Month: June 2025

SPARTANS STAY UP

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74 Fairlands Valley Spartans made absolutely sure the club stayed in division two of the Mid Week League when they raced 10K near Buntingford on Wednesday evening. This was the fourth and final counting race in the series and 28 FVS women and 46 FVS men took part. In fact over the series they did so well they came close to promotion to division one.

More than 600 tackled the undulating and sometimes quite narrow course with a brute of a climb from 9K to the finish.

That did not seem to worry two Spartan Olivias too much. OLIVIA HAMILTON and OLIVIA LACIGOVA were ninth and 18^th women in the race with 44:30 and 46:13. In between came GEORGIE HOOPER tenth woman with 44:47 and second in her age category. In fact there were THREE Olivias in the Spartans “A” team of eight runners. OLIVIA NATION finished her first 10K race in 54:31. The others in the top Spartan eight were MARIE COLUCCI, third in her age category with 47 minutes exactly; JAYNE RIDDELL 53:08; JO COOKSLEY in 53:25 and JESSICA CLARKE in 54:06.

Just outside the “A” team there was an impressive 54:51 by MEGAN SUTTON and YUKO GORDON was second woman 65 plus with 55 minutes exactly. LINDA NOLAN finished in a personal best (PB) 56:28 and LINDA GEORGE in a PB 57:24 with CLAIRE EMMERSON chasing down runners from other clubs to give herself 58:36, her best time this year.

HANNAH MANTON improved by 11 minutes 10 seconds from the Stevenage race to finish in 1:01:31.

The Spartan men got ten runners under 40 minutes with SIMON FRASER showing the way at fifth overall with 34:48. ANDREW PATTERSON was 12^th man with 36:04 and ADRIAN BUSOLINI 22^nd in 37:16.

PAUL SHELLEY was third man 50 plus with 38:59; RALPH DADSWELL first man 60 plus with 40:55 and JIM BROWN third man 70 plus in 59:01.

PERRI GENTRY 39:25 and MARTIN JACOB 47:37 both ran new personal bests.

On the night the Spartan men were third out of the seven division two clubs racing. Altogether there were 16 clubs in the event. The FVS women were fourth. Overall Fairlands Valley Spartans were third in the series with 42 points which compares with Royston second on 47 and Ware winners with 51 but well ahead of Bishops Stortford who were fourth with 28. Stevenage Striders and Harlow were relegated.

Another amazing turnout meant the Spartans had three complete men’s teams, three complete women’s teams and 14 other runners!

Now the Spartans can look forward to the “mob match” which will be in Welwyn Garden City on Wednesday 9^th July and to the Relays in the Park which the Spartans are hosting on Thursday evening 17^th July.

Race	Women	First Name	Last Name	Time	Cat.
159	9	Olivia	Hamilton	44:30	S
167	10	Georgie	Hooper	44:47	V 35
213	18	Olivia	Lacigova	46:13	V 35
228	21	Marie	Colucci	47:00	V 45
369	51	Jayne	Riddell	53:08	V 55
373	53	Jo	Cooksley	53:25	V 35
392	60	Jessica	Clarke	54:06	S
400	63	Olivia	Nation	54:31	S
409	67	Megan	Sutton	54:51	S
415	69	Yuko	Gordon	55:00	V 65
436	74	Sally	Reeve	56:08	V 45
445	77	Linda	Nolan	56:28	V 55
450	80	Alison	Shelley	56:41	V 55
463	82	Linda	George	57:24	V 35
490	93	Claire	Emmerson	58:36	V 45
505	101	Carole	Sheldrick	59:46	V 45
507	103	Annabelle	White	59:50	S
523	110	Hannah	Manton	1:01:31	S
539	118	Judy	King	1:02:45	V 55
568	130	Sharon	Crowley	1:06:31	V 65
576	134	Liz	Carvell	1:08:32	V 65
579	136	Samantha	Sutton	1:09:19	V 45
592	141	Amanda	Vickers	1:11:03	V 45
595	142	Ada	Janusiene	1:11:32	V 35
597	143	Callie	Chapman	1:12:07	V 35
598	144	Penny	Schenkel	1:12:08	V 55
599	145	Hazel	Smith	1:12:09	V 45
601	146	Sally	Phillips	1:15:21	V 55

Race	Men	First Name	Last Name	Time	Cat.
5	4	Simon	Fraser	34:48	S
14	12	Andrew	Patterson	36:04	V 40
28	22	Adrian	Busolini	37:16	S
49	35	Steffan	Ford	38:55	V 40
52	37	Paul	Shelley	38:59	V 50
60	43	Michael	Fisher	39:17	S
62	44	Nick	Gill	39:22	S
63	45	Perri	Gentry	39:25	S
64	46	Nathan	Kirley	39:28	S
70	49	Ross	Gallagher	39:56	V 40
83	59	Jay	Papa	40:45	S
84	60	Kirk	Ndugu	40:46	S
88	61	Ralph	Dadswell*	40:55	V 60
106	72	Terry	Sawyer	41:44	V 40
140	91	Pete	Gentle	43:46	V 40
168	102	Stuart	Archer	44:48	V 40
173	104	Paul	Mould	44:57	V 40
198	113	Charlie	Arnold	45:45	V 60
203	116	Alexey	Zherdev	45:53	V 40
222	125	Keith	Hooker	46:38	V 40
226	127	Peter	Orton	46:56	V 60
227	128	Craig	Bacon	46:57	V 50
241	136	Matthew	Cooke	47:36	S
242	137	Martin	Jacob	47:37	V 40
244	139	Tony	Randfield	47:42	V 60
272	148	Melvin	Auburn	48:49	S
291	152	Lee	Pickersgill	49:28	V 40
316	161	Simon	Haigh	50:51	V 50
349	171	Matt	Tutton	52:33	V 40
351	172	Darren	Emmerson	52:39	V 50
354	174	Alex	Scofield	52:43	S
357	176	Martin	Wood	52:47	V 60
364	178	Joseph	Wasnock	52:55	S
370	181	Martin	Dudley	53:11	V 60
372	182	Tony	Vickers	53:23	V 50
387	186	John	Nelms	53:53	V 50
439	199	Lloyd	Dias	56:14	S
452	204	Simon	Sypula	56:43	V 50
453	205	Pete	Cook	56:46	V 50
496	210	Jim	Brown	59:01	V 70
504	211	Karl	Shreeve	59:44	V 50
524	217	Tim	Robinson	1:01:32	V 50
527	218	David	Ackerley	1:01:35	S
552	224	Steve	Tinsley	1:04:04	V 40
583	232	Paul	Holgate	1:10:00	V 60
588	233	Nick	Kleanthous	1:10:32	V 60

Eastern Masters!

The Eastern Masters Athletic Club held its Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Sandy on Saturday. Temperatures were up to 34C with a very blustery wind. Five Spartan athletes were competing in their FVS Stripes across a range of age groups, with many medals being won.

On the track, Gold Medals were won by Roger Head in the 400 metres for men over 80 (in 1:51.0) and Sharon Crowley for 1500 metres and 2km Race Walk (7:58.5 & 16:42.4) meanwhile Tessa Stephenson was happy with her season best times in the 100m & 200m (18.9s & 38.7s) as she continued her return to competition after two years off through injury.

In the field events Joylyn & Tim Saunders-Mullins led the way in the over 70 age group. Tim won Gold in the Hammer (29.36m), Bronze in the Shot Putt (8.03m) and was fourth in the Discus (14.28m), whilst Joylyn also won Golds in the Shot Putt (6.32m) and Javelin (19.45m).

Fairlands Valley Spartans masters athletes next head out to Corby for the third meeting in the Eastern Masters League on Wednesday evening (2^nd July).

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 28^th June.

Not quite as hot as last week but another warm parkrun in Stevenage. At 9a.m. Saturday morning it was about 21 degrees but this time numbers jumped back up to beyond 500 with 517. There were 26 Spartans and three of them including the fastest runner were in the top five.

SIMON FRASER was first with 17:17; KIRK NDUGU third with 17:31 and SIMON JACKSON fourth with 17:40.

TONY VICKERS ran his tenth parkrun in a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 25:50. Running her 130^th parkrun GAIL MACKIE was the fastest female from Fairlands with 26:42 and HAZEL SMITH ran her 60^th parkrun in 29:12.

Altogether 49 Spartans ran parkruns. Those elsewhere included CHARLIE WHITE coming sixth with 17:48 at Heslington; JAY PAPA 18:51, KEITH HOOKER 21:46, ANNABELLE WHITE 22:26 and JESSICA CLARKE 23:59 at Storeys Field; MATTHEW COOKE 22:20 at Jubilee, Bedford; MATT GIFFORD 22:58, CHARLES ARNOLD 25:55 and CAROLINE BARTER 26:46 at Henlow Bridge Lakes; PAUL SHELLEY 23:38 and ALISON SHELLEY 32:54 at Lanhydrock; SUZY HAWKINS 24:51 and NICK GILL 28:24 at Letchworth; DARREN EMMERSON 25:44 and CLAIRE EMMERSON 28:28 at Pocket; JANE McFARLANE 28:43 at Hafan Pwllheli; KEITH ABRAHAMS 29:10 at Salisbury; MATTHEW NEWTON 31:06 at Gunpowder and ROGER BIGGS 50:49 at Medina, Isle of Wight.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
1	1	Simon FRASER	17:17
3	3	Kirk NDUGU	17:31
4	4	Simon JACKSON	17:40
11	11	Ciaran MCANENY	19:15
16	16	Grant RAMSAY	19:38
85	79	Thomas SAUKA	24:20
97	90	Pete COOK	24:49
130	118	Tony VICKERS	25:50
153	135	Toby ECCLESHALL	26:42
154	12	Gail MACKIE	26:42
177	150	Ryan DUNNING	27:11
196	23	Susan MCANENY	27:39
213	174	Jim BROWN	28:06
241	42	Fiona CLARKE	29:12
242	43	Hazel SMITH	29:12
269	205	Maurice BALLARD	30:02
309	68	Debbie BLANTERN	31:37
315	231	Nick KLEANTHOUS	31:45
361	95	Monica SMITHSON	33:18
387	109	Carole SHELDRICK	34:12
388	110	Caroline CROFT	34:14
409	126	Chloe CHAPMAN	35:33
410	264	Paul JENNINGS	35:35
436	141	Hilary DAVIES	36:49
497	300	Lloyd DIAS	48:11
504	304	Tony RANDFIELD	50:44

Tags Buntingford 10, EMAC, Mid Week League, parkrun

News Race Results

PATRICK AND ROSE WIN HANDICAP 5K

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date June 22, 2025
No Comments on PATRICK AND ROSE WIN HANDICAP 5K

A very warm evening made for a difficult run in Thursday’s Handicap 5K but that didn’t stop new member Patrick Anyadi storming round in 27:35, 2:40 better than handicap, to win the event, closely followed by Rose Sutton in a year best time of 29:56, Elizabeth Crowley was second woman in 30:01 and Jane Wadey third woman with 39:06. Karl Shreeve was second man in 28:42 and Matt Tutton third man with 25:13.

Jay Papa was fastest runner on the night in 19:36, with Paul Mould second quickest in 20:46 and Charles Arnold third fastest in 23:07. Marie Colucci was fastest lady with a year’s best (YB) 23:15, with Annabelle White 2^nd quickest (24:35) and Megan Sutton 3^rd fastest in 25:23.

There were also personal bests (PBs) for Alex Scofield (23:43) and Joseph Wasnock (24:05).

In handicap races the slower runners start first and chased by the others starting at intervals based on recent races.

Thank you to Mike Crowley, Mark Freeman, Keith Fenwick, Brian White and Hannah Sypula for their help and support.

The July handicap will be on Thursday evening 24^th July.

Pos	FIRST NAME	LAST NAME	Time	H’cap
1	PATRICK	ANYADI	27:35	2:40
2	ROSE	SUTTON	29:56	2:34
3	ELIZABETH	CROWLEY	30:01	2:14
4	KARL	SHREEVE	28:42	1:48
5	JANE	WADEY	39:06	1:24
6	SHARON	CROWLEY	39:06	1:24
7	MATT	TUTTON	25:13	1:17
8	SAMANTHA	SUTTON	32:50	1:10
9	JAY	PAPA	19:36	1:09
10	MEGAN	SUTTON	25:23	1:07
11	YUKO	GORDON	27:07	0:53
12	ALEX	SCOFIELD	23:43	0:47
13	LEE	PICKERSGILL	24:03	0:42
14	JOSEPH	WASNOCK	24:05	0:40
15	RICHARD	MOORE	24:23	0:22
16	TONY	VICKERS	26:44	0:16
17	MARIE	COLUCCI	23:15	0:15
18	PAUL	MOULD	20:46	0:14
19	JUDY	KING	30:35	0:10
20	PETE	COOK	26:23	0:07
21	JON	SYPULA	29:18	(0:03)
22	ANNABELLE	WHITE	24:35	(0:05)
23	PAUL	MAGUIRE	25:58	(0:13)
24	CHARLES	ARNOLD	23:07	(0:37)
25	TIM	ROBINSON	29:41	(0:56)
26	JAYNE	RIDDELL	27:35	(1:20)
27	CRAIG	BACON	24:20	(1:35)

Bedfordshire 10K

The Bedfordshire 10K was held in the evening of the longest day. Largely on cycleways and substantially flat. Four Spartans ran and three got under 39 minutes.

CHARLIE WHITE came in with 36:28.

MIKE JEFFS said it was a hot, sweaty, tough 10K. He didn’t think he’d ever been more exhausted after an event before like he was for this. However he ran a new four second personal best (PB) of 36 minutes 44 seconds (36:44).

ROSS GALLACHER got under 39 for the first time with 38:58, a ten second personal best and third in his age category and GRANT RAMSAY finished in 42:07.

And…. Mike Jeffs won the Shephalbury Park dads race on sports day

Beat the Sunset – Summer Solstice 10K

Two Spartans ran to “Beat the Sunset” in the Summer Solstice 10K on Friday evening. PAUL SHELLEY was twelfth out of the 262 finishers and first man 50 plus with 38:17 while ALISON SHELLEY was 230^th and fourth woman 55 plus with 55:17.

Serpentine Sizzled

Only 27 degrees in Hyde Park on Friday lunch-time. After a cautious first two kilometres in the heat JIM BROWN sped up a bit and was happy to complete the hot and humind Serpentine 5K in 27 minutes 31 seconds.

Longbridge 100 Backyard Ultra. Victory with 23 laps.

Spartan ADRIAN BUSOLINI says Longbridge is a wonderful backyard race with a community ethos and a focus on sustainability. The game is to run a 6.7km course with a lap every hour, every hour, with the victor being the last person standing. For those who have not taken part in a backyard ultra before it is a last-man/woman-standing event where you must begin a new lap on the hour, every hour. The race will only end when there is just one more runner remaining to start a lap.

It was the hottest day of the year, which caused many runners considerable difficulty when the sun rose on the second day. Being quite comfortable in hot conditions, Adrian was able to capitalise on this, knocking out a series of faster laps to stamp his authority on the race. Victory came sooner than he (or perhaps anyone) anticipated, at just 23 laps, in a race that usually runs to about 30 laps. Such was the effect of the afternoon temperatures. 23 laps worked out at 95.84 miles.

It was a great day out with the legendary Jan Voorspoels in support, and such a friendly group of runners, marshals and of course Darren, the race director, and family, in the beautiful setting of the South Downs. If you fancy giving a backyard race a go, I can’t think of a better recommendation than Longbridge.

Welwyn 10K

Sunday morning saw MATT TUTTON run the Welwyn 10K at Panshanger Park in 57:11. He was happy enough as he says he wilts at the first sign of warm weather. Not surprisingly it was hot and very dusty with the wind creating a dust bowl. Very different course conditions to the cold and frosty Panshanger Parkrun he ran in January!

Bass Belle Trail

The Bass Belle 10K is a trail event from Bassingbourn. Five or six degrees cooler than Saturday but still pretty warm.

MONICA SMITHSON’s time was 1 hour 13 minutes for the approximately 10K race.

Herts Hobble

Recently four Spartans enjoyed the Herts Hobble. This is a long distance cross country event from Baldock. KAREN LIDDELL and TRISHA HOPPER finished the 26.8 miles in 7 hours 39 minutes and SHARON and MIKE CROWLEY in 8 hours 27 minutes.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 21^st June.

At 9a.m. Saturday morning it was 22 degrees, not the really high temperatures later in the day, as 440 runners lined up for the 406^th Stevenage parkrun. Thirty were from Fairlands Valley Spartans. Indeed three of the first five finishers were FVS. They were KIRK NDUGU second in 17:44; SIMON JACKSON third in 17:55 and PERRI GENTRY fifth in 19:019.

This week GAIL MACKIE was the fastest female from Fairlands with her 27:02.

A total of 48 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday. Those elsewhere included NICK KLEANTHOUS on the Isle of Wight with 35:02; PETER SACH at Jubilee, Bedford in 28:58 and three at Henlow Bridge Lakes – PAUL MOULD in 21:59; CHARLES ARNOLD in 24:01 and MATT GIFFORD in 25:56.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
2	2	Kirk NDUGU	17:44
3	3	Simon JACKSON	17:55
5	5	Perri GENTRY	19:19
68	66	Charlie WHITE	23:59
72	70	Matthew COOKE	24:06
87	83	Pete COOK	25:05
101	95	Daniel VILJOEN	25:41
109	102	Darren EMMERSON	25:59
126	116	Matt TUTTON	26:39
141	130	Toby ECCLESHALL	27:02
142	9	Gail MACKIE	27:02
153	136	Ryan DUNNING	27:25
160	18	Lorraine HILL	27:46
171	20	Linda GEORGE	28:05
190	159	Mark BEASLEY	28:56
194	162	Matt CLARKE	29:01
200	165	Jim BROWN	29:08
202	31	Claire EMMERSON	29:13
220	40	Penny SCHENKEL	29:48
247	52	Fiona CLARKE	30:46
266	201	Maurice BALLARD	31:36
308	79	Pamela VILJOEN	33:18
311	82	Debbie BLANTERN	33:25
320	226	Paul JENNINGS	33:49
352	103	Hilary DAVIES	36:40
372	112	Jane WADEY	38:25
390	255	Lloyd DIAS	40:24
428	271	Roger BIGGS	53:29
435	149	Callie CHAPMAN	58:01
436	150	Chloe CHAPMAN	1:02:57

Tags Bass Belle, Bedfordshire 10k, Handicap 5k, Herts Hobble, Longbridge Backyard Ultra, parkrun, Serpentine, Summer Solstice 10K, Welwyn 10k

News Race Results

JUST ONE POINT IN IT

Fairlands Valley Spartans are ahead on score and just need one extra race point to secure promotion in the Mid Week League. They are way ahead of all the other clubs in participation but after three out of the four evening races just need that one more competitive point.

Going into the third Mid Week League race the tussle for the vital second place was really tight.

And then on Thursday evening an amazing 77 Spartans, 30 women and 47 men, made the journey to Ware to run and finish in race three.

That meant FVS had three complete women’s teams of eight and three complete men’s teams of twelve finish the multi-terrain and undulating 9.5 kilometre race.

On the night ADRIAN BUSOLINI, sixth overall in 34:21 and SIMON FRASER, seventh overall in 34:30 led in the Spartans with SIMON JACKSON close to top ten at 14^th in 34:56. Even the FVS “A” teams twelfth counter, PAUL SHELLEY was well under 40 minutes with 38:53.

They helped the team to second place

In the age group tussles RALPH DADSWELL was second 60 plus in 39:33; BRIAN WHITE first 70 plus in 52:39 and JIM BROWN third 70 plus in 56:18.

There were some high category places for Spartans in the women’s race. OLIVIA LACIGOVA was tenth overall but won the 35 plus category with 43:57; GEORGIE HOOPER was second with 44 minutes exactly. MARIE COLUCCI was second in the 45 plus contest with 46:12. All eight team “A” women squeaked under 54 minutes to put them in third place.

All this means that after three out of the four races Fairlands Valley Spartans are just short of the vital second spot with 33 points compared with Royston’s 34. However the FVS score is 144 so one point in the last races would be enough.

Race one 609 runners from divisions two and three – 87 Spartans

Race two 515 runners from divisions two and three – 62 Spartans

Race three 385 runners from division two only– 77 Spartans.

16 clubs took part in races one and two and seven in race three so that’s fantastic participation by FVS. More Spartans ran in race three than from any other club.

After three races Fairlands Valley Spartans will not be relegated but it would be great to win that promotion.

The fourth and final counting race will be in Royston on Wednesday evening 25^th June.

Spartan Men’s Results

Race	Time	Name	Surname	Cat.
6	34:21	Adrian	Busolini	S
7	34:30	Simon	Fraser	S
14	34:56	Simon	Jackson	V 40
25	36:06	Kirk	Ndugu	S
33	36:39	Mike	Jeffs	V 40
37	36:51	David	Harris-Cherguit	V 40
39	37:02	Michael	Fisher	S
42	37:20	Nathan	Kirley	S
48	37:56	Steffan	Ford	V 40
52	38:20	Ross	Gallagher	V 40
58	38:45	Richard	Bate	V 40
60	38:53	Paul	Shelley	V 50
66	39:11	Perri	Gentry	S
72	39:33	Ralph	Dadswell*	V 60
85	40:59	Terry	Sawyer	V 40
87	41:08	Stuart	Archer	V 40
91	41:39	Paul	Mould	V 40
94	41:56	Mark	Collins	V 40
108	42:55	David	Riddell	V 60
112	43:14	Alexey	Zherdev	V 40
114	43:35	Jay	Papa	S
119	43:53	Charlie	Arnold	V 60
120	43:55	Nick	Gill	S
123	44:00	Tony	Randfield	V 60
136	45:59	Craig	Bacon	V 50
141	46:12	Keith	Hooker	V 40
189	49:22	Simon	Haigh	V 50
199	50:25	Martin	Wood	V 60
209	51:03	Martin	Dudley	V 60
222	52:16	Martin	Jacob	V 40
227	52:37	Alex	Scofield	S
228	52:39	Brian	White	V 70
232	52:56	Darren	Emmerson	V 50
235	53:09	Tony	Vickers	V 50
246	53:34	Joseph	Wasnock	S
260	54:24	Pete	Cook	V 50
271	55:14	Lloyd	Dias	S
281	56:07	Patrick	Anyadi	S
283	56:18	Jim	Brown	V 70
285	56:23	Simon	Sypula	V 50
294	57:10	Paul	Maguire	V 50
304	58:13	Ryan	Riddell	S
313	58:43	Tim	Robinson	V 50
316	59:14	Karl	Shreeve	V 50
329	1:01:26	David	Ackerley	S
350	1:04:38	Nick	Kleanthous	V 60
352	1:04:50	Paul	Holgate	V 60

Spartan Women’s Results

Race	Time	Name	Surname	Cat.
122	43:57	Olivia	Lacigova	V 35
124	44:00	Georgie	Hooper	V 35
142	46:12	Marie	Colucci	V 45
170	48:18	Annabelle	White	S
205	50:54	Vicky	Archer	V 35
206	50:55	Tracy	Pez	V 45
212	51:15	Jayne	Riddell	V 55
252	53:55	Sally	Reeve	V 45
263	54:35	Olivia	Nation	S
273	55:24	Jessica	Clarke	S
275	55:30	Linda	George	V 35
277	55:39	Megan	Sutton	S
299	57:48	Sophie	Parsons	S
300	57:52	Linda	Nolan	V 55
312	58:39	Jo	Cooksley	V 35
332	1:01:47	Claire	Emmerson	V 45
333	1:01:48	Hannah	Manton	S
342	1:02:43	Sharon	Crowley	V 65
351	1:04:40	Sam	Gentry	V 45
357	1:05:41	Ada	Janusiene	V 35
358	1:05:44	Callie	Chapman	V 35
360	1:05:52	Liz	Carvell	V 65
365	1:07:36	Hazel	Smith	V 45
366	1:07:37	Penny	Schenkel	V 55
367	1:07:38	Elizabeth	Crowley	V 35
370	1:08:46	Samantha	Sutton	V 45
376	1:10:14	Sally	Phillips	V 55
377	1:11:50	Amanda	Vickers	V 45
383	1:18:40	Jane	Wadey	V 55
384	1:22:34	Marleen	Van Zwieten	V 55

Prifysgol Abertawe Hanner Marathon

The Swansea Half Marathon was also a representative international masters race and Spartan ASHLEY JOHNSON was running for England. Ashley had a fall during the race but got up and finished in 1 hour 27 minutes 16 seconds (1:27:16).

MARIE COLUCCI also ran the Swansea half marathon. Despite a fuelling error she was pleased with her time of 1.45.40 on tired legs. She said there were beautiful views along the course!

There were 5,730 finishers. Ashley was 295^th overall, easily top 10%, and Marie 1,358^th.

Ten Times Up Death Hill

Spartan JIM BROWN completed his birthday weekend – and Father’s Day – by running up “Death Hill” ten times. Yes the Finsbury Park Half Marathon consists of nine complete laps but with the lead in and lead out that means runners have to climb what the organisers call death hill ten times.

It was tough and warm. Jim was happy to win his category with 2:06:46 which he noted was almost 24 minutes faster than the age group below him.

Hyrox Harris

John Harris was at the HYROX World Champs in Chicago on Friday 13th June. He qualified to represent England at the World Champs back in April at the Warsaw Hyrox event.

A tough but wonderful occasion and he was so proud to represent his country

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 14^th June.

Spartan SIMON JACKSON won the Stevenage parkrun by a big margin with his 17 minutes 57 seconds in his 70^th parkrun.

GRANT RAMSAY was top ten with 19:46.

Other mini-milestones included TOBY ECCLESHALL running his 180^th parkrun in 24:06; DARREN EMMERSON his 230^th in 25:29 and ANNBALLE WHITE her 180^th in 30:32.

LORRAINE HILL was the fastest female from Fairlands in27:26.

Birthday Boy JIM BROWN finished in 28:07 beating the next runner in his category by more than 16 minutes.

47 Spartans ran in parkruns on Saturday.

Tags Finsbury Park Half Marathon, Hyrox World Championships, Mid Week League, parkrun, Ware MWL

News Race Results

LOADSA SPARTANS AT MID WEEKS

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date June 8, 2025
No Comments on LOADSA SPARTANS AT MID WEEKS

There were 609 runners in race one of this season’s Mid Week Road Race League which was held in Stevenage on Wednesday 28^th May and 87 of them were from Fairlands Valley Spartans. 16 clubs took part so that’s fantastic participation by FVS.

The Spartan men and Spartan women were both second in the Division Two race. Overall the club were equal first on points. That’s a great start to the series.

GEORGIE HOOPER was second in her category with 44:34, MARIE COLUCCI was second in hers with 46:01 and OLIVIA LACIGOVA fourth in hers with 44:59. MEGAN SUTTON ran a new personal best of 54:57, amazing on that course. Women’s “A” teams consisted of eight runners and the Spartans had a total of 35 female runners.

SIMON FRASER was sixth overall with 34:22. DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT was tenth man and third in his category with 35:27. RALPH DADSWELL was fastest man 60 plus with 39:45. Men’s “A” teams consisted of 12 runners and the Spartans had a total of 52 male runners.

In addition FVS won the veteran women’s competition and won the veterans combined men and women event.

Then there was another tremendous turnout from Fairlands Valley Spartans at the Watford midweek race on Wednesday 4^th June. Sixty three ran the away event. When the results are published FVS should be near the top of the table after two events in the series of four.

The next league race will be in Ware on Thursday evening 12^th June.

Super Six at St Albans Half

The St Albans Half Marathon will never be flat but at least the Spartans Super Six who raced were spared the scorching temperatures common on this event in recent years.

SIMON HAIGH was first in for FVS with 1 hour 48 minutes 2 seconds. JIM BROWN improved his best time for this year by 19 seconds with 2 hours 3 minutes 34 seconds (2:03:34) and after some serious acceleration and tactical stuff in the last mile got third male over 70 by seven seconds. So a former Mayor of Stevenage beat a former Mayor of St Albans by seven seconds. Tony from St. Albans is five weeks younger. All good entertainment.

Next Spartan in was MATT TUTTON with 2:07:17 with SUE HAMER running 2:07:33. Soon SARAH ILLINGWORTH was pushing for the line and 2:12:27. PENNY SCHENKEL said she enjoyed the hills and ran in with 2:23:28.

There were 2,162 finishers.

PB Georgie at Hitchin Half

Spartan GEORGIE HOOPER ran a great new personal best at the Hitchin Half Marathon. Remembering the event’s nickname of the Hitchin Hard Half and all those hills 1:40:38 was very good going. She was third in her category.

ADRIAN DONNELLY was 13^th out of the 192 runners with 1:31:59.

Ultra Hannah

Spartan HANNAH MANTON completed 10 laps at Endure24 (80km/50miles)!

She said the trail course was muddier than any football pitch she’d ever played on.

Hannah finished the ten five mile laps in Wasing Park, Reading in 23 hours 46 minutes 2 seconds. 1142 completed the event.

JESSICA CLARKE and JAY PAPA were part of a team of four “Jays Gems” at ENDURE24!

They managed 27 laps (135 miles) as a team of four, constantly having someone out on the course. Jay and Jess both smashed out 7 laps (35 miles) each!

Jess said this is such a physical challenge but also a huge mental challenge, running through the night in the pitch black, doubling up to 10 mile laps so your team gets more rest takes a lot of determination!

Despite the rain, mud and the yellow weather warning, we had an insane weekend of running! Bring on 2026

Penny Spartan of the Month

The mug for Spartan of the Month (SOTM) for May has been awarded to PENNY SCHENKEL.

Penny was Mayoress of Stevenage for 2024 to 2025 and attended over 200 civic commitments along with continuing her normal ‘day job’.

Despite last year’s disappointment with a stress fracture and having to defer her London Marathon place she got on with preparing to run this year.

Penny ended up running one of the most sensible races enjoying every step and wore her Spartan stripes with pride!

Her stripes caught the eye of lots of photographers meaning she had a big beaming smile, an appearance on TV and even gave a little jig on the finish line!

Marston Vale Forest 5K

CHARLIE ARNOLD ran Friday evening’s Marston Forest 5K in 21:05.

Tewin 10K

HAZEL SMITH said she had a lovely day out in Tewin. She took exactly 65 minutes for a very hilly 10K route.

Meanwhile MICHAEL FISHER was fourth in the event in 42:07; TONY RANDFIELD came in with 54:20; SUSAN McANENY with 58:26; ANDY JAY with 1:09:04 and CALLIE CHAPMAN with 1:18:15. Su said she enjoyed it a lot and was third in her age category. There were 140 finishers.

JANE WADEY ran the Tewin 5K in 38:48. She said she booked the run last minute on Saturday, not having done a Trail 5k before. Was a bit nervous but it was a lovely setting and very low key which helped settle my anxiety. She watched the 10k runners go and then about five minutes later it was our turn. There were some costumes including a unicorn which kept stopping at first, laces etc. It was a different course to the 10k although there was one bit they ran same as me and then another bit which was very steep up for me but straight downhill for them.

She was really pleased when she realised she had a chance of beating her Saturday park run result which she did by 30 seconds and then waited for the 10k runners to finish.

Swansea

MARIE COLUCCI ran the Swansea half marathon on Sunday. Despite a fuelling error she was pleased with her time of 1.45.40 on tired legs. She said there were beautiful views along the course!

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 31^st May and Saturday 7^th June.

The 627 runners at Stevenage on 31^st May included 30 from Fairlands Valley Spartans running club.

MEGAN SUTTON ran a new parkrun personal best of 25 minutes 12 seconds and ROSEMARY ONABAWORIN improved to 41:59.

Spartans took first and fourth at the Panshanger parkrun on 31^st May with ANDREW PATTERSON in 17:09 and SIMON JACKSON in 18:23.

Then there were 526 finishers at the Stevenage parkrun on 7^th June. First Saturday of the Month so a stripey day for Fairlands Valley Spartans which brought out 38 runners from the club.

JESS CLARKE, 30:41 and JAY PAPA 30:44 both ran Newbury parkrun.

Tags Endure24, Hitchin Half, Marston Forest 5k, Mid Week League, parkrun, St Albans Half, Swansea Half, Tewin 10k

Bedfordshire 10K

Beat the Sunset – Summer Solstice 10K

Serpentine Sizzled

Longbridge 100 Backyard Ultra. Victory with 23 laps.

Welwyn 10K

Bass Belle Trail

Herts Hobble

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 21st June.

Prifysgol Abertawe Hanner Marathon

Ten Times Up Death Hill

Hyrox Harris

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 14th June.

Super Six at St Albans Half

PB Georgie at Hitchin Half

Ultra Hannah

Penny Spartan of the Month

Marston Vale Forest 5K

Tewin 10K

Swansea

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 31st May and Saturday 7th June.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 21^st June.

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 14^th June.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 31^st May and Saturday 7^th June.