Consecutive Sundays and totally different conditions.  On a cold and damp day two Spartans set off on an adventure to Wimbledon Common.  They didn’t find any Wombles but Angie Keeling came home with a new PB (personal best) by 41 seconds of 2:14:01.  She said “I really enjoyed the race”.  Erica Grayson finished in 15th in her age category (W40) in a time of 1:56:36 three weeks after completing the Ibiza Marathon.  The course was on open roads and was quite congested but the crowds were supportive and thankfully the rain held off.

Further north TIM SABAN ran the Chester Half in a time of 1:28:51 and got fifth place in his age group.

 

Flitwick 30^th Anniversary 10K

Often the Flitwick 10K is a last race before the London Marathon but this year the 30^th Anniversary event came a week later which felt very different.  JIM BROWN said there was a massive contrast with last Sunday – this week it was drizzle or rain and about 7 degrees.  Not fair!

Despite being slightly spooked by the start being exactly 26.2 miles from home Jim finished in a year’s best of 50 minutes 11 seconds and PENNY SCHENKEL in a year’s best 57:05.

There were in 823 finishers in the club organised event where runners got extra entertainment from a veteran car club rally going in the opposite direction.

 

Serpentine

What a difference a few days can make!  After the furnace of the London Marathon five days earlier Spartan JIM BROWN was back in the capital city for the Last Friday of the Month 5K around the Serpentine in Hyde Park.

It was cool, with a light breeze, dry but damp underfoot and he finished in 27 Minutes 28 seconds.  PENNY SCHENKEL chased him down the last 200 metres for a year’s best 27:29 but the fastest Spartan was CIARAN McANENY who finished 28^th in 18:07.

There were 267 finishers in the lunchtime event.

 

Grant Jumps As He Runs

Six days after completing the London Marathon in less than three hours GRANT RAMSAY took part in the 3000 metres Steeplechase at Lea Valley.  This was in the London Interclub Challenge, where Ramsay (as a guest) finished fourth out of 8 in a time of 11:45.  He said “It was a good opening race for the track season”.

 

Parkrun Highlights 28 April 2018

This weekend’s parkruns saw loads of Spartans skipping a Saturday lay in to do a 5K run.

Stuart HAYCROFT was second place finisher at Stevenage in a new PB (personal best) of 18 minutes 45 seconds.  Jonny PENNELL was third in 18:54.

Just one week after completing the London marathon Danny SUTTON ran a new PB of 22:20.  Other Spartans who achieved a new PB at Stevenage were Steven DOBNER (26:31), Michael O’KEEFE (27:40) and Lynsey CHALKLEY (33:42).

Roger HARDMAN joined 715 other Parkrunners on Town Moor to complete the Newcastle Parkrun in 27:55.

In Hampshire Darryl STEVENS completed the Brockenhurst course in 40:46.

Hannah NEALE was 4th lady in her first outing in Chipping Sodbury in 22:27.

The previous week Spartan ALISON WOOD had been the fastest woman in the Stevenage Parkrun.  She was 12^th overall in 20 minutes 33 seconds giving her a massive age graded score of 82.56%.

 

The first race in this season’s Mid Week Road Race will be in Epping Forest on Thursday 10^th May at 7.30p.m. and the first event in this year’s EMAC (East of England veterans 35 plus) track and field league will be at Ridlins Track this Wednesday, 2^nd May.

 

Spartan Starters

 

Inspired by the London Marathon?  Never run before?  Looking to get fit?  The Spartan Starters take beginner runners from couch to 5K and beyond in our friendly no pressure, all inclusive run/walk sessions.  See the website for more details. https://www.fvspartans.org.uk/members/starter-group/

 

Tables

 

Parkruns

 

Newcastle parkrun

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
390	297	Roger HARDMAN	00:27:55

Stevenage parkrun

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
2	2	Stuart HAYCROFT	00:18:45
3	3	Jonny PENNELL	00:18:54
6	6	Danny SCANLON	00:19:44
29	28	Daniel SUTTON	00:22:20
34	32	Nick GILL	00:22:38
60	8	Claire EMMERSON	00:24:14
66	57	Chris HOLLAND	00:24:27
69	60	Wills JENNINGS	00:24:32
71	62	Lee PICKERSGILL	00:24:36
75	65	Neil ROBINSON	00:24:42
76	66	Jonathan JONES	00:24:43
110	96	Kartik SHARMA	00:26:31
111	97	Steven DOBNER	00:26:31
119	104	Tim ROBINSON	00:26:55
121	17	Verity FISHER	00:26:58
130	107	Michael O’KEEFE	00:27:40
131	108	Paul HOLGATE	00:27:44
180	136	Peter CARPENTER	00:30:44
182	46	Sally PHILLIPS	00:30:55
185	48	Chloe EMMERSON	00:31:02
192	141	James SOUTH	00:31:55
219	67	Lynsey CHALKLEY	00:33:42
256	95	Hazel JONES	00:40:13

Brockenhurst parkrun

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
161	92	Darryl STEVENS	00:40:46

Chipping Sodbury parkrun

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
56	4	Hannah NEALE	00:22:27

 

The heat was record breaking but a fantastic thirty three from Fairlands Valley Spartans completed all 26.2 miles of the scorching London Marathon.  With an official temperature of 24.1 Celsius Sunday’s race clearly beat the previous highs of 22.7 in 1996 and 22.6 in 2007.  Add the heat off the roads and from other competitors the temperature runners experienced was much higher than that.

The Spartans have a wonderful reputation for preparing runners for their first – and subsequent – marathons and did it again this year.

13 Spartans ran for charities and so far their combined total collected for some great charities stands at £34,500!!

And the Spartans have a winner.  YUKO GORDON won the women over 65 category beating 112 others with 3 hours 39 minutes 7 seconds and she was disappointed!  She said:  “I didn’t expect the heat would affect me this badly.  I did not enjoy it at all.  It was a real struggle all the way even before 10 miles.  My mouth was very dry but my stomach would not take any more liquid.  I made a very silly mistake, overpaced for the first 6 miles when cooler and downhill.  My foot and lower shin was cramping for last two miles but I just ignored and ran.  Cramp all over my legs after the finish, so went straight home.  Not feeling great.  Won my age group.”

NATALIE LAWRENCE: Hot hot hot.  Proud to have finished and to do a small personal best (PB) too 3:13:46!!  I am more than content. Plus given the fact I’ve yet again had no more than 14 weeks to prepare post baby.

JAMES KILROY:  My first marathon wasn’t so great as I suffered in the heat and had stomach cramps from half way, but still enjoyed the crowd, the route and the medal.  Massive thank you to Karen Ellis who embodied all that is Spartan teamwork as we ran walked together all the way from half way point and she kept me going for the last 2 miles.  My time 5:31:52

Spartan ANDREW PATTERSON was Mr Potato Head and raising funds for the UK Kawasaki Foundation and making an attempt on a Guinness record.  Despite the heat and the costume he finished in 3 hours 34 minutes 25 seconds.  Andrew said, “It was funny being checked that I had an orange nose, hat and blue boots before being allowed to go to the start line.”

WAYNE MCMILLAN:  Second year in row I’ve done it no pb,  I did it this time in 6 hours 12 minutes 10 seconds.  I started running in November 2016 and I’ve done two London marathons 2017 and 2018 for my charity Asthma UK.   it was hot hot hot.

NICKY KUKLYS:  I ran 6.17! So much slower than I wanted – but just so chuffed I finished especially in the heat!  And I kept running – slow and painful but I got there!

GERRY ROSEN: Not sure what to say – two miles in and my knee injury went ape and I ended up literally walking the last 24 miles.  I will be honest with you it was good that I was wearing sunglasses as I was welling up a few times, but the determination to finish so me home in 6 hour 38 minutes I am now able to look people in the eye and say I finished the London Marathon.  No one but no one is going to take away that finishers medal for me.

JIM BROWN said “This was my eighteenth London Marathon and one of the hardest.  I ran in 1996 and 2007, the previous heat record holders, but this was more challenging.  Clearly I’m a lot slower than more than twenty years ago but I saw the first collapsed runner at eight miles and that’s about when I decided to abandon any idea of time or I was not going to finish – and I was in charge of the runners’ coach.  Got across the finish line head spinning and with the lower half of my FVS running vest, shorts, legs and socks covered in blood.  Not a pretty sight.  About half an hour slow due to the conditions but 4:23:50 wasn’t too bad for a Vet65 in the circumstances.”

Spartan SHARON CROWLEY was running her 16^th London Marathon.  She finished in 6:37:08 saying maybe she should have stopped at 15!

Hats off to JO BOWDERY.  Running her first marathon she stuck to her plan and slowed down far less in the second half than most.  She went through 13.1 miles in 2:02:57 and finished in 4:18:20.

Despite the heat one Spartan managed to beat the magic three hour barrier.  GRANT RAMSAY finished 834 out of more than 40,000 finishers in 2 hours 57 minutes 23 seconds.  Even he reckoned the conditions slowed him down by about 15 minutes.  STEFFAN FORD came in with 3:13:44.

ROB SHAW was the oldest Spartan.  Seventy plus and round in 5 hours 49 minutes with about 8,000 runners behind him.

Dozens of other Spartans helped at the finish.  Without the volunteers there would be no London Marathon.

All the Spartan finishers:

 

Place overall	Place gender	Place cat.	Name	Category	Half	Finish
834	816	75	Ramsay, Grant (GBR)	45-49	01:21:33	02:57:23
2287	2149	449	Ford, Steffan (GBR)	40-44	01:25:09	03:13:44
2294	140	96	Lawrence, Natalie (GBR)	18-39	01:34:43	03:13:46
4982	4343	2103	Patterson, Andrew (GBR)	18-39	01:29:49	03:34:25
5178	4480	2148	Blackburn, Martin (GBR)	18-39	01:37:05	03:35:43
5753	856	1	Gordon, Yuko (GBR)	65-69	01:43:22	03:39:01
6837	1204	728	Kuhi, Kristina (EST)	18-39	01:41:07	03:46:00
7999	6381	255	Smith, Peter (GBR)	55-59	01:45:12	03:52:13
8181	1691	350	Green, Isabel (GBR)	40-44	01:53:34	03:53:10
11467	8611	1693	Sauka, Thomas (GBR)	40-44	01:44:43	04:09:38
12887	9525	1001	Kalatzis, Babis (GRE)	50-54	01:59:54	04:16:34
13309	3505	1859	Bowdery, Joanne (GBR)	18-39	02:02:57	04:18:20
14451	10553	64	Brown, Jim (GBR)	65-69	01:59:53	04:23:50
17279	4896	976	McAneny, Susan (GBR)	40-44	02:06:28	04:36:07
17958	5166	2746	Brazier, Tanya (GBR)	18-39	02:10:32	04:39:01
23788	16268	7767	Sutton, Daniel (GBR)	18-39	02:10:55	05:03:17
24778	7952	1053	Tharani, Wendy (GBR)	45-49	02:11:24	05:08:02
26411	8701	4667	Chapman, Callie (GBR)	18-39	02:30:10	05:15:58
26413	8703	1642	Smith, Hazel (GBR)	40-44	02:30:09	05:15:58
27474	9203	135	Liddle, Karen (GBR)	60-64	02:27:05	05:20:38
29703	10347	1387	Ellis, Karen (GBR)	45-49	02:17:40	05:31:44
29727	19366	3415	Kilroy, James (GBR)	40-44	02:19:32	05:31:52
32688	20786	111	Shaw, Robert (GBR)	70+	02:38:37	05:49:00
32726	11921	1606	Broom, Karen (GBR)	45-49	02:41:19	05:49:16
34741	13036	468	Carvell, Elizabeth (GBR)	55-59	02:48:14	06:02:54
34751	13042	1745	Martin, Kym (GBR)	45-49	02:59:42	06:03:03
35568	13531	7349	Sandford, Louisa (GBR)	18-39	02:58:47	06:10:04
35781	22129	3825	McMillan, Wayne (GBR)	40-44	02:49:13	06:12:10
36311	13970	7590	Kuklys, Nicky (GBR)	18-39	02:59:25	6:17:39
37844	14899	558	Crowley, Sharon (GBR)	55-59	02:56:04	06:37:08
37918	22966	3456	Rosen, Gerry (GBR)	45-49	03:00:17	06:38:0
38462	15330	8366	Sapstead, Sarah (GBR)	18-39	03:02:46	06:48:09
39376	23446	11162	Crichton, Charlie (GBR)	18-39	03:14:36	07:12:22

 

33 Spartans.  40149 finishers so far.

 

Handicap 5K

35 Spartans ran the first Handicap 5K of the year on Thursday evening.  The winner was Tim Robinson running a year best time by 3:13 to finish in an excellent 23:39, 2:51 ahead of handicap, closely followed by Nick Gill, 2:35 ahead of handicap in a year best time of 20:25, with Dan McAlpine third in a new PB time of 16:40 and new member Manuel Cosifodo 4th in an excellent 24:34.

Winning lady (5th overall) was Nicola Finnegan, smashing her PB by 2:23 to 33:09, with Stephanie Mayfield second female in a YB 27:51 and Jenny Garrett third in a new PB time 25:06.

Fastest runner on the night was Dan McAlpine with Simon Jackson second quickest in a year’s best time of 17:16 and Paul Robertson third quickest in a new PB time of 20:07.

Fastest lady was Claire Emmerson in 23:12, with Jenny Garrett second quickest and Karen Palmer third quickest with 26:55.

There was also a PB for newcomer Terry Hatch, A Season Best time for Amanda Vickers and Year Best times for Sophocles Georgiou, Tim Saban, Simon Sypula, Andy Jay, Peter Smith, Craig Bacon, Sean Millwood, Vishal Shah, Jon Sypula, Niki Plumb, Steve Gough, John Nelms, Ken Jude and Bernadette Millwood.

Total time between the 35 finishers was just 4:47 and only 4:06 from 2nd-34th with 80% of finishers within 2 minutes of their calculated handicap and the other 20% even quicker.

The next handicap is scheduled for Thursday 17th May.

 

Southampton

It was a bit cooler in Southampton where Stuart Archer ran the marathon in a new personal best (PB) of 3 hours 30 minutes 24.7 seconds (1:43:47 at halfway).

DUNCAN FLOUNDERS ran the Southampton Half in 1:41:57.

 

Parkrun Highlights 21 April 2018

At the end of an unexpectedly hot April week, the 19 Fairlands Valley Spartans who headed out to run the weekly Parkrun events demonstrated that the rising temperatures were no barrier to performance. LEE PICKERSGILL and WILLS JENNINGS achieved PB times of 23 mins and 19 secs and 24 mins and 27 secs, respectively, in Stevenage.

Milestone runs took place for IDA LEO who attended her first ever Parkrun, in which she completed the Stevenage course in 30 mins 57 secs, MARTIN WOOD, also at Stevenage, who ran a time of 21 mins 36 secs in his 10th Parkrun outing, and MADELEINE PRITCHARD who finished her 20th Parkrun in 22 mins and 46 secs at the Beckton event. Heading to new venues for the first time DARRYL STEVENS complete the Seaton event in 40 mins and 12 secs and MICHAEL O’KEEFE finish Great Denham in 27 mins in 23 secs.

RICHARD KENNEDY was 14th to finish the Nobles Parkrun event in 23 mins and 16 secs closely followed by NICOLA KENNEDY who was 17th in a time of 24 mins and 49 secs. VERITY FISHER completed the Stevenage course as the 8th woman in 26 mins and 5 secs. Furthermore in Stevenage Martin DUDLEY finished in a time of 22 mins and 23 secs, CRAIG BACON in 22 mins and 49 secs, TIM ROBINSON in 26 mins and 12 secs, JAMES SOUTH in 28 mins and 5 secs, STEVEN DOBNER in 29 mins and 3 secs, SALLY PHILLIPS in 32 mins and 21 secs and LORRAINE SAUNDERS in 34 mins and 17 secs.

 

Tables

Parkruns

 

Parkrun	Pos	Gen	Parkrunner	Time	Notes
Nobles	14	13	Richard KENNEDY	00:23:16
	17	3	Nicola KENNEDY	00:24:49
Stevenage	22	21	Martin WOOD	00:21:36	10th parkrun
	31	30	Martin DUDLEY	00:22:23
	40	39	Craig BACON	00:22:49
	45	44	Lee PICKERSGILL	00:23:19	PB
	62	59	Wills JENNINGS	00:24:27	PB
	86	8	Verity FISHER	00:26:05
	87	79	Tim ROBINSON	00:26:12
	124	109	James SOUTH	00:28:05
	145	120	Steven DOBNER	00:29:03
	176	38	Ida LEO	00:30:57	1st parkrun
	194	47	Sally PHILLIPS	00:32:21
	209	56	Lorraine SAUNDERS	00:34:17
Beckton	21	3	Madeleine PRITCHARD	00:22:46	20th parkrun
Seaton	156	91	Darryl STEVENS	00:40:12	1st parkrun here
Great Denham	81	62	Michael O’KEEFE	00:27:23	1st parkrun here

 

 

The Spartan Spring Marathon season is warming up – events as well as temperature – with 26.2 races in Boston (UK) and Brighton at the weekend.

In Brighton STEVE GREEN cut his personal best (PB) by 4 minutes 41 seconds to finish in 3 hours 20 minutes 13 seconds.  ANDREW SMITH and SARAH RUSHWORTH ran their first marathons in 3:47:37 and 5:52:51 but MIKE GREEN was the fastest from Fairlands with 3 hours 18 minutes 41 seconds.  CHRIS HOLLAND finished the south coast special in 4:15:46.

 

Boston

Two Spartans travelled to Lincolnshire this weekend to compete in Boston marathon.  RUTH REILLY and CATHY CRAIG both secured second age group places and “Good for Age” times.  Ruth finished in superb new personal best of 3:36:53 and Cathy at 65 beat five hours with a new PB of 4:59:36.  Their “Good for Age” qualifications mean they could go straight into next year’s London Marathon if they wish.

PAUL MAGUIRE ran the Boston U.K. Half Marathon on Sunday in a time of 1:38:34.  This was a new PB for him and his first time finishing in under 100 minutes.  He was seventh in his age category.

 

Victoria Park Satisfies

Saturday saw the first decent sunshine for an English road race and Spartans JIM BROWN and PENNY SCHENKEL enjoyed the 51^st running of the Victoria Park Open Five Miles.  This was a traditional club organised event with an entry fee of only £12 but an accurately measured course, precise start to finish line times, a view across to the Olympic Park and possibly the best post race showers in the universe.

Penny ran a new personal best of 45 minutes 4 seconds with Jim coming in with 40:48.  Jim said this is the first race this year he’s had salt in his eyes, thinking about Sunday’s London Marathon……..

JAN FRY ran the Thames Valley Spring Half in 2 hours 24 minutes 40 seconds and CHRIS JOHANSEN completed the Battersea Park 5K in 41:16 after a night shift..

Not content with Battersea Park on Saturday Christopher Johansen flew the colours at Crystal Palace 5K in 44 minutes and 35 seconds on Sunday after stopping for 5 minutes to admire the dinosaurs

Many Spartans will be running the London Marathon starting at 10a.m. this Sunday 22^nd April.  Why not go and support your local club?

 

Parkrun Highlights 14^th April 2018

This week’s parkruns saw Spartans running at five different locations in two countries.  Ashley SCHOENWETTER was first female finisher at Barclay parkrun in Hoddesdon clocking a time of 22:12.

Continuing their parkrun tour in New Zealand, Verity FISHER and Danny SUTTON ran Blenheim parkrun on New Zealand’s South Island.  There was a small field of 27 runners.  Verity finished fifth overall and second female in 23:54.  Danny finished in 13th position in 26:35.

Congratulations go to Tim ROBINSON who completed his 100th parkrun at Panshanger.  Tim was joined by Andy JAY, Thomas SAUKA and Ken JUDE who all finished within 10 seconds of each other.

In Oxford Lucy May Field completed her 142nd parkrun finishing in 23:50.

19 Spartans joined 299 other runners to run the 2 lap Stevenage parkrun course.  Danny SCANLON finished in 6th position overall in 19:30.  Claire EMMERSON was third female in 24.18.  Niki PLUMB ran a new PB of 34:39.

 

Tables

Parkruns 14^th April

 

Stevenage parkrun

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
6	6	Danny SCANLON	00:19:30
36	36	Martin DUDLEY	00:22:42
48	47	Lee PICKERSGILL	00:23:42
58	56	Jonathan JONES	00:24:14
59	57	Barry OSBORNE	00:24:17
61	3	Claire EMMERSON	00:24:18
67	62	Darren EMMERSON	00:24:39
99	88	David SCOTT	00:26:26
101	12	Hazel SMITH	00:26:27
105	13	Karen PALMER	00:26:35
146	123	Paul HOLGATE	00:28:16
150	25	Caroline CROFT	00:28:28
163	134	Steven DOBNER	00:28:54
169	137	James SOUTH	00:29:03
173	35	Monica SMITHSON	00:29:12
231	62	Sally PHILLIPS	00:32:19
245	175	Paul JENNINGS	00:33:13
262	81	Niki PLUMB	00:34:39
283	183	Trevor BROOM	00:37:22

 

Panshanger parkrun

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
140	122	Thomas SAUKA	00:27:49
143	124	Tim ROBINSON	00:27:57
145	126	Andy JAY	00:27:59
146	127	Ken JUDE	00:27:59

 

Barclay parkrun

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
5	1	Ashley SCHOENWETTER	00:22:12

 

Blenheim parkrun

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
5	2	Verity FISHER	00:23:54
13	8	Daniel SUTTON	00:26:35

 

At the soggy Sandy 10 mile race on Sunday morning Spartan YUKO GORDON won her category in 73 minutes 31 seconds which gave her an amazing age related score of 95.7%.  She said her time was only 1 minute and 44 seconds off from UK’s all time best for women 65 plus for 10 Miles, maybe next time.  She felt her legs were heavy from Great Barrow marathon last week.  Yuko was awarded the Roger Wadeley trophy for her age graded 95.7%.  She was worried about gels and water stations before the race but took no gel nor water during this race.  And she says she is getting more nervous about the London Marathon each day.

Both TREVOR and KAREN BROOM ran the Sandy 10 mile on Sunday.  It was Trevor ‘s first official race and he ran the whole 10 miles without stopping and finished in 1.53.33.  Karen finished just behind him in 1.53.56.

JULIE SHADBOLT ran a new personal best of 1:27:31 and TRUDIE MOLLOY a PB of 1 hour 29 minutes.  BARRY KING ran his fastest “10” since turning 50 – 1:29:11.

Altogether Fairlands Valley Spartans had eleven runners.  DANNY SCANLON was quickest from the club in 1 hour 8 minutes 12 seconds.  Yuko was second but JIM BROWN was third in 1:22:04.  Next came JULIE SIMMONS with a high scoring 1:26:45.  KAREN PALMER came in just ahead of Julie in 1:27:30 and JOANNA WALKER beat the two hours with 1:59:45.

 

Todd Goes Sub Three As Spring Marathons Take Off

On his twelfth attempt and following several near misses all the hard work paid off for Spartan TODD GRAY as he joined the marathon sub three club at the Manchester Marathon on Sunday.  He stuck to his race plan and finishing in 2 hours 58 minutes 36 seconds.  He was 359^th out of the 20,378 finishers.    Two other Spartans were there JOHN ADAMSON with 3:53:38 and ROBERT WRIGHT in 4:41:33.

The Spring marathons are really getting going.  Three Spartans flew off to the party isle of Ibiza to take part in the second Ibiza marathon and 12K.

Carol Paul came second in her age group in the marathon with 4 hours 43 minutes 37 seconds and Erica Grayson got a new PB by nearly 13 minutes of 4:25:07.

Emma Martin ran the 12k enjoying the sunshine and support.

Erica and Carol said the Ibiza Marathon was a well organised and supported event.  They recommend it even in the heat and with the 15K of incline.

Tim Robinson journeyed to Paris for his third time of running the Marathon De Paris. Most of his spring training in the UK has been in sub zero temperatures and Tim suffered again with the heat but managed to finish in a time of 5:01:57.

London is on Sunday 22^nd April and the Spartans have booked two coaches.

 

Track and Field

Stevenage and North Herts Athletics Club welcomed nine Spartans to their open meeting at Ridlins on Saturday afternoon.  Eight competed in the 1500 metres in which STUART HAYCROFT was fastest in 5 minutes 6.57 seconds followed by ALISON WOOD in 5:24.80 and CRAIG BACON in 5:36:14.  ANDY JAY was determined to get under 6 minutes and did it with 5 minutes 57.92 seconds.

In the “B” race PENNY SCHENKEL ran a new personal best of 7 minutes 4.24 seconds; “stuck” at not much more than marathon pace JIM BROWN came in with 7:14.90 closely pursued by MONICA SMITHSON in 7:19.65.  PAUL HOLGATE ran the three and three quarter laps between the white lines in 7:45.65.

Congratulations to Stephanie Mayfield who did the pole vault. She set a personal best and club record of 2 metres 10 centimetres.  Some Spartans will be back at Ridlins for the county track and field championships on Monday 7^th May.

 

Harlow 10K

GRANT RAMSAY was fourth out of the 325 finishers in the Harlow 10K in 35 minutes 38 seconds.

 

Bournemouth Bay Run

LEE PICKERSGILL finished the Bournemouth Bay Run 10K in 49:15 close to a PB (personal best) but the cliff climb at 5K was tough.

 

South Downs Way

John NELMS (and 399 others) ran the 50 mile South Downs way race on Saturday. Weather was perfect with light wind and clear skies.  Some beautiful views across the south coast from the top of the ridge.  He finished comfortably in 10 hours 35 mins.  That’s his last long training run done for the upcoming Thames Path 100 miler in four weeks.

 

Parkrun Highlights 7^th April 2018

Congratulations to Daniel SUTTON and Verity FISHER who ran their first parkrun as a married couple in Barry Curtis, New Zealand with times of 22:23 and 24:55 respectively.  Two others travelled overseas this weekend, Adrian DONNELLY ran Malahide in Dublin in 21:01 and Madeleine PRITCHARD ran Hasenheide in Berlin with a time of 32:41.

More locally, 11 Spartans ran in their stripes for the first Saturday of the month in Stevenage with 4 achieving new PBs.  Danny SCANLON was 4^th finisher with 19:20 PB, David SCOTT completed in 22:35 PB, Jonathon JONES 24:01 PB and Niki PLUMB 35:25 PB.  Jo BOWDERY was 3^rd female in a time of 23:23.   Other Spartans to complete the course included Barry OSBORNE 20:56, Martin DUDLEY 22:30, Calantha CHAPMAN 28:29, Steven DOBNER 29:20, Sally PHILLIPS 31:54 and Karen BROOM 32:03.

Others to run this weekend included 1^st place Dan MCALPINE with a time of 17:10 at Luton Wardown.  Natalie LAWRENCE completed Houghton Hall, third position overall, first female, in a time of 19:24.  Completing their 10th Parkruns, Hannah NEALE (28:17) and Alexandra WHITEHOUSE (34:20) competed Market Horborough parkrun, Roger HARDMAN completed Newcastle in 27:42, and Michael O’KEEFE completed Westmill in a time of 28:28.

 

Decathlon 5K

On Sunday CAROLE SHELDRICK enjoyed the Stevenage Decathlon 5k race with Caroline Croft and many other Spartans.  She said it wasn’t the easiest 5k she’s run, Stevenage likes to make us work hard with all those lovely Stevenage hills.  Carole finished in 27:49 with CAROLINE CROFT in 30:12.  SIMON SYPULA had a bit of fun during his 26:45 while SAM SIMMONS, recently back from injury, achieved 27:52.

 

Second Capital Challenge

On Saturday Sharon and Mike Crowley completed the 2nd Capital Challenge.  This was a LDWA event around London.  It started on the South Bank taking in some familiar sites, but passing through some hidden gems.  The walk was surprisingly hard with 2000 feet of climb, they finished the 27.6 miles in 7hrs 47, finishing in the Olympic Park.  (LDWA = Long Distance Walkers’ Association).

 

Tables

 

 

Sandy 10 Road Race 2018

Pos.	Name	Cat Pos.	Category	Chip Time	Age % Perf	Comments
56	Danny SCANLON	20.	SM	1:08:12.7	65.1%
97	Yuko GORDON	1.	FV65	1:13:31.0	95.7%	FV65 and graded winner
212	Jim BROWN	21.	MV60	1:22:04.3	68.8%
265	Julie SIMMONS	9.	FV55	1:26:45.9	73.4%
270	Karen PALMER	26.	FV45	1:27:30.1	64.9%
271	Julie SHADBOLT	27.	FV45	1:27:31.4	64.8%	PB (Personal Best)
301	Trudie MOLLOY	35.	FV45	1:29:00.8	60.2%	PB (Personal Best)
302	Barry KING	59.	MV50	1:29:11.4	55.6%	Quickest since 50
471	Trevor BROOM	72.	MV50	1:53:33.2	44.8%
473	Karen BROOM	75.	FV45	1:53:56.3	48.6%
487	Joanna WALKER	36.	SF	1:59:45.4	41.3%

 

Parkruns

 

Parkrun	Pos	Gen	Parkrunner	Time	Notes
Barry Curtis	15	15	Daniel SUTTON	00:22:23	Auckland New Zealand
Barry Curtis	36	4	Verity FISHER	00:24:55	Auckland New Zealand
Hasenheide	149	43	Madeleine PRITCHARD	00:32:41	Berlin
Houghton Hall	3	1	Natalie LAWRENCE	00:19:24
Luton Wardown	1	1	Dan MCALPINE	00:17:10
Malahide	34	30	Adrian DONNELLY	00:21:01	Dublin
Market Harborough	200	48	Hannah NEALE	00:28:17	10th Parkrun
Market Harborough	320	118	Alexandra WHITEHOUSE	00:34:20	10th Parkrun
Newscastle	301	238	Roger HARDMAN	00:27:42
Stevenage	4	4	Danny SCANLON	00:19:20	New PB
Stevenage	10	10	Barry OSBORNE	00:20:56
Stevenage	28	27	Martin DUDLEY	00:22:30
Stevenage	29	28	David SCOTT	00:22:35	New PB
Stevenage	40	3	Jo BOWDERY	00:23:23
Stevenage	49	44	Jonathan JONES	00:24:01	New PB
Stevenage	122	29	Callie CHAPMAN	00:28:29
Stevenage	133	101	Steven DOBNER	00:29:20
Stevenage	154	39	Sally PHILLIPS	00:31:54
Stevenage	158	43	Karen BROOM	00:32:03
Stevenage	195	65	Niki PLUMB	00:35:25	New PB
Westmill	30	24	Michael O’KEEFE	00:28:28

 

To finish their month of mad march races (they had planned a race every weekend but the snow meant one was cancelled) ERICA GRAYSON and TIM SABAN headed to Richmond Park for a very well organised hilly and slightly muddy 5K race.

Tim was first man home in a time of 21 minutes 17 seconds (second place overall) and was awarded a trophy.

Erica came home in a time of 27:16.  No trophy for her but she was second in her age group, 11^th overall and very happy with that.  They managed to defy all the odds with a dry race.

 

Easter 10

The Maidenhead Easter 10 has become something of a Good Friday pilgrimage over the years.  Spartan PENNY SCHENKEL aimed to average 6 minutes per kilometre and achieved that for her first ten mile race with a finishing time of 1 hour 35 minutes 53 seconds (5.96 minutes per kilometre for 16.09 kilometres).

JIM BROWN ran his fastest ten mile race for at least ten years with 1 hour 21 minutes 40 seconds to finish just before the rain started.  The popular local club organised event had 1,239 finishers.

 

Second in Suffolk

YUKO GORDON ran the marathon Great Barrow Challenge Marathon, Friday morning in 3 hours 38 minutes 11 seconds.  She was second woman.

 

David Bowker On Track

In contrast DAVID BOWKER was on a flat track as he ran the Herts Phoenix open 1500 in 5 minutes 30 seconds.

 

Parkrun Highlights 31^st March 2018

The final day of March saw 19 Fairland Valley Spartans take part in the weekly Parkrun event.  Stevenage drew the largest crowd with DANNY SCANLON completing his 80^th Parkrun in 19 minutes and 57 seconds and LEE PICKERSGILL his 30^th in a time of 24 minutes and 50 seconds.  Top 50 finishes were recorded for MARTIN DUDLEY in 22 minutes and 42 seconds, RYAN DUNNING in 23 mins and 58 secs, and BARRY OSBORNE in 24 mins and 24 secs.  They were closely followed by STEVEN DOBNER completing the course in 27 mins and 55 secs, MICHAEL O’KEEFE in 28 mins and 21 secs, DAVID SCOTT in 28 mins and 58 secs, LIZ GUEMACHE in 29 mins and 47 secs, ANGIE KEELING in 30 mins and 07 secs, and NIKI PLUMB in 36 mins and 20 secs.

In Letchworth VERITY FISHER was the first female home in 25 minutes and 59 seconds, joined by DANIEL SUTTON in the 10th male position in 23:56.  Another first female position fell to MADELEINE PRITCHARD at the Beckton event with a time of 23:35.

While JOHN ROXBOROUGH’s 60th Parkrun took place on the Panshanger course, which he finished in 21 mins and 49 secs, first time runs at new venues saw JAMES SOUTH complete the Lanhydrock course in 38 mins and 17 secs, and DARRYL STEVENS run the Hogsmoor Inclosure event in 54 mins and 58 secs. TRACY STILES managed to avoid the mud at Houghton Hall completing the course in 30 mins and 54 secs, and ROGER HARDMAN finished the Newcastle run in 27:53.

 

Club Training Twenty

Many Spartans prepared for Spring marathons by enjoying Fairlands Valley Spartans club training 20 mile run on Friday morning.

 

Tables

 

Parkrun	Pos	Gen	Parkrunner	Time	Notes
Newcastle	236	189	Roger HARDMAN	00:27:53
Stevenage	6	6	Danny SCANLON	00:19:57
	26	25	Martin DUDLEY	00:22:42
	43	40	Ryan DUNNING	00:23:58
	50	47	Barry OSBORNE	00:24:24
	52	49	Lee PICKERSGILL	00:24:50
	106	86	Steven DOBNER	00:27:55
	112	90	Michael O’KEEFE	00:28:21
	120	94	David SCOTT	00:28:58
	141	33	Liz GUEMACHE	00:29:47
	145	35	Angie KEELING	00:30:07
	212	76	Niki PLUMB	00:36:20
Houghton Hall	92	17	Tracy STILES	00:30:54
Beckton	8	1	Madeleine PRITCHARD	00:23:35
Lanhydrock	230	160	James SOUTH	00:38:17
Panshanger	22	21	John ROXBOROUGH	00:21:49
Letchworth	10	10	Daniel SUTTON	00:23:56
	17	1	Verity FISHER	00:25:59
Hogmoor Inclosure	143	87	Darryl STEVENS	00:54:58