Month: July 2012

TEN GOLDS, FOUR SILVERS, TWO BRONZES

Roger’s Night Fever * Hot In Bedford

Fairlands Valley Spartans won ten GOLD medals, four SILVER medals and two BRONZE medals in regional championships on Sunday.  Five women and two men travelled up to Sandy in Bedfordshire to compete in the Eastern Veterans Athletic Club (EVAC) track and field championships.

EVAC is the area club most veterans in the East of England belong to, which allows them to compete for their clubs in the league matches.

The Spartan group of Monica Brown, Dave Bowker, Sharon Crowley, Iris Hornsey, Steph Mayfield, Steve Mayfield and Tessa Stephenson battled against the inclement weather and came home with ten golds, four silvers, two bronze medals and three club records between them.

Monica Brown who used the championships as a warm up to next week’s British Masters Heptathlon Championships at Oxford by winning 100m, 200m, High Jump and Long Jump in a season’s best length in her age group.

Steve Mayfield had to fight the elements to win the male 45 age group Javelin with a new personal best and club record along with Dave Bowker who improved his own club record in the 2000 metre walk.

Full results

Monica Brown 1st W45 (GOLD women 45 plus) 100 metres 14.1 seconds; 1st W45 200 metres 29.6 seconds; 1st W45 Long Jump 4 metres 55; and 1st W45 High Jump 1 metre 35

Iris Hornsey 1st W70 (GOLD women 70 plus) 400 metres; and 1st W70 800 metres

Sharon Crowley 1st W50 (GOLD women 50 plus) 2k Walk 14 minutes 18 seconds; and 3rd W50 1500 metres

Stephanie Mayfield 1st W35 (GOLD women 35 plus) Hammer 16 metres 51; 2nd W35 100 metre Hurdles 24.1 seconds; and 3rd W35 Pole Vault 1 metre 70

Tessa Stephenson 2nd W50 (SILVER women 50 plus) Discus 14 metres 35; and 2nd W50 Shot Putt and club record (for 3kg weight) 7 metres 53

Dave Bowker 1st M50 (GOLD men 50 plus) 2000 metre Walk and club record 11 minutes 17.5 seconds

Steve Mayfield 1st M45 (GOLD men 45 plus) Javelin and club record 28.11 metres; 2nd M45 Long Jump 4 metres 42 centimetres; and 3rd M45 100 metres 13.7 seconds

Bedford

On the hottest day of the year so far, evening temperatures were perfect for running at the Doug Anderson 5k in Bedford on Wednesday, with 5 Spartans competing:

LIAM HERBERT was 38^th of the 351 finishers equalling his personal best (PB) time of 18 minutes 29 seconds; KEVIN SMYTH was 108^th in a season’s best (SB) 21 minutes 1 second; ANDREW HULL 119^th in a SB 21:26; PAUL HOLGATE 214^th in 25:13 and IRIS HORNSEY was first Vet 70 plus in 28 minutes 24 seconds.

Madeyarun Marathon x2

On Saturday 28th July in brilliant sunshine CAROL PAUL and Mike Newbitt took part in day one of the Madeyarun around the reservoir trail marathon.  This was a trail  marathon consisting of seven laps around Brackmills reservoir in Northampton.  Finishing with superb sun tans Carol completed the course in 4 hours 42 minutes and Mike completed it in 5 hours and 3 minutes.  Not content with doing one marathon over the weekend they toed the line again on Sunday morning to run it again but this time it started in sunshine then there were showers and then heavy rain and strong winds with thunder and lightning.  Mike completed the course in 4 hours 56 minutes and Carol finished in exactly 5 hours.

Enigma Night Fever Marathon

With forthcoming marshal duties at the Olympics, ROGER BIGGS took the opportunity to fit in a midweek marathon on Wednesday.  On a lovely warm evening the runners in the Enigma Night Fever Marathon had to complete 17 laps of Furzton Lake, Milton Keynes.  Roger completed the marathon in 4:14:30.

Enter Now!

The club host the County Championship 5K road race on Sunday 9^th September, Championship Five Miles on 23^rd September and Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4^th November.  All are in Stevenage and all are for seniors and veterans.  The championships are within open races — everyone can have a go.  Enter now.  There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk

With the numerous sporting events taking place during the next couple of months now is a good time to remind you about entering two Fairlands Valley Spartan races.

Both of these events also incorporate the Hertfordshire Country Champs — Vets and Seniors — so don’t miss out.

Fairlands Valley Spartans 5K – 10:30am, Sunday 9 September 2012

(This year we are only holding one 5K race — DON’T MISS OUT!)

Run on the usual Spartans course but in complete daylight, you will be able to see every inch of this undulating but fast course.  Entries will be capped at 300 runners and it incorporates the Vets and Senior Herts County Champs — so it is bound to fill up fast.

Enter online at:

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewevent.asp?sp=&v=2&EN=71675&ms=

Further event details, plus postal entry forms, are available from the Spartans website here:

http://fvspartans.org.uk/ai1ec_event/5k-race-incorporating-the-herts-county-championships/?instance_id=

‘Like’ this event on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FV5kSeries

The Paul Maguire Memorial 5 Mile – 10:30am, Sunday 23 September 2012

Re-launched this year on a new fast undulating course that takes in some of the lakes and our famous cycle-ways.  This event is to remember Paul Maguire, a much admired Spartan, who passed away in 2008 after a long battle with cancer.  Profits from the race will be donated to the Garden House Hospice in Letchworth.

Entries will be capped at 300 runners and it incorporates the Vets and Senior Herts County Champs — so, again, it is bound to fill up fast.

Enter online at:

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewevent.asp?sp=&v=2&EN=71094&ms=

Further event details, plus postal entry forms, are available from the Spartans website here:

http://fvspartans.org.uk/ai1ec_event/paul-maguire-5-mile-race-incorporating-the-herts-county-championships/?instance_id=

Please support your local running events.

 

Coming Events

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

• Serpentine 5K on Friday 24^th August (note different Friday and starting point due to the Olympics and Paralympics)
• County 5K Championships and Open 5K in Stevenage on Sunday 9^th September.
• Paul Maguire Memorial and 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

***********

IRIS IS A TREBLE CHAMPION

326 Relay in the Park plus 487 in Fairlands Off Road Challenge

326 runners plus spectators and dozens of helpers enjoyed a great sunny evening in Fairlands Valley Park on Thursday for Fairlands Valley Spartans’ annual relays which included the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire road relay championships.  Each runner ran three kilometres.

The 218 men and 108 women were organised into 35 women’s and 45 men’s or mixed teams.

The men’s race, five stages totalling 15 kilometres, was won by St. Albans Striders in 47 minutes 17 seconds and the women’s race, three stages totalling nine kilometres, was won by Garden City Runners in 33 minutes 59 seconds.  The fastest woman was Louise Peters of Stopsley Striders in 10 minutes 37 seconds, the fastest man Edward Shepherd of Herts Phoenix in 8 minutes 53 seconds.

Fairlands Valley Spartans had four men’s teams and two women’s teams.  Two others ran as individuals.  Two Spartans beat ten minutes for the undulating three kilometres — GRANT RAMSAY, 20th in 9 minutes 45 seconds, and SIMON JACKSON, 27th in 9:52.

ALISON WOOD beat twelve minutes to finish in 11:27 with RHIANNON GRIFFIN second fastest Spartan woman in 12:19.

LIAM HERBERT improved by 32 seconds to 10:21 (49th); VISHAL SHAH by 29 seconds to 13:30 (242nd); MARK CHEADLE by 38 seconds to 14:12 (262nd).  Many other Spartans were running in the relays for the first time.

Pos	Name		Team	Time	Comments
20	Grant Ramsay	M	FVS ‘A’	9:45
27	Simon Jackson	M	FVS ‘A’	9:52
35	Andrew Patterson	M	FVS ‘A’	10:05
38	Shaw Pye	M	FVS ‘A’	10:08
49	Liam Herbert	M	FVS ‘B’	10:21	32 seconds improvement on 2011
51	Rob Willis	M	FVS ‘B’	10:23
62	Chris Westcott	M	FVS ‘A’	10:29
72	Brian Brackstone	M	FVS ‘B’	10:37
96	Todd Gray	M	FVS ‘B’	10:58
97	David Bowker	M	FVS ‘B’	10:59
127	Alison Wood	F	FVS women’s ‘A’	11:27	11th woman
134	Martin Wood	M	FVS ‘C’	11:35
144	Steve Mayfield	M	FVS ‘C’	11:45
148	Tony Bradford	M	FVS ‘C’	11:46
152	Adrian Donnelly	M	FVS Individual	11:53
186	Rhiannon Griffin	F	FVS women’s ‘A’	12:19
214	Ryan Dunning	M	FVS ‘C’	12:57
236	Julie Simmons	F	FVS individual	13:23
242	Vishal Shah	M	FVS ‘C’	13:30	29 seconds improvement on 2011
244	Jim Brown	M	FVS ‘D’	13:32
256	Ian Runner	M	FVS ‘D’	13:59
258	Claire Coker	F	FVS women’s ‘B’	14:05
262	Mark Cheadle	M	FVS ‘D’	14:12	38 seconds improvement on 2011
263	Trudie Molloy	F	FVS women’s ‘A’	14:13
268	Karen Ellis	F	FVS women’s ‘B’	14:19
288	Paul Holgate	M	FVS ‘D’	15:16
292	Katie Bradford	F	FVS women’s ‘B’	15:35
324	Matthew Holgate	M	FVS ‘D’	22:04

Fairlands Valley Challenge

487 runners and walkers took part in Fairlands Valley Spartans’ hugely successful Fairlands Valley Challenge off road event.  They included 35 Spartans, seven in the 50 kilometres “Ultra;” ten in the 26.4 miles marathon; five in the 18 miles event; twelve in the 12 miles event and one in the 10 miles.

In the “Ultra” they were MATT GILL (6 hours 17 minutes); CHRIS LEIGH (6:27); JAMIE KELLETT (6:46); TRICIA HOPPER (7:48); KAREN LIDDLE (6:48); JENNIFER ROBERTSON (7:49); and SHARON CROWLEY (7:49).

Over 26.4 miles there were CAROL PAUL (5 hours 16 minutes); MIKE NEWBITT (5:16); ROGER BIGGS (5:17); ROB SHAW (5:22); CLAIRE WHITTLE (5:44); ROB HARDY (5:58); PAUL HOLGATE (6:05); DAVID PAUL (6:19); MICHAELA SANDERS (8:20) and BIG DAVE CARTER (9:03).

The five in the 18 miles event were STEVE GREEN (2 hours 49 minutes); SAM HARTE and RHIANNON GRIFFIN (both 3:14); LISA LIVERSIDGE (3:54) and LORRAINE WYATT (3:55).

Then the dozen in the twelve were YVONNE JONES (2 hours 7 minutes); TRACY BULLOT, VISHAL SHAH and LEE POTTER (all in 2:17); JEANETTE COLLINS (2:25); TRACY STILES and LISA JERROM (both 2:52); DARRYL STEVENS (2:56); PAULINE HARDY (3:18); KATRINA DOYLE, LISA POTTER and KERRY SETTERFIELD (all in 3:51).

SIMON HARRIS completed ten miles in 3 hours 10 minutes.

Iris Is A Treble Champion

Spartan IRIS HORNSEY competed in the BMAF (British Masters Athletics Federation) Track and Field Championships at Derby and came home with THREE GOLD medals.  She’s a three times national champion!

On Saturday Iris ran in the 1500 metres in the morning and finished first in the W70+ age group (women aged 70 plus) in a time of 7 minutes 19.27 seconds.  Then in the afternoon she competed in the 400 metres and finished first again in her age group in a time of 91.18 seconds.

The next day Iris ran in the 800 metres race and was first W70 again in a time of 3 minutes 30.05 seconds.

Roger’s Romantik Marathon

ROGER BIGGS was in Fuessen, Bavaria, Germany on the edge of the Alps for the Konigsschlosser Romantik Marathon.  A stunning course 50% alongside water, 50% tarmac, 50% track / trail.  Rain at the start yet still scenic, with the famous King’s Castle always in view.  With some chest problems Roger was delighted to run all the 42.195 kilometres in 4 hours 18 minutes 3 seconds.

Friday 5K

Friday lunchtime’s 5K race was not on the Last Friday of The Month and was not round the Serpentine due to preparations for the Olympics.

Dry, mild, overcast with a moderate breeze for the popular event.

If anything the temporary course in Kensington Gardens was faster than the usual one. Practically dead flat and really wide for the first few hundred metres until the first turn.

JIM BROWN was third in his age category with a time of 23 minutes 9 seconds.

If you want to have a go at this course it will be used again at 12.30p.m. on Friday 24th August.

Trent Park Aquathlon Saturday

NIKKI ANDREWS swam / ran the Trent Park Aquathlon on Saturday. It was the first time the organisers had invited other clubs to join in and it was a really fun race: 400 metres pool swim then a 4.7km (ish) cross country (but flat) run. It was very muddy! Nikki finished the swim in 7 minutes 52 seconds then the run (including transition which took ages as competitors had to walk through the pool area!) was 23 minutes 2 seconds, giving a total of 30 minutes 54 seconds. That gave her 12th position overall and 4th lady.

Enter Now!

The club host the County Championship 5K road race on Sunday 9th September, Championship Five Miles on 23rd September and Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November.  All are in Stevenage and all are for seniors and veterans.  The championships are within open races — everyone can have a go.  Enter now.  There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk

Coming Events

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

• Serpentine 5K on Friday 24th August (note different Friday and starting point due to the Olympics and Paralympics)

• County 5K Championships and Open 5K in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.

• Paul Maguire Memorial and County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.

• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 4th 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

***********

SPARTAN WOMEN WIN LEAGUE

County Gold and Silver for Dave and Jim

Fairlands Valley Spartans’ women have won the Central Division Track and Field League.  They will now go forward to the East of England Veterans Final on Sunday 23^rd September.

The club’s team of MONICA BROWN, SHARON CROWLEY, CHRIS FEELY, JAN FRY, IRIS HORNSEY, STEPH MAYFIELD, CAROLYN SHORTLAND, JULIE SIMMONS and TESSA STEPHENSON only needed to finish within 22 points of past winners and hosts of the last fixture Marshall Milton Keynes to win.  In fact they kept within two points, MMK 135 to Spartans 133, and were well ahead of Corby (96); Bedford and County (89); Kettering (86); Wellingborough (56) and Biggleswade (4).

The men – DAVE BOWKER, JIM BROWN, MARK GLADING, BARRY KING, STEVE MAYFIELD, ANDY NEATHAM, SIMON PROCTOR, MICK SHORTLAND, DAVE STEPHENSON, JOHN TYRRELL – finished a strong third with 120 points compared with 151 for Bedford and County and 140 for Marshall Milton Keynes with Kettering a distant fourth with 83 followed by Wellingborough (81); Corby (31) and Biggleswade (24).

This was achieved with the help of many club and age bests including 200 metres MICK SHORTLAND men 60 plus 35.9 seconds (also beating the M55 record); 400 metres hurdles MARK GLADING men 50 plus 115.7 seconds; Mile Walk male 50 plus DAVE BOWKER set a new club record for all ages of 9 minutes 22.7 seconds; Triple jump male 40 plus new Spartan SIMON PROCTOR set a new club record for all ages of 10.11 metres; Discus male 45 plus STEVE MAYFIELD set a new club record of 21.94 metres and beat the all ages javelin record with 27.40 metres; also in the discus male 75 plus JOHN TYRRELL threw 17.15 metres (also breaking the M70 and M65 records); and the 1 x 400 metres, 2 x 200 metres and 1 x 400 metres male 40 plus relay team of STEVE MAYFIELD, DAVE STEPHENSON, SIMON PROCTOR and ANDY NEATHAM set a new club record of 3 minutes 4.9 seconds.

The winning women team were already high achievers but IRIS HORNSEY beat the female 70 plus record for 200 metres with 42.0 seconds and for the triple jump with 5.14 metres;  JULIE SIMMONS beat the female 55 plus 800 metres record with 3 minutes 2.6 seconds (also beating the W50 record) and the 3,000 metres record with 12 minutes 57.4 seconds (also beating the W45 and W50 records); SHARON CROWLEY beat the all ages mile walk for women with 10 minutes 55.5 seconds; STEPH MAYFIELD beat the all ages pole vault record with 1.90 metres while MONICA BROWN pushed the 45 plus pole vault record up to 1.30 metres; in the discus TESSA STEPHENSON beat the women 50 plus record for the discus with 16.54 metres and CAROLYN SHORTLAND beat the women 55 plus record with 13.42 metres.

The ladies won four of their 26 events, with KERRY JAMES claiming a double in the F35 800m and 3000m.  JULIE SIMMONS, having recently moved up to F55, won a close 3000m to go with her 2^nd place in the 800m.  MONICA BROWN won the F45 200m, added second places in the Triple Jump, Javelin and Pole Vault making her top scorer for the ladies team with 25 individual points.  Second place finishes were also earned by CHRIS FEELY in the F45 800m, STEPH MAYFIELD in the F35 Pole Vault, IRIS HORNSEY in the F55 Triple Jump, TESSA STEPHENSON F35 Discus and CAROLYN SHORTLAND F55 Discus.  SHARON CROWLEY broke the ladies club record coming 2^nd in the 1 mile walk, whilst JAN FRY scored a 3^rd place in the same event for the F55s.

The men’s team had two 1^st places to celebrate, both going to DAVE BOWKER as he continues his return to fitness.  His 1 mile walk was a new club record and his 3000m made it a treble for the club over the longest distance.  ANDY NEATHAM also ran a fine 3000m but lost out to a rival Milton Keynes runner and they ended their head to head battle over the season at 2-2.  New club member SIMON PROCTOR set a new club record coming 3^rd in the M40 triple jump.  STEVE MAYFIELD earned second places in the M40, Pole Vault, Discus and Javelin (all PBs) and with a 3^rd in the 800m top scored for the men with 23 points.  However MARK GLADING was the busiest and bravest Spartan, successfully negotiating the 400m hurdles for the first time by club make 50 plus (M50), before taking on a further four events and a relay leg.   MICK SHORTLAND achieved 2^nd places in both the M60 throws, and came 3^rd in the 200m whilst JIM BROWN took on the remaining M60 events, coming second in the one mile walk, third in the 3,000 metres and fourth in the 800 metres.  Between them they collected 32 valuable points.  Then they both took up the baton in the M50 relay.  DAVE STEPHENSON, BARRY KING and JOHN TYRELL completed the men’s team.

The relays brought the evening to a close and provided their traditional excitement.  Several places over the evening were decided by very close finishes, but none closer than the fight for 2^nd place in the F45 relay.  With Kettering leading comfortably and Milton Keynes equally comfortable in 2^nd MONICA BROWN ran an incredible anchor leg for the team managing the seemingly impossible task of catching the Milton Keynes runner and passing her inches from the line.  The M40 team followed up with a club age record in the relay for the 3^rd match running, taking over 11 seconds off the previous best for the 400m/200m/200m/400m.

Gold and Silver in County 10K

Conditions were really horrible for the Hertfordshire 10K County Championships on Thursday night.  There was continuous heavy rain and large puddles on many parts of Sandy Track but DAVE BOWKER won GOLD in the Vet 50 plus category in 41 minutes 37.2 seconds and JIM BROWN SILVER in the Vet 60 plus category with a season’s and age category time of 46 minutes 19.6 seconds.

Iris, Bev and Tracy Win Mid Week Medals

IRIS HORNSEY won the women’s 65 plus category in the Mid Week Road Race League series; TRACY PEZ was second woman 35 plus; BEV HARLOW tied on points with the winner in the 55 plus category but narrowly lost on the tie-breaker formula.

Mob Match

The “mob match” is the end of series combined race for both divisions after which the presentations were made for the 2012 Mid Week Road Race League.  Spartan numbers were down compared with the counting events due to EVAC Track and Field (see separate story) and other commitment but twenty club members enjoyed the nine kilometres essentially trail event in Trent Park, north London.

SIMON JACKSON ran a superb race in 33 minutes exactly to finish sixth out of more than 300 runners and ANDREW PATTERSON was 17^th in 34:20.  TRACY BULLOT (188^th in 45:52) and CLAIRE COKER (200^th in 46:53) were the club’s fastest women.

The other Spartans were ROB WILLIS (23^rd in 34:47); ANDREW HULL (143^rd in 43:02); ROGER BIGGS (171^st in 44:49); VISHAL SHAH (196^th in 45:58); KAREN ELLIS (207^th in 47:27); PAUL HOLGATE (233^rd in 49:26); MARK CHEADLE (237^th in 49:40); STEVEN DOBNER (261^st in 52:34); MARIA THORNE (270^th in 53:26); NICK WITCOMBE (274^th in 53:46); JULIE TWOMEY (276^th in 54:04); LORRAINE THOMAS (279^th in 54:15); ISABEL GREEN (286^th in 55:11); TRACY STILES (294^th in 57:20); LISA JERROM (295^th in 57:20) and SIMON HARRIS (305^th in 1 hour 3 minutes 19 seconds).

Position	Name	Category	Time
6	Simon Jackson	S	33:00
17	Andrew Patterson	S	34:20
23	Rob Willis	S	34:47
143	Andrew Hull	V 40	43:02
171	Roger Biggs	V 60	44:49
188	Tracy Bullot (F)	V 35	45:52
196	Vishal Shah	S	45:58
200	Claire Coker (F)	V 35	46:53
207	Karen Ellis (F)	V 35	47:27
233	Paul Holgate	V 50	49:26
237	Mark Cheadle	S	49:40
261	Steven Dobner	S	52:34
270	Maria Thorne (F)	V 35	53:26
274	Nick Witcombe	V 40	53:46
276	Julie Twomey (F)	V 45	54:04
279	Lorraine Thomas (F)	V 45	54:15
286	Isabel Green (F)	S	55:11
294	Tracy Stiles (F)	V 35	57:20
295	Lisa Jerrom (F)	V 35	57:20
305	Simon Harris	S	1:03:19

Grant Ramsay

GRANT RAMSAY competed in the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge on Wednesday evening.  Over 5.6 kilometres in Battersea Park, London he was 27^th out of 7,000 in 19 minutes 46 seconds.

Then he was third in the 3,000 metres steeplechase at a Southern League Track Meeting in Woking with a time of 11 minutes 8 seconds.

Tony Goes Bare Foot.

TONY ARGYROU ran barefoot for the City 5K on Thursday evening.  He was 913^th  out of more than 6,000 with a time of 22 minutes 15 seconds.

Enter Now!

The Spartans host the Relays in the Park on Thursday evening 19^th July.  The relays will be in Fairlands Valley Park with each runner racing over three kilometres.  Men’s teams consist of five runners, women’s teams three.  The club host the County Championship 5K road race on Sunday 9^th September and Five Miles on 23^rd September.  These are within open races — everyone can have a go.  Enter now.  There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk

The 3K relays are great for spectators.  If you are not running why not come along to Fairlands Valley Park and support our local runners.  The race starts at 7.30p.m.

Fairlands Valley Challenge

Fairlands Valley Spartans organised a hugely successful Fairlands Valley Challenge off road event on Sunday.  Results will be available soon.

Coming Event

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

• Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19^th July.
• Serpentine 5K on Friday 20^th (note different Friday and starting point due to Olympic preparations)
• County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9^th September.
• Paul Maguire Memorial and 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

***********

 

IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER

Off Road Challenge and Relays Coming Soon

Tracy is first lady

Fairlands Valley Spartans’ TRACY PEZ was fastest woman in the North Herts first Saturday of the Month 5K race.  On a course that was muddy and slippery in places she finished in 23 minutes 34 seconds.

Hard Hitchin

Eight Spartans splashed their way around a very wet Hitchin Hard Half Marathon on Sunday.

KERRY FLAIN was 27^th out of the 215 finishers in 1 hour 35 minutes 10 seconds; two minutes later JO LAING was 33^rd in 1:37:11.  MIKE KING was 48^th in 1:41:03 and ANDREW HULL 75^th in 1:47:36.

TREVOR SETTERFIELD finished in 1:55:23; MADELEINE PRITCHARD in 1:59:20; BARBARA WILSON in 2:02:23 and PAUL HOLGATE in 2:10:47.

Position	Name	Time
27	KERRY FLAIN (M)	1:35:10
33	JO LAING (F)	1:37:11
48	MIKE KING	1:41:03
75	ANDREW HULL	1:47:36
??	TREVOR SETTERFIELD	1:55:23*
145	MADELEINE PRITCHARD (F)	1:59:20
156	BARBARA WILSON (F)	2:02:23
186	PAUL HOLGATE (M)	2:10:47

There were 215 runners.

Summer (?) Festival Marathon

On Saturday 7th July just a few days after getting over yet another cold CAROL PAUL travelled to Milton Keynes for the Enigma Summer Festival Marathon.  The race was over an undulating seven and half laps around Caldecotte Lake.  Carol finished in 4 hours 58 minutes 15 seconds.

British 10K London

JANET COX ran her first 10 kilometres race at the British 10K in London on Sunday.  Also a wet race she finished in 1 hour 19 minutes 53 seconds.

Soggy Spartans

Two Spartans braved the rain on Tuesday to take part in the Milton Keynes 10k. Roger Biggs finished 235^th of the 392 runners in 47 minutes 44 seconds and Paul Holgate took 52:19 for 311^th position.

And dozens of Spartans were lining the streets of Stevenage to see the Olympic flame.  On Monday morning at 7:30a.m. founder Spartan member KEVIN LAWLOR carried the Olympic torch in Luton

Enter Now!

The Spartans host the Fairlands Valley Off Road Challenge this Sunday 15^th July and the Relays in the Park on Thursday evening 19^th July.  The relays will be in Fairlands Valley Park with each runner racing over three kilometres.  Enter now.  There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk

Coming Events

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

• 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.
• Paul Maguire Memorial and 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

BATTLING 58 GO DOWN FIGHTING

Off Road Challenge and Relays Coming Soon

There were some brilliant individual performances by Spartans in the last counting Mid Week League race of the season which was over seven undulating miles at St. Albans on a very warm evening .  For example NATALIE BARNARD was third senior woman in 46 minutes 22 seconds with SAM PRETTY fifth in 47:32.  Club Vice-Chair BEV HARLOW was second woman veteran (55 plus) in 1:01:28.

CRAIG HALSEY is in the middle of a gruelling triathlon training programme but still came 14^th overall in just 41 minutes 29 seconds.  The other Spartans in the top thirty were SHAW PYE 21^st in 42:31; GRANT RAMSAY 22^nd in 42:37: and ANDREW PATTERSON, 29^th in 43:05.

Seven miles, unlike say 10 kilometres or 10 miles, is not a standard race distance so there were no personal bests but compared with the same race last year there were many improvement — ANDY PRIOR by a huge 7 minutes 44 seconds to 1:01:44 (257^th); STEVEN DOBNER by 4:06 to 1:06:54 (289^th); VISHAL SHAH by 3:49 to 58:25 (233^rd); JENNIFER ROBERTSON by an impressive 3 minutes 44 seconds to 53 minutes 18 seconds (169^th);  JIM BROWN by 2:53 to 56:41 (216^th); DAWN EASBY by 2:40 to 58:14 (230^th); MARIE COLUCCI by 2:05 to 56:51 (219^th); LISA BURGESS by 1:49 to 49:56 (112^th); PAUL HOLGATE by 1:31 to 1:01:40 (260^th); NICK WITCOMBE by 1:21 to 1:07:00 (291^st); JULIE SIMMONS by 1:19 to 55:16 (201^st);  PETE SMITH by one minute exactly to 49:28 (104^th); LEE LAWRENCE by 29 seconds to 52:41 (154^th);

New Spartan RUTH RILEY ran her first race for the club in 1 hour 5 minutes 46 seconds.

However the efforts of the 58 Spartan finishers were not quite enough to make up the extra points Fairlands Valley Spartans needed to stay in Division One so it will be Division Two next year.  The club have often yo-yo’d between the two divisions in the past and look forward to seeking promotion next year.

Full results for all 58 Spartans in the seven mile race at St. Albans on 28^th June 2012:

Race	Name	Time	Comments inc improvements compared with 2011
14	Craig Halsey	41:29
21	Shaw Pye	42:31
22	Grant Ramsay	42:37
29	Andrew Patterson	43:05
52	Danny Hukin	45:30
56	Todd Gray	45:52
63	Natalie Barnard	46:22	3rd senior woman
79	Sam Pretty	47:32	5th senior woman
97	David Bowker	49:07
98	Adrian Donnelly	49:07
104	Pete Smith	49:28	1:00
112	Lisa Burgess	49:56	1:49
135	Kerry James	51:05
143	Steve Elder	51:38
147	Darren Wilby	52:18
154	Lee Lawrence	52:41	0:29
167	Tracy Pez	53:22
169	Jennifer Roberston	53:18	3:44
170	Mick Connell	53:16
179	Jon Sypula	53:56
181	Mark Goodwin	53:55
185	Roger Biggs	54:12
187	Nikke Andrews	54:33
188	Andrew Hull	54:20
193	Rhiannon Griffin	54:59
201	Julie Simmons	55:16	1:19
216	Jim Brown	56:41	2:53
219	Marie Colucci	56:51	2:05
220	Paul Pickard	57:01
221	Ryan Running	57:04
229	Derek Wood	58:08
230	Dawn Easby	58:14	2:40
231	Gaynor Knight	58:16
233	Vishal Shah	58:25	3:49
239	James Day	59:11
241	Tony Argyrou	59:50
242	Helene Miller	59:56
244	Robert Shaw	1:00:22
251	Andy Jay	1:01:04
254	Dan Simms	1:01:06
257	Andy Prior	1:01:16	7:44
258	Claire Coker	1:01:15
259	Beverley Harlow	1:01:28	Second FV55
260	Paul Holgate	1:01:40	1:31
273	Roger Hardman	1:04:02
275	Steve Carter	1:05:05
279	Ruth Riley	1:05:46
280	Julie Twomey	1:05:55
281	Sharon Crowley	1:05:53
285	Nicky Collins	1:06:13
286	Lorraine Thomas	1:06:25
289	Steven Dobner	1:06:54	4:06
291	Nick Witcombe	1:07:00	1:21
292	Isabel Green	1:07:00
303	Graham Hill	1:11:35
304	Maria Thorne	1:11:40
310	Tracy Stiles	1:12:23
314	Victoria Sealy	1:13:24

There were 321 finishers.

Durham  Duo

ROGER BIGGS and MICHAELA SANDERS were in County Durham at the weekend for the Hamsterly Forest Trail Marathon.  In good conditions but on a hilly three lap course Roger finished in 4 hours 55 minutes 49 seconds and Michaela in 5:40:41.

Regent’s Park 10K

On Sunday PETE SMITH ran the Regent’s Park 10K in 42 minutes 25 seconds.

Hadrian’s Wall

Recently Spartans TRICIA HOPPER and KAREN LIDDLE took part in the Hadrian’s 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 Millennium Bridge.  Tricia and Karen quite rightly are 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 recently — 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.

Enter Now!

The Spartans host the Fairlands Valley Off Road Challenge on Sunday 15^th July and the Relays in the Park on Thursday evening 19^th July.  The relays will be in Fairlands Valley Park with each runner racing over three kilometers.  Enter now.  There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk

New Course, New Bests at Serpentine

Two Spartans ran the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K race on Friday, which this month was moved to Kensington Gardens to allow Olympic organisers to prepare the race’s normal venue Hyde Park for the Triathlon.  The new two lap circuit was moderately flat and fast, which the stripy duo worked to their advantages by each recording new personal best times.

Liam Herbert finished 22nd out of the 180 finishers in a new PB time of 18 minutes 29 seconds, and placed 11th in his category.

Steve Mayfield also ran a new lifetime best time of 20:20, finishing 49th overall and a brilliant first in his category.

The race conditions were warm and dry with a gusty wind.

Watford Track

Contrasting races for two Spartans at Watford on Wednesday, but a more than satisfactory result for both of them.  The evening kicked off with the 100 metres, the opening heat was won by STEVE MAYFIELD in a new personal best (PB) 13.52 seconds.  Almost three hours later, having patiently waited through 19 heats of the 1500 metres, RICHIE BATE lined up for the final event of the night.  In a fast 3000 metres race amongst a high quality field he ran a new PB of 9:21.18.  Steve also competed in the Long Jump with a best of 4.47 metres.

Coming Events

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

• 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.
• Paul Maguire Memorial and 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

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