Month: November 2012

CLARE WINS 5K

Cross Country 28 * Wet Wolverton

Handicap 5K

There were very tough running conditions for the Spartans final handicap 5K of the year as very strong winds blasted their way into the faces of the 28 runners all the way along Grace Way from the 2K marker for nearly two kilometres.

First to finish, in her first 5k with the club was newcomer CLARE MOORE, supported by Jim Brown, in 25 minutes 36 seconds.  Clare was 4 minutes 24 seconds ahead of her handicap!

The winning man was BARRY KING in a year’s best time of 23:12.  DAVE SMITH was second in a new personal best of 22:30.  Newcomer ENDA MURPHY was third in 23:20.

KAREN PALMER was second woman across the line, in 9^th position overall, in 26:12.  That was just four days after running the St Neots Half Marathon.  SARAH PIKE was third female in 24:48.

Once again GRANT RAMSAY was fastest on the night.  He was showing no side effects from his county championship winning Luton Marathon run just four days earlier as he completed the course in 17:34 to finish in 10^th position overall.  LIAM HERBERT was second quickest man in 19:09 and JAMIE KELLET third fastest in a new personal best of 20:07, 2 seconds quicker than BERNIE BARNABY.

The fastest female was RHIANNON GRIFFIN in 21:16, with SARAH PIKE second quickest and event winner CLARE MOORE third fastest.

Despite the conditions there were still several personal bests (PB) on the night, including for James Marlow +1:09 to 23 minutes 31 seconds; Hannah Davidson +0:39 to 26:01 and Matthew Palacio +0:35 to 23:00.

Pos	Name	Time	R	F	Comments
1	CLARE MOORE (F)	25:36	20	3	Event Winner.  1st 5K
2	JIM BROWN	25:36	19
3	BARRY KING	23:12	14		YB (1:17)
4	DAVE SMITH	22:30	11		PB (2:00)
5	ENDA MURPHY	23:20	15		1st 5K
6	MATTHEW PALACIO	23:00	13		PB (0:35)
7	JAMES MARLOW	23:31	16		PB (1:09)
8	JAMIE KELLETT	20:07	3		1st 5K
9	KAREN PALMER (F)	26:12	23	5
10	GRANT RAMSAY	17:34	1
11	MATT GILL	22:01	7		YB (2:11)
12	RYAN DUNNING	22:18	9
13	BERNIE BARNABY	20:09	4
14	ALEX ROUSE	22:43	12		1st 5K
15	CHRIS LEIGH	26:01	22
16	HANNAH DAVIDSON (F)	26:01	21	4	PB (0:39)
17	LIAM HERBERT	19:09	2
18	MARK BEASLEY	21:40	6
19	SARAH PIKE (F)	24:42	18	2
20	KERRY SETTERFIELD (F)	32:19	26	7	YB (3:23)
21	RHIANNON GRIFFIN (F)	21:16	5	1
22	PAUL HOLGATE	26:35	24
23	LISA GAVIGAN (F)	27:39	25	6
24	MARK GOODWIN	22:26	10
25	PETE SMITH	22:15	8
26	DEAN CARPENTER	24:34	17		1st 5K
27	MATTHEW HOLGATE	42:15	27
28	SIMON HARRIS	45:18	28

Time Order:

Time Position	Name	Time	F	Comments
1	GRANT RAMSAY	17:34
2	LIAM HERBERT	19:09
3	JAMIE KELLETT	20:07		1st 5K
4	BERNIE BARNABY	20:09
5	RHIANNON GRIFFIN (F)	21:16	1	Fastest Female
6	MARK BEASLEY	21:40
7	MATT GILL	22:01		YB (2:11)
8	PETE SMITH	22:15
9	RYAN DUNNING	22:18
10	MARK GOODWIN	22:26
11	DAVE SMITH	22:30		PB (2:00)
12	ALEX ROUSE	22:43		1st 5K
13	MATTHEW PALACIO	23:00		PB (0:35)
14	BARRY KING	23:12		YB (1:17)
15	ENDA MURPHY	23:20		1st 5K
16	JAMES MARLOW	23:31		PB (1:09)
17	DEAN CARPENTER	24:34		1st 5K
18	SARAH PIKE (F)	24:42	2	Second Fastest Female
19=	JIM BROWN	25:36
19=	CLARE MOORE (F)	25:36	3	1st 5K.  Third Fastest Female
21	HANNAH DAVIDSON (F)	26:01	4	PB (0:39)
22	CHRIS LEIGH	26:01
23	KAREN PALMER (F)	26:12	5
24	PAUL HOLGATE	26:35
25	LISA GAVIGAN (F)	27:39	6
26	KERRY SETTERFIELD (F)	32:19	7	YB (3:23)
27	MATTHEW HOLGATE	42:15
28	SIMON HARRIS	45:18

The next Handicap 5k will be on Thursday 3^rd January 2013.

(PB = personal best; SB = season’s best; YB = year’s best).

Fantastic Turnout for Cross Country

There was a brilliant sunny morning for Sunday morning’s cross country fixture but Grovelands Park, Southgate was pretty waterlogged after Saturday’s heavy rain.  Twenty eight Spartans, more than two complete teams, tackled the 8,000 metres three lap course with the heavy going and undulations slowing some down more than others.

RHIANNON GRIFFIN led in the Spartan women’s “A” team with an excellent time of 40 minutes 4 seconds for the tough course, she was supported by an improving MADDIE PRITCHARD (45:40) together with ANN TRYSSESOONE (45:56); HANNAH DAVIDSON (47:45) and KAREN LIDDLE (49:41).

The “B” team was headed up by TRICIA HOPPER (50:20) and also included JEANNETTE COLLINS (52:29); MARIA THORNE (52:35); LORRAINE THOMAS (53:08) and IRIS HORNSEY (54:08).  ELIZABETH and SHARON CROWLEY finished in 58:21.

Three Spartan men finished in the top twenty.  LEE REYNOLDS was ninth in 31 minutes 45 seconds followed by SIMON JACKSON, tenth, in 31:53 and ANDY PATTERSON, twentieth, in 33:05.  The others in the eight man “A” team were DANNY HUKIN, 43^rd, in 34:44; TODD GRAY, 85^th, in 37:06; ADRIAN DONNELLY, 115^th, in 38:37; GRAHAM BLACKBURN, 127^th, in 39:36 and MATT GILL, 138^th, in 39:52.

STEVE MAYFIELD, 150^th in 40:20 led in the “B” team.  He was supported by JIM BROWN, 206^th in 43:52; BARRY KING, 231^st in 45:17; ANDY PRIOR, 247^th in 46:47; MARK CHEADLE, 248^th in 46:48; NICK WITCOMBE, 299^th in 49 minutes exactly; MATTHEW HOLGATE, 344^th in 65:52 and PAUL HOLGATE, 345^th also in 65:52.

These results are certain to move the Spartans up the league table when the team results are published.

Steve Mayfield, Paul Holgate, Mark Cheadle, Andy Prior, Simon Jackson, Tricia Hopper and Sharon Crowley had run the very wet Wolverton Five road race the previous afternoon.

Spartan Women:

Overall Position	Name	Time
141	RHIANNON GRIFFIN	40:04
237	MADDIE PRITCHARD	45:40
240	ANN TRYSSESOONE	45:56
262	HANNAH DAVIDSON	47:45**
281	KAREN LIDDLE	49:41
290	TRICIA HOPPER	50:20
306	JEANETTE COLLINS	52:29
307	MARIA THORNE	52:35**
310	LORRAINE THOMAS	53:08
316	IRIS HORNSEY	54:08
340	ELIZABETH CROWLEY	58:21
341	SHARON CROWLEY	58:21

Spartan Men:

Overall Position	Name	Time
9	LEE REYNOLDS	31:45
10	SIMON JACKSON	31:53
20	ANDREW PATTERSON	33:05
43	DANNY HUKIN	34:44
85	TODD GRAY	37:06
115	ADRIAN DONNELLY	38:37
127	GRAHAM BLACKBURN	39:36
138	MATT GILL	39:52
150	STEVE MAYFIELD	40:20
206	JIM BROWN	43:52
231	BARRY KING	45:17
247	ANDY PRIOR	46:47
248	MARK CHEADLE	46:48
299	NICK WITCOMBE	49:00**
344	MATTHEW HOLGATE	65:52
345	PAUL HOLGATE	65:52

The next cross country league match will be in St. Albans on Sunday 9^th December.

Wet Wolverton

Wolverton was wet, wet, continuously wet for Saturday afternoon’s five mile road race.  Despite that seven of the 17 Spartans ran new personal bests.  SIMON JACKSON was 21^st out of the 213 finishers in a new PB of 28 minutes 8 seconds; LIAM HERBERT was 40^th in a new PB of 30:25; STEVE MAYFIELD was 77^th in a new PB of 34:00; ANDY PRIOR 122^nd in 38:54; MARK CHEADLE 127^th in 39:33; NICOLA LORIMER 130^th in 39:30 and TRICIA HOPPER 142^nd in 41 minutes 22 seconds.

RICHARD BATE (28:52); KEVIN SMYTH (34:46); ROGER BIGGS (38:27) and YVONNE JONES (41:50) all ran season’s bests and RYAN DUNNING completed his first five mile race in 37 minutes exactly.  BARRY OSBORNE was second veteran (60 plus) in 32:03 and SIMON BELL third veteran (45 plus) in 30:05.

Position	Name	Chip Time	Comments
21	SIMON JACKSON	28:08	PB (4 seconds)
24	RICHARD BATE	28:52	SB
39	SIMON BELL	30:05	3rd Vet 45 plus
40	LIAM HERBERT	30:25	PB (3 seconds)
61	BARRY OSBORNE	32:03	2nd Vet 60 plus
77	STEVE MAYFIELD	34:00	PB (10 seconds)
84	KEVIN SMYTH	34:46	SB
108	ANNETTE BELL (F)	37:01	YB
109	RYAN DUNNING	37:00	First 5 mile race
120	ROGER BIGGS	38:27	SB
122	ANDY PRIOR	38:54	PB (49 seconds)
127	MARK CHEADLE	39:33	PB (1:15)
130	NICOLA LORIMER (F)	39:30	PB (16 seconds)
137	PAUL HOLGATE	40:40	YB
142	TRICIA HOPPER (F)	41:22	PB (1:37)
145	YVONNE JONES (F)	41:50	SB
155	SHARON CROWLEY (F)	44:02	YB

Sharon’s Silver in Herts Marathon

In the recent Hertfordshire Marathon Championship SHARON CROWLEY took SILVER in the women’s veteran 45 plus category.  ROGER BIGGS won GOLD in the men’s 60 plus category and GRANT RAMSAY took GOLD in the 40 plus category as well as winning the county championship overall.

Baggage for VLM.

The London Marathon is not until Sunday 21^st April but Fairlands Valley Spartans are already signing up volunteers for help in Pall Mall.  The club have helped make the event a success for many years.  Places for the baggage will be allocated after the draw for running place at the Spartans Christmas Party which is on Friday, 14^th December 2012.

Coming Events

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

• Cross Country League in St Albans on Sunday 9^th December.
• Spartans Christmas Party on Friday 14^th December.
• Buntingford Ten on Sunday 30^th December.
• Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 3^rd January 2013.
• County Cross Country Championships at Haileybury College on Sunday 6^th January.
• Cross Country League on Therfield Heath, Royston on Sunday 13^th January.
• Cross Country League in Watford on Sunday 17^th February.
• Virgin London Marathon on 21^st April.

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 (0793 968 7509 or 01438 354505), Vivienne Honey 07702 846304 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

FVS Committee 2013

During the AGM on Wednesday 21st November, a new committee was voted in.

Position	Name
Chairman	Beverley Harlow
General Secretary	Vivienne Honey
Treasurer	Mark Cheadle
Head Coach	Chris Leigh
Mens Team Captain	Nick Witcombe
Ladies Team Captain	Tracy Pez
Committee	Graham Blackburn Jim Brown James Day John Harlow Simon Harris Paul Holgate Lisa Jerrom Maria Rushton Phil Rushton Tessa Stephenson Barry King Christine Sharman Jayne Pinner Jo Cahill

Contact the committee to give your thoughts and feedback using email address: committee@fvspartans.org.uk

BESTS AT ST. NEOTS

Success At County Marathon

The St. Neots Half Marathon was a beautiful run on a lovely course in perfect conditions and produced fourteen new personal bests for Fairlands Valley Spartans.

STEVE MAYFIELD improved by 49 seconds to 1:33:01; DAVIE STAFFORD by 2:53 to 1:35:30; NIKKI ANDREWS by 3:32 to 1:39:17; MARK GOODWIN by 1:31 to 1:40:25; JON SYPULA by 1:33 to 1:41:53; CLAIRE COKER by 1:13 to 1:46:45; VISHAL SHAH by a massive 7 minutes 34 seconds to 1:47:05; MADELEINE PRITCHARD by 3:37 to 1:48:05; ANDY PRIOR had the biggest improvement, 8 minutes 40 seconds, to 1:49:32; KAREN ELLIS 1:11 to 1:53:51; RACHEL PAYNE by 3:36 to 1:53:53; NICK WITCOMBE by 3:26 to 2:02:45; VIVIENNE HONEY by 0:38 to 2:14:52 and JO CAHILL by 1:29 to 2:30:31.

CHRIS WESTCOTT was the fastest Spartan.  He was 48^th out of the 921 finishers in 1 hour 23 minutes 59 seconds.

Here are the times for all 25 Spartans (the first number is the position in the club; the second is the position in the race which is followed by the chip time):

1 Chris Westcott 48 1.23.59; 2 Graham Blackburn 112 1.29.40; 3 Steve Mayfield 162 1.33.01 PB 0.49; 4 Davie Stafford 196 1.35.30 PB 2.53; 5 Phil Gale 221 1.37.21; 6 Nikki Andrews 260 1.39.17 PB 3.32; 7 Mark Goodwin 279 1.40.25 PB 1.31; 8 Jon Sypula 307 1.41.53 PB 1.33; 9 Tracy Pez 386 1.46.04 YB 10.23; 10 Claire Coker 400 1.46.45 PB 1.13; 11 Vishal Shah 404 1.47.05 PB 7.34; 12 Madeline Pritchard 424 1.48.05 PB 3.37; 13 Andy Prior 458 1.49.32 PB 8.40; 14 Paul Marshall 510 1.51.58; 15 Karen Ellis 531 1.53.51PB 1.11; 16 Andy Jay 532 1.53.59; 17 Rachel Payne 533 1.53.53 PB 3.36; 18 Paul Holgate 589 1.56.52; 19 Beverly Harlow 592 1.56.27; 20 Karen Palmer 674 2.00.19; 21 Phil Rushton 686 2.01.28; 22 Nick Witcombe 706 2.02.45 PB 3.26; 23 Vivienne Honey 829 2.14.52 PB 0.38; 24 Maria Rushton 881 2.27.56; 25 Jo Cahill 894 2.30.31 PB 1.29

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
48	CHRIS WESTCOTT	1:23:59
112	GRAHAM BLACKBURN	1:29:40
162	STEVE MAYFIELD	1:33:01	PB (0:49)
196	DAVIE STAFFORD	1:35:30	PB (2:53)
221	PHIL GALE	1:37:21
260	NIKKI ANDREWS (F)	1:39:17	PB (3:32)
279	MARK GOODWIN	1:40:25	PB (1:31)
307	JON SYPULA	1:41:53	PB (1:33)
386	TRACY PEZ (F)	1:46:04	Year’s  Best
400	CLAIRE COKER (F)	1:46:45	PB (1:13)
404	VISHAL SHAH	1:47:05	PB (7:34)
424	MADELEINE PRITCHARD (F)	1:48:05	PB (3:37)
458	ANDY PRIOR	1:49:32	PB (8:40)
510	PAUL MARSHALL	1:51:58
531	KAREN ELLIS (F)	1:53:51	PB (1:11)
532	ANDY JAY	1:53:59
533	RACHEL PAYNE (F)	1:53:53	PB (3:36)
589	PAUL HOLGATE	1:56:52
592	BEVERLEY HARLOW (F)	1:56:27
674	KAREN ELLIS (F)	2:00:19
686	PHIL RUSHTON	2:01:28
706	NICK WITCOMBE	2:02:45	PB (3:26)
829	VIVIENNE HONEY (F)	2:14:52	PB (0.38)
881	MARIA RUSHTON (F)	2:27:56
894	JO CAHILL (F)	2:30:31	PB (1:29)

There were 921 finishers.

 

Luton Marathon (including Hertfordshire Championships)

On a slightly cold, but a glorious sunny November day, with barely a breeze blowing, Spartan GRANT RAMSAY won the Hertfordshire Marathon Championship with his time of 2 hours 45 minutes 37 seconds.  He was fifth overall and first male (40 plus) in the Luton Marathon which incorporated the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Championships.

The event was on an undulating three lap course from the Lea Manor Recreation Centre to the North of Luton, out towards Streetley.

ROGER BIGGS took GOLD in the Vet 60 plus category for the second year running with his time of 3:57:55; ROB SHAW was 444^th in 4:42:30 and SHARON CROWLEY 466^th in 4:53:42.

 

Spartan Simmonds First Woman In Ashwell Multi-Terrain Half Marathon

Spartan TASHA SIMMONDS was first woman in Sunday’s Ashwell Multi-Terrain Half Marathon.  On the hard course JOHN HARRIS was fifth overall and first male (50 plus) in 1 hour 31 minutes 51 seconds; SARAH PRICE shaved 30 seconds off her personal best with her time of 1:50:15 winning a trophy for second in her age group.  LISA LIVERSIDGE finished in 2:03:28 and LORRAINE WYATT in 2:13:52.

 

Milton Keynes MoRun 10K

RUSS ANDREWS took part in his first ever competitive race on Sunday.  It was the Milton Keynes MoRun 10K which he finished in 54 minutes exactly.

 

Leeds Abbey Dash 10K

On a relatively flat course and in the sunshine MATTHEW KIRK had a good run from Leeds city centre up to Kirkstall Abbey and back in the Abbey Dash 10k along with 9000 others. Very pleased (and surprised) to beat my PB by 29 secs in doing 45:48. Cheers.

 

Baggage for VLM.

The London Marathon is not until Sunday 21^st April but Fairlands Valley Spartans are already signing up volunteers for help in Pall Mall.  The club have helped make the event a success for many years.  Places for the baggage will be allocated after the draw for running place at the Spartans Christmas Party which is on Friday, 14^th December 2012.

 

Coming Events

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

• Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 22^nd November.
• Wolverton Five on Saturday 24^th November.
• Cross Country League on Sunday 25^th November.
• Cross Country League on Sunday 9^th December.
• Spartans Christmas Party on Friday 14^th December.
• Buntingford Ten on Sunday 30^th December.
• Virgin London Marathon on 21^st April 2013.

 

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 (0793 968 7509 or 01438 354505), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

ROGER’S TRIPLE MAKES 1500

And Three In A Row For Grant

ROGER BIGGS has run 1500 races!  On Thursday 1^st November he travelled to Penkridge in Staffordshire for the Enigma Staffs Trail Marathon.  This was a marathon entirely on the towpath of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.  The course consisted of four out & backs laps of approx 6.6 miles.  Going out south against the locks (climbs at each one), then returning back to ‘The Boat’ Public House before starting the next lap.  Due to heavy rain the night before, the compacted surface had become very muddy & slippery, hence fast times were not in order.  Roger completed the course in 4 hours 25 minutes 39 seconds.

There was another trip north for Roger Biggs, to complete a scenic route totally around the Rutland Water Reservoir for the Rutland Water Trail Marathon on Sunday 4^th November. To make up the marathon distance, runners had to make two trips around Hambleton Peninsula.  While the surface would normally be quite acceptable, the incessant rain made the course very wet, with puddles that took up the whole path, so running shoes were very wet. With temperatures probably topping out at 5C, it was day to get round and no more.  He finished in 4:34:27

The Enigmas Fox at 40 Trail Marathon last Sunday was a race to celebrate the 40^th birthday of Race Director David ‘Foxey’ Bayley, and the amazing consistency of 100 Marathon Club member Steve Edwards, for completing 500 marathons with finishing times of under 3hrs & 30 mins.

The course hugged the waters edge of Caldecotte Lake in Bletchley near Milton Keynes.  It was run in near perfect conditions. a nip in the air, but it was a lovely sunny day to run 7.5 times around a lake.  Roger Biggs finished in 4:05:04; CAROL PAUL in 5:01:59 and PAUL HOLGATE in 5:04:46.

This means that Roger has completed 1500 events at all distances from 400 metres on the track to 80 mile ultras, including over 700 marathons.

Three Out Of Three For Grant

Spartan GRANT RAMSAY beat 200 runners to win the Watford Autumn Challenge Five Miles Off Road Race for the third year in a row.  He finished in 31 minutes 14 seconds.  This was his sixth win in seven years.

Baggage for VLM

The London Marathon is not until Sunday 21^st April but Fairlands Valley Spartans are already signing up volunteers for help in Pall Mall.  The club have helped make the event a success for many years.  Places for the baggage will be allocated after the draw for running place at the Spartans Christmas Party which is on Friday, 14^th December 2012.

Coming Events

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

• St. Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 18^th November.
• Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 22^nd November.
• Wolverton Five on Saturday 24^th November.
• Cross Country League on Sunday 25^th November.
• Cross Country League on Sunday 9^th December.
• Spartans Christmas Party on Friday 14^th December.
• Buntingford Ten on Sunday 30^th December.
• Virgin London Marathon on 21^st April 2013.

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 (0793 968 7509 or 01438 354505), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

FILTHY HALF MARATHON

Jen’s Ogle

Heavy rain greeted runners as they lined up for the Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday morning.  The filthy conditions persisted for much of the race but 446 finished with the fastest being PAUL ADAMS from St. Albans Striders in just 1 hour 17 minutes 39 seconds.  SIMON RILEY, also from St. Albans, was second in 1:13:57 with MARTIN BATEMAN, Hillingdon Athletic Club third in 1:15:41.

Fairlands Valley Spartans’ GRANT RAMSAY ran a new season’s best time of 1 hour 17 minutes 39 seconds to come sixth overall and win the County GOLD medal for veteran runners (40 plus).

GIEDRE DRAKE from Garden City Runners was first woman in 1 hour 31 minutes 7 seconds with Spartans’ JO LAING second in 1:35:16.  Jo won the County GOLD medal for women veterans (35 plus).  CATHERINE COLLINS from London Heathside was third women in 1:35:33 and ANDREA MANN from Garden City fourth in 1:36:01.

Spartans’ CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT won the County SILVER for men aged 40 plus with his time of 1:22:53.

Golden Women

Fairlands Valley Spartans’ women won the county team race with JO LAING (1:35:16); MADDIE PRITCHARD (1:55:33) and TRACY PEZ (1:57:30).  [Teams of three].  The club’s men took SILVER with GRANT RAMSAY (1:17:39); CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT (1:22:53); TONY BRADFORD (1:33:27) and SAM HARTE (1:40:27).  [Teams of four].

The race included the county veteran championships as well as the seniors so Grant Ramsay, Christopher Westcott, Tony Bradford and PAUL MURRAY (1:45:10) to take the team GOLD medals for men aged 40 plus.

New personal bests were run by JON SYPULA (1:43:26); LEWIS DAVIN (1:48:27); SELVAN NAICKER (1:50:48) and ADAM DAVIN (1:58:36).

Fairlands Valley Spartans organised the race and provided dozens of volunteer marshals and race officials.

Results For All 25 Spartans:

 

Ogle

Jennifer Robertson ran the Glen Ogle Ultra in Strathyre, Scotland this weekend. 33 miles of stunning scenery, a forest trail route which was hilly in parts. Jen completed it in 6 hours 8 minutes.

Baggage for VLM

The London Marathon is not until Sunday 21^st April but Fairlands Valley Spartans are already signing up volunteers for help in Pall Mall.  The club have helped make the event a success for many years.

Coming Events

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

• St. Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 18^th November.
• Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 22^nd November.
• Wolverton Five on Saturday 24^th November.
• Cross Country League on Sunday 25^th November.
• Cross Country League on Sunday 9^th December.
• Buntingford Ten on Sunday 30^th December.
• Virgin London Marathon on 21^st April 2013.

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 (0793 968 7509 or 01438 354505), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk