Author: Ken Jude

 

CALLIE CHAPMAN and HAZEL SMITH ran the Olympic Park 10K on Sunday in the final race before new lockdown comes into force.  The race was well managed with waves of four runners setting off at a time to complete four laps of the park.  In the warm but windy conditions Callie completed the course in 1:05:07 and Hazel in an excellent 51:23.

GRANT RAMSAY and ANDY McGUINNESS were also at the Olympic Park.  Grant was twelfth in the race with 38 minutes 13 seconds and Andy 50^th in 44:14.  There were 280 finishers.

 

Virtual Verity

Spartan VERITY SUTTON FISHER ran a virtual marathon, only her second 26.2 miles event, on Sunday.  To raise money for Huntingdon’s Disease she ran between Stevenage and Letchworth, including the Greenway, and finished in 5 hours 4 minutes 49 seconds.

JAMES McSWEENEY ran the Adnams Virtual 10K in 49 minutes 10 seconds.  That was better than his 10K time from Standalone but this was on the flat Suffolk fens.

 

Other Virtuals

In the 22^nd virtual Fly 5K event NICOLA ANDERSSON was 88^th in 28 minutes 38 seconds; NICK KLEANTHOUS 99^th in 29:12 and PAUL HOLGATE 128^th in 34:46.

Nicola was faster in the 20^th (not) Stevenage ParkRun 5K with 26:48 while Nick and Paul had the same times.  The others in the virtual parkrun were James McSweeney 24:56; Paul Jennings 26:45; Jim Brown 27:30 and Marian Morley 28:01

Four Spartans ran the equivalent of a half marathon in Stevenage on Sunday morning.  This was part of an effort to raise some money for the Mayor’s Charities Fund.  On an approximation of the half marathon route LIZ SMITH and JIM BROWN maintained a steady six minutes per kilometre to complete the 13.1 miles in 2 hours 6 minutes 50 seconds; WENDY THARANI went round in 2:08:54 and NICOLA ANDERSSON in 2:14:00 with them finishing in the Autumn tints of Fairlands Valley Park.  This was the first time Nicola had run that distance.  The 22.1 kilometres was verified by GPS.  Thanks to Penny Schenkel, Zander Brown and Peter Eames for making it possible.

 

Spartans Tim Robinson and Chris Holland ran the 40^th Beachy Head Marathon on Saturday.

The race started in Eastbourne and immediately climbed 100 metres in the first kilometre to Beachy Head.  During the climb the runners are entertained by a bag piper.  From there the course headed inland up and down and across the South Downs, through villages and up steps, before returning to the coast at Cuckmere Haven to complete the final seven miles over the Seven Sisters back to Beachy Head.  One of the UK’s hardest but most picturesque marathon routes.

The event was fully Covid secure and the organisers had worked hard to create a friendly and relaxed event while still maintaining precautions.

Aid stations were well stocked with bananas, Mars bars and sausage rolls.

Tim and Chris’ aim was to complete in 5 hours 30 minutes but with winds gusting to 45mph on the tops of the downs, and heavy rainfall in the days before making the ground very soft in places that was going to be hard.  Progress across the tops of the cliffs was quite difficult in the final miles and the total height gain of over 1,000m took its toll on tired legs.

Nevertheless, the last kilometre was steep downhill and a ‘sprint’ finish saw the pair finish in under six hours.

Chris was 811^th in 5:57:53 and Tim 812^th in 5:57:54.   Emma Southerington ran the 10K in 1 hour 31 minutes.

 

Fordy Runs Rock Up ‘n’ Run

The Fordy Runs Rock Up ‘n’ Run event was a beautiful Autumnal covid-safe run along the River Lee tow path starting and finishing from Stanstead St Margarets.  It was the first half marathon in a series of six monthly runs from now to March 2021.

Spartan John Roxborough ran the 13.1 miles in 1:44:53.  He said ‘Fitness faded as expected and the last four miles were tough. Interesting race, each runner headed off 30 seconds apart. Most of the paths were wide enough for people to pass on the out and back sections. Lots of puddles to dodge along the route! Worth going back and trying again next month.’

PAUL HOLGATE finished in 2 hours 49 minutes 26 seconds which was 12:35 than his last half which was in November 2019 and ROGER BIGGS ran the 10K option in 1:29:47.

 

Suffolk Ultra for Harris

On Saturday JOHN HARRIS ran the Suffolk Ultra 33 miles event in 5 hours 23 minutes on a multi terrain course.  It included a fall in bushes and a water feature.   He was first Male Vet 55 plus.

 

Virtually in North Wales

Sharon and Liz Crowley completed the virtual Snowdonia Marathon in 6 hours 44 minutes. The marathon was cancelled back in July, like many other races this year it went ‘Virtual ‘

Sharon said “We were still planning to do it in North Wales, but then total lockdown happened so we couldn’t go.  So instead of a run around Snowdon it was a run around sunny Stevenage with the lovely Autumn colours on the cycle tracks.

Erica Grayson and Sue Hamer ran a virtual Edinburgh marathon in 4:43.

 

Other Virtuals

Paul Holgate ran the 21^st Saturday morning Fly 5K event in 32 minutes 12 seconds.

Five other Spartans ran the 19^th virtuasl (not) Stevenage ParkRun 5k Event 19.  They were Nick Kleanthous 25:53; Jim Brown 26:15; Paul Jennings 26:32; James McSweeney 26:52; and Nicola Anderson 27:27.

(Photos: Bedford Autodrome Running Grand Prix)

Spartan GRANT RAMSAY has beaten three hours for a full 26.2 miles marathon in each of four decades.  His achievement was completed with a 2 hours 53 minutes 55 seconds race at the Bedford Autodrome Running Grand Prix on Sunday morning.  This was his 49^th marathon.

Grant was delighted with his time of 2:53:55.  This resulted him in achieving sub three hours marathons across four separate decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s).  Ramsay is now in very small group of UK athletes who have achieved this milestone.

This was Ramsay’s best performance in the marathon since 2017.  The achievement has been all the sweeter following regular injury set backs over the last couple of years..

GAIL MACKIE and TOBY ECCLESHALL were running the same event.

Gail clocked in with a time of 3:11:44, a personal best (PB) by nine minutes.  She said “Having dropped out of the Dorney Lake Marathon at just under 17 miles two weeks ago with stomach cramp, I picked myself up and decided to try again.  I’m so glad.  I did it was a tough but fantastic race and I’m delighted with my new PB!”

Toby said “My time was 3:46:57.  Having never previously been able to crack a sub 4 hour marathon, I’m over the moon with the result.  In the end I actually managed to beat my PB by 26 minutes.  The conditions were perfect, course flat and the event was wonderfully organised.  Best of all, it was great to see some friendly Spartan faces on the course.

ED HARE actually set out in the Autodrome Marathon with Dave Pattman (in almost perfect conditions) just to see how far he could go with low expectations but came away with a new marathon PB by a full 19 minutes and it was his first ever sub 4 hour marathon.  He ran through the first 20 miles at a steady 8:40min mile pace with Dave pacing superbly which brought about a 14 minutes 20 mile PB and considered it job done for the day. Then Ed said, “I realised I had enough time in the bag to keep going and it was a matter of how long I could hang on for.  Hang on I did and bagged a 3 hours 55minutes 26 seconds chip time.  I was left speechless to be honest!  My first official chip time since March.  It was great to be back out there racing in what felt a fairly safe, socially distanced event village and of course even better to see some Spartans.

JIM BROWN was second overall in his race!  With his time of 2 hours 51 minutes 25 seconds for 20 miles it’s not surprising he won his age category.  With an acceleration over the last mile he beat the third placed runner by one minute.  He didn’t think he was quite ready for a marathon after a race accident a few weeks ago – now he wants one!

 

Virtual Standalone

Thirty Fairlands Valley Spartans ran in the virtual Standalone 10K.  Many did not run on what would have been the race day, 4^th October, and none used the normal course but a great turnout.

Pos	First Name	Last Name	Time	Comments
40	Duncan	Flounders	44:10
42	Dean	Carpenter	44:40
72	Daniel	Bates	47:48
101	Yuko	Gordon	49:54
104	James	McSweeney	49:58
113	Martin	Dudley	50:33
133	Jim	Brown	51:49
214	Martin	Jacob	56:37	First 10K
268	Claire	Emmerson	59:08	Season’s Best by 5:44
280	Alice	Poole	59:31
293	Vicky	Archer	59:55	PB by 2:33
308	Jenny	Garrett	1:01:00
358	Amy	Downs	1:04:25	First 10K
389	Linda	George	1:06:42	First 10K
415	Mo	Warrillow	1:08:04
416	Emily	Merry	1:08:04	First 10K
425	Paul	Holgate	1:08:51
432	Sarah	Pike	1:09:30
433	Stephen	Pike	1:09:30
453	Matthew	Pattman	1:11:14
482	Judy	King	1:14:55
492	Nicola	Hatherly	1:17:20
507	Niki	Plumb	1:20:05
514	Pam	Taylor	1:23:12
515	Roger	Biggs	1:23:43
516	Amanda	Vickers	1:24:11
517	Stephanie	Biggar	1:24:17
528	Sharon	Crowley	1:32:56
529	Hayley	Peach	1:34:32
530	Nichola	Durent	1:35:38

 

Other Virtuals

Three Spartans ran the 20^th virtual Fly 5K event.  They were Nick Kleanthous 88^th in 26:42; Nicola Andersson 108^th in 28:03 and 146^th in 32:41.  164 times were recorded.

Three other Spartans joined them in the 18^th (not) Stevenage ParkRun.

They were James McSweeney 25:05; Marian Morley 26:39; and Paul Jennings 27:48.

 

In his first actual race since March 2020 JONATHAN PARR ran the RunThough 10K event at Olympic Park on Saturday morning.  He finished fourth overall, first in his age category (M35), and with a rapid new personal best (PB) time of 33 minutes 11 seconds, an improvement of 58 seconds.

 

SwimRun Nick

NICK KLEANTHOUS completed his second SwimRun at Box End Lake comprising of 6.5km of 6 alternate run and swims around and across the Lake.  It was a matter of survival with temperatures falling this week, and several competitors pulling out after the first swim.  He finished in 58 minutes, two minutes quicker than last time.  Nick says Tuesday club training with the Spartans has definitely improved his running sections as he moved up to second male 50 plus this time.

 

More Virtual 10Ks

 

Standalone

JAMES McSWEENEY said it was nice to have a result to email.  He ran 49:58 in the Standalone Virtual 10K saying it was super to just get below 50 minutes and get his fastest 10K time in 18 months.

AMY DOWNS was excited to run her first race for Spartans.  She did 01:04:25 in the Virtual Standalone 10K.

PAUL HOLGATE completed the virtual Standalone running 25 x 400m on his Gunnels Wood Road one mile loop in 1 hour 8 minutes 51 seconds.

 

Stevenage 10K

Nicola Andersson took advantage of an almost perfect Sunday morning to run her virtual Stevenage 10K in 55 minutes 33 seconds.

 

Other Virtuals

In the nineteenth Fly 5K virtual NICK KLEANTHOUS was 87^th in 27:23. JIM BROWN was third male 65 plus at 98^th in 28:08 and PAUL HOLGATE 143^rd in 36:07.

In the 17^th (not) Stevenage ParkRun James McSweeney improved his year’s best 5K time by 18 seconds to 24:39; Nicola Andersson ran an excellent 26:13; Jim Brown enjoyed a great morning in Stevenage to improve on his Fly 5K time with 26:13; Nick Kleanthous finished in 27:26; with Paul Jennings in 30:48; Penny Schenkel in 34:59 and Paul Holgate in 36:07

 

Picture credit: Active Training World

For the first time in the 36 year history of Fairlands Valley Spartans a woman member beat the three hour barrier for a marathon on Sunday.

In difficult wet and windy conditions MICHELLE REEVES ran the Dorney Lake Marathon, near Eton, in 2 hours 58 minutes 3 seconds.

Michelle began in the Spartans’ starter group.  Now she’s a club record holder!

Nine Spartans were amongst 525 finishers at the “waves and ripples” event.

Teamwork by CRAIG WILSON; ANDREW PATTERSON and SIMON JACKSON saw them finish together in 2:53:42; 2:53:42 and 2:53:43 and 105^th, 106^th and 107^th position.  Michelle was 147^th with her 2:58:03.  She was fifth senior (under 40 woman).

Well within the important qualifying time of 3:15 came SUZY HAWKINS in 3:10:35.  That’s a personal best (PB) by eleven minutes.  She was 210^th and fifth woman aged 40 plus.

STUART HAYCROFT and SAMANTHA PRETTY came in 224^th and 225^th in 3:13:49.  PETER SMITH finished in 3:37:46.  Running her first “proper” marathon CHARLOTTE SMITH said she “hit the wall” at 13 miles but held on to finish in 4 hours 14 minutes 22 seconds.

 

Virtual London and 10K

Many Spartans were also running virtual 10Ks and marathons.  Many on loops around Stevenage, some in extraordinary conditions with floods and trees blocking their routes.  4^th October would have been the date for the popular Standalone 10K and while the elite runners were competing in west London for the masses it was also the day for the virtual London Marathon.

The stand out virtual performance was by ADRIAN BUSOLINI.  His marathon was a fantastic achievement running solo, getting wet feet, fighting the wind and rain, and without regular official water stations on a course in Stevenage yet finishing in 2 hours 55 minutes 17 seconds.  His first marathon under three hours and a personal best by ten minutes.

MIKE GREEN took 4:02:01 for the 26.2 miles.

MARTIN DUDLEY completed his virtual London Marathon in 4 hours, 34 minutes, 4 seconds. A very wet run with flooded roads between Stevenage and Weston on my his to the Garden House Hospice in Letchworth.  Dean Carpenter did not have a virtual place but ran the whole 26.32 miles to support him.

Well a different event said ERICA GRAYSON who ran to support Sue Hamer who had a 2020 ballot place.  They ran side by side around the cycle paths of Stevenage with one pit stop where they changed their soggy kit and refuelled.

Their official finish time was 5:04:16.  Erica said it was great to be out running an event albeit an iconic masters in virtual format.

A group of Spartans had chosen a route along the along the Alban Way but on the day they had to try to avoid floods and a fallen tree wherever they could.  Route comprised of road with a splash of trail and wading through water at points.  There’s an amazing picture of a fancy dress runner – a birthday cake – going downstream.  Hazel said a water station was provided by fellow Spartan Sharon Flaherty and her two amazing little helpers.  A real boost to morale every time we saw them.   That group’s finishing times were: Karen Ellis 4:52:29; Ed Hare 5:07:27; Hazel Smith 5:15:38; Robert Wright 5:15:53; Julie Shadbolt 5:25:27; Linda Nolan 5:28:35; Ada Janusiene 5:25:22; Jackie Downes 5:14:23 and Cathy Craig 5:39:11.  They weren’t alone in having some problems with the official app.

Despite floods and an enormous tree falling down on her route due to gales CATHY CRAIG said she had a great run and finished her virtual London Marathon in 5:39:11.

HAZEL SMITH says she has wrinkly feet from all the water in her shoes, had to rise to the challenge with the floods and fallen tree, but it was all worth it for cheese on toast and prosecco in the bath.

PAUL HOLGATE splashed his way around the virtual marathon in Stevenage on Sunday.  His time was 6:33:42, two hours quicker than his last road marathon which was in Snowdon last year.

BITSY KHAMBHAITA said, “What a day, I’m absolutely exhausted but so proud for getting out in the hideous weather, I was soaked by two miles, had to reroute twice and shimmied along a grass verge due to flooding!  But despite the blisters carried on and made it to finish the Virtual London Marathon in 7 hours 14 minutes 42 seconds.”  She thanked those who looked after her, cheered her on and following her around bringing snacks and drinks and said she could not have done it without them.

Altogether thirty seven Spartans ran an actual or virtual marathon on London Marathon day.  You can find all of them in the tables near the end of this release.

 

Virtual 10Ks

YUKO GORDON ran her virtual Standalone 10K in 49 minutes 55 seconds; MARTIN JACOB his in 56:37 and LINDA GEORGE ran 1:06:42.

Sarah and Steve Pike did the “club” 10K virtual course this morning.  They said it was pretty horrible weather and they were never planning to go around very quick.  Their time was 69:30.

The Fab Four of Nicola Hatherly; Niki Plumb; Hayley Peach and Nichola Durent ran the Virtual Standalone 10K.  They said despite the constant rain it was an enjoyable run and vibe seeing lots of runners out doing their own runs and virtual races.  Their times were Nicola 1:17:20; Niki 1:21:22; Hayley 1:34:32 and Nichola 1:35.38.

PAM TAYLOR and STEPH BIGGAR did their 10Ks in 83:12 and 84:17.  SHARON CROWLEY covered the distance in 1 hour 32 minutes 56 seconds in the midst of doing the whole 42.2 kilometres just for the fun of it.  Others doing various virtual runs included JIM BROWN who bumbled around a half marathon on the way to 15 miles.

 

Other Virtuals

In the Fly 5k Event 16.  Nick Kleanthous 25:03 (YB 0:12) and Paul Holgate 33:17

In addition in the (not) Stevenage ParkRun 5k Event 14.  Lee Pickersgill 23:35 (YB 0:23); James McSweeney 26:50; Paul Jennings 27:29 (YB 0:53) and Nicola Andersson 28:51

 

More Than A Thousand Marathons In Virtual Relay

FVS have visited the four Twin Towns of Stevenage and continued to run in some of the world’s iconic marathons in their amazing virtual relay which finished on the same day as the Virtual London Marathon.

The 40^th (virtual) London Marathon brought the Spartans home 126 days after leaving Stevenage.  On 4^th October they recorded 801 miles with 64 members posting a distance.  That is the highest daily total of the whole virtual relay.  The final total mileage for the club was 33,045 miles.  Along the way there were 4,867 mileage posts and 33 countries were visted (some of them twice).  The Spartans competed in 40 running events.

(More on this next week).

BRIAN WHITE was named Spartan of the Month for efforts organising the virtual relay for many months.

 

Tables

Virtual London Marathon Results – 4th October 2020 (some at Dorney Lake)
Place	Place	Place	Name	Surname	Time	Comments
(Overall)	(Gender)	(Category
314	308	157	Andrew	Patterson	2:53:42
332	325	88	Simon	Jackson	2:53:43
385	374	188	Adrian	Busolini	2:55:12	PB
520	19	10	Michelle	Reeves	2:58:03	PB New club record
896	52	10	Suzy	Hawkins	3:08:33	PB
1031	77	37	Samantha	Pretty	3:13:49
5807	4438	1714	Mike	Green	4:02:01
9308	2689	339	Karen	Ellis	4:28:04
10196	3052	155	Martin	Dudley	4:34:04
12863	8639	3196	Martin	Blackburn	4:53:11
14085	4795	591	Sue	Hamer	5:02:10
14344	4937	611	Erica	Grayson	5:04:16
14733	9579	3515	Edward	Hare	5:07:27
15656	5633	1240	Jackie	Downes	5:14:23
15828	5719	1212	Hazel	Smith	5:15:38
15849	10117	3701	Robert	Wright	5:15:53
16157	10254	1996	John	Davis	5:18:22
16900	6274	764	Julie	Shadbolt	5:24:16
17040	6352	2245	Ada	Janusiene	5:25:22
17478	6604	145	Linda	Nolan	5:28:35
18603	7219	13	Jan	Fry	5:37:45
18750	7293	67	Catherine	Craig	5:39:11
25110	14122	1986	Karl	Shreeve	6:49:00
27155	12234	2534	Kim	Martin	7:21:13
27905	12695	4244	Jo	Bowdery	7:34:36
32894	15939	3247	Emma	Southerington	9:44:48
34059	16712	3378	Caroline	Croft	10:43:03
34129	16759	3384	Carole	Sheldrick	10:48:42
NB: Several noticed that the VLM app times were not reliable.
Other marathon results Sunday 4th October 2020
			Craig	Wilson	2:53:42
–	–	–	Stuart	Haycroft	3:13:49
			Pete	Smith	3:37:46
4551	3571	415	Steve	Green	3:52:35	2nd claim
4537	978	231	Isabel	Green	3:52:30	2nd claim
			Charlotte	Smith	4:14:22
			Dean	Carpenter	4:34:04
			Paul	Holgate	6:33:42
			Bitsy	Khambhaita	7:14:42

Photos courtesy of http://markeaston.zenfolio.com/

 

It was waves and ripples again but another real 10K race on Sunday.  However the temperature had dropped about twelve degrees in a few days and the breeze was up in the exposed parts of the course at Lee Valley Run Fest.

Nine Spartans enjoyed the event.  14^th overall and with a new personal best of 36 minutes 24 seconds was ADRIAN BUSOLINI.  He said his last actual 10K race was a Midweek League event some 15 months ago, where he just managed to squeeze out a sub-40′ – making this a three-and-a-half minute improvement.

DANNY SCANLON (pictured above) finished the Lee Valley 10K in 40:52 which is around 50 seconds quicker than the St Albans 10K last month.  He said it was another well organised Active training world event.  He was 63^rd overall.

NICOLA ANDERSSON (photo left) ran a new personal best (PB) in the Run Fest at Lee Valley10K, one Sunday.  She said, “It was very cold but a lovely route with not too many hills.  I signed up for this only a couple of days ago all thanks to a suggestion from another Spartan.  I wouldn’t have run it otherwise as I was quite apprehensive at first.  With socially distancing multi starts it was something of a proper first time race after a few virtual races I’ve ran this year.”

JIM BROWN improved on his 23^rd August 10K time by 6 minutes 34 seconds.  Describing himself as almost recovered from that experience, when he fell badly, he ran the first 5K at Lee Valley in 26:32 but the second in 25:17 for 51:49 thus squeezing into the top half at 189^th out of 396.

DAVID and MATTHEW PATTMAN came in together on 54:11 and 54:12; MO WARRILOW came in with 58:08; JONATHAN JONES with 59:42 and DZENANA TOPIC with 1:04:49.

The skilfully arranged waves and ripples arrangement meant runners went off six at a time and were kept two metres apart before they started.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
14	ADRIAN BUSOLINI	36:24	PB
63	DANNY SCANLON	40:52
189	JIM BROWN	51:49	7M60
221	DAVID PATTMAN	54:11
223	MATTHEW PATTMAN	54:12
242	NICOLA ANDERSSON	55:20	PB.  12 W50.
288	MO WARRILOW	58:08
296	JONATHAN JONES	59:42
345	DZENANA TOPIC	1:04:49

 

There were 396 finishers.

 

Now That’s Hard Work

Spartan JOHN HARRIS ran the Virtual Tring 50k Ultra Marathon event on Sunday.  He went through the marathon distance in 4 hours 9 minutes 50 seconds and continued to finish the ultra in 4:59:14.

 

Other Virtuals

MARTIN DUDLEY got the Spartan ball rolling in the virtual Standalone 10K with a time of 50 minutes 33 seconds on Sunday.

In the 17^th Fly 5K Event 17 Nicola Andersson was 76^th out of the 131 finishers in 27:06 and Paul Holgate 128^th in 39:06.

In addition Nick Kleanthous 26:05; Jim Brown 26:32 and James McSweeney 28:14 ran the (not) Stevenage ParkRun 5K Event 15

 

More Than A Thousand Marathons In Virtual Relay

FVS have visited the four Twin Towns of Stevenage and continue to run in some of the world’s iconic marathons in their amazing virtual relay.

By Sunday morning the total so far was 30.377 miles in 118 days.  The relay will continue until 4^th October, the day of the virtual London Marathon.

 

Spartan NICK KLEANTHOUS completed a RunSwimRun event in St. Ives on Sunday.  It consisted of five runs and four swims in the River Ouse over a 6.4km course.  He was very pleased with result coming seventh out of 24 starters and first male 50 plus.  It was quite challenging getting in and out of the river.  Nick says it was well organised and marshalled well and reports he had his lucky FVS vest on under his wet suit.

The virtual Fly 5K events on Saturday mornings continue.  In the sixteenth race JIM BROWN was third man 65 plus in 26 minutes 41 seconds and PAUL HOLGATE 10^th man 60 plus in 33:50.  They were 70^th and 119^th out of the 131 finishers.

The (not) Stevenage ParkRun 5K can be run any day, not just Saturdays.  In event 14 BARRY OSBORNE ran a year’s best by 8 minutes 7 seconds with 22 minutes 46 seconds; PAUL JENNINGS 25:11 reduced his personal best by 25 seconds; JUDY KING cut her year’s best by 1:02 to 33:50.  NICK KLEANTHOUS finished in 27:52, NICOLA HATHERLEY in 33:53 and NIKI PLUMB in 38:09.  Jim Brown (26:41) and Paul Holgate’s (33:50) virtual times were the same as for the Fly 5K.

 

More Than A Thousand Marathons In Virtual Relay

FVS have visited the four Twin Towns of Stevenage and continue to run in some of the world’s iconic marathons in their amazing virtual relay which has covered the equivalent of more than one thousand marathons in 105 days.

Sunday was an extremely busy day in the mountains.  They completed the Mont Blanc Marathon, Jungfrau Marathon and Swiss Alpine Marathon.  The posts taking us over the start and finish lines for those events were from Toby Eccleshall, Tracy Pez, Dave Stephenson, David Pattman, Stuart Haycroft and Michelle Reeves respectively.

495 miles were completed on Sunday yesterday with 47 members posting a distance.  In addition there were 249 bonus miles from those not on Facebook.  The total so far is 27,918 miles and the relay will continue until 4^th October, the day of the virtual London Marathon.

 

More Spartans have enjoyed some “real” races.

GRANT RAMSAY was at the Milton Keynes Enigma Marathon.

To be Covid compliant the event was capped to 30 runners with a rolling start and full social distancing in place.

Grant was on course for his sub 3 hour marathon target, but at 22 miles, the lack of marathon race fitness and the warm conditions, resulted in him tiring dramatically.  He had settle for getting just under 3 hours 15 minutes with 3:14:58.  Although Grant missed the magic three hours, he still won the race.

 

Duxford

Three Spartans were at the Duxford Battle of Britain 10K on Sunday.

BRIAN WHITE said it was a very well organised Covid-19 secure race using Duxford Airstrip.  It was a two lap course on very wide tarmac although the wind made it quite hard on each out section.  Brian’s time was 41 minutes 3 seconds.  He was 35^th from the 663 finishers and second man aged 60 plus.

NICK KLEANTHOUS completed the Duxford Dash 10K in 53:18.  He said it was nice and flat although windy running up the airfield.  Well organised with a staggered start over one hour.  Nick says thanks to FVS for the lockdown training and Tim Robinson for his weekly Challenge.  It paid off.

JONATHAN JONES completed the same race in 58:21.

 

Fly Fifteen

There were three Spartans running the fifteenth Fly 5K virtual race between 8a.m. and midnight on Saturday.  Nick Kleanthous improved his time for the year by 22 seconds to 25:15 to finish in the top half (74^th out of 150); Nicola Andersson cut her personal (lifetime) best by 20 seconds to 26:45 and Paul Holgate finished in 33:21.

In the (not) Stevenage ParkRun 5k Event 13 which does not have to be run on a Saturday Nick Kleanthous was a bit quicker at 24:56, a personal best by nine seconds.  The other Spartan times, in addition to the Fly 5K times were James McSweeney 26:15; Jim Brown 28:05 and Paul Jennings 28:54.

 

More Than A Thousand Marathons In Virtual Relay

FVS have visited the four Twin Towns of Stevenage and continue to run in some of the world’s iconic marathons in their amazing virtual relay which has covered the equivalent of more than one thousand marathons in 105 days.

Sunday was an extremely busy day in the mountains.  They completed the Mont Blanc Marathon, Jungfrau Marathon and Swiss Alpine Marathon.  The posts taking us over the start and finish lines for those events were from Toby Eccleshall, Tracy Pez, Dave Stephenson, David Pattman, Stuart Haycroft and Michelle Reeves respectively.

495 miles were completed on Sunday yesterday with 47 members posting a distance.  In addition there were 249 bonus miles from those not on Facebook.  The total so far is 27,918 miles and the relay will continue until 4^th October, the day of the virtual London Marathon.

 

 

One hundred miles in less than a day for Spartan Ciaran.  Fairlands Valley Spartan CIARAN McANENY has run a 100 mile race.  On Sunday evening he said:

“This was my first 100 mile race and although I had a sliding scale of targets, number one was to get to the finish.  I was very lucky to have the support on the day of John Nelms and Sharon Nelms, veterans of the race and crewing and their experience was invaluable.

A beautiful day welcomed us at Richmond for the rolling start at 07:30a.m.  I set off at a nice easy pace with the intention to see how long I could sustain it.

By the time I met the team at their second crew point after 35 miles I was still in decent shape.  Nutrition was going to plan and spirits were up!

The course was beautiful and I concentrated on taking as much of it in as possible.

My pace started to slip in the middle third which I expected.  I was now running further and longer than I ever had.  Walking became more frequent just to give myself a break.

Night set in with amazing clear skies and John jumped into the pacer role for a 6 mile stint at Whitchurch which was just as I needed to offset the risk of losing it a little mentally in the dark.

After John’s stint ended I started to struggle more to keep the pace up.

At just under 80 miles in Matt Green, another pacer stepped in and accompanied me through a long, final 20 miles to the finish at Oxford.

I had such an amazing day. Although everything hurts from the waist down; everything from the waist up stayed strong and positive.

I loved the race. The volunteers were amazing and so helpful and positive.

But it would have been a very different story without John, Sharon and Matt.  They brought a ton of positive vibes, support and knew when I just needed a kick in the backside.  I may have done the running, but those guys were as much a part of this experience for me.

As for a matter of time?  I finished on 21:18:53.

Tired is not the word! Currently hosting myself around the house on a pair of hiking poles.”

 

Fairlands Virtual Off Road Challenge

Fifty completed the Fairlands Virtual Off Road Challenge.  There were eight at the ultra 50 kilometre distance where Stuart Archer was the fastest Spartan in 4 hours 53 minutes 47 seconds; 19 at marathon distance where Andrew Patterson and Simon Jackson tied in top spot with 3:14:53; 13 at half marathon where Robert Wright in 2:36:39 was the quickest from FVS.  There were seven in the 10K and three in the 5K.

The Challenge was a virtual event this year.

Just like the usual event there were multiple choices.  They were 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon or 50k Ultra.  You can RUN or WALK.

A difference from many other virtual events is that at least 25% of everyone’s run had to be off road.

Participants chose their own routes and had to take eleven selfies along the way.

 

Fly 5k Event 14

Two Spartans ran the fourteenth Fly 5K virtual race.  They were Nicola Andersson in 27:10 and Paul Holgate in 30:26.

 

(not) Stevenage ParkRun 5k Event 12

In the twelfth (not) Stevenage Parkrun there were six Spartans – James McSweeney 26:40; Nicola Andersson 27:10; Paul Jennings 27:34; Nick Kleanthous 28:18; Paul Holgate 30:26 and Beth Foley 34:27.

 

A Record Run

On Sundqy, the 98^th day, Fairlands Valley Spartans covered 608 miles in their virtual relay.  That’s a record.  It includes Ciaran’s impressive 100 miles but 51 other members contributed to the day’s distance.  The overall total is now 26,163 miles.  Day 100 is on Tuesday.

 

Tables

Fairlands Virtual Challenge Leaderboard

 

	Name	Club	Distance	Time	Distance Category	Avg Pace
1	George Burkin		31.1	4:45:10	50km+	0:09:10
2	Stuart Archer	Fairlands Valley Spartans	31	4:53:47	50km+	0:09:29
3	Hazel Smith	Fairlands Valley Spartans	31	8:54:00	50km+	0:17:14
4	Julie Shadbolt	Fairlands Valley Spartans	31	8:54:00	50km+	0:17:14
5	Karen Ellis	Fairlands Valley Spartans	31	8:54:00	50km+	0:17:14
6	Yuko Gordon	Fairlands Valley Spartans	31.07	11:12:03	50km+	0:21:38
7	Sharon Crowley	Fairlands Valley Spartans	31.07	11:12:03	50km+	0:21:38
8	Cathy Craig	Fairlands Valley Spartans	31.07	11:12:03	50km+	0:21:38
9	Andrew Patterson	Fairlands Valley Spartans	27.2	3:14:53	26m+	0:07:10
10	Simon Jackson	Fairlands Valley Spartans	27.2	3:14:53	26m+	0:07:10
11	Isabel Green	Harpenden Arrows	26.67	4:23:00	26m+	0:09:52
12	Ammon Piepgrass	Harpenden Arrows	26.67	4:23:00	26m+	0:09:52
13	Paul Whyte	Harpenden Arrows	26.67	4:23:00	26m+	0:09:52
14	Omar Qureshi		26.3	4:38:39	26m+	0:10:36
15	Jenny Garrett	Fairlands Valley Spartans	26.7	5:48:00	26m+	0:13:02
16	Claire Emmerson	Fairlands Valley Spartans	26.55	5:48:00	26m+	0:13:06
17	Vicky Archer	Fairlands Valley Spartans	26.2	5:48:00	26m+	0:13:17
18	Charlotte Smith	Fairlands Valley Spartans	27	6:15:00	26m+	0:13:53
19	Tony Randfield		27	6:15:00	26m+	0:13:53
20	Paul Holgate	Fairlands Valley Spartans	27.9	7:29:00	26m+	0:16:06
21	Robert Hardy	Fairlands Valley Spartans	26.67	7:10:00	26m+	0:16:07
22	Liz Crowley	Fairlands Valley Spartans	26.2	8:59:00	26m+	0:20:34
23	Sharon Crowley	Fairlands Valley Spartans	26.2	8:59:00	26m+	0:20:34
24	Tricia Hopper	Fairlands Valley Spartans	29	10:05:00	26m+	0:20:52
25	Karen Lifdle	Fairlands Valley Spartans	29	10:05:00	26m+	0:20:52
26	Claire Pullen	Fairlands Valley Spartans	29	10:05:00	26m+	0:20:52
27	Barry King	Fairlands Valley Spartans	29	10:05:00	26m+	0:20:52
28	Paul Hogan		13.67	2:10:00	13m+	0:09:31
29	Tina Buckeridge		13.2	2:10:00	13m+	0:09:51
30	Robert Wright	Fairlands Valley Spartans	14.03	2:36:39	13m+	0:11:10
31	Tim Robinson	Farlands Valley Spartans	15	3:11:00	13m+	0:12:44
32	Kartik Sharma	Fairlands Valley Spartans	13.29	2:51:33	13m+	0:12:54
33	Tarquis Salem		14.12	3:52:09	13m+	0:16:26
34	Nicola Hatherley	Fairlands Valley Spartans	15.1	4:10:00	13m+	0:16:33
35	Judy King	Fairlands Valley Spartans	15.1	4:10:00	13m+	0:16:33
36	Liz Carvell	Fairlands Valley Spartans	13.58	3:46:01	13m+	0:16:39
37	Linda Nolan	Fairlands Valley Spartans	13.58	3:46:01	13m+	0:16:39
38	Sally Phillips	Fairlands Valley Spartans	13.58	3:46:01	13m+	0:16:39
39	Pauline Hardy	Fairlands Valley Spartans	19	6:19:00	13m+	0:19:57
40	Jeannette Collins		19.1	7:32:00	13m+	0:23:40
41	Calantha Chapman	Fairlands Valley Spartans	8	1:31:00	10km+	0:11:23
42	Niki Pliumb	Fairlands Valley Spartans	6.4	1:37:00	10km+	0:15:09
43	Sally Pickles	Fairlands Valley Spartans	6.2	1:39:07	10km+	0:15:59
44	Pam Bentley	Fairlands Valley Spartans	10	2:57:12	10km+	0:17:43
45	Stephanie Biggar	Fairlands Valley Spartans	9.4	2:57:12	10km+	0:18:51
46	Hayley Peach	Fairlands Valley Spartans	6.2	2:12:51	10km+	0:21:26
47	Nichola Durrent	Fairlands Valley Spartans	6.2	2:12:51	10km+	0:21:26
48	Monica Sharma		3.17	2:05:00	5km+	0:39:26
49	Marget Carpenter		3.4	2:24:09	5km+	0:42:24
50	Peter Carpenter	Fairlands Valley Spartans	3.4	2:24:09	5km+	0:42:24

Picture of Charlotte Smith courtesy of http://markeaston.zenfolio.com/

 

After five months some Fairlands Valley Spartans were able to compete in a real road race on Sunday.  It was just down the road in St Albans.

There were 580 finishers but the start was superbly organised to comply with the latest Covid guidance.  A result sheet was possible by the use of chip timing technology.

In wave one CRAIG WILSON was 67^th with a brilliant 38 minutes 11 seconds.  CHARLOTTE SMITH came storming in with a fantastic new personal best of 45 minutes 30 seconds for 202^nd and DANNY SCANLON was 135th in 41 minutes 41 seconds.

There were some Spartan mishaps in wave two.  After a really smooth start both occurred on a narrow and rough bit of pavement between kilometres 3 and 4.  LIZ SMITH was going very well before she came to grief while JIM BROWN had covered the first two miles in 15 minutes 44 seconds before he did a pretty good superman impersonation but unfortunately without the special powers.  Liz was picked up while Jim got up but slowed down a lot, particularly in the last kilometre, and walked over the line in 58:23 to be 146^th in wave two.

Jim said, “Despite my tumble it was great to take part in a licensed event after so many weeks.  The start format with the waves and ribbles was unusual but showed what could be done while complying with the latest Covid guidance.  It was a race and although we could not hang around and socialise, we kept our distance, we saw people we’ve not seen for a very long time.”

 

Virtually Flying For The Twelfth Time

Four Spartans joined 128 others for the twelfth virtual Fly 5K event.

Nick Kleanthous improved his 2020 time by six seconds to 25:37 (60^th). Nicola Andersson was 83 rd in 27:59; Ken Jude 85^th in 28:07 and Paul Holgate 106^th in 31:52.

 

Not a Parkrun

Saturday saw six Spartans on the tenth (not) Stevenage ParkRun 5K.

In this virtual event, runners in different places at different times they were Nick Kleanthous 25:36; Marian Morley 26:45; Nicola Andersson 27:59; James McSweeney 28:43; Paul Jennings 29:40 and Paul Holgate 30:52.

A side effect of virtual racing is that you can be taking part in more than one event with the same run.

 

Thomas Cowan has now run a total of 106K – he has smashed his target, but is going to keep going until the end of the summer holidays and see how many kilometres he can get to!

He said, “Over lockdown I have taken up running with my mum and dad. I have also really missed school. It has made me want to raise some money for the Venkatraman Memorial Fund which provides educational facilities for children and young people in the Indian fishing village of Kovalam, near Chennai in Tamil Nadu. I think all children should have the opportunity to go to school and to learn.”

12 year old Thomas has been running three times a week and, so far, raised £1,140.  Mum Sophie is Chair of Fairlands Valley Spartans.

His fundraising page is at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ThomasCowan4

 

77 Days and still on the road

Fairlands Valley Spartans have been running for 77 days!  Their virtual relay has visited all four of Stevenage’s Twin Towns and they have continued by running in some of the world’s iconic marathons.

FVS completed the Luxor Marathon on Sunday.  The posts which took them through the start and finish were entered by Duncan Flounders and Danny Scanlon respectively.

Next the Stevenage-based running club are heading for Morocco to run the Marathon Des Sables.

On Sunday the Spartans covered 299 miles with 37 members posting a distance.  In addition they had 302 bonus miles for the week from those not on Facebook.  The virtual relay was started to keep people moving during lockdown.  How far have they covered so far in 77 days? – 20,739 miles!

 

Virtually Flying For The Eleventh Time

Six Spartans ran in the eleventh Fly5K virtual race.  JIM BROWN was first male 65 plus and 79^th overall in 24 minutes 50 seconds.  TRACY PEZ 84^th in 25:09; KEN JUDE 89^th with a best time for 2020 of 26:02; NICK KLEANTHOUS 95^th in 27:02; NICOLA ANDERSSON 97^th in a personal best (PB) of 27:05, and improvement of 43 seconds; and PAUL HOLGATE 119^th dipping under 30 minutes with a year’s best 29:57.  146 times were recorded.

 

Not a Parkrun

Fairlands Valley Spartans made up nearly half the field in the ninth (not) Stevenage Parkrun.  The eight runners from the club were Jim Brown 24:50; Ken Jude 26:02; Marian Morley 26:48; Nick Kleanthous 27:02; Nicola Andersson 27:05; James McSweeney 27:15; Paul Jennings 29:51 and Paul Holgate 29:57.  Seventeen times were recored.

A side effect of virtual racing is that you can be taking part in more than one event with the same run.

 

Tables

Fly 5k – Event 11 Six Spartans

Jim Brown                             79         24:50                                       1st V65

Tracy Pez                               84         25:09                                       8th V45

Ken Jude                                89         26:02     YB 2:13                    6th V55

Nick Kleanthous                                 95         27:02                                       7th V55

Nicola Andersson              97         27:05     PB 0:43                 10th V45

Paul Holgate                       119         29:57     YB 0:08                   4th V60

146 times recorded

 

Ninth (not) Stevenage Parkrun

Jim Brown                                           24:50

Ken Jude                                              26:02     YB 2:13

Marian Morley                                  26:48

Nick Kleanthous                                               27:02

Nicola Andersson                            27:05     PB 0:43

James McSweeney                          27:15

Paul Jennings                                     29:51

Paul Holgate                                       29:57     YB 0:08

17 times recorded

 

It’s confirmed!  The results are out and Spartans CHARLOTTE SMITH and JIM BROWN were winners in the Hatfield Broad Oak virtual 10K race.  Charlotte won the women 25 to 29 race in 47 minutes 6 seconds and Jim the men 65 to 69 race in 51:14.

 

The Fairlands Valley Challenge Is Open

The Fairlands Valley Spartans off road challenge is up and running.  It’s been a hot weekend and some phenomenal results as the 50K participants have decided to show how hardcore they really are.  Top slots now are occupied by George Burkin and Stuart Archer while Hazel Smith, Julie Shadbolt and Karen Ellis are joint third in the ultra event.  Judy King and Nicola Hatherly have put in a solid 15 miles as well in the last few days.

The Challenge is a virtual event this year and you can still run on a route you choose any day between now and Sunday 6^th September 2020.

Just like the usual event you have multiple choices.  They are 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon or 50k Ultra.  You can RUN or WALK.

A difference from many of the virtual events is that at least 25% of your route must be off road.

The event ethos is that this is an individual challenge in a friendly non competitive environment and another difference is that on your route you must take eleven selfies, include a different item in the background of each.  The initials of each item when put together must spell out the word FVChallenge.  You must abide by the current guidance on social distancing.  All Entries are £12 (£10 for affiliated runners).

All finishers will receive a medal based on the Challenge banner.  Go to www.fvchallenge.org.uk for more details and a link to the entry system.

 

Flying for the Tenth Time

F0ur Spartans ran the tenth virtual Fly 5K event.

Jim Brown was first Vet 65 and 69^th out of the 125 participants in 26:30; Nick Kleanthous 78^th in 27:41; Nicola Andersson was third Vet 45 in 27:48 which was a season’s best improvement of five seconds and Paul Holgate was 192^nd in 30:05 his best this year by 11 seconds.

The Spartans are hoping to field at least two complete men’s and women’s teams for the next Fly 5K event which will be on Saturday 15^th August.

 

Parkrun Roundup 15^th August 2020

Parkruns have restarted in some other countries but not yet in the UK.

Fairlands Valley Spartans and many others are looking forward to the 200^th Stevenage Parkrun which will be the first local parkrun when the events can restart.  The 199^th parkrun was on Saturday 14^th March.  It’ll be some party when they restart.

In the meantime seven Spartans ran the eighth “(not) Stevenage ParkRun” virtual event on Saturday.  They were

James McSweeney 26:02; Nick Kleanthous 27:38; Nicola Andersson 27:48 (SB 0:05); Marian Morley 27:53; Paul Jennings 29:33; Paul Holgate 30:05 (YB 0:11) and Debbie Blantern 30:08.  16 times were recorded

Jim Brown ran the Portobello (not) Parkrun he was 8^th out of the 29 finishers and first male 65 plus with 26 minutes 30 seconds.

A side effect of virtual racing is that you can be taking part in more than one event with the same run.

Dozens of events have been cancelled in the Spring and Summer including the mass participation London Marathon but there are some glimmers of a return to “live” competition with entries being invited for events on 23^rd August; 4^th October and 18^th October amongst others.

The Fairlands Valley Spartans off road challenge is up and running.  It is a virtual event this year and you can still run on a route you choose any day between now and Sunday 6^th September 2020.

Just like the usual event you have multiple choices.  They are 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon or 50k Ultra.  You can RUN or WALK.

A difference from many of the virtual events is that at least 25% of your route must be off road.

The event ethos is that this is an individual challenge in a friendly non competitive environment and another difference is that on your route you must take eleven selfies, include a different item in the background of each.  The initials of each item when put together must spell out the word FVChallenge.  You must abide by the current guidance on social distancing.  All Entries are £12 (£10 for affiliated runners).

All finishers will receive a medal based on the Challenge banner.  Go to www.fvchallenge.org.uk for more details and a link to the entry system.

 

Flying for the Ninth Time

Four Spartans ran in the ninth Fly 5K event.  They were Nicole Andersson 116^th in 28:09; Nick Kleanthous 117^th in 28:10; Paul Holgate 139^th in 30:26 and Beth Foley 153 in 33:05.  There were 168 times recorded.

They are hoping to field at least two complete men’s and women’s teams for the next event which will be on Saturday 15^th August.

 

Parkrun Roundup 1^st August 2020

Parkruns have restarted in some other countries but not yet in the UK.

Fairlands Valley Spartans and many others are looking forward to the 200^th Stevenage Parkrun which will be the first local parkrun when the events can restart.  The 199^th parkrun was on Saturday 14^th March.  It’ll be some party when they restart.

In the meantime eight Spartans ran the seventh “(not) Stevenage ParkRun” virtual event on stripy Saturday.  They were

John Roxborough 21:58; Nicola Andersson 28:09; Nick Kleanthous 28:10; Marian Morley 29:49; Paul Holgate 30:26; James McSweeney 30:49; Beth Foley 30:52 and Paul Jennings 33:37.  23 times were recorded

A side effect of virtual racing is that you can be taking part in more than one event with the same run.

 

The big, big news is that Fairlands Valley Spartans have a new world record holder.  SIMON JACKSON broke the world indoor Ironman triathlon record in Stevenage town centre on Saturday.  (For more on that see the Comet story).

ED HARE completed the Virtual Race to the Stones (100km in 7 days) last week.  He averaged 14.28km or 8.93miles a day.

Ed said, “The week started with a 10 mile sunny Monday evening run and then got gradually tougher as the week went on.  Everyday was like a very long recovery run and the toughest part was to get myself back out there each day, despite my body wanting to rest.  I was lucky enough to have some great Spartan company for most of the runs but it was amazing to have my children hold the finishing tape in Fairlands Valley Park on Sunday morning.  Thanks to everyone who supported me this week, I truly couldn’t have done it without you and as for the runners who have completed the actual event within 24hours, massive respect!!!”

 

National 5K

Ten Spartans raced in England Athletics national 5K championships.  These were raced virtually between 11^th and 13^th so most Spartans ran in or near Stevenage.

With nearly 1600 results in BRIAN WHITE was second in his category with 19 minutes 13 seconds.  The fastest Spartan was MARTIN BLACKBURN with 19:08.  The fastest Fairlands female was CHARLOTTE SMITH with a personal best 21 minutes exactly and the fastest FVS junior was WILL MORLEY with 20:32.

The other top fifty category positions were MARIAN MORLEY, 32^nd in 25:24 and JIM BROWN 33^rd in 25:23.

BETH FOLEY ran a new personal best (PB) of 29:25 and CHARLOTTE KEARNEY a new PB of 29:29.

Remember most of these runners were in different places and could not see each other.

 

Position	Name	Time	Category Pos.	Comments
608	MARTIN BLACKBURN	19:08	177
618	BRIAN WHITE	19:13	2	2nd in category
854	WILL MORLEY	20:32	27	Under 17
940	CHARLOTTE SMITH	21:00	58	1st 5K as FVS
1189	GRAHAM BLACKBURN	23:13	67	YB (0:05)
1346	JIM BROWN	25:23	33	YB (0:02)
1347	MARIAN MORLEY	25:24	32
1495	BETH FOLEY	29:25	37	PB (2:19)
1498	CHARLOTTE KEARNEY	29:29	106	PB (0:35)
1516	PAUL HOLGATE	30:20	52	YB 0:32

 

1572 times registered so far.

 

Fly 5k Event 6

In the sixth Fly 5K event NICK KLEANTHOUS was 141^st in 26:15 and PAUL HOLGATE 184^th in 30:20.  There were 220 times recorded in the virtual event.

 

Virtually Kadoma

Fairlands Valley Spartans are well on the way to Kadoma on their virtual quest to visit all of Stevenage’s four twin towns.

They covered 304 miles on Saturday with 58 members posting a distance.  Brilliant support for Spartan Simon Jackson and his world record attempt.

By Sunday morning the total distance covered was 10,767 miles in 41 days.  Then 51 members recorded a further 413 miles on Sunday to which was added the 321 bonus weekly miles from members not on Facebook.

So they are now close to Lusaka in Zambia with 11,501 miles covered in 42 days and less than 500 miles from their target, the fourth twin town, Kadoma in Zambia where in true Spartan tradition they are expecting a very big buffet.

 

 

Parkrun Roundup 11^th July 2020

Parkruns have restarted in some other countries but not yet in the UK.

Fairlands Valley Spartans and many others are looking forward to the 200^th Stevenage Parkrun which will be the first local parkrun when the events can restart.  The 199^th parkrun was on Saturday 14^th March.  It’ll be some party when they restart.

In the meantime in the bonus “Stripey Saturday” organised to support Simon Jackson’s world record attempt ten Spartans recorded 5K times in the third (not) Stevenage ParkRun 5K.

They were Brian White 19:13; Marian Morley a new PB of 25:24; Verity Sutton-Fisher 25:24; Nick Kleanthous 26:15; Nicola Andersson 28:16; James McSweeney 29:02; Beth Foley 29:25; Charlotte Kearney 29:29; Paul Holgate 30:20 and Helen Harris 31:18.  A total of 36 times were recorded.

A side effect of virtual racing is that you can be taking part in more than one event with the same run.

Many other Spartans did their training runs in club kit that day

 

 

Fairlands Valley Spartans are well on the way to Kadoma on their virtual quest to visit all of Stevenage’s four twin towns.

They covered 481 miles on Sunday with 62 members posting a distance.  This week there were 236 bonus weekly miles from members not on Facebook.

On Monday morning they were close to the South Sudan / Uganda border having covered 9,472 miles in 34 days.  They still have Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia to run through.

 

The Fairlands Valley Challenge Is Open

Fairlands Valley Spartans off road challenge would have been on Sunday 19^th July.  That’s not going to be possible but you can still run on a route you choose any day between now and Sunday 6^th September 2020.

Just like the usual event you have multiple choices.  They are 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon or 50k Ultra.  You can RUN or WALK.

A difference from many of the virtual events is that at least 25% of your route must be off road.

The event ethos is that this is an individual challenge in a friendly non competitive environment and another difference is that on your route you must take eleven selfies, include a different item in the background of each.  The initials of each item when put together must spell out the word FVChallenge.  You must abide by the current guidance on social distancing.  All Entries are £12 (£10 for affiliated runners).

All finishers will receive a medal based on the Challenge banner.  Go to www.fvchallenge.org.uk for more details and a link to the entry system.

 

Spartans To Compete in the England Athletics 5K Championships

The England Athletics Virtual 5K Road Running Championships on 11 to 13^th July are open to all ages from 16 years upwards and you can run in Stevenage but you must register in advance.

So far there are about 1800 entries and ten of them are Spartans.  They are Graham Blackburn, Martin Blackburn, Grace Brown, Jim Brown, Charlotte Kearney, Paul Holgate, Marian Morley, Tracy Pez, Charlotte Smith and Brian White.  Entries close on Friday 10^th July.  You can run on Saturday, Sunday or Monday morning.

 

Racing Virtually

Brian takes on Europe.  Spartan BRIAN WHITE raced in the European Masters 10K virtual challenge and was fourth in the 65 years plus category with 42 minutes 43 seconds.

Two Spartans ran Saturday’s Fly 5K event.  They were Nick Kleanthous 82^nd out of 149 in 25:43 and Paul Holgate 129^th in 30:52.

 

Parkrun Roundup 4^th July 2020

Parkruns have restarted in some other countries but not yet in the UK.

Fairlands Valley Spartans and many others are looking forward to the 200^th Stevenage Parkrun which will be the first local parkrun when the events can restart.  The 199^th parkrun was on Saturday 14^th March.  It’ll be some party when they restart.

In the meantime on “Stripey Saturday” seven Spartans recorded 5K times in the third (not) Stevenage ParkRun 5K.

They were James McSweeney 25:02; Nick Kleanthous a year’s best 25:02; Marian Morley a personal best 26:25; Paul Jennings 28:27; Nicola Andersson 29:11; Paul Holgate a year’s best 30:52 and Beth Foley a personal best 31:44.

A side effect of virtual racing is that you can be taking part in more than one event with the same run.

Many other Spartans did their training runs in club kit that day.

 

Fairlands Valley Spartans are in Egypt!!  They have recently visited Luxor and the Aswan Dam.  The club ran an impressive 470 miles on Sunday with times posted by 58 members.  That’s the second highest recorded since their virtual journey began.  In addition a bonus 234 miles for the week was added by members who are not on Facebook.

So that’s 7,507 miles run in 28 days.  They have run through England, France (including Autun), Germany (including Ingelheim), Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan (including Shymkent), Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Egypt.  It’s amazing how far you can get in a lockdown!  They have 4,324 miles to go to reach their final destination which is Stevenage’s fourth twin town, Kadoma in Zimbabwe.

 

Fly Virtually

This week three Spartans ran the Fly 5K virtual event.  They were TRACY PEZ 74^th in 24:41; NICK KLEANTHOUS 118^th in 28:45 and PAUL HOLGATE 130^th in 31:15.  There were 152 finishers this time.

The England Athletics Virtual 5K Road Running Championships on 11 to 13^th July are open to all ages (seniors and veterans) but you must register in advance.

 

Parkrun Roundup 27^th June 2020

Fairlands Valley Spartans and many others are looking forward to the 200^th Stevenage Parkrun which will be the first local parkrun when the events can restart.  The 199^th parkrun was on Saturday 14^th March.  It’ll be some party when they restart.

Parkruns have restarted in some countries but not yet in the UK.  In the meantime seven Spartans virtually raced the (not) Stevenage Parkrun.  They were MARIAN MORLEY 26:41; JAMES McSWEENEY 27:08; NICK KLEANTHOUS 28:32; PAUL JENNINGS 28:42; NICOLA ANDERSSON 29:11; PAUL HOLGATE 31:15 and BETH FOLEY 32:55.

A side effect of virtual racing is that you can be taking part in more than one event with the same run.

 

Coming Events

The Spartans are looking forward to a busy programme of races, social and training events when it is possible for events to start again, including (please check as, obviously, race dates may change depending on government and UKA guidance):

• County 10,000 metres track championships at Sandy at 8.15p.m. on TBA  (See Herts CAAA website).
• Hatfield Broad Oak (virtual) 10K qualifying runs between 10^th and 20^th July.  Also a 5K option.  You must register in advance.
• England Athletics Virtual 5K Road Running Championships on 11 to 13^th July.  Open to all ages.  You must register in advance.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge in Stevenage on Sunday 19^th July (VIRTUAL).
• Relays in the Park (3K stages), the Hertfordshire Road Relay Championships, in Fairlands Valley Park on Thursday 23^rd July (CANCELLED.  Enjoy virtual races).
• St. Albans 10K on Sunday 2^nd August (Check with ATW).
• Bearbrook 10K in Aylesbury on Sunday 2^nd August (CANCELLED).
• Burnham Beeches Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th August (CANCELLED).
• Clacton Half Marathon and 10K on Sunday 16^th August.
• EMAC Track and Field fourth league meeting on Wednesday 2^nd September (NOW may be an open event).
• St Albans Stampede on Saturday 5^th September.
• Bedford Half Marathon and 20 miles on Sunday 6^th September (CANCELLED).
• Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday 6^th September (NEW DATE).
• Milton Keynes Marathon Weekend Re-Imagined.  Run in MK between 6^th and 19^th September (NEW DATE).
• Peterborough Marathon on Sunday 13^th September (CANCELLED).
• Brighton Marathon Weekend, Friday 18^th to Sunday 20^th September (NEW DATE).
• Stevenage 10K on Sunday 20^th September (VIRTUAL EVENT).
• EMAC (Eastern Veterans) Track and Field League Final in Bedford on Saturday 26^th September (CANCELLED).
• London Marathon on Sunday 4^th October (NEW DATE).
• Standalone 10K (including County veteran championships) on Sunday 4^th October (CANCELLED).
• Manchester Marathon on Sunday 11^th October (NEW DATE).
• Great Eastern Run (half marathon) in Peterborough on Sunday 11^th October (CANCELLED).
• Chelmsford Marathon on Sunday 18^th October (CANCELLED).
• Stevenage Half Marathon (including County senior championships) on Sunday 1^st November.
• Silverstone Half Marathon, 5K and 10K on Sunday 15^th November.
• Bass Belle ten miles on Sunday 29^th November.

 

Nineteen Spartans ran in the virtual national 5K for masters (veterans).  JONATHAN PARR finished in the top one per cent at 31^st out of 3,283 with 15 minutes 37 seconds.

SIMON JACKSON was in the top ten percent at 316^th with 17:12; ANDREW PATTERSON was 384^th in 17:29; PAUL SHELLEY was 937^th in 18:55 and SAMANTHA PRETTY the club’s fastest woman with 19 minutes 23 seconds.

BRIAN WHITE was 10^th veteran aged 65 plus with 19:44.

In the team result for men aged 55 to 64 JOHN HARRIS (20:11); DAVE STEPHENSON (22:48) and GRAHAM BLACKBURN (23:18) were 50^th and NICK KLEANTHOUS (26:32); MICHAEL O’KEEFE (29:29) and PAUL HOLGATE (31:43 were 70^th.  Three runners in the current age category were needed to make a virtual relay team.

Others in Team Spartan were Adrian DONNELLY 20:10; JIM BROWN 25:52; LOUISE PACK 26:31: HAZEL SMITH 26:45; LIZ CARVELL 29:17; TESSA STEPHENSON 30:10 and PETER CARPENTER 41:57.

The British Masters Athletic Federation virtual 5K replaced a “real” event which was cancelled due to the Covid-19 restrictions.  Instead of travelling athletes ran a 5K near home.  The full table of Spartan results can be found near the end of this release.

The England Athletics Virtual 5K Road Running Championships on 11 to 13^th July are open to all ages but you must register.

 

Spartan Seconds In Solstice 10K

Two Spartans were in SILVER positions in the virtual Solstice 10K which was run over the weekend.

New club member CHARLOTTE SMITH was second in the women’s under 35 category with 45 minutes 38 seconds and JIM BROWN second in the men’s over 60 with 53:16.

The event would have been on a flat course in St Albans on Sunday.  In fact they were racing around Fairlands Way, Gunnels Wood Road, Six Hills Way and finishing in the park on Saturday.

Charlotte was 59^th out of the 401 finishers and Jim 143^rd.  In the same event PAUL HOLGATE was 297 in 66:01.  He said that was 2 minutes 39 seconds quicker than his fastest real 10K in 2019.

 

Spartans Virtually in Iran…….

Fairlands Valley Spartans are still finding novel ways to keep running despite the current restrictions.  Recently they’ve included the club’s own challenge to run at least 5K four times a week and the British Masters virtual relays.

Now they are visiting all of Stevenage’s four twin towns.

On Saturday 20^th they covered 344 miles with 62 members posting a distance.  By the end of the day they were at Mary in Turkmenistan.

Then on Sunday 384 miles were recorded by 50 members.  In addition 242 bonus miles from the week were added for those not on Facebook so by Monday morning the club were in Tehran, Iraq.

So far they have covered 5,753 miles in 21 miles and are now on the way to Kadoma in Zimbabwe, the fourth of the twin towns.

They have already been to Autun 498 miles, and Autun to Ingelheim 349 miles, Ingelheim to  Shymkent another 3,436 miles and now Shymkent to Kadoma will be 7,535 miles.

In Turkmenistan despite all the restrictions?  Well actually no.  Spartans are sending their training miles in and around Stevenage to head coach Brian White every day.  He adds them up and maps the club’s progress.

 

Fly 5K – Event 3

Three Spartans took part in the third Fly 5K virtual event.  They were Grace Dorothea 95^th in 24:29; Nick Kleanthous 110^th in 26:32 and Paul Holgate 145^th in 31:56.

This time 170 times were recorded compared with 94 for event one and 135 for event two.

 

Parkrun Roundup 20^th June 2020

Fairlands Valley Spartans and many others are looking forward to the 200^th Stevenage Parkrun which will be the first local parkrun when the events can restart.  The 199^th parkrun was on Saturday 14^th March.  It’ll be some party when they restart.

However six Spartans took part in a (not) Stevenage Park Run virtual version.  They were Nick Kleanthous 26:32; James McSweeney 26:42; Marian Morley 27:26; Paul Jennings 29:47; Charlotte Kearney 30:50 and Paul Holgate 31:56.

 

Coming Events

The Spartans are looking forward to a busy programme of races, social and training events when it is possible for events to start again, maybe in July, including (please check as, obviously, race dates may change depending on government and UKA guidance):

• St. Albans 10K on Sunday 2^nd August (Check with ATW).
• Bearbrook 10K in Aylesbury on Sunday 2^nd August (CANCELLED).
• Burnham Beeches Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th August (CANCELLED).
• Clacton Half Marathon and 10K on Sunday 16^th August.
• EMAC Track and Field fourth league meeting on Wednesday 2^nd September (NOW may be an open event).
• Milton Keynes Marathon Weekend 5^th – 6^th September (NEW DATE).
• St Albans Stampede on Saturday 5^th September.
• Bedford Half Marathon and 20 miles on Sunday 6^th September (CANCELLED).
• Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday 6^th September (NEW DATE).
• Peterborough Marathon on Sunday 13^th September (NEW DATE).
• Brighton Marathon Weekend, Friday 18^th to Sunday 20^th September (NEW DATE).
• Stevenage 10K on Sunday 20^th September (VIRTUAL EVENT).
• EMAC (Eastern Veterans) Track and Field League Final in Bedford on Saturday 26^th September (CANCELLED).
• London Marathon on Sunday 4^th October (NEW DATE).
• Standalone 10K (including County veteran championships) on Sunday 4^th October (DATE MAY CHANGE).
• Manchester Marathon on Sunday 11^th October (NEW DATE).
• Great Eastern Run (half marathon) in Peterborough on Sunday 11^th October (CANCELLED).
• Chelmsford Marathon on Sunday 18^th October (CANCELLED).
• Stevenage Half Marathon (including County senior championships) on Sunday 1^st November.
• Silverstone Half Marathon, 5K and 10K on Sunday 15^th November.
• Bass Belle ten miles on Sunday 29^th November.

 

Tables

BMAF 5K

Position	Name	Category	Cat Position	Time
31	Jonathan PARR	M35	21	15:37
316	Simon JACKSON	M40	99	17:12
384	Andrew PATTERSON	M35	142	17:29
937	Paul SHELLEY	M50	102	18:55
1101	Samantha PRETTY	W35	25	19:23
1224	Brian WHITE	M65	10	19:44
1369	Adrian DONNELLY	M40	321	20:10
1375	John HARRIS	M55	95	20:11
2242	David STEPHENSON	M55	183	22:48
2372	Graham BLACKBURN	M55	189	23:18
2840	Jim BROWN	M65	68	25:52
2925	Louise PACK	W35	208	26:31
2928	Nick KLEANTHOUS	M55	224	26:32
2948	Hazel SMITH	W45	232	26:45
3141	Liz CARVELL	W60	63	29:17
3156	Michael O’KEEFE	M55	234	29:29
3187	Tessa STEPHENSON	W55	136	30:10
3219	Paul HOLGATE	M60	127	31:43
3281	Peter CARPENTER	M75	15	41:57

 

There was huge disappointment at the postponement of the London Marathon but six Fairlands Valley Spartan women were determined to still raise money for charity and to make their running effort a bit special.

This would have been the first time the Spartans had a race qualified women’s team in the British Marathon Championship.  GAIL MACKIE, MICHELLE REEVES, SAMANTHA PRETTY-CONNORS, ELLA HARDS, SUZY HAWKINS and ASHLEY KING decided to organise a virtual relay on Sunday morning to see if they could beat the three hour barrier.

 

Spartans Ladies Sub-3 Hour Marathon Challenge.

They raised at least £1500 for Age UK and Bridge the Gap (which will be doubled by River Island bringing the total to £3000 + Gift aid!).

After a year of training four Fairlands Valley Ladies had qualified and entered the British Marathon Championships and were due to compete at the Virgin London Marathon this year.  Michelle Reeves ran 3 hours 14 minutes  at the Virgin London Marathon in 2019 to qualify for the championships, and her team-mates Suzy Hawkins, Samantha Pretty-Connors, Gail Mackie 30, all ran sub-90minute half marathon times to make up the first Fairlands Valley Spartans British Marathon Championship Team.

They were looking in fantastic form up until lockdown, training hard, pushing each other in training, alongside their team mates Ashley King and Ella Hards.  All were aiming for some collective personal bests (PBs) and ambitious goals.  Samantha Pretty-Connors and Suzy Hawkins, both juggling childcare and training, ran a 1:26 half marathon in Cambridge just before the lockdown and looked on form to go sub-3 hours at London.

Disappointed the event was unable to go ahead, the ladies wanted to do something positive to mark the occasion and raise money for charity.

Michelle Reeves, said “Charities have been really hard hit during this crisis and whilst we were disappointed we couldn’t take part in the event, the biggest worry is about the charities who will no longer be able to fundraise.  The London Marathon raises around £65 million in funding for charities each year, and for some, this is their main source of donations.  We were inspired by the Virgin London Marathon 2.6 challenge to raise money for charity and hopefully lift spirits in our running community and entertain people a little on the way.  I’d been put on furlough from my work at River Island, so wanted to put this time to good use and raise money for charity, which River Island have kindly offered to match.”

The ladies came up with the idea during a Zoom fitness session together.  Samantha, suggested doing something to mark the occasion, that they would otherwise be pounding the streets on London, so, alongside their training buddies, they set themselves a challenge.  The idea of a Virtual Marathon Relay came to Michelle, just two days before the London Marathon was due to take place!  Between the six of them, they aimed to complete the marathon distance, which meant running 4.37 miles each, one after the other – and Live Stream as much as they could.  Each would run out to complete a leg from their homes, adhering to current social distancing rules, and virtually pass a baton to the next runner, who would then go out and complete their leg, starting at 10am on the Sunday, when the Virgin London Marathon would have started for the mass participants.  “We needed to set ourselves a challenge” Suzy said, “so we wanted to complete the challenge in under 3 hours, which would be tough, as we had just trained for endurance, rather than speed!”  The ladies each needed to complete their individual 4.37miles in under 30minutes.

We also needed to think of an object we all had in our houses we could pretend to pass to each other in front of the camera – that’s where the wooden spoon came into it – we would pretend to pass the wooden spoon to the next runner on live video streaming!  “I got some strange looks sprinting down the road, on my own, with a wooden spoon in my hand.” laughed Samantha.

Come the morning of the 26^th April we were all so nervous – exactly the same feeling as before any race – and not wanting to let down any of our team or supporters.  Ella, who is currently staying in Hampshire, kicked off the event at 10am, in a time of 28 minutes 38 seconds, setting the ladies off to a good start.

Michelle was quick to take the wooden spoon baton, but the nerves and excitement got to her, and went off far too quickly!  “I knew I was in trouble, when I ran faster than my 5km PB for the first 2km, and really slowed up in the middle part of the race.  I just kept thinking, don’t slow up too much.  I didn’t want to let down the others – or make them run even faster!  In the end I held on for 30:16”

Sam was off next, who came through at an amazing 28:03.  “I was so pleased I was able to give us a bit of a buffer, as honestly none of us knew how we would perform.”  She then handed over to Gail, who said “I was really excited, but really nervous.  I was also worried as I was in charge of the FaceBook live and technology.  With Michelle’s wise words echoing in my ears not to go out too fast – I still managed to do just that!  A couple hills later, I spotted a familiar Spartan on the side of the road, ready to cheer from two metres away, which gave me a massive boost.  It was getting hard but I knew that there were supporters ready and waiting to see me finish – spurring me on to 29:34, 26 seconds under target”.  Next up was Suzy, who said “I found it hard to sleep last night, I was so nervous, and didn’t know what I would be able to do, but was really please to finish my leg in 28:47.”

We then went all the way to the Virginia, USA to Ashley for our final leg.  She had been travelling, cycling round Asia when the outbreak occurred and returned to her parents in the USA.  She finished her leg in 29:24, running through the finishing ribbon her family were holding and they presented her with a medal for us all, bringing our total time to 2 hours 54 minutes and 43 seconds.

We were so pleased to raise over £1500 pounds for Age UK and Bridge the Gap, charities which are both working so hard at the moment to support vulnerable people in our community, and completely overwhelmed with the support people have shown, by donating and following our live feed on Facebook.  We are so happy we have been able to take part in something so positive.  Thank you to everyone who has shown their support and donated.  If you would like to donate, to these wonderful charities, the page is here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/FVSGirlsGoSub3

 

Simon Solo Sub Three

To avoid everyone and the need for water stations Spartan SIMON JACKSON ran solo and ran early and had completed a full marathon by 8a.m!

With the London marathon being postponed from Sunday Simon decided to run for 26.2 miles in a loop where he was never further than two miles from his house.

He said, “I went sensible and went out just before the sun came up, so I didn’t overheat and I wasn’t in the need of dozens of aid stations there would be in London.”

He did the 26.2 mile route in 2:55:16 and was home comfortably before 8am.

Simon is training for a Guiness World Record when he wil be attempting to break the indoor 140.6 mile triathlon world record by rowing 3.86 km on a rowing machine, cycling 180.25 km on an indoor bike then running 42.2 km on a treadmill in LESS THAN 8 hours 24 minutes and 47 seconds.

He is doing this in aid of Garden House Hospice Care and has a Just Giving page at:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ironmanworldrecord

 

Jim Brown in the 2.6 Challenge

Jim Brown would have run his 20^th London Marathon on Sunday.  He had qualified – “Good For Age” by running two sub four hour marathons in 2019.  Jim’s 2.6 challenge was to run 2.6 times 5 miles, a solo half marathon for Stevenage Helps and to donate 26 items to the Stevenage Foodbank by the end of the week.

Stevenage Community Trust’s Stevenage Helps Appeal will directly help those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stevenage Community trust “support both individuals through Hardship Grants and charities and organisations through Community Grants, covering Stevenage and surrounding villages.

In order to ensure that your money reaches those in most need we have been approved by Stevenage Borough Council to create this fund to ensure that your generosity goes to the people that need it most.

Stevenage Community Trust has been serving the people of Stevenage for 30 years, this appeal will be run at zero cost ensuring that 100% of the money we receive from Virgin Money Giving goes directly to those benefiting from the appeal. *Virgin Money Giving charges a small fee for processing donations, you can cover this fee as you donate to ensure that your full donation goes to the appeal.”

Please send donations via www.Virginmoneygiving.com/fund/stevenage-helps or www.stevenagecommunitytrust.org/stevenage-helps-covid-19-appeal  Please refer to “Deputy Jim” when you donate.  Jim is the Deputy Mayor of Stevenage.

Starting from home at 11a.m. Jim ran a solo Stevenage half marathon which took in chunks of his first ever marathon including running through the start at Argyle Way.  He said it was a bit tough running that distance with no other runners and as it got warmer but despite losing a little time ensuring there was enough space around him at all times he was happy to achieve his target and finish the 21.1 kilometres in 1:59:17.

How lucky we are to have the wide cycleways in Stevenage.

The real Stevenage Half Marathon is due to take place on Sunday1st November.

 

Stoop for Jennings

Spartan Paul Jennings ran a solo marathon following STOOP – the Stevenage Outer Orbital Path.  No chance of it being as fast as on flat tarmac, it was his birthday and he had to do some route checking but he finished happy in 5:15:43

 

Train Virtually With The Spartans

Despite the lack of races and coaching club sessions the Spartans are keeping active despite not being able to run in groups and making sure they maintain the two metre separation from everyone else.

Brian White, the head coach, is publishing weekly training programmes for members to follow solo; many Spartans were almost marathon ready and are relaxing with local runs from home to maintain fitness levels without over training; and members are benefiting from training videos published by Marriotts Sports Centre – the Spartans base in normal times.  Full membership of the Spartans including UKA affiliation costs just £19 from now until 31^st March 2021.

To join the Spartans visit www.fvspartans.org.uk now.

 

Twenty two Spartans were amongst 3,748 who posted qualifying times in the Virtual National Road Relay Championships.  Every runner had to race exactly five kilometres but alone and were on hundreds of different courses near their own homes.

Samantha Pretty 19:43; Gail Mackie 20:56; Michelle Reeves 21:06; Fiona Clarke 25:59; Hazel Smith 27:25 and Penny Schenkel 27:28 made up the Spartans entry in the women’s six stage event and finished with a total of 2 hours 22 minutes 37 seconds.

The club’s team in the 12 stage open event for men was Jonathan Parr 463^rd out of 3,700 in 16:09; Simon Jackson 16:49; Jason Anderson 18:19; Adrian Busolini 18:34; Paul Shelley 19:09; Craig Wilson 19:44; Martin Blackburn 19:58; James Kay 20:07; Brian White 20:22; Nick Gill 20:31; Danny Scanlon 20:43 and Chris Holland 21:52.

The format allowed a number of races within races.  A competition for veteran men aged 50 or more required teams of four and attracted Paul Shelley 19:09; Brian White 20:22; David Stephenson 23:46 and Jim Brown 24:44 giving a total of 1:28:01.

There were six stages in the race for all men aged 40 plus.  Here Simon Jackson; Paul Shelley; Craig Wilson; Brian White; Chris Holland and David Stephenson made up the qualifying team and had a total time of 2 hours 1 minute 42 seconds.

In the age graded competition the Spartans got close to a 75% average with Simon Jackson (83.89%), Jonathan Parr (82.59%), Brian White (81.06%), Paul Shelley (77.63%), Samantha Pretty (75.61%), Jason Anderson (74.31%), Craig Wilson (73.09%), Gail Mackie (70.54%), Adrian Busolini (70.30%), Michelle Reeves (70.27%), Jim Brown (68.51%) and James Kay (66.30%).  The twelve runners scoring 74.50%.

The event which would have been in Sutton Park, West Midlands was cancelled due to the Covid-19 restrictions but athletes all over the country ran 5K in a virtual version.  They had to run solo and were on hundreds of different routes which avoided busy places.  Extreme downhill routes were not allowed!

The event finished on Wednesday.

While the regular 12 and 6-stage event in Sutton Park, a regular feature of most distance runners’ seasons, was cancelled due to COVID-19, the virtual event gave athletes the chance to represent their club and compete against others around the country, while keeping within social distancing regulations.

Athletes ran a 5km leg in their local area, measured by their GPS watch.  They then uploaded their performance to the central results platform.  The event strictly enforced a run solo rule, as well as discouraging athletes from running in busy areas, to comply with the government restrictions.  Runners used this as their one form of daily exercise.

Many Spartans benefited from the cycleway network in Stevenage – three metres wide plus often a footpath and grass verge meaning there were few difficulties maintaining the two metres social distancing.

Without the need to travel about twice as many teams took part compared with 2019.

The results for all 22 Spartan finishers were:

Position	Name	Category	Cat. Pos.	Time	Age Grade
463	Jonathan PARR	M35	61	16:09	82.59%
753	Simon JACKSON	M40	59	16:49	83.89%
1479	Jason ANDERSON	M35	222	18:19	74.31%
1593	Adrian BUSOLINI	SM	747	18:34	70.30%
1837	Paul SHELLEY	M50	53	19:09	77.63%
2054	Samantha PRETTY	W35	33	19:43	75.61%
2061	Craig WILSON	M45	155	19:44	73.09%
2167	Martin BLACKBURN	SM	840	19:58
2220	James KAY	M35	317	20:07	66.30%
2310	Brian WHITE	M60	15	20:22	81.06%
2362	Nick GILL	SM	861	20:31
2421	Danny SCANLON	M35	337	20:43
2499	Gail MACKIE	SW	231	20:56	70.54%
2556	Michelle REEVES	SW	240	21:06	70.27%
2766	Chris HOLLAND	M40	302	21:52
3162	David STEPHENSON	M55	78	23:46
3187	Lee PICKERSGILL	M35	385	23:58
3290	Jim BROWN	M65	13	24:44	68.51%
3430	Fiona CLARKE	W40	136	25:59
3452	Nick KLEANTHOUS	M55	93	26:22
3526	Hazel SMITH	W45	137	27:25
3527	Penny SCHENKEL	W50	75	27:28

The event incorporated a women’s 12-stage competition for the first time, with 60 complete women’s teams of 12 entered.  The standard 6-stage option is also available, with 129 clubs on the start list.

Virtual running, where athletes complete a set distance alone with a GPS watch and then record it on a results platform, is a growing area of the sport.  A number of road racing events this spring that were cancelled are offering virtual options and this is an area of the sport that is likely to continue to develop with the current restrictions in place.

An event fundraising page was been set up to raise money for the NHS.  It has already raised thousands of pounds and can be found at justgiving.com/fundraising/virtualrelays.

 

Parkrun Donation

Fairlands Valley Spartans have donated £500 so that the Parkrun in Fairlands Valley Park can have its own defibrillator.  It should be available when Parkrun Stevenage relaunches later this year with its 200^th edition of the popular event for runners and joggers of all abilities.

Club chair SOPHIE COWAN will be going along to the first parkrun, which will be the 200^th, that’s possible after the pandemic restrictions are relaxed.  She said,  “FVS are delighted to have made a donation to Stevenage park run.  All park runs rely on donations to purchase equipment.  Lots of Spartans take part week in week out and FVS were keen to make a donation to grass roots athletics.  The £500 donation will be put towards a defibrillator to help keep all participants safe.  Once the lock down is relaxed, Spartans look forward to getting back to the regular Saturday morning run.”

 

Train Virtually With The Spartans

Despite the lack of races and coaching club sessions the Spartans are keeping active despite not being able to run in groups and making sure they maintain the two metre separation from everyone else.

Brian White, the head coach, is publishing weekly training programmes for members to follow solo; many Spartans were almost marathon ready and are relaxing with local runs from home to maintain fitness levels without over training; and members are benefiting from training videos published by Marriotts Sports Centre – the Spartans base in normal times.  Full membership of the Spartans including UKA affiliation costs just £19 from now until 31^st March 2021.

To join the Spartans visit www.fvspartans.org.uk now.

 

Parkrun Roundup 11^th April 2020

Fairlands Valley Spartans and many others are looking forward to the 200^th Stevenage Parkrun which will be the first local parkrun when the events can restart.  The 199^th parkrun was on Saturday 14^th March.  It’ll be some party when they restart.

(All this week’s Spartan parkrun results can be found near the end of this release).

 

Coming Events

The Spartans are looking forward to a busy programme of races, social and training events when it is possible for events to start again, maybe in June, including (please check as, obviously, race dates may change depending on government and UKA guidance):

• Mid Week Road Race League Race Three (10K) in St. Albans on Thursday 4^th June.
• Welwyn 10K at Stanborough on Sunday 7^th June (NEW DATE but check).
• St Albans Half Marathon (and Stevenage Day) on Sunday 14^th June (CANCELLED).
• Welwyn 10K (including County senior championships) on Sunday 28^th June (POSTPONED).
• Mid Week Road Race League Race Four (9K) in Trent Park on Thursday 2^nd July.
• County 10,000 metres track championships at Sandy at 8.15p.m. on Thursday evening 9^th July.
• Mid Week Road Race League Mob Match (10K) in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 16^th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge in Stevenage on Sunday 19^th July.
• Relays in the Park (3K stages), the Hertfordshire Road Relay Championships, in Fairlands Valley Park on Thursday 23^rd July.
• St. Albans 10K on Sunday 2^nd August.
• Bearbrook 10K in Aylesbury on Sunday 2^nd August.
• Burnham Beeches Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th August.
• Clacton Half Marathon and 10K on Sunday 16^th August.
• EMAC Track and Field fourth league meeting on Wednesday 2^nd September (NEW DATE).
• Milton Keynes Marathon Weekend 5^th – 6^th September (NEW DATE).
• St Albans Stampede on Saturday 5^th September.
• Bedford Half Marathon and 20 miles on Sunday 6^th September.
• Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday 6^th September (NEW DATE).
• Peterborough Marathon on Sunday 13^th September (NEW DATE).
• Brighton Marathon Weekend, Friday 18^th to Sunday 20^th September (NEW DATE).
• Stevenage 10K on Sunday 20^th September.
• EMAC (Eastern Veterans) Track and Field League Final on Saturday 26^th September.
• London Marathon on Sunday 4^th October (NEW DATE).
• Standalone 10K (including County veteran championships) on Sunday 4^th October.
• Great Eastern Run (half marathon) in Peterborough on Sunday 11^th October.
• Chelmsford Marathon on Sunday 18^th October (CANCELLED).
• Stevenage Half Marathon (including County senior championships) on Sunday 1^st November.
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 15^th November.
• Bass Belle ten miles on Sunday 29^th November.

 

 

Spartan JONATHAN PARR (right) won the 5K race in the Milton Keynes Festival of Running.  He was first out of the 354 finishers in 16 minutes 35 seconds, 22 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.  He was very pleased with that lovely win.

The festival consisted of four distances – 5K, 10K, half marathon and 20 miles.

In the popular half marathon, with 1,087 finishers, SUSAN MCANENY was first Spartan in 1 hour 51 minutes 2 seconds.  She said, “I was really pleased the MK festival Of running wasn’t cancelled today because it was nice to have something to take my mind off the current state of affairs in the world.  I was happy with my time – a PB by two minutes, a new half time of 1:51:02.  Nice to see Jim there for a cheery Spartan wave too!  P.S – loads of loo roll and hand sanitizer in the portable facilities!! (Editor’s note: edited to replace the commonly used term, which in fact is a trademark, following an objection from the Intellectual Property Manager at Portakabin Ltd) – and no queues.”

Following a DNF (did not finish) in an event last week JIM BROWN was pleased to hang on well enough to trim four seconds off his best for the year with 1:51:53 despite an encounter with an autonomous delivery vehicle.  He was second in his category.

CAROLINE BARTER beat two hours with 1:59:02.

There were four Spartans in the 20 mile race.  RICHARD KENNEDY 2:40:22; NICOLA KENNEDY 2:54:54; WENDY THARANI 3:19:49 and TAKER THARANI 4:18:43.  They had a moderate breeze and the rain became continuous towards the end.

SHARON FLAHERTY ran the 5K in 31:27.  She said, “When I woke up this morning I hadn’t planned to run a race, but Ed put the idea in my head and so I signed up at the very last minute – 20 mins before the race start!  The only running I have been managing to make time for this has been the starters’ group on Mondays (which I love).  I was keen to see how a race would go, plenty of work to do but happy to have got out there and had a go.

 

Oundle 20

Spartan SAM SIMMONS was first for the club at the Oundle 20.  He was comfortably under three hours with 2 hours 48 minutes 10 seconds.  KAREN ELLIS came in with 3:14:16 while ROBERT WRIGHT and ERICA GRAYSON ran together for 3:17:31 and 3:17:32.

Erica said, “What a great event. Gently undulating course with fantastic views.  It was well organised with enthusiastic volunteers.  This was a great spartan day out and highly recommended.”

 

Hampton Court – First

Callie Chapman, Vicky Archer, Jenny Garrett, Darren EMMERSON and CLAIRE EMMERSON (header photo) all ran Hampton court half marathon today.  It’s a lovely route starting and finishing at Hampton court palace and a large section of the run is by the Thames.

Jenny has run every Hampton court half and has all 6 of the amazing medals.

Times are as follows

Claire paced Vicky in her first half marathon which she smashed; their time was 2:06:37

Darren and Jenny were out for a fun training run and did 2:07:31

Callie also enjoyed the route and finished in 2:34:02.

 

Track Wars III with Ciaran

Does the thought of running for six hours on a 400 metre track grab you? No?

CIARAN MCANENY has no idea why…

Friday morning saw a bunch of around 80 runners line up on the track in Walton-on-Thames to run around in elongated circles for more time than is normal.  Some runners were out to pass half marathon distance, some for marathon and some just to see how far they could go in six hours.  This was Track Wars III.

Some were even starting and continuing through the evening race as well to run up to twelve hours.

Ciaran’s aim was to last the six hours and see how far he could go.  The nature of the event made logistics easy of course.  You could lay out your supplies trackside, stop when you need to refuel, no worry about getting lost, etc.  The only real risk he guesses would be boredom.

Ciaran lined up some tunes to occupy my mind.  However, as there was always company in the track the time never seemed to drag.

The first half went well and paced slightly faster than he’d hoped.  Nutrition was alternating water and PH hydration drinks bottles; plus various bars and moving to gels in the middle section.  His schedule was to eat every 30 minutes and sip on the drinks throughout.  Finally would move to Tailwind if eating became more difficult near the end.

All went pretty much to plan.  The second half was slower due to nipping off track for some nature breaks; but still finished as well as he thought he could.

Overall second place with 175 laps for 70 kilometres in 6:02:56.

Ciaran said, “Although the format may seem unappealing, I’d do it again. It was really different to run without thinking, navigating and with everything to hand.  To simply dial into your running and keep moving.”

 

Ashridge Boundary

On Saturday 14th of March, two Spartans took on the challenging Ashridge Boundary Run, a 16.5 mile trail run around the Ashridge estate including stunning views from Ivanhoe beacon and through ancient woodland.  Running through a quagmire of mud for a number of miles plus 1340ft of elevation around the Chiltern Hills, it’s safe to say this is not a course for those chasing a time, just finishing is an achievement!  John Roxborough completed the course in a time of 2:41:07, 156th overall and 58th in his age group.  Thomas Sauka finished in a time of 2:42:36, 164th overall and 61st in his age group from a total of 384 finishers.

 

Parkrun Roundup 14^th March 2020

37 Fairlands Valley Spartans enjoyed parkruns on Saturday.

In a week of strong results for the female Spartans.  JANE WHITROW celebrated her 100^th Parkrun in style with a personal best time of 29 mins and 11 secs at the Bushy event. In Stevenage, YUKO GORDON was the first female to finish in a new PB time of 22 mins and 33 seconds.  She was joined by MO WARRILLOW and BETH FOLEY who also ran PBs of 25 mins and 40 secs and 31 mins and 55 secs, respectively.  GRACE BROWN finished the Ellenbrook Field course as the third female in 22 mins and 51 secs and VERITY FISHER the Dunstable Downs run, as the fourth female, in 27 mins and 44 secs.

(All this week’s Spartan parkrun results can be found near the end of this release).

 

Tables

Spartan Parkruns on Saturday 14^th March:

Full results for all Spartans are listed below.

 

Parkrun	Pos	Gen	Parkrunner	Times	Notes
Bushy parkrun	680	181	Jane WHITROW	29:11	100th Parkrun; New PB
Stevenage parkrun	4	3	Dean CARPENTER	19:22
	17	15	Danny SCANLON	21:03
	23	21	Paul SHELLEY	21:37
	30	28	Stuart ARCHER	21:55
	40	38	Paul MAGUIRE	22:21
	43	1	Yuko GORDON	22:33	New PB
	56	4	Eva RAMSEY	23:12
	60	53	Martin DUDLEY	23:17
	63	55	Matt CLARKE	23:24
	66	6	Claire PULLEN	23:48
	69	58	Chris HOLLAND	23:52
	105	20	Mo WARRILLOW	25:40	New PB
	106	21	Fiona CLARKE	25:41
	119	91	Edward HARE	25:58
	123	94	Nick KLEANTHOUS	26:06
	131	26	Alison SHELLEY	26:32
	138	103	Jim BROWN	26:38
	150	110	Michael ANDREWS	27:01
	152	112	James NICHOLLS	27:05
	186	133	Mark BEASLEY	28:56
	197	52	Debbie BLANTERN	29:12
	201	140	Lee PIROTH	29:25
	218	59	Sofia CARPENTER	30:04
	219	151	Paul JENNINGS	30:06
	230	65	Nicola ANDERSSON	30:34
	247	74	Beth FOLEY	31:55	New PB
	277	172	Paul HOLGATE	33:48
	304	111	Melody BROWN	36:02
	333	132	Caren THAIN	38:30
	337	190	Roger BIGGS	39:09
Brockenhurst parkrun	169	97	Darryl STEVENS	57:19
Ellenbrook Fields parkrun	30	3	Grace BROWN	22:51
	173	59	Nicola HATHERLY	34:06
Dunstable Downs parkrun	33	29	Daniel SUTTON	27:42
	34	4	Verity FISHER	27:44
	84	24	Helen HARRIS	37:36

 

Storms Ciara and Dennis are history and it was a great morning for 32 Spartans at the Cambridge Half Marathon.  Many came home with new personal bests (PB).

First Spartan and in a near two minutes personal best was SIMON JACKSON.  He was 48^th, top 50, overall out of 11,251 finishers in 1 hour 14 minutes 2 seconds.

STEFFAN FORD (left) ran his best time this season and was 154^th in 1:19:42.

Another Spartan with a fast new PB was PAUL HEWETT in 1:20:21 beating his previous best of 1:20:21.

The club’s fastest woman was SAM PRETTY with 1 hour 26 minutes 11 seconds and 56 seconds off her personal best.

Only just behind her SUZY HAWKINS (right) was very happy to set a new half marathon PB in Cambridge 1:26:25.  She said she didn’t think it was possible to better her December time, so the 40 or so seconds really do count.  Suzy was 21^st woman, and third in her age group out of 4,859 females on international woman’s day.  As a bonus Suzy scored an age graded score of 80% for the first time, that’s been a target for a while.  She said the course was really nice through the colleges, although it was still windy out there.

PAUL SHELLEY took 1 minute 17 seconds off his PB with 1:26:44 and STU ARCHER 1:29 off his with 1:27:13.

YUKO GORDON won the women 65 plus, beating the first aged 60 plus, with 1:36:20.

There was another PB from DAVID PATTMAN who ran the Cambridge Half in 1:43:52.

ED HARE said, “It was a great morning with loads of Stripes amongst the 10,000 or so Runners.  After the Seville Marathon two weeks ago and The Big Half last week I was eyeing up this race up for a strong run but was concerned about tiring legs.  After starting well with Steve Dobner, David Pattman and Matt Clarke and absorbing all the support from the crowd, with lots of Spartan high fives around the technical sections in the centre, I pushed on from five miles. After 10 miles I knew I had a big PB on the cards and I was delighted to finish in 1hr 43mins 23secs and well over a 3 minutes PB and a 7 minute improvement from the same race last year.  The route has a bit of everything and the support around the course was fantastic and this race is one of the first in my diary.  I already can’t wait for next year. With so many good results today there were loads of happy faces after an exhilarating mornings running, a great all round Spartan performance from everyone.”

Lovely morning in Cambridge with a large number of Spartans in attendance.

The weather was lovely and for the first time this year STEVE DOBNER was splashing water on his wrists and head.  He finished in 1:52:33 a couple of minutes off his PB.  He thoroughly recommends the race to anyone who hasn’t run it

FIONA CLARKE said, “Considering that we have had a lot of rain lately, the weather conditions were perfect for the Cambridge Half.  The sun was shining but the temperature was just right.

My race went perfectly, just like the weather. I went in without any expectations and ran with how I felt.  I completed the race in 1:54:02, which is a PB, an improvement of 3 minutes 45 seconds.  I am chuffed to bits.  I can’t say thank you enough to all the Spartans who have encouraged me and supported me so far.

The event was well organised and well supported throughout despite some confusion pre race with start/wave times and travel options.  However I definitely recommend this race to everyone.”

MATT CLARKE ran and was aiming to run sub-1:45.  He completed in 1:43:56 so he was very happy with that.

“I ran my third Cambridge Half and wow what a perfect day for it” said CAROLE SHELDRICK (left). I really enjoyed the new course.  It was truly amazing getting to see the super speedy Spartans coming back the other way, heading towards the finish with only a few miles left.  This was a very well organised event with amazing support out on the course.  I wasn’t sure how my run would go today as I’ve been focusing on distance/comfortable pacing for the Virgin London Marathon but this race allowed me to see that my training is clearly going well as I managed a very comfortable PB of 1:54:48

Ann Tryssesoone beat two hours with 1 hour 59 minutes 45 seconds.

ADA JANUSIENE (right-centre) ran her first official half marathon race in 2:07:55.

HAZEL SMITH ran with Ada at Cambridge on her first half marathon.  We both completed in 2:07:55, a fantastic time for Ada’s first ever 13.1!!

Mo Warrillow 2:02:45 6,663

(Times for all 32 Spartans can be found in a table near the end of this release).

Thanks to pic2go.co.uk for permission to use some of their photos above.

Alison Wins At County Cross Country

Postponed from 16^th February by Storm Dennis the Hertfordshire Cross Country Championships for Veterans went ahead at Stanborough on Sunday.  The three week delay didn’t bother Spartan ALISON WOOD (header photo) who won County GOLD for women 45 plus and was third female overall in 36 minutes 36 seconds in the 8K race.

New Spartan CRAIG WILSON raced for the first time in the club vest and was 13^th veteran 40 plus in 42:05; MARTIN WOOD was 25^th veteran 50 plus in 48:33 and ANDY JAY 33^rd veteran 50 plus in 56:10.  They were racing over 9.6 kilometres.

Mark Goodwin ran in the 60 plus men’s race and was eleventh in 40:15 for the 8K.

 

Hillingdon 20

Grant Ramsay completed the Hillingdon 20 mile race in 2 hours 19 minutes 31 seconds.  The uneven surface which mainly involved running on pavements triggered sciatic nerve issues, resulting in reduced movement in the right hamstring.  This contributed to Ramsay’s disappointing performance.   However he said it was still good to make it round in sub seven minutes miling.

 

Thames Meander

With the Paris Marathon (5^th April) cancelled SAM SIMMONS said he was absolutely gutted.  At 3pm on Friday he decided he’d enter the Thames Meander Marathon with no taper or rest week.  He badly wanted the elusive sub four in Paris and realise it may be a tough one for this one as in preparation.  Sam started so well but fell short with 4:03.56 which in hindsight I should be very happy with.  The course was brutal trails 13 miles out and back along a tow path with burst river that he had to wade through with waist high water and run along walls to miss mud and water.

 

 

Burghley Seven

ROB EVANS took part in the inaugural Burghley seven mile race that took place today in an around the Burghley House Estate in Stamford, Peterborough, which is best known for hosting the Burghley Horse Trials each year.

Burghley House is the ancestral home of the Cecil family and the house provided a stunning backdrop to the event.  Weather conditions were perfect and Rob completed the seven mile race in 56:05.

VERITY FISHER also ran the Burghley 7 (7miles) in 57:32. It was a lovely new, road course through undulating grounds of Burghley House and Stamford countryside.  The wind was very strong and there were a few hills but a lovely down hill mile to finish. Would recommend!

 

Letchworth 5K

In the first Saturday of the month 5K at Letchworth JOHN HARRIS was fifth in very muddy conditions with 20:49.

 

Surrey Half

TAHER THARANI said the Surrey Half was a nice event on quite a nice route.  He thought they should rename it the Posh Half.  The post race nosebag pretty good.  He finished in 2 hours 30 minutes.

 

Parkrun Highlights 7^th March 2020 – 100 for Tim, 50 for Jim

Saturday saw 48 Spartans running at 8 different locations. In recognition of International Women’s Day 2020 (8^th March 2020) [#IWD2020 #EachforEqual] it is wonderful to report that 58% were female Spartans – well done ladies, wonderful achievements!

Fastest overall Spartan was Jonathan PARR with a PB time (Personal Best) and 1^st at Stevenage [16:42].  Fastest female, running her 274^th PR and coming in 1^st lady in Stevenage was Alexandra Louise WATSON-USHER [21:42].

Other Spartans achieving top 10 placements were; Dean CARPENTER [19:24] 8^th Stevenage. Grace Brown [24:40] 7^th lady in Stevenage & Ros INGRAM [25:33] third lady in Haverfordwest.

PB times were recorded for Andrew MCGUINNESS [21:28] at Stevenage and Caren THAIN [37:41] at Gladstone.

Milestone PRs this week were achieved by Thomas SUKA 100 PRs [27:51] and Jim BROWN 50 PRs [32:02] both running at Stevenage.

Well done to all.

(All this week’s Spartan parkrun results can be found near the end of this release).

 

Tables

32 Spartans at the Cambridge Half Marathon

Pos.	Bibno.	Participant	Chip time	Category	Comments
48	5971	Simon Jackson	1:14:02	(M) 40-44	PB (nearly 2 mins)
154	4638	Steffan Ford	1:19:42	(M) 40-44	SB
173	5558	Paul Hewett	1:20:21	(M) 30-34
243	1514	David Harris-Cherguit	1:22:04	(M) 40-44	PB
276	8114	Ricky Pearce	1:22:52	(M) 30-34
460	8082	Sam Pretty	1:26:11	(F) 35-40	PB (56 seconds)
473	5466	Suzy Hawkins	1:26:23	(F) 40-44	PB (and 80%)
501	394	Paul Shelley	1:26:44	(M) 50 -54)	PB (1:17)
534	14288	Stuart Archer	1:27:13	(M) 35-39	PB (1:29)
935	5349	Ella-May Hards	1:31:49	(F) 20-24
1073	8575	Michelle Reeves	1:33:14	(F) 30-34
1190	471	Brian White	1:34:32	(M) 60-64
1400	5028	Yuko Gordon	1:36:22	(F) 65-69	1st W60 and 65
1537	3724	Richard Cowlishaw	1:37:37	(M) 45-49
1564	8840	John Roxborough	1:37:47	(M) 40-44
2332	182	Edward Hare	1:43:23	(M) 35-39	PB (3:00)
2677	337	David Pattman	1:43:52	(M) 40-44	PB
2694	3440	Matt Clarke	1:43:56	(M) 45-49
2964	210	Chris Holland	1:45:08	(M) 40-44
3095	3588	Marie Colucci	1:48:39	(F) 40-44
3687	409	Liz Smith	1:51:46	(F) 45-49
4116	3429	Fiona Clarke	1:54:02	(F) 40-44	PB
4301	9151	Carole Sheldrick	1:54:58	(F) 45-49	PB
4456	11792	Steven Dobner	1:52:33	(M) 45-49
6101	10015	Ann Tryssesoone	1:59:48	(F) 50-54
6663	460	Mo Warrillow	2:02:45	(F) 45-49
6741	9313	Hazel Smith	2:07:55	(F) 45-49
6742	6007	Ada Janusiene	2:07:55	(F) 35-39	First Half
6839	7150	Ellie McDermott	2:08:22	(F) 20-24
8491	233	Jonathan Jones	2:21:09	(M) 50-54
8814	380	Rowena Rutledge	2:24:38	(F) 45-49
9393	3330	Calantha Chapman	2:33:21	(F) 35-39

 

Spartan Parkruns on Saturday 7^th March:

Full results for all Spartans are listed below.

Parkrun	Pos	Gen	Parkrunner	Time	Note
Stevenage	1	1	Jonathan PARR	16:42	PB
Stevenage	8	7	Dean CARPENTER	19:24
Stevenage	30	26	Andrew MCGUINNESS	21:28	PB
Stevenage	34	1	Alexandra Louise WATSON-USHER	21:42	274 PRs
Stevenage	36	30	Toby ECCLESHALL	21:51	81 PRs
Exeter	55	39	Daniel SUTTON-FISHER	22:59	259 PRs
Stevenage	55	48	Martin DUDLEY	23:15	124 PRs
Stevenage	58	51	Matt CLARKE	23:26	58 PRs
Panshanger	66	7	Grace BROWN	24:50	57 PRs
Stevenage	115	16	Gail MACKIE	25:27	67 PRs
Stevenage	119	18	Suzy HAWKINS	25:32
Haverfordwest	18	3	Ros INGRAM	25:33
Stevenage	156	124	Nick KLEANTHOUS	27:02	83 PRs
Stevenage	158	25	Georgie HOOPER	27:06
Stevenage	159	125	Nick GILL	27:06	67 PRs
Stevenage	163	27	Marian MORLEY	27:12
Stevenage	184	144	Thomas SAUKA	27:51	100 PRs
Stevenage	204	155	Paul JENNINGS	28:22	70 PRs
Stevenage	210	41	Erica GRAYSON	28:35
Panshanger	156	119	Andy JAY	28:37	113 PRs
Stevenage	217	45	Sofia CARPENTER	28:50
Rutland Water	142	33	Verity SUTTON-FISHER	28:51	303 PRs
Stevenage	225	49	Claire PULLEN	29:06
Stevenage	226	50	Fiona CLARKE	29:08	103 PRs
Stevenage	229	168	Kartik SHARMA	29:12
Wimpole Estate	167	119	Barry KING	29:29
Stevenage	241	173	Ken JUDE	29:37	96 PRs
Stevenage	243	58	Debbie BLANTERN	29:39	59 PRs
Stevenage	253	63	Vicky ARCHER	30:00
Stevenage	254	64	Claire EMMERSON	30:03	74 PRs
Stevenage	255	179	Darren EMMERSON	30:03	106 PRs
Stevenage	257	65	Jenny GARRETT	30:03
Stevenage	280	78	Monica SMITHSON	31:04
Stevenage	308	199	Jim BROWN	32:02	50 PRs
Stevenage	309	93	Penny SCHENKEL	32:03
Stevenage	319	102	Helen HARRIS	32:43	58 PRs
Stevenage	322	105	Mo WARRILLOW	32:49	139 PRs
Stevenage	329	109	Karen PALMER	33:15	91 PRs
Stevenage	330	110	Kerstin WEINER	33:16
Stevenage	383	222	Lee PIROTH	35:11
Minehead	134	75	Darryl STEVENS	35:23	157 PRs, 3 at Minehead
Stevenage	389	143	Hilary DAVIES	35:37
Stevenage	416	230	Peter CARPENTER	36:54
Gladstone	273	98	Caren THAIN	37:41	PB
Stevenage	424	168	Melody BROWN	37:47
Stevenage	449	184	Pam TAYLOR	38:57
Panshanger	321	122	Emma MARTIN	50:52
Stevenage	498	223	Eva RAMSEY	59:32

 

Fairlands Valley Spartans were running at the Big Half in London; the hilly Berkhamsted Half Marathon; the Regents 10K; Caythorpe Dash; the Hannington Hike and in Hyde Park but the big club news of the weekend was the presentation evening, dinner and dance which was held in Old Stevenage on Friday evening and attended by 105 Spartans, family and friends.

 

Presentation Evening

Club chair SOPHIE COWAN thanked everyone who came along to celebrate everything you and the club had achieved in 2019.  70% is a good standard for any Spartan top aspire to but male champion GRANT RAMSAY achieved 79.9% in the short contest and 76% in the long while female champion YUKO GORDON scored an outstanding 98.2% and 97.7%.  So Yuko is the club’s new overall champion.

Altogether the winners in the FVS club championships were:

Female Open Short (Short champs are the best three out of 1500 metres, 5K, 5 miles and 10K).  1^st Ashley King 74.8%; 2^nd Michelle Reeves 73.3%; and 3^rd Tanya Brazier 70.0%.

Female Age-Graded Short (age graded calculator is used to calculate the age graded performance –this data can then be used to compare the performances of athletes of different ages).  1^st Yuko Gordon 98.2%; 2^nd Alison Wood 87%; and 3^rd Suzy Hawkins 77.9%.

Female Open Long (Long champ distances are the best three out of 10 miles, half, 20 miles and marathon).  1st Michelle Reeves 72.3%; 2^nd Gail Mackie 69.5% and 3^rd Karen Ellis 57.1%.

Female Age-Graded Long.  1^st Yuko Gordon 97.7%; 2^nd Ashley King 70.7% and 3^rd Cathy Craig 66.2%.

Male Open Short.  1^st Andrew Patterson 76.7%; 2^nd David Harris-Cherguit 79.9%; and 3^rd Stuart Haycroft 71.9%.

Male Age-Graded Short.  1^st Simon Jackson 81.4%; 2^nd Grant Ramsay 79.9%; and 3^rd John Harris 78.8%.

Male Open Long.  1^st Stuart Haycroft 70.6%; 2^nd Paul Hewett 70.4%; and 3^rd Martin Blackburn 70.3%.

Male Age-Graded Long.  1^st Jason Anderson 76.6%; 2^nd Grant Ramsay 76%; and 3^rd Tim Saban 71.5%.

Overall champion for men was Grant Ramsay and for women Yuko Gordon.  Taking the results across the long and short distance championships YUKO GORDON was declared the club’s overall champion.

The most improved male Spartan during 2019 was Andrew McGuiness and the most improved female Spartan was Michelle Reeves

There was a MASSIVE thank you to Paul Holgate who collects all the race data throughout the year and then crunches the figures to calculate the winners – a mammoth task.

Head coach Brian White presented the Starter of the Year award to Sally Pickles

Claire Emmerson, women’s captain and Mark Freeman, men’s captain presented the Captain’s Awards which went to Ken Jude (men) and Yuko Gordon (women).  The awards recognised support in mid week and cross country league races.  Mark said the Spartans were back in the top division of the summer Mid Week Road Race League and he was determined that the club should stay there in 2020.

The Head Coach’s Award went to Verity Sutton Fisher; the President’s Award to Tessa and Dave Stephenson; and the Chair’s Award to Ken Jude

 

Spartan of the Year – Dead Heat

The votes and nominations were counted and recounted and recounted again.  For what we believe is the first time ever, we had tie for Spartan of the Year (SOTY).

The joint winners of SOTY 2019 were Mark Freeman and Simon Jackson.

Some of the supporting statements for Simon Jackson were:

“He’s been so welcoming to me since I joined the club and I know everyone benefits from his encouragement week after week; been a great Vice Captain and encourages everybody to get involved; cut him in half and you’ll have a FVS on his Heart!; helped me so much last year through all my training. Legend!; he is the loudest and most enthusiastic supporter at club races, whether that’s whilst out on the course when racing, once he has finished the race he is always on the course cheering in our runners or if he is volunteering to help, he will marshal and be the loudest and most enthusiastic marshal.”

 

And for Mark Freeman:

“His commitment to the club is immense and turning up for every cross country or mid week league race (even though he doesn’t race), chatting to people before, even offering to look after dogs and kids and then being there at the end to take the last person’s name down for the results.  Whatever the weather he is always there whether cold in the winter XC or in the rain at Harlow in the summer; he is an excellent team captain and always encourages runners especially at the track; Mark has been incredibly welcoming to me since I joined the club last year.”

 

Big Half in London

ALISON and PAUL SHELLEY ran the Vitality Big Half in London on Sunday with thirteen other Spartans, in chilly, slightly windy but beautiful weather, amazing sunshine so welcome after all the storms and rain.  Alison ran in 1:58:07, a personal best (PB by 1 minute 7 seconds and 9:51 faster than last year’s race).  She didn’t set out to run to a target with training having not gone to plan and also carrying a back problem … and took pictures en route including the one with Erica running over the iconic Tower Bridge in the sunshine!!  Paul ran it in 1:28:01 which was a PB by 3min 25 and 4.07 faster than last year’s race.  He was so pleased with his first ever sub 1:30.  They said it was a brilliant event except they need to sort out baggage collect – seems you were either very lucky or had a disaster going to and collecting your bag !!! We were lucky ones!!

MARTIN BLACKBURN was the fastest Spartan, only just outside the first thousand with 1 hour 27 minutes 39 seconds.  LEE PICKERSGILL finished in 1:54:18.

What an amazing day said ERICA GRAYSON who finished in 2:02:39.  Not bad for someone who says she is slowly getting there.

SAM SIMMONS has been aiming to beat 1 hour 50 minutes for a while and was rewarded with a massive PB of 1:44:02

A thirty minute improvement saw KIM MARTIN reduce her personal best to 2:12:30.

There were 22,125 entries for the Big Half.

(You can find all 15 Spartan times near the end of this release).

 

Berko Half

Other Spartans hit the hills at the Berkhamsted Half Marathon.  It was pretty tough up to nine miles and then a headwind through Ashridge.

DANNY SCANLON finished five minutes faster than in the Watford Half a month ago with 1 hour 39 minutes 30 seconds.

Another Spartan having a good race was JOHN ROXBURGH with 1:44:13.

Spartan JIM BROWN was having a bad day in the running office.  He had to walk twice in the first 5 kilometres and finally got back to sub two pace at ten miles to finish in 1:56:23.  Jim was second male 60 plus.

There were 810 finishers.

 

Yuko 10K

New club champion YUKO GORDON said she hadn’t run a 10K race in ages.  She said she went out too fast and struggled almost the whole distance as a consequence.  However she finished in 45 minutes 29 seconds and won her category by seven minutes.

Yuko reckons it was a good reminder before the big race in Cambridge next weekend!

 

Caythorpe Dash Half Marathon

After surviving the ravages of the Baldock Beast last weekend, Tricia Hopper and Karen Liddle travelled to the village of Caythorpe in Lincolnshire to take part in the Caythorpe Dash, an off road half marathon.

Conditions were as windy as last weekend but the sun shone for the duration of the race.  The going was generally very muddy and was boggy in places but the pair got round the course in 2:23:33, coming 30th and 31st overall.    Karen came in first in her age group and Tricia sixth in hers.

The race is a friendly, low key event and was chip timed for the first time this year.  Would recommend it for anyone who enjoys running off road in some beautiful countryside

 

Hannington Hike

Hazel Smith it was a tough day at the Hannington Hike on Sunday, wading through boggy mud for 27 miles.  The run became more of a squelchy slippery walk.

Karen Ellis was joined on her first ultra by Julie Shadbolt, Calantha Chapman, Cathy Craig and Hazel Smith to finish in 9 hours 25 minutes.

 

Serpentine

It was wet, windy and cold in Hyde Park for the Last Friday of the Month 5K at lunch time.  JIM BROWN finished in a year’s best 5K time of 25 minutes 25 seconds.

 

Leap Day Parkrun Highlights 29^th February 2020

Vishal Shah won the prize for furthest flung parkrun this week.  He ran in Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.  It was his 10^th parkrun in 26:20.

Paul Maguire was at Woodhouse Moor in Leeds (28:57) and John Roxburgh clocked his first run at Bedfont Lakes near Heathrow (22:49).  Daryl Stevens was at Salcey Forest near Northampton (48:16).

The Spartan Presentation evening on Friday night didn’t stop many Spartans running at Stevenage.  Dean Carpenter was first Spartan home in 8th position in 19:24.  Lee Piroth ran a new parkrun PB of 26:30.

(All this week’s Spartan parkrun results can be found near the end of this release).

 

Tables

Spartans at the Big Half

Name	Position	Position in Age Group	Position in Gender	Total Time	Comments
Martin Blackburn	1059	712	972	1:27:39
Paul Shelley	1094	35	1002	1:28:01	PB
Tim Saban	1502	57	1347	1:31:38
Brian White	2293	11	1985	1:37:12
Toby Eccleshall	2671	1471	2289	1:39:02
Sam Simmons	3712	1942	3084	1:44:01	PB
Robert Wright	5013	2437	3991	1:49:36
Edward Hare	5366	2529	4215	1:50:54
Lee Pickersgill	6246	2815	4770	1:54:18
David Pattman	6263	736	4781	1:54:21
Steven Dobner	6271	587	4785	1:54:22
Alison Shelley	7361	108	1972	1:58:07	PB
Erica Grayson	8539	153	2535	2:02:39
Kim Martin (F)	10661	416	3732	2:12:30	PB
Sue Hamer	11438	497	4200	2:16:35

 

Spartan Parkruns on Saturday 29^th February:

Full results for all Spartans are listed below.

 

Woodhouse Moor parkrun

A total of 640 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
331	223	Paul MAGUIRE	00:28:57

 

Bedfont Lakes parkrun

A total of 170 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
22	20	John ROXBOROUGH	00:22:49

 

Milton Keynes parkrun

A total of 921 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
832	454	Graham HILL	00:41:17

 

Stevenage parkrun

A total of 317 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
8	8	Dean CARPENTER	00:19:24
17	16	Martin BLACKBURN	00:20:30
45	42	Elliott WHITE	00:22:45
53	50	Matt CLARKE	00:23:15
57	54	David SCOTT	00:23:26
64	60	Graham BLACKBURN	00:23:42
66	62	Darren EMMERSON	00:23:44
69	64	Martin DUDLEY	00:23:51
76	69	Nick GILL	00:23:57
82	74	Thomas SAUKA	00:24:31
92	81	James MCSWEENEY	00:24:57
113	15	Verity FISHER	00:26:00
115	16	Nikki WILBY	00:26:04
129	19	Fiona CLARKE	00:26:27
132	110	Lee PIROTH	00:26:30
143	26	Mo WARRILLOW	00:26:46
154	123	Tim ROBINSON	00:26:57
171	132	Nick KLEANTHOUS	00:28:03
186	139	Kartik SHARMA	00:29:05
195	46	Nicola ANDERSSON	00:29:53
200	50	Debbie BLANTERN	00:30:11
213	57	Caroline CROFT	00:30:59
215	58	Jane WHITROW	00:31:05
250	78	Nicola HATHERLY	00:33:30
252	80	Helen HARRIS	00:33:35
256	84	Beth FOLEY	00:33:55
258	86	Sally PICKLES	00:34:09
264	91	Judy KING	00:34:35
292	108	Caren THAIN	00:37:51

 

Gunpowder parkrun

A total of 154 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
72	46	Paul JENNINGS	00:30:34

 

Parkville parkrun

A total of 403 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
179	127	Vishal SHAH	00:26:20

 

Salcey Forest parkrun

A total of 149 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
138	83	Darryl STEVENS	00:48:16

 

 

The Baldock Beast was howling but after two weeks of race cancellations caused by Storms Ciara and Dennis it was great that events took place at the weekend.

23 Fairlands Valley Spartans, 12 women and 11 men lined up for what looked like it would be a character building event.

Probably the best Spartan performance was by NATALIE WHITE who fought the wind to finish fourth senior woman in 1 hour 49 minutes 2 seconds.  There were only two Spartans in front of her – RICHARD COWLISHAW 69^th of the 379 finishers in 1:43:46 and ELLIOTT WHITE 114^th and given the same time as Natalie but separated by the electronic timing.

SAM SIMMONS was all smiles at the end.  Before seeing the conditions he had hoped to beat 1:50 but wasn’t giving up and came in with 1:51:23.  TIM ROBINSON tried a constant effort approach all the way round but said the on average downhill last three miles were slower than going uphill with the wind making it impossible to maintain any speed.  1:55:25.

Maria THORNE and KAREN ELLIS ran the Baldock Beast together raising money for the British Heart Foundation.  They said it was a wet windy run today with great support from marshals.  Karen and Maria finished together in 2 hours 30 minutes.

FIONA and MATT CLARKE ran as a two up finishing together in 2:04:15 and 2:04:16.

JIM BROWN said he was watching the trees bouncing around as he left home and wondered if this was going to be a third Sunday event cancelled in a row.  Actually no here was a good turnout of Spartans and hundreds of others registering at the Templars Hotel.  As we made our way to the start it wasn’t that cold, it was dry at that stage but it was obvious the wind was going to make the last six miles hard.  The range of clothing on the start line was extreme.  Almost artic expedition to shorts and club vest.  Feeling brave I went for the latter.

The Baldock Beast is described as multi-terrain but most of it, maybe twelve miles, is on roads and other surfaces where you can run normally so road shoes are needed.  Some years the two off road sections are easy enough but with the recent weather much of “Park Lane” was liquid mud.

Coming out of the Park Lane mud, and approaching the seven mile marker, the rain started and, wow, developed into a headwind storm with runners being stung , visibility dropping and body temperatures crashing.  All the way through Sandon and Roe Green it was a fight to keep going with thoughts of if this keeps up for the next five miles a lot of people, including maybe me, are going to be in trouble.  Then, crossing the River Beane, it was sunshine and I started to dry out and warm up.  It was great crossing the last bridge, over the bypass, and looking down to the finish line but there was no energy left to accelerate for the last two hundred metres.  Pleased enough to get round in less than two hours with 1:55:53.

The other Spartans were 203 ROBERT WRIGHT 2:00:06;  204 NIGEL STRONGITHARM 2:00:07;  248 MATTHEW NEWTON 2:04:54;  249 NEIL ROBINSON 2:04:38;  281 CAROLINE BARTER 2:08:54;  287 JULIE GRAY 2:09:28;  330 WENDY THARANI 2:20:04;  335 KAREN LIDDLE 2:21:31;  336 TRICIA HOPPER 2:21:31;  354 SUE HAMER 2:25:32;  355 ERICA GRAYSON 2:25:34;  359 HAZEL SMITH 2:27:08 and 360 JULIE SHADBOLT 2:27:09.

There were 379 finishers including 127 women.  All the Spartan times can be found near the end of this release.

 

Yuko Wins At Stamford

YUKO GORDON celebrated her birthday at the Stamford 30K which had been postponed for a week by Storm Dennis and she celebrated in style by winning the women 65 plus in 2 hours 20 minutes 14 seconds which was 10 minutes faster than the W55 and W60 winners and improved her own age course record by five minutes which was set two years ago.  The race was on a beautiful course but very hilly and with a gusty wind on Sunday.  Overall she was 13^th out of 236 women

 

Seville

Spartans ED HARE and TIM SABAN ran the Seville Marathon on Sunday.  They said it was an amazing event and a great course which was super flat.

They started in comfortable 8 degree conditions but it quickly rose to 27 which for the two Brits, in February was a bit of a shock.  Although it was tough at times they both finished, Tim is 3 hours 22 minutes and Ed in 4:26

 

Naples

While other Spartans were suffering the wind and rain Nessa Rolfe, from NHRR, and Spartan CATHY CRAIG got a flight to Naples for the half marathon.  It was perfect running weather and a nice route along the coast apart from a tunnel which they had to go through twice – it was half a mile long and dark – like a sauna on the way out and uphill on the way back.  Cathy made it in 2 hours 17 minutes and Nessa in 2:23.

 

Eastern Masters Indoors GOLDS

Spartan JOHN HARRIS won two GOLDs at the Eastern of England Masters indoor championships which were at Lee Valley.

He won the 800 metres 55 plus GOLD in 2 minutes 34 seconds and the 400 metres 55 plus GOLD in 69.50 seconds.

 

Parkrun Highlights 22^nd February 2020

Fifty five Spartans headed out, on yet another rainy and windy Saturday morning, to run at 9 different Parkrun venues.

Claire PULLEN was the first lady at Stevenage with a time of 24:11.

The fastest Spartan was Jonathan PARR finishing with a time of 16:13, placed 2^nd, at Hackney Marshes. There were 3 more top ten gender position finishes, Dean CARPENTER at Stevenage (4^th 19:35), Martin BLACKBURN at Stevenage (5^th 19:49) and Verity FISHER at Rutland Water (4^th 24:18).

Congratulations to Jonathan PARR, Jan FRY (29:55 Stevenage) and Adrian DONNELLY (21:09 Teignmouth Promenade) who achieved new personal bests.

Four Spartans went further afield and tried out new venues with Gail MACKIE at Cannon Hill, Adrian DONNELLY at Teignmouth Prom, Alistair BALDWIN at St Mary’s and Darryl STEVENS at Clevedon Salthouse.

There were no official Parkrun milestones this week but several Spartans reached unofficial milestones including Jo Bowdery (30^th), David SCOTT (120^th) and Karen PALMER (90^th).  Well done and congratulations to all.

(All this week’s Spartan parkrun results can be found near the end of this release).

 

Champions Night

Fairlands Valley Spartans presentation evening, dinner and dance will be at the Cromwell Hotel, Old Stevenage on Friday 28^th February.  An amazing 105 members and friends will be there.

 

Tables

The 23 Spartans who beat the Baldock Howling Beast

Position	Name	Time	Comments
69	RICHARD COWLISHAW	1:43:46
114	ELLIOTT WHITE	1:49:02
115	NATALIE WHITE	1:49:02	4th senior woman
123	SAM SIMMONS	1:51:23
156	TIM ROBINSON	1:55:25
162	JIM BROWN	1:55:53
203	ROBERT WRIGHT	2:00:06
204	NIGEL STRONGITHARM	2:00:07
244	FIONA CLARKE	2:04:15
245	MATT CLARKE	2:04:16
248	MATTHEW NEWTON	2:04:54
249	NEIL ROBINSON	2:04:38
281	CAROLINE BARTER	2:08:54
287	JULIE GRAY	2:09:28
330	WENDY THARANI	2:20:04
335	KAREN LIDDLE	2:21:31
336	TRICIA HOPPER	2:21:31
354	SUE HAMER	2:25:32
355	ERICA GRAYSON	2:25:34
359	HAZEL SMITH	2:27:08
360	JULIE SHADBOLT	2:27:09
365	KAREN ELLIS	2:30:21
366	MARIA THORNE	2:30:22

 

Spartan Parkruns on Saturday 22^nd February:

Position	Gender Position	Parkrunner	Time	Comments
Hackney Marshes
2	2	Jonathan PARR	00:16:13	PB
Stevenage
4	4	Dean CARPENTER	00:19:35
5	5	Martin BLACKBURN	00:19:49
11	11	Paul SHELLEY	00:20:14
24	24	Danny SCANLON	00:21:16
52	50	Martin DUDLEY	00:23:30
65	62	Graham BLACKBURN	00:24:07
66	1	Claire PULLEN	00:24:11
74	69	Thomas SAUKA	00:24:29
83	76	David PATTMAN	00:25:02
92	84	James MCSWEENEY	00:25:15
118	15	Mo WARRILLOW	00:26:16
127	106	Nick KLEANTHOUS	00:26:29
143	20	Jo BOWDERY	00:27:06	30th
157	126	David SCOTT	00:27:38	120th
164	132	Lee PIROTH	00:27:48
170	27	Fiona CLARKE	00:28:00
171	137	Matt CLARKE	00:28:01
172	28	Nicola ANDERSSON	00:28:03
176	32	Marian MORLEY	00:28:08
192	144	Tim ROBINSON	00:28:32
207	45	Ada JANUSIENE	00:29:06
233	55	Jan FRY	00:29:55	PB
235	171	David ACKERY	00:29:57
243	59	Tanya HASKINS	00:30:16
251	179	Paul JENNINGS	00:30:24
262	66	Jane WHITROW	00:31:05
266	69	Debbie BLANTERN	00:31:18
269	71	Erica GRAYSON	00:31:33
270	72	Karen PALMER	00:31:37	90th
271	73	Kerstin WEINER	00:31:38
313	94	Helen HARRIS	00:33:13
314	206	Jim BROWN	00:33:14
321	100	Cathy BAKER	00:33:42
332	108	Melody BROWN	00:34:26
337	110	Penny SCHENKEL	00:34:38
345	116	Tracy STILES	00:34:57
356	124	Hilary DAVIES	00:36:01
390	145	Caren THAIN	00:39:30
393	231	Roger BIGGS	00:40:38
395	148	Nichola DURENT	00:41:58
397	150	Hayley PEACH	00:42:42
Panshanger
79	66	Andy JAY	00:25:45
Rutland Water
41	4	Verity FISHER	00:24:18
42	32	Daniel SUTTON	00:24:19
Teignmouth Promenade
13	10	Adrian DONNELLY	00:21:09	New venue, PB
St Mary’s
97	49	Alistair BALDWIN	00:35:16	New venue
Cannon Hill
322	57	Gail MACKIE	00:26:48	New venue
Wimpole Estate
276	151	Nick WHITCOMBE	00:38:31
277	152	Barry KING	00:38:31
Clevedon Salthouse
288	166	Darryl STEVENS	00:34:39	New venue

 

For the second week in a row a storm wiped out many events in the UK.  Following hard of the hills of Ciara this time Dennis took out the Hertfordshire County Cross Country Championships for Veterans and popular pre-London Marathon events like the Bramley 20.

However before the full force of Dennis arrived in Stevenage two Spartans achieved BIG Parkrun milestones – FIONA CLARKE ran her 100^th and VERITY FISHER her 300^th – at 9a.m. on Saturday morning.

 

Barcelona!!

John Roxborough and Richard Cowlishaw travelled to Barcelona this weekend to run the BCN half marathon along with 23,000 other runners.  The weather was perfect, the course was flat and it was a well organised event.  Richard ran it in a time of 1:43.05 and John ran 2:29:30 alongside his wife Sarah to support her as she has recently got back into running again after having a couple of children.  Richard’s wife Maggie also ran her first (and only) half marathon.  They would highly recommend this event for anyone who fancies a European city break and a warmer February run.

 

Parkrun Highlights 15^th February 2020

The threat of storm Dennis did not deter 33 brave Fairlands Valley Spartans from putting on their trainers and running in eight different Parkrun events this Saturday morning.  In Stevenage, MO WARRILLOW ran a personal best (PB) time of 25 minutes and 44 seconds, while milestone runs saw VERITY FISHER finish her 300^th Parkrun in 28 minutes and 27 seconds and FIONA CLARKE her 100^th in 30 minutes and 40 seconds.  A PB time was also recorded by HANNAH NEALE, who finished as the 10^th female on the Coldham’s Common course in a time of 21 mins and 34 secs.  GRACE BROWN was the second female to finish the Ellenbrook Fields event in 23 mins and 13 secs.

(All this week’s Spartan parkrun results can be found near the end of this release).

 

Champions Night

Fairlands Valley Spartans presentation evening, dinner and dance will be at the Cromwell Hotel, Old Stevenage on Friday 28^th February.  An amazing 105 members and friends will be there.

 

Coming Events

The Spartans are growing.  At November 2019 FVS had 346 members, 177 women and 169 men – that’s more than the previous year.

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

 

• Baldock Beast (Half Marathon) on Sunday 23^rd February.
• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 28^th February.
• FVS Champions Night and Dinner on Friday 28^th February.
• Berkhamsted Half Marathon and Five on Sunday 1^st March.
• Hillingdon 20 including Hertfordshire county championships on Sunday 8^th March.
• Half Marathons in Bath, Hampton Court, Milton Keynes and Victoria Park on Sunday 15^th March.
• 200^th Stevenage Parkrun on Saturday 21^st March (exact date will depend on any winter cancellations).
• Orion 15 (classic 15 miles cross country race) at Chingford on Saturday 21^st March.
• Bedford Autodrome 5K, 10K; Half; 16 miles; 20 miles and marathon on Sunday 22^nd March.
• Victoria Park Five on Saturday 28^th March.
• Oakley 20 on Sunday 29^th March.
• FVS training (not a race) twenty on Sunday 29^th March.
• Peterborough Marathon on Sunday 5^th April.
• Sandy Ten on Sunday 5^th April.
• Manchester Marathon on Sunday 5^th May.
• Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 10^th April.
• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 19^th April.
• The 2020 London Marathon is on Sunday 26^th April.
• Greenway Challenge (13.1 miles) in Letchworth on Sunday 3^rd May.
• County Track Championships in early May.
• Midweek League Race One (six miles) in Chingford on Thursday 14^th May.
• Bedford Spring Half Marathon on Saturday 16^th May.
• Pednor Five (County Championship) near Chesham on Monday 25^th May.
• Hatfield Broad Oak 10K on Monday 25^th May.
• Mid Week Road Race League Race Two (10K) in Stevenage (FVS) on Thursday 28^th May.
• Mid Week Road Race League Race Three (10K) in St. Albans on Thursday 4^th June.
• Welwyn 10K at Stanborough (new date).
• St Albans Half Marathon (and Stevenage Day) on Sunday 14^th June.
• Welwyn 10K (including County senior championships) on Sunday 28^th June.
• Mid Week Road Race League Race Four (9K) in Trent Park on Thursday 2^nd July.
• Mid Week Road Race League Mob Match (10K) in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 16^th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge in Stevenage on Sunday 19^th July.
• Relays in the Park (3K stages) in Fairlands Valley Park on Thursday 23^rd July.
• St. Albans 10K on Sunday 2^nd August.
• Bearbrook 10K in Aylesbury on Sunday 2^nd August.
• Burnham Beeches Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th August.
• Clacton Half Marathon and 10K on Sunday 16^th August.
• Bedford Half Marathon on Sunday 6^th September.
• Standalone 10K (including County veteran championships) on Sunday 4^th October (TBC).
• Great Eastern Run (half marathon) in Peterborough on Sunday 11^th October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon (including County senior championships) on Sunday 1^st November (TBC).
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 15^th November.
• Bass Belle ten miles on Sunday 29^th November.

 

Tables

Spartan Parkruns on Saturday 15^th February:

Parkrun	Pos	Gen	Parkrunner	Times	Notes
Bournemouth parkrun	504	165	Sally PICKLES	34:06
Stevenage parkrun	67	58	Gareth COWELL	23:34
	90	77	David PATTMAN	24:29
	116	98	Ryan DUNNING	25:31
	121	102	Callum BEASLEY	25:41
	123	15	Mo WARRILLOW	25:44	New PB!
	134	112	Nick KLEANTHOUS	26:13
	141	117	Lee PICKERSGILL	26:20
	156	128	Daniel SUTTON	26:54
	161	131	Mark BEASLEY	27:03
	180	144	James MCSWEENEY	28:06
	192	32	Verity FISHER	28:27	300th Parkrun
	213	162	Lee PIROTH	29:32
	220	168	James NICHOLLS	29:48
	242	52	Fiona CLARKE	30:40	100th Parkrun
	243	53	Alison SHELLEY	30:41
	264	190	Paul JENNINGS	31:44
	267	66	Louise PACK	31:48
	268	191	Matt CLARKE	31:49
	274	194	Tim ROBINSON	31:58
	278	71	Karen PALMER	32:14
	279	72	Claire PULLEN	32:14
	280	73	Julie SHADBOLT	32:16
	327	104	Karen ELLIS	34:53
	328	105	Maria THORNE	34:54
	393	154	Shelbe MOONBEAM	56:53
Gunpowder parkrun	129	32	Rowena RUTLEDGE	28:40
Ormskirk parkrun	261	153	Darryl STEVENS	35:51
Panshanger parkrun	177	131	Andy JAY	30:58
	238	73	Jane WHITROW	35:12
Ellenbrook Fields parkrun	30	2	Grace BROWN	23:13
Walmer and Deal Seafront parkrun	165	60	Sharon CROWLEY	34:41
Coldham’s Common parkrun	51	10	Hannah NEALE	21:34	New PB!

 

The Watford Half Marathon is always a tough workout but great preparation for a Spring marathon.

After a tight start and first couple of miles the Spartans started to hit the hills at about five kilometres with big summits at about 11, 14.5 and 16 kilometres.

The fastest Spartan was TOBY ECCLESHALL in 1:39:22.

The race was DANNY SCANLON’s first half marathon since November 2018!  He managed to achieve a sub 1.45 in a time of 1.44.16 chip time.

JIM BROWN was amused to get into a battle for minor county places on the long drag up Cassiobury Park to the finish line.  Initially left behind a combination of Spartan training, Stevenage’s undulating cycleways and perhaps an old cyclist’s head meant he snatched seventh one second ahead of eighth and a further second ahead of ninth with his 1:52:39.  All very silly but fun.

KAREN ELLIS came in with 125 minutes exactly with ROBERT WRIGHT at 2:08:32.

 

Position	BiB	Name	Chip	Category	Cat
332	426	TOBY ECCLESHALL	01:39:22	Senior U40	135
446	1280	DANNY SCANLON	01:44:16	Senior U40	166
703	183	JIM BROWN	01:52:39	M60	18
975	441	KAREN ELLIS	02:05:00	W45	52
1019	1587	ROBERT WRIGHT	02:08:32	Senior U40	289

 

There were 1317 finishers.  The race included the county championships for veteran runners.  There was a bit of wind but although the registration and finish areas were pretty muddy the rain held off and conditions were pretty good.  Some wet roads but no sign of the ice that cancelled the event in 2019..

 

95% for Yuko

It was back to the one lap course around the Serpentine for the Last Friday of the Month 5K race in Hyde Park on Friday.

While many runners would be happy with a score of 70% Spartan YUKO GORDON won the age graded contest with 95% with her time of 21 minutes 37 seconds.

JIM BROWN won his category with 25:33, SHERYL HANN got 27:42 and PENNY SCHENKEL was pleased with her 28:25.

It was mild, dry and breezy with a lovely slightly downhill drift from behind the Lido Café at 4K to the finish.

Yuko also reports that at the South of England XC Championship in Parliament Hill (last week) she was second W65 in 41:10 (overlooked by the organiser/ Athletic Weekly result)

 

Parkrun Highlights 1^st February 2020

At Stevenage it was Stripey club vest Saturday.   Paul SHELLEY was 5th overall in a new PB of 19:14.

It was also PB o’clock for Natalie White (22:42 3rd lady) Mo Warrillow (25:47) and Karen LIDDLE (30:24). Usually found running much longer distances, Trish Hopper completed her first parkrun but made schoolgirl error of forgetting her bar code!

Congratulations to David Ackery who completed his 50th parkrun.

Rowena RUTLEDGE ran her 80th parkrun at Gunpowder near Waltham Abbey (30:17) and Roger Biggs was in Bedford (38:04). Nicola Kennedy was 4th lady at the Riverside event in Chester-le-Street running 22:53.

Grace Brown was flying the Spartan flag at Panshanger narrowly missing a course PB with a time of 24:36 (6th lady). Debbie Blantern was at Ellenbrook (30:13).

Andy Jay was in Devon at Teignmouth clocking 25:30. John ROXBOROUGH was near Heathrow at Osterley running 22:14.

(All the Spartan parkrun results will be found near the end of this release)

 

Tables

Spartan Parkrun Results for Saturday 2^nd February

Bedford parkrun

A total of 480 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
417	224	Roger BIGGS	38:04

 

Stevenage parkrun

A total of 514 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
5	5	Paul SHELLEY	19:14
7	7	Dean CARPENTER	19:19
39	37	Allan SHARMAN GARCIA	22:30
44	3	Natalie WHITE	22:42
54	49	Daniel SUTTON	23:05
62	57	Martin DUDLEY	23:17
72	66	Thomas SAUKA	23:37
74	68	Luke VINCENT	23:44
93	82	David SCOTT	24:16
102	90	Tim ROBINSON	24:39
108	12	Georgie HOOPER	24:48
109	96	Nick GILL	24:52
112	98	Nigel STRONGITHARM	24:59
119	15	Verity FISHER	25:15
136	19	Mo WARRILLOW	25:47
138	115	Jonathan JONES	25:52
140	117	Craig BACON	25:55
165	138	Luke GURNEY	26:48
209	169	Nick KLEANTHOUS	28:18
237	188	Kartik SHARMA	29:27
258	51	Monica SMITHSON	30:18
261	52	Karen LIDDLE	30:24
262	53	Claire PULLEN	30:24
272	205	David ACKERY	30:41
280	62	Maria SWIFT	31:00
288	69	Nicola PATTMAN	31:10
299	74	Dzenana TOPIC	31:33
315	82	Erica GRAYSON	32:10
316	83	Karen PALMER	32:12
317	84	Caroline CROFT	32:13
337	233	Jim BROWN	32:52
338	95	Penny SCHENKEL	32:52
389	128	Helen HARRIS	35:05
419	148	Bernadette MILLWOOD	37:07
423	151	Marian MORLEY	37:16
444	164	Caren THAIN	38:05
457	176	Pam TAYLOR	38:58
467	186	Sharon CROWLEY	40:04
477	194	Melody BROWN	43:11
494	208	Hazel JONES	47:57
511	220	Sofia CARPENTER	62:02

 

Gunpowder parkrun

A total of 277 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
129	43	Rowena RUTLEDGE	30:17

 

Riverside parkrun

A total of 474 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
67	4	Nicola KENNEDY	22:53

 

Brockenhurst parkrun

A total of 224 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
199	119	Darryl STEVENS	37:13

 

Osterley parkrun

A total of 406 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
29	26	John ROXBOROUGH	22:14

 

Panshanger parkrun

A total of 356 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
52	6	Grace BROWN	24:36

 

Ellenbrook Fields parkrun

A total of 341 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
184	53	Debbie BLANTERN	30:13

 

Teignmouth Promenade parkrun

A total of 279 runners took part.

 

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
71	54	Andy JAY	25:30

 

Eleven Spartans conquered what was best described as a “savage” Parliament Hill cross country in the South of England Cross Country Championships

Nine Spartans, so more than a complete team, were among the 694 who finished the senior women’s championship which was over eight hilly and extremely muddy kilometres on Parliament Hill Fields in Hampstead, London.

Ella-May Hards* was 111st in 34:54.  Yuko Gordon was 342^nd in 41:10; Rhiannon Griffin 401^st in 42:40; Claire Emmerson 487^th in 45:37 and Hazel Smith 513rd in 46:05.

Then came Fiona Clarke 575^th in 48.32; Karen Ellis 595^th in 595 49.54; Jenny Garrett 659^th in 55.44; and Julie Shadbolt 662^nd in 56.13.

There were 917 finishers.

Finishing a qualifying team of four runners was a big achievement for the club, something many others failed to do.  Actually the Spartans got two complete teams round but only the first one with 1743 points and in 63^rd place was listed in the club championships.

Entries for the men’s event were perhaps depressed a bit by the recent imposition of a time limit.  This was the last race of the day and the course had been really chewed up and turned to liquid mud by the many earlier events.  It was over a truly challenging 15 kilometres.  Spartan THOMAS SAUKA was 1045^th in 1:19:27 and TIM ROBINSON 1163^rd in 1:32:30.  There were 1172 finishers.

*Ella-May was representing her first claim club, City of Salisbury.

 

Tim Saban

Tim Saban ran the Farnborough Winter Half Marathon on Sunday in 1 hour 31 minutes 52 seconds.

He said it was an undulating course, but interesting.  The wind was up which helped in some places, but then hindered in others.  Tim commented it was a very well organised event on closed roads with a new course layout for this year.  That now means the route stays on surfaced roads with no off road sections.

 

Dorney Lakes

JIM BROWN and PENNY SCHENKEL went for a couple of absolutely traffic free races at Dorney near Windsor.

Penny did the two laps round the lakes used for the Olympic rowing in 2012 for 10K in 60 minutes 4 seconds while Jim, who reckoned he needed 13.1 miles after the Fred Hughes event the previous weekend, ran a 6.1 kilometre first lap then three lots of 5K to complete a half marathon in 1 hour 51 minutes 57 seconds.

There was just a little rain.  While the course was almost perfectly flat apart from a bridge there was a January headwind off the water for the second half of each lap.

Penny was 91^st out of 145 and Jim 51^st out of 121 finishers.

 

Parkrun Highlights 25^th January 2020

Fifty five Spartans headed out to seven different Parkrun venues this Saturday. Parkrun continues to see high numbers turning out for all venues. The attendances at Stevenage for the first 5 weeks of the year are now the top five attendances in its history, all reaching over 500 runners every week.

GRACE BROWN was the Spartans top ten finisher this week.  She was third woman at Stevenage with a time of 23 minutes 30 seconds.

The fastest Spartan was Dean CARPENTER at Stevenage with a time of 19:31.

Cathy BAKER achieved a new PB of 33:05 and Lee PIROTH ran his first ever Parkrun.

Paul JENNINGS both tried out a new venue at Aldenham.

There were no official Parkrun milestones this week but several Spartans reached unofficial milestones including Melody BROWN (10^th), Sally PICKLES (20^th), Penny SCHENKEL (30^th) and Paul SHELLEY (40^th).  Well done and congratulations to all.

(You can find all the Spartan parkrun results near the end of this release).

 

Tables

Spartan Parkrun Results for Saturday 25^th January

Position	Parkrunner	Run Time	Comments
Medina I.O.W.
164	Nick KLEANTHOUS	00:28:22
Stevenage
11	Dean CARPENTER	00:19:31
14	Paul SHELLEY	00:19:48	40th
24	David RIDDELL	00:20:35	60th
34	Toby ECCLESHALL	00:21:26
60	Darren EMMERSON	00:22:56
63	Luke VINCENT	00:22:58
64	Martin DUDLEY	00:22:59
65	Daniel SUTTON	00:23:01
76	Allan SHARMAN GARCIA	00:23:23
79	Grace BROWN	00:23:30	3rd woman
98	Paul MAGUIRE	00:24:08
99	David PATTMAN	00:24:09
105	Ryan DUNNING	00:24:30
112	Nigel STRONGITHARM	00:24:51
172	Jonathan JONES	00:26:40
218	Verity FISHER	00:28:06
230	Mark BEASLEY	00:28:40
246	Debbie BLANTERN	00:29:09
251	Ken JUDE	00:29:14
255	Andy PRIOR	00:29:26
256	Tanya HASKINS	00:29:27
268	Lee PIROTH	00:29:37	1st timer
270	Ada JANUSIENE	00:29:41
276	Claire PULLEN	00:29:50
278	Kerstin WEINER	00:29:53
299	Alison SHELLEY	00:30:30
304	Jim BROWN	00:30:44
314	Penny SCHENKEL	00:30:56	30th
327	Jan FRY	00:31:29
362	Cathy BAKER	00:33:05	PB
364	Tracy STILES	00:33:12
373	Sally PICKLES	00:33:42	20th
401	Peter CARPENTER	00:35:31
419	Helen HARRIS	00:36:04
455	Roger BIGGS	00:37:56
469	Melody BROWN	00:38:54	10th
485	Pam TAYLOR	00:40:09
501	Marian MORLEY	00:44:11
534	Hazel JONES	00:56:50
Gunpowder
177	Rowena RUTLEDGE	00:31:02
Gladstone
266	Carin THAIN	00:39:53	New Venue
Brockenhurst
206	Darryl STEVENS	00:57:29
Panshanger
105	Mo WARRILLOW	00:25:40
295	Jane WHITROW	00:33:45
Aldenham
107	Paul JENNINGS	00:32:16	New Venue

 

Spartan BRIAN WHITE was a prize winner at Sunday’s Fred Hughes 10, an undulating ten mile road race on the south western outskirts of St Albans.  He said it was a very sunny and bright morning if a little cold.  The initial frost did result in a couple of slippery sections.  Brian was second male 60 plus in 1 hour 11 minutes 35 seconds.

The next Spartan in was John Roxborough with 1:14:32; Matt Clarke came in with 1:25:28 and Jim Brown completed the men’s county team (of four) with 1:27:40.

Steve Dobner, Alison Shelley and Fiona Clarke worked brilliantly as a team and supported each other which helped Fiona to a new personal best of 1:27:29.  It was a great run.

Steve came in with 1:27:22 and Alison with 1:27:34.

Fiona and Alison headed up the Spartan women’s county team (of three) and were supported by Wendy Tharani who finished in 1:34:36.

Carol Paul 1:41:03; Taher Tharani 2:00:11 and Roger Biggs 2:24:05 brought the Spartans total up to twelve in the tough event.

 

All Twelve Spartans at FH10

Position	Name	Time	Cat	Gender	Comments
157	BRIAN WHITE	01:11:35	M60	Male	2MV60
218	JOHN ROXBOROUGH	01:14:32	M40	Male
484	MATT CLARKE	01:25:28	M40	Male
499	JIM BROWN	01:27:40	M60	Male
514	ANDY JAY	01:28:36	M50	Male
536	STEVEN DOBNER	01:27:22	M40	Male
538	FIONA CLARKE	01:27:29	W35	Female	PB
543	ALISON SHELLEY	01:27:34	W45	Female
682	WENDY THARANI	01:34:36	W45	Female
762	CAROL PAUL	01:41:03	W55	Female
889	TAHER THARANI	02:00:11	M50	Male
916	ROGER BIGGS	02:24:05	M70	Male

 

917 finishers

 

Essendon 10K

JONATHAN JONES time for the Essenden 10K was 55 minutes 35 seconds.  He said the course was undulating and the temperature was below freezing to start, but the course was run on mainly paths and was well gritted.  A very good and picturesque course and country location worth visting.

The other Spartans at the Essendon 10K were Caroline Barter 55:27; Dzenana Topic 65:34 and Lisa Potter 75:06.  Julie Gray ran the Essendon 5K in 36:50

 

80 Up

John Nelms (photo above) ran his 80th marathon on the Thames Towpaths in 4:27:58

 

Running A Spring Marathon?

More than 100 Spartans enjoyed the club’s 20:20 training session on Tuesday.  Are you running the London Marathon, or another Spring marathon?  If you join Fairlands Valley Spartans now you’ll get access to all the club’s free training sessions, on five days in every week; participation in the marathon hub; a training programme; advice and a 20 mile training run on 29^th March.

All Spartans get free use of Ridlins Athletics Track at 9.15a.m. on Saturday morning.  That benefit alone is worth about £100 a year.  To join the Spartans visit www.fvspartans.org.uk or come along to a Spartans training session which include Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7p.m. from Marriotts Sports Centre, SG2 0AN.  Sign up now and you’ll be a member until April 2021.

 

Parkrun Highlights 18^th January 2020

Fifty-four Fairlands Valley Spartan’s ran in the mid-January sunshine early on Saturday morning.  At another huge Stevenage turnout, CLAIRE DRAKE ran a PB time of 27 minutes and 26 seconds alongside DEAN CARPENTER who was 7^th overall in 19 mins and 34 secs and HAZEL JONES who ran her 50^th event in 55 mins and 54 secs.

New parkrun PB times were also recorded by NICOLA KENNEDY on the Hunstanton Promenade course with a time of 22 min and 03 secs, GRACE BROWN at the Ellenbrook Fields event in 23 mins and 10 secs, and MARK BEASLY who completed the Carine Glades run in 27 mins and 02 secs.

Running for the 150^th time at a Parkrun event, DARRYL STEVENS finished the Brockenhurst course in 1 h 02 min and 05 secs.

543 finishers at Stevenage.

(You can find all the Spartan parkrun results near the end of this release).

 

Tables

Spartan Parkrun Results for Saturday 18^th January

 

Parkrun	Pos	Gen	Parkrunner	Times	Notes
Bedford parkrun	273	49	Sheryl HANN	28:01
Milton Keynes parkrun	1076	671	Graham HILL	40:19
Stevenage parkrun	7	7	Dean CARPENTER	19:34
	14	14	David RIDDELL	20:32
	36	35	Nick GILL	22:02
	46	44	Andrew MCGUINNESS	22:26
	64	59	Yordan YORDANOV	23:32
	65	6	Natalie WHITE	23:35
	82	74	David PATTMAN	24:33
	88	10	Claire PULLEN	24:53
	91	11	Georgie HOOPER	25:08
	99	12	Fiona CLARKE	25:24
	108	94	Daniel SUTTON	25:32
	112	98	Sam SIMMONS	25:38
	116	101	Nigel STRONGITHARM	25:51
	141	121	Tim ROBINSON	26:16
	161	141	Luke GURNEY	26:44
	188	34	Claire DRAKE	27:26	New PB
	235	190	James NICHOLLS	28:43
	245	50	Alison SHELLEY	28:57
	283	63	Maria SWIFT	30:04
	288	65	Penny SCHENKEL	30:15
	295	227	Simon SYPULA	30:26
	298	230	Kartik SHARMA	30:32
	300	232	David ACKERY	30:39
	301	233	Jim BROWN	30:42
	305	234	Paul JENNINGS	30:54
	325	245	Andy PRIOR	31:40
	326	81	Kerstin WEINER	31:41
	341	87	Karen ELLIS	32:15
	342	88	Julie SHADBOLT	32:17
	356	98	Erica GRAYSON	32:41
	360	100	Caroline CROFT	32:46
	374	110	Sally PICKLES	33:09
	418	141	Monica SMITHSON	34:58
	424	147	Ada JANUSIENE	35:17
	426	149	Callie CHAPMAN	35:20
	433	152	Tracy STILES	35:44
	434	282	Peter CARPENTER	35:51
	468	180	Helen HARRIS	37:04
	498	298	Roger BIGGS	38:56
	523	219	Caren THAIN	41:09
	524	220	Melody BROWN	41:11
	525	221	Pam TAYLOR	41:14
	538	228	Emma MARTIN	50:05
	543	232	Hazel JONES	55:54	50th Parkrun
Brockenhurst parkrun	239	140	Darryl STEVENS	1:02:05	150th Parkrun
Preston Park parkrun	274	234	Nick KLEANTHOUS	25:54
Carine Glades parkrun	67	49	Mark BEASLEY	27:02	New PB
Panshanger parkrun	100	7	Mo WARRILLOW	26:13
	245	54	Jane WHITROW	31:57
Ellenbrook Fields parkrun	49	2	Grace BROWN	23:10	New PB
Hunstanton Promenade parkrun	8	8	Richard KENNEDY	20:16
	14	2	Nicola KENNEDY	22:03	New PB

 

Over 500 finishers again at Stevenage.  543 this time.

 

Fairlands Valley Spartans are active participants in cross country with teams in a local league and in the county championships.  On Sunday 48 Spartans, 21 women and 27 men raced in the fourth Sunday league fixture of the season which was at Watford.  Both men and women raced over the same distance which was about six miles.

This was on a tough undulating course in Cassiobury Park, Whippendell Wood and on Jaccotts Hill.

There were outstanding performances from SIMON JACKSON, in the top ten overall with ninth out of 472 finishers in 37 minutes 8 seconds and ELLA-MAY HARDS fourth senior woman and 112^th overall (i.e. out of all the men and women) in 43 minutes 31 seconds.

There was another great second place out of nineteen for the Spartan women who should have second place for the season secure if they get a good turnout in the last race.

SUZY HAWKINS was ninth woman and third female 35 plus in 44:28; MICHELLE REEVES eighth senior in 45:16 and ALISON WOOD 2^nd female 45 plus in 47:16.  RHIANNON GRIFFIN completed the women’s “A” team as 38^th woman in 51:04.

The competition for the women veteran runners (all aged 35 or more) is exciting. With only one race to go the Spartans could win, come fourth or anywhere in between.  Currently FVS are second on 67 points with St. Albans leading with 68 and Trent Park third on 65 and little to divide them on cumulative race positions.

Four more Spartan men beat 40 minutes.  They were JON PARR 20^th in 38:01; ANDREW PATTERSON 24^th in 38:18; CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT 25^th in 38:19 and PAUL HEWETT 39^th in 39:41.  GRANT RAMSAY, STUART ARCHER and BRIAN WHITE completed the “A” team of eight runners at 64^th in 41:04; 79^th in 41:56 and 129^th in 45:24.  Brian was fifth male 60 plus.

Further down the field JIM BROWN was second male 65 plus in 60:27 and PETER CARPENTER second male 70 plus in 1:16:53.

The Spartan men are sixth across the board.  Their “A” team were sixth on the day as were the “B” team and the veterans’ team.  After four races the “A” team are sixth; the “B” team sixth in their category and the veteran men sixth!  To complete the picture the Spartans combined overall position in the league is sixth.

The Spartans had more than enough for four women’s teams (teams of five) and three men’s teams (teams of eight).

Spartan women (21 out of 180 runners).

Women	Overall	Name	Time	Category	Pace	Comments
6	112	ELLA-MAY HARDS	43:31	SL	07:00	4th senior
9	127	SUZY HAWKINS	44:28	FV35	07:09	3rd FV35
13	141	MICHELLE REEVES	45:16	SL	07:17	8th senior
22	176	ALISON WOOD	47:16	FV45	07:36	2nd FV45
38	236	RHIANNON GRIFFIN	51:04	SL	08:13
40	238	NATALIE WHITE	51:07	SL	08:13	FB
52	274	CLAIRE EMMERSON	52:47	FV45	08:30	FB
74	313	KELLY EVANS	55:05	SL	08:52	FB
87	337	MO WARRILLOW	56:42	FV45	09:07	FB
88	338	FIONA CLARKE	56:43	FV35	09:08	FB
103	362	KAREN ELLIS	58:21	FV45	09:23	FC
138	414	HAZEL SMITH	1:03:33	FV45	10:14	FC
139	415	VICKY ARCHER	1:03:33	FV35	10:14	FC
140	416	JENNY GARRETT	1:03:34	FV45	10:14	FC
142	418	SHERYL HANN	1:03:53	FV55	10:17	FC
159	444	MONICA SMITHSON	1:09:39	FV45	11:12
161	447	HAYLEY YENDELL	1:10:16	FV35	11:18
162	448	SOPHIE COWAN	1:10:16	FV40	11:18
163	449	SUE HAMER	1:10:18	FV45	11:19
171	459	CALLIE CHAPMAN	1:14:15	FV35	11:57
177	465	NICOLA HATHERLY	1:15:53	FV45	12:13

 

Spartan men (27 out of 292 runners).

Men	Overall	Name	Time	Cat	Pace	Comments
9	9	SIMON JACKSON	37:08	V40	05:58	3rd MV40
20	20	JON PARR	38:01	SM	06:07
24	24	ANDREW PATTERSON	38:18	SM	06:10
25	25	CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT	38:19	V45	06:10	3rd MV45
39	39	PAUL HEWETT	39:41	SM	06:23
64	64	GRANT RAMSAY	41:04	V40	06:36
79	82	STUART ARCHER	41:56	SM	06:45
129	142	BRIAN WHITE	45:24	V60	07:18	5th MV60
138	154	STUART HAYCROFT	46:07	V40	07:25	MB
141	157	ELLIOTT WHITE	46:28	SM	07:29	MB
153	172	TOBY ECCLESHALL	47:12	SM	07:36	MB
164	188	NICK GILL	48:15	SM	07:46	MB
165	190	PETE SMITH	48:22	V50	07:47	MB
178	205	THOMAS SAUKA	49:32	V40	07:58	MB
179	207	PAUL MAGUIRE	49:38	V50	07:59	MB
197	234	DARREN EMMERSON	50:57	V50	08:12	MB
212	257	MARTIN WOOD	52:00	V50	08:22
221	270	MARK GOODWIN	52:41	V60	08:29
231	296	STEVE DOBNER	53:50	V40	08:40
251	340	ANDY JAY	56:50	V50	09:09
266	379	JONATHAN JONES	59:47	V50	09:37
267	381	TIM ROBINSON	1:00:01	V50	09:39
268	387	JIM BROWN	1:00:27	V65	09:44	2nd MV65
272	404	JAMES KILROY	1:02:01	V40	09:59
278	429	KEN JUDE	1:06:40	V50	10:44
288	458	PAUL HOLGATE	1:14:13	V60	11:56
289	466	PETER CARPENTER	1:16:53	V70	12:22	2nd MV70

 

The fifth and final fixture will be on Therfield Heath, near Royston on Sunday 9^th February.

(FB means women’s “B” team and so on).

 

Running A Spring Marathon?

More than 100 Spartans enjoyed the club’s 20:20 training session on Tuesday.  Are you running the London Marathon, or another Spring marathon?  If you join Fairlands Valley Spartans now you’ll get access to all the club’s free training sessions, on five days in every week; participation in the marathon hub; a training programme and advice.

All Spartans get free use of Ridlins Athletics Track at 9.15a.m. on Saturday morning.  That benefit alone is worth about £100 a year.  To join the Spartans visit www.fvspartans.org.uk or come along to a Spartans training session which include Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7p.m. from Marriotts Sports Centre, SG2 0AN.  Sign up now and you’ll be a member until April 2021.

 

Yuko’s year ender.

YUKO GORDON last marathon of 2019 was the Great Barrow Challenge Marathon in Suffolk which she finished in 3 hours 46 minutes 32 seconds on 29 December.

The route was a single lap, all smooth tarmac.  Although the roads were not closed there was hardly any traffic but the race was very hilly, going through posh villages near Bury St. Edmunds.  The start and finish was from Suffolk Running Centre, very relaxed atmosphere and very well organised.

 

Parkrun Highlights 11^th January 2020

Twelve Parkrun locations saw 46 Spartans run on Saturday morning.  Fastest man and overall winner on his first appearance at Hackney Marshes was Jonathan PARR with 16:18.

The fastest female Spartan parkrunner was Grace BROWN in 23:24 running at Bedford for the first time.

Joining Jonathan and Grace with top 10 finishes (by gender) were Dean CARPENTER [19:35] 7^th, Paul SHELLEY [19:43] 8^th, Verity SUTTON-FISHER [24:02] 6^th lady at Stevenage.  Eva RAMSEY [24:25] was third fastest lady at Witton.

Tim SABAN [20:32] achieved a Personal Best [PB] running in Bedford.  Congratulations to everyone.

The 190^th Stevenage parkrun set another participation record with 586 runners, that’s 24 more than the previous record which was set on New Year’s Day.  Wow.

(You can find all the Spartan parkrun results near the end of this release).

 

Tables

Spartan Parkrun Results for Saturday 11^th January

Parkrun	Pos	Gen	Parkrunner	Time	Note
Hackney Marshes	1	1	Jonathan PARR	16:18	1st time at Hackney Marshes
Stevenage	7	7	Dean CARPENTER	19:35
Stevenage	8	8	Paul SHELLEY	19:43
Bedford	21	21	Tim SABAN	20:32	PB
Stevenage	20	20	Daniel SUTTON	21:08
Carlisle	13	12	David RIDDELL	22:18	1st time at Carlisle
Finsbury Park	159	145	John ROXBOROUGH	22:45	1st time at Finsbury Park
Bedford	77	10	Grace BROWN	23:24	1st time at Bedford
Stevenage	57	54	Martin DUDLEY	23:24
Stevenage	82	6	Verity FISHER	24:02
Stevenage	86	80	Matt CLARKE	24:12
Witton	25	3	Eva RAMSEY	24:25	1st time at Witton
Stevenage	109	102	Sam SIMMONS	24:48
Stevenage	111	104	Martyn DOWLING	24:55
Gunpowder Park	85	12	Mo WARRILLOW	25:58	1st time at Gunpowder Park
Carine Glades	80	65	Mark BEASLEY	27:14	1st time at Carine Glades
Durham	196	131	Nick KLEANTHOUS	27:38
Stevenage	194	166	Nick GILL	27:43
Stevenage	197	169	Jonathan JONES	27:58
Stevenage	198	29	Nikki WILBY	27:59
Stevenage	210	31	Sofia CARPENTER	28:14
Stevenage	212	32	Fiona CLARKE	28:16
Stevenage	223	39	Alison SHELLEY	28:26
Stevenage	224	185	David PATTMAN	28:26
Stevenage	225	186	Ken JUDE	28:27
Bushy	898	241	Jane WHITROW	29:15	1st time at Bushy
Stevenage	282	219	Jim BROWN	30:23
Stevenage	284	64	Carole SHELDRICK	30:25
Stevenage	285	65	Debbie BLANTERN	30:26
Stevenage	329	250	Tim ROBINSON	31:32
Stevenage	330	80	Jan FRY	31:33
Stevenage	335	82	Dzenana TOPIC	31:38
Stevenage	347	92	Sally PICKLES	32:00
Stevenage	359	100	Maria SWIFT	32:31
Stevenage	360	101	Kerstin WEINER	32:32
Stevenage	361	102	Erica GRAYSON	32:32
Stevenage	362	103	Karen PALMER	32:33
Stevenage	366	104	Caroline CROFT	32:43
Panshanger	313	94	Karen ELLIS	33:41	1st time at Panshanger
Panshanger	314	95	Maria THORNE	33:41
Stevenage	437	291	Paul HOLGATE	35:17
Stevenage	494	189	Helen HARRIS	37:45
Panshanger	374	129	Tracy STILES	37:48
Stevenage	508	311	Roger BIGGS	38:35
Stevenage	544	226	Pam TAYLOR	41:34
Brockenhurst	186	107	Darryl STEVENS	56:28