Author: Ken Jude

 

The Stevenage Half Marathon will be on Sunday 6^th November and YOU can tackle the 13.1 miles.  Go to www.fvspartans.org.uk to enter.

This will be the 30^th Stevenage Half and it’s a 70^th Anniversary event for Stevenage New Town.

The race starts from Ridlins Athletics Track promptly at 11a.m. and will follow a two lap course up Gresley Way and Six Hills Way into Fairlands Valley Park passing the lakes then down the length of the park past the showground then along Broadhall Way and back onto Gresley Way.  The first lap is slightly shorter than the second which has an extra loop at the north end of the park.  Almost all the race will be on cycleways and footpaths.

The race is open to all aged 17 or over but it also includes the Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors (18 plus).  Entries are £24, less for Spartans and members of other UK Athletics affiliated clubs.  There are already about 600 entries.  Don’t delay if you want a space.

Running a successful event like this takes dozens of helpers.  If you want to be a volunteer marshal or to help in any other way please contact shm@fvspartans.org.uk.

 

Ampthill

Spartans JOHN HARRIS and DAVID DOWKER were at the Ampthill Cross Country Festival on Sunday.  It was a tough one on a hilly 10K route.  Luckily they missed the rain and the sun came out just in time for the seniors.  It had been very wet for the children’s races.  John finished 28^th in 44 minutes exactly and David was 66^th in 52:17.

 

Maidstone Marathon

On Sunday CAROL PAUL ran the Maidstone marathon in Kent.  The course was tough and hilly but she completed her 340th marathon in 4:25:26.  Carol was seventh lady and 37th overall.

 

A Mission In Canada

ROGER BIGGS continued his mission to run a marathon in all 13 Canadian Provinces & Territories.

Sunday’s Prince Edward Island Marathon started on the Northern shores of the Island, and looped round to finish in the Prince Edward Island capital town Charlottetown.  The guide books will tell you that there are no mountains on the Island, but there are plenty of hills.

On a lovely day for running, wall to wall sunshine yet a cool breeze, Roger completed the marathon in 4:46:06, his 8^th of 13 in his Province / territory quest.

 

1066 Way To Battle

KIERAN FEETHAM and HOLLIE DOUTRE ran the 1066 Way to Battle trail event, part of the 950^th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings commemorations.

Over about 17 miles following the 1066 Way Footpath Kieran was 198^th in 2 hours 43 minutes 20 seconds and Hollie 199^th in 2:43:19  (these are chip times).

 

Cross Country Season Starts

The first cross country league race of the season will be in Cheshunt this Sunday 23^rd October.  Dozens of Fairlands Valley Spartans are expected to compete.

 

Parkrun Report

A baker’s dozen Spartans were in action at Stevenage parkrun with some fine performances

DAVE SMITH was again first Spartan finisher this week, crossing the line in 20:42 for 14 place overall and a new course personal best (PB).  DAVID RIDDELL was 15^th in 20:53 and DARREN EMMERSON, who continues to be in fantastic form, was 19^th in a new course PB of 21:45.  CLIVE CANNON also achieved a new course PB of 23:45 to finish 36^th.

For the ladies, CLAIRE COX was 3^rd to finish in 23:13. VERITY FISHER was 5^th in 23:33, and NIKKI WILBY was 37^th in 24:26.  All three achieved new course PBs.

The other Spartans in action at Stevenage were DANIEL SUTTON (23:47), ANDREW SMITH (24:32), STEFFAN FORD (27:37), JOHN MCCALL (27:57), ALEXANDRA WHITEHOUSE (31:55) and IAN ALEXANDER (58:37 on tail-running duties).

At Panshanger JEANETTE COLLINS was the sole Spartan in attendance, finishing 43^rd in 29:01.  DARRYL STEVENS continued on his mission across the south-coast parkruns, finishing the Havant event in 40:56.

Finally, STEVE GREEN was 8^th male finisher at Stratford-upon-Avon in 19:37, ISABEL GREEN was 3rd woman in a time of 22:52 and ROGER HARDMAN was 64^th male in 26:17.

 

Coming Events

Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the Hertfordshire 10K championships.  The opportunities include:

• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• First Cross Country League Race in Cheshunt on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• Second Cross Country League Race on Sunday 13^th November (new date).
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Third Cross Country League Race on Sunday 18^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.
• Serpentine New Year 10K in Hyde Park on 1^st January.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

It was first AND second and four in the top ten for Fairlands Valley Spartans at the final Hatfield 5K race of the series.  The Spartan top four were all under 17 minutes with ANDREW PATTERSON beating that target for the first time.

Series winner CRAIG HALSEY confirmed his achievement by winning the third race in just 16 minutes 23 seconds.  GRANT RAMSAY was pushing him all the way to the line and was just five seconds behind and first veteran in 16:28.  Not far behind SIMON JACKSON was sixth and third veteran in 16:47 and Andrew Patterson ninth in 16:56.

STEFFAN FORD was 17:54 (27^th); ANDY JAY (88^th) and KEN JUDE (106^th) ran year’s bests – Andy finishing in 22:41 and Ken in 23:17.  JIM BROWN (117^th) has been spookily consistent in his last three 5Ks with the official results all showing 23:48!

VISHAL SHAH was 127^th in 24:20 with HAZEL CLARK 128^th in 24:23.  In addition ROGER BIGGS was 158^th in 26:53; PAUL HOLGATE 163^rd in 27:21 and SHARON CROWLEY 163^rd in 27:21.

Position	Name	Time	Comments
1.	CRAIG HALSEY	16:23	Series Winner
2.	GRANT RAMSAY	16:28	First Veteran
6.	SIMON JACKSON	16:47	Third Veteran
9.	ANDREW PATTERSON	16:56	Top Ten
27.	STEFFAN FORD	17:54
88	ANDY JAY	22:41	Year’s Best
106	KEN JUDE	23:17	Year’s Best
117	JIM BROWN	23:48
127	VISHAL SHAH	24:20
128	HAZEL CLARK (F)	24:23
158	ROGER BIGGS	26:53
163	PAUL HOLGATE	27:21
175	SHARON CROWLEY (F)	28:59

 

Great Eastern Run, Peterborough

The Great Eastern Run is a fantastic well supported half marathon with lots of runners but not so many as to cause serious congestion on the wide traffic free course.  About as flat as you could hope for over 13.1 miles with conditions near to perfect GRANT RAMSAY ran his fastest half for three years and was 30^th out of the 4,247 runners in a fantastic 1 hour 14 minutes 24 seconds.  Also beating eighty minutes CRAIG HALSEY was 87^th in 1:19:54.

BRIAN WHITE startled many younger runners by winning the veteran (60 plus) race in a sub 1:30 time of 1 hour 28 minutes 46 seconds.  He was 283^rd overall.

Altogether there were twenty Spartans.  Just outside the top ten per cent STUART HAYCROFT improved by ten minutes with 1:33:31, he was 436^th and Fairlands fastest female SUZY HAWKINS cut her personal best to 1:33:59 for 455^th.

DAVID RIDDELL was 701^st in 1:39:37 and THOMAS SAUKA 743^rd in 1:40:17.  ISABEL GREEN (849^th) set a new personal best of 1:42:24 and ANDY PRIOR cut his PB by three and a half minutes to 1:44:22.

JIM BROWN reduced his season’s best by 7 minutes 19 seconds to 1:47:16.  NICOLA TOUT did well in her first half marathon and finished with 1:52:20 and TRICIA HOPPER crossed the line with 1:54:02.  Then came WENDY THARANI in 2:01:15; VISHY MAN in 2:02:45; JULIE SHADBOLT in a new personal best of 2:04:27; JENNY GARRETT in 2:07:31; JACKIE DOWNES in 2:07:56; NICK WITCOMBE in 2:13:36; PAUL HOLGATE in 2:14:21 and STEVE DOBNER in 2:33:48.

Position	First Name	Last Name	Time	Comments
30	GRANT	RAMSAY	01:14:24	Best Half for 3 years
87	CRAIG	HALSEY	01:19:54
283	BRIAN	WHITE	01:28:46	1st V60
436	STUART	HAYCROFT	01:33:31	PB (10:00)
455	SUZY	HAWKINS	01:33:59	PB
701	DAVID	RIDDELL	01:39:37
743	THOMAS	SAUKA	01:40:17
849	ISABEL	GREEN	01:42:24	PB
1000	ANDY	PRIOR	01:44:22	PB (3.5 minutes)
1206	JIM	BROWN	01:47:16	SB (7:19)
1536	NICOLA	TOUT	01:52:20	New
1706	TRICIA	HOPPER	01:54:02
2303	WENDY	THARANI	02:01:15
2137	VISHY	MAN	02:02:45
2448	JULIE	SHADBOLT	02:04:27	PB
2668	JENNY	GARRETT	02:07:31
2698	JACKIE	DOWNES	02:07:56
3018	NICK	WITCOMBE	02:13:36
3057	PAUL	HOLGATE	02:14:21
3790	STEVEN	DOBNER	02:33:48

 

Royal Parks

Three Spartans were among the 16,000 at the Royal Parks Half Marathon which finished in Hyde Park.  PAUL MAGUIRE finished in 1:46:42; ANDREA WESTCOTT in 2:04:06 and IAN ALEXANDER improved his 13.1 time by 5 minutes 52 seconds to finish in 2:43:01.

 

Bucharest

ROGER BIGGS added another Country to his marathon collection with a visit to the Romanian Capital, Bucharest.  After two days of rain, the forecast sun arrived, and the runners had a glorious day on the streets of Bucharest.  The marathon course started in the front of the parliament building, a fairly flat affair, but with runners going in all directions and numerous out and back sections.

Roger could not say he had a good day, and finally came through the finish line in 5:17:35.

 

Herts 10K

JOHN ROXBURGH ran the Herts 10k on Sunday finishing with a chip time of 45:15.

 

Gravesend 5K

A bit of a trek but the Gravesend 5K on Thursday evening went well for DAVID BOWKER who finished ninth in 19 minutes 58 seconds.

He says the race was advertised as “floodlit,” the start / finish area was, but the hairpin bends at the bottom of the hill had just a car’s headlights and at the top there was nothing.  All good fun and he says he’ll go back and do the 10K next time.

On Sunday Dave went to Wimbledon Common for the BMAF inter area cross country challenge.  With only two from the Eastern area there was no team but he finished 17^th overall, eighth vetera (55 plus) in 32 minutes 15 seconds on a 4.5 mile course.

 

Hoohah Batty

OLWEN BATTY ran the 10 mile Wimpole Estate Hoohah race in 1:33:20.  She was 12th female overall and 6th senior female.

 

Bournemouth Marathon

Recently TIM ROBINSON ran the fourth Bournemouth marathon.  The course is fairly downhill at the start and despite a minor hill at 5miles, and a sharp hill at 12miles, Tim made the half way point in 2:01. The next section was along the sea front with a slight incline up to Boscombe Pier, but by now the midday sun was out in full force and the pace was slowing.  There was some relief as the return back along the sea front was back down the incline but short lived as at 18miles the course climbed steeply back up to the top of the cliffs and the pace again took a big hit.  Once on the top of the cliffs the course heads inland and into the shade of gardens and the pace picked up again as the course meandered back down to sea level.  The final 5 miles out and back along the promenade again in the full force of the sun were tough and made harder by more steep climbs at 21miles and 23miles. A final sprint saw a finish time of 4:28:08.

 

Parkrun Report

On a drizzly morning in Fairlands Valley which was perfect for running twenty-two Spartans were in action at Stevenage parkrun, with a further half a dozen supporting on volunteering duties.

DAVE SMITH was first Spartan over the line, finishing 8^th in a time of 20 mins 57 secs for a new course PB (personal best). MARK BEASLEY was 11^th in 21:28, DARREN EMMERSON who continues in fine form was 15^th in 21:53 and MARTIN DUDLEY 22^nd in 22:06 (course PB).

MICHELLE REEVES was first woman to finish in 21:04. CLAIRE COX was 4^th in 23:33, close followed in 5^th by VERITY FISHER in 23:47 (course PB). JULIE SIMMONS was 7^th in 24:13.

There were also new course PBs for CLIVE CANNON (24:05), ANDREW SMITH (24:13), LEE PICKERSGILL (24:20), LIZ CARVELL (28:05) and SIMON JACKSON (39:38 accompanying his son). The other Spartans in action at Stevenage were LIAM ERRINGTON (22:34), DANIEL SUTTON (23:23), CHRIS HOLLAND (23:48), CALLUM BEASLEY (24:06), THOMAS SAUKA (25:02), CAROL PAUL (25:26), HANNAH SYPULA (30:15), JOHN WALSH (30:23) and KELLY McHALE (34:55).

Elsewhere, ANDY JAY preferred his usual run around Panshanger, finishing 80^th in 26:34. JOHN ROXBOROUGH went to Hackney Marshes and finished 34^th in 20:19. Further afield LUCY FIELD finished 25^th at Oxford in 26:37 while up the road at Banbury HAZEL SMITH was 16^th in 25:48.

 

Stevenage RAISES £3,443.04 FOR SPORT RELIEF

Earlier this year, the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in Stevenage saw local people running one, three or six miles in aid of Sport Relief. The money has been counted up and the people of Stevenage raised a total of £3,0443.04.

This year’s Sport Relief was a record breaking year with the campaign raising a total of £72.5 million. The money raised will help disadvantaged people living incredibly tough lives, across the UK and the world’s poorest communities.

James Kilroy of Fairlands Valley Spartans said “The people of Stevenage did us proud and we are delighted with the total amount of money we have raised this year. It’s brilliant to have been part of such a successful Sport Relief year and know that we are helping to make a difference to people’s lives.”

Jess Kirke, Events Manager at Comic Relief said, “We want to say a huge thank you to all of our local mile organisers. They work tirelessly to organise successful events up and down the country and we are truly grateful for all their efforts and hard work – Sport Relief wouldn’t be the event it is without them.”

 

Coming Events

Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the Hertfordshire 10K championships.  The opportunities include:

 

• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• First Cross Country League Race in Cheshunt on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• Second Cross Country League Race on Sunday 13^th November (new date).
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Third Cross Country League Race on Sunday 18^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.
• Serpentine New Year 10K in Hyde Park on 1^st January.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

A massive 48 Fairlands Valley Spartans were among the 1340 runners at Sunday’s Standalone 10K in Letchworth.  It included the Hertfordshire County Championships for veteran runners and eight Spartans took home championship medals.

In the open race the Spartans had four runners in the top 100 and they made up the team winning BRONZE medals in the County race.  SIMON JACKSON was 15^th overall in 35 minutes 21 seconds; JOHN HARRIS was 65^th and also won the individual BRONZE for the veteran (50 plus) age group with 39:44; BRIAN WHITE was 83^rd and won individual SILVER in the veteran (60 plus) category with 40:14.  STEVE GREEN completed the team improving his 10K personal best to 40 minutes 42 seconds to come 99^th overall.

NICOLA KENNEDY led in the BRONZE medal women’s team.  She was 360^th in 48:10.  CLAIRE COX, 367^th in 48:09 and JULIE SIMMONS, 370^th in 48:36 completed the three person team but Julie also won SILVER in the County Championship for veteran women (55 plus).

JIM BROWN surprised himself by running his fastest 10K since major injury.  His 47 minutes 49 seconds won him the BRONZE medal in the veteran (60 plus) contest and a new season’s best (SB).

JOHN NELMS improved his PB (personal best) to 41:44; DARREN EMMERSON to 45:39; ANDREA WESTCOTT by 17 seconds to 55:13; and CHLOE EMMERSON to 1:03:22.

SAM PRETTY was the fastest Fairlands female with 41 minutes 5 seconds.

 

All the Spartan times:

Position	Name	Category	Time	Comments
15	SIMON JACKSON	Vet Men 40-49	35:21	County Team Bronze
65	JOHN HARRIS	Vet Men 50-59	39:44	Cty. Bronze & Team Bronze
83	BRIAN WHITE	Vet Men 60-69	40:14	Cty. Silver & Team Bronze
99	STEVE GREEN	Vet Men 40-49	40:42	Cty. Team Bronze; PB (0:18)
106	SAM PRETTY	Senior Ladies	41:05
117	JOHN NELMS	Vet Men 40-49	41:44	PB
184	DAVE SMITH	Vet Men 40-49	44:06
211	CRAIG BACON	Vet Men 40-49	44:43
212	CLAIRE PULLEN	Vet Ladies 45-54	44:43
238	PAUL BOICHAT	Vet Men 40-49	44:08
245	RICHARD KENNEDY	Senior Men	45:25
250	DARREN EMMERSON	Vet Men 40-49	45:39	PB
279	MARTIN DUDLEY	Vet Men 50-59	46:22
284	GARETH COWELL	Vet Men 40-49	46:36
288	DEAN CARPENTER	Vet Men 40-49	46:37
332	JIM BROWN	Vet Men 60-69	47:49	County Bronze and SB
337	DANIEL SUTTON	Senior Men	47:52
360	NICOLA KENNEDY	Vet Ladies 35-44	48:10	County Team Bronze
367	CLAIRE COX	Vet Ladies 45-54	48:09	County Team Bronze
370	JULIE SIMMONS	Vet Ladies 55-64	48:36	Cty. Silver & Team Bronze
376	SELVAN NAICKER	Vet Men 40-49	48:16
400	MARIE COLUCCI	Vet Ladies 35-44	49:00
446	ROSIE INGRAM	Vet Ladies 35-44	49:36
480	ANDY JAY	Vet Men 50-59	50:35
502	VERITY FISHER	Senior Ladies	51:07
521	SOPHIE COWAN	Vet Ladies 35-44	51:11
542	NIKKI WILBY	Senior Ladies	52:03
572	KEN JUDE	Vet Men 50-59	52:03
584	BARRY KING	Vet Men 40-49	52:53
629	STEPHEN PIKE	Vet Men 50-59	53:01
681	SARAH PIKE	Senior Ladies	53:56
698	ROBERT SHAW	Vet Men 60-69	53:56
713	ANDREA WESTCOTT	Vet Ladies 45-54	55:13	PB (0:17)
867	KAREN LIDDLE	Vet Ladies 55-64	57:14
954	LIZ CARVELL	Vet Ladies 55-64	58:40
984	STEPHANIE MAYFIELD	Vet Ladies 35-44	59:33
998	TRICIA HOPPER	Vet Ladies 45-54	59:51
999	ROGER BIGGS	Vet Men 60-69	1:00:46
1111	CHLOE EMMERSON	Vet Ladies 45-54	1:03:22	PB
1130	STEVEN GOUGH	Vet Men 40-49	1:03:33
1154	PAUL HOLGATE	Vet Men 50-59	1:05:05
1159	SHARON CROWLEY	Vet Ladies 55-64	1:05:22
1183	TRACY STILES	Vet Ladies 45-54	1:06:30
1186	GRAHAM HILL	Vet Men 70+	1:06:17
1220	GOPALAN NAIDOO	Vet Men 60-69	1:08:09
1250	ANTHONY OSBORNE	Vet Men 70+	1:11:31
1309	EMMA MARTIN	Vet Ladies 35-44	1:17:36
1317	CAREN THAIN	Vet Ladies 45-54	1:17:25

 

Liam Gets A Shout From Paula

LIAM HERBERT took part in the inaugural Disneyland Paris Half Marathon last weekend.  There were plenty of highlights for him – it was his first European race (outside of the UK) and he was fortunate to start alongside Paula Radcliffe!  Paula finished ten minutes ahead of the Spartan runner to claim the first lady position, seconds ahead of Aly Dixon, who recently competed for Team GB at the marathon distance in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.  Liam passed Paula on the course on a section where she was running back in as Liam was sent around an off-road lakeside circuit in the villages surrounding the Parisian theme park, and Liam got a supportive shout out from Paula after he cheered her on!

The course took in both two theme parks and a number of themed hotels on the Disney resort, the surrounding motorways and villages and even included a lap around a local athletics track!  Liam finished 213th out of 8514 participants in a time of 1:36.28.  Liam will be travelling to Walt Disney World in Florida next month to run three races over three consecutive days (5K, 10K and Half Marathon), and in doing so will complete the inaugural Run Disney Castle to Chateau Challenge by virtue of having run a half marathon in Disney theme parks in both Paris and the US within the same calendar year.

 

Patterson Wins First Saturday

ANDREW PATTERSON maintained his undefeated record at the Norton Common first Saturday of the month 5K.  He won in 17 minutes 18 seconds.

 

Last Friday

A tremendous downpour just before the start meant any warm ups were soaking wet but once underway it was dry, cool and breezy for the Last Friday of the Month 5K race around Hyde Park.

Spartan DAVE BOWKER ran an impressive 20 minutes 56 seconds while JIM BROWN improved his time for this year slightly to 23:56. They were 108^th and 200^th out of the 286 finishers.

 

Half An Hour Off At Chester

Spartan TIM SABAN improved his marathon personal best by half an hour at Chester on Sunday.  He finished in 3 hours 30 minutes 10 seconds.

PETE SMITH ran the Cardiff Half in 1:34:51.

 

So Near But…..

Starting with the good news.  DAVE BOWKER went to Hillingdon for the national racewalk 50K championships with lots of supporting races for children and adults alike, a real festival of walking on Sunday.

It took place on the cyclopark, a nice flat smooth surface.  A slight drawback was the actual route.  The star/finish area was outside the clubhouse, then participants walked 500 metres to a bollard, back down the other side to another bollard, repeat 50 times, not for everyone!

Unfortunately there was a cut off time of 6 hours 15 minutes, Dave finished his 49th lap in 6hrs 11mins 25secs, he wasn’t allowed to continue, there were several others behind me in the same situation.

He says he’ll just have to go back next year and try harder!

 

Hitchin Town Centre Race

14 Spartans made the short trip over to our good friends at Hitchin Running Club to race in the second running of the Town Centre 5k road race.  Same as last year this was really well organised and chip timed, with the route over two laps, starting and finishing on the Market Place.

Weather conditions were perfect on the day.

Andy Patterson followed up second place in 2015 with another podium, in third place in a time of 17.00,  which was 40 seconds quicker than his time the previous year.

Julie Simmons, returning from injury, returned to form with a superb run in 23:46.

All the Spartans’ names and times:  Andrew PATTERSON 17:00; Craig BACON 21:39; Darren EMMERSON 21:52; Daniel SUTTON 22:59; Marie COLUCCI 23:13; Rob EVANS 23:41; Julie SIMMONS 23:46; Andy JAY  23:46; Claire COX 23:48; Verity FISHER  24:27; Sue HAMER  26:06; John WALSH  29:22; Iris HORNSEY  30:24 and Chloe EMMERSON  31:18

 

Stevenage Relay

TRUDIE MOLLOY, KAREN LIDDLE, TRICIA HOPPER and BARRY KING ran the Stevenage Relay in Hampson Park.  This was one a 1K loop running in a relay.  In the one hour they completed 13 laps (13K) averaging about 4:37 per lap..

 

Windsor Half Marathon

JORDAN QUICKE ran his first half marathon recently.  He finished the Windsor event in 2 hours 18 minutes 30 seconds.

 

Fell Race

THOMAS SAUKA is getting hooked on fell running.  He ran the Castleton 10K in the Peak District and came 24^th out of 296 in 59:04.  Says it was really tough and he wants more.

 

Parkrun Report

With some big Sunday targets coming up the next day it was a quiet day for Parkrunning so far as the Spartans were concerned.  However….

MICHELLE REEVES was first Spartan woman over the line on a misty, Autumn morning at Stevenage’s Fairlands Valley, finishing as third woman in a time of 20mins 49secs. KAREN PALMER was 17^th in 28:20 and THERESA KEAST was 20^th in 28:49. The other women taking part were HEATHER MALONEY (29:57), TRACY PEZ (30:24), VERITY FISHER (30:27) and CLAIRE COX who just broke the hour on tail-running duties.

For the men, MARK BEASLEY was 12^th finisher in 21:39.  MARTYN DOWLING was 26^th in 23:19, a new course personal best, and CHRIS HOLLAND was 27^th, finishing in 23:26, also a new course PB.  The other men in action at Stevenage were CLIVE CANNON (24:09, course PB), SIMON SYPULA (25:53), DANIEL SUTTON (25:57), DARREN EMMERSON (28:31), DAVE SMITH (28:32) and ROB EVANS (42:47).

Only two Spartans ventured further afield this week. JOHN ROXBOROUGH was 25^th at Black Park in a time of 21:15 while at Gunnersbury KELLY MCHALE ran a new best for 5k in finishing 17^th in 24:04.

 

Coming Events

Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the Hertfordshire 10K championships.  The opportunities include:

 

• Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5^th October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• First Cross Country League Race in Cheshunt on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• Second Cross Country League Race on Sunday 13^th November (new date).
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Third Cross Country League Race on Sunday 18^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.
• Serpentine New Year 10K in Hyde Park on 1^st January.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

There were two Spartans in the top three in the Hatfield 5K.  CRAIG HALSEY won Wednesday’s race in just 16 minutes 20 seconds.  The event included the county championships for veterans and just eleven seconds later GRANT RAMSAY came roaring in to take third overall and SILVER in the 40 plus category with 16:31.

Two Spartan women achieved new personal bests.  ANN TRYSSESOONE improved by 52 seconds to 22:12 and PENNY SCHENKEL by 68 seconds to 24:43.

RICHARD BATE was in the top twenty of the 242 finishers at 16^th with 17 minutes 38 while JOHN HARRIS was 45^th with 19:01.  JIM BROWN ran a year’s best 23:48; ANDREA WESTCOTT finished in 25:53 and PAUL HOLGATE in 27:26.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
1.	CRAIG HALSEY	16:20	Race Winner!
3.	GRANT RAMSAY	16:31	County Silver
16	RICHARD BATE	17:38
45	JOHN HARRIS	19:01
102	ANN TRYSSESOONE (F)	22:12	PB (52 seconds)
131	JIM BROWN	23:48	Year’s Best
148	PENNY SCHENKEL (F)	24:43	PB (68 seconds)
170	ANDREA WESTCOTT (F)	25:53
192	PAUL HOLGATE	27:26

 

Monster Run

KAREN BROOM was so happy to finish the Loch Ness marathon in a time of 5 hours and 43 minutes and 13 seconds.

Dave Doubles Up

It’s been a busy week for DAVID BOWKER, the club handicap on Thursday and two events  on Saturday.

The first was his first Enfield League walking event at the Lee Valley outdoor track.  This was a one hour time trial in which he did five miles.

Then he stayed in London for the Shine Night Walk Marathon which stared in Southwark Park and finished in Old Billingsgate.  Dave’s marathon was the last of four waves and started at 10.15.  It took in quite a few of London’s sights on a very pleasant  night.  The event was set up to raise funds for Cancer Research.

He says it was quite an experience trying to walk at speed through London’s nightlife, the quicker ones of us were catching the earlier starters and it got quite congested at times. David got round in 6hrs 42mins.

 

Steffan Wins

STEFFAN FORD ran in the Basel Marathon weekend.  He did the 10km and finished 12^th overall and first veteran, forty plus, in 37:58.

 

Craig and Melanie Win In Stevenage

There was another success for CRAIG HALSEY just one day after winning the Hatfield 5K he was first to finish in the Spartans Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening.  His actual time was 16 minutes 50 seconds and he was in 46 seconds ahead of the next runner.

MELANIE BEALE was the first woman across the line.  Her start line to finish time was 30 minutes 35 seconds.  She was fourth overall.

DAVID QUICKE was second with an actual 25:54 and RICHARD SPRINGALL third with 19:26.  DAVID BOWKER was fifth with 21:42.

Other actual times, in finish order, were JENNY PAUL 28:50; SARAH PIKE 26:15; MARTIN DUDLEY 22:30; STEVE PIKE 25:28; NATALIE LAWRENCE 21:25; LISA SMITH 30:13; MARIA QUICKE 30:13 and SEAN MILLWOOD 30:26.

Poor street lighting and uneven surfaces on the cycleways caused some problems during the event.

 

Huffin Puffin

CAROL PAUL ran the Huffin Puffin Marathon in St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada on Sunday.  On a two lap course with a sharp hill and a long incline on each lap Carol ran her best road marathon for eight years finishing in a time of 4 hours 13 minutes 2 seconds.  ROGER BIGGS finished in 4:37:10.  This completed his four weekend trip which included a marathon in the USA and three marathons and a 5km race in Canada.

 

Alison’s Update

ALISON WOOD won GOLD at the British Masters (BMAF) 800 metres championships for women aged 50 plus last week.

 

Twelve and a Half Laps for Grant

GRANT RAMSAY was second in the Biggleswade Open 5000 metres with a time of 16 minutes 51 seconds, a good performance despite the windy conditions.

 

Parkrun Report

It was a relatively quiet week for Spartans on the parkrun scene.

At Stevenage DANNY HUKIN was first Spartan finisher, pushing a buggy round in 20:48 for 17^th place. MARTIN DUDLEY was 33^rd in 22:47 and MARTYN DOWLING 43^rd in 23:26, a new course personal best (PB). For the ladies, LAUREN HARNETT was 16^th in 27:48, also a new course PB, VERITY FISHER 17^th in 27:54 and CLAIRE COX 68^th in 36:31 on pacing duties.

There was also a new course PB for KELLY CHAPMAN (36:43), while the other Spartans in action were DANIEL SUTTON (24:37), CHRTIS HOLLAND (25:16) DAVID RIDDELL (26:03), DAVE SMITH (28:01), JOHN WALSH (29:42), SIMON JACKSON (43:20 running with his son) and DARREN EMMERSON who was on tail-running duty.

At Panshanger Park, MARK BEASLEY was 21^st in 21:30, a new course PB. TIM ROBINSON also notched a new best mark round here, finishing 33^rd in 23:11. CALLUM BEASLEY was 48^th in 24:45.

On the south coast, DARRYL STEVENS ran at Bournemouth, achieving a new course PB of 38:22, while on his first visit to Keswick JOHN ROXBOROUGH was 44^th in 23:42. Finally, ROGER HARDMAN ran 26:16 at Newcastle.

 

Coming Events

Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the Hertfordshire 10K championships.  The opportunities include:

• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 30^th September.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.
• Henlow Ten on Wednesday 5^th October (daytime).
• Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5^th October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• First Cross Country League Race in Cheshunt on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• Second Cross Country League Race on Sunday 13^th November (new date).
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Third Cross Country League Race on Sunday 18^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

 

It was SILVER for Spartan CRAIG HALSEY at the County 5K championships in Hatfield on Wednesday.  He raced round the two and a half lap course in just 16 minutes 27 seconds.  SIMON JACKSON also beat the 17 minute barrier and was sixth overall out of the 208 finishers in 16:55.  HAZEL CLARK was running her first claim race for Fairlands Valley Spartan and was 121^st in 24:23.  Meanwhile PENNY SCHENKEL was running her first ever 5K which she completed in 25:51 for 144^th.  BARRY OSBORNE was 59^th in 19:48; JIM BROWN 132^nd in 25:18 and PAUL HOLGATE 164^th in 27:44.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
2	CRAIG HALSEY	16:27	SILVER medal
6	SIMON JACKSON	16:55	2nd V40
59	BARRY OSBORNE	19:48
121	HAZEL CLARK	24:23	First 1st claim race
132	JIM BROWN	25:18
144	PENNY SCHENKEL	25:51	First 5K race
164	PAUL HOLGATE	27:44

 

There were 208 finishers.

 

GNR

Thirteen Spartans ran thirteen miles at Newcastle on Sunday.  They were racing the Great North Run.  STEFFAN FORD was very happy with his time of 1 hour 21 minutes 48 seconds in very hot conditions.  He said it was a very hard half marathon and testing challenge.

JAMES KILROY commented it was hot with a lot of weaving but some great support.  He finished in 2:25:34.

The other Spartans were Steve Green 1:33:11; Paul Whyte 1:36:41; Isabel Green 1:51:34; Clare Whitchurch 1:53:40; Jenny Garrett 2:14:31; Barry King 2:15:04; Trudie Molloy 2:18:02; Tracey Stiles 2:24:02; Caroline Croft 2:27:31; Carole Sheldrick 2:27:31; and Nick Witcombe 3:00:17.

 

Race Results For Grant Ramsay:

GRANT RAMSAY was sixth out of 1,730 in the City of London Run the River 10K on Tuesday in 36 minutes 25 seconds.  He says this was a very tough run along the banks of the River Thames, with main route open to the general public, which involved lots of congestion.  The course was certainly not PB (personal best) friendly, but was still enjoyable and all for charity.

Then on Saturday he was representing Hertfordshire in the South East Inter Counties match in Peterborough.  Grant was fifth in the 3000 metres Steeplechase in 11 minutes 9 seconds.   As he put it a decent result as it was his first steeplechase race for over two years.

 

Greater Cambridge 10K

Despite the heat OLWEN BATTY ran a massive personal best in the inaugural Greater Cambridge 10K on Sunday.  Her gun time was 50 minutes 2 seconds.  JOHN NELMS ran a new PB of 41:50.  TIM SABAN finished in 43 minutes 7 seconds.

 

Heart of America Marathon – Monday, 5^th September 2016

Roger Biggs continued his tour of the Americas with this tough Heart of America Marathon run from Columbia, Missouri on Monday.

Roger became the first Brit to complete 100 Marathons in the USA, and was awarded the race number 100 in recognition.

This was a very hilly event, mostly run on the side of main roads, however, it was the heat rather than the course that was the main concern.  Already approaching 20C at the 06:00hrs start, the temperature climbed to an official shade temperature of 34C at the finish!!  Given the conditions Roger did well to finish in 5:15:39, placing 3^rd in his age group. (65 to 69).

 

Queen City Marathon – Sunday, 11^th September 2016

Then by Sunday Roger Biggs had moved across America to Regina, the Capital City of Saskatchewan, Canada for the Queen City Marathon.

The marathon course was pretty flat, and partly made use of The Trans Canada Bike Path, within Regina.  However with an elevation of 600m above sea level, it certainly takes a while to get the breathing correct.

Roger ran a good first half, but struggled after half way to finish in 4:49:12, a time good enough to finish third in his age group vet 65-69.

 

Parkrun Report

On a busy weekend of road, track and multi-sports action there were fewer Spartans in parkrun action.

At Stevenage, Spartans provided the first three women to finish. First across the line was CLAIRE COX in 24:20, closely followed by VERITY FISHER who continued her return towards her best form, finishing in 24:22 for a new course PB. CLAIRE PULLEN was third in 24:46 and KELLY McHALE 8th in 25:49.

For the men DAVID RIDDELL was 8^th in 20:17, DAVE SMITH was 17^th in 22:12 and THOMAS SAUKA 18^th in 22:18. MARTIN DUDLEY was 27^th finisher in 22:54 while there was a new course PB for DANIEL SUTTON (23:35).

The other Spartans in action at Stevenage were CHRIS HOLLAND (24:17), CLIVE CANNON (24:45 in his first ever parkrun), LAUREN HARNETT (29:33) and CHLOE EMMERSON who was on tail-running duty.

Elsewhere ANDY JAY again ran at Panshanger, finishing 52^nd in 25:02, 48 seconds quicker than last week., while JOHN ROXBOROUGH was 5^th at Barclay in 23:09, a new course PB. Finally, JOHN WALSH ran at Lymington Woodside, finishing 43^rd in 30:19, also a new course PB.

 

Harlow Ten Trio

Three Spartans raced the Harlow Ten recently.  CRAIG HALSEY was 20^th out of the 294 finishers in 1 hour 5 minutes 16 seconds.

Using the race to complete an 18 mile training run TIM SABAN finished in 1:21:23 for 130^th and despite stumbling at about the halfway mark JIM BROWN managed 152^nd in 1:23:56 to improve his year’s best time by 2 minutes 14 seconds.

This was on an undulating course with some lengthy off road sections and a two mile up hill stretch in the last half.  The last mile seemed very tough after that with some high kerbs to climb up!

 

Spartans Second

The Spartans women’s team were second in the East of England masters (veterans) championships.  Full results should be available for next week’s release.

 

Coming Events

Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the Hertfordshire 5K championships.  The opportunities include:

• Herts 5K veteran championships in Hatfield on Wednesday 21^st September.
• FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25^th September.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.
• Henlow Ten on Wednesday 5^th October (daytime).
• Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5^th October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• First Cross Country League Race in Cheshunt on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• Second Cross Country League Race on Sunday 13^th November (new date).
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Third Cross Country League Race on Sunday 18^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

It was medals all round for the Spartans at the Eastern Masters Athletics Track and Field Championships at Sandy on Saturday.  The weather started out grey with a strong, gusty wind and then deteriorated during the day to include heavy rain.  Performances were affected by the conditions but the four Fairlands Valley Spartans who competed all ended up winning medals.

Sharon Crowley managed a season’s best time of 14 minutes 33.76 seconds in the 2000 metre Walk, to finish as Gold Medallist in the Over 55 age group.  Barry Osborne also claimed the Gold Medal in the 3000 metres for Men over 65 with a time of 12:05.70

Dave and Tessa Stephenson both competed in the 100 metre and Shot Putt events.  In the Over 50 age group, Dave took Silver in the Shot Putt with a new personal best of 8.35 metres and Bronze in the 100m in 14.43 seconds.  Tessa won Bronze in both events in the over 55 age group with 8.03 metres and 16.74 seconds.

Tessa, Sharon and the rest of the Spartans womens team now move on the the Eastern Masters League final next week in Bedford next Sunday.

 

Harlow Ten Trio

Three Spartans raced the Harlow Ten on Sunday.  CRAIG HALSEY was 20^th out of the 294 finishers in 1 hour 5 minutes 16 seconds.

Using the race to complete an 18 mile training run TIM SABAN finished in 1:21:23 for 130^th and despite stumbling at about the halfway mark JIM BROWN managed 152^nd in 1:23:56 to improve his year’s best time by 2 minutes 14 seconds.

This was on an undulating course with some lengthy off road sections and a two mile up hill stretch in the last half.  The last mile seemed very tough after that with some high kerbs to climb up!

 

Northampton

MARK CHEADLE ran the Northampton Half Marathon in what was almost perfect running conditions with not a cloud in sight and much cooler temperatures than the last month or so.

He finished 253^rd out of 651 (42^nd in his age group category 35-39 men) in a time of 1hr 51 mins 18 seconds, which is his second quickest Half of all time, definitely a season/year best!

Mark fully recommends this race, the race HQ is a pub in town meaning you can sit down and relax inside before a city centre start. Was well organised and I will do it again very soon

 

Stampede from Sandridge

On Saturday CAROL PAUL took part in the St Albans 12 hour stampede from Sandridge. The course consisted of a four mile off road undulating lap and the aim of the challenge was to do one or more laps within twelve hours and you could stop at any time.  The day started off really sunny and ended up with heavy rain. Carol completed 40 miles in 7:39:36 just before the heavens opened and drenched the runners.

 

The First River Marathon

RICHARD HAZLEDENE completed the first Ouse Valley River Marathon on Sunday.  He said it was on a beautiful scenic route & best of all flat.  It stretches from Earith & ends up in Eynesbury.

A well organised race, well marshalled, a bit like the Henlow 10 in that you park at the finish and get transported to the start.

 

Spitfire Comeback

KAREN BROOM ran the Spitfire 10k run at RAF Hendon Saturday morning in 1.14.45.  She was really pleased with her time as it was really hot and it was her first official run since her recovery from a health problem.

 

Parkrun Report

 

There were 22 Spartans in action at the Stevenage Parkrun and more helping out behind the scenes. The first male Spartan was KEITH COUGHLIN, third in a new course PB (personal best) of 18:05.  STEFFAN FORD also set a new course best time here finishing fourth in 18:20.  MICHAEL BIRONNEAU was seventh in 19:23 and JOHN NELMS eighth in 20:16.

The first Spartan woman to finish was VERITY FISHER who set a new course PB of 24:58 in finishing sixth.  HAYLEY FAULKNER was 40^th in 30:13, TRACY PEZ 46^th in 31:26 and HANNAH SYPULA 47^th in 31:32.

There were additional course PBs for DARREN EMMERSON (21:51), CRAIG BACON (22:04), DANIEL SUTTON (23:49) and ANTHONY OSBORNE (34:50). The other Spartans running at Stevenage were DAVE SMITH (21:39), THOMAS SAUKA (22:14), JOM SYPULA (25:58), ANDY PRIOR (25:59), TIM ROBINSON (27:01), JOHN MCCALL (28:45), JOHN WALSH (30:27), GRAHAM HILL (32:32), STEVE WATKINS (32:55) and CAREN THAIN (42:54).

Elsewhere, ANDY JAY blazed a lone Spartan trail at Panshanger, finishing 87^th in 25:50, while SIMON JACKSON was the only Spartan in parkrun action outside the local area.  He finished second at Weymouth in a time of 17:41.

 

Coming Events

Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the Hertfordshire 5K championships.  The opportunities include:

 

• Herts 5K senior championships in Hatfield on Wednesday 7^th September.
• Herts 5K veteran championships in Hatfield on Wednesday 21^st September.
• FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25^th September.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.
• Henlow Ten on Wednesday 5^th October (daytime).
• Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5^th October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• First Cross Country League Race in Cheshunt on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• Second Cross Country League Race on Sunday 13^th November (new date).
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Third Cross Country League Race on Sunday 18^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

After three days in the City of Quebec, a European  city in the East of Canada, with wall to wall blue skies and temperatures in the mid to high 20s, all did not bode well for Roger Biggs and the Quebec Marathon.

Worry not, Roger woke to find a cloudy skies and a significant drop in temperatures, plus a cooling light wind, almost perfect!  The marathon started in the city of Levis on the Southern banks of the St Lawrence River, crossing the Pont de Quebec before turning East to Quebec, mostly right next to the Northern shore of the St Lawrence River.  With favourable conditions, Roger ran his best marathon of 2016, by some 13 minutes to finish in 4:27:18, plus his best since October 2014.

 

Last Friday Faster

Despite the heat and a cycle race less than two days beforehand Jim Brown ran a year’s best of 24:16 at Friday’s Serpentine 5K.  An improvement of 54 seconds.  He was 136^th and fourth in his category.

 

Parkrun Report

Lots of Spartans ran and volunteered in the #IAmTeamGB parkruns this weekend.  21 Spartans ran in Fairlands Valley.  STEFFAN FORD finished in fourth  place overall in his first park run in 18:29.  TODD GRAY, also making his parkrun debut finished in 12th place overall in 20:35.  MARK BEASLEY was in 20th place in a new PB of 21:20.  DAVE SMITH was 25th (21:56).  For the women, OLWEN BATTY ran a new PB of 24:12 to finish as 4th lady.  CAROL PAUL was 6th lady in 25:21 and NIKKI WILBY ran a new PB of 25:25 to finish as 7th lady.

There were also course PBs for CHRIS HOLLAND (24:06) and DANIEL SUTTON (24:31).  Other Spartans running at Stevenage were LIAM ERRINGTON (22:23), MARTIN DUDLEY (22:46), DARREN EMMERSON (24.06), TIM ROBINSON (24:15), CLAIRE COX (26:39), JENNY GARRETT (27:38), HEATHER MALONEY (30:44), JOHN WALSH (31:46), KARENA TRUMAN (35:28), KAREN BROOM (35:44), JANE SWEET (42:21) and VERITY FISHER (tail runner) (51:37).

At Panshanger, TRACY PEZ was 7th lady in 24:00.  Other Spartans running at Panshanger were VISHY SHAH (25:42), ANDY JAY (27:00) and Club Chairman NICK WITCOMBE in 31:08.

At Milton Keynes, JOHN ROXBOROUGH finished in an excellent 22:18.  GRAHAM HILL also ran in course PB of 33:25.

 

Coming Events

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

 

• Harlow 10 at 10a.m. on Sunday 4^th September.
• Spartans Family Fun and Charitable Day at 2p.m. on Sunday 4^th September.
• Herts 5K senior championships in Hatfield on Wednesday 7^th September.
• Herts 5K veteran championships in Hatfield on Wednesday 21^st September.
• FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25^th September.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.
• Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5^th October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• First Cross Country League Race in Cheshunt on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• Second Cross Country League Race on Sunday 13^th November (new date).
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Third Cross Country League Race on Sunday 18^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Thirty Spartans enjoyed the club’s 1500 metres “Try It” session at Ridlins Track on Saturday morning. GRANT RAMSAY was fastest in 4 minutes 40.5 seconds while YUKO GORDON was the quickest woman in 6:09.3. The other runners were:

Mike Green 5:07.0; Todd Gray 5:09.4; Thomas Sauka 5:16.3; Stuart Haycroft 5:17.3; Paul Harris 5:26.3; Craig Bacon 5:41.5; Callum Beasley 5:47.3; Mark Beasley 5:49.8; Mark Goodwin 5:56.9; Darren Emmerson 5:58.2; Steve Smithson 6:05.0; Hazel Clark 6:15.1; Tim Robinson 6:15.4; Barry King 6:20.8; Jordon Quicke 6:05.09; Andy Jay 6:28.79; Caroline Barter 6:37.10; Karl Shreeve 6:40.55; Andrea Westcott 6:48.42; Roger Biggs 7:00.92; Anton McCalla 7:15.46; Steve Gough 7:21.42; Rob Shaw 7:24.11; Sean Millwood 7:26.63; Monica Smithson 7:30.39; Sharon Crowley 7:34.49; Cathy Craig 7:42.92; and Graham Hill 8:14.71.

 

Runner	Number	Time	Race
Grant Ramsay	457	4:40.5	Race 2
Mike Green	386	5:07.0	Race 2
Todd Gray	385	5:09.4	Race 2
Thomas Sauka	392	5:16.3	Race 2
Stuart Haycroft	395	5:17.3	Race 2
Paul Harris	387	5:26.3	Race 2
Craig Bacon	390	5:41.5	Race 2
Callum Beasley	388	5:47.3	Race 2
Mark Beasley	393	5:49.8	Race 2
Mark Goodwin	394	5:56.9	Race 2
Darren Emmerson	455	5:58.2	Race 2
Steve Smithson	397	6:05.0	Race 2
Yuko Gordon	396	6:09.3	Race 2
Hazel Clark	398	6:15.1	Race 2
Tim Robinson	391	6:15.4	Race 2
Barry King	399	6:20.8	Race 2
Jordon Quicke	292	6:05.09	Race 1
Andy Jay	382	6:28.79	Race 1
Caroline Barter	297	6:37.10	Race 1
Karl Shreeve	376	6:40.55	Race 1
Andrea Westcott	380	6:48.42	Race 1
Roger Biggs	378	7:00.92	Race 1
Anton McCalla	295	7:15.46	Race 1
Steve Gough	377	7:21.42	Race 1
Rob Shaw	357	7:24.11	Race 1
Sean Millwood	379	7:26.63	Race 1
Monica Smithson	381	7:30.39	Race 1
Sharon Crowley	298	7:34.49	Race 1
Cathy Craig	296	7:42.92	Race 1
Graham Hill	299	8:14.71	Race 1

Not Rio

Three Spartans competed in the “Not The Rio Marathon” in the London Olympic Park on Sunday. DAVID BOWKER speed walked in preparation for the “Shine” Marathon at the end of September. He finished in 5 hours 20 minutes 40 seconds.

The event started with a circuit of the Velopark, then went out into the park for nine laps before finishing inside the Velodrome.

The continuous small climbs and descents made it a hard marathon. CAROL PAUL ran round in 4 hours 13 minutes 40 seconds and ROGER BIGGS in 4:59:39.

Fast Walk

On Tuesday DAVE BOWKER was second in the last of the Veterans’ Athletic Club series of midweek five mile walking races with a personal best of 52 minutes 18 seconds.

Tim at Kimbolton

TIM SABAN ran the Kimbolton Castle Half Marathon in 1 hour 41 minutes 5 seconds. 1:41:05.

Parkrun Report

With the 1500m races taking place at Ridlins there were fewer Spartans in parkrun action this weekend.

At Stevenage, KEITH COUGHLIN was first Spartan finisher and 2^nd male a time of 18:28. CHRIS HOLLAND ran another new course PB to finish in 24:47 while ANDY PRIOR was third Spartan male in 25:15. For the women CLAIRE COX was 4^th finisher in 24:16, TRACY PEZ was 7^th in 25:15 and VERITY FISHER was 8^th in 25:16, a new course PB.

There was also a new course PB for TRACY STILES, who finished in 29:55. The other Spartan runners were DANIEL SUTTON (26:43), HAZEL SMITH (27:24), IRIS HORNSEY (30:03), CHLOE EMMERSON (31:17), ROBERT HARDY (39:18), PAULINE HARDY (39:36) and tail-runner KERSTIN WEINER (43:15).

At St Albans, CRAIG HALSEY was first across the line in 16:47, while at the Wimpole Estate JOHN ROXBOROUGH finished in 23:31.

Finally, JOHN WALSH ran at LYMINGTON WOODSIDE, finishing in 32:58.

Coming Events

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

• Harlow 10 on Sunday 4^th September.
• Herts 5K senior championships on Wednesday 7^th September.
• Herts 5K veteran championships on Wednesday 21^st September.
• FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25^th September.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.
• Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5^th October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• First Cross Country League Race in Cheshunt on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• Second Cross Country League Race on Sunday 13^th November (new date).
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Third Cross Country League Race on Sunday 18^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage? Like running? Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up! The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010. It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m. Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp. Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m. There are events to enter every Sunday. Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available.

Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Fairlands Valley Spartans have another British Champion.  GRANT RAMSAY won the British Masters Marathon Championship on the Isle of Man at the weekend.  He was first veteran in 2 hours 49 minutes 8 seconds.  The championship was incorporated in the Isle of Man open event in which he was fourth overall.

Grant was delighted with his performance and time considering the injury issues he has had this year and feels he paced the run perfectly.

Richard and Nicola Kennedy ran the Isle of Man Half Marathon.

 

Donegal Double

ROGER BIGGS ran two of the marathons that make up the Donegal Quadrathon.

The first, on Thursday, was from Moville to Malin Town.  He says there was lovely scenery when you could see through the mist, and it was certainly hilly.  With persistent light rain throughout and windy most of the time Roger ran a consistent race to finish in 5 hours 35 minutes 13 seconds.

 

First Over The Line

Then on Sunday Roger tackled race four which went by the name ‘Muff Marathon’.  This marathon started in Buncrana on the west side of the Inishowen Peninsula.  It followed Lough Swilly for ten miles before heading east to meet Lough Foyle at Muff, right on the Ireland/N.Ireland border just after the 17 miles marker.  It was then a simple task to follow Lough Foyle North to the Redcastle Hotel just South of Moville.

In near perfect weather, which Roger Biggs took advantage of, to finish in a much better time than expected time of 4:52:36.  Roger has started in the early start, and was actually the first over the line, as the faster runners who started up to two hours later failed to catch him.

 

Parkrun Report

Eighteen Spartans took on the parkrun in Fairlands Valley. DAVID RIDELL was the first Spartan finisher in 19:18 for 6^th place, while THOMAS SAUKA continued to improve his pace at the shorter events, dipping below the 20 minute mark for a new course PB of 19:39 in 9^th place. BARRY OSBORNE ran his first ever parkrun, finishing 13^th in 20:42 (an age-graded score 81%). DAVE SMITH was 19^th in 22:03.

For the women CAROL PAUL was 5^th in 24:59 and NIKKI WILBY 11^th in 26:08, both new course PBs. HAZEL SMITH also notched a new course PB finishing 13^th in 26:27 and KAREN PALMER was 15^th in 26:49.

There were also new course PBs for CHRIS HOLLAND (25:52) and LIZ CARVELL (29:08). Other Spartans running at Stevenage were MARK BEASLEY (22:15), DARREN EMMERSON (22:32), MARTIN DUDLEY (22:42), ANDY PRIOR (26:26), CLAIRE COX (27:48), HEATHER MOLONEY (29:14), CHLOE EMMERSON (33:50) and IAN ALEXANDER who was tail-runner in a time of 48:45.

At other local venues, TIM ROBINSON ran 26:39 at Panshanger, where they were celebrating their 100^th event, and TIM SABAN ran a new course PB of 20:15 at Cassiobury Park for an excellent 15^th place finish.

Runners at locations further afield were DANIEL SUTTON (25:36) and VERITY FISHER (26:06) at Lowestoft, IAIN MCKEAN (18:30 for 7^th place at Springburn in Glasgow), ANDY JAY (28:17 at Longrun Meadow, JOHN ROXBOROUGH (22:44 at Fulham Palace), JOHN HARRIS (19:32, new course PB, for 4^th place at Llyn Llech Owain) and DARYL STEVENS (37:54 at Medina on the Isle of Wight).

 

Coming Events

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

• Fairlands Fun Day including try a 1500 on Sunday 20^th August.
• Harlow 10 on Sunday 4^th September.
• Herts 5K senior championships on Wednesday 7^th September.
• Herts 5K veteran championships on Wednesday 21^st September.
• FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25^th September.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.
• Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5^th October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• First Cross Country League Race in Cheshunt on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• Second Cross Country League Race on Sunday 13^th November (new date).
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Third Cross Country League Race on Sunday 18^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Fairlands Valley Spartans, who are known for their road racing, hosted the fourth and final Eastern Masters Athletic Club League match at Ridlins Athletics Track in Stevenage. Competing against 5 other clubs, most of which mainly concentrate on Track and Field, the women won the match by an impressive fifteen points, securing their position the top of the South West Division of the league. The men’s team lost out on third place on the night due to absent members, missing by only three points.

The Women’s team consisted of ANDREA WESTCOTT, PETA WILSON, STEPHANIE MAYFIELD, CHRISTINE LATHWELL, HAZEL CLARK and ROSIE CANHAM in the 35-49 age group; MONICA BROWN, TESSA STEPHENSON, JULIE SIMMONS and new member ALISON WOOD in the 50-59 age group, and IRIS HORNSEY, and CATHY CRAIG in the 60+ age group.

MONICA BROWN continued her fantastic winning form from last week’s British Masters National Heptathlon Championships in Birmingham, jumping a league record of 9.05m in  the triple jump, and also coming first in the 100 metres and High Jump. She also anchored the older age group team in the 400, 200, 200, 400 metres relay. CHRISTINE LATHWELL, ALISON WOOD and CATHY CRAIG all had good runs and won their age group mile races.

The Men’s team consisted of CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT, TIM SABAN and BARRY KING in the 35-49 age group, STEVE MAYFIELD, DAVE STEPHENSON, DAVID BOWKER and JOHN HARRIS in the 50-59 age group and BARRY OSBORNE was the sole 60+ member.

Parkrun Report

Eighteen Spartans headed to Fairlands Valley for a Saturday morning parkrun fix with several others helping behind the scenes. NATALIE LAWRENCE was first woman finisher in 19:38. OLWEN BATTY finished ninth in a new course PB of 25:07, CAROL PAUL was 12^th in 25:29 and VERITY FISHER also notched a new course PB finishing 16^th in 26:14

For the men, THOMAS SAUKA secured a new course PB of 20:07 in finishing 8^th and is edging tantalisingly close to breaking 20 minutes. MARTIN WOOD was 16^th in 20:54, DAVE SMITH was 21^st in 21:22 and MARK BEASLEY ran a new course PB of 21:36 to finish 25^th.

There were also new course PBs at Stevenage for CHRIS HOLLAND (25:03) and HILARY DAVIES (32:45). Other Spartans in action at Stevenage were JOHN NELMS (21:37), CRAIG BACON (22:53), PAUL MAGUIRE (23:11), CAROL PAUL (25:29), ANDREA WESTCOTT (27:04 in her first parkrun anywhere), DANIEL SUTTON (27:20), HEATHER MALONEY (29:05), THERESA KEAST (30:00) and KAREN PALMER (30:26).

CRAIG HALSEY paid a first visit to Ellenbrook Fields and finished second in a time of 16:44, as the first runner home broke the course record, while at Banstead Woods PETER CARPENTER finished his first parkrun in a time of 31:40.

At Swindon DARREN EMMERSON and CLAIRE COX both completed in 24:07. At Cleethorpes EMMA POULTER came home in a time of 42:40 while at Rutland Water TRACY STILES ran in a time of 28:41. GRAHAM HILL took on the challenge at Wimpole Estate for the first time and completed in 36:06.

Finally TIM ROBINSON became the latest Spartan to reach the 50 parkruns milestone when accompanying his son Oliver round Panshanger Park in 45:46.

 

Coming Events

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

 

• Harlow 10 on Sunday 4^th September.
• Herts 5K senior championships on Wednesday 7^th September.
• Herts 5K veteran championships on Wednesday 21^st September.
• FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25^th September.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.
• Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5^th October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

389 runners in 97 teams raced round Fairlands Valley Park on Thursday evening in the fantastic Relays in the Park running event organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans.

Each runner had to race three kilometres with five in each men’s team and three for a women’s team.  Luton Athletic Club won the women’s race in 33:00 with an average lap time of exactly eleven minutes while Bedford and County won the men’s event in 44 minutes 44 seconds, that’s an amazing average of 8:57, under nine minutes, or way under five minute miles, for each of their runners.

Fairlands Valley Spartans fielded six male teams, five female teams and provided dozens of helpers including IAN ALEXANDER, Race Director; BARRY KING, Chief Marshal; marshals; timekeepers; lead and sweep cyclists.

The fastest individual runners were BEN ALCOCK, 8:44; JACK GOODWIN, 8:47 and JAMES BELLWARD, 8:58.  All from Bedford and County so no surprise there.  The quickest three women were ROSIE KEANE, Luton AC 9:55; CHARLOTTE DAVIES, Ware Joggers, 10:44 and LUCY WATERLOW, St Albans Striders 11:04.

The fastest three for Fairlands Valley Spartans were CALLUM STEWART, 14^th in 9:26; CRAIG HALSEY, 20^th in 9:35 and SIMON JACKSON, 30^th in 9:58.  ALISON WOOD was fifth out of the 143 women in 11:26; ANN TRYSSESOONE, 27^th in 12:44 and JULIE SIMMONS, 60^th in 14:05.

Everyone enjoyed a great sunny summer’s evening in the park which was great for runners, volunteers and spectators.

 

Monica Becomes National Champion

The British Masters Athletics Federation held National Multi-event and Long distance track championships at Birmingham over last weekend and the Spartans had one of the largest teams.

In the Heptathlon for Women over 50, Monica Brown ran personal bests in the 80m Hurdles and 200m and together with good performances in the shot putt and high jump, she led the competition at the end of the first day with a points total of 2891.  The second day saw a personal best in the javelin, and her Long Jump and 800m performances were good enough to end the competition with a final points tally of 4464 to take the Gold Medal as National Champion.

Tessa Stephenson completed her first ever heptathlon in the category for Women over 55.  Season’s bests in the High Jump, 200m and long jump meant she finished with a total of 3401 points taking the Silver Medal.

Grant Ramsay competed in the track 10,000m.  Still coming back after injury, Grant finished fourth in his race for men over 40 in a season’s best time of 35 minutes 48 seconds.

 

Emma Cracks 10K at Grimsby

EMMA POULTER ran her first 10K in the Great Grimsby event at the weekend.

This was also the first ever Grimsby 10k.  Emma said she had no idea how she’d get on…but started out with the 12 min mile pacers and managed to run on ahead for a while.  Around the 6K mark she started to flag and was overtaken by them.  It was pretty much a flat route all on road with the last 100 metres or so to the finish on grass.  She finished in 1 hour 14 minutes 47 seconds.

 

Wimbledon

Jackie Downes & Tricia Hopper ran the Wimbledon Common trail half marathon together on Saturday in a time of 2.14:30. The course was undulating with a womble out cheering everyone on.

 

Spartans Help Riders

Many Spartans were helping behind the finish line at RideLondon.

 

Parkrun Report

At Stevenage parkrun KEITH COUGHLIN was second male to finish in a course personal best (PB) of 18:11.  JOHN HARRIS also obtained a new course PB finishing 7^th in 19:11.  JOHN NELMS (11^th in 20:15), KIERAN FEETHAM (13^th in 20:42) and THOMAS SAUKA (15^th in 21:02) were the next Spartans home.

For the women CLAIRE PULLEN was second finisher in 22:17, CAROL PAUL 10^th in 25:32 and CAROLE SHELDRICK 18^th in a new course PB of 26:45. NIKKI WILBY was 23^rd in her first parkrun in 27:20 and HEATHER MALONEY 44^th in 30:00.

There additionally were new course PBs for CHRIS HOLLAND (25:39), ANDREW SMITH (26:28) and TRACY STILES (30:32).  The remaining Spartans in action at Stevenage were MARK BEASLEY (21:39), LIAM ERRINGTON (21:52), JOE McCAFFERY (22:13), DARREN EMMERSON (23:43), JON SYPULA (24:26), KEN JUDE (25:02), JAN FRY (31:11), HANNAH SYPULA (39:10), CAREN THAIN (39:11) and CLAIRE COX (39:11).

In other local parkruns DAVE SMITH finished 16^th at Harlow in 22:20 while JAMES SOUTH was 24^th at Gunpowder Park in 22:56.

Further afield DARYL STEVENS ran at Bournemouth in 38:30 and ROGER HARDMAN clocked 26:37 at Newcastle.

Coming Events

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

 

• EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3^rd August.
• Harlow 10 on Sunday 4^th September.
• Herts 5K senior championships on Wednesday 7^th September.
• Herts 5K veteran championships on Wednesday 21^st September.
• FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25^th September.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.
• Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5^th October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Please note: there was an incorrect start time recorded for a runner in the 18 mile event on Sunday which meant an incorrect result was published initially on 19th July. This has been corrected in both the text below and the updated downloadable file on the link at the end of this report. Further corrections were made and uploaded on 1st August.

Another glorious weekend for the challenge, maybe a little too glorious as the heat certainly presented an extra element to the word…challenge, however we are happy to report that there were no issues as everyone from first timers to seasoned challenge veterans looked after themselves and remained well hydrated whilst self-navigating their way round the glorious Hertfordshire Countryside.

Saturday saw the return of the 6 mile challenge that was introduced last year with 35 runners and walkers taking part.   Fairlands Valley Spartans own Liam Herbert took the honours in 47:12.   Another Spartan Olwen Batty was the first female home in 59:03.   It was also great to see Stuart Haycroft walk the course with his daughter in a shoulder carry harness in 1:50:58.

The sun was out again on Sunday as another 214 walkers and runners arrived to test themselves around the 12 mile, 18 mile, marathon and 50k routes.

First home on the 12 mile route was Stuart Haycroft in 1:45, this time without his daughter on his back.  Daniel Hall from Eton Manor AC was in 2^nd place overall and 1^st V40 male with a time of 1:57:34.   Sian Mitchell of Garden City Runners was first female home in 2:13:33.   Deidre Heydecker wasn’t far behind in 2:14:08 as 2^nd female and 1^st V55 female.    Anthony Brown and Helen Spokes of Harpenden Arrows crossed the line in 2:25:50 as 1^st V50 male and 1^st V45 female respectively.   Jerry Gilbert of Garden City Runners finished in 2:51:41 to take the V60 male honours.   Pauline Hardy of Fairlands Valley Spartans was 1^st V65 female in 3:26:59, with another Spartan Darryl Stevens 1^st V50 male in 3:35:35.

The 18 mile route saw Liam Herbert take his 2^nd victory of the weekend in 3:02:17, great work from our Spartan.  1^st place female was shared by another Spartan Isabel Green and Ware Joggers Jill Patel crossing the line in 3:08:40.  Jill was also 1^st V45 female and Isabel 1^st V35 female.   Johnathan Little from Ware Joggers was 3^rd male finisher and 1^st male V50 in 4:01:19.   Two North Herts Road Runners, Ellie Scott and Linda Aird, crossed the line together in 4:02:12 with Linda taking 1^st place V55 female.   Luke Hart from St. Albans Striders took the V40 male honours in 4:23:28.

The marathon again proved the most popular distance with 108 participants.   James Warner Smith crossed the line 1^st in 3:58:48.  Billericay Striders Christine Howard was 3^rd overall and 1^st female home in 4:23:08.  Neil George was 4^th overall and 1^st V40 male in 4:29:34.  Spartans own  Carol Paul was 1^st V45 female in 4:42:02.  Richard Fullbrook of the 100 Marathon Club was 1^st place V50 male in 4:57:06, crossing the line with 1^st place V60 male Dennis Baudry from Garden City Runners.   Jude Clark was 1^st V35 female in 5:09:50 and Frances Cooke 1^st V55 female in 5:26:24.   Verne Baltrop did amazing as 1^st V70 male in 5:56:27.   Herts Phoenix Joe Avery took 1^st place V60 male in 7:13:50.   Hazel Kurz of the 100 Marathon Club was 1^st V35 female in 7:15:07, Vanessa Bysouth 1^st V45 female in 7:28:50,  Andy Weston 1^st V40 male in 7:28:50.   Eleaner and Dennis Draper of Garden City Runners crossed the line together in 8:02:53 to claim 1^st V75 female and 1^st V80 male…..amazing guys.  Raymond Hoyle from Watford Harriers took 1^st V70 male in 8:47 and finally Julie Wing from Reading Road Runners took 1^st V65 female in 8:50:26.

The 50k Ultra Marathon saw Mark Ford of Buggyrunning.co.uk take 1^st place overall and 1^st V40 male in 4:31:27.  Sean Bowen of Garden City Runners was 1^st V50 male in 4:40:03.  North Herts Road Runners Jo Summers was overall 1^st female and 1^st V45 across the line in 5:12:09.  Emily Hooper of Harpenden Arrows 1^st V35 female in 6:03:24.  Another North Herts Road Runner Susan Foot crossed the line in 8:34:20 to take 1^st V55 female and finally David Moles of the 100 Marathon Club was 1^st V60 male in 8:42:27.

We would like to thank all the Fairlands Valley Spartans and extended friends and families that helped put on this amazing event for the 23^rd year in a row.

Official race photography was supplied by Pete Smith, Dave Stephenson, Ann Tryssesoone and Chris Holland and all proceeds from the sale of photos is going to a great charity the Gambia Project – please visit:   www.psphotography.me.uk/Fairlands-Valley-Challenge to find and buy your pictures.

Full results are now available in MS Excel format at the link below this article.

Plans are already underway to further improve this event for next year, so please keep July 15^th and 16^th free as we hope to see you all again.

Fairlands Valley Challenge 2016 – Official Results

Summary team results and individual times and positions and detailed team results for the Fairlands Valley Relays held on 28th July in Fairlands Valley Park are available on the link below. Congratulations to the winning teams.

Summary Team Results

 

 

 

Fairlands Valley Spartans again hosted the Fairlands Valley Challenge Weekend on 16^th and 17^th July offering runners and walkers of all abilities a range of distance options in the glorious local Hertfordshire countryside.

On the Saturday, Spartans’ LIAM HERBERT was first finisher in the 6 mile event, an event he created when Race Director last year, finishing in a time of 47 minutes 12 seconds. OLWEN BATTY for the Spartans was the first woman home in 59:03.

Sunday’s events comprised of 12 miles, 18 miles, marathon and 50k ultra-marathon distances. In the 12 mile event STUART HAYCROFT was first home in 1:45:00. PAULINE HARDY for the Spartans was first V65 woman finisher in 3:26:59, while DARYL STEVENS was first V50 male in 3:35:35.

In the 18 miler, LIAM HERBERT took his second victory of the weekend, finishing in 3:02:17, while ISABEL GREEN was joint first woman in a time of 3:08:40. In the Marathon distance, Spartan CAROL PAUL was first V45 woman in 4:42:02. KARL CLARKE was the sole Spartan in the ultra and finished in 5:57:12, a worthy performance in extremely hot conditions.

Full Spartans results as follows:

 

6 mile Trail Run – Saturday 16th July 2016
Pos	No.	Name	Surname	M/F	Time
1	916	Liam	Herbert	M	47:12
7	910	Darren	Emmerson	M	59:03
8	921	Olwen	Batty	F	59:03
9	939	Lee	Pickersgill	M	59:03
16	909	Claire	Cox	F	1:07:07
17	927	Sophie	Cowan	F	1:07:07
18	935	Hayley	Yendell	F	1:07:07
19	941	Steve	Green	M	1:07:07
20	902	Andrew	Martin	M	1:09:28
23	906	Carole	Sheldrick	F	1:15:42
24	913	Heather	Moloney	F	1:15:43
25	907	Caroline	Croft	F	1:16:16
26	914	Jana	Smith	F	1:16:19
31	903	Andy	Prior	M	1:25:35
32	934	Nick	Witcombe	M	1:25:35
33	937	Steve	Smithson	M	1:27:03
34	938	Monica	Smithson	F	1:27:03
35	929	Stuart	Haycroft	M	1:50:58

 

12.3 mile Trail Run – Sunday 17th July 2016
Pos	M/F	Cat	No.	Name	Surname	M/F	Time
1	1		637	Stuart	Haycroft	M	1:45:00
11	8	6	615	Greg	Kelly	M 40	2:25:30
11	4		627	Olwen	Batty	F	2:25:30
19	13		604	Andrew	Martin	M	2:43:26
28	12	6	645	Wendy	Tharani	F 35	2:53:38
32	15	2	608	Claire	Cox	F 45	2:57:44
32	15	2	624	Kerstin	Weiner	F 45	2:57:44
32	15	2	638	Sue	Hamer	F 45	2:57:44
35	18	9	605	Carole	Sheldrick	F  35	2:59:27
36	19	5	606	Caroline	Croft	F 45	2:59:54
43	19	8	651	Jon	Sypula	M 40	3:09:18
43	25	10	652	Hannah	Sypula	F 35	3:09:18
45	26	1	629	Pauline	Hardy	F 65	3:26:59
46	20	1	648	Darryl	Stevens	M 50	3:35:35

 

18.7 mile Trail Run – Sunday 17th July 2016
Pos	M/F	Cat	No.	Name	Surname	M/F	Time
1	1	1	263	Liam	Herbert	M	3:02:17
3	2	1	275	Isabel	Green	F 35	3:08:40

 

26.3 mile Trail Run – Sunday 17th July 2016
Pos	M/F	Cat	No.	Name	Surname	M/F	Time
6	2	1	17	Carol	Paul	F 45	4:42:02
49	33	6	119	Rob	Shaw	M 60	5:56:27
58	18	9	99	Tricia	Hopper	F 45	6:07:49
58	41	9	14	Barry	King	M 40	6:07:49
62	20		126	Karen	Ellis	F	6:13:37
69	46	2	67	Mike	Newbitt	M 70	6:23:19
81	52	15	76	Paul	Holgate	M 50	6:59:36
82	30	3	94	Sharon	Crowley	F 55	7:05:29
100	63	8	88	Robert	Hardy	M 60	8:21:23
100	63	8	89	Roger	Biggs	M 60	8:21:23
105	67	19	102	Ian	Alexander	M 50	8:57:28

 

50k Trail Run – Sunday 17th July 2016
Pos	M/F	Cat	No.	Name	Surname	M/F	Time
12	10	3	718	Karl	Clark	M 40	5:57:12

 

 

Panshanger Park Mid-Summer 5 Mile Race

Six Spartans took on the new 5 mile event at Panshanger Park, the second of a two-race Mid-Summer series which began with a 5 mile race at Hatfield House. DAVID RIDDELL was 41st across the line in 35:21. ANDY CHURN finished 98th in 42:09 while the first Spartan woman finisher was CAROLINE CROFT in 48:56. The other Spartans in action were PAUL HOLGATE (52:48), SARAH ATKINSON (57:56) and OLWEN BATTY (59:43).

 

Portchester Castle 10k

JENNY GARRETT competed in the inaugural Portchester Castle 10k, finishing in a time of 57:18. She considered it to be a nice run overall, although the event was not without some teething problems in its first year.

 

Around the Reservoir off road Marathon

CAROL PAUL and MIKE NEWBITT ran the Around the Reservoir off road marathon in Northampton. On an exposed course with temperatures reaching 27 degrees and hardly any shade Carol completed the marathon in 4hrs 53 mins and Mike completed it in 6 hrs 17 mins.

 

Parkrun Report

CRAIG HALSEY was first finisher at Stevenage parkrun, finishing on 16:58 on a very warm morning. MARK BEASLEY notched a new course PB of 21:38 while finishing 13^th male, DARREN EMMERSON was 21^st male in 22:43 and MARTYN DOWLING was 35^th male in 23:38 (a new course PB).

For the women, ANN TRYSSESOONE was 6^th finisher in 24:14, KERSTIN WEINER notched a new course PB of 26:51 in finishing 16^th, HEATHER MOLONEY was 56^th in 33:00 and KARIN BREACH 74^th in 34:50-on her first parkrun appearance.

Other Spartans in action in Stevenage were CALLUM BEASLEY (36^th, 23:38), JAMES SOUTH (53^rd, 25:22) and CAREN THAIN (96^th, 38:31). CLAIRE COX (97^th, 38:42) and ANDY PRIOR (125^th, 38:43) were pacing others around the course.

Others in local parkrun action were DAVE SMITH (45^th male, 22:27) at Huntingdon, TIM SABAN (16^th male, 21:07) at Cassiobury Park, TIM ROBINSON (15^th male, 25:24 a new course PB) at Ellenbrook Fields, and both DANNY SUTTON (22^nd male, 24:22) and VERITY FISHER (9^th woman, 26:32) at Rutland Water.

Finally, after his trip back to Stevenage last week for the FVS Challenge DARYL STEVENS returned south and was 139^th male finisher at EASTLEIGH in 40:24.

 

Relays in the Park Coming Soon

The Relays in the Park organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans and in Fairlands Valley Park will be on Thursday 28^th July starting at 7.30p.m.  Each runner will complete three kilometres.  Men’s teams will consist of five runners and women’s of four.  The event will include the county championships but a wide range of abilities are expected.  This is a great event for spectators with the half way point only a short distance from the changeover area in the top half of the park.  For more details please visit www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Coming Events

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

 

• Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27^th July.
• Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28^th July.
• EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3^rd August.
• Harlow 10 on Sunday 4^th September.
• Herts 5K senior championships on Wednesday 7^th September.
• Herts 5K veteran championships on Wednesday 21^st September.
• FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25^th September.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.
• Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5^th October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

There were two wins and a second place for Fairlands Valley Spartans in the Mid Week Road Race League.  NATALIE LAWRENCE was the first woman overall in the four race series.  SIMON JACKSON was the first male veteran runner with GRANT RAMSAY second.  Well over one hundred different Spartans took part in at least one race.

47 Spartans ran in the “mob match” at Welwyn Garden City which preceded the league presentations.  The Spartan women’s “A” team were seventh out of the 29 teams in the race and the men 7^th out of 17.  Overall the Spartans were seventh out of the 17 clubs.

GRANT RAMSAY was first Spartan, eleventh out of nearly 500 club runners in 35 minutes 44 seconds.  The others in the men’s “A” team were CRAIG HALSEY, 30^th in 37:09; KEITH COUGHLIN, 41^st in 37:45; DAVID RIDDELL who was sixth veteran (50 plus) and 82^nd overall in 40:32; STEVE GREEN, 98^th in 41:07; THOMAS SAUKA, 120^th in 42:20; JOHN NELMS, 126^th in a new personal best of 42:27; TODD GRAY, 138^th in 42:48; TIM SABAN, 145^th in 42:56; PAUL WHYTE, 156^th in 43:34; PETE SMITH, 175^th in 44:43 and DAVE SMITH, 179^th in 44:53.

Fairlands fastest female was ROSIE CANHAM, 170^th overall in a new personal best of 44 minutes 15 seconds.  TRACY PEZ was just over a minute slower, 189^th in 45:16.  ISABEL GREEN, 252^nd in 48:22; JULIE SIMMONS, 275^th in 49:43; LISA GRAY, 285^th in 50:06 and NICOLA TOUT, 297^th in a personal best 50:38 completed the women’s “A” team.

CLAIRE COX led in the “B” team with 50:46 and 307^th overall.  She was supported by SOPHIE COWAN, 308^th in 50:48; OLWEN BATTY, 313^th in a new personal best (PB) 51:03; PENNY SCHENKEL making her first ever appearance in the “B” team with 52:46 and 338^th; KELLY McHALE, running her first 10K was 354^th in 53:30; and KAREN ELLIS, 387^th in 55:58.

JULIE SHADBOLT, VICTORIA BRETT (PB), CLAIRE HYDE, CHLOE EMMERSON (PB), JENNY GARRETT, SHARON CROWLEY and EMMA MARTIN were more than enough for a “C” team, something achieved by few other clubs.

The men had a good “B” team with MARK BEASLEY, 190^th in 45:20; MARK GOODWIN, 194^th in 45:27; DARREN EMMERSON, 214^th in 46:20; DEAN CARPENTER, 235^th in 47:43; MARTIN DUDLEY, 251^st in 48:29; KEN JUDE, 286^th in 50:03; JIM BROWN making it into the “B” team for the first time in many years at 290^th and 50:14 which was a 3 minutes 40 seconds improvement over the Stevenage race; CALLUM BEASLEY, 291^st at 50:24; MARK CHEADLE, 292^nd at 50:27; CLIVE CANNON, 303^rd in 50:47; JAMES SOUTH, 306^th with a new PB of 50:55; VISH SHAH, 330^th in 52:17;  SIMON SYPULA, 349^th in a PB 53:16.

Race	Pos	Cat	Vet	Name	Surname	Cat.	M/F	Time	Comments
11	11	5	5	Grant	Ramsay	V 40	M	35:44	5th Vet 40
30	29			Craig	Halsey	S	M	37:09
41	40			Keith	Coughlin	S	M	37:45
82	77	6	35	David	Riddell	V 50	M	40:32	6th Vet 50
98	92	32	44	Steve	Green	V 40	M	41:07
120	112	38	55	Thomas	Sauka	V 40	M	42:20
126	116	40	59	John	Nelms	V 40	M	42:27	PB (1:03)
138	123			Todd	Gray	S	M	42:48
145	129	47	67	Tim	Saban	V 40	M	42:56
156	136			Paul	Whyte	S	M	43:34
170	22	8	13	Rosie	Canham	V 35	F	44:15	8th FV35 (PB 2:02)
175	150	23	78	Pete	Smith	V 50	M	44:43
179	153	52	80	Dave	Smith	V 40	M	44:53
189	27	10	16	Tracy	Pez	V 35	F	45:16
190	161	25	85	Mark	Beasley	V 50	M	45:20
194	164	27	87	Mark	Goodwin	V 50	M	45:27
214	177	60	98	Darren	Emmerson	V 40	M	46:20	PB (1:20)
235	192	63	108	Dean	Carpenter	V 40	M	47:43
251	204	39	119	Martin	Dudley	V 50	M	48:29
252	46	16	31	Isabel	Green	V 35	F	48:22
275	58	2	42	Julie	Simmons	V 55	F	49:43	2nd FV 55
285	61	22	44	Lisa	Gray	V 45	F	50:06
286	223	44	135	Ken	Jude	V 50	M	50:03
290	226	18	138	Jim	Brown	V 60	M	50:14
291	227			Callum	Beasley	S	M	50:24
292	228			Mark	Cheadle	S	M	50:27
297	65	21	46	Nicola	Tout	V 35	F	50:38	PB (1:41)
303	233	45	142	Clive	Cannon	V 50	M	50:47
306	236			James	South	S	M	50:55	PB (3:50)
307	69	23	50	Claire	Cox	V 35	F	50:46
308	70	24	51	Sophie	Cowan	V 35	F	50:48
313	73			Olwen	Batty	S	F	51:03	PB (1:13)
330	245			Vishal	Shah	S	M	52:17
338	90	30	64	Penny	Schenkel	V 45	F	52:46
349	250	76	153	Simon	Sypula	V 40	M	53:16	PB (0:50)
354	100	32	72	Kelly	McHale	V 35	F	53:30	1st 10K
361	255	79	158	Karl	Shreeve	V 40	M	53:57	PB (5:16)
363	256			Lee	Pickersgill	S	M	54:09
387	122	40	88	Karen	Ellis	V 45	F	55:58
388	123	41	89	Julie	Shadbolt	V 45	F	55:58
394	126	37	92	Victoria	Brett	V 35	F	56:14	PB (0:03)
403	132	39	97	Claire	Hyde	V 35	F	57:33
405	271	58	172	Paul	Holgate	V 50	M	57:57
443	160			Chloe	Emmerson	S	F	1:03:20	PB (1:48)
445	162	52	121	Jenny	Garrett	V 45	F	1:03:24
452	165	19	124	Sharon	Crowley	V 55	F	1:05:58
458	169	52	128	Emma	Martin	V 35	F	1:15:21

 

Standard Chartered Great City Race

Whilst other Spartans were racing in the Mob Match SIMON JACKSON and STEFFAN FORD were racing for their companies against 5000 other runners in the Standard Chartered Great City Race. This is a twisty turny 5k race around the City of London, run as an individual race and a team race for your company. Even with the temperature at 21 degrees, Steffan after minimal run training due to injury finished in 17:40 and Simon finished in 17:03.

 

Parkrun Report

With the FVS Challenge due to kick off in the afternoon a lower than usual 17 runners tackled Stevenage parkrun in warm and humid conditions with Spartans again also helping with volunteering duties.

JOHN HARRIS was first male Spartan in a new course PB time of 19:20. MARK BEASLEY was 26^th in 22:44. JOHN SYPULA was 46^th in 24:11 (course PB) and KEN JUDE 78^th in 27:12.

For the women, CAROL PAUL was 4^th finisher in 25:31, LAUREN HARNETT 29^th in 28:48, HAZEL SMITH was 31^st in 28:56 and CHLOE EMMERSON continued her improvement finishing 26^th woman in a new course PB of 29:14.

Other runners in action at Stevenage were SARAH STAPSTEAD (29:34), TRACY PEZ (30:02), LIZ CARVELL making a welcome return from a lengthy injury break (30:38), ISABEL GREEN (33:04), STEVE GREEN (38:20), DARRYL STEVENS making a rare trip back to Stevenage for parkrun and FVS Challenge action (40:22) and CAREN THAIN (41:14).

The only other Spartans at parkruns were DAVE SMITH (22:02) and GRAHAM HILL (34:19, new course PB), who both ran at Milton Keynes.

 

Relays in the Park Coming Soon

The Relays in the Park organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans and in Fairlands Valley Park will be on Thursday 28^th July starting at 7.30p.m.  Each runner will complete three kilometres.  Men’s teams will consist of five runners and women’s of four.  The event will include the county championships but a wide range of abilities are expected.  This is a great event for spectators with the half way point only a short distance from the changeover area in the top half of the park.  For more details please visit www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Fairlands Valley Challenge

Fairlands Valley Spartans hosted the Fairlands Valley Challenge off road events on Saturday and Sunday.  There was a choice of four distances.  Results should be available in time for next week’s release.

 

Coming Events

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

 

• Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27^th July.
• Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28^th July.
• EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3^rd August.
• Harlow 10 on Sunday 4^th September.
• Herts 5K senior championships on Wednesday 7^th September.
• Herts 5K veteran championships on Wednesday 21^st September.
• FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25^th September.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.
• Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5^th October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

The final race of the Scott’s Midweek Road Race Leaugue was the Mob Match, which was hosted by Garden City Runners and took place in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 14th July.

The results can be found on the link below. Well done to all Spartans who ran in the race and throughout the League season.

Mob Match Results

Fairlands Valley Spartan women’s team WON the track and field event at Milton Keynes.  Consisting of MONICA BROWN, CATHY CRAIG, SHARON CROWLEY, YUKO GORDON, IRIS HORNSEY, STEPHANIE MAYFIELD, TESSA STEPHENSON, PETA WILSON and ANDREA WESTCOTT they beat the host club Milton Keynes by 109 points to 94.  They lead the six club table by 306 points to 296 and look set to advance to the regional final if they can do well in the final event which will be in Stevenage on 3^rd August.

The men were third.  DAVE BOWKER, MARK FREEMAN, MARK GLADING, JAMES KILROY, STEVE MAYFIELD, ANTON MCALLA, TIM SABAN and DAVE STEPHENSON scored 72 points behind Bedford and County on 91 but shading out Bedford Harriers on 71.

 

Pos	Women’s Teams	Match Score	1, 2 & 3
1	Fairlands Valley Spartans	109	306
2	Marshall Milton Keynes AC	94	296
3	Bedford Harriers	75	221
4	Luton AC	23	43
5	Bedford & County AC	15	71
6	Biggleswade AC	11	63

 

 

Pos	Men’s Teams	Match Score	1, 2 & 3
1	Marshall Milton Keynes AC	100	276
2	Bedford & County AC	91	316
3	Fairlands Valley Spartans	72	232
4	Bedford Harriers	71	213
5	Biggleswade AC	31	106
6	Luton AC	26	88

 

At last! The weather was so much better for Fairlands Valley Spartans third Eastern Masters Athletic Club (EMAC) track and field league match at Milton Keynes. Facing clubs from Biggleswade, two clubs from Bedford, Luton and the host club competition was fierce.

The Fairlands Valley women’s team were on good form on Wednesday evening. Wins for Monica Brown (50 -59 200 metres, Long Jump, Pole Vault), Yuko Gordon (60+ 800 metres),  Tessa Stephenson (50 – 59 300m hurdles and shot putt), Cathy Craig (60+ hammer throw) and Stephanie Mayfield ( 35 -49 pole vault) meant that with Sharon Crowley Iris Hornsey, Peta Wilson and Andrea Westcott they secured the win by 15  points.

The men’s team struggled with younger team members missing. Steve Mayfield and Dave Stephenson performed well in several events along with Mark Freeman who covered all the Male 60 events.  Despite a two month break due to injury Dave Bowker was second in the one mile walk with a personal best of nine minutes exactly.

The last match is at Ridlins in Stevenage on Wednesday 3^rd August.

 

Gold for Penny

New member this year PENNY SCHENKEL is a County GOLD Medallist.  She completed the 25 laps of the County 10K Track Championship on Thursday evening to win the women veteran (45 plus) category in a new personal best of 51 minutes 58 seconds.  That’s an 8 minutes 54 seconds since her first 10K with the Spartans on 17^th May.

GRANT RAMSAY won SILVER in the male veteran (40 plus) race with 36:07 and JIM BROWN took SILVER in the veteran (60 plus) category with 51:55.

 

Ware Ten

A dozen Spartans enjoyed the mixed terrain Ware Ten on Sunday morning.

DARREN EMERSON was 39^th in the 10K with 46:55.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
20	KARL CLARK	1:10:39
25	JOHN NELMS	1:11:30
37	SUZY HAWKINS (F)	1:14:06
39	TIM SABAN	1:14:24
63	MARK GOODWIN	1:18:54
91	CLAIRE COX (F)	1:22:53
125	NICOLA TOUT (F)	1:28:15
132	ANDY JAY	1:29:16
136	VISHAL SHAH	1:33:18
181	ROGER BIGGS	1:38:49
184	JULIE SHADBOLT (F)	1:39:32
227	JAN FRY (F)	1:53:06	First in age group

 

 

Hatfield Five

The Hatfield Five is was a lovely route-a run around the estate grounds of Hatfield House.  The race was well organised and finished in front of the house.  Roughly five miles and partly cross country BEV HARLOW completed the race in 47 minutes 56 seconds.

 

1.	1.	248	Craig HALSEY	MS	0:27:39	78.74%
116.	5.	124	Roger BIGGS	MV60	0:43:25	64.63%
141.	17.	296	Caroline CROFT	FV45	0:45:23	56.59%
171.	23.	241	Paul HOLGATE	MV50	0:47:52	53.97%
173.	5.	305	Beverley HARLOW	FV55	0:47:56	62.99%
212.	36.	135	Sarah ATKINSON	FS	0:52:22	46.10%

 

Dave Walks for Herts

DAVE BOWKER represented Hertfordshire in the Inter County athletics match in Basingstoke.  He was fourth in the 3K race “A” race in 18 minutes 19 seconds.

 

Carol Goes Off Road

On Saturday 9th July Carol Paul took part in the Ranscombe challenge near Rochester in Kent. On a very hilly off road course in hot and humid conditions Carol completed 30.8 miles in 6:06:23.

 

Parkrun Report

Sixteen Spartans took on Stevenage parkrun with a further four volunteering behind the scenes.

KEITH COUGHLIN was first male finisher, third overall, in a new course PB time of 18:24. MARK BEASLEY was 13^th in 21:40 (also a course PB) and DARREN EMMERSON 37^th in 24:39. JON SYPULA was the next in 24:41.

For the women, TRACY PEZ ran a new course PB of 22:27 in finishing 3^rd, CLAIRE PULLEN was 5^th in 22:41. ANN TRYSSESOONE was 7^th on her first visit in a time of 23:06 and HAZEL SMITH secured a new PB of 26:56.

There were also course PBs for LEE PICKERSGILL (24:43), KERSTIN WEINER (27:23), HANNA SYPULA (29:01) and EMMA MARTIN (35:41). The other Spartans in action at Stevenage were KEN JUDE (24:47), CAROLE SHELDRICK (27:15), HEATHER MALONEY (29:01) and ANDY PRIOR (29:02).

Elsewhere DARYL STEVENS ran at LYMINGTON WOODSIDE (38:50), ANDY JAY warmed up for the Ware 10 with a steady 26:57 at Panshanger, JAMES SOUTH ran 23:54 at Aldenham and DAVE SMITH ran at Ellenbrook Fields finishing in a time of 22:12.

 

Relays in the Park Coming Soon

The Relays in the Park organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans and in Fairlands Valley Park will be on Thursday 28^th July starting at 7.30p.m.  Each runner will complete three kilometres.  Men’s teams will consist of five runners and women’s of four.  The event will include the county championships but a wide range of abilities are expected.  This is a great event for spectators with the half way point only a short distance from the changeover area in the top half of the park.  For more details please visit www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Coming Events

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

• Midweek Mob Match at Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 14^th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 17^th July.
• Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27^th July.
• Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28^th July.
• EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3^rd August.
• Harlow 10 on Sunday 4^th September.
• Herts 5K senior championships on Wednesday 7^th September.
• Herts 5K veteran championships on Wednesday 21^st September.
• FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25^th September.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.
• Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5^th October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Please find individual results and prize winners from this year’s series on the link below. This season saw 2,923 times recorded by 1,256 individuals over the 8 races, taking the overall total number of times and finishers in the 14 years that Paul Holgate has been doing the results to 34,213 times by more than 8,500 individuals.

Please note that we have 3rd places in the Mens Open category in Division 1,  equal 2^nd places in the women’s vet35 category in Division 1 and equal 2nd in the men’s vet40 category in Division 2.

For the Spartans, there were prizes in Division 1 for the following:

Natalie Lawrence – 1st (Senior Women)
Simon Jackson – 1st (V40 Men)*
Grant Ramsay – 2nd (V40 Men)*

Congratulations to Natalie, Simon and Grant, and also to all the Spartans who gave it their all in a tough Division 1 this season.

Prizes will be awarded following the Mob Match in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 14th July

MWL Presentation 2016

Note: Division 2 men’s table updated 07/07/2016 after correction of an inconsistency in scores for race 2.

* Amended positions after Mark Vaughan opted to be awarded 3rd= Male Open prize rather than 1st V40

Spartan GRANT RAMSAY was fifth out of the 307 finishers in Sunday’s Bassingbourn Half Marathon with a time of 1 hour 20 minutes 10 seconds.  He was the second veteran (40 plus) to finish.  THOMAS SAUKA was the second Spartan in, 39^th in 1:38:58.

ANN TRYSSESOONE was also second in her age category with her time of 1 hour 49 minutes 5 seconds.

JON and HANNAH SYPULA both enjoyed the event which was well organised on lovely scenic routes though perhaps it was a bit warm.  JON finished in 1:56:31 and HANNAH in 2:29:35.

Four other Spartan women completed the race.  They were VICTORIA BRETT in 2:03:52; club secretary KAREN PALMER in 2:06:50; JENNY GARRETT in 2:07:07 and SUE HAMER in 2:08:26.

Club chair NICK WITCOMBE finished in 2:30:57.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
5	GRANT RAMSAY	1:20:10	Second veteran
39	THOMAS SAUKA	1:38:58
87	ANN TRYSSESOONE	1:49:05	Second in age category
135	JON SYPULA	1:56:31
191	VICTORIA BRETT	2:03:52
205	KAREN PALMER	2:06:50
208	JENNY GARRETT	2:07:07
211	SUE HAMER	2:08:26
286	HANNAH SYPULA	2:29:35
288	NICK WITCOMBE	2:30:57

There were 307 finishers in the race.

 

St Magnus Marathon – Sunday, 3^rd July 2916 – Orkney Islands

Roger Biggs travelled to the outer extremities of the UK, to run a marathon from the St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, to the village of Birsay on the North West Coast of Mainland Orkney.

This was not a flat marathon, it rained on and off, and the Westerly winds did their best to slow Roger down.  However, if there is a more scenic marathon on these shores, then Roger has yet to find it.

Roger ran a consistent marathon to finish in 4:41:48.  He has now run marathons in 93 different counties in the UK and Ireland.

 

Potteries Marathon

On Sunday CAROL PAUL ran the Potteries marathon in Stoke on Trent. On a warm day and a hilly course Carol completed the marathon in 4:14:34, 22 minutes quicker than last year and she was 2nd in her age category

 

Parkrun Report

There were some scintillating performances among the thirty Spartans in action at Stevenage parkrun on Saturday.

CRAIG HALSEY secured a new course Personal Best in blustery conditions, finishing in 16mins 51secs and beating the previous male course record which was set by Mark Vaughan (North Herts Road Runners) at the first event. However, he was just headed by first finisher Oliver Wallace from Chorlton Runners who now holds the record at 16:50. ANDREW PATTERSON (3^rd in 17:07), DANNY HUKIN (4^th in 18:33) and DAVID RIDDLE (7^th in 19:12) and all set new course PBs.

For the women, SUZY HAWKINS was second finisher in 21:31 on her first run at this venue. CLAIRE PULLEN was third woman to finish in 22:15, ISABEL GREEN was fifth woman in 24:03 and JACKIE DOWNES 17^th woman, finishing in 27:23, a new course PB.

There were further course PBs at Stevenage for MARK BEASLEY, JAMES KILROY, DARREN EMMERSON, MARTIN DUDLEY, CALLUM BEASLEY, ANDY PRIOR, DANIEL SUTTON and HAZEL SMITH.

Elsewhere DAVE SMITH finished as 12^th male in 22:20 at Hatfield Forest and ANDY JAY was 50^th male finisher in 24:06 at Panshanger.  DARRYL STEVENS was 252^nd in the Moors Valley Parkrun with 38:33 and EMMA POULTER 112^th in the Brundall park run in 39:24.

The full list of Spartans in parkrun action at Stevenage was as follows:

 

STEVENAGE

 

Pos	Gender Pos	parkrunner	Time	Notes
2	2	Craig HALSEY	00:16:51	New PB!
3	3	Andrew PATTERSON	00:17:07	New PB!
4	4	Danny HUKIN	00:18:33	New PB!
8	7	David RIDDELL	00:19:12	New PB!
13	12	Liam HERBERT	00:20:21	PB stays at 00:20:07
14	13	Steve GREEN	00:20:25	First Timer!
21	2	Suzy HAWKINS	00:21:31	First Timer!
23	21	Mark BEASLEY	00:21:43	New PB!
27	25	James KILROY	00:22:05	New PB!
31	3	Claire PULLEN	00:22:15	PB stays at 00:22:03
35	32	Darren EMMERSON	00:22:20	New PB!
36	33	Martin DUDLEY	00:22:21	New PB!
43	39	Callum BEASLEY	00:23:11	PB stays at 00:23:06
55	51	Ken JUDE	00:23:42	First Timer!
54	50	Stephen SMITHSON	00:23:42	First Timer!
57	53	Andy PRIOR	00:23:49	New PB!
58	54	Martyn DOWLING	00:23:58	First Timer!
59	5	Isabel GREEN	00:24:03	First Timer!
69	61	Daniel SUTTON	00:25:07	New PB!
95	17	Jackie DOWNES	00:27:23	New PB!
127	35	Tracy PEZ	00:29:25	PB stays at 00:22:45
133	41	Lauren HARNETT	00:29:55	PB stays at 00:28:34
140	47	Hazel SMITH	00:30:22	New PB!
146	53	Chloe EMMERSON	00:30:41	PB stays at 00:30:09
152	95	John NELMS	00:31:08	PB stays at 00:19:58
177	103	Daniel GREEN	00:33:21	First Timer!
178	75	Beverley HARLOW	00:33:30	PB stays at 00:29:24
204	95	Claire COX	00:37:30	PB stays at 00:23:23
222	108	Caren THAIN	00:42:52	PB stays at 00:38:04
238	116	Verity FISHER	00:54:59	PB stays at 00:26:45

 

Relays in the Park Coming Soon

The Relays in the Park organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans and in Fairlands Valley Park will be on Thursday 28^th July starting at 7.30p.m.  Each runner will complete three kilometres.  Men’s teams will consist of five runners and women’s of four.  The event will include the county championships but a wide range of abilities are expected.  This is a great event for spectators with the half way point only a short distance from the changeover area in the top half of the park.  For more details please visit www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Confirmed Welwyn

Official results have been confirmed for the recent Welwyn 10K which included the Hertfordshire County Championships.  CRAIG HALSEY was third overall and took BRONZE in the County with a time of 35 minutes 20 seconds.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
3	CRAIG HALSEY	35:20	Third Overall.  County Bronze.
85	TIM SABAN	46:37
94	MARK GOODWIN	47:15
175	KEN JUDE	52:33
188	JIM BROWN	52:59	Third MV60
190	PENNY SCHENKEL	53:07	Personal best.
201	CHRIS HOLLAND	53:40
203	OLWEN BATTY	53:40
252	LEE PICKERSGILL	55:32
282	CLAIRE HYDE	57:00
341	JOHN McCALL	59:32

 

Coming Events

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

• EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 6^th July.
• County Track 10K at Sandy, SG19 1BL on Thursday 7^th July.  Enter up to one hour before race.
• Midweek Mob Match at Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 14^th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 17^th July.
• Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27^th July.
• Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28^th July.
• EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3^rd August.
• Harlow 10 on Sunday 4^th September.
• Herts 5K senior championships on Wednesday 7^th September.
• Herts 5K veteran championships on Wednesday 21^st September.
• FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25^th September.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.
• Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5^th October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.
• Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.
• Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26^th December.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Results from the final Division 2 race of the season can be found on the link below. Congratulations to the promoted teams. Minor amendments made on 5th July – one spelling correction and minor amendments to a handful of the men’s times.

Div 2 Race 4 – Royston Results

The Mob Match will take place in Welwyn Garden City on Thurs 14th July.

Ninety six Fairlands Valley Spartans raced round Fairlands Valley Park in the fourth Mid Week League 10K race of the season.  Others helped organise the event so well over a hundred club members were involved.

An improved turnout of forty helped the Spartan women beat Orion Harriers and Trent Park Running Club.  They were boosted by NATALIE LAWRENCE who won the women’s race in 38 minutes 57 seconds.  SAM PRETTY finished in 41:45; MICHELLE REEVES with a 2 minute 37 seconds improvement on her personal best (PB) in 42:55; SUZY HAWKINS in 44:30, an improvement of 36 seconds; TRACY PEZ in 46:33; ANN TRYSSESOONE in 46:47; CLAIRE COX in 48:07; and ANGELA ARMITAGE with a 37 second improvement to 49:01.

MARIE COLUCCI led in the women’s “B” team with 49:41.  The team was completed by LISA GRAY, 49:59; JULIE SIMMONS, 50:31; JANE MacFARLANE, 50:48; KAREN ELLIS, 51:22; SOPHIE COWAN, 51:24; OLWEN BATTY, 52:23; and NIKKI TOUT 52:51.

With a dramatic 8 minutes 3 seconds improvement since the 10K league race in St Albans PENNY SCHENKEL was first for the “C” team in 53:48.  She was chased in by TRICIA HOPPER, 54:11; KAREN PALMER 54:32 and SUE HARMER, 55:01.  Then there was a rush of other Spartan women ADA JANUSIENNE, 55:22; CAROLINE CROFT, 56:11; JENNY GARRETT, 56:14 and JULIE SHADBOLT, 56:14 completed the “C” team and were followed in by KERSTON WEINER also 56:14; VICTORIA BRETT with a 2:57 improvement to finish in 56:17; KATHERINE HYDE, also 56:17; SARAH PIKE 58:06 and MARIA THORNE, 58:34.

SIMON JACKSON was fastest man for the Spartans.  He was 19^th out of the 400 plus runners in 35:59; ANDREW PATTERSON was 26^th in 36:34 and STEFFAN FORD 41^st in 37:18.  PAUL HEWETT improved his personal best by nine seconds to be 43^rd in 37:25 and IAIN McKEAN was 44^th in his first 10K with a time of 37:26.  GRANT RAMSAY was in the top fifty at 49^th with 37:38.

 

Race	Name	Surname	Cat.	M/F	Time	Comments
19	Simon	Jackson	V 40	M	35:59	4MV40
26	Andrew	Patterson	S	M	36:34	YB
41	Steffan	Ford	S	M	37:18	YB
43	Paul	Hewett	S	M	37:25	PB (0:09)
44	Iain	McKean	S	M	37:26	1st 10K
49	Grant	Ramsay	V 40	M	37:38
58	Brian	Brackstone	V 40	M	38:13
71	Natalie	Lawrence	S	F	38:57	First woman
73	Keith	Coughlin	S	M	39:11
79	Danny	Hukin	S	M	39:27	YB
93	John	Harris	V 50	M	40:29	YB
100	David	Riddell	V 50	M	40:44
111	Karl	Clark	V 40	M	41:22	PB (1:24)
118	Todd	Gray	S	M	41:32	YB
124	Sam	Pretty	S	F	41:45	YB
127	Liam	Herbert	S	M	41:57	YB
142	Michelle	Reeves	S	F	42:55	PB (2:37)
148	Kevin	Smart	V 40	M	43:05
149	Kieran	Feetham	S	M	43:08	PB (0:14)
153	Liam	Errington	S	M	43:44	1st 10K
156	Tim	Saban	V 40	M	43:57
158	Paul	Batterbee	S	M	43:58	PB 1:06)
162	Stuart	Haycroft	S	M	44:20	1st 10K
164	Thomas	Sauka	V 40	M	44:26
168	Dean	Carpenter	V 40	M	44:33	YB
172	Suzy	Hawkins	V 35	F	44:30	6FV35. PB (0:36)
176	Paul	Whyte	S	M	44:43	YB
186	Paul	Carter	V 40	M	45:21	SB
187	Claire	Pullen	V 45	F	45:20	YB
188	Mark	Goodwin	V 50	M	45:25	YB
189	Chris	Manning	S	M	45:26	1st 10K
192	Mark	Beasley	V 50	M	45:42
196	David	Hodbod	S	M	46:08	YB
204	Tracy	Pez	V 35	F	46:33	YB
207	James	Kilroy	S	M	46:40	PB (0:05)
209	Ann	Tryssesoone	V 45	F	46:47
215	Martin	Dudley	V 50	M	47:10	PB (0:49)
218	Greg	Kelly	V 40	M	47:10	PB
226	Darren	Emmerson	V 40	M	47:40	PB (0:54)
232	Robert	Evans	V 40	M	48:17
233	Claire	Cox	V 35	F	48:07
235	Gareth	Powell	V 40	M	48:15	1st 10K
240	Paul	Maguire	V 50	M	48:45	PB (0:13)
252	Selvan	Naicker	V 40	M	49:18	YB
256	Angela	Armitage	V 35	F	49:01	PB (0:37)
264	Marie	Colucci	V 35	F	49:41
267	Lisa	Gray	V 45	F	49:59	YB
268	Jon	Sypula	V 40	M	49:51
270	Andy	Jay	V 50	M	50:02
277	Julie	Simmons	V 55	F	50:31	5FV55 YB
279	Martin	Nicholas	V 40	M	50:29	PB (3:04)
281	Jane	McFarlane	V 35	F	50:48
286	Sophie	Cowan	V 35	F	51:24
289	Karen	Ellis	V 45	F	51:22
297	Vishal	Shah	S	M	52:05
299	Steve	Pike	V 50	M	52:06
300	Olwen	Batty	S	F	52:23
308	Nikki	Tout	V 35	F	52:51
313	Callum	Beasley	S	M	53:04
317	Tim	Robinson	V 40	M	53:26
321	Lee	Pickersgill	S	M	53:27
322	James	South	S	M	53:45	1st 10K
324	Roger	Biggs	V 60	M	53:41	YB
325	Jim	Brown	V 60	M	53:45
326	Rob	Shaw	V 60	M	53:45
327	Penny	Schenkel	V 45	F	53:48	PB (8:03)
333	Tricia	Hopper	V 45	F	54:11	YB
337	Karen	Palmer	V 45	F	54:32
343	Sue	Hamer	V 45	F	55:01	PB (1:13)
344	Mark	West	V 40	M	55:10	1st 10K
345	Simon	Sypula	V 40	M	55:15
347	Andy	Prior	V 40	M	55:16
348	Ada	Janusiene	S	F	55:22
356	Caroline	Croft	V 45	F	56:11	1st 10K
357	Jenny	Garrett	V 45	F	56:14
358	Julie	Shadbolt	V 45	F	56:14	YB
359	Kerstin	Weiner	V 45	F	56:14	YB
362	Victoria	Brett	V 35	F	56:17	PB (2:57)
363	Katherine	Hyde	V 35	F	56:17	1st 10K
373	Sarah	Pike	S	F	58:06
375	Maria	Thorne	V 45	F	58:34
377	Anton	McCalla	S	M	58:59
378	Heather	Moloney	V 45	F	59:02	1st 10K
379	Beverley	Harlow	V 55	F	59:11	YB
380	Karl	Shreeve	V 40	M	59:13	PB (7:35)
382	Stephanie	Mayfield	V 35	F	59:14	YB
386	Paul	Holgate	V 50	M	59:48	YB
387	Sarah	Sapstead	S	F	1:00:13	PB (3:55)
399	Claire	Bell	S	F	1:01:12
401	Sharon	Crowley	V 55	F	1:02:18	YB
407	Tracy	Stiles	V 45	F	1:04:06
409	Steve	Gough	V 40	M	1:04:22	YB
414	Chloe	Emmerson	S	F	1:05:08	1st 10K
416	Hannah	Sypula	V 35	F	1:05:24	YB
420	Peter	Carpenter	V 70	M	1:06:42	7MV70
427	Emma	Martin	V 35	F	1:11:00	1st 10K

 

The relays in the park will be on Thursday 28^th July.  See www.fvspartans.org.uk for details.

 

Craig and Jim Win Prizes At Welwyn 10K

CRAIG HALSEY was third overall in Sunday’s Welwyn 10K in a fantastic time of 35 minutes 20 seconds.  The race included the Hertfordshire Championships for seniors (18 plus) in which he will win at least a BRONZE medal.  There were about 800 runners.

JIM BROWN won the trophy for third veteran (60 plus) in the race with 52 minutes 59 seconds.  Despite tough hills at four and nine kilometres PENNY SCHENKEL took another 41 seconds off her personal best when she finished in 53:07.

Two more sub 50 times were recorded by TIM SABAN and MARK GOODWIN, Tim with 46:37 and Mark on 47:15.

KEN JUDE was very pleased to record 52 minutes 33 seconds at this stage in his recovery from injury.

OLWEN BATTY had other Spartans in her sights for most of the race and finished in 53:40.  She was followed in by LEE PICKERSGILL (55:32) and CLAIRE HYDE (57:00).

 

The County Track 10K is on Thursday evening 7^th July.

 

Herts Hobble

KAREN LIDDLE, BARRY KING and CAROL PAUL ran the Herts Hobble on Sunday.  It was on a new tough course.  Carol completed the 26.2 miles in 5 hours 35 minutes 39 seconds while Karen and Barry took 7 hours 36 minutes.  The event was based in Buntingford and included Great Hormead, Anstey, Barley, Reed and Wyddial.

Mike and Liz CROWLEY covered the 17.4 miles option in 5 hours 59 minutes 30 seconds.

 

Springfield Friday 5 – Friday, 24th June 2016

The Springfield Five is a Friday evening race on quiet roads in and around the Village of Pleshey in Essex.  ROGER BIGGS run a consistent race over an undulating course, in almost perfect running weather, to finish with a time of 42:31.

 

Parkrun Report

Spartan women dominated the first six finishing positions at Stevenage on Saturday.

ALISON WOOD was first to cross the line in 19:42, going almost half a minute faster that last week for a new course personal best (PB).  NICOLA HABERLAND was second in 22:53 on her first visit, MARIE COLUCCI 3^rd in 22:59, also a new course PB, TRACY PEZ 4^th in 23:00 and CLAIRE COX 5^th in a new course PB of 23:23. CLAIRE PULLEN completed the sextet of Spartan women at the head of the field.

For the men DANNY HUKIN was 5^th male in a new PB of 19:43, despite pushing a buggy that had mechanical difficulties, THOMAS SAUKA was 10^th in 20:34 (course PB), MARTIN WOOD 12^th in 20:45 (course PB), RICHARD KENNEDY 22^nd in 21:55 and DARREN EMMERSON was 30^th in 22:32.

There were also parkrun course PBs this weekend for JON SYPULA, VERITY FISHER, CAROLE SHELDRICK, KERSTIN WEINER, CLAIRE COKER and JANET COX, all at Stevenage.

The full list of Spartans in parkrun action at Stevenage and elsewhere this weekend was as follows:

 

STEVENAGE

 

Pos	Gender Pos	parkrunner	Time	Notes
5	1	Alison WOOD	00:19:42	New PB!
6	5	Danny HUKIN	00:19:43	New PB!
11	10	Thomas SAUKA	00:20:34	New PB!
13	12	Martin WOOD	00:20:45	New PB!
23	22	Richard KENNEDY	00:21:55	First Timer!
31	30	Darren EMMERSON	00:22:32	PB stays at 00:22:26
33	2	Nicola HABERLAND	00:22:53	First Timer!
34	3	Marie COLUCCI	00:22:59	New PB!
35	4	Tracy PEZ	00:23:00	PB stays at 00:22:45
39	35	Martin DUDLEY	00:23:06	PB stays at 00:22:30
44	5	Claire COX	00:23:23	New PB!
45	6	Claire PULLEN	00:23:28	PB stays at 00:22:03
48	41	James KILROY	00:23:37	First Timer!
65	55	Jon SYPULA	00:24:39	New PB!
74	64	Daniel SUTTON	00:25:21	PB stays at 00:25:21
75	11	Carol PAUL	00:25:22	PB stays at 00:25:18
85	71	Simon SYPULA	00:25:48	First Timer!
94	18	Verity FISHER	00:26:45	New PB!
96	20	Carole SHELDRICK	00:27:01	New PB!
97	21	Kerstin WEINER	00:27:24	New PB!
126	31	Theresa KEAST	00:29:14	PB stays at 00:28:45
142	41	Beverley HARLOW	00:29:57	PB stays at 00:29:24
149	44	Hannah SYPULA	00:30:28	PB stays at 00:29:14
169	61	Liz MORGAN	00:32:40	First Timer!
179	111	Ian ALEXANDER	00:33:34	PB stays at 00:32:06
189	76	Claire COKER	00:34:15	New PB!
202	118	John NELMS	00:35:32	PB stays at 00:19:58
225	100	Janet COX	00:39:49	New PB!
226	101	Caren THAIN	00:40:09	PB stays at 00:38:04
242	115	Claire DRAKE	00:50:44	PB stays at 00:31:08

 

GRAHAM HILL ran the Milton Keynes parkrun in 34:22; DAVE SMITH Wimpole Estate in 23:50; ANDY JAY Panshanger in 24:08 and TIM ROBINSON Ellenbrook Fields in 34:22.

 

Swansea Half Marathon

Rob Evans and Karl Clark travelled to South Wales for the Swansea Half Marathon. With near-perfect weather conditions, Karl completed the flat and fast course in 1:30:41 and Rob in 1:48:20.
Coming Events

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

Milton Keynes 10K on Tuesday 28^th June.

EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 6^th July.

County Track 10K on Sandy on Thursday 7^th July.

Midweek Mob Match at Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 14^th July.

Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 17^th July.

Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27^th July.

Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28^th July.

EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3^rd August.

Harlow 10 on Sunday 4^th September.

FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25^th September.

Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2^nd October.

Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.

Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23^rd October.

Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6^th November.

St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20^th November.

County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27^th November.

Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10^th December.

 

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 8UT) at 7p.m.  Up to five running groups go out on training nights – there will be one to suit you!

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday (except public holidays) and 7p.m. every Thursday.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk