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SPARTANS AT 400M RELAYS AND 5K HANDICAP

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date May 19, 2025
No Comments on SPARTANS AT 400M RELAYS AND 5K HANDICAP

Fairlands Valley Spartans were busy on Wednesday.

Shorter, much shorter for some Spartans, at the 4 x 400 metre relay event in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday evening. Two FVS teams came out winners and 28 club members in seven teams were running.

MIKE JEFFS, MICHAEL FISHER, JAY PAPA and NICK GILL won senior male and overall with 4 minutes 6 seconds. Michael Fisher was third of the 104 runners with 58 seconds; Mike Jeffs and Nick Gill were fourth and fifth with 1 minute exactly.

Spartan women WON the veteran race with 6:11. Their team consisted of LIZ CROWLEY 1:24; SAM SUTTON 1:57; SHARON CROWLEY 1:36 and JO COOKSLEY 1:23.

It was second place in the senior race for TRACY JACKSON 1:35; GEORGIE HOOPER 1:17; MARIE COLUCCI 1:23 and GABRIELLE O’BRIEN 1:18. Georgie was tenth and Gabrielle eleventh out of all the women running.

Rank	Bib	Name	Cat	Team	M/F	Time
3.	5/B	Michael FISHER	MS	Magic Mike and Friends	M	00:58
4.	5/A	Mike JEFFS	MV40	Magic Mike and Friends	M	01:00
5.	5/D	Nick GILL	MS	Magic Mike and Friends	M	01:00
15.	7/B	Keith HOOKER	MV40	Sonic Boom Boys	M	01:05
22.	5/C	Jay PAPA	MS	Magic Mike and Friends	M	01:07
30.	10/A	Dave STEPHENSON	MV60	Mixed Relay Team	M	01:09
48.	10/D	Chris WAITLING	MS	Mixed Relay Team	M	01:15
49.	9/B	Georgie HOOPER	FV35	Spartans Ladies Team 3	F	01:17
51.	9/D	Gabrielle O’BRIEN	FS	Spartans Ladies Team 3	F	01:18
53.	4/A	Susan MCANANY	FV45	Female Relay Team 2	F	01:19
57.	7/C	Charlie ARNOLD	MV60	Sonic Boom Boys	M	01:21
58.	4/D	Annabelle WHITE	FS	Female Relay Team 2	F	01:21
62.	3/D	Jo COOKSLEY	FV35	Spartan Ladies 1	F	01:23
64.	10/C	Megan SUTTON	FS	Mixed Relay Team	F	01:23
66.	9/C	Marie COLUCCI	FV45	Spartans Ladies Team 3	F	01:23
68.	3/A	Liz CROWLEY	FV35	Spartan Ladies 1	F	01:24
69.	7/D	Brian WHITE	MV70	Sonic Boom Boys	M	01:25
76.	4/B	Vicky ARCHER	FV35	Female Relay Team 2	F	01:29
82.	7/A	Pete COOK	MV50	Sonic Boom Boys	M	01:32
83.	4/C	Hazel SMITH	FV45	Female Relay Team 2	F	01:35
86.	9/A	Tracy JACKSON	FV45	Spartans Ladies Team 3	F	01:35
88.	3/C	Sharon CROWLEY	FV65	Spartan Ladies 1	F	01:36
90.	11/D	Judy KING	FV55	360 + 1	F	01:37
91.	10/B	Tessa STEPHENSON	FV55	Mixed Relay Team	F	01:40
96.	11/C	Sally PICKLES	FV55	360 + 1	F	01:51
99.	11/A	Liz CARVEL	FV65	360 + 1	F	01:55
100.	3/B	Sam SUTTON	FV45	Spartan Ladies 1	F	01:57
101.	11/B	Rebecca RAYNER	FV35	360 + 1	F	02:00

Amanda Wins Handicap

AMANDA VICKERS won the Spartans handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening.

She smashed her PB (personal best) by 1:26 to finish in 32:46, with Alice Welch second woman (3rd overall) in a debut 5k time of 34:51 and Sam Gentry third woman (9^th overall) in a new PB of 29:03.

The first man was new member Nic Cashman in 23:53, with Karl Shreeve second man with 29:05 and Kartik Sharma the third man in a SB (season’s best) time of 28:04.

Nathan Kirley was fastest man on the night, 26 seconds quicker than his previous best time in 18:56, with Kris Westcott 2nd quickest with 20:18 and Perri Gentry 3rd fastest in 20:28.

Oli Lacigova was quickest lady in 22:57, with Sally Reeve second fastest in 25:04 and Jackie Perry third in 25:43.

Time difference between 1st and last position was just 3:42.

In handicap races the slowest runners, on recent form start first, and the others follow at intervals appropriate to the performances. In theory if no-one improves or slows down everyone will finish together.

Very well done the 19 Spartans who took part in this month’s Handicap 5k and a big thank you to Mark Freeman for his much appreciated assistance.

The next handicap 5K will be on Thursday 19^th June.

POS	NAME	SURNAME	TIME	H’cap
1	AMANDA	VICKERS	32:46	3:29
2	NIC	CASHMAN	23:53	3:07
3	ALICE	WELCH	34:51	2:54
4	KARL	SHREEVE	29:05	2:40
5	KARTIK	SHARMA	28:04	2:11
6	NICK	KLEANTHOUS	29:50	2:10
7	NATHAN	KIRLEY	18:56	2:04
8	PERRI	GENTRY	20:28	2:02
9	SAM	GENTRY	29:03	1:42
10	OLI	LACIGOVA	22:57	1:48
11	JO	COOK	36:20	1:25
12	JACKIE	PERRY	25:43	1:17
13	KRIS	WESTCOTT	20:18	1:12
14	TIM	ROBINSON	27:23	0:52
15	MIKE	REYNOLDS	28:15	0:30
16	MARTIN	DUDLEY	25:46	(0:01)
17	SALLY	REEVE	25:04	(0:19)
18	CRAIG	BACON	22:49	(0:04)
19	SAMANTHA	TOPHILL	26:43	(0:13)

Stort Five

CHARLIE ARNOLD ran the Stort 5 mile race at Cammas Farm, Hatfield Broad Oak

He was eighth in 37:25.

Colchester Zoo Duo

Jess Clarke and Jay Papa ran the Colchester Zoo Stampede 10K together.

They both finished in 55 minutes 24 seconds. There were 1,857 finishers.

Hackney Half

PETER SACH completed the Hackney Half marathon in 2:27:35 (2 hours 27 minutes 35 seconds). He said the atmosphere as always was brilliant with people lining the streets in support, and thankfully the weather this year was much milder than last year. There were 20,901 finishers!

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 17^th May

High numbers again at Stevenage parkrun with 572 finishers.

KIRK NDUGU was second in 17 minutes 15 seconds (17:15) and SIMON JACKSON fifth in 19:43. SHARON CROWLEY enjoyed herself continuing her recent improvement at 228^th with 28:35. JIM BROWN and PENNY SCHENKEL enjoyed the last time they could wear their Mayor and Mayoress T shirts with 29 minutes 11 seconds. Jim broke the unofficial world mayor chain record the previous week.

ANNABELLE WHITE was the fastest female from Fairlands with 27:57.

55 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday. Spartans elsewhere included JOHN HARRIS at the Rothay Park parkrun, Ambleside. He finished 13^th in 21:18.

Stevenage parkrun will celebrate its ninth birthday on Saturday 24^th May. There’s a celebration and a Where’s Wally? theme.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
2	2	Kirk NDUGU	17:15
5	5	Simon JACKSON	19:43
23	21	Tony RANDFIELD	21:33
70	63	Lee PICKERSGILL	23:33
96	85	Martin DUDLEY	24:15
100	89	Daniel VILJOEN	24:41
153	130	Ryan DUNNING	26:43
204	37	Annabelle WHITE	27:57
228	49	Sharon CROWLEY	28:35
238	178	Matt CLARKE	28:51
252	186	Jim BROWN	29:11
251	60	Penny SCHENKEL	29:11
268	64	Fiona Clarke	29:31
295	212	Steve PLATT	30:15
326	92	Debbie BLANTERN	31:04
328	93	Ada JANUSIENE	31:05
333	96	Monica SMITHSON	31:13
398	133	Caroline CROFT	33:56
433	154	Hilary DAVIES	35:09
447	268	Nick KLEANTHOUS	35:58
453	170	Hannah MANTON	36:08
470	276	Lloyd DIAS	37:37
475	184	Tracy HAYGARTH	38:01
483	189	Jane WADEY	38:35
523	217	Nichola DURENT	45:06
530	285	Roger BIGGS	46:16
533	224	Emma CHAPMAN	47:22
553	238	Nikki Katherine NATION	53:02

Tags 400m relays, Colchester Zoo Stampede 10K, Hackney Half, Handicap 5k, parkrun, Stort 5

News Race Results

HOT SPARTANS ON THE GREENWAY

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date May 11, 2025
No Comments on HOT SPARTANS ON THE GREENWAY

It was seriously hot for the Greenway Challenge in Letchworth. Several of the 17 Spartans grouped up in the sun as they tackled the 13.1 miles multi-terrain event.

Spartan ADRIAN DONNELLY was a bit of a star. He won the men 40 plus category and was fifth overall with 1 hour 38 minutes 41 seconds (1:38:41). NICK GILL and PETE GENTLE came in 36^th and 37^th in 1:52:59. SUZY HAWKINS was the fastest female from Fairlands in 1:53:59 with TOBY ECCLESHALL not far behind in 1:54:17.

Next came a Spartan quadruplet. ANNABELLE WHITE and ALEX SCOFIELD in 2:08:06 then MARIE COLUCCI and GEORGIE HOOPER in 2:08:17.

FVS club chair TIM ROBINSON was back in 2:43:39 a little in front of another Spartan pair TRICIA HOPPER in 2:45:01 and KAREN LIDDLE in 2:45:04.

A famous Fairlands Five rounded it off for FVS. VICKY ARCHER 126^th in 2:51:16 then CLAIRE EMMERSON 127^th; HAZEL SMITH 128^th; TRACY PEZ 129^th and PENNY SCHENKEL 130^th all in 2:51:17.

There were 145 finishers.

Pos	Cat Pos	Name	Time
5	1	Adrian DONNELLY	1:38:41
36	7	Nick GILL	1:52:59
37	11	Pete GENTLE	1:52:59
43	4	Suzy HAWKINS	1:53:49
45	8	Toby ECCLESHALL	1:54:17
78	9	Annabelle WHITE	2:08:06
79	15	Alex SCOFIELD	2:08:06
81	7	Marie COLUCCI	2:08:17
82	12	Georgie HOOPER	2:08:17
118	26	Tim ROBINSON	2:43:39
119	3	Tricia HOPPER	2:45:01
121	4	Karen LIDDLE	2:45:04
126	21	Vicky ARCHER	2:51:16
127	18	Claire EMMERSON	2:51:17
128	19	Hazel SMITH	2:51:17
129	20	Tracy PEZ	2:51:17
130	6	Penny SCHENKEL	2:51:17

Five Miles Frazzle but some Spartans top threes.

Some like it hot. Others were not quite so sure at the Phoenix Five mile race in Stevenage. Thirteen Spartans ran. Pretty warm with little shade but a straightforward course from Shephalbury Park to Fairlands Valley Park and back.

MIKE JEFFS and PAUL SHELLEY excelled. Mike was first man 40 plus and fourth out of the 272 finishers in 29 minutes 55 seconds; Paul second man 50 plus and seventh in 31:06.

JESS CLARKE was second senior woman (18-39) and tenth woman overall in 40:44 and LORRAINE HILL third woman 55 plus in 43 minutes exactly.

Lots of room for improvement but JIM BROWN completed a full set of both club championships for this year with 46:20.

Pos	Cat Pos	Name	Chip Time
4	1	Mike JEFFS	29:55
7	2	Paul SHELLEY	31:06
10	5	Jay PAPA	31:43
74	2	Jess CLARKE	40:44
95	3	Lorraine HILL	43:00
123	38	Lloyd DIAS	45:19
129	5	Jim BROWN	46:20
163	15	Sarah ILLINGWORTH	50:17
164	15	Nick KLEANTHOUS	50:12
171	27	Karl SHREEVE	51:41
197	13	Monica SMITHSON	54:53
211	27	Callie CHAPMAN	56:34
229	17	Alice WELCH	59:15

Spartans On Track

Fairlands Valley Spartan sent a team of nineteen to the first fixture in the EMAC track and field series this year.

The FVS women’s team of SHARON CROWLEY, YUKO GORDON, CHRISTINE LATHWELL, NIKKI NATION, JOYLYN SANDERS-MULLINS, TESSA STEPHENSON and ALISON WOOD won with 74.0 points compared with 49.0 for second placed Bedford & County.

CHARLES ARNOLD, JIM BROWN, MARK COLLINS, MARK FREEMAN, STEVE FEELY, MIKE JEFFS, STEVE MAYFIELD, ANDREW PATTERSON, GRANT RAMSAY, TIMOTHY SAUNDERS-MULLINS, PAUL SHELLEY and DAVID STEPHENSON were third in the men’s competition with 73.0.

The track was very busy with a number of 1500 metre races. The 1500 features in the Spartans short distance championships. ANDREW PATTERSON won the men 35 to 49 race in 4:23.1; ALISON WOOD won the women 50-59 in 5:56.6; SHARON CROWLEY the women 60 plus in 7:46.0 and YUKO GORDON the women 70 plus in 6:45.7.

There were useful placings by GRANT RAMSAY second man 50 plus 5:21.6; CHARLES ARNOLD second man 60 plus in 6:06.6; CHRISTINE LATHWELL second woman 35 plus in 5:33.5 and JIM BROWN third man 70 plus in 8:11.8. The event was in Sandy on Wednesday evening.

The next two EMAC fixtures will be in Bedford on Wednesday 4^th June and in Corby on Wednesday 2^nd July. EMAC, Eastern Masters Athletics Club, is for East of England veterans aged 35 plus.

Semington Slog 10K

PETE COOK said the Semington Slog 10K was a lovely sunny outing in the Wiltshire Countryside undulating to start with then a nice flat path along the Kennet and Avon Canal followed by the reason it’s called a slog for the last 5K. He took more than a minute off his personal best (PB) when he finished in 56:35.

MK Marathon Weekend

At about 12 degrees conditions were relatively kind for marathon running in Milton Keynes on May Day Holiday Monday.

A bit of a breeze but TONY RANDFIELD went through 10K in 49:40 and half marathon in 1:45:51 and reached the finish line in 3 hours 45 minutes 29 seconds. JESSICA CLARKE was through 10K in 1:00:12 and halfway in 2:06:51 and the finish line in 4:34:33. With a much better run than in Brighton a few weeks ago HANNAH MANTON in was at 10K in 1:23:45; halfway in 2:41:19 and finished in 5:27:05. There were 1,934 finishers.

Hannah said “It didn’t quite go to plan despite feeling strong, blisters definitely got the better of me! Multiple stops were needed to change plasters, and even swap trainers at the halfway point, but I’ll take it as lessons learned and more training towards my ultra in June!”

JOHN NELMS was running the half marathon. He went through 10K in 1:02:45 and finished in 2:02:15. There were 2,316 finishers in the half marathon.

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 10^th May – including the 400^th parkrun in Stevenege

Stevenage parkrun celebrated a major milestone on Saturday morning 10^th May. It was be the 400^th Stevenage parkrun. So far there have been 132,505 finishes in just under nine years with an average time of 30 minutes 11 seconds.

There was another huge turnout – 653 runners – and 30 of them were Spartans.

Spartan ADRIAN BUSOLINI won the event by a good margin. He ran the 5K in 17 minutes 52 seconds (17:52). That was 54 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

GRANT RAMSAY was back in the top five at fourth with 19:15.

It was a double century for JIM BROWN. His 200^th parkrun on the 400^th parkrun. He finished in 28:56. DANIEL VILJOEN ran his 290^th in 25:14; MARK BEASLEY his 150^th in 25:43 and JAYNE RIDDELL her 110^th in 27:03.Yuko Gordon was second woman and 27^th overall in the Letchworth parkrun with 25:04.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
1	1	Adrian BUSOLINI	17:52
4	4	Grant RAMSAY	19:15
20	17	Perri GENTRY	21:04
26	23	David RIDDELL	21:39
59	54	Matthew COOKE	23:14
99	92	Paul MAGUIRE	24:37
101	94	Lee PICKERSGILL	24:38
118	107	Darren EMMERSON	25:14
119	108	Daniel VILJOEN	25:14
141	126	Mark BEASLEY	25:43
160	138	Ryan DUNNING	26:07
169	145	Matt TUTTON	26:22
195	162	Steve TINSLEY	27:03
193	22	Jayne RIDDELL	27:03
221	26	Lorraine HILL	27:27
287	221	Jim BROWN	28:56
301	228	Matt CLARKE	29:18
300	60	Sharon CROWLEY	29:18
343	251	Kartik SHARMA	30:34
382	99	Debbie BLANTERN	31:20
423	273	Ahaan SHARMA	32:17
448	142	Penny SCHENKEL	33:08
472	297	Stephen SMITHSON	34:21
500	169	Hilary DAVIES	35:19
528	313	Lloyd DIAS	36:30
550	200	Hannah MANTON	37:46
574	217	Nicola HATHERLY	39:12
630	341	Roger BIGGS	47:03
649	350	Tony RANDFIELD	56:56
652	263	Claire EMMERSON	1:02:57

Tags EMAC, Greenway Challenge, Milton Keynes Marathon, parkrun, Pheonix Five, Semington Slog 10k

News Race Results

GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE FOR SPARTANS

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date May 4, 2025
No Comments on GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE FOR SPARTANS

There were silver and bronze county medals for Fairlands Valley Spartans on Sunday morning. 24 ran the Hitchin 10K which included the Hertfordshire championships for veteran runners.

In the open race Spartan CHARLIE WHITE was 12^th out of the 893 finishers in a new personal best (PB) of 36 minutes 5 seconds. Charlie’s PB was 11 seconds quicker than the St Albans 10K two weeks ago and a 1 minute 17 second improvement since last year.

The fastest female from Fairlands was ASHLEY KING who was in the top 90 runners and in the County championships won a BRONZE medal with 42 minutes 29 seconds (42:29).

Spartan JIM BROWN was very pleased with himself. Despite a hard time in the London Marathon heat last Sunday afternoon he won SILVER in the County championships with a reasonable time of 55 minutes 57 seconds. That’s second man 70 plus.

There were many great achievements including MEGAN SUTTON improving her personal best by 2 minutes 4 seconds to 56:20 and SAM GENTRY with a new PB of 1:01:08, a reduction of 1 minute 10 seconds. JUDY KING got under one hour for the first time with her new PB of 27:43.

SAMANTHA SUTTON ran her fastest 10K since 2021 with 1:19:21. PENNY SCHENKEL and BECKY RAYNER were other London Marathon finishers who had a good run. Penny came in with 1:02:42 and Becky with 1:19:21.

The Spartans second woman JO COOKSLEY beat 50 minutes with 49:39.

JACKIE PERRY was second in the women 60 plus age group. Her chip time was 52 minutes 46 seconds.

To participate in the county championships runners had to be eligible by birth or place of residence.

Pos	CatPos	MF	BiB	Name	Cat	Chip Time	Age Gd
12	5	12	4409	Charles WHITE	MV30	36:05	74.1%
49	13	45	3836	Adrian DONNELLY	MV40	40:31	71.5%
88	15	77	3386	Mike GUEST	MV50	42:34	74.2%
89	5	12	4799	Ashley KING	FV30	42:29	72.8%
117	3	103	26	Charles ARNOLD	MV60	44:08	80.8%
123	43	108	3803	Toby ECCLESHALL	MV30	44:23	60.7%
187	40	163	3224	Danny SCANLON	MV40	46:40	60.6%
237	79	203	7296	Joseph WASNOCK	MV30	48:11	55.3%
275	20	47	7119	Jo COOKSLEY	FV30	49:39	61.9%
390	2	81	3700	Jackie PERRY	FV60	52:46	76.6%
412	77	325	3563	Matt TUTTON	MV40	52:55	52.1%
484	71	359	883	Tim ROBINSON	MV50	55:09	56.6%
507	3	370	3663	Jim BROWN	MV70+	55:57	65.8%
537	22	152	2338	Megan SUTTON	F20	56:20	53.1%
570	8	170	4142	Judy KING	FV60	57:43	67.0%
605	69	192	1605	Amy SAWYER	FV30	58:15	51.6%
615	32	416	7303	Andy JAY	MV60	59:01	55.8%
684	69	246	857	Sam GENTRY	FV40	1:01:08	54.1%
722	42	274	625	Penny SCHENKEL	FV50	1:02:42	57.4%
723	43	275	4944	Hazel SMITH	FV50	1:02:42	54.7%
729	91	451	196	Karl SHREEVE	MV50	1:02:57	50..1%
817	56	343	3710	Samantha SUTTON	FV50	1:08:18	49.6%
881	104	395	1589	Rebecca RAYNER	FV40	1:19:21	39.7%
893	10	489	4758	Roger BIGGS	MV70+	1:42:15	38.3%

Resolution 5000

Eleven Spartans ran in the Resolution 5000 at Ridlins Track in Stevenage.

Only days after running a full marathon in Manchester SIMON JACKSON was racing round 12.5 laps of the track to be second in the event with 17 minutes 2 seconds. NICK GILL was fifth with 17:50 and PAUL SHELLEY sixth in 18:05.

GEORGIE HOOPER was the fastest female from Fairlands third woman in the event with 21:15, a new personal best by three seconds. ANNABELLE WHITE was not far behind in 22:42.

The other Spartans were ROSS GALLAGHER 19:13; PAUL MOULD 19:24; MATT TUTTON in 24:24; MARTIN DUDLEY in 24:32; SHARON CROWLEY in 29:11 and PAUL HOLGATE in 33:12. There were 58 runners.

Nick Gill. 17:50 for me at the Resolution 5k – my third fastest over the distance and my quickest on the track. I was aiming for sub-18, so really pleased with the run and how I paced it. Thanks to everyone for the fantastic support!

Ross Gallagher said his 19:13 was a good marker to build on.

Pos	Name	Time	MF	CatPos	Cat	Age Gd
2	Simon JACKSON	17:02	2	1	MV40	85.1 %
5	Nick GILL	17:50	5	3	MS	73.7 %
6	Paul SHELLEY	18:05	6	2	MV50	84.8 %
13	Ross GALLAGHER	19:13	13	4	MV40	70.9 %
17	Paul MOULD	19:24	17	6	MV40	70.2 %
27	Georgie HOOPER	21:15	3	3	FS	70.5 %
35	Annabelle WHITE	22:42	6	5	FS	64.9 %
43	Matt TUTTON	24:24	35	14	MV40	55.8 %
46	Martin DUDLEY	24:32	38	2	MV60	65.8 %
56	Sharon CROWLEY	29:11	11	1	FV60	68.3 %
57	Paul HOLGATE	33:12	46	4	MV60	51.3 %

MK Marathon Weekend

At about 12 degrees conditions were relatively kind for marathon running in Milton Keynes on May Day Holiday Monday.

JOHN NELMS was running the half marathon. He went through 10K in 1:02:45 and finished in 2:02:15. There were 2,316 finishers in the half marathon.

Medals at Track Championships

Fairlands Valley Spartans came away from the Hertfordshire track championships for veterans with a good crop of medals. SHARON CROWLEY won GOLD for women 60 plus in the 1500 metres with 7 minutes 44 seconds (4:53.85), a recent improvement of 12 seconds, and SILVER in the hammer with 16.19 metres.

It was GOLD for SIMON JACKSON in the men 40 plus 1500. It took him just 4 minutes 34 seconds (4:34.25).

PAUL SHELLEY won GOLD in the men 50 plus 1500 metres with a personal best of 4:53.85 and CRAIG BACON took the SILVER with 5:33.86. That was Craig’s first 1500 since 2019.

ANNABELLE WHITE won GOLD in the senior women’s 1500 with 6:13.53.

Moving carefully after the road 10K championships the previous day JIM BROWN won 1500 metres GOLD for men 70 plus. However it was a bit of a journey. It took him 8:37.67.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 3^rd May – 400^th parkrun coming up

The FVS “takeover” of Saturday’s Stevenage parkrun resulted in a large turnout of 598 runners completing the five kilometres around Fairlands Valley Park. Some were proudly wearing their London Marathon finishers T shirts from six days earlier.

The Spartans provided nearly all the officials, the marshals, all the pacers and the tailwalkers – and 45 Spartans ran. PAUL MOULD a first timer was seventh in 19:47 and MIKE JEFFS, also top ten, was eighth in 19:50. MARTIN JACOB ran a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 21:52 and MARIE COLUCCI was a top ten woman with 23:41.

LEE PICKERSGILL celebrated a milestone with his 100^th parkrun which he finished in 25:23. There were also PPBs for PETER SACH 27:31 and JUDY KING 28:37. Judy improved by 36 seconds.

Altogether 75 Spartans were running a parkrun on Saturday morning. One was enjoying a really memorable run along the city walls at Lucca in Italy. The Mura di Lucca parkrun. JACKIE DOWNES finished in 29 minutes 46 seconds. There were 115 finishers.

Stevenage parkrun celebrates a major milestone on Saturday morning 10^th May. It will be the 400^th Stevenage parkrun. So far there have been 131,852 finishes with an average time of 30 minutes 11 seconds.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
7	7	Paul MOULD	19:47
8	8	Mike JEFFS	19:50
42	39	Martin JACOB	21:52
44	41	Jay PAPA	21:58
50	47	David RIDDELL	22:09
91	80	Tony RANDFIELD	23:23
98	86	Ross GALLACHER	23:29
107	10	Marie COLUCCI	23:41
113	97	Charlie WHITE	24:17
118	101	Martin DUDLEY	24:25
135	115	Daniel VILJOEN	25:03
146	125	Lee PICKERSGILL	25:23
149	127	Darren EMMERSON	25:25
158	135	Mark BEASLEY	25:36
167	144	Matthew COOKE	25:56
172	149	Ryan DUNNING	26:01
218	183	Steve TINSLEY	27:27
222	186	Peter SACH	27:31
234	192	Charles ARNOLD	27:45
269	48	Judy KING	28:37
278	218	Vishal SHAH	28:43
298	59	Claire EMMERSON	29:16
303	62	Carole SHELDRICK	29:29
308	66	Jessica CLARKE	29:35
336	76	Sophie PARSONS	30:47
339	251	Ryan RIDDELL	30:52
350	86	Pamela VILJOEN	31:10
355	89	Debbie BLANTERN	31:15
361	258	Steve PLATT	31:23
366	97	Nikki NATION	31:30
376	105	Annabelle WHITE	31:45
385	265	Nick KLEANTHOUS	32:11
386	111	Elizabeth CROWLEY	32:13
426	275	Paul HOLGATE	33:35
435	141	Yuko GORDON	33:58
478	171	Hazel SMITH	36:00
482	172	Hannah MANTON	36:08
498	298	Maurice BALLARD	37:24
526	307	Lloyd DIAS	40:02
552	216	Melody BROWN	42:50
581	235	Emma CHAPMAN	49:20
583	325	Roger BIGGS	50:02
590	242	Rebecca RAYNER	54:56
597	248	Alison SHELLEY	62:10
598	249	Sharon CROWLEY	62:12

Tags 1500m track, Hitchin 10K, MK Marathon, parkrun, Resolution 5k

News Race Results

SPARTANS AT LONDON 45

It was a hot one with many club members running through the afternoon but ANDREW PATTERSON from Fairlands Valley Spartans seemed super cool at the finish having run the London Marathon in a fantastic 2 hours 36 minutes 23 seconds. He was 444^th out of a record breaking more than 55,646 so easily top 1%.

The first female from Fairlands was ASHLEY JOHNSON. So close to sub three with 3:00:39. She broke a club record.

SIMON FRASER got there with 2:49:29.

LINDA GEORGE was chuffed with her London Marathon time (4:41:57) this year — and it’s a personal best PB (12 minutes 15 seconds faster) than last year’s London Marathon! She was really happy with how it went. Soaked herself in water throughout the course and used every shower on the route, which helped her manage the heat. Also managed a happy jump picture at the meeting point after the race!

CAROL PAUL completed her 23rd London Marathon and 362nd marathon in 5:02:43 on a very warm day in London.

Someone else who has run more than half of the 45 London Marathon was JIM BROWN. Not in the best shape and suffering in the heat but got round in 5:28:40 raising funds for the Mayor’s charities.

Very definitely mission accomplished for PENNY SCHENKEL who completed her first ever marathon in 5 hours 45 minutes 16 seconds.

MELANIE BATE came in with an excellent 3:09:54 and LORRAINE HILL with 5:00:14.

Some with later starts really suffered in the afternoon heat but stuck it out and got the medal. They included first timers SIMON SYPULA 5:22:55 and PETE COOK 5:56:33. Also CLARE DAVIES 5:52:19 and SARAH PARFITT 6:16:27.

New member OLIVIA NATION came in with 4:49:50.

Manchester

AND three Spartans were running the Manchester Marathon where SIMON JACKSON was sub three with 2 hours 48 minutes 17 seconds. He was 200^th out of more than 23,000. KEITH HOOKER ran a new personal best of 3:51:01 and LLOYD DIAS finished in 5:25:41.

Gerry “Not The London Marathon”

GERRY ROSEN ran the half marathon in the Phoenix Running “Not the London Marathon” event.

Almost 300 people took part including people running their virtual marathons and there were a few people there from all corners of the world, USA, Australia to name a few.

It was his first running event since his Ultra a month ago, but it went well and he finished in a respectable 2 hours 26min 47secs , Gerry says room for improvement as always.

Easy Friday

With Sunday very much on his mind JIM BROWN ran / walked around the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K in 34:08. It was sunny, mild with a light breeze in Hyde Park.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 26^th April

It may have been the day before tens of thousands ran the London Marathon but 564 ran the 398^th Stevenage parkrun on Saturday morning including 22 Spartans.

Amongst them were CLAIRE EMMERSON who ran her 180^th parkrun in 28:28.

Elsewhere three were at the Henlow Bridges parkrun where MATT GIFFORD was 35^th in 24:33; JOHN NELMS 46^th in 25:24 and NICK GILL running there for the first time who was 56^th in 25:59. There were 201 finishers.

Three others were at Panshanger. Running there for the first time PETER SACH was 162^nd in 28:22; SALLY PICKLES, another first timer, was 216^th in 32:43 and NIKI PLUMB 277^th in 48:23. There were 318 finishers.

Altogether 47 Spartans were running parkruns – and not just in the UK.There will be a Spartan “takeover” at Stevenage parkrun this Saturday 3^rd May and the local parkrun will be celebrating its 400^th run on 10^th May.

Tags London Marathon, Manchester Marathon, Not the London Marathon, parkrun, Serpentine 5K

News Race Results

A GOOD FRIDAY FOR A FAST RUN

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date April 20, 2025
No Comments on A GOOD FRIDAY FOR A FAST RUN

Twenty two Spartans, 16 women and six men enjoyed a great morning at the St Albans Easter 10K at St Albans on Good Friday.

A lovely morning helped bring were some fantastic results for Fairlands Valley including SIMON JACKSON fourth out of 968 with 35 minutes 14 seconds (35:14) which got him second man 45 plus.

Another top ten runner was CHARLIE WHITE at eighth with a new personal best (PB) of 36:17.

CHARLES ARNOLD ran his fastest ever time as a Spartan, a season’s best (SB) of 43:47 and second man 65 plus.

There was a three second improvement for GEORGIE HOOPER taking her to a new PB of 44:54 and ANNABELLE WHITE ran a new PBPB “post baby personal best” of 48:16.

Her first time in Spartans stripes for ages SU McANENY went to set a benchmark and finished with a two second PB, 48:43.

PENNY SCHENKEL improved by 4 minutes 13 seconds to 1:00:06 and JIM BROWN by 1:06 this year to 54:39 which lifted him to second man 70 plus.

SAM GENTRY knocked five minutes off her PB and finished in 1:02:18.

Running her first official 10K since 2023 JANE WADEY finished in a season’s best 1:23:24.

SHARON CROWLEY said it was unexpectedly warm but she finished in 1:04:21.

Pos	Name	Time
4	Simon JACKSON	35:14
8	Charlie WHITE	36:17
18	Nick GILL	38:03
64	Ross GALLAGHER	41:00
116	Charles ARNOLD	43:47
130	Georgie HOOPER	44:54
196	Marie COLUCCI	48:42
201	Annabelle WHITE	48:16
217	Susan MCANENY	48:43
374	Jim BROWN	54:39
575	Penny SCHENKEL	1:00:06
596	Nikki NATION	1:01:14
656	Megan SUTTON	1:03:09
688	Sam GENTRY	1:02:18
756	Sharon CROWLEY	1:04:21
772	Liz CARVELL	1:05:50
828	Samantha SUTTON	1:10:12
846	Callie CHAPMAN	1:09:25
908	Sally PHILLIPS	1:14:12
921	Rose SUTTON	1:16:27
944	Rebecca RAYNER	1:19:46
961	Jane WADEY	1:23:24

A Big Win For Kristian

Spartan KRISTIAN ATANASOV won the Tarnovo Ultra 51K trail race in Bulgaria which was based in the city of Veliko Tarnovo. It was an incredible race with lots of mud and great competition. Only 30 seconds separated the top three. This was a new personal best on this course by Kristian. A 37 minute improvement from 5 hours 25 minutes in 2024 to 4:48:32 and winning in 2025. It earnt him about 400 euros worth of prizes.

Ibiza Marathon

JAY PAPA was 76^th out of 1,042 finishers in the recent Ibiza Marathon with his time of 3 hours 22 minutes 21 seconds (3:22:21). JESSICA CLARKE finished in 4:16:11.

Norfolk Marathon

Spartan ROB WRIGHT ran the Norfolk Marathon. With a start and finish overlooking the sea in Cromer he finished in 4:07:12 and was 167^th out of about 500 runners.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 19^th April

Dozens of Spartans ran in the 397^th Stevenage parkrun which attracted 574 finishers. The Spartan highlights included DAVID HARRIS- CHERGUIT second in 19 minutes 31 seconds; JOHN HARRIS ran his milestone 100^th parkrun in 21:14; PETE COOK another personal best, this time 24:31; FIONA CLARKE ran her 220^th parkrun in 29:22; NICK KLEANTHOUS his 240^th in 32:01; LLOYD DIAS finished his 40^th in 52:16 and PENNY SCHENKEL was an Easter bunny in 34:02.

Tags Ibiza Marathon, Norfolk Coastal Marathon, parkrun, St Albans Easter 10K, Tarnovo Ultra 51K

News Race Results

SPARTANS MAKE PBs AT NEWPORT

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date April 13, 2025
No Comments on SPARTANS MAKE PBs AT NEWPORT

In the Newport Marathon a time of 2:48:19 brought a new marathon PB (personal best) for DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT. He said it was a great course, a really well organised race and there was a quality field with great groups to work with on pacing.

David said he was super happy with a new PB, making all the early starts and running up Martins Way worthwhile.

He was bought rapidly back down to earth shortly after finishing by his kids in the Fun Run who both left him for dust!

VICKY ARCHER ran the Newport Half Marathon with an aim to go sub 1:50. She said Stuart ran with her keeping her on track and was amazing! They crossed the line in 1:47:42! That’s a PB of just over 4 minutes.

Vicky said “1:47 is a time I thought was out of reach a few months ago… hard work and consistency pays off.”

Spartan Six at Flitwick

BRIAN WHITE ran his first race since moving up to the 70 category and met some very good vets at the Flitwick 10K. He was fourth in his age category on a fairly challenging course in 47 minutes 20 seconds. The weather was perfect and the race very well organised.

Spartan YUKO GORDON finished first woman 65 plus with 49:16.

She said, “I haven’t trained much for the last three weeks with my injury after the bad fall during the MK 20 Mile race last month and I couldn’t reach my usual racing pace at all today. Fortunately I won my age group but my time was nearly three minutes slower than two years ago.”

JOHN NELMS and JACKIE PERRY finished together in 54:08 and 54:09.

JIM BROWN set off thinking about a “58” based on recent running so was very happy with 55 minutes 45 seconds. PENNY SCHENKEL continued her good progress towards the London Marathon with a 6:30 minutes per kilometre run to give her a time of 64 minutes 13 seconds.

Pos	First name	Last name	Chip time
140	Brian	White	47:20
194	Yuko	Gordon	49:16
316	John	Nelms	54:08
317	Jackie	Perry	54:09
350	Jim	Brown	55:45
548	Penny	Schenkel	64:13

April in Paris

Tim ROBINSON ran the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon 2025 in a time of 5:43:33. It’s the 4th time he has completed the Paris Marathon. A beautiful route starting and finishing at the Arc De Triomphe and taking in many famous Paris landmarks.

Rotterdam

DAVE COOK said he was disappointed with his run at the Rotterdam Marathon but he was still well under three hours with his 2:52:21.

In the same race MICHAEL FISHER struggled to hold his pace for the first 10km and then it got better. Felt warmer than forecasted so water was a must. The fast start punished him from 34 kilometres onwards so he held himself slightly to ensure that he could still hit my targeted time. He got it right with a PB improvement of 11 minutes and a Sub 2 run of 2 hours 57 minutes 13 seconds (2:57:13).

Euro Matt

On Saturday MATT TUTTON ran the Half Marathon at the European Running Championships in the small city of Leuven in Belgium. The atmosphere was fantastic, course was flat and the weather was very warm but beautiful. He beat his previous PB and finished in 2 hours 1 minute and 22 seconds. Not enough to finish in top 25 Brits to score points although we finished 5th so no additional medal to bring home. It is a great weekend with 10k and marathon on Sunday. He was looking forward to watch both elite and recreational runners come through. Next edition will be in Belgrade in 2027.

Ultra Spartans.

Ciaran McAneny raced in the UKA 2025 British Championship 24 hour race on the track at Crawley from noon on Saturday until noon on Sunday.

In a race that started fast and saw many contenders burn their matches early in warm weather; Ciaran kept control of his early pace to move up through the field as others dropped out.

Spartan Ciaran was one of three runners who closed in on the lead as the day progressed. He made his way into second, until the closing stages when he started to struggle to maintain pace and eventually came away with a British Championship Bronze Medal and a distance of 201.3 kilometres.

The race itself was won outright with an astonishing run by Sarah Webster who finished with a distance of 243.4km and a new British Women’s 100 mile record of 14:05 along the way.

On Saturday, MARTIN JACOB ran his first 50 mile ultramarathon – the South Downs Way 50. He was initially worried it might be a very warm day, but it turned out to be a pleasant day for the run. There were a few brutal hills along the way, but aside from those, he enjoyed every bit of the race. He finished in 11:30:47, with a strong sprint at the end. Super happy with the result !

Sharon and Mike Crowley took part in Capital Challenge, a self navigated long distance walk north and south of the River Thames. On a very warm day and after almost 28 miles they finished in 9 hours 15 minutes.

Ibiza Marathon, Saturday

JAY PAPA was 76^th out of 1,042 finishers in Saturday’s Ibiza Marathon with his time of 3 hours 22 minutes 21 seconds (3:22:21).

Hyrox Harris

JOHN HARRIS completed the Warsaw Hyrox in 1 hour 26 minutes 40 seconds (1:26:40). 1-26-40 finishing 6th V60 at his first attempt. Hyrox is an indoor fitness competition combining eight kilometres of running with eight functional workout stations.

Club Championships Are Go

The Fairlands Valley Spartans club championships last all year and started on 1^st January 2025.

There are long and short distance options. For the long it will be the best of three out of 10 miles, half marathon, 20 miles and full marathon (42.2 kilometres). For the short the best of three out of 1500 metres, 5 kilometres, 5 miles and 10 kilometres. Counting races must be licensed with a certified accurate course – there are hundreds to chose from.

By the end of March, the first quarter, only PENNY SCHENKEL had completed a female three distance series so she is leading the women’s long distance series with 56.4%. BRIAN WHITE is leading the men’s long distance with 74.9% while JIM BROWN is second on 66.0%.

This won’t last for long as many other Spartans had already recorded two fast times for either the long or short distances.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 12^th April

Over 500 parkrunners again at Stevenage parkrun on Saturday morning with 501 finishers. 24 were Spartans.

PETE COOK made into the top 100 at Stevenage parkrun and ran another parkrun personal best (PPB). This time it was 24:51. He was 26 seconds behind TANYA BRAZIER who also ran a new PPB, for her it was 24:25.

It was a double century for ROGER BIGGS. He ran his 200^th parkrun in 48:33. LORRAINE HILL ran her 350^th in 26:16.

CHARLIEV WHITE was the quickest Spartan at Stevenage with 18:09 and JO COOKSLEY the Fastest Female From Fairlands with 24:16.

SIMON JACKSON did 16:56 at the Great Denham park run on Saturday. PAUL SHELLEY ran the same event in 17:41.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
5	5	Charlie WHITE	18:09
28	27	Tony RANDFIELD	21:17
54	52	Toby ECCLESHALL	23:01
84	5	Jo COOKSLEY	24:16
88	6	Tanya BRAZIER	24:25
93	79	Chris WATLING	24:38
98	82	Pete COOK	24:51
110	90	Stuart ARCHER	25:15
127	104	Darren EMMERSON	26:01
134	14	Lorraine HILL	26:16
235	172	Kartik SHARMA	29:12
248	181	Thomas SAUKA	29:34
252	53	Claire EMMERSON	29:46
259	58	Penny SCHENKEL	30:08
269	66	Hannah MANTON	30:35
274	189	Peter SACH	30:53
301	87	Debbie BLANTERN	31:44
318	96	Fiona CLARKE	32:30
319	205	Matt CLARKE	32:31
321	206	Maurice BALLARD	32:32
420	159	Tracy HAYGARTH	37:49
426	163	Hilary DAVIES	38:04
481	200	Nichola DURENT	46:01
487	257	Roger BIGGS	48:33

Tags European Running Championships, Flitwick 10k, Ibiza Marathon, Newport Marathon, Paris Marathon, parkrun, Rotterdam Marathon, Warsaw Hyrox

News Race Results

SPARTANS TAKE ON BERLIN, BRIGHTON AND LONDON

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date April 6, 2025
No Comments on SPARTANS TAKE ON BERLIN, BRIGHTON AND LONDON

Fairlands Valley Spartans ALEX SCOFIELD and JOE WASNOCK smashed their first marathons on Sunday at Brighton and both finished in 4:53, with Joe around 40 seconds behind Alex. They ran together for 23 miles. Their official times were Alex 4:53:00 and Joe 4:53:31.

TRICIA HOPPER ran the Brighton Marathon in 4 hours 59 minutes 39 seconds.

Berlin

SUE HAMER did Berlin half marathon on Sunday, the second of her super-half marathons, and got a personal best (PB) of 1:58:08, shaving 1 minute 50 seconds off her last PB at Bedford…

A great race, perfect conditions and a very enjoyable race

London Landmarks

Unfortunately the London Landmarks half marathon was about 700 metres short due to an incident that delayed the start. The 15-minute delay in the start time was due to a military wreath-laying ceremony near the traditional finish line exit, requiring a course reconfiguration and a 700-metre reduction in length.

Spartan times for the approximately 20.4 kilometre race included: Danielle Ally: 1:58:55, Harry Newberry: 2:07:22 and Olivia Nation 2:08:09.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 5^th April

Over 500 parkrunners again at Stevenage parkrun on Saturday morning and the fastest runner was from Fairlands Valley Spartans. This was the Spartans stripey Saturday and 36 from the club were running the 5K. A great number considering how many Spartans were at other events over the weekend.

JESSICA CLARKE was the red caped crusader as she completed her major milestone of 50 parkruns. She finished in 29 minutes 55 seconds.

Spartan SIMON JACKSON was first of the 511 parkrunners at Saturday’s 395^th parkrun in Stevenage.

Eight Spartans had an outing to the Great Denham parkrun which CHARLIE WHITE won in 17 minutes 16 seconds. NICK GILL was six out of the 280 runners in 18:44 and ANNABELLE WHITE sixth woman in 23:23.

NICK KLEANTHOUS enjoyed some parkrun tourism with a 31:32 at Penistone. ALISON WOOD ran the Clapham Common parkrun in 21:43. PAUL SHELLEY 27:20 and ALISON SHELLEY 29:02 both ran at Bedford and PAUL JENNINGS had a good run at Barclay (Hoddesdon) with 27:39.

ALAN GOODWIN volunteered at Stevenage for the 100^th time.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
1	1	Simon JACKSON	17:13
4	4	David Harris-Cherguit	18:26
12	12	Grant RAMSAY	19:11
31	28	Tony RANDFIELD	21:22
40	37	Matthew COOKE	22:14
64	58	Toby ECCLESHALL	23:13
86	77	Daniel VILJOEN	24:10
89	80	Martin DUDLEY	24:17
123	109	Pete COOK	25:14
124	110	Martin JACOB	25:15
148	123	Darren EMMERSON	25:57
149	124	Ryan DUNNING	26:00
173	147	Lee PICKERSGILL	26:44
175	20	Lorraine HILL	26:49
204	172	Mark BEASLEY	27:30
207	27	Tracy PEZ	27:37
210	175	Andy JAY	27:43
231	40	Claire EMMERSON	28:10
263	204	Kartik SHARMA	28:58
293	221	Steve PLATT	29:50
296	66	Jessica CLARKE	29:55
297	222	Jay PAPA	29:58
311	75	Sharon CROWLEY	30:25
321	79	Penny SCHENKEL	30:43
322	233	Jim BROWN	30:45
336	88	Monica SMITHSON	31:37
349	96	Debbie BLANTERN	32:11
375	109	Pamela VILJOEN	33:27
390	259	Peter SACH	33:58
411	132	Jo MANSFIELD	35:20
419	138	Caroline CROFT	35:59
445	156	Tracy HAYGARTH	38:47
447	157	Jane WADEY	39:05
477	278	Roger BIGGS	45:07
484	179	Nichola DURENT	46:27
501	190	Chloe CHAPMAN	52:14

Tags Berlin Half Marathon, London Landmarks Half Marathon, parkrun

News Race Results

MORE 20s. FAST 15s

Spartans were running from 1500 metres to 50,000 metres at the weekend.

50,000 – Ultra Gerry

GERRY ROSEN took part in London Lea Valley Ultra race on Saturday.

It’s a 50 kilometre race that starts in Welwyn Garden City and follows a disused railway line, the Cole Green Way over to Hertford, it then follows the River Lea all the way to finish by the Olympic Stadium in Hackney Wick. It was Gerry’s first attempt at an Ultra. There were three aid stations en route and glorious weather to be had and it proved to be successful as he finished the course in a respectable 7 hours 11 minutes 55 seconds (7:11:55). It’s a perfect introduction into the world of Ultra Marathon running and he’ll be back next year.

32,206 – More 20s

Four Spartans recently ran the Oakley 20 mile race.

JAY PAPA was 39^th out of the 569 finishers in 2 hours 18 minutes 32 seconds (2:18:32); and TERRY SAWYER 201^st in 2:51:32. JESS CLARKE took a huge chunk off her personal best with 2:55:07 and CHARLES ARNOLD was third man over 65 with 2:55:43.

5000 – Serpentine

It was sunny, mild with a light breeze by the Serpentine for the Last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park. After a slow first kilometre Spartan JIM BROWN was 225^th in 27 minutes 56 seconds (27:56; 64.1%).

As usual there was a great range of runners in Hyde Park. The winner finished in 16 minutes 16 seconds; the first woman in 18:39 and the last to come in was an 85 year old with 40:43.

SUE HAMER ran the recent Lee Valley 10K in a time of 54.47. She was tenth in the 50-59 age category.

1500 – Peter Lee Memorial Open Meeting

Four Spartans ran 1500 metres at the Peter Lee Memorial Open race on Sunday.

In race A PAUL SHELLEY ran a new PB of 5 minutes 1 second (5:01:00) beating his best of last year by 21 seconds.

ANDREW PATTERSON was second in race B with a season’s best 4 minutes 22.8 seconds.

SIMON JACKSON came in with 5:23:28 and SHARON CROWLEY finished with a personal best 7 minutes 56 seconds.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 29^th March

Spartan SIMON JACKSON was first of the 545 parkrunners were at Saturday’s 394^th Stevenage parkrun which is finished in exactly 17 minutes.

34 Fairlands Valley Spartans ran at Stevenage. GRANT RAMSAY was sub 20 with 19:28. CRAIG BACON ran a new parkrun personal best of 21:23 and LINDA GEORGE a new PPB of 26:34. Linda was also the fastest female from Fairlands. PENNY SCHENKEL ran round in 28 minutes exactly, her fastest since 2018 and an improvement of 3:41 on her best time so far this year. JIM BROWN was first man 70 plus with 28:40. Altogether 46 Spartans were at parkruns across the country. Those away from Stevenage included JOHN NELMS 24:55 and SUZY HAWKINS 25:46 at Henlow Bridge Lakes; THOMAS SAUKA among 194 at the new Oaklands College parkrun; and JESSICA CLARKE 28:22 at the Shrewsbury parkrun.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
1	1	Simon JACKSON	17:00
13	13	Grant RAMSAY	19:28
33	32	Craig BACON	21:23
34	33	Tony RANDFIELD	21:26
41	40	David RIDDELL	21:56
46	45	Matthew COOKE	22:08
77	72	Toby ECCLESHALL	23:54
83	76	Martin DUDLEY	24:09
146	130	Ryan DUNNING	26:05
149	132	Darren EMMERSON	26:09
165	145	Martin JACOB	26:23
173	22	Linda GEORGE	26:34
177	154	Jay PAPA	26:56
199	171	Mark BEASLEY	27:16
201	28	Lorraine HILL	27:19
203	173	Steve TINSLEY	27:21
223	35	Penny SCHENKEL	28:00
252	204	Jim BROWN	28:40
265	211	Matt CLARKE	29:04
279	56	Fiona CLARKE	29:39
289	227	Kartik SHARMA	29:56
308	70	Elizabeth CROWLEY	30:49
317	241	Nick KLEANTHOUS	31:03
318	72	Hannah MANTON	31:05
324	76	Monica SMITHSON	31:17
344	90	Debbie BLANTERN	31:46
348	249	Paul JENNINGS	31:53
387	263	Stephen SMITHSON	33:03
455	149	Nicola HATHERLY	37:18
456	150	Chloe CHAPMAN	37:20
465	290	Lloyd DIAS	37:35
470	160	Tracy HAYGARTH	38:01
521	302	Roger BIGGS	47:26
544	212	Sharon CROWLEY	58:09

Tags Lea Valley Ultra, Oakley 20, parkrun, Peter Lee Memorial, Serpentine 5K

News Race Results

GOLD AND BRONZE SPARTANS

Fairlands Valley Spartans brought home GOLD and BRONZE medals from Sunday’s County 20 mile championships.

SIMON JACKSON flew around the four lap Hillingdon course in 2 hours 2 minutes 8 seconds for the Hertfordshire County Bronze for men 40 plus.

JIM BROWN had a hard time of it in the second half with the trippy pavements, kerbs and generally not being in a good place but persisted getting a terrible time of 4:04:58 but holding on to win County Gold for men 70 plus. He said seventy smiling marshals helped get home round and certainly, in minutes per pound, he got good value for his entry fee.

Barcelona Marathon

Kristian ATANASOV ran a fantastic sub three race at the Barcelona Marathon. He finished in 2 hours 51 minutes 57 seconds (2:51:57).

Wymondham

Today Carol Paul ran the Wymondham 20 in Norfolk, just to the south/west of Norwich.
The race started in the Town and went 2 miles out of town through the country lanes where the competitors completed a 8 mile loop twice and then back to Wymondham. The course was undulating with a big hill in the last mile. Conditions were quite humid and Carol finished in 3:28:26, 5th in her age group F60-64 and 382nd out of 462. The race was really well organised with loads of marshals.

Twin Lakes

BRIAN WHITE ran the Twin Lakes 20 in 2 hours 42 minutes 1 second (2:42:01). He was 87^th out of the 572 finishers in the multi-terrain event.

Ashridge Sam

It was a first time for SAM TOPHILL at the Ashridge Boundary Run. She said it was not her usual running terrain !! – but she went round the 17.5 miles in 3:09:06.

TIM ROBINSON finished in 3:54:31. The off road course with 1600ft of ascent took in Ivinghoe Beacon and a section of stairs through the woods! Was a tough run with most of the trails dried out, exposed tree roots, and heavily rutted tracks. The prize for completion was the traditional Beanie.

Classic Cross Country

Spartan MATTHEW NEWTON ran the classic cross country Orion 15 in the Epping Forest near Chingford. He finished in 2 hours 33 minutes 38 seconds.

Lee Valley PB Matt

On Sunday morning, MATT TUTTON ran the 10K at the Lee Valley Run Fest with a few other Spartans. It was a flat course starting and finishing at the Olympic White-Water centre venturing through the Lee Valley Country Park. Conditions were decent and he managed a chip time of 51:37 which is now is new 10k PB. He was very happy to take a chunk of time off my personal best!

DANNY SCANLON ran the same race in 44:57.Two Spartans ran the ATW Run Fest Half Marathon. SIMON HAIGH with 1:43:30 and MARTIN HAIGH with 2:09:28.

Preparing for Spring Events

42 Spartans took part in the FVS club 5, 10, 15 and 20 mile training runs on Sunday.

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 22^nd March

A total of 498 parkrunners were at the 393^rd Stevenage parkrun and despite it being the start of a very busy weekend 23 were Spartans. SIMON JACKSON was third in 18 minutes 30 seconds (18:30). He was running his 60^th parkrun.

Altogether 40 Spartans were at parkruns across the country.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
3	3	Simon JACKSON	18:30
11	10	Grant RAMSAY	19:46
27	23	Tony RANDFIELD	21:34
37	29	Matthew COOKE	22:21
67	53	Martin JACOB	23:33
85	66	Daniel VILJOEN	24:15
161	118	Darren EMMERSON	26:46
172	125	Matt CLARKE	26:56
177	128	Ryan DUNNING	27:05
184	132	Mark BEASLEY	27:14
217	150	Jim BROWN	28:26
237	48	Fiona CLARKE	28:56
241	163	Peter SACH	29:01
252	53	Claire EMMERSON	29:17
254	168	Paul JENNINGS	29:19
313	193	Steve PLATT	30:41
336	91	Debbie BLANTERN	31:36
368	224	Kartik SHARMA	33:18
392	109	Pamela VILJOEN	34:48
420	125	Chloe CHAPMAN	36:12
421	126	Nicola HATHERLY	36:16
451	143	Hannah MANTON	38:49
488	261	Roger BIGGS	47:05

Tags Ashridge Boundary, Barcelona Marathon, Classic Cross Country, Club 20, County 20 mile, Lee Valley Run Fest, parkrun, Twin Lakes 20, Wymondham 20

News Race Results

MARIE AND ANDREW CHAMPIONS

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date March 16, 2025
No Comments on MARIE AND ANDREW CHAMPIONS

Fairlands Valley Spartans packed into Stevenage’s Cromwell Hotel on Friday to celebrate their champions for 2024. For racing awards were centred around two big blocks of races. The short series was based on 1500 metres, 5K, 5 miles and 10K races throughout the year and the ones that counted were the best three out of the four. Then the long series was similar but based on 10 miles, half marathon, 20 miles and full marathon (42.2 kilometres or 26.2 miles). Awards were made to the first three men and women purely based on speed and based on age related percentages.

So the female open short contest was won by ASHLEY JOHNSON with 76.8%, followed by MARIE COLUCCI on 62.9% and SALLY REEVE on 59.9%.

YUKO GORDON scored an incredible 101.3% in the female age graded table with JAYNE RIDDELL second on 69.0% and SHARON CROWLEY third with 66.1%.

Moving up the to the open long series for women. SAMANTHA TOPHILL won with 54.2%. Marie Colucci was also second in this series. She scored 53.4%. CHLOE CHAPMAN was third with 50.1%.

Onto the women’s Age Graded Long and this was also won by Yuko Gordon. This time with 98.6%. ALISON SHELLEY was second on 62.7% and SHARON CROWLEY third with 58.8%.

In the Male Open Short contest ANDREW PATTERSON was first with 79.7%; MIKE JEFFS second with 72.9% and JAY PAPA third with 67.5%.

Moving onto the Male Age Graded Short series SIMON JACKSON won with 84.1%; PAUL SHELLEY was second on 81.9% and GRANT RAMSAY third with 79.3%..

Andrew Patterson won the men’s “open long” with 79.8%; DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT was second with 72.2% and MIKE JEFFS third on 68.4%.

In the Age Graded Long series for men SIMON JACKSON was first with 81.3%; PAUL SHELLEY second with 77.9% and STUART ARCHER third with 70.6%.

Looking through the open results it’s not surprising that ANDREW PATTERSON is the Spartans overall male champion and MARIE COLUCCI the overall female champion. With two wins out of two Andrew becomes the Spartans club champion.

The club likes to recognise improvement the Most Improved Spartan – Male was Mike Jeffs and the Most Improved Spartan – Female was JUDY KING. RunTogether Starter of the year was PETER SACH.

There were lots of prizes for running fast but there were also prizes for being incredibly helpful.

The Chair’s Award went to CALANTHA CHAPMAN; the Head Coach Award to ANDY PRIOR; the President’s Award to MICHAEL O’KEEFE and the “Cathy Craig Spartan of the Year” award, which is voted on by club members went to MIKE JEFFS. Mike is the new men’s captain.

Twenty’s Plenty for Spartan Threesome

Three Spartans tackled the Essex 20 mile race on Sunday. A little chilly and breezy on Debden Airfield but PENNY SCHENKEL set a new personal best for the distance.

DAVE COOK was first in with 2:13:47 and 95^th out of the 466. A careful JIM BROWN came in 396^th with 3:15:23. Last year Penny ran this distance in 3:50:16. This year 3:45:52 so that’s a personal best by 4 minutes 24 seconds (4:24).

There are various 20 mile race options this weekend including the county championships which will be in Hillingdon.

In the Debden 10K Spartan SIMON HAIGH was first man 60 plus with 46 minutes 12 seconds (46:12).

Thirsk Pete

PETE SMITH ran the Thirsk 10 mile race in 1 hour 19 minutes 5 seconds (1:19:05).this morning.

Bath Half

And BECKY RAYNER ran the Bath Half Marathon on 16th March in 2 hours 57 minutes 58 seconds (2:57:58).

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 15^th March

A total of 538 parkrunners were at the 392^nd Stevenage parkrun and 36 were Spartans. took part. 36 Spartans.

A special mention goes to Spartan PAUL JENNINGS who ran his double century, his 200^th parkrun which he finished in 33:01. That’s a significant mini or arbitrary milestone. He should be running round the park with a 250 cape by the middle of next year. TRACY HAYGARTH and DEBBIE BLANTERN ran their 160^th parkruns, in 38:58 and 33:09 while STEVE WELLS ran his 150^th in 22 minutes exactly.

Altogether 47 Spartans were at parkruns. Spartans at other parkruns included WILLIAM MORLEY 18:51 at Storeys Field; PAUL MOULD 21:01 at Henlow Bridge Lakes; SIMON HAIGH 25:41 at Westmill; MARTIN JACOB 25:51 and LINDA GEORGE 31:26 at Barnsley; ANTON McCALLA 30:01 at Market Harborough; NICK GILL 30:14 in Letchworth; DANIEL SUTTON 30:32 at Rutland Water; JONATHAN JONES 36:23 and DZENANA TOPIC 36:47 at the Wimpole Estate.

Tags Bath Half, Essex 20, parkrun, Thirsk 10

News Race Results

CAMBRIDGE JOY

A lovely sunny day and 29 Spartans ran the sell out Cambridge Half Marathon. A few found it a bit warm but many got new personal bests or otherwise ran some really good times.

First in for FVS was ANDREW PATTERSON, 83^rd out of 14,000 runners in just 1 hour 14 minutes 19 seconds (1:14:19). Next in was SIMON JACKSON, 132^nd in 1:16:06. SIMON FRASER was also under 80 minutes at 24^5thwith 1:19:09.

ASHLEY JOHNSON was Fairlands fastest female and she ran a fantastic 1:25:37. She was second female 45 plus in the race.

This season, said MARTIN JACOB, I started doing some strength workouts. Turns out it’s doing the trick. On Sunday he ran the Cambridge Half marathon in 1:44:29. This a PB by 1 minute 27 seconds. He is super happy with the results.

LINDA GEORGE also ran in Cambridge. She finished in 02:00:23. This was her second fastest half marathon. She is very pleased with results considering it was a hot day.

Woo! JESSICA CLARKE ran a new personal best of 1:49:24 and JAY PAPA cut his PB by nearly three minutes to 1:24:59.

Spartan MIKE JEFFS ran the Cambridge Half Marathon for the third year in a row and it was another PB (personal best) 1:20:22 shaving 2 minutes 50 seconds off his previous best.

PAUL SHELLEY went around in an impressive 1:24:13 with ALISON SHELLEY finishing in 2:09:37.

1:25:57 for NICK GILL on Sunday. He was hoping to sneak under 1:25, but the warm weather took it out of him in the second half. But still, his second fastest half marathon and the comeback from injury continues! It was great to run with fellow Spartans Jay and Michael who both smashed their PBs (personal bests), and so much brilliant running all round.

Brian WHITE said it was great to be part of a large FVS team running the Cambridge Half marathon in some very nice sunshine. A great tour of a few of the colleges and the surrounding countryside. He finished in 1:44:49

SHARON CROWLEY said it was far too hot for her. She finished in 2:51:32.

Seven Spartans averaged under 4 minutes per kilometre for all 21.1kilometres.

Position	Name	Time	Category
83	Andrew Patterson	1:14:19	M40-44
132	Simon Jackson	1:16:06	M45-49
245	Simon Fraser	1:19:09	M35-39
293	Mike Jeffs	1:20:22	M40-44
414	Anthony Cahill	1:22:19	M40-44
503	Stuart Mead	1:23:40	M40-44
540	Paul Shelley	1:24:13	M55-59
573	Michael Fisher	1:24:48	M35-39
592	Jay Papa	1:24:59	M25-29
643	Ashley Johnson	1:25:37	F45-49
670	Nick Gill	1:25:57	M35-39
1188	Ross Gallagher	1:31:35	M40-44
1389	Mark Collins	1:33:29	M45-49
1893	Matthew Newton	1:37:20	M40-44
2034	Terry Sawyer	1:38:31	M40-44
2545	Robert Wright	1:41:56	M40-44
2992	Martin Jacob	1:44:29	M40-44
3057	Brian White	1:44:48	M65-69
3968	Jessica Clarke	1:49:24	F20-24
4024	Andy Prior	1:49:41	M55-59
4559	Keith Hooker	1:52:34	M45-49
6368	Linda George	2:00:23	F40-44
8178	Alison Shelley	2:09:37	F55-59
8737	Megan Sutton	2:12:43	F25-29
11864	Rose Sutton	2:37:10	F20-24
12269	Samantha Sutton	2:42:50	F50-54
12362	Emma Southerington	2:44:10	F50-54
12784	Sharon Crowley	2:51:32	F65-69
13355	Rebecca Rayner	3:11:11	F40-44

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 8^th March

Many stayed away or kept the pace down in preparation for Sunday’s Cambridge Half Marathon but there were still over 500 runners, 504, at Stevenage parkrun and 29 were Spartans. Altogether 42 from FVS ran parkruns on Saturday.

It was the special red cape for NIKI PLUMB who ran her 50 parkruns milestone in 38:14. This week LORRAINE HILL was the fastest female from Fairlands with 26:43. JIM BROWN ran his fastest parkrun this year with 27:52 and NICOLA HATHERLY ran her 60^th with 38:12.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
9	9	Grant RAMSAY	19:26
33	31	Tony RANDFIELD	22:02
81	71	Martin JACOB	23:57
93	82	Martin DUDLEY	24:33
144	120	Steve TINSLEY	26:38
151	18	Lorraine HILL	26:43
170	23	Sophie PARSONS	27:18
172	24	Suzy HAWKINS	27:22
176	143	Matt CLARKE	27:29
190	153	Jim BROWN	27:52
219	168	Darren EMMERSON	28:27
233	176	Jay PAPA	28:47
247	49	Fiona CLARKE	29:21
292	213	Paul JENNINGS	31:04
298	66	Claire EMMERSON	31:10
303	218	Ryan DUNNING	31:20
329	229	Nick KLEANTHOUS	32:20
348	93	Linda GEORGE	32:54
376	242	Stephen SMITHSON	34:15
379	244	Paul HOLGATE	34:28
397	124	Chloe CHAPMAN	35:10
418	136	Hannah MANTON	36:20
434	146	Karen PALMER	37:08
443	154	Tracy HAYGARTH	38:04
444	155	Nicola HATHERLY	38:12
445	156	Niki PLUMB	38:14
493	187	Rebecca RAYNER	48:05
492	186	Nichola DURENT	48:05
503	194	Callie CHAPMAN	72:17

Tags Cambridge Half Marathon, parkrun

News Race Results

20s PLENTY AT OUNDLE

SAMANTHA TOPHILL ran the Oundle 20 mile race on her birthday. Sam finished in 3 hours 14 minutes 8 seconds (3:14:08) and was second in her age group.

Berko is not Flat

After a ceilidh on Saturday evening. JIM BROWN and PENNY SCHENKEL’s long “easy” run turned out to be the Berkhamsted Half Marathon. Not flat! It was a lovely sunny morning but there was still some black ice on the course after the previous night’s low temperatures. There were a record 1400 entries. Jim finished in 2:03:56 and Penny ran her fastest recent half marathon with 2:20:54.

By the Seaside

Spartan ROBERT WRIGHT ran the Great Yarmouth Seafront Half Marathon in 1:37:25.

Burghley Seven

On Sunday morning MATT TUTTON ran the Burghley 7 mile Road Race in a chip time of 58:49 which he was very happy with. He said conditions were perfect under the clear blue sky with the finish outside Burghley House.

John Harris Muddy in Letchworth

JOHN HARRIS was second in the muddy first Saturday in the month 5K race in Letchworth. He finished in 22:24.

Serpentine Last Friday of the Month

It might have been frosty leaving Stevenage that morning but it was sunny, mild and with a light breeze in Hyde Park, London for Serpentine’s Last Friday of the Month 5K. JIM BROWN finished in 28:26.

This was the first of Jim’s races in three days.

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 1^st March – stripey Saturday

There were sixty Spartans at parkruns on Saturday 1^st March – stripes day.

39 from Fairlands Valley won at their local parkrun in Stevenage. SIMON JACKSON was second in 17:21 and GRANT RAMSAY seventh in 19:05.

LINDA GEORGE and JUDY KING both ran new parkrun personal bests. Linda in 27:03 and Judy in 29:13.

PETE COOK ran his 30^th parkrun in 25:50. HANNAH MANTON ran her 25^th in 33:01; and PAUL HOLGATE his 80^th in 35:49.

Despite a large turnout of 581 runners ALISON SHELLEY and JIM BROWN worked their way through and helped each other to their fastest parkruns so far this year. Jim coming in with 28:14 and Alison with 28:29.

Spartans elsewhere included MATTHEW NEWTON at Ingrebourne Hill parkrun (Rainham) which he finished in 19:57; JESSICA CLARKE and JAY PAPA at England’s most easterly town, Lowestoft, where they finished in 22:30 and 23:31; ANDY JAY on Tooting Common in 28:51 and SAMANTHA SUTTON and MATTHEW PATTMAN were in Cheshire completing the Delamere parkrun in 42:11 and 53:03.

Tags Berkhampstead Half Marathon, Burghley, Great Yarmouth, Letchworth 5K, Oundle, parkrun, Serpentine

News Race Results

NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY

A cross country on Parliament Hill is always tough. Usually muddy and the climbs start from the gun. Finishing there in a national championship is a major achievement and Fairlands Valley Spartans finished with complete teams in the men’s and women’s senior championship.

For the men it was a 12 kilometre test while the women ran 8 kilometres (about five miles).

JAYNE RIDDELL was first female for Fairlands. She finished in 56 minutes 38 seconds. HAZEL SMITH was next in 59:33 with SOPHIE PARSON not far behind her in 59:42.

MICHAEL FISHER was first Spartan in the men’s race with 1:01:57 and CHARLIE WHITE next in for FVS with 1:03:14.

Teams of four were needed in the women’s race, six in the men’s competition.

Taming the Baldock Beast

The Baldock Beast is a very demanding half marathon. Hills, off road sections and almost always a strong wind. Seventeen Spartans tamed the beast this year.

NICK GILL said 1:40:38 for me today in one of my favourite races – been doing the Beast since 2013! Completed the race as part of a 16.5-mile training run which included easy, steady and goal half marathon pace… which proved interesting in the uphill sections!

MARTIN JACOB and LINDA GEORGE tamed the beast — they felt strong. Martin had this run planned as part of his training for the South Downs Way 50 race, and Linda jumped in last minute, because she didn’t want to miss out. Linda said Martin ran ahead to take some of the head wind, making it just that little bit easier for me. They took it easy on the uphills, walking them, and ran the flats and downhills. They both finished with the same gun time which is 2:12:25

What can we say about TIM ROBINSON? He ran the national cross country championships on Saturday and then the Baldock Beast on Sunday. He finished in 2:24:09.

GERRY ROSEN finished in 2:24:05. He was totally surprised as he expected to finish nearer to 2 hours 40 minutes. He guesses good training pays off!!

PENNY SCHENKEL was another thinking 2:40 before the start so she was happy with her 2:27:14. The last hundred metres to the finish line was tough.

Place	Name	Category	Chip Time	Cat Pos
14	Melanie Bate	FV35	01:31:10	1
17	Paul Shelley	MV50	01:33:11	3
42	Adrian Donnelly	MV40	01:40:04	10
49	Nick Gill	Senior Men	01:40:38	24
67	Terry Sawyer	MV40	01:44:38	18
160	Chris Watling	Senior Men	02:00:35	60
164	Elliott White	Senior Men	02:01:09	62
177	Pete Cook	MV50	02:03:28	31
200	Yuko Gordon	FV55+	02:06:39	5
217	Martin Jacob	MV40	02:12:25	51
227	Simon Sypula	MV50	02:15:35	42
243	John Nelms	MV50	02:19:46	46
244	Samantha Tophill	FV55+	02:20:17	10
263	Gerry Rosen	MV50	02:24:05	50
264	Tim Robinson	MV50	02:24:06	51
269	Jim Brown	MV60	02:25:09	13
270	Penny Schenkel	FV55+	02:27:14	13

Bedford 10K

Olivia Hamilton had a great run in the Bedford 10K on Sunday. She was first women 23 – 35 in 46 minutes 16 seconds (46:16) and 39 out of the 285 finishers.

Sophie Parsons was the third female aged under 23 in 58:50. She was 140^th so top half overall.

Bedford Half Marathon

Spartan BRIAN WHITE was first veteran man (65-69) in the Bedford Half Marathon with 1 hour 44 minutes 19 seconds, which is a new hip PB! He was 85^th in the race. Brian said it was a very nice two lap course and the weather was kind. Bedford Half Marathon (23.02.2025).

JOSEPH WASNOCK finished in 1:48:45; ANNABELLE WHITE in 1:49:21 and ANN TRYSSESOONE in 1:58:18.

SHE HAMER ran the Bedford Half, in under 2 hours… just, by the skin of her teeth, in 1:59:58. That’s PB (personal best) for her. She’s on a roll. PBs so far this year 5K, 10K and now the half marathon.

Olympic Park Half Marathon

DANNY SCANLON ran his first half marathon in near on 18 months at the Olympic Park Half Marathon.

It was a twisting turning run taking in all of the main Olympic venues.

He managed a 1:38:05 and said it was great to be running a half again!

London Winter 10K

It was fun to run the 10th anniversary of the London Winter Run. PETER SACH did it in 1:04:45.

Royal Norwich

On Sunday Carol Paul ran the Royal Norwich half marathon which was from the royal Norwich golf course. The course was around the country lanes to the north west of Norwich. The course was very undulating and reminded Carol of the Watford half marathon. It was a very blustery day and Carol completed the course in 2:06:13, she was 516th out of 815 runners and was 3rd in the w60-64 age group.

Watford X/C Update

Two weeks after the Watford Half Marathon and it was still chilly and hilly in Cassiobury Park but Fairlands Valley Spartans had a great turnout for Sunday’s cross country league race.

Racing over six miles ADRIAN BUSOLINI was first in for FVS and top 5% in the race with his 37 minutes 32 seconds (37:32) for 15^th position. It was tight between MIKE JEFFS 27^th in 39:40 and NICK GILL 28^th in 39:41.

OLIVIA HAMILTON was first woman for the club in 48:42 with GEORGIE HOOPER and ELLA CERAULO not far behind in 50:19 (171^st overall) and 51:05 (182^nd).

Olivia was running her first cross country for FVS and it was great to see Ella back.

17 women and 17 men ran for Fairlands Valley Spartans at the event, one of the highest totals for any of the twenty clubs participating.

Their greater numbers and some good performances mean the club has moved up various tables in the league after a slow start.

On the day their combined team was fifth out of 20.

Pos.	Name	Official
15	ADRIAN BUSOLINI	37:32
27	MIKE JEFFS	39:41
28	NICK GILL	39:42
52	PAUL SHELLEY	41:21
65	ADRIAN DONNELLY	42:14
114	STEVE MAYFIELD	46:21
127	MATT GIFFORD	47:09
135	CHARLIE ARNOLD	47:32
145	BRIAN WHITE	47:57
156	OLIVIA HAMILTON	48:46
168	SIMON HAIGH	49:57
171	GEORGIE HOOPER	50:21
182	ELLA CERAULO	51:00
184	DAVID RIDDELL	51:03
262	LLOYD DIAS	56:56
271	HAZEL SMITH	57:36
286	JANE RIDDELL	58:39
294	THOMAS SAUKA	59:39
300	DAVID ACKERY	1:00:38
310	KIRSTEN LIGHTBODY	1:01:39
315	MEGAN SUTTON	1:02:08
316	PENNY SCHENKEL	1:02:18
320	TIM ROBINSON	1:02:56
328	MARK FREEMAN	1:04:29
332	JUDY KING	1:05:28
336	JIM BROWN	1:05:54
341	NIKKI NATION	1:07:39
348	SHARON CROWLEY	1:12:41
351	SAM SUTTON	1:13:02
352	CALLIE CHAPMAN	1:13:57
361	BECKY RAYNER	1:18:27
364	SALLY PHILLIPS	1:20:53
369	NICHOLA DURRANT	1:36:38
370	NIKI PLUMB	1:36:39

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 22^nd February

Despite all the other attractions there were fifty Spartans at parkruns on Saturday 22^nd February. 33 were among the 564 parkrunners in Stevenage where SIMON JACKSON was second with 17:32 and STEVE SMITHSON completed his 100^th in 39:28.

There was a bit of parkrun tourism with Spartan KIRK NDUGU. He WON the Caffarella run in Rome with 17:10.

YUKO GORDON was first woman in the Great Denham parkrun with 22:47.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
2	2	Simon JACKSON	17:32
40	37	Matthew COOKE	22:16
56	52	Tony RANDFIELD	23:18
80	74	Toby ECCLESHALL	24:00
93	85	Martin DUDLEY	24:34
101	92	Daniel VILJOEN	24:44
142	125	Ryan DUNNING	25:54
150	133	Matt TUTTON	26:00
179	22	Megan SUTTON	27:07
226	184	Jim BROWN	28:52
230	187	Jay PAPA	28:59
232	189	Nick KLEANTHOUS	29:01
250	199	Mark BEASLEY	29:27
251	46	Jessica CLARKE	29:28
300	65	Lorraine HILL	30:54
339	244	Steve PLATT	32:04
349	92	Debbie BLANTERN	32:21
356	99	Pamela VILJOEN	32:42
385	122	Annabelle WHITE	33:38
398	131	Samantha SUTTON	34:24
423	146	Caroline CROFT	35:12
452	161	Hannah MANTON	36:21
473	173	Monica SMITHSON	37:56
475	175	Beverley HARLOW	38:04
490	185	Callie CHAPMAN	39:26
491	294	Stephen SMITHSON	39:28
492	186	Sally PHILLIPS	39:29
494	187	Tracy HAYGARTH	39:34
506	194	Karen PALMER	40:03
532	214	Niki PLUMB	44:15
538	217	Nichola DURENT	44:48
545	308	Roger BIGGS	48:17
559	226	Hayley PEACH	55:09

Tags Baldock Beast, Bedford 10K, Bedford Half Marathon, London Winter 10k, National Cross Country, Olympic Park Half Marathon, parkrun, Watford Cross Country

News Race Results

SPARTAN NUMBERS JUMP AT WATFORD

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date February 16, 2025
No Comments on SPARTAN NUMBERS JUMP AT WATFORD

Two weeks after the Watford Half Marathon and it was still chilly and hilly in Cassiobury Park but Fairlands Valley Spartans had a great turnout for Sunday’s cross country league race.

OLIVIA HAMILTON was first woman for the club in 48:42 with GEORGIE HOOPER and ELLA CERAULO not far behind in 50:19 (171^st overall) and 51:05 (182^nd).

Olivia was running her first cross country for FVS and it was great to see Ella back.

17 women and 17 men ran for Fairlands Valley Spartans at the event, one of the highest totals for any of the twenty clubs participating.

Position	Name	Time
15	ADRIAN BUSOLINI	37:32
27	MIKE JEFFS	39:40
28	NICK GILL	39:41
52	PAUL SHELLEY	41:30*
65	ADRIAN DONNELLY	42:09
114	STEVE MAYFIELD	46:20
127	MATT GIFFORD	47:07
135	CHARLIE ARNOLD	47:31
145	BRIAN WHITE	47:57
156	OLIVIA HAMILTON	48:42
168	SIMON HAIGH	50:00
171	GEORGIE HOOPER	50:19
182	ELLA CERAULO	51:05
184	DAVID RIDDELL	50:59
262	LLOYD DIAS	56:34
271	HAZEL SMITH	57:33
286	JANE RIDDELL	58:38
294	THOMAS SAUKA	59:36
300	DAVID ACKERY	60:37
310	KIRSTEN LIGHTBODY	61:41
315	MEGAN SUTTON	62:03
316	PENNY SCHENKEL	62:13
320	TIM ROBINSON	62:52
328	MARK FREEMAN	64:23
332	JUDY KING	65:24
336	JIM BROWN	65:51
341	NIKKI NATION	67:29
348	SHARON CROWLEY	72:48
351	SAM SUTTON	73:25
352	CALLIE CHAPMAN	73:53
361	BECKY RAYNER	78:15
364	SALLY PHILLIPS	80:49
369	NICHOLA DURRANT	96:36
370	NIKI PLUMB	96:36

Love Welwyn 10K.

Meanwhile four Spartans were at the Love Welwyn 10K in Welwyn Garden City.

SUE HAMER ran 3 minutes 48 seconds faster than last year and set a new personal best of 54:27. MICHAEL FISHER finished 20^th in 40:21; TONY RANDFIELD in 45:36 and MARIE COLUCCI in 56:52. There were 364 finishers.

Pos	Bib	Name	Chip Time
20	296	Michael FISHER	40:21
61	343	Tony RANDFIELD	45:36
163	288	Sue HAMER	54:27
196	39	Marie COLUCCI	56:52

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 15^th February

There were at least 46 Spartans at 14 different parkruns on Saturday 15^th February. 29 Spartans were among the 493 finishers at Stevenage.

ANDREW PATTERSON from FVS won the Stevenage run with 17 minutes 5 seconds (17:05) and ASHLEY SCHOENWETTER was second woman with 21:55.

Spartan ANNABELLE WHITE enjoyed herself at the Hunstanton Promenade parkrun. Lovely and flat if a bit windy on the out and back course. Her time of 22 minutes 43 seconds (22:43) will have boosted her enjoyment.

On a trip back to Edinburgh GRANT RAMSAY ran the Holyrood parkrun in 19:25.

More than seventeen Spartans have already entered the Baldock Beast Half Marathon which will be on Sunday 23^rd February.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
1	1	Andrew PATTERSON	17:05
19	19	Simon JACKSON	20:49
33	2	Ashley SCHOENWETTER	21:55
36	34	Tony RANDFIELD	22:07
85	78	Daniel VILJOEN	24:09
91	83	Martin DUDLEY	24:18
123	110	Ryan DUNNING	25:44
138	16	Karen ELLIS	26:14
154	23	Lorraine HILL	26:50
167	28	Sue HAMER	27:13
173	141	Jay PAPA	27:22
189	154	Matt CLARKE	28:07
198	159	Maurice BALLARD	28:22
219	42	Jessica CLARKE	29:00
229	179	Jim BROWN	29:12
287	209	Paul JENNINGS	30:36
298	217	Thomas SAUKA	30:53
300	218	Nick KLEANTHOUS	30:57
312	83	Monica SMITHSON	31:41
317	88	Debbie BLANTERN	31:52
327	94	Pamela VILJOEN	32:17
377	244	Lloyd DIAS	34:17
405	144	Chloe CHAPMAN	36:17
422	155	Hannah MANTON	37:39
434	165	Tracy HAYGARTH	38:34
445	172	Niki PLUMB	39:17
446	173	Nicola HATHERLY	39:22
461	185	Jane WADEY	42:17
462	186	Rebecca RAYNER	42:47

Tags Love Welwyn 10K, parkrun, Watford Cross Country

Committee Motivation News

FAIRLANDS VALLEY SPARTANS RAISE OVER £36,000 FOR PANCREATIC CANCER UK

Post author By fvsadmin
Post date February 11, 2025
No Comments on FAIRLANDS VALLEY SPARTANS RAISE OVER £36,000 FOR PANCREATIC CANCER UK

Cathy Craig, the 17-times marathoner known as “the Running Mum” of Stevenage’s Fairlands Valley Spartans (FVS), did not die in vain when she succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2023. The same can be said for ex-Essex Police Officer Bev Alexander, who was also lost to the disease that year.

Bev’s dying wish was that a concerted effort be made to ramp up pancreatic research in the UK.

Her and Cathy’s premature passing led Spartans team-leader Hazel Smith, Cathy’s daughter, and club member Nigel Strongitharm, a close friend of Bev and her husband Gary, to propose Pancreatic Cancer UK as the running club’s annual charity for 2024. FVS embraced the idea and set a goal of £20,000.

The outcome was substantially different. Last Thursday, Hazel, Nigel, and fellow Spartan Andy Prior handed Caitlin Ashdown, a Senior Community Fundraising Manager at Pancreatic Cancer UK, a cheque made out for £36,358. They were joined by Hazel’s father, Ian Craig, who worked tirelessly throughout the year to support the cause.

“It’s a fantastic amount to have raised,” Caitlin said. “We were honoured to have been chosen by the Fairlands Valley Spartans and everyone at Pancreatic Cancer UK is immensely grateful for the incredible support.”

Hazel said, “A train of people in my family have died from pancreatic cancer. My mum, Cathy, lost her father to pancreatic cancer when he was 54; he’d lost his mum when she was 42. Mum died when she was 70, not long after she completed her last marathon. It’s a horrible disease but she found it nearly impossible to get appointments, answers, or medications from local hospitals and doctors.

“It was a real battle getting Creon (a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy) for Mum to help her digest her food. That’s when Pancreatic Cancer UK stepped in. Their specialist nurses told us who would supply Creon, that we had to get Mum a scan at a hospital, and that we had to be forceful in insisting on it. The incredible charity were amazing, not just in the practical medical support they gave us, but in providing mental and emotional support too. The work they do meant so much to Mum, Dad, and me, so Dad and I wanted to do everything we could to give back to it.”

FVS’ outstanding fundraising effort was boosted by the fact that its pivotal sponsorship event, the 40-year-old October half-marathon, coincided with the once-a-decade Stevenage Marathon.

Andy Prior directed these events, no mean feat itself. “We had to redesign the marathon route to encompass a 13.1 mile (21.1 km) route for the half-marathon, which had to be officially measured by UK Athletics and approved by Stevenage Borough Council. The police had to sign off for traffic control, too, and UK Athletics had to issue the race license. And, most importantly, we had to have the right medical team in place in case anything should happen.”

The nearly 900 runners who participated in the two races last October 20 had to brave the brutal winds of Storm Ashley, which caused that Sunday’s Great South Run in Portsmouth to be canceled. “The weather was horrendous. Three gazebos set up to support our event were blown down,” Andy said. The Spartans and the other runners were undeterred.

“Another thing happened on the day of the race,” Nigel recalled. “A new member of the Spartans had learned on the Friday before that his mum had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was participating in the race anyway, so it was nice that Caitlin was there with the Pancreatic Cancer UK gazebo and he was able to express his appreciation of the support the charity had given his mum and their family, and to get some reassurance from Caitlin, too.”

The Stevenage half-marathon and marathon raised £16,000 for Pancreatic Cancer UK, which is about three times more than FVS’ annual charity events usually earn, Andy noted. The other £20,000 came from the runners themselves, club quizzes, coffee mornings, raffles held over the course of the year, and match funding from the likes of Axis at Lloyds of London and CVC in Hong Kong via one of Bev’s sons.

Brewery Tearooms & Gift Shop in Walkern, run by Nigel and his wife, Sarah, also got behind the campaign – running raffles, organizing a small team of runners and marshals/helpers for the marathon event, as well as contributing donations from customers over the year. Ultimately, Brewery Tearooms contributed over £6,000 to the final total.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of all common cancers: over half of people die within three months of diagnosis. In the UK, around 10,700 people are diagnosed with the disease each year and it accounted for an average of 9,558 deaths between 2017 and 2019. Less than seven per cent of people survive beyond five years from diagnosis.

“It’s stark how minimal investment into pancreatic cancer research has been when compared with funding for cancers such as breast or prostate, for example,” Caitlin said. “Major progress has been made in treating other cancers, whereas pancreatic cancer has been left behind.

“As well as providing support and campaigning for change, Pancreatic Cancer UK invests in vital early detection and treatment research to help us see the breakthroughs we urgently need,” Caitlin continued. “One project we are funding hopes to develop the world’s first breath test for pancreatic cancer. This is crucial as 80% of people are not diagnosed until after the disease has spread and surgery is no longer possible.”

“The money raised by FVS will help us offer support to patients and their families, invest in vital research, and be a voice for everyone affected by the deadliest common cancer. ” Caitlyn reiterated. “When people get that diagnosis, it’s incredibly hard for them to have hope, but Pancreatic Cancer UK is working to make sure that they do have hope – and that there is hope for the future.”

“We also run a Support Line, staffed by specialist nurses, that anyone affected by pancreatic cancer can call to get personalised expert advice and information. If you or a loved one have questions or concerns following a diagnosis, please do get in touch.”

For further information about donating to Pancreatic Cancer UK or to help with fundraising, contact via www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk. To speak to a pancreatic nurse, call 0808 801 0707.To find out about Fairlands Valley Spartans’ activities, contact via www.fvspartans.org.uk To become a member, contact membership@fvspartans.org.uk.

News Race Results

FARNBOROUGH IS REALLY COOL

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date February 9, 2025
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Spartan SAM TOPHILL said the Farnborough Winter Half Marathon was a really well organised and popular event – 3000 capacity sell out! Traffic free and reasonably flat. Samantha beat two hours with a chip time of 1 hour 55 minutes 18 seconds – and the goody bag was pretty good.

Punchbowl Devil

The Punchbowl Marathon passes through some of the best of the Surrey countryside and Spartan THOMAS SAUKA completed the 30 mile option in 7 hours 32 minutes.

The event is a walk (or run) on the footpaths and bridleways of Surrey. It is a challenge not a race. Two routes were offered – 30 and 20 miles – both started in Tilford and passed around the scenic Devil’s Punchbowl with the 30 visiting Elstead, Frensham Ponds and Seale, passing over Crooksbury Hill and the commons of Hankley, Elstead, Puttenham, Ockley and Frensham.

It’s a bit different. Participants are required to carry a cup/mug, compass, route description, map case & whistle, hat & gloves, waterproofs, good torch for those finishing after 5pm, and warm clothing.

Run for the Cake

Karen Liddle and Tricia Hopper completed the Run for the Cake Trail Marathon. It was organised by Zig Zag Running and consisted of eight laps around Ferry Meadows in Peterborough. The finished in a time of 5 hours and 46 minutes.

A lovely route around the lakes and by some woods. They said it was very well organised and worth taking part, especially for the big slice of cake at the end.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 8^th February

There were at least 40 Spartans at parkruns on Saturday. 27 Spartans among the 479 finishers at Stevenage.

GRANT RAMSAY was top ten with 19 minutes 1 second (19:01) and GAIL MACKIE a top ten woman at sixth with 23:26.

There were some quite high scoring mini milestones with DANIEL VILJOEN on 280 with 24:25; MARTIN DUDLEY on 230 with 25:00; CHLOE CHAPMAN on 170 with 34 minutes exactly; and JIM BROWN on 190 walking round in 47:02. STEVE SMITHSON has one to go to a major milestone. He completed his 99th in 34:38.

Spartans enjoying parkruns elsewhere included HARRIET SMITH with a bit of parkrun tourism at Donaupark, Austria which she finished in 26:26. Meanwhile PAUL MOULD finished Bedford in 20:47; MATTHEW NEWTON Pymmes in 23:34; NICK GILL Letchworth in 24:49; PAUL SHELLEY Wimpole Estate in 26:44; MARIA SWIFT Bug Hunters in 26:49; LUCY FIELD University Parks in 27:19; JAY PAPA 27:58 and JESSICA CLARKE 29:58 at Milton Country, near Cambridge; and ANDREA WESTCOTT 34:48 in Bangor, Northern Ireland.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
4	4	Grant RAMSAY	19:01
37	31	Tony RANDFIELD	22:25
52	6	Gail MACKIE	23:26
72	64	Daniel VILJOEN	24:25
87	79	Martin DUDLEY	25:00
96	86	Ryan DUNNING	25:25
107	97	Matt TUTTON	25:51
136	17	Lorraine HILL	26:34
204	167	Matt CLARKE	29:08
237	48	Fiona CLARKE	29:57
246	191	Mike REYNOLDS	30:21
258	196	Steve PLATT	30:47
259	197	Nick KLEANTHOUS	30:49
273	206	Paul JENNINGS	31:22
292	74	Pamela VILJOEN	32:14
299	79	Penny SCHENKEL	32:26
307	85	Debbie BLANTERN	32:32
320	93	Monica SMITHSON	33:00
349	111	Chloe CHAPMAN	34:00
367	238	Stephen SMITHSON	34:38
394	140	Nicola HATHERLY	36:37
425	160	Tracy HAYGARTH	39:11
445	175	Niki PLUMB	41:24
466	265	Jim BROWN	47:02
470	266	Roger BIGGS	48:42
478	196	Sharon CROWLEY	64:30
479	197	Elizabeth CROWLEY	64:49

Tags Farnborough Half Marathon, parkrun, Run for the Cake

News Race Results

COOK WINS AT OLYMPIC PARK

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date February 2, 2025
No Comments on COOK WINS AT OLYMPIC PARK

Spartan DAVE COOK WON the Olympic Park 5K in 16:56.

A Champion at Watford.

First thing there were worries there would be ice patches on the course of the Watford Half Marathon but no, apart from a short section at the second water station, it was fine. Although it was never warm runners enjoyed start to finish sun shine.

Fairlands Valley Spartans have a new county champion. JIM BROWN won GOLD in the men 70 plus with his 2 hours 3 minutes 53 seconds (2:03:53). Jim aimed to be back in Cassiobury Park in less than two hours and he did that with a bit to spare. The gold medal was a good bit of icing on the cake.

This, to put it politely, was a lumpy course and NICK GILL did well with his 1:31:01 which got him 150^th position out of the 1552 who finished so top 10%. Nick said, “I did the Watford Half Marathon Sunday morning, finishing in 1:31:01. After doing the event for the first time last year, I knew it was a tough course so decided to turn it into a training run/workout instead. I started steady and got faster by 15 seconds each mile until I got to my goal half marathon pace, which I then remained at for the entire second half… and it worked out perfectly! My only regret was a bit of a sprint finish – if I’d been 16 seconds slower to cross the line I would have bagged the random £2,000 spot prize!”

PENNY SCHENKEL continued her London Marathon preparations beating 2:30 with her 2:27:41.

Last Friday of the Month 5K

Sometimes the days fall like that as two days before the Watford Half JIM BROWN was racing the Last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park. After a slow start he was happy with his 27 minutes 20 seconds (27:20). The next one will be at 12.30p.m. on Friday 28^th February. These are measured and timed races and cost £6.

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 1^st February

There were at least 50 Spartans at parkruns on Saturday. This week it was stripey Saturday and there were 37 Spartans among the 578 finishers at Stevenage.

NICK KLEANTHOUS celebrated his birthday with 30:51 for the five kilometres. This week there were two Spartans in the top ten with MIKE JEFFS fourth in 18:24 and JAY PAPA sixth in 18:43.

There were two parkrun milestones. RYAN DUNNING ran his 100^th in 25:09 and MATTHEW NEWTON his 50^th in 28:58. SUE HAMER ran a new parkrun personal best of 26 minutes 5 seconds (26:05). There were mini-milestones for TOBY ECCLESHALL and DAVID RIDDELL. Toby is 170^th in 23:54 and David is 160^th in 23:31.

Spartans elsewhere included ELIZABETH and SHARON CROWLEY Mile End parkrun. Elizabeth finished in 29:47 and Sharon in 34.16.

Tags Last Friday of the Month, Olympic park 5K, parkrun, Watford Half

Club News Race Results

SIMON WINS ESSENDON

Spartan SIMON FRASER won the Essendon Country Club 10K on Sunday with an amazing 36 minutes 42 seconds (36:42) on what was a tough course, icy, muddy, lumpy paths and hilly. He said it was fun.

Birthday Best in Bedford

MIKE JEFFS celebrated his birthday in his new shorts with a 25 seconds improvement to his personal best (PB) for ten miles at the Bedford 10. His 1:00:05 was not quite the outcome he was after but he was over the moon with his time and seventh place overall. Just six seconds to go.

Spartan DAVE COOK did beat the hour. He was fourth with 58:48.

Nick GILL finished in 1:05:41. He was aiming for more like 1:05 flat, but still pleased with nearly a minute improvement compared to the Buntingford 10 four weeks ago. He said it was great to see a good lot of Spartans.

Third in his age group BRIAN WHITE finished in 1:19:34. He said it was his first time doing a race alongside the Bedford Embankment. He thoroughly enjoyed the whole race and the bonus was a very flat route.

JIM BROWN and SOPHIE PARSONS finished in 1:36:07 and 1:36:34.

Nine Spartans ran the race. The others were CRAIG BACON 1:17:32; SIMON HAIGH 1:19:57; MARTIN HAIGH 1:25:57.

There were 437 finishers.

Pos	BiB	Name	Chip Time	Category	Age Grade
4	252	Dave COOK	58:48	Ages 20-34	74.35
7	277	Mike JEFFS	1:00:05	Ages 40 – 44	75.79
19	58	Nick GILL	1:05:41	Ages 35 – 39	67.16
92	41	Craig BACON	1:17:32	Ages 50 – 54	65.31
106	47	Brian WHITE	1:19:34	Ages 65 – 69	73.69
118	4	Simon HAIGH	1:19:57	Ages 55 – 59	64.82
170	24	Martin HAIGH	1:25:57	Ages 35 – 39	50.85
281	12	Jim BROWN	1:36:07	Ages 70 – 74	61.65
298	65	Sophie PARSONS	1:36:34	Ages 20 – 34	48.78

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 25^th January

There were three Spartans in the top ten at Saturday’s Stevenage parkrun.

Over 500 again with 523 runners 27 of whom were from Fairlands Valley Spartans.

ANDREW PATTERSON was first with a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 16 minutes 25 seconds; SIMON JACKSON fifth in 17:46 and GRANT RAMSAY eighth in 18:54.

On Robert Burns birthday JIM BROWN was first kilt with 29:52 and MAURICE BALLARD ran a new PPB of 27:58.

NICK KLEANTHOUS was running his 230^th parkrun and finished in 31:58; PAMELA VILJOEN her 260^th which she completed in 31:37.

Elsewhere JOHN NELMS ran Henlow Bridge Lakes parkrun in 24:55; SUZY HAWKINS Wendover in 25:32; MARIA SWIFT Bug Hunter Waters (Northstowe, Cambridgeshire) in 28:39; MICHAEL O’KEEFE Harlow in 32:38; NICK GILL Letchworth in 32:50; PAUL JENNINGS Panshanger in 34:09; Jonathan JONES 38:45 and DZENANA TOPIC 38:45 at the Wimpole Estate; NICOLA HATHERLY 41:01 at Jersey Farm (St Albans) and DARRYL STEVENS 57:58 in Brockenhurst.

Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
1	Andrew PATTERSON	16:25
5	Simon JACKSON	17:46
8	Grant RAMSAY	18:54
31	Tony RANDFIELD	22:41
75	Daniel VILJOEN	24:26
97	Martin DUDLEY	25:12
138	Darren EMMERSON	26:37
166	Matt TUTTON	27:16
179	Karen ELLIS	27:45
196	Maurice BALLARD	27:58
204	Matt CLARKE	28:11
214	Fiona CLARKE	28:12
220	Mark BEASLEY	28:34
231	Claire EMMERSON	28:57
257	Steve TINSLEY	29:36
269	Jim BROWN	29:52
324	Pamela VILJOEN	31:37
337	Nick KLEANTHOUS	31:58
356	Monica SMITHSON	32:56
372	Stephen SMITHSON	33:45
398	Peter SACH	34:36
416	Jo MANSFIELD	36:25
423	Chloe CHAPMAN	36:40
457	Tracy HAYGARTH	39:19
470	Rebecca RAYNER	40:37
471	Sharon CROWLEY	40:45
502	Roger BIGGS	47:06

Tags Bedford 10, essendon country club 10k, parkrun

Club News Race Results

ADRIAN ARRIVES

Amazing ADRIAN BUSOLINI has finished the Montane Winter Spine Race. He finished in just over 134 hours (134:02:24) – so nearly 34 hours to spare. Spartan Adrian was 42^nd out of the 78 who finished. 82 others started but did not make it to the finish.

The Montane Winter Spine is widely regarded as Britain’s Most Brutal endurance race. It’s a non-stop, 268 mile (432 kilometres) race along the most iconic and demanding national trail in Britain; the Pennine Way. Beginning from Edale in Derbyshire, runners have a time limit of 168 hours to reach the elusive village of Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. They climb over 10,000 metres as the route crosses some of the most beautiful but difficult terrain found in England, including the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian’s Wall and the Cheviots. It’s a truly epic challenge that will tests physical resilience and mental fortitude. The up to 150 participants will experience the full intensity and ferocity of the British Winter including deep snow, storm force winds and driving rain.

Spartan Adrian started from Edale, Derbyshire at 0800 on Sunday 12^th January and had to be finished at Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders by 0800 on Sunday 19^th. He encountered daytime temperatures between zero and 10 degrees but night times between minus ten and plus degrees.

County Ten Championships

Eight Spartans, four women and four men, ran the Hertfordshire County 10 Mile Championships on an undulating course in St Albans on Sunday. They were incorporated in the Fred Hughes 10 event. Chilly but nothing like the freezing conditions at the Hatfield 10K last week.

Under the hour for ten miles is always a great achievement and Spartan SIMON FRASER did it with 58 minutes 13 seconds (58:13) which gave him 42^nd place out of the 1,012 finishers.

Next came MICHAEL FISHER in 1:05:33 and MATTHEW NEWTON in 1:11:05.

YUKO GORDON was second woman 70 plus with 1:18:40.

JIM BROWN ran what he called a “magic time.” He couldn’t do it last year but wondered if he could beat 90 minutes. It wasn’t looking good at five miles – 45:25 – but a big effort in the second half saw him cross the line in 1:29:59 for a season’s best. Achieving a target by one second is a bit magic, one second the other way would be very disappointing.

Then there was ANNE TRYSSESOONE with 1:31:27. PENNY SCHENKEL improved on her last attempt by more than two minutes to finish in 1:41:06.

SHARON CROWLEY was almost four minutes faster than the time she ran at Buntingford at the end of 2024 with her 1:53:18.

The next county championship will be the Watford Half Marathon on Sunday 2^nd February 2025. Includes the county championships for seniors (all adults, men and women).

Position	Name	Chip Time
42	Simon FRASER	58:13
125	Michael FISHER	1:05:33
217	Matthew NEWTON	1:11:05
354	Yuko GORDON	1:18:40
603	Jim BROWN	1:29:59
653	Ann TRYSSESOONE	1:31:27
844	Penny SCHENKEL	1:41:06
970	Sharon CROWLEY	1:53:18

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 18^th January

A small increase ion temperature saw attendance jump up by nearly seventy at Saturday’s parkrun in Stevenage. There were 544 finishers including 24 Spartans. CAROLINE CROFT ran her 100^th parkrun in 33 minutes 15 seconds. GRANT RAMSAY was top ten with 18:52 and ASHLEY JOHNSON was a top ten woman with 23:13.

There were 22 Spartans at other parkruns including a first visit to the Oaklands College parkrun for JANE WADEY. She definitely recommends trail shoes for this one. It was a two lap course which Jane reckons was 60% mud. She finished in 39:21.

Jane added, “As I’m a member of the deaf park run runners, I knew that there would be BSL (British Sign Language) at Oaklands college park run this weekend. I offered to volunteer but as they said they had enough I decided to run instead. It was the inaugural event and was opened by the High Sheriff Annie Brewster JP and we were welcomed by the Principal of Oaklands College.There were 254 in attendance with various local clubs represented. The course was quite muddy in places so trail shoes might be a good idea. It is two laps, some of it is on paved paths but then you run around the edge of the rugby fields and through the woods but on the whole it is pretty flat.”

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
8	7	Grant RAMSAY	18:52
73	65	Tony RANDFIELD	23:04
77	68	Toby ECCLESHALL	23:10
80	8	Ashley JOHNSON	23:13
83	73	Craig BACON	23:18
103	90	Daniel VILJOEN	24:12
107	94	Martin DUDLEY	24:37
135	116	Ryan DUNNING	25:25
156	133	Mark BEASLEY	26:13
164	20	Lorraine HILL	26:44
188	155	Matt CLARKE	27:34
193	28	Fiona CLARKE	27:43
224	178	Jim BROWN	28:36
247	191	Paul JENNINGS	29:25
255	48	Claire EMMERSON	29:35
268	203	Nick KLEANTHOUS	29:56
316	79	Pamela VILJOEN	31:22
329	88	Monica SMITHSON	31:49
367	109	Caroline CROFT	33:15
380	118	Nikki NATION	34:09
393	124	Chloe CHAPMAN	34:47
401	252	Stephen SMITHSON	35:07
501	198	Tracy HAYGARTH	42:51
517	284	Roger BIGGS	46:47

Tags County Championships, Montane Spine, parkrun

News Race Results Races

ADRIAN IS ON THE SPINE

Amazing ADRIAN BUSOLINI is tackling the Montane Winter Spine Race.

Spartan Adrian started from Edale, Derbyshire at 0800 on Sunday 12^th January and has to be finished at Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders by 0800 on Sunday 19^th. He will encounter daytime temperatures between zero and 10 degrees but night times between minus ten and plus degrees.

After 8 hours 51 minutes and 31 miles (50K) Adrian crossed the M62 near Green Withers reservoir. By 6p.m. Sunday he was on Chelburn Moor, not far from Todmorden and heading for the first check point at Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire which he got to at 8.01p.m. with 42 miles (68K) completed.

Wearing number 122 Adrian can be tracked here

Hybrid Hatfield 10K

It was seriously cold Saturday night and into Sunday morning and the only way the Hatfield 10K went ahead was with a course change to avoid a section of the Alban Way that had flooded and then frozen. That introduced a 500 metre cross country section on each of the new two laps.

Spartan NICK GILL was 18^th out of the 374 finishers with 38 minutes 44 seconds (38:44); new member LORRAINE HILL 202^nd with 55:11; CONOR ECCLESTON 229^th with 56:43; JIM BROWN 259^th with 57:59 and JUDY KING 294^th with 62:18.

Nick’s goal for Sunday’s Hatfield 10k was sub-40, so he was very pleased to get round in 38:44. Yes the course had to be changed and cut short due to the wintry conditions, but getting this time when running in trail shoes felt fantastic. Well done to the organisers for getting the race on.

Jim said it felt bitterly cold arriving at the event and it stayed significantly below zero for the whole race. With the course change runners were advised to use trail shoes but after studying the new course map I tried an old pair of marathon trainers. Actually it was fine. The only significant challenge was a frozen puddle right across the track just before getting back on tarmac though wow my lungs weren’t wild about heavy breathing that cold air. I set out with stiff legs complaining about the temperature for the first kilometre and doubting that under an hour was likely but did that so content.

Lorraine enjoyed her first race in a Spartan vest.

Back in the USA

ALISON SHELLEY was back in the USA and ran the San Diego Resolution Run Half Marathon in California on Saturday 11 January.

She had originally booked to run it two years ago but was unable to travel due to a skiing accident injury.

Alison said, “I had to cancel this race and the Chicago Marathon, and rehab for a year. So it was really good to finally get to run it! (And to wear my stripes in the US for the second time in 6 months!). It was a very cold start at 07:15 am but once the sun came up it was beautiful conditions and lovely route around the waters edge. I had a chatty run and was very happy with my time of 2:09:30.”

Doughnut Dash

Only four days before GERRY ROSEN was in the Caribbean and 30° heat, by Sunday morning he was taking part in the Phoenix running doughnut dash and it was -5° (minus five).

Although he wasn’t sure how he was going do after a week of inactivity, it went surprisingly well, half marathon done in 2 hours 31 minutes 30 seconds (2:31:30), and his just reward was two doughnuts afterwards and a giant medal

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 11^th January

Minus three degrees but that didn’t stop 476 turning up for Saturday’s Stevenage parkrun. 32 were from Fairlands Valley Spartans.

The birds were sitting on ice in the middle of the lake but the light was fantastic and the company good.

Spartan SIMON JACKSON was second overall in 18 minutes 12 seconds. While the two fastest females from Fairlands this week were GAIL MACKIE in 23:07 and new member ELLA CERAULO in 23:43. Another new member, LORAINE HILL came in with 30:06.

SUSAN MCANENY ran her 25^th parkrun in 31:42; SHARON CROWLEY her 80^th in 40:09 and MARK BEASLEY his 140^th in 27:30.

Altogether 42 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday. Those away from Stevenage included GRANT RAMSAY fifth at Wimpole Estate in 19:49; MATT NEWTON 25:20 at Pymmes; MATT TUTTON 26:38 at Panshanger; SUZY HAWKINS 27:33 at Wendover Woods; MAURICE BALLARD 27:45 at Castle Park; NICK GILL 28:30 at Letchworth and MICHAEL O’KEEFE 31:37 at Leavesden Country.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time	Comments
2	2	Simon JACKSON	18:12	Second overall
48	6	Gail MACKIE	23:07	Fastest FVS female
58	52	Tony RANDFIELD	23:32
65	57	Jay PAPA	23:52
81	71	Martin DUDLEY	24:30
83	73	Daniel VILJOEN	24:34
118	11	Ella CERAULO	25:43	New member
136	116	Ryan DUNNING	26:21
145	123	Darren EMMERSON	26:54
152	127	Matt CLARKE	27:08
162	24	Fiona CLARKE	27:24
164	135	Mark BEASLEY	27:30	140 parkruns
167	26	Andrea WESTCOTT	27:35
218	41	Claire EMMERSON	29:33
251	56	Lorraine HILL	30:06	New member. 340 parkruns
266	193	Jim BROWN	30:35
280	200	Ciaran MCANENY	31:01
295	76	Susan MCANENY	31:42	25 parkruns
309	84	Elizabeth CROWLEY	32:18
310	215	Nick KLEANTHOUS	32:19
313	216	Paul JENNINGS	32:21
317	88	Jessica CLARKE	32:31
320	90	Monica SMITHSON	32:38
321	91	Pamela VILJOEN	32:40
330	221	Jonathan JONES	33:07
354	117	Caroline CROFT	33:56
358	121	Annabelle WHITE	34:01
391	140	Hilary DAVIES	35:48
435	171	Sharon CROWLEY	40:09	80 parkruns
434	170	Nicola HATHERLY	40:09
438	172	Tracy HAYGARTH	40:28
474	261	Stephen SMITHSON	62:57

Tags doughnut dash, hatfield 10k, parkrun, resolution run half marathon, winter spine

News Race Results

NEW YEAR BREEZES IN

Five brave Spartans tackled the county cross country championships for seniors on Saturday 4^th January. Men ran 11.75 kilometres and women 8 kilometres. All before the snow landed.

In the women’s race JAYNE RIDDELL was 42^nd in 45 minutes exactly. First Spartan in the men’s race was ADRIAN BUSOLINI at 24^th in 41:29. Then came MIKE JEFFS 46^th in 43:25; PETER GENTLE 61^st in 48:23 and DAVID ACKERY 78^th in 1:08:01.

Senior means runners age 20 or over. There will be a cross country championships for veterans in a few weeks. Date to be announced.

First Ultra of the Year

Spartan John NELMS joined 300 other runners and completed the 43 mile country to capital ultra marathon on Saturday. Starting in Wendover on top of the Chilterns, the course winds down 20 miles through the hills to Denham where it picks up the grand union canal. Runners then have a further 23 miles to get to the finish near Paddington in central London.

The weather was kind this year with a light frost meaning minimal mud on the hills and John completed the 43 mile route in 9 hours 25 minutes.

This is his eighth appearance at this event and his 108th marathon (or longer event) overall.

Regent’s Park 10K

In horrible conditions Spartan SIMON FRASER ran Sunday’s Regent’s Park 10K by Mornington Chasers in 36 minutes 57 seconds (36:57).

New Year’s Eve 10K

The New Year’s Eve 10K in St Albans was a lovely way to end the year.

The event was over before the wind and the deluge. Spartan JAY PAPA beat 40 minutes when he finished 42^nd in 39:57.

TIM ROBINSON was 453^rd in 56:46 and PAUL HOLGATE 679^th in 1:09:22.

All 802 finishers were offered a free glass of Prosecco to celebrate.

By Wednesday the New Year’s Day 10K in Hyde Park was postponed due to the conditions but the Stevenage parkrun went ahead.

Parkrun Highlights New Year’s Day and Saturday 4^th January

There were an amazing 2,686 runs including more than 166 by Spartans at the five Stevenage parkruns held over the Christmas and New Year period. A big thank you to all the volunteers.

Will the weather stop it? Won’t it? The go ahead was not given until 8a.m. and still 509 people turned up to run the New Year’s Day special parkrun in Stevenage. 33 of them were from Fairlands Valley Spartans.

ADRIAN BUSOLINI has a good win at Stevenage parkrun with his 17:18. MEGAN SUTTON set a new parkrun personal best of 27:14.

SAMANTHA SUTTON ran her 100^th Stevenage parkrun in 34:15. So far she’s run 174 parkruns altogether.

Elsewhere in Letchworth Spartan JOHN HARRIS was 12^th in 24:10 and SUZY HAWKINS 22^nd and second woman with 26:04. There were 102 finishers in Letchworth.

Then on Saturday 4^th January another 530 runners turned out for Stevenage pasrkrun.

SIMON JACKSON and GRANT RAMSAY were both in the top ten with Simon second in 17:59 and GRANT RAMSAY fourth in 18:41.

New member LORRAINE HILL was the fastest female from Fairlands with her 27:05.

KEITH HOOKER ran his 30^th in 27:25; CLAIRE EMMERSON her 170^th in 29:25; MAURICE BALLARD his 30^th in 29:48; TRACY HAYGARTH her 150^th in 29:48; REBECCA RAYNER her 10^th in 45:29 and ROGER BIGGS his 190^th in 48:36.

PENNY SCHENKEL two days away from starting her marathon training ran her 100^th Stevenage parkrun, her 111^th overall, in 31 minutes 41 seconds.

Elsewhere ROSE and SAM SUTTON enjoyed some parkrun tourism at Hove Promenade. Rose finished in 31:20 and Sam in 32:15. MONICA and STEVE SMITHSON were at Luton Wardown. Monica finished in 32:46 and Steve in 36:05.

Altogether 45 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday. Some others were NICOLA KENNEDY 24:12 at Hunstanton Promenade; SUZY HAWKINS 25:43 and NICK GILL 31:12 at Letchworth; JAY PAPA 30:16 at Huntingdon; TIM ROBINSON 31:42 at Westmill; MICHAEL O’KEEFE 32:31 at Henlow Bridge Lakes; CHRIS HOLLAND 34:57 and DAVID SUTTON 39:09 at Rutland Water; and MATTHEW NEWTON 36:15 at Grovelands (Enfield).

Cross Country

The team results are in and as predicted by the much greater Spartan participation and performance the club did much better in the recent cross country league race. On the day the men’s “A” team were third out of 20 clubs and the “B” team were also third in that category. The men’s masters (veterans) were second. In the series the FVS men have moved up to fifth and the male masters up to third.

The women’s team were ninth out of 20 clubs on the day helping to give the club a combined fifth that morning.

Tags Country to Capital Ultra, New Years Eve 10k, parkrun

Club News

SPARTANS END YEAR WITH BUNTINGFORD TEN

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date December 29, 2024
No Comments on SPARTANS END YEAR WITH BUNTINGFORD TEN

New Fairlands Valley Spartans club captain MIKE JEFFS ran a new personal best of one hour and just 31 seconds (1:00:31) in Sunday’s Buntingford 10. He was fourth man 40 plus and 38^th out of the 524 finishers. Mike said he took on the very difficult hilly End of Year 10, beat his ten mile personal best (PB) by 1 minute 28 seconds with a start line to finish off the year beating PBs in 1500 metres; 5k; 10k; 10 miles; half marathon and full marathon.

A great turnout of 27 Spartans tackled the race on a chilly, misty but calm and dry morning.

DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT said his time on Sunday was 1:05:22 which had to be dug deep for and it was great to see so many Spartans racing.

PAUL SHELLEY was third man 55 plus with his 1:03:57 and NICK GILL came in with 1:06:34. Nick said he was very happy with a season’s best and getting closer to his 1:03:59 PB at the 2023 Buntingford 10… maybe he can beat that in 2025!

YUKO GORDON was second woman 70 plus with 1:18:09 and a 96.55% age score.

The race incorporated the British Masters Athletics Federation championships and the Hertfordshire championships for seniors (18 plus).

Fairlands Valley did well amongst those running in the county championships. Paul Shelley was fastest man 55 plus with his 1:03:57; Jo Cooksley fastest woman 35 plus with her 1:28:37 and Jim Brown fastest man 70 plus with 1:32:02. Also Mike Jeffs was second fastest 40 plus with 1:00:31 and Wendy Tharani third fastest woman 50 plus with 1:34:07.

There were five Spartan personal bests (Mike Jeffs, Paul Shelley, Charlie Arnold 1:17:11, Keith Hooker 1:18:50 and Annabelle White 1:25:20) and three season’s bests (Sam Tophill 1:28:06, Tim Robinson 1:31:33 and Penny Schenkel 1:43:22) in the race.

Position	First name	Last name	Net time	category
38	Mike	Jeffs	1:00:31	MV40
66	Paul	Shelley	1:03:57	MV55
77	David	Harris-Cherguit	1:05:22	MV45
90	Nick	Gill	1:06:34	MV35
97	Adrian	Donnelly	1:07:43	MV45
170	Jay	Papa	1:15:01	MSEN
189	Charles	Arnold	1:17:11	MV65
204	Yuko	Gordon	1:18:09	FV70
217	Keith	Hooker	1:18:50	MV45
290	Annabelle	White	1:25:20	FSEN
317	Samantha	Tophill	1:28:06	FV55
322	Jo	Cooksley	1:28:37	FV35
353	Tim	Robinson	1:31:33	MV55
355	Jim	Brown	1:32:02	MV70
369	Wendy	Tharani	1:34:07	FV50
376	Ann	Tryssesoone	1:34:34	FV55
379	Thomas	Sauka	1:34:27	MV45
399	Alison	Shelley	1:37:18	FV55
420	Karen	Liddle	1:39:57	FV65
439	Megan	Sutton	1:42:15	FSEN
451	Penny	Schenkel	1:43:22	FV55
504	Sharon	Crowley	1:57:00	FV65
505	Paul	Holgate	1:58:20	MV65
510	Rose	Sutton	2:01:46	FSEN
511	Samantha	Sutton	2:01:47	FV45
517	Rebecca	Rayner	2:08:25	FV40
525	Nichola	Durent	2:27:01	FV45

Gerry’s Frozen Phoenix

On Sunday Spartan GERRY ROSEN took part in the ‘Frozen Phoenix’ a running event organised by Phoenix Running

Gerry said it was his sort of event. Low key, turn up, grab your ‘ankle’ timing chip and away you go. It was an out and back of 1.6 miles each way alongside the River Thames, totally pan flat, he completed six laps and a bit more for a total of 20 miles in a respectable time of 3 hours 48 minutes.

He said you can take your own supplies or use what’s provided and Gerry said it was very well stocked, all those household sweets we love and know, right up his street, and they know their runner. ‘Would you like some crisps’ he was asked after he finished, very welcome.

Gerry will be back there after his holiday for the annual doughnut dash on the 12th January and as you might guess there’s doughnuts which he guesses can be eaten during the run……

50 Plus Spartans At Record Breaking Christmas Day Parkrun

We said watch out for the special on Christmas Day and wow. The record for Stevenage parkrun was broken by 107 as 750 enjoyed the festive fun on Wednesday morning.

The 750 included more than 53 Spartans including PAUL SHELLEY who achieved a major milestone with his 100^th parkrun which he ran in a celebratory 34 minutes 51 seconds.

THOMAS SAUKA ran his 160^th in 26:13 and WILLIAM MORLEY his 30^th in 19:42. He was 15^th in the race.

ANNABELLE WHITE was the fastest female from Spartans with her 23:37.

Misty, Mild and Still at the Serpentine

It was misty, mild and still in Hyde Park as Spartan JIM BROWN tried to up his pace a little for the first time in weeks at the Last Friday of the Month 5K. He was reasonably successful for the first 3K and finished third man 70 plus in 28:30. Jim was keen to take part and finish as he became one of only three runners to do all of the twelve races in the Serpentine series this year. The lunch-time event continues to amaze in many ways. The winner finished in 14 minutes 56 seconds and the first woman in 17:04!

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 28^th December

After a wonderful record breaking Christmas Day 467 ran parkrun on a grey Saturday morning 28^th December.

41 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday 28^th. The majority, 26, were at Stevenage.

ASHLEY JOHNSON was second woman and first Spartan in 20:01, just eighteen seconds behind the first woman. They were 11^th and 12^th in the race. That was Ashley’s 25^th parkrun.

Other mini-milestones included MIKE REYNOLDS running his 220^th parkrun in 28:57; PAUL JENNINGS his 190^th in 29:46 and HILARY DAVIES her 60^th in 36:20.

Elsewhere TIM ROBINSON was at Panshanger running his 190^th parkrun in 33:24 and ANDY JAY at Westmill for his 160^th parkrun which he ran in 30:24.

Santa Canta

Some Spartans including Mike Jeffs as The Grinch, Callie Chapman, Nick Gill, Ross Gallagher and Georgie Hopper ran the postponed Santa Canta in Letchworth. The storm got in the way the previous weekend.

Spartans Star in Herts Annual Runners Awards

Fairlands Valley Spartans did well in the Herts Annual Runners Awards with someone nominated in every category.

Mike Jeffs won male runner of the year. The Stevenage Marathon, organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans, was second in race of the year. Keith Fenwick was second in volunteer of the year. Yuko Gordon was second and Ashley Johnson third in female runner of the year.

Cross Country

The women’s team were ninth out of 20 clubs on the day helping to give the club a combined fifth that morning.

Tags Buntingford 10, Cross Country, Frozen Pheonix, parkrun, Serpentine

News

RUNNING TO THE CHAPEL

Dozens of Spartans enjoyed their traditional pre-Christmas off road run to the Minsden Chapel near Preston in North Hertfordshire. A very chilly morning but about fifty ran.

Runners had a choice – start in the Old Stevenage High Street to run about 11 miles, start at the Meadway for about 8 miles and start at the Rusty Gun for about 4.5 miles.

Parkrun Highlights 21^st December – Islands North and South

34 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday 21^st. The majority, 24, were at Stevenage.

On Saturday Spartan SIMON JACKSON achieved his 50^th parkrun milestone and was second in the race with 17 minutes 59 seconds.

430 ran Stevenage. That’s comparable with the 421 last week but watch out for the extra on Christmas Day!

Spartans elsewhere included two who went north and south to run on islands. ROS INGRAM was on Orkney finishing the Kirkwall parkrun in 27:10 and JUDY KING ran the Guernsey parkrun in 31:56.…..

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time	Comments
2	2	Simon JACKSON	00:17:59	50^th parkrun. Second
5	4	Grant RAMSAY	00:18:40
10	9	Jay PAPA	00:19:42
32	25	Tony RANDFIELD	00:22:22
61	8	Tracy PEZ	00:23:26
89	75	Martin DUDLEY	00:24:40
106	88	Daniel VILJOEN	00:25:14
137	113	Darren EMMERSON	00:26:16
166	139	Andy JAY	00:27:20
175	23	Ann TRYSSESOONE	00:27:29
197	158	Matt CLARKE	00:28:28
215	168	Thomas SAUKA	00:29:05
224	176	Steve PLATT	00:29:27
236	43	Claire EMMERSON	00:29:53
248	187	Paul JENNINGS	00:30:20
259	55	Pamela VILJOEN	00:30:43
268	197	Michael O’KEEFE	00:31:16
287	68	Samantha SUTTON	00:32:18
310	84	Caroline CROFT	00:33:47
348	228	Paul HOLGATE	00:36:23
367	115	Hilary DAVIES	00:38:01
416	148	Penny SCHENKEL	00:50:11
417	254	Jim BROWN	00:50:12
430	158	Sharon CROWLEY	01:02:48	Tailwalker

Santa Canta

Tags Minsden Chapel, parkrun

News

SIXTY TURNOUT FOR FAIRLANDS CROSS COUNTRY

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date December 15, 2024
No Comments on SIXTY TURNOUT FOR FAIRLANDS CROSS COUNTRY

The temperature reached double figures and the sun came out for the cross country league fixture in Fairlands Valley on Sunday morning. And it was Fairlands Valley Spartans enjoying themselves in Fairlands Valley Park as about 60 from the club ran the race and many others volunteered to make it a success.

ANDREW PATTERSON from FVS was second in the race in 27 minutes 42 seconds (27:42). ADRIAN BUSOLINI also beat 30 minutes for the almost five miles. He was eleventh in 29:29. CHARLIE WHITE, BRIAN BRACKSTONE and SIMON JACKSON chased each other in at 22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th with 30:15; 30:20 and 30:23. New club captain MIKE JEFFS was 31^st in 31:01.

MARIE COLUCCI led in the Spartan women with 40:08. TRACY PEZ 41:47; YUKO GORDON 42:12; JESS CLARKE 43:47 and JAYNE RIDDELL 46:07 completed the FVS women’s “A” team.

A fantastic turnout and wonderful running by Fairlands Valley Spartans which will no doubt boost them in the team standings when they are published.

Altogether about 400 runners from 20 clubs ran three laps, a total of 7.8 kilometres, around the south field.

The full accurate results including team results should be available from the league organisers in the next day or two.

The next cross country league race will be in Watford on Sunday 16^th February.

Position	Name	Time	Category	Comments
2	ANDREW PATTERSON	27:42	M40	M team “A”
11	ADRIAN BUSOLINI	29:29	MS	M team “A”
22	CHARLIE WHITE	30:15	MS	M team “A”
23	BRIAN BRACKSTONE	30:20	M50	M team “A”
24	SIMON JACKSON	30:23	M40	M team “A”
31	MIKE JEFFS	31:01	M40	M team “A”
33	CHRIS WESTCOTT	31:09	M50	M team “A”
35	DECLAN TRAYNOR	31:21	M40	M team “A”
44	PAUL SHELLEY	31:39	M50	M team “B”
73	NICK GILL	33:58	MS	M team “B”
81	ROSS GALLAGHER	34:21	M40	M team “B”
87	ADRIAN DONNELLY	34:47	M40	M team “B”
89	STUART ARCHER	34:37	MS	M team “B”
99	JAY PAPA	35:13	MS	M team “B”
125	TERRY SAWYER	36:44	M40	M team “B”
126	JOHN HARRIS	36:50	M60	M team “B”
147	STEVE MAYFIELD	37:30	M50	M team “C”
155	BRIAN WHITE	39:03	M60	M team “C”
177	MELVIN AUBURN	39:27	MS	M team “C”
180	DANNY SCANLON	39:38	M40	M team “C”
213	JOE WASNOCK	41:17*	MS	M team “C”
214	ALEX SCOFIELD	41:20*	MS	M team “C”
235	MARTIN WOOD	42:23	M60	M team “C”
241	TONY VICKERS	42:30	M50	M team “C”
244	DARREN EMMERSON	42:58	M50
250	THOMAS SAUKA	43:10	M40
266	DAVID RIDDELL	44:03	M50
276	DAVID ACKERY	44:30	MS
286	LLOYD DIAS	45:32	MS
319	JIM BROWN	47:43	M70
329	STEVE TINSLEY	48:43*	M40
333	SIMON SYPULA	49:09	M40
334	ROBERT WRIGHT	49:09	M40
353	ANDY JAY	49:24*	M50
357	MARK FREEMAN	49:27	M60
364	STEVE PLATT	51:46	M50
367	TIM ROBINSON	52:09	M50
384	NICK KLEANTHOUS	59:25	M60
387	PAUL HOLGATE	64:00	M60

Fairland Cross Country Results (Men)

Position	Name	Time	Category	Comments
190	MARIE COLUCCI	40:08	W45	W team “A”
	TRACY PEZ	41:47	W45	W team “A”
227	YUKO GORDON	42:12	W65	W team “A”
	JESS CLARKE	43:47		W team “A”
294	JAYNE RIDDELL	46:07	W55	W team “A”
	TRACEY JACKSON	46:35		W team “B”
	HAZEL SMITH	46:39		W team “B”
	ANNABELLE WHITE	46:44		W team “B”
	GEORGIE HOOPER	46:44		W team “B”
325	PENNY SCHENKEL	48:40*	W55	W team “B”
331	KIRSTEN LIGHTBODY	49:11	W45	W team “C”
341	MEGAN SUTTON	49:33	WS	W team “C”
354	LIZ CROWLEY	50:42	W35	W team “C”
357	CLAIRE EMMERSON	50:36	W45	W team “C”
365	JUDY KING	51:09	W55	W team “C”
379	SHARON CROWLEY	56:26	W65
380	SAM SUTTON	57:04	W45
382	CALLIE CHAPMAN	58:09	W35
388	BECKY RAYNER	64:00	W35
396	NICHOLA DURENT	76:01	W45

Fairlands Cross Country Results (Women)

Parkrun Highlights 14^th December

With less crazy weather participation in the Stevenage parkrun jumped up to 421 and this Saturday 27 Spartans were running.

Spartan JAY PAPA got to wear the bright red milestone cape as he was running his 50^th parkrun. He celebrated in 31 minutes 21 seconds.

CRAIG BACON achieved a new parkrun personal best with 21 minutes 58 seconds and GRANT RAMSAY was in the top five at fourth with 18:31.

Mini-milestones were run by DANIEL VILJOEN 270^th parkrun in 25:20; JIM BROWN 180^th parkrun and category winner in 27:34; and MATT CLARKE 150^th parkrun in 28:35.

A total of 421 parkrunners took part in the Stevenage race.Many other Spartans were running parkruns elsewhere including MATT NEWTON 20:47 at Gunpowder; KEITH HOOKER 25:35 at Edgbaston Reservoir; MARTIN WOOD 27:40 at St. Albans; TIM ROBINSON 29:22 at Panshanger; CHLOE CHAPMAN 30:30 at Great Denham

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time	Comments
4	4	Grant RAMSAY	18:31	Top Five
34	32	Craig BACON	21:58	New PPB
59	53	Tony RANDFIELD	23:13
62	55	David RIDDELL	23:19
81	71	Martin JACOB	24:22
105	93	Daniel VILJOEN	25:20	270^th parkrun
110	97	Ryan DUNNING	25:33
136	15	Jayne RIDDELL	26:55	Fastest female from Fairlands
153	128	Jim BROWN	27:34	180^th parkrun. 1^st MV70.
178	142	Matt CLARKE	28:35	150^th parkrun
179	29	Fiona CLARKE	28:36
184	146	Toby ECCLESHALL	28:45
185	31	Gail MACKIE	28:46
226	169	Maurice BALLARD	30:35
233	53	Annabelle WHITE	30:49
235	55	Penny SCHENKEL	30:52
241	175	Nick KLEANTHOUS	31:14
242	59	Monica SMITHSON	31:15
246	178	Jay PAPA	31:21	50^th parkrun – milestone!
253	182	Paul JENNINGS	31:47
255	183	Michael O’KEEFE	31:56
267	189	Peter SACH	32:19
304	201	Stephen SMITHSON	33:58
313	97	Caroline CROFT	34:42
377	138	Hilary DAVIES	39:56
391	147	Pamela VILJOEN	41:48
401	234	Roger BIGGS	48:19

Tags Cross Country, fairlands cross country, parkrun

News

STORMY DARRAGH BUT SPARTANS KEEP ON RUNNING

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date December 8, 2024
No Comments on STORMY DARRAGH BUT SPARTANS KEEP ON RUNNING

Festive Five

Despite Stormy Darragh 30 Fairlands Valley Spartans ran the Festive Five in Welwyn Garden City and ANDREW PATTERSON won it! His 27 minutes 5 seconds (27:05) was more than two minutes quicker than the next runner.

SAM GENTRY said despite it being harder with the rain and wind, she still really enjoyed it and was pleased with her time. She finished in 51:35.

Spartan MIKE JEFFS was third man 40 plus and fourth overall with 30:12; ANNABELLE WHITE third senior woman (i.e. 18 plus) with 39:54 and VICKY ARCHER third woman 35 plus with 41:56.

BRIAN WHITE commented on the stormy conditions but still finished in exactly 38 minutes.

Fantastic to see so many Fairlands on a trip to a race.

Pos	Cat Pos	MF	BiB	Name	Category	Time	Comments
1	1	1	462	Andrew PATTERSON	MV40	27:05	Winner
4	3	4	41	Mike JEFFS	MV40	30:12	3^rd MV40
14	8	14	213	Terry SAWYER	MV40	35:35
32	4	28	523	Brian WHITE	MV60	38:00
45	3	10	120	Annabelle WHITE	FS	39:54	3^rd FS
47	8	37	245	Dave STEPHENSON	MV60	40:13
64	3	17	529	Vicky ARCHER	FV35	41:56	3^rd FV35
65	7	18	241	Marie COLUCCI	FV45	41:56
81	15	60	497	Pete COOK	MV50	44:47
91	14	27	505	Tracy PEZ	FV45	45:58
92	15	28	548	Hazel SMITH	FV45	45:58
95	6	30	164	Megan SUTTON	FS	46:12
109	14	72	447	Andy JAY	MV60	48:53
121	15	44	11	Judy KING	FV55	50:36
122	16	45	98	Nikki NATION	FV55	50:38
125	17	47	525	Monica SMITHSON	FV55	51:18
128	21	49	451	Sam GENTRY	FV45	51:35
129	18	50	149	Tessa STEPHENSON	FV55	52:06
133	6	53	445	Liz CROWLEY	FV35	53:02
136	18	81	36	Michael O’KEEFE	MV60	54:20
137	24	56	513	Samantha SUTTON	FV45	54:24
141	7	60	254	Callie CHAPMAN	FV35	55:07
143	21	62	506	Liz CARVELL	FV55	55:19
155	26	87	553	Peter SACH	MS	57:22
171	27	84	446	Marleen VAN ZWIETEN	FV55	1:02:56
172	36	85	516	Donna SEALY-BELL	FV45	1:02:57
173	12	86	452	Jo COOK	FV35	1:02:56
183	39	96	508	Nichola DURENT	FV45	1:11:56
184	5	97	448	Sharon CROWLEY	FV65	1:11:56
185	15	98	184	Rebecca RAYNER	FV35	1:11:55

Winter Half

Four Spartans ran the Stevenage Winter Half. SIMON JACKSON was fifth out of the 312 finishers and first man 40 plus in 1:20:23. JAY PAPA was 27^th in 1:32:15; MATT GIFFORD finished in 1:39:33 and LLOYD DIAS in 2:29:08.

Simon said “After many months of minimal training, Kieran somehow got me out racing. Conditions were horrendous, with rain, wind and hills.” There were 312 finishers.

Cross Country Coming Up

The next Sunday cross country league race will be in Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage on Sunday morning 15^th December.

Parkrun Highlights 7^th December

Stormy Darragh did its worst and participation at the 376^th Stevenage Parkrun was half many recent totals. Windy, raining and generally unpleasant but there were still 234 who ran the Saturday morning 5K including ten Spartans including CAROLYN LINSELL and SHARON CROWLEY who were there as volunteer tailwalkers.

GRANT RAMSAY was top ten again with his 19 minutes 30 seconds.

Altogether 14 Spartans ran parkruns which reflects the conditions and the cancellation of some events due to the conditions. That didn’t stop NICK GILL who ran Letchworth in 24:58.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time	Comments
9	9	Grant RAMSAY	19:30	Top Ten
29	27	Jay PAPA	22:32
63	58	Martin JACOB	25:03
87	75	Ryan DUNNING	27:00
158	115	Paul JENNINGS	31:50
165	118	Nick KLEANTHOUS	32:40
213	68	Tracy HAYGARTH	41:17
232	147	Tony RANDFIELD	55:32
233	82	Carolyn LINSELL	55:34	Tail walker
234	83	Sharon CROWLEY	55:35	Tail walker

Tags Festive 5, parkrun, Stevenage Winter Half

News Race Results

YUKO’S A WINNER

Spartan YUKO GORDON won in the British Masters 5K Championships at Battersea Park Sunday morning. She won GOLD in for women 70 plus, just a stride – one second – ahead of the second W70 lady. Yuko’s finish time was 22:45.

Trail 50K PB

MARTIN JACOB did the St Edmund’s Trail 50K ultra marathon on Sunday. The course was slightly more than 50k. He ran just a bit more than 52k and finished in 5:42:18. That’s a huge PB (personal best) improvement of 1:52:20 from last year’s Lea Valley 50k ultra.

Simon Haigh Lanzarotte

SIMON HAIGH ran the 50K Lanzarotte International Running Challenge in 4 hours 27 minutes 10 seconds and was 88^th out of the 380 male participants. His time included the Vince Regan Memorial Classic 10K run in 56:04 and La Vuelta de Tinajo 21K in 1:46:29.

Serpentine Last Friday of the Month

JIM BROWN ran his fastest road 5K this year on Friday lunchtime.

Enjoying the sunny, mild with a light breeze, conditions he ran 27:05 at the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park. That have Jim a pretty good age score which moved him up the series championship table but was only good enough for fifth man 70 plus which demonstrates what an amazing event the “Last Friday” can be. The next event is on Friday 27^th December and they have a New Year’s Day 10K on Wednesday 1^st January.

Hot in Valencia

Valencia Marathon for ROBERT WRIGHT in a time of 3:41:26. He said it was a busy hot marathon.

Grant Ramsay

GRANT RAMSAY ran the Goodwood Marathon in 3 hours 10 minutes 58 seconds. It was on the Motor Racing circuit.

He finished in 42nd overall out of 150 finishers.

After 25 years, Grant decided to make event his last Marathon and focus on shorter distance events.

Cross Country Coming Up

The next Sunday cross country league race will be in Stevenage on 15^th December.

Parkrun Highlights 30^th November

It was a misty morning for the 375^th Stevenage parkrun. 21 Spartans were there including KIRK NDUGU who was a brilliant second overall in just 17 minutes 55 seconds.

There were 428 runners at Stevenage including 166 women.

Spartans elsewhere included SUZY HAWKINS who ran the Wendover Woods parkrun in 25:26.

Tags lanzarotte international running challenge, parkrun, st edmunds trail 50k, Valencia Marathon

News Race Results Races

SPARTANS BEAT BERT AT HATFIELD FIVE

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date November 24, 2024
No Comments on SPARTANS BEAT BERT AT HATFIELD FIVE

Storm Bert did his best to confound them but Fairlands Valley Spartans had a good team at Sunday’s Hatfield Five and several ran new lifetime best times (PBs) and season’s bests (SB) for the five miles (8.05 kilometres).

MIKE JEFFS was 25^th out of the 735 finishers and third in his race category with a new personal best of 29 minutes 6 seconds, an improvement of 2 minutes 46. Under 30 minutes and a PB in those tricky conditions. Amazing.

At exactly 30 minutes DAN HUKIN was next in at 36^th position. PAUL SHELLEY continues to knock chunks off his PBs. This time it was 21 seconds off his five miles with 30:10. He was second in his category.

ASHLEY JOHNSON was the fastest female from Fairlands with her 31:59 and in the top ten women.

CRAIG BACON took 1:31 of his PB with 35:09.

Altogether three new personal bests and nine new season’s bests for Fairlands Valley Spartans.

735 finishers. 20 Spartans.

Pos	Name	Time	Category	Cat Pos	Gender	Gen Pos	Comments
25	MIKE JEFFS	29:06	Ages 40 – 44	3	Male	24	PB (2:46). 3VM40
36	Dan HUKIN	30:00	Ages 45 – 49	4	Male	34	SB (0:36)
39	Paul SHELLEY	30:10	Ages 55 – 59	2	Male	37	PB (0:21). 2VM55
60	Ross GALLAGHER	31:24	Ages 40 – 44	11	Male	54
74	Ashley JOHNSON	31:59	Ages 40 – 44	2	Female	10	2VW40
101	Nick GILL	33:35	Seniors	35	Male	89
104	Mark COLLINS	33:41	Ages 45 – 49	15	Male	92
147	Craig BACON	35:09	Ages 50 – 54	12	Male	130	PB (1:31)
161	Danny SCANLON	35:50	Ages 40 – 44	26	Male	141	SB (0:19)
192	Charles ARNOLD	37:19	Ages 65 – 69	6	Male	167	PB (5:34)
239	Marie COLUCCI	39:00	Ages 45 – 49	8	Female	43	SB
251	Brian WHITE	39:36	Ages 65 – 69	8	Male	204	SB
335	Matthew NEWTON	42:07	Ages 40 – 44	40	Male	255	SB
372	Jackie PERRY	43:18	Ages 60 – 64	8	Female	100
444	Jim BROWN	45:25	Ages 70 +	7	Male	297	SB (0:20)
570	Penny SCHENKEL	50:18	Ages 55 – 59	32	Female	218
576	Nikki NATION	51:01	Ages 55 – 59	33	Female	223	SB (9:03)
634	Sharon CROWLEY	53:52	Ages 65 – 69	8	Female	262	SB (1:11)
685	Callie CHAPMAN	58:34	Ages 40 – 44	34	Female	302	SB (4:01)
696	Rebecca RAYNER	59:49	Ages 40 – 44	37	Female	312

Parkrun Highlights 23^rd November

Storm Bert was largely responsible for reducing the turnout at Stevenage parkrun from 510 the previous week to 357 but despite some fights into the wind alongside the large lake in Fairlands Valley Park the 26 Spartans enjoyed some good runs.

YUKO GORDON was fourth woman and won her category with 24 minutes 19 seconds. KAREN ELLIS was ninth woman and won her category with 25:38. JIM BROWN won his with 31:36 and ROGER HEAD his with 34:43.Meanwhile MARTIN DUDLEY was running his 220^th parkrun in 25:03; CHLOE CHAPMAN her 160^th in 31:35; SAMANTHA SUTTON her 170^th in 32:49 and CAROLYN LINSELL volunteering as a walker on the day her 130^th with 56:53

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time	Comments
45	43	Toby ECCLESHALL	23:51
53	4	Yuko GORDON	24:19	4^th woman. First in category.
55	51	Daniel VILJOEN	24:21
57	52	Chris WATLING	24:29
68	62	Martin DUDLEY	25:03	220 parkruns
82	9	Karen ELLIS	25:38	9^th woman. First in category.
85	73	Tony RANDFIELD	25:39
86	74	Darren EMMERSON	25:40
106	93	Martin JACOB	26:13
184	33	Claire EMMERSON	29:03
212	46	Pamela VILJOEN	30:01
220	161	Steve PLATT	30:17
224	165	Paul JENNINGS	30:25
241	175	Thomas SAUKA	31:05
242	176	Nick KLEANTHOUS	31:09
255	62	Chloe CHAPMAN	31:35	160 parkruns
256	182	Jim BROWN	31:36	First in category
257	63	Penny SCHENKEL	31:38
270	189	Michael O’KEEFE	32:23
274	192	Stephen SMITHSON	32:32
281	74	Samantha SUTTON	32:49	170 parkruns
301	202	Roger HEAD	34:43	First in category
325	104	Hannah MANTON	38:24
350	218	Roger BIGGS	47:53
353	123	Carolyn LINSELL	56:53	130 parkruns
357	127	Sharon CROWLEY	59:18

Tags Hatfield 5, parkrun

News Race Results

SAMANTHA AND MIKE WIN HANDICAP

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date November 17, 2024
No Comments on SAMANTHA AND MIKE WIN HANDICAP

33 Fairlands Valley Spartans ran the club’s handicap races in Stevenage on Sunday Morning. They had a choice of Bryan Moore Ten or the Paul Maguire Five. All were raising funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Winner of the 5m race was Samantha Sutton in a personal best (PB) time of 53:42, with Karl Shreeve first man (2^nd overall) in a season’s best (SB) 46:18. Tracy Pez was second lady in a SB 38:38 and Megan Sutton third lady in a PB 44:43. Paul Shelley was second man in a PB 30:31 and Mark Freeman third with a 45:24 SB.

Fastest runner in the 5 mile event was Simon Jackson in 29:05 with Paul Shelley’s 30:31 second quickest and Grant Ramsay third fastest with 31:21. Tracy Pez’s 38:38 was the fastest female time with Jayne Riddell 2^nd quickest with a PB time 44:12 and Megan Sutton 3^rd quickest with a PB of 44:43.

Mike Jeffs was the winner of the 10 mile race in a PB time of 1:01:59 with Andrew Patterson 2^nd with a SB 55:44 and Nick Gill 3^rd in 1:08:55. First lady was Jo Cooksley in a SB 1:26:23 with Samantha Tophill 2^nd lady in a SB 1:28:36 and Annabelle White 3^rd lady in 1:36:00.

Andrew Patterson’s 55:44 was the fastest time and Mike Jeffs’ 1:01:59 2^nd quickest with Ralph Dadswell 3^rd fastest in 1:08:15. Jo Cooksley’s 1:26:23, Sam Tophill’s 1:28:36 and Annabelle White’s 1:36:00 were also the three fastest female times.

19 of the 33 finishers beat their handicap time, they improved, and there were also 19 finishers within 2 minutes of the handicap set.

In handicap races the slower runners start first and others follow at intervals based on recent performances. If everyone runs as their handicap predicts they would all finish together. Thus the winner is the person who improves the most, not necessarily the fastest runner on the day.

Best for Martin at St Neots

On Sunday Spartan MARTIN JACOB ran the St Neots half in 1:45:56. There were a couple of steep hills along the route, but the last 6k was a smooth downhill and ideal for a fast finish. Martin took 47 seconds off his personal best (PB).

JAY PAPA was under 90 minutes with 1 hour 28 minutes 42 seconds for 109 out of the 1111 finishers and WENDY THARANI came in with in 2:07:39.

Shillington Shuffle

It was a sunny Sunday start for the Shillington Shuffle from Barton Le Clay. The route went straight up the Barton hills! Then through the villages of Lilley, Pirton, Howell, Lower Stondon, Meppershall, Shillington, Hexton and back to Barton.

Spartans Sharon and Mike Crowley finished in 8 hours 29 minutes; Paul Holgate in 8:53 and Mike Newbitt in 9:45.

Both Sharon and Mike were awarded their S-S-S Triple Challenge, for completing the Shillington Shuffle, Steppingley Step and Sundon Saunter.

Parkrun Highlights 16^th November

30 of the 510 at the 373^rd Stevenage parkrun were Spartans. This week FVS had two in the top five with GRANT RAMSAY who ran his 150^th parkrun and was fourth with 18:43 and KIRK NDUGU fifth with 18:57.

KAREN ELLIS was fastest female from Fairlands with 25:29.

A major parkrun was achieved by PAMELA VILJOEN who ran her 250^th parkrun in 29 minutes 58 seconds (29:58). FIONA CLARKE ran her 201^st in 27:53.

STEPHANIE MAYFIELD ran a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 29:13 for the 5K and ELIZABETH CROWLEY a new PPB of 29:37.

Recording his 80^th parkrun STEVE PLATT finished in 29:53.

JIM BROWN was aiming for sub 28 and despite congestion in the last 800 metres made it with three seconds to spare. 27:57 and 200^th position.

Spartans elsewhere included MATT GIFFORD 20:49 at Great Denham; JOHN HARRIS with 21:23 at Sandy water, Llanelli; SUZY HAWKINS 22:27 and second woman at Watermeadows, Towcester; MAURICE BALLARD 28:00 at Castle Park, Bishops Stortford; MIKE REYNOLDS 28:16 at Panshanger; LUCY FIELD 28:20 at University Parks; MARIA SWIFT 28:42 at Bug Hunter Waters, Cambridge; NICK KLEANTHOUS 29:07 at Preston Park, Brighton; ANNABELLE WHITE with 30:03 at St Albans; CHRIS HOLLAND 30:41 at Rutland Water; CHLOE CHAPMAN 31:38 at Ifield Mill Pond near Crawley; NICK GILL 32:24 at Letchworth; JONATHAN JONES 35:46 and DZENANA TOPIC 35:57 at Wimpole Estate.

Tags 10 mile handicap, 5 mile handicap, parkrun, Shillington Shuffle, St Neots Half

News Race Results

PAUL EXCELS AT DEBDEN

It was three laps for four Spartans on Saturday morning and PAUL SHELLEY was an amazing third overall in the Remembrance Runs Half Marathon at Carver Barracks near Debden in Essex.

He finished in 1 hour 23 minutes 18 seconds, a new personal best (PB) by three minutes, and WON his category. JIM BROWN won his category beating his nearest rival by three minutes. His 1 hour 56 minutes exactly (1:56:00) was his best this year by 2 minutes 59 seconds.

SAM TOPHILL ran an excellent 1:53:12 and DAVE ACKERY ran a well paced event to beat two hours with 1:59:43.

Jim said it was a bit chilly but no wind and no rain. Almost ideal. He was quite pleased to put it mildly. Jim’s recent parkruns have been 28:42 and 28:12. On Saturday his 5Ks were 27:36; 27:26; 27:22 and 27:34 taking him to 20K and the last 1.1K was at the same rate. And only six days after running a half at Knebworth in 2:02:15.

Gran Canaria Night Run

JAY PAPA ran the Night Run 10K at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. He finished in 56:40. There were a huge number of runners.

Spartan Sam’s Achievement

SAM GENTRY started with the Fairlands Valley Spartans run together group at the end of August and started her Spartans membership in September this year. Last Sunday she ran her first ever race, a 10K. It was the Hertfordshire race at Knebworth House. Her chip time result was 1 hour 7 minutes 15 seconds. As her aim was to do it in 1 hour 10 minutes she was very happy with her result.

Cross Country Update

28 Fairlands Valley Spartans – eleven women and 17 men – turned out for the third cross country league race in four weeks on Sunday 3^rd November. That’s a much stronger women’s team than last time and helped the club’s performance. The race was in Trent Park. The detailed results showed that FVS have moved up to sixth out of 20 in the combined score and fifth in the men’s competition.

At Trent Park DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT ran 19 seconds faster than seven days earlier and moved up from 10^th to sixth overall. This time ADRIAN BUSOLINI was one second faster with his 29:12 and he was 15^th.

TRACEY JACKSON led in the Spartan women with her 39:33 for 40^th woman with YUKO GORDON second Spartan and 45^th in 40:40.

It seemed warmer and drier in Trent Park than previous years when the event has been a bit of a mudfest. There were 405 finishers including 152 women.

The next Cross Country League race, race four, will be in Stevenage on Sunday 15^th December.

Parkrun Highlights 9^th November

26 of the 449 at the 372^nd Stevenage parkrun were Spartans. GRANT RAMSAY moved up to second, only missing out on the top sport by nine seconds, with his 18:30.

KAREN ELLIS ran her 30^th parkrun and was the fastest female from Fairlands with 25:30. PAUL JENNINGS ran his 90^th in 30:34 but PAMELA VILJOEN is only one away from a very special milestone. She ran her 249^th in 29:24.

Elsewhere at Henlow Bridge Lakes JOHN HARRIS finished in 22:45 and SUZY HAWKINS in 28:23; YUKO GORDON ran Letchworth in 26:02; MEGAN SUTTON 27:54 and SAMANTHA SUTTON 34:09 at Panshanger; CHRIS HOLLAND 28:14 at Rutland Water; JONATHAN JONES 36:30 and DZENANA TOPIC 36:33 were at the Wimpole Estate and DARRYL STEVENS was in Cranleigh with 39:03.

Tags Cross Country, Knebworth House, parkrun, Rememberance Runs Half

News Race Results

BOOST AT TRENT PARK CROSS COUNTRY

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date November 3, 2024
No Comments on BOOST AT TRENT PARK CROSS COUNTRY

28 Fairlands Valley Spartans – eleven women and 17 men – turned out for the third cross country league race in four weeks. That’s a much stronger women’s team than last time and helped the club’s performance. The race was in Trent Park.

This Sunday DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT ran 19 seconds faster than seven days earlier and moved up from 10^th to sixth overall. This time ADRIAN BUSOLINI was one second faster with his 29:12 and he was 15^th.

TRACEY JACKSON led in the Spartan women with her 39:33 with YUKO GORDON second in 40:40.

It seemed warmer and drier in Trent Park than previous years.

The Spartan men improved to fourth out of 20 in the men’s race at Barley only a week ago.

The next Cross Country League race, race four, will be in Stevenage on Sunday 15^th December.

Spartan One Two At Bedford

Spartan ASHLEY JOHNSON was first female in Sunday’s Bedford 10K with a brilliant sub 40 time of 39:50 chip time and Spartan MARIE COLUCCI was sixth with 48:52.

Ashley and Marie were first and second in the women 40 plus category and 11^th and 34^th out of all the 263 finishers.

Ashley said, “It was a twisty, turny course. Some muddy, cross country parts. So not as fast as I’d hoped but a win is a win.”

Knebworth – A Win by 15 seconds and Penny was Early

Six Spartans ran the Hertfordshire Half Marathon from Knebworth House.

Spartan KRISTIAN ATANASOV had a top ten run finishing in 1:20:33. He was ninth out of 1,362 finishers and second senior male.

CHRIS WATLING said it was a tough course, very undulating. He didn’t feel overly prepared for today coming off the back of two injuries and only two x 5km treadmill runs during recovery over the last two weeks, but he was very happy with his time! 1:53:45.

Chris added it was good preparation for the Baldock Beast in Feb! Great event and support. Good to see a few Spartans out there today too!

JIM BROWN reckons he’s still trying to get out of marathon mode and didn’t think there was a sensible chance of getting under two hours on the rolling course but, but with a reasonable last four kilometres he got sight of the leading runner in his category, caught him after going through the gate into the grounds of Knebworth House and dug in to be first man 70 plus by a margin of 15 seconds.

PENNY SCHENKEL was early. Clearly delighted she beat her predicted time by more than 28 minutes and finished in 2 hours 31 minutes 55 seconds (2:31:55). The London plan is clicking in.

MARK COLLINS was 80^th in 1:33:47 and CLAIRE EMMERSON finished in 2:15:05.

New York Marathon – a Spartan in the Big Apple

Spartan ROSS GALLAGHER ran the New York Marathon in 3 hours 2 minutes 43 seconds (3:02:43).

He ran on Sunday to complete his Abbott World Marathon Majors 6 Stars.

Ross said it was a fantastic race and up there with some of the best crowds at any race with the Bronx a personal favourite. The bridges were just as tough as people say… and he thought parks were flat… Central Park isn’t.

Resolution Track 5K

Five Spartans were among the 39 runners who went 12.5 times round Ridlins Track on Wednesday evening. This was the Resolution 5K, a guaranteed no hills event.

After spinning around for 19 minutes 15 seconds JAY PAPA was the first Spartan to finish. SIMON JACKSON wasn’t far behind in 19:27 then MATT GIFFORD 20:49; BRIAN WHITE 22:31 and KARL SHREEVE in 27:12.

Pos	MF	CatPos	Name	Cat	Time	Age Gd
7	7	3	Jay PAPA	MS	19:15	66.7 %
10	10	4	Simon JACKSON	MV40	19:27	73.9 %
19	19	6	Matt GIFFORD	MV50	20:49	72.5 %
26	24	1	Brian WHITE	MV60	22:31	76.5 %
35	30	10	Karl SHREEVE	MV50	27:12	56.4 %

39 ran.

Parkrun Highlights 2^nd November

Exactly the same number of runners, 527, finished the award winning Stevenage parkrun this week as the previous Saturday. There were 227 women and 300 men.

This time Spartan GRANT RAMSAY was well in the top ten at fourth with his 18:33. KAREN ELLIS was fastest female from Spartans with 25:38.

PAUL SHELLEY has just one parkrun to go before a major milestone. He finished his 99^th in 24:49. MARTIN JACOB ran his 20^th in 26:20.

So far there have been 117,694 finishes by 15,674 different people at the 371 Stevenage parkruns. They won the top award at the Recent Stevenage Together awards.

Spartans running parkrun 5Ks elsewhere included SIMON JACKSON 19:59 at Great Denham; ADRIAN DONNELLY tenth at Henlow Bridge Lakes in 22:15; YUKO GORDON 23:09 at Storey’s Field; SUZY HAWKINS was first woman at Wendover Woods in 23:34; MEGAN SUTTON 27:07 and SAM SUTTON 32:45 at Bedford; LUCY FIELD 27:43 at Sandhurst Memorial; CHRIS HOLLAND 30:20 at Rutland Water; CHLOE CHAPMAN 30:57 at the Pocket parkrun; and STEVE SMITHSON who was the lonesome Spartan at Panshanger. He said he had a slightly slippy and challenging powerwalk. He finished in 255th place out of a field of 317 parkrunners in 34:13

Recently Spartans ASHLEY JOHNSON and NIKKI NATION ran the South Norwood parkrun.

South Norwood parkrun ran an event for Black History Month and one of the local running groups called Emancipated Run Crew did a take over.

Ashley was first woman out of 82 in 20:47 and NIKKI NATION 28^th in 30:03. 215 ran and Ashley as fifth overall!

An official ParkRun film crew were there and they interviewed both Nikki and I.

It’s on Facebook if you want to watch it:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/4Q61SH4SanLStP7y/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Tags Bedford 10K, Cross Country, Knebworth House, New York Marathon, parkrun, Resolution 5k, Trent Park Cross Country

News Race Results

BARLEY CROSS COUNTRY

A last minute course change saw 15 Spartans running the second cross country league race near Barley on a sunny Sunday morning. On a 7.7 kilometre farmland course DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT took just 28 minutes 53 seconds to be first finisher for FVS and tenth overall. ADRIAN BUSOLINI was close behind at eleventh with 29:11; MIKE JEFFS 21^st with 30:12; GRANT RAMSAY 27^th with 30:24 and DECLAN TRAYNOR 30^th with 30:40. So five Spartans in the first thirty.

Clearly a demanding race programme of three cross country races in four weeks with the Stevenage Marathon in the middle had some impact on participation but those that were there had a great time. The next cross country will be in Trent Park on Sunday 3^rd November.

Position	Name	Time	Comments
10	DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT	28:53	“A” team
11	ADRIAN BUSOLINI	29:11	“A” team
21	MIKE JEFFS	30:12	“A” team
27	GRANT RAMSAY	30:24	“A” team
30	DECLAN TRAYNOR	30:40	“A” team
66	ADRIAN DONNELLY	33:35*	“A” team
73	STUART ARCHER	34:10	“A” team
113	BRIAN WHITE	36:50*	“A” team
131	CHARLES ARNOLD	37:53
135	DANNY SCANLON	38:01
151	MELVIN ALBURN	38:35
180	MARTIN JACOB	40:09
187	DAVID ACKERY	40:38
254	JIM BROWN	47:13
287	CALLIE CHAPMAN	55:03

15 Spartans

Marathon Eryri – Snowdon

The 40^th running of Marathon Eryri took place on a glorious Autumn day with lots of sunshine and beautiful reflections in the numerous lakes along the course which runs around the Snowdon mountain with three big climbs at miles 2-4 miles; 13-15 miles and 22-24 miles. Four Spartans took part this year including Paul Holgate running his 35^th consecutive Snowdon marathon (every year it has been held since 1988) and Sharon Crowley running her 32^nd consecutive Snowdon (more than any other female), while Steph Mayfield and husband Steve (running for his 1^st claim club Stevenage & North Herts AC) took part for their very first time.

Results: Steve Mayfield in a season’s best 3:57:55; Steph Mayfield in 5:19:51; Sharon Crowley in 6:39:47 and Paul Holgate in 6:41:36.

The Coolest Run – Polar Circle Marathon Greenland

JOHN HARRIS ran the Coolest Marathon in the World, and in his opinion the most beautiful.

He said the Polar Circle Marathon in Greenland is a marathon to savour and enjoy, rather than his normal head down run as fast as he can type of marathon.

Apparently it was minus 10 degrees at the start, with the wind across the open spaces making it much colder.

The sun came out later making it the perfect scenic run.

John said the shoe crampons did their job on the Ice Cap and apart from doing the splits after 2K, he managed to stay on his feet.

It was not a flat marathon by any means, with over 1800 feet of climb during the 26.2 miles. A truly memorable marathon and one John highly recommends. He finished in 5:34:17

Beachy Head Half Marathon

Tim Robinson ran the Beachy Head Half Marathon on Sunday 27th October. Usually running the Marathon, he decided to drop down to the half distance following last week’s Stevenage Marathon where he ran 5:02:06 in very poor weather conditions. Beachy Head felt very tough despite perfect conditions with heavy legs.

Making the most of the long downhill sections between mile 4 and 8 left enough in reserve for the final 4 climbs over four of the Seven Sisters and the fast downhill off Beachy Head. 2:46:54.

Serpentine

After a careful first kilometre following his recent marathon Spartan JIM BROWN ran the Last Friday of the Month 5K in 27:49. That slightly improved his average in the series to 64%.

The next Serpentine lunch-time run in Hyde Park will be on Friday 29^th November.

Ricky Road for Matt

MATT TUTTON ran the Ricky Road 10 mile as part of Team KitAid. He said it was a lovely run in the Autumn sunshine, through countryside and by houses he could only afford through creative means. There were a couple of unwelcome hills and a long descent towards the finish line. In the Chilterns who’d thought.

Matt also decided to break a habit of a lifetime as he approached the finish line … with a smile! He finished in 1:32:03.

Parkrun Highlights 26^th October – Spooky

Compared with the previous week the numbers jumped up by nearly 200 as 527 ran the spooky Stevenage parkrun on the Saturday before Halloween.

There were 27 Spartans with GRANT RAMSAY first in at sixth with 18:35. GAIL MACKIE was fastest female from Fairlands, 12^th woman in 25:33.

CAROLINE CROFT ran her 90^th parkrun in 34:49 and despite taking a black cat and an enormous spider round with him JIM BROWN still managed to be first man 70 plus with his 34:50.Altogether 47 Spartans ran parkruns. Those elsewhere included WILLIAM MORLEY 19:33 and STEVE WELLS 21:05 at Storeys Field (Cambridge); ALISON WOOD 23:57 and MARTIN WOOD 26:11 at Barnstaple; JACKIE PERRY 26:41 at Colby; MIKE REYNOLDS 26:45 at Panshanger; SUZY HAWKINS 28:49 at Henlow Bridge Lake; MATT CLARKE 29:55 at Rickmansworth; NIKKI NATION 30:03 at South Norwood; and NICK KLEANTHOUS 31:29 at Eastbourne

Tags Beachy Head

Half Marathon News Race Results Races

WET, WINDY, WONDERFUL STEVENAGE MARATHON

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date October 20, 2024
No Comments on WET, WINDY, WONDERFUL STEVENAGE MARATHON

Despite strong winds and rain more than 700 runners completed Sunday 40^th anniversary Stevenage Marathon and Half organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans.

From the start at the corner of Grace Way and Martins Way to the finish in Hampson Park it was a windswept run, particularly going south with some black numbers in the wind speeds in the weather forecast, and undulating but there were some fantastic runs.

The marathon was won by Stephen Buckle from St Albans in 2 hours 40 minutes 32 seconds (2:40:32) but, by 14 seconds, Fairlands Valley Spartans’ Suzy Hawkins was first woman in 3:32:21.

And the Spartans were third and fourth in the men’s race. David Harris-Cherguit third in 2:50:20 and Adrian Busolini fourth and first senior (over 18) in 2:55:17.

There were 303 finishers in the marathon and 413 in the half. The Spartans were wearing their stripes with pride – 38 first claim Spartans finished the full 26.2 miles marathon and 30 the half marathon.

ALISON and PAUL SHELLEY were incredible. They ran the Chicago Marathon last week and came home to run Stevenage this week. Just home so sending our results although pretty sure you will have them all.

Alison said, “That was pretty brutal today – tough course and tough conditions on tired legs. But we are super proud to have both completed the decennial FVS Stevenage Marathon as a ‘Chicago Chaser’!!!”

Paul’s time was 3:42:06 and Alison 4:54:22.

Despite the conditions there were marathon personal bests by CRAIG BACON 3:39:10; MARTIN JACOB 3:57:30 and GERRY ROSEN 5:33:36

There was a clean sweep GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE for Fairlands Valley Spartans in the County team championships for veteran men (over 40s) and veteran women (over 35s).

The male winners were DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT (2:05:20), CRAIG BACON (3:39:10), PAUL SHELLEY (3:42:06) and MARTIN JACOB (3:57:30). Silvers went to LIAM HERBERT (3:57:47), ROBERT WRIGHT (4:17:32), MATT GIFFORD (4:18:40) and MATT CLARKE (4:49:11) and Bronzes to MARTIN DUDLEY (4:53:19), JIM BROWN (4:55:05), TIM ROBINSON (5:02:06) and PAUL HOLGATE (6:10:35). (Teams of four).

The women team winners were:

GOLD – SUZY HAWKINS (3:32:25); CLAIRE PULLEN (4:08:04) and SAM TOPHILL (4:19:44). SILVER – ALISON SHELLEY (4:54:58); TRICIA HOPPER (4:57:06) and LINDA GEORGE (5:11:37). BRONZE – KAREN LIDDLE (5:17:15); FIONA CLARKE (5:23:06) and SHARON CROWLEY (6:14:16). (Teams of three).

Fairlands Valley Spartans are a local community running club in Stevenage and are celebrating their 40^th anniversary this year. The half is organised every year but the full 26.2 miles marathon is a bit special. It only takes place every ten years.

Apart from 68 finishers FVS organised the event including dozens of volunteers including marshals, lead bikes and finish funnel.

Big thanks to the Hertfordshire Sports Partnership and the University of Hertfordshire who brought 14 volunteers – mostly overseas students and UH staff. Ten different nationalities. John O’Callaghan from HSP said, “Great event despite at times, atrocious weather conditions.” The Hertfordshire Sports and Active Recreation Partnership are one of the Mayor’s good causes this year.

ALL the proceeds from Sunday’s events will go to charity. This year it is Pancreatic Cancer UK which was chosen by the club in memory of a much loved member.

There was huge Spartan success in the Hertfordshire County Marathon Championships.

The Spartan men won GOLD and BRONZE in the male senior (over 18) team county championships. The club’s women won GOLD and SILVER in the female senior team competition.

LINDA GEORGE (5:11:37) won BRONZE for women 35 plus; SUZY HAWKINS (3:32:25) for women 45 plus; CLAIRE PULLEN (4:08:04), Sam TOPHILL (4:19:44) and ALISON SHELLEY (4:54:58) GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE for women 55 plus; and KAREN LIDDLE (5:17:15) and SHARON CROWLEY (6:14:16) GOLD and SILVER for women 65 plus).

DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT (2:50:20) was GOLD for men 40 plus and JIM BROWN (4:55:05) GOLD for men 70 plus.

Civic Team

Irrespective of time JIM BROWN was delighted to finish the Stevenage Marathon. It was his first marathon back in 1994 and this time he became the first Stevenage Mayor, as Mayor, to complete the Stevenage Marathon. And he won a County GOLD medal for his age group. Jim got round in 4:55:05. He was lead bike in 2014.

The Mayoress, Penny Schenkel, was the lead bike this time.

Stevenage Half

There were 413 finishers in Sunday’s 40^th anniversary Stevenage Half Marathon. It was won by BEN TACEY in 1:13:48. FREYA WEDDELL from St Albans was first woman with 1:20:02, more than ten minutes ahead of her nearest rival.

SIMON FRASER was the first Spartan finisher. Sub 90 minutes with 1 hour 28 minutes 17 seconds (1:28:17) for 17^th position.

YUKO GORDON was the fastest female from Fairlands. She won her category and a county GOLD medal with 1:45:44.

There were new personal bests from DAVID ACKERY 2:01:52; JUDY KING 2:22:51; SAMANTHA SUTTON 2:46:29.

There were some great Spartan results in the county half marathon championships for veteran runners, part of the race. The women’s team consisting of Yuko (above); JAYNE RIDDELL 1:57:51 and SUE HAMER 2:05:00 won SILVER only one point behind the gold medallists AND SARAH ILLINGWORTH 2:17:53; Judy (above) and JO COOKSLEY 2:27:25 won BRONZE in the female veterans’ team championship (women over 35, teams of three).

The Spartan veterans were also second in the veteran men’s championship with SILVER going to TERRY SAWYER (1:38:45), BRIAN WHITE (1:43:58), MATT TUTTON (2:02:17) and BEN TORREGIANI (2:03:12) (males over 40, teams of four).

Jayne won individual bronze for women 55 plus and BRIAN WHITE individual silver for men 60 plus with his 1:43:58.

303 finishers in marathon – 38 first claim Spartans; 413 finishers in half – 29 first claim FVS.

Super PB in Amsterdam

Spartan ANDREW PATTERSON ran a new marathon personal best in the Amsterdam Marathon. A fantastic 2 hours 34 minutes 9 seconds. A personal best by more than two minutes. He was top 100, 95^th out of 16,763 finishers.

SIMON JACKSON did 2.46.10 at the Amsterdam marathon on Sunday. He finished sixth in his age group and said there was amazing crowd, nice course and a good weekend with friends.

Go Georgie at the Abingdon Marathon

Spartan GEORGIE HOOPER ran the Abingdon Marathon and broke her personal best by 43 minutes!! She finished in 3:46:02. CHARLES COOK ran the same race in 3:02:53.

York 10 Miles

CHRIS WATLING ran the York 10 miler for the third year in a row. 1.24:24

Results Out For Cross Country

The official results are now in for last week’s cross country, the first league race this season. Only six clubs beat 1,000 points and FVS were sixth out of the 20 clubs with 880 making them the best club from Stevenage. The Spartans three leading women were TRACY PEZ 19^th in 38:14 for the 7.6 kilometres; ZOE JACKSON 37^th in 40:42 and ELODIE MOAKES in 41:56. The club’s leading three men were GRANT RAMSAY 25^th in 30:33; JAY PAPA 40^th in 31:46 and ADRIAN DONNELLY 53^rd in 32:48.

The club were delighted to finish two complete teams in both the men’s and women’s races.

There were 288 finishers. 109 women and 178 men. The next cross country league race will be near Royston on Sunday 27^th October.

Ashley Beats 20 Year Record

Spartan ASHLEY JOHNSON beat a 20 year record at the Great Eastern Run. Her 1 hour 24 minutes 25 seconds beat the club record for women 35 plus and was a personal best by 33 seconds.

Chicago Extra

There was a big personal best (PB) of 10 minutes 6 seconds (10:06) achieved by PAUL SHELLEY at the Chicago Marathon. ALISON SHELLEY said it was definitely was Fairlands Fortitude for her – She said she couldn’t fuel enough and hit the wall but still super proud of the finish and time, coming back from injury, after a one year deferral.

Alison continued. “An amazing experience and trip, having both qualified for ‘good for age’ entry …and we wore our FVS stripes with pride!”

Paul went through half way in 1:31:42 and maintained that pace to finish in 3 hours 3 minutes 30 seconds (3:03:30). Alison went through a half marathon in 2:08:12 and then demonstrated Fairlands fortitude to finish in 4:28:14.

Parkrun Highlights 19^th October

Yuko beat 100%. Yes Spartan YUKO GORDON beat an age related score of 100% at Saturday morning’s Stevenage parkrun. Her 23:24 gave her a score of 100.07%.

The weather and the Stevenage marathon the following day kept the numbers down a bit but there were still 337 runners including 16 Spartans at the Stevenage parkrun.

Tags Abingdon, Amsterdam Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Cross Country, Great Eastern Run, parkrun, Stevenage half marathon, Stevenage Marathon, York 10 Miles

Half Marathon News Newsletter Race Results Races Racing

HERE COMES THE STEVENAGE MARATHON

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date October 13, 2024
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The Stevenage Marathon and 40^th Anniversary Half Marathon are this Sunday 20^th October. They will start from the corner of Grace Way and Martins Way at 10a.m.

There are 900 entries. 500 in the half and 400 in the full marathon.

Fairlands Valley Spartans are a local community running club in Stevenage and are celebrating their 40^th anniversary this year. They are the organisers. The half is organised every year but the full 26.2 miles marathon is a bit special. It only takes place every ten years.

ALL the proceeds will go to charity. This year it will be Pancreatic Cancer UK which was chosen by the club in memory of a much loved member.

The finish will be in Hampson Park. The races are open and will include county championships for Hertfordshire.

For more information please visit

Enter

Double Double at Cross Country as season launches on 13^th October

The first cross country league race of the new season was in Hoddesdon on Sunday and 26 Spartans finished. This was on a multi-lap 7.6 kilometres course with a couple of pinch points.

GRANT RAMSAY was first in for Fairlands Valley Spartans at 26^th in 30 minutes 32 seconds. He was in the first 10% finishers. Next came JAY PAPA at 43^rd with 31:46.

TRACY PEZ was the fastest female from Fairlands with 38:02 which put her in 137^th place overall (men and women). ZOE JACKSON was the club’s next woman with her 40:27 for 182^nd.

The club were delighted to finish two complete teams in the men’s and women’s races.

Team results should be available from the event organisers in a few days.

Despite several others being committed to other events before they knew the date 26 Spartans finished. 16 men and 10 women. Eight counted in men’s teams. Five in women’s. The next cross country league race will be on Sunday 27^th October.

Position	Name	Time	Team	Comments
26	GRANT RAMSAY	30:32	Team MA	M50. Top 10%.
43	JAY PAPA	31:46	Team MA	SM
56	ADRIAN DONNELLY	32:48	Team MA	M40
66	NICK GILL	33:18	Team MA	SM
102	STEVE MAYFIELD	35:46	Team MA	M50
105	MATT GIFFORD	35:50	Team MA	M50
120	BRIAN WHITE	36:47	Team MA	M60
137	TRACEY PEZ	38:02	Team WA	W45
165	SIMON HAIGH	39:27	Team MA	M50
181	DAVID ACKERY	40:24	Team MB	SM
182	ZOE JACKSON	40:27	Team WA	W35
189	DARREN EMMERSON	41:14	Team MB	M50
196	TONY VICKERS	41:24	Team MB	M50
198	ELODIE MEAKES	41:30*	Team WA	W45
211	MARTIN WOOD	42:47	Team MB	M60
232	JON SYPULA	44:55	Team MB	M40
240	ANDY JAY	45:44	Team MB	M50
242	MARK FREEMAN	45:49	Team MB	M60
245	CLAIRE EMMERSON	46:11	Team WA	W45
263	MICHELLE HOLTON	47:00*	Team WA	W45
264	JIM BROWN	48:39	Team MB	M70
265	PENNY SCHENKEL	48:39	Team WB	W55
266	LIZ CROWLEY	48:39	Team WB	W35
278	NIKKI NATION	51:25	Team WB	W55
280	CALLIE CHAPMAN	55:55	Team WB	W35
282	SHARON CROWLEY	57:26	Team WB	W65

PBs at Peterborough Half – the Great Eastern Run

DAN HUKIN didn’t think for one second he had this in the locker but a chip time of 1:19:24 gave him a 2.5 minute PB (personal best) that he had had from 2006. Dan was 139^th out of the 3,238 finishers in the Great Eastern Run (the Peterborough Half Marathon).

In the same race Ross Gallagher’s 1:24:25 a new PB by more than four minutes.

Ross ran with Ashley Johnson and they both got exactly the same time, nice course and perfect conditions. They were 238^th and 239^th in the race with Ashley fourth in her age group.

Late News – Chicago

Just in. Spartans ALISON and PAUL SHELLEY completed the Chicago Marathon.

Lovely to Run the Royal Parks Half Marathon

HAZEL SMITH and VICKY ARCHER ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon together on Sunday. They both finished in 1:57:49.

Vicky said, “I’ve never run in London before so I really enjoyed the city part of it, especially running up the Mall towards Buckingham Palace! The parks were very pretty but the route was quite congested in places. It was so lovely to run with Hazel and enjoy it together. A lovely run.”

Club News Newsletter Race Results Races

GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE AT STANDALONE

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date October 6, 2024
No Comments on GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE AT STANDALONE

Gold, silvers, bronzes and five new personal bests were among the rewards for the 34 Fairlands Valley Spartans who ran Sunday’s Standalone 10K in Letchworth.

Spartan SIMON JACKSON was the fastest from FVS. He was the quickest man 40 plus, won GOLD in the County veteran championships and was 14^th overall out of 1294 finishers in 35 minutes 20 seconds. Suzy won silver as SUZY HAWKINS was second woman 45 plus in 43:06 and CLAIRE PULLEN took bronze in the same category with 49:11.

There were two bronze teams – Simon; ADRIAN DONNELLY (40:54); MATT GIFFORD (43:36) and DANNY SCANLON (44:07) for the men (teams of four) and Suzy, Claire and TRACY PEZ (52:25) for the women (teams of three).

SALLY REEVE was first of the brand new personal bests with 51:28, an improvement of 29 seconds. Then came PETE COOK 53:11; ANDREA WESTCOTT 54:22; MEGAN SUTTON 60:24 and ROSE SUTTON 69:49.

Birthday girl PENNY SCHENKEL enjoyed lots of birthday greetings around the course and a good 10K run taking 64:42, her best this year.

Pos	Name	Cat	5K time	10K time*	AG%	Comments
14	Simon JACKSON	MV40	17:21	35:20	83.5%	GOLD & Bronze Team
16	Simon FRASER	MS	18:02	35:35	76.8%	YB
82	Adrian DONNELLY	MV40	20:21	40:54	70.8%	Bronze Team. SB
143	Suzy HAWKINS	FV45	21:19	43:06	77.4%	SILVER Bronze Team. SB
155	Matt GIFFORD	MV50	21:59	43:36	71.0%	Bronze Team
171	Danny SCANLON	MV40	22:12	44:07	64.0%	Bronze Team. YB
219	Brian WHITE	MV60	22:47	45:50	77.9%
243	Charles ARNOLD	MV60	23:48	46:24	75.6%	YB
343	Claire PULLEN	FV55	25:18	49:11	76.1%	BRONZE Bronze Team. YB
356	John HARRIS	MV60	25:13	49:30	66.9%
357	Paul SHELLEY	MV50	25:13	49:30	62.7%
360	Nick GILL	MS	25:18	49:31	54.1%
452	Sally REEVE	FV45	26:33	51:28	68.0%	PB (0:29)
463	Martin DUDLEY	MV60	26:36	51:34	63.1%	YB
488	Tracy PEZ	FV45	26:23	52:25	65.4%	Bronze Team
489	Hazel SMITH	FV45	26:23	52:26	65.4%	SB
521	Nikki WILBY	FV35	26:40	52:57	58.2%
531	Pete COOK	MV50	26:51	53:11	59.4%	PB (0:47)
567	Jon SYPULA	MV40	28:06	54:04	53.9%	SB
595	Andrea WESTCOTT	FV45	28:26	54:22	64.3%	PB (0:51)
645	Ann TRYSSESOONE	FV55	28:37	55:30	67.3%	SB
660	Marie COLUCCI	FV45	28:02	56:00	58.5%
871	Megan SUTTON	FS	29:12	1:00:24	49.6%	PB (2:05)
968	Alison SHELLEY	FV55	32:01	1:03:11	57.1%
990	Jo COOKSLEY	FV35	33:26	1:03:01	48.0%
1050	Monica SMITHSON	FV55	32:00	1:05:34	57.8%
1052	Jim BROWN	MV70+	34:51	1:04:41	55.7%
1053	Penny SCHENKEL	FV55	34:52	1:04:42	54.8%	Birthday. YB
1147	Rose SUTTON	FU20	35:04	1:09:49	43.0%	PB (39:25)
1172	Callie CHAPMAN	FV35	36:35	1:10:11	43.6%	SB
1186	Samantha SUTTON	FV45	35:07	1:12:13	46.3%	SB
1225	Paul HOLGATE	MV60	38:14	1:14:27	45.9%
1248	Jan FRY	FV65	39:51	1:17:21	59.8%	SB
1249	Hannah SYPULA	FV45	39:51	1:17:22	42.5%	SB

20 Years of Parkrun – Parkrun Highlights 5^th October

Parkrun celebrated its 20^th birthday on Saturday and 44 Spartans joined in the celebrations.

There were 465 finishers at Stevenage parkrun and 31 of them were Spartans. They included GRANT RAMSAY fourth in 18:55 and KAREN ELLIS fastest from Fairlands in 26:08.

Spartans running other parkruns included GAIL MACKIE 21:37 at Storeys Field; PETE SMITH 22:59 at North Yorkshire Water Park; KELLY McHALE third woman and only missing her PB by five seconds with 23:34 and MIKE REYNOLDS 30:18 at Panshanger; CHLOE CHAPMAN 33:13 and ANNABELLE WHITE 33:14 at Castle Park (Bishops Stortford).

From a start with just 13 runners and five volunteers in Bushy Park on 2 October 2004 there are now more than 10 million parkrunners around the world.

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Time	Comments
4	4	Grant RAMSAY	18:55	Top Ten
17	16	Simon JACKSON	20:40
46	44	Martin JACOB	22:45	parkrun PB
48	46	Paul SHELLEY	22:59
62	59	Daniel VILJOEN	23:39
84	77	Martin DUDLEY	24:41
86	79	Matt CLARKE	24:51
112	99	Toby ECCLESHALL	26:01
116	10	Karen ELLIS	26:08	Fastest FVS female
117	103	Ryan DUNNING	26:10
150	17	Fiona CLARKE	27:04
200	160	Paul JENNINGS	28:51
203	163	Nick KLEANTHOUS	28:56
218	169	Jim BROWN	29:15
224	173	Ryan RIDDELL	29:28
231	49	Sophie PARSONS	29:41
232	50	Pamela VILJOEN	29:42
246	183	Maurice BALLARD	30:05
259	60	Alison SHELLEY	30:27
311	85	Debbie BLANTERN	32:53
318	218	Paul HOLGATE	33:14
329	95	Megan SUTTON	34:01
336	101	Samantha SUTTON	34:37
343	106	Linda GEORGE	35:02
365	119	Tracy HAYGARTH	36:27	140 parkruns
385	240	Lloyd DIAS	38:10
443	261	Roger BIGGS	48:28
454	266	James SOUTH	53:13
455	173	Helen HARRIS	53:39
458	268	Tony RANDFIELD	56:47
460	176	Carolyn LINSELL	60:48

Tags parkrun, Standalone 10K

News Newsletter Race Results Racing

HITCHIN & BERLIN WINNERS

Spartan ANDREW PATTERSON won the Hitchin 5K in 16 minutes 10 seconds.

Other Spartan highlights included – on the basis of one runner one prize MIKE JEFFS took the male 40 plus award with his 18:01. He was eighth overall. BRIAN WHITE was second man 60 plus in 22:28 and ANDY JAY third in 27:36. JACKIE PERRY was second woman 60 plus in 27:36.

MARIE COLUCCI was the fastest female from Fairlands with 23:05 while HARRIET SMITH was not far behind with 23:45.

Pos	CatPos	MF	BiB	Name	Category	Time	Grade	Comments
1	1	1	3739	Andrew PATTERSON	MV40	16:10	86.5%	Winner!
8	2	8	4848	Mike JEFFS	MV40	18:01	76.0%	2^nd MV40
29	8	28	4579	Mark COLLINS	MV40	19:49	72.6%
36	16	35	2653	Nick GILL	MV30	19:56	66.8%
87	2	73	2713	Brian WHITE	MV60	22:28	76.6%	2^nd MV60
106	6	20	3072	Marie COLUCCI	FV40	23:05	68.9%
116	6	25	3697	Harriet SMITH	FV30	23:45	61.9%
137	37	103	1558	Daniel VILJOEN	MV40	24:25	58.8%
141	2	36	4021	Jackie PERRY	FV60	24:52	76.1%	2^nd FV60
194	3	129	2797	Andy JAY	MV60	27:36	57.5%	3^rd MV60
257	16	100	1469	Pamela VILJOEN	FV50	30:01	55.7%
306	39	134	1528	Callie CHAPMAN	FV40	32:29	46.3%
345	47	166	3686	Rebecca RAYNER	FV40	37:59	39.9%

Yuko’s A Winner In Berlin

At the Berlin Marathon Spartan YUKO GORDON won her age category, women 70 plus, in 3:34:45.

That makes it her third time winning out of three outings in Berlin.

SIMON FRASER was easily under three hours with 2:48:09 and KEITH HOOKER had an excellent run to come in with 4:12:02. There were tens of thousands of runners.

Great Shelford 5K

CHARLES ARNOLD took his Spartan stripes to South Cambs and the 11th annual Great Shelford 5K. An England Athletics (EA) certified out-and-back road race, flat and picturesque so no excuses for not getting at least a season’s best (SB) of 21:28.

Tags Berlin Marathon, Great Shelford 5k, Hitchin 5k

News Race Results Races

ONE HOUR TRIAL

Fairlands Valley Spartans tried something new on Saturday. A one hour time trial at Ridlins Track. How far can you run in 60 minutes? Well for KRISTIAN ATANASOV it was 15.68 kilometres!

Ten kilometres was a neat target for many people but even that represented 25 laps of the track.

There was another stand out performance by YUKO GORDON. Her 12.21 kilometres represented an age grade performance of 104.65%. If it had been an official session that would have been a new British record.

The whole event was organised by BRIAN WHITE who was second overall with 12.58 kilometres (85.65%). The others in the top ten were MATT CLARKE 11.05 kms (65.62%); JIM BROWN 10.82 kms (75.44%); JOHN NELMS 10.63kms (65.62%); MARK FREEMAN 10.55 kms (75.19%); FIONA CLARKE 10.27kms (70.73%); ANDY JAY 10.27kms (67.93%) and JUDY KING 10.01 kms (83.03%). There were 17 runners for this first running of the event.

Position	Name	Total Distance (K)	% Age Grading
1	KRISTIAN ATANASOV	15.68	–
2	BRIAN WHITE	12.58	85.65%
3	YUKO GORDON	12.21	104.65%!
4	MATT CLARKE	11.05	65.62%
5	JIM BROWN	10.82	75.44%
6	JOHN NELMS	10.63	65.62%
7	MARK FREEMAN	10.55	75.19%
8	FIONA CLARKE	10.27	70.73%
9	ANDY JAY	10.11	67.93%
10	JUDY KING	10.01	83.03%
11	LIZ CROWLEY	9.36	57.2%
12	CALLIE CHAPMAN	8.67	55.25%
13	SALLY PHILLIPS	8.6	71.3%
14	PAUL HOLGATE	8.44	61.73%
15	SAM SUTTON	7.72	54.75%
16	SHARON CROWLEY	7.57	69.5%

Vitality London 10K

Spartan CHARLES ARNOLD ran the Vitality London 10K in 46 minutes 51 seconds and BECKY RAYNER finished in 1:23:21.

Charles said, “I took my stripes to the Vitality London 10000 today. Travelling down I encountered torrential rain which had me wondering what to expect on the all road course. Fortunately when I emerged at Green Park the rain had stopped, and, although damp, there were no issues with standing water. We were ushered in our waves onto the Mall and had to wait as the elites and faster waves ahead took off. My target was sub 48 minutes and to achieve a negative split, which was helped as we set off and approached the first pinch point under Admiralty Arch. The course is fairly flat with a small climb up to Holborn Viaduct and from a personal point of view is my PB course from many moons ago. I was running for 48 but saw myself on target for sub 47 so kept pushing to hold that during the final km from Parliament Square up Birdcage Walk to the finish in front of Buckingham Palace, finishing in 46:51, a season’s best.

It is a good event and a good course, well organised (as you would expect from a London Marathon event) and well attended, if a tad expensive (the cost of closed roads in the centre of London!)”

Handicap 5K

Very well done all 22 runners in this month’s Handicap 5k. Paul Holgate organised and thank you to Sharon Crowley, Keith Fenwick and Samantha Sutton for their assistance, support and photography.

Winners were Sally Pickles, 1:16 quicker than last months 5k in 35:49, and David Ackery, 1:31 faster than his previous handicap 5k in 24:56, closely followed by pacing assistants Annabelle White and Amanda & Tony Vickers. Steve Tinsley finished second man, 8 seconds quicker than August in 28:13 and Tim Robinson third man in 27:43 despite starting 1:30 later than handicap! Marleen Van Zwieten was second lady in 40:25 – almost identical to her previous time and Liz Carvell 3rd lady in 31:46, just behind another pacer on the night (Nikki Nation).

The fastest runner on the night was Charles Arnold in 22:59, with Yuko Gordon (23:17) second quickest (fastest lady). Marie Colucci (24:07) was third quickest (2nd fastest lady) and Chris Watling 2nd fastest man in 24:17. David Ackery was third fastest man and Jo Cooksley (25:16) third fastest woman.

Three Peaks Challenge

Barry and Trudie King, Karen Liddle and Tricia Hopper took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on Sat 21 September 2024. The challenge is to complete the three very different, but all tough peaks in a time of 12 hours. Trudie King came in at 9 hours 42 minutes, Barry King in 9 hrs 47 mins, with Karen Liddle and Tricia Hopper in 9 hrs 53 mins. All were very pleased to complete in under 10 hours and enjoyed a well earned pint at the end.

Tags Handicap 5k, one hour trial, Three Peaks, Vitality London 10K

5K Series News Race Results Races

ASHLEY & ALISON SERIES WINNERS

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date September 15, 2024
No Comments on ASHLEY & ALISON SERIES WINNERS

Spartans ASHLEY JOHNSON and ALISON WOOD were series winners in the Hatfield 5K races. Ashley won the women 35 plus category with a total time of exactly 57 minutes for the three 5K races. Her third 5K was her fastest. A new personal best of 18 minutes 46 seconds, an improvement of ten seconds. Alison won the women 55 plus with a total of 1:03:29. Her third race took 20:56.

21 Fairlands Valley Spartans ran in the final event and despite some great runs in race two they achieved four new personal bests. MIKE JEFFS by 3 seconds to 17:34; ANDREA WESTCOTT by 10 seconds to 25:43; and MEGAN SUTTON by another 6 seconds to 26:42, and Ashley.

CALLIE CHAPMAN ran her best 5K this season by 2:19 with her 31:50; SAMANTHA SUTTON by 12 seconds to 33:03. SHARON CROWLEY was delighted to get under 29 minutes with 28:53, her fastest this year by 15 seconds and JANE WADEY dipped under 35 minutes with 34:57, her fastest this year by 9 seconds.

ANDREW PATTERSON was the fastest Spartan in the race with his 16 minutes 18 seconds (16:18) which got him sixth overall in the race and second in his age group.

7 Spartan men and 8 women completed the whole series. All three had to be completed to count.

Pos	Name	Cat	Total	Race 1	Race 2	R ace 3	Best 2	Comments
5.	Ashley JOHNSON	FV35	57:00	19:14	18:59	18:48	37:46	Winner FV35
12.	Alison WOOD	FV55	1:03:29	21:17	21:08	21:04	42:12	Winner FV55
35.	Andrea WESTCOTT	FV45	1:19:32	27:22	26:16	25:55	52:10	9^th FV45
37.	Hazel SMITH	FV45	1:25:09	27:32	25:25	32:13	52:56	10^th FV45
39.	Megan SUTTON	FS	1:21:39	27:31	27:11	26:58	54:08	8^th senior
47.	Sharon CROWLEY	FV65	1:29:40	30:54	29:33	29:14	58:46	7^th FV65
51.	Samantha SUTTON	FV45	1:42:02	34:56	33:41	33:26	1:07:06
54.	Jane WADEY	FV55	1:47:43	36:57	35:32	35:14	1:10:46

Hatfield Series Results – Spartan Women

Pos	Name	Cat	Total	Race 1	Race 2	R ace 3	Best 2	Comments
15.	Mike JEFFS	MV40	53:58	18:34	17:51	17:35	35:25	6^th MV40
22.	Ross GALLAGHER	MV40	56:09	18:36	17:59	19:35	36:34	10^th MV40
30.	Paul SHELLEY	MV50	57:04	18:46	18:37	19:42	37:22	6^th MV 50
43.	Mark COLLINS	MV40	59:17	20:03	19:37	19:37	39:14
61.	Matt TUTTON	MV40	1:12:00	23:59	23:10	24:52	47:09
74.	Jim BROWN	MV70	1:24:10	29:15	27:17	27:39	54:55	4^th MV70

Hatfield Series Results – Spartan Men

Stevenage 10K on 15^th September

Eleven Spartans kept it local on Sunday and ran the Stevenage 10K.

MIKE JEFFS stormed round the undulating course in 37 minutes 28 seconds which WON his age group and got him fourth overall out of the 305 finishers. BRIAN WHITE was second MV60 in 46:43 while JAY PAPA was ninth senior in 40:23.

Brian said there were ideal cool, sunny and still conditions for a picturesque run around some Stevenage cycle tracks.

Several other Spartans volunteered as marshals.

Runaway Racing

Spartans Ciaran and Su McAneny ran the Runaway Racing Suffolk Coastal 50km on Saturday. Running from Lowestoft to Aldeburgh on the coastal pathway, it was a beautiful, scenic route passing by all the summer beach hotspots! It was Su’s first Ultra and she hit the wall sooner than expected, but dug herself out of it with Ciaran’s support. They Crossed the line together to receive a medal from the mayoress!

Win For Yuko

YUKO GORDON ran the picturesque Pleshey Half Marathon on Sunday in 1:42:02. She won the women 70 plus category. With around 380 finishers the course was mostly on quiet village roads.

Tags Hatfield 5k Series, Pleshey Half Marathon, Runaway Racing Suffolk 50km, Stevenage 10K

5K Series News Race Results Races

MEDALS FOR SPARTANS

There were medals of all colours for Fairlands Valley Spartans at the second in the series of Hatfield 5K races which included the county championships for veterans. ASHLEY JOHNSON won GOLD in the women 35 plus category with 18:56; ALISON WOOD won GOLD in the women 55 plus with 20:53; YUKO GORDON won SILVER in the women 65 plus with 22:19 and the men’s team of JONATHAN PARR (16:40); MIKE JEFFS (17:49); ROSS GALLAGHER (17:56) and GRANT RAMSAY (18:27) won team BRONZE.

22 Spartans ran and there were five new personal bests (PBs) – ROSS GALLAGHER by 35 seconds; PAUL SHELLEY by 11 seconds to 18:31; ASHLEY JOHNSON by 14 seconds; MATT TUTTON by 47 seconds to 22:53 and MEGAN SUTTON took another 22 seconds off her PB from only a week earlier with 26:48. ANDREA WESTCOTT equalled her previous PB of 25:53.

16 of the Spartans who ran in the first race of the series improved on those times including HAZEL SMITH by 2:08 to 25:02; JIM BROWN by 2:01 to 26:54; PAUL HOLGATE by 1:42 to 32:07; JANE WADEY by 1:27 to 35:06 and SHARON CROWLEY by 1:21 to 29:08.

The next Hatfield 5K race is this Wednesday evening 11^th September.

Pos	MF	AG	BiB	Name	Cat	Time	Grade	Comments
11	10	4	2200	Jonathan PARR	MV40	16:40	81.1 %	Team Bronze
32	29	12	3991	Mike JEFFS	MV40	17:49	75.8 %	Team Bronze
36	32	14	4400	Ross GALLAGHER	MV40	17:56	75.8 %	Team Bronze (PB 0:35)
55	50	8	5129	Grant RAMSAY	MV50	18:27	80.1 %	Team Bronze
58	52	9	3985	Paul SHELLEY	MV50	18:31	81.7 %	PB (0:11)
70	7	1	3993	Ashley JOHNSON	FV35	18:56	81.9 %	GOLD (F35; PB 0:14)
87	77	34	4517	Mark COLLINS	MV40	19:28	72.1 %
114	21	1	4464	Alison WOOD	FV55	20:53	85.4 %	GOLD (F55)
142	33	2	4249	Yuko GORDON	FV65	22:19	98.0 %	SILVER (F65)
165	123	52	4354	Matt TUTTON	MV40	22:53	58.4 %	PB (0:47)
166	43	10	5116	Marie COLUCCI	FV45	22:57	68.8 %
180	128	27	2202	John NELMS	MV50	23:45	63.2 %
200	63	16	4350	Hazel SMITH	FV45	25:02	64.8 %	2:08 Imp.
210	141	17	5127	Andy JAY	MV60	26:04	60.5 %
212	70	18	4383	Andrea WESTCOTT	FV45	25:53	64.9 %	=PB
216	72	19	4495	Megan SUTTON	FS	26:48	54.2 %	PB (0:22)
218	146	7	4396	Jim BROWN	MV70	26:54	65.6 %	2:01 Imp
237	86	8	4570	Sharon CROWLEY	FV65	29:08	67.5 %	1:21 Imp
244	91	22	2199	Monica SMITHSON	FV55	30:56	58.2 %
246	155	20	4348	Paul HOLGATE	MV60	32:07	52.3 %	1:42 Imp
251	92	21	4589	Samantha SUTTON	FV45	33:15	48.4 %
256	96	24	4367	Jane WADEY	FV55	35:06	50.8 %	1:21 Imp

Bedford Festival of Running

Several Spartans ran a half marathon or 20 miles at the Bedford Festival of Running. Despite a thunderstorm and some long sections of cross country, particularly near the end of the race, many got some really good times.

ANDY PRIOR said, “Myself and Kerstin ran Bedford Half Marathon today, a mixture of Road and trail which was a bit treacherous in the last two miles.

Luckily they were giving alcohol free beer to all finishers which helped with the wait to get away from venue!!!”

Andy finished in 1:43:06 and Kerstin in 1:57:12.

JIM BROWN needed a 13 mile training run and he got it with 2:02:19 for the 13.1, good enough for third in category, and CONOR ECCLESTON came in with 2:41:41.

Half – 869 finishers

Position	Name	Time	Age	Pace	Comments
125	ANDREW PRIOR	1:43:06	50-59	4:53 m / km
346	KERSTIN PRIOR	1:57:12	50-59	5:33 m /km
450	JIM BROWN	2:02:19	70-79	5:47 m / km	3^rd MV70
826	CONOR ECCLESTON	2:41:41	20-29	7:39 m /km

20 – 298 finishers

CRAIG BACON said “20 miles for me at Bedford and finished in 2:44:56. This was a milestone run in preparation for the Stevenage Marathon in six weeks time.

The plan was to run the first seven miles at a steady 9 minute/mile pace, then run the next 7 at 8:30 pace and the final 6 miles at target marathon pace of 8 minutes/mile. Loved the first 7 miles despite the thunderstorm. Nice and easy. Second 7 I discovered that I can’t run at 8:30 pace and ended up with most of it at 8:15 minutes/mile. Last 6 was a slog, including a fair portion of it being off road and muddy due to the earlier rain. However, I managed to be on pace or under for 5 or 6 miles.

Final result was a 13 minute PB (although I’ve only run 1 other 20 mile race, which was 13 years ago). Very happy. Two more big weeks of training and then it’s downhill all the way to marathon day.”

ROSS GALLAGHER was the fastest from Fairlands at 28^th out of the 298 finishers, top ten per cent, and pretty much spot on three hour marathon pace with 6:52 per min.

He was followed by PAUL SHELLEY 2:39:30; Craig, SAMANTH TOPHILL 3:05:57 and ALISON SHELLEY 3:33:53.

Position	Name	Time	Pace	Comments
28	ROSS GALLAGHER	2:17:24	6:52 min/mile
78	PAUL SHELLEY	2:39:30	7:58 min/mile
98	CRAIG BACON	2:44:56	8:14 min/mile	PB
154	SAMANTHA TOPHILL	3:05:57	9:17 min/mile
246	ALISON SHELLEY	3:33:53	10:41 min/mile

5K / 10K

On Saturday JAY PAPA ran the Bedford 5K race in 19:07 and was 11^th out of the 350 finishers. CHARLES ARNOLD ran the Bedford Twilight 10k in 47:22.

Tremendous Trio at the Great North Run.

The biggest half marathon and three Spartans were at the Great North Run with MIKE JEFFS running an excellent 1 hour 23 minutes 54 seconds (1:23:54 and 587^th); CHRIS WATLING 1:57:20 (13,305^th) and SARAH ILLINGWORTH 2:14:24 (23,856^th). There were 60,000 runners. Mike said, ”The crowds, the atmosphere was electric throughout the whole race even with it hammering it down with rain.”

St Albans Stampede

Karen Liddle and Tricia Hopper took part in the St Albans Stampede 2024; a 12 hour endurance challenge on Saturday 7 September 2024, starting at 9am.

The route is 4.01 miles around Heartwood Forest, Wheathampstead, over varying off road terrain. Karen completed 9 laps (36 miles – 1st female in her age category) and Tricia completed 11 laps (44 miles – 2nd female in her age category) in 10 hrs.56 mins.

A thoroughly enjoyable day with perfect weather conditions, great support from the volunteers and friendly atmosphere

Inter Area Championships

YUKO GORDON represented Eastern Masters at the England Masters Athletics Association Inter Area Championships at Corby on Saturday 7th. She ran 400m, 800m and 1500m and came second in all of them. Eastern Masters won overall championship along with women’s and men’s trophies. Teams came from nine regions including Scotland and Wales.

Round The Garden

JOHN HARRIS did the Run around the Garden 5K in Letchworth.

He was second man 60 plus and 24^th in the race with 21:21.

NIKKI NATION won her category with 31:25. There were three other Spartans – BRIAN WHITE 22:58; KEITH ABRAHAM 27:27 and NICK GILL 31:26.

Tags Bedford Festival, Great north run, Hatfield 5k Series, Inter Area Championships, Round the Garden 5K, St Albans

5K Series News Race Results Races

VICKY AND MEGAN PB AT HATFIELD

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date September 1, 2024
No Comments on VICKY AND MEGAN PB AT HATFIELD

Twenty two Spartans raced in the County 5K open road championships at Hatfield on Wednesday evening. Eight were rewarded with new personal bests (PBs) so well worth the trip. ASHLEY JOHNSON was eighth woman in the county and first in her category in the open race with a new PB of 19 minutes 10 seconds (19:10). ALISON WOOD was also a Spartan category winner with 21:10 and YUKO GORDON was second in hers with 22:39.

VICKY ARCHER took a huge chunk, three minutes, off her 5K personal best when she finished in 23:38. Meanwhile MEGAN SUTTON wanted to get under 28 minutes and did it with something to spare with her new 27:10 PB, an improvement by 1:19.

The fastest Spartan was MIKE JEFFS 57^th out of the 258 finishers in 18:29 with ROSS GALLAGHER close behind in 18:31, a PB by three seconds, and PAUL SHELLEY chasing in with 18:42, a new PB by 21 seconds.

TERRY SAWYER improved by 2:20 to 19:44; ANDY PRIOR by five seconds to 22:42; and MATT TUTTON by 19 to 23:40.

The next Hatfield 5K race is this Wednesday evening 4^th September.

Pos.	Gen	Cat Pos	Name	Category	Time	Grade	Comments
57	52	14	Mike JEFFS	MV40	18:29	72.9 %
59	54	16	Ross GALLAGHER	MV40	18:31	73.3 %	PB 0:03
66	60	9	Paul SHELLEY	MV50	18:42	81.0 %	PB 0:21
79	9	1	Ashley JOHNSON	FV35	19:10	80.8 %	1^st FV35. PB 0:08
92	81	30	Terry SAWYER	MV40	19:44	69.3 %	PB 2:20
102	87	32	Mark COLLINS	MV40	19:53	70.6 %
120	21	1	Alison WOOD	FV55	21:10	84.8 %	1^st FV55
150	33	2	Yuko GORDON	FV65	22:39	96.3 %	2^nd FV65
158	122	25	Andy PRIOR	MV50	22:42	66.7 %	PB 0:05
159	123	11	Brian WHITE	MV60	22:54	74.6 %
173	45	11	Vicky ARCHER	FV35	23:38	64.9 %	PB 2:58
174	129	47	Matt TUTTON	MV40	23:40	56.4 %	PB 0:19
191	54	12	Kerstin PRIOR	FV45	25:19	67.2 %	SB 1:07
209	63	15	Andrea WESTCOTT	FV45	27:03	62.2 %	SB ?
212	65	21	Megan SUTTON	FS	27:10	53.5 %	PB 1:19
213	66	16	Hazel SMITH	FV45	27:10	59.9 %	YB 10:45
232	152	6	Jim BROWN	MV70	28:55	61.1 %
242	87	9	Sharon CROWLEY	FV65	30:29	64.6 %
248	160	23	Paul HOLGATE	MV60	33:49	49.5 %
249	89	18	Samantha SUTTON	FV45	34:32	46.6 %	SB 0:19
254	92	26	Jane WADEY	FV55	36:33	48.8 %
256	94	27	Jane WHITROW	FV55	37:35	47.5 %	SB 2:05

FVS Handicap 5K 29^th August

The next evening, Thursday, the club held a 5K handicap race and 17 Spartans took part.

The winners were new members Sam & Perry Gentry, six and a half minutes ahead of handicap in 38:28 followed by Marleen Van Zwieten, beating her handicap by 4:36 in 40:24. Steve Tinsley finished second man in a year best time of 28:21 with Rose Sutton third lady in a new personal best time of 29:53 and Peter Sach third man in 29:54.

The fastest runner on the night was Nathan Kirley in a new personal best of 19:22, 1:53 quicker than his previous handicap 5k, with new member Michael Fisher second quickest in 21:03 and Craig Bacon third fastest in 22:41. Judy King was quickest woman in 29:27, 42 seconds faster than her previous handicap 5k, with Rose Sutton second quickest and Liz Carvell third fastest in a year best time of 31:23.

Handicap races are won by the best improvers. The slower runners, based on previous recent performances, start first and others at intervals based on their results try to catch them before the finish.

Next month’s final evening Handicap 5k of the year will be on Thursday 19^th September.

Pos	First NAME	Last NAME	Time	R	F	PB	Impr	H’CAP	Adj	Time	H’Cap
1	SAM	GENTRY	38:28	15			New	0:00		38:28	6:32
2	PERRY	GENTRY	38:29	16	7		New	0:00		38:29	6:31
3	MARLEEN	VAN ZWIETEN	40:24	17	8			0:00	(0:01)	40:23	4:36
4	STEVE	TINSLEY	28:21	7		YB	1:44	12:45	0:03	41:09	3:54
5	ROSE	SUTTON	29:53	9	2	PB	1:09	12:15	0:09	42:17	2:52
6	JUDY	KING	29:27	8	1		0:42	13:00	0:01	42:28	2:33
7	PETER	SACH	29:54	10			0:53	12:45	(0:02)	42:37	2:21
8	SALLY	PHILLIPS	37:57	14	6	YB		4:45		42:42	2:18
9	LIZ	CARVELL	31:23	11	3	YB	0:06	11:30	(0:02)	42:51	2:07
10	NATHAN	KIRLEY	19:22	1		PB	0:15	23:45	(0:05)	43:02	1:53
11	MICHAEL	FISHER	21:03	2			New	22:00	0:05	43:08	1:57
12	CHARLES	ARNOLD	22:55	4				20:15		43:10	1:50
13	SALLY	PICKLES	37:05	12	4			6:45		43:50	1:10
14	PETE	COOK	26:54	6			0:08	17:00	0:01	43:55	1:06
15	CRAIG	BACON	22:41	3				21:15	0:01	43:57	1:04
16	JANE	WADEY	37:24	13	5			7:45	(0:01)	45:08	(0:09)
17	DANNY	SCANLON	22:59	5				22:15	0:01	45:15	(0:14)

Fairlands Five at Big Half

The heat in London made the race that bit harder but a famous five from Fairlands made a really good job of Sunday’s “Big Half.” STUART MEAD was 958^th out of nearly 17,000 runners in 1:30:09; TERRY SAWYER 1,650^th in 1:36:26, ROBERT WRIGHT 8,453^rd in 2:07:53 and running her first half marathon race MEGAN SUTTON was 10,537^th in 2:17:53. SAMANTHA SUTTON came in with 3:03:41.

Serpentine 30^th August

It was warm, sunny with a light breeze and excellent visibility in Hyde Park on Friday. That enabled JIM BROWN to run his fastest road 5K this year. 27 minutes 23 seconds (27:23) in the Last Friday of the Month event.

Dorney for Alison and Paul

On a warm day ALISON and PAUL SHELLEY ran Sunday’s Dorney Lake Half Marathon and both won their age groups. Paul in 1:30:46 and Alison in 2 hours 5 minutes 52 seconds.

Speeding Up

MIKE JEFFS is getting his speed back. He finished the hot sweaty and gruelling Cambridge Biomedical Centre 10K in 39:28.

Parkrun Highlights 31^st August Hawaii Five – O

In case of adversity go with the flow, or maybe the wave. Stevenage parkrun had a hacking attack and found themselves temporarily named Hawaii 5 – O. They decided to own it and had a theme of Hawaiian wear. Lots of Spartans joined in with that fun and dug out those shirts, shorts and Hawaiian leis.

24 Spartans ran and three of the top five females were from FVS. ASHLEY KING first in 20:52; SUZY HAWKINS third in 21:28 and GAIL MACKIE fifth in 22:26.

GRANT RAMSAY maintains his record as a top ten finisher. This time he was fifth in 18:49. There were 439 finishers at Stevenage including 174 women. Local event #362. Up considerably on the previous week.

Parkrun started at Bushy Park in 2004. That event ran for the 1,000^th time on Saturday and there were thousands of runners. The 20^th anniversary of parkruns will be in October.

Spartans elsewhere included YUKO GORDON with a season’s best 22:18 – that’s 105.01% – at Storeys Field; JOHN HARRIS 23:15; RYAN RIDELL 29:34; GEORGIE HOOPER 30:19 and NICK GILL 30:29 at Letchworth; MATTHEW NEWTON 26:18 at Pymmes; PETE SMITH 26:37 at North Yorkshire Water; DANIEL SUTTON 27:22 at Rutland Water; ANDY JAY 27:42 at Hunstanton Promenade; ANNABELLE WHITE 35:11 and CHLOE CHAPMAN 35:12 at Aldenham; NICOLA PATTMAN 33:25 at Gorleston Cliffs; JONATHAN JONES 37:24 and DZENANA TOPIC 37:25 at Wimpole Estate; and DARRYL STEVENS 44:44 at Banstead Woods.

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Time	Comments
5	5	Grant RAMSAY	18:49	Top Ten
17	1	Ashley SCHOENWETTER	20:52	First woman. 40^th Parkr.
26	3	Suzy HAWKINS	21:28	Third woman
41	5	Gail MACKIE	22:26	Fifth woman
58	49	Daniel VILJOEN	23:45
85	71	Lee PICKERSGILL	24:52
87	73	Toby ECCLESHALL	24:55
97	80	Darren EMMERSON	25:32
155	30	Hazel SMITH	27:58
170	127	Jay PAPA	28:14
198	148	Tony RANDFIELD	29:02
226	160	Nick KLEANTHOUS	30:07
230	60	Claire EMMERSON	30:17
235	164	Maurice BALLARD	30:28
284	85	Monica SMITHSON	32:48
288	189	Paul JENNINGS	33:02
308	97	Jenny GARRETT	33:54
310	99	Penny SCHENKEL	33:57
311	198	Jim BROWN	33:57
318	199	Paul HOLGATE	34:51
339	119	Pamela VILJOEN	36:07
348	209	James SOUTH	36:28
350	210	Stephen SMITHSON	36:41
437	174	Sharon CROWLEY	01:02:37	Volunteer. 70^th Parkrun.

Tags Big Half, Cambridge Biomedical Centre 10k, Dorney Lake, Handicap 5k, Hatfield 5k Series, parkrun, Serpentine 5K

Club News Race Results Races

ANDREW IS A WORLD MASTER

Fairlands Valley Spartans ANDREW PATTERSON competed for Great Britain in the World Masters Athletics Championships this week in Gothenburg. He was ranked 25th going into the heats of the 1500 metres for men 40 plus on Friday. The conditions were horrid with heavy winds and rain. He managed to finish fourth in his heat in 4.19. The top two from each heat went through to the final and the next 10 fastest runners. Andrew sneaked into the final as the 10th fastest. The only Brit to qualify for the final.

Sunday was the final and it was delayed 30 minutes due to thunder and the conditions were still windy when we started. Making the final was a bonus and the aim was to not finish last, and finished in a season’s best 4.17 and 13th. The championship style racing of slowly starting was tough going and Andrew who runs fantastic half and full marathons says he didn’t have the track speed to match his competitors. Overall he said it was a great experience.

Rolling Around A Velopark…

On Saturday 24th August CHRIS WATLING ran the Lee Valley Velo Park half marathon at the Olympic Park in Stratford.

He said it was 13 times one mile laps around a hilly course, with heavy rain from the offset. It was tough, but Chris enjoyed it and finished in 1 hour 53 minutes 46 seconds (1:53:46) exactly half way with 76^th out of 152.

Got a few shout-outs from the race organisers in his Spartan vest!

Parkrun Highlights 24^th August

It was third again for Spartan GRANT RAMSAY as he finished the Stevenage parkrun in 19:02. Miserable weather and the late summer public holiday probably contributed to keeping the total number of finishers to 327 and that included 22 from FVS.

At Stevenage STEVE PLATT ran his 75^th parkrun in 28:44; ALISON SHELLEY her 150^th in 30:30; PAMELA VILJOEN her 240^th in 38:45 and TREVOR BROOM his 25^th in 55:16.

Eleven of the 22 Spartans were under 30 minutes.

Altogether 46 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday. Spartans elsewhere included JONATHAN PARR who won the Sandringham parkrun in 17 minutes 52 seconds (17:52). JOHN HARRIS was third man at Letchworth in 21:48 with MEGAN SUTTON coming in at 28:35 and GEORGIE HOOPER at 29:33; SUZY HAWKINS was fourth woman at Milton Keynes with 24:44; SIMON HAIGH finished the Gunpowder parkrun in 25:56; LIZ CROWLEY 30:36 at Mile End (London) and SHARON CROWLEY 31:31 at Boston (Lincolnshire); SAMANTHA SUTTON 35:17 and MATTHEW PATTMAN 37:49 at Holkham; and DARRYL STEVENS at Brockenhurst in 47:15.

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Time	Comments
3	3	Grant RAMSAY	19:02	Third overall
29	26	Paul SHELLEY	22:05
47	43	Toby ECCLESHALL	23:05
64	59	Daniel VILJOEN	23:57
89	80	Darren EMMERSON	25:13
98	88	Ryan DUNNING	25:37
106	96	Keith HOOKER	26:07
147	20	Gail MACKIE	27:42
168	136	Steve PLATT	28:44	75^th parkrun
191	147	Jay PAPA	29:27
195	151	Jim BROWN	29:35
209	46	Alison SHELLEY	30:30	150^th parkrun
211	157	Pete COOK	30:33
215	48	Annabelle WHITE	30:42
219	51	Claire EMMERSON	30:59
223	54	Ashley JOHNSON	31:05
222	53	Nikki Katherine NATION	31:05
248	70	Caroline CROFT	32:57
263	80	Chloe CHAPMAN	34:29
278	179	Paul JENNINGS	36:21
288	94	Pamela VILJOEN	38:45	240^th parkrun
324	191	Trevor BROOM	55:16	25^th parkrun

Spartans at Stevenage parkrun #361

STOOP

And four Spartans did the STOOP (Stevenage Outer Orbital Path) walk. All 44 kilometres, or 27 miles, of it.

Tags Lee Valley Velo Park Half, parkrun, STOOP, World Masters

Club Half Marathon News Race Results Races

CHALLENGING BURNHAM

Spartan DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT was third overall in Sunday’s Burnham Beeches Half Marathon with a superb time of 1 hour 17 minutes 33 seconds (1:17:33).

He said the course was scenic, well marshalled and supported and with a couple of challenging hills at mile 6 and 10. It was great to get racing in the new stripes off to a flying start! Great also to see another Spartan at the race.

WENDY THARANI finished in 2:15:36. She said it was the usual undulating and scenic course which she has enjoyed before, two laps, through the woods. Great organisation and lots of great stalls in the race village.

World Masters Athletics Championships, 3000m Steeplechase

Spartan Grant Ramsay represented Team GB in the 3000 metres steeplechase, at the World Masters Athletics Championships, in Gothenburg, Sweden. Ramsay both ran and hurdled well to achieve a season’s best time of 12:30. This also happened to be his best time for well over two years. It was a very strong field and Ramsay had to settle for 18th, which was all in his age category of M50 (men over 50).

Ramsay was pleased with his performance, which involved running at 4:10 per kilometre and to fluently leap hurdles at his age.

Parkrun Highlights 17^th August

Two Fairlands Valley Spartans in the top ten and first woman as 27 Spartans were among the 444 finishers of Saturday’s Stevenage parkrun. GRANT RAMSAY was third in 18:32 and PAUL SHELLEY tenth in 20:19. SUZY HAWKINS was first woman with 21:14.

Also at Stevenage MATT TUTTON ran a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 23:59; JAY PAPA ran his 40^th parkrun in 27:48; JIM BROWN won his age group with 27:55; MEGAN SUTTON ran her 20^th in a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 28:29; MATT CLARKE ran his 140^th in 29:16 and LLOYD DIAS his 25^th in 40:05.

Spartans elsewhere included JONATHAN PARR fourth in 17:23 at Teignmouth promenade parkrun; ADRIAN DONNELLY in 21:08 and MATT GIFFORD 28:16 at Henlow Bridge Lakes; JOHN HARRIS 21:19 and JACKIE PERRY 28:41 at Letchworth; DAVID RIDDELL 25:35 and JAYNE RIDDELL 27:27 at Holkham (Norfolk); GRAHAM BLACKBURN 28:40 at Medina, Isle of Wight in 28:40; ANDY JAY 28:57 at Westmill (Ware); CHLOE CHAPMAN 31:43 at Jersey Farm (St Albans); PAUL JENNINGS 31:48 at Watergrove, Rochdale; JANE WADEY 36:16 at Penrose (Cornwall); DARRYL STEVENS at Brockenhurst (New Forest) in 49:32 and TREVOR BROOM 1:06:13 in the Roding Valley.

Position	Gender Position	Name	Time
3	3	Grant RAMSAY	18:32
10	10	Paul SHELLEY	20:19
22	1	Suzy HAWKINS	21:14
29	26	Matthew NEWTON	22:00
56	51	Daniel VILJOEN	23:27
66	61	Matt TUTTON	23:59
101	90	Darren EMMERSON	25:22
105	94	Lee PICKERSGILL	25:30
107	96	Mark BEASLEY	25:41
118	106	Ryan DUNNING	26:16
172	143	Jay PAPA	27:48
176	145	Jim BROWN	27:55
189	154	Steve PLATT	28:25
190	32	Megan SUTTON	28:29
212	43	Fiona CLARKE	29:12
214	167	Matt CLARKE	29:16
256	63	Alison SHELLEY	30:51
273	73	Claire EMMERSON	31:37
296	86	Caroline CROFT	32:45
336	109	Samantha SUTTON	35:05
352	120	Tracy HAYGARTH	36:14
385	144	Pamela VILJOEN	38:55
396	230	Lloyd DIAS	40:05
403	232	Nick KLEANTHOUS	41:49
435	246	Tony RANDFIELD	52:54
443	180	Monica SMITHSON	59:16
444	247	Stephen SMITHSON	59:17

FVS Parkrun Results – 17th August

Tags Burnham Beeches Half, parkrun

Club News Race Results Races

SPINNING AROUND AT THE RESOLUTION 5K

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date August 4, 2024
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Fifteen Spartans were spinning around at Ridlins Track on Wednesday. They were running 12.5 times 400 metres anti-clockwise laps in the Resolution 5K.

It was 1, 2, 3 for the Spartan men 40 plus. SIMON JACKSON was first, third overall, in 16:39 with ANTHONY CAHILL second in 18:06 and ROSS GALLACHER third in a new personal best (PB) of 18:34.

GEORGIE HOOPER was second woman overall with 21:30 and CRAIG BACON second man 50 plus with 21:39, his best 5K since 2021.

YUKO GORDON won her age group with 23:41 – worth 92.8% and KERSTIN PRIOR was first in hers in 26:28.

JANE WADEY was running her first race since being injured in 2023. She was hoping for a better result but it was very hot. She was very grateful for all the club support from other runners though and hope to improve now.

Altogether there were 51 finishers. 51 at a track event makes it pretty busy.

Pos	Name	Time	MF	CatPos	Cat	Age Grade
3.	Simon JACKSON	16:39	3	1	MV40	86.3 %
10.	Anthony CAHILL	18:06	10	2	MV40	75.9 %
11.	Ross GALLAGHER	18:34	11	3	MV40	72.8 %
14.	Jay PAPA	18:59	14	10	MS	67.7 %
23.	Georgie HOOPER	21:30	2	2	FS	69.7 %
25.	Craig BACON	21:39	23	2	MV50	69.7 %
33.	Melvin AUBURN	23:22	30	19	MS	56.2 %
35.	Yuko GORDON	23:41	4	1	FV70+	92.8 %
36.	Brian WHITE	23:59	32	2	MV60	71.8 %
38.	Matt TUTTON	24:50	34	8	MV40	54.4 %
39.	Martin DUDLEY	25:01	35	3	MV60	63.9 %
44.	Kerstin PRIOR	26:28	7	1	FV50	65.1 %
46.	Tim ROBINSON	26:41	38	5	MV50	57.0 %
48.	Paul HOLGATE	33:29	39	4	MV60	50.4 %
50.	Jane WADEY	36:17	11	2	FV50	49.1 %

Resolution 5k

Two Winners at the Grand Prix!

There were four Fairlands Valley Spartans in the GP events at the Bedford Autodrome Running GP on Sunday.

GRANT RAMSAY beat 90 with 1 hour 28 minutes 3 seconds in the Half Marathon with GERRY ROSEN finishing in 2:29:34.

However if you have a two hour milestone in mind JIM BROWN was consistent throughout and finished in 1:59:59 which won the men 70 plus category. YUKO GORDON ran the 10K and was another age group winner with her 47 minutes 2 seconds (47:02). She was seventh woman overall.

Gerry said, “If a certain brand of beer did days like today, this would be one of them, not only did I get to meet royalty today in the shape of Yuko but equally as royal I got to say hello to Grant & Jim. As for the racing and half marathon to be precise, it couldn’t have got it any better then this, well for me anyway !!!

As usual started off too quick, then sense kicked in and I got round, not only in a respectable time, but for me a sub 2h 30, 2 hours 29 minutes 34 seconds to be precise. I’m thoroughly making up for a lost three years, loving it, now for one of my favourite suppers, Chicken Kiev. Next stop on the racing calendar, the Great North Run early next month, oh and this time I’ll do it, having deferred the past 3 times…..”

I had thought that this sort of circuit or airfield racing could be boring said Jim but it does have advantages like no pinch points or road crossings so it is easier to run steady state throughout. I did not have a significant target in mind but my four 5Ks were all within a minute of each other despite a little bit of breeze and with just over a kilometre to go I realised how close I was to breaking a significant barrier. My acceleration over the last kilometre was almost impressive. So much better to get 1:59:59 than 2:00:00 and not bad for someone who is far from 25 years old.

Tags Bedford Autodrome, Resolution 5k

5k FVS Handicap Club Fairlands Valley Challenge News Race Results Races

SPARTANS HANDICAP 5K

26 Spartans ran this month’s Handicap 5K. Paul Holgate, Mike & Sharon Crowley and Mark Freeman made it possible.

Winner was Steve Platt in 27:55, 2 minutes 35 seconds (2:35) better than handicap, with Adrian Busolini second, 2:22 ahead of handicap in 17:38 and Simon Jackson third, 2:09 better than handicap in 17:36.

Rose Sutton was first lady, first woman across the line and 1:46 better than handicap in 31:14, with Samantha Sutton second, 1:15 ahead of handicap in 36:09 and new member Megan Coates third, 1:23 better than handicap in 36:22.

Simon Jackson was the fastest runner on the night with his 17:36, with Adrian Busolini second quickest (17:38) and Nathan Kirley 3rd fastest with 19:39.

Samantha Tophill was quickest woman, 25:45, with Megan Sutton second quickest, 28:46 and Rose Sutton (31:14) 3rd fastest.

19 of the finishers were within two minutes of their calculated handicap and the time difference between 1^st and 21^st position was just 2:26.

In handicap races the slower runners start first at intervals determined by recent performances. If everyone runs to form they will all finish together so the winners are the best improvers.

The last handicap 5k of the year will be on Thursday 19th September.

Pos	F	FIRST NAME	SURNAME	TIME	R	F	H’CAP	ADJ	FINISH TIME	IMPR	COMP. H’CAP
1		STEVE	PLATT	27:55	16		14:30		42:25	0:03	2:35
2		ADRIAN	BUSOLINI	17:38	2		25:00	(0:01)	42:37		2:22
3		SIMON	JACKSON	17:36	1		25:15		42:51		2:09
4		CHRIS	WATLING	23:19	6		19:30	0:21	43:10	0:46	2:11
5	1	ROSE	SUTTON	31:14	20	3	12:00		43:14	New	1:46
6		PETE	COOK	26:47	15		16:30	(0:01)	43:16	0:15	1:43
7	2	SAMANTHA	SUTTON	36:09	23	6	7:15	(0:02)	43:22		1:36
8		NATHAN	KIRLEY	19:39	3		23:45		43:24		1:36
9	3	MEGAN	COATES	36:22	24	7	7:15		43:37	New	1:23
10		MELVIN	AUBURN	24:01	8		19:45	(0:03)	43:43		1:14
11	4	SAMANTHA	TOPHILL	25:45	12	1	18:00	(0:01)	43:44		1:15
12	5	MEGAN	SUTTON	28:46	17	2	15:00	0:01	43:47		1:14
13		CRAIG	BACON	22:35	5		21:15	(0:02)	43:48		1:10
14		MATT	TUTTON	25:11	11		18:45		43:56		1:04
15		CHARLES	ARNOLD	23:43	7		20:15	0:01	43:59		1:02
16	6	GILLIAN	KNOWLES	32:11	22	5	12:00	0:01	44:12		0:49
17	7	LIZ	CARVELL	32:01	21	4	12:15	(0:03)	44:13	0:02	0:44
18		PETER	SACH	30:47	19		13:30	(0:03)	44:14		0:43
19		ROBERT	WRIGHT	22:15	4		22:30	(0:01)	44:44	1:40	0:15
20		LLOYD	DIAS	26:20	13		18:15	0:11	44:46		0:25
21		TIM	ROBINSON	29:06	18		15:45		44:51		0:09
22		DAVID	ACKERY	26:27	14		19:00	(0:03)	45:24		(0:27)
23		BRIAN	WHITE	24:32	10		22:00	(0:02)	46:30		(1:32)
24	8	SHERYL	HOTT	47:53	25	8	0:30		48:23	New	(3:23)
25	9	ROSEMARY	ONABAWORIN	47:57	26	9	0:30		48:27		(3:27)
26		KRISTIAN	ATANSOV	24:11	9		24:30		48:41	New	(3:41)

Spartans Handicap 5k Results

Serpentine

JIM BROWN enjoyed the sunshine in Hyde Park running 28:36 in the Last Friday of the Month 5K. He reports pleasant and sunny conditions and that he’s completed a series of six with an average of 64.0%. The next race will be at lunch-time on Friday 30^th August.

Fairlands Valley Challenge

Results from the Fairlands Valley Challenge the previous weekend show that 118 people finished the off road event.

16 completed the 10 kilometres with Spartan MIKE JEFFS first in with 1 hour 7 minutes 18 seconds (1:07:18); 21 finished the 13 miles with Will Mitchell, Gemma Smith, Phil Gover, Jess Clark and Caitlin Evans coming in together with 2:50:46; Alex Statham led in the 25 people in the 18 miles option with 2:45:04; 41 went round 26 miles with Alistair Flowers first with 3:55:43.

15 finished the 50 kilometres with Mark O’Dell first back in 4:53:18. Spartan JAY PAPA completed his first ever ultra in 6:00:17.

Tags FV Challenge, Handicap 5k, Serpentine 5K

Club Fairlands Valley Challenge Fairlands Valley Relays News Race Results Races

SPARTANS HOST RELAYS IN THE PARK

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date July 21, 2024
No Comments on SPARTANS HOST RELAYS IN THE PARK

Just days after a successful takeover of a Stevenage parkrun Fairlands Valley Spartans ORGANISED and provided dozens of volunteer marshals for Thursday evening’s Relays in the Park in Fairlands Valley.

What’s more 41 Spartans ran. Their successes included WINNING the veteran mixed team with ANDREW PATTERSON (09:39), SAM PRETTY (11:23), ASHLEY JOHNSON (11:29) and JONATHAN PARR (10:05) and their veteran women’s team coming second.

The fastest Spartan over the 3K were Andrew Patterson 10^th out of 432 in 9 minutes 39 seconds (9:39) and KIRK NDUGU 15^th with 9:50. Both under 10 minutes. Their fastest women were SAM PRETTY 11:23 and ASHLEY JOHNSON 11:29. Both under 11:30.

The Relays in the Park included the Hertfordshire County Championships. Every team – men, women, mixed, open or veteran – had to run four stages of exactly three kilometres.

Pos	Team	Name	Category	Team	Time
10.	35/A	Andrew PATTERSON	MV40	FVS Mix 1	09:39
15.	39/A	Kirk NDUGU	MS	FVS M3	09:50
23.	35/D	Jonathan PARR	MV40	FVS Mix 1	10:05
25.	39/C	Simon JACKSON	MV40	FVS M3	10:05
39.	39/D	Adrian BUSOLINI	MS	FVS M3	10:21
55.	36/B	Charlie COOK	MS	FVS M1	10:36
57.	39/B	Brian BRACKSTONE	MV50	FVS M3	10:38
78.	36/D	Jason ANDERSON	MV40	FVS M1	10:56
87.	36/A	Ross GALLAGHER	MV40	FVS M1	11:02
90.	36/C	Jay PAPA	MS	FVS M1	11:04
109.	35/B	Sam PRETTY	FV35	FVS Mix 1	11:23
119.	35/C	Ashley JOHNSON	FV35	FVS Mix 1	11:29
128.	61/C	Ross GALLAGHER	MV40	FVS M6	11:40
157.	53/D	Ashley JOHNSON	FV45	FVS W1	12:11
162.	95/A	Ralph DADSWELL	MV50	FVS M5	12:17
168.	38/B	Craig BACON	MV50	FVS M2	12:19
172.	38/A	Robert WRIGHT	MV40	FVS M2	12:22
185.	38/D	Danny SCANLON	MV40	FVS M2	12:33
193.	37/B	Ryan RIDDELL	MS	FVS Mix 2	12:40
195.	37/A	David RIDDELL	MV50	FVS Mix 2	12:40
201.	53/B	Alison WOOD	FV45	FVS W1	12:45
220.	53/C	Suzy HAWKINS	FV45	FVS W1	13:04
234.	38/C	Andy PRIOR	MV50	FVS M2	13:20
238.	56/B	Liam HERBERT	MV40	FVS M4	13:23
257.	53/A	Marie COLUCCI	FV45	FVS W1	13:38
283.	61/A	Ben TORREGGIANI	MV40	FVS M6	14:14
302.	61/B	David ACKERY	MS	FVS M6	14:38
310.	95/D	David ACKERY	MS	FVS M5	14:53
313.	95/B	Martin DUDLEY	MV60	FVS M5	14:56
320.	56/C	Lloyd DIAS	MS	FVS M4	15:03
327.	37/D	Sophie PARSONS	FS	FVS Mix 2	15:12
355.	37/C	Jayne RIDDELL	FV55	FVS Mix 2	15:46
356.	95/C	Vish SHAH	MS	FVS M5	15:48
359.	61/D	Peter COOK	MV50	FVS M6	15:50
360.	56/A	Simon SYPULA	MV50	FVS M4	15:50
367.	56/D	Nick KLEANTHOUS	MV60	FVS M4	16:01
386.	88/D	Megan SUTTON	FS	FVS W2	16:52
398.	41/C	Peter SACH	MS	FVS Mix 3	17:44
403.	41/D	Judy KING	FV55	FVS Mix 3	18:03
407.	88/C	Rose SUTTON	FS	FVS W2	18:10
414.	41/A	Liz CARVELL	FV55	FVS Mix 3	19:03
415.	41/B	Paul HOLGATE	MV60	FVS Mix 3	19:03
429.	88/A	Sally PICKLES	FV55	FVS W2	21:45
430.	88/B	Samantha SUTTON	FV45	FVS W2	21:47

FVS 3k Relay Times

Three Gold Medals

Three Fairlands Valley Spartans won GOLD medals in the County 10K track championships on Wednesday night.

After 25 laps YUKO GORDON won GOLD for women 70 plus in 47 minutes 24 seconds (47:24.70); DAVID BOWKER won GOLD for men 65 plus in 48:09 and JIM BROWN won GOLD for men 70 plus in 53:50.

No hills and no wind. What was there not to like said Jim. A great outing for three Spartan veterans.

Memorial 5K

Also on Wednesday MATT TUTTON ran his fastest 5K this year with his 24:49 at the Doug Anderson 5K in Bedford. JAY PAPA beat 20 with 19:21; CHARLIE ARNOLD came in with 22:52 and PAUL HOLGATE with 32:20.

St Albans Summer 10K

JIM BROWN ran the St Albans Summer 10K in exactly 56 minutes (56:00). Good enough for third place in his category.

Three Events Organised in Nine Days

Not only did Fairlands take over the local parkrun on Saturday 13^th July and organise the Relays in the Park on Thursday 18^th July then they organised the Fairlands Valley Challenge off road event on Sunday 21^st July. More on the challenge soon.

Tags 3K Relays, County Championships, Doug Anderson 5k, St Albans 10k

Club Midweek League News Race Results

SPARTANS PARKRUN TAKE OVER

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date July 14, 2024
No Comments on SPARTANS PARKRUN TAKE OVER

Co-ordinated by JANE WADEY Fairlands Valley Spartans organized another really successful take over of the Stevenage parkrun on Saturday. Take overs are when one organisation takes on most of the volunteer roles at a parkrun.

There were 477 finishers including 39 Spartans. The Spartan pacers helped to get 25 people to new parkrun personal bests. They included CHRIS WATLING with a new PPB of 23:01 and DAVID ACKERY with 24:44. ASHLEY JOHNSON one of the pacers celebrated her 20^th parkrun with 23:52. MARK BEASLEY ran his 130^th in 25:46; MARIE COLUCCI, another pacer, her tenth with 27:41; and new member Rosemary ONABAWORIN her first in 42:24.

There were 477 finishers including 39 Spartans. Many other Spartans were marshals, helping to set up the event, volunteering in all sorts of ways.

Jim and Yuko win in League

YUKO GORDON and JIM BROWN were prizewinners in Division One of the Mid Week League. Proving that Fairlands Valley Spartans just keep going they both won the oldest categories with Yuko winning the series for women aged 65 and over and Jim winning for men aged 70 plus. There were 14 MV70s.

The awards were made after the “Mob Match” 10K in Welwyn Garden City in which 21 Spartans raced.

The fastest Spartan in the mob match was KIRK NDUGU, 17^th in 36:13; with ADRIAN BUSOLINI and BRIAN BRACKSTONE not far behind with 36:59 (24^th) and 37:23 (27^th). WENDY THARANI was the fastest female from Fairlands with 59:35 chased in by CLAIRE EMMERSON who finished in 59:39.

Race	First Name	Last Name	Time	Gen Pos	Cat	Vet	Cat.	M/F	Improve	Team
17	KIRK	NDUGU	36:13	17			S	M	0:19	1
24	ADRIAN	BUSOLINI	36:59	23			S	M	0:57	2
27	BRIAN	BRACKSTONE	37:23	25	3	12	V 50	M	0:51	3
71	JAY	PAPA	41:47	64			S	M		4
99	ROBERT	WRIGHT	44:07	83	31	49	V 40	M	2:34	5
158	CHARLIE	ARNOLD	48:27	122	12	78	V 60	M	0:32	6
186	SIMON	HAIGH	50:19	134	25	90	V 50	M	2:23	7
210	DAVID	ACKERY	52:12	150			S	M	0:24	8
236	MARTIN	DUDLEY	54:04	161	21	114	V 60	M	0:09	9
240	DARREN	EMMERSON	54:19	163	32	116	V 50	M		10
253	PETE	COOK	55:27	169	34	121	V 50	M	3:31	11
262	JIM	BROWN	56:28	174	5	125	V 70	M	3:49	12
282	WENDY	THARANI	59:35	98	32	70	V 45	F
283	CLAIRE	EMMERSON	59:39	99	33	71	V 45	F	2:57
284	TIM	ROBINSON	59:40	183	42	134	V 50	M	0:36
300	NICK	KLEANTHOUS	1:01:07	186	25	137	V 60	M	1:07
306	JUDY	KING	1:02:14	116	19	81	V 55	F	1:22
323	LIZ	CARVELL	1:05:44	126	23	90	V 55	F	2:22
329	SHARON	CROWLEY	1:08:48	131	9	95	V 65	F
335	JANE	WADEY	1:15:12	134	25	98	V 55	F	1:56

Mob Match 10k Results

Parkrun Highlights 13^th July (#355)

Altogether 59 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday. Spartans at parkruns elsewhere included JAY PAPA 19:49 at Congleton; CHLOE CHAPMAN 27:07 at Kings Lynn; PETE SMITH 28:15 at North Yorkshire Water Park; DZENANA TOPIC 37:38 and DARRYL STEVENS 46:05 at the Wimpole Estate; and TRACY HAYGARTH 40:31 at Westmill.

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Time	Comments
11	11	Grant RAMSAY	19:51	Pacing (20)
27	25	Charlie WHITE	20:53	Pacing (21)
49	47	David RIDDELL	22:11
65	61	Chris WATLING	23:01	New PPB
66	62	Graham HOARE	23:03
80	5	Ashley JOHNSON	23:52	Pacing (24). 20 parkruns.
102	95	David ACKERY	24:44	New PPB
111	9	Georgie HOOPER	24:57	Pacing (25)
131	119	Lee PICKERSGILL	25:36
137	124	Mark BEASLEY	25:46	130 parkruns
142	13	Annabelle WHITE	25:53	Pacing (26)
144	129	Ryan DUNNING	25:58
145	130	Martin DUDLEY	26:00
153	135	Charles ARNOLD	26:14	Pacing (27)
173	147	Toby ECCLESHALL	26:45
174	25	Gail MACKIE	26:45
211	39	Marie COLUCCI	27:41	Pacing (28). 10 parkruns.
248	192	Andy JAY	28:57	Pacing (29)
257	196	Matt CLARKE	29:14
269	203	Peter SACH	29:26	100 parkruns
281	207	Keith HOOKER	29:47	Pacing (30)
296	215	Jim BROWN	30:44	Pacing (31)
313	82	Monica SMITHSON	31:28
326	229	Nick KLEANTHOUS	32:00	Pacing (32)
347	103	Yuko GORDON	32:49	Pacing (33)
357	241	Paul JENNINGS	33:21
374	120	Penny SCHENKEL	34:22
375	248	Matthew NEWTON	34:23
381	124	Hilary DAVIES	34:42
385	128	Jane WADEY	34:58	Take over co-ordinator
396	134	Jo MANSFIELD	35:53
397	256	Stuart ARCHER	35:57
414	147	Sally PICKLES	37:18
425	156	Samantha SUTTON	37:48
456	275	Andy PRIOR	41:57
459	173	Rosemary ONABAWORIN	42:24	First parkrun
460	174	Kerstin WEINER	42:47
476	185	Nichola DURENT	50:54	Tail end
477	186	Sharon CROWLEY	51:40	Tail end

Parkrun Results

Tags Mid Week League, parkrun

Club News Race Results

TRENT PARK – MIDWEEK LEAGUE

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date July 7, 2024
No Comments on TRENT PARK – MIDWEEK LEAGUE

There was a lot on in the world on Thursday 4^th July but 30 Spartans – 19 men and 11 women made it to the final counting event in this summer’s Mid Week League race.

Run in Trent Park, Cockfosters this was a largely off tarmac event with some grinding climbs in the woods. It was dry!

On the night the fastest from Fairlands was KIRK NDUGU with 36:47 for 25^th place out of the 194 male finishers. ADRIAN BUSOLINI 38^th in 37:56; JONATHAN PARR 41^st in 38:02; BRIAN BRACKSTONE 43^rd in 38:14 and third man over 50 were also under 40 minutes on the tough course.

108 women finished. SUZY HAWKINS was the fastest female from Fairlands, 26^th woman in 46:56. YUKO GORDON won her age group with 51:14. She was 47^th woman overall.

The “Mob Match” will be in Welwyn Garden City on Wednesday 10^th July.

Race	Cat	Vet	No.	Time	Name	Surname	Cat.	M/F	Female Pos.
143	10	17	1020	46:56	Suzy	Hawkins	V 45	F	26
193	1	34	1100	51:14	Yuko	Gordon	V 65	F	47
217	18	44	1073	53:19	Jo	Cooksley	V 35	F	59
248			1090	56:55	Sophie	Parsons	S	F	77
259	28	64	1075	58:37	Wendy	Tharani	V 45	F	82
275	32	72	1091	1:02:36	Claire	Emmerson	V 45	F	92
280	16	76	1085	1:03:36	Judy	King	V 55	F	96
293	20	84	1078	1:08:06	Liz	Carvell	V 55	F	104
295	21	86	1099	1:10:32	Monica	Smithson	V 55	F	106
299	24	87	1086	1:13:19	Callie	Chapman	V 35	F	107
301	22	88	1079	1:17:08	Jane	Wadey	V 55	F	108

Race	Cat	Vet	No.	Time	First Name	Last Name	Cat.	M/F	Male Pos
25			1014	36:47	Kirk	Ndugu	S	M	25
38			1028	37:56	Adrian	Busolini	S	M	38
41	16	18	988	38:02	Jonathan	Parr	V 40	M	41
43	3	19	1027	38:14	Brian	Brackstone	V 50	M	43
74			1002	41:16	Jay	Papa	S	M	72
127	22	64	996	45:51	Matt	Gifford	V 50	M	107
131	43	68	997	46:19	Alexey	Zherdev	V 40	M	111
136	46	71	1010	46:41	Robert	Wright	V 40	M	114
145	4	75	987	47:11	Brian	White	V 60	M	119
180	8	94	990	50:25	Charlie	Arnold	V 60	M	140
211	38	110	992	52:42	Simon	Haigh	V 50	M	156
226	63	115	1011	54:31	Matt	Tutton	V 40	M	162
249			1022	56:55	Ryan	Riddell	S	M	172
262	45	130	1016	58:58	Pete	Cook	V 50	M	178
269	6	132	999	1:00:20	Jim	Brown	V 70	M	180
271	46	133	1024	1:01:05	Tim	Robinson	V 50	M	182
274	18	134	1021	1:02:14	Nick	Kleanthous	V 60	M	183
291			1026	1:07:37	Peter	Sach	S	M	188
298	20	142	986	1:11:37	Paul	Holgate	V 60	M	192

A Win For Yuko at the Newport Pagnell Carnival 5K

YUKO GORDON won her age group F70 (and 60 & 65 as well) at Newport Pagnell Carnival 5K, near Milton Keynes in 22:20 on Saturday 6th July. It was a flat fast course over traffic free main road with 500 plus runners. Crowds were surprisingly big along the course.

After Mount Chingford and the Trent Park Woods recently, she felt this was too good to be true. However, a fast course is one thing but she said my legs had a problem adjusting to the speed this time. Still, she was happy with the season’s best.

The Carnival 5K is a uniquely fast and flat 5k road race through the historic market town of Newport Pagnell. On closed roads in front of thousands, it’s run ahead of the annual town Carnival Parade. The race finishes on the carnival meadow in the show arena where there’s a day of entertainment and fun. For the 4th consecutive year, there were two different runs. One to suit all abilities: The ‘Serious’ 5K and the family fun 5K.

Ware 10 + 10 – PB for Paul

GERRY ROSEN took part in the Ware 10 (miles). It was a two lap affair with a nasty uphill first mile. A tough little cookie. Gerry was hoping to beat 2hrs and well and truly did it, his time was 1 hour 52 minutes 10 seconds.

The fastest of the eight Spartans was PAUL SHELLEY 20^th of the 269 finishers with 1:07:25; third in his age group and a new personal best (PB) by eight seconds. ALISON SHELLEY was first female from Fairlands at 190^th with 1:33:06; ANNABELLE WHITE was 198^th with 1:35:09 and FIONA CLARKE 212^th with 37:47.

MATT DUTTON took part in the 10 mile race at the Ware festival of running with a chip time of 1:32:56. His first ever 10 mile race. Matt said he managed to miss the heavy rain showers but large puddles were an obstacle at mile 1 and 6 guaranteeing wet feet!!

CHRIS WATLING was 112^th in 1:21:51 and ROBERT WRIGHT 65^th with 1:15:30.

269 finishers.

JANE WHITROW ran the Ware 10K. She said the event was really well organised with lots of water stations and friendly marshals. Jane finished 239^th in 1:21:17.

Pos	MF	CatPos	Bib	Name	Cat	Gun	Chip
20.	19	3	8901	Paul SHELLEY	MV50	1:07:27	1:07:25
65.	55	23	2178	Robert WRIGHT	MV40	1:15:48	1:15:30
112.	91	36	2127	Chris WATLING	MS	1:22:09	1:21:51
188.	134	45	8942	Matt TUTTON	MV40	1:33:19	1:32:56
190.	55	9	8902	Alison SHELLEY	FV55	1:33:28	1:33:06
198.	60	15	8896	Annabelle WHITE	FS	1:35:30	1:35:09
212.	67	20	8906	Fiona CLARKE	FV45	1:38:09	1:37:47
254.	160	43	8829	Gerry ROSEN	MV50	1:52:32	1:52:10

Race for Life

Some Spartans including JIM BROWN and PENNY SCHENKEL ran the Stevenage Race for Life. Jim’s event was lucky but Penny’s finished in a downpour.

EMAC – Spartans 2 and 3.

Fairlands Valley Spartans were second and third in the latest Eastern Masters track and field league event.

The FVS women including SHARON CROWLEY, CHRISTINE LATHWELL; MARIAN MORLEY; JOYLYN SAUNDERS-MULLINS; TESSA STEPHENSON and ANDREA WESTCOTT were second with 118 points, just 19 behind the winners.

The men were third in their match with 86. Their team included CHARLES ARNOLD; MARK FREEMAN; NICK KLEANTHOUS; STEVE MAYFIELD; TIMOTHY SAUNDERS-MULLINS and DAVID STEPHENSON.

The event included running from 100 metres to one mile (1609 metres); walking 2 kilometres; throwing and jumping. The league is for male and female veteran athletes aged from 35 upwards divided in various age categories.

The next EMAC track and field fixture is in Sandy on Wednesday evening 31^st July.

Parkrun Highlights 6^th July

DANIEL VILJOEN achieved a major parkrun milestone on Saturday morning. His run at Stevenage was his 250^th which he finished in 24 minutes 4 seconds (24:04). There were 19 Spartans among the 363 finishers of the very wet 354^th Stevenage parkrun including SIMON JACKSON second in 17:40 and GRANT RAMSAY sixth in 18:57.

ANNABELLE WHITE ran her 150^th parkrun in 31:32.

19 of the 363 finishers at a very wet Stevenage parkrun were Spartans.

Spartans elsewhere included SUZY HAWKINS 25:03 at Henlow Bridge Lakes; NICK KLEANTHOUS 33:11 at Tamar Lakes near Bude and CHLOE CHAPMAN 34:05 at Lanhydrock, Bodmin.

Tags EMAC, Mid Week League, MWL, Race for Life, Trent Park, Ware Ten

Club News Race Results

SPARTANS CELEBRATE THEIR 2023 WINNERS!!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date March 17, 2024
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Lots of Spartans enjoyed the club’s dinner and presentation evening at the Cromwell Hotel in Stevenage on Friday evening.

YUKO GORDON is the new overall club champion with amazing scores of 100.2% for the short distance and 102.8% for the long distance series.

ANDREW PATTERSON won the men’s open short distance with 79.0%, including winning the Hitchin 5K by 50 seconds, and the open long with 78.6%.

ASHLEY JOHNSON won the women’s race at Hitchin by a similar margin and won the club’s open short distance championship for women with 73.9%.

The age graded short championship for men went to SIMON JACKSON with 85.3%.

FIONA CLARKE won the club’s open long distance championship for women with 54.7% just ahead of HARRIET SMITH on 54.0%.

NICK GILL and VICKY ARCHER were the most improved Spartans.

The Starter of the Year was JUDY KING. The volunteer awards were Chair’s award MICHAEL O’KEEFE; Head Coach’s award JOHN HARRIS; President’s Award BRIAN WHITE; Cathy Craig Spartan of the Year CALLIE CHAPMAN.

Some of our amazing winners! Photo Credit Keith Fenwick

The full list of amazing winners are noted as follows:

Female Open Short

1^st Ashley Johnson

2^nd Vicky Archer

3^rd Kerstin Prior

Female Age Graded Short

1^st Yuko Gordon

2^nd Sharon Crowley

3^rd Nicola Andersson

Female Open Long

1^st Fiona Clarke

2^nd Harriet Smith

3^rd Sam Maidens

Female Age Graded Long

1^st Yuko Gordon

2^nd Sharon Crowley

3^rd Wendy Tharani

Male Open Short

1^st Andrew Patterson

2^nd Nick Gill

3^rd Mike Jeffs

Male Age Graded Short

1^st Simon Jackson

2^nd Grant Ramsay

3^rd John Harris

Male Open Long

1^st Andrew Patterson

2^nd Simon Fraser

3^rd Grant Ramsay

Male Age Graded Long

1^st Simon Jackson

2^nd David Harris-Cherguit

3^rd Pete Smith

Overall Champion – Male – Andrew Patterson

Overall Champion – Female – Yuko Gordon

Overall Club Champion – Yuko Gordon

Most Improved Spartan – Male – Nick Gill

Most Improved Spartan – Female – Vicky Archer

The Lisa Potter Starter of the Year Award – Judy King

Chairs Award – Michael O’Keefe

Head Coaches Award – John Harris

Captains Awards – Liz Crowley and Michael O’Keefe

Presidents Award – Brian White

The Cathy Craig Spartan of the Year Award – Callie Chapman

Essex 20

NICK GILL ran 2:17:10 at Sunday’s Essex 20. He decided to race it, aiming for sub 3-hour marathon pace (6:50 per mile/4:15 per km). Managed to do exactly that and even split all the laps, and really enjoyed running with two guys – Matt and Callum – pretty much the whole way. His last 20-mile race was back in 2019 at the Hillingdon 20 when he did 2:46:03 – so a big improvement on that.

Needing to up his miles from a half marathon in preparation for the London Marathon JIM BROWN thought the Essex 20 would be the ideal opportunity. He decided to chunk it up into 5Ks and see how long he could keep them under 30 minutes. It went a lot better than expected and he finished in 3 hours 6 minutes 31 seconds, a 7 minute 20 second improvement on the fastest 20 he raced last year.

Blickling Multi Terrain Half Marathon

The Blickling multi-terrain half marathon near Aylsham in Norfolk saw CAROL PAUL come third in her age group (60 – 64) with 2:08:36. She said the weather was ideal for running but underfoot it was a bit mucky.

Carol with her medal after her amazing run!

Milton Keyenes Festival

SOPHIE PARSONS ran in the 10k event at the Milton Keynes Festival. It was hillier than she expected but she managed to complete the course in a brilliant time of 57:43!

Sophie reunited with Chester after her run.

Parkrun

Total turnout at Stevenage parkrun went past 500 again on Saturday. This time to 518 and no doubt helped by the large number of Spartans who turned out to support Jane WADEY, Kerstin WEINER and Nicola HATHERLY for their fiftieth parkruns.

For the Consolidated Results please click the link

Tags Blickling, Essex 20, MK Festival, Presentation Night 2024

Club News Race Results

PB’s GALORE AT CAMBRIDGE!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date March 3, 2024
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Spartan LINDA GEORGE was very pleased to beat the two hour barrier when she finished the Cambridge Half Marathon in 1 hour 59 minutes 34 seconds.

CRAIG BACON finished in 1:39:11. He said it was a bright crisp morning for the Cambridge Half Marathon. It was a picturesque and very flat course through the colleges, city centre and out to the villages of Grantchester and Trumpington before heading back into the city for the finish. Craig said mile 9 was tough, but even with a pit stop he was very pleased to finish with a 12 second PB (personal best).

Spartan VICKY ARCHER took more than four minutes off her PB with 1:51:58 and STUART ARCHER improved to 1:23:18.

NICK GILL said 1:23:21 at the Cambridge Half Marathon – a new PB and almost 4 minutes quicker than one year ago [1:27:16]. He ran with Mike Jeffs from start to finish and it went perfectly! They just couldn’t quite catch Stuart Archer. MIKE JEFFS 1:23:21 was also a PB.

CAROLE SHELDRICK and CAROLINE CROFT ran the Cambridge Half Marathon together. Carole said it has always been one of her favourite half marathons to run. They had to negotiate a lot of mud to get to the start line, but it was definitely worth it.

Carole continued “as always it was very well organised and the support throughout the route was amazing.”

Their official times: Carole Sheldrick 2hrs 31mins 23sec and Caroline Croft 2hrs 31mins 21sec (The seconds matter and Caroline was very pleased to beat Carole across the finish line).

ANDREW PATTERSON was very happy and in some shock at knocking 1 minute 26 seconds off his PB, he thought he could PB but wasn’t expecting a time of 1.11.03. He said conditions were ideal for me out there today. No wind or rain and a flat, fast course. His first time at doing Cambridge and he loved it.

Also MATTHEW NEWTON finished in 1:27:43; JOHN HARRIS in 1:32:59; MARTIN JACOB in 1:50:22 and DANIELA PETRIANNA in 2:10:55.

Well done all the Spartans some great times clocked by all!

Position	Bib	Name	Chip	Cat	Cat Pos	Pace	Comments
57	12258	Andrew Patterson	1:11:03	M40-44	3	3:22 min/km	PB
344	11769	Kirk Ndugu	1:19:31	M35-39	60	3:46 min/km
565	5286	Stuart Archer	1:23:18	M40-44	78	3:56 min/km	PB
571	8584	Nick Gill	1:23:21	M35-39	99	3:57 min/km	PB
572	9862	Mike Jeffs	1:23:21	M40-44	80	3:57 min/km	PB
938	11829	Matthew Newton	1:27:43	M40-44	137	4:09 min/km
1038	9910	Ashley Johnson	1:28:40	F40-44	17	4:12 min/km	PB
1129	8422	Ross Gallagher	1:29:20	M40-44	170	4:14 min/km
1143	4512	Stuart Haycroft	1:29:26	M45-49	105	4:14 min/km
1296	15667	Mark Collins	1:30:57	M45-49	124	4:18 min/km
1515	9135	John Harris	1:32:59	M60-64	12	4:24 min/km
2474	5418	Craig Bacon	1:39:11	M50-54	175	4:42 min/km	PB
2670	10848	Gail Mackie	1:40:17	F30-34	73	4:45 min/km
4409	3021	Robert Wright	1:48:49	M40-44	515	5:09 min/km
4755	9798	Martin Jacob	1:50:22	M40-44	546	5:13 min/km
5079	4812	Vicky Archer	1:51:58	F40-44	145	5:18 min/km	PB
7032	8514	Linda George	1:59:34	F35-39	217	5:40 min/km	PB
9201	3459	Daniela Petrianni	2:10:55	F40-44	405	6:12 min/km
11710	7222	Caroline Croft	2:31:21	F50-54	384	7:10 min/km
11712	13482	Carole Sheldrick	2:31:23	F50-54	385	7:10 min/km	PB
12771	4752	Samantha Sutton	2:58:25	F45-49	603	8:27 min/km

Berkhampstead Half

The Berkhamsted Half Marathon was very different to Cambridge. Hilly rather than flat, rural rather than town and just over 900 runners rather than about 14,000. Spartan WENDY THARANI finished in 2 hours 12 minutes 47 seconds.

Parkrun Results

For the Consolidated Results please click the link

Tags Berkhampstead Half Marathon, Cambridge Half Marathon

Club News Race Results

BEATING THE BEAST AT BALDOCK

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date February 25, 2024
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Eight Spartans tamed the Beast. ADRIAN BUSOLINI got a podium position with third place and a fantastic time of 1 hour 20 minutes 20 seconds on the tough course.

The Baldock Beast is an undulating multi-terrain half marathon. THOMAS SAUKA 1:51:12 and JOHN NELMS 1:56:21 also beat two hours.

Spartan PENNY SCHENKEL ran her first half marathon in 22 years. She finished in 2:24:20.

Spartans having fun at the Baldock Beast! – Photo credit Tony Randfield

Position	Name	Chip Time	Comments
3	ADRIAN BUSOLINI	1:20:20	Podium
93	THOMAS SAUKA	1:51:12
120	JOHN NELMS	1:56:21
162	TIM ROBINSON	2:03:43
183	CHLOE CHAPMAN	2:07:12
225	MICHAEL O’KEEFE	2:21:41
232	JIM BROWN	2:21:24	Final starter
233	PENNY SCHENKEL	2:24:20

London Winter 10K

YUKO GORDON ran the London Winter 10K and was first woman 70 plus with 46 minutes 16 seconds. Yuko said there were nearly 20,000 participants but it was very well organised, even down to avoiding the chaos of long toilet queues. The course was interesting passing many London landmarks and easy to run with no traffic. The 5 degrees start was cold and it took her a couple of kilometres until she felt slightly less frozen.

In the same race MATTHEW NEWTON finished in 43:53; KEITH HOOKER in 44:42 which was a new PB for him, DANIELLA PETRIANNI in 56:44; PAUL SHELLEY in 57:49 and ALISON SHELLEY in 57:50.

Brighton Half Marathon

Despite a brutal headwind in the last 5 kilometres ANN TRYSSESOONE finished the Brighton Half Marathon in 2 hours 2 minutes 33 seconds.

Ann on Ann Street after finishing the half!

Serpentine 5K

Sunny but chilly with a medium breeze at Friday’s Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park. Spartan JIM BROWN was 197^th in 27:20. The next Serpie 5K will be on Friday 22^nd March, a week earlier than might be expected to avoid Good Friday.

Parkrun 24^th February

For the Consolidate Results please click the link

Tags Baldock Beast, Brighton Half Marathon, London Winter 10k

Club News Race Results

SILVER FOR ANDREW

ANDREW PATTERSON was at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre where he won 1500 metres SILVER in the British Masters Indoor Championships.

He said he was happy to medal in a field of strong runners and said his time 4:17 (four minutes 17 seconds) was good for the first track race of the year.

National Masters Indoor Championships

JOYLYN SAUNDERS MULLINS and IRIS HORNSEY both took part in the National Masters Indoor Championships.

Iris ran the 1500m in 9:22:38 and won her age category! Joylyn ran 60m in 9:34 and picked up the bronze award! They both said that they enjoyed their races!

Success all round!

Spartan Parkrun Highlights 17^th February

22 Spartans ran at Stevenage where there were 521 runners. GRANT RAMSAY was top five in 18 minutes 34 seconds (18:34). CHARLES COOK was eighth with a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 19:20 and DAVID HODBOD also ran a new PPB, this time 23:26.

As part of a twelve mile training run for the London Marathon PENNY SCHENKEL ran her 80^th parkrun in 36:45.

Away Spartans included JANE McFARLANE 8^th woman at Loch Leven, Kinross, Scotland in 28:45; CHLOE CHAPMAN 27:49 and MATT CLARKE 30:01 at Luton Wardown; STEVE PLATT 27:58 at Torbay Velopark; ANDY JAY 29:06 at Westmill and ANNABELLE WHITE 29:49 at Haldon Forest, near Exeter.

Tags British Masters Indoor Championships

Club News Race Results

BEDFORD TEN

There was a win for Jim at the Bedford ten mile race on Sunday morning. Chilly and just a bit slippery in places but sunny, calm and JIM BROWN won the male veteran 70 plus race in 1:31:32 finishing 1 minute 6 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

The fastest Spartan was ANDY PRIOR with 1:19:08. SOPHIE PARSONS was fastest female from Fairlands with 1:31:20. DAVID ACKERY came in with 1:36:09 and CHLOE CHAPMAN with 1:36:34.

Hyde Park 5k

Runners enjoyed a wonderful tail breeze on the back straight of the two lap course at the Last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park. These are great friendly lunch-time events with a cafe nearby but the front end can be very sharp. This month 16 finishers beat 17 minutes and the range of times was from 15:37 to 41:18.

Sunny, mild and a light breeze in January. Spartan JIM BROWN improved by 1 minute 20 seconds to finish in 27:20.

Run The Sun

MICHAEL O’KEEFE “Ran the Sun” race based at Weston near Hitchin on Sunday 21st January. He covered a distance of 33 miles over 8 hours, on a very muddy and hilly course.

Parkrun 27^th January

For the Consolidated Results please click the link

Tags Bedford 10, Hyde Park5k, Run the Sun

Club News Race Results

AMAZING ADRIAN

Amazing ADRIAN BUSOLINI from Fairlands Valley Spartans has completed one of the toughest running events anywhere. He ran 268 miles of the Pennine Way in 120 hours 45 minutes 46 seconds in the Montane Spine Winter Race. This was a non-stop expedition style race from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. The time limit was 168 hours.

Gold, Silver and Bronze for Spartans in the 30^th Aniversary Fred Hughes 10

There were gold, silver and bronze medals for Fairlands Valley Spartans at the 30^th Anniversary Fred Hughes 10 (miles) race from St. Albans on Sunday. The race included the county championships for veterans.

SIMON JACKSON said it was very windy and hilly. He took SILVER in the men 40 plus category in 57 minutes 48 seconds (57:48) which was also a 40 second personal best from 13 years ago!

JOHN HARRIS is the new county champion for men 60 plus. He won with 1 hour 12 minutes 5 seconds (1:12:05).

Successfully defending a BRONZE medal he won only three weeks ago at the very end of 2023 JIM BROWN finished in 1:30:57 for third in the county championship for men 70 plus. That was 57 seconds quicker than on the same course twelve months ago and 46 seconds quicker than the last county championship.

In the open race GABBIE O’BRIEN finished in 1:17:14 and MARIE COLUCCI in 1:22:36. It was great to see 15 Spartans in the open race which had 1,003 finishers.

Pos	Name	Time	Category	Cat	Gender	Gender	Grade	Pace	Comments
16	Simon JACKSON	00:57:47	Ages 40 – 49	2	Male	16	78.23	5:46 min/m	County Silver
138	Mike JEFFS	01:09:23	Ages 20 – 39	60	Male	127	64.30	6:59 min/m
187	John HARRIS	01:12:05	Ages 60 – 69	2	Male	160	74.93	7:14 min/m	County Gold
207	Matt GIFFORD	01:12:45	Ages 50 – 59	29	Male	175	68.64	7:20 min/m
208	Matthew NEWTON	01:12:37	Ages 40 – 49	74	Male	176	62.52	7:20 min/m
294	Gabrielle OÆBRIEN	01:17:14	Ages 20 – 34	18	Female	53	62.56	7:49 min/m
412	Marie COLUCCI	01:22:36	Ages 45 – 54	38	Female	102	63.50	8:22 min/m
596	Jim BROWN	01:30:57	Ages 70 – 99	4	Male	402	64.61	9:17 min/m	County Bronze
809	Wendy THARANI	01:41:11	Ages 45 – 54	116	Female	316	54.09	10:22 min/m
816	Alison SHELLEY	01:41:08	Ages 45 – 54	119	Female	321	55.73	10:26 min/m
824	Nick KLEANTHOUS	01:42:31	Ages 60 – 69	47	Male	498	51.25	10:29 min/m
833	Nicola PATTMAN	01:42:13	Ages 45-54	122	Female	332	55.17	10:32 min/m
862	Sue HAMER	01:44:53	Ages 45 – 54	131	Female	356	53.18	10:48 min/m
891	Sharon CROWLEY	01:46:47	Ages 65 – 99	7	Female	377	60.52	11:05 min/m
962	Rebecca RAYNER	01:59:59	Ages 35 – 44	111	Female	432	41.40	12:25 min/m

Yuko Wins At Farnborough

YUKO GORDON was the fastest woman aged 70 plus in the Farnborough Half Marathon. She finished in 1:44:34 and was 86^th out of 732 women.

Parkrun 20^th January

For the Consolidated Results please click the link

Tags Farnborough Half Marathon, Fred Hughes 10, Montane Spine

Club News Race Results

SPARTANS TAKEOVER STEVENAGE PARKRUN!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date January 7, 2024
No Comments on SPARTANS TAKEOVER STEVENAGE PARKRUN!

JANE WADEY not only co-ordinated the Fairlands Valley take-over of Saturday’s Stevenage parkrun but the all-time participation record was smashed. 643 completed the 5K run, more than fifty more than the previous record of 586 set four years ago before Covid.

Fairlands Valley Spartans provided about 50 volunteers and 57 club members completed the event. There were marshals, barcode scanners, timekeepers, pacers, tailwalkers, token sorters, all sorts of jobs being done and rewarded by a bumper attendance.

In the race there were 643 participants including 266 women; 92 first timers; 78 parkrun personal bests and the halfway through the field time was 29 minutes 48 seconds.

Spartan SIMON JACKSON was second overall in 17 minutes 15 seconds and ABI PEZ second woman in 21:08. GRANT RAMSAY beat 20 minutes with 19:56, spot on task as he was the 20 minute pacer, and GABBIE O’BRIEN was a top ten woman at eighth with 23:44.

MATT GIFFORD scored a new parkrun personal best of 20:30 and TAMSIN BROOKS of 46:37.

Tromso Polar Night Marathon

On Saturday 6^th January MIKE JEFFS took on the Tromso Polar night marathon in Norway.

The route was 26.2 miles of gruelling weather and terrain all in the dark. The temperature was -4 but with the wind it was around -9 degrees. Coming into Tromso itself a blizzard struck with 33mph head winds making the last six miles a real slog.

He was 21^st in 3 hours 41 minutes 52 seconds.

Mike said it was an amazing experience and definitely the toughest challenge of his life.

Mike still smiling after 26.2 miles of snow, wind and freezing temperatures!

Ultra John Goes Country to Capital

John NELMS ran the country to capital 43 mile ultra marathon on Saturday. Starting in Wendover with 23 miles of muddy trails before hitting the grand union canal in Denham for 20 miles of towpath to the finish near Paddington station in central London. This was John’s sixth time in this event and he finished in 9 hours 31 minutes.

Welwyn Half Marathon

Wendy Tharani ran the Welwyn Half Marathon in 2:08:22. It was a fairly low key and friendly event, very well marshalled. Out and back from the stadium at Gosling. Sunny but quite cold!  

County Cross Country

In the County Cross Country at St Albans LIZ CROWLEY was 80^th in 56:14 and SHARON CROWLEY 86^th in 1 hour and 19 seconds (1:00:19).

Liz, Sharon and Annabelle who was running for her first claim club

Walt Disney World Marathon

PAUL HOLGATE said the Walt Disney World Marathon was the perfect way to spend his Birthday. It’s the fourth time his birthday and the marathon have been on the same day since 1/1/2000 and he was very pleased that his 6 hours 50 minutes 9 seconds (6:50:09) was seven minutes quicker than the last time (2018) and 1.5 hours quicker than my latest previous marathons in October (Snowdon/Eryri) and November (Steppingley).

He was 10,250^th out of the 12,694 finishers.

Tags 43 Mile Ultra, County Cross Country, Parkrun Takeover, Tromso Night Marathon, Walt Disney World Marathon, Welwyn Half Marathon

Club News Race Results

BUNTINGFORD 10 MILES, PB’s and A GOLD MEDAL!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date December 31, 2023
No Comments on BUNTINGFORD 10 MILES, PB’s and A GOLD MEDAL!

Spartan YUKO GORDON is a British Champion!

Four Spartans entered the British Masters Athletic Federation ten mile championships which were held in Hertfordshire on 30^th December as part of the Buntingford end of the year race. Yuko won GOLD in the women 70 plus race with 1 hour 18 minutes exactly.

Yuko at Buntingford 10 – Photo Credit Keith Fenwick

DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT was the first of 18 Spartans. He beat one hour finishing in 59 minutes 38 seconds to be 34^th out of the 487 finishers. He said it was great to see so many Spartans. He was followed by our first Spartan championship runner JOHN HARRIS with 1:12:02.

A great race but shouldn’t have worn white trainers said STUART ARCHER who finished with a new personal best (PB) of 1:05:08.

JIM BROWN ran a satisfying negative split with his second five miles almost two minutes quicker than the first. He came in with 1 hour 31 minutes 43 seconds. Jim said it was a fantastic club organised event.

WENDY THARANI said it was a great race. Her time was 1:31:58.

In the women’s veteran 65 category SHARON CROWLEY finished in 1:46:30.

NICHOLA DURENT was delighted to beat the cut off by nearly eight minutes with her 2 hours 22 minutes 19 seconds.

Position.	Bib	Name	10YR Rank	10YR Category	Net Time
34	1283	David Harris-Cherguit	16/86	MV40	59:38
58	1236	Nick Gill	20/75	MSEN	1:03:59
69	1015	Stuart Archer	28/86	MV40	1:05:08
125	1496	Abbie Pez	7/50	FSEN	1:11:45
126	1231	Ross Gallagher	36/86	MV40	1:11:45
132	1281	John Harris	11/28	MV60	1:12:02
191	1246	Yuko Gordon	1/7	FV70	1:18:00
213	1562	Danny Scanlon	52/86	MV40	1:19:38
214	1338	Mike Jeffs	43/75	MSEN	1:19:38
256	1497	Tracy Pez	19/72	FV50	1:23:26
337	1087	Jim Brown	7/12	MV70	1:31:43
341	1620	Wendy Tharani	30/72	FV50	1:31:58
346	1642	Ann Tryssesoone	31/72	FV50	1:32:41
369	1110	Chloe Chapman	35/50	FSEN	1:35:40
398	1337	Andrew Jay	64/70	MV50	1:39:13
400	1384	Karen Liddle	22/30	FV60	1:39:50
432	1154	Sharon Crowley	26/30	FV60	1:46:30
487	1190	Nichola Durent	59/59	FV40	2:22:19

Buntingford 10 mile finishers

St Albans 10K

Getting back into racing after injury ALISON SHELLEY ran the New Year’s Eve 10K at St Albans in one hour and 58 seconds (1:00:58). There were 535 finishers.

Ely 10k

PAUL HOLGATE and ROGER BIGGS ran the Ely 10k which they said was a flat course with one climb between 8-9k but they had their heads down between 5 and 9k with the usual courses headwind! Paul finished in 1:13:21 and Roger in 1:32:10

Hyde Park 10k

JIM BROWN was up early enough on New Year’s Day to catch the train to London and run the Hyde Park 10K event.

He finished in 55 minutes 20 seconds (55:20) which considering he hasn’t managed to finish a 5K recently in under 28 minutes 40 seconds was pretty satisfying.

Parkrun Saturday 23^rd December

SHARON CROWLEY ran her 50^th parkrun. Running and celebrating with a group of friends.

For the Consolidated Results please click the link

Sharon in her 50th Parkrun cape! – Photo Credit – Karl Shreeve

Parkrun Christmas Day, Monday 25^th December

ADRIAN BUSOLINI won with a new parkrun personal best of 16 minutes 55 seconds. WILLIAM MORLEY was 15^th out of the 499 on Christmas Day with a new parkrun PB of 19 minutes 44 seconds and in the same race PAUL JENNINGS ran a new parkrun PB of 26 minutes 42 seconds.

Christmas Day Spartans! – Photo Credit Nikki Nation

Parkrun Saturday 30^th December

ASHLEY JOHNSON was first woman at Green Denham in a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 19 minutes 18 seconds.

For the Consolidated Results please click the link

Parkrun New Year’s Day Monday 1^st January

LINDA GEORGE ran a new parkrun personal best of 28:23.

Tags Buntingford 10, Ely 10k, Hyde Park 10k, St Albans 10k

Club News Race Results

STEVENAGE CROSS COUNTRY!

More than fifty from Fairlands Valley Spartans were in Fairlands Valley Park for the cross country league race on Sunday.

33 men and 14 women ran in the race and dozens of volunteers from the club and our lovely friends at the Stevenage Striders helped make the event a success by being marshals, race director, chief marshal and taking on other tasks.

Photo Credit – Keith Fenwick (including main photo)

Spartan ANDREW PATTERSON had another good run and was sixth overall out of 433 runners with 28 minutes 31 seconds (28:31) for the nine kilometres, three lap run. ASHLEY JOHNSON was first woman in for FVS in 35:02.

The increase in numbers from 24 runners in the last league race to 47 had a really positive effect on the team results.

The fifth and final cross country league race this season will be on Therfield Heath (Royston) on Sunday 18^th February.

Provisional Spartan Result:

Overall Position	Name	Time	Gender	Comments
6	ANDREW PATTERSON	28:33	M	Men’s “A”
11	ADRIAN BUSOLINI	29:48	M	Men’s “A”
47	CHARLIE WHITE	32:15	M	Men’s “A”
87	MIKE JEFFS	34:24	M	Men’s “A”
99	ASHLEY JOHNSON	35:05	F	Women “A”
118	ROSS GALLAGHER	36:21	M	Men’s “A”
126	MATT GIFFORD	36:33	M	Men’s “A”
128	GRANT RAMSAY	36:37	M	Men’s “A”
133	ALEX ZHERDEV	36:46	M	Men’s “A”
142	NICK GILL	37:05	M
148	JOHN HARRIS	37:17	M
163	MARK COLLINS	37:56	M
170	GABRIELLE O’BRIEN	38:20	F	Women “A”
179	CRAIG BACON	38:40	M
183	DANNY SCANLON	38:51	M
187	BRIAN WHITE	39:02	M
212	YUKO GORDON	40:03	F	Women “A”
224	THOMAS SAUKA	40:39	M
248	SIMON HAIGH	41:38	M
254	JAMES CLARK	41:59	M
265	STEVE HARRIS	42:26	M
281	MARTIN JACOB	42:54	M
293	HAZEL SMITH	43:20	F	Women “A”
295	DARREN EMMERSON	43:20	M
296	PAULA DUNNE	43:21	F	Women “A”
312	STUART ARCHER	44:14	M
318	TONY VICKERS	44:32	M
332	DAVID ACKERY	45:24	M
340	NICK KLEANTHOUS	45:47	M
349	SIMON SYPULA	46:20	M
353	JON SYPULA	46:42	M
354	SOPHIE PARSONS	46:44	F
360	ANNABELLE WHITE	47:00	F
371	STEVE PLATT	47:56	M
373	ROS INGRAM	48:11	F
375	MICHAEL O’KEEFE	48:17	M
379	STEVE TINSLEY	48:47	M
384	ANDREA WESTCOTT	49:18	F
387	LINDA GEORGE	49:44	F
402	ROGER HARDMAN	51:31	M
404	ANDY JAY	52:34	M
407	SHARON CROWLEY	53:52	F
416	MARK FREEMAN	56:12	M
418	PAUL HOLGATE	57:52	M
422	DZENANA TOPIC	61:55	F
423	JONATHAN JONES	61:56	M
430	CALLIE CHAPMAN	74:41	F
431	MICHELLE HOLTON	74:41	F

Parkrun Saturday 16^th December

For the Consolidated Results please click the link

Tags Stevenage Cross Country

Club News Race Results

FAIRLANDS AT FESTIVE FIVE

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date December 10, 2023
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Three Spartans raced for their finishers chocolate Santa at the Festive Five in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday. NICK KLEANTHOUS was 96^th in 45 minutes 22 seconds.

Nothing like “race fit” at the moment PENNY SCHENKEL and JIM BROWN enjoyed cruising round to beat 50 minutes with Jim coming in 126^th with 49:44 and Penny 127^th with 49:53. Jim was second in his age group.

Malaga Marathon

There was a new personal best (PB) for Spartan MATTHEW NEWTON at the Malaga Marathon in Spain. He finished in 3 hours 13 minutes 11 seconds (3:13:11) which got him 591^st place out of 5,914.

Matthew after landing himself a new PB!!

Twas The Run Before Christmas Ultra

MICHAEL O’KEEFE ran the “Twas the Run before Christmas” ultra event completing nine laps, or 29 miles, in Brandon Country Park, near Bury St Edmunds, in 5 hours 54 minutes 14 seconds (5:54:14). He said it was quite a hilly course and all off road.

Parkrun Saturday 9^th December

Click the link for the Consolidated Results

Tags Festive 5, Malaga Marathon, Twas the Run Before Xmas Ultra

Club News Race Results

FAIRLANDS FLYING FIVES

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date November 26, 2023
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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.

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).

Parkrun Saturday 25^th November

For the Consolidated Results please click the link

Tags Bassbelle 10, Hatfield 5

Club News Race Results

KEITH & JUDY WIN THE 10 AND 5 MILE HANDICAP RACES!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date November 19, 2023
No Comments on KEITH & JUDY WIN THE 10 AND 5 MILE HANDICAP RACES!

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.

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.

Parkrun Saturday 18^th November

For the Consolidated Results please click the link

Tags Bryan Moore 10 Mile Handicap, Paul Maguire 5 Mile Handicap, Steppingly Marathon, Wolverton 5

Club News Race Results

STEVENAGE HALF RAISES OVER £6,000!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date November 12, 2023
No Comments on STEVENAGE HALF RAISES OVER £6,000!

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 22^nd 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 5^th 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 20^th October when we will also host a full marathon which is a once in a decade event and coincides with the 40^th Anniversary of Fairlands Valley Spartans running club, so we are aiming to make this an even bigger event than normal.”

For more information about the 2024 event please visit www.stevenagehalfmarathon.org.uk or our social media channels.

Remembrance Runs – Half Marathon and 10K

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 48^th in the half marathon and Jim 54^th.

Parkrun – Saturday 11^th November

New Spartan SOPHIE PARSONS ran a new parkrun personal best of 27 minutes 2 seconds (27:02).

For all the Consolidated Results please click the link

Tags Remembrance Runs, Stevenage half marathon

Club News Race Results

TRENT PARK CROSS COUNTRY

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date November 5, 2023
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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 25^th in 29:38. They were the first two finishers from Fairlands Valley Spartans while TRACEY JACKSON 273^rd overall in 41 minutes exactly; GEORGIE HOOPER 308^th in 42:31 and ZOE JACKSON 359^th 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

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 22^nd October. MARTIN JACOB paced her finishing 780^th out of the 1400 finishers in 2:02:46. They said they had a wonderful run. Linda was jumping for joy at the finish.

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.

Sophie and Claire with their wonderful medals!

Parkrun Saturday 4^th November

For the Consolidated Results click the link

Tags Hertfordshire Half and 10K, Trent Park Cross Country

Club News Race Results

ANDREW WINS CROSS COUNTRY

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date October 29, 2023
No Comments on ANDREW WINS CROSS COUNTRY

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 13^th 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 15^th 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.

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

Marathon Eryri – Snowdon Marathon

This years Snowdon Marathon, now known as the Marathon Eryri took place on Saturday. SHARON CROWLEY completed her 30^th 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 33^rdconsecutive 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.

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 31^st anniversary Last Friday of the Month 5K. JIM BROWN was 170^th 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.

Parkrun Highlights for Saturday 28^th October

For the Consolidated Results please click the link

Tags Eryri Marathon, Great South Run, Watford Cross Country

Club News Race Results

HALF MARATHON JOY

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.

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.

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.

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 Ambulance

You 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	2^nd 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 17^th 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%.

Still smiling despite the lovely weather!

Parkrun Saturday 21^st October

For the Consolidated Results please click the link

Tags Resolution 5k, Stevenage half marathon

Club News Race Results

CHESHUNT CROSS COUNTRY – THE FIRST OF THE SEASON!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date October 15, 2023
No Comments on CHESHUNT CROSS COUNTRY – THE FIRST OF THE SEASON!

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.

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 135^th overall (women and men) and 18^th woman of 133 with 37 minutes 7 seconds. Next came TRACEY JACKSON 207^th (and 43^rd 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.

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!

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.

Parkrun Saturday 14^th October

Please click the link to view the Consolidated Results

Tags Cheshunt Cross Country, Chester Marathon

Club News Race Results

SPARTANS RUN AT THE STANDALONE 10K

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date October 8, 2023
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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 36^th in 38:38; MIKE JEFFS 48^th in 39:36 and GRANT RAMSAY 51^st in 39:47.

PENNY SCHENKEL wanted to beat one hour which she did by four seconds (59:56). An excellently paced run.

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.

Parkrun – Saturday 30^th September

Please click the link to view the Consolidated Results

Tags Standalone 10K

Club News Race Results

DOUBLE WIN AT THE HITCHIN 5K!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date September 24, 2023
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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 23^rd 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 50^th parkrun in 24:41; and Grant Ramsay was sixth at Stevenage on his 100^thparkrun with 19:26

Please click the link for the Consolidated Results

Tags Bedford Autodrome, Hitchin 5k, Ottawa 10k, Vitality Westminster Mile, Windsor Half

Club News Race Results

JONATHAN WINS HATFIELD SERIES

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date September 17, 2023
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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 12^th in 16:39 and MIKE JEFFS 25^th in 17:37.

SHARON CROWLEY was fourth in the series for her category and ran the final race in 28 minutes 53 seconds.

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 %	1^st 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.

Pos	MF	Cat Pos	Bib	Name	Cat	5K	Gun	Chip	Age Gd
2.	2	1	7031	Simon JACKSON	MV40	17:03	35:34	35:33	81.4 %
15	15	4	7040	Grant RAMSAY	MV50	19:21	40:37	40:35	73.7%
104.	91	28	7183	Robert WRIGHT	MV40	26:58	54:01	53:53	51.1 %
110.	15	7	7002	Kim JURY	FV35	26:08	54:47	54:36	55.5 %
146.	120	3	6914	Jim BROWN	MV70+	28:44	57:44	56:54	62.5 %
172.	136	57	7166	David ACKERY	MS	28:32	1:01:06	1:00:57	43.2 %
273.	176	5	6971	Roger BIGGS	MV70+		1:39:24	1:38:52	38.3 %

Parkrun Saturday 16^th September 2023

For the Consolidated Results please click the link

Tags Hatfield 5k Series, Stevenage 10K

Club News Race Results

HATFIELD 5K SERIES RACE TWO

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date September 10, 2023
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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.

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.

Position	First Name	Last Name	Time	PB	Imp	Race 1	Comp
1	Andrew	Patterson	15:55	PB	0:03	15:59	0:04
4	Jonathan	Parr	16:35	x		16:18	(0:17)
10	Simon	Jackson	16:50	YB	0:30
33	Mike	Jeffs	18:09	x		18:02	(0:07)
65	Samantha	Pretty-Connors	19:25	PB	0:05
71	Grant	Ramsay	19:40	x		19:34	0:09
105	Peter	Orton	21:07	23
127	Yuko	Gordon	22:25	x
166	Matt	Tutton	24:32	PB	0:05	24:37	0:05
189	Andy	Jay	25:41	x		24:49	(0:52)
193	Nick	Kleanthous	25:52	x		24:49	(1:03)
202	Jim	Brown	26:34	YB	0:01	27:09	0:35
203	Michael	O’Keefe	26:38	x		26:35	(0:03)
216	Sharon	Crowley	30:00	x		28:59	(1:01)
235	Paul	Holgate	36:29	x		39:29	3:00
238	Roger	Biggs	42:44	x		42:37	(0:07)

Parkrun Saturday 9^th September 2023

For the Consolidated Results please click the link

Tags Hatfield 5k Series

Club News Race Results

HATFIELD 5K SERIES, RUNNING RATS AND DASHING DUCKS!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date September 3, 2023
No Comments on HATFIELD 5K SERIES, RUNNING RATS AND DASHING DUCKS!

Fairlands Valley Spartans won SILVER medals in the team competition at the Hertfordshire County 5K championships for senior men on Wednesday 30^th 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.

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.

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 307^th 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.

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.

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!

Summer Nuts Challenge

STEVE PLATT tackled the two muddy, wet and obstacle filled laps of the Summer Nuts Challenge on Saturday 2^nd 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!

Parkrun Saturday 2^nd September 2023

Click the link for the Consolidated Results

Tags Baldock Rat Run, Bedford Running Festival, Duck and Dash, Hatfield 5k Series, Summer Nuts Challenge, UTMB

Club News Race Results

RESOLUTION 5K, ENGLAND MASTERS, 10K’s, 10 MILES and MORE!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date August 20, 2023
No Comments on RESOLUTION 5K, ENGLAND MASTERS, 10K’s, 10 MILES and MORE!

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 11^th 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.

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 19^th August 2023

KIRK NDUGU won Stevenage Parkrun in a new parkrun personal best of 17 minutes 20 seconds.

For the Consolidate Results please click the link.

Tags Burnham Beeches Half, England Masters, Resolution 5k, Schierker Sommerlauf, Stopsley 10 miles, Summer 10K

Club News Race Results

KARL AND JANE WIN THE HANDICAP 5K!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date August 6, 2023
No Comments on KARL AND JANE WIN THE HANDICAP 5K!

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.

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.

Parkrun Saturday 5^th August 2023

For the Consolidated Results please click the link.

Tags Handicap 5k, St Albans 10k

Club News Race Results

ANDREW BREAKS A CLUB RECORD!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date July 30, 2023
No Comments on ANDREW BREAKS A CLUB RECORD!

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%.

Parkrun Saturday 29^th July 2023

For the Consolidated Results from last weeks Parkruns please click the link.

Tags 10K Battersea, 1500m, Sundowner

Club News Race Results

RELAYS IN THE PARK!

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 – 20^th 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 20^th 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 22^nd July 2023

MATT TUTTON ran a new parkrun personal best of 24:20. He was 84^th out of the 394 finishers.

For all the Consolidated Results please click the link.

Tags 3K Relays, Bedford Blues Half Marathon, Doug Anderson 5k

Club News Race Results

THE FAMOUS, FAIRLANDS VALLEY CHALLENGE!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date July 16, 2023
No Comments on THE FAMOUS, FAIRLANDS VALLEY CHALLENGE!

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!

Tags FV Challenge

Club News Race Results

RACE FOR LIFE, REMEMBERING CATHY

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date July 9, 2023
No Comments on RACE FOR LIFE, REMEMBERING CATHY

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

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 4^th in the W50 100m and 5^th in the W60 1500m. Other points came from Christine Lathwell, who placed 5^th in the W35 100m after sprinting to the start line having placed 4^th in the 2km B string walk. Christine also covered the W35 triple jump, finishing 4^th. Joylyn Saunders-Mullins secured 2^nd place in the W60+ 100m, 3^rd in the W60+ 400m, and 2^nd 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 3^rd place. Andrea Westcott placed 2^nd in the W50 400m, 4^th in the W35 hammer, and 6^th in the W35 shot put. Marian Morley started the evening with a new PB in the W50 shot put, finishing 3^rd and also placed 3^rd in the W50 hammer. Ashley Johnson made a welcome return to the team, running a great W35 1500m and finishing 2^nd.

The W35 relay team of Paula McMahon, Christine Lathwell, Ashley Johnson, and Joylyn Saunders-Mullins finished 3^rd in the 4 x 200m

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.

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.

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.

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…

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 8^th July 2023

For the full Consolidated Results please click the link

Personal Best Achievements

ASHLEY JOHNSON was first female at Stevenage in a new parkrun personal best of 20 minutes 21 seconds for her 10^th parkrun.

NICK GILL ran his 100^th 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

Tags EMAC, Mid Week League, Race for Life, Ultra 5K, Wendover Woods 100 Miles

Club News Race Results

SPARTANS PROMOTED!

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.

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	1^st 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 1^st July 2023

Congratulations to MATTHEW NEWTON running a parkrun PB of 18:50 at St Albans.

For the Consolidated Results please click the link.

Tables

Women at Trent Park (Division 2 Race) – Thursday 29^th June

Tkt	Race	Name	Surname	Time	Div Pos	Cat	Vet	Cat	M/F	Team
7	89	Samantha	Pretty-Connors	41:30	4	1	2	V 35	F	A
8	92	Ashley	Johnson	41:45	5	2	3	V 35	F	A
9	94	Christine	Lathwell*	42:02	6	2	4	V 45	F	A
27	174	Georgie	Hooper	46:14	17	5	10	V 35	F	A
30	177	Gabrielle	O’Brien	46:21	19			S	F	A
35	196	Marie	Colucci	47:16	21	6	12	V 45	F	A
56	239	Yuko	Gordon	49:36	32	1	17	V 65	F	A
93	326	Mo	Warrillow	54:18	58	14	34	V 45	F	A
102	341	Nicola	Andersson	55:13	63	16	39	V 45	F
108	349	Chloe	Chapman	55:51	68			S	F
119	365	Anna	Swanepoel	57:07	74	16	47	V 35	F
146	411	Sharon	Crowley	1:03:08	89	15	58	V 55	F
156	425	Monica	Smithson	1:07:00	96	16	64	V 55	F
170	445	Callie	Chapman	1:17:22	101	19	69	V 35	F
171	446	Hazel	Smith	1:17:22	102	27	70	V 45	F

Men at Trent Park (Division 2 Race) – Thursday 29^th June

Ticket	Race	Name	Surname	Time	Div Pos	Cat	Vet	Cat	M/F	Team
5	5	Andrew	Patterson	33:45	4	1	1	V 40	M	A
6	6	Simon	Fraser	33:54	5			S	M	A
7	7	Adrian	Busolini	34:17	6			S	M	A
12	12	Simon	Jackson	35:06	9	3	3	V 40	M	A
17	17	Jonathan	Parr	36:08	14			S	M	A
24	24	Richard	Bate	37:14	19	6	8	V 40	M	A
39	39	Mike	Jeffs	38:34	25			S	M	A
41	41	Nick	Gill	38:39	26			S	M	A
79	84	Adrian	Donnelly	41:09	51	20	26	V 40	M	A
85	93	Ross	Gallagher	41:58	55			S	M	A
86	96	Danny	Scanlon	42:03	56	23	30	V 40	M	A
97	110	Stuart	Archer	42:47	61			S	M	A
106	123	Robert	Wright	43:46	65	27	37	V 40	M	B
111	130	Matt	Gifford	44:08	68	11	40	V 50	M	B
121	141	David	Pattman	44:42	74	29	44	V 40	M	B
125	146	Alexey	Zherdev	44:54	75	30	45	V 40	M	B
139	163	Francois	Swanepoel	45:54	84	35	53	V 40	M	B
148	178	Pete	Smith	46:22	87	5	56	V 60	M	B
157	191	Craig	Bacon	46:58	90	15	59	V 50	M	B
187	248	Charlie	Arnold	50:02	109	10	75	V 60	M	B
233	324	Nick	Kleanthous	54:12	132	13	94	V 60	M	B
240	343	Matt	Tutton	55:31	138			S	M	B
252	374	Tim	Robinson	58:15	146	29	104	V 50	M	B
253	376	John	Harris	58:33	147	17	105	V 60	M	B
254	377	Jim	Brown	58:35	148	6	106	V 70	M
264	404	Michael	O’Keefe	1:01:21	152	31	109	V 50	M
270	427	Paul	Holgate	1:07:37	155	19	112	V 60	M
273	437	Paul	Jennings	1:12:40	157	55	114	V 40	M

Tags 7 Peaks Snowdonia, Mid Week League, Ware 10 miles

Club News Race Results

SPARTANS HANDICAP & YUKO WINNING GOLD!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date June 25, 2023
No Comments on SPARTANS HANDICAP & YUKO WINNING GOLD!

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 83^rd out of the 532 finishers with 44 minutes 19 seconds. STEVEN DOBNER was next in with a fine 47:45 with HARRIET SMITH 33^rd 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 – 21^st 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 24^th June 2023

STEVE DOBNER ran a new park PB of 24 minutes 47 seconds at Wimpole.

Please click the link for the Consolidated Spartan Park run Results.

Tags 5K Handicap, British Masters, Orwell Challenge, Purbeck Plod, Summer Solstice 10K

Club News Race Results

SPARTANS WIN SUPER TIGHT RACE THREE

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date June 18, 2023
No Comments on SPARTANS WIN SUPER TIGHT RACE THREE

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 19^th in 47:01.

YUKO GORDON won the women aged 65 plus category with 48:29 and was 26^th 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, 12^th in 36:13; RICHARD BATE 19^th in 37:33 and DANNY HUKIN 20^th in 38:10.

The other “A” team women were SUZY HAWKINS 27^th in 48:32; GEORGIE HOOPER 28^th in 48:34 and MARIE COLUCCI 37^th in 50:50. HARRIET SMITH and KELLY McHALE led in the “B” team at 38^th and 39^th 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 29^th 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	1^st FV35. Team A
94	4	2	3	42:33	Ashley	Johnson	V 35	2	2^nd FV35. Team A
105	9	2	8	42:59	Christine	Lathwell*	V 45	2	2^nd 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	1^st 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	1^st MV40. Team A
7	6			34:15	Simon	Fraser	S	2	Team A
10	8	3	3	35:04	Simon	Jackson	V 40	2	3^rd 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	4^th 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	5^th 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 17^th June 2023

Congratulation to GAIL MACKIE who ran her 100^th parkrun and did it in 27:21.

For all the Consolidated Results please click the link.

Tags Mid Week League Royston

Club News Race Results

EMAC SPARTANS CONTINUE TO SOAR!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date June 11, 2023
No Comments on EMAC SPARTANS CONTINUE TO SOAR!

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 4^th W35 800m, and placed 3^rdin the W35 discus.  Monica Brown won the W50 long jump and W50 high jump, finished 3^rd in W50 javelin, and placed 3^rd in the W50 discus. 

Sharon Crowley dropped down an age group to cover the W50 200m, finishing in 4^th place.  Sharon also finished 2^nd in the A string 1.5km walk. Other points on the night were won by Joylyn Saunders-Mullins (2^nd in the W60 200m, W60 javelin, and W60 discus), Yuko Gordon (2^nd place B string 1.5km walk and 4^th W60 800m), Andrea Westcott (4^th placed W50 800m, 4^th W35 javelin, 4^th W35 long jump, and 2^nd W35 high jump). Sharon Crowley, Yuko Gordon, Paula Dunne, and Andrea Westcott finished the evening 4^th 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 4^th M35 javelin, managing to get a valid throw at his last attempt.  Anton McCalla returned to the squad, finishing second in M35 long jump, 5^th in M35 200m, and 4^th M35 discus.  Nick Kleanthous finished 5^th M60+ 200m, 3^rd B string 1.5km walk, and 5^th M60+ discus.  Charlie Arnold finished 4^th in the M60+ 800m and M60 javelin.  Michael O’Keefe finished 5th in the A string 1.5km walk, 6^th M50 javelin, 4^th M50 discus, and 5^th M50 long jump.  The men’s relay team finished 5^th.

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 810^th 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

Tags EMAC, St Albans Half, The South Downs Way

Club News Race Results

MID WEEK LEAGUE RACE 2 PLUS AN INTERNATIONAL SPARTAN!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date June 4, 2023
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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.

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 3^rd 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.

Tags Mid Week League Race 2, Royal 10 5k

Club News Race Results

SUB THREE AT FIRST MARATHON FOR DAVID

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date May 28, 2023
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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%).

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 27^th May

Please click the link for the Consolidated Results from last weeks Parkruns

Tags Broad Oak 10k, Edinburgh Marathon, Mid Week League

Club News Race Results

THE START OF MID WEEK LEAGUE!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date May 21, 2023
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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.

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.

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.

On the finish line! – Photo credit Keith Fenwick

Stort Five

Fairlands Valley Spartans WON the team prize at Sunday’s Stort Five trail race.

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.

Parkrun

Please click the link for the Consolidated Club Results for the 20th May 2023

Tags Mid Week League 2023, Stort 5

Club News Race Results

SPARTANS MASTER TRACK & FIELD

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date May 14, 2023
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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 4^th 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 2^nd place W35 triple jump), Andrea Westcott (WON W50 400m, WON W50 high jump, and WON W50 triple jump, and was also 4^th place W35 hammer, and 4^th place W35 shot put), Yuko Gordon (WON W60 3k and B string 1m walk), Sharon Crowley (WON W60 hammer, and was also 3^rd place W60 400m, 2^nd place A string 1m walk, and 2^nd place W60 triple jump), Marian Morley (WON W50 shot put – just missing out on a PB (personal best) by 4cm, also 2^nd 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.

Parkrun Results

Please click this link for the Consolidated Results for the 13th May 2023

Tags EMAC

Club News Race Results

SPARTANS AT THE GREENWAY CHALLENGE

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date May 7, 2023
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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 12^th overall in 1:52:47; John Harris 13^th 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’. 

Parkrun Highlights

Consolidated Results for FVS members on the 6th May 2023

Tags Greenway Challenge

Club News Race Results

SPARTANS WIN AT HITCHIN

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date April 30, 2023
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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 13^th overall in 38:05, his best this year, and fourth in age category, and DANNY SCANLON 41^st 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.

Serpentine

Jim Brown ran Friday’s Serpentine 5K in 27 minutes 54 seconds (27:54). He was second MV70.

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 29^th April 2023

For the Consolidated Results from last Saturdays Parkrun please click the link.

Tags County Track and Field Championships, Hitchin 10K, Serpentine

Club News Race Results

SMILES, MEDALS & ACHIEVEMENTS IN LONDON!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date April 23, 2023
No Comments on SMILES, MEDALS & ACHIEVEMENTS IN LONDON!

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 505^th out of about 50,000 finishers in 2 hours 38 minutes 37 seconds and Simon 545^th 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.

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.

Boston Marathon

Spartan PETE SMITH ran the 127^th 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!

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!

Parkrun Highlights

For the consolidated results please click the link – Consolidated Parkrun Results 22nd April 2023

Tags Boston Marathon, Centurion Track 100, London Marathon, Pembrokeshire Half

Club News Race Results

RESOLUTION 5K, MANCHESTER & FLITWICK 10K

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date April 16, 2023
No Comments on RESOLUTION 5K, MANCHESTER & FLITWICK 10K

Wednesday 12^th 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 3^rd in 16:27, Jonathan Parr 4^th in 16:45, Kelvin Beyioku 6^th in 17:54 and Ashley Johnson first woman and 27^th 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 85^th overall out of 424 finishers and received a lovely gold medal.

HAZEL SMITH did 52:47 for 178^th.

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.

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 15^th April 2023

Congratulations to Spartan TRACY HAYGARTH who was at Stevenage to run her 100^th parkrun. She finished her celebration run around Fairlands Valley Park in 34:07.

For all the Spartan Parkrun results please click the link – Consolidated Parkrun Results 15th April 2023

Tags Calderdale Hike, Flitwick 10k, Manchester Marathon, Resolution 5k

Club News Race Results

EASTER WEEKEND RACING!

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 34^th overall. Nick’s previous PB was 41:07 at the St Albans Mid Week League race in St Albans in May 2022.

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 29^th 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.

Parkrun Highlights

For the Parkrun results please click the link – Consolidated Parkrun Results 8th April 2023

Tags Beaconsfield 5, Maidenhead 10 Miles, St Albans Easter 10K

Club News Race Results

1500m, BRIGHTON MARATHON AND LLHM!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date April 2, 2023
No Comments on 1500m, BRIGHTON MARATHON AND LLHM!

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.

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!

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!

Danny Scanlon finished the Landmarks in 1:30:21.

Sandy 10

CLAIRE PULLEN finished in 1 hour 18 minutes 18 seconds for 84^th place. JIM BROWN and TRICIA HOPPER raced together over the last mile with Jim finishing 172 in 1:31:15 and Tricia 173^rd 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).

Parkrun Highlights

For all the Spartan Parkrun results from the weekend please click the link – Consolidated Parkrun Results 1st April 2023

Tags 1500m track, Brighton marathon, London Landmarks Half Marathon, Paris Marathon, Sandy 10

Club News Race Results

LEE VALLEY – 10K and 50K ULTRA!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date March 26, 2023
No Comments on LEE VALLEY – 10K and 50K ULTRA!

In the ATW RunFest at Lee Valley there were two Spartans in the 10K, JANE WADEY came 208^th with 68:17 and NICHOLA DURENT 251^st 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).

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 25^th March 2023

For all the Parkrun Results please click the link – Consolidated Parkrun Results for 25th March 2023

Tags Lee Valley

Club News Race Results

TWIN LAKES 20 & ROB IN ROME

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date March 19, 2023
No Comments on TWIN LAKES 20 & ROB IN ROME

Five Spartans ran the Twin Lakes 20 race in Milton Keynes on Sunday. PETE SMITH was in the top 100 at 87^th 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 205^th in 3 hours 5 minutes exactly and Sam 248^th in 3:13:09.

MICHAEL O’KEEFE’s hard work over the last few months is paying off. He was 253^rd 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.

For the consolidated results from last weeks Parkruns please click the link – Consolidated Parkrun Results 18th March 2023

Tags Rome Marathon, Twin Lakes 20

Club News Race Results

CROSS COUNTRY AT ROYSTON

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 19^th with 40:13. Eight were needed for a men’s “A” team and the others were NICK GILL, 27^th in 41:44; ADRIAN DONNELLY 42^nd in 44:14; DANNY SCANLON 63^rd in 46:22; THOMAS SAUKA 142^nd in 57:26 and MICHAEL O’KEEFE 160^th in 59 minutes 5 seconds.

KELLY McHALE had a brilliant run to lead in the women’s team at 112^th overall and 19^th woman with 53 minutes 1 second. A team of five for the women was needed and the others were CLAIRE EMMERSON 174^th in 61:17; PENNY SCHENKEL 185^th in 63:17; SHARON CROWLEY 214^th in 70:47 and JANE WADEY 216^th 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 175^th in 61:19; JON SYPULA 187^th in 63:23; MARK FREEMAN 194^th in 65:06; ANDY JAY 198^th in 65:35 and JIM BROWN 199^th 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.

Parkrun Saturday 11^th March 2023

For the consolidated results please click the link – Consolidated Results

Tables

Spartans at the Therfield Cross Country:

Position	Name	Time	Category	Comments
1	ANDREW PATTERSON	34:37	M40	Men “A” team
10	SIMON PATTERSON	38:23	M40	Men “A”
19	ADRIAN BUSOLINI	40:13	Senior	Men “A”
27	NICK GILL	41:44	Senior	Men “A”
42	ADRIAN DONNELLY	44:14	M40	Men “A”
63	DANNY SCANLON	46:22	M40	Men “A”
112	KELLY McHALE	53:01	W35	Women “A” team
142	THOMAS SAUKA	57:26	M40	Men “A”
160	MICHAEL O’KEEFE	59:05	M50	Men “A”
174	CLAIRE EMMERSON	61:17	W45	Women “A”
175	NICK KLEANTHOUS	61:19	M60	Men “B” team
185	PENNY SCHENKEL	63:17	W45	Women “A”
187	JON SYPULA	63:23	M40	Men “B” team
194	MARK FREEMAN	65:06	M60	Men “B” team
198	ANDY JAY	65:35	M50	Men “B” team
199	JIM BROWN	66:20	M70	Men “B” team
214	SHARON CROWLEY	70:45	W55	Women “A”
216	JANE WADEY	72:47	W55	Women “A”
217	PAUL HOLGATE	73:25	M60
222	CALLIE CHAPMAN	81:16	W35
224	TRACY HAYGARTH	81:33	W45

Tags Royston XC

Club News Race Results

CAMBRIDGE HALF and TOKYO!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date March 5, 2023
No Comments on CAMBRIDGE HALF and TOKYO!

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 1,011^th in 1:27:16; MATTHEW NEWTON 1,013^th in 1:27:27 and MIKE JEFFS 1,014^th 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 40^th 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.”

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 250^th 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.

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.

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 4^th March 2023

CHLOE CHAPMAN enjoyed her 100^th parkrun with 30:14.

New PB for Michael O’Keefe of 26:15 at Henlow Bridge Lakes

For the weeks full results please click – Consolidated Results

Tables

Spartans at the Cambridge Half Marathon:

Position	Name	Chip Time	Gender	Gender Pos	Age Group	Cat Pos	Comments
82	Simon Jackson	1:13:42	Male	82	45-49	2^nd!	2^nd best
1011	Nick Gill	1:27:16	Male	910	30-34	162	PB (3:49)
1013	Matthew Newton	1:27:17	Male	912	40-44	150	PB (38:37)
1014	Mike Jeffs	1:27:18	Male	913	35-39	143	PB (3:54)
1411	William Morley	1:29:25	Male	1251	17-19	18	First Half
1690	Yuko Gordon	1:37:22	Female	212	70-74	1^st!	SB
1983	Sam Simmons	1:32:59	Male	1720	30-34	282	PB (5:43)
2335	Steven Dobner	1:37:03	Male	1994	45-49	268	PB (4:37)
2735	Thomas Sauka	1:45:18	Male	2296	45-49	308	SB
3881	Chris Watling	1:51:38	Male	3130	35-39	470	PB (1:46)
5486	Mo Warrillow	1:53:25	Female	1296	50-54	75	PB (8:08)
5589	James McSweeney	2:01:44	Male	4252	35-39	618	SB
5809	Carole Sheldrick	1:59:46	Female	1421	45-49	163	SB
7588	Steve Tinsley	1:59:08	Male	5309	35-39	749	First Half
8994	Nicola Andersson	2:16:33	Female	3093	50-54	239	SB
8995	Carolyn Linsell	2:16:34	Female	3094	65-69	20	PB (9:38)
9464	Ellie Mcdermott	2:25:38	Female	3370	25-29	658

Tags Berkhampstead Half, Cambridge Half, Chiltern Kanter, Essex 20, Tokyo Marathon, Wokingham

Club News Race Results

SPARTANS WIN AT BALDOCK BEAST

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date February 26, 2023
No Comments on SPARTANS WIN AT BALDOCK BEAST

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 40^th in 1:38:09; John 47^th in 1:39:10 and Marcus 84^th 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.

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 25^th 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.

For all the Parkrun results please click the link – Consolidated Results for 25th February 2023

Tags Baldock Beast, Presentation Night, Seville Marathon

Club News Race Results

Watford Cross Country

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 14^th out of about 300 in the race.

The Spartans needed eight for a men’s team and they were Adrian, GRANT RAMSAY 21^st in 40:25; STUART ARCHER 54^th in 43:32; NICK GILL 56^th in 43:40; DANNY SCANLON 75^th in 44:46; THOMAS SAUKA 129^th in 49:18; STEVE MAYFIELD 133^rd in 49:19; and ROBERT WRIGHT 239^th 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 155^th overall. Five were needed for a women’s team and the others were SHARON CROWLEY 288^th in 72:23; JANE WADEY 289^th in 72:30; HAZEL SMITH 297^th in 83:11 and CALLIE CHAPMAN 298^th also in 83:11.

Six other men ran for the Spartans. They were MICHAEL O’KEEFE 240^th in 59 minutes 34 seconds; JIM BROWN 255^th in 61:31; MARK FREEMAN 257^th in 61:49; TIM ROBINSON 262^nd in 62:49; GRANT MURPHY 287^th in 72:13 and PAUL HOLGATE 290^th 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 3,014^th 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.

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 269^th 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 786^th.

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.

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 40^th out of the 330 that started the 100 mile race in Cornwall. Adrian said, “Arc – I will return, you bewitching botheration!”

Winter Run – 12th February

There were also five Spartans at the London Winter Run 10K. Out of 9,000 finishers PAUL SHELLEY was 790^th in 44:11; STEVE DOBNER 792^nd in 44:12; DAVID PATTMAN 997^th in 45:14; MATT TUTTON 6,114^th 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:

Saturday 4th February 2023

Saturday 11th February 2023

Saturday 18th February 2023

Club News Race Results

BEDFORD 10 MILES!

Spartan MIKE JEFFS had a superb run in the ten mile race at Bedford on Sunday. He was 26^th overall in 65 minutes 22 seconds.

In dry conditions but a chilly head wind in places MATT CLARKE came in at 113^th with 1 hour 22 minutes 49 seconds (1:22:49) and FIONA CLARKE at 1:28:25 for 163^rd 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.

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 28^th January 2023

For all the results please click the link – Consolidated results for 28th January 2023

Tags Bedford 10 Miles, Serpentine 5K

Club News Race Results

SPARTAN 3 WEEK ROUNDUP

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 50^th in 39:42 and Sharon 80^th 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 26^th in 45:20 and NICK KLEANTHOUS 105^th 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 108^th 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 304^th over the finish line in 1:15:17 and SAM SIMMONS 314^th in 1:15:14.

STEVEN DOBNER and DAVID PATTMAN were 356^th and 358^th 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 100^th 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

Tags Fred Hughes 10 Miles, Mid Month Mayhem 10K, Watford Senior Cross Country

Club News Race Results

RUNNING INTO THE NEW YEAR

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date January 1, 2023
No Comments on RUNNING INTO THE NEW YEAR

Buntingford Ten

ROSS GALLAGHER was fastest of the seven from Fairlands with 63 minutes 58 seconds and 34^th out of the 437 who finished. Next came PAUL HEWETT 56^th 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 100^th 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!)

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. 

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).

For the full results please click the link – Christmas Eve Parkrun Results

Claire and Hazel celebrating their milestones

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.

For the full results please click the link – Christmas Day Round Up

New Years Day

PAUL HOLGATE was running his 50^th parkrun which he finished in 34 minutes 51 seconds.

For the full results please click the link – New Years Eve Parkrun Results

For the full results please click the link – New Years Day Round Up

Tags Buntingford 10, Ely 10k, Flitch Way Marathon, Hyde Park 5k, Witham 5

Club News Race Results

BEFORE THE SNOW HIT!

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 11^th 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.

For the full results listing for all Spartans please following the link – Consolidated FVS Results 10^th December 2022

Tags Festive 5, Goodwood Marathon, Milton Keynes Half Marathon, Minsden Chapel

Club News Race Results

CHRISTMAS ARRIVED AT THE FESTIVE 5!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date December 4, 2022
No Comments on CHRISTMAS ARRIVED AT THE FESTIVE 5!

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 111^th place winning the trophy for first man 70 plus with 47:06 and Penny 112^th in the same time.

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%	1^st 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 29^th and 30^th 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.

Parkrun – 3rd December 2022

For the full consolidated results for Spartans at their stripey parkruns please click the following link – Consolidated Results for 3rd December 2022

Tags British Masters 5k Championships, Festive 5, Goodwood Marathon, Herts Santa Run, Santa Canta

Events News Newsletter Race Results Races Racing Training

GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE

Hatfield 5 Wins

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, 53^rd 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 27^th 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 26^th November 2022 – Penny in the Cape

Numbers were back over 300 for the 266^th Stevenage with 314 completing the 5K Saturday morning run in Fairlands Valley Park. 24 were Spartans.

In Stevenage PENNY SCHENKEL ran her 50^th 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 3^rd overall in 18:15 and GRANT RAMSAY 4^th 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.

22 Spartans at the Hatfield Five:

Position	Name	Net Time	Open Category	Cat Pos	Gender	Gen Pos	Comments
53	Nick GILL	30:50	Senior	24	Male	49	PB (16:21)
86	Danny SCANLON	32:49	M40	30	Male	75	YB (year best)
106	Sam SIMMONS	33:40	Senior	37	Male	92	PB (4:13)
138	Peter SMITH	35:12	M60	8	Male	120	SB (3:05)
152	Mike JEFFS	35:32	Senior	50	Male	133	First 5 miles
153	Georgie HOOPER	35:32	Senior	4	Female	19	Team Bronze. PB (11:39)
181	Brian WHITE	36:51	M60	14	Male	151	YB
205	Marie COLUCCI	37:18	W40	10	Female	33	Team Bronze. SB (3:01)
210	Yuko GORDON	37:42	W70	1	Female	35	County Silver. Team Bronze. YB.
211	Marcus RIDLEY	37:34	Senior	61	Male	175	First five miles
213	Mark GOODWIN	37:34	M60	17	Male	177	SB (equal)
242	Harriet SMITH	38:59	Senior	12	Female	41	First five miles
266	Susan MCANENY	39:27	W40	17	Female	54	PB (0:05)
317	Nick KLEANTHOUS	42:19	M60	24	Male	230	PB (0:58)
334	Jim BROWN	42:39	M70	3	Male	239	County Gold. YB
354	Nicola ANDERSSON	43:38	W50	27	Female	105	PB (1:17)
414	Penny SCHENKEL	45:14	W50	36	Female	137	SB (1:42)
448	Matt TUTTON	46:46	Senior	80	Male	287	PB (0:37)
551	Jane WADEY	52:26	W50	65	Female	227	PB (1:48)
587	Sharon CROWLEY	55:03	W60	31	Female	257	SB (0:52)
596	Jonathan Clive JONES	56:55	M50	95	Male	331	YB
604	Dzenana TOPIC	57:40	W50	84	Female	271	YB

PB = personal best (lifetime); SB = season’s best; YB = year’s best. 655 finishers.

10 Spartans at the Bass Belle:

Position	Name	Time	Comments	BIB
27	PAUL SHELLEY	1:11:35	“SB” (2:50)	61
52	STEVEN DOBNER	1:15:04	“PB” (5:30)	19
56	DAVE PATTMAN	1:15:41	“PB” (1:50)	20
126	MATT CLARKE	1:25:11	“YB”	448
140	ALISON SHELLEY	1:27:41	“SB”	62
164	MO WARRILOW	1:29:38	“SB” (6:15)	84
206	MICHAEL O’KEEFE	1:35:00	First 10 miles	418
235	FIONA CLARKE	1:37:39	“YB”	447
236	CHLOE CHAPMAN	1:37:53	“PB” (6:19)	49
313	MONICA SMITHSON	1:51:24	“SB”	172

356 finishers

24 Spartans at the Stevenage parkruns on Saturday 26^th November:

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Run Time
3	3	Adrian BUSOLINI	00:18:15	Top ten
4	4	Grant RAMSAY	00:18:58	Top ten
11	10	Matthew NEWTON	00:20:14
32	29	Paul SHELLEY	00:22:08
54	47	Martin DUDLEY	00:23:58
89	12	Gail MACKIE	00:25:43
90	75	Toby ECCLESHALL	00:25:44
95	78	Neal MUGGLETON	00:26:08
99	81	Michael O’KEEFE	00:26:15
100	82	Steven DOBNER	00:26:16
108	17	Mo WARRILLOW	00:26:41
109	87	David PATTMAN	00:26:42
134	107	Thomas SAUKA	00:27:47
161	121	Nick KLEANTHOUS	00:29:03
162	33	Alison SHELLEY	00:29:05
169	39	Chloe CHAPMAN	00:29:12
170	123	Sam SIMMONS	00:29:13
179	43	Nicola ANDERSSON	00:29:41
194	139	Jim BROWN	00:30:48
195	47	Penny SCHENKEL	00:30:49	50^th parkrun in the cape
203	53	Nikki Katherine NATION	00:31:08
234	71	Sheryl HANN	00:33:42
257	163	Stephen SMITHSON	00:34:55
264	84	Samantha SUTTON	00:35:56

314 finishers.

Tags Cross Country, parkrun

Amanda Wins Handicap

Stort Five

Colchester Zoo Duo

Hackney Half

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 17th May

Five Miles Frazzle but some Spartans top threes.

Spartans On Track

Semington Slog 10K

MK Marathon Weekend

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 10th May – including the 400th parkrun in Stevenege

Resolution 5000

MK Marathon Weekend

Medals at Track Championships

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 3rd May – 400th parkrun coming up

Manchester

Gerry “Not The London Marathon”

Easy Friday

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 26th April

A Big Win For Kristian

Ibiza Marathon

Norfolk Marathon

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 19th April

Spartan Six at Flitwick

April in Paris

Rotterdam

Euro Matt

Ultra Spartans.

Ibiza Marathon, Saturday

Hyrox Harris

Club Championships Are Go

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 12th April

Berlin

London Landmarks

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 5th April

50,000 – Ultra Gerry

32,206 – More 20s

5000 – Serpentine

1500 – Peter Lee Memorial Open Meeting

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 29th March

Twenty’s Plenty for Spartan Threesome

Thirsk Pete

Bath Half

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 15th March

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 8th March

Berko is not Flat

By the Seaside

Burghley Seven

John Harris Muddy in Letchworth

Serpentine Last Friday of the Month

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 1st March – stripey Saturday

Taming the Baldock Beast

Bedford 10K

Bedford Half Marathon

Olympic Park Half Marathon

London Winter 10K

Royal Norwich

Watford X/C Update

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 22nd February

Punchbowl Devil

Run for the Cake

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 8th February

A Champion at Watford.

Last Friday of the Month 5K

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 1st February

Birthday Best in Bedford

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 25th January

County Ten Championships

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 18th January

Hybrid Hatfield 10K

Back in the USA

Doughnut Dash

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 11th January

Cross Country

Gerry’s Frozen Phoenix

50 Plus Spartans At Record Breaking Christmas Day Parkrun

Misty, Mild and Still at the Serpentine

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 28th December

Santa Canta

Spartans Star in Herts Annual Runners Awards

Cross Country

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 17^th May

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 10^th May – including the 400^th parkrun in Stevenege

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 3^rd May – 400^th parkrun coming up

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 26^th April

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 19^th April

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 12^th April

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 5^th April

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 29^th March

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 15^th March

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 8^th March

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 1^st March – stripey Saturday

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 22^nd February

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 8^th February

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 1^st February

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 25^th January

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 18^th January

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 11^th January

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 28^th December

Parkrun Highlights 21^st December – Islands North and South

Parkrun Highlights 14^th December

Parkrun Highlights 7^th December

Parkrun Highlights 30^th November

Parkrun Highlights 23^rd November

Parkrun Highlights 16^th November

Parkrun Highlights 9^th November

Parkrun Highlights 2^nd November

Parkrun Highlights 26^th October – Spooky