Here are the results from the Cheshunt Cross Country. Cheshunt XC Results
Well done everyone.
The next cross country is on Sunday 24th November at Grovelands Park
Category: News
Recent information relating to club or calendar
Fairlands Valley Spartans are thrilled to offer their congratulations to our very own Grant Ramsey who has been called up to run for the Scotland team in next months British & Irish Masters Cross Country International which will be held in Cardiff.
Grant recently became sponsored by Osteopathy First Stevenage and has seen his times improve. Last weekend Grant won a vets cross country event for the London Met league which sealed the deal for his place on the Scottish team.
GOOD LUCK GRANT!!!!!
Categories
5k handicap results 17th October
29 finishers in last night’s Handicap 5k. A big thank you to Graham Blackburn, Mick Connell and Bernie Barnaby for their excellent support with the start and finish, and also to Martin Dudley, Tracy Pez and Matt Gill for their support to runners around the course.
Winner on the night in her debut 5k was newcomer Denise Hurlock in 28:06, 6:54 quicker than handicap, with another debutee, Eileen Latchford 2nd, in 29:00, 6 minutes ahead of handicap, and Sofia Carpenter 3rd in a new personal best time of 25:30, 2:36 quicker than September, supported by Martin Dudley.
First male to finish was Robin Hester in a new PB of his own, 28:08, 2:54 faster than his previous PB, with Robert Shaw 2nd in 27:15, 3:10 quicker than September, and Darren Bennett 3rd man in his debut 5k in a time of 20:57, 2:18 better than handicap.
Fastest man was Grant Ramsay, in 16:46, 11 seconds quicker than September, with Dean Carpenter 2nd quickest in 20:01, 14 seconds better than September and Vishal Shah 3rd quickest, equalling his September PB time of 20:35.
Fastest lady was Lisa Liversidge in a new PB time of 24:26, 19 seconds better than her previous PB and 54 seconds faster than in September, with Isabel Green 2nd quickest in a season best time of 24:51, 1:39 better than handicap, and Karen Palmer 3rd quickest in a new PB of 25:12, 27 seconds better than her previous PB, supported by Matt Gill.
There were also PBs for Kerstin Weiner +1:38 to 25:34, in 5th position overall, Wendy Summerbee +2:16 to 31:56, in 8th position overall, Fiona Keely 32:54, Richard Bates +1:34 to 29:06, Jan Fry +0:45 to 29:50 and James Seals 22:21, while Steve Elder ran a new SB time of 23:13 and there were other year bests for Mark Beasley and Paul Holgate.
Total time between 1st and last finisher was 7:19 (6:15 from 2nd-27th) and 59% of finishers were within less than 1 minute of their adjusted handicap.
Next Handicap 5k will be on Thursday 21st November.
Best regards
Paul
JULIE SIMMONS won GOLD and CLAIRE BAKER BRONZE medals in the Hertfordshire County 5K Championships for veterans (35 and over) which were held within the second race in the Hatfield series.
On Tuesday evening there were 15 Spartans among the 132 runners and more excellent times.
Once again SIMON JACKSON was the first Spartan to finish and was second overall. He was just four seconds behind the race winner, one second quicker than two weeks before, in a new Season Best time of 16 minutes 51 seconds, now just 2 seconds shy of his personal best (PB) run in 2010. CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT improved his previous time by 52 seconds to 18:17, and was second Spartan to finish in 23rd place overall. DAVID BOWKER was just 8 seconds further back and 27th in 18:25. BERNIE BARNABY improved his time by 10 seconds to 19:19, with JOHN HARRIS 19:41 and KIERAN FEETHAM in a new personal best of 20:37.
JULIE SIMMONS collected the female (55 plus) Gold medal in a time of 22:29, followed by MICHELLE REEVES improving her PB by a further 28 seconds to 22:56. CLAIRE BAKER improved by 1 minutes 4 seconds to 23:08 and won the county bronze medal for women aged 35 plus.
ROGER BIGGS finished in 24:15, BEVERLEY HARLOW 25:31, SHARON CROWLEY 26:08 and PAUL HOLGATE 26:55. ANDREA WESTCOTT cut her PB by 37 seconds to 27 minutes exactly. She was 1:20 quicker than a fortnight earlier.
Serpentine Spartan, CARLOS VASQUEZ GARCIA, was again fourth overall, two seconds quicker than before, in a time of 16:59.
The final race in the series is on Tuesday 22nd October.
Great Eastern Run (Peterborough Half Marathon)
The 2013 Great Eastern Run was hailed a success despite the wet weather making conditions difficult for the 3,842 finishers who took part.
The start quickly became a mud bath with the rain continuing to pour down.
And for two of the Spartans taking part the challenge was made all the harder when they missed the start by 20 minutes when the A1 was closed due to a collision between a Tesco articulated lorry and a coach carrying 47 passengers, 11 requiring hospital treatment.
Sharon and Paul caught up the tail end of the race and then weaved their way through the runners as Sharon overtook 550 runners to finish in 3292nd position, while Paul made his way past 1,270 runners to 2572nd position.
Jo Cahill ran a new half marathon personal best of 2 hours 25 minutes 11 seconds.
The Spartan finishers were Dyfed Thompson-Smith 1,697th in 1:52:09; Paul Holgate 2,572nd in 2:03:50; Tracy Stiles 2,978th in 2:11:38; Sharon Crowley 3,292nd in 2:21:08; Jo Cahill 3,389th in a new personal best of 2:25:11; Charlotte Cockerill 3,534th in 2:31:25; Melissa Tyler 3,612th in 2:36:16 and Jayne Pinner 3,749th in 2:46:20.
Ware 10
Sunday’s Ware 10 was very wet and windy, feeling more like a duck ‘n’ dash than a running event at times due to the size of the unavoidable puddles but Spartan JOANNE BOWDERY finished her first ever 10 mile run in 1 hour 25 minutes 6 seconds.
DEAN CARPENTER was the fastest Spartan. He was 35th overall in 1:11:47. Although that wasn’t a personal best he did comment that he lapped a cow at about eight miles.
Several other Spartans took part including VISH SHAH (1:12:27); MARK GOODWIN (1:17:32); TRACY PEZ (1:18:40); MARIE COLUCCI (1:22:06); ROY BOWDERY (1:30:33); DAWN EASBY (1:35:00) and NICK WITCOMBE (1:36:32).
Leicester Marathon
It rained and it was windy for Sunday’s Leicester Marathon, but the predicted storms stayed away. Over a pleasant and undulating course, ROGER BIGGS had to nurse home an injured ankle to finish in 4 hours 27 minutes 6 seconds.
Carol in Canada
After a six week lay off with a back injury CAROL PAUL was back in action this weekend in Canada. On Sunday she ran the Kennebecassis marathon in New Brunswick, Canada. The race was a very undulating (hilly) point to point course which started in Bloomfield Ridge and finished in Rothesay near Saint John. At the race start the temperature was zero degrees C and sunny but it soon crept up to 14 deg C. The course was lined with the changing colour of the Fall trees, such a beautiful scenery for a marathon. Carol completed the race in 5:02:05
Danny’s A Winner – Lea Valley Aquathlon
Tuesday night saw the last of the six race Aquathlon series at Lea Valley. Feeling nervous about his lack of swimming ability DANNY HUKIN entered the short distance which was a 250 metre swim and a 4K run. Getting out the water well down the pecking order he found his running legs to win the race – first overall!
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 17th October
• County 10 Mile Championships for veterans on Sunday 27th October
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 21st November
• Spartans AGM on Friday 22nd November
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 19th December
• County Ten Miles Championship in Buntingford on 30th December 2013
• Presentation Evening on Friday 28th February 2014
Join The Spartans
Live in or near Stevenage? Like running? Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up! The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010. It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.
The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, 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
Categories
SPARTANS DON’T STAND OR RUN ALONE
Forty four Spartans competed in Sunday’s Standalone 10K in Letchworth.
Dean Carpenter completed the Standalone 10k today finishing in 83rd position in a time of 41 min 32 seconds.
CLAIRE BAKER took part in the Standalone 10K for the first time. She had a good strong run and managed a time of 51 minutes 45 seconds which she was really pleased with. Her last 10K was a year ago with a time of 55.47 so she took just over 4 minutes off making this a new personal best (PB). Claire says she is quite new to Fairlands Valley Spartans and definitely felt the benefits of her recent training!
The leading Spartans were: 6th Grant Ramsay (34:33); 8th Simon Jackson (34:53); 14th Andrew Patterson (36:29); 41st Christopher Westcott (39:02); 66th Jo Laing (F, 40:22); 75th Graham Blackburn (40:54); 83rd Dean Carpenter (41:40); 109th Dave Carpenter (41:32); 112th John Harris (42:44) and 116th Mike King (43:07).
The results for the senior county 10K championships are not yet available.
Official Results For All Spartans:
Position Name Time Comments
6 GRANT RAMSAY 34:33
8 SIMON JACKSON 34:53 CB 1 minute
14 ANDREW PATTERSON 36:29
41 CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT 39:02
66 JO LAING (F) 40:22
75 GRAHAM BLACKBURN 40:54
83 DEAN CARPENTER 41:32
109 DAVE SMITH 42:46
112 JOHN HARRIS 42:44
116 MIKE KING 43:07
120 MATTHEW JAMIESON 43:26
135 JENNIFER ROBERTSON (F) 43:57
167 RICHARD HAZLEDENE 44:16
198 MARK GOODWIN 45:05
202 RYAN DUNNING 45:13
204 TRACY PEZ (F) 45:15
205 TOM AYRES 45:14
228 SELVAN NAICKER 45:50
246 CLIVE CANNON 46:17
255 MADELEINE PRITCHARD (F) 46:31
257 JULIE SIMMONS (F) 46:38
265 RHIANNON GRIFFIN (F) 46:50
288 ANDY JAY 47:14
323 ANDY PRIOR 47:47
364 CHRISTOPHER MEE 48:57
459 NIKKI WILBY (F) 50:24
460 MARJ SHANAHAN (F) 50:40
482 ROY BOWDERY 50:50
544 DYFED THOMPSON-SMITH 51:50
548 CLAIRE BAKER (F) 51:45 PB (4 minutes)
567 LISA KASPEROWICZ (F) 52:29
612 NICOLA LORIMER (F) 53:09
632 KAREN PALMER (F) 53:28
699 LISA GAVIGAN (F) 55:33
730 RUTH REILLY (F) 55:54
768 KATE HANTON (F) 57:10
828 ANDREA WESTCOTT (F) 58:14
865 SHARON CROWLEY (F) 59:02
907 PAUL HOLGATE 59:52
930 LORRAINE THOMAS (F) 1:01:00
977 GRAHAM HILL 1:02:34
980 MELISSA TYLER (F) 1:03:32
1068 LINDA GREENE (F) 1:08:27
1072 JANET COX (F) 1:08:34
There were 1,153 finishers. Sofia Carpenter ran in the fun run and was first girl finishing 4th overall in a time of 5 min 40 seconds
John Harris was doing a Letchworth double at the weekend. He ran the first Saturday of the month 5K and came fifth in 20 minutes 6 seconds.
Krakow Parkrun
ANDY NEATHAM was third in Saturday’s Krakow Parkrun 5K with a time of 16 minutes 55 seconds. His graded 85.81% puts him second on the Polish Parkrun all time age graded list.
Royal Parks
VISH SHAH ran the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon in London on Sunday and improved his 13.1 miles time from 1 hour 41 minutes to 1:36:43. In the same race MARTIN PRICE finished in 1:50:20.
PB for Hannah at Bournemouth Marathon
It was a glorious day on the South Coast for the inaugural running of the Bournemouth Marathon on Sunday. The course took in parts of Boscombe, Bournemouth and Poole, using the cliff top roads, and extensive promenade, with nasty hills on the 14th & 18th miles.
HANNAH SYPULA ran a new personal best (PB) of 4 hours 48 minutes 1 second. An improvement of 5 minutes 23 seconds. She says there was great support, with beautiful scenery but commented that the unexpected killer hill at 18 miles was by the finish line making it tough to carry on, knowing others had finished!
By pushing the last three miles, ROGER BIGGS kept up his sub-4 hour sequence, but only just, finishing in 3:59:58, placing Roger in 655th of just over 2000 finishers.
5K and 10K were held on Saturday with the 5K starting at 7pm to create an illumination of LED’s and hi-vis colours! Hannah said the event was really well organised event (same organisers as Edinburgh) and would definitely recommend this to others.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
• Herts Veterans 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 8th October
• Great Eastern Half Marathon in Peterborough on Sunday 13th October
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 17th October
• County 10 Mile Championships for veterans on Sunday 27th October
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November
• Spartans AGM on Friday 22nd November
• County Ten Miles Championship in Buntingford on 30th December 2013
• Presentation Evening on Friday 28th February 2014
Join The Spartans
Live in or near Stevenage? Like running? Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up! The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010. It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.
The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, 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
Categories
SILVER AND BRONZES FOR SPARTANS
County Champs
5K Champs
Many of the thirteen Spartans in the first race in the Hatfield 5 Kilometre series on Tuesday evening were rewarded with county medals and/or some excellent times.
The first Spartan to finish, in second position overall out of 141 , was SIMON JACKSON. His a new season’s best time of 16 minutes 52 seconds, was just three seconds shy of his personal best run in 2010 and he collected a county silver medal for his efforts. Next Spartans home in 23rd position overall was DAVID BOWKER with a 22 seconds improvement to his season best time to 18:20. CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT finished in 19:09 in his first 5k of the year, continuing his recovery from injury, with BERNIE BARNABY 40th in his fastest time since re-joining the club last year, 19:29, to win the Bronze medal in the county team competition.
LISA BURGESS led the ladies home in a new personal best time of 20:18, followed by SARA BROOKS, 21:47, to improve her PB run at the Handicap 5k 2 weeks earlier by 1:28, with CLARE MOORE 22:44 in a new PB of her own, 43 seconds faster than 2 weeks before, to finish 4th in the ladies county team event.
Fairlands Valley Spartans also completed a ‘B’ team in the ladies county race with LISA GRAY, 23:17 improving her PB by 0:17 seconds; MICHELLE REEVES 23:24 cutting her PB by 1:28; and CLAIRE BAKER 24:12 taking 2:21 off her PB. They were in fifth position overall.
PAUL HOLGATE and ANDREA WESTCOTT completed the 13 Spartans line-up with Paul recording a new year best time of 26:34 and Andrea a new season best time of 28:20.
Serpentine runner, CARLOS VASQUEZ GARCIA, who has been training with the club since his recent move to Stevenage, finished in 4th position overall in a time of 17:02, 34 seconds quicker than in the club’s Handicap 5k earlier in the month.
The 5k series consists of 3 races with the next race in 2 weeks’ time on Tuesday 8th October and the final race on the 21st October.
Position Name Time Comments
2 SIMON JACKSON 16:52 County Silver. SB.
4 CARLOS VASQUEZ GARCIA 17:02 Team Bronze
23 DAVID BOWKER 18:20 Team Bronze. SB.
34 CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT 19:09 Team Bronze
40 BERNIE BARNABY 19:29 PB (0:16)
52 LISA BURGESS 20:18 PB (0:11)
70 SARA BROOKS 21:47 PB (1:28)
81 CLARE MOORE 22:44 PB (0:43)
84 LISA GRAY 23:17 PB (0:17)
86 MICHELLE REEVES 23:24 PB (1:28)
92 CLAIRE BAKER 24:12 PB (24:12)
102 PAUL HOLGATE 26:34 YB
108 ANDREA WESTCOTT 28:20 SB
There were 141 finishers
Jo Wins At New Welwyn 10
JO LAING won the ladies’ veteran race at the New Welwyn 10 on Sunday.
This new race is a beautifully scenic, mostly off-road race from Wheathampstead on country roads and footpaths taking in Ayot St Peter, Ayot Green and the Brockett Hall country estate. But it is on a tough route with times 5 to 10 minutes slower than might be expected in a road event.
The six Spartans taking part were Daniel Bate 35th in 1:12:27; Dave Bowker 37th in 1 hour 12 minutes 48 seconds; Jo Laing 45th in 1:13:25 4th female & 1st lady veteran; Steve Green 72nd in 1:17:21; Isabel Green 153rd in 1:29:57 (PB); and Paul Holgate 197th in 1:36:43
There were 227 runners in the race.
What A Warrior Claire
A chuffed CLAIRE COKER was first female home in wave three of the Warrior Adrenalin 10K. It took her 66 minutes.
Best For Seven Years
GRANT RAMSAY ran his fastest 5K for seven years at the Biggleswade Open Track meeting. He won the race in 16 minutes 21 seconds.
JOHN HARRIS ran the 800 metres at the same event in 2 minutes 32 seconds.
Southend Parkrun
DANIEL BATES finished 6th out of 160 runners with a time of 20 minutes 20 seconds in Saturday’s 5K Parkrun at Southend. Not bad for first event back since the Jungfrau Marathon!
Last Friday
Stupidly only 65 hours after finishing second in the County 5k SIMON JACKSON was racing the Last Friday Of The Month in Hyde Park
Despite having nothing in his legs when he needed it at 3k he still did 16.54, 2 seconds slower that Tuesday and just 5 seconds off his personal best. He was eighth overall.
Oostende Marathon – Sunday, 29th September 2013
Roger Biggs travelled to the Belgium Coast to take part in the Inaugural Oostende Marathon.
It was a nice sunny warm day, but with cooling winds off the sea and the various canals. The event was on a flat course, but with a few sections of cobbles, and miles of concrete paths took their toll.
Roger struggled to maintain his sub-4 hours pace in the second half, but found something over the last 5km to finish in 3:58:22.
Barns Green Half
Bev Harlow ran the Barns Green half marathon in East Sussex in 2:02:09. It was on a lovely rural undulating course on a gloriously sunny day.
New Forest Half Marathon
Darryl Stevens ran the New Forest Half Marathon in 2 hours 39 minutes 58 seconds.
Lisa GNR
Recently LISA GRAY did her first half marathon in at the Great North Run in Newcastle with a time of 1:48:35 which she was delighted with. It was a superb experience. She hopes to have raised over 350 for Autism Uk too.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
• Herts Veterans 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 8th October
• Great Eastern Half Marathon in Peterborough on Sunday 13th October
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 17th October
• County 10 Mile Championships for veterans on Sunday 27th October
• Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November
• Spartans AGM on Friday 22nd November
• County Ten Miles Championship in Buntingford on 30th December 2013
• Presentation Evening on Friday 28th February 2014
Join The Spartans
Live in or near Stevenage? Like running? Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up! The club was voted the UK’s Best Running Club in 2010. It now has hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.
The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, 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
Dear Member,
I should like to take this opportunity to thank all those of you who have freely given of your time and talents this year to support Spartan events whether as race directors, marshals, time keepers, cheer leaders, coaches etc, the list is endless. This has been a very successful period for FVS and that would not be possible without all the volunteers who give so much.
One of the ways in which we keep our membership subscription so low is by organising events, such as the Fairlands Valley Challenge, which raise funds for the club. Some of our other events, such as the half marathon, and events which we support such as the Race for Life, Hospice 5K and Herts Air Ambulance Fun Run help local charity organisations to raise funds. This is as aspect of the club which raises our profile in the local area as well as helping those charities.
One of the problems we have experienced recently is the difficulty in recruiting enough volunteers from the membership to adequately support these events. It has frequently been the case this year that it is only very close to the event, after continued pleading on behalf of the organisers that we have enough volunteers to safely continue with the event. This in turn makes people feel reluctant to commit to become race directors and often means that the same few people end up doing most of the work.
So, we need to address this problem to ensure that we can continue to operate as we have done in the last few years. We have already started to cut back on the number of events we organise but this means that there are fewer events in which runners can participate and may mean that subscriptions will need to rise in the future.
I would like, therefore, to ask you all to consider volunteering for at least one event during the year, as a marshal or race director or in another capacity according to your inclination. I freely acknowledge that some people have done more than their share over many years and will (hopefully) continue to do just that, but it is not really fair on them.
I think that many people feel that they don’t have the necessary skills to become race directors, for example, so we will be providing a workshop to give information about exactly what is involved. It does not have to be a single person but can be a team effort with the workload split between several people. I would encourage as many of you as possible to consider attending the workshop when it is advertised, if only to find out what others do on your behalf.
The next big event is the Stevenage Half Marathon and we shall be recruiting helpers for a number of jobs including marshalling. This event really puts our club on the running map and this year the main charity is the Magic of Play Appeal at Lister Hospital.
Another opportunity to contribute towards the club is at the Annual General Meeting which is held in November. This year it will be on Friday 22nd November at Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre in the Ellen Terry Suite at 7.30pm.Tea and coffee will be provided and there will be a bar to make it a more social occasion than it has been recently. There will be a draw for a place in next year’s Milton Keynes Marathon and, if possible we will conduct the VLM draw. Last year only 30 people attended the AGM which means that decisions are taken by a small representation of the membership. Again, I would ask you all to consider attending and note the date in your diary.
We shall be needing some key members of the committee to replace those who are standing down this year. In particular we need a treasurer and/or assistant treasurer If you would like to find out more about these roles please speak to a member of the committee or email me on chairman@fvspartans.org.uk.
Once again, I want to emphasize my thanks to those members who always step forward to help when asked to. Let’s try to spread the load a bit and build on the fantastic work of those people who do so much to make this club the club we want it to be.
Happy running.
Beverley Harlow
Club Chair
Categories
GOLD FOR RHIANNON & STEVE
46 miles for Karen and Tricia
RHIANNON GRIFFIN took GOLD in Fairlands Valley Spartans’ recent track and field championship with an average score of 55.5%; SHARON CROWLEY won SILVER with 50.2% and MADDIE PRITCHARD BRONZE with 44.8%. Competitors had to take part in one sprint, one middle distance race, one jump and one throw.
The men’s championship was won by STEVE MAYFIELD with 61.5%, BERNIE BARNABY was second with 58.2% and IAN VENNEY third with 52.1%.
Three Spartans raced together in heat 2 of the 800 metres at the final midweek Watford Open Graded track meeting of the summer. In cool conditions with little wind they found it easier going than three days earlier at the club Track & Field Championships, each of them posting times more than three seconds faster. STEVE MAYFIELD was second in a season’s best time of 2 minutes 26.07 seconds, BERNIE BARNABY was 10th in 2:34.48 with RHIANNON GRIFFIN a place behind in 2:37.61.
Trail of Herts – Saturday 21st September 2013
Having completed 12 marathons in 12 months in 2011 and the Hadrian’s Wall Run in 2012, KAREN LIDDLE and TRICIA HOPPER were looking for a new challenge for 2013.
On Saturday they took part in the 55 miles Trail of Herts event!
This is a 55 mile trail race with a 13 hour time limit. The run started in the beautiful market town of Berkhamsted set deep in the heart of the Chiltern Hills in Hertfordshire, heading East and South East along trails using parts of The Chilterns Way, Hertfordshire Way, Chain Walk, disused railways and canal and riverside paths, and finishing in the centre of London. The first half of the race was undulating, passing through the Chiltern Hills, taking in stunning views, very old and historic churches, amazing disused railway lines, and great places of interest. The second half of the race flattened out, running alongside the manmade but beautiful New River, built to provide drinking water from Hertfordshire to the growing Victorian London. It then moved onto The Lea Valley canal towards the Olympic stadium and much revived East End.
As if the challenge was not tough enough already some delightful children decided to pull down some of the direction tape essential to enabling the runners to remain on course, resulting in Karen & Tricia becoming completely lost. Never ones to give up they navigated themselves back onto the course some 1½ hours later and with completion inside the 13 hour time limit now impossible, admirably continued to get as far as possible, completing more than 45 miles to reach Cuffley before running out of time.
Don Gregory turned out to support Karen & Tricia at checkpoint 3 at St Peter’s church in Tewin which was a real boost to them both at 24 miles.
Carlow – Kilkenny Marathon
The Carlow – Kilkenny Marathon drew ROGER BIGGS to Ireland at the weekend.
This was a point to point Marathon, starting in Carlow, finishing by Kilkenny Castle, County Kilkenny. Warm weather, an undulating course, and an over distance course at 26.8 miles, meant he was really pleased to dip under four hours in 3:59:26.
Roger has now run a marathon in 82 counties of the possible 109 in the UK & Ireland.
Dean’s Half
DEAN CARPENTER was 79th in the Pleshey & Essex half marathon with a time of 1 hour 32 minutes 54 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 Championships in Letchworth on Sunday 6th October
• Herts Veterans 5K Championships in WGC on Tuesday 8th October
• Great Eastern Half Marathon in Peterborough on Sunday 13th October
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 17th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.
The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, 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
NOT A POSTCODE LOTTERY
But SG5 are Number One
SG5 were number one in Fairlands Valley Spartans postcode team relay.
ANDREW PATTERSON (3rd in 30:18); TODD GRAY (5th in 31:05); DAVID BOWKER (10th in 34:18); MARIE COLUCCI (20th in 37:04); TRACY PEZ (22nd in 38:04) and DAWN EASBY (30th in 41:40), all living in postcodes SG5 to SG19 won Tuesday’s team race round the Spartans new five mile course.
“Team SG1 1xx/2xx” consisting of IAN VENNEY (4th in 30:40); DAVIE STAFFORD (7th in 33:04); LISA BURGESS (14th in 35:25); MICHELLE REEVES (29th in 41:10) and JIM BROWN (32nd in 42:33) were a third woman short of a complete team but still finished comfortably ahead of “SG1 4xx.”
The fastest runners were GRANT RAMSAY (28:22); SIMON JACKSON (29:01); ANDREW PATTERSON (30:18); IAN VENNEY (30:40) and TODD GRAY (31:05). LISA BURGESS (35:25) was the fastest woman. 49 runners completed the course.
Magnificent New Personal Best for Grant
GRANT RAMSAY ran a magnificent new personal best in Sunday’s Great North Run and he was in the top 0.1% of the finishers, 56th out of more than 56,000.
Grant says he paced this really well, with the last eight miles run faster than the first five. Even though the conditions were not easy with the wind and the rain he improved his personal best by 22 seconds to finish in 1 hour 13 minutes 8 seconds.
TRACY STILES completed the race in 2:15:30.
Jungfrau Marathon
DANIEL BATES ran two races in Interlaken, Switzerland over the weekend.
On Friday he took part in the Jungfrau Mini –Marathon. This was a 4.2 kilometres race consisting of three laps around the main park in Interlaken with around 2,000 people watching. Daniel finished 18th, with a time of 17 minutes 36 seconds having down the first lap in 5:12, second lap in 5:42 and after a mishap last lap in 6:41.
Then on Saturday he had to go ten times as far in the Jungfrau Marathon. This was a full 42km – 26.2 mile mountain marathon. He finished 987th out of 2,952 runners in the men category. Overall he was 1,143th out of 3,819 runners with a time of 4 hours 54 minutes 22 seconds.
Grafham Water Marathon
PAUL MARSHALL completed the Grafham Water marathon today in a PB of 4:04:15 taking 17mins off my previous time. It was a tough two lap race with uneven surface but the weather was fairly kind. In my goody bag at the end though I received some salad cream, which I’m still trying to understand.
What a difference a day makes!!
In Swanage for a weekend of running, ROGER BIGGS took part in the well organised Park Run 5km on Saturday. Running twolaps around the boating lake on a flat course in good weather for running, Roger completed the 5K in 23:17, to finish in 139th of the 497 finishers.
Then on Sunday the Purbeck Trail Marathon started from Swanage. The course was a clockwise lap of the Isle of Purbeck, often hugging the coastline on rocky coastal paths, and seemingly always going up & down. The concentration of running on tough terrain, the strong winds, then finally squally rain, made this a tough day, with Roger well down the field with a time of 4 hours 43 minutes 4 seconds.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
• 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
• Great Eastern Half Marathon in Peterborough on Sunday 13th October
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 17th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.
The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, 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
Categories
5 Mile Team Championship Results
Here are the results from last night’s 5 mile team championship.
Huge well done to everyone who ran and big thanks to Bernie for organising and to Paul for the results.
Rob and Cathy Win 5K
More than 40 Fairlands Valley Spartans took part in Thursday’s Handicap 5K.
ROB SHAW was the first to finish, proving excellent progress in his recovery from injury as he completed the course almost 10 minutes quicker than expected in 30 minutes 25 seconds.
CATHY CRAIG was the winning woman taking just 27 minutes 43 seconds in her first 5k with the club. Kerstin Weiner was second woman in 27:12 for her first 5k. Sue Hamer was third female in anew personal best (PB) time of 27:29 – over 2 minutes quicker than her previous PB, with Amy Waring 4th lady in 28:51 for her first 5k.
2nd man was another debutee, newcomer Richard Bates, 6th overall in 30:40, with another newcomer, Shane Bingley 3rd man in a PB time of 23:46.
In 8th & 9th positions overall were Andy Jay excellently paced around the course by a very speedy, young Ella Pez on her scooter, while Hannah Davidson posted her first 5k time of the year in 26:54 in 10th position.
Fastest time on the night was 16:57 by Grant Ramsay, with debutee Carlos Vasquez 2nd quickest in 17:36 and another first timer, Ian Yenney 3rd fastest in 17:55. Todd Gray was 4th quickest, equalling his fastest time of the year with 18:27, while David Bowker improved his Year Best time by 25 seconds to 19:18, 5th fastest.
Newcomer Sara Brooks was quickest female in 23:15, with Clare Moore 2nd fastest in a new PB time of 23:27 – 43 seconds ahead of her previous best, and Lisa Gray 3rd quickest with 24:33 despite carrying an injury on the night.
Dave Smith also improved his PB time, by 29 seconds to 20:24, and there were also year best times for Anton McCalla, Graham Blackburn, Mark Goodwin and Andy Prior, while Callum Beasley, Sofia Carpenter, Nick Emmett, Alastair Baldwin, Claire Baker, Andrew Jordan & Jacqui Brown made it 15 debutees running their 1st 5k with the club overall, although for Andrew it was closer to 6.5k after a slight detour, still managing 25:54 despite the extra distance.
The next Handicap 5k will be on Thursday 17th October 2013.
Spartans Win Eastern Veterans Championship
Fairlands Valley Spartans won the ladies team event at Eastern Vets Athletics Club finals. The men were a creditable 6th. For both teams this is their best achievement in the five years the club has competed in the tournament; the ladies improving on their runners up spot from last year, and the men making their first appearance in the finals. The continued progress of the club in track and field is due to two things, first the hard work and dedication of a small group of members to improve themselves and learn new skills and second by recruiting a handful of talented athletes who want the opportunity to participate in this increasingly popular competition.
For both teams the day was a complex logistical exercise, working around timetable clashes to get the best possible athlete in each event and cover as many of the 89 events as possible. This also meant working around injuries, which lead to a heavy burden for some athletes.
Stand out performers for the ladies team were MONICA BROWN in the W45s and LOUISE OLIVER for the W35s, both scored heavily and won several of the thirteen individual events they managed between them. JULIE SIMMONS took on all the track events for the W55 team, plus the 1500m for the W45, and SHARON CROWLEY found herself equally busy with five individual events too. There were fine performances on the track for the W35s from CHRISTINE LATHWELL in the 1500m and 3000m and ROSIE CANHAM returning from injury in the 400m and 800m. PETA WILSON, STEPHANIE MAYFIELD, CHRIS FEELY, TESSA STEPHENSON and CAROLYN SHORTLAND were the other members of the winning ladies team.
The men found it tough going against very strong competition with wins few and far between. DAVE BOWKER and BARRY KING achieved a double first in the A string and B string 2km walk. GRANT RAMSAY delivered the strong performances in the 1500m and 3000m for the M40s and CHRIS WESTCOTT showed signs of a return to form after injury. STEVE MAYFIELD was the busiest Spartan of the day with eight individual events plus a relay, closely followed by team captain DAVE STEPHENSON with seven and MICK SHORTLAND six. The team was completed by SIMON JACKSON, MARK CHEADLE, BERNIE BARNABY and TIM SAUNDERS MULLINS.
Wins In Scotland
It was a Highland Fling for ROGER BIGGS and BARBARA WILSON as they both won their age category in Saturday’s Highland Perthshire Marathon.
Roger and Barbara made the long journey to Aberfeldy, in the Perthshire Highlands of Scotland.
The two lap marathon course took a scenic route from Aberfeldy to the edge of Loch Tay at Kenmore passing through the grounds of Tay Castle near the halfway point of each lap. Despite a nasty hill going through the Tay Castle grounds, the course could be considered a fast course as both Roger and Barbara ran quick times.
Roger completed the marathon in 3:54:06, while Barbara ran the one lap half marathon in 1:58:22.
Chasing Steeples
GRANT RAMSAY represented Hertfordshire in the Intermcounties Match at Sandy. He was sixth in the 3,000 metres steeplechase with a season’s best time of 10 minutes 42 seconds.
Bedford 10K
BARRY OSBORNE raced round the Bedford Harriers 10K in 39 minutes 58 seconds.
Run To The Beat Half Marathon
LIAM HERBERT ran to the beat over 13.1 miles around Greenwich, London in the sixth annual Run To The Beat Half Marathon, organised by Nike. A fast, sweeping, downhill opening 6 miles was followed by a rather tough and hilly second half which was not conducive to a personal best time for Liam, but he still finished 134th out of 12,399 runners in 1:28:11, which placed Liam just outside the top 1% of all finishers on the day.
JO BOWDERY was running her first half marathon and finished in 2.00.46.
Watford Open
On a beautiful evening for running, Christopher Westcott triumphed in Heat 5 of the Watford Open in 2:21.24, his first 800m for over 20 years. Earlier on, Bernie Barnaby and Rhiannon Griffin secured a 1-2 in the 200m (29.80 and 30.25 respectively), as well as competing in the 800m in 2:32.05 and 2:37.68. Late into the night Richie Bate finished the 3000m in 7th in 9:20.06.
First Saturday
TRACY PEZ ran the first Saturday off road 5k around Norton Common. She was second woman in 22 minutes 28 seconds.
Grunty Fen
JAN FRY ran the Grunty Fen Half Marathon in a new personal best of 2 hours 18 minutes. She was third female in her age category.
Polish 10K
Andy & Anne Marie Neatham spent the weekend at the Festiwal Biegowy in Krynica-Zdroj, Poland. This event incorporated the World Mountain Running Championships. Andy and Anne Marie competed in the 10k Road Race on Saturday (7th) which included the Polish Veterans Championships. On a perfect day for running Andy finished 49th and 6th M40 in 34.35, his fastest time since becoming a veteran. Anne Marie finished in 1439th (and 73rd W40) out of 1821 finishers, in a PB of 58.43, her first time under the hour for this distance.
Chiltern Marathon
With just two weeks to go until they tackle the 55 miles Trail of Herts event, Tricia Hopper and Karen Liddle made some final preparations at the tough Chiltern marathon from Lane End, Buckinghamshire. On a very hilly course where up and down mean UP and DOWN, they were deservedly delighted to complete the 27 miles in 6:45, while Paul Holgate was equally pleased with his 21.5 miles in 5:49.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
• 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
• Great Eastern Half Marathon in Peterborough on Sunday 13th October
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 17th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.
The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, 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
Fairlands Valley Spartans are proud winners of a Pride of Stevenage award.
The club have been awarded the prestigious SoSport award which will presented on the 26th October at a celebratory event being held at the Leisure Centre.
As a winner the club will also be asked to take part in the production of a video – watch this space for details as you may have a chance to star in the film!
Congratulations to all members who have contributed to making FVS the great club it is – each member plays a key part in making FVS deserving of this award. Thank you.
More than 40 participants in last night’s Handicap 5k excellently supported
by Bernie with the start and finish and thanks also to Rob Shaw for issuing
finish raffle tickets after completing the run himself first.
First to finish was indeed Rob, proving excellent progress in his recovery
from injury as he completed the course almost 10 minutes quicker than
expected in 30:25.
Winning female was Cathy Craig, recording 27:43 in her first 5k with the
club, with Kerstin Weiner 2nd lady in 27:12 for her debut 5k and with Sue
Hamer 3rd female in anew PB time of 27:29 – over 2 minutes quicker than her
previous PB, with Amy Waring 4th lady in 28:51 on her first 5k.
2nd man was another debutee, newcomer Richard Bates, 6th overall in 30:40,
with another newcomer, Shane Bingley 3rd man in a PB time of 23:46.
In 8th & 9th positions overall were Andy Jay excellently paced around the
course by a very speedy, young Ella Pez on her scooter, while Hannah
Davidson posted her first 5k time of the year in 26:54 in 10th position.
Fastest time on the night was 16:57 by Grant Ramsay, with debutee Carlos
Vasquez 2nd quickest in 17:36 and another first timer, Ian Yenney
3rdfastest in 17:55. Todd Gray was 4th quickest, equalling his fastest
time of the year with 18:27, while David Bowker improved his Year Best
time by 25 seconds to 19:18, 5th fastest.
Newcomer Sara Brooks was quickest female in 23:15, with Clare Moore
2nd fastest in a new PB time of 23:27 – 43 seconds ahead of her
previous best, and Lisa Gray 3rd quickest with 24:33 despite carrying
an injury on the night.
Dave Smith also improved his PB time, by 29 seconds to 20:24, and there
were also year best times for Anton McCalla, Graham Blackburn, Mark Goodwin
and Andy Prior, while Callum Beasley, Sofia Carpenter, Nick Emmett,
Alastair Baldwin, Claire Baker, Andrew Jordan & Jacqui Brown made it 15
debutees running their 1st 5k with the club overall, although for Andrew it
was closer to 6.5k after a slight detour, still managing 25:54 despite the
extra distance.
A hiccup with starting some of the first runners too early and Andrew’s
detour made the total time between 1st-41st longer than would be expected
for a handicap race, except for these anomalies, the total time difference
was only 5:21 between 7th-39th positions and just 4:10 between 8th-38th,
while 63% of finishers were with 2 minutes of their handicap time.
Next Handicap 5k will be scheduled for the 17th October 2013.
Results here: 5k Results 5th Sept(1)
REGENTS PARK
A warm sultry evening did not deter the five Spartans in the enjoyable Regents Park evening 10k which was organised by the BBC running club on Thursday 22nd August. Steve Mayfield was first from the club to finish. He was 47th overall in 45 minutes 8 seconds. Roger Biggs was 68th in 47:02; Madeleine Pritchard 93rd (7th female) in 48:30; Paul Holgate 131stin 56:06 and Stephanie Mayfield 142nd in 57:16. There were 178 finishers and the winning time was 33:59.
Thames Meander Trail Marathon trail Marathon – Saturday, 24h August 2013
ROGER BIGGS enjoyed the Thames Meander Trail Marathon on Saturday. This was an event from Kingston-Upon-Thames, with a 1 mile road start, 2.5 miles in Richmond Park, before turning east along the south towpath to reach halfway at Putney Bridge, then returning back along the same route. Apart from hilly sections within the park, the course was basically flat, although roughish trail at times.
It was very humid throughout with a hint of rain, before runners were greeted with a downpour as they returned through Richmond Park.
Roger ran a good solid race to finish in 4 hours 16 minutes 37 seconds, 12 minutes quicker than last year! He was 147th out of the 265 finishers.
Pathfinder Event – Monday, 26th August 2013
Then on Monday Roger was one of three Spartans who travelled to Conington near Huntingdon for the Pathfinder Marathon which is an event that visits several of the Second World War RAF Airfields in the area.
It was on a combination of minor road, trails, paths & fields, over a pretty flat course.
On a warm and sunny day Roger completed the 42 kilometres in 5 hours 40 minutes 59 seconds. MIKE NEWBITT finished in 5:47:37 and ROBERT HARDY in 6:27:22.
PAULINE HARDY completed the 14.5 miles option in 4:02:14.
Parkrun
DANIEL BATES ran Saturday’s Oak Hill Parkrun in 20 minutes 55 seconds. He was sixth out of the 70 runners in the event which was in Barnet.
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 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.
The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, 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
Flying the Spartan Stripes in South Africa
Bev Harlow ran a trail race in South Africa which would have been called a fell race in the UK. It was up a mountain, then down again and finally along a coast road with beautiful views all round. Recent stormy weather meant that the terrain was mostly wet rocks, mud and several sections along streams or river beds(knee deep). It was very friendly and well organised. Time 2:00:06 Position 231/282 and 5th in age group.
Lee Valley Sprints
At the penultimate Lee Valley sprints evening of the summer, STEVE MAYFIELD ran 13.02 seconds for the 100m taking 6th place in heat 4. After a 90 minute break he lined up in heat 4 of the 200m and came in 4th, setting a new personal best of 26.62 seconds. This was his second PB over the distance in 4 days, having run 27.01 in the Southern League at Abingdon last weekend.
A free run in the Park
Saturday Park Runs are springing up all over the country and beyond Not only do you usually get a well organised event, they are free!! The latest Spartans to take advantage of this was Daniel Bates. Located at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough, Daniel finished the 5km race in lucky 13th place of 170 runners, in a time of 20:17.
Kimbolton Castle triumphs
Grant Ramsay continued his fine run of form, despite a hilly course and windy conditions at the Kimbolton Castle Half Marathon in Cambridgeshire. Grant finished in a time of 1:17:29 to earn 4th place of 315 runners
Daniel Bates beat his personal best by 4 minutes and 39 seconds, to finish in 01:36:47
Celebrating Leila
A marathon to celebrate the life of Leila Taylor, a former Garden City Runner who died of Breast Cancer back in February. The marathon was based in Wheathampstead, and run over a multi terrain 4 lap course, with it’s fair share of hills. Spartans taking part were:
4:59:43 – Roger Biggs
5:48:52 – Mike Newbitt
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 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.
The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, 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
News Release – 11th August 2013
FAIRLANDS VALLEY SPARTANS WOMEN WIN VETERANS TRACK & FIELD LEAGUE FOR SECOND YEAR
Fairlands Valley Spartans Women’s Team won the Central Division of the Eastern Veterans Athletic league for the second time in succession after they won the final match of the season, beating the home team, Milton Keynes, into second place on the night by 82 points to 78 with Kettering and Biggleswade further behind. They have now qualified automatically for the final in September and will then take on clubs from the other divisions.
Highlights of the match included the Triple Jump, where Spartans won in all three age categories, Steph Mayfield jumping 7.31 metres in the Women’s 35 group, Monica Brown 8.39m in the Women’s 45 group and Julie Simmons producing a Club W55 record with 5.89m. Julie also produced a great run in the 3000 metres, finishing second in 12 minutes 46.2 seconds to set a new club record, not only for her own age, but also the lower 45 group. Club records were also set by Chris Feely as an over 50 whilst finishing second in her 800 metres race in a time of 2 minutes 52.8 seconds, Carolyn Shortland as an over 60 in the Discus with 14.38 metres and Monica Brown in the Javelin as an over 45 with 17.63 metres. The rest of the team was Louise Oliver, Christine Lathwell, Sharon Crowley, Peta Wilson and the Team Captain Tessa Stephenson.
In the men’s match at the same meeting, Fairlands Valley Spartans finished second to Milton Keynes, finishing with 87 points to the winning 94. This leaves the team in second place in the Central Division behind Milton Keynes, but they should make their first ever appearance in the final as one of the best runners up.
Highlights for the men included the 3000 metres where Grant Ramsay won the over 40 age group, and the combined race in a time of 9 minutes 36.2 seconds, Dave Bowker won the over 50 group in 10 minutes 59.4 seconds, Simon Jackson was second in the over 35 group in 9 minutes 47.2 seconds and Barry Osborne came second in the over 60 group in a Club Record of 11 minutes 32.8 seconds. The Pole Vault saw wins for both Steve Mayfield in the over 40 group with a height of 2.00 metres and Dave Stephenson in the over 50 group with 2.32 metres, Dave Setting a new Club Record across all age groups. In the 1 mile walk Dave Bowker finished just 1 second ahead of Barry King with both winning their groups, this was Barry’s first ever win in the league. Mick Shortland set three Club over 60 records whilst coming second in each of the Discus with 29.19 metres, Javelin with 27.23 metres and the 200 metres in 34.8 seconds. The meeting ended with relays consisting of legs of 400m, 200m, 200m and 400m. In the 35 to 49 age group, Simon Jackson, Paul Pickard, Steve Mayfield and Grant Ramsay finished second but set a new Club Record for the over 35 age group of 3 minutes 3.9 seconds, whilst in the over 50 group, Bernie Barnaby, Dave Bowker, Mick Shortland and Dave Stephenson reduced the Club Record for over 40 athletes to 3 minutes 29.1 seconds. The team also included Tim Saunders-Mullins who competed in the over 50 group, even though he is over 60 and came second in the discus with 21.76 metres and third in the Javelin with 21.08 metres.
Salisbury 54321
The Salisbury 54321 trail marathon consisted of 5 Rivers; 4 Hills; 3 Large Country Estates; 2 Castles and 1 Cathedral. SHARON CROWLEY walked the 42K Marathon in 6 hours 36 minutes 6 seconds. CAROL PAUL finished in 5 hours 55 minutes and MIKE NEWBITT in 6 hours exactly. MIKE CROWLEY walked the 31.5 kilometre event in 5 hours 4 minutes 43 seconds.
Wimpole
DANIEL BATES ran Saturday’s Wimpole Estate Park Run in 20 minutes 54 seconds. He was 15th out of the 191 runners in the five kilometre event.
Northumberland Coast Marathon
ROGER BIGGS travelled to the North East, for the Northumberland Coast Marathon, a trail marathon based on the Village of Alnmouth in Northumberland.
The course followed the coastal path from Alnmouth to Beadwell Bay, before turning back and re-tracing all the way back to Alnmouth. On a lovely day for running, with cooling sea breezes and intermittent sunshine, the course took in around 8 miles of beach, finishing with a soft sand section back, that totally finished you off. Roger finished in 4 hours 54 minutes 1 second.
Grant’s PB Southern Track and Field
GRANT RAMSAY was fifth in a new personal best of 7 minutes 2 seconds in the 2,000 metres steeplechase Southern Track and Field Event at Cambridge.
Lottery Anniversary Race
Trudie Molloy completed the National Lottery Five Mile Anniversary Race Race in 47 minutes 15 seconds. She was delighted with the time particularly as there were 15,000 runners and some areas of the course were very busy. The race culminated with Trudie finishing by running the last 300 metres in the Olympic Stadium.
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 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.
The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Go along to the new sports centre at Marriotts School – a Sports College, 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
Categories
THIS WEEKS NEWS RELEASE
RELAYS IN THE PARK
Fairlands Valley Spartans hosted another successful event on Thursday evening – the 3K Relay event- when nearly 400 runners completed the relay course. There were 47 women’s teams comprised of 3 runners and 50 men’s teams comprised of 5 runners. Provisional results can be found on the Spartans website at www.fvspartans.org.uk but in the individual results the first man was James McMurray of St Albans Striders and the first woman was Lizzie Bird of Garden City Runners.
Krakow Park Run 5k, Poland.
Andy Neatham came 2nd in this race in a time of 17.57. which is a Vet PB by 1second and broke the Age group course record by over 30 seconds.
Thunder Run 24 hour Race
Spartans enjoyed a challenging weekend on Derbyshire for a 24 hour race on a very hilly course. The torrential rain and thunder storms were very apt for the Thunder Run race name and the dark, very muddy and slippery course resulted in some long, soul searching runs through the night. The format of the race was that in teams you each ran a 10k before passing the baton on to your next team member.
Three Spartans were in a team of five who came second, these were Todd Gray, Andrew Patterson and the stand out performance by Simon Jackson who accounted for 8 of the teams 31 laps.
Other Spartans enjoying the race included Kerry, Nikki Andrews and Darren Wilby.
The race was a fantastic event and thoroughly recommended.
Spartan triple take on Northampton marathon double.
Three Spartans made the short trip to Brackmill Reservoir, just to the South of Northampton.
The trail marathon venue was at the Holiday Inn, and featured six laps each day around the reservoir on a mixture of surfaces. The big killer for running marathons is the heat, and yet again the country was blessed with warm, sunny & muggy weather. The times reflected the conditions, as the Spartan trio took on the weather to complete 26.2 miles each day.
Day 1 (Saturday 27th)
Roger Biggs 4:28:10, Carol Paul 4:53:53 & Mike Newbitt 5:41:13
Day 2 (Sunday 28th)
Roger Biggs 4:44:25, Carol Paul 5:09:22 & Mike Newbitt 5:15:16
Inter-County
DAVE BOWKER was selected to represent Hertfordshire in the Senior Inter County Match in Abingdon recently. He achieved a new personal best of 17 minutes 27 seconds (compared with 18:49!) and third place in the 3,000 metres walk. The men’s team placed second overall.
A few days later he won the EVAC (Eastern Veterans) Five Mile Championship for men aged 50 plus with a time of 32 minutes 13 seconds.
Monica’s Gold
After a few weeks of enforced rest due to injuries an apprehensive Monica Brown turned up at Oxford for the British Master’s W45 Heptathlon. The decision to race over the 80m hurdles in trainers, to lessen the impact on a tender Achilles, was a good one as Monica was rewarded with a pb of 16.34 seconds. This was followed by a high jump of 1.33, 6.82 for shot and 29.08 (sb) for 200m which meant she finished day one in the lead by almost 500 points.
On day two Monica knew she had to try to keep her lead going into the long jump and javelin as she would lose considerable points over the 800m, her weakest event. A long jump of 4.20 and a javelin pb of 17.71 meant she was still in the lead with just the 800m to go. Despite finishing 37 seconds behind her rival, Monica’s time of 3.17.15 for the 800m was enough to win the gold with a new heptathlon pb score of 3603.
Second claim Spartan Louise Oliver also competed in the younger W40 age group. In a very tight competition Louise did 80m hurdles in 15.40, high jump 1.39, shot 10.14, 200m 28.26, long jump 4.60, javelin 29.32 and 800m 2.57.35 for the silver medal.
Wimpole
DANIEL BATES did the Wimpole Estate Parkrun near Royston recently. He was 12th of 124 with a time of 20 minutes 46 seconds.
Then he did the Highbury Fields parkrun in Islington, London on Saturday 27 July and finished 21st out of 94 with a time of 20:41.
On Sunday Daniel competed in the 10 mile race organised by Harlow Runners Club at Harlow. He had a great start, was a bit slow between mile 3 and mile 6 but managed to do 5km pace after that to recoup loss of time, and finished 57th out 249 runners with a time of 01.12.47.
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 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
Categories
Fairlands Valley Relays – Results
Fairlands Valley Spartans hosted another successful Fairlands Valley Relays event on Thursday 25th July.
The results are attached.
The Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21st July saw approximately 450 runners and walkers enjoy navigating their way away the Hertfordshire countryside armed only with a set of directions and their wits!
Well done to all who competed and thank you to all who volunteered their time to make the day a success.
24th July:: Ammended provisional results are here (V2.2):
Provisional FVC 2013 Results v2.2 (1)
Photos are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fairlandsvalleyspartans/sets/72157634756120465/show
Results are now on our forum.
Categories
Spartan Champs at Herts 10k
SPARTAN CHAMPS AT HERTS 10K
RICHIE BATE, SIMON JACKSON, ANDY PATTERSON, LIAM HERBERT & DAVE BOWKER were racing in the Hertfordshire 10K Track Championship in Sandy on Thursday evening.
With it being a track race, it meant a mind numbing 25 laps of the track.
In a quality field, Richie was the winner of the Herts Championship and a very sizeable trophy. He smashed his personal best (PB) with 33 minutes 35 seconds. In the Vets 35 category Simon won gold, again in a pleasing PB of 34.43. Andy won silver in 36.16 and Liam was the bronze medallist. Dave won the male veteran (50 plus) gold in 41.10. All in, it was a very successful race for Spartans runners.
Open Graded Spartans
Four Spartans took part in last Wednesday’s Watford Open Graded meeting. In the 800m there were over 350 competitors spread over 30 heats. BERNIE BARNABY was the first Spartan to race over the two laps, he came 11th in heat 7 in 2:37.62. RHIANNON GRIFFIN went next, running a fraction quicker with 2:37.52 for 12th place in heat 8. Last up was JOHN HARRIS, who ran a well judged race coming 5th in heat 12, his time of 2:21.45 just outside his PB.
Earlier STEVE MAYFIELD took 4th place in heat 3 of the 400m, his time of 60.04 seconds was a personal best (PB) and M45 club best. This was the third time in 12 days he’d been under 61 seconds, edging ever closer to his target this year of breaking one minute. Competing for SNHAC in the Southern Athletics league on Saturday it proved to be fourth time lucky, with 59.7 seconds another PB and club age best.
JOHN HARRIS was third in Thursday’s Sandy Open Meeting-800 metres in 2.21.9
Lea Valley
On a hot day DEAN CARPENTER completed the Lea Valley 10K in 40 min and 20 seconds. He finished in seventh place, making this his third top 10 finish this year.
New member (just joined this week) and junior spartan Sofia Carpenter (aged 10) was 1st female in the 3k fun run and finished 6th overall in 17 min 7 seconds not bad for her debut race as a Spartan
Race For Life
3,000 woman ran in the Stevenage “Race for Life” on Sunday and Fairlands Valley Spartans provided much of the organisation and many of the marshals for the event. Preparation for the event started at 6a.m.
Amongst the runners were ABI PEZ (10) and TRACY PEZ. They both finished in 28.25, a new personal best for very proud Abigail! Her sister Ella joined for the last 200 metres which turned into a speedy competitive sprint…amazing what a bit of sibling rivalry can do!
Two By Grant
GRANT RAMSAY enjoyed two events recently. He was 21st out of 13,000 runners in the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge in 19 minutes 12 seconds. The race was 3.5 miles and held in Battersea Park, London.
Then he was second in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the Southern League Track Meeting in Hemel Hempstead. His time was 10 minutes 57 seconds.
Up There At EVAC
After the longest trip of the season, Fairlands Valley Spartans men’s and women’s teams both finished second to Milton Keynes. The women were only a point behind but still lead the league as they are three points ahead. There were lots of club records to back up the club’s good performances this season and there were thirteen wins between the teams.
Newcomer Louise Oliver won the women’s 35 age group 100 metres and Shot Putt, she also anchored the womens 35 4×100 metres relay team who came in 3rd.
Monica Brown continued her good form by winning the W45 100m, Long Jump, High Jump.
Both Chris Feely and Julie Simmons broke club age group records in the 400 metres, Chris in the over 45 age group and Julie in the over 55 age group. Julie also did an age group best in the Long Jump.
Carolyn Shortland did a brilliant hammer throw to cover the womens 45 age and broke the age group club best for W35, W40 and W45 age groups and was in third place in the womens 55 age group and also threw a club record.
The W45 4×100 metres relay team of Monica Brown, Tessa Stephenson, Sharon Crowley and Chris Feely narrowly broke the club record in the last event of the night.
In the men’s events, Dave Bowker not only won the 2000 metres walk, as a 50 year old, but broke the senior club record too carrying on his good form.
Tim Mullins Saunders copied Dave Bowker by also breaking club records in several age groups to win the mens 40 Hammer, in a category twenty years younger than his actual age!
The last club record to be bettered was the mens 4×100 metres relay for men over 50. Dave Bowker, Dave Stephenson, Bernie Barnaby and John Harris easily breaking the previous mark.
Paras 10
Recently ROB EVANS travelled to Merville Barracks, Colchester to take part in the Paras 10 race – organised and marshalled by members of the Parachute Regiment.
The race started at 11am and was started by an artillery gun and a flyover by an Army Lynx helicopter.
The tough cross country race included a number of obstacles including 2 water crossings. The first water crossing was made while automatic gunfire sounded all around and while being shouted at by Paras. Throughout the race the Lynx Helicopter flew overheard and members of the Paras demonstrated their battlefield skills.
Despite battling the heat and hay fever Rob completed the 10.25 miles course in 1 hour 35 minutes 8 seconds.
Enigma
On Saturday 6th July Carol Paul ran the Enigma marathon which is seven and a half laps of Caldecotte Lake in Milton Keynes. With temperatures reaching 25 degrees Carol completed the race in 4 hours 44 minutes 24 seconds. Carol has completed four Enigma marathons and that was her quickest time for the course
1st Saturday
JOHN HARRIS-was second in the North Herts First Saturday of the Month 5K, with a new Season’s Best time of 18 minutes 49 seconds. TRACY PEZ was second woman in 22:30 and LISA GRAY ran an excellent 23:34.
SixMileBridge Marathon
ROGER BIGGS was in Sixmilebridge, Cty Clare, Ireland supporting The Irish 10in10. (10 marathons in 10 days). He ran day 4 last week finishing in 4 hours 33 minutes 45 seconds, then also ran day 6 on Tuesday in 4:40:03, and day 8 on Thursday in 4:40:22.
Back in England on Sunday he ran the hilly ‘Heart of the Weald’ off road marathon from Wadhurst, East Sussex in 8:02:04. All three races in hot & sunny weather.
Danik’s Run
DANIEL BATES ran the Pymmes Parkrun in Edmonton, north London. He was second out of the 23 runners with a time of 20 minutes 26 seconds in very hot conditions.
The Fairlands Valley Off Road Challenge is this Sunday 21st July. For more information please go to www.fvspartans.org.uk
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
• 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 evening 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 SpartansLive 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
Plans are going well for the Fairlands Valley Challenge being held on Sunday 21st July and entries are coming in thick and fast.
Don’t worry though, you can still sign up to run either 12, 18, 26 or 30 miles around the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside here.
Route maps and descriptions are still being amended as we check and risk assess the course, but the latest versions are available here.
Don’t forget, you can also follow us on Twitter (@fvchallenge) and on Facebook!
Categories
Up There at EVAC
Plus Medals at Eastern Region
After the longest trip of the season, Fairlands Valley Spartans men’s and women’s teams both finished second to Milton Keynes. The women were only a point behind but still lead the league as they are three points ahead. There were lots of club records to back up the club’s good performances this season and there were thirteen wins between the teams.
Newcomer Louise Oliver won the women’s 35 age group 100 metres and Shot Putt, she also anchored the womens 35 4×100 metres relay team who came in 3rd.
Monica Brown continued her good form by winning the W45 100m, Long Jump, High Jump.
Both Chris Feely and Julie Simmons broke club age group records in the 400 metres, Chris in the over 45 age group and Julie in the over 55 age group. Julie also did an age group best in the Long Jump.
Carolyn Shortland did a brilliant hammer throw to cover the womens 45 age and broke the age group club best for W35, W40 and W45 age groups and was in third place in the womens 55 age group and also threw a club record.
The W45 4×100 metres relay team of Monica Brown, Tessa Stephenson, Sharon Crowley and Chris Feely narrowly broke the club record in the last event of the night.
In the men’s events, Dave Bowker not only won the 2000 metres walk, as a 50 year old, but broke the senior club record too carrying on his good form.
Tim Mullins Saunders copied Dave Bowker by also breaking club records in several age groups to win the mens 40 Hammer, in a category twenty years younger than his actual age!
The last club record to be bettered was the mens 4×100 metres relay for men over 50. Dave Bowker, Dave Stephenson, Bernie Barnaby and John Harris easily breaking the previous mark.
Paras 10
On Saturday ROB EVANS travelled to Merville Barracks, Colchester to take part in the Paras 10 race – organised and marshalled by members of the Parachute Regiment.
The race started at 11am and was started by an artillery gun and a flyover by an Army Lynx helicopter.
The tough cross country race included a number of obstacles including 2 water crossings. The first water crossing was made while automatic gunfire sounded all around and while being shouted at by Paras. Throughout the race the Lynx Helicopter flew overheard and members of the Paras demonstrated their battlefield skills.
Despite battling the heat and hay fever Rob completed the 10.25 miles course in 1 hour 35 minutes 8 seconds.
Enigma
On Saturday 6th July Carol Paul ran the Enigma marathon which is seven and a half laps of Caldecotte Lake in Milton Keynes. With temperatures reaching 25 degrees Carol completed the race in 4 hours 44 minutes 24 seconds. Carol has completed four Enigma marathons and that was her quickest time for the course
1st Saturday
John Harris-was second in the North Herts First Saturday of the Month 5K, with a new Season’s Best time of 18 minutes 49 seconds. TRACY PEZ was second woman in 22:30 and LISA GRAY ran an excellent 23:34.
SixMileBridge Marathon – Sunday, 7th July 2013
Roger travelled to the SixMileBridge, a small Irish town in County Clare. The marathon was day 4 of the Irish 10 in 10 series, i.e. 10 marathon in 10 days!
With warm and humid conditions, over a two lap course on undulating country roads from SixMileBridge, Roger Biggs struggled to beat the heat, and finally finished in 4 hours 33 minutes 45 seconds. Starting a marathon at 2pm was unusual and ensured that all runners would be out in the hottest part of the day!!
Danik’s Run
DANIEL BATES ran the Pymmes Parkrun in Edmonton, north London. He was second out of the 23 runners with a time of 20 minutes 26 seconds in very hot conditions.
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 evening 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
Categories
Promoted!!
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
Well done one and all! Fantastic result!
Results attached.
Don’t forget the Mob Match on July 17th, and Celebration drinkies on Friday 26th July (Details coming soon!)
Categories
News Release
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
Everyone at Garden House extends a HUGE thank you to the club for their contribution towards this event on held on Sunday 9 June. Despite the chilly weather there was a fantastic atmosphere and the participants who pledged £6,000 in sponsorship were full of praise for the way in which the race had been organised. Special thanks are due to Jo Cahill and Viv Honey for stepping up to the challenge and to all of the members who gave up their time to set up and act as marshals. The money raised will make a significant contribution towards the £1.5million that we need to raise this year to keep the doors of the hospice open.
Jo Wiffen, Community Fundraiser
Please find attached route descriptions and maps for the Fairlands Valley Challenge being held on 21st July 2013
MAPS
DIRECTIONS
12-mile-route-revised-10-July-2013
Categories
MWL Race 3 Results. FVS still leading!
Race3Div2 2
Results here!!
Well done Team Spartans. Don’t forget the next race is 5 miles at WGC on Wednesday June 26th.
Categories
EDINBURGH MARATHON FESTIVAL
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
Despite the weather an excellent turn out of runners ensured FVS won the first match, now to repeat our performance at Chingford on the 29th May! Results attached.
Categories
News Release
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
Categories
News Release
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
Categories
News Release
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
Categories
News Release
SPRING MARATHONS START TO ROLL
10Ks at Flitwick and Cambourne as Simon Shapes Up
14th 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 176th from about 1,000 runners ! He ran this in 2011 finished 268th 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 21st April.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday 25th April.
- County Five Miles Championships in Pednor on Monday 6th May.
- County Track and Field Championships in Stevenage 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.
- Mid Week League 10K in Chingford on Wednesday 29th May.
- Mid Week League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 12th June.
- Mid Week League Five Miles in Welwyn GC on Wednesday 26th June.
- 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.
Categories
News Release: April 7, 2013
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, 80th in 67 minutes 48 seconds; MARK CHEADLE, 223rd in 79:13; and BARRY KING, 271st in 82:42 all ran new personal bests. JULIE SIMMONS was second female veteran (55 plus) and 219th 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 90th in 68:41; Davie Stafford 101st in 69:55; Pete Smith 110th in 70:27; Matt Gill 141st in 73:25; Vishal Shah 167th in 75:09; Ann Tryssesoone 293rd in 84:47; Karen Ellis 296th in 84:57; Stephen Block 343rd in 89:45; Karen Palmer 344th 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 14th April.
- Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21st April.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday 25th April.
- County Five Miles Championships in Pednor on Monday 6th May.
- County Track and Field Championships in Stevenage 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.
- Mid Week League 10K in Chingford on Wednesday 29th May.
- Mid Week League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 12th June.
- Mid Week League Five Miles in Welwyn GC on Wednesday 26th June.
- 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.
You have until the end of April to renew your FVS membership. Once you’ve renewed you’ll receive a cool band to show you are a paid up member!
You can renew online here
[ggisinlinepost id=”720″]
Categories
News Release
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 69th 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 2nd quickest and ABI PEZ 3rd fastest.
The Final Handicap 5k race before the Mid Week League 10K races start will be on Thursday 25th April.
Maidenhead Easter Ten
Starting over two minutes after the gun, STEVE MAYFIELD overtook more than 700 runners to finish 364th in the 60th running of this flat fast 10 miler. His time of 1 hour 12 minutes 44 seconds was 320th fastest on the day, quicker than he ran in 2011, though not quite as fast as in 2010!
Broadmeadow Off Road Challenge – Friday, 29th 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 24th 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 136th
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 14th April.
- Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21st April.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday 25th April.
- County Five Miles Championships in Pednor on Monday 6th May.
- County Track and Field Championships in Stevenage 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.
- 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.
Categories
Cold 5k Handicap
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)
Categories
THIS WEEK’S PRESS RELEASE
News Release 24th 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 28th March.
- Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 29th March.
- Flitwick 10K on Sunday 14th April.
- Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21st April.
- County Five Miles Championships in Pednor on Monday 6th May.
- County Track and Field Championships in Stevenage 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.
- 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.
Categories
THIS WEEK’S PRESS RELEASE
News Release 10th 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 2oC 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, 104th 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 15th 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 16th 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 72nd 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 67th 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 68th 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 17th March 2013.
- Club Training Twenty on Sunday 17th March 2013.
- Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 28th March.
- Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 29th March.
- Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21st April.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21st July.
- Relays in the Park on Thursday 25th July.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November.
Categories
THIS WEEK’S WHAT’S ON NEWSLETTER
Here is this week’s What’s On newsletter, the source of all your information for club activities coming up!!
Categories
THIS WEEK’S NEWS RELEASE
News Release 3rd 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 5th veteran (70 plus); HANNAH DAVISON tenth woman (35 plus); ANN TRYSSESOONE tenth woman (45 plus); NIKKI ANDREWS 12th senior woman; KAREN LIDDLE 12th woman (45 plus); JIM BROWN 13th veteran (60 plus) man; TRICIA HOPPER 13th woman (45 plus); ADRIAN DONNELLY 15th senior man; MARK CHEADLE 20th 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 17th 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, 452nd out of the 6,188 finishers in 1 hour 35 minutes 22 seconds.
Davie Stafford 482 1:35:53; Craig Bacon 853rd in 1:41:04; Katy Jinks 1,033rd in 1:43:01; Vishal Shah 1,193rd in 1:44:21; Paul Forde 2,001st in 1:52:11; Andy Ingram-Tedd 3,107th in 2:00:59; Paul Holgate 3,369th in 2:03:35 (5 mins faster than Watford); Craig Snowden 4,042nd in 2:11:04 ; and Doug Hall 5,155th 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 2nd 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 185th marathon, Trish’s 31st, Chris’ 30th, Karen’s 16th and Barry’s 6th 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 17th March 2013. Enter now.
- Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 28th March.
- Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21st April.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21st July.
- Relays in the Park on Thursday 25th July.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November.
Categories
THIS WEEK’S WHATS ON NEWSLETTER!
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!
Categories
THIS WEEK’S PRESS RELEASE
News Release 24th 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 (6th), MATTHEW PALACIO +0:14 to 22:46 (7th). 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 28th 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 12th 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 34th in 1:30:55; TOM AYRES 250th in 1:54:44; MATTHEW BURGESS 258th in 1:56:05; MADDIE PRITCHARD 297th in 1:59:58 and LORRAINE WYATT 385th 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 17th March 2013.
- Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 28th March.
- Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21st April.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21st July.
- Relays in the Park on Thursday 25th July.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November.
Categories
THIS WEEK’S WHATS ON NEWSLETTER
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!!!
Categories
THIS WEEK’S PRESS RELEASE
News Release 17th 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, 13th in 37:48; ANDREW PATTERSON, 15th in 37:56 and RHIANNON GRIFFIN, 18th woman in 47:18.
But the teams’ improvement would not have been possible without the contribution of MARTIN WOOD, 69th man in 43 minutes 33 seconds; ADRIAN DONNELLY, 96th man in 45:19; DAVID BOWKER, 102nd man in 45:40; VISHAL SHAH, 151st man in 49:48; JIM BROWN, 169th man in 52:56; STEVE PIKE, 177th man in 55:02; NICK WITCOMBE, 189th in 60:32 and ANDY INGRAM-TEDD, 197th in 64:40 for the men and….
NIKKI ANDREWS, 27th in 49 minutes 32 seconds; JULIE SIMMONS, 38th in 51:46; ROSIE CANHAM, 41st in 52:17; CLAIRE COKER, 46th in 53:35; KAREN ELLIS, 49th in 54:27; KAREN LIDDLE, 61st in 56:42; TRICIA HOPPER, 65th in 57:16; MARIA THORNE, 75th in 58:34; HANNAH DAVIDSON, 77th in 58:58 and SARAH PIKE, 89th 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 56th in 2 hours 9 minutes 47 seconds; TODD GRAY 109th in 2:15:57; SAM PRETTY 193rd in 2:26:36; RICHARD HAZELDENE took two minutes off his personal best to finish 221st in 2:28:55; LEE LAWRENCE was 469th in 2:50:32; ROGER BIGGS 518th in 2:54:40; PAUL HOLGATE 746th in 3:38:37 and Sharon Crowley 752nd 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 46th 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 21st February.
- County Veterans Cross Country Championships at Willian, Letchworth on Sunday 17th March 2013.
- Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21st April.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21st July.
- Relays in the Park on Thursday 25th July.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November.
Categories
THIS WEEK’S WHATS ON
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!
Categories
THIS WEEK’S PRESS RELEASE
News Release 10th 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 17th February.
– County Veterans Cross Country Championships at Willian, Letchworth on Sunday 17th March 2013.
– Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21st April.
– Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 21st July.
– Relays in the Park on Thursday 25th July.
– Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November.
Categories
THIS WEEK’S WHATS ON NEWSLETTER
Here is this week’s What’s On Newsletter, a chance to see all the upcoming club activities for this coming week!
Categories
THIS MONTH’S CATCH A COACH HAS LANDED!
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
Categories
This week’s Whats On newsletter
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!
News Release 27th January 2013
CHAMPIONS NIGHT FOR SPARTANS
Spartans In Italy
GRANT RAMSAY is Fairlands Valley Spartans’ overall champion for 2012. He won the long and short distance championships for men.
Nearly one hundred members of the club enjoyed their Presentation Evening and Disco at Knebworth Barns on Friday.
The award winners were:
IRIS HORNSEY won the women’s short distance age related championship; JULIE SIMMONS was second and club chair BEVERLEY HARLOW third. All runners in short distance championships had to run three out of 1500 metres, 5 kilometres, 5 miles and 10 kilometres.
BARRY OSBORNE was delighted to win the men’s short distance age related championship; ANDY NEATHAM was second and DAVID BOWKER third.
In the female long distance age graded championship KERRY JAMES won with Beverley Harlow second and Sharon Crowley third. In all long distance championships runners had to run three out of 10 miles; half marathon; 20 miles and full marathon.
The male age graded championship was won by SIMON BELL with GRAHAM BLACKBURN second and PETE SMITH third.
ANN TRYSSESOONE was surprised and really delighted to win the award for most improved female in 2012. ANDY PRIOR was the most improved male.
RHIANNON GRIFFIN was the Starter of the Year AND came second in the female open short distance championship. JO LAING won that championship and KERRY JAMES came third. In the open championship it’s simply the case that the fastest runners win.
Jo Laing also won the long distance open championship for women. In this case NIKKI ANDREWS was second and PAULETTE ELDRIDGE third.
Grant Ramsay won the men’s open short distance championship with SIMON JACKSON second and RICHARD BATE third. Grant also won the long distance championship with ANDREW PATTERSON second and CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT third.
STEVE SMITHSON won the Chairman’s Award for services to the club.
The contest for the prestigious Spartan of the Year was so close that there were two winners — Steve Smithson and CHRIS LEIGH.
Having won both open categories Jo Laing was the overall female champion. Grant Ramsay won both male categories with fantastic scores making him the male champion and overall club champion.
Sharon Crowley and Mark Cheadle won the Captains’ Awards which were presented by Tracy Pez and Nick Witcombe.
In addition Simon Harris was congratulated for winning the Paul Pearce Disability Award; as were David Bowker who won gold in the British Masters Athletics Federation Championships; Iris Hornsey who won gold and silver at the British Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships and three golds at the British Masters Athletics Championships; Monica Brown who won silver at the British Masters heptathlon, silver in the pentathlon and bronze in the British Masters Athletics Federation outdoor pentathlon; and Grant Ramsay who represented Team GB in the European Veterans Marathon Championships
Lots of pictures of the presentation evening are available from the gallery on www.fvspartans.org.uk or direct from Jim Brown (0793 968 7509).
Spartans In Italy
Two Spartans were in Naples, Italy for a marathon & half marathon on Sunday. It was a lovely sunny day and after a coolish start almost perfect running weather. The course took in much of Central Naples including its cobbled streets, which were rather wearing. Roger Biggs completed the marathon in 4:19:44 and Barbara Wilson the half marathon in 2:16:49.
Cheadle in Canterbury
On Sunday the sun came out to thaw the roads of Canterbury which meant the 10 miles road race could go ahead after several local races had been cancelled recently. The sun was bright, the wind strong and hills steep! MARK CHEADLE ran the undulating 10 mile course in a new personal best of 1:22:27 taking nearly 10 minutes of his old PB.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Spartans Handicap 5 and 10 mile races on Sunday 10th February (new date).
- Cross Country League in Watford on Sunday 17th February.
- County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 17th March 2013.
- Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21st April.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November.
Categories
THIS WEEK’S WHAT’S ON NEWSLETTER
Hi,
Sorry that this week’s newsletter is late! Too much partying on Friday night.
Here it is!
News Release 20th January 2013
PRESENTATION EVENING THIS FRIDAY
No Races In Snow But Spartans Still Run
Fairlands Valley Spartans Annual Presentation Evening and Disco will be on Friday 25th January at Knebworth Barns. Tickets are £25.00 which includes a hot buffet and disco. The evening starts at 7.30p.m. The fun will continue until midnight.
Presentations will be made to Club Champions and of course to the Spartan of the Year. Awards will be made for leading positions in, for example, the women and men’s long and short distance championships both the fastest and age related. Book now to be sure of a place, particularly if you think you might be in the top three in any category and even if you don’t as your company will be welcome.
Spartans and their friends will be warmly welcomed to help make this a great celebration of ‘The UK’s Best Running Club. More details on www.fvspartans.org.uk
Spartans Move Up In Cross Country League
The huge turnout of 41 Spartans in the recent Cross Country race on Therfield Heath, Royston dramatically improved the club’s position in the league. The men were hovering around tenth but came third out of the seventeen teams and the women are seventh with their “B” team first in that competition.
The next league cross country league race will be in Watford on Sunday 17th February.
Snow Go For County Championships
Many Spartans had entered Sunday’s Fred Hughes 10 at St. Albans which was to include the Hertfordshire ten mile road race championships. Unfortunately the snow and ice meant it was not safe for a competitive event for 800 runners to go ahead. However several Spartans enjoyed some fun runs in the snow. Pictures are available.
The championships may be included in another event later in the year.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Spartans Presentation Evening and Dance on Friday 25th January.
- Spartans Handicap 5 and 10 mile races on Sunday 27th January.
- Cross Country League in Watford on Sunday 17th February.
- County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 17th March 2013.
- Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21st April.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November.
Categories
This weeks What’s On newsletter
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.
News Release 13th January 2013
PRESENTATIONS ON THE 25th
Great Turnout for Cross Country
Fairlands Valley Spartans Annual Presentation Evening and Disco will be on Friday 25th January at Knebworth Barns. Tickets are £25.00 which includes a hot buffet and disco. The evening starts at 7.30a.m. and continues until midnight.
Presentations will be made to Club Champions and of course to the Spartan of the Year. Book as soon as possible to be sure of a place.
Spartans and their friends will be warmly welcomed to help make this a great celebration of ‘The UK’s Best Running Club.’ More details on www.fvspartans.org.uk
Huge Turnout for Cross Country League
Fairlands Valley Spartans fielded three women’s teams and two men’s teams, a total of 41 runners, in Sunday’s Cross Country league race on Therfield Heath, Royston.
It was cold, hard and hilly but there were many excellent Spartan performances. Six men finished in the top 50 — SIMON JACKSON was sixth in 34 minutes 16 seconds; ANDREW PATTERSON 17th in 35:45; CRAIG HALSEY 26th in 36:38; LEE REYNOLDS 37th in 37:55; LIAM HERBERT 39th in 38:09 and TODD GRAY 46th in 39:02.
For the women the first six were RHIANNON GRIFFIN, 123rd overall in 43 minutes 4 seconds; KATY JINKS 173rd in 46:51; NIKKI ANDREWS 179th in 47:06; TRACY PEZ 192nd in 48:10; JULIE SIMMONDS 206th in 49:45 and ROSIE CANHAM 212th in 49:45.
Results for all 41 Spartans follow.
Men:
| Position | Name | Time |
| 11 | SIMON JACKSON | 34:16 |
| 17 | ANDREW PATTERSON | 35:45 |
| 26 | CRAIG HALSEY | 36:38 |
| 37 | LEE REYNOLDS | 37:55* |
| 39 | LIAM HERBERT | 38:09 |
| 46 | TODD GRAY | 39:02 |
| 63 | ADRIAN DONNELLY | 40:10 |
| 72 | DAVIE STAFFORD | 40:21 |
| 109 | DEAN CARPENTER | 42:20 |
| 126 | STEVE MAYFIELD | 43:26 |
| 128 | MARTIN WOOD | 43:38 |
| 178 | MARK CHEADLE | 46:57 |
| 187 | MATTHEW PALARIO | 47:28 |
| 205 | VISHAL SHAH | 50:00* |
| 214 | DEL WOOD | 50:06 |
| 221 | STEVE PIKE | 50:56 |
| 228 | ANTHONY WHITE | 51:31” |
| 232 | ANDY INGRAM-TED | 51:53 |
| 256 | DAVID CADOGAN | 53:55 |
| 257 | ANDY JAY | 54:05 |
| 273 | PHIL RUSHTON | 56:07 |
| 294 | NICK WITCOMBE | 58:27 |
Women:
| Position | Name | Time |
| 123 | RHIANNON GRIFFIN | 43:04 |
| 173 | KATY JINKS | 46:51 |
| 179 | NIKKI ANDREWS | 47:06 |
| 192 | TRACY PEZ | 48:10* |
| 206 | JULIE SIMMONDS | 49:15 |
| 212 | ROSIE CANHAM | 49:45* |
| 218 | SARAH PIKE | 50:17 |
| 219 | CLAIRE COKER | 50:19* |
| 233 | KAREN ELLIS | 52:02 |
| 235 | ANN TRYSSESOONE | 52:05 |
| 244 | HANNAH DAVIDSON | 53:31 |
| 248 | KAREN LIDDLE | 53:04 |
| 270 | TRICIA HOPPER | 56:01 |
| 280 | MARIA THORNE | 56:50* |
| 283 | KAREN PALMER | 57:05 |
| 291 | JEANETTE COLLINS | 58:05 |
| 298 | SHARON CROWLEY | 59:15 |
| 308 | LORRAINE THOMAS | 1:01:17 |
| 309 | LIZ CROWLEY | 1:01:24 |
The next and final cross country league race will be in Watford on 17th February. The County Cross Country Championships for veterans are on 17th March.
Mystery MK 10K
On Sunday STEPHEN BLOCK ran in the Race Timing Systems ‘Mystery’ 10K around Willen Lake in Milton Keynes. The mystery was that the course was a secret until the day before the race! He achieved a new personal best with his first sub-50 minute 10K with a time of 49:45.
Half Marathon Update
This year’s Stevenage Half Marathon will be on Sunday 3rd November.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Fred Hughes Ten, including County Championships, on Sunday 20th January.
- Spartans Presentation Evening and Dance on Friday 25th January.
- Spartans Handicap 5 and 10 mile races on Sunday 27th January.
- Cross Country League in Watford on Sunday 17th February.
- County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 17th March 2013.
- Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21st April.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 3rd November.
Categories
The Cooper Fitness Test – 12th 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 Whats On newsletter. Please take a look and start to plan next week’s training and social activities with the club!
REMEMBER – 25th January sees the club’s presentation evening at Knebworth Barns. Don’t forget to buy your tickets and also vote for Spartan of the Year. Go to the club website home page for details.
News Release 6th January 2013
LADIES SHOW THE WAY IN CROSS COUNTRY
Lisa Wins 5K * Grant Wins Again
Fairlands Valley Spartans ladies showed the men the way in Sunday’s Hertfordshire Cross Country Championships which were held on a hard, hilly and very muddy course at Haileybury College, Hertford.
The women’s race was very competitive and over eight kilometres.
The Spartan team was eighth with RHIANNON GRIFFIN 21st in 39 minutes 49 seconds; Julie Simmons 38th in 43.42; Karen Ellis 47th in 47.47; Karen Liddle 48th in 48.25; Sharon Crowley 52nd in 50.07; Tricia Hopper 54th in 51.19 and Maria Thorne 57th in 53.25.
In the men’s race over 11 kilometres SIMON JACKSON was 21st in 44 minutes 55 seconds and GRAHAM BLACKBURN 84th in 58 minutes 8 seconds.
The next cross country race is on Sunday 13th January at Royston.
Lisa and Martin Win Handicap
32 Spartans got 2013 off and running at the club’s Handicap 5k on Thursday. The first 5 finishers were all running their first 5K with the club, with the winning time recorded by LISA LIVERSIDGE in 24:45, 3½ minutes ahead of handicap, followed by RUTH REILLY in 26:38 and SARAH HEADLAND 28:28, both 2½ minutes better than handicap.
The winning man was newcomer MARTIN OLIVANT (5th overall) in 27 minutes exactly, 2:15 ahead of handicap, with DEAN CARPENTER 2nd man, 4:37 quicker than his previous handicap 5K, to finish in less than 20 minutes for the first time, and MARK CHEADLE 3rd in a new PB of his own of 23:07, 36 seconds faster than before.
Fastest runner on the night was LIAM HERBERT, 1½ minutes ahead of handicap, in 18:44, with CRAIG HALSEY back from a long lay-off with injury, 2nd quickest in a new PB time of 18:50, and TODD GRAY third fastest in 19:33, with ADRIAN DONNELLY in a new season’s best (19:44) and CRAIG HALSEY (19:57) also both quicker than 20 minutes.
Fastest female was RHIANNON GRIFFIN who overtook 15 runners to finish 12th overall in 21 minutes 4 seconds, 12 seconds faster than in November, with newcomer SUZY HAWKINS second quickest in 23:34, 2:18 better than handicap. JENNIFER ROBERTSON was third fastest, in 24:02, 1:43 ahead of handicap.
VISHAL SHAH 22:33, SELVAN NAICKER 23:21 and LORRAINE WYATT 27:59 also recorded new personal bests. There were also a season’s best for PETE SMITH 21:41.
|
Event Position |
Name |
Time |
Speed Position |
Female Speed |
Comments |
|
1 |
LISA LIVERSIDGE |
24:45 |
19 |
6 |
1st 5K |
|
2 |
RUTH REILLY |
26:38 |
23 |
8 |
1st 5K |
|
3 |
SARAH HEADLAND |
28:28 |
31 |
11 |
1st 5K |
|
4 |
SUZY HAWKINS |
23:34 |
13 |
2 |
1st 5K |
|
5 |
MARTIN OLIVANT |
27:00 |
26 |
1st 5K |
|
|
6 |
CHRIS LEIGH |
25:06 |
20 |
||
|
7 |
DEAN CARPENTER |
19:57 |
5 |
PB (4:37) |
|
|
8 |
MARIA THORNE |
26:00 |
22 |
7 |
|
|
9 |
JENNIFER ROBERTSON |
24:02 |
15 |
3 |
|
|
10 |
MARK CHEADLE |
23:07 |
10 |
PB (0:36) |
|
|
11 |
KAREN ELLIS |
24:39 |
17 |
5 |
|
|
12 |
PETE SMITH |
21:41 |
7 |
SB |
|
|
13 |
ADRIAN DONNELLY |
19:44 |
4 |
SB |
|
|
14 |
LIAM HERBERT |
18:44 |
1 |
||
|
15 |
RHIANNON GRIFFIN |
21:04 |
6 |
1 |
|
|
16 |
CRAIG HALSEY |
18:50 |
2 |
PB (0:03) |
|
|
17 |
MARK GOODWIN |
22:05 |
8 |
||
|
18 |
SARAH PIKE |
24:31 |
16 |
4 |
|
|
19 |
VISHAL SHAH |
22:33 |
9 |
PB (0:04) |
|
|
20 |
ROBERT SHAW |
25:28 |
21 |
||
|
21 |
PAUL PICKARD |
23:47 |
14 |
||
|
22 |
RUSS ANDREWS |
28:19 |
30 |
||
|
23 |
SELVAN NAICKER |
23:21 |
11 |
PB (0:08) |
|
|
24 |
ROGER BIGGS |
23:23 |
12 |
||
|
25 |
TODD GRAY |
19:33 |
3 |
||
|
26 |
LORRAINE WYATT |
27:59 |
27 |
9 |
1st 5K |
|
27 |
SHARON CROWLEY |
28:00 |
28 |
10 |
|
|
28 |
EARL BROWN |
28:39 |
32 |
||
|
29 |
NICK WITCOMBE |
26:52 |
24 |
||
|
30 |
ANDY PRIOR |
26:52 |
25 |
||
|
31 |
MARK BEASLEY |
24:39 |
18 |
||
|
32 |
PAUL HOLGATE |
28:14 |
29 |
The next Handicap 5K date soon now that the new access arrangements to Marriotts have opened.
Flying Start To New Year
GRANT RAMSAY got 2013 off to a flying start by running the Edinburgh Portobello Promenade 4 mile race in a new personal best of 21 minutes 57 seconds. He was happy to sneak below 22 minutes, in windy conditions. Grant was twelfth
NIKKI COLLINS and JIM BROWN both ran in the Serpentine New Year’s Day 10K. Nikki was happy with her time of 51 minutes 57 seconds. She was 292nd out of the 567 runners. Jim was 151st in 46 minutes 15 seconds. It was cool but there was bright sunshine and a light wind.
Eve Ely
Other Spartans got a character building end to 2012 at the extremely windy Ely 10K.
SIMON JACKSON was ninth out of the 539 finishers in 35 minutes 46 seconds; RICHARD BATE 19th in 37:08; LIAM HERBERT 49th in 40 minutes exactly; RHIANNON GRIFFIN 115th, and 15th female, in 44 minutes 49 seconds; ANDY PRIOR 255th in a new personal best of 49 minutes 51 seconds and PAUL HOLGATE 444th in 59:23.
Mountain Ash
Even later in 2012 HELEN and LEE MORRIS completed the Nos Galan race in Mountain Ash, on the evening of New Year’s Eve. Lee finished in 26 minutes 46 seconds and Helen in 32 minutes 11 seconds.
The race always features a mystery runner to commemorate the local personality in whose memory the race is held. This year it was the Olympian Dai Green.
Krakow 10K
ANDY NEATHAM ran in the Krakow New Year’s Eve 10K. There was a 5K and 10K, starting together with the courses separating at 2.5k. Over 1250 runners toed the start line, many in fancy dress, for which prizes were awarded. Andy ran the 10k, finishing 29th, and 3rd veteran (40 plus), out of 754 finishers in 39 minutes 26 seconds. It was his slowest ever 10k, but as it was Andy’s first race since his worst ever injury back in August, he was reasonably happy.
First Saturday 5K
ANDREW PATTERSON won the North Herts First Saturday 5K on Norton Common on Saturday morning. The weather was good, the Common, however, was very boggy.
He finished in 19 minutes 5 seconds. He says that at some points it felt like he was sinking in the mud and in the up hill mud trails thought he was going backwards. A strong first lap was enough to kill off the opposition and he won by well over one minute.
Although not exactly PB (personal best) friendly, he’d recommend this race as a good alternative to the free local park runs in Bedford and St Albans.
Fastest UK Marathon This Year As Grant Wins Enigma
Spartans’ GRANT RAMSAY won the fastest UK marathon so far this year when he won Saturday’s Enigma Winter Marathon, Bletchley in 2 hours 47 minutes 43 seconds. This was a course record by three minutes.
The course consisted of 7.5 laps round the outside of Caldecote Lake.
ROGER BIGGS was 30th in 4 hours 2 minutes 24 seconds. CAROL PAUL finished in 4 hours 49 minutes 18 seconds. There were 63 finishers.
Hilly Buntingford
As always Sunday’s Buntingford Ten was hilly but this year it was crisp and sunny rather than dull and icy. Thirty Spartans competed in the ten miles event.
ADRIAN DONNELLY (65th in 1 hour 8 minutes 43 seconds); JOHN HARRIS (67th in 1:08:53); DEAN CARPENTER (70th in 1:09:07) and GRAHAM BLACKBURN (79th in 1:10:26) were all in the top 100 finishers.
MARK GOODWIN (131st in 1:14:44); ANN TRYSSESOONE (233rd with a 12 minutes 36 seconds improvement to 1:21:49); BARRY KING (298th in 1:25:59); TRICIA HOPPER (331st in 1:28:48) and KAREN LIDDLE (332nd in 1:28:55) all ran new personal bests.
SARAH PRICE (221st in 1:20:50) was the fastest Spartan woman. TRACY PEZ was a few seconds behind (224th in 1:21:08). Ann Tryssesoone was 233rd (see above) and KAREN ELLIS 295th in 1:26:19.
| Position | Name | Time | Comments |
| 65 | ADRIAN DONNELLY | 1:08:43 | |
| 67 | JOHN HARRIS | 1:08:53 | |
| 70 | DEAN CARPENTER | 1:09:07 | |
| 79 | GRAHAM BLACKBURN | 1:10:26 | |
| 127 | MATT GILL | 1:14:09 | |
| 131 | MARK GOODWIN | 1:14:44 | PB |
| 158 | JAMIE DRACKFORD | 1:16:33 | |
| 159 | SAM HARTE | 1:16:36 | |
| 211 | ROGER BIGGS | 1:20:16 | |
| 221 | SARAH PRICE (F) | 1:20:50 | |
| 224 | TRACY PEZ (F) | 1:21:08 | |
| 233 | ANN TRYSSESOONE (F) | 1:21:49 | PB (12:36) |
| 298 | BARRY KING | 1:25:59 | PB |
| 295 | KAREN ELLIS (F) | 1:26:19 | |
| 306 | BARBARA WILSON (F) | 1:26:54 | |
| 309 | KATY BAXTER (F) | 1:27:02 | |
| 331 | TRICIA HOPPER (F) | 1:28:48 | PB |
| 332 | KAREN LIDDLE (F) | 1:28:55 | PB |
| 339 | KAREN PALMER (F) | 1:29:44 | |
| 364 | LISA KASPEROWICZ (F) | 1:32:54 | |
| 366 | ROGER HARDMAN | 1:33:03 | |
| 387 | RICHARD HAZLEDENE | 1:34:27 | |
| 400 | LYNNE COOPER (F) | 1:37:10 | |
| 407 | MARIA THORNE (F) | 1:37:56 | |
| 410 | LORRAINE THOMAS (F) | 1:38:52 | |
| 411 | CHRISTINE HARDMAN (F) | 1:39:13 | |
| 412 | GRAHAM HILL | 1:39:36 | |
| 420 | TONY OSBORNE | 1:40:16 | |
| 424 | SHARON CROWLEY (F) | 1:40:50 | |
| 442 | PAUL HOLGATE | 1:43:20 |
474 finishers.
Portsmouth Coastal
ROGER BIGGS ran one of the most popular trail marathons in England recently. It was the Portsmouth Coastal Trail Marathon. The course hugged the coastline from Southsea round Hayling Island and back again on a mixture of tarmac, paths & trails. On a dull and windy day, rather wet underfoot, but without the expected rain, Roger Biggs completed the 26.2 miles in 4 hours 45 minutes 8 seconds.
Half Marathon Update
Following the successful Stevenage Half Marathon on 4th November, the organisations listed below who helped with marshalling, car parking and water stations, have all been given donations: Stevenage Scout groups, Stevenage Sea Cadets, The Rotary Club of Stevenage and The Rotary Club of Stevenage Grange.
In addition, the following charities have also been given donations towards their work: Shine; Herts. Society for the Blind; Lister Hospital Children’s Ward; Greenside School; and the Herts Air Ambulance.
Thanks everyone who helped make this a very worthwhile event in spite of the weather!
Fairlands Valley Spartans’ Presentation Evening and Dance will be on Friday 25th January. The email address for voting for Spartan of the Year is soty@fvspartans.org.uk
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Cross Country League on Therfield Heath, Royston on Sunday 13th January.
- Fred Hughes Ten, including County Championships, on Sunday 20th January.
- Spartans Presentation Evening and Dance on Friday 25th January.
- Cross Country League in Watford on Sunday 17th February.
- County Cross Country Championships for Veterans on Sunday 17th March.
- Virgin London Marathon on 21st April.
Categories
THIS WEEK’S WHATS ON NEWSLETTER
Here is this week’s What’s On Newsletter.
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.
FROM MONDAY 7th 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
News Release 30th December 2012
As always Sunday’s Buntingford Ten was hilly but this year it was crisp and sunny rather than dull and icy. Thirty Spartans competed in the ten miles event.
ADRIAN DONNELLY (65th in 1 hour 8 minutes 43 seconds); JOHN HARRIS (67th in 1:08:53); DEAN CARPENTER (70th in 1:09:07) and GRAHAM BLACKBURN (79th in 1:10:26) were all in the top 100 finishers.
MARK GOODWIN (131st in 1:14:44); ANN TRYSSESOONE (233rd with a 12 minutes 36 seconds improvement to 1:21:49); and BARRY KING (298th in 1:25:59) all ran new personal bests.
SARAH PRICE (221st in 1:20:50) was the fastest Spartan woman. TRACY PEZ was a few seconds behind (224th in 1:21:08). Ann Tryssesoone was 233rd (see above) and KAREN ELLIS 295th in 1:26:19.
| Position | Name | Time | Comments |
| 65 | ADRIAN DONNELLY | 1:08:43 | |
| 67 | JOHN HARRIS | 1:08:53 | |
| 70 | DEAN CARPENTER | 1:09:07 | |
| 79 | GRAHAM BLACKBURN | 1:10:26 | |
| 127 | MATT GILL | 1:14:09 | |
| 131 | MARK GOODWIN | 1:14:44 | PB |
| 158 | JAMIE DRACKFORD | 1:16:33 | |
| 159 | SAM HARTE | 1:16:36 | |
| 211 | ROGER BIGGS | 1:20:16 | |
| 221 | SARAH PRICE (F) | 1:20:50 | |
| 224 | TRACY PEZ (F) | 1:21:08 | |
| 233 | ANN TRYSSESOONE (F) | 1:21:49 | PB (12:36) |
| 298 | BARRY KING | 1:25:59 | PB |
| 295 | KAREN ELLIS (F) | 1:26:19 | |
| 306 | BARBARA WILSON (F) | 1:26:54 | |
| 309 | KATY BAXTER (F) | 1:27:02 | |
| 331 | TRICIA HOPPER (F) | 1:28:48 | |
| 332 | KAREN LIDDLE (F) | 1:28:55 | |
| 339 | KAREN PALMER (F) | 1:29:44 | |
| 364 | LISA KASPEROWICZ (F) | 1:32:54 | |
| 366 | ROGER HARDMAN | 1:33:03 | |
| 387 | RICHARD HAZLEDENE | 1:34:27 | |
| 400 | LYNNE COOPER (F) | 1:37:10 | |
| 407 | MARIA THORNE (F) | 1:37:56 | |
| 410 | LORRAINE THOMAS (F) | 1:38:52 | |
| 411 | CHRISTINE HARDMAN (F) | 1:39:13 | |
| 412 | GRAHAM HILL | 1:39:36 | |
| 420 | TONY OSBORNE | 1:40:16 | |
| 424 | SHARON CROWLEY (F) | 1:40:50 | |
| 442 | PAUL HOLGATE | 1:43:20 |
There was 474 finishers.
Boxing Day Win
GRANT RAMSAY ran off Christmas with the very wet and muddy Pirton 2.5 mile Boxing Day race. He won by a large margin in 14 minutes 42 seconds. Another victory for Fairlands Valley Spartans, the UK’s best running club.
JOHN HARRIS ran the later 3.2 miles race at Pirton. He was 12th overall and third veteran (50 plus) in 22 minutes 20 seconds.
Portsmouth Coastal
ROGER BIGGS ran one of the most popular trail marathons in England recently. It was the Portsmouth Coastal Trail Marathon. The course hugged the coastline from Southsea round Hayling Island and back again on a mixture of tarmac, paths & trails. On a dull and windy day, rather wet underfoot, but without the expected rain, Roger Biggs completed the 26.2 miles in 4 hours 45 minutes 8 seconds.
Glynneath
Helen and Lee Morris ran a very wet and windy Glynneath 5 mile race on Boxing Day. Lee finished in 43 minutes 17 seconds and Helen in 52 minutes 56 seconds.
Krakow 10K
ANDY NEETHAM ran in the Krakow New Year’s Eve 10K. There was a 5k and 10k, starting together with the courses separating at 2.5k. Over 1250 runners toed the start line, many in fancy dress, for which prizes were awarded. Andy ran the 10k, finishing 29th, and 3rd veteran (40 plus), out of 754 finishers in 39 minutes 26 seconds. It was his slowest ever 10k, but as it was Andy’s first race since his worst ever injury back in August, he was reasonably happy.
Half Marathon Update
Following the successful Stevenage Half Marathon on 4th November, the organisations listed below who helped with marshalling, car parking and water stations, have all been given donations: Stevenage Scout groups, Stevenage Sea Cadets, The Rotary Club of Stevenage and The Rotary Club of Stevenage Grange.
In addition, the following charities have also been given donations towards their work: Shine; Herts. Society for the Blind; Lister Hospital Children’s Ward; Greenside School; and the Herts Air Ambulance.
Thanks everyone who helped make this a very worthwhile event in spite of the weather!
Fairlands Valley Spartans’ Presentation Evening and Dance will be on Friday 25th January. The email address for voting for Spartan of the Year is soty@fvspartans.org.uk?
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 evening 3rd January 2013.
- County Cross Country Championships at Haileybury College on Sunday 6th January.
- Cross Country League on Therfield Heath, Royston on Sunday 13th January.
- Fred Hughes Ten, including County Championships, on Sunday 20th January.
- Spartans Presentation Evening and Dance on Friday 25th January.
- Cross Country League in Watford on Sunday 17th February.
- Virgin London Marathon on 21st April.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 3rd January 2013.
- County Cross Country Championships at Haileybury College on Sunday 6th January.
- Cross Country League on Therfield Heath, Royston on Sunday 13th January.
- Fred Hughes Ten, including County Championships, on Sunday 20th January.
- Spartans Presentation Evening and Dance on Friday 25th January.
- Cross Country League in Watford on Sunday 17th February.
- Virgin London Marathon on 21st April.
Categories
January edition of Catch a Coach
Here is this month’s edition of Catch a Coach.
As well as the 10 of the best for the coming month, there is a reminder about booking your races, what the forthcoming Cooper Test is all about, coaching resources on marathon and half marathon training and a reminder about groupings for our Tuesday sessions.
Please take a look……..and best wishes for 2013!!
Categories
This week’s Whats On newsletter
Here is this week’s Whats On newsletter!
Don’t forget the first 5K handicap of 2013 is on Thursday 3rd January!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.
As you will be aware from the updates in our ‘Whats On’ weekly newsletter, the new school at Marriotts will shortly become operational. This will include the improvements to the Sports Centre and with it the use of the new school entrance from Brittain Way (the road off of the roundabout opposite Shephall Way/Ken Brown motors). We have had confirmation that the existing entrance from Telford Avenue should continue to be used for our training up to and including 3rd January (including the handicap 5K) i.e. no changes for us yet!
Things are pretty fluid at the moment with the arrangements over the school so as soon as we receive a further update regarding the use of the new entrance we will let you know.
Best wishes for the New Year!
Categories
This weeks What’s On newsletter
Hi,
Christmas may be only days away but that doesn’t stop the Spartans doing their stuff!! Please take a look at all of the Xmas happenings in this week’s What’s On Newsletter.
Please also remember that the opening of the new Marriotts school is coming around very quickly. This will mean that we will start to use the entrance off of Brittain Way (opposite the roundabout by the Ken Brown motors/Shephall Way). The exact date of this change has yet to be announced but is likely to be early in the new year. As soon as we have had a firm date confirmed we will let you know!!
Have a great Xmas and best wishes for the New Year!
Coach
News Release 16th December 2012
FIVE AT FESTIVE FIVE
Park Run and an Enigma
Fairlands Valley Spartans were first team at Sunday’s Festive Five. SIMON JACKSON, ANDREW PATTERSON and DAVIE STAFFORD beat the host club, Garden City Runners, by just one point (17 to 18).
This was the second annual Festive Five in Welwyn Garden City and five Spartans were racing. Between them they achieved five new personal bests (PBs) and a 1st, 2nd & 3rd place finish in the race for Spartans.
After finishing third in the race in 2011, Simon Jackson returned to the event and won the event in 28 minutes 33 seconds. However the performance of the race was by Andy Patterson who managed to beat the 5 mile personal best which he has had for five and a half years. He finished an impressive third in 29.13. Davie Stafford ran his quickest five miles ever – 33 minutes 12 seconds for 12th place.
RHIANNON GRIFFIN continued her good year and was second woman in her first race over five miles with 34 minutes 17 seconds. IRIS HORNSEY was 13th female in 45 minutes 31 seconds. Rhiannon and Iris made up the third women’s team.
The race was on a two lap, fast, flat course and the weather was cold and crisp.
St. Albans Park Run
Spartans VISHAL SHAH and ANDY PRIOR ran last Saturdays St Albans Park Run.
Andy managed a new personal best of 23 minutes 14 seconds and was 48th out of the 116 finishers. Vish was 51st in 23:50.
The course is very flat & potentially fast if you get the start right as it can be congested over the first kilometre.
Andy will be returning on the 21st for another crack at a sub 23 time.
Enigma Christmas Trail Marathon — Saturday, 15th December 2012
ROGER BIGGS completed the Enigma Marathon for the seventh time on Saturday.
The Enigma is over a 7.5 lap course around Caldecotte Lake in Bletchley, near Milton Keynes. In good conditions, although slightly windy, Roger navigated this twisty course in 3:58:33, over 6 minutes quicker than his previous best for this event.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Christmas Social Run on Tuesday 18th December.
- Misden Chapel Run on Sunday 23rd December.
- Buntingford Ten on Sunday 30th December.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 3rd January 2013.
- County Cross Country Championships at Haileybury College on Sunday 6th January.
- Cross Country League on Therfield Heath, Royston on Sunday 13th January.
- Cross Country League in Watford on Sunday 17th February.
- Virgin London Marathon on 21st April.
Categories
KIT SALE – 25% OFF FROM TODAY!
Hi Spartans
KIT SALE 25% OFF ALL KIT (excluding club vests) STARTS TODAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Order your kit by posting here please or my mobile 07802 482302
I can open kit shops next week Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th December if you want to purchase for Christmas !
The kit shop will re-open on the 8th January 2013 !
OFFER ENDS 31ST JANUARY 2013
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Baz 
(Barry King)
Categories
THIS WEEK’S WHATS ON!
Hi,
In this week’s WHATS ON NEWSLETTER you will find all of the information you will need to organise your club related training and socialising!!
Remember, you will find all of the details for training activities at http://fvspartans.org.uk/calendar-all/old-style-calendar/
Please take a look at the newsletter!
News Release 9th December 2012
UPHILL CROSS COUNTRY AT ST ALBANS
Back to School on Friday
Fairlands Valley Spartans put out two strong women’s teams in Sunday’s cross country league race in Verulamium Park, St. Albans. Over a tough and hilly 5.7 miles with some liquid mud patches RHIANNON GRIFFIN led the “A” team in 128th position (overall out of all the men and women) with a time of 41 minutes 57 seconds; TRACY PEZ was 165th in 44:40; JULIE SIMMONDS 174th in 45:20; MADDIE PRITCHARD 217th in 48:05; and KAREN ELLIS 231st in 48:55.
ANN TRYSSESOONE was first for the “B” team and not far behind, 236th in 49:18; HANNAH DAVIDSON 252nd in 50:43; LISA GRAY 255th in 50:59; TRICIA HOPPER 260th in 51:26 and KAREN LIDDLE 264th in 51:40. The Spartan women even had a bonus of two other runners — SHARON CROWLEY 280th in 53:45 and LORRAINE THOMAS 290th in 56:15.
For the men’s team LEE REYNOLDS was a phenomenal third in 34 minutes exactly; ADRIAN DONNELLY was 97th in 40:22; STEVE MAYFIELD 138th in 42:28; JIM BROWN 197th in 46:39; MARK CHEADLE 212th in 47:36; BARRY KING 218th in 48:09; ANDY JAY 229th in 48:50 and PAUL HOLGATE 277th in 53:06. In addition TONY OSBORNE was 293rd in 57:44 and NICK WITCOMBE 298th in 59:40.
Women’s Results (five per team):
| Overall Position | Name | Time |
| 128 | RHIANNON GRIFFIN | 41:57 |
| 165 | TRACY PEZ | 44:40** |
| 174 | JULIE SIMMONDS | 45:20 |
| 217 | MADDIE PRITCHARD | 48:05 |
| 231 | KAREN ELLIS | 48:55 |
| 236 | ANN TRYSSESOONE | 49:18 |
| 252 | HANNAH DAVIDSON | 50:43** |
| 255 | LISA GRAY | 50:59 |
| 260 | TRICIA HOPPER | 51:26 |
| 264 | KAREN LIDDLE | 51:40 |
| 280 | SHARON CROWLEY | 53:45 |
| 290 | LORRAINE THOMAS | 56:15 |
Men’s Results (eight per team):
| Overall Position | Name | Time |
| 3 | LEE REYNOLDS | 34:00** |
| 97 | ADRIAN DONNELLY | 40:22 |
| 138 | STEVE MAYFIELD | 42:28 |
| 197 | JIM BROWN | 46:39 |
| 212 | MARK CHEADLE | 47:36 |
| 218 | BARRY KING | 48:09 |
| 229 | ANDY JAY | 48:50 |
| 277 | PAUL HOLGATE | 53:06 |
| 293 | TONY OSBORNE | 57:44 |
| 298 | NICK WITCOMBE | 59:40 |
Off Road Stratford
On Saturday CAROL PAUL ran the Winter Board Meadow Off Road Marathon from Stratford upon Avon. The marathon consisted of three different loops around Stratford upon Avon. It was a cold day with the sun hardly making an appearance. Carol’s time was 5 hours 38 minutes 49 seconds.
Getting Ready For Disney
Husband & wife, PAUL MARSHALL and VIVIENNE HONEY participated in a very windy & undulating Bedford Half marathon on Sunday morning.
With times of 1 hour 53 minutes 7 seconds and 2:17:41 respectively, this race signals the wind down to the Disney Marathon in Florida in January where Paul is doing both the half marathon & the full marathon during the weekend.
Lisbon Marathon
ROGER BIGGS was in Lisbon, the Capital of Portugal, on Sunday for a marathon that took in the city and riverside areas. Over an undulating course, with a 4 kilometres climb from 36 kilometres (22 miles), Roger ran a steady race to finish in 4:05:22.
Club Christmas Party — We Are Going Back To School! — Friday 14th December
The Spartans’ Christmas Party is this Friday. They are going back to school. Relive the best days of your life with fun and games along with dancing to a variety of popular music. Fancy dress is encouraged (maybe your old school uniform still fits) but you are free to attend in non-uniform. The evening will also include the Virgin London Marathon club draw which is due to take place at around 7.30pm. The event is taking place at Mossbury Primary School , Webb Rise , Stevenage SG1 5PA, doors open at 7pm (Don’t be late for registration).
Tickets are now available (from Tracy Pez, Jayne Pinner, Katrina Doyle or Nick Witcombe) and cost £5. This includes a buffet but can you please bring your own drinks. Further details will be posted to the Forum on www.fvspartans.org.uk.
The Spartans New Committee
At the recent AGM the following people were elected onto the committee:
Chair — Bev Harlow, General Secretary — Viv Honey (07702 846304), Committee Secretary — Jo Cahill, Treasurer — Mark Cheadle, Head Coach — Chris Leigh, Mens Team Captain — Nick Witcombe, Ladies Team Captain — Tracy Pez together with Graham Blackburn, Jim Brown (Press Officer 0793 968 7509), Paul Holgate, James Day, Simon Harris, John Harlow, Lisa Jerrom, Tessa Stephenson, Maria Rushton, Phil Rushton, Barry King, Christine Sharman and Jayne Pinner.
Last year’s Committee, particularly Chair — Graham Blackburn and Secretary — Steph Mayfield, were thanked for all their work during the last year
Baggage for VLM.
The London Marathon is not until Sunday 21st April but Fairlands Valley Spartans are already signing up volunteers for help in Pall Mall. The club have helped make the event a success for many years. Places for the baggage will be allocated after the draw for running place at the Spartans Christmas Party which is on Friday, 14th December 2012.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Buntingford Ten on Sunday 30th December.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 3rd January 2013.
- County Cross Country Championships at Haileybury College on Sunday 6th January.
- Cross Country League on Therfield Heath, Royston on Sunday 13th January.
- Cross Country League in Watford on Sunday 17th February.
- Virgin London Marathon on 21st April.
Categories
This week’s Whats On Newsletter!
Here is this week’s Whats On newsletter, the place to see all of the week’s forthcoming Spartantastic activities!
Get planning!
Categories
Catch a Coach – December edition!
Hi,
The December edition of the Catch a Coach newsletter is here!! This is the newsletter from the coaching team at the club.
This month’s edition contains our festive ’10 of the best’ plus a variety of articvles on strength training, top tips, training your brain and overcoming fatigue and pain! Please take a look!
Catch a Coach newsletter December 2012v0.1
Remember that this plus much, much more can be found in the coaching section of our website http://fvspartans.org.uk/club/coaching/
Enjoy, and have a great Christmas!
Coach
Categories
This week’s Whats On newsletter!
Here is this weeks packed What’s On newsletter – an early Christmas cracker of training treats including a choice of 3 Sunday runs! Start your planning now!
CLARE WINS 5K
Cross Country 28 * Wet Wolverton
Handicap 5K
There were very tough running conditions for the Spartans final handicap 5K of the year as very strong winds blasted their way into the faces of the 28 runners all the way along Grace Way from the 2K marker for nearly two kilometres.
First to finish, in her first 5k with the club was newcomer CLARE MOORE, supported by Jim Brown, in 25 minutes 36 seconds. Clare was 4 minutes 24 seconds ahead of her handicap!
The winning man was BARRY KING in a year’s best time of 23:12. DAVE SMITH was second in a new personal best of 22:30. Newcomer ENDA MURPHY was third in 23:20.
KAREN PALMER was second woman across the line, in 9th position overall, in 26:12. That was just four days after running the St Neots Half Marathon. SARAH PIKE was third female in 24:48.
Once again GRANT RAMSAY was fastest on the night. He was showing no side effects from his county championship winning Luton Marathon run just four days earlier as he completed the course in 17:34 to finish in 10th position overall. LIAM HERBERT was second quickest man in 19:09 and JAMIE KELLET third fastest in a new personal best of 20:07, 2 seconds quicker than BERNIE BARNABY.
The fastest female was RHIANNON GRIFFIN in 21:16, with SARAH PIKE second quickest and event winner CLARE MOORE third fastest.
Despite the conditions there were still several personal bests (PB) on the night, including for James Marlow +1:09 to 23 minutes 31 seconds; Hannah Davidson +0:39 to 26:01 and Matthew Palacio +0:35 to 23:00.
| Pos | Name | Time | R | F | Comments |
| 1 | CLARE MOORE (F) | 25:36 | 20 | 3 | Event Winner. 1st 5K |
| 2 | JIM BROWN | 25:36 | 19 | ||
| 3 | BARRY KING | 23:12 | 14 | YB (1:17) | |
| 4 | DAVE SMITH | 22:30 | 11 | PB (2:00) | |
| 5 | ENDA MURPHY | 23:20 | 15 | 1st 5K | |
| 6 | MATTHEW PALACIO | 23:00 | 13 | PB (0:35) | |
| 7 | JAMES MARLOW | 23:31 | 16 | PB (1:09) | |
| 8 | JAMIE KELLETT | 20:07 | 3 | 1st 5K | |
| 9 | KAREN PALMER (F) | 26:12 | 23 | 5 | |
| 10 | GRANT RAMSAY | 17:34 | 1 | ||
| 11 | MATT GILL | 22:01 | 7 | YB (2:11) | |
| 12 | RYAN DUNNING | 22:18 | 9 | ||
| 13 | BERNIE BARNABY | 20:09 | 4 | ||
| 14 | ALEX ROUSE | 22:43 | 12 | 1st 5K | |
| 15 | CHRIS LEIGH | 26:01 | 22 | ||
| 16 | HANNAH DAVIDSON (F) | 26:01 | 21 | 4 | PB (0:39) |
| 17 | LIAM HERBERT | 19:09 | 2 | ||
| 18 | MARK BEASLEY | 21:40 | 6 | ||
| 19 | SARAH PIKE (F) | 24:42 | 18 | 2 | |
| 20 | KERRY SETTERFIELD (F) | 32:19 | 26 | 7 | YB (3:23) |
| 21 | RHIANNON GRIFFIN (F) | 21:16 | 5 | 1 | |
| 22 | PAUL HOLGATE | 26:35 | 24 | ||
| 23 | LISA GAVIGAN (F) | 27:39 | 25 | 6 | |
| 24 | MARK GOODWIN | 22:26 | 10 | ||
| 25 | PETE SMITH | 22:15 | 8 | ||
| 26 | DEAN CARPENTER | 24:34 | 17 | 1st 5K | |
| 27 | MATTHEW HOLGATE | 42:15 | 27 | ||
| 28 | SIMON HARRIS | 45:18 | 28 |
Time Order:
| Time Position | Name | Time | F | Comments |
| 1 | GRANT RAMSAY | 17:34 | ||
| 2 | LIAM HERBERT | 19:09 | ||
| 3 | JAMIE KELLETT | 20:07 | 1st 5K | |
| 4 | BERNIE BARNABY | 20:09 | ||
| 5 | RHIANNON GRIFFIN (F) | 21:16 | 1 | Fastest Female |
| 6 | MARK BEASLEY | 21:40 | ||
| 7 | MATT GILL | 22:01 | YB (2:11) | |
| 8 | PETE SMITH | 22:15 | ||
| 9 | RYAN DUNNING | 22:18 | ||
| 10 | MARK GOODWIN | 22:26 | ||
| 11 | DAVE SMITH | 22:30 | PB (2:00) | |
| 12 | ALEX ROUSE | 22:43 | 1st 5K | |
| 13 | MATTHEW PALACIO | 23:00 | PB (0:35) | |
| 14 | BARRY KING | 23:12 | YB (1:17) | |
| 15 | ENDA MURPHY | 23:20 | 1st 5K | |
| 16 | JAMES MARLOW | 23:31 | PB (1:09) | |
| 17 | DEAN CARPENTER | 24:34 | 1st 5K | |
| 18 | SARAH PIKE (F) | 24:42 | 2 | Second Fastest Female |
| 19= | JIM BROWN | 25:36 | ||
| 19= | CLARE MOORE (F) | 25:36 | 3 | 1st 5K. Third Fastest Female |
| 21 | HANNAH DAVIDSON (F) | 26:01 | 4 | PB (0:39) |
| 22 | CHRIS LEIGH | 26:01 | ||
| 23 | KAREN PALMER (F) | 26:12 | 5 | |
| 24 | PAUL HOLGATE | 26:35 | ||
| 25 | LISA GAVIGAN (F) | 27:39 | 6 | |
| 26 | KERRY SETTERFIELD (F) | 32:19 | 7 | YB (3:23) |
| 27 | MATTHEW HOLGATE | 42:15 | ||
| 28 | SIMON HARRIS | 45:18 |
The next Handicap 5k will be on Thursday 3rd January 2013.
(PB = personal best; SB = season’s best; YB = year’s best).
Fantastic Turnout for Cross Country
There was a brilliant sunny morning for Sunday morning’s cross country fixture but Grovelands Park, Southgate was pretty waterlogged after Saturday’s heavy rain. Twenty eight Spartans, more than two complete teams, tackled the 8,000 metres three lap course with the heavy going and undulations slowing some down more than others.
RHIANNON GRIFFIN led in the Spartan women’s “A” team with an excellent time of 40 minutes 4 seconds for the tough course, she was supported by an improving MADDIE PRITCHARD (45:40) together with ANN TRYSSESOONE (45:56); HANNAH DAVIDSON (47:45) and KAREN LIDDLE (49:41).
The “B” team was headed up by TRICIA HOPPER (50:20) and also included JEANNETTE COLLINS (52:29); MARIA THORNE (52:35); LORRAINE THOMAS (53:08) and IRIS HORNSEY (54:08). ELIZABETH and SHARON CROWLEY finished in 58:21.
Three Spartan men finished in the top twenty. LEE REYNOLDS was ninth in 31 minutes 45 seconds followed by SIMON JACKSON, tenth, in 31:53 and ANDY PATTERSON, twentieth, in 33:05. The others in the eight man “A” team were DANNY HUKIN, 43rd, in 34:44; TODD GRAY, 85th, in 37:06; ADRIAN DONNELLY, 115th, in 38:37; GRAHAM BLACKBURN, 127th, in 39:36 and MATT GILL, 138th, in 39:52.
STEVE MAYFIELD, 150th in 40:20 led in the “B” team. He was supported by JIM BROWN, 206th in 43:52; BARRY KING, 231st in 45:17; ANDY PRIOR, 247th in 46:47; MARK CHEADLE, 248th in 46:48; NICK WITCOMBE, 299th in 49 minutes exactly; MATTHEW HOLGATE, 344th in 65:52 and PAUL HOLGATE, 345th also in 65:52.
These results are certain to move the Spartans up the league table when the team results are published.
Steve Mayfield, Paul Holgate, Mark Cheadle, Andy Prior, Simon Jackson, Tricia Hopper and Sharon Crowley had run the very wet Wolverton Five road race the previous afternoon.
Spartan Women:
| Overall Position | Name | Time |
| 141 | RHIANNON GRIFFIN | 40:04 |
| 237 | MADDIE PRITCHARD | 45:40 |
| 240 | ANN TRYSSESOONE | 45:56 |
| 262 | HANNAH DAVIDSON | 47:45** |
| 281 | KAREN LIDDLE | 49:41 |
| 290 | TRICIA HOPPER | 50:20 |
| 306 | JEANETTE COLLINS | 52:29 |
| 307 | MARIA THORNE | 52:35** |
| 310 | LORRAINE THOMAS | 53:08 |
| 316 | IRIS HORNSEY | 54:08 |
| 340 | ELIZABETH CROWLEY | 58:21 |
| 341 | SHARON CROWLEY | 58:21 |
Spartan Men:
| Overall Position | Name | Time |
| 9 | LEE REYNOLDS | 31:45 |
| 10 | SIMON JACKSON | 31:53 |
| 20 | ANDREW PATTERSON | 33:05 |
| 43 | DANNY HUKIN | 34:44 |
| 85 | TODD GRAY | 37:06 |
| 115 | ADRIAN DONNELLY | 38:37 |
| 127 | GRAHAM BLACKBURN | 39:36 |
| 138 | MATT GILL | 39:52 |
| 150 | STEVE MAYFIELD | 40:20 |
| 206 | JIM BROWN | 43:52 |
| 231 | BARRY KING | 45:17 |
| 247 | ANDY PRIOR | 46:47 |
| 248 | MARK CHEADLE | 46:48 |
| 299 | NICK WITCOMBE | 49:00** |
| 344 | MATTHEW HOLGATE | 65:52 |
| 345 | PAUL HOLGATE | 65:52 |
The next cross country league match will be in St. Albans on Sunday 9th December.
Wet Wolverton
Wolverton was wet, wet, continuously wet for Saturday afternoon’s five mile road race. Despite that seven of the 17 Spartans ran new personal bests. SIMON JACKSON was 21st out of the 213 finishers in a new PB of 28 minutes 8 seconds; LIAM HERBERT was 40th in a new PB of 30:25; STEVE MAYFIELD was 77th in a new PB of 34:00; ANDY PRIOR 122nd in 38:54; MARK CHEADLE 127th in 39:33; NICOLA LORIMER 130th in 39:30 and TRICIA HOPPER 142nd in 41 minutes 22 seconds.
RICHARD BATE (28:52); KEVIN SMYTH (34:46); ROGER BIGGS (38:27) and YVONNE JONES (41:50) all ran season’s bests and RYAN DUNNING completed his first five mile race in 37 minutes exactly. BARRY OSBORNE was second veteran (60 plus) in 32:03 and SIMON BELL third veteran (45 plus) in 30:05.
| Position | Name | Chip Time | Comments |
| 21 | SIMON JACKSON | 28:08 | PB (4 seconds) |
| 24 | RICHARD BATE | 28:52 | SB |
| 39 | SIMON BELL | 30:05 | 3rd Vet 45 plus |
| 40 | LIAM HERBERT | 30:25 | PB (3 seconds) |
| 61 | BARRY OSBORNE | 32:03 | 2nd Vet 60 plus |
| 77 | STEVE MAYFIELD | 34:00 | PB (10 seconds) |
| 84 | KEVIN SMYTH | 34:46 | SB |
| 108 | ANNETTE BELL (F) | 37:01 | YB |
| 109 | RYAN DUNNING | 37:00 | First 5 mile race |
| 120 | ROGER BIGGS | 38:27 | SB |
| 122 | ANDY PRIOR | 38:54 | PB (49 seconds) |
| 127 | MARK CHEADLE | 39:33 | PB (1:15) |
| 130 | NICOLA LORIMER (F) | 39:30 | PB (16 seconds) |
| 137 | PAUL HOLGATE | 40:40 | YB |
| 142 | TRICIA HOPPER (F) | 41:22 | PB (1:37) |
| 145 | YVONNE JONES (F) | 41:50 | SB |
| 155 | SHARON CROWLEY (F) | 44:02 | YB |
Sharon’s Silver in Herts Marathon
In the recent Hertfordshire Marathon Championship SHARON CROWLEY took SILVER in the women’s veteran 45 plus category. ROGER BIGGS won GOLD in the men’s 60 plus category and GRANT RAMSAY took GOLD in the 40 plus category as well as winning the county championship overall.
Baggage for VLM.
The London Marathon is not until Sunday 21st April but Fairlands Valley Spartans are already signing up volunteers for help in Pall Mall. The club have helped make the event a success for many years. Places for the baggage will be allocated after the draw for running place at the Spartans Christmas Party which is on Friday, 14th December 2012.
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 St Albans on Sunday 9th December.
- Spartans Christmas Party on Friday 14th December.
- Buntingford Ten on Sunday 30th December.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 3rd January 2013.
- County Cross Country Championships at Haileybury College on Sunday 6th January.
- Cross Country League on Therfield Heath, Royston on Sunday 13th January.
- Cross Country League in Watford on Sunday 17th February.
- Virgin London Marathon on 21st April.
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 over 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 drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) 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 £27 per year. 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
Categories
This Week’s Whats On newsletter
Here is this weeks Whats On newsletter, the place to go for all the information on club training and other activities!
FVS Committee 2013
During the AGM on Wednesday 21st November, a new committee was voted in.
Position |
Name |
Chairman |
Beverley Harlow |
General Secretary |
Vivienne Honey |
Treasurer |
Mark Cheadle |
Head Coach |
Chris Leigh |
Mens Team Captain |
Nick Witcombe |
Ladies Team Captain |
Tracy Pez |
Committee |
Graham Blackburn
Jim Brown James Day John Harlow Simon Harris Paul Holgate Lisa Jerrom Maria Rushton Phil Rushton Tessa Stephenson Barry King Christine Sharman Jayne Pinner Jo Cahill |
Contact the committee to give your thoughts and feedback using email address: committee@fvspartans.org.uk
BESTS AT ST. NEOTS
Success At County Marathon
The St. Neots Half Marathon was a beautiful run on a lovely course in perfect conditions and produced fourteen new personal bests for Fairlands Valley Spartans.
STEVE MAYFIELD improved by 49 seconds to 1:33:01; DAVIE STAFFORD by 2:53 to 1:35:30; NIKKI ANDREWS by 3:32 to 1:39:17; MARK GOODWIN by 1:31 to 1:40:25; JON SYPULA by 1:33 to 1:41:53; CLAIRE COKER by 1:13 to 1:46:45; VISHAL SHAH by a massive 7 minutes 34 seconds to 1:47:05; MADELEINE PRITCHARD by 3:37 to 1:48:05; ANDY PRIOR had the biggest improvement, 8 minutes 40 seconds, to 1:49:32; KAREN ELLIS 1:11 to 1:53:51; RACHEL PAYNE by 3:36 to 1:53:53; NICK WITCOMBE by 3:26 to 2:02:45; VIVIENNE HONEY by 0:38 to 2:14:52 and JO CAHILL by 1:29 to 2:30:31.
CHRIS WESTCOTT was the fastest Spartan. He was 48th out of the 921 finishers in 1 hour 23 minutes 59 seconds.
Here are the times for all 25 Spartans (the first number is the position in the club; the second is the position in the race which is followed by the chip time):
1 Chris Westcott 48 1.23.59; 2 Graham Blackburn 112 1.29.40; 3 Steve Mayfield 162 1.33.01 PB 0.49; 4 Davie Stafford 196 1.35.30 PB 2.53; 5 Phil Gale 221 1.37.21; 6 Nikki Andrews 260 1.39.17 PB 3.32; 7 Mark Goodwin 279 1.40.25 PB 1.31; 8 Jon Sypula 307 1.41.53 PB 1.33; 9 Tracy Pez 386 1.46.04 YB 10.23; 10 Claire Coker 400 1.46.45 PB 1.13; 11 Vishal Shah 404 1.47.05 PB 7.34; 12 Madeline Pritchard 424 1.48.05 PB 3.37; 13 Andy Prior 458 1.49.32 PB 8.40; 14 Paul Marshall 510 1.51.58; 15 Karen Ellis 531 1.53.51PB 1.11; 16 Andy Jay 532 1.53.59; 17 Rachel Payne 533 1.53.53 PB 3.36; 18 Paul Holgate 589 1.56.52; 19 Beverly Harlow 592 1.56.27; 20 Karen Palmer 674 2.00.19; 21 Phil Rushton 686 2.01.28; 22 Nick Witcombe 706 2.02.45 PB 3.26; 23 Vivienne Honey 829 2.14.52 PB 0.38; 24 Maria Rushton 881 2.27.56; 25 Jo Cahill 894 2.30.31 PB 1.29
| Position | Name | Time | Comments |
| 48 | CHRIS WESTCOTT | 1:23:59 | |
| 112 | GRAHAM BLACKBURN | 1:29:40 | |
| 162 | STEVE MAYFIELD | 1:33:01 | PB (0:49) |
| 196 | DAVIE STAFFORD | 1:35:30 | PB (2:53) |
| 221 | PHIL GALE | 1:37:21 | |
| 260 | NIKKI ANDREWS (F) | 1:39:17 | PB (3:32) |
| 279 | MARK GOODWIN | 1:40:25 | PB (1:31) |
| 307 | JON SYPULA | 1:41:53 | PB (1:33) |
| 386 | TRACY PEZ (F) | 1:46:04 | Year’s Best |
| 400 | CLAIRE COKER (F) | 1:46:45 | PB (1:13) |
| 404 | VISHAL SHAH | 1:47:05 | PB (7:34) |
| 424 | MADELEINE PRITCHARD (F) | 1:48:05 | PB (3:37) |
| 458 | ANDY PRIOR | 1:49:32 | PB (8:40) |
| 510 | PAUL MARSHALL | 1:51:58 | |
| 531 | KAREN ELLIS (F) | 1:53:51 | PB (1:11) |
| 532 | ANDY JAY | 1:53:59 | |
| 533 | RACHEL PAYNE (F) | 1:53:53 | PB (3:36) |
| 589 | PAUL HOLGATE | 1:56:52 | |
| 592 | BEVERLEY HARLOW (F) | 1:56:27 | |
| 674 | KAREN ELLIS (F) | 2:00:19 | |
| 686 | PHIL RUSHTON | 2:01:28 | |
| 706 | NICK WITCOMBE | 2:02:45 | PB (3:26) |
| 829 | VIVIENNE HONEY (F) | 2:14:52 | PB (0.38) |
| 881 | MARIA RUSHTON (F) | 2:27:56 | |
| 894 | JO CAHILL (F) | 2:30:31 | PB (1:29) |
There were 921 finishers.
Luton Marathon (including Hertfordshire Championships)
On a slightly cold, but a glorious sunny November day, with barely a breeze blowing, Spartan GRANT RAMSAY won the Hertfordshire Marathon Championship with his time of 2 hours 45 minutes 37 seconds. He was fifth overall and first male (40 plus) in the Luton Marathon which incorporated the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Championships.
The event was on an undulating three lap course from the Lea Manor Recreation Centre to the North of Luton, out towards Streetley.
ROGER BIGGS took GOLD in the Vet 60 plus category for the second year running with his time of 3:57:55; ROB SHAW was 444th in 4:42:30 and SHARON CROWLEY 466th in 4:53:42.
Spartan Simmonds First Woman In Ashwell Multi-Terrain Half Marathon
Spartan TASHA SIMMONDS was first woman in Sunday’s Ashwell Multi-Terrain Half Marathon. On the hard course JOHN HARRIS was fifth overall and first male (50 plus) in 1 hour 31 minutes 51 seconds; SARAH PRICE shaved 30 seconds off her personal best with her time of 1:50:15 winning a trophy for second in her age group. LISA LIVERSIDGE finished in 2:03:28 and LORRAINE WYATT in 2:13:52.
Milton Keynes MoRun 10K
RUSS ANDREWS took part in his first ever competitive race on Sunday. It was the Milton Keynes MoRun 10K which he finished in 54 minutes exactly.
Leeds Abbey Dash 10K
On a relatively flat course and in the sunshine MATTHEW KIRK had a good run from Leeds city centre up to Kirkstall Abbey and back in the Abbey Dash 10k along with 9000 others. Very pleased (and surprised) to beat my PB by 29 secs in doing 45:48. Cheers.
Baggage for VLM.
The London Marathon is not until Sunday 21st April but Fairlands Valley Spartans are already signing up volunteers for help in Pall Mall. The club have helped make the event a success for many years. Places for the baggage will be allocated after the draw for running place at the Spartans Christmas Party which is on Friday, 14th December 2012.
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 evening 22nd November.
- Wolverton Five on Saturday 24th November.
- Cross Country League on Sunday 25th November.
- Cross Country League on Sunday 9th December.
- Spartans Christmas Party on Friday 14th December.
- Buntingford Ten on Sunday 30th December.
- Virgin London Marathon on 21st April 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 over 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 drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) 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 £27 per year. 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), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk
Categories
What’s On this week.
Here is the latest edition of the What’s On newsletter, to help you plan your training and other club activities.
PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS THE AGM THIS WEDNESDAY (21st). YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU!!!!!!
See you there.
Coach.
ROGER’S TRIPLE MAKES 1500
And Three In A Row For Grant
ROGER BIGGS has run 1500 races! On Thursday 1st November he travelled to Penkridge in Staffordshire for the Enigma Staffs Trail Marathon. This was a marathon entirely on the towpath of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. The course consisted of four out & backs laps of approx 6.6 miles. Going out south against the locks (climbs at each one), then returning back to ‘The Boat’ Public House before starting the next lap. Due to heavy rain the night before, the compacted surface had become very muddy & slippery, hence fast times were not in order. Roger completed the course in 4 hours 25 minutes 39 seconds.
There was another trip north for Roger Biggs, to complete a scenic route totally around the Rutland Water Reservoir for the Rutland Water Trail Marathon on Sunday 4th November. To make up the marathon distance, runners had to make two trips around Hambleton Peninsula. While the surface would normally be quite acceptable, the incessant rain made the course very wet, with puddles that took up the whole path, so running shoes were very wet. With temperatures probably topping out at 5C, it was day to get round and no more. He finished in 4:34:27
The Enigmas Fox at 40 Trail Marathon last Sunday was a race to celebrate the 40th birthday of Race Director David ‘Foxey’ Bayley, and the amazing consistency of 100 Marathon Club member Steve Edwards, for completing 500 marathons with finishing times of under 3hrs & 30 mins.
The course hugged the waters edge of Caldecotte Lake in Bletchley near Milton Keynes. It was run in near perfect conditions. a nip in the air, but it was a lovely sunny day to run 7.5 times around a lake. Roger Biggs finished in 4:05:04; CAROL PAUL in 5:01:59 and PAUL HOLGATE in 5:04:46.
This means that Roger has completed 1500 events at all distances from 400 metres on the track to 80 mile ultras, including over 700 marathons.
Three Out Of Three For Grant
Spartan GRANT RAMSAY beat 200 runners to win the Watford Autumn Challenge Five Miles Off Road Race for the third year in a row. He finished in 31 minutes 14 seconds. This was his sixth win in seven years.
Baggage for VLM
The London Marathon is not until Sunday 21st April but Fairlands Valley Spartans are already signing up volunteers for help in Pall Mall. The club have helped make the event a success for many years. Places for the baggage will be allocated after the draw for running place at the Spartans Christmas Party which is on Friday, 14th December 2012.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- St. Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 18th November.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 22nd November.
- Wolverton Five on Saturday 24th November.
- Cross Country League on Sunday 25th November.
- Cross Country League on Sunday 9th December.
- Spartans Christmas Party on Friday 14th December.
- Buntingford Ten on Sunday 30th December.
- Virgin London Marathon on 21st April 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 over 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 drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) 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 £27 per year. 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), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk
Categories
What’s On this week – 200th edition!!!
Take a look at this week’s What’s On – it’s the 200th edition!!
Use it to plan your training and other club activities.
FILTHY HALF MARATHON
Jen’s Ogle
Heavy rain greeted runners as they lined up for the Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday morning. The filthy conditions persisted for much of the race but 446 finished with the fastest being PAUL ADAMS from St. Albans Striders in just 1 hour 17 minutes 39 seconds. SIMON RILEY, also from St. Albans, was second in 1:13:57 with MARTIN BATEMAN, Hillingdon Athletic Club third in 1:15:41.
Fairlands Valley Spartans’ GRANT RAMSAY ran a new season’s best time of 1 hour 17 minutes 39 seconds to come sixth overall and win the County GOLD medal for veteran runners (40 plus).
GIEDRE DRAKE from Garden City Runners was first woman in 1 hour 31 minutes 7 seconds with Spartans’ JO LAING second in 1:35:16. Jo won the County GOLD medal for women veterans (35 plus). CATHERINE COLLINS from London Heathside was third women in 1:35:33 and ANDREA MANN from Garden City fourth in 1:36:01.
Spartans’ CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT won the County SILVER for men aged 40 plus with his time of 1:22:53.
Golden Women
Fairlands Valley Spartans’ women won the county team race with JO LAING (1:35:16); MADDIE PRITCHARD (1:55:33) and TRACY PEZ (1:57:30). [Teams of three]. The club’s men took SILVER with GRANT RAMSAY (1:17:39); CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT (1:22:53); TONY BRADFORD (1:33:27) and SAM HARTE (1:40:27). [Teams of four].
The race included the county veteran championships as well as the seniors so Grant Ramsay, Christopher Westcott, Tony Bradford and PAUL MURRAY (1:45:10) to take the team GOLD medals for men aged 40 plus.
New personal bests were run by JON SYPULA (1:43:26); LEWIS DAVIN (1:48:27); SELVAN NAICKER (1:50:48) and ADAM DAVIN (1:58:36).
Fairlands Valley Spartans organised the race and provided dozens of volunteer marshals and race officials.
Results For All 25 Spartans:
| Position | Name | Time | Comments |
| 6 | Grant RAMSAY | 1:17:39 | County Gold (V40), County Bronze |
| 14 | Christopher WESTCOTT | 1:22:53 | County Silver (V40), PB |
| 64 | Jo LAING (F) | 1:35:16 | County Gold, Second Woman |
| 67 | Tony BRADFORD | 1:35:27 | Season’s Best (SB) |
| 103 | Sam HARTE | 1:40:27 | First Half |
| 106 | Jamie DRACKFORD | 1:40:37 | |
| 143 | Jon SYPULA | 1:43:26 | Personal Best (1:48) |
| 161 | Paul MURRAY | 1:45:10 | |
| 179 | Robert EVANS | 1:46:33 | SB |
| 184 | Mikos TAYLOR | 1:47:12 | First Half |
| 197 | Chris HOLLAND | 1:48:21 | First Half |
| 204 | Lewis DAVIN | 1:48:27 | PB (9:08) |
| 227 | Selvan NAICKER | 1:50:48 | PB (0:22) |
| 279 | Andy JAY | 1:55:22 | |
| 281 | Madeleine PRITCHARD (F) | 1:55:33 | |
| 306 | Tracy PEZ (F) | 1:57:30 | |
| 313 | Stephen BLOCK | 1:58:10 | |
| 320 | Adam DAVIN | 1:58:36 | PB (6:54) |
| 326 | Robert SHAW | 2:01:00 | |
| 335 | Paul HOLGATE | 2:01:21 | |
| 352 | Ruth REILLY (F) | 2:04:46 | First Half |
| 363 | Donna GRAY (F) | 2:06:00 | First Half |
| 382 | Lee MORRIS | 2:09:14 | |
| 406 | Graham HILL | 2:13:53 | First Half |
| 422 | Lee POTTER | 2:21:11 |
Ogle
Jennifer Robertson ran the Glen Ogle Ultra in Strathyre, Scotland this weekend. 33 miles of stunning scenery, a forest trail route which was hilly in parts. Jen completed it in 6 hours 8 minutes.
Baggage for VLM
The London Marathon is not until Sunday 21st April but Fairlands Valley Spartans are already signing up volunteers for help in Pall Mall. The club have helped make the event a success for many years.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- St. Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 18th November.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 22nd November.
- Wolverton Five on Saturday 24th November.
- Cross Country League on Sunday 25th November.
- Cross Country League on Sunday 9th December.
- Buntingford Ten on Sunday 30th December.
- Virgin London Marathon on 21st April 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 over 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 drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) 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 £27 per year. 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), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk
Categories
Stevenage Half Marathon results
Congratulations to all runners who completed the Stevenage half marathon today.
Thank you to all of those who supported the event and made it such a great success.
Here are the results for the race:
And the winners……!
And all of those brave Spartans……!
See you all next year!!!
Categories
CATCH A COACH – LATEST EDITION HAS LANDED!
Hi,
The November edition of Catch a Coach has landed!
Includes our 10 of the best, how to introduce hill training into your programme (and get with the programme!), top tips and information on nutrition on the run.
Take a look!
Catch a Coach newsletter November 2012
Cheers
Coach Leigh
MATTHEW AND CHRISTINE WIN 5K
Cross Country Season Starts
MATTHEW HOLGATE and CHRISTINE PROWLE were the winners as 32 runners took part in Fairlands Valley Spartans Handicap 5K on Thursday night.
Matthew was first to finish, four minutes quicker than his previous best 5K this year, and in a new personal best (PB) time of 36 minutes 17 seconds as he continued his improvements shown over recent weeks.
In second position, just 13 seconds behind Matthew and improving her own PB by 3:23 to 38 minutes exactly, the first female to finish was Christine Prowle, with AMANDA VICKERS second female, also in a new PB, of 34:12, 2:46 faster than previous. GEMMA SMITH was third female in her welcome return to the club with 25 minutes 50 seconds.
Third man (fourth overall) was newcomer ALI VORSTER in his debut 5k, finishing in 25 minutes exactly, 2:30 faster than handicap, with another newcomer, DAVE SMITH third man just a few seconds behind Ali, in 24:30, 2:15 ahead of handicap.
Grant Fastest
Fastest runner on the night was GRANT RAMSAY in 17 minutes 9 seconds. LIAM HERBERT was second quickest in 18:27 and ROB WILLIS third fastest with 18:33. BERNIE BARNABY also beat 20 minutes with 19:45 in his first 5k with the club.
Fastest female was the much improved RHIANNON GRIFFIN 20:20, with GEMMA SMITH’s 25:50 2nd quickest and VIVIENNE HONEY 3rd fastest in 28:14.
Next month’s Handicap 5k will be in 4 weeks time on Thursday 22nd November.
Cross Country Season Starts
Sunday’s conditions were perfect for the first cross country league race of the season, a little mud but not a lot and a little cold but not too cold. Eighteen Spartans made the trip to Cheshunt with the following results.
Women: Alison Wood 84th overall in 34 minutes 30 seconds; Rhiannon Griffin 111th in 35.47; Nikki Andrews 159th in 38.33; Julie Simmons 160th (app. 38.36); Tracy Pez 165th (app. 39.15); Anne Tyressone 221st in 41.57; Nikki Lorimer 259th in 44.17; Hannah Davidson 272nd in 45.13 and Iris Hornsey 295th in 50.59
Men: Simon Jackson 13th in 29 minutes 46 seconds; Martin Wood 75th (app. 33.55); Dave Bowker 76th in 34.01; Todd Gray 82nd in 34.23; Steve Mayfield 146th in 37.42; Andy Jay 223rd in 41.41; Mark Cheadle 228th in 42.16; Marc Green 264th (app. 44.00); Nick Stewart 308th (app. 47.00).
The first five women and eight men will count towards the league results though others may have contributed by getting ahead of runners from other clubs.
Britain’s Toughest Marathon
On a beautiful dry day, albeit with a chilly breeze that was quite strong in places, six Spartans took on Britain’s toughest marathon, in Snowdonia, North Wales.
With three massive climbs, the race is not for the faint hearted, but all six Spartans were delighted with their achievements and with such stunning scenery around the course are already looking forward to returning next year.
Their finishing times were – Matt Gill 4:08:48; Tricia Hopper 4:58:55; Karen Liddle 4:58:55; Barry King 4:58:55; Sharon Crowley 5:00:20 (21st consecutive Snowdon marathon – every year since 1991); and Paul Holgate 5:01:07 (24th consecutive – every year since 1988
Chosen Half
NICK WITCOMBE ran in the Chosen Half Marathon in New Braunfels, Texas, USA on Sunday. His time was 2 hours 13 minutes and 17 seconds. It was very cold due to a rare cold snap and the course was quite hilly. The race took place along the Guadalope river and the race was very picturesque and enjoyable. A fellow runner even recognised the famous FVS stripes.
Fenland 10mile at Wisbech.
The Fenland Ten was on a flat course but it weas open and exposed when windy as it was at the weekend. PHIL GALE says it was a well organised small race on quiet roads, raining at start but eased off soon afterwards. Lots of puddles on course and a pretty cold wind against runners in second half. He finished in 68 minutes exactly.
Roger Doubles Up
ROGER BIGGS ran the Woolwich Tunnel Marathon on Friday. It was organised by the 100 Marathon Club to commemorate the opening of the Woolwich Tunnel exactly 100 years ago. Starting at the Northern end of the tunnel, the marathon commenced by the entire field walking to the southern end, then up the 105 steps to emerge on the southern shore of the Thames. At this point the running started with four out & back sections along the Thames path to the East then West. After a reasonably good first half, Roger suffered to finish in 4 hours 32 minutes 11 seconds.
Then Roger travelled North to Preston for a marathon billed as ‘once every 20 years’. Organised as part of The Preston Guild, this well organised event went through Preston, then out into the countryside to the North & South. It wasn’t the undulating course that slowed down runners, it was the strong & cold Northerly wind plus rain from start to finish! Roger struggled early on, but found a strong finish to come home in 4:07:31.
Pompey Payne
RACHEL PAYNE ran the Great South Run in Portsmouth on Sunday in 1:23 which she is pretty pleased with.
20th Anniversary Serpie
JIM BROWN ran the 20th Anniversary Last Friday of the Month Serpentine 5K. This popular event goes round the Serpentine in Hyde Park, London. In cool, windy and damp conditions he was happy to finish in 22 minutes exactly and the first half of the finishers. He moved up to 22nd overall in the 2012 series championship.
Baggage for VLM.
The London Marathon is not until Sunday 21st April but Fairlands Valley Spartans are already signing up volunteers for help in Pall Mall. The club have helped make the event a success for many years.
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. The race is in Stevenage and is for seniors and veterans. The championships are within an open race — everyone can have a go. Enter now. There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 22nd November.
- Cross Country League on Sunday 25th November.
- Buntingford Ten on Sunday 30th December.
- Virgin London Marathon on 21st April 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 over 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 drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) 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 £27 per year. 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), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk
Categories
WHAT’S ON THIS COMING WEEK!
Here is the latest packed edition of the What’s On Newsletter. Take a look and finalise your training and club activities for the coming week.
Grant takes off
Five Spartans made the short trip to RAF Henlow on Wednesday for the annual RAF 10 mile championships from Old Warden to Henlow. On a windy day and into a headwind for most of the point-to-point run times were not surprisingly a little slower than hoped for but it did not stop Grant Ramsay coming away with the trophy for 1st vet, in 5th position overall, in 57:50, while Julie Simmons won the 1st V55 female trophy in 1:17:31.
SIMON BELL finished in 1 hour 3 minutes 4 seconds, ROGER BIGGS in 1:21:02 and PAUL HOLGATE in 1:21:02. There were about 150 runners.
Spartans in the Cabbage Patch
Three Spartans completed the Cabbage Patch 10 in Twickenham on Sunday morning.
On a nice flat-ish course Nikki Andrews was first Spartan home in 1.14.57, RICHARD HAZELDENE finished in 1.15.00 and ANDY PRIOR in 1.22.58 — says he was just thankful to get to the end in 1 piece.
All highly recommended the race as a potential personal best course & will return in 2013.
Abingdon Marathon
There were pretty good running conditions for the Abingdon Marathon on Sunday with the temperature around 10C and the rain generally holding off. Great marshalling and well organised, just a shame the showers that did fall were freezing.
Christopher Westcott finished in 40th position overall in a new personal best of 2 hours 57 minutes 48 seconds.
STEVE MAYFIELD’s first marathon for over two years resulted in a new personal best of 3:27:30. CAROL PAUL finished in 4:25:36 and ALISON SUCKLING 4:44:34.
Great Yarmouth Marathon — Sunday, 21st October 2012
ROGER BIGGS took part in the inaugural running of the Great Yarmouth Marathon. The course was on three flats laps to the North, then South of the town, either along the promenade or adjoining roads. After some recent tough marathons on and off road, Roger returned to form with his second best marathon of 2012. He won the Vet 60 category with a time of 3 hours 51 minutes 45 seconds.
Tough Bacon
CRAIG BACON ran the Abbots Langley 10 in 47 minutes 52 seconds.
Rotherham Half Century
MIKE NEWBITT took part in the Rotherham 50 which is 50 miles off road with a set of instructions to find your way around the route. He took 14 hours and 52 minutes
Peterborough Claire
At the Great Eastern Run CLAIRE COKER took a 13 minutes 5 seconds chunk off her personal best (PB) reducing it to 1:48:18 and was absolutely chuffed to bits all her training paid off.
Baggage for VLM.
The London Marathon is not until Sunday 21st April but Fairlands Valley Spartans are already signing up volunteers for help in Pall Mall. The club have helped make the event a success for many years.
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. The race is in Stevenage and is for seniors and veterans. The championships are within an open race — everyone can have a go. Enter now. There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk
COMING EVENTS
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 25th October.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November.
- Buntingford Ten on Sunday 30th December.
- Virgin London Marathon on 21st April 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 over 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 drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) 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 £27 per year. 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), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk
Categories
WHAT’S ON – THIS COMING WEEK!
Here is the latest packed edition of the What’s On Newsletter. Take a look and finalise your training for the coming week.
CUTS AT PETERBOROUGH
Loads of personal bests!
Forty one Fairlands Valley Spartans ran in the sun Sunday’s Great Eastern Run, the Peterborough Half Marathon. Many of the twenty three women and eighteen men were rewarded with new personal and season’s bests.
The Spartans star performer was DUNCAN MARSHALL who finished 78th out of the 3,431 finishers in 1 hour 19 minutes 13 seconds. LIAM HERBERT took 2 minutes 36 seconds off his PB to finish 180th in 1:25:46; STEVE MAYFIELD chopped 50 seconds off his PB to 1:33:50 and LISA BURGESS 4 minutes off her PB to 1:34:35.
Running his first half marathon since a major operation last year Spartan Press Officer JIM BROWN was delighted to finish with a time of 1 hour 41 minutes 45 seconds. MATT GILL ran his best half marathon this year with an improvement of 14 minutes 16 seconds to 1:43:15; JON SYPULA improved his PB by 49 seconds to 1:45:14; whilst NIKKI COLLINS improved her PB by 7 minutes and 34 seconds to 1:48:02 and CLAIRE COKER took a 13 minutes 5 seconds chunk off her PB reducing it to 1:48:18 and was absolutely chuffed to bits all her training paid off.
MADDIE PRITCHARD cut her PB by 7 minutes 38 seconds to 1:51:42. KAREN ELLIS improved by 4:01 to 1:55:02; RACHEL PAYNE by 4:09 to 1:57:29; MARIA THORNE by 2:51 to 2:01:09; STEVE WATKINS by 10:39 to 2:11:34; and MARIA RUSHTON by 1:28 to 2:14:11.
LES BUTLER improved his season’s best by 2:48 to 2:16:12; JAN FRY her PB by 8:57 to 2:20:20; JACKIE MORRISON cut her season’s best time by seven seconds to 2:23:53 and 80 year old RON COHEN cut his season’s best by 2:29 to 2:29:04.
Those who achieved the milestone of their first half marathon included DANNY HARWOOD (2:00:48); TRUDY MOLLOY (2:01:00); MELISSA GIBSON (2:14:23) and JAYNE PINNER (2:41:30).
The results for all 41 Spartans follow:
|
Position |
Name |
Time |
Comments |
|
78 |
Duncan MARSHALL |
1:19:13 |
PB |
|
180 |
Liam HERBERT |
1:25:46 |
PB (2:36) |
|
324 |
Graham BLACKBURN |
1:30:53 |
|
|
326 |
Danny HUKIN |
1:30:58 |
SB |
|
430 |
Steve MAYFIELD |
1:33:50 |
PB (0:50) |
|
459 |
Lisa BURGESS (F) |
1:34:35 |
PB (4:11) |
|
592 |
Peter SMITH |
1:37:44 |
|
|
787 |
Jim BROWN |
1:41:45 |
SB. First half after a major operation. |
|
874 |
Matt GILL |
1:43:15 |
YB (14:16) |
|
991 |
Jon SYPULA |
1:45:14 |
PB (0:49) |
|
1151 |
Nikki COLLINS (F) |
1:48:02 |
PB (7:34) |
|
1174 |
Claire COKER (F) |
1:48:18 |
PB (13:05) |
|
1395 |
Maddie PRITCHARD (F) |
1:51:42 |
PB (7:38) |
|
1436 |
Hadrian COOPER |
1:52:14 |
|
|
1472 |
LEE POTTER |
1:52:41 |
PB |
|
1644 |
Karen ELLIS (F) |
1:55:02 |
PB (4:01) |
|
1730 |
Stephanie MAYFFIELD (F) |
1:56:13 |
|
|
1818 |
Rachel PAYNE (F) |
1:57:29 |
PB (4:09) |
|
1973 |
Paul HOLGATE |
1:59:57 |
|
|
2029 |
Danny HARWOOD |
2:00:48 |
First Half Marathon |
|
2046 |
Trudie MOLLOY (F) |
2:01:00 |
First Half Marathon |
|
2045 |
Barry kING |
2:01:00 |
First half after ankle operation |
|
2049 |
Stephen BLOCK |
2:01:07 |
|
|
2053 |
Maria THORNE (F) |
2:01:09 |
PB (2:51) |
|
2231 |
Sharon CROWLEY (F) |
2:04:32 |
YB |
|
2553 |
Steve WATKINS |
2:11:34 |
PB (10:39) |
|
2597 |
Jeanette COLLINS (F) |
2:12:19 |
SB |
|
2621 |
Lisa GAVIGAN (F) |
2:12:49 |
YB |
|
2629 |
Karen SMITH (F) |
2:13:03 |
|
|
2674 |
Maria RUSHTON (F) |
2:14:11 |
PB (1:28) |
|
2685 |
Melissa GIBSON (F) |
2:14:23 |
First Half Marathon |
|
2695 |
Tracy STILES (F) |
2:14:47 |
|
|
2758 |
Les BUTLER |
2:16:12 |
SB (2:48) |
|
2884 |
Jan FRY (F) |
2:20:20 |
PB (8:57) |
|
2909 |
Lisa JERROM (F) |
2:20:57 |
YB |
|
3002 |
Jackie MORRISON (F) |
2:23:53 |
SB (0:07) |
|
3044 |
Karen BUCKLEY (F) |
2:26:07 |
|
|
3108 |
Ron COHEN |
2:29:04 |
SB (2:29) Age 80 |
|
3286 |
Jayne PINNER (F) |
2:41:30 |
First Half Marathon. Pleased after a four month break due to injury. |
|
3288 |
Nick WITCOMBE |
2:41:31 |
|
|
3287 |
Hannah SYPULA (F) |
2:41:31 |
|
Ware Ten
A multi terrain, two lap course and perfect weather conditions for running at Sunday’s Ware Ten provided the platform for several personal best performances. Experienced runner MARK GOODWIN continued his fantastic form this year with a PB of 1 hour 16 minutes 14 seconds, which was his second PB in a week. LEE LAWRENCE took 1:17:37. Despite massive blisters NATALIE BARNARD finished in `1:18:16 close to TRACY PEZ with 1:18:38. VISHAL SHAH cut his PB by four minutes to 1:21:04.
Matthew Is A Happy Spartan.
MATTHEW KIRK did the Liverpool marathon Sunday morning in glorious sunshine but cool and no wind so good conditions. He finished 40 minutes faster than last year in 3 hours 52 minutes which is his new personal best. Says he is very happy, or will be when his feet stop hurting!!
Chingford Cross Country
GRANT RAMSAY was fifth out of 300 in the Chingford League Cross Country race at Enfield. He covered the 8 kilometres in 27 minutes 29 seconds.
Founders Marathon — Sunday, 12th October 2012
For yet another weekend ROGER BIGGS enjoyed lovely running weather on a tough course. This Sunday he was at the Founders Marathon.
This is an off road marathon run under LDWA (Long Distance Walkers Association) rules from Peaslake in the North Downs region of Surrey. “Founders” refers to the first LDWA meeting which was help in Peaslake. The event included 1,000 metres of climbing over some testing ground. Roger finished in 7 hours 18 minutes 41 seconds.
Baggage for VLM.
The London Marathon is not until Sunday 21st April but Fairlands Valley Spartans are already signing up volunteers for help in Pall Mall. The club have helped make the event a success for many years.
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. The race is in Stevenage and is for seniors and veterans. The championships are within an open race — everyone can have a go. Enter now. There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 25th October.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November.
- Buntingford Ten on Sunday 30th December.
- Virgin London Marathon on 21st April 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 over 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 drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) 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 £27 per year. 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), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk
BARRY WINS GOLD AT STANDALONE
Ron 80 and still racing!
There were 46 Spartans among the 1,130 finishers in Sunday’s Standalone 10K race and several of them were county medal winners. BARRY OSBORNE won GOLD in the Vet 60 plus category with an outstanding sub 40 time of 39 minutes 56 seconds; JO LAING (40:34), TRACY PEZ (44:37) and JULIE SIMMONS (44:40) won silvers in the women’s team competition; Julie’s personal best improvement of 2 minutes 41 seconds helped her win SILVER in her age category; GRANT RAMSAY was second Vet 40 plus in an incredible new personal best (PB) of 34 minutes 15 seconds. He was sixth overall.
RON COHEN ran his first race since his 80th birthday. He beat over a hundred runners with his time of 1 hour 4 minutes 2 seconds and he cycled to and from the event.
CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT ran his first race as a veteran and celebrated with a time of 35 minutes 44 seconds — a personal best (PB) by 90 seconds. ANDREW PATTERSON improved his PB by 16 seconds to 36:29; DAVID BOWKER ran a new season’s best (SB) of 38:43; Club Chair GRAHAM BLACKBURN ran a new SB of 40:39; STEVE GREEN improved his PB by 1:41 to 42:52; Club Press Officer JIM BROWN achieved his first 75% age related score for many years by improving his season’s best by 2:52 to 43 minutes 17 seconds; MARK GOODWIN improved his PB by 1:16 to 43:56; NIKKI ANDREWS took a 6:38 chunk off for her new PB of 44:34; MADDIE PRITCHARD took 3 minutes 20 seconds off her PB with her time of 45 minutes 51 seconds; HADRIAN COOPER improved his PB by 31 seconds to 46:17; RYAN DUNNING by 5 seconds to 46:23; ANN TRYSSESOONE by 3:25 to 47:01; SELVAN NAICKER by 2:52 to 47:16; SCOTT ROUSE improved his season’s best by 43 seconds to 48:47; PAUL MARSHALL his SB by 2:06 to 50:18; SARAH PIKE her PB by 47 seconds to 50:27; STEVE PIKE his SB by 1:09 to 50:29; KAREN ELLIS her PB by 1:23 to 51:14; Club Treasurer MARK CHEADLE improved his PB by 1:08 to 51:54; HANNAH DAVIDSON her PB by over three minutes to 53:10; SAIVERSHAN NAIDO by over five minutes to 55:45; MELISSA TYLER, 59:02, beat her PB by 58 seconds; KAREN BUCKLEY her PB by 3:41 to 59:03; JANET COX by a massive 12 minutes 24 seconds to 1:07:29; LEE MORRIS by 1:23 to 1:07:35; and HELEN MORRIS by 1:23 to 1:07:36.
Several including CLAIRE SMITH (48:55) and LISA KASPEROWICZ (51:36) were running their first 10K race.
Standalone results for every Spartan:
|
Pos |
Name |
Chip |
Comments |
|
6 |
Grant RAMSAY |
34:15 |
2nd Vet 40. PB by 32 seconds |
|
15 |
Christopher WESTCOTT |
35:44 |
PB by 1:30. First race as a V40 |
|
21 |
Andrew PATTERSON |
36:29 |
PB by 16 seconds |
|
55 |
David BOWKER |
38:43 |
SB by 15 seconds |
|
78 |
Barry OSBORNE |
39:56 |
1st Vet 60. PB by 1:03. |
|
139 |
Jo LAING (F) |
40:34 |
Vet team silver. |
|
94 |
Graham BLACKBURN |
40:39 |
SB by 40 seconds. |
|
101 |
Jake AMOS |
40:54 |
|
|
130 |
Sam HARTE |
42:12 |
|
|
143 |
Steve GREEN |
42:52 |
PB by 1:41 |
|
161 |
Jim BROWN |
43:17 |
SB by 2:52. |
|
195 |
Mark GOODWIN |
43:56 |
PB by 1:16 |
|
217 |
Nikki ANDREWS (F) |
44:34 |
PB by 6:38 |
|
225 |
Tracy PEZ (F) |
44:37 |
Vet team silver. |
|
220 |
Tim PINE |
44:37 |
|
|
228 |
Julie SIMMONS (F) |
44:40 |
Individual and vet team silver. PB by 2:41 |
|
257 |
Mikos TAYLOR |
45:31 |
1st 10K. |
|
270 |
Maddie PRITCHARD (F) |
45:51 |
PB by 3:20 |
|
302 |
Hadrian COOPER |
46:17 |
PB by 31 seconds |
|
307 |
Ryan DUNNING |
46:23 |
PB by 5 seconds |
|
334 |
Ann TRYSSESOONE (F) |
47:01 |
PB by 3:25 |
|
340 |
Selvan NAICKER |
47:16 |
PB by 2:52 |
|
368 |
Paul PICKARD |
47:57 |
|
|
430 |
Paul FORDE |
48:15 |
1st 10K |
|
414 |
Scott ROUSE |
48:47 |
SB by 43 seconds. |
|
418 |
Claire SMITH (F) |
48:55 |
1st 10K |
|
495 |
Paul MARSHALL |
50:18 |
SB by 2:06 |
|
465 |
Sarah PIKE (F) |
50:27 |
PB by 47 seconds |
|
467 |
Steve PIKE |
50:29 |
SB by 1:09 |
|
501 |
Owen STEWART |
50:52 |
1st 10K |
|
530 |
Karen ELLIS (F) |
51:14 |
PB by 1:23 |
|
547 |
Lisa KASPEROWICZ (F) |
51:36 |
1st 10K |
|
548 |
Mark CHEADLE |
51:54 |
PB by 1:08 |
|
626 |
Hannah DAVIDSON (F) |
53:10 |
PB by over 3 minutes |
|
668 |
Chris LEIGH |
53:19 |
|
|
731 |
Paul HOLGATE |
54:36 |
|
|
730 |
Sharon CROWLEY (F) |
55:26 |
|
|
753 |
Saivershan NAIDO |
55:45 |
PB by over 5 minutes |
|
831 |
Lorraine THOMAS (F) |
58:10 |
YB by 2 seconds |
|
870 |
Melissa TYLER (F) |
59:02 |
PB by 58 seconds |
|
856 |
Karen BUCKLEY (F) |
59:03 |
PB by 3:41 |
|
950 |
Gopalan NAIDOO |
1:01:40 |
|
|
1014 |
Ron COHEN |
1:04:02 |
80 years old and cycled to the event. |
|
1062 |
Janet COX (F) |
1:07:29 |
PB by 12:24 |
|
1064 |
Lee MORRIS |
1:07:35 |
PB by 1:23 |
|
1065 |
Helen MORRIS (F) |
1:07:36 |
PB by 1:23 |
(Many pictures are available in the Gallery here: http://fvspartans.org.uk/gallery/)
Royal Parks for Lisa and Lorraine
LISA LIVERSIDGE and LORRAINE WYATT ran in Sunday’s Royal Parks Half Marathon. Lisa finished in 2:00:38 and Lorraine in a new personal best of 2 hours 3 minutes 50 seconds.
First Saturday
Spartan JOHN HARRIS was fifth overall in the North Herts First Saturday of the Month 5K. His time of 19 minutes 56 seconds was achieved in muddy conditions.
Kielder 10K
LINDA GREEN ran 75 minutes 36 seconds in the Kielder 10K on Saturday. It was part of a weekend of events held at the Northumberland reservoir, which include a run-bike-run and a full marathon. The events are billed as “Britain’s Most Beautiful” – the organisers (Steve Cram among them) were not overdoing the praise there as it really is a fabulous location. The scenery goes some way to alleviate the discomfort from the undulating course!
Steve Cram wished Linda and her friend “have a good race, ladies” as they passed him on the way to the start line!
Biggleswade Open
JOHN TYRELL improved his personal best (PB) in the shot with 7.25 metres and in the discus with 19.71 metres in the Biggleswade open graded meeting at Sandy Sports Centre. He was competing in the over 75s age group.
When Ravens Dare
ROGER BIGGS travelled to Machen, Wales for the “When Ravens Dare” event on Saturday to run his 78th different county in the UK and Ireland. On a glorious sunny day he toiled over an extremely hilly and wet underfoot course to finish in 8 hours 48 minutes 48 seconds.
Flower of Suffolk
CAROL PAUL and MIKE NEWBITT ran Sunday’s Flower of Suffolk 26.5 miles off road event around the Suffolk countryside from Walberswick. Carol and Mike finished in 5 hours 34 minutes 12 seconds. Dave Paul did the 17.5 mile route in 3:56:03
Baggage for VLM.
The London Marathon is not until Sunday 21st April but Fairlands Valley Spartans are already signing up volunteers for help in Pall Mall. The club have helped make the event a success for many years.
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. The race is in Stevenage and is for seniors and veterans. The championships are within an open race — everyone can have a go. Enter now. There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Great Eastern (Peterborough) Half Marathon on Sunday 14th October.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 25th October.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November.
- Virgin London Marathon on 21st April 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 over 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 drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) 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 £27 per year. 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), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk
This month’s edition of Catch a Coach has landed! Take a look here!
SPARTAN TRACK AND FIELD WOMEN TAKE SILVER
After winning the central division of the Eastern Veterans Athletics Club track and field league during the season, Fairlands Valley Spartans women travelled to Milton Keynes to contest the league final against seven other clubs.
The women were looking to improve on their fifth place from last year but, up against strong competition from the likes of Chelmsford AC and Loughton AC, it was going to be tough. However, the Spartans showed their continuing improvement by coming second to take home Silver Medals.
The weather deteriorated during the day and became so bad that the Sprint Hurdles and High Jump competitions had to be cancelled. The Spartan ladies were not deterred and maintained their second position throughout the day.
Monica Brown was a super Spartan, winning six events out of seven. She was awarded Woman of the Match by the organisers for her great performances.
Rosie Canham stepped in for the injured Kerry James who was going to do the women’s 35 and over age group 1500 and 3000 metres. Rosie covered all distances from 100 metres to 3000 metres plus a 400 metre leg of the relay, great team work.
Tessa Stephenson has been concentrating on the Shot Putt and Discus throws after an injury earlier in the season. That was beneficial as she won the shot in a new personal best and club record of 8 metres 30. She also did a personal best to win the discus; both events were for the younger age group for women over 35.
After completing her 2 km walk in a huge personal best time, Jan Fry then turned to helping with officiating the competition and was rewarded with a bump on the head from a discus in a bizarre accident.
In an event she took up to gain vital points that had previously been missed, Stephanie Mayfield battled through the elements to come a good third place in the pole vault. She also gained points in the 400 metre hurdles, along with Sharon Crowley in the older age group in one of the few events which took place before the wet weather descended.
Carolyn Shortland competing in her first final with the Spartans, gained vital points in both the over fifty five and over thirty five age groups in the Shot and hammer throws.
Chris Feely and Sharon Crowley covered the middle to long distances in the over forty five age group as did Julie Simmons in the over 55 year age group, another Spartan in her first final for the Spartans.
Iris Hornsey followed up her success in the 70 plus year age group in the European Veteran Championships in Germany by covering the over 55 years Long Jump, 100 metres and relay.
Tessa Stephenson, Iris Hornsey, Stephanie Mayfield and Rosie Canham competed in the over thirty five relay of 400 metres, 200 metres x2 and finishing with another 400 metres.
In the same relay distance but for the over forty fives, Chris Feely, Julie Simmons, Sharon Crowley and Monica Brown ended the meeting coming second in a very exciting race as Monica was able two gain two places to end in second place.
Honington 10K
SIMON BELL ran the Honington 10km on Wednesday in 36 minutes 20 seconds, finishing 24th Overall and 3rd Veteran.
Biggleswade Open
David Bowker and Mark Cheadle took part in the 1500 metres at the Biggleswade Open Track Event on Saturday. Some brilliant sunshine made it perfect running conditions, although some strong headwinds down the back straight made it much tougher than expected, but well organised and great fun all the same.
David Bowker put in a fantastic performance, winning his heat among some great competitors. His season’s best 4 minutes 55 seconds was quicker than his target time. Mark ran a season’s best 6.18.
Serpie 5K
Conditions were mild, dry, overcast and breezy for Friday lunch time’s 5K race in Hyde Park, London.
Spartan JIM BROWN improved to the top half of the field, 96th out of 201 finishers in 21 minutes 44 seconds. That’s ten seconds quicker than a month earlier on the faster Kensington Gardens course. He was third in his age category.
Mooathon — Sunday, 30th September 2012
Roger travelled to County Donegal in Ireland for a marathon where entrants are encouraged to dress up as cows, and/or in black & white.
After a few days of very mixed weather, suddenly marathon day was greeted with some sunshine and ideal temperatures. However this was a tough course with steep climbs over the 1st 4 miles, as the course left Kilmacrenan Town, just north of Letterkenny to head north to Downings where the half marathon finished next to a glorious beach. For marathon runners there was a loop round the coast with steep ups and downs from 14 miles through 20 miles, before finally the course was kind as runners found their way back to Downings.
Over such a tough course, Roger was happy to finish in 4:12:31, on Ireland’s most Northerly Marathon.
Eastern Combined Events
At the Eastern Athletic Association combined events, STEVE MAYFIELD competed in the senior pentathlon and was by some 20 years the oldest competitor in the field. Blustery conditions made all the events difficult, leading to below par performances by many athletes. Steve opened with 4.02m in the Long Jump, well down on his best this year. He followed up with a satisfying 27.51m in the Javelin and 27.8 in the 200m run into a headwind on the bend. His discus of 21.71 was just short of a PB but the final event, the 1500m, was a struggle and run in 5:23.3. Steve’s overall score was 1584pts (Senior) which converts to an age graded 2156 (V45). He did well in this regional standard event!
Jay Goes West
Andy Jay made the trip west, for the very popular Bristol Half marathon which was over a flat out and back course along the A4 under the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Andy finished in a year’s best time of 1 hour 51 minutes.
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. The race is in Stevenage and is for seniors and veterans. The championships are within an open race — everyone can have a go. Enter now. There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Standalone 10K in Letchworth on Sunday 7th October.
- Great Eastern (Peterborough) Half Marathon on Sunday 14th October.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 25th October.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November.
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 over 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 drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) 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 £27 per year. 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 (01438 354505 or 0793 968 7509), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk
Please note that due to an open evening at Marriotts school on Thursday 4th October we will be meeting at a different venue. Please meet in the large car park at Fairlands Valley park (off of Six Hills Way) at 6:50pm ready for announcements and the start of training at 7pm.
This applies to ALL the evening sessions.
As part of the Paul Maguire 5 mile race on Sunday 23rd September, there was a competiton for the Paul Maguire trophy.
The trophy is awarded to the Spartan who beats their 5 mile target time by the largest margin. Only those eligible for the trophy can compete for it (eligibility is based on those Spartans who have competed in at least 2 of the MWL scoring fixtures earlier in the year).
I am pleased to announce that Adrian Donnelly is the winner of the tropy, beating his target time by a massive 4 minutes!! Well done Adrian.
A summary of the results are attached here.
GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE FOR SPARTANS AT PM5
There were gold, silver and bronze medals for Fairlands Valley Spartans in the Paul Maguire Memorial Five Mile Road Race which included the county championships for seniors and veterans.
JO LAING was fastest woman and won the county senior and veterans championships with a time of 32 minutes 34 seconds. She led the GOLD winning women’s team which included ANN TRYSSESOONE, bronze medal in the women’s 45 plus category in 38 minutes 9 seconds — a PB (personal best) by 2 minutes 40 seconds, and NICKY LORIMER with a time of 39 minutes 52 seconds.
JIM BROWN won an individual silver medal in the Vet 60 category with his time of 36 minutes 2 seconds and contributed to a silver medal winning performance by the Spartan veterans with DAVID BOWKER, bronze in the men’s 50 plus category in 31:20); PETER SMITH (34:59) and MARK GOODWIN with a new personal best of 35:43.
David Bowker, TODD GRAY (31:33), ADRIAN DONNELLY (33:00) and Pete Smith also won silver in the senior team category.
Showing strength in depth among the Spartan women KAREN ELLIS (40:57); MARIA THORNE (44:42) and LORRAINE THOMAS (47:29) took team bronze medals for female runners aged 35 plus.
SIMON BELL was the fastest Spartan, seventh overall in 29 minutes 52 seconds, but he is not eligible for Hertfordshire awards.
The race was organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans with LISA JERROM doing a superb job as race director. The course included the cycleways on Fairlands Way, Grace Way, Martins Way and a loop within Fairlands Valley Park.
|
Position |
Name |
Time |
Comments |
|
7 |
SIMON BELL |
29.52 |
(Not Herts) |
|
19 |
DAVID BOWKER |
31.20 |
V50 County Bronze. Team Silver. Vets Team Silver. |
|
20 |
TODD GRAY |
31.33 |
Team Silver. |
|
23 |
JO LAING (F) |
32.34 |
1st Woman. County Gold. Team Gold. |
|
25 |
ADRIAN DONNELLY |
33.00 |
Team Silver. |
|
37 |
PETER SMITH |
34.59 |
Team Silver. Vets Team Silver. |
|
41 |
KIERAN FEETHAM |
35.22 |
|
|
45 |
MARK GOODWIN |
35.43 |
Vets Team Silver (PB) |
|
48 |
JIM BROWN |
36.02 |
V60 County Silver. Vets Team Silver. |
|
57 |
JON SYPULA |
37.21 |
|
|
58 |
VISHAL SHAH |
37.26 |
|
|
60 |
PAUL FORDE |
38.08 |
|
|
62 |
ANN TRYSSESOONE (F) |
38.11 |
FV45 Bronze. Team Gold (PB) |
|
67 |
IAN SIMPSON |
39.11 |
|
|
68 |
ANDREW PRIOR |
39.43 |
|
|
70 |
NICKY LORIMER (F) |
39.52 |
Team Gold |
|
71 |
ANTHONY WHITE |
40.07 |
|
|
72 |
STEPHEN PIKE |
40.09 |
|
|
77 |
RACHEL PAYNE (F) |
40.54 |
|
|
79 |
KAREN ELLIS (F) |
40.57 |
Vets Team Bronze |
|
82 |
PAUL MARSHALL |
41.17 |
|
|
93 |
KHILAN SHAH |
43.39 |
|
|
95 |
MARIA THORNE (F) |
44.42 |
Vets Team Bronze |
|
106 |
LORRAINE THOMAS (F) |
47.29 |
Vets Team Bronze |
|
110 |
SARAH HUKIN (F) |
49.20 |
|
|
112 |
KERRY SETTERFIELD (F) |
50.48 |
Stockholm
BEV HARLOW says the Stockholm Half Marathon was a very well organised and run in a beautiful city. She finished in 1 hour 56 minutes exactly.
Roger and Phil in Shetland Marathon
ROGER BIGGS and PHIL GALE travelled to the Island of Shetland for the UK’s most Northerly Marathon at a little over 60 degrees north.
The race was an out and back from Scallaway, north to the hamlet of Nestling, and back again, while the half marathon finished at the turnaround point in Nestling. The islands were certainly getting better weather than the south, although the hilly course and cold easterly winds made for a tough day out.
Roger completed the marathon in 4 hours 9 minutes and Phil the half in 1 hour 33.
Wet and Windy Swansea
Robert Evans completed a very wet & windy Swansea Bay 10K in 45min 42 secs narrowly missing his PB (personal best) time by 2 seconds.
Green Chain Trail Marathon
Recently ROGER BIGGS and CLAIRE WHITTLE ran the Green Chain Trail Marathon from New Eltham in SE London. The course followed the ‘Green Chain Way”, which links parks & wooded areas in the Capital, including four miles on the South Bank of the Thames. It was not flat and had 600 metres of climb. They finished together in 5 hours 20 minutes 34 seconds.
Many Spartans helped organised the Stevenage “Race for Life” on Saturday which was won by RHIANNON GRIFFIN in 42 minutes 40 seconds.
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. The race is in Stevenage and is for seniors and veterans. The championships are within an open race — everyone can have a go. Enter now. There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Serpentine 5K on Friday 28th September.
- Standalone 10K in Letchworth on Sunday 7th October.
- Great Eastern (Peterborough) Half Marathon on Sunday 14th October.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 25th October.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November.
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 over 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 drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) 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 £27 per year. 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 (01438 354505 or 0793 968 7509), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk
Well done to everyone who ran the 2012 Paul Maguire 5 mile race: the final results, including Herts County Champs, are detailed in the spreadsheet (linked below).
Paul Maguire 5m 2012 results (final)
Please contact pm5@fvspartans.org.uk if you spot any errors or omissions.
A big thank you to everyone involved, who either organised or who helped us out at the event in any small way. Another big thank you to everyone who made donations to our nominated charity, Garden House Hospice, Letchworth, in memory of Paul Maguire. Your generosity and support is much appreciated.
Spartan runners: the winner of the FVS Paul Maguire Trophy will be revealed in due course.
GREAT NORTH SPARTANS
In his last race representing Fairlands Valley Spartans, ANDREW HULL completed the Great North Run in 1 hour 37 minutes 57 seconds improving his personal best (PB) by 55 seconds. NIKKI COLLINS was happy to report a great race for her and a brilliant day running in the rain. She finished in a new PB of 1:55:36.
St. Paul’s 10K
In near perfect conditions STEVE GREEN ran the charity organised hilly, off road St. Paul’s Walden 10K in 46 minutes 43 seconds. GEORGINA (6) and DANIEL GREEN (4) completed the 2K fun run in 18:45.
Ponton Plod
On Sunday CAROL and DAVE PAUL, and MIKE NEWBITT travelled to Great Ponton nr Grantham for the Ponton Plod. This was an off road event with scenic views of the Lincolnshire and Leicestershire countryside near the Vale of Bevoir. Carol and Mike did the 27.5 mile route in 5:44:27. Dave did the 17.1 mile route in 4:01:19 on a very windy day
Memorial Five This Sunday
The Paul Maguire Memorial Five Mile Race is in Stevenage this Sunday 23rd September. It will include the Hertfordshire County Championships for men and women, senior and veteran but everyone can have a go. Based at Moss Bury School (Webb Rise) the race starts on the Fairlands Way cycleway, opposite Bedwell Crescent, at 10.30a.m. with a course via Grace Way, Martins Way, Verity Way, Fairlands Way, around the lakes in Fairlands Valley Park to the finish near the school.
For more information and how to enter please go to www.fvspartans.org.uk
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. The race is in Stevenage and is for seniors and veterans. The championships are within an open race — everyone can have a go. Enter now. There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Paul Maguire Memorial and County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- Serpentine 5K on Friday 28th September.
- Standalone 10K in Letchworth on Sunday 7th October.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 25th October.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November.
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 over 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 drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) 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 £27 per year. 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 (01438 354505 or 0793 968 7509), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk
On the 23rd September the club are hosting the Paul Maguire 5. The race is in memory of Paul, a very popular and inspirational Spartan who passed away following a long battle with cancer. The race is also the County 5 mile and all proceeds will be going to the Garden House hospice. At the moment we do not have enough help to put the race on safely, in particular we are short of some 30 marshals. If we do not get additional volunteers to cover these vital roles then we will have little choice but to cancel the race.
If you can spare a couple of hours next Sunday please add your name to the list of helpers either on this message, on the Forum or by adding your name on the list at training.
Thank you.
A massive thank you to everyone who took part in our 5K race, and especially to all our volunteers who helped us to stage a good, safe and successful race.
The full results are attached here: FVS 5K Results 09.09.2012
MEDALS GALORE IN COUNTY 5K
There were medals galore for Fairlands Valley Spartans in the County Five Kilometres Championships which the club hosted in Stevenage in the heat on Sunday morning.
RHIANNON GRIFFIN won SILVER in the senior championships in a superb new sub 20 personal best of 19 minutes 59 seconds. ALISON WOOD took BRONZE in the seniors and GOLD in the women veterans (45 plus) with 20 minutes 12 seconds.
BARRY OSBORNE won GOLD in the male veterans (60 plus) competition in 19 minutes 52 seconds with JIM BROWN taking BRONZE with an amazing improvement to 21 minutes 24 seconds.
DAVE BOWKER was the SILVER medalist in 50 plus category with 18 minutes 50 seconds.
JULIE SIMMONS won GOLD in the women’s (55 plus) category in 22:24 and ANN TRYSSESOONE took BRONZE in the women’s (45 plus) with 23:08.
Fairlands Valley Spartans WON the senior women’s team GOLD with RHIANNON GRIFFIN (19:59); ALISON WOOD (20:12); JULIE SIMMONS (22:24) and ANN TRYSSESOONE (23:08) and the veteran only women’s team GOLD with Alison Wood, Julie Simmons and Ann Tryssesoone. Rhiannon, Alison, Julie and Ann also won the team contest for the whole race.
In the senior team competition the Spartans men’s team consisting of LIAM HERBERT (18:32); DAVID BOWKER (18:50); BARRY OSBORNE (19:52) and MARTIN WOOD (19:56) won SILVER with veterans David Bowker, Barry Osborne, Martin Wood and JIM BROWN (21:24) taking BRONZE in the contest for those 40 and over only.
SIMON BELL was the fastest of the 21 Spartans, eleventh overall in the race with a time of 18 minutes 7 seconds. (Simon lives outside Hertfordshire).
Spartan times:
| Pos | Time | Name | Cat. | Comments |
|
11 |
18.07 |
Simon Bell | M40 | |
|
17 |
18.32 |
Liam Herbert | MS | Team Silver |
|
22 |
18.50 |
David Bowker | M50 | County Silver, Team Silver |
|
27 |
19.52 |
Barry Osborne | M60 | County Gold, Team Silver |
|
28 |
19.56 |
Martin Wood | M40 | Team Silver |
|
29 |
19.59 |
Rhiannon Griffin | FS | County Silver, Team Gold |
|
30 |
20.12 |
Alison Wood | W45 | County Gold, Team Gold |
|
35 |
21.00 |
Adrian Donnelly | MS | |
|
37 |
21.25 |
Jim Brown | M60 | County Bronze, Team Bronze |
|
39 |
22.10 |
Kevin Smyth | M50 | |
|
41 |
22.24 |
Julie Simonns | W55 | County Gold, Team Gold |
|
47 |
23.00 |
Tony Argyrou | M40 | |
|
50 |
23.08 |
Ann Tryssesoone | W45 | County Bronze, Team Gold |
|
53 |
23.56 |
Andy Prior | M40 | |
|
54 |
24.13 |
Claire Coker | W35 | |
|
57 |
24.26 |
Nicola Lorimer | W35 | |
|
58 |
24.41 |
Robert Shaw | M60 | |
|
66 |
27.49 |
Melissa Tyler | FS | |
|
67 |
27.55 |
Karen Palmer | W45 | |
|
69 |
28.59 |
Peter Carpenter | M60 | |
|
71 |
30.17 |
Mark Stephens | M50 |
(Lots of images from the race are available in our gallery here: http://fvspartans.org.uk/gallery/).
Chiltern Off Road Marathon
On a very warm day and an exceptionally tough course, seven Spartans took part in this year’s Chiltern Off Road Marathon.
In off road marathons competitors are given route instructions that they follow to navigate their way around the course, with a key to abbreviations used at the top of the instructions, and the key at the top of the Chiltern Marathon are the only instructions that identify that up means UP!
CAROL PAUL completed the full marathon course in 6 hours 31 minutes 38 seconds and MIKE NEWBITT in 6:50:40. Karen Liddle, Tricia Hopper & Sharon Crowley followed in 7:24:24.
DAVE PAUL completed the shorter, 21.3 miles option in a time of 7:04:30
PAUL HOLGATE retired at the last checkpoint having already completed 25.3 miles in 7:02:13 after not following the instructions properly, instead putting in a three detours of his own!
Peter’s Duck ‘n’ Dash
Last Sunday PETER CARPENTER entered the Duck race in the Duck and Dash at Letchworth which consisted of a 400 metres swim & 6km run. His time was 51:09 – 27th out of 35 overall — but he is competing in the male over 60 age group.
Enter Now!
The club host the Paul Maguire Memorial Five on 23rd September which includes the County Championship Five and County Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. Both races are in Stevenage and all are for seniors and veterans. The championships are within open races — everyone can have a go. Enter now. There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Paul Maguire Memorial and County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- Serpentine 5K on Friday 28th September.
- Standalone 10K in Letchworth on Sunday 7th October.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 25th October.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November.
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 over 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 drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) 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 £27 per year. 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 (01438 354505 or 0793 968 7509), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk