metres to put the team into first place, along with Steve Mayfield, Paul Pickard and Andy Neatham they set a new club record of 55.0 seconds.

Overall, after three of the four matches, the Spartan women lead the Central Division with the men in third place.  If they keep this up in the fourth match on 11^th July both could be at the regional final.

A few statistical highlights from Wednesday night’s EVAC match at Kettering:

There are two new club records and one equalled, and a number of age group bests.

Outright Club Records

Mens 4x100m 55.0 by the M40 team in 1st place.  The club’s first ever men’s relay win at EVAC.

Mens 2000m Walk 11.17.7 – Dave Bowker in 1st place M50.

Womens High Jump 1.33 metres – Monica Brown in 1st place W45 (equals her own Club Record)

1500 metres 4.34.8 – Andy Neatham in 1st place M40

M50 (plus) team – 4×100 metres relay in 64.3 seconds.

400m 65.8 – John Harris -who turned 50 within the last month.

Long Jump 3.95 – John Harris

High Jump 1.30 – John Harris

Shot Putt 9.03 – Mick Shortland M60.

Hammer 31.75 – Mick Shortland M60.

2000 metres walk 14.55.4 – Jan Fry (W60)

400 metres 97.6 seconds – Iris Hornsey (W70)

Long Jump 2.67 metres – Iris Hornsey (W70)

Monica and Mayfield at Masters Championships

Spartans multi eventers were in action at the British Masters Athletics Federation Outdoor Pentathlon in Oxford.  In the W45 (Women 45 plus) category MONICA BROWN won Bronze with a points total of 2577 and in the very competitive M45 (Men 45 plus) category STEVE MAYFIELD was fifth with a points total of 2243.

Monica’s results were hurdles 16.44 (PB — personal best), high jump 1.36 (PB equalled), shot 6.48 metres, long jump 4.39 metres and 800 metres 3 minutes 13 seconds.

Steve’s results were long jump 4.58 metres, javelin 24.32 metres (SB — season’s best), 200 metres 28.19 seconds (SB), discus 20.29 metres (SB), 1500 metres 5.10.14.  Steve improved on last year’s performance in four of the five events.

Marston Forest 5K

In the Marston Forest 5K on Friday evening Spartan Richard Bate finished a fantastic fifth out of 339 in a time of 17 minutes 4 seconds.  Liam Herbert ran a new personal best (PB) time of 18:34, his fifth PB this year, to finish in the top thirty in 26th.

Paul Holgate completed the course in 25:27, in 159th place.

Lee Morris closely followed Paul in with a time of 25:46 (166th) and Helen Morris finished in 32:16, in 304th place overall.

Conditions were surprisingly humid and windy around a deceptively punishing course, which was run on relatively flat country footpaths circling the Marston Forest Centre.  Good times but all in all it felt like hard work!

Done 10K

ANDY NEATHAM ran in the Dunmanway 10k in West Cork, Ireland on Sunday morning.  It was a well organised and chip timed event, with an undulating course through the Cork countryside.  The event started in bright sunshine, but the runners all finished sodden in an absolute deluge!  Andy finished 10th out of 428 finishers, was 3rd Vet (2nd V45) in 36 minutes 38 seconds, a new VPB (veterans PB).

Roger’s Holly Trail

Roger Biggs ran the Holly Trail Challenge Trail Marathon on Saturday.  Based on Lightmoor near Telford it consisted of 31 laps on muddy tracks.  It was raining most of the time.  Roger says it was very undulating and really tough but he kept going to finish in 4 hours 32 minutes 43 seconds

Tracy’s First Half

New member TRACY BULLOT ran her first half marathon in the recent St Albans Half Marathon.  She finished in an excellent 1 hour 56.44 seconds

The club are preparing for the third Mid Week Road Race League Division One fixture which will be in Harlow this Wednesday 20^th June.

Coming Events

Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:

• Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 20^th June.
• Spartans v NHRR “Olympic” Fun Event on Sunday 24^th June.
• Mid Week Road Race League Seven Miles in St. Albans on Thursday 28^th June.
• Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11^th July.
• EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11^th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15^th July.
• Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19^th July.
• County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9^th September.
• County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23^rd September.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 4^th November.

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has over 400 members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights — there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9.30a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome — those who have not done very much running yet might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £27 per year.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (01438 354505 or 0793 968 7509), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859

www.fvspartans.org.uk

THREE SPARTAN HALF HEROES
Plus Strathearn, Southend and Sheringham

Three Fairlands Valley Spartans ran the Heroes Half Marathon based on Bassingbourn on Sunday.  LEE MORRIS was 286^th in 2 hours 6 minutes 28 seconds, MARIANNE SILSBY 372^nd in 2:21:49 and HELEN KINCH 40^5th in 2:43:54.  There were 409 finishers.

Strathearn Marathon

ROGER BIGGS travelled to Highland Perthshire for the scenic (when you could see through the mist) Strathearn Marathon from a Second World War Prisoner of War Camp near Comrie.

The first five miles were probably as hard a start as you will find in any road marathon in the UK, with several hard hills coming later.  However the second half was easier than the first as Roger turned a 2:01 :54 at halfway into a finishing time of 3:57:03 with a very strong finish.

Southend Half Marathon

PAUL HOLGATE enjoyed pleasant sea breezes along with 2,000 other runners at the Southend Half Marathon.  He just missed out on a sub 2 hours time as he finished in 2:03:39.

Sheringham — Poppyline Marathon

On Sunday CAROL PAUL was in Sheringham, Norfolk where she ran the Poppyline Marathon (26.9 miles off road) on a hot and humid day.  Her time was 5 hours 46 minutes and 10 seconds

The club are preparing for the third Mid Week Road Race League Division One fixture which will be in Harlow on Wednesday 20^th June.

Coming Events

Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:

• EVAC Track and Field event in Kettering on Wednesday 13^th June.
• Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 20^th June.
• Spartans v NHRR “Olympic” Fun Event on Sunday 24^th June.
• Mid Week Road Race League Seven Miles in St. Albans on Thursday 28^th June.
• Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11^th July.
• EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11^th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15^th July.
• Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19^th July.
• County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9^th September.
• County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23^rd September.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 4^th November.

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has over 400 members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights — there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9.30a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome — those who have not done very much running yet might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £27 per year.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (01438 354505 or 0793 968 7509), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859

www.fvspartans.org.uk

ALL TO RUN FOR IN MIDWEEK LEAGUE

Plus Stuart’s Comrades Marathon

A huge contingent of 95 Fairlands Valley Spartans travelled to Welwyn Garden City for the second 10K race in the Mid Week Road Race League series.

Both the men and the women finished fourth of the six ‘A’ teams for fourth position overall. However the men were just six points short of Garden City Runners in third and the women only 33 shy of third place Trent Park.

At the half-way point of the league the men are third just 10 scoring positions behind Trent Park in second, both have 8 league points each.  The Spartan women are fifth only 5 scoring positions behind Barnet & District but two league points adrift.

St Albans are running away at the top and Harlow adrift at the bottom, but the 2^nd., 3^rd., and 4th positions are unbelievably close and there is still has everything to play for, so the club is encouraging another big turnout for race 3 which will be in Harlow on Wednesday 20th June.

In Thursday’s race RICHARD BATE was the first Spartan finisher with a superb new personal best of 34 minutes 37 seconds and eighth position overall.

Richard Bate, Craig Halsey (35:16), Simon Jackson (35:42), Andy Neatham (36:42), Lee Reynolds (36:44) and Chris Westcott (37:14) were all in the top 30 finishers of the 400 runners taking part.  Andy was also 5th V40.

Natalie Barnard (41:49), Lisa Burgess (42:17), Kerry James (43:36) and Tracy Pez (44:36) were in the top 30 female finishers out of 138 women, with Natalie an excellent 7th and Lisa 9th, while Kerry was 5th V35 and Tracy 8th.  Julie Simmons (48:20) was 9th V45, Tony Osborne (59:10) 2nd V70, Iris Hornsey (1:01:03) 1st V65 and Jan Fry (1:04:46) 8th V55.  71 Spartans recorded their fastest 10K time of the year with 43 personal bests, 10 season’s bests and 18 other year bests.

Times for all 95 Spartans can be found at the very end of this release.

Comrades Marathon

STUART HAYCROFT ran the very gruesome Comrades Marathon in South Africa on Sunday.  The Comrades is a 56 mile ultra marathon from the city of Petermaritzburg to the city of Durban.  Stuart finished in 10 hours 32 minutes.

Hatfield Broad Oak

TREVOR SETTERFIELD set a new personal best of 43 minutes 27 seconds and came 171^st out of 1106 runners at the Bank Holiday Hatfield Broad Oak 10K on Monday.

TONY ARGYROU was 401^st in 48:41.

With a blistering downhill finish PAUL HOLGATE blew MICK CONNELL away and beat him by less than a second in a 10K season’s best time.  Paul was 502^nd in 50:57 and Mick 503^rd also in 50:57.

DAVID CLARKE was 511^th in 51 minutes 6 seconds, SHARON CROWLEY 669^th in 54:32 and PAUL FORDE 730^th in 55:49.

The village had its usual festive atmosphere with marquees in the churchyard and 1500? runners gathered in Cage End at the start.

Watford Warm Up

Two Spartans warmed up for the midweek league fixture with exciting 1500 metres races at Watford Track the evening before.  Race entry is on the day and heats are allocated according to runners expected times, starting with the slowest heat and ending with the fastest.  In heat 7, CHRIS WESTCOTT stayed near the rear of the field for the first two laps then moved gradually through the pack in lap three.  He ran an excellent last lap of under 70 seconds, reigning in the leading group, and was closing rapidly on the leaders and crossed the line in third place with a new PB of 4:41.56.  Returning from injury STEVE MAYFIELD started at the back of heat 2, but improved his position as other runners slowed and caught the leader with 250 metres to go.  The final 100m was neck and neck with Steve edging it by just 0.07 seconds to win the heat in 5:09.99.

Kent Road Runner Marathon — On A Bike Course

ROGER BIGGS ran 17 undulating laps of the new purpose built Cyclo Park near Gravesend on Monday in the Kent Road Runner Marathon.  He ran another consistent race on a tough course to finish in 3:58:28.

Coming Events

Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:

• EVAC Track and Field event in Kettering on Wednesday 13^th June.
• Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 20^th June.
• Spartans v NHRR “Olympic” Fun Event on Sunday 24^th June.
• Mid Week Road Race League Seven Miles in St. Albans on Thursday 28^th June.
• Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11^th July.
• EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11^th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15^th July.
• Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19^th July.
• County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9^th September.
• County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23^rd September.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 4^th November.

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has over 400 members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights — there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9.30a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome — those who have not done very much running yet might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £27 per year.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (01438 354505 or 0793 968 7509), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

E N D S

 

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859

www.fvspartans.org.uk

Mid Week Road Race Leagues Times for all 95 Spartans

 

Race	Name	Surname	Cat.	Time	PB
8	Richard	Bate	S	34:37	PB
13	Craig	Halsey	S	35:16	YB
17	Simon	Jackson	S	35:42
19	Andy	Neatham	V 40	36:42	PB
21	Lee	Reynolds	S	36:44
28	Chris	Westcott	S	37:14	PB
50	Liam	Herbert	S	39:05
61	Jake	Amos	S	39:26	1st 10K
64	Todd	Gray	S	39:39
70	Jamie	Drackford	S	40:13	PB
75	Christopher	Kremer	S	40:32	1st 10K
83	Sam	Harte	S	40:48	PB
93	Phil	Gale	V 40	41:21
97	Danny	Hukin	S	41:31	YB
107	Natalie	Barnard	S	41:49	SB
109	Tony	Bradford	V 40	42:03	YB
112	Lisa	Burgess	S	42:17
118	Davie	Stafford	S	42:25	PB
133	Pete	Smith	V 50	43:15
145	Mark	Beasley	V 50	43:31	YB
148	Kerry	James	V 35	43:36	SB
153	Steve	Mayfield	V 40	44:06	YB
160	Adrian	Donnelly	S	44:22	YB
163	Kevin	Smyth	V 50	44:24
170	Tracy	Pez	V 35	44:36	SB
181	Darren	Wilby	S	45:17	PB
184	Lee	Lawrence	S	45:26	PB
188	Matt	Gill	S	45:29	PB
193	Trevor	Setterfield	V 40	45:45
201	Mark	Goodwin	V 50	46:05
202	Robert	Evans	S	46:09	YB
211	Dave	Stephenson	V 40	46:31	SB
213	Jon	Sypula	S	46:27	PB
215	Ryan	Dunning	S	46:37	YB
229	Jim	Brown	V 50	47:07
230	Hadrian	Cooper	S	47:16	YB
231	Roger	Biggs	V 60	47:20	YB
233	Mark	Glading	V 50	47:24	SB
241	Clive	Cannon	V 50	47:57	YB
242	Andrew	Hull	V 40	48:06
246	Julie	Simmons	V 45	48:20
252	Derek	Wood	S	48:30	1st 10K
255	Rhiannon	Griffin	S	48:35	1st 10K
265	Vishal	Shah	S	49:05	PB
266	Andy	Jay	V 40	49:14	YB
272	Marie	Colucci	V 35	49:37	SB
274	Tony	Vickers	V 40	49:48	PB
282	Matthew	Palacio	S	50:28	1st 10K
283	James	Day	S	50:29	SB
288	Claire	Coker	V 35	50:22	PB
290	Andy	Prior	V 40	50:39	PB
293	Nikki	Collins	S	50:53	PB
294	Rachel	Payne	S	50:55	PB
299	Marc	Green	S	51:24
301	Tracy	Bullot	V 35	51:44	PB
302	Stephanie	Mayfield	V 35	51:47	PB
303	Robert	Shaw	V 60	51:51
310	Sarah	Pike	S	52:24
311	Karen	Palmer	V 45	52:19	PB
312	Karen	Ellis	V 35	52:37	PB
314	Chris	Leigh	V 40	52:40	SB
315	Paul	Holgate	V 50	52:46
316	Steve	Carter	V 40	52:54	PB
319	Steve	Pike	V 50	53:06
322	Anton	McCalla	S	53:26	PB
327	Sharon	Crowley	V 45	53:37	YB
329	Mark	Cheadle	S	53:53	SB
333	Katie	Bradford	S	54:10	PB
335	Katy	Jinks	V 35	54:22
338	Nick	Stewart	V 50	54:57
341	Maria	Thorne	V 35	55:35	PB
342	Julie	Twomey	V 45	55:42	PB
346	Lisa	Gavigan	V 35	55:59	PB
349	Gary	Dempsey	V 40	56:09	YB
352	Ruth	Murtagh	V 35	56:43	PB
354	Gaynor	Knight	V 45	57:30	1st 10K
355	Louisa	Bill	S	57:32	PB
360	Victoria	Sealy	S	57:55	PB
361	Nick	Witcombe	V 40	58:03
365	Andrea	Westcott	V 35	58:00	YB
367	Jeanette	Collins	V 45	58:46	YB
368	Sarah	Hukin	S	58:57	PB
369	Anthony	Osborne	V 70	59:10	YB
371	Steven	Dobner	S	59:15	PB
377	Iris	Hornsey	V 65	1:00:03	SB
380	Melissa	Gibson	V 35	1:01:08	PB
382	Annette	Young	S	1:01:43	1st 10K
383	Nicky	Freeman	V 45	1:02:39	PB
385	Tracy	Stiles	V 35	1:02:47
387	Karen	Smith	V 45	1:03:06
391	Sarah	Sapstead	S	1:04:46	1st 10K
392	Jan	Fry	V 55	1:04:46	PB
398	Jo	Cahill	V 45	1:22:04	YB
399	Jo	Eley	V 45	1:22:04	1st 10K
400	Simon	Harris	S	1:28:50