Month: December 2025

A RECORD BREAKING CHRISTMAS

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date December 28, 2025
No Comments on A RECORD BREAKING CHRISTMAS

Golds and Silver for Fairlands Valley Spartans as 32 ran in the County 10 Championships

A superb run by DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT won him a great GOLD medal in the Hertfordshire County Ten Mile Championships for veteran runners. He finished in 57:39, tenth overall compared with 1:05:27 in the same race in December 2024 and reduced his all-time personal best (PB) by 1:59.

David said, “The Spartans were out in force today!

Really pleased with today’s race, especially after last year’s race not going at all to plan. Super proud with a new 10 mile PB, picking up both race and Herts Vets wins in the MV40 age category with really strong competition from St Albans Striders and Ware Joggers, and helping to win the Men’s Team silver.”

JIM BROWN won the male 70 plus GOLD by improving by 1 minute 40 seconds on his 2024 time on the same course in the same race. He finished in 1:30:35 (90:35).

He said, “That was a surprise. Delighted to get ahead of some people I haven’t beaten for at least twelve years. A little chilly but no sign of Saturday’s frost and nothing like some previous years with their snow and ice. The descent from six mile marker was wonderful.”

Silver Spartans. In addition to the gold individual medals the Spartan men’s team of David Harris-Cherguit; ROSS GALLAGHER with a season’s best 1:06:18; ADRIAN DONNELLY with a new PB of 1:06:39 and TERRY SAWYER running his first “10” in 1:09:31 won SILVER.

The County Championships were included in the Buntingford End of Year 10 open to all aged 16 or more event. Although not eligible for the county event Spartan CHARLIE ARNOLD was easily the fastest 70 in the open race. He finished in 1:15:17, a new season’s best by 1:54, and a margin of almost six minutes (5:56).

NICK GILL was second Spartan home in 1:01:22 – 2 minutes 37 seconds quicker than his previous 10-mile PB on the same course in 2023. He was really pleased with the effort and the time as he builds up towards a half marathon PB attempt in March, and loved seeing so many Spartans wearing their stripes with pride!

CLAIRE PULLEN was the fastest female from Fairlands with 1:24:37. Next were ANN TRYSSESOONE 1:34:29 and SAM SUTTON achieving a tremendous 20 minutes 2 seconds personal best with 1:35:11. The next largest gain was 12 minutes 16 seconds for BECKY RAYNER who had a great finish to the year taking her PB to 1:47:43.

Between them the 32 Spartans produced eight new personal bests (PB) and eight new season’s bests (SB).

There were 641 finishers.

Pos.	Bib	Name	Net Time
10	311	David Harris-Cherguit	57:39
31	266	Nick Gill	1:01:22
52	772	Charlie White	1:03:45
59	537	Jay Papa	1:05:15
71	256	Ross Gallagher	1:06:18
74	203	Adrian Donnelly	1:06:39
110	632	Terry Sawyer	1:09:31
135	614	Sam Simmons	1:11:50
146	634	Danny Scanlon	1:12:21
167	148	Mark Collins	1:13:29
175	366	Simon Jackson	1:14:18
188	25	Charles Arnold	1:15:17
231	342	Keith Hooker	1:18:07
232	259	Pete Gentle	1:18:07
233	369	Mike Jeffs	1:18:08
318	579	Claire Pullen	1:24:37
363	736	Tony Vickers	1:28:51
389	101	Jim Brown	1:30:35
418	143	Matt Clarke	1:32:16
445	721	Ann Tryssesoone	1:34:29
455	686	Samantha Sutton	1:35:11
477	662	Hazel Smith	1:37:06
483	142	Fiona Clarke	1:37:27
495	418	Karen Liddle	1:38:57
506	346	Tricia Hopper	1:39:45
558	170	Sharon Crowley	1:45:36
572	590	Rebecca Rayner	1:47:43
590	635	Penny Schenkel	1:49:42
610	150	Hayley Peach	1:54:19
619	735	Amanda Vickers	1:58:27
634	339	Paul Holgate	2:08:36
641	210	Nichola Durent	2:27:20

Christmas Day Record Breaker – Thursday 25^th December.

At least 57 Fairlands Valley Spartans were in Fairlands Valley Park for the record breaking Stevenage parkrun on Christmas Day. Record breaking!! 911 completed the 5K course beating the previous record by 161. There were also 49 volunteers helping to make the event a success. Some of those were also Spartans.

That was spectacular. A bit chilly but a beautiful sunny morning with loads of santas, a lot of elves and little helpers, and huge variety including penguins; Kiwi Christmas; grinch; reindeer; turkeys; Christmas trees; snowmen and crackers. Even the bollards had Santa hats.

Spartan times ranged from 17:37 to 58:04. ADRIAN BUSOLINI and ANDREW PATTERSON were top ten at sixth with 17:37 and seventh with 17:52. WILLIAM MORLEY ran a new parkrun personal best of 19:08 and CHARLIE ARNOLD was first man over 70 with 23:18 – a winning margin of 6:34!

This time the fastest female from Fairlands was CLAIRE PULLEN in 27:40 with JAYNE RIDDELL in 28:33 and SAMANTHA SUTTON also sub 30 with 29:59. Great times considering how congested the course was in places for this very popular event.

MARIAN MORLEY ran her milestone 50^th parkrun in 30:23 and MARK GOODWIN, coming back to running, his 25^th in 33:49. Those with mini-milestones included CAROLINE CROFT 130^th in 38:51; CALLIE CHAPMAN 90^th in 39:06; KARL SHREEVE 30^th in 40:23 and TRACY HAYGARTH her 180^th in 45:57. Meanwhile MIKE CROWLEY completed his very first parkrun in 45:57.

More than 236,000 people ran a parkrun on Christmas Day!

Position	FVS parkrunner	Gender	Age Group	Time
6	Adrian BUSOLINI	Male	VM35-39	17:37
7	Andrew PATTERSON	Male	VM40-44	17:52
13	Simon JACKSON	Male	VM45-49	18:39
17	William MORLEY	Male	SM20-24	19:08
43	Stuart ARCHER	Male	VM40-44	20:54
60	Charlie WHITE	Male	SM30-34	22:00
61	Mike JEFFS	Male	VM40-44	22:01
88	Danny SCANLON	Male	VM40-44	23:11
91	Charles ARNOLD	Male	VM70-74	23:18
104	Kris WESTCOTT	Male	VM40-44	23:45
108	Keith HOOKER	Male	VM45-49	23:49
139	Tony RANDFIELD	Male	VM65-69	24:25
141	Daniel VILJOEN	Male	VM45-49	24:25
267	Claire PULLEN	Female 43/360	VW55-59	27:40
297	Jayne RIDDELL	Female 53/360	VW60-64	28:33
298	David RIDDELL	Male	VM60-64	28:35
337	Ryan DUNNING	Male	VM50-54	29:26
352	Samantha SUTTON	Female	VW50-54	29:59
354	Perri GENTRY	Male	SM25-29	30:02
374	Marian MORLEY	Female	VW60-64	30:23
391	Vishal SHAH	Male	VM40-44	30:57
397	Jay PAPA	Male	SM30-34	31:10
398	Richard MOORE	Male	VM45-49	31:10
404	Kerstin WEINER	Female	VW55-59	31:15
432	Nick KLEANTHOUS	Male	VM60-64	31:56
438	Shauna LAWLESS	Female	SW25-29	32:05
475	Andy PRIOR	Male	VM55-59	32:50
485	Monica SMITHSON	Female	VW60-64	33:03
486	Ada JANUSIENE	Female	VW40-44	33:05
496	Jim BROWN	Male	VM70-74	33:16
510	Mark GOODWIN	Male	VM65-69	33:49
532	Steve PLATT	Male	VM50-54	34:20
536	Debbie BLANTERN	Female	VW55-59	34:27
542	Claire EMMERSON	Female	VW50-54	34:37
543	Darren EMMERSON	Male	VM55-59	34:37
548	Jodie WILSON	Female	SW25-29	34:59
549	Leanne WILSON	Female	SW25-29	35:00
560	Georgie HOOPER	Female	VW35-39	35:15
561	Tracy PEZ	Female	VW50-54	35:16
592	Alice WELCH	Female	SW25-29	35:58
611	Andy JAY	Male	VM60-64	36:32
612	Nick GILL	Male	VM35-39	36:36
639	Lucy PAUL	Female	VW45-49	37:32
671	Stephen SMITHSON	Male	VM55-59	38:12
692	Caroline CROFT	Female	VW50-54	38:51
700	Hilary DAVIES	Female	VW60-64	39:03
703	Callie CHAPMAN	Female	VW40-44	39:06
744	Karl SHREEVE	Male	VM55-59	40:23
754	Jane WADEY	Female	VW55-59	40:41
756	Hazel SMITH	Female	VW50-54	40:44
763	Sam GENTRY	Female	VW45-49	40:52
853	Tracy HAYGARTH	Female	VW55-59	43:40
867	Mike CROWLEY	Male	VM65-69	45:57
873	Rebecca RAYNER	Female	VW40-44	47:39
876	Elizabeth CROWLEY	Female	VW35-39	48:18
877	Sharon CROWLEY	Female	VW65-69	48:26
904	Thomas SAUKA	Male	VM50-54	58:04

A Couple of Charlies and other parkrun highlights

On Saturday 27^th CHARLIE ARNOLD broke the 70 plus age group record at Henlow Bridge Lakes parkrun with 23 minutes 8 seconds (23:08). Meanwhile Spartan CHARLIE WHITE finished in 22:52.

MIKE REYNOLDS ran the Princes Park, Liverpool parkrun in 28:01 and SARAH ILLINGWORTH Tyne Green, Hexham in 28:25 but JENNY GARRETT wins the prize for parkrun tourism this week. She was one of 1,053 finishers at the Albert Park, Melbourne parkrun which she ran in 39:19 and got an “A” for her parkrun alphabet.

Cold enough for one or two slippery patches and only two days after the record busting Thursday but still 424 including 26 Spartans turned out for the regular Saturday Stevenage parkrun on 27^th December.

For a selection of other events coming up soon see Coming Events later in this release.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
5	5	Simon JACKSON	18:37
15	15	Perri GENTRY	20:36
65	61	Matthew COOKE	23:56
87	7	Claire PULLEN	25:13
100	88	Daniel VILJOEN	25:50
123	16	Jodie WILSON	26:33
132	113	Darren EMMERSON	26:51
207	47	Claire EMMERSON	29:12
209	49	Carole SHELDRICK	29:14
249	69	Ada JANUSIENE	31:04
256	74	Fiona CLARKE	31:24
257	177	Matt CLARKE	31:24
260	76	Sophie PARSONS	31:38
263	179	Ryan RIDDELL	31:42
272	186	Nick KLEANTHOUS	32:07
275	83	Alice WELCH	32:19
285	189	Chris HOLLAND	33:16
313	110	Hilary DAVIES	34:41
345	133	Sam GENTRY	36:44
387	222	Tony RANDFIELD	42:44
396	225	Michael O’KEEFE	46:14
411	233	Thomas SAUKA	52:20
412	234	Roger BIGGS	53:30
414	170	Samantha SUTTON	54:36
415	235	Matthew PATTMAN	54:37
424	240	Jim BROWN	60:21

Cross Country Update

A great turnout and some real efforts have moved Fairlands Valley Spartans up in the Sunday League cross country. Their women’s team were ninth in the second event but jumped up to fourth in the third fixture. The women’s over 35 team jumped from tenth to second! In the combined scores for men and women FVS are now fifth out of the 18 clubs with some other clubs not far in front.

In the run up to Christmas more than fifty, 23 women and 29 men, Fairlands Valley Spartans ran the cross country league race in Stevenage on Sunday morning 21^st December. 21 other Spartans volunteered as marshals or helped in other ways.

On an undulating three lap course in the south field of Fairlands Valley Park GEORGE HALFPENNY was the fastest Spartan over the 7.75 kilometres. He was 15^th in 28:59.

The next two Spartans were also under 30 minutes. ADRIAN BUSOLINI 18^th in 29:18 and DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT 30^th in 29:55.

NATALIE LAWRENCE was the fastest female from Fairlands, and third woman overall, with her 31:36 lapping many of the men. Next came SHAUNA LAWLESS in 36:51 and SUZY HAWKINS in 36:56.

Celebrating his birthday didn’t slow CHARLIE ARNOLD who ran round in 36:50.

This was a first cross country league race for many Spartans including George Halfpenny (28:59), Graham Hoare (38:18), Shauna Lawless (36:51), Sally Pickles (49:09), Amanda Vickers (57:05) and Chris Watling (42:43).

There were 403 finishers. The next and fourth Sunday League race will be in Panshanger Park on Sunday 11^th January.

Position	Name	Official	Category
15	GEORGE HALFPENNY	28:59	MSenior
18	ADRIAN BUSOLINI	29:18	MSenior
30	DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT	29:55	M40
54	NATALIE LAWRENCE	31:36	W35
58	DAN HUKIN	31:56	M40
75	JAY PAPA	32:54	MSenior
76	NICK GILL	32:56	MSenior
92	ADRIAN DONNELLY	33:19	M40
106	GRANT RAMSAY	34:05	M50
138	LIAM WELLER	36:10	MSenior
139	ANDY SHAW	36:12	M50
158	CHARLIE ARNOLD	36:50	M60
159	SHAUNA LAWLESS	36:51	WSenior
161#	SUZY HAWKINS	36:56	W45
163	LEWIS GREEN	37:11	M40
166	GEORGIE HOOPER	37:23	W35
189	GRAHAM HOARE	38:18	M50
190	KEITH HOOKER	38:21	M40
201	MELVIN AUBURN	38:42	MSenior
202	MATT COOKE	38:43	MSenior
247	CHLOE SIMPSON	41:21	W35
250	ALICE WELCH	41:25	WSenior
265	ANDY PRIOR	42:13	M50
272	CRAIG BACON	42:36	M50
275	CHRIS WATLING	42:43	MSenior
278	JO COOKSLEY	42:50	W35
295	DARREN EMMERSON	43:35	M50
300	PETE COOK	43:47	M50
304	JACKIE PERRY	43:59	W55
315	SIMON SYPULA	44:36	M40
319	LINDA GEORGE	44:56	W35
321	ADAM HILL	45:23	MSenior
322	MARK FREEMAN	45:27	M60
335	SAM SUTTON	46:39	W45
336	JON SYPULA	46:46	M40
338	JACOB NELMS	46:54	MSenior
341	JIM BROWN	46:58	M70
346	SAM GENTRY	47:44	W45
350	CLAIRE EMMERSON	48:16	W45
351	SHARON CROWLEY	48:24	W65
352	EMILY GRIEVES	48:47	WSenior
353	STEVE TINSLEY	48:56	M40
355	ANNABELLE WHITE	48:59	WSenior
357	SALLY PICKLES	49:09	W55
370	LIZ CROWLEY	51:01	W35
375	BECKY RAYNER	51:31	W35
381	CALLIE CHAPMAN	53:44	W35
384	BECCA BIRT	54:13	W45
393	AMANDA VICKERS	57:05	W45
394	JAYNE DYMOKE	57:16	W45
395	PAUL HOLGATE	59:03	M60
399	JANE WADEY	62:56	W55

Tags Buntingford 10, Cross Country, parkrun

News Race Results

HAPPY CHRISTMAS & A PEACEFUL NEW YEAR

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date December 21, 2025
No Comments on HAPPY CHRISTMAS & A PEACEFUL NEW YEAR

Stevenage Cross Country

In the run to Christmas more than fifty, 23 women and 29 men, Fairlands Valley Spartans ran the cross country league race in Stevenage on Sunday morning. 21 other Spartans volunteered as marshals or helped in other ways.

On an undulating three lap course in the south field of Fairlands Valley Park GEORGE HALFPENNY was the fastest Spartan over the 7.75 kilometres. He was 15^th in 28:59.

The next two Spartans were also under 30 minutes. ADRIAN BUSOLINI 18^th in 29:18 and DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT 30^th in 29:55.

NATALIE LAWRENCE was the fastest female from Fairlands with her 31:32 lapping many of the men. Next came SHAUNA LAWLESS in 36:50.

Celebrating his birthday didn’t slow CHARLIE ARNOLD who ran round in 36:48.

This was a first cross country league race for many Spartans including George Halfpenny, Graham Hoare, Shauna Lawless, Sally Pickles, Amanda Vickers and Chris Watling.

There were about 400 finishers. The next Sunday League race will be in Panshanger Park on Sunday 11^th January.

Position	Name	Time	Category
15	GEORGE HALFPENNY	28:59	MSenior
18	ADRIAN BUSOLINI	29:18	MSenior
30	DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT	29:55	M40
54	NATALIE LAWRENCE	31:32*	W35
58	DAN HUKIN	31:20*	M40
75	JAY PAPA	32:50	MSenior
76	NICK GILL	32:55	MSenior
92	ADRIAN DONNELLY	33:55	M40
106	GRANT RAMSAY	34:04	M50
138	LIAM WELLER	36:08	MSenior
139	ANDY SHAW	36:10	M50
158	CHARLIE ARNOLD	36:48	M60
159	SHAUNA LAWLESS	36:50	WSenior
163	LEWIS GREEN	37:10	M40
166	GEORGIE HOOPER	37:20*	W35
169	SUZY HAWKINS	36:55*	W45
189	GRAHAM HOARE	38:18	M50
190	KEITH HOOKER	38:19	M40
201	MELVIN AUBURN	38:40	MSenior
202	MATT COOKE	38:42	MSenior
247	CHLOE SIMPSON	41:21	W35
250	ALICE WELCH	41:22	WSenior
265	ANDY PRIOR	42:02**	M50
272	CRAIG BACON	42:15	M50
275	CHRIS WATLING	42:42	MSenior
278	JO COOKSLEY	42:44	W35
295	DARREN EMMERSON	43:38	M50
300	PETE COOK	43:45	M50
304	JACKIE PERRY	44:00	W55
315	SIMON SYPULA	44:34	M40
319	LINDA GEORGE	44:55	W35
321	ADAM HILL	45:20	MSenior
322	MARK FREEMAN	45:25**	M60
335	SAM SUTTON	46:36	W45
336	JON SYPULA	46:44	M40
338	JACOB NELMS	46:56	MSenior
341	JIM BROWN	46:57	M70
346	SAM GENTRY	47:43	W45
350	CLAIRE EMMERSON	48:14	W45
351	SHARON CROWLEY	48:24	W65
352	EMILY GRIEVES	48:43	WSenior
353	STEVE TINSLEY	48:55	M40
355	ANNABELLE WHITE	48:59	WSenior
357	SALLY PICKLES	49:06	W55
370	LIZ CROWLEY	51:03	W35
375	BECKY RAYNER	51:27	W35
381	CALLIE CHAPMAN	55:44*	W35
384	BECCA BIRT	54:31*	W45
393	AMANDA VICKERS	56:56	W45
394	JAYNE DYMOKE	57:15	W45
395	PAUL HOLGATE	58:55	M60
399	JANE WADEY	62:53	W55

Last Friday Came Early

The Last Friday 5K race in Hyde Park came a week early to avoid Boxing Day. On a slightly amended course due to Winter Wonderland JIM BROWN came in with 27 minutes 35 seconds. Amazingly good weather for December helped. Jim’s time moved him up a bit in the best of six competition that ran for the twelve months of 2025.

He finished with 65.1%. The first three places were taken by women – all with over 90%.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 20^th December 2025

45 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday. 23 were at Stevenage where BECKY RAYNER ran a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 31 minutes 36 seconds. An improvement of just over one minute.

There were 450 finishers at the 432^nd Stevenage parkrun. Ten more than last week. They included 174 women.

SIMON JACKSON and PERRI GENTRY were both in the top five. Simon fourth in 18:45 and Perri fifth in 18:49.

SUZY HAWKINS was fifth woman with her 24:03. ALICE WELCH enjoyed her tenth parkrun in 32:20. There was another parkrun PB. Congratulations to JULIE BUDDEN who finished in 46:38.

The FVS parkrun tourists were out and about. ANNETTE BELL ran the Geographe Bay parkrun in Western Australia with 26 minutes 56 seconds (26:56). About 23 degrees. Nice.

Two were at the Meon Valley trail parkrun. AHAAR SHARMA came in with 32:41 and KARTIK SHARMA with 32:43. It was on an old railway line near Wickham in Hampshire.

GRANT RAMSAY was fourth at Wimpole Estate in 20:39 with JONATHAN JONES in 34:37.

There were two Spartan PPBs at Henlow Bridge Lakes. SAM SUTTON in 28:41 and SALLY PICKLES in 29:03. Pretty good on a muddy course. NIKI PLUMB was there with 40:05 and JULIE MANTON with 41:43.

Another three were at Panshanger – CHRIS WATLING 26:22; STEVE SMITHSON 33:37; and MONICA SMITHSON 34:17. JUDY KING ran the Guernsey parkrun in 32:13.

Other Spartan destinations included Frank’s Farm (Cambridge), Great Denham, Kings Lynn, Raphael (Romford), Stanborough and Yarborough,

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
4	4	Simon JACKSON	18:45
5	5	Perri GENTRY	18:49
65	61	Lee PICKERSGILL	23:21
75	5	Suzy HAWKINS	24:03
83	78	Matthew COOKE	24:31
175	139	Ryan DUNNING	27:57
186	147	Daniel VILJOEN	28:17
191	152	Matt CLARKE	28:31
217	170	Nick KLEANTHOUS	29:18
220	172	Mike REYNOLDS	29:25
248	191	David ACKERY	30:42
266	68	Rebecca RAYNER	31:36
270	199	Jim BROWN	31:39
271	71	Penny SCHENKEL	31:42
286	78	Alice WELCH	32:20
317	98	Debbie BLANTERN	33:27
361	117	Hilary DAVIES	35:36
382	244	Thomas SAUKA	37:30
411	152	Tracy HAYGARTH	42:04
419	157	Elizabeth CROWLEY	43:13
427	163	Julie BUDDEN	46:38
431	258	Roger BIGGS	48:47
450	175	Sharon CROWLEY	58:44

Tags Last Friday of the Month, parkrun, Stevenage Cross Country

News Race Results

FESTIVE FIVE FASTER

Festive Five Faster for Fairlands

The Festive Five was faster than Hatfield. So said several Fairlands Valley Spartans after Sunday’s race.

There were five new personal bests (PB); five new season’s bests (SB) and two first timers among the sixteen Spartans who ran.

Two of the personal bests were enormous. PETER SACH improved by 13:58 to 43 minutes 24 seconds (43:24) and ELIZABETH CROWLEY by 6:36 to 46:26. She was the third woman 35 plus.

The other PBs came from PETE COOK, better by two minutes exactly to an excellent 42:47; LEANNE WILSON better by 58 seconds to 44:25 and SAMANTHA SUTTON better by 21 seconds to 45:37.

SHARON CROWLEY was a winner. She was first woman 65 plus and improved her season’s best (SB) time by 13 seconds to 45:07. The others with new SBs were JIM BROWN by 37 seconds to 43:50; HAZEL SMITH by 50 seconds to 45:08; PENNY SCHENKEL by 3:44 to 53:04 and NICHOLA DURENT by 2:03 to 1:09:53. SBs were the best times in 2024 or 2025.

Sharon said, “After a late evening running the London Christmas lights 10k, it was up early to make the short trip to Welwyn to run the Festive 5. Somehow the legs worked and I finished in 45.07, 13 seconds quicker than Hatfield 5, two weeks ago! It also meant I was first veteran women 65 plus.”

Jim was very surprised but delighted. He said he was pleased to get under 45 minutes at Hatfield which is promoted as a fast flat course but confessed to a small panic when he checked his time at two miles in Welwyn Garden City thinking this is far too fast to sustain. He did and finished 37 seconds than Hatfield with his 43:50. Second in his age category was a nice bonus.

JODIE WILSON ran her first five mile race in 44:26. Getting under 45 minutes on a first attempt is pretty good going. SALLY PICKLES ran her first five in 49:07.

MIKE JEFFS was the fastest from Fairlands Valley Spartans. He was in the top ten with 31 minutes 9 seconds (31:09) and said it was great to get back into a race environment after a few weeks away. ANNABELLE WHITE was the club’s quickest woman with 41:02.

JUDY KING went round in 51:52 and JAYNE DYMOKE in 1:08:29.

All this on a two lap pavement based race starting and finishing near Stanborough Lakes. And not bad considering many of the Spartans were dressed for Christmas. Every finisher was rewarded with a seasonal chocolate bar. The Festive Five was a lovely local club organised event, by our friends in Garden City Runners.

Pos	Cat Pos	MF	BiB	Name	Chip Time	Cat
10	5	10	3914	Mike JEFFS	31:08	MV40
61	5	13	3260	Annabelle WHITE	40:57	FS
73	15	59	3467	Pete COOK	42:47	MV50
80	14	63	3010	Peter SACH	43:24	MS
82	2	65	1300	Jim BROWN	43:50	MV70+
84	7	19	1264	Leanne WILSON	44:25	FS
85	8	20	1344	Jodie WILSON	44:26	FS
95	1	26	3900	Sharon CROWLEY	45:07	FV65
96	12	27	1595	Hazel SMITH	45:08	FV45
100	15	31	3534	Samantha SUTTON	45:37	FV45
107	3	34	3221	Elizabeth CROWLEY	46:26	FV35
129	8	46	4936	Sally PICKLES	49:07	FV55
144	14	57	1588	Judy KING	51:52	FV55
148	16	59	1391	Penny SCHENKEL	53:04	FV55
187	34	94	4476	Jayne DYMOKE	1:08:29	FV45
189	35	96	1224	Nichola DURENT	1:09:53	FV45

Secret London Run Christmas Lights Tour

Dozens of Spartans could be seen running around central London on Saturday night. They were enjoying the Secret London Run Christmas Lights Tour, a 10K run that started from Charing Cross station at 6.30p.m. All dressed up. Mike Jeffs, club captain, was the grinch.

ATW Half Marathon

While the big numbers were elsewhere at the weekend some Spartans ran the ATW Marathon or 10K.

ADRAIN BUSOLINI and TONY RANDFIELD both ran season’s bests (SB) in the half. Adrian with 1:19:41 and Tony with 1:39:46. LIAM WELLER ran his first 13.1 miles event in 1:54:10. In the 10K NICK GILL finished in a new personal best (PB) of 36:56 – a 23 second improvement. LEWIS GREEN came in with 59:06 and NICK KLEANTHOUS with 1:06:32.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 13^th December 2025

The numbers at Stevenage parkrun were up again. This time 471 compared with 440 the previous week and 301 the week before that.

Many Spartans were distracted by the Festive Five, Secret Lights Run in London and other events but there were still 29 FVS at the Stevenage parkrun and others at parkruns elsewhere.

MATTHEW COOKE should be achieving a major parkrun milestone early in the New Year. On Saturday he ran his 240^th in 24:17. RYAN DUNNING ran his 140^th in 26:33. KAREN ELLIS was the fastest female from Fairlands this time with her 27:28.

CHARLIE WHITE was in Barnet where he won the Oak Hill parkrun in 18:10.

JAY PAPA 18:41 and JESS CLARKE 26:05 ran the Brook Leys parkrun in Cambridge; SOPHIE PARSONS ran Bedford in 28:03 and CLARE HOWELL Letchworth 35:04.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
47	46	Simon JACKSON	22:45
69	65	Lee PICKERSGILL	23:42
72	68	Tony RANDFIELD	23:56
74	70	Paul MAGUIRE	24:02
81	76	Matthew COOKE	24:17
102	94	Martin DUDLEY	25:03
125	111	Daniel VILJOEN	25:56
138	121	Ryan DUNNING	26:33
150	130	Matt CLARKE	26:58
162	24	Karen ELLIS	27:28
190	37	Fiona CLARKE	28:38
203	160	Peter SACH	28:51
205	161	Jim BROWN	28:57
216	47	Alison SHELLEY	29:16
243	57	Sarah ILLINGWORTH	30:03
278	205	Clive CANNON	31:32
287	212	Nick KLEANTHOUS	31:56
304	79	Erica GRAYSON	32:21
313	83	Debbie BLANTERN	32:43
326	93	Lindsay PATEMAN	33:08
381	127	Annabelle WHITE	36:08
387	130	Nicola HATHERLY	36:34
391	134	Hilary DAVIES	37:04
417	153	Tracy HAYGARTH	41:28
428	161	Alice WELCH	42:05
440	263	Roger BIGGS	48:43
454	172	Samantha SUTTON	52:54
456	173	Niki PLUMB	52:59
461	276	Thomas SAUKA	56:48

Tags ATW Half Marathon, Festive 5, parkrun, secret london christmas lights

News Race Results

RUNNING TO THE CHAPEL

You know Christmas is coming when Fairlands Valley Spartans are off on their annual club run to Minsden Chapel. There was no crying in the chapel. They enjoyed that outing on Sunday.

Minsden Chapel is a scheduled monument neat Preston in Hertfordshire. The club offered a choice of 11, 8 or 4.5 mile off road runs from Stevenage or nearby and 25 took up the challenge.

Jodie’s MK Winter Half

JODIE KANTAS ran the Milton Keynes Winter Half Marathon in 1 hour 47 minutes 40 seconds (1:47:40). She said, “It’s my third time at this event. Lovely course, I did a PB on it 2 years ago. 1:42:19 but didn’t have it in the tank this year. It’s along the canal. Scenic and also a nice first time half marathon. I really enjoy the course.”

Three Sub Three At Valencia Marathon

Four Spartans were among the 30,523 runners who completed the Valencia Marathon in Spain. And three beat the three hour barrier.

Ross Gallagher said it was a fantastic course and he equalled his personal best from Tokyo with 2:59:26. He was 5,591^st so well in the top 20% in a big city marathon.

DAVE COOK was top 10% at 2,174^th in 2:45:52, KIRK NDUGU 5,437^th in 2:59:19 and PETE GENTLE 6,683^rd in 3:06:02.

Parkrun Highlights – Stripey Saturday 6^th December 2025

A big jump up from the 301 of last week when 440 enjoyed the Stevenage parkrun on Saturday morning. Among them were 34 Spartans and increase of eight on last time. This was stripey Saturday and some standout Spartans included NICK GILL second overall in a new parkrun PB of 18:14 and SIMON JACKSON third in 18:45.

SUZY HAWKINS was the fastest female from Spartans and third woman overall with 24:11 and ANNABELLE WHITE top ten at seventh with 24:53.

PETER SACH ran a PPB of 25:41. JODIE WILSON achieved a milestone, 25 parkruns, finishing in 28:23 and CAROLE SHELDRICK the 50 parkruns milestone in 34:07. ALICE WELCH ran a new PPB of 27 minutes 42 seconds. ALISON SHELLEY ran her 170^th parkrun in 30:40. JIM BROWN and ROGER BIGGS seem to be tracking each other on their way to their next big milestone. They are both on 225 with Jim finishing in 28:46 and Roger in 28:51.

HAYLEY PEACH ran a new parkrun personal best (PPB) in 32:37 running with Spartans SAMANTHA SUTTON 32:38 and SALLY PICKLES 32:38 all the way round.

Altogether 52 Spartans ran parkruns. Some of the FVS parkrun tourists included MARTIN JACOB 25:47 and LINDA GEORGE 26:42 at the Tokoinranta parkrun. The race was by the beautiful Eläintarhanlahti Bay near Helsinki in Finland.

The Mura di Lucca parkrun in Italy has attracted a fair number of Spartans in recent years and JACKIE DOWNES was there running round the city walls in 29:07.

NICK KLEANTHOUS is well on the way to recovering his form and says he’s getting there. He ran the Brighton and Hove parkrun in 28:31, his fastest since April 2024. PAUL MAGUIRE ran the Coventry event in 29:41.

TONY RANDFIELD was fast in the forest. 21:29 at the Millenium County parkrun in the Forest of Marston Vale.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
2	2	Nick GILL	18:14
3	3	Simon JACKSON	18:45
57	55	Mike JEFFS	23:38
58	56	Jay PAPA	23:39
74	3	Suzy HAWKINS	24:11
87	7	Annabelle WHITE	24:53
95	85	Martin DUDLEY	25:05
117	102	Peter SACH	25:41
131	109	Darren EMMERSON	26:05
154	128	Ryan DUNNING	26:59
168	24	Alice WELCH	27:42
185	29	Lorraine HILL	28:07
191	32	Jodie WILSON	28:23
205	162	Jim BROWN	28:46
219	46	Sarah ILLINGWORTH	29:33
255	57	Alison SHELLEY	30:40
256	58	Hazel SMITH	30:40
278	200	David ACKERY	31:36
303	81	Hayley PEACH	32:37
305	83	Samantha SUTTON	32:38
304	82	Sally PICKLES	32:38
327	96	Debbie BLANTERN	33:36
335	103	Lindsay PATEMAN	34:01
336	104	Caroline CROFT	34:06
337	105	Carole SHELDRICK	34:07
345	227	Stephen SMITHSON	34:43
355	230	Keith MANTON	35:09
404	149	Niki PLUMB	39:44
410	154	Julie MANTON	40:39
423	249	Roger BIGGS	48:51
424	163	Julie BUDDEN	49:09
425	164	Elizabeth CROWLEY	49:10
434	171	Nichola DURENT	59:12
440	175	Sharon CROWLEY	63:25

Tags Minsden Chapel, MK Winter Half, parkrun, Valencia Marathon

News Race Results

LOTS OF SPARTAN BESTS AT HATFIELD

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date December 1, 2025
No Comments on LOTS OF SPARTAN BESTS AT HATFIELD

The Hatfield Five was advertised as fast and flat and despite a cool start it was for many Spartans.

David Harris-Cherguit’s result was 27:35 chip time and 27:38 gun time for a new personal best (PB), ninth place overall and third in the 45-49 age category. He was really pleased.

Nick Gill completed the Hatfield 5 in 28:55, going sub-30 for the first time and shaving almost 2 minutes off his PB (personal best) from the same event in 2022 (30:50). He found it tough, but was pleased with the effort in his first race since the Abingdon Marathon. Nick was 26th overall and third in his age category (M35-39).

Georgie Hooper finished in 34:00 – a big PB of more than 90 seconds (35:31, Hatfield 5 2022). She was third in her age category (W35-39).

GAIL MACKIE was back in 36:26 and new member JODIE KANTAS in 36:51.

LUCY PAUL was hoping for 9 minute miles so was pleased with a 43:17 finish. She thanks SUZY HAWKINS for supporting her near the finish after she had finished in 35:08.

And the Spartans won a county medal. JIM BROWN took SILVER. He was second in the men 70 plus race with 36 seconds to spare ahead of third place AND he achieved his main target of the day to get under 45 minutes which he did with 44:27. Jim said, “Unusually for me I was wearing three layers including long sleeves and gloves but it seemed to be right for the day and I was well happy with an unexpected silver.”

It was the first time LIAM WELLER represented FVS in an event! First time running an event with the club – and he said it was so lovely to have everyone to chat to before and after – and others out supporting on the course. He finished in 33 minutes 12 seconds!

SHARON CROWLEY’s 45 minutes 20 seconds was 8 minutes 32 seconds quicker than last year, BUT looking back through times for 5 mile races, she found it was her fastest for eight years. Obviously she was very happy with that!

LEANNE WILSON breezed around in a new personal best of 45:23. An improvement of 28 seconds.

SAM SUTTON completed Sunday’s Hatfield Five in 45:58 which was a 55 second PB. She commented it was a flat course but narrow and difficult to overtake but she was very pleased with her result! Now Sam has only the Buntingford 10 to go on 28th December and if she PBs that will be a PB in every distance from 5k to half marathon this year.

MATT TUTTON was surprised and pleased that he squeaked under 45 with 44:55.

It was a last marathon paced effort for ROSS GALLAGHER. He finished in 33:05.

After an enforced break PENNY SCHENKEL put on an extra jumper, took it steady and finished in 56:50.

It was a season best’s run for Jane WADEY and she was happy to finish under a hour in 59:11. She said she hadn’t run a 5 mile race since November 2022 and this was her second attempt.

26 Spartans ran and between them achieved eight PBs and nine SBs and seven were new to the distance.

Pos	No	Name	Gun Time	Net Time	Cat Pos
9	599	David HARRIS-CHERGUIT	27:38	27:35	3
26	647	Nick GILL	28:58	28:55	3
28	231	Charlie WHITE	29:09	29:05	6
59	655	Jay PAPA	30:34	30:30	12
121	922	Ross GALLAGHER	33:15	33:05	17
127	593	Liam WELLER	33:22	33:12	20
149	417	Andrew SHAW	33:59	33:35	13
154	615	Georgie HOOPER	34:09	34:00	3
171	641	Charles ARNOLD	34:48	34:28	4
176	138	Tony RANDFIELD	34:59	34:41	5
193	660	Suzy HAWKINS	35:31	35:08	5
210	583	Lewis GREEN	36:12	35:37	29
233	818	Gail MACKIE	36:56	36:26	6
255	331	Jodie KANTAS	37:30	36:51	10
419	892	Jackie PERRY	42:31	42:00	6
457	438	Gemma SMITH	43:51	42:55	28
480	830	Lucy PAUL	44:30	43:17	23
527	863	Jim BROWN	45:42	44:27	6
546	387	Sharon CROWLEY	45:59	45:20	9
566	72	Matt TUTTON	46:29	44:55	53
567	443	Karl SHREEVE	46:31	45:23	61
571	427	Leanne WILSON	46:36	45:23	30
618	198	Samantha SUTTON	48:27	45:58	42
627	621	Vishal SHAH	48:45	48:12	56
833	91	Penny SCHENKEL	59:21	56:50	64
842	97	Jane WADEY	60:35	59:11	65

Serpentine

It was a beautiful bright and breezy Friday lunchtime for the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park. Some of the pictures make it look like the runners were on a seaside prom on a summer’s day. Spartan JIM BROWN enjoyed his race with a 28 minutes 35 seconds which slightly improved his position in the Last Friday championship table.

The next event will be on Friday 19^th December. That’s a week earlier than usual to avoid Boxing Day.

Bass Belle

PAUL and ALISON SHELLEY ran in the Brainstrust Bass Belle 10 miler on Sunday. That was their fourth time running the race although the last time was back in 2022. It was well organised as always, and they were lucky with the weather! Unfortunately Paul’s Achilles gave up after six miles so he pretty much hobbled to the finish. Alison was 239^th in 1:35:59 and Paul 223^rd in 1:33:52.

Other Spartans ran the Bass Belle mixed terrain event. GRANT RAMSAY 35^th out of 359 in 1:10:54 and MONICA SMITHSON 342^nd in 1:56:16.

The Slopes of Finsbury Park

Four hilly laps constituted the Finsbury Park 10K. JOHN and JACOB NELMS ran together to finish in 56:06 and 56:10. They were 104^th and 105^th out of the 198 finishers.

JAYNE DYMOKE ran the Finsbury Park 5K in 34 minutes 53 seconds (34:53). She was 46^th out of the 83 finishers.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 29^th November 2025

It was miserable before the start of Saturday’s Stevenage parkrun which is probably why numbers were reduced to 301 though Fairlands Valley Spartans were up a bit on 26. Spartan SIMON JACKSON was third with 18:57. JULIE MANTON ran her 50^th parkrun in 38:57. LORRAINE HILL was the fastest female from Fairlands in Fairlands with 28:33.

PETER SMITH and SEAN MILLWOOD enjoyed some parkrun tourism at the Carlingwark Loch event at Castle Douglas in Kirkcudbrightshire. Peter came in with 25:17 and Sean in 37:13.

Altogether 42 Spartans were at parkruns. Others included ALICE WELCH and SAM GENTRY at the Bug Hunter Waters parkrun near Northstowe. Alice was round in 25:50 and Sam in 27:30.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
3	3	Simon JACKSON	00:18:57
26	23	Stuart ARCHER	00:23:08
32	29	Toby ECCLESHALL	00:23:21
34	31	Tony RANDFIELD	00:23:27
48	43	Charles ARNOLD	00:23:53
53	46	Lee PICKERSGILL	00:24:03
56	49	Paul MAGUIRE	00:24:11
76	65	Daniel VILJOEN	00:25:37
90	75	Peter SACH	00:26:52
91	76	Kris WESTCOTT	00:26:55
116	94	Ryan DUNNING	00:28:12
120	19	Lorraine HILL	00:28:33
161	118	Nick KLEANTHOUS	00:30:10
220	63	Caroline CROFT	00:33:17
228	68	Pamela VILJOEN	00:33:34
239	151	Ahaan SHARMA	00:34:21
240	152	Kartik SHARMA	00:34:22
244	75	Karen ELLIS	00:34:46
245	76	Julie SHADBOLT	00:34:47
248	156	Keith MANTON	00:35:10
264	88	Nicola HATHERLY	00:37:35
266	90	Niki PLUMB	00:38:19
269	92	Julie MANTON	00:38:57
273	95	Penny SCHENKEL	00:39:37
274	164	Michael O’KEEFE	00:39:38
300	114	Callie CHAPMAN	00:58:22

Tags Bass Belle, Finsbury Park 10k, Hatfield 5, parkrun, Serpentine

Christmas Day Record Breaker – Thursday 25th December.

A Couple of Charlies and other parkrun highlights

Cross Country Update

Stevenage Cross Country

Last Friday Came Early

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 20th December 2025

Festive Five Faster for Fairlands

Secret London Run Christmas Lights Tour

ATW Half Marathon

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 13th December 2025

Jodie’s MK Winter Half

Three Sub Three At Valencia Marathon

Parkrun Highlights – Stripey Saturday 6th December 2025

Serpentine

Bass Belle

The Slopes of Finsbury Park

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 29th November 2025

Christmas Day Record Breaker – Thursday 25^th December.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 20^th December 2025

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 13^th December 2025

Parkrun Highlights – Stripey Saturday 6^th December 2025

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 29^th November 2025