Last week Thursday saw the return of the FVS 5k Handicap and the winner on the night, in her first run with the club, was newcomer Charlotte Smith. She improved on her previous best 5k time by a massive 7 minutes to beat her handicap by 6:47 in a very impressive time of 27:42.
Next to finish, was Steve Gough in 26:20, pipping another newcomer, Naomi Clark who finished in 31:19.
Nicola Haberland finished 3rd lady, in a time of 23:00, with Sue Hamer 4th lady in 26:46. Daniel Bates finished 2nd man (6th overall), in 20:46, and David Bowker was 3rd man in 19:34, just ahead of the 3rd newcomer for the evening, Sarah Hollands, in 29:36.
Grant Ramsay was the quickest runner on the evening, as he fine-tuned his preparations to represent Great Britain over the marathon distance, in the world veteran championships in Turkey on the 31st August, in a time of 16:52 , with Andy Neatham 2nd quickest in, 17:39, and Davie Stafford 3rd quickest in 19:23.
Clare Moore was quickest female in a time of 22:50, with Tracy Pez supporting her, and finishing 2nd quickest in 22:51, and Nicola 3rd fastest with her 23:00 PB.
There were also PBs for Richard Kennedy in 21:21; Anne Spiller in 24:55 & Felicity Evans in 27:37. Plus season best times for Mark Goodwin in 21:53 & Peter Carpenter in 30:50.
Head Torch Required
On Saturday, Carol Paul completed the Herts Stroller event, held over a 54 mile off road course from Hitchin Rugby Club into the Hertfordshire countryside. It was a lovely day for running but darkness fell and Carol completed the last 12miles in the dark. Carol completed the event in 15:13:05.
Once, twice, three times!
Andy Neatham ran in the 800m at the Watford Harriers Open Meeting on Wednesday evening, finishing in 2:14.65, breaking M45 Club Record for the 3rd time this year.
Walking Tall
David Bowker made an appearance at the South of England Track Walking Championships+, held at Crystal Palace. David finished 5th in the Senior 5k race, finishing 5th in a PB of 31:09.
Leila’s Run
An event held in Wheathampstead, in memory of Leila Taylor, a former member of Garden City Runners.
The event was a Marathon held over a 4 lap mixed terrain course.
Paul Marshall was the 1st Spartan to finish in 5hrs and 5mins, while Barry King & Tricia Hopper finished together in 5hrs and 9mins.
Stevenage Marathon and Half Marathon
Get Sunday 2nd November in your diary. The Stevenage Marathon is only organised every ten years and it takes place this Autumn. The annual half marathon will be on the same day. Visit www.fvspartans.org.uk for more information.
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 14th August.
Serpentine 5K on Friday lunch time 29th August.
Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 18th September.
County 5K Veteran Championship in Hatfield on Wednesday 24th September
Spartans Fall Ball in Stevenage on Friday 26th September
Henlow 10 on Wednesday 8th October
County 5K Senior Championship in Hatfield on Wednesday 8th October
Stevenage Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday 2nd 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 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 £35 per year, £25 without UKA membership. 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), Vivienne Honey 07702 846304 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509 or Vivienne Honey (Secretary) 07702 846304
www.fvspartans.org.uk