Month: February 2016

GRANT RAMSAY and YLLKA ISTREFI are the new Fairlands Valley Spartans club champions. Scores of Spartans enjoyed the club’s presentation evening which was at Chesfield Downs on Friday evening.

BEV HARLOW, club chair in 2015, presented the awards. Before she did Bev mentioned some of the club’s achievements last year. They included promotion to the top division in the Mid Week League; a fantastic result in the cross country league with 53 Spartans racing in the last event; some great performances by Spartans in the East of England track and field league; GRANT RAMSAY winning GOLD in the British Masters Marathon Championship for runners 40 plus; MONICA BROWN who is leading the Power of 10 UK 100 metre rankings for 50 plus women; CHRIS WESTCOTT broke the club record for 800 metres and JOHN HARRIS who broke the Spartans 200 metre record.

There were presentations for performance, and for supporting the club. The captains’ awards for those running the most events in the midweek and cross country leagues went to PAUL HOLGATE (10 out of 10) and PETA WILSON (9).

The short distance age related championship for women was won by JULIE SIMMONS with IRIS HORNSEY second and TESSA STEPHENSON third. This was over 1500 metres, five kilometres, five miles and 10 kilometres. In the same event for men BARRY OSBORNE took the top spot with BERNIE BARNABY second and JOHN HARRIS third.

Moving up SUZY HAWKINS was first woman in the long distance age based championship. This was over 10 miles, half marathon (13.1); 20 miles and full marathon (26.2). JAN FRY was second and MOLLIE SMITH third. The men’s version was won by STEFFAN FORD with FVS press officer JIM BROWN second and JOHN NELMS third.

LIZ CARVELL and STEVE GREEN were the most improved female and male runners over the year, while KAREN BROOM was “Starter of the Year.”

Next came the fastest runners in the club, the medal winners in the open championships. SAM PRETTY won the women’s short distance championship with YLLKA ISTREFI second and TRACY PEZ third. However Yllka WON the long distance trophy with MADDIE PRITCHARD second and NICOLA HABERLAND third so with a first and second place Yllka won the overall club championship for women.

GRANT RAMSAY was first in the men’s short distance championship with JASON ANDERSON second and CRAIG HALSEY third. Grant and Jason were also first and second in the long distance event but STEVE GREEN was third. Thus with two first places Grant was the men’s champion and the overall club champion for 2015.

HANNAH and JON SYPULA won the Chair’s Award for their efforts with the club kit and MARK FREEMAN was a very popular Spartan of the Year. His was an inspired and successful effort to get people running the cross country races.

 

Brian Wins In Cambridge

Sunday’s Cambridge Half Marathon was on a good flat course in great conditions though it was a bit congested in the first couple of miles. Fairlands Valley Spartans’ BRIAN WHITE notched up another category win for the distance. He was first veteran (60 plus) in 1 hour 27 minutes 58 seconds and 263^rd out of the 5,308 finishers.

STEFFAN FORD was fastest from Fairlands finishing 67^th in 1:19:35. STEVE and ISABEL GREEN but achieved a new personal bests (PB). Steve went sub 90 with 1:29:37 and Isabel under an hour and three quarters with 1:44:36.

TIM SABAN came in with 1:32:28 and THOMAS SAUKA with 1:37:27. SCOTT ROUSE and SIMON JACKSON finished together with 1:47:15 and KEN JUDE was delighted to finish his first half marathon in 1 hour 52 minutes 38 seconds. Soon afterwards ANDREA WESTCOTT finished in 2:07:51; JEANETTE COLLINS in 2:13;35; MARK CHEADLE in 2:18:02 and a delighted “Spartan Starter of the Year” KAREN BROOM in 2:32:10.

Pos.	Name	Time	Comments
67	STEFFAN FORD	01:19:35
263	BRIAN WHITE	01:27:58	Winner (1st MV60)
385	STEVE GREEN	01:29:37	PB.
481	TIM SABAN	01:32:28
804	THOMAS SAUKA	01:37:27
1539	ISABEL GREEN	01:44:36	PB.
1656	SCOTT ROUSE	01:47:15
1659	SIMON JACKSON	01:47:15
2626	KEN JUDE	01:52:38	First Half Marathon
3782	ANDREA WESTCOTT	02:07:51
4284	JEANNETTE COLLINS	02:13:35
4428	MARK CHEADLE	02:18:02
5006	KAREN BROOM	02:32:10

 

Winning The Baldock Beast

In the Baldock Beast Half Marathon NATALIE LAWRENCE was the winning woman overall, and the first of the seven Spartans home in a new personal best of 1:25:21. She was sixth out of everyone completing the race.

There were perfect weather conditions for the multi-terrain 13.1 miles. The course was very hilly and the running surfaces variable.

DANIEL BATES was 58^th in 1:40:40; BERT BUTLER 64^th in 1:41:21; TIM ROBINSON 111^th in 1:46:56; ROBERT EVANS 113^th in 1:47:11; STUART HAYCROFT 181^st in 1:55:51 and TRACY STILES 290^th in 2:26:38.

 

Champion PB

Spartan women’s club champion YLLKA ISTREFI set a new half marathon personal best at Kingston on Sunday. She finished in 1 hour 35 minutes 51 seconds, third in her category and 182^nd out of all the 1,145 finishers.

 

A Swift South Coast Half

MADDIE PRITCHARD ran the Brighton Half Marathon in 1 hour 42 minutes 24 seconds.

 

Serpentine

It was chilly, breezy but sunny for the Last Friday of the Month 5K race round the Serpentine. DAVID BOWKER beat the twenty minute barrier to come 61^st out of the 264 in 19 minutes 38 seconds.

Still very heavy legged after the Tour of East Lothian cycling event JIM BROWN was happy to get round in 25 minutes 32 seconds. He was 221^st.

 

Indoor

David Bowker was also in action on Sunday but this time he was inside. He competed for EVAC (the Eastern Veterans) in BMAF Indoor Inter Area Match and was second in the male 50 plus 2K walk in 11 minutes 18 seconds.

 

Parkrun Reports

With so much going on it was a relatively quiet Saturday for Spartans on the parkrun scene.

At Panshanger Park ALISON WOOD led home the four Spartans taking part, finishing in 14th overall out of 246 and 4^th woman finisher in a time of 20:41. LESLEY JEIVE was 107^th in 27:38, knocking 37 seconds off her course PB. HEATHER MALONEY was 125^th in 28:45, also a new course PB by 78 seconds. TIM ROBINSON paced his son round the course in 42:12 as a limber up ahead of the Baldock Beast the next day.

In a biting wind at St Albans DANNY SUTTON was 73^rd finisher out of 392 in a new course PB time of 22:20, while VERITY FISHER was 101^st in 23:19.

Finally, DARRYL STEVENS was 184^th out of 191 at Northala Fields parkrun, finishing in 46:48 on his first visit to that venue.

 

Twenty’s Plenty

Recently ROBERT EVANS completed the Bramley 20 in a time of 2 hours 48 minutes 43 seconds.

 

Coming Events

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

 

• County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13^th March.
• Finchley 20 on Sunday 13^th March.
• Handicap 5K on Thursday 17^th March.
• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 18^th March.
• Essex 20 including Intercounties on Sunday 20th March.
• Sport Relief on Sunday 20^th March.
• Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25^th March.
• County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3^rd April.
• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17^th April.
• London Marathon on Sunday 24^th April.
• County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2^nd May.
• Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2^nd May.
• Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8^th May.
• Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28^th July.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^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 hundreds of 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 the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) 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 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

MONICA BROWN was at Lee Valley Indoor Athletics Track on Valentine’s Day to compete in the British Masters Pentathlon Championships and loved winning the Gold medal in the over 50 age group!

Indoor Pentathlon consists of 60 metres Hurdles, High Jump, Shot Putt, Long Jump and 800 metres and Monica lead the age group competition from start to finish ending with a personal best final score of 3230 points.

TESSA STEPHENSON was also competing in the Pentathlon but in the over 55 age group. This was her first indoor pentathlon and she finished with 2249 points to finish fourth. She was especially pleased with her indoor personal best in the shot, with a distance of 8.29 metres, which currently places her third in the UK for her age group.

This meeting also hosted both the Eastern Veterans AC and South of England Veterans Championships with IRIS HORNSEY and DAVE BOWKER competing for the Spartans.

Iris Hornsey continued her good form by running faster than last year’s times in the Over 70 age group. Iris completed the 400 metres in 98.59 seconds to take the Gold Medal in both Championships and the 800 metres in 3minutes 42.71 seconds to take the Silver Medals

Dave Bowker finished the over 55 age group 1500 metres in a time of 5 minutes 8.19 seconds, setting a new Championship Best, and the 3000 metres in 11 minutes 30.27 seconds. Dave was first in both events to take both Gold Medals in each event.

All four athletes are now in contention to represent the Eastern Veterans Region, against teams from all other areas of the UK in the inter-area match at the end of February.

Following on from the Masters championships four Spartans returned to take part, as guests, at the Southern Counties Veterans Athletics Club Championships last weekend.

GRANT RAMSAY and DAVE BOWKER competed in the 3000 and 1500 metre races. Grant finished with times of 9 minutes 55 seconds and 4 minutes 43 seconds in the Men’s 40 age group (2^nd in age group in both events) and Dave Bowker with times of 11 minutes 14 seconds (1^st in age group) and  5 minutes 19 seconds (2^nd in a the Men’s 55 age group).

TESSA STEPHENSON won the Women’s 55 age group Shot Putt competition in a new indoor personal best of 8.57 metres. DAVE STEPHENSON managed 7.32 metres and also 12.68 seconds in his first 60 metre hurdles race in the M50 age group. Both were using this as preparation for upcoming multi event competitions.

 

Chilly 5K

Perfect running conditions saw some very fast times from the 25 Spartans taking part in this month’s Handicap 5k as almost every participant beat their handicap time, including the fastest female course time recorded in over 4 years, 8 PBs, 2 Season Best and 13 year best times.

Winner on the night was newcomer NEIL ROBINSON, a massive 5:23 quicker than handicap in 24:37, followed by SARAH ATKINSON, supported around the course by JIM BROWN to a new personal best time 28:37, 2:54 quicker than previous.

2nd woman was ANDREA WESTCOTT in 26:37, 2:38 ahead of handicap, with LIZ CARVELL 3rd woman in a year best time of 28:09, 14 seconds quicker than in January.

SIMON SYPULA was 2nd man, taking 61 seconds off his PB to finish in 27:01, with ANDY JAY 3rd man in a new season best time of 22:26.

Fastest runner on the night, despite having to start early and complete most of the run on her own, in the fastest female course time for more than 4 years, was NATALIE LAWRENCE in a new PB time of 18:44.

CLAIRE COX was 2nd quickest woman, with 23:06 for her first 5k with the club, and ISABEL GREEN was 3rd quickest in a new PB time of 23:19, taking 24 seconds off her previous quickest time.

Fastest man was KEITH COUGHLIN in 18:49, 1:11 better than handicap. LIAM HERBERT was 2nd quickest man, celebrating his birthday in style by running a warm-up lap of the 5k course in 21:36 and following that with 20:20 for the Handicap 5k itself, and JAMES KILROY was 3rd fastest man in a new personal best time of 21:17.

There was also a PB for KARL SHREEVE (+0:35 to 6:37), while DAVID BOWKER power-walked his way around the circuit in a new season best time of 31:12, 1:20 faster than in January.

24 of the 25 finishers beat their handicap, with 76% finishing within 1 minute of their adjusted handicap time, and the time difference between 2nd-24th position was just 2:29.

The March Handicap 5k will be on Thursday 17th March 2016.

 

Pos	Name	Time	T. Pos	F. Pos	Comments
1	NEIL ROBINSON	24:37	15		PB, 1st 5k, Winner
2	SARAH ATKINSON	28:37	23	7	PB (2:54) 1st Woman
3	JIM BROWN	28:37	24
4	ANDREA WESTCOTT	26:37	17	5	YB, New
5	SIMON SYPULA	27:01	20		PB (1:01)
6	ANDY JAY	22:26	6		SB (0:43)
7	KARL SHREEVE	26:37	18		PB (0:35)
8	MARTIN DUDLEY	23:23	11		YB (0:37)
9	LIZ CARVELL	28:09	22	6	YB (0:14)
10	ISABEL GREEN	23:19	9	3	PB (0:24)
11	NATALIE LAWRENCE	18:44	1	1	PB (0:03) Fast runner on the night
12	TIM ROBINSON	23:02	7		YB (0:49)
13	JAMES KILROY	21:17	4		PB (0:04)
14	CLAIRE COX	23:06	8	2	PB, 1st 5k
15	DAVID BOWKER	31:12	25		SB (1:20)
16	MARK GOODWIN	22:13	5		YB (0:14)
17	KEITH COUGHLIN	18:49	2		YB Fastest man on the night
18	LIAM HERBERT	20:20	3		YB
19	DARREN EMMERSON	23:20	10		YB
20	VISHAL SHAH	23:26	12		YB (2:08)
21	LEE PICKERSGILL	27:12	21		YB
22	HAYLEY FAULKNER	25:36	16	4
23	CALLUM BEASLEY	24:00	13		YB
24	ROGER BIGGS	26:51	19		YB
25	MARK BEASLEY	24:30	14		YB

 

Andrea’s Bramley

ANDREA WESTCOTT ran the Bramley 10 in 92 minutes 22 seconds.

 

100 Marathon Club AGM Marathon/The Good The Bad and The Ugly Marathon

CAROL PAUL ran the 100 Marathon Club AGM Marathon on Saturday. Comprising of 13 laps of the cycle park in Fowlmead Country Park near Deal in Kent, Carol completed the race in 4hrs 36 minutes 28 seconds.

The following day the same course hosted The Good, The Bad and the Ugly Marathon, commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the first spaghetti western. Although the temperature was good, winds gusting up to 50 mph made for 13 laps of toil, and ROGER BIGGS completed the race in 5hrs 06 minutes and 24 seconds.

 

Wokingham Half Marathon

JAMES KILROY ran the second if his 2016 challenge half marathons at Wokingham. At the half-way stage he was two minutes inside his PB pace, but calf and breathing difficulties affected him from the 8 mile mark. He ran through the difficulties to finish in a very creditable 1 hr 45mins and 44 seconds.

 

Celebrate!!

The Fairlands Valley Spartans Presentation Evening, Dinner and Disco will be at Chesfield Downs Gold Club from 7.30p.m. this Friday 26^th February. Tickets are just £20. More details on www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Parkrun Reports

CRAIG HALSEY continued his recent sparking form at Luton Wardown parkrun. He finished first of 185 runners in a fine time of 16:57 but was disappointed not to take the course record and vowed to return in the near future for another attempt. At St Albans TIM SABAN also showed himself to be in fine shape, finishing 34^th of 360 runners in a new course PB of 20:21.

Three Spartans headed down to favourite local venue Panshanger Park, with THOMAS SAUKA finishing 36th of 212 in 22:53. LESLEY JEIVE finished 115^th in 28:19 and HEATHER MOLONEY finished 146^th in 30:03, a new course PB.

JOHN ROXBURGH paid a first visit to Barclay parkrun and finished 6^th of 64 in a time of 24:19, while at Cassiobury Park in Watford Darryl Stevens was 277^th of 295 finishers in 38:15 in his first run at that venue. LUCY FIELD finished 351^st of 478 at Cambridge in 30:56.

Travelling further afield, DANIEL SUTTON and VERITY FISHER headed to Rutland Water, Danny finishing 29^th of 134 in 23:52 and Verity finishing 34^th in 24:38 (new course PB). At Cleethorpes, EMMA POULTER finished 106^th of 120 in 35:28, also a new course PB while at Carlisle ANDREW MARTIN finished 56^th of 185 runners, crossing the line in 25:36.

The most northerly Spartan parkrunner of the week was JIM BROWN who ran at Portobello parkrun in Edinburgh and finished 123^rd of 220 runners in 27:06 in his first parkrun anywhere.

 

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 in Stevenage on Thursday 18^th February.
• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 26^th February at 12.30p.m.
• Spartans Presentation Evening on Friday 26^th February. Tickets only £20.
• County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13^th March (probably Watford).
• Finchley 20 on Sunday 13^th March.
• Handicap 5K on Thursday 17^th March.
• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 18^th March.
• Essex 20 including Intercounties on Sunday 20th March.
• Sport Relief on Sunday 20^th March.
• Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25^th March.
• County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3^rd April.
• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17^th April.
• London Marathon on Sunday 24^th April.
• County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2^nd May.
• Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2^nd May.
• Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8^th May.
• Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28^th July.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.

Fairlands Valley Spartans won the men’s and women’s race in the final cross country league fixture of the 2015-2016 season.

CRAIG HALSEY opened up a gap to win the men’s race by 51 seconds in 34 minutes 25 seconds and NATALIE LAWRENCE won the women’s event in a fantastic 38 minutes 42 seconds no less than 3 minutes 32 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.

It was hilly, chilly and sunny as the Spartans set a new all time club record for participation in a cross country event. 324 from 20 clubs finished and 53 were FVS. Many had joined the Stevenage based club in the last year.

Despite the tough course five of the men’s team managed to run the 5.5 miles in less than 40 minutes. After Craig ANDREW PATTERSON was third in 35 minutes 29 seconds; GRANT RAMSAY 14th in 37:29; KEITH COUGHLIN 23rd in 38:33; and PAUL HEWETT 33rd in 39:35. The eight man “A” team was completed by MIKE GREEN, 45th in 41:09; STEVE GREEN, 51st in 41:41 and PAUL WHYTE, 65th in 42:44.

The men were second on the day, just six points ahead of Trent Park, and came THIRD in the whole series with 92 league points, just one behind Trent Park and five behind winners Royston.

The Spartan women’s “A” team WON their race on Sunday. All five of them finished in the top twenty five with CLAIRE WHITCHURCH moving into the top flight for the first time. They were, of course, led in by race winner NATALIE LAWRENCE in 38:42; MICHELLE REEVES sped in at eighth in 44:56; TRACY PEZ was 15th in 46:40; CLAIRE PULLEN 21st in 48:19 and Claire Whitchurch 22nd in 48:22. Fifteen other Spartan women finished so the club were unique with complete A, B, C and D teams at the end.

The others, many running such a hard event for the first time and coming out smiling, were SUZY HAWKINS, 28th in 49:20; CLAIRE COX, 48th in 52:07; HAZEL CLARK, 57th in 53:13; ISOBEL GREEN, 63rd in 54:02; VERITY FISHER, 73rd in 55:27; STEPH MAYFIELD, 87th in 58:26; SUE HAMER, 91st in 59:30; ADA JANUSIENE, 95th in 60:32; JEANETTE COLLINS, 99th in 61:32; OLWEN BATTY, 103rd in 62:32; NICOLA TOUT, 104th in 62:47; JENNY GARRETT, 105th in 63:02; SHARON CROWLEY, 107th in 63:33; JULIE SHADBOLT, 115th in 67:52 and PETA WILSON, 122nd in 72:00.

The FVS women were fourth over the whole series which started in October. It was desperately close for the third, or BRONZE, position with the Spartans just one league point, 82 to 83, behind Garden City but actually ahead of them, 813 to 751 on individual race points. The combined male and female teams were second on the day – Royston scored 1772; FVS 1962 and Trent Park 2020.

The 33 men had enough for four teams and some to spare.

Those giving tremendous support to the “A” team and beating many other clubs’ first teams in the process were LIAM HERBERT, 69th in 43:08; JOHN HARRIS, 70th in 43:11; KARL CLARKE, 77th in 43:51; TIM SABAN, 82nd in 44:07; TODD GRAY, 83rd in 44:15; DANIEL BATES, 91st in 45:16; THOMAS SAUKA, 92nd in 45:22; RYAN DUNNING, 117th in 48:12; MARK GOODWIN, 127th in 49:07; STEVE SMITHSON, 142nd in 50:44; DEAN CARPENTER, 153rd in 52:44; DANNY SUTTON, 157th in 54:09; JON SYPULA, 160th in 54:23; ROBERT WRIGHT, 165th in 55:25; VISH SHAH, 166th in 55:26; ANDY JAY, 167th in 55:26; TIM ROBINSON, 169th in 55:45; ANDY PRIOR, 175th in 56:41; KEN JUDE, 182nd in 57:47; JIM BROWN, 184th in 58:29; LEE PICKERSGILL, 187th in 61:08; SIMON SYPULA, 190th in 62:50; STEVE GOUGH, 198th in 67:42; MARK FREEMAN, 200th in 76:29 and PAUL HOLGATE, 201st in 76:32.

Spartan Men on Therfield Heath (Eight for each team); FVS Second Out Of Twenty.

Position	Name	Age Group	Time	Comments
1	Craig HALSEY	SM	34:25	“A” team
3	Andrew PATTERSON	SM	35:29	“A” team
14	Grant RAMSAY	V40	37:29	“A” team
23	Keith COUGHLIN	SM	38:33	“A” team
33	Paul HEWETT	SM	39:35	“A” team
45	Mike GREEN	V40	41:09	“A” team
51	Steve GREEN	V40	41:41	“A” team
65	Paul WHYTE	SM	42:44	“A” team
69	Liam HERBERT	SM	43:08
70	John HARRIS	V50	43:11
77	Karl CLARKE	SM	43:51
82	Tim SABAN	V40	44:07
83	Todd GRAY	SM	44:15
91	Daniel BATES	SM	45:16
92	Thomas SAUKA	V40	45:22
117	Ryan DUNNING	V40	48:12
127	Mark GOODWIN	V50	49:07
142	Steve SMITHSON	V40	50:44
153	Dean CARPENTER	V40	52:44
157	Danny SUTTON	SM	54:09
160	Jon SYPULA	V40	54:23
165	Robert WRIGHT	SM	55.25
166	Vish SHAH	SM	55:26
167	Andy JAY	V50	55.26
169	Tim ROBINSON	V40	55:45
175	Andy PRIOR	V40	56:41
182	Ken JUDE	V50	57:47
184	Jim BROWN	V60	58:29
187	Lee PICKERSGILL	SM	61:08
190	Simon SYPULA	V40	62:50
198	Steve GOUGH	V40	67:42
200	Mark FREEMAN	V50	76:29
201	Paul HOLGATE	V50	76.16

 

Spartan Women on Therfield Heath (Five for each team): FVS Win, First Out Of Twenty.

Position	Name	Age Group	Time	Comments
1	Natalie LAWRENCE	SW	38:42	“A” team
8	Michelle REEVES	SW	44.57	“A” team
15	Tracy PEZ	V35	46:40	“A” team
21	Claire PULLEN	V45	48:19	“A” team
22	Claire WHITCHURCH	V35	48:22	“A” team
28	Suzy HAWKINS	V35	49.20
48	Claire COX	V35	52.07
57	Hazel CLARK	V35	53.13
63	Isobel GREEN	V35	54.02
73	Verity FISHER	SW	55.27
87	Steph MAYFIELD	V35	58.26
91	Sue HAMER	V45	59.30
95	Ada JANUSIENE	SW	60.32
99	Jeanette COLLINS	V45	61:32
103	Olwen BATTY	SW	63:37
104	Nicola TOUT	V35	63:57
105	Jenny GARRETT	V45	63:57
107	Sharon CROWLEY	V55	64:02
115	Julie SHADBOLT	V45	67.41
122	Peta WILSON	V45	76:27

 

Suspicious in Gravesend

ROGER BIGGS ran in the strangely named ‘Unusual Suspects’ marathon from the Cyclo Park in Gravesend. It was seven out and back laps on mixed terrain, uphill for the first half of each lap, and down for the second. He finished in 5 hours 35 minutes 15 seconds.

 

Punchbowl Paul

On Sunday CAROL PAUL ran the Punchbowl marathon in Surrey which is a 30 mile off road event taking in the Devil’s Punchbowl. There were lots of hills and it was very muddy underfoot. Carol completed the event in 8 hours

 

Who Will It Be?

Will it be Iris, Julie, Maddie, Sam, Suzy, Tracy or Yllka? Will it be Barry, Bernie, Craig, Grant, Jason, Jim or Steffan? Who will be the club champions for 2015? Come along to Fairlands Valley Spartans Presentation Evening, Dinner and Disco which will be at Chesfield Downs Gold Club from 7.30p.m. on Friday 26th February. Tickets are just £20. Go to www.fvspartans.org.uk to book yours. You must book by 19th February.

 

Parkrun Reports

Spartans were relatively few in number at parkruns last weekend as most took it easy ahead of the final cross country league race.

At Panshanger Park ISABEL GREEN had a gentle outing finishing 164th of 197 in 35:52, accompanied by children GEORGINA (165th, 35:52, new course PB) and DANIEL (170th, 37:25, new course PB).

RICHARD KENNEDY and NICOLA HABERLAND ran their regular parkrun at Holkham, Richard finishing 10th of 133 in a new course PB of 20:24. Nicola also achieved a new course PB of 23:01 in finishing 29th.

SIMON JACKSON finished second of 154 runners at Bognor Regis parkrun in a time of 17:59 on his first visit to the venue, while closer to home at the Wimpole Estate ANDREW MARTIN finished 232nd of 250 runners in 37:23 accompanying young Mabel Martin in her first parkrun (same time).

At Brockenhurst DARYL STEVENS was 90th of 91 finishers in 40:02, while DANNY SUTTON and VERITY FISHER ran at Cannon Hill parkrun in Birmingham, Danny finishing 125th of 626 in 22:44 and Verity finishing 255th in 25:45.

Finally, the most northerly Spartans at parkruns were MICK CONNELL (295th of 496 in a time of 27:25) and ROGER HARDMAN (29th, 27:27) who both ran at Newcastle.

 

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 in Stevenage on Thursday 18th February.
• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 26th February at 12.30p.m.
• Spartans Presentation Evening on Friday 26th February. Tickets only £20.
• County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13th March (probably Watford).
• Finchley 20 on Sunday 13th March.
• Handicap 5K on Thursday 17th March.
• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 18th March.
• Essex 20 including Intercounties on Sunday 20th March.
• Sport Relief on Sunday 20th March.
• Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25th March.
• County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17th April.
• London Marathon on Sunday 24th April.
• County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.
• Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
• Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
• Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th 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 hundreds of 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 the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) 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 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Now back with Fairlands Valley Spartans BRIAN WHITE took GOLD in the Hertfordshire Half Marathon County Championships for veteran runners on Sunday. The championships were included in the popular Watford Half Marathon which had 1,864 finishers. Brian also won the 60 plus category in the open race with a superb 1 hour 32 minutes 16 seconds.

Twelve Spartans completed the tough 13.1 miles course. A deluge was threatened but no rain came. However the hills had not gone away and there were some tough ones at 5, 7 and 9 miles. Despite that JASON ANDERSON finished 86^th in 1:24:30 and PAUL HEWETT beat one and a half hours for the first time with a personal best of 1:29:26 for 198^th. Brian White was 249^th with his 1:32:16. TIM SABAN was 408^th with 1:38:17; ANDREW JORDAN 536^th with 1:41:07 and JAMES KILROY was 615^th with a new personal best of 1:43:07. JIM BROWN completed the four runner male veteran team with his 1:54:35. He was 1,105^th improving on his Stevenage time by 3 minutes 57 seconds.

CLAIRE WHITCHURCH was the fastest Spartan woman with 1 hour 45 minutes 1 second. She was 695^th overall. CAROLINE BARTER was next with 1:55:16 and 1,147^th.

MARTIN NICHOLAS was 1,178^th in 1:56:09; running his first half marathon ROBERT WRIGHT was 1,629^th in 2:13:50; SHARON CROWLEY was 1,744^th in 2:21:38 and the sun was shining at the finish.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
86	JASON ANDERSON	1:24:30
198	PAUL HEWETT	1:29:26	PB
249	BRIAN WHITE	1:32:16	GOLD
408	TIM SABAN	1:38:17
536	ANDREW JORDAN	1:41:09
615	JAMES KILROY	1:43:07	PB
695	CLAIRE WHITCHURCH	1:45:01
1105	JIM BROWN	1:54:35	Year Best
1147	CAROLINE BARTER	1:55:16
1178	MARTIN NICHOLAS	1:56:09
1629	ROBERT WRIGHT	2:13:50	First Half
1744	SHARON CROWLEY	2:21:38

 

Tracking

Three Fairlands Valley Spartans went to Lee Valley Indoor Stadium to compete in the Eastern and Essex area Championships. Although the event was meant for younger athletes, there were several races for veteran athletes.

Dave Bowker started his 2016 race campaign by running the men’s 1500 metres. Dave achieved 5 minutes 15 .85, the race was of mixed ages so Dave did exceptionally well against much younger runners.

Tessa and Dave Stephenson improved on their times for 300 metres from a month ago. Dave did 45.44 and Tessa did 53.79, only the second time the couple have run together in the same track race in twenty years.

 

It Could Be Silver On Valentine’s Day

Fairlands Valley Spartans are aiming for second spot in the league at the final cross country match which will be on Therfield Heath this Sunday. The SILVER medal position will be a huge improvement for the club. Twenty clubs are competing.

 

Who Will It Be?

Will it be Iris, Julie, Maddie, Sam, Suzy, Tracy or Yllka? Will it be Barry, Bernie, Craig, Grant, Jason, Jim or Steffan? Who will be the club champions for 2015? Come along to Fairlands Valley Spartans Presentation Evening, Dinner and Disco which will be at Chesfield Downs Gold Club from 7.30p.m. on Friday 26^th February. Tickets are just £20. Go to www.fvspartans.org.uk to book yours.

 

Enigma Quadzilla Trail Marathon

The Enigma Quadzilla Trail event is up to four marathons from Thursday to Sunday, but just the first day was enough for ROGER BIGGS. The course was seven laps round the edge of Caldecote Lake on the edge of Milton Keyes to make up the marathon distance. Considering the weather of the last week, the day ended up almost perfect for marathon running and Roger finished in 5 hours 37 minutes 12 seconds.

 

Parkrun Reports

ROGER HARDMAN was the Spartan running a Parkrun furthest from Stevenage. He finished 254th out of 554 runners in a time of 25 minutes 54 seconds to complete the Newcastle 5km course.

Down at St Albans by the lake, Craig Halsey finished 1st out of 311 runners in a time of 16-44, crossing the line 12 seconds ahead of 2nd place. Verity Fisher came in at 23-55 in 91st place.

Panshanger Parkrun in Hertford saw 196 runners take part which included a few Spartans. Richard Kennedy came 11th in 20-55, Craig Bacon in 23-32 (40th), Nicola Harberland in 23-46 (and was second female home), Andy Jay in 25-02 (60th), Ken Jude in 25-24 (63rd), Beverley Harlow in in 31-34 (148th) and Tony Osborne in 37-16.

Down the A1 in Barnet at the Oak Hill parkrun, Thomas Sauka completed one of the fastest courses in the area in 21-23 finishing 10th out of 132 runners.
Coming Events

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

 

• Fifth and final cross country league race on Therfield Heath on Sunday 14^th February.
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 18^th February.
• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 26^th February at 12.30p.m.
• Spartans Presentation Evening on Friday 26^th February. Tickets only £20.
• County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13^th March (probably Watford).
• Finchley 20 on Sunday 13^th March.
• Handicap 5K on Thursday 17^th March.
• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 18^th March.
• Essex 20 including Intercounties on Sunday 20th March.
• Sport Relief on Sunday 20^th March.
• Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25^th March.
• County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3^rd April.
• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17^th April.
• London Marathon on Sunday 24^th April.
• County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2^nd May.
• Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2^nd May.
• Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8^th May.
• Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28^th July.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^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 hundreds of 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 the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) 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 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk