Spartan VICKY ARCHER ran a fantastic new five mile personal best (PB) at the Hatfield Five on Sunday morning. A five minute improvement on a five mile run with 40 minutes 32 seconds. Her previous best was 45:46.
In the same event GRANT RAMSAY ran 30:50 and won SILVER in the County Championship for men 50 plus. He’s now aiming for a sub three marathon in 2024. YUKO GORDON went one better winning GOLD in the women 70 plus championship with 36:44. A winning margin of 29 seconds.
JUDY KING ran a PB in 52:51 which was 1 minute 25 seconds faster than her 5 mile race only the week before where she won the club’s 5 mile handicap race!
There was also a new PB for NICHOLA DURENT who finished with SHARON CROWLEY in 69:35.
Photo Credit – Keith Fenwick
Bass Belle Ten
Spartan JOHN HARRIS ran the Bass Belle 10 mile race in 1 hour 11 minutes 54 seconds, a new season’s best (SB).
Fairlands Valley Spartans raised even more money for charity with their Paul Maguire Five mile and Bryan Moore Ten mile handicap races on Sunday.
Handicap running events are races with phased starts, slower runners first. Runners exact start times are determined by their recent performances. In theory everyone will finish together. In practice the best improver wins. Good for participation and great as runners come together towards the finish.
Our wonderful handicap runners! – Photo Credit Keith Fenwick
The big winners were JUDY KING, JOHN HARRIS, KEITH HOOKER, VICKY ARCHER and WENDY THARANI.
Winner of the Paul Maguire 5 mile was JUDY KING in a new personal best (PB) time of 54 minutes 16 seconds (54:16), 6:14 ahead of handicap with ALISON SHELLEY 2nd in a year’s best (YB) time 49:29 and SOPHIE PARSONS third female in her first 5 mile with the club in 45:57. JOHN HARRIS was first man, 3rd overall, in a (season’s best) SB 35:38, with BRIAN WHITE second man in 38:10 and PAUL JENNINGS third man in 44:17.
Happy 5 milers! – Photo Credit Keith Fenwick
JOHN HARRIS was the quickest runner of the day in the five with his 35:38, BRIAN WHITE, 38:10, second quickest and ANDY PRIOR, 39:06, third fastest. JACKIE PERRY, 41:54 was quickest lady, KERSTIN PRIOR, 43:33, second fastest and SOPHIE PARSONS, 45:57, third fastest.
Stripey 5 milers – Photo Credit Keith Fenwick
KEITH HOOKER won the Brian Moore Handicap 10 mile race just pipping last year’s defending champion by 4 seconds to finish in 1:24:04 in his first 10 miles with the club.
Last year’s winner ANDREW PATTERSON was second in 56:27 returning from injury, and SIMON JACKSON third in a new SB time of 58:51. VICKY ARCHER was first lady in a new PB of 1:37:36 together with WENDY THARANI as they ran together, and LINDA GEORGE was third lady in 1:33:44.
The 10 milers were all happy to see the camera! – Photo Credit Keith Fenwick
ANDREW PATTERSON was quickest runner in the ten, SIMON JACKSON second fastest, 58:51 and NICK GILL third fastest. GABRIELLE O’BRIEN was fastest lady in 1:20:41, with CLAIRE PULLEN second quickest, 1:28:40, and LINDA GEORGE third fastest.
Many finishers recorded fastest times as it was their first 5 miles or 10 miles race for some time, or ever, standing them in a very good position when the club championship statistics are updated at the end of this month.
Speedy 10 milers, still not too quick for the camera! – Photo Credit Keith Fenwick
Wolverton Five
CRAIG BACON ran the Wolverton 5 race on Saturday morning at Willen Lakes in Milton Keynes. The predominantly flat course followed the footpath around the two lakes and a field of 133 runners completed the course.
Having not run in a road 5 mile race previously he was guaranteed a personal best (PB) and was pleased with a finish time of 36:38 and a chip time of 36:33.
It was a last minute race for SIMON JACKSON who took part with just 75 minutes notice after his daughter’s football was called off.
He completed the race in 28:05 which was fourth man over 40 (MV40) in a highly competitive race at the front end.
Craig at Willen Lakes following his PB!
Steppingley Off Road Marathon
PAUL HOLGATE reports it was very muddy for Sunday’s Steppingley off road marathon. Paul and MIKE NEWBITT finished in 8 hours 22 minutes with SHARON and MIKE CROWLEY coming in at 9 hours 47.
Stevenage Half Marathon is an annual road race hosted by Fairlands Valley Spartans which was first held in 1984. All proceeds are donated to charities that support the Stevenage community.
On a sunny 22nd October, 325 people had entered and arrived to run the annual Stevenage Half marathon.
A two lap course, fully on cycle ways and paved footpaths, took in local areas of the town including the town centre and Fairlands Valley Park.
Race Director Andy Prior said “2023 has been a great year for the event and we have been able to present a cheque to the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance for £5,297, Chells Scout group and 5th Stevenage Scouts each receiving £300 and by hiring Hampson Park Community centre as Race HQ our runners increased takings in their coffee shop as most runners love cake.”
The cheque presentation took place recently.
Andy said “2024 sees Stevenage Half returning on the 20th October when we will also host a full marathon which is a once in a decade event and coincides with the 40th Anniversary of Fairlands Valley Spartans running club, so we are aiming to make this an even bigger event than normal.”
It took ten attempts but JIM BROWN beat two hours for a half marathon for the first time this year at the Remembrance Runs on Saturday morning. He improved by 12 minutes 8 seconds compared with a run last Sunday and his 1 hour 57 minutes 36 seconds was good enough to win the men 70 plus category by 26 minutes 7 seconds.
ROBERT WRIGHT ran the same race in 1:56:15 while PAUL SHELLEY ran the Remembrance 10K in 44:51. The races were at Debden Airfield, Carver Barracks, near Saffron Walden.
Asked what was the secret, Jim said “No idea but what actually happened was even though last Sunday’s half was disappointing it was still a 13.1 miles run; then no training Monday and Tuesday; a vigorous for me daylight run on Wednesday morning; leading a lovely three mile Spartan training run on Thursday evening; and short cycle ride to Rableyheath. On the day the aim was to run at a pace equivalent to 28 minutes for every 5K (roughly nine minute miles) all the way round.”
Rob was 48th in the half marathon and Jim 54th.
Parkrun – Saturday 11th November
New Spartan SOPHIE PARSONS ran a new parkrun personal best of 27 minutes 2 seconds (27:02).
Sunday saw the third Cross Country event at Trent Park which was a five mile race. JONATHAN PARR came in in eighth place in a time of 27:53 and ADRIAN BUSOLINI was 25th in 29:38. They were the first two finishers from Fairlands Valley Spartans while TRACEY JACKSON 273rd overall in 41 minutes exactly; GEORGIE HOOPER 308th in 42:31 and ZOE JACKSON 359th in 45:07 were the club’s first three women.
From left to right – Jonathan, Adrian, Tracey, Georgie and Zoe – Photo Credit, Keith Fenwick and Richard Underwood
Altogether there were 24 Spartans. 17 men and 7 women and a total of 467 finishers in the race. Male “A” teams consist of eight runners. Female “A” teams have five runners.
Photo Credits – Keith Fenwick and Richard Underwood
Position
Name
Time
Official
Comments
8
JONATHAN PARR
27:54
27:53
SM. Team “A”
25
ADRIAN BUSOLINI
29:39
29:38
SM. Team “A”
50
NICK GILL
31:12
31:13
SM. Team “A”
114
STUART ARCHER
34:39
34:42
SM. Team “A”
132
ALEX ZHERDEV
36:02
35:26
M40. Team “A”
147
ROSS GALLAGHER
36:08
36:12
M40. Team “A”
171
MATT GIFFORD
36:59
37:01
M50. Team “A”
177
FRANCOIS SWANEPOEL
37:00
37:10
M50. Team “A”
190
BRIAN WHITE
37:43
37:45
M60
273
TRACEY JACKSON
40:40
41:00
W45. Women Team
304
MIKE JEFFS
42:23
42:31
SM
308
GEORGIE HOOPER
42:22
42:31
W35. Women Team
359
ZOE JACKSON
45:00
45:07
W35. Women Team
367
NICK KLEANTHOUS
45:27
45:31
M60
379
ANNABELLE WHITE
46:16
46:24
SW. Women Team
380
TIM ROBINSON
46:23
46:25
M50
381
DAVID ACKERY
46:24
46:33
SM
395
MARK MacDONALD
47:11
47:47
M50
400
MICHAEL O’KEEFE
47:53
48:00
M50
402
MARK FREEMAN
48:10
48:11
M60
422
ANDY JAY
49:36
49:55
M50
432
LIZ CROWLEY
51:13
51:14
W35. Women Team
449
SHARON CROWLEY
57:10
57:26
W65
457
CALLIE CHAPMAN
60:05
60:20
W35
Photo Credits – Keith Fenwick and Richard Underwood
Hertfordshire Half and 10K
Happy Spartan LINDA GEORGE ran a new personal best (PB) at Sunday’s Hertfordshire Half Marathon based at Knebworth House. She finished in 2 hours 2 minutes 45 seconds (2:02:45) an improvement of 3 minutes 48 seconds on her previous best which she ran on 22nd October. MARTIN JACOB paced her finishing 780th out of the 1400 finishers in 2:02:46. They said they had a wonderful run. Linda was jumping for joy at the finish.
Linda was super happy with her new PB!
JIM BROWN was third man 70 plus in 2:09:54.
In the 10K, new Spartan SOPHIE PARSONS ran her race in 1:00:10 which was a new personal best beating her previous time of 1:04 set in September. She was joined and supported by PENNY SCHENKEL who finished in 1:00:18 and CLAIRE EMMERSON in 1:00:24.
It just started to drip at the start then the rain got harder and harder throughout Sunday’s cross country league race at Watford’s Cassiobury Park but 27 from Fairlands Valley Spartans completed the testing six mile event with ANDREW PATTERSON winning in just 34 minutes 50 seconds.
GABRIELLE O’BRIEN was the fastest female from Fairlands with 49 minutes 32 seconds.
JONATHAN PARR and ADRIAN BUSOLINI were both top twenty overall with Jonathan seventh with 36:49 and Adrian 13th with 37:30.
Andrew, Jonathan, Adrian and Gabrielle – Photo Credit Keith Fenwick
A good turnout of some of their faster men meant the Spartan men’s “A” team moved up to fourth out of 21 clubs compared with seventh at the first race on 15th October. The club’s women were seventh. The men’s “B” team were second out of eight.
There were 18 FVS men and 9 women.
Photo Credit – Keith Fenwick
Position
M/F
Name
Official Time
Comments
1
1
ANDREW PATTERSON
34:50
V40. “A” team
7
7
JONATHAN PARR
36:49
SM. “A” team
13
13
ADRIAN BUSOLINI
37:30
SM. “A” team
49
47
NICK GILL
41:09
SM. “A” team
51
48
GRANT RAMSAY
41:19
V50. “A” team.
111
97
MATT NEWTON
46:12
V40. “A” team.
112
98
STUART ARCHER
46:14
SM. “A” team.
116
102
MIKE JEFFS
46:25
SM. “A” team.
154
133
MATT GIFFORD
48:39
V50
163
139
DANNY SCANLON
49:04
V40
169
27F
GABRIELLE O’BRIEN
49:32
SL
178
147
BRIAN WHITE
50:14
V60
240
184
TOBY ECCLESHALL
54:02
SM
241
57F
YUKO GORDON
54:05
FV65
251
191
DARREN EMMERSON
54:26
V50
252
61F
TRACEY JACKSON
54:27
FV45
260
65F
SALLY REEVES
54:39
FV45
322
226
TIM ROBINSON
59:28
V50
323
97F
WENDY THARANI
59:34
FV45
336
229
DAVID ACKERY
60:52
SM
345
113F
CLAIRE EMMERSON
62:07
FV45
348
115F
ANNABELLE WHITE
62:08
SL
356
235
MARK FREEMAN
63:57
V60
366
239
ANDY JAY
64:49
V50
379
243
JIM BROWN
68:20
V70
392
147F
CALLIE CHAPMAN
81:32
FV35
393
148F
MICHELLE HOLTON
81:32
FV45
Photo Credit – Keith Fenwick
Marathon Eryri – Snowdon Marathon
This years Snowdon Marathon, now known as the Marathon Eryri took place on Saturday. SHARON CROWLEY completed her 30th consecutive Snowdon marathon in 6:18:29 and continues to have run more Snowdon marathons than any other female. But none of this year’s finishers have run more Snowdons than PAUL HOLGATE who despite having his preparations hampered by a hamstring injury still managed to complete his 33rdconsecutive Snowdon marathon in 8:20:55. Both regulars were this year joined by a third Spartan, THOMAS SAUKA, whose comments at the end were “What an event, I can see why people love the Marathon Eryri so much, I thought I could sneak under 5 hours but it wasn’t possible in the end, now let the beer flow” as he finished in 5 hours 7 minutes 50 seconds.
Paul, Thomas and Sharon pre race.
Great South Run (10 miles)
Recently four from the Spartans Introduction to Running Group enjoyed the Great South Run race in Portsmouth. And each one achieved a Personal Best!!
The Great South Run is a flat course around Portsmouth and the docks with bag pipes, drums and a choir along the route – a really fun run!
SALLY PICKLES went round in 1:56:23; JUDY KING in 2:02:17; RACHAEL MILLER in 2:04:25 and NICOLA HATHERLY in 2:04:27.
Nicola and Judy had a sea swim later, to refresh tired legs – it was warmer in than out!
Our Introduction to Running ladies elated with their pb’s!
Serpentine Series
It was sunny, mild, with a light breeze in Hyde Park for the 31st anniversary Last Friday of the Month 5K. JIM BROWN was 170th in 27 minutes 20 seconds (27:20). Second man over 70 by 3 seconds – closing down towards the end but not quite fast enough.
That’s ten of the Serpentine runs done this year. More than enough for a series.
It was a lovely sunny morning in Stevenage on Sunday and Fairlands Valley Spartans welcomed hundreds of runners to the Stevenage Half Marathon on their new route from Hampson Park.
Photo Credit – Keith Fenwick and Annabelle White
Spartan ANDREW PATTERSON won the race by 51 seconds with 1 hour 12 minutes 45 seconds and took GOLD in the Hertfordshire County Championship. ADRIAN BUSOLINI was third and won BRONZE in the county event with a new personal best of 1:15:46, an improvement by 10 minutes 40 seconds.
Photo Credit – Keith Fenwick and Annabelle White
In the women’s competition ASHLEY JOHNSON took BRONZE with 1 hour 32 minutes 49 seconds and was second in her category. That was a new personal best (PB) for Ashley by 4 minutes 43 seconds.
The females from Fairlands excelled in the County team competition. Ashley, GABRIELLE O’BRIEN (1:44:32) and PAULA McMAHON (1:53:09) won GOLD with 17 points which was five ahead of Garden City Runners who were on 22. Three runners for women’s teams. Paula improved her half marathon time by 4 minutes 49 seconds.
Photo Credit – Keith Fenwick
It was SILVER for the Spartan men with GRANT RAMSAY (1:28:57) and NICK GILL (1:29:17) joining Andrew and Adrian to score 25 points, just four behind the winners. Four runners for men’s teams.
Photo Credit – Keith Fenwick
MARTIN JACOB and LINDA GEORGE both ran new half marathon personal bests. Martin with 1:46:33 and Linda with 2:06:33. Martin said it was a wonderful day for a run. Well marshalled route!!! Six Hills Way was tough, but I managed to compensate for that in the down hills.
Martin was five minutes faster than his Cambridge half in 2020. Linda improved her time by two minutes.
An amazing finish for both Martin and Linda!
JIM BROWN was second male 70 plus with 2:03:26.
Photo Credit – Mike Jeffs and Annabelle White
21 Spartans were running and, as the event was organised by the club. Andy Prior was the Race Director and dozens more volunteered to make sure the race was a success – marshals, lead bike, water station, baggage, etc.
The event raised money for the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.
Our amazing marshals and Paramedic Perry from Essex and Herts Air AmbulanceYou can always rely on our marshals for smiles, encouragement and a fab playlist!
Pos
Cat
M/F
Name
Cat
Time
Halfway
Comments
1
1
1
Andrew PATTERSON
MV40
1:12:45
36:01
Winner
3
1
3
Adrian BUSOLINI
MS
1:15:46
37:24
PB (10:40)
18
6
17
Grant RAMSAY
MV50
1:28:57
43:45
SB
20
10
19
Nick GILL
MS
1:29:15
45:07
31
2
3
Ashley JOHNSON
FV35
1:32:49
46:10
Third woman. PB (4:43)
37
17
34
Stuart ARCHER
MS
1:35:01
47:47
SB
49
10
46
Craig BACON
MV50
1:39:50
49:14
73
5
8
Gabrielle OBRIEN
FS
1:44:21
52:00
85
25
75
Martin JACOB
MV40
1:46:43
53:41
PB (4:57)
106
34
92
Liam HERBERT
MS
1:50:53
54:00
125
6
21
Paula McMAHON
FV35
1:52:30
56:27
PB (4:49)
162
9
131
Stephen HARRIS
MV60
1:59:14
58:05
182
11
147
Martin DUDLEY
MV60
2:02:56
56:33
185
2
148
Jim BROWN
MV70+
2:03:26
1:01:28
2nd MV70
189
50
152
Chris HOLLAND
MV40
2:04:30
59:02
SB
197
55
159
Jon SYPULA
MV40
2:06:19
1:00:53
SB
198
12
39
Linda GEORGE
FV35
2:06:33
1:02:33
PB (1:54)
225
12
175
Nick KLEANTHOUS
MV60
2:10:17
1:04:25
233
59
181
Dave ACKERY
MS
2:14:25
1:03:18
244
17
57
Wendy THARANI
FV45
2:20:25
1:05:58
268
51
201
Tim ROBINSON
MV50
2:40:15
1:17:10
Resolution 5K
Eight Spartans ran the Resolution Track 5K on a very wet Wednesday evening at Ridlins Track, Stevenage.
After the 12.5 laps SIMON JACKSON was second in 16 minutes 58 seconds and GEORGIE HOOPER first woman and 17th overall with 21 minutes 18 seconds, a new personal best (PB) by a massive 1 minute 55 seconds.
ALEX ZHERDEV improved his PB by 21 seconds to 21:20.
The other Spartan times were MATT TUTTON 25:03; SHARON CROWLEY 28:19; KARL REEVE 31:24; ROGER BIGGS 38:35 and PAUL HOLGATE 40:23. Simon got the highest age score with 84.0% followed by Georgie on 70% exactly and Sharon on 69.5%.
The first cross country league race of the season was at Cheshunt on Sunday. 27 Fairlands Valley Spartans were there – 18 men and 9 women.
Photo Credit – Mike Jeffs
Andrew Patterson WON the race in just 26 minutes 36 seconds. JONATHAN PARR and ADRIAN BUSOLINI were also in the top ten. Jonathan sixth with 27:20 and Adrian ninth with 28:12.
Andrew, Jonathon and Adrian – Photo Credit Mike Jeffs
GEORGIE HOOPER was the fastest female from Fairlands at 135th overall (women and men) and 18th woman of 133 with 37 minutes 7 seconds. Next came TRACEY JACKSON 207th (and 43rd woman) in 39:47. There were 359 finishers.
Georgie and Tracey (photobombed by Darren) – Photo Credit Mike Jeffs
Counting teams consisted of five women and eight men. The Spartan women and men were both seventh out of the 21 clubs participating.
Photo Credit – Mike Jeffs
Overall Position
Name
Time
Category
1
ANDREW PATTERSON
26:38
M40
6
JONATHAN PARR
27:27
SM
9
ADRIAN BUSOLINI
28:13
SM
31
GRANT RAMSAY
30:36
M50
45
NICK GILL
31:30
SM
85
ALEX ZHERDEV
34:00
M40
97
STUART ARCHER
34:32
SM
126
FRANCOIS SWANEPOEL
36:28
M50
133
DANNY SCANLON
36:58
M40
177
BRIAN WHITE
38:57
M60
178
THOMAS SAUKA
38:57
M40
203
DARREN EMMERSON
39:57
M50
285
DAVID ACKERY
45:06
SM
293
JON SYPULA
45:56
M40
299
MALC MacDONALD
46:14
M50
302
MARK FREEMAN
46:29
M60
321
ANDY JAY
48:05
M50
325
TIM ROBINSON
48:44
M50
Mens Results
Overall Position
Women Position
Name
Time
Category
135
18
GEORGIE HOOPER
37:18
W35
207
43
TRACEY JACKSON
40:01
W45
279
79
WENDY THARANI
44:29
W45
291
85
ANNA SWANEPOEL
45:47
W35
313
98
CLAIRE EMMERSON
47:28
W45
338
115
LIZ CROWLEY
50:11
SW
341
118
SHARON CROWLEY
51:47
W65
349
125
NIKKI NATION
54:01
W55
353
128
CALLIE CHAPMAN
58:10
W35
Ladies Results
Chester Marathon
Coach John Harris was selected to represent England V’s Wales in an International match at the Chester Marathon. Following a recent injury John only decided 10 days before the race to take up his place.
Here is his story:
I am pleased to say that I finished and left everything out on the course.
Standing on the start line, I literally had no idea how the Chester marathon would pan out for me and decided to get to half way and worry about it then.
I ran how I felt and got to 13.1 in 1.57, and felt surprisingly ok . I then focused on each mile and got to 20 miles in 3.01 and rewarded myself with a 30 second walk.
Unfortunately, through lack of training following my injury (my training consisted of 3 weeks after a 3 month break and a long run of only 10 miles) my legs didn’t want to start again and so the last 10k took 81 mins.
I am delighted with my finish time of 4.22.13 given that 4 weeks ago I couldn’t run.
Not an ideal training plan but I wanted to start and see what happened. So glad that I did!
A happy John in his England vest!
Yuko Gets A Call Up
There were perfect weather conditions for the Bath Half Marathon but Spartan YUKO GORDON said she still felt weak from her recent Covid infection and lacked her usual second half strength. Yuko was fine when she passed 10K in 46:30 but was disappointed with her finishing time of 1 hour 40 minutes 35 seconds. However that was good enough to win her age category. She’s going to have a good rest for a while.
Yuko has received news from British Masters that she has been selected for the England cross country team for the British and Irish international cross country championship to be held in Glasgow next month.
Fairlands Valley Spartans women’s team, GEORGIE HOOPER 45:08; SUZY HAWKINS 46:43 and CLAIRE PULLEN 47:17 were second, SILVER medals, in the county championships at the Standalone 10K on Sunday morning.
In the open race they were third with MARIE COLUCCI 48:08 joining them to make up the team of four in that event. Claire was also first woman 55 plus in the race.
Photo Credits – Keith Fenwick, Charlie Arnold, Jon Sypula and Jane Wadey
23 Spartans ran. The fastest was SIMON FRASER who finished ninth out of more than 1100 finishers. Next came NICK GILL 36th in 38:38; MIKE JEFFS 48th in 39:36 and GRANT RAMSAY 51st in 39:47.
PENNY SCHENKEL wanted to beat one hour which she did by four seconds (59:56). An excellently paced run.
Photo Credits – Keith Fenwick, Charlie Arnold, Jon Sypula and Jane Wadey
The other Spartans enjoying the 6.2 miles road event in Letchworth; Stotfold and Fairfield Park were MARTIN DUDLEY 51:24; MATT TUTTON 54:23: WENDY THARANI 55:17; ANDY JAY 56:55; NICK KLEANTHOUS 57:49; JO COOKSLEY 58:26; TRICIA HOPPER 59:01; CLAIRE EMMERSON 59:02; JIM BROWN 59:37; KAREN LIDDLE 1:00:04; SHARON CROWLEY 1:02:58; MONICA SMITHSON 1:07:11; SAMANTHA SUTTON 1:18:26 and ROGER BIGGS 1:32:58.
Pos
Cat
Gen
Name
Cat
5K Split
Gun
Chip
Age Gd
Com
9
7
9
Simon FRASER
MS
17:50
35:27
35:27
76.7%
36
22
35
Nick GILL
MS
18:58
38:40
38:38
69.7%
48
26
47
Mike JEFFS
MS
18:58
39:36
39:33
69.5%
51
3
50
Grant RAMSAY
MV50
19:25
39:47
39:46
76.1%
130
5
11
Georgie HOOPER
FV35
22:02
45:18
45:08
67.9%
ST
179
5
20
Suzy HAWKINS
FV45
23:15
47:00
46:43
70.4%
ST
199
1
27
Claire PULLEN
FV55
23:53
47:32
47:17
78.6%
ST
239
10
32
Marie COLUCCI
FV45
23:21
48:23
48:08
67.7%
OT
363
20
299
Martin DUDLEY
MV60
26:02
51:55
51:24
63.1%
497
144
384
Matt TUTTON
MS
27:29
55:12
54:23
49.8%
548
35
138
Wendy THARANI
FV45
28:47
56:05
55:17
61.8%
598
81
432
Andy JAY
MV50
27:56
57:22
56:55
56.6%
646
47
462
Nick KLEANTHOUS
MV60
29:34
58:35
57:49
56.5%
675
71
205
Jo COOKSLEY
FV35
31:36
59:22
58:26
51.8%
695
30
219
Tricia HOPPER
FV55
29:40
59:43
59:01
61.7%
701
61
225
Claire EMMERSON
FV45
30:17
59:50
59:02
58.6%
726
9
486
Jim BROWN
MV70+
30:17
1:00:44
59:37
60.2%
727
65
241
Penny SCHENKEL
FV45
30:17
1:00:44
59:56
58.5%
730
7
243
Karen LIDDLE
FV65+
29:58
1:00:52
1:00:04
68.5&
822
11
308
Sharon CROWLEY
FV65+
33:00
1:04:14
1:02:58
64.9%
920
50
376
Monica SMITHSON
FV55
31:31
1:07:59
1:07:11
55.7%
1071
135
493
Samantha SUTTON
FV45
39:25
1:19:43
1:18:26
42.0%
1099
17
585
Roger BIGGS
MV70+
45:43
1:34:29
1:32:58
41.0%
Serpentine 5K
JIM BROWN enjoyed wonderful sun and a tailwind on the back straight for Friday’s Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park. He finished in 28:45.
It was a double win in Hitchin for Fairlands Valley Spartans as ANDREW PATTERSON and ASHLEY JOHNSON won first man and first woman in the Hitchin 5K.
Andrew won the race in 16 minutes 23 seconds. Which was 50 seconds ahead of his nearest rival. And Ashley won the woman’s race in 20:17, again a victory by 50 seconds.
MONICA SMITHSON ran the Hitchin 5K in 32 minutes 17 seconds.
Bedford Autodrome
JIM BROWN ran the Bedford Autodrome 20 miles and improved his “year best” by 15 minutes 29 seconds when he finished in 3 hours 13 minutes 51 seconds.
This was a bit of a leap up after some indifferent half marathons so his plan was to run six “parkruns” in an average of 30 minutes or just under. That he did going through 30K in maybe a second under 3 hours.
Then the last 2.2 kilometres largely into a howling headwind took 13 minutes 51 seconds. He was second in his age group.
Spartan CAROLE SHELDRICK won her category in the Autodrome 10K with 56:38.
Windsor Half
WENDY THARANI was at the Windsor Half Marathon. She said it was a busy event, well organised and well attended. Beautiful scenery through Windsor Great Park, however it is very undulating and felt like more up than down! Big hill at mile 11!
She finished in 2:14:15 (chip time).
Ottawa 10K
Spartan Andy Jay travelled to Ottawa, Canada for a memorial and charity event, raising funds for injured and veteran members of the Canadian armed forces.
With the start and finish in Downtown Ottawa, the race went past famous Landmarks such as Parliament buildings and the famous Chateau Laurier Hotel. The race headed east alongside the Ottawa River before returning for a tough finish up on Parliament Hill.
Andy ran the 10k distance, finishing in 55.17.
Vitality Westminster Mile
JONATHAN PARR was fifth in the Vitality Westminster Mile with 4 minutes 42 seconds.
Parkrun Saturday 23rd September
Michael O’Keefe ran a new course PB at Letchworth with 29:05
At Stevenage there was a new parkrun PB for William Morley 19:52; Claire Pullen ran her 50th parkrun in 24:41; and Grant Ramsay was sixth at Stevenage on his 100thparkrun with 19:26
JONATHAN PARR WON the Hatfield 5K series of Wednesday evening races with an average of 16 minutes 20 seconds, that’s ten seconds quicker than his nearest rival. There were three races on consecutive weeks.
Jonathan with his trophy! – Photo Credit Sharon Crowly
NICK GILL ran another fantastic personal best (PB). This time it was 17 minutes 25 seconds which got him in the top twenty in Wednesday’s race. ALISON WOOD was first woman 55 plus with 21 minutes 3 seconds.
Ten Spartans finished the race. The others in the club’s first four were SIMON JACKSON 12th in 16:39 and MIKE JEFFS 25th in 17:37.
SHARON CROWLEY was fourth in the series for her category and ran the final race in 28 minutes 53 seconds.
Photo Credit – Keith Fenwick
The other Spartans were NICK KLEANTHOUS 25:04; JIM BROWN 26:37; MICHAEL O’KEEFE 26:56 and ROGER BIGGS 46:50.
Pos
Bib
Name
Time
Cat
M/F
Cat Pos
Age Gd
Comments
2
5692
Jonathan PARR
16:21
MS
2
2
82.1 %
Series winner
12
5959
Simon JACKSON
16:39
MV40
12
5
85.6 %
19
5353
Nick GILL
17:25
MS
19
14
74.8 %
PB
25
5542
Mike JEFFS
17:37
MS
25
18
76.0 %
106
2944
Alison WOOD
21:03
FV55
17
1
84.3 %
1st FV55
173
5636
Nick KLEANTHOUS
25:04
MV60
127
17
63.2 %
187
2909
Jim BROWN
26:37
MV70
135
5
65.7 %
192
5504
Michael O’KEEFE
26:56
MV50
136
35
57.9 %
198
3015
Sharon CROWLEY
28:53
FV65
58
4
67.4 %
215
1844
Roger BIGGS
46:50
MV70
148
8
39.6 %
Stevenage 10k
In the Stevenage 10K Spartan SIMON JACKSON was second overall and first man 40 plus with 35 minutes 33 seconds. KIM JURY was seventh in her category with 54:36 and JIM BROWN third in his with 56:44.
DAVE ACKERY said “I really pushed hard for a sub 60 but the hills were proving a bit of a hard slog in the heat especially the final big push!” He finished with 60:57.
Seven Spartans ran and there were 273 finishers. The other Spartans were GRANT RAMSAY 40:35; ROBERT WRIGHT 53:53 and ROGER BIGGS 1:38:52.
Spartan ANDREW PATTERSON won Wednesday’s Hatfield 5K race in a new personal best (PB) of just 15 minutes 55 seconds AND took GOLD in the County Championships.
Samantha and Andrew with their County medals!
SAMANTHA PRETTY-CONNORS won BRONZE with 19 minutes 25 seconds, a PB by 5 seconds, and YUKO GORDON won GOLD in the women 65 plus race with 22 minutes 25 seconds (22:25).
JONATHAN PARR was third senior in 16:35.
Photo Credit – Keith Fenwick
There was a year’s best time for SIMON JACKSON improving by 30 seconds to 16:50.
MATT TUTTON ran another PB this week this time trimming another five seconds off to 24:32 and JIM BROWN improved his time for the year by one second to 26:34.
Fairlands Valley Spartans won SILVER medals in the team competition at the Hertfordshire County 5K championships for senior men on Wednesday 30th August.
The medal winning team was ANDREW PATTERSON (15:59); JONATHAN PARR (16:18); KIRK NDUGU (16:31) and NICK GILL (17:46). With 52 they were only four points behind the gold medal winners.
Photo Credit – Keith Fenwick
It was a season’s best (SB) for Andrew and Kirk, a year’s best (YB) for Jonathan and a personal best for Nick.
The championships were included in the Hatfield 5K which was completed by 14 Spartans.
Photo Credit – Keith Fenwick
MIKE JEFFS came in with a new PB of 18:02; MATT TUTTON with a new PB of 24:37; ANDY JAY with a season’s best 24:49 and SHARON CROWLEY with a season’s best of 28:59.
Jonathon and Nick receiving their County medals! – Photo credit Sharon Crowley
Place
Name
M/F
Cat Pos
Cat
Time
Age Grade
Comments
5.
Andrew PATTERSON
5
1
MV40
15:59
85.2 %
Team silver SB
8.
Jonathan PARR
8
7
MS
16:18
82.3 %
Team silver YB
11.
Kirk NDUGU
11
10
MS
16:31
80.0 %
Team silver SB
35.
Nick GILL
33
25
MS
17:46
73.3 %
Team silver PB
43.
Mike JEFFS
40
29
MS
18:02
74.2 %
PB
79.
Grant RAMSAY
69
12
MV50
19:34
75.1 %
174.
Matt TUTTON
130
51
MS
24:37
54.0 %
PB
177.
Andy JAY
131
34
MV50
24:49
62.7 %
SB
178.
Nick KLEANTHOUS
132
14
MV60
24:49
63.8 %
199.
Michael O’KEEFE
141
37
MV50
26:35
58.6 %
209.
Jim BROWN
145
5
MV70
27:09
64.4 %
226.
Sharon CROWLEY
78
7
FV65
28:59
67.0 %
SB
243.
Paul HOLGATE
155
22
MV60
39:29
42.1 %
244.
Roger BIGGS
156
10
MV70
42:37
43.4 %
Results for all Spartan finishers at the Hatfield 5k
Bedford Running Festival
In the half marathon JIM BROWN was 307th out of the 684 finishers with 2 hours 1 minute 34 seconds. He was second in his category just 27 seconds behind the winner.
In the Bedford 20 DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT was ninth overall and seventh in the 40-49 category in 2 hours 8 minutes 13 seconds.
He said the weather was hot! Great support on route and it was good to see Stevenage being represented by Spartans, Striders and Phoenix running clubs.
David and Jim after their run.
Baldock Rat Run
Tim Robinson took part in the fifth Baldock 5k Rat Run, an off road fun run raising fund for Garden House Hospice. He finished 64th out of 88 finishers in a time of 29:21. He has run in all 5 events now and is a regular but difficult to spot.
The Baldock rat!
UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc)
ADRIAN BUSOLINI said “My journey to UTMB started in 2019 with my running a section of the UTMB course, and falling in love with the Chamonix Valley. In 2021, I ran the UTMB CCC, which is more or less the second half of the UTMB course. I finally obtained my UTMB spot in 2022 based on my category placing in Val d’Aran.
For us based in Hertfordshire, training for something like UTMB is not easy, as we have no comparable terrain nearby. My lack of specific training is probably what held me back in this race.
Regardless of my result, the experience of participating in a race as famous and competitive as UTMB is extraordinary. Between bumping into many friends and acquaintances in Chamonix, experiencing the otherworldly level of support in St Gervais les Bains and Les Contamines, or just soaking up the sight of Mont Blanc from every angle. The UTMB is a tough, technical race, but one to savour.” Adrian took 30 hours 21 minutes 21 seconds for the 160 kilometres.
Duck and Dash
NICK KLEANTHOUS said it was a great weather for Sunday’s Duck n Dash involving 400 metres of Letchworth outdoor pool followed by a 5K hilly trail run around Norton Common. Tracy Haygarth found me before the start and we talked while waiting for our swim as swimmers went off at 15 second intervals. It was Tracy’s first event and without her Garmin on did amazing. It was very well organised and the support was fantastic. Hope to be back next year!
Nick and Tracey with their medals!
Summer Nuts Challenge
STEVE PLATT tackled the two muddy, wet and obstacle filled laps of the Summer Nuts Challenge on Saturday 2nd September. The 15.69 kilometres OCR (British Obstacle Sports) event took 3 hours 39 minutes 21 seconds.
Steve looking as though he’s just completed a walk in the park and not muddy obstacles!
A sunny summer’s evening brought perfect conditions for the Resolution 5K event at Ridlins track in Stevenage and nine Spartans were there to enjoy it.
For those keen to judge their pace there was a timing mat and clock after two hundred metres and then every 400 metres for the 12 full laps.
NICK GILL was first in for the club at third overall and first male senior with 18 minutes 3 seconds (18:03). MIKE JEFFS was second male senior with 18:26.
Nick and Mike in action! – Photo Credit Keith Fenwick
ASHLEY JOHNSON was first woman in the race with 19:31. Not only did YUKO GORDON win her category but she did it in 22 minutes 22 seconds achieving an amazing age graded score of 96.8%.
Ashley and Yuko – Photo Credit Keith Fenwick
JIM BROWN won his category with 27 minutes 13 seconds (27:13).
Spartan times at the Resolution 5K:
Pos
MF
CatPos
Bib
Name
Cat
Time
Age Gd
3.
3
1
286
Nick GILL
MS
18:03
72.3 %
6.
6
2
1299
Mike JEFFS
MS
18:26
72.9 %
14.
1
1
1286
Ashley JOHNSON
FV35
19:31
79.0 %
33.
4
1
5559
Yuko GORDON
FV65
22:22
96.8 %
39.
32
3
5889
Nick KLEANTHOUS
MV60
26:02
61.4 %
43.
33
1
5780
Jim BROWN
MV70+
27:13
64.8 %
49.
16
5
212
Sharon CROWLEY
FV65
29:59
65.6 %
50.
34
4
5943
Paul HOLGATE
MV60
30:38
54.6 %
52.
35
2
5742
Roger BIGGS
MV70+
41:23
45.2 %
England Masters Inter Area Track & Field Challenge
Spartan YUKO GORDON was in Nuneaton to run the 1500 metre at the England Masters Inter Area Track & Field Challenge. Representing the East of England she won the women 70 plus race in 6 minutes 18.26 seconds (6:18.26).
Summer 10K
MATT TUTTON ran the London Summer 10k. The three laps of the outer path of Regents Park. Running conditions were great and the course was flat. Perfect for a PB which he achieved with a new personal best of 54 minutes 25 seconds (54:25).
Stopsley 10 Miles
Fairlands Valley Spartan DANNY SCANLON ran the Stopsley 10 Mile Trail race recently.
He finished with a chip time of 1 hour 14 minutes 11 seconds for an 11th place finish. The course was a tough two laps with a very steep hill in each lap!
DAVE PATTMAN and MO WARRILOW ran the Stopsley 5 Mile Trail Run. The chip times were 35:41 for Dave, and 47:00 for Mo.
Burnham Beeches Half Marathon
WENDY THARANI took on the Burnham Beeches Half Marathon and completed it in 2:13:15. She said that the course was rather undulating but lovely through the beechy woodland. There were lots of ridiculously expenses houses including Dorney Wood which is traditionally the Chancellor of the Exchequers country residence. The race was well organised with lots of friendly marshals.
Wendy after finishing Burnham Beeches
Schierker Sommerlauf Trail Run
JIM BROWN and PENNY SCHENKEL took part in the Schierker Sommerlauf trail run in the Harz area of Germany.
They tackled the hauptlauf which consisted of two 4.2 kilometre laps so giving a total of just over five miles. Each lap started with a 1.2 kilometre tough climb into the countryside, a real lung buster. There were 350 metres of climbing in the race.
Jim and Penny finished together in 56 minutes 36.4 seconds.
Parkrun Saturday 19th August 2023
KIRK NDUGU won Stevenage Parkrun in a new parkrun personal best of 17 minutes 20 seconds.
KARL SHREEVE and JANE WADEY won Thursday evening’s Fairlands Valley Spartans club handicap 5K race in Stevenage. 28 Spartans took part.
The winner was Karl Shreeve showing a much improved return to form in 29 minutes 15 seconds (29:15), six minutes ahead of handicap with Jane Wadey second (1st female) in 34:06, four seconds ahead of Sally Pickles with a 2:22 Season Best (SB) time of 34:10. New member Lee Burton was second man in 28:48 and Steve Platt third in a Year Best time of 26:17.
Photo Credit Tony Randfield (Sharon Crowley for the headline photo)
The fastest runner on the night was Adrian Busolini with a SB 17:41 with Nick Gill second quickest in 20:01 and Matt Gifford third fastest in a new Personal Best (PB) time of 20:41.
Ashley Johnson was quickest female in 20:45 with Jackie Perry second quickest in 26:10 and Nicola Andersson third fastest in 28:56. 19 of the 28 finishers finished within two minutes of their handicap time.
Photo credit Tony Randfield
St Albans Summer 10k
Spartan JIM BROWN ran the St Albans Summer 10K on Sunday in 54 minutes 49 seconds. He was the first finisher over 70 years of age by more than ten minutes and won GOLD in the Hertfordshire 10K Championship for veteran runners. The county championships were incorporated in the open race in which there were 294 finishers.
Jim says he went through 5K seven seconds late and had doubts whether he could do it but a substantial negative split in the second half of the race meant he beat his target by a few seconds.
ROBERT WRIGHT completed his 10K in 42 minutes 55 seconds and was well placed in the 40 plus category.
ANDREW PATTERSON went to Watford on Wednesday night to race in the Open Graded Meeting, 1500 metres race. The weather was horrendous. The rain started heavy and was torrential by the time he got to race.
He said, “In the pack on the track, I didn’t really notice the rain and found a good rhythm, getting round in a new personal best (PB) of 4:15.42. I’m very happy with that effort in those conditions.” He should be. That’s a new Fairlands Valley Spartans club record for 1500 metres and only three months after beating 2 hours 40 minutes in the London Marathon.
Chases The Sun 10K at Battersea
DANNY SCANLON ran the ironically titled “Chase the Sun” 10k at Battersea Park in pouring rain on Wednesday.
Four glorious laps in the rain, to finish with a chip time of 42 minutes exactly.
Sundowner Half Marathon
The Sundowner runs were a bit different. They were on Saturday evening starting at 5.30p.m. With a choice of 10K or Half Marathon Spartan JIM BROWN chose the half and ran his best 13.1 miles so far this year. With an improvement of 2 minutes 26 seconds his 2 hours 49 seconds (2:00:49) won him his category and an age score of 65.81%.
The 3k Relays in the Park, organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans in Fairlands Valley Park, were brilliant. The 3K course was covered 473 times by runners enjoying a great summer’s evening on Thursday.
As well as organising the event the local club enjoyed some success with their women taking BRONZE in the County Championships in 48 minutes 13 seconds and their veteran women also winning BRONZE with 54:32.
All teams – men, women, mixed, senior or veteran – consisted of four runners so ran a total of 12 kilometres.
The medal winners were ASHLEY JOHNSON (11:38); SAM PRETTY (11:50), GABRIELLE O’BRIEN (12:16) and GAIL MACKIE (12:29) in the senior county championships and SUZY HAWKINS (12:45); MARIE COLUCCI (13:07); TRACEY JACKSON (13:53) and YUKO GORDON (14:47) in the veterans race.
Our winning ladies! – Photo Credit Callie Chapman
The FVS male team were fourth in the open and county races in 38:42 just eight seconds off bronze. They were JON PARR (9:20); ANDREW PATTERSON (9:31); ADRIAN BUSOLINI (9:55) and KIRK NDUGU (9:56).
The fastest Spartan was in the top ten individuals – JON PARR in 9 minutes 20 minutes (9:20). ASHLEY JOHNSON was the fastest female from Fairlands with her 11 minutes 38 seconds, twelve seconds ahead of SAM PRETTY with 11:50.
The first woman in the race finished in 9 minutes 28 seconds!
There were 119 teams. Luton AC won the open men’s race in 36:57 (for 12 kilometres) and the open mixed race with 41:03; St Albans Striders won the open women’s race in 43:46.
Doug Anderson 5K – 20th Anniversary
Last Wednesday MATT TUTTON ran at the Bedford Harriers organised Doug Anderson 5k at Bedford Park. This was two and half laps of the park on a cool and dry evening. Matt finished in a personal best time of 24:54.
This was the 20th anniversary of the event. PAUL HOLGATE has now run 17 of the 20. The only missing ones were two that fell on his wife’s birthday and one when he was in Mount Vernon Hospital. He finished in 31 minutes 19 seconds.
ROGER BIGGS came in with 38:38.
Bedford Blues Half Marathon
Spartan JIM BROWN ran the Bedford Blues Foundation Half Marathon on Sunday.
He was 86th and second MV70 with 2:04:16 (64%).
Jim said it was nice after recent form to properly run all the way.
He added it was an almost perfect morning for running. Only 132 on the half marathon but another 202 on the 10K. The short out and back sections actually made it a better experience as runners smiled and encouraged each other as they passed.
Jim with some of the lovely Stevenage Striders ladies – Photo Credit Stevenage Striders
Parkrun Highlights Saturday 22nd July 2023
MATT TUTTON ran a new parkrun personal best of 24:20. He was 84th out of the 394 finishers.
Nearly 200 people ran, jogged or walked the Fairlands Valley Challenge, on Sunday 16th July. The challenge is a self navigating trail event that offers a choice of distances from 10 kilometres to half marathon, 18 miles, marathon or an ultra 50 kilometres.
This annual event is much loved by lots of runners far and wide and is organised by our very own chairman, Tim Robinson.
Tim (with the clipboard) and a few of his helpers and Spartan runners
Tim is supported by his army of Spartan volunteers which ensures the event is able to be just as fabulous year after year! Alongside the brilliant, friendly checkpoints the pull of the challenge is the beautiful countryside trails and not forgetting our famous Spartans bread pudding!
The famous bread pudding and beautiful trails – Photo Credit Dan Abel
With lots of lovely comments like, “Thanks for another great event Fairlands Valley Spartans”, and “Thanks for all the work behind such a great event!” to “Fantastico! Thanks to all the organisers and volunteers”, “This was a fantastic event and as far as half marathons go we loved it! Thank you to all that helped and supported!” we are sure that the Challenge will remain a firm favourite in all runners diaries for many years to come!
Just a handful of our many lovely runners – Photo Credit Keith Fenwick
Our very own marathon/ultra man ADRIAN BUSOLINI was the 2nd fastest but 3rd finisher as he started later in the 50K Ultra. ROSS GALLAGHER and MIKE JEFFS enjoyed the half distance coming in 2nd place and STEVE PLATT came in a tremendous 2nd place in the 10k!
Adrian, Mike & Ross and Steve – Photo Credit Keith Fenwick
Well done to all those that ran, took part and enjoyed the day. We hope to see you all again next year!
Lots of Spartans took part in Race for Life on Sunday as part of the Cancer Research fundraising event.
It is usual to see a lot of Spartans at this event as those that don’t take part offer their marshalling skills to encourage and support others.
This year saw a larger than normal amount of Spartans take part as they were honouring a beloved Spartan member who we sadly lost earlier this year. The family were out supporting the wonderful charity and so our members also took to the course to support and remember Cathy.
Cathy Craig was a true inspiration to so many of us. From 5k up to Ultra’s and back down to EMAC, you name it Cathy did it. She was a renowned trophy winner at our annual Presentation Evening and we believe that she may of achieved the whole collection of awards available including the much sought after award of Spartan of the Year at this years ceremony.
Cathy would always greet everybody with a warm, infectious smile and would always be supportive and encouraging offering lots of runners tips where she could.
The Race for Life event would have been a day that Cathy loved! Dressing up in tutu’s, coloured wigs and head boppers, she would have been at the front of the queue!
#bemorecathy
Supporters and Cathy’s family
EMAC
The FVS women’s team finished in third place in the EMAC league central division at Bedford on Wednesday. EMAC run a track and field league for veteran athletes in the East of England. Cambridge & Coleridge were out in force after their narrow defeat last month, winning on the night with 141 points with Marshall Milton Keynes placed second with 110 points and FVS with 106. FVS remain top points scorers with 393 points, but it all comes down to the last match in Sandy next month.
Spartan Women – SHARON CROWLEY, ASHLEY JOHNSON, CHRISTINE LATHWELL, PAULA McMAHON, MARIAN MORLEY, JOYLYN SAUNDERS-MULLINS and ANDREA WESTCOTT
Wins on the night came from Sharon Crowley in the 2km A string walk and W60 hammer throw. Sharon also placed 4th in the W50 100m and 5th in the W60 1500m. Other points came from Christine Lathwell, who placed 5th in the W35 100m after sprinting to the start line having placed 4th in the 2km B string walk. Christine also covered the W35 triple jump, finishing 4th. Joylyn Saunders-Mullins secured 2nd place in the W60+ 100m, 3rd in the W60+ 400m, and 2nd in the W60+ shot put. Paula McMahon made a mad dash from her car straight to the start line for the W35 400m, changing in to her spikes while the other women were lining up! Despite the lack of a warm up, Paula finished in a very respectable 3rd place. Andrea Westcott placed 2nd in the W50 400m, 4th in the W35 hammer, and 6th in the W35 shot put. Marian Morley started the evening with a new PB in the W50 shot put, finishing 3rd and also placed 3rd in the W50 hammer. Ashley Johnson made a welcome return to the team, running a great W35 1500m and finishing 2nd.
The W35 relay team of Paula McMahon, Christine Lathwell, Ashley Johnson, and Joylyn Saunders-Mullins finished 3rd in the 4 x 200m
Our EMAC ladies
The men’s team conststing of CHARLIE ARNOLD, ANTON McCALLA, NICK KLEANTHOUS, STEVE MAYFIELD, MICHAEL O’KEEFE, ANDREW PATTERSON, TIM SAUNDERS-MULLINS and CHRIS WESTCOTT did themselves proud, finishing fourth on the night, just 8 points behind third placed Cambridge & Coleridge.
Wins from Andy Patterson in the M35 1500m and Tim Saunders-Mullins in the M60+ hammer throw combined with points scored by Anton McCalla, Nick Kleanthous, Chris Westcott, Charlie Arnold, Steve Mayfield, and Michael O’Keefe so the Spartans team remain in fourth place overall.
The EMAC men
Mid Week League Round Up
Not only did Fairlands Valley Spartans get promoted to the top division in the Mid Week League (see last week’s release) but they had some great individual prize winners.
SAM PRETTY was second woman in the open competition; ASHLEY JOHNSON second in the women 35 plus category; SIMON FRASER third man in the open competition; ANDREW PATERSON WON the men 40 plus category with RICHARD BATE third.
AND Fairlands Valley Spartans were overall winners in the veterans contest.
Trophy Winners!
Ultra 5k
MIKE JEFFS took on the ultra 5k challenge at Box End Bedford. This was a gruelling challenge running a 5k on the hour every hour for five hours. He managed to keep his times consistent which helped him achieve a third place finish. Mike’s first ever podium finish for a running event.
Mike with his medal and trophy!
Wendover Woods 100 Miles
Adrian Busolini WON the Centurion Wendover Woods 100 mile event in 20 hours 24 minutes 59 seconds.
With 600m of climb and a mix of terrains, just one lap of this Wendover course is quite punchy. So 10 laps, in conditions only slightly cooler than SDW100, was always going to be a challenge for the 30 souls who toed the start line.
13 of them made it to the end, and Adrian was glad to be the first – not just because that meant he got to take home an almost life-sized Centurion trophy, but because he could catch an hour of rest and a few pretty awesome crepes before the Wendover Weekender kicked off, with Allie talking crewing and The Green Runners demonstrating how to repair shoe uppers.
It was the first time Centurion had run a camping, talks and general fun & games weekend like this, and they put on a really good show, with the volunteers standing out as usual being the ultra awesome folks they are. Good times, good conversations, and a weekend well spent.
Adrian looking like he’s just taken a stroll in the park rather than running 100 miles…
ASHLEY JOHNSON was first female at Stevenage in a new parkrun personal best of 20 minutes 21 seconds for her 10th parkrun.
NICK GILL ran his 100th parkrun at Stevenage and did it with a new parkrun personal best of 18 minutes 40 seconds (18:40) which got him a top ten sixth place out of the 406 finishers.
NICOLA ANNDERSSON ran a new parkrun PB of 26:22 in Ballina, Ireland
The Spartans are promoted! In the final counting race of the Mid Week series Stevenage based Fairlands Valley Spartans squeezed past Royston Runners to grab second spot and thus promotion to the top division in the Mid Week League.
In the end it couldn’t have been much closer with Watford first with 39 points, Spartans second with 38 and Royston missing out with third and 37.
They did it by coming second in the men’s contest while Royston slipped to fourth. While the Spartans were third in the women’s event, with home team Barnet winning Royston coming two places behind in the men’s race gave FVS the opportunity.
The Trent Park race had a largely off road six miles course. There were 449 runners overall for the combined divisions two and three event and 43 were Spartans.
There were some brilliant Spartan performances including SAMANTHA-PRETTY CONNORS (41:30); ASHLEY JOHNSON (41:45) and CHRISTINE LATHWELL (42:02) all top ten at fourth, fifth and sixth in the women’s race. Samantha won her category (FV35); Ashley was second and Christine was second in the FV45. YUKO GORDON was first woman 65 plus with 49:36.
And the FVS men had four in the top ten. ANDREW PATTERSON (33:45); SIMON FRASER (33:54); ADRIAN BUSOLINI (34:17) and SIMON JACKSON (35:06) were fourth, fifth, sixth and ninth! Andrew was the fastest man over 40 and Simon Jackson third.
As a bonus the club won the veterans championship with 41 points ahead of Watford on 39 and Barnet on 27 – having beaten Watford by one race position on Thursday, just one race position by one runner – but what they are really celebrating is promotion to division one.
Ware 10 miles
Spartan MIKE JEFFS ran an amazing new personal best (PB) of 64 minutes 14 seconds in the challenging Ware ten mile race on Sunday morning. He was fourth senior man, fifth overall.
JIM BROWN defended his 70 plus “title” which he won last year. This time he finished in exactly 100 minutes and exactly four minutes ahead of his nearest rival.
MO WARRILLOW was fourth FV45 in 1:29:30 and ROBERT WRIGHT was another Spartan top ten in his category. He was seventh MV40 in 1:14:07.
DAVID PATTMAN and STEVEN DOBNER came in with 1:22:37 and 1:23:33. There were 220 finishers.
Photo Credit to Tony Randfield
Pos
Cat Pos
Name
Cat
Gun
Chip
Comments
5.
4
6087
Mike JEFFS
MS
1:04:15
1:04:14
PB
29.
7
6155
Robert WRIGHT
MV40
1:14:07
1:14:03
84.
25
6144
David PATTMAN
MV40
1:22:37
1:22:30
90.
26
6143
Steven DOBNER
MV40
1:23:33
1:23:25
122.
4
6168
Mo WARRILLOW
FV45
1:29:38
1:29:30
178.
1
6094
Jim BROWN
MV70+
1:40:10
1:40:00
1st MV70
7 Peaks in Snowdonia
Spartan JOHN NELMS took part in a national police competition on Saturday joining teams from 30 different forces racing on a 22 mile all off road route over 7 peaks in Snowdonia. With almost 9000 feet of elevation and weather ranging from freezing rain to glorious sunshine, the team finished 21st out of 40 and 2nd in the super veterans’ category (all four team members had to be over 50 on race day).
Parkrun Highlights Saturday 1st July 2023
Congratulations to MATTHEW NEWTON running a parkrun PB of 18:50 at St Albans.
DEBBIE BLANTERN won the club’s 5K handicap race on Thursday evening. Debbie beat her handicap by 4 minutes 38 seconds with 30:22 and finished seven seconds ahead of MICHAEL O’KEEFE with a season’s best 25:14.
MATT GIFFORD was third in his first handicap with 21:10, beating his handicap by 2:05.
MARIE COLUCCI was second woman on handicap and on speed with 23:38 with ASHLEY JOHNSON was fastest female and third on handicap with 20:20.
The fastest Spartan on the night was NICK GILL with 18:46.
Some of the runners enjoying the rain and still smiling!
Summer Solstice 10K
Seven Spartans went to St Albans for the Summer Solstice 10K or #BeatTheSunset race on Wednesday. An 8p.m. start on a beautiful summer’s evening didn’t present problems for many people and all the Spartans were back in the sunshine with about half an hour to spare. Sunset was at 9.24p.m.
The fastest from Fairlands Valley Spartans was DAVID PATTMAN 83rd out of the 532 finishers with 44 minutes 19 seconds. STEVEN DOBNER was next in with a fine 47:45 with HARRIET SMITH 33rd woman beating 50 minutes with 49:12 and MO WARRILOW coming in at 52 minutes 32 seconds.
There was a tremendous personal best (PB) by CHLOE CHAPMAN who finished in 53 minutes 3 seconds, an improvement by 1 minute 47 seconds. MATT TUTTON improved his PB by 56 seconds to 55:17.
JIM BROWN ran his best 10K this year by seven seconds with 55:21 and was second in his category.
Yuko Wins Brutal British Masters
YUKO GORDON won Gold in the British Masters Multi-terrain 30K Championship on Sunday. The championship was incorporated into the North Downs Run, in which she came first in W65 (women 65 plus) category in 3:24:06. Overall Yuko was 180th out of 400 plus finishers.
The race started and finished at the Cyclo Park in Gravesend, Kent. The course is well known as tough, hilly and challenging on a normal day, but with the 31C heat added, it was absolutely brutal. However, the race is very popular for the stunning beauty of Britain’s fine vineyards, red carpets of poppy field and breathtaking views.
Yuko winning gold at the British Masters
Orwell Challenge
Sunday saw MIKE JEFFS take on the Orwell Challenge in Felixstowe. There was some difficult terrain to deal with along with the local wildlife which included jelly fish! Mike said that it was a tough course but very beautiful.
He completed the half marathon distance in 2:14:14 – 21st out of 100 finishers.
Mike and his medal that matches his club vest!
Purbeck Plod
THOMAS SAUKA did the Purbeck Plod on Sunday, it was meant to be 25 miles but he did a marathon in the end with a few errors. Lucky Tom.
It was very beautiful event but very brutal as well. The course followed the southwest coast path from Swanage to Kimmeridge Bay, which had some killer vertical climbs and descents and 5 miles of overgrown path, then it cut inland to Corfe Castle then back to Swanage going over the hills and the great ridge which is amazing but a very long climb.
Tom finished in 7 hours 34 minutes with 42.26 kilometres done. He said “A tough day that I will never forget.”
Velo Park
JIM BROWN was running at the Lee Valley Velo Park, an Olympic venue, on Saturday morning. It was perhaps too hot to expect a good time but 1 hour 33 minutes 16 seconds for the ten miles WON his age group.
Parkrun Saturday 24th June 2023
STEVE DOBNER ran a new park PB of 24 minutes 47 seconds at Wimpole.
Every single race position counted in the third race in the Mid Week League on Thursday evening.
Fairlands Valley Spartans improved to win the men’s and women’s races but in an amazingly tight result only by a single point, that’s one race position, in each. The Spartans won the men’s race by 345 points to 346 and the women’s race by 152 to 153. In each case just ahead of Royston. So overall they won the fixture by 497 to 499.
The Spartans won every category on the night. Open men, open women, veteran men (by 11 points), veteran women (by 6 points).
FVS were helped by having a fantastic 57 runners – 26 women and 31 men. That was more than enough for three women’s teams of eight and two men’s teams of twelve.
The club’s big improvement compared with race two was down to having a lot more runners, more depth, and some outstanding performances.
The Spartans had four in the top twenty women and six in the top twenty men.
The four women were SAMANTHA PRETTY-CONNORS, second and first in her category (FV35) with 41 minutes 9 seconds for the approximately 10K of mixed terrain near Sandon and Buckland (not far from Royston); ASHLEY JOHNSON, fourth and second in her category (FV35); CHRISTINE LATHWELL, ninth and second in her category (FV45) with 42:59 and GABRIELLE O’BRIEN 19th in 47:01.
YUKO GORDON won the women aged 65 plus category with 48:29 and was 26th women in the race.
The six men were ANDREW PATTERSON, fifth and first man 40 plus in 34:12; SIMON FRASER, sixth in 34:15; SIMON JACKSON eighth and third man 40 plus in 35:04; JONATHAN PARR, 12th in 36:13; RICHARD BATE 19th in 37:33 and DANNY HUKIN 20th in 38:10.
The other “A” team women were SUZY HAWKINS 27th in 48:32; GEORGIE HOOPER 28th in 48:34 and MARIE COLUCCI 37th in 50:50. HARRIET SMITH and KELLY McHALE led in the “B” team at 38th and 39th with 51 minutes 5 seconds.
Altogether there were 472 runners in the race which included all the second and third division clubs, a total of 15 clubs. The promotion race is very tight. Two will get promoted and the Spartans are second on score with 29 compared with Watford’s 30 and tied with Royston but a little bit behind second on points (race positions) with 1,755 against 1,529. There are six clubs in the second division. It will all depend on the fourth and final race which will be in Trent Park on Thursday evening 29th June.
Tables
FVS Women (26)
Pos
Women
Cat
Vet
Time
First Name
Last Name
Cat
Div
Comments
72
2
1
2
41:09
Samantha
Pretty-Connors
V 35
2
1st FV35. Team A
94
4
2
3
42:33
Ashley
Johnson
V 35
2
2nd FV35. Team A
105
9
2
8
42:59
Christine
Lathwell*
V 45
2
2nd FV45. Team A
174
19
47:01
Gabrielle
O’Brien
S
2
Team A.
208
26
1
19
48:29
Yuko
Gordon
V 65
2
1st FV65. Team A
209
27
7
20
48:32
Suzy
Hawkins
V 45
2
Team A
211
28
10
21
48:34
Georgie
Hooper
V 35
2
Team A
251
37
9
26
50:50
Marie
Colucci
V 45
2
Team A
253
38
51:05
Harriet
Smith
S
2
254
39
12
27
51:05
Kelly
McHale
V 35
2
260
42
12
30
51:26
Tracey
Jackson
V 45
2
279
48
52:10
Abbie
Pez
S
2
306
55
18
41
53:59
Tracy
Pez
V 45
2
340
67
21
50
56:18
Wendy
Tharani
V 45
2
349
71
22
52
56:57
Mo
Warrillow
V 45
2
355
75
23
56
57:40
Fiona
Clarke
V 45
2
362
77
24
58
58:03
Nicola
Andersson
V 45
2
367
80
21
60
58:20
Anna
Swanepoel
V 35
2
389
88
28
66
59:55
Claire
Emmerson
V 45
2
390
89
59:56
Chloe
Chapman
S
2
392
90
23
67
1:00:13
Ada
Janusiene
V 35
2
393
91
29
68
1:00:14
Hazel
Smith
V 45
2
436
112
21
86
1:05:33
Sharon
Crowley
V 55
2
445
117
23
91
1:06:55
Jane
Wadey
V 55
2
447
118
24
92
1:07:36
Monica
Smithson
V 55
2
461
124
41
97
1:13:46
Tracy
Haygarth
V 45
2
FVS Men (31)
Pos
Men
Cat
Vet
Time
First Name
Last Name
Cat
Div
6
5
1
1
34:12
Andrew
Patterson
V 40
2
1st MV40. Team A
7
6
34:15
Simon
Fraser
S
2
Team A
10
8
3
3
35:04
Simon
Jackson
V 40
2
3rd MV40. Team A
15
12
36:13
Jonathan
Parr
S
2
Team A
27
19
6
7
37:33
Richard
Bate
V 40
2
Team A
32
20
7
8
38:10
Danny
Hukin
V 40
2
Team A
50
31
39:26
Mike
Jeffs
S
2
Team A
54
33
40:02
Nick
Gill
S
2
Team A
76
47
7
22
41:36
David
Riddell
V 50
2
Team A
83
51
42:05
Stuart
Archer
S
2
Team A
87
54
18
27
42:16
Adrian
Donnelly
V 40
2
Team A
92
59
21
31
42:29
Danny
Scanlon
V 40
2
Team A
136
75
15
44
44:34
Paul
Shelley
V 50
2
141
78
4
46
44:55
John
Harris
V 60
2
4th MV60
144
79
27
47
45:23
David
Pattman
V 40
2
145
80
28
48
45:24
Alexey
Zherdev
V 40
2
153
82
17
50
45:44
Matt
Gifford
V 50
2
154
83
30
51
45:45
Francois
Swanepoel
V 40
2
170
91
5
56
46:53
Charlie
Arnold
V 60
2
5th MV60
180
93
19
58
47:20
Craig
Bacon
V 50
2
225
106
36
68
49:02
Robert
Wright
V 40
2
248
112
50:34
Adrian
Busolini
S
2
252
113
27
73
51:01
John
Nelms
V 50
2
278
120
32
80
52:10
Matt
Clarke
V 50
2
351
140
57:04
Matt
Tutton
S
2
356
141
41
97
57:43
Andy
Jay
V 50
2
382
148
43
102
59:37
Tim
Robinson
V 50
2
403
152
43
105
1:01:04
Paul
Jennings
V 40
2
405
153
44
106
1:01:30
Michael
O’Keefe
V 50
2
446
158
17
110
1:07:08
Paul
Holgate
V 60
2
452
159
45
111
1:08:45
Karl
Shreeve
V 50
2
Parkrun Saturday 17th June 2023
Congratulation to GAIL MACKIE who ran her 100th parkrun and did it in 27:21.
The FVS women’s track and field team continued their winning streak in the EMAC (East of England Masters’ Athletics Club) league central division on Wednesday, narrowly beating hosts Cambridge & Coleridge AC by just 3 points! The team were missing a few key people, so everyone stepped up and competed in more events than originally planned, some for the first time!
FVS took maximum points in the sprint hurdles, with wins from Paula Dunne (W35 – women aged 35 plus) , Monica Brown (W50), and Sharon Crowley (W60+). Paula also won the W35 200 metres, clinching the win in the last few metres, finished 4th W35 800m, and placed 3rdin the W35 discus. Monica Brown won the W50 long jump and W50 high jump, finished 3rd in W50 javelin, and placed 3rd in the W50 discus.
Sharon Crowley dropped down an age group to cover the W50 200m, finishing in 4th place. Sharon also finished 2nd in the A string 1.5km walk. Other points on the night were won by Joylyn Saunders-Mullins (2nd in the W60 200m, W60 javelin, and W60 discus), Yuko Gordon (2nd place B string 1.5km walk and 4th W60 800m), Andrea Westcott (4th placed W50 800m, 4th W35 javelin, 4th W35 long jump, and 2nd W35 high jump). Sharon Crowley, Yuko Gordon, Paula Dunne, and Andrea Westcott finished the evening 4th in the W35 4x400m relay.
The men saw an improved performance from last month, with more events covered, and finished in fourth place. Andrew Patterson won the M35 800m and also finished 4th M35 javelin, managing to get a valid throw at his last attempt. Anton McCalla returned to the squad, finishing second in M35 long jump, 5th in M35 200m, and 4th M35 discus. Nick Kleanthous finished 5th M60+ 200m, 3rd B string 1.5km walk, and 5th M60+ discus. Charlie Arnold finished 4th in the M60+ 800m and M60 javelin. Michael O’Keefe finished 5th in the A string 1.5km walk, 6th M50 javelin, 4th M50 discus, and 5th M50 long jump. The men’s relay team finished 5th.
St Albans Half Marathon
It was approaching 30 degrees as four from Fairlands Valley Spartans tackled the hot and hilly St Albans Half Marathon on Sunday morning.
Jim Brown said, “It’s a good event but a challenging course in the best conditions. This was not the day for running a new fast time. I finished in 2 hours 8 minutes 14 seconds and top half with 810th out of the 1692 finishers which is not bad considering I was also third veteran aged over 70. Almost 27 minutes quicker than 2022.”
Nicola Andersson said, “The race was hot and hilly.” Nicola came in with 2:28:37.
Spartans LINDA GEORGE and MARTIN JACOB finished in 2:19:43 and 2:20:14.
100 Miles On The South Downs Way
ADRIAN BUSOLINI ran the South Downs Way 100 mile trail event at the weekend. That’s the entire South Downs Way national trail from Winchester to Eastbourne. He was fifth in 18 hours 12 minutes 41 seconds.
Parkrun Saturday 10th June 2023
Please click the link for the Consolidated Results for the 10th June 2023 for all Spartan runners
Three Fairlands Valley Spartans were in the top ten of the second midweek league event. Forty one Spartans made the trip to Watford where ANDREW PATTERSON was third in 34 minutes 53 seconds; ADRIAN BUSOLINI fifth in 35:08 and SIMON FRASER sixth in 35:13.
CHRISTINE LATHWELL was third woman in 42:24 and SAMANTHA-PRETTY-CONNORS seventh in 43:14. Three other Spartan women SUZY HAWKINS 48:41; GEORGIE HOOPER 49:26 and HARRIET SMITH 49:38 got under 50 minutes on the tough course.
251 finished the 10K race which was a mixture of surfaced paths and cross country in Cassiobury Park, Whippendell Wood and on Jacotts Hill.
Fairlands Valley Spartans came third in the race.
Royal 10 5k in The Netherlands
ASHLEY JOHNSON ran the Royal 10 5k race in the Netherlands and was second lady home! She ran just under the 20 minute mark with her chip time being 19:52.
She said that she didn’t know what to expect from the course and so took it easy for the first 1k, she then realised that it was pretty flat and the course took her through some beautiful woods which were lovely and shaded, at this point she sped up and came in with her brilliant time!
Not only did she get 2nd place on the podium but she also received a running shoe trophy and flowers.
Ashley in her podium photo.
Parkrun Highlights Saturday 3rd June 2023
Please click the link to see the Consolidated Results for Spartan Parkruns on the 3rd June 2023
PB Success for the weekend of the 3rd June:
MARTIN JACOB ran his 5k PB in Stevenage with 23:07.
LINDA GEORGE ran her first ever sub 30 parkrun in a personal best (PB) of 28:31.
FRANCOIS SWANEPOEL ran a new PB of 21:40 at the Gunpowder parkrun.
Spartan DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT beat three hours in his first ever marathon. He ran the Edinburgh Marathon in 2 hours 54 minutes 13 seconds and was seventh in the men 45 plus category. David’s really pleased and proud of the result.
Also at Edinburgh was ROB WRIGHT and he ran a new personal best (PB) of 3 hours 31 minutes 6 seconds.
Round Up of Mid Week League Race 1
Fairlands Valley Spartans gave their promotion hopes a tremendous boost in the first race in the 2023 Mid Week League series. The Spartans had 67 finishers, more than any other club.
FVS were second in the men’s “A” race just behind Watford and second in the women’s “A” race just behind Royston. That meant that overall they scored ten match points – the same as current league leaders Watford.
In the veterans competition the Spartans were second just behind Watford but WON the women’s event well clear of Bishop Stortford. That means they lead the veterans contest.
The Spartan women in the top ten were SAMANTHA PRETTY-CONNORS third, and first female 35 plus, in 40 minutes 4 seconds (40:04); CHRISTINE LATHWELL fourth, and second FV45, in 40:28 and ASHLEY JOHNSON sixth, and second 35 plus, in 40:59.
The club’s leading men were SIMON FRASER sixth in 33:37; ANDREW PATTERSON eighth, and first man 40 plus, in 33:47; SIMON JACKSON tenth, and second man 40 plus, in 34:17 and, just out of the top ten but not far behind ADRIAN BUSOLINI eleventh in 34:27.
Fairlands Valley Spartans had no less than three senior men’s teams, three senior women’s teams, five veteran men’s teams and six veteran women’s teams. Senior men’s teams consisted of 12 runners. Senior women teams had eight runners. The 67 Spartans consisted of 38 men and 29 women.
Hatfield Broad Oak 10k
Jim Brown completed the course in 55:43 and Penny Schenkel in 59:05.
Serpentine 5k
Once through the first kilometre Spartan Jim Brown enjoyed himself and finished first MV70 in 27 minutes 24 seconds (63.7%).
Fairlands Valley Spartans gave their promotion hopes a tremendous boost in the first race of this year’s evening Mid Week League. They were second overall with 67 finishers, 38 men and 29 women.
Photo credit Keith Fenwick
FVS were second with 545 points, just 24 ahead of Royston. Watford appear to have a strong lead of 59 points but they could easily be caught in the coming weeks. The top two clubs will be promoted at the end of the season so the Spartans will be maximising their efforts to maintain that second place, or better.
Photo credit Keith Fenwick
Altogether there were 538 runners from 15 clubs in the race. The 67 from FVS compares with 65 from Royston; 53 from Barnet and 51 from Watford. In addition to the 67 many other Spartans were volunteers helping to make the event a success.
Photo Credit Keith FenwickOn the finish line! – Photo credit Keith Fenwick
Stort Five
Fairlands Valley Spartans WON the team prize at Sunday’s Stort Five trail race.
Pre race photo call.
STEVE DOBNER reports: Sunny skies greeted us as we made the short hop over to the Stort5. The event was a sell out with 500 runners entered into the 5 or 10 mile race with 209 runners finishing the 5 mile run. Having run both the 5 & 10 race previously it is now a must in my race diary, it is a friendly and extremely well run event.
A slight delay greeted us at the start line as a local bee keeper decided to open their hives 10 minutes before the scheduled start, a quick route change was arranged (unfortunately leaving the races short of 5 or 10 miles) and we were called back and set off.
The route snakes round Cammas Farm before taking in some lovely trails with two short road sections.
Dave Pattman was first Spartan home, fourth overall in 31:53, Steve Dobner came home in 8th in 33:53 followed by Suzy Hawkins 35:11, Mo Warrillow in 39:24, Nicola Anderson 42:21 and Sue Harmer in 45:53.
With Dave finishing fourth, Steve in 8th and Suzy in 13th Fairlands Valley Spartans won the mixed team event and received their lovely wooden trophies as they watched the 10 mile runners come home.
The Spartans women’s team smashed it at the first EMAC fixture of the year which was at Milton Keynes on Wednesday evening. They scored 143 points way ahead of the home club Milton Keynes with 88.
The FVS team of six men came a very creditable fifth with several taking part for the first time.
13 Spartans travelled to Milton Keynes on Wednesday evening to compete in the first EMAC league match of the season. A minute silence was held before the competition began, and the team wore ribbons to remember Cathy Craig who was a much loved member of the team.
In fitting tribute to Cathy, the women’s team romped to victory on the night, beating arch rivals Marshall Milton Keynes by nearly 60 points. The team welcomed newbie Paula McMahon, who covered the women 35 plus 100 metres ( with 4th place) and WON the W35 400 metres! Other wins on the night came from Joylyn Saunders-Mullins (WON W60 100m by a massive margin, and also took second place in W60 shot put), Christine Lathwell (WON W35 3k, also 2nd place W35 triple jump), Andrea Westcott (WON W50 400m, WON W50 high jump, and WON W50 triple jump, and was also 4th place W35 hammer, and 4th place W35 shot put), Yuko Gordon (WON W60 3k and B string 1m walk), Sharon Crowley (WON W60 hammer, and was also 3rd place W60 400m, 2nd place A string 1m walk, and 2nd place W60 triple jump), Marian Morley (WON W50 shot put – just missing out on a PB (personal best) by 4cm, also 2nd place W50 hammer).
Following a tactical decision by the captain, Joylyn, Yuko, Sharon, and Andrea ran unopposed in the W50 4 x 100m relay to gain maximum points.
The men finished in a respectable fifth position, with newbies Michael O’Keefe and Charlie Arnold covering multiple events, but points went begging due to a lack of throwers and jumpers this time. Wins on the night came in the M60 hammer and the M35 3k, with other points scored in M50 100m, M60 100m, M35 400m, M60 400m, M60 3k, A string and B string 1m walk, M35 hammer, M50 shot put, and the 4 x 100m relay.
14 Spartans enjoyed the 13.1 miles of the Greenway Challenge which is a largely trail event around Letchworth on Sunday.
Several members have recently ran marathons and so took the opportunity to relax a bit and enjoy this unique event.
There were some good performances including Nick Gill 12th overall in 1:52:47; John Harris 13th overall and first man over 60 also in 1:52:47 and Kim Tyler beating two hours with 1:59:35. She was fourth woman 35 plus.
Steve Dobner and Mo Warrilow came in together at 2:05:34.
Jim Brown finished in 2:10:35. He was third man over 60. Michael O’Keefe came in with 2:12:26.
Tim Robinson, Vicky Archer, Claire Emmerson, Linda George and Martin Jacob all had a wonderful time at the Greenway Challenge. They ran, walked and skipped their way around the half marathon course enjoying chatting with each other and seeing the scenery.
They have all either ran marathons and/or trained hard in the past few weeks and so they enjoyed running for fun and even more, they enjoyed the cakes at the end!
Milton Keynes Marathon
Adrian Busolini paced the sub three hour group at the Milton Keynes Marathon. A job well done as they crossed the line in 2 hours 59 minutes 42 seconds (2:59:42).
Adrian Busolini said:
“I was peppered with questions about my race strategy in the starting pen, which was a slightly daunting experience for a first-time pacer. I explained we’d be running mostly even splits, while aiming for consistent effort on the ascents and descents; and given the race started atop a hill, this meant we’d be subject to a slightly faster start. Questions continued into the first few kilometres of the race, most concerningly from a couple of runners who expressed some anxiety over the starting pace. If they couldn’t briefly handle some 10 seconds/km under target over a descent, I thought, then I seriously feared for their chances at sub-3. I quietly wondered how many would still be with me at the end of the race.
Down on the flat, to avoid any more unnecessary congestion at bottlenecks, I eased forward to put a little distance between us and the half marathon 1h 30m pacer. Now I could more clearly see that quite a sizable group had gathered around me. We comfortably settled into the 4:15 target pace, and I began my Milton Keynes running tour commentary. Kudos to everyone who tolerated that with good humour.
My group remained fairly consistent until the second lap of the course, when despite warnings about maintaining fluid/electrolyte balance in the warmer conditions, numbers rapidly started to dwindle. I tried my best to keep various people going, even slightly losing track of pace on a couple of occasions as I tried to coax individuals along. Once a small pack broke away in the last 7km to push on for PBs, and the last few runners I’d been desperately trying to encourage dropped off, I found myself entirely alone for a kilometre or two, briefly pondering why I was here today, casually trotting past Woughton on the Green with a blue flag flying from my back.
Near the finish, I picked up a few more struggling souls, until we hit that final hilly kilometre, where I found myself maniacally screaming at tiring runners on the ascent, demanding more and more effort from them, to assure their sub 3 finish. Being right there when they achieved their goals was a fantastic experience, one that’ll stick long in my memory. No doubt partially aided by the sight of a runner in the background dressed in a cow suit, who was going by the name of ‘Moosain Bolt’.
Fairlands Valley Spartans WON the team prize at Sunday’s Hitchin 10K road race plus ANDREW PATTERSON was second man and ASHLEY JOHNSON second woman overall.
Only a week after an outstanding run in the London Marathon Andrew was second in the race with 34 minutes 26 seconds, a new season’s best by 1 minute 22 seconds.
Ashley was second woman overall, first in her age category and ran a new 10K personal best (PB) by 38 seconds with 41 minutes 59 seconds (41:59).
The other Spartan team counters were DAN HUKIN 13th overall in 38:05, his best this year, and fourth in age category, and DANNY SCANLON 41st in 41:05, a season’s best by 2 seconds. The FVS team won by 1 minute and 1 second.
PENNY SCHENKEL expected she was going to take 70 minutes but took 1 minute 48 seconds off her season’s best time when she finished in 1:00:27.
JIM BROWN said he was pleased to finish the Hitchin 10K only 28 seconds outside his best time of the year with 56:06.
MICHAEL O’KEEFE was another Spartan who ran at London. He maintained a sensible 10 minutes per mile pace and finished the 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) in 1:00:06.
JANE WADEY said she was pleased with her results. 65:40 was just 38 seconds short of her PB despite running with a sore ankle.
(Photo Credit, Main Photo – Marie Colucci)
County Track and Field Championships
There were eight members of the club at the County Track and Field Championships for veterans at Ridlins on bank holiday Monday.
In the 1500 metres MO WARILLOW won GOLD in the women 45 plus race with 6 minutes 57.56 seconds (6:57.56); SHARON CROWLEY won GOLD in the women 55 plus event with 8:06.10; PAUL HOLGATE won GOLD in the men’s 60 plus category with 8:23.88 and JIM BROWN won GOLD in the 70 plus race with 7:47.26.
DAVID PATTMAN won 1500 metre SILVER in the MV40 category race with 5:37.81 and STEVEN DOBNER MV40 BRONZE with 5:43.94. THOMAS SAUKA just missed out on the medals with 5:50.56.
In the sprints DAVE STEPHENSON won the men 60 plus 100 metres in 14.2 seconds and the men 60 plus 200 metres in 29.45 seconds.
SHARON CROWLEY took SILVER in the hammer with 16.32 metres.
Photo Credit -Dave Stephenson
Serpentine
Jim Brown ran Friday’s Serpentine 5K in 27 minutes 54 seconds (27:54). He was second MV70.
What a fantastic day for Fairlands Valley Spartans at the London Marathon. Two Spartans under 2 hours 40 minutes – that’s championship level, a third close to a world record, 17 runners and 44 helpers.
ANDREW PATTERSON and SIMON FRASER both swept under 2 hours 40 minutes with Andrew 505th out of about 50,000 finishers in 2 hours 38 minutes 37 seconds and Simon 545th in a tremendous new personal best (PB) by 7 minutes 15 seconds with 2:39:10.
YUKO GORDON won her age group by more than 35 minutes and came close to a world record for a woman aged 70 plus with 3 hours 28 minutes 20 seconds (3:28:20).
Andrew and Yuko looking relaxed after smashing 26.2 miles!
Spartan TANYA BRAZIER took exactly 29 minutes off her marathon personal best when she finished in 4 hours 10 minutes 1 second and FIONA CLARKE took 8:47 off hers with 4:21:00.
Three were running their first marathons – CHARLOTTE BRAZIER with 4:30:26; SAM MAIDENS with 4:32:57; and MICHAEL O’KEEFE with 4:34:10.
There were season’s bests by CHRIS HOLLAND 4:44:36; TRUDIE KING 5:15:17; BARRY KING 5:38:07 and MARIA THORNE 5:43:41.
JIM BROWN could be running next year as he qualified Good For Age with 4 hours 50 minutes 5 seconds (4:50:05).
MIKE JEFFS completed his second marathon at London with 3 hours 29 minutes 22 seconds. He said it was tough work but the atmosphere and crowd got him over the line.
An eighteenth Spartan ROBERT WRIGHT ran the London Marathon virtually in 4:24:52.
A few of our amazing Spartans!
The Spartans organised a huge number of volunteers to provide helpers on three baggage lorries just after the finish on The Mall. Something FVS have done very efficiently for many years and vital so that runners get their kit back after their 26.2 miles.
Having fun on the baggage lorries!
Boston Marathon
Spartan PETE SMITH ran the 127th Boston Marathon the 17th April in 3 hours 35 minutes 20 seconds (3:35:20). He said it was a hilly course and now knows why it’s called Heartbreak Hill! It was a tad wet but he thoroughly enjoyed it!
Coach Pete with his well earned medal!
Centurion Track 100
On Saturday, Spartan CIARAN MCANENY competed in the Centurion Track 100 mile race at Bedford Athletics Stadium.
This is an IAU Gold elite level event, designed for runners to compete under the fastest possible conditions and with a focus on record setting. The main focus is on the 100 mile distance, but official records are also taken at 50km, 50 mile, 100km, 6hr and 12hrs en-route.
Ciaran was crewed by fellow Spartans Adrian Busolini and Susan McAneny, who gave amazing support for every lap and made sure he was sticking to his pacing and nutrition plan.
The race saw multiple national records fall and a V50 100 mile World Record set. Amongst all of this, Ciaran set a PB completing 100 miles in 16:17:20 (including a 100km PB of 9:25:32 and a 12hr PB of 124.226km).
Ciaran and his support crew! What an amazing run!
Endurance Pembrokeshire Half
Spartan NICK GILL ran the Pembrokeshire Half in Wales on the 22nd April. It is part of the Endurancelife coastal trail series.
The route goes along the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Nick said that he really wanted to enjoy it so wasn’t pushing too hard, but had a great second half and somehow ended up finishing 7th out of 180 finishers in 1:52:14!
Wednesday 12th April saw the return of the evening Resolution 5K on Ridlins track, Fairlands Valley Spartans won it and recorded no less than eight new personal bests (PBs).
The Spartans won with Simon Fraser 3rd in 16:27, Jonathan Parr 4th in 16:45, Kelvin Beyioku 6th in 17:54 and Ashley Johnson first woman and 27th overall in 20:19. Teams consisted of the first three men and first woman finishing from each club. Simon improved his PB by 21 seconds and Ashley hers by 46 seconds.
Spartan PAULA DUNNE was the third woman overall in 21:39, a new personal best by 1 minute 14 seconds.
NICK GILL was seventh in the race in 17:59, a new 5K personal best by 1 minute 8 seconds. He said the support in the stands and on the track made a real difference and helped him get over the line in just under 18 minutes with the help of a sprint finish. MIKE JEFFS came in next in 19:11 and DANNY SCANLON in 19:25.
There was another PB by NICK KLEANTHOUS with 24:04. He said it was a well organised event and a very big turnout for FVS. Lots of runners stayed until the end to support later runners. Lovely to see this and the support from non runners alike.
Sharon, Liz & Jane followed by some of the Spartan supporters!
JANE WADEY equalled her 5K personal best with 31:31 which was set in May 2022. HAZEL SMITH was very pleased with her 24:22.
That was cold said JIM BROWN who went round the 12.5 laps in a steady 27 minutes 57 seconds.
FVS also achieved the highest number of finishers. The top three clubs were FVS 24; North Herts Road Runners 14 and Stevenage Phoenix 11.
Manchester Marathon
Spartan SIMON JACKSON ran a new personal best at the Manchester Marathon. His 2:44:12 beat the very significant 2 hours 45 minutes target.
Simon said “A new PB which I’ll take at 47 and after a lot of years of running.”
Spartans LINDA GEORGE and MARTIN JACOB did their first full marathon at Manchester on Sunday.
Martin said the last six miles were a real struggle. The training sessions and the long Sunday runs with Fairlands Valley Spartans really helped me to push the boundaries and achieve a sub 4 hour timing.
Martin Jacob finished in 3:59:57 and Linda George in 5:00:23
VICKY ARCHER ran her first road marathon in Manchester finishing in 4.19.09.
She smashed her 4:30 goal and it was also a personal best from her last one on file which was 5:40 (although that was a trail marathon when doing the challenge a couple of years ago).
Martin, Vicky & Linda all enjoying the buzz of Manchester!!
Flitwick 10K
Spartan YUKO GORDON showed the way at the Flitwick 10K. She won the women 65 plus category in 46 minutes 33 seconds, was 85th overall out of 424 finishers and received a lovely gold medal.
HAZEL SMITH did 52:47 for 178th.
JIM BROWN was very pleased with his efforts at Flitwick. He finished in 55 minutes 38 seconds, 1 minute 13 seconds faster than on the flatter St. Albans 10K two weeks earlier. He said the first kilometre winding up through a housing scheme felt hard but he ran a negative split, second half faster than the first by 34 seconds, came second in his category and just in the first half of the race.
Calderdale Hike
Mike and Sharon Crowley took part in the Calderdale Hike on Saturday, based at Sowerby. They completed the 26 miles, with some 3600 feet of climb, in 8 hours 26 minutes. The weather was unexpectedly lovely, with lots of sunshine and minimal breeze.
Sharon and Mike on their hike.
Parkrun Highlights Saturday 15th April 2023
Congratulations to Spartan TRACY HAYGARTH who was at Stevenage to run her 100th parkrun. She finished her celebration run around Fairlands Valley Park in 34:07.
Fantastic! Fairlands Valley Spartan Yuko Gordon WON her age group, women 70 plus, and broke the British record by nearly half a minute in the Maidenhead 10 miles race on Good Friday.
Her chip time of 74:08 easily won her category and her “gun time” (used officially) of 74:20 broke the 10 mile record which had been held by Angela Copson since 2017.
The race was very well organised and marshals were friendly and efficient like Spartans. The car park was big enough to accommodate everyone and was just next to race HQ and the start/finish area. All in one place.
Yuko said, “The course was generally flat and fast but the inevitable nature of country lanes came with uneven surfaces (not ideal for my air pumped up Nike high heel shoes i.e. alpha fly… every chance of tripping) and water puddles in some part. Even pacing didn’t work and my pace varied from 7 minutes to nearly 8 minutes each mile. I hurtled down the slight down hill between miles 5 and 6; the hop and step side to side over the wet puddles on the pavement section was the slowest mile before coming back into the last mile, the fastest at 6:58.”
St Albans Easter 10K
NICK GILL excelled with a new personal best (PB) by nearly three minutes and his first time under 40 minutes with 38 minutes 10 seconds. He was 34th overall. Nick’s previous PB was 41:07 at the St Albans Mid Week League race in St Albans in May 2022.
Nick ringing the PB bell!
JIM BROWN was a little slower than he’d like but 56:51 was good enough for second in his category. LIZ CARVELL came back in 64:05. This was her first race since 29th December 2019, before lockdown. She said it was a flat course but slightly uphill near the end of the Alban Way. She was happy with her time.
There was a big cheer for NICHOLA DURENT when she finished in 83 minutes exactly. Nichola said it was nice to have sun and not rain and mud like Lee Valley a couple of weeks ago.
Nichola with the ultimate finishing prize – Ice cream!! (Photo Credit – Keith Fenwick)
Beaconsfield 5 Cross Country
WENDY THARANI said the Beaconsfield 5 Cross Country was beautiful, very wet and very muddy. It was really well organised by Burnham Joggers, with loads of friendly marshals standing about in the pouring rain. An absolutely stunning route in the grounds of the Hall Barn Estate. She really enjoyed it. Wendy ran the five miles in 50 minutes 12 seconds.
Six Fairlands Valley Spartans accepted an invitation from Stevenage and North Herts Athletics Club to join them at their open track event.
Spartan SIMON JACKSON won the men’s 1500 metres race at the SNHAC Track Open event at Ridlins on Saturday afternoon. He finished in 4 minutes 38.61 seconds. NICK GILL was next in for Fairlands Valley with 5 minutes 3 seconds exactly.
PETER ORTON came in with 5:49.93; NICK KLEANTHOUS, running his first 1500, with 6:34.47 and JIM BROWN was first in his category with 8:08.62.
In the women’s race JANE WADEY, also running her first 1500, was sixth with 9:12.89.
Jane said that it was her first attempt at 1500m and although it was hard, she was pleased in the end as she managed my best pace yet.
Brighton Marathon Weekend
Spartans STEVE DOBNER and DAVE PATTMAN ran the Brighton Marathon on Sunday.
Steve said it was pretty chilly on arrival but the sun came out to warm the day. Lots of hairpin turns and hillier than they anticipated.
He was really pleased to complete it in 3:47:33 for a 25 minute PB and achieving a sub 4 after struggling for the last 3 or 4 miles.
Dave Pattman came home in 3:52 and said with his sub 4 he is retiring from marathons – well until he runs Beachy Head in October.
Steve and Dave mid race!
Paris Marathon
MIKE JEFFS took part in the Paris marathon on Sunday. He said that the event was incredible, really well supported and organised.
He completed the course in 3:13:18 taking 11 mins off his PB. Leading up to the day he had struggled with his knee but on the day it played ball and he was able to take in the sites and keep a good pace. He now has 3 weeks to rest before doing it all again in London!
International Spartan Mike!
London Landmarks Half Marathon
Spartan CHRIS WATLING finished the London Landmarks Half Marathon in (what he called) a respectable 1.55:02
He said it’s a race he’s always wanted to do and he thoroughly enjoyed it!
Chris looking fresh pre race.
Danny Scanlon finished the Landmarks in 1:30:21.
Danny with his LLHM medal!
Sandy 10
CLAIRE PULLEN finished in 1 hour 18 minutes 18 seconds for 84th place. JIM BROWN and TRICIA HOPPER raced together over the last mile with Jim finishing 172 in 1:31:15 and Tricia 173rd in 1:31:17. SHARON CROWLEY came in with 1:47:55 and PAUL HOLGATE with 1:49:50.
Serpentine 5k
Last Friday of the Month Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park, London. Spartan JIM BROWN was first man 70 plus in 28 minutes 29 seconds (28:29).
In the ATW RunFest at Lee Valley there were two Spartans in the 10K, JANE WADEY came 208th with 68:17 and NICHOLA DURENT 251st in 86:04.
Nichola Durent said, “On Sunday I completed the Lee Valley Run Fest 10K. It’s a lovely route, although some bits pretty muddy and puddly from all the rain. I completed it in 1.26.04. I overtook a few people and had my eye on one last person to overtake before I finished. I only went and did it!
Nichola was joined by her brother who is pictured with her and Jane. The photo credit goes to Keith Fenwick.
It was Jane Wadey’s first 10K. She said it was very wet with lots of mud and surface water underfoot but she completed it in 68 minutes 17 seconds.
Adrian Busolini was third in the Camino Lea Valley 50km race with 3 hours 34 minutes 32 seconds (3:34:32).
Five Spartans ran the Twin Lakes 20 race in Milton Keynes on Sunday. PETE SMITH was in the top 100 at 87th and won the men 60 plus category with 2 hours 42 minutes 22 seconds (2:42:22). Next came HARRIET SMITH and SAM MAIDENS two senior women Spartans whose marathon preparation seems to be going well. Harriet was 205th in 3 hours 5 minutes exactly and Sam 248th in 3:13:09.
MICHAEL O’KEEFE’s hard work over the last few months is paying off. He was 253rd in 3:14:37. WENDY THARANI continued her recovery from injury with 3:55:47.
The TWIN LAKES 20 is a stunning 10-mile or 20-mile race that will have prepared many for a Spring half or full marathon experience without having to run on their own.
MATTHEW NEWTON ran the ten mile TWIN LAKES option in 1 hour 54 minutes 42 seconds.
Rome Marathon
They say running “Run Rome the Marathon” is like running in an open-air museum and Spartan ROB WRIGHT ran it on Sunday. He said it was brilliant but a tough course with lots of cobblestones. Not a PB (personal best) this time but a sub 4 achievement with 3 hours 56 minutes 7 seconds (3:56:07).
‘When in Rome!’ Rob’s finisher selfie with stunning backdrop.
Parkrun Results
Local parkrun events returned two, well deserved, first place Spartan finishes for NICK GILL and SIMON FRASER.
NICK GILL’s run in Letchworth resulted in a PB time of 19 minutes and 58 seconds, while SIMON FRASER completed the Stevenage course to WIN in 17 minutes and 33 seconds (17:33).
PB runs were also recorded for ASHLEY JOHNSON, who finished as the second female in a time of 20 minutes and 52 seconds in Stevenage, and DAVID PATTMAN who completed the Great Denham event in 20 mins and 50 secs.
ANDREW PATTERSON won the last race in the cross country league series.
On the tough course near Royston with several sloggy hills Andrew ran the nine kilometres event in just 34 minutes 37 seconds. Next came SIMON JACKSON in 38:23 and ADRIAN BUSOLINI also in the top twenty at 19th with 40:13. Eight were needed for a men’s “A” team and the others were NICK GILL, 27th in 41:44; ADRIAN DONNELLY 42nd in 44:14; DANNY SCANLON 63rd in 46:22; THOMAS SAUKA 142nd in 57:26 and MICHAEL O’KEEFE 160th in 59 minutes 5 seconds.
KELLY McHALE had a brilliant run to lead in the women’s team at 112th overall and 19th woman with 53 minutes 1 second. A team of five for the women was needed and the others were CLAIRE EMMERSON 174th in 61:17; PENNY SCHENKEL 185th in 63:17; SHARON CROWLEY 214th in 70:47 and JANE WADEY 216th in 72:47.
The Spartans needed another five male finishers for a “B” men’s team and the next five across the line were NICK KLEANTHOUS 175th in 61:19; JON SYPULA 187th in 63:23; MARK FREEMAN 194th in 65:06; ANDY JAY 198th in 65:35 and JIM BROWN 199th in 66:20.
Milton Keynes Festival of Running
HARRIET SMITH ran the half marathon distance at the MK Festival of Running and beat 1:50 with a great 1:49:36.
Fairlands Valley Spartans had a great club outing to Cambridge with seventeen running the half marathon and three of the fastest from Fairlands finishing within two seconds of each other.
Three personal bests came from the three who raced the event together. NICK GILL 1,011th in 1:27:16; MATTHEW NEWTON 1,013th in 1:27:27 and MIKE JEFFS 1,014th in 1:27:18. Nick improved by 3 minutes 49 seconds; Mike by 3:54 and Matthew by an enormous 38:37. All in the top ten per cent of the race.
The fourth PB was from SAM SIMMONS with 1:32:59.
STEVEN DOBNER improved his best half marathon time by 4 minutes 37 seconds when he finished in 1 hour 37 minutes 3 seconds (1:37:03). CHRIS WATLING came in at 1:51:38, an improvement of 1:46. MO WARRILOW ran a new pb of 1:53:26! She was so pleased as for a long time she didn’t think she could go sub 2 hours! CAROLYN LINSELL ran a new PB of 2:16:34.
SIMON JACKSON finished second in his age group and 83rd overall with 1:13:42. He said, “Unfortunately I never really found a group to run with but I was happy with my second fastest half marathon ever after some very average training and some niggles. He was the fastest from the club and in the top 1% in the race.
YUKO GORDON won her age category F70 in 1:37:22, over 9 minutes ahead of F65 winner. She said, “I pushed harder than usual to shake off my habit of running within my comfort zone but there was a little drop in pace here and there by losing concentration.”
CAROLE SHELDRICK ran her first half marathon in three years. Carole said, “The Cambridge Half has always been one of my favourites. My plan was to make it round and enjoy it, so I was very happy to come in under two hours (Official time 1 hour 59 minutes 47 seconds). Brilliant event, great support along the route and as always a fantastic medal.
Tokyo Marathon – Abbott world marathon 6 star finishers
Four Spartans endured the 14 hour flight to Japan to run the 2023 Tokyo marathon.
STUART HAYCROFT, JACKIE DOWNES and TODD GRAY were originally scheduled to run in 2020, but five days before they were due to board flights and after 16 weeks of intense training, the marathon was cancelled due to Covid. After several deferrals and foreign embargoes, they finally toed the start line this year for the original 2020 entry.
This race was the culmination of a several year journey to achieve the coveted Abbott world major six star finishers medal for Jackie Downes and Stuart Haycroft. This medal is only being awarded to people who have completed all the majors, comprising Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, Tokyo and London. The group of people in the world who have completed remains small as it’s incredibly difficult to gain entry to these races, and the logistics of running them is very problematic and difficult.
Stuart said, “Wow, what a city, what lovely people and such a great race. To finally receive my six star medal is one of my proudest moments of my life, the effort, resources, patience and money it has taken to here has been massive. It’s been such a long journey, but absolutely worth it. It was great to share this experience with three other Spartans”
ROSS GALLAGHER was the fastest Spartan on the day, breaking three hours for the first time in 02:59:26 (PB) with an amazing run through this amazing city.
Ross said of his run, “After what was tough training block it was fantastic to go under 3 hours for the first time and grab a 9 minute PB. Thanks to Stuart Haycroft for some consistent pacing and words of encouragement when I had to dig deep for the last three miles for what felt like the world’s longest ‘park run’.”
The other Spartans completing this race were: Stuart Haycroft: 02:59:27 (SB); Todd Gray: 3:24:21 and Jackie Downes: 04:42:14.
All four have commented on what an amazing place Tokyo is and should definitely be on the bucket list of anybody who enjoys running foreign races.
Ross and Stuart with his six star finishers medal
Berkhampstead Half Marathon
Four Spartans stayed in the county and were in Berkhamsted to help celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Berko Runs.
FIONA CLARKE had a brilliant run to finish in 1 hour 55 minutes 54 seconds. Fiona said, “It was a surprise sub-2 for me, as I simply haven’t been running well or with enough results to point to this result so I’m very happy. I really enjoyed the race, the organisation and support were amazing. I even enjoyed the undulating course, the long downhills were very rewarding.”
Fiona running strong
JIM BROWN improved by ten minutes on his most recent attempt at a half marathon and finished in 2:03:15 which gave him third in his age group. Coming back from injury WENDY THARANI wanted a trouble free long run which she did with 2:16:55.
In the five mile Berko race PENNY SCHENKEL went round in 48 minutes 22 seconds. She was 250th out of the 447 finishers.
Essex 20
ROB WRIGHT added to the variety with a former airfield based 20 mile race near Saffron Walden. He completed the race in 2 hours 36 minutes 36 seconds. That’s a personal best (PB) by 39 minutes 44 seconds.
Rob with his medal
Chiltern Kanter
Mike and Sharon Crowley completed the 26 mile Chiltern Kanter in 8 hours 49 minutes. The route included over 4700 feet of climbing. The challenge was to answer questions at 32 map references, self navigating round the route, not following written instructions.
TIM ROBINSON did an 18 mile version of the same event in 3 hours 36 minutes exactly.
Mike and Sharon on their Kanter
Wokingham
CRAIG BACON ran the Wokingham Half Marathon recently. He finished in 1:43:22.
The route took a two mile loop around the historic town centre, before heading out into the country roads of Royal Berkshire. The route was pretty flat, which was advertised as an opportunity for a PB, although with disruption to training due to minor ailments this was not very likely.
I was encouraged along for the first few miles by running with an old friend from Reigate Priory Athletics Club, before letting him push on and taking the sensible decision to stick with my own maintainable pace.
I was very pleased to come in with a chip time of 1:43:22 to finish 1135 of 2500 finishers and 143 of 330 Male Vet 50.
Parkrun Highlights
Saturday 4th March 2023
CHLOE CHAPMAN enjoyed her 100th parkrun with 30:14.
New PB for Michael O’Keefe of 26:15 at Henlow Bridge Lakes
The Spartan men’s team of SIMON FRASER, TONY RANDFIELD, JOHN HARRIS and MARCUS RIDLEY won the team competition by 175 points to 188 ahead of North Herts Road Runners.
Simon was fourth overall in 1 hour 21 minutes 31 seconds (1:21:31); Tony 40th in 1:38:09; John 47th in 1:39:10 and Marcus 84th in 1:47:50. Tony was first in the men 60 plus category and John Second.
SAM MAIDENS was the fastest female from Spartans beating two hours with 1:59:18. An excellent time as she continues her marathon preparation. LINDA GEORGE was next woman in for the Spartans with 2:21:25.
CHRIS WATLING 1:59:10 also beat two hours. Then came TIM ROBINSON 2:04:14 who felt strong at the start and up to about 5miles. Then he said his legs started protesting but his last three miles were very fast. He was happy to be not too much over two hours
Within the next minute MARTIN JACOB 2:04:32 and MICHAEL O’KEEFE 2:04:55. Followed by JIM BROWN in with 2 hours 13 minutes 50 seconds.
MATTHEW NEWTON was not far behind in 2:14:53 then SHARON CROWLEY completed the Spartan thirteen with 2:33:13.
A few of our runners taming the Baldock Beast!
Presentation Evening
Fairlands Valley Spartans enjoyed themselves at the Cromwell Hotel, Stevenage with their annual presentation evening on Friday evening.
ANDREW PATTERSON was overall male and club champion for 2022 and YUKO GORDON was overall female champion.
CATHY CRAIG was voted Spartan of the Year.
SUZY HAWKINS won the women’s open short contest with a margin of 7% while YUKO GORDON won the age graded competition with 97.4%! The short contest was determined by the best of three out of 1500 metres, 5K, 5 miles and 10K.
The women’s open long was won by HAZEL SMITH 4.2% ahead of WENDY THARANI who was just 0.2% in front of FIONA CLARKE.
Meanwhile the women’s age graded long competition was won by YUKO GORDON with an amazing 99.5. TRICIA HOPPER was second and SHARON CROWLEY third. The long contest was best of three out of 10 miles, half marathon, 20 miles and full marathon (26.2 miles / 42.2 kilometres).
ANDREW PATTERSON won the men’s open short and long open competitions with 79.4% and 79.2%. GRANT RAMSAY was second in the short with 69.8% and STUART ARCHER third with 68.5%. ROSS GALLAGHER was second in the long with 66.6% and STUART ARCHER third with 65.4%.
SIMON JACKSON won both men’s age graded competitions with 84.5% and 84.2%. GEORGIE HOOPER and DEREK CORNELIUS was the most improved Spartans in 2022.
David Scott, Chair of FVS in 2022 presented the Chair’s Award to VICKY ARCHER while the captains’ awards went to NICK KLEANTHOUS and JANE WADEY for their participation in league events.
The President’s Award went to ROGER BIGGS who has co-ordinated the Spartans involvement – runners and volunteers – in the London Marathon for 25 years.
A selection of our lovely winners!
Seville Marathon
The Seville Marathon went well for YUKO GORDON. She finished in 3 hours 27 minutes 18 seconds to win first women 70 plus beating the men’s 70 plus winner by two minutes. Her average pace was better than 5 minutes per kilometre. She said the course was similar to London with a couple of under paths down and up, there was a long flat cobbled path from 38k to 39k which was pain for her to keep her balance but no problem for bigger feet.
Parkrun Saturday 25th February 2023
There was a parkrun PB (personal best) for Nick Gill who finished 5th in 19-07, smashing his previous time by thirty-five seconds.
Running just a shade under 10 kilometres off road Spartan ADRIAN BUSOLINI finished under 40 minutes with 38 minutes 48 seconds (38:48) and was 14th out of about 300 in the race.
The Spartans needed eight for a men’s team and they were Adrian, GRANT RAMSAY 21st in 40:25; STUART ARCHER 54th in 43:32; NICK GILL 56th in 43:40; DANNY SCANLON 75th in 44:46; THOMAS SAUKA 129th in 49:18; STEVE MAYFIELD 133rd in 49:19; and ROBERT WRIGHT 239th in 59:28. Grant won the 50 plus category.
HARRIET SMITH says she started too fast but she was still fastest female from Fairlands with 51:35 and 155th overall. Five were needed for a women’s team and the others were SHARON CROWLEY 288th in 72:23; JANE WADEY 289th in 72:30; HAZEL SMITH 297th in 83:11 and CALLIE CHAPMAN 298th also in 83:11.
Six other men ran for the Spartans. They were MICHAEL O’KEEFE 240th in 59 minutes 34 seconds; JIM BROWN 255th in 61:31; MARK FREEMAN 257th in 61:49; TIM ROBINSON 262nd in 62:49; GRANT MURPHY 287th in 72:13 and PAUL HOLGATE 290th in 73:01.
All 19 Spartans at the finish line in Watford
Seville Marathon
YUKO GORDON was in Spain for the Seville Marathon and won her category, women 70 plus, in a fantastic time of 3 hours 27 minutes 18 seconds. That’s better than 5 minutes per kilometre. She was 3,014th overall out of the 8,283 finishers.
Nuclear Canicross Race
JANE WHITROW and her dog Rufus did the Tailrunners (South Essex Canicross) first event at Nuclear Races. This was a Canicross event including trail, woods and swamps Jane said it was great fun and well organised. The course was 5K and they did it in 39 minutes 40 seconds….Jane said she wasted a lot of time sitting down in the swamp.
Jane and Rufus on the right
Watford Half Marathon – 12th February
Fairlands Valley Spartans had a famous five at Sunday’s Watford Half Marathon. Known for its hills at least this year there was sunshine. ROBERT WRIGHT was first in with a time of 1 hour 39 minutes 6 seconds for 269th out of the 1,185 finishers.
New Spartan MOLLY CRIMMIN continued her preparation for the London Marathon with her first ever half marathon. She beat two hours with 1 hour 58 minutes 56 seconds for 786th.
MICHAEL O’KEEFE in 2:03:17; SHARON CROWLEY in 2:33:16 and PAUL HOLGATE 2:36:02 completed the line up from Fairlands Valley Spartans.
Five Spartans at Watford Half
Adrian’s Arc of Attrition
ADRIAN BUSOLINI returned to the Arc of Attrition 100 for the second year running, this time seeking a sub 26 hour finish. He had his brother crewing for him, and favourable ground conditions; but an awkward race with many complicating factors left him merely on par with his 2022 performance at the last checkpoint, with only 35km to go. It took a determined effort to get himself in almost 90 minutes faster than the previous year’s performance, albeit some 45 minutes slower than target. With a finish time of 26 hours 47 minutes 4 seconds he was 40th out of the 330 that started the 100 mile race in Cornwall. Adrian said, “Arc – I will return, you bewitching botheration!”
Adrian receiving his award
Winter Run – 12th February
There were also five Spartans at the London Winter Run 10K. Out of 9,000 finishers PAUL SHELLEY was 790th in 44:11; STEVE DOBNER 792nd in 44:12; DAVID PATTMAN 997th in 45:14; MATT TUTTON 6,114th in 58:59 and CLAIRE HYDE 8,503 64:24.
Essendon 10K
DANNY SCANLON ran the Essendon 10K on Sunday 12th February at Essendon golf club.
On an undulating, twisting and turning two lap route through the golf club he finished fourth out of 94 runners with a chip time of 41:07.
Parkrun Highlights
Saturday 4th February 2023 – There was a record breaking performance by Spartan YUKO GORDON at Saturday’s Stevenage parkrun. She achieved an age grade of 98.98%, breaking the course record and was third woman overall with 22 minutes 52 seconds.
For the full consolidate results please click the following links:
Spartan MIKE JEFFS had a superb run in the ten mile race at Bedford on Sunday. He was 26th overall in 65 minutes 22 seconds.
Mike posing mid run.
In dry conditions but a chilly head wind in places MATT CLARKE came in at 113th with 1 hour 22 minutes 49 seconds (1:22:49) and FIONA CLARKE at 1:28:25 for 163rd position. Fiona enjoyed the flat course.
JIM BROWN ran the course in 1:30:03 and missed first place in his age category by only nine seconds.
Serpentine 5K
It was the first last Friday of the Month 5K for 2023 in Hyde Park, London. JIM BROWN finished in 27 minutes 16 seconds (27:14 net). There were 214 finishers in the lunch-time race.
Watford Senior County Cross Country Championships – 8th January
Four Spartans were in a very wet and muddy Cassiobury Park and Whippendell Wood, Watford for Sunday’s Hertfordshire County Cross Country Championships.
MOLLY CRIMMIN and SHARON CROWLEY ran in the women’s championship with Molly 50th in 39:42 and Sharon 80th in 51:42. The ladies raced over 8,000 metres – about five miles.
It was raining again for the men’s race that started at 1.30p.m. ADRIAN BUSOLINI was 26th in 45:20 and NICK KLEANTHOUS 105th in 1:12:52. The men raced over 11,250 metres – about seven miles. They said the conditions, hills and distance made it hard work but the event was well organised and they were pleased to finish.
Mid Month Mayhem 10K – 15th January
GRANT RAMSAY had a good run on Sunday morning at the Mid Month Mayhem 10K event in Hitchingbrooke Country Park, Huntingdon. Underfoot conditions were a bit of a challenge in the undulating trail event. Grant was first over the line and took the course record with 40 minutes 48 seconds. He said his skill set from the steeplechase competitions helped when tackling the mud and the puddles!
Fred Hughes 10 Miles
Twelve Spartans were among 1015 runners who completed the Fred Hughes 10 mile race on Sunday morning. The course is undulating and due to the chilly weather conditions there were a few slippery patches.
Leading for the Spartans was MIKE JEFFS who came in at 108th in 66 minutes 2 seconds. MO WARRILOW was the fastest female from with 1:25:49.
The start was in waves which is based on estimated finish times, ROBERT WRIGHT was 304th over the finish line in 1:15:17 and SAM SIMMONS 314th in 1:15:14.
STEVEN DOBNER and DAVID PATTMAN were 356th and 358th in 1:16:48 and 1:16:55.
JIM BROWN finished nearly two minutes faster than he had last year in 1:31:54.
CHLOE CHAPMAN finished in 1:36:36 with NICK KLEANTHOUS just eight seconds behind. Next came ANN TRYSSESOONE with 1:39:39; SUE HAMER with 1:47:57 and SHARON CROWLEY 1:48:21. Sharon was nearly nine minutes faster than the Buntingford Ten at the very end of December so she was very happy with that.
Parkrun Roundup
7th January – Annabelle White ran her 100th parkrun at Panshanger with 32 minutes 34 seconds (32:34).
Consolidated results for 21st January – FVS Results
Consolidated results for 14th January – FVS Results
Consolidated results for 7th January – FVS Results
ROSS GALLAGHER was fastest of the seven from Fairlands with 63 minutes 58 seconds and 34th out of the 437 who finished. Next came PAUL HEWETT 56th in 66:51; then MARCUS RIDLEY in 84:12.
DANNY SCANLON ran the soggy but well organised Buntingford 10 on Friday. He finished in a time of 1hour 11 minutes which was exactly 3 minutes faster than his last visit in 2018!
Position
BiB
Name
Category
Category Position
Time
34
216
Ross Gallagher
MV35
5/26
1:03:58
56
272
Paul Hewett
MV35
8/26
1:06:51
77
490
Danny Scanlon
MV40
13/43
1:11:00
197
468
Marcus Ridley
MSEN
37/47
1:24:12
299
286
Tricia Hopper
FV55
14/32
1:34:58
418
154
Sharon Crowley
FV60
9/9
1:57:07
424
281
Paul Holgate
MV65
10/11
2:01:45
Witham Boxing Day Five
It was a last minute decision to run but Fairlands Valley Spartans YUKO GORDON won her category at the Boxing Day Five in Witham, Essex. Her time of 37 minutes 1 second placed her 100th out of the 321 finishers.
Yuko said she just decided to run the race late on Christmas Day. She had run the race once before and responded to a reminder from the organisers. Without much running for a whole week she expected her fresh legs would do a good run. It was a sunny morning and the course was a quiet and beautiful on a rural undulating road. Yuko finished in 37:01 and 1st in 70-99 age category (they classified her as such, together with 99!)
Yuko enjoying her Boxing Day run
Hyde Park 5k
JIM BROWN enjoyed the last Friday 5K of the year in Hyde Park which he ran in 28 minutes 5 seconds. He was 161 out of the 192 finishers.
Serpentine organise a 5K at the end of every month and Jim finished the event every month in 2022 – 12 out of 12.
Ely 10k
PAUL HOLGATE ran the last competitive race of 2022 on New Years Eve. He finished in 69 minutes 46 seconds.
Flitch Way Marathon
TIM ROBINSON ran the Flitch Way Marathon on New Years Eve. The marathon started in Felsted, Essex and followed the Flitch Way disused railway line. It first went east with a turn around at 4.5 miles and then west with a turn aroud at 16.6 miles. As usual for a winter trail Marathon, there was wind, rain and mud, but the route was fairly sheltered. Tim reached the 16.5 mile turnaround check point in around 3 hours and completed in 5:20:13, 46th overall and 6th in age.
Tim at the 5 mile mark
Parkruns – Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day
Christmas Eve
There were milestone runs for Claire EMMERSON and Hazel SMITH. Claire finished her 100th event in 38:10. Hazel her 50th time in 38 minutes and 10 seconds (38:10).
On Christmas Day, Andrew PATTERSON won the race. He was the first to finish the Stevenage course in a parkrun PB time of 17 minutes and 7 seconds. Georgie HOOPER ran her 50th parkrun event in 28 minutes and 11 seconds.
At Lee-on-Solent, Sharon FLAHERTY ran a parkrun PB time of 36 minutes and 2 seconds.
Spartan of the Month and Milton Keynes Half Marathon
MICHAEL O’KEEFE was voted Spartan of the month for November. He organised the Bryan Moore 10 and Paul Maguire 5 mile handicap events as well as putting a huge amount of effort into helping set up the Stevenage Half Marathon before running it!
On Sunday Michael was at the Milton Keynes Winter Half Marathon which he finished in 2 hours 1 minute 41 seconds. He said it was minus 3 degrees at start and minus one at the finish so a tad chilly.
Goodwood Marathon
GRANT RAMSAY ran the Goodwood Marathon in 3 hours 5 minutes 52 seconds which was a significant improvement on a couple of his previous marathons earlier in the year which he ran at Bedford in 3 hours 16 minutes and Milton Keynes in 3 hours 22 minutes.
Welwyn Festive 5 miles
Following on from the Festive 5 at Welwyn on the 11th December it has now been confirmed that ANDREW PATTERSON not only achieved a personal best but has also set a new course record of 26 minutes 34 seconds. Well done Andrew!
Minsden Chapel Christmas Club Run
The clubs pre-Christmas Minsden Chapel Run has been a favourite for Fairlands Valley Spartans for many years. This year a group of Spartans ran the route braving chilly temperatures and freezing fog.
This is a fantastic club run that brings all members and abilities together to enjoy a social Christmas run which always delivers on stunning views! Three different distances are covered with all runners ending up at the very pretty and recently renovated Minsden Chapel before they head back to Stevenage ‘dropping off’ different runners at the different meeting points.
Parkrun
Altogether there were four parkrun PB for Spartans. STEVE DOBNER 20:39 and MO WARRILOW 24:31 at Great Denham; MICHAEL O’KEEFE at Henlow Bridge Lakes 27:10 and NIKKI NATION at Stevenage with 28:57.
Festive maybe but for some it was fast. ANDREW PATTERSON won the race in just 26 minutes 34 seconds. And second was SIMON JACKSON in 28 minutes 26 seconds.
HAZEL SMITH ran a new personal best of 40 minutes 53 seconds, an improvement by 1 minute 27 seconds, and NICK KLEANTHOUS a new PB by 6 seconds with 42:13. Not bad considering both were dressed as Santa’s helpers.
JIM BROWN and PENNY SCHENKEL ran together with Jim in 111th place winning the trophy for first man 70 plus with 47:06 and Penny 112th in the same time.
Festive Spartans!
Pos
Cat Pos
MF
Name
Chip Time
Cat
AG%
Comments
1
1
1
Andrew PATTERSON
26:34
MV40
84.3%
Winner
2
2
2
Simon JACKSON
28:26
MV40
81.9%
Second
61
7
22
Hazel SMITH
40:53
FV45
65.8%
PB (1:27)
71
4
44
Nick KLEANTHOUS
42:13
MV60
62.0%
PB (6 seconds)
111
1
65
Jim BROWN
47:06
MV70+
60.8%
1st MV70
112
14
47
Penny SCHENKEL
47:06
FV45
59.6%
Herts Santa Run
In the Herts Santa Run over 10K MIKE JEFFS was third senior man and fourth overall with 44 minutes 37 seconds while JONATHAN JONES and DZENANA TOPIC were 29th and 30th in the 5K with 37:20 and 37:21. Dzenana was third in her age category.
Santa Canta 5K
Spartan JOHN HARRIS was first reindeer in the North Herts Road Runners Santa Canta in Letchworth. He was joined by TRACY PEZ and YUKO GORDON.
John, Tracy and Yuko being very festive!
British Masters 5K Championships
Spartan YUKO GORDON won Gold in the women aged 70 plus (W70) category at the British Masters 5K Championships in Battersea Park, London on Sunday. Her time of 22 minutes 9 seconds was ahead of the W65 winner. The field was very strong and the fastest was 15:01 by a man 40 plus (M40) and the oldest was 85+ years old.
Goodwood Marathon
GRANT RAMSAY ran the Goodwood Marathon in 3 hours 5 minutes 52 seconds a significant improvement on Bedford in 3 hours 16 minutes and Milton Keynes in 3 hours 22 minutes earlier this year. He aims to run a sub 3 hours over 50 marathon next year.
Fairlands Valley Spartans came home with GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE from the Hertfordshire County Five Mile Championships for veterans which were incorporated in the Hatfield Five on Sunday morning.
GEORGIE HOOPER (35:32 – a personal best PB by 11 minutes 39 seconds!); MARIE COLUCCI (37:18 – a season’s best SB by 3:01) and YUKO GORDON (37:42) won BRONZE in the women’s team competition.
Yuko took individual SILVER in the championship for women aged 65 plus.
The GOLD medal went to JIM BROWN who won the county championship for men aged 70 plus with exactly two minutes to spare in a year’s best (YB) time of 42 minutes 39 seconds.
Good fast five-mile races are pretty rare, and 22 Spartans took the opportunity. There were some outstanding performances in the open race as well as the county event. Every single Spartan that ran achieved a milestone. NICK GILL was fastest from Fairlands, 53rd out of the 655 finishers in 30 minutes 50 seconds – an outstanding personal best by 16 minutes 21 seconds.
SAM SIMMONS improved his PB by 4:13 to 33:40. PETE SMITH took 3:05 off his SB to 35:12. SUSAN McANENY reduced her PB by five seconds to 39:27 and NICK KLEANTHOUS by 58 seconds to 42:19. NICOLA ANDERSSON sliced 1:17 off her life-time best with 43:38 and PENNY SCHENKEL improved her SB by 1:42 to 45:14.
MATT TUTTON took 37 seconds off his PB with 46:46 and JANE WADEY ran the PB bell with her new personal best of 52 minutes 26 seconds. An improvement of 1:48.
SHARON CROWLEY took her season’s best down by 52 seconds to 55:03 and BRIAN WHITE, JONATHAN JONES and DZENANA TOPIC ran their best five-mile times this year with 36:51; 56:55 and 57:40.
Three Spartans were running their first ever five-mile races – MIKE JEFFS in 35:32; MARCUS RIDLEY in 37:34 and HARRIET SMITH 38:59.
MARK GOODWIN equalled his five-mile time with 37:34 and DANNY SCANLON was in the top 100 with a year’s best time of 32:49.
Bests At Bass Belle Ten
Another ten Spartans were at the Bass Belle Ten, a partly off-road event based in Bassingbourn.
STEVEN DOBNER said “Rain greeted us but luckily had passed through before the start. After setting an unofficial PB in last week’s half marathon in Gosport I had a time to aim at and felt comfortable throughout. Starting quickly to find some space and to try to get the best of the tricky 1.5miles muddy and slippery off-road section in road shoes, we settled into our rhythm ticking off the kilometers and judging the effort. The little hill proved less of an obstacle this year and I was very happy to come home in a time of 1:15:05, knocking 5 minutes 31 off my previous best 10-mile race.”
DAVE PATTMAN also came home with a new personal best of 1:15:41 shaving 2 minutes off his PB. MO WARRILOW said she enjoyed the run, finished with a smile on her face and beat 90 minutes by 22 seconds.”
PAUL and ALISON SHELLEY ran Bass Belle again and said as always it was well organised and well supported. The 1:5 mile off road section was a bit tricky but otherwise a nice route. It was great to see so many Spartans.
Paul was 27th 1:11:35 – 27th overall. Alison finished in 1:27:41.
The other Spartans were MATT CLARKE 1:25:11; MICHAEL O’KEEFE 1:35:00 in his first ten-mile race; FIONA CLARKE 1:37:39; CHLOE CHAPMAN 1:37:53 and MONICA SMITHSON 1:51:24.
Serpentine
Runners were so lucky with the conditions again for the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park, London. It was sunny, mild and with a light breeze for the lunch-time event. JIM BROWN ran his best 5K of the year with 26 minutes 8 seconds and second in his age category.
Canicross
TRACY PEZ (and her dog) enjoyed a Canicross event at Grafham Water which they completed in 1 hour 21 minutes 7 seconds.
Parkrun Highlights 26th November 2022 – Penny in the Cape
Numbers were back over 300 for the 266th Stevenage with 314 completing the 5K Saturday morning run in Fairlands Valley Park. 24 were Spartans.
In Stevenage PENNY SCHENKEL ran her 50th parkrun in the red celebration cape with a time of 30 minutes 49 seconds. MATTHEW NEWTON ran new PB of 20:14. ADRIAN BUSOLINI was 3rd overall in 18:15 and GRANT RAMSAY 4th in 18:58.
Elsewhere DARRYL STEVENS continues his tour of many different parkruns. He was a first timer at Eastville, Bristol and finished in 39:30. MATT and FIONA CLARKE were first timers at Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire with 31:07 and 31:11.
JULIET FULLWOOD was a first timer at Alexandra, Moss Side in Manchester on her first parkrun. She was fourth women in 21:59.
42 Spartans took part in the two memorial handicap races in Stevenage on Sunday morning. They were on an undulating course with the highest point being near the Oval Community Centre.
BRYAN MOORE SHIELD HANDICAP 10 MILES
The Bryan Moore Handicap ten mile event was brilliantly won by Andrew Patterson in a new personal best (PB) time of 55:21. He crossed the finish line 42 seconds ahead of Nick Gill second who smashed his PB by more than 25 minutes to finish in 67:03 and Simon Jackson third man (4th overall) in 59:32. Marie Colucci was the winning female and third overall, finishing in 79:15, 3:45 better than handicap, with Zoe Jackson second female in 1:27:00 (87:00) in her first ever 10 mile race and Harriet Smith third with 1:23:25 (83:25) also in her first ever 10 miles.
The leading two women both ran negative splits. Marie was 15 seconds in her second half (39:44 to 39:31) and Zoe a significant 1 minute 30 seconds (44:15 to 42:45).
Andrew was also quickest runner of the day with Simon second quickest and Nick (Gill) third fastest. Marie was also quickest lady with Harriet second (1:23:25) fastest and Zoe third (1:27:00) quickest.
Wendy Tharani improved her season’s best by 1 minute 20 seconds and Jim Brown his year’s best by three seconds! Vicky Archer took 2:44 off her ten mile handicap time.
Bryan Moore was a founding member of Fairlands Valley Spartans in 1984.
PAUL MAGUIRE MEMORIAL HANDICAP 5 MILES
The winner of the Paul Maguire Memorial Five was Nicola Andersson in a new PB time of 44:55 with Steve Mayfield second (winning man) in a SB time of 37:39 and Tony Vickers third (second man) with 44:08 in his first 5 mile race. Alison Shelley was second lady in 42:54 and Carolyn Linsell third lady with 54:52.
Twenty seven Spartans tackled the five mile event.
Paul Shelley was quickest runner of the day in 34:17, with Steve (Mayfield) second quickest and Charlie White third quickest in 38:51. Alison (Shelley) was fastest lady with Ann Tryssesoone second fastest in 43:34 and Nicola third quickest.
There were also five mile PB improvements for Nick Kleanthous (43:17) and Jane Whitrow (57:53), while Jon Sypula (41:33), Simon Sypula (46:12) and Penny Schenkel (46:56) improved their Season Best times.
Paul Maguire was an inspirational Spartan, a former Spartan of the Year, who passed away in 2008. He lost a long battle with cancer, still running for several years following his diagnosis, at the age of 42.
Overall no less than 24 other times were the first recorded at that distance this year.
All handicap photo credits go to the amazing Chloe Emmerson!
Gosport Half Marathon
There were two fantastic Spartan personal bests in the Gosport Half Marathon.
Steve Dobner said, “It was another fabulous day for running down on the south coast as Dave Pattman and I ventured down to Gosport to run the half with our good friend and ex Spartan Ed Hare. We were due to run it last year but Dave was out injured and I was unable to walk 100 metres due to covid. This year was a different story.
Setting off with a time in mind we built into the race with Dave overtaking me at around 4K and upping the pace. The course is two laps and a lovely tail wind helped me accelerate on the way back into town.
Settling into a good pace the turn round into the wind for the second lap needed us to dig in. The race was extremely well supported and the encouragement from the spectators and our families was fabulous.
In the final 3-4K I managed to close the 20-25 second gap to Dave and we entered into the home straight together giving each other plenty of encouragement. I managed to finish in 1:41:41 with Dave coming home in 1:41:44. Both of us setting new PBs and I somehow knocked over 5 minutes off my previous best with Dave improving his by 2 minutes. Ed came home in 1:44:53 for his second best ever time.”
SAM PRETTY finished in 1 hour 35 minutes 3 seconds. She was 306th out of the 1216 finishers.
Dave and Steve with Ed at the finish.
St Neots
PETE SMITH enjoyed the St Neots Half Marathon where he was third man 60 plus in 1 hour 38 minutes 5 seconds.
SAM SIMMONS and MARCUS RIDLEY also completed the course in 1.42.59 and 1.48.13 respectively.
Sundon Saunter
The sun shone for the Sundon Saunter on Sunday for Spartan Sharon Crowley, although after all the recent rain it was 27.8 miles and 9 hours of slip sliding around Bedfordshire!
Sharon’s feet proving exactly how slippy the event was!
Parkrun Highlights
Nick KLEANTHOUS achieved a new parkrun PB (personal best) of 24 minutes 45 seconds at the Preston Park event in Brighton. Obviously good preparation for the Spartan five mile race the following day where he also achieved a new PB. Well done Nick!
Not content with running 1 hour 18 minutes 10 seconds in the Stevenage Half Marathon on 6th November just six days later ANDREW PATTERSON was running another half and this time he finished in just 1 hour 12 minutes 29 seconds to win the Remembrance Run Half Marathon race at Debden, near Saffron Walden on Saturday. That’s a new personal best.
At the same venue STEVEN DOBNER ran a new personal best of 43 minutes 58 seconds in the 10K and DAVID PATTMAN was not far behind in 44:45. In the 5K MASON SIMMONS was second man aged 20-29 in the 5K with 19 minutes 28 seconds.
Steven said, “It was a gorgeous morning over Saffron Walden for the Essex Remembrance 10k with a dry and pretty still day greeting us.
Dave and I set off with a target of getting close to or breaking 45 minutes. After the first lap and feeling good I left Dave and pushed on. Andrew Patterson flying past shouting encouragement on his way to winning the half marathon was perfectly timed and led to my fastest kilometre as I was dragged along in his wake.
A final push saw me dip under 44 minutes coming home in 43:58 for a new personal best, knocking three minutes off my previous best. Dave came home in 44:45 for his season best. A great event with a fantastic medal, hopefully more Spartans will make the relatively short trip over the county lines to support the event next year.”
Steve and Dave with their lovely medals
33rd Masters Cross Country International Championships
The 33rd Masters Cross Country International Championship was held at Santry Demesne Park, Dublin on Saturday 12 November. There were teams from England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Yuko Gordon led the England W70 (women 70 plus) Team to Silver medal. Gold went to the home favourite Ireland.
FVS’s Yuko Gordon was fifth in W70 race which was very competitive. All the top five finished within 40 seconds of each other. Yuko won the title in 2018 but concentrating more on marathons and road races in recent years, was unable to take the cross country surface as well as she hoped.
Yuko with her team mates
Westport Sea 2 Summit (Mayo)
Spartan PAULA DUNNE was back in Ireland for her third Westport Sea2summit race. She managed to knock 15 minutes off her PB (personal best). Finishing in 2 hours 34 minutes Paula placed 521 out of 1600 people, and 118th female out of 723. The race consisted of a 4k run; an 11k cycle; climb up Croagh Patrick mountain then fell run back down; an 8k cycle and finally another 4k run.
Paula enjoying what Ireland has to offer!
Parkrun – 12th November 2022
Nick GILL ran the Stevenage Parkrun course finishing seventh overall with a new PB time of 19 minutes and 41 seconds. Well done Nick!
A fantastic half marathon organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans. A wet morning but hundreds ran the 13.1 miles around Stevenage and 35 of them were Spartans. The club provided dozens of voluntary helpers including marshals, lead bikes, water stations and refreshments. Others helped out including the Rotary Club of Stevenage, Grange Rotary Club, Stevenage Scouts, Stevenage Air Cadets and the Garden House Hospice giving their time freely to make the event a huge success.
This year the Stevenage Half Marathon raised funds for the Garden House Hospice, the Spartans Charity of the Year.
A few of the amazing Spartan volunteers who smiled all day through the rain!
The event hosted the Hertfordshire County Half Marathon Championships for veteran runners.
FVS had individual success in two categories. YUKO GORDON won GOLD for women aged 65 plus in 1 hour 44 minutes 59 seconds and JIM BROWN won GOLD for men aged 70 plus with 1 hour 57 minutes 23 seconds.
The Spartans women’s team took the GOLD team medals with GEORGIE HOOPER (1:41:17), YUKO GORDON (1:44:59) and PAULA DUNNE (1:57:19) (teams of three and runners aged 35 plus). In the process Georgie ran a PB which was 7 minutes and 41 seconds quicker than her last half at Stafford earlier in the year and Paula reduced her PB (personal best) by 4 minutes 41 seconds.
Georgie, Yuko and Paula
The FVS men won SILVER with DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT (1:17:57), ANDREW PATTERSON (1:18:10), GRANT RAMSAY (1:29:04) and PAUL SHELLEY (1:40:02) (teams of four and runners aged 40 plus).
David, Andrew, Grant and Paul
GABRIELLE O’BRIEN and HARRIET SMITH were both running their first half marathons and both did brilliantly. Gabbie was the fifth senior (i.e. young adult 18 – 34) woman in the race with 1:44:04 and was 89th overall. Harriet came in with 1:51:27.
NICK GILL and ROSS GALLAGHER ran together encouraging each other. They finished 30th and 31st in 1:31:05 a personal best (PB) improvement of 2:56 for Nick and 1:35 for Ross.
Nick and Ross with their awesome medals!
ROB WRIGHT enjoyed a chicken run in fancy dress but still finished in 1:47:01 and was presented with a custom made chicken medal! He was even asked for selfies with other runners. Next year he plans on giving out autographs! DEREK CORNELIUS was exactly 100th in his first half with 1:46:31.
The Spartan chicken and his custom made medal! (He did get a normal one as well)
While WENDY THARANI had a brilliant run and managed a season’s best (SB) with 1:59:22 coming fourth in her county category, TIM ROBINSON said that he enjoyed the local support from the many volunteers. Unfortunately the Beachy Head Marathon from two weeks previously was still in his legs and together with the rain and long incline at 7miles faded badly through miles 8 and 9. At mile 10 he found some motivation and kicked on for three sub 9 minute miles to finish a touch over 2 hours which was a year best result.
Relatively new Spartan JANE WADEY ran her first ever half marathon distance in (2:34:11) and had the following to say – I just wanted to say, it was my first time of running a half marathon and the support of the marshals and everyone on the route was amazing. I was happy with my time as I had not even thought what time to aim for. Thanks especially to Sharon and Tony as they escorted me on the last 2 miles, and the ladies at the finish who gave me water and then Pete and the ladies who gave me flapjacks and a brilliant cup of tea at the end!
The biggest PB was by JUDY KING who took 23 minutes 48 seconds off her time with 2:52:44. Judy ran with JANE WHITROW who accomplished a SB in 2.52.27.
Wendy, Judy and Jane who even had time to pose for their photo!
The overall winners were both from Ware Joggers. Kevin Francis was first man in 1 hour 15 minutes 29 seconds and Katy Woodward first woman in 1:25:19.
A selection of our happy Spartans!
New York Marathon
JACKIE DOWNES finished the New York Marathon with a chip time of 5:02:02. An amazing time for what was said to be the hottest New York Marathon ever!
CHRIS HOLLAND had an incident with his heart rate after an insect bite at mile 5, but after help from the medical tent, he finished in a chip time of 4:56:38.
Trent Park Cross Country – Three Top Tens for Spartans and Women Move Up
Despite trees being blown down by strong winds a few days ago the cross country league fixture in Trent Park, near Cockfosters went ahead. This was the second race in this season’s series and Fairlands Valley Spartans increased their turnout compared with race one. This time 34 Spartans, 19 men and 15 women, enjoyed the mud. A total of 492 including 212 women from 21 clubs competed.
Three Spartans achieved three top ten positions. SIMON JACKSON 10th overall for the five miles in 28:23 – he was also second man 40 plus; CHRISTINE LATHWELL second woman in 30:34 – and first woman 45 plus and MICHELLE REEVES eighth in 32:16. YUKO GORDON was first woman 65 plus and 48th woman in 38:16.
A stronger turnout this time meant the Spartan women moved up from 11th to sixth place. Their “A” team was completed by GEORGIE HOOPER 49th woman in 38:18 and TRACEY JACKSON 60th in 39:42. The “B” team was led in by KELLY McHALE, 61st in 39:47 with HARRIET SMITH 82nd in 41:19 and PAULA DUNNE 85th in 41:25 not far behind.
The men were 12th this time. Next in after Simon were GRANT RAMSAY 66th overall in 31:49; DANNY SCANLON 115th in 33:53; PETE SMITH 167th in 36:11 and NICK GILL 168th in 36:15.
2022 was the 37th running of the popular Snowdon Marathon, considered to be one of the best marathons in the UK despite the difficulty of the course with three BIG climbs and a very technical off-road section between 22 – 25 miles that sees many runners lose their footing and cross the finish line covered in mud. Heavy rain at the beginning and finish together with strong winds ensured this year’s race was as tricky as usual if not trickier but that did not prevent the two Spartans taking part continuing to add to their long runs of consecutive finishes in the years that the race has gone ahead. SHARON CROWLEY who has run more Snowdon marathons than any other female finished her 29th Snowdon marathon in 6 hours 32 minutes 25 seconds (6:32:25) for 1520th position while PAUL HOLGATE finished 1591st with 7:17:44 in his 32nd Snowdon marathon. (He’s run every year that the race has taken place since 1988).
There were 1,601 finishers from the 2,500 runners that entered.
Sharon with her 29th medal for Snowdon Marathon!
John Harris Selected for England
On the strength of his performance in the recent York Marathon Spartan JOHN HARRIS has been selected for England.
Next year he will be running in the England Masters Marathon Team based on his recent marathon qualifying time and top three placing. He has trained all year for this and is so pleased to make the team. The representative race will be at the Chester Marathon next October.
Well done John!!
Serpentine Thirtieth Anniversary 5K
There have been lunch-time 5Ks in Hyde Park, London since October 1992 and the thirtieth anniversary fell on Friday. Spartan PENNY SCHENKEL was delighted to improve her 5K time to 27 minutes 52 seconds (27:52). JIM BROWN went round in 27:10.
Well done on your PB Penny!
Cockbain’s Track 100
ADRIAN BUSOLINI ran the Cockbain’s Track 100. He said he was running in circles for no particular reason. Due to lack of fitness, he had planned to DNS (not start), but at the last minute decided to show up to ‘run for a few hours’. A few turned into 23.
Adrian ran 100 miles, that’s 403 laps of the 400 metre track, in 23 hours 8 minutes 59 seconds. He was 14th out of the 21 that finished, 51 started.
Adrian back out doing what he does best… long distances, although in circles this time!
Hertfordshire Half and 10K
Spartan JOHN NELMS ran the Hertfordshire Half Marathon, starting and finishing at Knebworth House, in 2 hours 8 minutes 54 seconds. He was 538th out of 900 finishers.
JANE McFARLANE was encouraging a friend to a new personal best in the Hertfordshire 10K and was 333rd out of the 501 finishers in 61 minutes 42 seconds.
Parkrun Highlights 29th October 2022
Alison SHELLEY and Jim BROWN reached their 100 Parkrun milestones on the Stevenage course in 32 minutes and 46 seconds and 32 minutes and 47 seconds respectively. They enjoyed running around in their “100” capes on what was the nearest Saturday to Halloween. At the same location, Matt TUTTON ran a PB time of 27 minutes and 23 seconds.
Nine Spartans tackled the hilly Beachy Head Marathon on the south coast on Saturday. Here are some of their stories:
Steve Dobner – “Dave, Mo and I signed up this year and we joined the rest of the Spartan crew at the start line. I can honestly say it was the most enjoyable and breathtaking run I have ever done. The event is fantastic with amazing marshals and excellent checkpoints offering water, bananas, chocolate, one even had sausage rolls and hot cross buns with tea and coffee. On finishing you return to the local school for a free hot meal – baked potatoes and beans for me. The route was simply stunning, brutal in places but worth every step. The 170 Steps of Doom are an interesting challenge and the Seven Sisters are brutal (plus I’m sure there were more than seven). It was great to see some of our other local clubs with Royston Runners also well represented. I cannot recommend this event highly enough and we were so lucky as the weather was amazing.”
Tim Robinson – “The day before had seen thunder, lightning and heavy rain which meant the clay/chalk mix of the South Downs made for difficult progress in parts. Being both sticky and slippery at the same time particularly around the 15 mile mark where there were several tricky puddles. A warmer than usual day also meant slower progress. Running mostly as a group made the event more fun. Each runner has different strengths, some being quick uphill, some being quick downhill, and some needing rests at different places which means notions of a quick time are sacrificed at the expense of camaraderie and a good day out.
The group fragmented slightly towards the end, catching each other at checkpoints and steep hills and all but 3 finished within 20 or 30 minutes of each other.
THOMAS SAUKA and ROBERT WRIGHT finished together in 6 hours 10 minutes 58 seconds and said they are looking forward to going back next year.
Steve, Dave, Mo and Tim on the rolling hills and Tom with his medal!
Mother and Daughter run the Beachy Head Marathon
Hazel Smith (daughter) and Cathy Craig (mum) started the Beachy Head Marathon together, running, walking chatting and singing. At 10 miles Cathy felt ill and decided she wanted to do the rest alone as the hills were tough and nutrition wasn’t helping. One of the toughest UK marathons was certainly living up to its name!
Both ran/walked the rest of the way. Hazel met company and chatted and ate her way to the end. Cathy had a few breaks, lying at the top of a hill for a rest and taking a seat at a pit stop, being unable to eat.
When finished, Hazel walked up the big hill again to meet Cathy near the finish. Cathy ran down but took a tumble at the bottom.
Quite a few sweary words left Hazel’s mouth as she then attempted to run down to check on Cathy – having visions of her getting that close and not being able to finish!
Cathy lay there for a bit then got up and seemed to turn into tigger, bouncing along and working the crowd up to cheer her through the finish line – super strong finish!!
Hazel and Cathy safely at the bottom of the final big hill!
Position
Name
Time
Category
723
ROBERT WRIGHT
6:10:58
MV40
724
THOMAS SAUKA
6:10:57
MV40
786
DAVID PATTMAN
6:22:36
MV40
792
STEVE DOBNER
6:24:03
MV40
805
MO WARRILOW
6:25:51
LV45
834
TIM ROBINSON
6:31:16
MV50
903
TONY RANDFIELD
6:47:42
MV60
933
HAZEL SMITH
6:53:26
LV45
1114
CATHY CRAIG
8:05:51
LV55
GERRY ROSEN said the Beachy Head 10K was a tough race to return to racing after 10 months out due to illness and work. He finished in 1 hour 29 minutes 22 seconds.
Abingdon Marathon
After a dry Saturday Spartans Fiona Clarke, Matt Clarke, Karen Ellis and Chloe Chapman ran the Abingdon marathon on a very wet Sunday.
The weather forecast was awful, thunder and lightning forecast for the duration they would be running. It was a soggy start and rained heavily – there were huge puddles all round the course, fortunately the weather broke and they ended their runs in sunshine.
Chloe, Matt and Fiona finished strong and still smiling!
They were all unsure how they’d get on as on top of the weather Karen had recently been unwell, Chloe had just had covid and Fiona and Matt hadn’t be able to train for about a month. But they all dug deep and got it done. Karen finished in 4 hours 19 minutes 45 seconds; Chloe in 4:49:13; Fiona in 5:05:07 and Matt in 5:05:08.
Karen after finishing the race in an amazing time!
Cross Country – Cheshunt 16th October
A full table of results following the first Cross Country race of the season is now available. Full team results available to download here Cheshunt Results.
Position
Firstname
Lastname
Time
Gender
Cat
Team
25
Adrian
Busolini
00:31:10
M
SM
AM
30
Charlie
White
00:31:43
M
SM
AM
38
Grant
Ramsay
00:32:23
M
V50
AM
65
Paul
Hewett
00:33:28
M
SM
AM
75
Stuart
Archer
00:33:52
M
SM
AM
96
Danny
Scanlon
00:34:51
M
V40
AM
151
Steven
Dobner
00:37:12
M
V40
AM
152
David
Pattman
00:37:13
M
V40
AM
157
Brian
White
00:37:25
M
V60
BM
176
Steve
Mayfield
00:38:20
M
V50
BM
192
Thomas
Sauka
00:39:13
M
V40
BM
204
Luke
Gurney
00:39:51
M
SM
BM
232
Darren
Emmerson
00:40:57
M
V50
BM
251
Zoe
Jackson
00:41:54
F
FV35
AF
267
Kelly
McHale
00:42:34
F
FV35
AF
301
Nick
Kleanthous
00:44:45
M
V60
314
Mark
Freeman
00:45:56
M
V60
318
Tim
Robinson
00:46:26
M
V50
322
Tony
Vickers
00:46:34
M
V50
336
Simon
Sypula
00:47:49
M
V40
346
Claire
Emmerson
00:48:15
F
FV45
AF
347
Vicky
Archer
00:48:22
F
FV35
AF
356
Michael
O’Keefe
00:48:49
M
V50
371
Grant
Murphy
00:50:53
M
V50
392
Jane
Wadey
00:55:15
F
FV55
AF
394
Sharon
Crowley
00:55:51
F
FV55
395
Cathy
Craig
00:56:30
F
FV65
405
Callie
Chapman
01:01:07
F
FV35
406
Hazel
Smith
01:01:07
F
FV45
Parkrun Personal Best and Consolidated Results – Saturday 22nd October
Sam SIMMONS ran at the Stevenage Parkrun and achieved a personal best, finishing 10th male in 21:26 – Well done Sam!
The cross country league season started off surprisingly early in the year on what seemed like a summer’s day but thirty Spartans travelled to Cheshunt to enjoy the sunny conditions.
The team results won’t be available for a while but the Spartan women’s “A” team consisted of ZOE JACKSON 251st overall in 41:44; KELLY McHALE 267th in 42:35; CLAIRE EMMERSON 347th in 48:13, VICKY ARCHER 348th in 48:15 and JANE WADEY 392nd in 55:17.
The men’s teams consisted of eight runners. First in for the Spartans was ADRIAN BUSOLINI 25th in 31 minute 9 seconds. CHARLIE WHITE 30th in 31:40 and GRANT RAMSAY 38th in 32:21 were next in. They were supported by PAUL HEWETT 65th in 33:27; STUART ARCHER 75th in 33:50; DANNY SCANLON 96th in 34:49; STEVEN DOBNER 151st in 37:11 and DAVID PATTMAN 152nd in 37:14.
(All the Spartan times and the team results should be included in next weeks news!)
A selection of our Cross Country Spartans in the sun!
International Selection and a Record for Yuko
There was an amazing double for YUKO GORDON at the weekend.
There was a selection race for the England Team for the Masters International Cross Country at Markeaton Park, Derby on Saturday afternoon. YUKO GORDON won her age group and was selected to represent England for the forthcoming international championships to be held in Dublin in November.
Returning from Derby late in the evening, she finished a quick pizza dinner and had a short sleep before heading south for another race, the Great South Run ten miles in Portsmouth on Sunday morning.
Yuko said, “I anticipated a very exciting event by just looking at the number and colourful coffee coupons they sent me and it was as fantastic as I had expected. Number 1 reason for that was the sheer number of loos, absolutely no queues! Car parking space for any thousands of cars in the waterfront adjacent to start/finish area. The course was truly flat, my racing form has been this season only around 8 minutes per mile pace even at Parkruns but the course tuned my legs into 7:20 minutes pace while I kept worrying if I’m over pacing but I managed the even pace till the end after all. I went through 5K and 10K both in my season’s best time. My 74 minutes 7 seconds (74:07) gives me the UK’s all time best record for a woman aged over 70. If I put more effort into Tuesday club sessions and had no selection race the day before, I might be able to improve more, hopefully. I’m glad to know that I am finally recovering from the lengthy distraction of a hamstring injury and Covid.”
Spartan legend that is Yuko!
Great Eastern Run
The Great Eastern Run is a popular half marathon in Peterborough which attracts over 2000 runners. This year, its 30th year, 2301 finished
DAN HUKIN said his confidence was a bit low as he had not run for 10 days prior to the race with a small injury but decided to go for it anyway, he suffered towards the end but hung in there for a new PB with an official chip time of 1:21:17. He was 72nd overall.
STEVE WELLS was 289th and fourth man 60 plus in 1:31:58.
JIM BROWN decided to go into the sub two hour starting area and thought if he could maintain an average of nine minutes per mile he should come under the 2 hours. He did with 1 hour 57 minutes 25 seconds and was second man 70 plus.
Running the furthest distance that he’s done in a while was PAUL HOLGATE and he came in with 3:15.13.
Paul enjoying his first half marathon in a while.
York Marathon
Spartans NICK GILL and JOHN HARRIS ran the York Marathon.
Nick Gill improved his marathon personal best (PB) by a massive 21 minutes with 3 hours 21 minutes 58 seconds. His previous best was 3:43:27 at the Great Welsh Marathon in 2019.
Nick ran with John Harris for the first half and then Adrian Sherwood from NHRR from mile 14 until mile 21… when he got cramp!
He had been running at 3:15:00 pace and feeling good, but his legs had other ideas. A painful finish after getting cramp in the other leg at mile 24 meant he had to walk, but was able to get going again and was super happy with the time.
JOHN HARRIS said his York Marathon was a marathon of two halves. He ran well for the first half then an ankle injury hampered him in the second half. However he still finished in 3:37:08 which is a Good For Age qualifying time.
Nick and John at York
Great South Run
The Great South Run is a ten mile race in Portsmouth.
In addition to YUKO GORDON’s record breaking 1:14:07, PHILIP POTTER finished in 1:20:29. JUDY KING 2:08:31; NICOLA HATHERLY 2:08:43 and SALLY PICKLES 2:11:16 all three ladies had a fabulous day and love their new medals!
Our Starter ladies proudly showing off their medals!
Birthday Half
ABBIE WHITROW celebrated her 21st birthday by running her first half marathon in Amsterdam! She finished in 3 hours and 37 seconds (3:00:37) with JANE WHITROW (3:00:36).
International Spartans Jane and Abbie!
Parkrun
For all the Parkrun Spartan results from the weekend please follow this link – Parkrun 15th October 2022
Nine Spartans raced round Hitchin in the town’s 5K race. Only a week after running a fast time in the London Marathon it was won by FVS own ANDREW PATTERSON in 16 minutes 2 seconds.
HARRIET SMITH was the second woman 20 plus and fastest female from Fairlands in 23 minutes 51 seconds.
ADRIAN DONNELLY was 15th in 20:01. The other Spartans were SAM SIMMONS 21:06; MARC RIDLEY 23:06; DAVID KENNEDY 23:23 NICK KLEANTHOUS 26:54; MATT TUTTON 27:24 and MONICA SMITHSON 30:32. There were 228 finishers.
Runners at Hitchin 5k
Willow 10K
Spartans DANNY SCANLON, JIM BROWN and JUDY KING made the short trip to Hatfield for a 10K race. This was a friendly multi-terrain charity event for the Willow Foundation in the picturesque grounds of Hatfield House. Danny was 10th in 44 minutes 3 seconds, Jim finished 60th in 55:37 and Judy came in 184th with 1:16:10. There were 211 finishers. Judy said her run has really boosted her confidence for future races including the Great South Run (10 miles) and the Stevenage Half Marathon on 6th November. Willow organises special days for seriously ill young adults.
Danny and Judy at the Willow run
Royal Parks Half
CRAIG BACON finished the Royal Parks Half Marathon in less than 1 hour 40 minutes with 1:39:23.
VISHAL SHAH did the run round London in 2:13:52 and CALLIE CHAPMAN finished in 2:47:19.
Craig, Callie and Vish with their medals
Chicago Marathon
Spartans DUNCAN FLOUNDERS and ROSS GALLAGHER were in Chicago for the marathon. Duncan ran a couple of events for the first time in a long time this weekend.
He finished the Chicago 5K in 26 minutes 29 seconds (26:29) and then the full Chicago Marathon in 3 hours 53 minutes 14 seconds (3:53:14).
Duncan said, “The marathon was an awesome experience despite being two years late. Crowds lined the course for pretty much every step of the way and they were all amazing. The whole city heats up for this for days beforehand and it didn’t disappoint. Lots of fun, the inevitable pain around 30k but managed to work through that and actually enjoyed the last few kilometres. Great event.
ROSS GALLAGHER completed the Chicago marathon in a time of 3:08:43.
Target was a sub 3:10 so he was delighted to walk away with 3:08 and a 15 minute PB from London 2022.
Ross said, “After a chilly start the sun came up for what were perfect running conditions. Great crowd and support which were particularly needed for the last three miles ‘these felt much longer than just a park run’.
International Spartan Ross!
Tring Ridgeway Run
On Sunday 9th October Tim Robinson ran the 40th Tring Ridgeway Run. A 15km trail run in the Chilterns organised by Tring Running Club who organise several very good races throughout the year in the Chiltern Hills. The race starts in Tring and heads up to the Bridgwater Monument on the Ashridge Estate before winding through the woods down to Steps Hill and over Pitstone Hill back to Tring for a total ascent of around 750ft. The ascent to the Bridgewater Monument was fairly steady going but once into the woods the constant up and down meant several walk breaks and there was a strong headwind on Pitstone Hill despite the sun. Tim took advantage of the long downhills to make up for lost time and finished 256th in a time of 1:35:45.
Tim enjoying the rolling hills!
Maverick Lincolnshire
JANE WHITROW and her dog Rufus had a day trip out to do a 10k…actually a 10.5k Canicross run at the beautiful Grimsthorpe Castle park. It was the first Maverick event for them – they loved it and the alcohol free cold beer at the finish was very welcome!
Official time was 1 hour 17 minutes on a beautiful and “undulating” course.
Three Fairlands Valley Spartans beat the three hour barrier at Sunday’s London Marathon. ANDREW PATTERSON was 274th out of more than 40,000 in just 2 hours 38 minutes 29 seconds and SIMON JACKSON also in the top 1,000 at 591st in 2:46:18. The Spartans third sub three was ADRIAN BUSOLINI in 2:58:38.
Stuart and Adrian with their medals and goody bags!
The amazing YUKO GORDON won her age group, women 70 plus, in 3 hours 31 minutes 54 seconds.
Meanwhile ROBERT WRIGHT, dressed as a chicken, went round in 4:15:10.
ASHLEY KING finished in 4:19:54. ZOE JACKSON said that she received her place through a work ballot mid-July so she managed to condense a 16 week training plan into 12 weeks and went for it! Luckily her training went well with the help of some lovely Spartans and she stuck to the plan with no major injuries. Her target was to run it in 4 and a half hours. On the day everything came together, including the weather and the crowd were like nothing she’d ever experienced! She struggled after Canary Wharf but knew she had to keep going to get her target time. She realised at mile 25 that she had 14 minutes to spare and had plenty of time, but in her tired state completely forgot about the extra 0.2 mile at the end. The last half a mile was a push but she ran as quickly as she could and finished in a time of 4:29:08. It was such an amazing feeling crossing the finish line and great to see all the friendly Spartans faces at the end on the lorries!
Robert, Zoe, Cathy, Mark and Yuko with her name on the wall of fame at the expo!
Dozens of other Spartans volunteered to help in Pall Mall on the “baggage buses” – getting kit back to runners as they finished.
The Spartan baggage crew!
Here are the Spartan finishers:
Position
Name
Time
Comments
274
ANDREW PATTERSON
2:38:29
591
SIMON JACKSON
2:46:18
1689
ADRIAN BUSOLINI
2:58:38
3228
STUART HAYCROFT
3:13:39
6070
YUKO GORDON
3:31:54
1st in age group
16383
ROBERT WRIGHT
4:15:10
Chicken
17517
ASHLEY KING
4:19:54
19956
ZOE JACKSON
4:29:08
28591
MARK MACDONALD
5:06:31
29582
GAVIN DAVIES
5:11:31
31606
KIM MARTIN (F)
5:22:37
36808
CATHERINE CRAIG
6:02:29
40391
KARL SHREEVE
7:53:17
In addition GERRY ROSEN (7:28:16) ran the London Marathon virtually.
Dorney Lakes Marathon
Spartan JIM BROWN did not have a place in the London Marathon and did not fully prepare but made a last limit decision to enter the Dorney Lakes Marathon which was on the same day. Jim ran well, all things considered to 22 miles, but then, not surprising, it became a grind to the finish. With 4 hours 32 minutes 51 seconds he was second in his age group, and this is important, he kept on target for a Good For Age qualifying time which he achieved with 27 minutes 9 seconds to spare and just in time for the midnight deadline.
Jim pre race at Dorney Lakes.
Clarendon Way Off Road Marathon
DARRYL STEVENS completed the Clarendon Way Off Road Marathon in 7 hours 30 minutes 56 seconds.
Hyde Park 5K
Runners were very lucky to enjoy dry, mild but blustery conditions for the Serpentine Last Friday 5K before the downpour began.
JIM BROWN ran his fastest 5K this year with 26 minutes 20 seconds, more than a minute faster than the previous month and good enough for second in category.
The Serpentine race celebrates its thirtieth year on Friday 28th October.
Parkrun – 1st October 2022
To view the consolidated Parkrun report for the weekend please click this link – Parkrun Results 02.10.2022
A good number of Fairlands Valley Spartans ran the 35th anniversary Standalone 10K in Letchworth on Sunday.
GRANT RAMSAY was fastest of the 29 Spartans. He was 35th out of the 820 finishers in 39 minutes 29 seconds. ADRIAN DONNELLY also beat 40 with 39 minutes 41 seconds. The third Spartan was DANNY SCANLON in 41:22 and fourth DEAN CARPENTER in 44:22.
JOHN HARRIS was third man 60 plus in 44 minutes 58 seconds.
Three Spartan women beat 50 minutes. TRACY PEZ in 48:14; MARIE COLUCCI in 48:29 and PAULA DUNNE who improved by 55 seconds to 49:26.
There were personal bests by STEVE DOBNER, by 20 seconds to 46:44, and LUKE GURNEY, by 1:07, to 47:10. MARTIN DUDLEY improved his season’s best (SB) by a significant 2 minutes 12 seconds to 49 minutes 54 seconds.
JIM BROWN was delighted to improve his 10K time by nearly five minutes in a week to 53 minutes 11 seconds. His best 10K this year and good enough for second in his age group.
MICHAEL O’KEEFE and NIKKI NATION improved their season’s best (SB) times to beat the hour with 58 minutes 10 seconds and 59 minutes 54 seconds respectively.
Well done JON FILBY (47:17), MARK LACY (54:15) and ABIGAIL WHITROW (81:48) who were running their first 10K races.
Spartans at Standalone 10K.
Position
Name
Time
Comments
Grade
35
GRANT RAMSAY
39:29
5th MV50
77.59%
39
ADRIAN DONNELLY
39:41
73.64%
54
DANNY SCANLON
41:22
YB (1:35)
69.01%
93
DEAN CARPENTER
44:22
67.88%
113
JOHN HARRIS
44:58
3rd Vet 60
73.97%
116
NICK GILL
45:10
60.21%
152
STEVEN DOBNER
46:44
PB (0:20)
??
159
LUKE GURNEY
47:10
PB (1:07)
56.99%
172
JON FILBY
47:17
1st 10K
60.77%
188
TRACY PEZ
48:14
4th FV45. YB (0:06)
69.97%
197
MARIE COLUCCI
48:29
5th FV45
66.76%
219
PAULA DUNNE
49:26
PB (0:55)
61.84%
234
MARTIN DUDLEY
49:54
SB (2:12)
65.85%
289
BEN SNOWDEN
51:41
55.40%
333
JIM BROWN
53:11
2nd Vet 70. YB (2:10)
68.50%
370
MARK LACY
54:15
1st 10K
55.35%
430
ANN TRYSSESOONE
56:04
65.64%
489
MICHAEL O’KEEFE
58:10
SB (0:09)
56.05%
495
ANDREA WESTCOTT
57:41
SB
59.36%
507
ANDY JAY
58:13
55.36%
534
NIKKI NATION
59:49
SB
62.50%
611
MONICA SMITHSON
62:46
58.91%
658
SHARON CROWLEY
64:59
YB (0:22)
62.50%
660
JANE WADEY
65:03
55.80%
759
MO WARRILOW
74:10
45.29%
801
JANE WHITROW
81:28
44.68%
802
ABIGAIL WHITROW
81:48
1st 10K
36.38%
817
PAUL HOLGATE
86:34
39.65%
819
ROGER BIGGS
94:08
YB (2:59)
40.74%
Goodwood Marathon
Spartan SIMON FRASER had a great run in the Goodwood Marathon. He was second man 35 plus and eleventh overall in a fantastic sub three time of 2 hours 52 minutes 35 seconds.
Simon celebrating his brilliant finish!
The Great Bristol Run
JOHN NELMS travelled to his home city of Bristol to run the Big Bristol half marathon. A really well organised event on a fantastic city course with big supporting crowds helped him finish in 1:53:51
Norfolk Coastal Marathon
THOMAS SAUKA did the Norfolk coastal marathon on Saturday, he found it tough as he did not had a great lead up to this. Tom said he had a niggle with his left leg feeling tight which stopped him running properly in the last six miles but never the less he prevailed and finished 76th in 5:16:15 official time, that’s another great trail marathon ticked off. It was flat but challenging as well
Tom with his well earned medal!
Hatfield 5K – race three
After the three races in the Hatfield 5K series Spartan TONY RANDFIELD was a trophy winner. Third in the men 60 plus category. He ran 20 minutes 9 seconds on Wednesday evening for a score of 81.3%. The fastest Spartan was NICK GILL with a new personal best of 19 minutes 8 seconds – an improvement of 39 seconds.
Tony looking very pleased with his trophy – well done Tony!
There were also PBs by PAULA DUNNE who improved by 22 seconds to 22:53 and was fourth in the series for her category; GEORGIE HOOPER by 11 seconds to 23:13 and JANE WADEY by 13 seconds to 31:15.
MARK GOODWIN ran a season’s best of 22:33. There were also season’s bests from ANDREA WESTCOTT 26:09 and NIKKI NATION 28 minutes exactly.
Club Handicap 5K
In a very busy week for racing 28 runners finished Thursday evening’s Handicap 5K.
Winner on the night was Penny Schenkel, 2:03 quicker than her handicap in a year best time of 29:57, closely followed by the first man to finish, Chris Watling, 2:00 ahead of handicap in 24:15. Amanda Vickers (aided by Sharon Crowley) was second lady 1:50 better than handicap in a season best time of 37:40, followed by Anna Swanepoel in a new personal best time of 27:27. Andy Jay was second man 1:34 quicker than handicap in 26:56 and Matt Tutton was third man, 1:15 ahead of handicap in 29:45.
Pete Smith was quickest runner in 21:48 with Luke Gurney 2nd fastest, 23:19 and Chris Watling 3rd fastest, 24:15. Karen Ellis was quickest lady in 25:14 with Harriet Smith second fastest in 25:27, 20 seconds quicker than her previous season best and Tracy Pez third fastest in 26:57.
Judy King and Sally Pickles both beat their previous fastest 5k of this year and there were also improvements by Monica Smithson, Michael O’Keefe and Roger Biggs.
Total time difference between the 1st and last finisher was less than 3 minutes and all runners finished within 2:03 of their handicap. Thanks to Paul Holgate and Mike Crowley for organising the event.
There has been lots of wins for our members over the last week as lots of medals and prizes have been won.
All these Spartans won gold, silver, bronze county medals or other prizes – JIM BROWN, CATHY CRAIG, PAULA DUNNE, JOHN HARRIS, DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT, GEORGIE HOOPER, SAM PRETTY, GRANT RAMSAY, TONY RANDFIELD and JANE WADEY.
The medal haul started at the Hatfield 5K on Wednesday evening which included the county championships for veterans and continued into the Stevenage 10K on Sunday.
Stevenage 10K
Fourteen Spartans tackled the undulating Stevenage 10K and they won lots of medals. The event included the Hertfordshire 10K championship for veterans and the team of David Harris-Cherguit (36:48); Grant Ramsay (39:42); John Harris (41:56) and Tony Randfield (42:17) won the team event and GOLD medals.
Helped by Jane Wadey improving her personal best (PB) by two minutes to 64:41 the Spartan women BRONZE medals with Georgie Hooper (49:27) and Paula Dunne (50:21) also in the team.
Georgie, Paula and Jane proudly showing off their medals.
Jim Brown won the 70 plus trophy in the open event and the County GOLD medal with 58 minutes exactly.
SIMON FRASER was the fastest Spartan in the open race. He was fourth overall and second senior with 35:06.
Happy Spartans.
Hatfield 5K
Spartan participation in the second race of the Hatfield 5K series was high and members managed to bring home some medals!
A selection of Spartan runners before the race.
The fastest Spartan was SIMON JACKSON who came seventh overall in 16 minutes 38 seconds and the fastest female was PAULA DUNNE in 23:15.
The race included the Hertfordshire County Championships for veterans in which JIM BROWN won the GOLD medal for men 70 plus with 27 minutes 17 seconds and CATHY CRAIG the BRONZE medal for women 65 plus with 28:29.
NIKKI NATION ran a new season’s best of 28:11, a minute quicker than the previous week.
Spartans in action!
New Forest Half Marathon
DARRYL STEVENS went for a run in the New Forest the New Forest Half Marathon, and finished in 2 hours 48 minutes 39 seconds.
Darryl completing his half marathon.
Parkrun Highlights Saturday 17th September
Congratulations to Nigel Strongitharm running a new PB of 24:59 at Bolberry Down parkun in Devon.
Yuko Gordon ran a new PB of 24:01 coming 21st on her 21st parkrun at Henlow.
