Month: March 2015

OAKLEY AND ORION

Wild, Wet and Windy at the Palace 

With a time of 2 hours 3 minutes 54 seconds GRANT RAMSAY was fifth out of the 842 finishers and first veteran runner (40 plus) in Sunday’s wet and windy Oakley 20 mile race in Bedfordshire.    

STEFFAN FORD was 28^th in 2:13:34; STEVE GREEN 199^th in 2:38:38; SUZY HAWKINS 276^th in 2:45:56; MOLLIE SMITH 339^th in 2:52:37; LISA BURGESS 381^st in 2:55:44 and AMANDA WHORWOOD 678^th in 3:24:10. 

For several this was their last long run before the London and Brighton Marathons.

 

Classic 15 Miles Cross Country

 

Two Spartans competed in probably one of the best workouts before the London Marathon.  The Orion 15 is classic cross country with stiff hills, mud and kissing gates – all fifteen miles of it on a Saturday morning.  The first target is to get to a cut off point between 8 and 9 nine before a 90 minutes time limit.  That was challenging with a steep long gooey hill at five miles.  YLLKA ISTREFI was 139^th in 2:12:14 and JIM BROWN 174^th in 2:18:42.  There were 278 finishers.  Many other starters did not complete the full distance.

 

Wild, Wet and Windy at The Palace (Hampton Court) 

The first ever Half Marathon allowed in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace was held on Sunday.  Spartans Dave & Tessa Stephenson, Claire Drake, Jan Fry and Maria Rushton braved the very strong and gusty wind and rain on a course starting in front of the Palace and running both inside and just outside the grounds before finishing in the Home Park Gardens. Stretches of gravel and grass paths and tracks made the course quite hard work and slippery. Dave produced a season’s best time to finish in 1 hour 40 minutes and 14 seconds and was followed home by his wife Tessa in 2 hours 7 minutes 19 seconds. Claire, running in her first ever half marathon, did better than she expected to finish in 2 hours 17 minutes and 8 seconds, with Jan and Maria using this race in preparation for the London Marathon, finishing in 2 hours 24 minutes 15 seconds and 2 hours 30 minutes 19 respectively. 

Serpentine 

It was bright, dry, cool with a northerly breeze for Friday’s Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park.  YLLKA ISTREFI was second woman 35 plus and 122^nd out of the 269 finishers in a year’s best time of 21 minutes 23 seconds.  JIM BROWN improved his 2015 time by 1 minute 12 seconds when he finished 180^th in 23:32.

 

Daffodil Dawdle 

Late results from yesterday’s Daffodil Dawdle off road marathon just outside Newmarket. 

Strong winds, rain and hailstones didn’t prevent some good times as Selvan Naicker, Tricia Hopper and Barry King completed the very muddy course in 6 hours 7 minutes, 11 minutes quicker than Barry and Tricia ran in 2014, while Paul Holgate ran 22 minutes quicker than last year to finish in 6:37. 

Sharon, Mike, Nicholas and Elizabeth Crowley made the walking options a family day out.  NICK and SHARON CROWLEY completed the 26.6 mile event in 6 hours 47 and 7 hours 47 respectively while LIZ and MIKE both went round the 17.3 in 4 hours 56 minutes.

 

Another Weekend in the States 

ROGER BIGGS moved to the Atlantic Coast of Florida for his last marathon of this trip to the States.  The Tomoka Marathon started in the City of Ormond Beach before heading north close to the Atlantic Ocean  into the Tomoka State Park, before returning back to Ormond Beach along the Halifax River.  The course was virtually flat until the last 1/2mile when a bridge brought you over the Halifax River back to the finish. 

The weather was again kind, a bit nippy at the start before sunrise, but soon in lovely sunshine, cooled by the northerly wind.  Roger finished in 6 hours 3 minutes 52 seconds.

 

Parkruns 

There was drama before the start of the run at Wimpole Hall Estate on Saturday as part of course had more than fifty cows and bulls who did not want to clear the route.  Runners and marshals gave them a helping hand.  Running his last event before the Paris Marathon on the 12th April DANIEL BATES took on the tough course at Wimpole Hall Estate. He was first Spartan home in 17th place (out of 266 runners) in 21 minutes 4 seconds.  Daniel Sutton and Verity Fisher were running at Wimpole for the first time.  Daniel crossed the line in 24-06 (66th) and Verity in 28-26 (154th). 

Down at Panshanger (Hertford), Mark Allen put in an impressive performance by getting a new Parkrun PB of 22-48 (finishing in 37th out of 219 runners) and was first Spartan home here.  Andy Jay continued his impressive form by achieving a new Parkrun PB finishing in 24-21 (61st).  Emma Kinsley had to battle hard in her run after she rolled on her ankle and getting injured.  However she finished in 26-43 (84th). 

Ken Jude completed the St Albans parkrun finishing last (336 out of 336 runners) in 43-03. 

At the Cambridge parkrun, Lucy May Field completed her 100th parkrun (her 67th run at Cambridge) by finishing in 201st place (out of 362 runners) in 27-14. 

 

Running London?

With just over three weeks to go so far 24 Fairlands Valley Spartans have declared that they are running this April’s London Marathon.  Some have qualified on time; some came out of the draw; many are running for charity.

They are GRANT RAMSAY, HELENE MILLER; HELEN NUTTALL, HILARY DAVIES; JACKIE DOWNES: JAN FRY; JIM BROWN; JACKIE DOWNES; JASON ANDERSON, KAREN ELLIS; LISA LIVERSIDGE; MADDIE PRITCHARD; MARIA RUSHTON; MICHELLE REEVES; NICK EMMETT; NICK WITCOMBE; NICOLA HABERLAND; PAUL MAGUIRE; PAUL MARSHALL; RICHARD KENNEDY; ROGER BIGGS; RUTH REILLY, SUZY HAWKINS and YLLKA ISTREFI.

Please support them.  Over the next few weeks several stories on the Spartan entries will be released.  To get the ball rolling http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JimBrown1

 

Got a place in the London Marathon?   

Got a Place in the London Marathon?  Every year Fairlands Valley Spartans successful train thirty or more people, many of them first timers, to run the London Marathon.  There are training groups from starters to fast fives to suit everyone.  Why not have a look at www.fvspartans.org.uk or contact Jim Brown 0793 968 7509 or Karen Palmer 0773 467 8566?  Newcomers very welcome. 

Coming Events 

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

• Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 3^rd April.

• Spartans’ Club Training 20 on Sunday 5^th April.

• Watford Open Graded Track Event on Wednesday 8^th April.

• Sandy 10 mile road race on Sunday 12^th April.

• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 19^th April.

• London Marathon on Sunday 26^th April.

• Handicap 5K on Thursday 30^th April.

• County 1500 metres track championship in Stevenage on Monday 4^th May.

• County 5 miles senior championships at Pednor on Monday evening 4^th May.

• EVAC Track & Field League at Milton Keynes on Wednesday 6^th May.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Stevenage on Tuesday 12^th May.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Chingford on Wednesday 27^th May.

• EVAC Track & Field League at Bedford on Wednesday 3^rd June.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Harlow on Wednesday 17^th June.

• EVAC Track & Field League in Biggleswade on Wednesday 1^st July.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Hitchin on Thursday 2^nd July.

• Bushey 10K including Herts Veterans road championships on Sunday 5^th July.

• County 10000 metres track championship in Biggleswade on Thursday 9^th July.

• Midweek Mob Match in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 16^th July.

• Fairlands Valley Off Road Challenge on Sunday 19^th July.

• EVAC Track & Field League at venue TBA on Wednesday 29^th July.

• County and Open 3K Relay Championship in Stevenage on Thursday 30^th July.

• County 5K Senior Championships on 2^nd September.

• County 5K Veterans Championship on 16^th September.

• Standalone 10K (inc. country senior champs) in Letchworth on Sunday 4^th October.

• Great Eastern Run in Peterborough on 11^th October.

• Stevenage Half Marathon (includes County Veterans) on Sunday 1^st November.

• St. Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 15^th November.

• County 10 miles Veterans Championship at Buntingford on 27^th December.

 

 

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 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), Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509 or Karen Palmer (Secretary) 07734678566

www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Welwyn Half Marathon * County Cross Country * Handicap 5K 

Fairlands Valley Spartans had a winner and some great performances at the Welwyn Half Marathon on Sunday morning.  After a cold start conditions were great for running as proved by new club member STEFFAN FORD who came third overall out of 348 finishers in 1 hour 20 minutes 5 seconds.  This was Steffan’s first outing as a Spartan.  He has been training with the club for the last two months.  The race was in the beautiful countryside of Hertfordshire and made for a good local race.   He says the race for third became a tactical affair over the last three miles. The final push with two miles to go was decisive and the final hill section of the course was his fastest mile split of the day. 

TIM SABAN improved his personal best (PB) to 1:32:45 and came 45^th while MADDIE PRITCHARD cut her PB to 1:35:14. 

JIM BROWN got involved in a real scrap in his age category.  Although he didn’t know what position he was in at the time he caught the leader at 11 miles Jim produced a genuine sprint in the last 50 metres to win the Vet 60 prize by seconds.  He was 113^th overall, beating his season’s best by 4 minutes 2 seconds, when he finished in 1:45:29. 

Men’s team captain DANIEL BATES was 49^th in 1:33:59 and MARK GOODWIN completed the men’s team of four in 1:41:01.

IAN ALEXANDER was a real hero.  Running his first ever half marathon he went off course but still battled on to finish a total of about 14 miles in 2 hours 54 minutes 53 seconds. 

DAWN EASBY was 190^th in 1:56:47; TRACEY SKINNER 250^th in 2:08:43; NICK WITCOMBE 287^th in 2:14:24; VIVIENNE HONEY 288^th in 2:14:02 and LES BUTLER 339^th in 2:33:09.  

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
3	STEFFAN FORD	1:20:05	New club member
45	TIM SABAN	1:32:45	PB
49	DANIEL BATES	1:33:59
56	MADDIE PRITCHARD (F)	1:35:14	PB.   4th FS.
88	MARK GOODWIN	1:41:01
113	JIM BROWN	1:45:29	1st MV60! SB (4:02)
190	DAWN EASBY (F)	1:56:47
250	TRACEY SKINNER (F)	2:08:43
287	NICK WITCOMBE	2:14:24
288	VIVIENNE HONEY (F)	2:14:02	(Chip Time)
339	LES BUTLER	2:33:09
346	IAN ALEXANDER	2:54:53	1st Half Marathon. Extra mile.

 

Gold for Iris; Silver for Julie.  

Seven Spartans competed in the Hertfordshire County Cross Country Championships for veteran runners on Sunday morning.  IRIS HORNSEY won the gold medal for women over 75 and JULIE SIMMONS the silver for women over 55.  The women’s team were fifth. 

In the men’s race over eight kilometre BERNIE BARNABY was 32^nd in 37:55; THOMAS SAUKA 45^th in 40:15 and ANDY JAY 52^nd in 45:19 while in the women’s over 6.5K JULIE SIMMONS was ninth overall in 32:46; PETA WILSON 23^rd in 38:13; SHARON CROWLEY 30^th in 43:48 and IRIS HORNSEY 33^rd in 44:49.

 

Tim and Liz Win Handicap 5K 

Eighteen Spartans took part in Thursday evening’s Handicap 5K race.  The winner on the night was Tim Robinson in a new personal best (PB) of 22:59, a 58 seconds improvement.  Daniel Bates was second also improving his PB, this time by 17 seconds to 19:28.  Last month’s winner Andy Jay was third, 44 seconds faster than February, in 23:29. 

Liz Carvell was first female in a new PB of her own, 49 seconds quicker in 29:18, with newcomer Jane McFarlane second in 28:22 and Fiona Thornton third in her debut 5k, with 27:11. 

Daniel Bates was quickest runner with his 19:28, with Callum Beasley second quickest in 21:49, and Mark Goodwin third fastest with 22:33.  Verity Fisher was fastest female in 23:00, with Fiona Thornton second quickest and Jane McFarlane third fastest.

There were also PBs for Mark Allen 22:43, Ken Jude 24:09, and Carmel Thornton 31:10, and year best times for Callum Beasley, Mark Goodwin, Paul Holgate, Mark Cheadle, Nick Witcombe and Sharon Crowley. 

Next Handicap 5k will be on Thursday 30^th April 2015.

 

Roger Challenges Whale

Roger Biggs partly made up for missing USA marathons on the last two weekends, with a three medal haul in Virginia Beach.  He took part in the Whale Challenge, that meant running an 8km race on Saturday, and a marathon on Sunday.  One medal for each race, then an extra medal for completing both. 

Despite weather forecasts to the contrary, both days were almost perfect for running, with both event courses virtually flat.  Roger not only will return to the UK with three medals, add to that two long sleeve t-shirts, two shoe bags, one cap and one towel.  They may not be cheap races, but you certainly get your share of ‘bling’, as all the items are referred to in the States.

Roger’s times were 1:02:26 for the 8km and 6:07:51 for the marathon.

 

Parkruns

The first ever Parkrun at Hatfield Forest just south of the main runway of Stansted Airport was held on Saturday.  Daniel Bates went to give the event a boost and fly the flag for Stevenage and the Spartans.  However there was no repeat performance of the Thursday night’s Stevenage 5km Handicap (finishing that event in 19-28) and he crossed the line in 11th place (out of 188 runners) in 20-37.  However the one-lap course was an excellent warm up for the next day’s half marathon in Welwyn.  The course goes through the heart of Hatfield Forest, consists of gravel path, wooden walkways and grassy patches and a tour of the lake is included.  A great flat course, not a PB course but one which makes runners run hard.

Down at the Spartans favourite local Parkrun, Panshanger in Hertford, Steve Elder was first home for the blue stripes finishing in 10th (out of 190 runners) with a time of 20-39. Verity Fisher (60th) finished in 24-45, Daniel Sutton (61st) in 24-46, Emma Kinsley (63rd) in 24-55 and Mark Allen (64th) in 24-56.  Jeanette Collins came in 94th with a new Parkrun PB of 27-13.   

JASON ANDERSON was in Ireland at thes weekend for a wedding. He took the opportunity to run his first park run and came third in the Kilkenny race with a time of 18 minutes 20 seconds.  Not a PB but he reckons he had a sore head from drinking too much Guinness the night before!

 

Running London?

With just over four weeks to go so far 24 Fairlands Valley Spartans have declared that they are running this April’s London Marathon.  Some have qualified on time; some came out of the draw; many are running for charity. 

They are GRANT RAMSAY, HELENE MILLER; HELEN NUTTALL, HILARY DAVIES; JACKIE DOWNES: JAN FRY; JIM BROWN; JACKIE DOWNES; JASON ANDERSON, KAREN ELLIS; LISA LIVERSIDGE; MADDIE PRITCHARD; MARIA RUSHTON; MICHELLE REEVES; NICK EMMETT; NICK WITCOMBE; NICOLA HABERLAND; PAUL MAGUIRE; PAUL MARSHALL; RICHARD KENNEDY; ROGER BIGGS; RUTH REILLY, SUZY HAWKINS and YLLKA ISTREFI. 

Please support them.  Over the next few weeks several stories on the Spartan entries will be released.  To get the ball rolling http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JimBrown1

 

Got a place in the London Marathon?   

Got a Place in the London Marathon?  Every year Fairlands Valley Spartans successful train thirty or more people, many of them first timers, to run the London Marathon.  There are training groups from starters to fast fives to suit everyone.  Why not have a look at www.fvspartans.org.uk or contact Jim Brown 0793 968 7509 or Karen Palmer 0773 467 8566?  Newcomers very welcome.

 

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 in Hyde Park on Friday 27^th March.

• Orion 15 classic cross country on Saturday 28^th March.

• Oakley 20 mile road race on Sunday 29^th March.

• Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 3^rd April.

• Sandy 10 mile road race on Sunday 12^th April.

• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 19^th April.

• London Marathon on Sunday 26^th April.

• Handicap 5K on Thursday 30^th April.

• County 1500 metres track championship in Stevenage on Monday 4^th May.

• County 5 miles senior championships at Pednor on Monday evening 4^th May.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Stevenage on Tuesday 12^th May.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Chingford on Wednesday 27^th May.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Harlow on Wednesday 17^th June.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Hitchin on Thursday 2^nd July.

• Bushey 10K including Herts Veterans road championships on Sunday 5^th July.

• County 10000 metres track championship in Biggleswade on Thursday 9^th July.

• Midweek Mob Match in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 16^th July.

• Fairlands Valley Off Road Challenge on Sunday 19^th July.

• County and Open 3K Relay Championship in Stevenage on Thursday 30^th July.

• County 5K Senior Championships on 2^nd September.

• County 5K Veterans Championship on 16^th September.

• Standalone 10K (inc. country senior champs) in Letchworth on Sunday 4^th October.

• Great Eastern Run in Peterborough on 11^th October.

• Stevenage Half Marathon (includes County Veterans) on Sunday 1^st November.

• St. Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 15^th November.

• County 10 miles Veterans Championship at Buntingford on 27^th December.

 

 

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 £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), Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

E N D S

 

www.fvspartans.org.uk

It was cold on Silverstone Gran Prix Circuit but nine Fairlands Valley Spartans had a great day and many achieved excellent results in the half marathon.  

ANDREW PATTERSON was 17th in a tremendous 1 hour 17 minutes 54 seconds.  That’s a new personal best by 16 second and in the top 0.3% of the 6,656 finishers.  He says it was a good race, but the wind was tough going at the front of the pack with limited people to draft behind.  Andy did not think Lewis Hamilton’s lap times were not threatened!! 

Running only his third ever race JASON ANDERSON improved his half marathon time by 7 minutes 40 seconds to 1 hour 22 minutes 50 seconds.  He was in the top 100 at 69^th place.  DAVIE STAFFORD was 153^rd in 1:26:48.

HELEN NUTTALL was the Spartans’ fastest female.  She was 400^th and 17^th woman in 1 hour 32 minutes 22 seconds; MICHELLE REEVES ran her first half marathon in 1:36:59 and MOLLIE SMITH finished in 1:43:22. 

PAUL HOLGATE improved on his run last week by 4.5 minutes to finish in 2:07:20 and PAUL CADOGAN completed the race in 2 hours 7 minutes 58 seconds.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
17	ANDREW PATTERSON	1:17:54
69	JASON ANDERSON	1:22:50	PB (7:40). 3rd race.
153	DAVIE STAFFORD	1:26:48
400	HELEN NUTTALL (F)	1:32:22	17th woman
677	MICHELLE REEVES (F)	1:36:59	First half marathon. 42nd woman
1257	MOLLIE SMITH (F)	1:43:22	101st woman
3252	CHRIS HOLLAND	1:59:11
4079	PAUL HOLGATE	2:07:20
4142	DAVID CADOGAN	2:07:58

 

Ranscombe Reverse 

On Saturday 14th March CAROL PAUL took part in the Ranscombe Challenge at the Ranscombe Reverse near Rochester, Kent.  There was an eight hour time limit where you could run as many laps as you wanted in the 8 hours.  The lap was 3.8 miles off road with the first half of the lap being very hilly and the second half being nearly flat or down hill.  Carol completed 9 laps 34.2 miles in 7 hours 4 minutes 38 seconds.

 

Parkruns

 

At one of the most technical courses in the area, three Spartans made the journey to Harlow for the weekend’s parkrun.  The parkrun nearly didn’t happen as there were no marshals but with five minutes before the start, volunteers came forward and the run was saved.   Daniel Bates came home 9th (out of 154 runners) with a time of 20-55, a course PB (personal best) by 42 seconds despite still recovering from last weekend’s half-marathon and a 17 mile training run just 48 hours earlier.  Steve Elder competing in his first ever parkrun finished well in 13th with a time of 21-35 and Thomas Sauka was not far behind in 16th with a time of 21-47 (a new course PB by two minutes). 

In the Milton Keynes Parkrun at Willen Lake, super-newbie Spartans Verity Fisher and Danny Sutton put on a fine performance on their first run there.  Daniel finished in 26:09 (186th) and Verity in 26:11 (188th) and there were 624 runners.  

At Panshanger (the Spartans favourite local course), Brian Brackstone finished first (out of 223 runners) with a time of 17:09.  Andy Jay finished 54th in a time of 24-51, a new Parkrun PB which was a great way to prepare for the Stevenage Handicap 5km this coming Thursday evening as he defends his handicap title (he is going for three in a row!)

 

Late Result 

JASON ANDERSON also ran the Finchley 20.   

He was 98^th out of the 485 finishers in the excellent time of 2 hours 19 minutes 29 seconds.

 

Running London? 

With just over five weeks to go so far 24 Fairlands Valley Spartans have declared that they are running this April’s London Marathon.  Some have qualified on time; some came out of the draw; many are running for charity. 

They are GRANT RAMSAY, HELENE MILLER; HELEN NUTTALL, HILARY DAVIES; JACKIE DOWNES: JAN FRY; JIM BROWN; JACKIE DOWNES; JASON ANDERSON, KAREN ELLIS; LISA LIVERSIDGE; MADDIE PRITCHARD; MARIA RUSHTON; MICHELLE REEVES; NICK EMMETT; NICK WITCOMBE; NICOLA HABERLAND; PAUL MAGUIRE; PAUL MARSHALL; RICHARD KENNEDY; ROGER BIGGS; RUTH REILLY, SUZY HAWKINS and YLLKA ISTREFI. 

Please support them.  Over the next few weeks several stories on the Spartan entries will be released.  To get the ball rolling http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JimBrown1

 

Running London – Jason Anderson 

Jason Anderson started running in October last year and his goal is to run the London Marathon 2015.  Running for MACs charity. 

Jason says, “The London Marathon is something I always wanted to do as a kid.  I have been going along every year for the past four years to watch my older brother run London and have said every year that I’ll do it, and my wife has said every year ‘you should definitely do it next year’!  I had an operation on my hip in December 2012 and was told running was out of the question.  Decided after not getting a ballot place that I would run for a children’s charity. MACs  is my chosen charity. My brother has inspired me and my family have supported me it what is proving to be one of the biggest challenges in my life!” 

MACs is the Micro and Anophthalmic Children’s Society – the UK’s national charity for children born without eyes or with underdeveloped eyes.  They support families of children born with Microphthalmia (small eyes), Anophthalmia (no eyes) and/or Coloboma (cleft of the eye).  Their services are accessed by around 500 families around the UK and some who are further afield.

 

Got a place in the London Marathon?   

Got a Place in the London Marathon?  Every year Fairlands Valley Spartans successful train thirty or more people, many of them first timers, to run the London Marathon.  There are training groups from starters to fast fives to suit everyone.  Why not have a look at www.fvspartans.org.uk or contact Jim Brown 0793 968 7509 or Karen Palmer 0773 467 8566?  Newcomers very welcome.

 

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 evening 19^th March.

• County Cross Country Championships for Veterans in Trent Park on Sunday 22^nd March.

• Welwyn Half Marathon on Sunday 22^nd March.

• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 27^th March.

• Orion 15 classic cross country on Saturday 28^th March.

• Oakley 20 mile road race on Sunday 29^th March.

• Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 3^rd April.

• Sandy 10 mile road race on Sunday 12^th April.

• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 19^th April.

• London Marathon on Sunday 26^th April.

• County 1500 metres track championship in Stevenage on Monday 4^th May.

• County 5 miles senior championships at Pednor on Monday evening 4^th May.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Stevenage on Tuesday 12^th May.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Chingford on Wednesday 27^th May.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Harlow on Wednesday 17^th June.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Hitchin on Thursday 2^nd July.

• Bushey 10K including Herts Veterans road championships on Sunday 5^th July.

• County 10000 metres track championship in Biggleswade on Thursday 9^th July.

• Midweek Mob Match in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 16^th July.

• Fairlands Valley Off Road Challenge on Sunday 19^th July.

• County and Open 3K Relay Championship in Stevenage on Thursday 30^th July.

• County 5K Senior Championships on 2^nd September.

• County 5K Veterans Championship on 16^th September.

• Standalone 10K (inc. country senior champs) in Letchworth on Sunday 4^th October.

• Great Eastern Run in Peterborough on 11^th October.

• Stevenage Half Marathon (includes County Veterans) on Sunday 1^st November.

• St. Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 15^th November.

• County 10 miles Veterans Championship at Buntingford on 27^th December.

 

 

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 £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), Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509 or Karen Palmer (Secretary) 07734678566

www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

 

Six Spartans ran 20 mile races on Sunday as part of their Spring Marathon preparation.

Four were at the Finchley 20 which was actually based in Ruislip.  YLLKA ISTREFI cut her personal best (PB) by 3 minutes 41 seconds when she finished 181^st out of the 485 finishers in 2 hours 34 minutes 16 seconds.

RICHARD KENNEDY was 269th in 2:49:22 and NICOLA HABERLAND 287th in 2:52:07.

JIM BROWN put the nightmare of Bramley three weeks ago behind him by running within the limits of his current fitness and finishing 311^th in 2 hours 56 minutes 16 seconds – an improvement of 15 minutes 55 seconds.

RUTH REILLY ran the Milton Keynes 20 on Sunday.  Her time was -3:18:35.  BERT BUTLER finished the same race in 2:54:30.

BMAF Golden Girls

Spartans were in action at the BMAF (British Masters Athletics Federation) Championships at the weekend.  On Saturday 7 March MONICA BROWN competed in the women over 50s 60 metre sprint.  She ran in the second heat to win in a time of 8.97 and then went on to win the Gold in the final in a season’s best time of 8.85 seconds.

 Also running on the Saturday IRIS HORNSEY competed in the women’s over 70 400 metres where she finished in a time of 1:39.4.

On Sunday 8 March Iris was again at Lee Valley running in the 800m which she ran in a season’s best time of 3:45.21 to win the gold medal – a good 10 seconds better than she ran in the BMAF Inter Area competition last week.

CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT was delighted to claim the silver medal in the British Masters Indoor Championships on Sunday.  He ran a new veteran personal best (PB) of 2:06.58 to clinch second place in the V40 800m.  Christopher has now improved his best three times in the last four weeks 

GRANT RAMSAY was fourth in the BMAF Indoor Championships over 1500 metres.  Although he missed out on third place by just one 100^th of a second he was happy with his time – his best for nine years.

A Few Halve 

Six Spartans ran the popular Cambridge Half Marathon and two achieved new personal bests.  TIM SABAN ran a new PB of 1 hour 35 minutes 11 seconds while LIZ MORGAN cut hers by a massive 11 minutes to 2:18:38 

SIMON JACKSON was the fastest Spartan.  He was 19^th out of the 3,597 finishers in 1:17:47.  Recovering from illness SUZY HAWKINS jogged round in 1:41:15 and BEV HARLOW finished in 2 hours 2 minutes 48 seconds.

It was a lovely day for running and a well organised race.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
19	SIMON JACKSON	1:17:47
275	LIAM HERBERT	1:31:28
409	TIM SABAN	1:35:11	PB
746	SUZY HAWKINS (F)	1:41:15
2328	BEV HARLOW (F)	2:02:48
3099	LIZ MORGAN (F)	2:18:38	PB (11 minutes)

 

3,597 finishers 

MADDIE PRITCHARD improved her personal best (PB) by six minutes to 1:36:50 when she ran the Surrey Half Marathon in Woking on Sunday morning.

DANIEL BATES scored a second personal best (PB) this weekend, this time in the half marathon distance down in the Cirque Ports town of Lydd in the Romney Marsh area of Kent.  One of Britian’s flattest courses so a good place to go for a PB if the conditions are right. He managed to gain a PB by 56 seconds in the race with a time of 01:31:51 but was unable to get a sub 1:30 because of the strong wind towards the finish.  Finishing 43rd out of 394 runners was a great result and hopefully that sub1h30 will come at the Welwyn half in two weeks time.

ANDREA WESCTOTT achieved a new personal best (PB) of 2 hours 3 minutes 49 seconds in the Milton Keynes Half Marathon.  PAUL HOLGATE finished in 2:11:43, 55 seconds quicker than last year and 1:17 better than this year’s Watford Half.  He says he’s looking forward to Silverstone next weekend.  CRAIG BACON was the fastest Spartan.  He was 290^th out of the 1,921 finishers in 1:39:44. 

SOPHIE COWAN was very pleased with her run in the Milton Keynes 10K.  She took more than two minutes off her personal best to finish in 52:09.  LINDA GREENE took 1 hour 10 minutes 24 seconds.

 

Cross Country Medals

 The individual results from the cross country league have been published.  Over the five race series MADDIE PRITCHARD was second senior woman with MICHELLE REEVES fifth and NIKKI WILBY seventh. 

JULIE SIMMONS won the women over 55 category and ANDY NEATHAM was third man over 40.

 

Parkruns

 Daniel Bates and Tim Saban headed off to Malahide in Ireland for their first ever international parkrun.  Located eight miles north of the capital, Dublin, breezy conditions were in store for the one lap & a half course located in the beautiful woodland grounds of Malahide castle. Daniel carried on with the good form in 5kms this year by finishing 10th (first Spartan home and first person from the UK) out of 403 runners in 19-25, gaining a new 5km parkrun personal best, beating his previous time by thirty seconds. Celebrations were to be had at the finishing line but there was more as Tim came home 21st with a new personal best of 20-14.

 Back in the UK and in south west London at the Bushy Parkrun, Verity Fisher got her 5km parkrun pb and first sub-23 minute time in 22-48.  However this course always attracts a huge amount of runners and she finished 206th out of 1013 runners. Daniel Sutton was 113^th in 21:16.

 Down at the Spartans favourite local parkrun course in Hertford, Andy Jay got a new parkrun PB at Panshanger. He finished the course in 26-31 and come home in 84th out of 223 runners. Steve Watkins came in 179th with a time of 33-15.  

 Running London?

 With seven weeks to go so far 22 Fairlands Valley Spartans have declared that they are running this April’s London Marathon.  Some have qualified on time; some came out of the draw; many are running for charity.

 They are GRANT RAMSAY, HELENE MILLER; HILARY DAVIES; JACKIE DOWNES: JAN FRY; JIM BROWN; JACKIE DOWNES; KAREN ELLIS; LISA LIVERSIDGE; MADDIE PRITCHARD; MARIA RUSHTON; MICHELLE REEVES; NICK EMMETT; NICK WITCOMBE; NICOLA HABERLAND; PAUL MAGUIRE; PAUL MARSHALL; RICHARD KENNEDY; ROGER BIGGS; RUTH REILLY, SUZY HAWKINS and YLLKA ISTREFI.

 Please support them.  Over the next few weeks several stories on the Spartan entries will be released.  To get the ball rolling

This year Nick will be running the London Marathon for the second time, the first in 2011, after his name being drawn in the club ballot. 

After being given this opportunity Nick decided to run for a charity and has chosen Braintrust.  

They are a UK Brain tumour charity, dedicated to helping people affected by a brain tumour. They improve clinical care for brain tumour sufferers and provide co-ordinated support in their search for treatment. They provide support and advice from the point of diagnosis and beyond.

A fellow Spartan, Caren Bridgman, spoke of the great support the charity offered her during her illness and beyond including support when dealing with her concerns and worries, explain the terminology, track her treatment even helped with travelling costs. Caren explained the difficulties she faced so I decided that this was the charity I would like to support in some way. 

My just giving page is https://www.justgiving.com/Nick-Witcombe

 

Got a place in the London Marathon?   

Got a Place in the London Marathon?  Every year Fairlands Valley Spartans successful train thirty or more people, many of them first timers, to run the London Marathon.  There are training groups from starters to fast fives to suit everyone.  Why not have a look at www.fvspartans.org.uk or contact Jim Brown 0793 968 7509 or Karen Palmer 0773 467 8566?  Newcomers very welcome.

 

Coming Events 

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

• Silverstone Half Marathon on Sunday 15^th March.

• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening 19^th March.

• County Cross Country Championships for Veterans in Trent Park on Sunday 22^nd March.

• Welwyn Half Marathon on Sunday 22^nd March.

• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 27^th March.

• Orion 15 classic cross country on Saturday 28^th March.

• Oakley 20 mile road race on Sunday 29^th March.

• Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 3^rd April.

• Sandy 10 mile road race on Sunday 12^th April.

• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 19^th April.

• London Marathon on Sunday 26^th April.

• County 1500 metres track championship in Stevenage on Monday 4^th May.

• County 5 miles senior championships at Pednor on Monday evening 4^th May.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Stevenage on Tuesday 12^th May.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Chingford on Wednesday 27^th May.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Harlow on Wednesday 17^th June.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Hitchin on Thursday 2^nd July.

• Bushey 10K including Herts Veterans road championships on Sunday 5^th July.

• County 10000 metres track championship in Biggleswade on Thursday 9^th July.

• Midweek Mob Match in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 16^th July.

• Fairlands Valley Off Road Challenge on Sunday 19^th July.

• County and Open 3K Relay Championship in Stevenage on Thursday 30^th July.

• County 5K Senior Championships on 2^nd September.

• County 5K Veterans Championship on 16^th September.

• Standalone 10K (inc. country senior champs) in Letchworth on Sunday 4^th October.

• Great Eastern Run in Peterborough on 11^th October.

• Stevenage Half Marathon (includes County Veterans) on Sunday 1^st November.

• St. Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 15^th November.

• County 10 miles Veterans Championship at Buntingford on 27^th December.

 

 

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 £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), Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk 

E N D S

 

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509 or Karen Palmer (Secretary) 07734678566

www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

 

GRANT RAMSAY and YLLKA ISTREFI are Fairlands Valley Spartans new club champions.  Having won the short and long distance championship Grant was the obvious candidate for the overall male award.  In just a few months of Spartan membership Yllka improved enough to win the women’s long distance championship and come second in the short so she took the overall female championship.  Grant is champion of champions. 

Fairlands Valley Spartans gathered at Chesfield Downs on Friday evening for their Presentation Evening and Dinner – “Champions Night” and a chance to celebrate many other achievements during 2014.  A total of 75 women and 96 men recorded times in the club’s short distance championship; 54 women and 65 men in the long. 

MADDIE PRITCHARD won the most improved female award and the short distance women’s championship with a score of 71.2%.  Yllka Istrefi was second on 67.6% and NIKKI WILBY third with 61.0%. 

HELEN NUTTALL (73.8%); JENNY BIRKIN (67.0%); MICHELLE REEVES (66.6%); JULIE SIMMONS (66.2%); CLARE MOORE (65.6%) and ISABEL GREEN (62.1%) had good averages but only recorded times for two out of the minimum of three qualifying distances.  Similarly Julie (82.1%); IRIS HORNSEY (80.2%) and BARBARA WILSON (75.8%) had amazing age related scores but for only two distances. 

GRANT RAMSAY won the men’s short distance championship with an excellent 77.53% with CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT second on 74.3% and ANDY NEATHAM close behind on 74.1%.  Most improved male DAVIE STAFFORD was fourth on 68.9%.   

YLLKA ISTREFI won the women’s long distance championship with 63.9%.  Scores are calculated from the best three of 10 miles; half marathon; 20 miles and full marathon during the whole calendar year.  NICOLA HABERLAND was second on 57.2% and ANDREA WESTCOTT third with 52.0%.  JEANETTE COLLINS was not far behind on 50.0%. 

Looking to 2015 several other women recorded good long distance scores but for only two distances.  They included Maddie Pritchard (65.8%); Isabel Green (59.4%); Clare Moore (57.7%); BEV HARLOW (56.9%); RUTH REILLY (56.3%); LISA GRAY (55.8%) and VICKY NASH (52.9%).

Completing his double Grant Ramsay won the men’s championship with 78.3% with Chris Westcott second on 72.0% and Davie Stafford third with 68.0%.  Todd Gray was fourth on 64.1% and Pete Smith snapping at his heels on 64.0%.  ANDREW PATTERSON (73.3%); SIMON JACKSON (72.1%) and GRAHAM BLACKBURN (65.7%) had good averages but for only two qualifying distances. 

Fairlands Valley Spartans value their veterans as well as their younger runners and also present annual age related awards.  The winners in the women’s short distance age related championship were 1^st Tracy Pez; 2^nd Beverley Harlow and 3^rd Sharon Crowley.  Jan Fry, Jeanette Collins and Sharon Crowley were the top three in the long distance awards.

 For the men BARRY OSBORNE, Andy Neatham and JIM BROWN were the top three in the short championship with Chris Westcott; Pete Smith and Steve Elder top three for the longer contest.

SOPHIE COWAN was Starter of the Year having made great progress from starting to run with the club to now training with the mainstream groups.

IRIS HORNSEY and STEVE MAYFIELD were the club’s track and field champions. 

ISABEL GREEN and NICK WITCOMBE won the Captains’ Awards for their participation in the Mid Week and Cross Country leagues while TESSA and DAVE STEPHENSON received the Chair’s Award for maintaining the success of the Spartan Starter group.

The Spartan of the Year is ANDY PRIOR who stepped up to become an inspirational and dedicated head coach during 2014. 

Special mention was made of ROGER BIGGS who ran his 800^th marathon during 2014.  Also ANDY NEATHAM; CHRIS WESTCOTT; STEVE MAYFIELD and MADDIE PRITCHARD who broke several club track records during the year.  GRANT RAMSAY won a BRONZE medal at the European Marathon Championships at part of Team GB and he broke the club’s 5,000 metres record for runners over age 35.

 

Short distance championships consist of the best three from 1500 metres; 5 kilometres; 5 miles and 10 kilometres.  Long distance championships the best three from 10 miles; half marathon; 20 miles and full marathon.

 

Another PB for Yllka at Serpentine

YLLKA ISTREFI had qualified for the “A” race by squeezing under 22 minutes in her last 5K road race but on Friday she made another big improvement by completing the Hyde Park race in just 21 minutes 19 seconds.  That’s 39 seconds faster than ever before.  She was 134^th out of the 282 finishers in the popular lunch time event.

 

Two PBs and a Win at Berkhamsted Half Marathon 

New female club champion YLLKA ISTREFI burst through the 100 minute barrier at the Berkhamsted Half Marathon.  Despite the hills and wind on exposed sections of the course she improved her personal best (PB) by 1 minute 38 seconds.  She was 178^th out of the 1,010 runners in 1 hour 39 minutes 3 seconds.  New male club champion GRANT RAMSAY was fourth overall in the event and first veteran runner in 1 hour 17 minutes 34 seconds. 

TIM SABAN improved his personal best by 1 minute 11 seconds to 1:36:04.  He was 126^th.

 

ADAM MIMPRESS was 67^th in 1:31:27 and TIM ROBINSON 554^th in 1:53:57 

Medal for Jim 

JIM BROWN had recovered sufficiently from a very bad race experience two weeks ago to win his first county road medal for many years on Sunday.  He completed a club short distance championship series for this year by finishing the Berkhamsted Five mile race which was the County Championship for veterans.  Jim was third veteran (60 plus) and 100^th out of the 709 finishers in 40 minutes 5 seconds 

Jim had run Friday’s Serpentine 5K in a year’s best time of 24:44 and already had a 10K “in the bank” from New Year’s Day.

The short distance championship is calculated from the best of three out of 1500 metres; 5 kilometres; 5 miles and 10 kilometres.  Improvements can be made right through to 31^st December.

Spartans At British Masters

Spartans Chris Westcott, Monica Brown and Iris Hornsey were selected to represent Eastern Veterans in the British Masters Inter Area Track and Field Competition at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre.

There were eight regional teams in the men’s competition and seven in the women’s. 

Chris was chosen to compete in the male 40 plus 800 metres and 4×200 metres relay.  He ran an excellent 800 in 2:08.25 to come second, just a half second behind the leader.  That broke the club’s 800 metres record.  Later Chris ran the first leg in the relay and the team did really well to get a second place.

Monica competed in the female 50 plus 60 metres and also the 4×200 relay.   She was second in the 60m against fierce competition in a time of 8.92.  Then she ran the third leg in the relay and her team won a great first place! 

Iris Hornsey was chosen for the female 70 plus 800m and Long Jump.  She won the 800m in a time of 3:55.9 and was second in the Long Jump with a jump of 2.42m. 

Eastern Veterans came a very good second overall in the competition. 

Cambridge Boundary Run

 TRICIA HOPPER and KAREN LIDDLE finished the Cambridge Boundary run in 5 hours 32 minutes 30 seconds.  It was part road part off road.  The route markers had blown down in places which meant they had to be a bit creative (!) with the route.

 

Running London?

 

With nine weeks to go so far 22 Fairlands Valley Spartans have declared that they are running this April’s London Marathon.  Some have qualified on time; some came out of the draw; many are running for charity. 

They are GRANT RAMSAY, HELENE MILLER; HILARY DAVIES; JACKIE DOWNES: JAN FRY; JIM BROWN; JACKIE DOWNES; KAREN ELLIS; LISA LIVERSIDGE; MADDIE PRITCHARD; MARIA RUSHTON; MICHELLE REEVES; NICK EMMETT; NICK WITCOMBE; NICOLA HABERLAND; PAUL MAGUIRE; PAUL MARSHALL; RICHARD KENNEDY; ROGER BIGGS; RUTH REILLY, SUZY HAWKINS and YLLKA ISTREFI. 

Please support them.  Over the next few weeks several stories on the Spartan entries will be released.  To get the ball rolling http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JimBrown1

 

Got a place in the London Marathon?   

Got a Place in the London Marathon?  Every year Fairlands Valley Spartans successful train thirty or more people, many of them first timers, to run the London Marathon.  There are training groups from starters to fast fives to suit everyone.  Why not have a look at www.fvspartans.org.uk or contact Jim Brown 0793 968 7509 or Karen Palmer 0773 467 8566?  Newcomers very welcome. 

Coming Events

 

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

• Finchley 20 mile road race on Sunday 8^th March.

• Silverstone Half Marathon on Sunday 15^th March.

• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening 19^th March.

• County Cross Country Championships for Veterans in Trent Park on Sunday 22^nd March.

• Welwyn Garden City Half Marathon on Sunday 22^nd March.

• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 27^th March.

• Orion 15 classic cross country on Saturday 28^th March.

• Oakley 20 mile road race on Sunday 29^th March.

• Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 3^rd April.

• Sandy 10 mile road race on Sunday 12^th April.

• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 19^th April.

• London Marathon on Sunday 26^th April.

• County 1500 metres track championship in Stevenage on Monday 4^th May.

• County 5 miles senior championships at Pednor on Monday evening 4^th May.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Stevenage on Tuesday 12^th May.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Chingford on Wednesday 27^th May.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Harlow on Wednesday 17^th June.

• Midweek Road Race League race in Hitchin on Thursday 2^nd July.

• Bushey 10K including Herts Veterans road championships on Sunday 5^th July.

• County 10000 metres track championship in Biggleswade on Thursday 9^th July.

• Midweek Mob Match in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 16^th July.

• County and Open 3K Relay Championship in Stevenage on Thursday 30^th July.

• County 5K Senior Championships on 2^nd September.

• County 5K Veterans Championship on 16^th September.

• Standalone 10K (inc. country senior champs) in Letchworth on Sunday 4^th October.

• Great Eastern Run in Peterborough on 11^th October.

• Stevenage Half Marathon (includes County Veterans) on Sunday 1^st November.

• St. Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 15^th November.

• County 10 miles Veterans Championship at Buntingford on 27^th December.

 

 

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 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 £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), Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509 or Karen Palmer (Secretary) 07734678566

www.fvspartans.org.uk