PROMOTED!!
Plus Medals at Eastern Region

The Spartans are celebrating. A huge turnout of sixty runners for the last counting Mid Week Road Race League race of the season helped ensure that Fairlands Valley won Division Two and will be promoted to the top division for 2014.

In the race, which was a five mile event at Welwyn Garden City on Wednesday, Fairlands Valley Spartans beat Orion Harriers (Chingford) by 325 to 383 and took 15 championship points. Bishops Stortford were a distant third on 809.

Over the series won with 60 points (score 1,148) compared with Orion’s 50 (2,409) and Bishop Strortford’s 50 (2,590). There were eight clubs in the division.

After a tight battle RICHARD BATE was second of the 221 finishers in 27 minutes 17 seconds. Spartan SIMON JACKSON was third in 27:44. There were also top twenty positions for ANDREW PATTERSON, seventh in 28:40; SIMON BELL, 18th in 30:13 and ANDREW GARDINER 20th in 30:38.

JO LAING won the women’s race in 32 minutes 22 seconds with NATALIE BARNARD third in 32:42 and LISA BURGESS sixth in 34:30. There were also top twenty places for JENNIFER ROBERTSON, seventh in 34:36; TRACY PEZ 15th in 36:40; KATY JINKS, 16th in 36:42; RHIANNON GRIFFIN, 17th in 36:45; JULIE SIMMONS won the female veteran (55 plus) category and was 18th in 37:17; and MARIE COLUCCI, 19th in 37:19.

BERNIE BARNABY was third male veteran (50 plus in 32:06) and PHIL GALE fourth in 32:30.

Times for the 41 Spartan men:

Race First Name Last Name Time Comments
2 RICHARD BATE 27:17 2nd & 2nd senior
3 SIMON JACKSON 27:44 3rd and 3rd senior
7 ANDREW PATTERSON 28:40
18 SIMON BELL 30:13
20 ANDREW GARDINER 30:38
23 LIAM HERBERT 30:49
26 DANNY HUKIN 31:22
32 TODD GRAY 31:49
33 DEAN CARPENTER 31:49
36 KERRY FLAIN 32:05
37 BERNIE BARNABY 32:06 3rd MV50
41 PHIL GALE 32:30 4th MV50
49 JAVIER SANCHEZ 33:12
52 TONY BRADFORD 33:24
60 VISHAL SHAH 34:02
64 MARK BEASLEY 34:34
65 RICHARD HAZELDENE 34:35
67 PETE SMITH 34:38
68 DANIEL BATES 34:42
78 STEVE MAYFIELD 35:29
81 MIKE KING 35:35
86 MARK GOODWIN 36:04
92 JAMES KILROY 36:09
121 ROBERT EVANS 37:29
124 ANDY JAY 37:39
126 SELVAN NAICKER 37:40
127 ANDREW JORDAN 37:50
129 SEAN THOMPSON 37:54
131 MARK CHEADLE 38:05
138 JIM BROWN 38:31
140 GARY CRETTON 38:36
144 JAMES SEALS 38:48
169 MARK GLADING 40:52
177 STEVE PIKE 41:37
181 DYFED THOMPSON-SMITH 42:07
184 NICK WITCOMBE 42:33
185 BARRY KING 42:33
190 ADAM DAVIN 43:18
195 DAVID BOWKER 43:53
214 PAUL HOLGATE 46:37
219 GOPOLAN NAIDOO 48:25

Times for the 19 Spartan women:

Race Female Pos First Name Last Name Time Comments
38 1 JO LAING 32:22 Winner and 1st FV35
45 3 NATALIE BARNARD 32:42 3rd and 2nd senior
63 6 LISA BURGESS 34:30
66 7 JENNIFER ROBERTSON 34:36
100 15 TRACY PEZ 36:40
101 16 KATY JINKS 36:42
104 17 RHIANNON GRIFFIN 36:45
113 18 JULIE SIMMONS 37:17 1st FV 55
115 19 MARIE COLUCCI 37:19
141 26 LISA GRAY 38:37
153 33 CLARE MOORE 39:23
158 35 ALISON HOPWOOD 40:09
170 42 LISA LIVERSIDGE 40:59
179 49 RUTH BRADFORD 41:51
186 52 SARAH PIKE 42:35
187 53 GEORGIE HOPWOOD 42:44
196 57 LORRAINE WYATT 44:05
203 62 STEPHANIE MAYFIELD 44:56
211 68 ANDREA WESTCOTT 46:20

The celebration “mob match” will be in Trent Park on Wednesday 17th July.

Regional Medals for Spartans

Nine Spartans travelled to Sandy in Bedfordshire to compete in the Eastern Veterans Athletics Club Track and Field Championships. The competition is open to all athletes belonging to EVAC.

Steve Mayfield who did the multi event competition carried on his good form from last weekend by winning the gold medal in the men’s 45 age group Javelin and silvers in both the Pole Vault and 400 Metres

Monica Brown won golds in the100 Metres which was also a personal best, Long Jump and High Jump and won a silver in the Shot Putt

John Tyrrell did a Personal Best in the male 75 year age group of 20.30 metres to win silver.
John also won a silver in the shot putt missing his personal best by only a few centimetres.

John Harris also improved both his 800 Metres in 2 minutes 21 seconds and 1500 metres in 4 minutes 57 seconds in the male 50 age group.

Sharon Crowley won in the W50 2000 Metre Walk and 400 Metres. Her 400 metre time was 94.5 seconds.

Peta Wilson won the women’s 800 and 1500 metres, a tough double to do in an afternoon which resulted in personal bests too.

Mark Cheadle competed in his first veteran championships and knocked nearly thirty seconds off his 1500 Metres time in the male 35 years category.

Tessa Stephenson did a season’s best in the women’s 50 year 100 metres with 15.8 seconds and came third in the shot putt in 8 metres 48 centimetres just 5 centimetres behind second place.

Tim Mullin Saunders competed in the Male 60 years Hammer Throw and was third with a throw of 33.50. He also entered the Shot Putt narrowly missing a bronze medal with a 9 metres 12 centimetre putt. In the Discus Tim did 26.68 finishing in 6th place.

Event Cat Name Pos Time / Distance Comments
100 Metres W45 Monica Brown 1st 13.7 PB
W50 Tessa Stephenson 5th 15.8 SB
400 Metres M45 Steve Mayfield 2nd 60.5 PB & Club Record
W50 Sharon Crowley 1st 94.5 PB
800 Metres M50 John Harris 3rd 2 m 21.2 PB
W40 Peta Wilson 1st 3 minutes 03 seconds PB

1500 Metres M35 Mark Cheadle 3rd 5m 45.2 PB
M50 John Harris 2nd 4m 57.6 PB
W40 Peta Wilson 1st 6m 34.8 PB

2000M Walk W50 Sharon Crowley 1st 15m20.7

Javelin M45 Steve Mayfield 1st 28m42
Discus M75 John Tyrrell 2nd 20m 30 PB

Shot Putt M60 Tim Saunders-Mullins 4th 9m 12
M75 John Tyrrell 2nd 7m 86
W45 Monica Brown 1st 6m63
W50 Tessa Stephenson 3rd 8m48
Hammer M60 Tim Saunders-Mullins 3rd 33m 50
Pole Vault M45 Steve Mayfield 2nd 2m00
Long Jump W45 Monica Brown 1st 4m44
High Jump W45 Monica Brown 1st 1m30

Gletscher Marathon

ROGER BIGGS travelled to the lovely town of Imst in the Austrian Tyrol for surely one of the most beautiful marathon courses in the world!

The Gletscher Marathon is a point to point race starting at Manderfen, 1700 metres above sea level, just below the Gletscher Glacier. The course meandered its way down the narrow valley with snow clad mountains on either side to cross the River Inn, before climbing up to the finish at 700 metres in Imst.

While the 1000 metre net drop and the near perfect running weather, made it possible to record good times, there were still 4 lung busting climbs to take their toll.

Roger’s time of 3 hours 48 minutes 25 seconds was his fastest marathon time of 2013; it was a “Good For Age” qualifying time for the 2014 London Marathon and he won the Vet65 category (a photo of the presentation is available).

Park Run

Three Spartans made the short trip to St Albans for the weekly and free 5k Park run event. Despite conditions being not ideal with wind and rain two ran new personal bests, Vish Shah finished in 26th place in a new PB of 20:24, Andy Jay was 43rd in a PB of 21:40 and Nick Whitcombe was 97th in 25:27. There were 175 runners.

100K for Paul

PAUL MARSHALL completed the 100 kilometres Trans Pennine Challenge between Didsbury and Sheffield recently. He was raising money for GOSH and managed to finish in 15 hours and 49 minutes. As expected it was hilly and the weather was awful, but it was nice to finish at the Don Valley Stadium which may not be there next year.

Last Friday of the Month

There was light rain, mild, light breeze for the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K race in Hyde Park which was on the slower reserve course used when there are special events in the park.

After a steady start for the first kilometre (5 minutes) following Wednesday evening’s race Jim Brown accelerated a little to finish 149th in 23 minutes 12 seconds.

Coming Events

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

• County 10K track championships at Sandy on Thursday 11th July
• Mob Match 9K in Trent Park, North London on Wednesday 17th July
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21st July
• Relays in the Park in Stevenage on Thursday 25th July
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 5th September
• Club Five Mile Team Champs on Tuesday 10th September
• Herts Senior 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 24th September
• County 10K Championships in Letchworth on Sunday 6th October
• Herts Veterans 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 8th October
• County 10 Mile Championships for veterans on Sunday 27th October
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November
• County Ten Miles Championship in Buntingford on 30th December 2013

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage? Like running? Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up! The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010. It now has about 400 members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9.30a.m. sharp. Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m. There are events to enter every Sunday. Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not done very much running yet might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £35 per year, £25 without UKA membership. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509 or 01438 354505), Vivienne Honey 07702 846304 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509 / 01438 354505 or Vivienne Honey (Secretary) 07702 846304

www.fvspartans.org.uk

NATIONAL MEDAL FOR STEVE
Spartans Hobble * 4.35 metres to 84 miles

STEVE MAYFIELD competed in this year’s British Masters (BMAF) outdoor pentathlon at Oxford. Competing in the veteran men’s M45 age group, the athletes started with long jump and the windy conditions helped some to excellent performances. However Steve struggled with his run up and registered a disappointing 4.35 metres. His Javelin went better, with 28.74m being just 2cm short of his personal best (PB). He then ran 28.03 seconds for the 200m into a headwind, but after three events was well down in 5th place.

A PB of 22.78 metres in the discus (club record) helped make up some ground and lifted him to fourth albeit by a single point. Still 102 points adrift of third place and 195 off second he needed a strong 1500 metres to make the medal places, so went out hard. Despite tiring towards the end he hung on to earn a comfortable second place in that event with a season’s best 5:16.26, then faced an agonising wait to see if he’d done enough. In the final standings just 32 points separated 2nd and 5th place but he had edged the bronze by a very narrow 6 points! His score of 2311 was a PB and this was Steve’s first national medal.

Another 24 Hours For Dave

Ultra DAVE BOWKER took on another 24 race at the weekend. This time it was the Harp 24 charity event in Southend.

Held in Cherry Orchard Park it was a low key event with nine solo runners and 12 relay teams. Each lap consisted of a 4.2 miles multi-terrain, undulating route with a long “nasty” hill at halfway.

Dave finished second with 84 miles. The winner covered 100.8!

Triffic Trail

DEAN CARPENTER enjoyed the Triffic Trail 10K race on Sunday and worked hard for a top ten finish. He managed his second top ten finish this year with a ninth place in a time of 41 minutes 19 seconds. That was well off a personal best (PB) but on a par considering the nature of the course. A good run on a very hilly course.

Trio at Track and Field

Rhiannon Griffin together with Tessa and Dave Stephenson travelled to St Ives on Wednesday evening to take part in an open meeting organised by Cambridgeshire Athletic Association. On a hot and humid evening, Tessa produced a good consistent series in the Shot Putt, finishing with a best of 8.35 metres. Dave & Rhiannon both took part in the second of three heats of the 800 metres. With a large field of 13 in the race it was difficult to get a clear run leading to Dave finishing in sixth place in 2 minutes 34.00 seconds and Rhiannon finishing in eighth in 2 minutes 36.73 seconds.

Herts Hobble

Seven Spartans completed the Herts Hobble Off Road Marathon on Sunday. CAROL PAUL took 5 hours 21 minutes 47 seconds; KAREN LIDDLE, TRICIA HOPPER and BARRY KING 6 hours 37 minutes and 2 seconds; MIKE NEWBITT 6 hours 39 minutes 26 seconds; PAUL HOLGATE 7 hours 14 minutes and SHARON CROWLEY 7 hours 36 minutes.

MIKE CROWLEY did the 17 mile walk in 4 hours 55 minutes.

Shrewsbury Marathon – Sunday, 23rd June 2013

Roger travelled to the County Town of Shropshire for the inaugural Shrewsbury Marathon.
Despite good running conditions on a cloudy day, Roger missed his 4 hours target round a 4 lap course within the City. The course featured several steep hills, with each one of course having to be completed 4 times. Roger didn’t give up but had to settle for a time 4:06:08, and will live to fight another day.

The fourth and final counting event in this season’s Mid Week Road Race League is at Welwyn Garden City this Wednesday evening. The Spartans hope to confirm their promotion to the top division.

Coming Events

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

• Mid Week League Five Miles in Welwyn GC on Wednesday 26th June.
• County 10K track championships at Sandy on Thursday 11th July.
• Mob Match 9K in Trent Park, North London on Wednesday 17th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21st July.
• Relays in the Park in Stevenage on Thursday 25th July.
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 5th September
• Herts Senior 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 24th September.
• County 10K Championships in Letchworth on Sunday 6th October.
• Herts Veterans 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 8th October.
• County 10 Mile Championships for veterans on Sunday 27th October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November.
• County Ten Miles Championship in Buntingford on 30th December 2013.

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage? Like running? Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up! The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010. It now has about 400 members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9.30a.m. sharp. Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m. There are events to enter every Sunday. Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not done very much running yet might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £35 per year, £25 without UKA membership. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509 or 01438 354505), Vivienne Honey 07702 846304 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509 / 01438 354505 or Vivienne Honey (Secretary) 07702 846304

www.fvspartans.org.uk

Race3Div2 2
Results here!!

Well done Team Spartans. Don’t forget the next race is 5 miles at WGC on Wednesday June 26th.

Fairlands Valley Spartans enjoyed some great weather for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.

In the full marathon RICHARD HAZELDENE ran a new personal best (PB) of 3 hours 29 minutes 18 seconds. He was 873rd out of many thousand runners.

In the half marathon MARK GOODWIN has joined the sub 100 minute club with a new personal best of 1 hour 39 minutes 28 seconds (614th). PETE SMITH was the fastest Spartan in 1:32:28 (266th out of 5,000 plus runners).

TRACY PEZ ran a new year’s best (YB) 1:42:55 (864th); ANDY PRIOR a new PB of 1:49:16 (1472nd); ANDY JAY a new YB of 1:52:34 (1887th); ROGER HARDMAN finished in 1 hour 56 minutes 21 seconds on his 65th birthday (2,362nd); ISABEL GREEN improved her personal best by six minutes, she took 1:56:49 (2,416th); NICK WITCOMBE edged closer to two hours with a new personal best of 2 hours and 29 seconds (2:00:29; 2,957th); Club Chair BEV HARLOW was 3,230th in 2:02:38; CHRIS HARDMAN was chuffed with her time of 2:02:42 (3,240th); KAREN SMITH ran a new PB of 2:03:53 (3,382nd) and TRACY STILES a new YB of 2:18:26.

Position Name Time Comments
266 PETE SMITH 1:32:28
614 MARK GOODWIN 1:39:27 PB
864 TRACY PEZ (F) 1:42:55 YB
1472 ANDY PRIOR 1:49:16 PB
1887 ANDY JAY 1:52:34 YB
2362 ROGER HARDMAN 1:56:21 65th Birthday
2416 ISABEL GREEN (F) 1:56:49 PB by 6 minutes.
2957 NICK WITCOMBE 2:00:29 PB
3230 BEV HARLOW (F) 2:02:38 The Chair
3240 CHRIS HARDMAN (F) 2:02:42 Chuffed
3382 KAREN SMITH (F) 2:03:53 PB
4965 TRACY STILES (F) 2:18:26 YB

The great support from Jayne Pinner and Amanda Prior was very appreciated by all runners

On Saturday DANNY HUKIN finished 14th in the 10K with a time of 39 minutes 46 seconds and SARAH HUKIN (plus bump) ran in the 5K. She was 353rd in 35:36.

Challenge Hub 24 Hours

DAVE BOWKER ran a 24 hour race at the weekend. A bit of a scorcher but he survived! It was the Challenge Hub Multiterrain 24 Hour Race near Herne Bay, Kent. It started at 1p.m. Saturday and finished at 1p.m. Sunday.

On laps of 6.55 miles (i.e. a quarter of a marathon) the course was flat but hard on varying surfaces. Recent rain left large puddles to negotiate. There were several miles of broken concrete farm tracks but the worst stretch was probably a stretch of grass track with tractor ruts running its length – all good fun once it got dark.

There were 26 starters. The winner ran 101 miles and Dave was sixth with 78.6 (three marathons).

Cracovia Interrun

Anne Marie and Andy Neatham competed in the Cracovia Interrun in Krakow, Poland at the weekend. Anne Marie ran the 5k event and finished in 504th place in a time of 29 minutes 57 seconds. Andy ran the 10k event finishing 15th overall and 2nd Over 40 in a time of 36.53, going through 5k with a chip time of 17.26. Both runners were slowed significantly in the second half of the race when the 5k and 10k events merged causing heavy traffic. There were over 3000 runners in both events, with a good prize list and a great atmosphere, an event to be recommended.

Leiden Marathon

ROGER BIGGS travelled to Leiden in the Netherlands, for a marathon in and around Leiden. There are canals, and bridges over them, everywhere meaning that the course was usually alongside or passing over canals. Other than the bridges and four underpasses, the course was snooker table flat. However the wind seemed to be coming from all directions, making it hard work at times. Roger kept going throughout the event, and was pleased to run his second best marathon of 2013, finishing in 3:55:31.

Mittelrhein Marathon

On Sunday CAROL PAUL ran the Mittelrhein Marathon in Koblenz, Germany. There4 was very heavy rain. She finished in 4:26:22.

Coming Events

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

• Mid Week League 10K in Chingford on Wednesday 29th May.
• EVAC at Stevenage on Wednesday 5th June.
• Garden House 5K in Fairlands Valley Park on Sunday 9th June.
• St. Albans Half Marathon on Sunday 9th June.
• Mid Week League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 12th June.
• Mid Week League Five Miles in Welwyn GC on Wednesday 26th June.
• County 10K track championships at Sandy on Thursday 11th July.
• Mob Match 9K in Trent Park, North London on Wednesday 17th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21st July.
• Relays in the Park in Stevenage on Thursday 25th July.
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 5th September
• Herts Senior 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 24th September.
• County 10K Championships in Letchworth on Sunday 6th October.
• Herts Veterans 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 8th October.
• County 10 Mile Championships for veterans on Sunday 27th October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November.
• County Ten Miles Championship in Buntingford on 30th December 2013.

Join The Spartans
Live in or near Stevenage? Like running? Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up! The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010. It now has about 400 members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9.30a.m. sharp. Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m. There are events to enter every Sunday. Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not done very much running yet might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £35 per year, £25 without UKA membership. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509 or 01438 354505), Vivienne Honey 07702 846304 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509 / 01438 354505 or Vivienne Honey (Secretary) 07702 846304

www.fvspartans.org.uk

OODLES OF MEDALS AT COUNTY CHAMPS
Plus Golds At 10K and Combined Events

Fairlands Valley Spartans won dozens of medals at the Hertfordshire County Track and Field Championships which were held at Ridlins Track on Bank Holiday Monday.

STEVE MAYFIELD went home with four individual GOLD medals and a BRONZE. He won the male (40 plus) 100 metres in 13.66 seconds; pole vault with 2.10 metres; discus with 20.93 metres and javelin with 28.10 metres and came third in the 800 metres in a time of 2 minutes 29.20 seconds.

SHARON CROWLEY was a triple GOLD medal winner in the women’s 45 plus category with the 1500 metres (7 minutes 19.89 seconds); 3000 metres walk (23 minutes 42.15 seconds) and hammer (16.40 metres).

Doubles

Vet 60 JIM BROWN was a double GOLD medal with the 1500 metres (6 minutes 22.56 seconds) and, towards the end of a very hot day, the 5000 metres (23 minutes 22.94 seconds). DAVE STEPHENSON won Vet 50 GOLDS in the long jump (4.50 metres) and shot putt (8.06 metres); and JOHN TYRELL Vet 70s GOLDS in the shot putt (7.59 metres) and discus (19.34 metres).

ANDY NEATHAM won the 40 plus 800 metres GOLD with a new club best of 2 minutes 19.75 seconds and took SILVER in the 1500 metres with 4 minutes 36.69 seconds.

TESSA STEPHENSON shot putt throw of 9.03 metres won her a GOLD medal, personal best and a new club record. It was rated fifth in the “Power of Ten” rankings for the whole country

MONICA BROWN won the women (45 plus) shot putt throwing the heavier 4 kg weight 7.08 metres.

CHRIS WESTCOTT won the male (40 plus) 1500 GOLD in 4 minutes 32.27 seconds and JOHN HARRIS the male (50 plus) 1500 in 4 minutes 59.50 seconds.

SIMON PROCTOR won SILVER in the 40 plus long jump with a new club record 4.84 metres.

While these were mainly events for veterans they also included the senior 1500 metres championship. RHIANNON GRIFFIN took SILVER in the senior women’s 1500 with 5 minutes 23.21 seconds and SIMON JACKSON also SILVER in the senior men’s 1500 with 4:31.27.

The full results for all Spartans follow.

Men
Event Name Age Group Performance Position Notes
100m Steve Mayfield M40 13.66 1st
800m Andy Neatham M40 2.19.75 1st M35, 40, 45, CB (club best)
Steve Mayfield M40 2.29.20 3rd
1500m Simon Jackson Senior 4.31.27 2nd
Chris Westcott M40 4.32.27 1st
Andy Neatham M40 4.36.69 2nd
Liam Herbert Senior 4.46.48 5th
John Harris M50 4.59.50 1st
Jim Brown M60 6.22.56 1st
5000m Jim Brown M60 23.22.94 1st
4x400m Dave Stephenson
Liam Herbert
Steve Mayfield
Andy Neatham Senior 4.16.78 2nd CR (club record)
Long Jump Simon Proctor M40 4.84 2nd CR
Dave Stephenson M50 4.50 1st M50 CB
Steve Mayfield M40 4.19 5th
Triple Jump Simon Proctor M40 10.00 ?
Pole Vault Steve Mayfield M40 2.10 1st
Shot Putt Dave Stephenson M50 8.06 1st
John Tyrrell M70 7.59 1st M70, 75, CB
Discus Steve Mayfield M40 20.93 1st
John Tyrrell M70 19.34 1st M70, 75, CB
Javelin Steve Mayfield M40 28.10 1st

Women
Event Name Age Group Performance Position Notes
1500m Rhiannon Griffin Senior 5.23.21 2nd
Sharon Crowley W35 7.19.89 1st
4x100m Monica Brown
Peta Wilson
Julie Simmons
Anne Tryssesoone W35 66.77 1st
4x400m Sharon Crowley
Peta Wilson
Julie Simmons
Anne Tryssesoone W35 6.10.57 1st
3000m Walk Sharon Crowley W45 23.42.15 1st CR
Shot Putt Monica Brown W45 7.08 1st 4kg
Tessa Stephenson W50 9.03 1st 3kg. PB. CR.
Hammer Sharon Crowley W45 16.40 1st

(CR = Club Record; CB = Club Best (age record); PB = personal best)

Gold In County 10K

Spartan DAVID BOWKER won the GOLD medal in the Hertfordshire 10K Championship for veterans (50 plus) which was incorporated in an open race at St. Albans on Sunday. He was also first in that category in the open race and eleventh overall with a time of 40 minutes and 1 second.

Gold in Combined Events

STEVE MAYFIELD added another county gold by winning the veterans’ category in pentathlon at the county championship for combined events. In cold conditions with a headwind in the home straight and crosswind for throwing events, it was not the weather for outstanding performances. He opened with a Long Jump of 4.21 metres, followed by 26.89 in the Javelin and a time of 27.4 seconds in the 200m was his fastest time without wind assistance. The high point was a Discus throw of 22.27m, both a PB and club 2kg record, albeit this was followed by disappointing 5:26.2 in the 1500m. Total score of 1631, adjusted to 2213 on the MV45 age grading. This ended a spell of 15 events in 3 competitions held over 11 days for Steve.

Spartan Women Take The Lead in EVAC League

Spartans ladies and men’s teams both got their Eastern Veterans (EVAC) track and field campaign off to a good start at the first league fixture which was at Sandy on Wednesday evening. The ladies continued where they left off last year, narrowly beat Milton Keynes by 76 points to 71, with Kettering third on the night with 44 points and Biggleswade fourth on 16 points. In the men’s match Milton Keynes were clear winners on 95 points, with Spartans comfortably second on 75 points, Biggleswade third with 38 ppoints and Kettering fourth on 27 points.

There were positive signs for both Spartan teams, boosted by new Spartan members and a change in rules to allow 35-39 year old men to compete. Nine athletes represented the club in EVAC for the first time; BERNIE BARNABY, MARK CHEADLE, SIMON JACKSON, CHRISTINE LATHWELL, LOUISE OLIVER, GRANT RAMSAY, TIM SAUNDERS-MULLINS, ANDREA WESTCOTT & CHRIS WESTCOTT.

Amongst a string of fine performances in the ladies match, there were wins for MONICA BROWN clearing 1.30m in the F45 High Jump and running 14.0 seconds in the 100 metres. ROSIE CANHAM won the F35 400 metres in 67.1 and just missed a sprint double, beaten by 0.1s in the 100m with 14.7s. CHRIS FEELY’s 72.0s for 2nd in the F45 was a club F50 age best and an outdoor personal best (PB). CHRISTINE LATHWELL was a comfortable winner in the 1500m for the F35 in 5:20.7 as was JULIE SIMMONS for the F55 in 6:05.8. Julie also won the F55 Long Jump with 2.63m. There were further wins in the field events for TESSA STEPHENSON in the F35 High Jump (1.35m) STEPHANIE MAYFIELD in the F35 Hammer (16.75m) and a club record of 9.82m for LOUISE OLIVER in winning the F35 Shot.

The men also produced some excellent individual performances and broke 10 club age bests. The highlight was Spartans dominance in the 1500m, with GRANT RAMSAY winning for the M40s in 4:32.0, followed home by SIMON JACKSON, first M35 in 4:35.6 and CHRIS WESTCOTT (non scoring) in PB of 4:38.9. All three, plus the fourth placed Milton Keynes athlete, had recently completed the London Marathon. JOHN HARRIS also ran a 1500m PB in 5:06.4, taking second place for the M50s. ANDY NEATHAM held on to win a very close M40 400m in 60.6s and DAVE BOWKER won the 2km walk outright in 11:31.3. A lap behind him there was an almighty battle between three other Spartans, with just 0.3 seconds separating PAUL PICKARD, PAUL HOLGATE and STEPH MAYFIELD!

In the men’s field events there were two Spartan victories in the Long Jump with SIMON PROCTOR winning for the M35s with 4.61m and MICK SHORTLAND for the M60s in 3.08m. Mick also won the M60 Shot in a club age best of 9.58m and by doing the M50 Hammer (2nd) and M60 100m (2nd) was the busiest Spartan on the night. TIM SAUNDERS-MULLINS threw a club age best of 27.78m in winning the M40 hammer and his 7.47m in the Shot was a club best by an M50 using the 7.26kg weight.

The evening ended with the medley relays (200m, 200m, 400m, 800m) and with strong teams available it was inevitable club records would tumble. The F35s set the ball rolling with TESSA STEPHENSON, ROSIE CANHAM, LOUISE OLIVER and CHRISTINE LATHWELL taking over 10 seconds off the previous club best, winning with 5:00.4. Despite a terrible mix up in changeover at the end of the 2nd leg, SHARON CROWLEY, MONICA BROWN, CHRIS FEELY and JULIE SIMMONS still shaved 2 seconds off the F45 record posting 5:37.1 for 2nd place. A strong M40 team of STEVE MAYFIELD, SIMON PROCTOR, CHRIS WESTCOTT and GRANT RAMSAY came off second best in a very tight race with Milton Keynes, but their 4:10.7 smashed the club record by 25 seconds. Immediately afterwards the M50 team contested another exciting race, not only against Milton Keynes, but a non scoring team of rival M35-49 Spartans. DAVE STEPHENSON, BERNIE BARNABY and JOHN HARRIS built up a good lead for the M50s over MARK CHEADLE, PAUL PICKARD and SIMON JACKSON, but despite a determined 800m from M50 DAVE BOWKER, he was chased down by ANDY NEATHAM who brought the non scorers home in 4:28.6. The M50s finished in 4:35.7 breaking the previous M50 club best by 29 seconds.

Spartans will be hosting the next match at Ridlins End, Stevenage, 7pm on Wednesday 5th June.

Full Spartan results below.

MEN
EVENT PLACE NAME PERFORMANCE NOTES

100 Metres
M35 3 Simon Proctor 13.6
M40 3 Steve Mayfield 13.7
M50 2 Dave Stephenson 13.1 M50 Club Record
M60 2 Mick Shortland 16.1

400 Metres
M40 1 Andy Neatham 60.6 M45 Club Record
M50 3 Bernie Barnaby 67.7

1500 Metres
M35 1 Simon Jackson 4.35.6
M40 1 Grant Ramsay 4.32.0 PB
M50 2 John Harris 5.06.4 PB
M40 Non Scoring X Chris Westcott 4.38.9 PB

2K Walk
A String 1 Dave Bowker 11.31.3
B String 3 Paul Pickard 14.37.1
M50 Non Scoring X Paul Holgate 14.37.2

Long Jump
M35 1 Simon Proctor 4.61
M40 2 Steve Mayfield 4.21
M50 2 Dave Stephenson 4.14 M50 Club Best
M60 1 Mick Shortland 3.08 M60 Club Best

High Jump
M40 4 Paul Pickard 1.15
M50 2 John Harris 1.25

Shot
M35 3 Mark Cheadle 5.50
M40 3 Tim Saunders-Mullins 7.47 M50 7.26kg Club Best
M50 2 Mark Glading 8.04
M60 1 Mick Shortland 9.58 M60 Club Best

Hammer
M40 1 Tim Saunders-Mullins 25.78 Senior 7.26kg Club Record
M50 2 Mick Shortland 27.76 M50 Club Best

Medley Relay (200m, 200m, 400m, 800m)
M40 2 S Mayfield, S Proctor, C Westcott, G Ramsay 4.10.7 Senior Club Record
M50 2 D Stephenson, B Barnaby, J Harris, D Bowker 4.35.7 M50 Club Best
M35 Non Scoring X M Cheadle, P Pickard, S Jackson, A Neatham 4.28.6

LADIES
EVENT PLACE NAME PERFORMANCE NOTES

100 Metres
W35 2 Rosie Canham 14.7
W45 1 Monica Brown 14.0
W55 2 Carolyn Shortland 21.1

400 Metres
W35 1 Rosie Canham 67.1
W45 2 Chris Feely 72.0 PB & W50 Outdoor Best
W35 Non Scoring Peta Wilson 89.8

1500 Metres
W35 1 Christine Lathwell 5.20.7
W45 3 Monica Brown 7.36.6
W55 1 Julie Simmons 6.05.8 W55 Club Best

2K Walk
W35 A 2 Sharon Crowley 14.01.8
W35 B 2 Stephanie Mayfield 14.37.4

Long Jump
W35 2 Tessa Stephenson 3.29
W45 2 Chris Feely 3.30
W55 1 Julie Simmons 2.63

High Jump
W35 1 Tessa Stephenson 1.10
W45 1 Monica Brown 1.30

Shot
W35 1 Louise Oliver 9.82 Senior Club Best
W45 2 Chris Feely 5.30
W55 3 Carolyn Shortland 5.31 W55 Club Best
W35 Non Scoring X Andrea Westcott 4.22

Hammer
W35 1 Stephanie Mayfield 16.75
W45 3 Sharon Crowley 13.18
W55 2 Carolyn Shortland
hortland 18.34
W35 Non Scoring X Andrea Westcott 11.21

Medley Relay (200m, 200m, 400m, 800m)
W35 1 T Stephenson, R Canham, L Oliver, C Lathwell 5.00.4 W35 Club Best
W45 2 S Crowley, M Brown, C Feely, J Simmons 5.37.1 W45 Club Best

Halstead Marathon

Saturday, 11May13
Orpington Marafun. 2 lap course, with 3 nasty hills on each lap. Good running weather Roger produced his usual consistent run to finish in 4:04:02.

Sunday, 12May13. Halsted Marathon
2 lap course in lanes & roads around this Essex town. With Orpington still in his legs, Roger decided to use a run/walk strategy to finish in 4:30:27.

Today carol Paul ran the halstead marathon her 5th marathon in 5 weeks. On a very undulating course that was exposed and windy at times Carol completed the race in 4:22:38. She was third in the female veterans (50 plus) category.

PB at Park Run

CLAIRE COKER did the St Albans park run on Saturday morning. She finished 63rd out of the 189 finishers in a new personal best of 22 minutes 56 seconds – an improvement of 1 minute 1 second. She was tenth lady and second women veteran (35-39)!

Spartans Beat The Heat

Hundreds of runners wilted in the heat at the Milton Keynes Marathon. More than 800 starters failed to finish. 2,850 started but only 2,041 finished.

GRANT RAMSAY was one of the pacers and led the sub 3 hour group. The race was evenly run, with runners being led to half way in 1hr28:15. He finished 13th out of the survivors in 2 hours 58 minutes 35 seconds.

Despite the conditions JON SYPULA improved his personal best with 3:55:57. His previous best was over four hours. He said it was very hard work and far too hot! Great support though and lovely scenery.

SARAH PRICE was running her first marathon and finished in 3 hours 59 minutes 41 seconds.

The other successful Spartans who beat the heat were PAUL MARSHALL (4:20:40); HADRIAN COOPER (4:30:13); STEPHEN BLOCK (4:34:36); LORRAINE WYATT (5:05:06); and PAUL HOLGATE (5:42:19).

Bowker Bronze in County Five

DAVE BOWKER had to go all the way to Pednor, near Chesham for the recent County Five Mile Championships. He won bronze in the veteran (50 plus) category in 32 minutes 23 seconds.

This was the day after he came 91st out of 1557 runners in the Gear 10K race at Kings Lynn with a sub 40 time. 39 minutes 53 seconds was good enough for sixth in the competitive male veteran (50 plus) category.

Help The Spartans

Fairlands Valley Spartans host the first event in the 2012 Mid Week Road Race League series in Stevenage on Tuesday evening 14th May. Lots of volunteer helpers, including marshals, are needed to ensure the success and safety of the event. Can you help? Please contact BERNIE BARNABY [bernie.barnaby@btopenworld.com]

Coming Events

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

• Mid Week League 10K in Stevenage on Tuesday 14th May.
• Main County Track and Field Championships on 25th May.
• Mid Week League 10K in Chingford on Wednesday 29th May.
• EVAC at Stevenage on Wednesday 5th June.
• Garden House 5K in Fairlands Valley Park on Sunday 9th June.
• St. Albans Half Marathon on Sunday 9th June.
• Mid Week League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 12th June.
• Mid Week League Five Miles in Welwyn GC on Wednesday 26th June.
• County 10K track championships at Sandy on Thursday 11th July.
• Mob Match 9K in Trent Park, North London on Wednesday 17th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21st July.
• Relays in the Park in Stevenage on Thursday 25th July.
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 5th September
• Herts Senior 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 24th September.
• County 10K Championships in Letchworth on Sunday 6th October.
• Herts Veterans 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 8th October.
• County 10 Mile Championships for veterans on Sunday 27th October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November.
• County Ten Miles Championship in Buntingford on 30th December 2013.

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage? Like running? Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up! The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010. It now has about 400 members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9.30a.m. sharp. Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m. There are events to enter every Sunday. Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not done very much running yet might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £35 per year, £25 without UKA membership. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509 or 01438 354505), Vivienne Honey 07702 846304 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509 / 01438 354505 or Vivienne Honey (Secretary) 07702 846304

www.fvspartans.org.uk

EVAC CAMPAIGN BEGINS
Hot MK Marathon * Father and Daughter at Letchworth

Spartans ladies and men’s teams both got their Eastern Veterans (EVAC) track and field campaign off to a good start at the first league fixture which was at Sandy on Wednesday evening. The ladies continued where they left off last year, narrowly beat Milton Keynes by 76 points to 71, with Kettering third on the night with 44 points and Biggleswade fourth on 16 points. In the men’s match Milton Keynes were clear winners on 95 points, with Spartans comfortably second on 75 points, Biggleswade third with 38 ppoints and Kettering fourth on 27 points.

There were positive signs for both Spartan teams, boosted by new Spartan members and a change in rules to allow 35-39 year old men to compete. Nine athletes represented the club in EVAC for the first time; BERNIE BARNABY, MARK CHEADLE, SIMON JACKSON, CHRISTINE LATHWELL, LOUISE OLIVER, GRANT RAMSAY, TIM SAUNDERS-MULLINS, ANDREA WESTCOTT & CHRIS WESTCOTT.

Amongst a string of fine performances in the ladies match, there were wins for MONICA BROWN clearing 1.30m in the F45 High Jump and running 14.0 seconds in the 100 metres. ROSIE CANHAM won the F35 400 metres in 67.1 and just missed a sprint double, beaten by 0.1s in the 100m with 14.7s. CHRIS FEELY’s 72.0s for 2nd in the F45 was a club F50 age best and an outdoor personal best (PB). CHRISTINE LATHWELL was a comfortable winner in the 1500m for the F35 in 5:20.7 as was JULIE SIMMONS for the F55 in 6:05.8. Julie also won the F55 Long Jump with 2.63m. There were further wins in the field events for TESSA STEPHENSON in the F35 High Jump (1.35m) STEPHANIE MAYFIELD in the F35 Hammer (16.75m) and a club record of 9.82m for LOUISE OLIVER in winning the F35 Shot.

The men also produced some excellent individual performances and broke 10 club age bests. The highlight was Spartans dominance in the 1500m, with GRANT RAMSAY winning for the M40s in 4:32.0, followed home by SIMON JACKSON, first M35 in 4:35.6 and CHRIS WESTCOTT (non scoring) in PB of 4:38.9. All three, plus the fourth placed Milton Keynes athlete, had recently completed the London Marathon. JOHN HARRIS also ran a 1500m PB in 5:06.4, taking second place for the M50s. ANDY NEATHAM held on to win a very close M40 400m in 60.6s and DAVE BOWKER won the 2km walk outright in 11:31.3. A lap behind him there was an almighty battle between three other Spartans, with just 0.3 seconds separating PAUL PICKARD, PAUL HOLGATE and STEPH MAYFIELD!

In the men’s field events there were two Spartan victories in the Long Jump with SIMON PROCTOR winning for the M35s with 4.61m and MICK SHORTLAND for the M60s in 3.08m. Mick also won the M60 Shot in a club age best of 9.58m and by doing the M50 Hammer (2nd) and M60 100m (2nd) was the busiest Spartan on the night. TIM SAUNDERS-MULLINS threw a club age best of 27.78m in winning the M40 hammer and his 7.47m in the Shot was a club best by an M50 using the 7.26kg weight.

The evening ended with the medley relays (200m, 200m, 400m, 800m) and with strong teams available it was inevitable club records would tumble. The F35s set the ball rolling with TESSA STEPHENSON, ROSIE CANHAM, LOUISE OLIVER and CHRISTINE LATHWELL taking over 10 seconds off the previous club best, winning with 5:00.4. Despite a terrible mix up in changeover at the end of the 2nd leg, SHARON CROWLEY, MONICA BROWN, CHRIS FEELY and JULIE SIMMONS still shaved 2 seconds off the F45 record posting 5:37.1 for 2nd place. A strong M40 team of STEVE MAYFIELD, SIMON PROCTOR, CHRIS WESTCOTT and GRANT RAMSAY came off second best in a very tight race with Milton Keynes, but their 4:10.7 smashed the club record by 25 seconds. Immediately afterwards the M50 team contested another exciting race, not only against Milton Keynes, but a non scoring team of rival M35-49 Spartans. DAVE STEPHENSON, BERNIE BARNABY and JOHN HARRIS built up a good lead for the M50s over MARK CHEADLE, PAUL PICKARD and SIMON JACKSON, but despite a determined 800m from M50 DAVE BOWKER, he was chased down by ANDY NEATHAM who brought the non scorers home in 4:28.6. The M50s finished in 4:35.7 breaking the previous M50 club best by 29 seconds.

Spartans will be hosting the next match at Ridlins End, Stevenage, 7pm on Wednesday 5th June.

Full Spartan results below.

MEN
EVENT PLACE NAME PERFORMANCE NOTES

100 Metres
M35 3 Simon Proctor 13.6
M40 3 Steve Mayfield 13.7
M50 2 Dave Stephenson 13.1 M50 Club Record
M60 2 Mick Shortland 16.1

400 Metres
M40 1 Andy Neatham 60.6 M45 Club Record
M50 3 Bernie Barnaby 67.7

1500 Metres
M35 1 Simon Jackson 4.35.6
M40 1 Grant Ramsay 4.32.0 PB
M50 2 John Harris 5.06.4 PB
M40 Non Scoring X Chris Westcott 4.38.9 PB

2K Walk
A String 1 Dave Bowker 11.31.3
B String 3 Paul Pickard 14.37.1
M50 Non Scoring X Paul Holgate 14.37.2

Long Jump
M35 1 Simon Proctor 4.61
M40 2 Steve Mayfield 4.21
M50 2 Dave Stephenson 4.14 M50 Club Best
M60 1 Mick Shortland 3.08 M60 Club Best

High Jump
M40 4 Paul Pickard 1.15
M50 2 John Harris 1.25

Shot
M35 3 Mark Cheadle 5.50
M40 3 Tim Saunders-Mullins 7.47 M50 7.26kg Club Best
M50 2 Mark Glading 8.04
M60 1 Mick Shortland 9.58 M60 Club Best

Hammer
M40 1 Tim Saunders-Mullins 25.78 Senior 7.26kg Club Record
M50 2 Mick Shortland 27.76 M50 Club Best

Medley Relay (200m, 200m, 400m, 800m)
M40 2 S Mayfield, S Proctor, C Westcott, G Ramsay 4.10.7 Senior Club Record
M50 2 D Stephenson, B Barnaby, J Harris, D Bowker 4.35.7 M50 Club Best
M35 Non Scoring X M Cheadle, P Pickard, S Jackson, A Neatham 4.28.6

LADIES
EVENT PLACE NAME PERFORMANCE NOTES

100 Metres
W35 2 Rosie Canham 14.7
W45 1 Monica Brown 14.0
W55 2 Carolyn Shortland 21.1

400 Metres
W35 1 Rosie Canham 67.1
W45 2 Chris Feely 72.0 PB & W50 Outdoor Best
W35 Non Scoring Peta Wilson 89.8

1500 Metres
W35 1 Christine Lathwell 5.20.7
W45 3 Monica Brown 7.36.6
W55 1 Julie Simmons 6.05.8 W55 Club Best

2K Walk
W35 A 2 Sharon Crowley 14.01.8
W35 B 2 Stephanie Mayfield 14.37.4

Long Jump
W35 2 Tessa Stephenson 3.29
W45 2 Chris Feely 3.30
W55 1 Julie Simmons 2.63

High Jump
W35 1 Tessa Stephenson 1.10
W45 1 Monica Brown 1.30

Shot
W35 1 Louise Oliver 9.82 Senior Club Best
W45 2 Chris Feely 5.30
W55 3 Carolyn Shortland 5.31 W55 Club Best
W35 Non Scoring X Andrea Westcott 4.22

Hammer
W35 1 Stephanie Mayfield 16.75
W45 3 Sharon Crowley 13.18
W55 2 Carolyn Shortland
hortland 18.34
W35 Non Scoring X Andrea Westcott 11.21

Medley Relay (200m, 200m, 400m, 800m)
W35 1 T Stephenson, R Canham, L Oliver, C Lathwell 5.00.4 W35 Club Best
W45 2 S Crowley, M Brown, C Feely, J Simmons 5.37.1 W45 Club Best

Bowker Bronze in County Five

DAVE BOWKER had to go all the way to Pednor, near Chesham for Monday evening’s County Five Mile Championships. He won bronze in the veteran (50 plus) category in 32 minutes 23 seconds.

This was the day after he came 91st out of 1557 runners in the Gear 10K race at Kings Lynn with a sub 40 time. 39 minutes 53 seconds was good enough for sixth in the competitive male veteran (50 plus) category.

Runners Wilt At Milton Keynes Marathon

Hundreds of runners wilted in the heat at the Milton Keynes Marathon. More than 800 starters failed to finish. 2,850 started but only 2,041 finished.

GRANT RAMSAY was one of the pacers and led the sub 3 hour group. The race was evenly run, with runners being led to half way in 1hr28:15. He finished 13th out of the survivors in 2 hours 58 minutes 35 seconds.

Despite the conditions JON SYPULA improved his personal best with 3:55:57. His previous best was over four hours. He said it was very hard work and far too hot! Great support though and lovely scenery.

PAUL MARSHALL completed the very hot event in 4:20:40

Daughter Wins Tussle In Letchworth Greenway Half

Father and daughter team ROGER HARDMAN and ISABEL GREEN ran the Letchworth Greenway Half Marathon. The course was off road and undulating, circling through the fields and woods just outside the town. Isabel Green beat her father for the first time ever, with a time of 2 hours 3 minutes. Roger came in four minutes later, at 2 hours 7 minutes.

DEAN CARPENTER “dragged” himself round in 1 hour 32 minutes 22 seconds, and finished in eighth position. He was more than happy with a top 10 finish.

Salzburg Marathon

On Sunday CAROL PAUL ran her fourth marathon in four weeks at Salzburg Austria. Running in a temperature of 23 degrees on a very beautiful course Carol completed the race in 4:27:67

Hanover Marathon

As Chairman of the UK 100 Marathon Club, ROGER BIGGS was invited to Central Germany, for the Hanover Marathon. This was to witness a German Runner Christian Hottas becoming the 1st person on the planet to finish 2000 marathons/Ultras. Christine, Roger plus another 80 runners from around the world, duly ran the marathon together to finish in a time of 5:30:31.

The course was virtually flat, but run on a warm almost cloudless day.

Southern Track and Field

DAVE and TESSA STEPHENSON had started their outdoor track & field season by travelling to Portsmouth on Monday (29th) to take part in the Southern Counties Veteran League. It was a cool and breezy evening with the track situated by the waters edge near the harbour. Dave started in the Over 50 category which he has just reached, and took part in his first high jump competition, finishing fifth with a height of 1.35m. Following on immediately, Dave then raced 100m, dropping down to the 35 to 49 year old age group coming fourth in 13.3 seconds, his best for several years. Tessa opened her competition in the 100m for over 50 women, coming third in a time of 16.6 seconds. She then came 2nd in her 400m in 80.5 seconds. Again racing in the younger age group, Dave then won the 2 kilometre race walk outright in a time of 11 minutes 58.8 seconds. Relays traditionally end the evening meetings and this time it was a 4 x 100m event. Tessa & Dave both took part with the women finishing second and the men sixth.

Oodles To Come

Fairlands Valley Spartans won oodles of gold, silver and bronze medals at the Hertfordshire County Track and Field Championships on Bank Holiday Monday. All the details will be in next week’s release.

Help The Spartans

Fairlands Valley Spartans host the first event in the 2012 Mid Week Road Race League series in Stevenage on Tuesday evening 14th May. Lots of volunteer helpers, including marshals, are needed to ensure the success and safety of the event. Can you help? Please contact BERNIE BARNABY [bernie.barnaby@btopenworld.com]

Coming Events

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

• County Veterans 10K Championship at St. Albans on Sunday 12th May.
• Mid Week League 10K in Stevenage on Tuesday 14th May.
• Main County Track and Field Championships on 25th May.
• Mid Week League 10K in Chingford on Wednesday 29th May.
• EVAC at Stevenage on Wednesday 5th June.
• Garden House 5K in Fairlands Valley Park on Sunday 9th June.
• St. Albans Half Marathon on Sunday 9th June.
• Mid Week League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 12th June.
• Mid Week League Five Miles in Welwyn GC on Wednesday 26th June.
• County 10K track championships at Sandy on Thursday 11th July.
• Mob Match 9K in Trent Park, North London on Wednesday 17th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21st July.
• Relays in the Park in Stevenage on Thursday 25th July.
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 5th September
• Herts Senior 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 24th September.
• County 10K Championships in Letchworth on Sunday 6th October.
• Herts Veterans 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 8th October.
• County 10 Mile Championships for veterans on Sunday 27th October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November.
• County Ten Miles Championship in Buntingford on 30th December 2013.

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage? Like running? Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up! The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010. It now has about 400 members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9.30a.m. sharp. Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m. There are events to enter every Sunday. Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not done very much running yet might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £35 per year, £25 without UKA membership. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509 or 01438 354505), Vivienne Honey 07702 846304 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S

RAMSAY RACES LONDON
Carol Finishes Her 20th

GRANT RAMSAY ran a national championship qualifying time of 2 hours 40 minutes 51 seconds in Sunday’s warm London Marathon. He was 199th out of the 39,942 finishers – within the top 0.5% of the race. Nineteen Fairlands Valley Spartans finished the 26.2 mile race round the capital.

Two other Spartans beat the three hour barrier – SIMON JACKSON, 767th in 2:40:51 and CHRIS WESTCOTT, 856th in 2:55:17. NATALIE BARNARD was the club’s fastest woman with her time of 3 hours 27 minutes 30 seconds. MARK GOODWIN (3:46:52); JENNIFER ROBERTSON (3:47:22); BARRY KING (4:22:56) and JAN FRY (5:08:31) all ran new personals bests.

CAROL PAUL finished her TWENTIETH London Marathon in 4 hours 24 minutes and 57 seconds.

Several Spartans were running their first marathon including LISA LIVERSIDGE (4:25:59); KATE HANLON (4:50:30); KERRY SETTERFIELD (5:16:31) and TRACY STILES (5:51:37).

Other Spartan performances included ANDREW PATTERSON (3:08:50); PETE SMITH (3:23:08); ROGER BIGGS (3:58:48); TRACY BULLOT (4:30:16); PAUL HOLGATE (5:08:31) and SHARON CROWLEY (5:28:37).

Position Name Time Comments
199 GRANT RAMSAY 2:40:51 Champ Time
767 SIMON JACKSON 2:54:05
856 CHRIS WESTCOTT 2:55:17
2086 ANDREW PATTERSON 3:08:50
3650 PETE SMITH 3:23:08
5000 NATALIE BARNARD (F) 3:27:30
7699 MARK GOODWIN 3:46:52 PB
7834 JENNIFER ROBERTSON (F) 3:47:22 PB
10610 ROGER BIGGS 3:58:48
15973 BARRY KING 4:22:56 PB
16474 CAROL PAUL (F) 4:24:57 20th London
16721 LISA LIVERSIDGE (F) 4:25:59 1st Marathon
17830 TRACY BULLOT (F) 4:30:16
22386 KATE HANLON (F) 4:50:30 1st Marathon
25858 PAUL HOLGATE 5:08:31
25877 JAN FRY (F) 5:08:31 PB
27052 KERRY SETTERFIELD 5:16:31 1st Marathon
28680 SHARON CROWLEY (F) 5:28:57
30937 TRACY STILES (F) 5:51:37 1st Marathon

Forty of other Spartans volunteered to ensure the event was a success by working behind the finish line and remembering the casualties at the Boston Marathon just six days earlier.

Open Graded

Over 300 competitors used Watford’s second midweek open graded of 2013 to get an idea of their early season form. In heat 3 of the 200 metres, STEVE MAYFIELD came seventh, running 28.03 seconds despite the windy conditions and lane 8 draw.

Coming Events

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

• Handicap 5K on Thursday 25th April.
• County Five Miles Championships in Pednor on Monday 6th May.
• County Track and Field Veteran Championships in Stevenage on Monday 6th May.
• County 1500 metres championships for seniors and veterans on Monday 6th May.
• County Veterans 10K Championship at St. Albans on Sunday 12th May.
• Mid Week League 10K in Stevenage on Tuesday 14th May.
• Main County Track and Field Championships on 25th May.
• Mid Week League 10K in Chingford on Wednesday 29th May.
• Garden House 5K in Fairlands Valley Park on Sunday 9th June.
• St. Albans Half Marathon on Sunday 9th June.
• Mid Week League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 12th June.
• Mid Week League Five Miles in Welwyn GC on Wednesday 26th June.
• County 10K track championships at Sandy on Thursday 11th July.
• Mob Match 9K in Trent Park, North London on Wednesday 17th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21st July.
• Relays in the Park in Stevenage on Thursday 25th July.
• Herts Senior 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 24th September.
• County 10K Championships in Letchworth on Sunday 6th October.
• Herts Veterans 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 8th October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November.
• County Ten Miles Championship in Buntingford on 30th December 2013.
• Watch for announcements about the County Marathon Championships.

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage? Like running? Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up! The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010. It now has about 400 members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9.30a.m. sharp. Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m. There are events to enter every Sunday. Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not done very much running yet might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £35 per year, £25 without UKA membership. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509 or 01438 354505), Vivienne Honey 07702 846304 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509 / 01438 354505 or Vivienne Honey (Secretary) 07702 846304

www.fvspartans.org.uk

SPRING MARATHONS START TO ROLL

10Ks at Flitwick and Cambourne as Simon Shapes Up

14^th April 2013
Sun shining, felt like Spring, a week to go to the London Marathon but several Spartans were running marathons at the weekend.

Brighton Rocks As Marie and Dawn PB

It was a lovely warm day, albeit on the windy side, for Sunday’s Brighton Marathon.

MARIE COLUCCI ran brilliantly to finish in a new personal best (PB) of 3 hours 51 minutes 30 seconds; ROGER BIGGS was also inside four hours with 3 hours 59 minutes 37 seconds.

DAWN EASBY was over the finish line in a new PB 4 hours 4 minutes 33 seconds and CAROL PAUL in 4:15:18.

PAUL HOLGATE was heading for a sub five time but just drifted away towards the end to finish in 5.06.58. He reckons he got the better suntan. CLAIRE YOUNG finished in 5:22:17.

Position	Name	Time
2119	MARIE COLUCCI (F)	3:51:30 (PB)
2738	ROGER BIGGS	3:59:37
3463	DAWN EASBY (F)	4:04:33 (PB)
3883	CAROL PAUL (F)	4:15:18
7223	PAUL HOLGATE	5:06:57
7903	CLAIRE YOUNG (F)	5:22:17

There were 9,067 finishers.

Hazey’s Rotter”Dam Buster

Richard Hazeldene ran the Rotterdam Marathon in 3 hours 29 minutes 40 seconds, a personal best by 3 minutes 3 seconds and 20 minutes quicker than at last year’s London Marathon. In a well organised popular race it took 2-3 miles for him to find enough space to get into his stride. The temperature rose throughout, which made the latter stages tough but to break through the sub 3.30 barrier was the target. Mission accomplished…..just.

Holland in Paris

CHRIS HOLLAND ran in the recent Paris Marathon in 4 hours 11 minutes 19 seconds. This was in improvement of just over 40 minutes on his time in London last year, a month before he joined the Spartans. He was pretty pleased with this given his fairly inconsistent training in 2013 and only getting three hours sleep the night before. The crowds were very enthusiastic, a little too much in places encroaching on to the course. All in all a very enjoyable experience.

Flitwick 10K

NICK WITCOMBE and KAREN PALMER ran Sunday’s Flitwick 10K. No personal bests but great preparation for the Mid Week League on an undulating course. Nick finished in 55:07 and Karen in 55:52.

Simon Shapes Up For London

Spartan SIMON JACKSON won the weekly St Albans 5k Parkrun on Saturday morning.

At 1k Simon was holding on to the lead pack but he slowly ate in to the competition to take the lead at 3.5k before battling with a St Albans Strider to the finish line to win by six seconds.

Simon’s time of 17 minutes 4 seconds was his best on the course & his best 5k for nearly a year, just one week before he races at the London marathon.

Cambridge Festival of Running

BARRY KING ran the Cambourne 10k on Sunday. It was a cross country race ! In very windy conditions, on a hilly hilly course, in ankle deep mud and 20 degrees heat he ran a new 10K personal best (PB) of 48 minutes 23 minutes finishing 176^th from about 1,000 runners ! He ran this in 2011 finished 268^th in 50.23 so is very happy to take two minutes off that today and get a new PB despite being a XC race and the difficult conditions !

Coming Events

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

• Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21^st April.
• Handicap 5K on Thursday 25^th April.
• County Five Miles Championships in Pednor on Monday 6^th May.
• County Track and Field Championships in Stevenage on Monday 6^th May.
• County Veterans 10K Championship at St. Albans on Sunday 12^th May.
• Mid Week League 10K in Stevenage on Tuesday 14^th May.
• Mid Week League 10K in Chingford on Wednesday 29^th May.
• Mid Week League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 12^th June.
• Mid Week League Five Miles in Welwyn GC on Wednesday 26^th June.
• Mob Match 9K in Trent Park, North London on Wednesday 17^th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21^st July.
• Relays in the Park in Stevenage on Thursday 25^th July.
• Herts Senior 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 24th September.
• County 10K Championships in Letchworth on Sunday 6^th October.
• Herts Veterans 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 8^th October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3^rd November.
• County Ten Miles Championship in Buntingford on 30^th December 2013.
• Watch for announcements about the County Marathon Championships.

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage? Like running? Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up! The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010. It now has about 400 members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9.30a.m. sharp. Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m. There are events to enter every Sunday. Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not done very much running yet might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £35 per year, £25 without UKA membership. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy.

SUNSHINE IN SANDY

Success For Lucky 13s At Lee Valley

Three Spartans finished the indoor track and field season by representing Eastern Veterans against five other British regions at Lee Valley indoor stadium.  The Eastern Veteran men’s and women’s teams were both second to Southern Counties veterans.

Monica Brown had a brilliant competition by winning the women’s over 35 years Triple Jump in a personal best of 9 metres 12 centimetres, the first time she has jumped over 9 metres.  Monica then went onto race the 200 metre leg of a 800, 200, 200 and 400 metre medley relay.

Dave Stephenson had a very busy day as he competed in four events for the younger age group of male over 35 years even though he turned 50 just a month ago! Dave kindly stepped in and covered for a couple of people who were unable to compete due to illness. Dave events were 60 metre Hurdles second in 13.76 seconds; Triple Jump fourth in 8 metres 65 centimetres; 2000 metre walk third in 12 minutes 5 seconds and like Monica did a 200 metre leg in the medley relay.

Tessa Stephenson competed in the younger age group of over 35 years with the heavier weight shot of 4 kg instead of the over 50 years shot weight of 3 kg.  Despite the heavier weight she managed 7 metres 42 centimetres to come third.  Tessa also covered  gap in the 2000 metre Walk by coming second in 15 minutes 45.1 seconds, earning valuable points for the team.

Monica Brown

Triple Jump 1st 9 metres 12 (Personal Best, indoor and outdoor)
200 Metres leg in Medley Relay

Dave Stephenson

60 Metre Hurdles  2nd 13.76 seconds
Triple Jump 4th 8 metres 65 centimetres
2K Walk 3rd 12 minutes 05 seconds

200 Metres in Medley Relay

Tessa Stephenson

Shot Putt 3rd 7 metres 12 centimetres
2000 Metre Walk 2nd 15 minutes 45.1 seconds

Sandy Ten

At last Sunday was a beautiful Spring day and great for the Sandy Ten.  DEAN CARPENTER, 80^th in 67 minutes 48 seconds; MARK CHEADLE, 223^rd in 79:13; and BARRY KING, 271^st in 82:42 all ran new personal bests.  JULIE SIMMONS was second female veteran (55 plus) and 219^th overall in 78:53.

GRANT RAMSAY was the fastest Spartan in the race, seventh overall and fourth veteran in  57 minutes 35 seconds.

A good turnout of Spartans also included Graham Blackburn 90^th in 68:41; Davie Stafford 101^st in 69:55; Pete Smith 110^th in 70:27; Matt Gill 141^st in 73:25; Vishal Shah 167^th in 75:09; Ann Tryssesoone 293^rd in 84:47; Karen Ellis 296^th in 84:57; Stephen Block 343^rd in 89:45; Karen Palmer 344^th in 89:33; Paul Holgate 91 minutes 58 seconds and Sharon Crowley 106:35.

Bedfordshire Open

This open graded event at Luton was well attended by Bedfordshire clubs and others in the catchment area with athletes enjoying some welcome Spring sunshine after other early season events had been cancelled due to the weather.   STEVE MAYFIELD managed 4.33 metres in the Long Jump and 19.77 metres in the Discus, both a little short of last season’s standards.   He was much happier with his 400m as his time of 1 minute 01.9 seconds was his fastest for nearly two years.

Caythorpe Canter

Tricia Hopper, Karen Liddle and Paul Marshall completed Sunday’s Caythorpe Canter yesterday in 5 hours 33 minutes 17 seconds.  This was Paul’s first off-road marathon which he enjoyed very much.

Personal At Lincoln

ANDY PRIOR raced round the Lincoln 10K in a new personal best time of 47 minutes 10 seconds.  He says it was a nice course, but a busy race.  He would recommend the trip for anyone hunting for a fast time next year.

Victoria for Liam

LIAM HERBERT returned to East London for the second time this year, to compete in the Victoria Park Open 5 mile race for his third consecutive year.  It also gave him his third consecutive personal best time over 5 miles on the same course.

The Victoria Park Open 5 is billed as one of the fastest 5 mile races in the UK, and offers a relatively flat, traffic-free two-lap circuit of the park.  In a extremely competitive race attracting some of the fastest athletes around (the winning time was a devastatingly fast 23 minutes and 36 seconds!), Liam was 86th out of 204 finishers and he reduced his personal best by 22 seconds to 30 minutes and 3 seconds.  He is equally delighted and frustrated to be that close to a sub 30 minute 5 mile time, and believes that his breakthrough run will eventually come!

North Herts First Saturday

JOHN HARRIS was sixth in the North Herts First Saturday of the month 5K with a time of 19mins and 53 seconds.

Coming Events

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

• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 14^th April.
• Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21^st April.
• Handicap 5K on Thursday 25^th April.
• County Five Miles Championships in Pednor on Monday 6^th May.
• County Track and Field Championships in Stevenage on Monday 6^th May.
• County Veterans 10K Championship at St. Albans on Sunday 12^th May.
• Mid Week League 10K in Stevenage on Tuesday 14^th May.
• Mid Week League 10K in Chingford on Wednesday 29^th May.
• Mid Week League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 12^th June.
• Mid Week League Five Miles in Welwyn GC on Wednesday 26^th June.
• Mob Match 9K in Trent Park, North London on Wednesday 17^th July.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21^st July.
• Relays in the Park in Stevenage on Thursday 25^th July.
• Herts Senior 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 24^th September.
• County 10K Championships in Letchworth on Sunday 6^th October.
• Herts Veterans 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 8^th October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3^rd November.
• County Ten Miles Championship in Buntingford on 30^th December 2013.
• Watch for announcements about the County Marathon Championships.

STEVE AND LORRAINE WIN 5K

No Clouds In Cyprus

Despite the bitterly cold evening on Thursday there were some excellent performances among the 23 Spartans braving the weather in the 69^th running of the club’s Handicap 5K.  They included seven runners completing the tough course in less than 20 minutes and 19 of the 23 finishers recording personal bests (PB), season bests (SB) or year best times (YB).

Winner on the night was STEVE KEENE in a new personal best time of 22 minutes 6 seconds, 2:54 ahead of handicap, with STEVE GOUGH second in a new season’s best time of 27:13, 2:17 better than handicap.  TODD GRAY was third in 18 minutes 27 seconds, 2:03 faster than handicap and a season’s best

LORRAINE WYATT was the winning woman.  She was fifth overall in a new personal best time of 27 minutes 26 seconds, 1:49 quicker than handicap, with LISA LIVERSIDGE second in 24:50, only 5 seconds shy of her own PB time. Young ABI PEZ was third in her debut 5K with an excellent time of 31:12.

Fastest runner was RICHARD BATE in a SB 16:44, only 11 seconds short of the course record, with GRANT RAMSEY second quickest in a YB time of 17:00, and CRAIG HALSEY third quickest in a SB time of 17:43.  TODD GRAY (18:27), LIAM HERBERT (18:35), JOHN HARRIS (19:29) and DEAN CARPENTER (19:35 PB) all also recorded sub-20 minute times.

LISA LIVERSIDGE was quickest female, with LORRAINE WYATT 2^nd quickest and ABI PEZ 3^rd fastest.

The Final Handicap 5k race before the Mid Week League 10K races start will be on Thursday 25^th April.

Maidenhead Easter Ten

Starting over two minutes after the gun, STEVE MAYFIELD overtook more than 700 runners to finish 364^th in the 60^th running of this flat fast 10 miler.  His time of 1 hour 12 minutes 44 seconds was 320^th fastest on the day, quicker than he ran in 2011, though not quite as fast as in 2010!

Broadmeadow Off Road Challenge – Friday, 29^th March 2013

The Broadmeadow Off Road Challenge is a marathon from the Carriage Café (An old Railway Carriage) in the Warwickshire Countryside around Stratford Upon Avon, consisting of two 4 mile loops, one 15 mile loop and a loop around Stratford Race Course to finish.   Despite some sunshine it was a bitterly cold day, with the obligatory stiles, fences and unavoidable mud!  ROGER BIGGS finished in 5:32:45 and MARK SANDERS in 6:13:30.

Easter Around the Reservoir Trail Marathon

The Easter Around The Reservoir Trail Marathon took place on Saturday and Sunday.  On both days it consisted of six laps of the Brackmills Reservoir which is south of Northampton.  The course was 50% hard surface and 50% trail or grass paths on a cold March morning.  On Saturday CAROL PAUL finished in 4 hours 35 minutes 40 seconds;  ROGER BIGGS in 4:40:31 and MIKE NEWBITT in 5:05:30.

The weather eased a bit on Sunday and Roger completed his third marathon in three days in 4:57:41.

No Cloud In Cyprus

After the dreadful conditions of Milton Keynes in 2012 TONY ARGYROU decided to compete somewhere warm and chose the Limassol Marathon in Cyprus on 24^th March.  He finished in a time of 4:39….taking an hour of his time last year at MK, minimal training leading up to the race and arrived in Cyprus late on Saturday night the 2 hour time difference and the weather peaking at 24 degrees with no cloud cover caused regular cramp but all in all a fantastic location by the sea to run a Marathon over 300 runners from all over Europe competed finishing 136^th

Coming Events

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

• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 14^th April.
• Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21^st April.
• Handicap 5K on Thursday 25^th April.
• County Five Miles Championships in Pednor on Monday 6^th May.
• County Track and Field Championships in Stevenage on Monday 6^th May.
• County Veterans 10K Championship at St. Albans on Sunday 12^th May.
• Mid Week League 10K in Stevenage on Tuesday 14^th May.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21^st July.
• Relays in the Park in Stevenage on Thursday 25^th July.
• Herts Senior 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 24^th September.
• County 10K Championships in Letchworth on Sunday 6^th October.
• Herts Veterans 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 8^th October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3^rd November.
• County Ten Miles Championship in Buntingford on 30^th December 2013.
• Watch for announcements about the County Marathon Championships.

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010.  It now has about 400 members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9.30a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not done very much running yet might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £35 per year, £25 without UKA membership.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy. 

 

Despite the bitterly cold evening there were some excellent performances among the 23 Spartans braving the weather in the 69th running of the club’s Handicap 5k on the 28th March, including 7 runners completing the tough course in less than 20 minutes and 19 of the 23 finishers recording personal bests (PB), season bests (SB) or year best times (YB).

Thank you to Malcolm Devis (Tracy’s dad) for his assistance with the finish and also to Sharon Crowley and Tracy Pez for their support of Abi around the course.

Winner on the night was STEVE KEENE in a new PB time of 22:06, 2:54 ahead of handicap, with STEVE GOUGH 2nd in a new SB time of 27:13, 2:17 better than handicap, and TODD GRAY 3rd also in a SB time (18:27) 2:03 faster than handicap.

Winning female was LORRAINE WYATT (5th overall) in a new PB time 27:26, 1:49 quicker than handicap, with LISA LIVERSIDGE 2nd in 24:50, only 5 seconds shy of her own PB time, and young ABI PEZ 3rd in her debut 5k with an excellent time of 31:12.

Fastest runner was RICHARD BATE in a SB 16:44, only 11 seconds short of the course record, with GRANT RAMSEY 2nd quickest in a YB time of 17:00, and CRAIG HALSEY 3rd quickest in a SB time of 17:43, while TODD GRAY (18:27), LIAM HERBERT (18:35), JOHN HARRIS (19:29) and DEAN CARPENTER (19:35 PB) all also recorded sub-20 minute times.

LISA LIVERSIDGE was quickest female, with LORRAINE WYATT 2nd quickest and ABI PEZ 3rd fastest.

Except for Simon Harris the total time between first and last finisher was only 3:58 and just 1:41 between 2nd-21st, while 91% of finishers finished within 55 seconds of their adjusted handicap and the only finishers more than 1 minute outside of their adjusted handicap were the 2 runners whose times were estimated on the night.

Final Handicap 5k before the MWL will be on the 25th April.

Results: Result_28Mar13 (2)

News Release                                                                                                                                                                        24^th March 2013

OAKLEY CANCELLED

Where’s Wally?

Our interesting Spring weather caused the cancellation of the popular Oakley 20 road race.  This 20 miles event is usually a last long run for many Spartans running the London Marathon.  However there was some race action over the weekend and several club members got some training miles done in the snow.

Dawdle With No Daffodils

Despite winter returning with a vengeance, five Spartans braved the snow and biting wind in the Daffodil Dawdle off-road marathon, just outside Newmarket in Suffolk.

Knee deep in snow, calf deep in icy water and ankle deep in very slippery mud, the run felt more like a 40 mile event, rather than the 26.7 measured miles, and while there was no sign of any daffodils there was plenty of dawdling – not least because that was the only way you could stay upright on most of the course.

CAROL PAUL finished in 5 hours 48 minutes 18 seconds; CHRIS LEIGH in 6 hours 22 minutes 59 seconds; MIKE NEWBITT in 6:42:08; PAUL HOLGATE in 6:54:54 and SHARON CROWLEY in 7:17:53.

Where’s Wally?

Where’s Wally fun run was great fun and went ahead in Victoria Park, London.  LIAM HERBERT lined up alongside hundreds of fellow Wallys, thanks to ingenious stripy costumes provided by the organizer.

The Fastest Wally

The race was a last minute sign-up for Liam, he was invited to run with a number of librarians from his work just one week ago.  On a cold, windy flat course and despite being dressed in a red and white stripy jumper, hat and glasses he would have earned a personal best time of approximately 38 minutes dead on if it had been an accurate and timed 10K race.  He was the first and fastest Wally over 10K!

In fact, over the course of the two lap circuit, which allowed runners to choose 5K or 10K options, Liam led from the combined start and opened up a big lead over the second and third placed runners that could not be closed.  At the end of lap 1 (5K), he was comfortably in the lead and maintained this with a strong finish home.  Liam’s reward for this was a novel Where’s Wally medal, his costume to take home and the satisfaction of knowing that he had raised £100 (and counting) for the National Literacy Trust in the process.  All in all, a great fun run!

Coming Events

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

• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 28^th March.
• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 29^th March.
• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 14^th April.
• Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21^st April.
• County Five Miles Championships in Pednor on Monday 6^th May.
• County Track and Field Championships in Stevenage on Monday 6^th May.
• County Veterans 10K Championship at St. Albans on Sunday 12^th May.
• Mid Week League 10K in Stevenage on Tuesday 14^th May.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21^st July.
• Relays in the Park in Stevenage on Thursday 25^th July.
• Herts Senior 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 24^th September.
• County 10K Championships in Letchworth on Sunday 6^th October.
• Herts Veterans 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 8^th October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3^rd November.
• County Ten Miles Championship in Buntingford on 30^th December 2013.
• Watch for announcements about the County Marathon Championships.

News Release                                                                                                 10^th March 2013

 

SEVEN TRACK & FIELD MEDALS FOR SPARTANS

Silvers for Dave’s Rapid Walk And Barry’s Half

Four Spartans proved why they won the Central Eastern Veterans League last year, by competing at Lee Valley Sports Centre in the British Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships and winning SEVEN medals.  The two day meeting included athletes from all over England and Ireland plus guest athletes from Spain and the USA.

On Saturday MONICA BROWN carried on her good form from the British Masters Pentathlon Indoor Championships last month by winning a bronze in one of the closest 60 metres of the competition in 8.64 seconds with only tenths of seconds between second and sixth place.  

Monica then went onto win silver with a great dramatic lifetime best of 1 metre 40 centimetres in the women’s 45 to 49 year high jump which was a highlight of the Spartans afternoon.  She also completed a silver jump double by coming second in the long jump.

Tessa Stephenson started off the weekend by competing in the women’s 50 to 54 age group shot putt.  Only taking up shot putt seriously last year after injury, Tessa followed up her good form by doing a indoors personal best of 8 metres 12 centimetres with the bonus of a bronze medal.

With strong competition from other 75 to 79 year olds, John Tyrrell could not match his personal best from last month, but still recorded a great throw of 7 metres 12 metres in his age group to finish in 5th place.

Iris Hornsey had a strong run in the women’s 70 to 74 year age group to win GOLD in the 1500 metres.  Iris recorded a time of 7  minutes 18.36 seconds which is creditable considering she had to do 7 and a half laps of the short 200 metre indoor track.

Sunday 10th March

Despite it being Mothering Sunday, Iris Hornsey decided to miss lunch with her children and grandchildren to compete at the BMAF championships for the second day in a row.  Iris raced the 800 metres in style to collect the gold medal, her second of the weekend in 2 minutes 29.49, her fastest time since 2010.  Iris is a real inspiration to a lot of club members, as she competes for the Spartans on both road and track.

John Tyrrell also competed in the discus outside at the arena winning his first silver national championship medal in 18.42 metres.  A fantastic result considering John has only been with the Spartans just over a year.

A great competition for the team, leaving one more indoor competition which is the inter area match in April at Lee Valley which several Spartans will be involved in representing the Eastern area.

Summary:

Monica Brown W45

2nd High Jump – 1 metre 40 LIFETIME BEST SILVER Medal

2nd Long Jump – 4 metres 29 centimetres SILVER Medal

3rd 60 Metres – 8.64 seconds BRONZE Medal

Iris Hornsey W70

1st 1500 Metres – 7 minutes 18.36 seconds GOLD Medal

1st  800 Metres – 2 minutes 29.49 seconds BEST TIME since 2010 SILVER Medal

John Tyrrell

2nd Discus – 18 metres 42 centimetres (threw outdoors!) SILVER Medal

5th Shot Putt 7 metres 12 centimetres

Tessa Stephenson W50

3rd Shot putt 8 metres 12 centimetres Personal Best (indoors) BRONZE Medal

Milton Keynes Half Marathon

The eleven Spartans at the Milton Keynes Half Marathon contended with temperatures around 2^oC and sleet throughout the race.

In the view of some a change in course from previous years slowed the race a bit due to more undulations, twists and turns but that plus 10k “walkers” to navigate around in the early stages did not stop DAVE SMITH, STEPHEN BLOCK and KAREN PALMER running new personal bests.  Dave finished in 1 hour 38 minutes 29 seconds; Stephen in 1:52:05 and Karen in 1:58:54.

CHRIS WESTCOTT was the fastest Spartan on the day, 104^th out of the 2,734 finishers in 1 hour 25 minutes 40 seconds.  STEVE MAYFIELD was slightly disappointed with his 1:37:36.  The other Spartan finishers were VISHAL SHAH (1:41:39); SUZY HAWKINS (1:48:17); JORDAN MILLER (1:54:02); PAUL HOLGATE (2:04:59); SHARON CROWLEY (2:20:12) and ANDREA BROWN (2:23:57).

The new course takes in parts of the Wolverton 5 route around Willen Lake and the last mile is now even tougher than before, with a short sharp climb to negotiate above the lake just after the 12 mile point.

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
104	CHRISTOPHER   WESTCOTT	1:25:40
493	STEVE MAYFIELD	1:37:36
537**	DAVE SMITH	1:38:29	PB
597	VISHAL SHAH	1:41:39
941	SUZY HAWKINS   (F)	1:48:17
1190	STEPHEN BLOCK	1:52:05	PB
1278	JORDAN MILLER	1:54:02
1540	KAREN PALMER   (F)	1:58:54	PB
1876	PAUL HOLGATE	2:04:59
2364	SHARON CROWLEY (F)	2:20:12
2449	ANDREA BROWN   (F)	2:23:57

In the associated Milton Keynes 10K SIMON BELL was second veteran and 15^th overall in 38 minutes 22 seconds.

Dave’s Fast Walk

DAVID BOWKER took part in the National 10 Kilometres Walk Championship in Victoria Park, London at the weekend.  It included the Hertfordshire County Championship.  He was second in the county championship and 16^th overall out of the 52 finishers in 1 hour 46 minutes 20 seconds.

Dean Minus Five And Barry Silver At Lydd Half Marathon

DEAN CARPENTER managed to knock 5 minutes 21 seconds off his personal best as well as finishing in under 1 hour 30 min for the first time at Sunday’s Lydd Half Marathon.  He finished 72^nd in a time of 1 hour 28 minutes and 58 seconds and was raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Care.

Dean thanks the other Spartan in the race who passed him at about the 11 mile mark and gave lots of encouragement when he was flagging.  It was certainly welcomed and at the time very much needed.  Dean says it’s nice to be part of such a fantastic club with such suportive members.

The other Spartan was BARRY OSBORNE on his way to second place in the British Masters’ Athletic Federation Half Marathon Championship for runners aged 60 plus.  He was 67^th in 1 hour 28 minutes 37 seconds.

Sydney Park Run 5km

Roger Biggs completed his tour ‘Down Under’, with a 5km race in the Southern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia on Saturday.  The race took place at St Peters in Sydney Park, on good quality paths within the park, featuring a rather nasty hill around halfway.

After a slow start, Roger pulled through to 68^th place in a time of 25:18.

Club 20

The Club 20 mile training run will be from Marriotts on Sunday 17th March 2013, meet 9.15am for a 9.30 start. The run will consist of 5 separate sections each of 3.5-5.2 miles, so even if you are not in training for a marathon please do come along and join in for the amount of mileage that your training requires. The run is suitable for all abilities. No pre-notification is required, simply turn up and join in. Guests are also very welcome, so if you are looking for a 20 mile training run to help your marathon preparations please do come along and join us, no entry fee is required.

Coming Events:

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

• County Veterans Cross Country Championships at Willian, Letchworth on Sunday 17^th March 2013.
• Club Training Twenty on Sunday 17^th March 2013.
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 28^th March.
• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 29^th March.
• Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21^st April.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21^st July.
• Relays in the Park on Thursday 25^th July.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3^rd November.

 

Here is this week’s What’s On newsletter, the source of all your information for club activities coming up!!

217 9th March 2013

News Release                                                                                                 3^rd March 2013

 

CROSS COUNTRY MEDALS FOR SPARTANS

Silver for Iris; Bronze for Julie, Rhiannon and Simon

 

Fairlands Valley Spartans made a real leap forward in this season’s cross country league series.  This was emphasised by some great news in the individual results.

SIMON JACKSON won BRONZE as third senior man; RHIANNON GRIFFIN won BRONZE as third senior woman in only her first season; JULIE SIMMONS took BRONZE in the women (55 plus) category and IRIS HORNSEY took SILVER in the women (65 plus) competition.

Other top twenty Spartan finishers included TONY OSBORNE 5^th veteran (70 plus); HANNAH DAVISON tenth woman (35 plus); ANN TRYSSESOONE tenth woman (45 plus); NIKKI ANDREWS 12^th senior woman; KAREN LIDDLE 12^th woman (45 plus); JIM BROWN 13^th veteran (60 plus) man; TRICIA HOPPER 13^th woman (45 plus); ADRIAN DONNELLY 15^th senior man; MARK CHEADLE 20^th senior man.

All those taking part had great fun and look forward to encouraging others to join in next time.  The very last fixture of the 2012-2013 season will be the Hertfordshire County Cross Championships for veterans at Willian, near Letchworth, on 17^th March.  Entries should be submitted now.

Silverstone Half Marathon

Ten Spartans joined more than 6,000 other runners for the 13.1 miles around Silverstone Circuit.  Despite a chilly breeze it was otherwise a good day for the half marathon.

PETE SMITH was the first Spartan, 452^nd out of the 6,188 finishers in 1 hour 35 minutes 22 seconds.

Davie Stafford 482 1:35:53; Craig Bacon 853^rd in 1:41:04; Katy Jinks 1,033^rd in 1:43:01; Vishal Shah 1,193^rd in 1:44:21; Paul Forde 2,001^st in 1:52:11; Andy Ingram-Tedd 3,107^th in 2:00:59; Paul Holgate 3,369^th in 2:03:35 (5 mins faster than Watford); Craig Snowden 4,042^nd in  2:11:04 ; and Doug Hall 5,155^th in  2 hours 27 minutes 15 seconds.

Downhill for the Most Distant Race?

Sunday saw ROGER BIGGS running the Mountain to Surf Marathon in New Zealand.  This was based in New Plymouth on the West Coast of North Island.

The course ran from the Edge of Egmont National Park at 460 metres (the gateway to Mount Taranaki at 2518 meters) to sea level at Waitara.  While the course still provided some testing climbs, the net loss of height made this a fast course.

After a week of wall to wall sunshine, the weather relented, and the race actually started in the rain, although 2 hours past the 7:10am start, the weather was back to normal, providing a sticky 2^nd half.

Roger was pleased to finish in 3:48:32, his best marathon since April 2010.

Roger asks if this was the furthest race from Stevenage run by a Spartan?  The total distance from Stevenage to New Plymouth was approx 12,300 miles.

Chiltern Kanter

SHARON CROWLEY, KAREN LIDDLE, TRISH HOPPER, CHRIS LEIGH and BARRY KING all ran together in the off road Chiltern Kanter to finish in 6 hours 45 minutes !  It was very hilly, very muddy and certainly a very tough marathon !

It was Sharon’s 185^th marathon, Trish’s 31^st, Chris’ 30^th, Karen’s 16^th and Barry’s 6^th Marathon!

Grant Doubles Back

GRANT RAMSAY was fifth in the Swavesey Village Half Marathon, near Cambridge on Sunday.  His excellent time of 1 hour 21 minutes 38 seconds included an extra 0.7 miles, as one of the marshals sent the lead runners the wrong way.  This was at 3 miles and Grant had to double back.

Pitsford Trail Marathon

On Sunday CAROL PAUL and MIKE NEWBITT ran the Pitsford Trail Marathon which was 4 laps of the Pitsford Reservoir which is just north of Northampton.  A lovely event and the sun even came out.  Carol completed the course in 4:42:02 and Mike in 5:03:50

Coming Events

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

• County Veterans Cross Country Championships at Willian,  Letchworth on Sunday 17^th March 2013.  Enter now.
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 28^th March.
• Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21^st April.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21^st July.
• Relays in the Park on Thursday 25^th July.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3^rd November.

 

 

Here is this week’s What’s On newsletter, the place to go to see all of the up and coming Spartan’s activities for the week ahead!

216 2nd March 2013

 

News Release                                                                                                 24^th February 2013

 

BARRY & RHIANNON WIN HANDICAP 5K

Gold For Monica

 

BARRY KING was first out of the twenty competitors who braved the bitterly cold temperatures for Fairlands Valley Spartans Handicap 5K race on Thursday evening.

He ran a new personal best of 21 minutes 46 seconds, 1:22 quicker than he has ever run before.

NICK WITCOMBE was close behind in a new PB of his own of 25:06.  GRANT RAMSAY overtook 17 runners to finish third in an excellent 17 minutes 11 seconds.

Grant was also the fastest runner on the night, with DEAN CARPENTER second quickest in 20:01 and GRAHAM BLACKBURN third fastest in 20:23.

The winning and fastest female was RHIANNON GRIFFIN in 21:30, who was the only woman racing – it was the fourth consecutive handicap 5k in which Rhiannon has run the fastest female time.

There were also personal bests (PBs) for DAVE SMITH +0:43 to 21:47, in fourth position overall, VISHAL SHAH +0:22 to 22:11 (6^th), MATTHEW PALACIO +0:14 to 22:46 (7^th).  MATT GILL ran a season’s best 21:18.  JAMES KILROY ran his first 5K in 25 minutes 39 seconds.

Helpers included Karen Liddle, Bev Harlow, Sara O’Callaghan, Suzy Hawkins, Liam Herbert, Simon Harris, Todd Gray and Paul Holgate.

Event Position	Name	Time	Time Position	Comments
1	BARRY KING	21:46	8	PB (1:22)
2	NICK WITCOMBE	25:06	14	PB (0:07)
3	GRANT RAMSAY	17:11	1
4	DAVE SMITH	21:47	9	PB (0:43
5	MATT GILL	21:18	6	SB
6	VISHAL SHAH	22:11	11	PB (0:22)
7	MATTHEW PALACIO	22:46	12	PB (0:14)
8	BERNIE BARNABY	20:50	5
9	MARK GOODWIN	21:59	10
10	PAUL PICKARD	23:45	13
11	DEAN CARPENTER	20:01	2
12	GRAHAM BLACKBURN	20:23	3
13	BARRY OSBORNE	20:42	4
14	JAMES KILROY	25:39	15	1st 5K
15	RHIANNON GRIFFIN	21:30	7	1st Woman
16	MATTHEW HOLGATE	36:33	20
17	ANTON McCALLA	28:00	16
18	PAUL HOLGATE	28:02	17
19	EARL BROWN	30:32	18
20	RUSS ANDREWS	31:01	19

The next Handicap 5k will be on Thursday 28^th March – will hopefully it will be warmer then.

Gold for Monica and Iris

In the same week as the women’s EVAC team collected the Comet award for team of the year, four Spartans took part in the EVAC Indoor Championships held within the wider South of England Champs.

Spartan MONICA BROWN took GOLD in the East of England Veterans (EVAC) Indoor Championships at Lee Valley.

She won the 60 metres sprint for women (45 plus) in 8.67 seconds.

IRIS HORNSEY took two GOLDS in the 70 plus category.  She was first in the 400 metres with her time of 94.20 seconds and first in the 800 metres with 3 minutes 32.67 seconds.  JOHN TYRRELL took SILVER in the 75 plus shot put with a new personal best of 7.91 metres.

STEVE MAYFIELD won BRONZE in a very close finish in the men’s (45 plus) 200m, missing silver by just 4/100ths with 28.41 seconds.   He went one better with SILVER in the M45 long jump.

In the British Masters (BMAF) Pentathlon Monica won SILVER with the following performances:- 60 metres hurdles 12.27 seconds; high jump 1.36 metres (PB); shot 6.39 metres; long jump 4.34 metres; and 800 metres 3.15.54 giving a total points score of 2580.  

Baldock Beast

Eight Spartans tackled the Baldock Beast on Sunday morning.  The half marathon route showcased Hertfordshire’s fine countryside, albeit hilly and cold countryside.  The run went through Wallington, Sandon, Roe Green and Redhill and it was enthusiastically supported by spectators in the villages.  The course was multi terrain and definitely not one for a personal best but it did give runners a great chance of a negative split.  ANDY PATTERSON was eighth in 1 hour 20 minutes 46 seconds; SIMON JACKSON ninth in 1:20:47 and CRAIG HALSEY 12^th in 1:23:36 – solid times for a tough course and making them to first set of three club runners to finish.

MICHAEL GREEN was 34^th in 1:30:55; TOM  AYRES 250^th in 1:54:44; MATTHEW BURGESS 258^th in 1:56:05; MADDIE PRITCHARD 297^th in 1:59:58 and LORRAINE WYATT 385^th in 2:12:08. 

 

Position	Name	Time	Comments
8	ANDY PATTERSON	1:20:46	First team
9	SIMON JACKSON	1:20:47	First team
12	CRAIG HALSEY	1:23:36	First team
34	MICHAEL GREEN	1:30:55
250	TOM AYRES	1:54:44
258	MATTHEW BURGESS	1:56:05
297*	MADDIE PRITCHARD (F)	1:59:58
385	LORRAINE   WYATT (F)	2:12:08

 

There were 427 finishers

Not So Disgusted With Tunbridge Wells

It was bitterly cold for the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon, but over 1800 runners braved the weather to run in this Tunbridge Wells Harriers 30th Anniversary event.  It was the first time MARK CHEADLE had made it to 13 miles since last March and he was pleased to finish in a new PB of 1:55:52.  The race was highly organised and very picturesque.  Mark says it is a must do event.

Knebworth

ELLA CERAULO continued her comeback by running the British Heart Foundation Knebworth Park Jog on Sunday.  She took 48 minutes 34 seconds for the 5.87 miles.  CLARE MOORE finished in 51 minutes. 

PB on Test Track 10

LIAM HERBERT’s first competitive race in stripes this year resulted in a new personal best (PB) for 10 miles.

He took part in the Test Track 10 mile for a second consecutive year and recorded a new personal best time of 1:01:30, taking over one minute off his previous best set on the same course in 2012.  Liam finished 15th out of 331 finishers.

The race is a hidden gem: based at the Ford Motor Company Technical Test Centre in Dunton, Essex.  The course consists of a relatively flat two lap circuit of the centre and incorporates two full flying laps around the otherwise off-bounds test track.  The perfect race for speedy long distance racers and one Liam would highly recommend.

Kiwi Coastal Challenge

Globe trotting Spartan ROGER BIGGS is in New Zealand.  He described Saturday’s Coastal Challenge as the “Race From Hell.”

It took Roger 3 hours 41 minutes 15 seconds to complete 22 kilometres along the coast, in and out of the sea, scrambling over rocks, and even a bit of running on soft sand.  The race was from Long Bay to Devenport in Northern Auckland. 

Long Run For Laing

JO LAING ran the recent Bramley 20 road race in 2 hours 27 minutes 11 seconds.

COMING EVENTS

• County Veterans Cross Country Championships at Willian, Letchworth on Sunday 17^th March 2013.
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 28^th March.
• Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21^st April.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21^st July.
• Relays in the Park on Thursday 25^th July.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3^rd November.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a copy of this week’s What’s On newsletter, summarising all of the activities within the club in the coming week.  Start planning!!!

215 23rd February 2013

 

News Release                                                                                                 17^th February 2013

 

CROSS COUNTRY WINNERS

Eight at Bramley Twenty

Increased participation helped Fairlands Valley Spartans achieved their best place so far in the Sunday Cross Country League.

The club won the women’s B team competition.  Over the whole series the Spartan women were seventh out of seventeen clubs and the club’s men were ninth.

The last race of the series was over a tough undulating course at Watford on Sunday.  Eleven Spartan men and eleven Spartan women finished – both the male and female teams were seventh on the day.

There were outstanding performances from GRANT RAMSAY, fourth out of the 298 finishers in just 36 minutes 3 minutes; SIMON JACKSON, 13^th in 37:48; ANDREW PATTERSON, 15^th in 37:56 and RHIANNON GRIFFIN, 18^th woman in 47:18.

But the teams’ improvement would not have been possible without the contribution of MARTIN WOOD, 69^th man in 43 minutes 33 seconds; ADRIAN DONNELLY, 96^th man in 45:19; DAVID BOWKER, 102^nd man in 45:40; VISHAL SHAH, 151^st man in 49:48; JIM BROWN, 169^th man in 52:56; STEVE PIKE, 177^th man in 55:02; NICK WITCOMBE, 189^th in 60:32 and ANDY INGRAM-TEDD, 197^th in 64:40 for the men and….

NIKKI ANDREWS, 27^th in 49 minutes 32 seconds; JULIE SIMMONS, 38^th in 51:46; ROSIE CANHAM, 41^st in 52:17; CLAIRE COKER, 46^th in 53:35; KAREN ELLIS, 49^th in 54:27; KAREN LIDDLE, 61^st in 56:42; TRICIA HOPPER, 65^th in 57:16; MARIA THORNE, 75^th in 58:34; HANNAH DAVIDSON, 77^th in 58:58 and SARAH PIKE, 89^th in 64:44 for the women.

Times on the Day: Women’s Team 

Position	Name	Time
18	RHIANNON GRIFFIN	47:18
27	NIKKI ANDREWS	49:32
38	JULIE SIMMONS	51:46
41	ROSIECANHAM	52:17
46	CLAIRE COKER	53:35
49	KAREN ELLIS	54:27
61	KAREN LIDDLE	56:42
65	TRICIA HOPPER	57:16
75	MARIA THORNE	58:34
77	HANNAH DAVIDSON	58:58
89	SARAH PIKE	64:44

 

There were 98 female finishers.

Men’s Team

Position	Name	Time
4	GRANT RAMSAY	36:03
13	SIMON JACKSON	37:48
15	ANDREW PATTERSON	37:56
69	MARTIN WOOD	43:33
96	ADRIAN DONNELLY	45:19
102	DAVID    BOWKER	45:40
151	VISHAL SHAH	49:48
169	JIM BROWN	52:56
177	STEVE PIKE	55:02
189	NICK WITCOMBE	60:32
197	ANDY INGRAM-TEDD	64:40

There were 200 male finishers.

Eight At Bramley 20

Training for Spring Marathons, including the London Marathon, is well under way and eight Spartans completed Sunday’s Bramley 20 mile road race.

After a cold and foggy start, the race mostly took part in beautiful spring sunshine.  It was a big step up in distance for SHARON CROWLEY following the snow and cold bugs of recent weeks.  She did wonder if she was mad attempting the event but it seems to have worked out!  However she does have a large lump and blister on the back of her heel/Achilles from the ankle chip, so she was glad she stopped to take off the chip but wonders how much time she lost, especially with only 4 minutes between herself and Paul Holgate in the finish after she closed 6 minutes in the second half of the race!  Sharon is now proudly displaying sock and short lines and the top of her chest/neck is red, as is the top of her arms.  A suntan in February!

SIMON BELL was 56^th in 2 hours 9 minutes 47 seconds; TODD GRAY 109^th in 2:15:57; SAM PRETTY 193^rd in 2:26:36; RICHARD HAZELDENE took two minutes off his personal best to finish 221^st in 2:28:55; LEE LAWRENCE was 469^th in 2:50:32; ROGER BIGGS 518^th in 2:54:40; PAUL HOLGATE 746^th in 3:38:37 and Sharon Crowley 752^nd in 3:42:38.

There were 780 finishers

Brass Monkey 10 km road race – Rockingham Speedway Circuit – 1

DON GREGORY recently ran the Brass Monkey 10 kilometres road race on the Rockingham Speedway circuit.  He was 46^th in 45 minutes 46 seconds.

Coming Events

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

• Handicap 5K in Stevenage  on Thursday 21^st February.
• County Veterans Cross Country Championships at Willian,  Letchworth on Sunday 17^th March 2013.
• Virgin London  Marathon on Sunday 21^st April.
• Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21^st July.
• Relays in the Park on Thursday 25^th July.
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3^rd November.

 

Another packed week of training activities at the club!

REMEMBER – it’s the final XC league fixture and the club are having one of it’s best seasons for many years.  We have a number of runners in contention for league trophies/medals.  Lets get out and put the club in the best possible league position!

See you at training!

214 16th February 2013

News Release                                                                                                 10^th February 2013

 

TODD WINS BRYAN MOORE SHIELD

Lisa Wins Five Mile Race * Genk & Another Enigma

55 Spartans braved Sunday morning’s cold and miserable weather to take part in the Bryan Moore Shield Handicap 10 mile and associated five mile events.

TODD GRAY won the shield by smashing his ten mile personal best (PB) by almost 3 minutes to cross the line in an excellent 64 minutes 49 seconds, almost 10 minutes quicker than handicap!  Newcomer JORDAN MILLER was second in his first 10 miles with the club in 86:43, 8:47 ahead of handicap, and the ever improving VISHAL SHAH third man in a new PB time of 77:36.

DEBBIE WESTMORE was the winning female, also in her first race with the club, in 99:10, 7 minutes 50 seconds better than handicap.  TRACY BULLOT was second, just 16 seconds behind Debbie, in 82:26, 7:34 faster than handicap.  KERRY SETTERFIELD came third just another 7 seconds further back, in a new season’s best time of 1:49:33.

Todd was also the fastest 10 mile runner on the day with LIAM HERBERT second quickest in 65:39, and Graham Blackburn third fastest with 68:10.

The fastest female was NATALIE BARNARD, just 1 week after her half marathon in Malaga, finishing in 69:11.  NIKKI ANDREWS was second quickest in 75:30 and KATY JINKS 3rd fastest in 78:09.

LISA GRAY won the 5 mile handicap in her first 5 mile race in 41 minutes 13 seconds.  SARAH HUKIN was second in a new season’s best 46:39, with CLAIRE COKER third in 37:40, just ahead of the fourth placed finisher JACKIE MORRISON taking 46 seconds off her PB to 51:08.

The winning man was LES BUTLER in a season’s best time of 48:56, with ANTHONY WHITE second, just 24 seconds behind in 40:20, and PAUL PICKARD third man in 39:35.

BERNIE BARNABY was the fastest 5 mile runner of the day in 34:51, with Paul Pickard 2nd quickest man and Anthony White 3rd fastest.  RHIANNON GRIFFIN was fastest woman in 34:57, with LISA BURGESS second by just eight seconds in 35:05.  MADDIE PRITCHARD was third fastest with 37:07.

There were also 10 mile PBs for NICK WITCOMBE +12:58 to 89:34; MARK CHEADLE +8:28 to 83:10; ISABEL GREEN +2:33 to 91:26; ROBERT EVANS +0:49 to 80:41; LEE LAWRENCE +0:37 to 77:00 and TONY BRADFORD +0:05 to 70:55.

SARAH PIKE +1:08 to 41:31 and MARIA RUSHTON +0:27 to 49:00 achieved new five mile personal bests.

In handicap races the slowest runners start first with others following at times based on recent performances until the fastest start last.  If everyone ran exactly according to their handicap everyone would finish together.  Thus the event winners are the best improvers.

Ten Mile Result

Position	Name	Time	Time Position	Comments
1	TODD GRAY	1:04:49	1	Event winner.  Fastest man. PB (2:57)
2	JORDAN MILLER	1:26:43	22	Second overall
3	DEBBIE WESTMORE	1:39:10	34	First woman.
4	TRACY BULLOT	1:22:26	17	Second woman
5	KERRY SETTERFIELD	1:49:33	37	Third woman (SB)
6	VISHAL SHAH	1:17:36	12	Third man.  PB (3:20)
7	ANDREW JORDAN	1:26:02	19
8	STEVE MAYFIELD	1:13:45	7
9	LORRAINE THOMAS	1:37:20	30	SB (1:32)
10	CHRISTINE HARDMAN	1:37:20	31	SB (1:53)
11	CHRIS LEIGH	1:37:20	32
12	DAWN ANDREWS	1:40:26	35
13	SUZY HAWKINS	1:20:03	14
14	MARK CHEADLE	1:23:10	18	PB (8:28)
15	ROGER HARDMAN	1:31:21	26	SB (1:42)
16	ISABEL GREEN	1:31:26	27	PB (2:33)
17	NICK WITCOMBE	1:29:34	24	PB (12:58)
18	ANDY PRIOR	1:29:44	25
19	GRAHAM BLACKBURN	1:08:10	3	Third fastest man
20	NATALIE BARNARD	1:09:11	4	Fastest woman )of 14)
21	TONY BRADFORD	1:10:55	6	PB (0:04)
22	LIAM HERBERT	1:05:39	2	Second fastest man
23	DEAN CARPENTER	1:09:53	5
24	NIKKI ANDREWS	1:15:30	9	Second fastest woman
25	PETE SMITH	1:14:22	8
26	LEE LAWRENCE	1:17:00	11	PB (0:37)
27	DYFED THOMPSON-SMITH	1:27:06	23	SB
28	KATY JINKS	1:18:09	13	Third fastest woman
29	MARK GOODWIN	1:15:56	10
30	MARIA THORNE	1:31:48	28
31	TRACY STILES	1:45:00	36	SB
32	ROBERT EVANS	1:20:41	15	PB (0:49)
33	KAREN PALMER	1:32:20	29
34	DARREN WILBY	1:21:30	16	SB
35	SELVAN NAICKER	1:26:35	21
36	CHARLIE PATERSON	1:26:27	20
37	PAUL HOLGATE	1:37:59	33

 Five Mile Result

Event Position	Name	Time	Time Position	Comments
1	LISA GRAY	41:13	9	Event Winner
2	SARAH HUKIN	46:39	12	Second Overall
3	CLAIRE COKER	37:40	5	Third Overall
4	JACKIE MORRISON	51:08	16	PB (0:46)
5	LES BUTLER	48:56	13	First Man (SB)
6	MARIA RUSHTON	49:00	14	PB (0:27)
7	ANTHONY WHITE	40:20	8	Second Man
8	RHIANNON GRIFFIN	34:57	2	Fastest Woman
9	PAUL PICKARD	39:35	6
10	MADDIE PRITCHARD	37:07	4	Third Fastest Woman
11	SARAH PIKE	41:31	10	PB (1:08)
12	LISA BURGESS	35:05	3	Second Fastest Woman
13	STEVE PIKE	42:11	11
14	BERNIE BARNABY	34:51	1	Fastest Man
15	ANDREA WESTCOTT	50:20	15	SB
16	TRACY PEZ	40:00	7
17	SAIVESHEN NAIDOO	52:49	17
18	SHARON CROWLEY	55:14	18

Enigma Marathon

ROGER BIGGS and PAUL HOLGATE ran the Enigma Marathon around Caldecote Lake in Milton Keynes on Thursday.  Roger finished in 4 hours 18 minutes 50 seconds and Paul in 5:30:49.

Genk Marathon

Three Spartans ran the Genk Marathon near Maastrich, Belgium on Sunday.  This was a seven lap course on the outskirts of Genk, with a mixture of quiet residential roads and forest trails (hard surface).  Despite the temperature being around zero, the hazy sunshine made it reasonable running conditions. 4:17:13 – Roger Biggs finished in 4 hours 17 minutes 13 seconds; CAROL PAUL in 4:43:02 and MIKE NEWBITT in 5:11:30.

Move Up In Cross Country

Fairlands Valley Spartans go into this Sunday’s Cross Country League race with the club’s women in seventh place out of seventeen and the men ninth equal on points.  Both have opportunities to move up this weekend.

Coming Events

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

 – Cross Country League in Watford on Sunday 17^th February.

– County Veterans Cross Country Championships at Willian, Letchworth      on Sunday 17^th March 2013.

– Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21^st April.

– Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21^st July.

– Relays in the Park on Thursday 25^th July.

– Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3^rd November.

 

Here is this week’s What’s On Newsletter, a chance to see all the upcoming club activities for this coming week!

213 9th February 2013

 

Here is this month’s Catch a Coach newsletter from the coaching team.

Take a look at the ten of the best for February.  There’s loads going on with a particular emphasis in our training for the forthcoming midweek league series starting in May.  The planned speed development and hill training complement a whole range of training objectives so please don’t miss then simply because you are training for a marathon.  They will turn you into quicker runners and they are great fun to do with the rest of the club.

See you on the training ground!

Catch a Coach newsletter February 2013 v0.1

 

Here is this week’s Whats On newsletter, giving you details of all of the club’s training activities for the coming week.  Remember there is much more information within the club’s training calendar, easily found on the website.

See you at training!

212 2nd February 2013

Hi,

Sorry that this week’s newsletter is late! Too much partying on Friday night.

Here it is!

211 26th January 2013

Hi,

Here is this week’s Whats On newsletter. Please remember to check the club website and/or Forum for details of any changes to training venues/sessions during the bad weather.

210 19th January 2013

 

 

On Saturday 12th January we completed the first of the club’s Cooper Fitness Test.  You can find out more about what the test is here.

The results are summarised here.

We are expecting to hold the next test in March and then approximtely every 8 weeks after that.  Look out for the details in the training programme.

Here is this week’s What’s On Newsletter.

208 5th January 2013

Please note the news that we will be coming into the school site from the new entrance on Brittain Way (off of the roundabout on Six Hills Way opposite Ken Brown motors). Attached below is a copy of the location map. Please read the newsletter for the details.

New school entrance 070113

FROM MONDAY 7^th JANUARY WE WILL BE USING THE NEW SCHOOL ENTRANCE.

YOU CAN FIND THIS BY COMING INTO BRITTAIN WAY (off of the roundabout on Six Hills Way near the Ken Brown Motors site, adjacent to Shephall Way).

When you drive into Brittain Way, continue ahead and enter the new school car park.  Walk towards the school main entrance and then turn left through a set of double gates and follow the wide tarmac pathway that goes around the side of the school building.  There will be members of the sports centre team to direct you.  This then leads around to the entrance of the new sports centre extension. There is a large covered walkway in front of the entrance that we will meet under.  The postcode for the new school (and hence the new entrance is SG2 8UT).

Here is a location map for you to view.  New school entrance 070113