Month: September 2017

 

From Berlin to Biggleswade there were some fantastic results for Fairlands Valley Spartans at the weekend.  It was three out of three for the Fairlands Valley Spartans trio who tackled 25 laps of the Biggleswade Athletics track in the Hertfordshire 10K track championships.  All came away with medals.

GRANT RAMSAY was quickest of the three with 37 minutes 9 seconds winning SILVER in the veterans’ championship (40 plus) and BRONZE in the open championship.

The next Spartan in was ANDY JAY taking GOLD in the men’s fifty plus race with 48 minutes 48:42 seconds.

The Spartan coming away with the biggest smile on his face was JIM BROWN.  In the absence of anyone of similar ability on the track he time trialled round in 49:52, despite a nagging headwind on the home straight 2 minutes and 1 second faster than the same event last year for DOUBLE GOLD.  Gold sixty plus in the County Championship and GOLD in the East of England event.

Earlier Grant ran the 1500 metres in the Biggleswade Athletics Club open events.  He was first veteran (40 plus) and fourth overall in 4 minutes 47 seconds.  Coming back after an Ironman Triathlon ANN TRYSSESOONE ran the 1500 in 6.45.

 

Berlin Marathon

While Germany went to the polls five Spartans were running the Berlin Marathon.  CRAIG HALSEY ran an amazing 2 hours 35 minutes 4 seconds, beating the British Championship qualifying time by nearly ten minutes, to come 195^th out of the 28,067 finishers so easily in the top one per cent.

RICHARD KENNEDY was 3,210^th with 3 hours 13 minutes 46 seconds and TIM SABAN 4,499^th with a tremendous 3:21:48.  For the women NICOLA KENNEDY was 1,560^th in 3:46:55 and KERSTIN WEINER 1,621^st in 3:47:48.

 

Hitchin

Spartan ANDREW PATTERSON won the Hitchin town centre 5K, leading throughout and finishing in 16 minutes 39 seconds.

NATALIE LAWRENCE was third senior woman in 20 minutes 16 seconds.

CAROLE SHELDRICK was one happy Spartan saying it was a lovely run, going sub 25 for the first time and finishing with 24:30.

Having done track all summer this was IRIS HORNSEY’s first road race of the year and first 5K in 2017.  She was first woman over 75, just behind the first 65 plus with 30:20.  MONICA SMITHSON ran a season’s best (SB) 27:17.

Two other Spartans were sub twenty.  STUART HAYCROFT with 18:52 and JOHN HARRIS in 19:13.  The other five of the twelve Spartans were CRAIG BACON (21:31); KIERAN FEETHAM (22:04); NIKKI WILBY (23:45); RACHHPAL BAJWA (26:40) and IAN ALEXANDER (43:36).

 

Pos	Cat Pos	Name	Cat	Chip Time	AG%	Comments
1.	1.	Andrew PATTERSON	MS	16:39	80.1%
14.	6.	Stuart HAYCROFT	MS	18:52	72.1%
24.	4.	John HARRIS	MV50	19:13	79.7%
34.	3	Natalie LAWRENCE	FS	20:16	72.7%
49.	14.	Craig BACON	MV40	21:31	66.8%
53.	23.	Kieran FEETHAM	MS	22:04	59.4%
75.	10.	Nikki WILBY	FS	23:45	61.9%
90.	10.	Carole SHELDRICK	FV35	24:30	62.8%	PB
127.	18.	Rachhpal BAJWA	MV50	26:40	58.2%
144.	9.	Monica SMITHSON	FV45	27:17	61.4%	SB
190.	1.	Iris HORNSEY	FV75	30:20	74.3%
237.	24.	Ian ALEXANDER	MV50	43:36	35.3%

 

 

Handicap 5K

21 Spartans took part in Thursday evening’s handicap 5K.  First to finish, knocking a massive 1:34 off his previous fastest FVS 5K time was JONATHAN PENNELL in a very impressive 17:52, 15 seconds ahead of second placed PAUL MAGUIRE in a course best time of 21:37 and with new member STUART ARCHER third in 20:44, 57 seconds quicker than his previous best 5k time.

The winning woman was ERICA GRAYSON in her first Handicap 5k, finishing with a time of 26:59, with TESSA STEPHENSON second in a rare handicap 5k appearance in a time of 27:36 in her first 5K for 3 years.  SUE HAMER was third in a year’s best time of 28:25.

The fastest runner on the night was Jonathan with his 17:52, with RICHARD SPRINGALL second quickest in 19:13 and BRIAN WHITE third quickest in a course best time of 19:14, 28 seconds faster than previously achieved.  Erica was quickest lady with Tessa second quickest and SARAH PIKE third quickest in a year best time of 28:09 coming back from injury in time for her Standalone 10k in 10 days time.

There was also a new personal best (PB) for NICK GILL, improving his 5K time by 31 seconds to 19:47 in fifth position overall, and course best times for MARK COLLINS (19:19), JONATHAN FOSTER (22:44), GARETH COWELL (22:08) and KEN JUDE (23:11).

 

Ealing Half Marathon

RUTH REILLY ran a stunning Ealing Half Marathon in 1 hour 37 minutes 10 seconds with JACKIE DOWNES racing round the same event in 1:56:39.

 

Swansea Half Marathon

ROBERT EVANS ran the Swansea Half Marathon in 1 hour 55 minutes 36.7 seconds.  He was 1,439^th.

 

Biggs Enigma

The Enigma Marathon is seven and a bit laps around Caldecotte Lake in Milton Keynes. On a warm day, ROGER BIGGS struggled with the ups and downs of the course, but kept going to finish the marathon in 5:43:50.

 

St Paul’s Walden Bury 10km XC

PETER CARPENTER reports that the St. Paul’s Waldenburu 10K is a fairly low key event but enjoyable with a beautiful route – not made for PBs but to enjoy the view going up and down hill!

The charity was an unusual one: Farms for City Children.  Peter’s time was 1:10:51.  He was the eldest competitor, 69th out of 77 overall – with 4 men and 4 women behind him.

 

Stevenage Half Marathon Entries Open

Organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans for more than thirty years the 2017 Stevenage Half Marathon will be on Sunday 22^nd October and entries have opened.  Have a look on www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Parkrun Reports

ALISON WOOD was first lady at Stevenage parkrun in 20 mins 11 secs.  KELLY EVANS was 4^th in a new course PB of 24:25 and VERITY FISHER 6^th in 24:57. CLAIRE EMMERSON (27:41), HAZEL SMITH (27:41) and CALLIE CHAPMAN (30:23) all finished in the top 50 women, and LISA JERROM ran 30:23.

NICK GILL followed up a PB in the club’s recent handicap 5k with a new course PB of 20:24 here to finish 12^th. MARTIN DUDLEY (12^th, 22:40), CLIVE CANNON (23:11), DANIEL SUTTON (a creditable 24:11 as the back ends of a 10 mile long run) and CHRIS HOLLAND (24:22) all notched top 50 places. LEE PICKERSGILL (24:43), DAVID SCOTT (26:29), KEN JUDE (27:27, also at the end of a 10 miler), JAMES SOUTH (27:32), JOHN WALSH (28:05), ROGER BIGGS (29:34) and SELVAN NAICKER (37:22) also ran and IAN ALEXANDER tail-walked in 54:27.

With Spartans racing in Berlin, Hitchin and on the track this weekend there were only two “away” parkrun performances this weekend. TIM ROBINSON visited Pymmes for the first time and was 22^nd in 24:46, while DARRYL STEVENS was 50^th at Brockenhurst in 40:51.

 

Coming Events

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

• Third Hatfield 5K on Wednesday evening 27^th September.
• Herts Senior 10K Championships at Standalone on Sunday 1^st October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 8^th October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 22^nd October.
• Cross Country League at Trent Park on Sunday 12^th November.
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 19^th November.
• Hertfordshire Five Mile Championship for Veterans at Hatfield on Sunday 26^th Nov.
• Bass Belle 10 near Royston on Sunday 26^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Party on Friday 8^th December.
• Cross Country League at Willian on Sunday 17^th December.
• New Year 10K in Hyde Park on Monday 1^st January.
• Fred Hughes 10 miles at St. Albans on Sunday 21^st January.
• Bramley 20/10 on Sunday 11^th February.
• Finchley 20 miles on Sunday 18^th March.
• Oakley 20 miles on Sunday 18^th March.
• London Marathon on Sunday 22^nd April.
• Stirling Marathonm on Sunday 29^th April.

 

Very well done to the 21 Spartans who took part in this evening’s handicap 5k and many thanks to Paul Holgate for organising and Sharon Crowley for her assistance with the start and finish.

First to finish, knocking a massive 1:34 off his previous fastest FVS 5k time was JONATHAN PENNELL in a very impressive 17:52, 15 seconds ahead of 2^nd placed PAUL MAGUIRE in a course best time of 21:37 and with new member STUART ARCHER 3^rd in 20:44, 57 seconds quicker than his previous best 5k time.

Winning lady was ERICA GRAYSON in her first Handicap 5k, finishing with a time of 26:59, with TESSA STEPHENSON 2^nd lady in a rare handicap 5k appearance in a time of 27:36 in her first 5k for 3 years, and with SUE HAMER 3^rd lady in a year best time of 28:25.

Fastest runner on the night was Jonathan’s 17:52, with RICHARD SPRINGALL 2^nd quickest in 19:13 and BRIAN WHITE 3^rd quickest in a course best time of 19:14, 28 seconds faster than previously achieved. Erica was quickest lady with Tessa 2^nd quickest and SARAH PIKE 3^rd quickest in a year best time of 28:09 coming back from injury in time for her Standalone 10k in 10 days time.

There was also a new PB for NICK GILL, improving his 5k time by 31 seconds to 19:47 in 5^th position overall, and course best times for MARK COLLINS (19:19), JONATHAN FOSTER (22:44), GARETH COWELL (22:08) and KEN JUDE (23:11).

Time between 1^st-last finisher was just 3:27 and only 3:03 for 2^nd-20^th, and 95% of finishers were within 2 minutes of their calculated adjusted handicap 5k time.

Full results can be found in Excel form by clicking: Sept Handicap 5k Result

 

Fairlands Valley Spartans won GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE medals at the County 5K championships on Wednesday night.  On a flat, two-and-a-half lap course lit by street lights BRIAN WHITE won GOLD in the men 60 plus category with a tremendous time of 18 minutes 53 seconds, equivalent to 85.7% on age standard.  Scoring exactly the same in the same category BARRY OSBORNE took BRONZE with 19:28.

DAVID RIDDELL won SILVER in the 50 plus contest but it took a new personal best (PB) of 17:55, an improvement of 12 seconds, to do it.

STEFFAN FORD 14^th overall in 17:40; David Riddell; Brian White and Barry Osborne won BRONZE in the County team championships for veterans (all over 40).

There were more Spartan personal bests.  STEVE GREEN was chuffed to find that despite having tired legs and a cold he got a one second PB, to 19:32; KEN JUDE took off 27 seconds to 22:21; CAROLE SHELDRICK was delighted to squeak off two seconds to 25:06; JENNY GARRETT removed a 1 minute 17 seconds chunk with 25:19; ERICA GRAYSON was hoping to break the 27 minute barrier and was a very happy Spartan with 26 minutes 34 seconds.

ROSIE INGRAM ran her first 5K with the club, and it only took 23 minutes 42 seconds.

PAUL HOLGATE was very pleased with his run.  It was his fastest Hatfield 5K, he has run 10 of the 11 races since it began in 2014, and his fastest of 33 5K races since 2012.  There were also season’s bests by KIERAN FEETHAM (20:17); DANIEL SUTTON (21:44) and SHARON CROWLEY (26:54).

MICHELLE REEVES and STEPHANIE MAYFIELD were running their first 5K races in 2017.  Michelle finished in 21:07.  She was fifth senior female (under 35) and Steph came in with 27:53.

A good Spartan turnout was completed by RICHARD SPRINGALL (18:33); MARK COLLINS (19:10); VERITY FISHER (24:04); JIM BROWN (24:29); CALLIE CHAPMAN (26:28); and ANDREA WESTCOTT (26:48).

 

Pos	Name	Cat.	Time	Age%	Comments
14	Steffan FORD	MV40	17:40	77.9%	Team Bronze.  YB (0:05)
22	David RIDDELL	MV50	17:55	83.4%	Team Bronze.  Silver M50.  PB (0:12)
34	Richard SPRINGALL	MS	18:33	69.8%
41	Brian WHITE	MV60	18:53	85.7%	Gold M60.  Team Bronze.  SB (0:03)
51	Mark COLLINS	MV40	19:10	71.3%
60	Barry OSBORNE	MV60	19:28	85.7%	Bronze M60.  Team Bronze.  SB (0:20)
62	Steve GREEN	MV40	19:32	73.9%	PB (0:01)
81	Kieran FEETHAM	MS	20:17	64.3%	SB (0:03)
97	Michelle REEVES	FS	21:07	69.6%	First in 2017.  5th FS.
107	Daniel SUTTON	MS	21:44	59.2%	SB (0:36)
116	Ken JUDE	MV50	22:21	66.9%	PB (0:27)
119	Andy JAY	MV50	41:00	66.5%	YB (0:51)
140	Ros INGRAM	FV35	23:42	63.1%	First 5K
143	Verity FISHER	FS	24:04	60.8%
151	Jim BROWN	MV60	24:29	67.4%
157	Carole SHELDRICK	FV35	25:06	61.1%	PB (0:02)
160	Jenny GARRETT	FV45	25:19	63.3%	PB (1:17)
175	Callie CHAPMAN	FS	26:28	55.5%
177	Paul HOLGATE	MV60	26:38	59.5%	SB (0:30)
178	Erica GRAYSON	FV45	26:34	59.9%	PB (0:33)
181	Andrea WESTCOTT	FV45	26:48	58.2%
186	Sharon CROWLEY	FV55	26:54	67.0%	SB (0:06)
196	Stephanie MAYFIELD	FV35	27:53	54.6%	First in 2017

 

Second claim Spartan NUALA ROBINSON was third senior woman in 21 minutes 1 second.

 

Olympic Park 10K

VICTORIA BRETT and CLAIRE HYDE enjoyed the Olympic Park 10K.  Victoria ran a new PB of 51 minutes 55 seconds, a 1 minute 53 seconds improvement) and Claire reduced her PB by a massive 4 minutes 35 seconds to 52:11.

 

Rutland Half

JENNY PAUL ran the undulating Rutland Half on Sunday.  Her chip time of 2:09:15 gave her 10th in her age category.

 

Royston Health Half

Karen Liddle, Trudie Molloy and Barry King completed the Royston Heath trail half marathon on Sunday in 2 hours 49 minutes 39 seconds.  The very hilly course was perfect training for the Snowdonia marathon at the end of October in which the team are competing.  In very wet muddy conditions the Spartans were very happy with their run.

 

Ouse Valley Marathon

On Sunday, TIM ROBINSON and ROGER BIGGS ran the Ouse Valley Marathon.  A point to point trail marathon that follows the Ouse Valley Way from Earith, near St Ives and finishes in St Neots.  While very flat, the course was very lumpy, and quite muddy in places.  This is only the second year the event has been held and is proving to be very popular, a small friendly club run marathon.  Tim’s marathon preparation hasn’t been optimal and he finished in 5:00:44.  Roger came in with 6:26:52.

 

Dorney Lake Challenge

JOHN NELMS ran the Dorney Lake Challenge on Thursday. Organised by runningmiles.co.uk it was a six hour event on a 2.62 mile out and back course – how many laps can you complete in the time limit?  John did the marathon distance in just over four hours.  The course is flat, tarmac and traffic free through the grounds of the Eton College rowing club.  There was a fantastic buffet at the check point every lap and a goody bag full of chocolate at the finish.

 

European Champion Grant

Spartan GRANT RAMSAY contributed to a Team Great Britain win at the European Masters Marathon Championships in Wroclaw, Poland at the weekend.  They finished ahead of the Czech Republic and Poland.  That’s GOLD for Grant in the team and individual BRONZE.  He was third in the men’s 45 plus category with 2 hours 44 minutes 10 seconds.

 

Spartan Women WIN East of England Trophy

Fairlands Valley Spartans women’s team WON the East of England track and field masters’ championship.  The Eastern Masters Track and Field League final was held at Bedford International Stadium.  Fairlands Valley Spartans Women’s team qualified to take part against the top two teams from each of the four areas by winning their division over the summer.  Having missed out on the final trophy by only half a point last year, they were determined to do better.  After a day of competition the team prevailed finishing twenty one points clear of Marshall Milton Keynes in second and forty ahead of Chelmsford AC who were third.

Yuko Gordon also won the trophy for performance of the meeting, her 3000 metres time of 13 minutes exactly in the race for women over 60 equates to a stunning 94.7% when related to the world record adjusted for age.  In the over 60 age group, Yuko was well supported across the range of events by Iris Hornsey, Cathy Craig and Julie Simmons.

In the over 50 age group, there were multiple wins for Monica Brown in the 100m, 200m, Long Jump, High Jump and Triple Jump, Alison Wood in the 1500m and 800m and Tessa Stephenson in the 400m and Shot Putt.  Julie, running in this younger age group and Sharon Crowley provided good points towards the total.

In the youngest age group for over 35 women, Steph Mayfield was the only winner, taking the Pole Vault, but personal bests from Andrea Westcott along with Suzy Hawkins in only her second track meeting, consistent performances by Christine Lathwell and Tessa dropping an age group in the sprints kept up the scoring.

The meeting had the traditional finish with the relays as the weather deteriorated.  The over 35 team of Suzy, Steph, Andrea and Christine finished third and then the meeting ended on a high for the Spartans with the over 50 team of Tessa, Sharon, Monica and Alison having a clear win.

 

Magnificent Seven Spartans in Cambridge

Four life time and one year’s best for the seven Spartans racing the Greater Cambridge 10K on Sunday plus a second place and a fantastic comeback from serious injury.  STEFFAN FORD was second veteran and 18^th overall in 36 minutes 54 seconds.  TIM SABAN beat the 40 minute barrier for the first time with 39:56; KEN JUDE took 1:40 of his personal best with 47:47; LEE PICKERSGILL was first time under 50 with 49:08 and CAROLE SHELDRICK ran a new PB of 54:22.  JIM BROWN ran his fastest 10K of the year with 48:21 and there was an amazing return from serious injury by KAREN BROOM who completed the event in 1 hour 3 minutes 50 seconds.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
18	STEFFAN FORD	36:54	2nd MV40
40	TIM SABAN	39:56	Personal Best
137	KEN JUDE	47:47	Personal Best (1:40)
156	JIM BROWN	48:21	Year’s Best
166	LEE PICKERSGILL	49:08	Personal Best
263	CAROLE SHELDRICK	54:22	Personal Best
419	KAREN BROOM	63:50	Amazing Recovery

 

Running With The Bishop

BEVERLEY HARLOW ran the Great North Run with Ex-Spartan CHRISTINE HARDMAN – now Bishop of Newcastle.  It was their swan song as neither will be running longer distances in the future. On a fabulous day both finished in 2 hours 44 minutes 17 seconds following a run/walk programme.

As a result of starting at the front ISABEL GREEN and STEVE GREEN both had great runs with Steve under 1:30 with 1:28:54 and Isabel finishing in 1:43:42.

Twelve Spartans competed in this the largest half marathon in the world!  The fastest was CHRIS TILLBROOK in 1:27:31.  He was 557^th out of more than 35,000 finishers.  RICHARD KENNEDY came in with 1:33:57 and NICOLA KENNEDY with 1:41:49; ANDREW SMITH with 2:00:10; SOPH GEORGIOU with 2:17:50; club secretary KAREN PALMER with 2:20:24; CAROLINE CROFT with 2:20:25 and TRACY STILES with 2:40:44.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
557	CHRIS TILLBROOK	1:27:31
725	STEVE GREEN	1:28:54
1429	RICHARD KENNEDY	1:33:57
3322	NICOLA KENNEDY	1:41:49
3959	ISABEL GREEN	1:43:42
12621	ANDREW SMITH	2:00:10
22909	SOPHOCLES GEORGIOU	2:17:50
24342	KAREN PALMER	2:20:24
24345	CAROLINE CROFT	2:20:25
33836	TRACY STILES	2:40:44
34955	BEV HARLOW	2:44:14
34958	CHRISTINE HARDMAN	2:44:14	Former FVS.  Now Bishop of Newcastle.

 

London Duathlon 17th September

BRIAN WHITE has competed in the London Duathlon for many years and this time achieved a course best of 2 hours 29 minutes 33 seconds.  That’s run 1 of 10K in 40:27; bike of 44K in 1:24:19 and run 2 of 5K in 21:01.  He was first veteran 60 plus in the event which was held in Richmond Park.

 

Stevenage Half Marathon Entries Open

Organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans for more than thirty years the 2017 Stevenage Half Marathon will be on Sunday 22^nd October and entries have opened.  Have a look on www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Parkrun Reports

RICHARD BRUCE took the honours for fastest Spartan parkrunner of the weekend when he finished 8^th at the fast layout in Bedford in a time of 19 mins 03 secs.

CLAIRE PULLEN was the fastest Spartan woman in a parkrun, finishing 4^th at Stevenage in a time of 22:53.  KERSTEN WINER was 7^th in a new course PB of 24:33 and JULIE SHADBOLT was 10^th woman over the line in 26:12, also a new course best. They were joined by VERITY FISHER (22^nd in 27:19), TRACY PEZ (30^th in 28:16), SALLY PHILLIPS (29:54) and CLAIRE EMMERSON (43:14 as a VI guide for the event).

For the men at Stevenage BARRY OSBORNE was the first Spartan finisher, 33^rd in 22:58. He was closely followed by MARTIN DUDLEY (35^th in 23:04) with LEE PICKERSGILL 3^rd Spartan in a new course PB of 23:30. There was also a new course best for SIMON SYPULA finishing in 24:34. Others running were JOHN NELMS (23:31), CLIVE CANNON (23:50), DANIEL SUTTON (24:26), ANDY PRIOR (24:34), DAVID SCOTT (25:05), PAUL HOLGATE (27:14), JAMES SOUTH (27:42), MICHAEL O’KEEFE (27:53), ROGER BIGGS (30:24) and JOHN WALSH (30:54).

Elsewhere TIM ROBINSON went to Oak Hill and ran 25:36, while MARK BEASLEY was 14^th at Westmill in 23:30. JOHN ROXBOROUGH finished in 23:33 at Congleton, and DARYL STEVEN was at Brockenhurst to complete in 40:17. Finally HAZEL CLARK was 24^th at Fell Foot in Newby Bridge in a time of 28:29.

 

Coming Events

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

• FVS Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening 21^st September.
• Herts 10K Track Championships at Sandy on Saturday 23^rd September.
• Herts Senior 10K Championships at Standalone on Sunday 1^st October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 8^th October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 22^nd October.
• Cross Country League at Trent Park on Sunday 12^th November.
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 19^th November.
• Hertfordshire Five Mile Championship for Veterans at Hatfield on Sunday 26^th Nov.
• Bass Belle 10 near Royston on Sunday 26^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Party on Friday 8^th December.
• Cross Country League at Willian on Sunday 17^th December.
• New Year 10K in Hyde Park on Monday 1^st January.
• Fred Hughes 10 miles at St. Albans on Sunday 21^st January.
• Bramley 20/10 on Sunday 11^th February.
• Oakley 20 miles on Sunday 18^th March.
• London Marathon on Sunday 22^nd April.

 

 

It was an amazing bumper weekend for Fairlands Valley Spartans including a European Championship win for Grant; Spartan women winning the East of England final; Natalie winning the posh 5K; the Great North Run and loads of personal bests in Cambridge.

Spartan GRANT RAMSAY contributed to a Team Great Britain win at the European Masters Marathon Championships in Wroclaw, Poland at the weekend.  They finished ahead of the Czech Republic and Poland.  That’s GOLD for Grant in the team and individual BRONZE.  He was third in the men’s 45 plus category with 2 hours 44 minutes 10 seconds.

 

Spartan Women WIN East of England Trophy

Fairlands Valley Spartans women’s team WON the East of England track and field masters’ championship.  The Eastern Masters Track and Field League final was held at Bedford International Stadium.  Fairlands Valley Spartans Women’s team qualified to take part against the top two teams from each of the four areas by winning their division over the summer.  Having missed out on the final trophy by only half a point last year, they were determined to do better.  After a day of competition the team prevailed finishing twenty one points clear of Marshall Milton Keynes in second and forty ahead of Chelmsford AC who were third.

Yuko Gordon also won the trophy for performance of the meeting, her 3000 metres time of 13 minutes exactly in the race for women over 60 equates to a stunning 94.7% when related to the world record adjusted for age.  In the over 60 age group, Yuko was well supported across the range of events by Iris Hornsey, Cathy Craig and Julie Simmons.

In the over 50 age group, there were multiple wins for Monica Brown in the 100m, 200m, Long Jump, High Jump and Triple Jump, Alison Wood in the 1500m and 800m and Tessa Stephenson in the 400m and Shot Putt.  Julie, running in this younger age group and Sharon Crowley provided good points towards the total.

In the youngest age group for over 35 women, Steph Mayfield was the only winner, taking the Pole Vault, but personal bests from Andrea Westcott along with Suzy Hawkins in only her second track meeting, consistent performances by Christine Lathwell and Tessa dropping an age group in the sprints kept up the scoring.

The meeting had the traditional finish with the relays as the weather deteriorated.  The over 35 team of Suzy, Steph, Andrea and Christine finished third and then the meeting ended on a high for the Spartans with the over 50 team of Tessa, Sharon, Monica and Alison having a clear win.

 

Magnificent Seven Spartans in Cambridge

Four life time and one year’s best for the seven Spartans racing the Greater Cambridge 10K on Sunday plus a second place and a fantastic comeback from serious injury.  STEFFAN FORD was second veteran and 18^th overall in 36 minutes 54 seconds.  TIM SABAN beat the 40 minute barrier for the first time with 39:56; KEN JUDE took 1:40 off his personal best with 47:47; LEE PICKERSGILL was first time under 50 with 49:08 and CAROLE SHELDRICK ran a new PB of 54:22.  JIM BROWN ran his fastest 10K of the year with 48:21 and there was an amazing return from serious injury by KAREN BROOM who completed the event in 1 hour 3 minutes 50 seconds.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
18	STEFFAN FORD	36:54	2nd MV40
40	TIM SABAN	39:56	Personal Best
137	KEN JUDE	47:47	Personal Best (1:40)
156	JIM BROWN	48:21	Year’s Best
166	LEE PICKERSGILL	49:08	Personal Best
263	CAROLE SHELDRICK	54:22	Personal Best
419	KAREN BROOM	63:50	Amazing Recovery

 

 

Running With The Bishop

BEVERLEY HARLOW ran the Great North Run with Ex-Spartan CHRISTINE HARDMAN – now Bishop of Newcastle.  It was their swan song as neither will be running longer distances in the future. On a fabulous day both finished in 2 hours 44 minutes 17 seconds following a run/walk programme.

As a result of starting at the front ISABEL GREEN and STEVE GREEN both had great runs with Steve under 1:30 with 1:28:54 and Isabel finishing in 1:43:42.

Eleven Spartans competed in this the largest half marathon in the world!  The fastest was CHRIS TILLBROOK in 1:27:31.  He was 557^th out of more than 35,000 finishers.  RICHARD KENNEDY came in with 1:33:57 and NICOLA KENNEDY with 1:41:49; ANDREW SMITH with 2:00:10; club secretary KAREN PALMER with 2:20:24; CAROLINE CROFT with 2:20:25 and TRACY STILES with 2:40:44.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
557	CHRIS TILLBROOK	1:27:31
725	STEVE GREEN	1:28:54
1429	RICHARD KENNEDY	1:33:57
3322	NICOLA KENNEDY	1:41:49
3959	ISABEL GREEN	1:43:42
12621	ANDREW SMITH	2:00:10
24342	KAREN PALMER	2:20:24
24345	CAROLINE CROFT	2:20:25
33836	TRACY STILES	2:40:44
34955	BEV HARLOW	2:44:14
34958	CHRISTINE HARDMAN	2:44:14	Former FVS.  Now Bishop of Newcastle.

 

 

Posh 5K

Spartan NATALIE LAWRENCE won the women’s race at the Posh 5K in Offley.  VICTORIA BRETT who finished in 31 minutes 1 second and CLAIRE HYDE 31:06 said it was a lovely venue, with a shot of prosecco before the start of a very uneven course which became very slippery on the second loop. Great atmosphere. lovely prosecco, canopies and strawberry at the end, with a lovely medal too.

Spartans Jenny Garrett, Callie Chapman, Hazel Smith, Claire Emmerson also enjoyed the run.

 

Dundalk Marathon

Roger Biggs travelled to Dundalk, on the East Coast of Ireland, on his quest to run a marathon in every County of Ireland. This was the 21^st county of 26.

It was a two lap undulating course, which included the ‘Magic Hill’ (a section of road where the it looks like you should be going up when actually you are going down & vice-versa)

Roger completed the marathon in 5:21:27.

 

Chiltern Marathon

Paul Holgate continued his preparations for next month’s Snowdonia marathon by taking part (along with Mike Newbitt) in the tough Chiltern marathon. With over 7,000 feet of climbing and despite a couple of unintended detours along the way, Paul finished in 7 hours 20 minutes and Mike in 7:25.

 

War Race 20K

Going over 20k off road terrain and an absolute obscene amount of obstacles including zip lines and mud filled pits CHRIS JOHANSEN beat the War Race 20K in 4 hours and 15 minutes

 

Parkrun Reports

A bright Saturday morning saw sixteen Spartans lining up at Stevenage parkrun. First Spartan finisher was NICK GILL in 9^th in a time of 20 mins 28 seconds, a new course PB. MARTIN DUDLEY was 30^th in 22:59 with RYAN DUNNIMG 32^nd in 23:05 and ANDY JAY 38^th in 23:38. CHRIS HOLLAND (24:47), DANIEL SUTTON (24:51), DAVID SCOTT (24:59), LEE PICKERSGILL (26:27), JAMES SOUTH (28:02) and ANTHONY OSBORNE (37:10) were the other Spartan men.

JULIE SIMMONS was the first Spartan woman, finishing 3^rd in 24:57. KELLY EVANS was 6^th in 25:37 with VERITY FISHER 10^th in 27:05 as she continued her return from injury. TRACY PEZ was 19^th in 28:31, CALLIE CHAPMAN 23^rd in 29:20 and SALLY PHILLIPS 32^nd in 37:10.

In other local parkruns MARK GOODWIN finished 26 at Panshanger in 22:44 and BARRY OSBORNE was 17^th at Ellenbrook Fields in 22:02.

Finally ROGER BIGGS was in Ireland and limbered up for Sunday’s Dundalk marathon by running Dundalk parkrun in 30:52, notching a top 50 finish.

 

Stevenage Half Marathon Entries Open

Organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans for more than thirty years the 2017 Stevenage Half Marathon will be on Sunday 22^nd October and entries have opened.  Have a look on www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Coming Events

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

• Herts Veteran 5K Championships at Hatfield on Wednesday evening 13^th September.
• FVS Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening 21^st September.
• Herts 10K Track Championships at Sandy on Saturday 23^rd September.
• Herts Senior 10K Championships at Standalone on Sunday 1^st October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 8^th October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 22^nd October.
• Cross Country League at Trent Park on Sunday 12^th November.
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 19^th November.
• Hertfordshire Five Mile Championship for Veterans at Hatfield on Sunday 26^th Nov.
• Bass Belle 10 near Royston on Sunday 26^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Party on Friday 8^th December.
• Cross Country League at Willian on Sunday 17^th December.
• New Year 10K in Hyde Park on Monday 1^st January.

 

There were Hertfordshire medals for Spartans GRANT RAMSAY (16:37); SIMON JACKSON (16:41); STEFFAN FORD (17:46) and RICHARD SPRINGALL in a new personal best of 17 minutes 51 seconds at the County 5K road championships in Hatfield on Wednesday where they won BRONZE in the team competition for seniors (i.e. aged 18 plus).

They did even better in the open team competition where teams consisted of five runners.  With DAVID RIDDELL running a new personal best of 18 minutes 7 seconds they were second.  Strength in depth.

Also in the open event Grant was second veteran (40 plus); Simon third veteran (40 plus); and David third 50 plus.  BRIAN WHITE was first veteran (60 plus) in 18:56 and BARRY OSBORNE fourth 60 plus in 20:07.

MARK COLLINS reduced his PB to 19:07; MICHAEL ANDREWS his to 22:52 and CAROLE SHELDRICK took a 40 second chunk out of hers when she finished in 25:08.

JOHN HARRIS came in with a sub twenty 19:17; KIERAN FEETHAM with 20:37; JIM BROWN edged closer to 24 minutes with 24:02; ANDREA WESTCOTT had a good run with 26:03; SHARON CROWLEY ran a season’s best 27:00; PENNY SCHENKEL made a careful return from injury with 27:33 and PAUL HOLGATE came in with his daughter in 30:11.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
6.	GRANT RAMSAY	16:37	2nd MV40
7.	SIMON JACKSON	16:41	3rd MV40
18.	STEFFAN FORD	17:45
22.	RICHARD SPRINGALL	17:51	PB (0:53)
27.	DAVID RIDDELL	18:07	3rd MV50 (PB 0:11)
41.	BRIAN WHITE	18:56	1st MV60 (SB 0:37)
46.	MARK COLLINS	19:07	PB (0:37)
53.	JOHN HARRIS	19:17
69.	BARRY OSBORNE	20:07	4th MV60
71.	KIERAN FEETHAM	20:37
100.	MICHAEL ANDREWS	22:52	PB (1:54)
117.	JIM BROWN	24:02
135.	CAROLE SHELDRICK	25:08	PB (0:40)
148.	ANDREA WESTCOTT	26:03
160.	SHARON CROWLEY	27:00	SB (0:55)
165.	PENNY SCHENKEL	27:33
178.	PAUL HOLGATE	30:11

 

There were 188 finishers.  The county championships for veterans are included in the race on Wednesday 13^th September.

 

Bedford Half Marathon

Ten Spartans enjoyed sunshine for a new version of the Bedford Half Marathon.  NICK GILL was very happy with his time of 1 hour 46 minutes 35 seconds particularly as he had no more than ten miles in his legs and said it was good to see lots of fellow Spartans showing their colours

HALEY McLOUGHLIN was running her first half marathon.  She said the sun was shining as she made her my way around 13.1 miles of lovely countryside and that it was a flat route, well marshalled and with plenty of water stations.  Haley struggled at mile 11 but remembered the advice Spartan coach Dave Stephenson gave her and was absolutely delighted with her 2 hour 24 minutes 6 seconds, and said she wore her Spartans shirt with pride and thanked the Fairland Valley Spartans starter group for giving her the confidence to get out of her comfort zone.

EMMA POULTER was also running her first half and came in with 2:54:32.  ERICA GRAYSON was very pleased with herself.  She took 6 minutes 56 seconds off her PB to finish in 2 hours 1 minute 15 seconds.

Spartan club secretary KAREN PALMER finished in 2:09:03; CATHERINE TERRETT in 2:12:43; CAROLINE CROFT in 2:14:26; CAREN THAIN in 2:50:30; EMMA MARTIN in 3:00:55 and EMMA GOWER in 3:08:55

This was a fast and flat course with a little congestion as it was on loops.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
433	NICK GILL	1:46:35
973	ERICA GRAYSON	2:01:15
1232	KAREN PALMER	2:09:03
1337	CATHERINE TERRETT	2:12:43
1386	CAROLINE CROFT	2:14:26
1672	HALEY McLOUGHLIN	2:24:06	First Half
1999	CAREN THAIN	2:50:30
2021	EMMA POULTER	2:54:32	First Half
2051	EMMA MARTIN	3:00:55
2070	ELLA GOWER	3:08:55

 

Caroline recovered well enough to complete Sunday’s “Duck’n’Dash” event in 46:04

 

British Masters Half Marathon

After his success at Clacton JIM BROWN was playing with the fast boys at the British Masters Half Marathon National Championships in Northampton.  The event attracted many of the fastest older runners in the country and was a real reality check for many younger runners.  For example the women over 70 category was won in 1:40:44.  Jim was fifth in his age group.  On the undulating course he was 233^rd overall out of the 671 finishers in 1 hour 48 minutes 4 seconds, 1 minute 27 seconds faster than on 20^th August.

 

Spartans At St Albans Stampede

Three Spartans took part in the annual St Albans stampede on Saturday.   The 12 hour event is hosted by St Albans striders and takes place on an undulating four mile fully off road loop in Sandridge.  Runners can go solo or in relay teams of up to eight and are free to stop between loops at any time.

The weather was perfect and the course dry.  On arrival runners are met with free bacon rolls and coffee and the excellent buffet continued all day, concluding with pizza and beer at the end of the 12 hours at 9 pm.  JACKIE DOWNES completed an amazing 12 loops ( 48 miles) and narrowly missed out on being in the top three solo female runners.

KARTIK SHARMA, who has never run further than a half marathon before did four laps (16 miles) and in doing so learned some valuable lessons about fuelling and pacing.  JOHN NELMS completed seven laps (28 miles) to complete another marathon distance before having to leave for work.

 

Parkrun Reports

The highest placed Spartan finisher at a parkrun this weekend was TIM SABAN who was first across the line at Canons Park in a time of 20mins 21 secs, a new course personal best (PB), while the fastest Spartan of the weekend was DAVID RIDDELL who just dipped under the 20 minute mark, finishing fourth in 19:58 at Westmill.

Other Spartans who ran at “away” events this weekend were NICOLA KENNEDY (third woman in 24:45) and RICHARD KENNEDY (29^th man in 25:31) at Sheringham, THOMAS SAUKA (24:22) at Keswick, TIM ROBINSON (24:09) at Panshanger and finally DANIEL SUTTON (23:51, new course PB) and VERITY FISHER (31:50) who both finished 23^rd in their respective events at Rushmere.

At Stevenage, RUTH REILLY was second woman to finish in 22:29 and achieved a new course PB.  MONICA SMITHSON was 16^th in 28:16, also a new course PB, and LAUREN HARNETT was 17^th in 28:24.  SALLY PHILLIPS also notched a top 50 finish by completing in 30:51.

For the men MARK BEASLEY was 34^th in 22:30.  There were new course PBs for both  RYAN DUNNING (38^th in 22:54) and LEE PICKERSGILL (48^th in 24:09).  DAVID SCOTT (25:15), BARRY OSBORNE (25:28), PAUL HOLGATE (27:09, new course PB), JAMES SOUTH (28:09), JOHN WALSH (28:38), TREVOR BROOM (32:58, new course PB) and IAN ALEXANDER (tail-walking in 51:23) were also in action.

 

Stevenage Half Marathon Entries Open

Organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans for more than thirty years the 2017 Stevenage Half Marathon will be on Sunday 22^nd October and entries have opened.  Have a look on www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Coming Events

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

• Herts Veteran 5K Championships at Hatfield on Wednesday evening 13^th September.
• FVS Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening 21^st September.
• Herts 10K Track Championships at Sandy on Saturday 23^rd September.
• Herts Senior 10K Championships at Standalone on Sunday 1^st October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 8^th October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 22^nd October.
• Cross Country League at Trent Park on Sunday 12^th November.
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 19^th November.
• Hertfordshire Five Mile Championship for Veterans at Hatfield on Sunday 26^th Nov.
• Bass Belle 10 near Royston on Sunday 26^th November.
• Cross Country League at Willian on Sunday 17^th December.