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BROADLY HAPPY AT HATFIELD

News from Hatfield BroadOak, Panshanger and London


Near Miss In London

Six Spartans were in action at the Hatfield Broad Oak 10K on Bank Holiday Monday.

JIM BROWN improved his 2015 time by 2 minutes 39 seconds to finish 305th out of the 1283 runners who finished. MICHAEL CONNELL was 417th in 49:01. SARAH PIKE got ahead of her dad and was 561st in 52:38. STEVE PIKE was 570th in 52:53; ROGER BIGGS 767th in 55:34 closely followed by PAUL HOLGATE 776th in 55:46.

The race was on a new course, often going in the reverse direction to the previous version but with a better, safer finish. Conditions were almost perfect, about 14 degrees, dry and only a little wind.

Near Miss

KEN JUDE missed his personal best by just one second at the London 10K. He finished in 49 minutes 6 seconds. TIM SABAN finished in 42 minutes 57 seconds.

Parkrun Reports – Saturday 16th May

STEVE ELDER ran a new Parkrun personal best at Panshanger on Saturday. He was 17th out of the 240 runners in 20 minutes 34 seconds; second in his age category and improved his PB by five seconds.

Westminster Mile

There were two very happy Spartans on the train home after a fab mile race.

ANDREA WESTCOTT took part in the picturesque Westminster Mile on Sunday. This year’s race celebrated the 30th Anniversary of Steve Cram’s World Mile record, and the great man was there to set the runners on the way. On a fast, flat course around St James’ Park, with a finish in front of Buckingham Palace, Andrea was very pleased to clock 7 minutes 21 seconds, a good 30 seconds ahead of her anticipated finish. Husband CHRISTOPHER also took part, finishing in 4:51. They highly recommend this event! Great party atmosphere, live bands, picnic area and loungers. Cool medal too.

Big Race Wednesday

Fairlands Valley Spartans will be competing against eight other clubs in the second Mid Week Road Race League event of the season. A coach is being organised from Old Stevenage to this Wednesday evening’s five mile race which will be in Epping Forest on the outskirts of Chingford. The club is hoping for a good turnout of men and women to boost their campaign for promotion to division one, the top division, in the league.

Coming Events

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

Midweek Road Race League race in Chingford (5 miles) on Wednesday 27th May.
Wimbledon Common Half Marathon on Sunday 31st May.
EVAC Track & Field League at Bedford on Wednesday 3rd June.
St. Albans Half Marathon on Sunday 14th June.
Midweek Road Race League race in Harlow (10K) on Wednesday 17th June.
EVAC Track & Field League in Biggleswade on Wednesday 1st July.
Midweek Road Race League race in Hitchin (10K) on Thursday 2nd July.
Bushey 10K including Herts Veterans road championships on Sunday 5th July.
County 10000 metres track championship in Biggleswade on Thursday 9th July.
Midweek Mob Match in Welwyn Garden City (10K) on Thursday 16th July.
Fairlands Valley Off Road Challenge on Sunday 19th July.
EVAC Track & Field League at venue TBA on Wednesday 29
th July.
County and Open 3K Relay Championship in Stevenage on Thursday 30th July.
County 5K Senior Championships on 2nd September.
County 5K Veterans Championship on 16th September.
Club Handicap 10 mile race on Sunday 20th September.
Standalone 10K (inc. country senior champs) in Letchworth on Sunday 4th October.
Great Eastern Run in Peterborough on 11th October.
Stevenage Half Marathon (includes County Veterans) on Sunday 1st November.
St. Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 15th November.
County 10 miles Veterans Championship at Buntingford on 27th 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
membership. 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), Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509 or Karen Palmer (Secretary) 07734678566

www.fvspartans.org.uk

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