Category: News
Recent information relating to club or calendar
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.
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)
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.
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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!!!
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
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
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
BEWARE OF THE DARK SIDE!!
With the darker nights beginning to move into our evening training sessions please remember to wear appropriate clothing and ensure that you are visible. Please have a read of our ‘Be safe, be seen, be a Spartan’ for further advice.
Fairlands Valley Spartans – be safe, be seen and be a Spartan v6 September 2011
Thanks
SIMON AND KAREN WIN 5K
Track and Tri Wins by Grant and Natalie
August Handicap 5K
There were many excellent times from the forty runners in Fairlands Valley Spartans’ Handicap 5K on Thursday night. They included seven new personal bests, four season’s bests and eight year best times for 2012. There were nine people running their first 5K.
SIMON HARRIS was first to finish, recording his third Handicap 5K victory. He ran a new year best time of 27 minutes 39 seconds (27:39), 41 seconds quicker than previously. Newcomer Khil Shah was second in 27:49, 3:26 quicker than handicap, and Ian Simpson 3rd just 10 seconds behind, in his first 5K in just 22:59.
KAREN ELLIS finished first female, 2:29 ahead of handicap, in 25;01, with Claire Coker 2nd in a new PB of 23:57, 43 seconds quicker than her previous PB, and Rhiannon Griffin 3rd in a PB time of her own of 21 minutes 2 seconds.
In handicap events the slower runners, on previous form, start first and if everyone runs to handicap everyone finishes together. However the fastest runner on the night was GRANT RAMSAY, overtaking 34 runners to finish 6th overall in 17 minutes 11 seconds. Christopher Westcott was second quickest in a new personal best (PB) time of 17:55, and Liam Herbert third fastest with 18:27, just 19 seconds outside his own PB time despite the increased difficulty of the Stevenage 5K course.
LISA BURGESS was the fastest female in a new PB of 20:29, with Rhiannon 2nd quickest (21:02) and Tracy Pez 3rd fastest in 22:51.
Other PBs included Sai Naidoo, +2:13 to 27:25, Peter Carpenter +1:12 to 29:28, Vishal Shah +0:32 to 22:54 and Maddie Pritchard + 0:11 to 23:08, while the Season’s Best times were by Steve Gough (+1:26), Mark Goodwin (+0:29), Dawn Easby (+0:28) and Mark Cheadle (+0:03), and the year best times included Nick Witcombe (+6:38), Adrian Donnelly (+2:42) and Selvan Naicker (+0:12).
A big thank you to Chris Leigh, Mark Beasley, Christine Sharman and Mike & Sharon Crowley gave excellent support and assistance on the night.
There is a perfect opportunity to compete again on the Handicap 5k course in the Stevenage 5k on Sunday 9th September and the first Autumn Handicap 5k of 2012 will be on the 25th October.
Full 5K Results:
Pos |
Name |
Time |
Time Position |
Female Position |
Comments |
1 |
SIMON HARRIS |
27:39 |
32 |
Event winner. Year’s best by 41 seconds. |
|
2 |
KHIL SHAH |
27:49 |
33 |
1st 5K |
|
3 |
IAN SIMPSON |
22:59 |
17 |
1st 5K |
|
4 |
ADRIAN DONNELLY |
19:53 |
6 |
YB |
|
5 |
SAI NAIDOO |
27:25 |
31 |
PB (2:13) |
|
6 |
GRANT RAMSAY |
17:11 |
1 |
||
7 |
DAVID BOWKER |
18:42 |
4 |
YB |
|
8 |
OLLY TEW |
22:44 |
12 |
1st 5K |
|
9 |
TODD GRAY |
18:47 |
5 |
||
10 |
VISHAL SHAH |
22:54 |
14 |
PB (0:32) |
|
11 |
CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT |
17:55 |
2 |
PB (0:23) |
|
12 |
KAREN ELLIS |
25:01 |
27 |
9 |
First woman. |
13 |
STEVE GOUGH |
28:10 |
35 |
SB |
|
14 |
MARK CHEADLE |
24:38 |
24 |
SB |
|
15 |
CLAIRE COKER |
23:57 |
22 |
7 |
PB (0:43) |
16 |
RUSS ANDREWS |
27:58 |
34 |
1st 5K |
|
17 |
RHIANNON GRIFFIN |
21:02 |
9 |
2 |
1st 5K |
18 |
MARK GOODWIN |
21:31 |
10 |
SB |
|
19 |
ANDY JAY |
23:24 |
20 |
||
20 |
DEREK WOOD |
22:55 |
15 |
1st 5K |
|
21 |
LIAM HERBERT |
18:27 |
3 |
||
22 |
NICK WITCOMBE |
26:00 |
29 |
YB |
|
23 |
DAWN EASBY |
23:37 |
21 |
6 |
SB |
24 |
SELVAN NAICKER |
24:08 |
23 |
YB |
|
25 |
MADDIE PRITCHARD |
23:08 |
19 |
5 |
PB (0:11) |
26 |
LISA BURGESS |
20:29 |
7 |
1 |
PB (0:14) |
27 |
PETER CARPENTER |
29:28 |
37 |
PB (1:12) |
|
28 |
ROGER BIGGS |
22:58 |
16 |
||
29 |
JULIE SIMMONS |
23:03 |
18 |
4 |
1st 5K |
30 |
MARIA THORNE |
26:39 |
30 |
10 |
|
31 |
NICOLA LORIMER |
24:48 |
25 |
8 |
YB |
32 |
GRAHAM HILL |
29:29 |
38 |
1st 5K |
|
33 |
RYAN DUNNING |
22:33 |
11 |
||
34 |
BARRY OSBORNE |
20:40 |
8 |
1st 5K |
|
35 |
ANDREA WESTCOTT |
28:26 |
36 |
11 |
YB |
36 |
PAUL HOLGATE |
25:40 |
28 |
||
37 |
TRACY PEZ |
22:51 |
13 |
3 |
|
38 |
ROBERT SHAW |
25:01 |
26 |
||
39 |
CHAS AVIS |
36:05 |
40 |
YB |
|
40 |
SARAH SAPSTEAD |
31:01 |
39 |
12 |
PB = personal best; SB = season’s best; YB = year best.
Grant Wins In Southern League
GRANT RAMSAY won Sunday’s Southern League 5,000 metres track race in 16 minutes 25 seconds, his fastest time for over three years. He was also fourth in the 2,000 metres steeple chase in 7 minutes 28 seconds.
PB Ann At Bedford 10K
Ann Tryssesoone reduced her personal best by over a minute when she ran Sunday’s Bedford 10K in 50 minutes 26 seconds. It was a well organised race making use of the local cycle paths and taking in the local scenery and river.
Peter’s First Tri
PETER CARPENTER has completed his first triathlon and was second in his age group (65-69) at the Thames Turbo Triathlon 4.
He took 10 minutes 31 seconds for the 426 metres swim; 47 minutes 45 seconds for the 21.5 kilometres cycle and took 30 minutes 50 seconds for the 5K run. With transitions his total time was 1 hour 33 minutes 1 second.
There were 500 entries. Overall Peter was 347th out of the 418 who finished.
Barnard’s First Ever Podium At Ironman Debut
NATALIE BARNARD was third in the Galway 70.3 Triathlon. Her first podium placing at the ironman distance. She was the youngest pro by 5-9yrs!
It was her fastest swim by 5 minutes; had a strong but hard bike and ran 13.25miles in 1 hour 35 minutes exactly.
Kent Coastal Marathon.
On a hilly first half and a flat second half ROGER BIGGS and CAROL PAUL ran the Kent Coastal Marathon with its hilly first half and a flat second half. Roger completed the course in 3 hours 56 minutes 48 seconds and Carol in 4:43:24. DAVE PAUL did the supporting half marathon in 2:25:20
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship 5K road race THIS Sunday 9th September. See www.fvspartans.org.uk
Then there is the Paul Maguire Memorial Five on 23rd September which includes the County Championship Five and Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. All three 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:
- County 5K Championships and Open 5K in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- 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
September edition of Catch a Coach!
This month’s edition of Catch a Coach is now out!!! You can read all of the details at: Catch a Coach newsletter September 2012 v0.1
GRANT FOR GB IN EUROPE
Europe Medals for Iris * Enter Now For The County 5K
Fairlands Valley Spartans GRANT RAMSAY was the first runner home for Team GB in the European Veterans Marathon Championships which were held in Hradek, Czech Republic at the weekend. He was fifth in the male veteran (40 plus) age group with an overall position of 21st out of the 500 runners with a time of 2 hours 51 minutes 40 seconds.
Euro Medals On The Track
Meanwhile IRIS HORNSEY was in Zittau in Germany for the weekend where she took part in the European Veterans Athletic Championships.
She ran in four events in the Women’s 70+ age group:
In the 1500 metres Iris came seventh in a time of 7 minutes 22.05 seconds. She was a bit disappointed and realised she went off too fast. The temperature was a sticky 35 degrees though and everyone’s time was down!
The 400 metres was a better race for Iris on a cooler day. She came fifth in a time of 1:30.68.
Then in the 800 metres Iris came third in a time of 3:30.37 and won a BRONZE medal! She was absolutely thrilled!
Then the next day there were the relays. In the 4×100 metres W70 Team, she ran the second leg in the Great Britain Team which finished second in a time of 1:17.45 and won a SILVER medal! (They were beaten by the Germans who had a really good team of sprinters but they were very pleased with themselves)
BBC 10K
The Regent’s Park run was a pleasant early evening 10K for three Spartans after their days work in London. It was organised by the BBC Running Club on a fast three lap course round Regents Park with a cooling temperature and a light wind making for near perfect running conditions. STEVE MAYFIELD completed his sixth race in 10 days, finishing 24th in a new personal best (PB) of 42 minutes 43 seconds. STEPH MAYFIELD came in 74th in 52:55 just ahead of PAUL HOLGATE in 54:40.
Mayfield On Track
With the track and field season recommencing after the Olympics, STEVE MAYFIELD made up for lost time by getting to three open graded meetings in just over a week. Starting at Blackheath and Bromley, he was third in heat two of the 1500 metres in 5 minutes 10.5 seconds.
Two days later Steve was at Lea Valley for their sprints evening. These are held monthly through the summer and often attract the odd international, on this occasion Montell Douglas (current GB women’s 100 metres record holder) was the star athlete. Steve set a new personal best (PB) of 13.40 in heat two of the 100 metres then ran 27.08 to take fourth place in heat 3 of the 200m,
After squeezing in a 5 mile road race in Tewksbury, Steve was back on the track this week at Woodford Green. In the midst of a short sharp rain shower he ran a season’s best of 2 minutes 26.36 in the 800 metres, before dashing off to do the long jump.
Serpentine
Although he says he struggled throughout battling a stitch, and the race followed a tough week of duathlon training in preparation for representing GB in the World Duathlon Championships in four weeks time, SIMON JACKSON, completed the Friday lunch-time Serpentine 5K in 17 minutes 9 seconds. He was ninth out of the 151 finishers.
Spartans Club Chair BEV HARLOW ran a new personal best of 24 minutes 43 seconds, beating a PB set ten years ago, so she is quite pleased and will certainly do this race again. Bev was 121st.
JIM BROWN ran an age related season’s best time of 21 minutes 51 seconds. He was 77th.
The race was on the temporary Kensington Gardens course. Once the Olympics and Paralympics are over the Serpentine 5Ks will revert to the usual course in Hyde Park and the usual date, the last Friday of the Month.
Liam’s Diamond PB
LIAM HERBERT used his Bank Holiday Monday to race on the track for the first time this year, by running 1500 metres in the Peterborough Diamond Games. Running in the first of three open graded races, Liam maintained a consistent pace with his final lap being his fastest, and accelerated to a new personal best (PB) time of 4 minutes 49.8, taking an impressive 32.1 seconds off his previous best.
Newmarket Duathlon
Last Sunday, DANNY HUKIN competed in his first Duathlon race at Newmarket consisting of a 3 mile run; 14mile bike and 3mile run. With a midday start in 30 degree heat as well pre race nerves to contend with, it was a tough duathlon debut. Danny finished in 21st place and 9th in his age category in a strong field.
Thames Meander Trail Marathon trail Marathon
The Thames Meander Trail Marathon on Saturday was an event from Kingston-Upon-Thames, with a 1 mile road start and 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 with in the park, the course was basically flat, although roughish trail at times.
After a reasonable first half, Roger struggled in the later stages to finish in 4 hours 28 minutes 27 seconds and 102nd out of 181 finishers.
Pathfinder Event
Twelve Spartans travelled to Conington near Huntingdon on Monday for the Pathfinder event that visits the several World War Two RAF Airfields in the area. The race was on a a combination of minor road, trails, paths & fields, that took part in lovely running conditions, over a pretty flat course.
Spartan times in the 42 kilometre event were MIKE NEWBITT (4:57:30); CAROL PAUL (5:08:30); ROGER BIGGS (5:21:57); SHARON CROWLEY, TRICIA HOPPER, KAREN LIDDLE and DAVID BOWKER (all 5:44:59) and DAVE CARTER (8:00:00).
DAVE PAUL and MIKE CROWLEY finished the 32 kilometres event in 4 hours 44 minutes 30 seconds and 5:18:20 respectively.
ROBERT and PAULINE HARDY both completed the 14 kilometres option in 4:03:55.
Smugglers Trod Off Road Marathon — Saturday, 25th August 2012
MIKE NEWBITT took part in the Smugglers Trod Off Road Marathon from Robin Hoods Bay, Yorkshire on Saturday. He took exactly six hours.
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship 5K road race on Sunday 9th September, Paul Maguire Memorial Five on 23rd September which includes the County Championship Five and Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. All 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 Soon
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Spartans Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 30th August.
- County 5K Championships and Open 5K in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- 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.
- 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
FAST AT FERRY MEADOWS
Plus It’s Never Too Late
Fast at Ferry Meadows
Fairlands Valley Spartans’ RICHARD BATE and LIAM HERBERT ran superb 5K times on Wednesday evening. The Barney Memorial 5K provided the perfect scenic background for some fast times. Based at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough, and taking in a relatively flat circuit of a lake and the surrounding countryside, conditions were overcast but otherwise cool and great for racing.
In a strong field, due to this race also being a Cambridgeshire County Champs race, RICHARD BATE finished 11th out of 223 finishers in a new season’s best (SB) time of 16 minutes 53 seconds. LIAM HERBERT ran a new personal best (PB) time of 18 minutes 20 seconds, finishing in 34th place.
It’s Never Too Late
76 year old JOHN TYRRELL joined Fairlands Valley Spartans at the beginning of the track and field season in April. He become a member of the club’s Eastern Vets team and progressed steadily over the season.
On Thursday 16th August, John ventured up to Sandy, Bedfordshire to enter the Biggleswade Throws Fest along with throwers from all over Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
He had good competition in the Discus throwing a personal best of 19.30 metres and the Shot in 6.76 metres. Both throws were a metre improvement on his previous best.
He will be 77 in October. John has proved it’s never too late to take up athletics.
Aquaman Aquathlon
DARREN WILBY and NIKKI ANDREWS did the Aquaman aquathlon in Banbury in scorching sunshine (nice for the swim, not for the run!). It was a 1500 metres pool swim followed by a 10km run, 5km of which was off road and very hilly. Nikki just about beat Darren on the swim but in the end they finished not too far apart considering the staggered start. Darren’s total was 1 hour 23 minutes 42 seconds for 15th place in a strong field. Nikki’s total was 1 hour 24 minutes 25 seconds for 16th. Detailed times below:
Darren | Wilby | M | Senior | 00:30:48 swim |
00:52:54 run |
01:23:42 total |
Nikki | Andrews | F | Senior | 00:30:23 swim |
00:54:02 run |
01:24:25 total |
The run times include transition.
Northumberland Trail
ROGER BIGGS took a train ride north to the coastal village of Alnmouth for the Northumberland Coast Trail Marathon. This hugged the coast to the north and back again. With a warm start, but raining by the end, he finished in 5 hours 5 minutes 56 seconds.
Wilting On Wight
STEVE BLOCK ran/walked the Isle of Wight Half Marathon on Sunday. On a hilly course and very hot day he was glad just to finish! His time was 2 hours 27 minutes 23 seconds.
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship 5K road race on Sunday 9th September, Paul Maguire Memorial Five on 23rd September which includes the County Championship Five and Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. All 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:
- Serpentine 5K on Friday 24th August (note unusual date).
- County 5K Championships and Open 5K in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- Paul Maguire Memorial and County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- Standalone 10K in Letchworth on Sunday 7th 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
CROWLEYS DIP IN DOVEDALE
Gold Connection * Here Come The Fives
Dovedale Dipper
Spartans MIKE and SHARON CROWLEY took on the Dovedale Dipper based at Hartington in Derbyshire. Sharon completed the marathon run in a time of 7 hours 21 minutes, finishing in 120th place. Mike completed the 15 mile walk in 4 hours 53 minutes, the 10th finisher. The weather was generally OK, Mike getting just a few spots of rain and missing the showers, but Sharon getting drenched at one point! Mike’s brother, Gregory, won the marathon race in 3 hours 45 minutes!
Gold Connection
Spartans PETE and KAREN SMITH are celebrating. Their niece, Katherine Copeland and her partner Sophie Hosking won the Olympic Gold Medal for Women’s Lightweight Double Sculls on Saturday 4th August. They are extremely proud of her.
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship 5K road race on Sunday 9th September, Championship Five Miles on 23rd September and Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. All 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
Please see the separate release about the Paul Maguire Five.
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 24th August (note different Friday and starting point due to the Olympics and Paralympics)
- County 5K Championships and Open 5K in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- Paul Maguire Memorial and County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- Standalone 10K in Letchworth on Sunday 7th 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
BOWKER WINS BRITISH MASTERS
Monica Takes Silver * Grant Ready for Europe
Fairlands Valley Spartans’ DAVID BOWKER won GOLD in the British Masters Athletics Federation Championships at Oxford on Sunday. He was first vet (50 plus) in the 10 kilometre walk with a time of 66 minutes 48 seconds.
MONICA BROWN took silver in the Heptathlon which was held on Saturday and Sunday though she says she had a mixed competition.
She was disappointed to be down on her jumps and 200 metres after last week’s EVAC championships but was pleased to see an improvement in her throws with personal bests (PB) in both the shot and javelin. The overall result was a Silver Medal in my age group (W45).
Day One: The day was a mixture of sunshine and occasional showers but luckily athletes managed to avoid the rain but sadly not the wind. Hurdles- 17.05 seconds, High Jump – 1.30 metres, Shot – 6.87 metres (PB), 200 metres sprint – 29.91 seconds.
Day Two: Heavy rain and more wind. There were showers just before the long jump, javelin in the rain and heavy rain and lightning during the 800 metres. Mmonica was hoping that the thought of getting soaked and possibly struck by lightning might help her to run faster for the 800 metres but sadly that was not the case. Long Jump – 4.03 metres, Javelin 17.60 metres (PB), 800metres — 3 minutes 18.10 seconds.
Overall an enjoyable couple of days, made better by being joined on the Sunday by fellow Spartans. Dave Bowker for the BMAF 10K Walk Championships and Grant Ramsay for the BMAF 10K Run Championships. Her silver medal was in the women (45 plus) category.
GRANT RAMSAY was fourth man (40 plus) in the British Masters 10K Track Champs, Oxford in 34 minutes 47 seconds.
A nice confidence booster ahead of the European Vets Marathon Championships, which will be in the Czech Republic on Aug 25th. He will be representing team GB.
And, of course, lots of Spartans have been watching or helping the London Olympics.
John’s Golds, Silver and Bronze.
In the recent EVAC (East of England) championships Spartan JOHN TYRELL was first in the male (75 plus) category javelin with 16.57 metres; second in the hammer with 11.32 metres; third in the discus with 18.32 metres and fourth in the shot with 5.97 metres.
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship 5K road race on Sunday 9th September, Championship Five Miles on 23rd September and Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. All 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:
- Serpentine 5K on Friday 24th August (note different Friday and starting point due to the Olympics and Paralympics)
- County 5K Championships and Open 5K in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- Paul Maguire Memorial and County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- Standalone 10K in Letchworth on Sunday 7th 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
Catch a Coach newsletter – August 2012
Hi,
Here is this months edition of the Catch a Coach newsletter, highlighting 10 of the best for August, a key 1K intervals session in the month, plus hints and tips for getting more from your running. I hope you enjoy it!
Catch a Coach newsletter August 2012v0.2
A big thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the first membership information survey this month. The response was better than anticipated which means more useful feedback and opinions were generated. Your views really do matter, and both the club and Liam (who is now in the final stages of his University dissertation project) are very appreciative for all your efforts.
We are pleased to announce that the winner of the prize draw for the £20 Amazon gift voucher, selected at random from everyone who completed the survey, is Vivienne Honey.
Congratulations … your prize is on its way to you Vivienne!
TEN GOLDS, FOUR SILVERS, TWO BRONZES
Roger’s Night Fever * Hot In Bedford
Fairlands Valley Spartans won ten GOLD medals, four SILVER medals and two BRONZE medals in regional championships on Sunday. Five women and two men travelled up to Sandy in Bedfordshire to compete in the Eastern Veterans Athletic Club (EVAC) track and field championships.
EVAC is the area club most veterans in the East of England belong to, which allows them to compete for their clubs in the league matches.
The Spartan group of Monica Brown, Dave Bowker, Sharon Crowley, Iris Hornsey, Steph Mayfield, Steve Mayfield and Tessa Stephenson battled against the inclement weather and came home with ten golds, four silvers, two bronze medals and three club records between them.
Monica Brown who used the championships as a warm up to next week’s British Masters Heptathlon Championships at Oxford by winning 100m, 200m, High Jump and Long Jump in a season’s best length in her age group.
Steve Mayfield had to fight the elements to win the male 45 age group Javelin with a new personal best and club record along with Dave Bowker who improved his own club record in the 2000 metre walk.
Full results
Monica Brown 1st W45 (GOLD women 45 plus) 100 metres 14.1 seconds; 1st W45 200 metres 29.6 seconds; 1st W45 Long Jump 4 metres 55; and 1st W45 High Jump 1 metre 35
Iris Hornsey 1st W70 (GOLD women 70 plus) 400 metres; and 1st W70 800 metres
Sharon Crowley 1st W50 (GOLD women 50 plus) 2k Walk 14 minutes 18 seconds; and 3rd W50 1500 metres
Stephanie Mayfield 1st W35 (GOLD women 35 plus) Hammer 16 metres 51; 2nd W35 100 metre Hurdles 24.1 seconds; and 3rd W35 Pole Vault 1 metre 70
Tessa Stephenson 2nd W50 (SILVER women 50 plus) Discus 14 metres 35; and 2nd W50 Shot Putt and club record (for 3kg weight) 7 metres 53
Dave Bowker 1st M50 (GOLD men 50 plus) 2000 metre Walk and club record 11 minutes 17.5 seconds
Steve Mayfield 1st M45 (GOLD men 45 plus) Javelin and club record 28.11 metres; 2nd M45 Long Jump 4 metres 42 centimetres; and 3rd M45 100 metres 13.7 seconds
Bedford
On the hottest day of the year so far, evening temperatures were perfect for running at the Doug Anderson 5k in Bedford on Wednesday, with 5 Spartans competing:
LIAM HERBERT was 38th of the 351 finishers equalling his personal best (PB) time of 18 minutes 29 seconds; KEVIN SMYTH was 108th in a season’s best (SB) 21 minutes 1 second; ANDREW HULL 119th in a SB 21:26; PAUL HOLGATE 214th in 25:13 and IRIS HORNSEY was first Vet 70 plus in 28 minutes 24 seconds.
Madeyarun Marathon x2
On Saturday 28th July in brilliant sunshine CAROL PAUL and Mike Newbitt took part in day one of the Madeyarun around the reservoir trail marathon. This was a trail marathon consisting of seven laps around Brackmills reservoir in Northampton. Finishing with superb sun tans Carol completed the course in 4 hours 42 minutes and Mike completed it in 5 hours and 3 minutes. Not content with doing one marathon over the weekend they toed the line again on Sunday morning to run it again but this time it started in sunshine then there were showers and then heavy rain and strong winds with thunder and lightning. Mike completed the course in 4 hours 56 minutes and Carol finished in exactly 5 hours.
Enigma Night Fever Marathon
With forthcoming marshal duties at the Olympics, ROGER BIGGS took the opportunity to fit in a midweek marathon on Wednesday. On a lovely warm evening the runners in the Enigma Night Fever Marathon had to complete 17 laps of Furzton Lake, Milton Keynes. Roger completed the marathon in 4:14:30.
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship 5K road race on Sunday 9th September, Championship Five Miles on 23rd September and Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. All 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
With the numerous sporting events taking place during the next couple of months now is a good time to remind you about entering two Fairlands Valley Spartan races.
Both of these events also incorporate the Hertfordshire Country Champs — Vets and Seniors — so don’t miss out.
Fairlands Valley Spartans 5K – 10:30am, Sunday 9 September 2012
(This year we are only holding one 5K race — DON’T MISS OUT!)
Run on the usual Spartans course but in complete daylight, you will be able to see every inch of this undulating but fast course. Entries will be capped at 300 runners and it incorporates the Vets and Senior Herts County Champs — so it is bound to fill up fast.
Enter online at:
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewevent.asp?sp=&v=2&EN=71675&ms=
Further event details, plus postal entry forms, are available from the Spartans website here:
‘Like’ this event on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FV5kSeries
The Paul Maguire Memorial 5 Mile – 10:30am, Sunday 23 September 2012
Re-launched this year on a new fast undulating course that takes in some of the lakes and our famous cycle-ways. This event is to remember Paul Maguire, a much admired Spartan, who passed away in 2008 after a long battle with cancer. Profits from the race will be donated to the Garden House Hospice in Letchworth.
Entries will be capped at 300 runners and it incorporates the Vets and Senior Herts County Champs — so, again, it is bound to fill up fast.
Enter online at:
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewevent.asp?sp=&v=2&EN=71094&ms=
Further event details, plus postal entry forms, are available from the Spartans website here:
Please support your local running events.
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 24th August (note different Friday and starting point due to the Olympics and Paralympics)
- County 5K Championships and Open 5K in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- Paul Maguire Memorial and County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
***********
IRIS IS A TREBLE CHAMPION
326 Relay in the Park plus 487 in Fairlands Off Road Challenge
326 runners plus spectators and dozens of helpers enjoyed a great sunny evening in Fairlands Valley Park on Thursday for Fairlands Valley Spartans’ annual relays which included the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire road relay championships. Each runner ran three kilometres.
The 218 men and 108 women were organised into 35 women’s and 45 men’s or mixed teams.
The men’s race, five stages totalling 15 kilometres, was won by St. Albans Striders in 47 minutes 17 seconds and the women’s race, three stages totalling nine kilometres, was won by Garden City Runners in 33 minutes 59 seconds. The fastest woman was Louise Peters of Stopsley Striders in 10 minutes 37 seconds, the fastest man Edward Shepherd of Herts Phoenix in 8 minutes 53 seconds.
Fairlands Valley Spartans had four men’s teams and two women’s teams. Two others ran as individuals. Two Spartans beat ten minutes for the undulating three kilometres — GRANT RAMSAY, 20th in 9 minutes 45 seconds, and SIMON JACKSON, 27th in 9:52.
ALISON WOOD beat twelve minutes to finish in 11:27 with RHIANNON GRIFFIN second fastest Spartan woman in 12:19.
LIAM HERBERT improved by 32 seconds to 10:21 (49th); VISHAL SHAH by 29 seconds to 13:30 (242nd); MARK CHEADLE by 38 seconds to 14:12 (262nd). Many other Spartans were running in the relays for the first time.
Pos | Name | Team | Time | Comments | |
20 | Grant Ramsay | M | FVS ‘A’ | 9:45 | |
27 | Simon Jackson | M | FVS ‘A’ | 9:52 | |
35 | Andrew Patterson | M | FVS ‘A’ | 10:05 | |
38 | Shaw Pye | M | FVS ‘A’ | 10:08 | |
49 | Liam Herbert | M | FVS ‘B’ | 10:21 | 32 seconds improvement on 2011 |
51 | Rob Willis | M | FVS ‘B’ | 10:23 | |
62 | Chris Westcott | M | FVS ‘A’ | 10:29 | |
72 | Brian Brackstone | M | FVS ‘B’ | 10:37 | |
96 | Todd Gray | M | FVS ‘B’ | 10:58 | |
97 | David Bowker | M | FVS ‘B’ | 10:59 | |
127 | Alison Wood | F | FVS women’s ‘A’ | 11:27 | 11th woman |
134 | Martin Wood | M | FVS ‘C’ | 11:35 | |
144 | Steve Mayfield | M | FVS ‘C’ | 11:45 | |
148 | Tony Bradford | M | FVS ‘C’ | 11:46 | |
152 | Adrian Donnelly | M | FVS Individual | 11:53 | |
186 | Rhiannon Griffin | F | FVS women’s ‘A’ | 12:19 | |
214 | Ryan Dunning | M | FVS ‘C’ | 12:57 | |
236 | Julie Simmons | F | FVS individual | 13:23 | |
242 | Vishal Shah | M | FVS ‘C’ | 13:30 | 29 seconds improvement on 2011 |
244 | Jim Brown | M | FVS ‘D’ | 13:32 | |
256 | Ian Runner | M | FVS ‘D’ | 13:59 | |
258 | Claire Coker | F | FVS women’s ‘B’ | 14:05 | |
262 | Mark Cheadle | M | FVS ‘D’ | 14:12 | 38 seconds improvement on 2011 |
263 | Trudie Molloy | F | FVS women’s ‘A’ | 14:13 | |
268 | Karen Ellis | F | FVS women’s ‘B’ | 14:19 | |
288 | Paul Holgate | M | FVS ‘D’ | 15:16 | |
292 | Katie Bradford | F | FVS women’s ‘B’ | 15:35 | |
324 | Matthew Holgate | M | FVS ‘D’ | 22:04 |
Fairlands Valley Challenge
487 runners and walkers took part in Fairlands Valley Spartans’ hugely successful Fairlands Valley Challenge off road event. They included 35 Spartans, seven in the 50 kilometres “Ultra;” ten in the 26.4 miles marathon; five in the 18 miles event; twelve in the 12 miles event and one in the 10 miles.
In the “Ultra” they were MATT GILL (6 hours 17 minutes); CHRIS LEIGH (6:27); JAMIE KELLETT (6:46); TRICIA HOPPER (7:48); KAREN LIDDLE (6:48); JENNIFER ROBERTSON (7:49); and SHARON CROWLEY (7:49).
Over 26.4 miles there were CAROL PAUL (5 hours 16 minutes); MIKE NEWBITT (5:16); ROGER BIGGS (5:17); ROB SHAW (5:22); CLAIRE WHITTLE (5:44); ROB HARDY (5:58); PAUL HOLGATE (6:05); DAVID PAUL (6:19); MICHAELA SANDERS (8:20) and BIG DAVE CARTER (9:03).
The five in the 18 miles event were STEVE GREEN (2 hours 49 minutes); SAM HARTE and RHIANNON GRIFFIN (both 3:14); LISA LIVERSIDGE (3:54) and LORRAINE WYATT (3:55).
Then the dozen in the twelve were YVONNE JONES (2 hours 7 minutes); TRACY BULLOT, VISHAL SHAH and LEE POTTER (all in 2:17); JEANETTE COLLINS (2:25); TRACY STILES and LISA JERROM (both 2:52); DARRYL STEVENS (2:56); PAULINE HARDY (3:18); KATRINA DOYLE, LISA POTTER and KERRY SETTERFIELD (all in 3:51).
SIMON HARRIS completed ten miles in 3 hours 10 minutes.
Iris Is A Treble Champion
Spartan IRIS HORNSEY competed in the BMAF (British Masters Athletics Federation) Track and Field Championships at Derby and came home with THREE GOLD medals. She’s a three times national champion!
On Saturday Iris ran in the 1500 metres in the morning and finished first in the W70+ age group (women aged 70 plus) in a time of 7 minutes 19.27 seconds. Then in the afternoon she competed in the 400 metres and finished first again in her age group in a time of 91.18 seconds.
The next day Iris ran in the 800 metres race and was first W70 again in a time of 3 minutes 30.05 seconds.
Roger’s Romantik Marathon
ROGER BIGGS was in Fuessen, Bavaria, Germany on the edge of the Alps for the Konigsschlosser Romantik Marathon. A stunning course 50% alongside water, 50% tarmac, 50% track / trail. Rain at the start yet still scenic, with the famous King’s Castle always in view. With some chest problems Roger was delighted to run all the 42.195 kilometres in 4 hours 18 minutes 3 seconds.
Friday 5K
Friday lunchtime’s 5K race was not on the Last Friday of The Month and was not round the Serpentine due to preparations for the Olympics.
Dry, mild, overcast with a moderate breeze for the popular event.
If anything the temporary course in Kensington Gardens was faster than the usual one. Practically dead flat and really wide for the first few hundred metres until the first turn.
JIM BROWN was third in his age category with a time of 23 minutes 9 seconds.
If you want to have a go at this course it will be used again at 12.30p.m. on Friday 24th August.
Trent Park Aquathlon Saturday
NIKKI ANDREWS swam / ran the Trent Park Aquathlon on Saturday. It was the first time the organisers had invited other clubs to join in and it was a really fun race: 400 metres pool swim then a 4.7km (ish) cross country (but flat) run. It was very muddy! Nikki finished the swim in 7 minutes 52 seconds then the run (including transition which took ages as competitors had to walk through the pool area!) was 23 minutes 2 seconds, giving a total of 30 minutes 54 seconds. That gave her 12th position overall and 4th lady.
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship 5K road race on Sunday 9th September, Championship Five Miles on 23rd September and Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. All 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:
- Serpentine 5K on Friday 24th August (note different Friday and starting point due to the Olympics and Paralympics)
- County 5K Championships and Open 5K in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- Paul Maguire Memorial and County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
***********
Cross Country Q and A – 31st July
What is Cross Country running all about? What’s involved in running off road? What kit do you need? Don’t I have to wear cross country spikes?
If you want to know the answers to these questions and much more then come along to the Q and A session after training on 31st July. We are holding the session at our training base at Marriotts to start immediately after training (approximately 8:15pm).
See you there!!
FVC 2012 Results
FAIRLANDS VALLEY CHALLENGE 2012 was a HUGE success, and that’s all down to YOU … by supporting our event this year, and for the past 17 years! Our race directors would like to take the opportunity to say a very big thank you to all the runners, walkers, spectators, stalls and service providers, volunteers and race officials who came down to spend a very nice Sunday in July with us (we were blessed to have great weather!).
ALMOST FINALISED results from our 2012 event are here:
(Updated 18th July – there are still a few names missing – please contact us if you see your number but not your name!)
Please check through and let us know if you spot any amendments that we need to make. We are relying on our runners, and especially our walkers, to let us know their START TIMES if they started earlier or later than the advertised times below. This will allow us to correct the positions and finish times of all entrants to ensure that our results are as accurate, full and fair as possible.
If you notice anything about your time which is not quite correct, or can provide your own recorded finish time, we would be very grateful to hear from you. Please contact Mr Paul Holgate by email at paul.holgate@bt.com to let him know.
With your help, we hope to finalise our results by the middle of this week. Thank you very much for your assistance, in advance (and thank you to Paul for his help in compiling these results!)
START TIMES:
08:00 – 08:15 – Walk 50K Ultra
08:45 – Trail Run 50K Ultra *Massed Start
08:00 – 09:00 -Walk 26.2 Miles
09:30 – Trail Run 26.2 Miles Marathon *Massed Start
09:00 – 10:00 -Walk 18.7 Miles
10:00 – Trail Run 18.7 Miles *Massed Start
10:00 – 11:00 -Walk 12.3 Miles
10:30 – Trail Run 12.3 Miles *Massed Start
We hope you enjoyed our event and would love to hear your feedback, suggestions, stories and see your photos from the day.
Email us at fvc@fvspartans.org.uk
Follow us on Twitter: @FVChallenge
Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FVSChallenge
Fairlands Valley Challenge is an off-road challenge event using footpaths, tracks, bridleways and some minor roads. Navigated by written route descriptions through some beautiful Hertfordshire Countryside. Usually blessed with lovely sunny weather and famous for its bread pudding at the check points and free BBQ after! See you in 2013!!!
SPARTAN WOMEN WIN LEAGUE
County Gold and Silver for Dave and Jim
Fairlands Valley Spartans’ women have won the Central Division Track and Field League. They will now go forward to the East of England Veterans Final on Sunday 23rd September.
The club’s team of MONICA BROWN, SHARON CROWLEY, CHRIS FEELY, JAN FRY, IRIS HORNSEY, STEPH MAYFIELD, CAROLYN SHORTLAND, JULIE SIMMONS and TESSA STEPHENSON only needed to finish within 22 points of past winners and hosts of the last fixture Marshall Milton Keynes to win. In fact they kept within two points, MMK 135 to Spartans 133, and were well ahead of Corby (96); Bedford and County (89); Kettering (86); Wellingborough (56) and Biggleswade (4).
The men – DAVE BOWKER, JIM BROWN, MARK GLADING, BARRY KING, STEVE MAYFIELD, ANDY NEATHAM, SIMON PROCTOR, MICK SHORTLAND, DAVE STEPHENSON, JOHN TYRRELL – finished a strong third with 120 points compared with 151 for Bedford and County and 140 for Marshall Milton Keynes with Kettering a distant fourth with 83 followed by Wellingborough (81); Corby (31) and Biggleswade (24).
This was achieved with the help of many club and age bests including 200 metres MICK SHORTLAND men 60 plus 35.9 seconds (also beating the M55 record); 400 metres hurdles MARK GLADING men 50 plus 115.7 seconds; Mile Walk male 50 plus DAVE BOWKER set a new club record for all ages of 9 minutes 22.7 seconds; Triple jump male 40 plus new Spartan SIMON PROCTOR set a new club record for all ages of 10.11 metres; Discus male 45 plus STEVE MAYFIELD set a new club record of 21.94 metres and beat the all ages javelin record with 27.40 metres; also in the discus male 75 plus JOHN TYRRELL threw 17.15 metres (also breaking the M70 and M65 records); and the 1 x 400 metres, 2 x 200 metres and 1 x 400 metres male 40 plus relay team of STEVE MAYFIELD, DAVE STEPHENSON, SIMON PROCTOR and ANDY NEATHAM set a new club record of 3 minutes 4.9 seconds.
The winning women team were already high achievers but IRIS HORNSEY beat the female 70 plus record for 200 metres with 42.0 seconds and for the triple jump with 5.14 metres; JULIE SIMMONS beat the female 55 plus 800 metres record with 3 minutes 2.6 seconds (also beating the W50 record) and the 3,000 metres record with 12 minutes 57.4 seconds (also beating the W45 and W50 records); SHARON CROWLEY beat the all ages mile walk for women with 10 minutes 55.5 seconds; STEPH MAYFIELD beat the all ages pole vault record with 1.90 metres while MONICA BROWN pushed the 45 plus pole vault record up to 1.30 metres; in the discus TESSA STEPHENSON beat the women 50 plus record for the discus with 16.54 metres and CAROLYN SHORTLAND beat the women 55 plus record with 13.42 metres.
The ladies won four of their 26 events, with KERRY JAMES claiming a double in the F35 800m and 3000m. JULIE SIMMONS, having recently moved up to F55, won a close 3000m to go with her 2nd place in the 800m. MONICA BROWN won the F45 200m, added second places in the Triple Jump, Javelin and Pole Vault making her top scorer for the ladies team with 25 individual points. Second place finishes were also earned by CHRIS FEELY in the F45 800m, STEPH MAYFIELD in the F35 Pole Vault, IRIS HORNSEY in the F55 Triple Jump, TESSA STEPHENSON F35 Discus and CAROLYN SHORTLAND F55 Discus. SHARON CROWLEY broke the ladies club record coming 2nd in the 1 mile walk, whilst JAN FRY scored a 3rd place in the same event for the F55s.
The men’s team had two 1st places to celebrate, both going to DAVE BOWKER as he continues his return to fitness. His 1 mile walk was a new club record and his 3000m made it a treble for the club over the longest distance. ANDY NEATHAM also ran a fine 3000m but lost out to a rival Milton Keynes runner and they ended their head to head battle over the season at 2-2. New club member SIMON PROCTOR set a new club record coming 3rd in the M40 triple jump. STEVE MAYFIELD earned second places in the M40, Pole Vault, Discus and Javelin (all PBs) and with a 3rd in the 800m top scored for the men with 23 points. However MARK GLADING was the busiest and bravest Spartan, successfully negotiating the 400m hurdles for the first time by club make 50 plus (M50), before taking on a further four events and a relay leg. MICK SHORTLAND achieved 2nd places in both the M60 throws, and came 3rd in the 200m whilst JIM BROWN took on the remaining M60 events, coming second in the one mile walk, third in the 3,000 metres and fourth in the 800 metres. Between them they collected 32 valuable points. Then they both took up the baton in the M50 relay. DAVE STEPHENSON, BARRY KING and JOHN TYRELL completed the men’s team.
The relays brought the evening to a close and provided their traditional excitement. Several places over the evening were decided by very close finishes, but none closer than the fight for 2nd place in the F45 relay. With Kettering leading comfortably and Milton Keynes equally comfortable in 2nd MONICA BROWN ran an incredible anchor leg for the team managing the seemingly impossible task of catching the Milton Keynes runner and passing her inches from the line. The M40 team followed up with a club age record in the relay for the 3rd match running, taking over 11 seconds off the previous best for the 400m/200m/200m/400m.
Gold and Silver in County 10K
Conditions were really horrible for the Hertfordshire 10K County Championships on Thursday night. There was continuous heavy rain and large puddles on many parts of Sandy Track but DAVE BOWKER won GOLD in the Vet 50 plus category in 41 minutes 37.2 seconds and JIM BROWN SILVER in the Vet 60 plus category with a season’s and age category time of 46 minutes 19.6 seconds.
Iris, Bev and Tracy Win Mid Week Medals
IRIS HORNSEY won the women’s 65 plus category in the Mid Week Road Race League series; TRACY PEZ was second woman 35 plus; BEV HARLOW tied on points with the winner in the 55 plus category but narrowly lost on the tie-breaker formula.
Mob Match
The “mob match” is the end of series combined race for both divisions after which the presentations were made for the 2012 Mid Week Road Race League. Spartan numbers were down compared with the counting events due to EVAC Track and Field (see separate story) and other commitment but twenty club members enjoyed the nine kilometres essentially trail event in Trent Park, north London.
SIMON JACKSON ran a superb race in 33 minutes exactly to finish sixth out of more than 300 runners and ANDREW PATTERSON was 17th in 34:20. TRACY BULLOT (188th in 45:52) and CLAIRE COKER (200th in 46:53) were the club’s fastest women.
The other Spartans were ROB WILLIS (23rd in 34:47); ANDREW HULL (143rd in 43:02); ROGER BIGGS (171st in 44:49); VISHAL SHAH (196th in 45:58); KAREN ELLIS (207th in 47:27); PAUL HOLGATE (233rd in 49:26); MARK CHEADLE (237th in 49:40); STEVEN DOBNER (261st in 52:34); MARIA THORNE (270th in 53:26); NICK WITCOMBE (274th in 53:46); JULIE TWOMEY (276th in 54:04); LORRAINE THOMAS (279th in 54:15); ISABEL GREEN (286th in 55:11); TRACY STILES (294th in 57:20); LISA JERROM (295th in 57:20) and SIMON HARRIS (305th in 1 hour 3 minutes 19 seconds).
Position |
Name |
Category |
Time |
6 |
Simon Jackson |
S |
33:00 |
17 |
Andrew Patterson |
S |
34:20 |
23 |
Rob Willis |
S |
34:47 |
143 |
Andrew Hull |
V 40 |
43:02 |
171 |
Roger Biggs |
V 60 |
44:49 |
188 |
Tracy Bullot (F) |
V 35 |
45:52 |
196 |
Vishal Shah |
S |
45:58 |
200 |
Claire Coker (F) |
V 35 |
46:53 |
207 |
Karen Ellis (F) |
V 35 |
47:27 |
233 |
Paul Holgate |
V 50 |
49:26 |
237 |
Mark Cheadle |
S |
49:40 |
261 |
Steven Dobner |
S |
52:34 |
270 |
Maria Thorne (F) |
V 35 |
53:26 |
274 |
Nick Witcombe |
V 40 |
53:46 |
276 |
Julie Twomey (F) |
V 45 |
54:04 |
279 |
Lorraine Thomas (F) |
V 45 |
54:15 |
286 |
Isabel Green (F) |
S |
55:11 |
294 |
Tracy Stiles (F) |
V 35 |
57:20 |
295 |
Lisa Jerrom (F) |
V 35 |
57:20 |
305 |
Simon Harris |
S |
1:03:19 |
Grant Ramsay
GRANT RAMSAY competed in the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge on Wednesday evening. Over 5.6 kilometres in Battersea Park, London he was 27th out of 7,000 in 19 minutes 46 seconds.
Then he was third in the 3,000 metres steeplechase at a Southern League Track Meeting in Woking with a time of 11 minutes 8 seconds.
Tony Goes Bare Foot.
TONY ARGYROU ran barefoot for the City 5K on Thursday evening. He was 913th out of more than 6,000 with a time of 22 minutes 15 seconds.
Enter Now!
The Spartans host the Relays in the Park on Thursday evening 19th July. The relays will be in Fairlands Valley Park with each runner racing over three kilometres. Men’s teams consist of five runners, women’s teams three. The club host the County Championship 5K road race on Sunday 9th September and Five Miles on 23rd September. These are within open races — everyone can have a go. Enter now. There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk
The 3K relays are great for spectators. If you are not running why not come along to Fairlands Valley Park and support our local runners. The race starts at 7.30p.m.
Fairlands Valley Challenge
Fairlands Valley Spartans organised a hugely successful Fairlands Valley Challenge off road event on Sunday. Results will be available soon.
Coming Event
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19th July.
- Serpentine 5K on Friday 20th (note different Friday and starting point due to Olympic preparations)
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- Paul Maguire Memorial and County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
***********
IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER
Off Road Challenge and Relays Coming Soon
Tracy is first lady
Fairlands Valley Spartans’ TRACY PEZ was fastest woman in the North Herts first Saturday of the Month 5K race. On a course that was muddy and slippery in places she finished in 23 minutes 34 seconds.
Hard Hitchin
Eight Spartans splashed their way around a very wet Hitchin Hard Half Marathon on Sunday.
KERRY FLAIN was 27th out of the 215 finishers in 1 hour 35 minutes 10 seconds; two minutes later JO LAING was 33rd in 1:37:11. MIKE KING was 48th in 1:41:03 and ANDREW HULL 75th in 1:47:36.
TREVOR SETTERFIELD finished in 1:55:23; MADELEINE PRITCHARD in 1:59:20; BARBARA WILSON in 2:02:23 and PAUL HOLGATE in 2:10:47.
Position | Name | Time |
27 | KERRY FLAIN (M) | 1:35:10 |
33 | JO LAING (F) | 1:37:11 |
48 | MIKE KING | 1:41:03 |
75 | ANDREW HULL | 1:47:36 |
?? | TREVOR SETTERFIELD | 1:55:23* |
145 | MADELEINE PRITCHARD (F) | 1:59:20 |
156 | BARBARA WILSON (F) | 2:02:23 |
186 | PAUL HOLGATE (M) | 2:10:47 |
There were 215 runners.
Summer (?) Festival Marathon
On Saturday 7th July just a few days after getting over yet another cold CAROL PAUL travelled to Milton Keynes for the Enigma Summer Festival Marathon. The race was over an undulating seven and half laps around Caldecotte Lake. Carol finished in 4 hours 58 minutes 15 seconds.
British 10K London
JANET COX ran her first 10 kilometres race at the British 10K in London on Sunday. Also a wet race she finished in 1 hour 19 minutes 53 seconds.
Soggy Spartans
Two Spartans braved the rain on Tuesday to take part in the Milton Keynes 10k. Roger Biggs finished 235th of the 392 runners in 47 minutes 44 seconds and Paul Holgate took 52:19 for 311th position.
And dozens of Spartans were lining the streets of Stevenage to see the Olympic flame. On Monday morning at 7:30a.m. founder Spartan member KEVIN LAWLOR carried the Olympic torch in Luton
Enter Now!
The Spartans host the Fairlands Valley Off Road Challenge this Sunday 15th July and the Relays in the Park on Thursday evening 19th July. The relays will be in Fairlands Valley Park with each runner racing over three kilometres. 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:
- Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11th July.
- EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11th July.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
- Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19th July.
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- Paul Maguire Memorial and County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
The first club Membership Information Survey is now available to fill out online here:
http://fvspartans.org.uk/members-2/membership-survey/
Essentially it is a 25 question long survey which centres on you and your relationship with the club: what training sessions you do, how you find out information about the club and its activities, and how you rate the information sources such as the website, forum, emails and more.
The data gathered will help one of our members, Liam Herbert, with his studies into information needs and behaviour within sport as part of his masters degree for City University London. The survey has also been designed to provide feedback to help the club improve the services they provide to members. The process is anonymous and all feedback given will be treated so that no member can be easily identified if it is used.
As an added incentive for you, one person who completes the survey will be chosen at random to win a £20 Amazon gift voucher! All you need to do is to fill out the online survey, and give your name and email address at the end when prompted to do so.
If you have any questions on this project, please contact Liam by email liam.herbert1@city.ac.uk or by mobile 07871396873
July’s edition of Catch a Coach is here!!!
This month’s edition of Catch a Coach has arrived!!!
Take a look at our 10 of the best and why not have a go at introducing the core stability exercises featured into your training. More details of these can be found within the coaching section of the website.
Enjoy!!
BATTLING 58 GO DOWN FIGHTING
Off Road Challenge and Relays Coming Soon
There were some brilliant individual performances by Spartans in the last counting Mid Week League race of the season which was over seven undulating miles at St. Albans on a very warm evening . For example NATALIE BARNARD was third senior woman in 46 minutes 22 seconds with SAM PRETTY fifth in 47:32. Club Vice-Chair BEV HARLOW was second woman veteran (55 plus) in 1:01:28.
CRAIG HALSEY is in the middle of a gruelling triathlon training programme but still came 14th overall in just 41 minutes 29 seconds. The other Spartans in the top thirty were SHAW PYE 21st in 42:31; GRANT RAMSAY 22nd in 42:37: and ANDREW PATTERSON, 29th in 43:05.
Seven miles, unlike say 10 kilometres or 10 miles, is not a standard race distance so there were no personal bests but compared with the same race last year there were many improvement — ANDY PRIOR by a huge 7 minutes 44 seconds to 1:01:44 (257th); STEVEN DOBNER by 4:06 to 1:06:54 (289th); VISHAL SHAH by 3:49 to 58:25 (233rd); JENNIFER ROBERTSON by an impressive 3 minutes 44 seconds to 53 minutes 18 seconds (169th); JIM BROWN by 2:53 to 56:41 (216th); DAWN EASBY by 2:40 to 58:14 (230th); MARIE COLUCCI by 2:05 to 56:51 (219th); LISA BURGESS by 1:49 to 49:56 (112th); PAUL HOLGATE by 1:31 to 1:01:40 (260th); NICK WITCOMBE by 1:21 to 1:07:00 (291st); JULIE SIMMONS by 1:19 to 55:16 (201st); PETE SMITH by one minute exactly to 49:28 (104th); LEE LAWRENCE by 29 seconds to 52:41 (154th);
New Spartan RUTH RILEY ran her first race for the club in 1 hour 5 minutes 46 seconds.
However the efforts of the 58 Spartan finishers were not quite enough to make up the extra points Fairlands Valley Spartans needed to stay in Division One so it will be Division Two next year. The club have often yo-yo’d between the two divisions in the past and look forward to seeking promotion next year.
Full results for all 58 Spartans in the seven mile race at St. Albans on 28th June 2012:
Race | Name |
Time |
Comments inc improvements compared with 2011 |
14 |
Craig Halsey |
41:29 |
|
21 |
Shaw Pye |
42:31 |
|
22 |
Grant Ramsay |
42:37 |
|
29 |
Andrew Patterson |
43:05 |
|
52 |
Danny Hukin |
45:30 |
|
56 |
Todd Gray |
45:52 |
|
63 |
Natalie Barnard |
46:22 |
3rd senior woman |
79 |
Sam Pretty |
47:32 |
5th senior woman |
97 |
David Bowker |
49:07 |
|
98 |
Adrian Donnelly |
49:07 |
|
104 |
Pete Smith |
49:28 |
1:00 |
112 |
Lisa Burgess |
49:56 |
1:49 |
135 |
Kerry James |
51:05 |
|
143 |
Steve Elder |
51:38 |
|
147 |
Darren Wilby |
52:18 |
|
154 |
Lee Lawrence |
52:41 |
0:29 |
167 |
Tracy Pez |
53:22 |
|
169 |
Jennifer Roberston |
53:18 |
3:44 |
170 |
Mick Connell |
53:16 |
|
179 |
Jon Sypula |
53:56 |
|
181 |
Mark Goodwin |
53:55 |
|
185 |
Roger Biggs |
54:12 |
|
187 |
Nikke Andrews |
54:33 |
|
188 |
Andrew Hull |
54:20 |
|
193 |
Rhiannon Griffin |
54:59 |
|
201 |
Julie Simmons |
55:16 |
1:19 |
216 |
Jim Brown |
56:41 |
2:53 |
219 |
Marie Colucci |
56:51 |
2:05 |
220 |
Paul Pickard |
57:01 |
|
221 |
Ryan Running |
57:04 |
|
229 |
Derek Wood |
58:08 |
|
230 |
Dawn Easby |
58:14 |
2:40 |
231 |
Gaynor Knight |
58:16 |
|
233 |
Vishal Shah |
58:25 |
3:49 |
239 |
James Day |
59:11 |
|
241 |
Tony Argyrou |
59:50 |
|
242 |
Helene Miller |
59:56 |
|
244 |
Robert Shaw |
1:00:22 |
|
251 |
Andy Jay |
1:01:04 |
|
254 |
Dan Simms |
1:01:06 |
|
257 |
Andy Prior |
1:01:16 |
7:44 |
258 |
Claire Coker |
1:01:15 |
|
259 |
Beverley Harlow |
1:01:28 |
Second FV55 |
260 |
Paul Holgate |
1:01:40 |
1:31 |
273 |
Roger Hardman |
1:04:02 |
|
275 |
Steve Carter |
1:05:05 |
|
279 |
Ruth Riley |
1:05:46 |
|
280 |
Julie Twomey |
1:05:55 |
|
281 |
Sharon Crowley |
1:05:53 |
|
285 |
Nicky Collins |
1:06:13 |
|
286 |
Lorraine Thomas |
1:06:25 |
|
289 |
Steven Dobner |
1:06:54 |
4:06 |
291 |
Nick Witcombe |
1:07:00 |
1:21 |
292 |
Isabel Green |
1:07:00 |
|
303 |
Graham Hill |
1:11:35 |
|
304 |
Maria Thorne |
1:11:40 |
|
310 |
Tracy Stiles |
1:12:23 |
|
314 |
Victoria Sealy |
1:13:24 |
There were 321 finishers.
Durham Duo
ROGER BIGGS and MICHAELA SANDERS were in County Durham at the weekend for the Hamsterly Forest Trail Marathon. In good conditions but on a hilly three lap course Roger finished in 4 hours 55 minutes 49 seconds and Michaela in 5:40:41.
Regent’s Park 10K
On Sunday PETE SMITH ran the Regent’s Park 10K in 42 minutes 25 seconds.
Hadrian’s Wall
Recently Spartans TRICIA HOPPER and KAREN LIDDLE took part in the Hadrian’s Wall ultra 69 mile race over 2 days, finishing in a total 16 hours and 57 minutes.
They both feel tired but fab and even had a little left to break into a sort of sprint over the Millennium Bridge. Tricia and Karen quite rightly are really chuffed at their achievement.
Roger’s a Winner in Hardest Marathon
ROGER BIGGS took part in possibly the hardest road marathon in the UK recently — the Lancaster Castle Marathon. There was a long climb out Lancaster into the surrounding countryside, then several stiff climbs before a monster hill at 18 miles. Despite this, Roger ran the whole 26.2 miles in good conditions. Roger’s time was good enough over a tough course to place as the first vet 60, winning £50 for his troubles, with a time of 4 hours 8 minutes 10 seconds.
Herts Hobble
Nine Spartans slipped and slid their way around a not surprisingly extremely muddy Hertfordshire Hobble which this year took in the Hertfordshire villages of Bramfield, Chapmore End, Westmill, Thunderidge, Sacombe, Dane End, Little Munden, Green End, Great Munden, Ardeley, Walkern, Benington and Watton-at-Stone.
Their times for the 26.4 miles were Carol Paul 5 hours 35 minutes 24 seconds; Mike Newbitt 5:35:24; Sharon Crowley 6:14:42; Paul Holgate 6:14:42; Dave Paul 6:18:11; Rob Hardy 6:23:54; Chas Avis 7:14:41 and Dave Carter 8:00:00.
Ramsay’s Recovery
GRANT RAMSAY continued his road to recovery with an impressive sixth place in the Colworth 8.1 mile trail race and a time of 56 minutes 50 seconds. There were 200 finishers.
Enter Now!
The Spartans host the Fairlands Valley Off Road Challenge on Sunday 15th July and the Relays in the Park on Thursday evening 19th July. The relays will be in Fairlands Valley Park with each runner racing over three kilometers. Enter now. There are details on www.fvspartans.org.uk
New Course, New Bests at Serpentine
Two Spartans ran the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K race on Friday, which this month was moved to Kensington Gardens to allow Olympic organisers to prepare the race’s normal venue Hyde Park for the Triathlon. The new two lap circuit was moderately flat and fast, which the stripy duo worked to their advantages by each recording new personal best times.
Liam Herbert finished 22nd out of the 180 finishers in a new PB time of 18 minutes 29 seconds, and placed 11th in his category.
Steve Mayfield also ran a new lifetime best time of 20:20, finishing 49th overall and a brilliant first in his category.
The race conditions were warm and dry with a gusty wind.
Watford Track
Contrasting races for two Spartans at Watford on Wednesday, but a more than satisfactory result for both of them. The evening kicked off with the 100 metres, the opening heat was won by STEVE MAYFIELD in a new personal best (PB) 13.52 seconds. Almost three hours later, having patiently waited through 19 heats of the 1500 metres, RICHIE BATE lined up for the final event of the night. In a fast 3000 metres race amongst a high quality field he ran a new PB of 9:21.18. Steve also competed in the Long Jump with a best of 4.47 metres.
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 at Trent Park on Wednesday 11th July.
- EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11th July.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
- Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19th July.
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- Paul Maguire Memorial and County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
***********
News Release 24th June 2012
BIG PUSH NEEDED IN MID WEEK LEAGUE
Getting in the Olympic Mood
Fairlands Valley Spartans will have to work hard in Thursday evening’s fourth and last counting event in the Mid Week Road Race League after a mishap in the Harlow race on Wednesday. In order to avoid relegation the club is calling on all who can to run the seven mile event in St. Albans on the 28th.
A slightly reduced but still impressive contingent of sixty two Spartans lined up for Wednesday’s Mid Week League race which was on a largely cross country 10K course in Harlow. The running surface and undulating terrain did not seem to worry some as their were several personal best times.
ROB WILLIS (35th) ran his first 10K for the club in 38 minutes 14 seconds; DARREN WILBY (135th) improved to 45:09; JON SYPULA (152nd) to 45:54; JULIE SIMMONS (175th) to 47:21; RHIANNON GRIFFIN (180th) to 47:38; JENNIFER ROBERTSON (195th) to 48:44; VISHAL SHAH (201st) to 49:05; TONY VICKERS (204th) to 49:14; TRACY BULLOT (226th) to 51:19; and SARAH SAPSTEAD (312th) to 1:04:46. Many improved on their times on the faster Welwyn Garden City course!
TRUDIE MOLLOY and SIMON STEWART ran their first 10Ks in 52:19 and 52:49 respectively.
SIMON JACKSON (11th in 35:56); SHAW PYE (16th in 36:20); ANDY NEATHAM (17th and fourth “vet” in 36:22); GRANT RAMSAY (30th in 37:42) and ANDREW PATTERSON (31st in 37:53) were the fastest men for the club. TRACY PEZ (150th in 45:51); Julie Simmons (above); Rhiannon Griffin (above); Jennifer Robertson (above) and DAWN EASBY (198th in a season’s best 48:48) were the quickest Spartan women.
IRIS HORNSEY was the first woman vet (65 plus) in a season’s best 59:35; BEV HARLOW was second woman vet (55 plus) in 52:22: and BARRY OSBORNE was third vet man (60 plus) in 43:42.
A club casualty on a bridleway just over 5K stopped or delayed several Spartans who were in the top half of the field. This inevitably had an effect on the team result.
The Spartan men came fourth out of the six teams but unfortunately their women, more dramatically affected by the incident and missing some of their faster runners, came last. This meant the club were fifth on the night and in the same position in the league. They must improve to at least fourth to survive in division one.
The results for all sixty Spartan finishers will be found at the very end of this release.
Hadrians Wall
This weekend Spartans TRICIA HOPPER and KAREN LIDDLE took part in the Hadrians Wall ultra 69 mile race over 2 days, finishing in a total 16 hours and 57 minutes.
They both feel tired but fab and even had a little left to break into a sort of sprint over the Millenium bridge. Tricia and Karen quite rightly really chuffed at their achievement.
Roger’s a Winner in Hardest Marathon
ROGER BIGGS took part in possibly the hardest road marathon in the UK on Sunday — the Lancaster Castle Marathon. There was a long climb out Lancaster into the surrounding countryside, then several stiff climbs before a monster hill at 18 miles. Despite this, Roger ran the whole 26.2 miles in good conditions. Roger’s time was good enough over a tough course to place as the first vet 60, winning £50 for his troubles, with a time of 4 hours 8 minutes 10 seconds.
Herts Hobble
Nine Spartans slipped and slid their way around a not surprisingly extremely muddy Hertfordshire Hobble which this year took in the Hertfordshire villages of Bramfield, Chapmore End, Westmill, Thunderidge, Sacombe, Dane End, Little Munden, Green End, Great Munden, Ardeley, Walkern, Benington and Watton-at-Stone.
Their times for the 26.4 miles were Carol Paul 5 hours 35 minutes 24 seconds; Mike Newbitt 5:35:24; Sharon Crowley 6:14:42; Paul Holgate 6:14:42; Dave Paul 6:18:11; Rob Hardy 6:23:54; Chas Avis 7:14:41 and Dave Carter 8:00:00.
Ramsay’s Recovery
GRANT RAMSAY continued his road to recovery with an impressive sixth place in the Colworth 8.1 mile trail race and a time of 56 minutes 50 seconds. There were 200 finishers.
Olympic Warm Up
Fairlands Valley Spartans got in the Olympic mood with their own torch procession and games at Ridlins Track on Sunday afternoon.
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 Road Race League Seven Miles in St. Albans on Thursday 28th June.
- Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11th July.
- EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11th July.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
- Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19th July.
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
***********
Full Mid Week League result for all 60 Spartans:
Race |
Pos |
Name | Surname |
Cat. |
Time |
PB |
11 |
11 |
Simon | Jackson |
S |
35:56 |
|
16 |
16 |
Shaw | Pye |
S |
36:20 |
YB |
17 |
17 |
Andy | Neatham |
V 40 |
36:22 |
PB |
30 |
29 |
Grant | Ramsay |
S |
37:42 |
|
31 |
30 |
Andrew | Patterson |
S |
37:53 |
|
35 |
34 |
Rob | Willis |
S |
38:14 |
1st 10K |
40 |
39 |
Chris | Westcott |
S |
38:29 |
|
55 |
52 |
Danny | Hukin |
S |
39:18 |
YB |
71 |
65 |
Todd | Gray |
S |
40:57 |
|
86 |
78 |
Pete | Smith |
V 50 |
42:20 |
|
88 |
80 |
Barry | Osborne |
V 60 |
42:21 |
3rd MV60 |
110 |
97 |
Steve | Mayfield |
V 40 |
43:42 |
YB |
135 |
116 |
Darren | Wilby |
S |
45:09 |
PB |
140 |
119 |
Steve | Elder |
V 50 |
45:16 |
YB |
144 |
122 |
Lee | Lawrence |
S |
45:29 |
|
150 |
24 |
Tracy | Pez |
V 35 |
45:51 |
|
151 |
127 |
Matt | Gill |
S |
45:48 |
|
152 |
128 |
Jon | Sypula |
S |
45:54 |
PB |
157 |
131 |
Jody | Flett |
S |
46:13 |
YB |
159 |
133 |
Mark | Goodwin |
V 50 |
46:10 |
|
162 |
136 |
Robert | Evans |
S |
46:25 |
|
175 |
30 |
Julie | Simmons |
V 45 |
47:21 |
PB |
177 |
146 |
Roger | Biggs |
V 60 |
47:24 |
|
180 |
33 |
Rhiannon | Griffin |
S |
47:38 |
PB |
195 |
40 |
Jennifer | Robertson |
S |
48:44 |
PB |
198 |
43 |
Dawn | Easby |
S |
48:48 |
SB |
201 |
158 |
Vishal | Shah |
S |
49:05 |
PB (equal) |
204 |
159 |
Tony | Vickers |
V 40 |
49:14 |
PB |
220 |
165 |
Andy | Jay |
V 40 |
50:31 |
|
221 |
166 |
James | Day |
S |
50:31 |
|
222 |
167 |
Matthew | Palacio |
S |
50:54 |
|
226 |
57 |
Tracy | Bullot |
V 35 |
51:19 |
PB |
231 |
60 |
Trudie | Molloy |
V 35 |
52:19 |
1st 10K |
233 |
172 |
Robert | Shaw |
V 60 |
52:26 |
|
235 |
62 |
Beverley | Harlow |
V 55 |
52:22 |
2nd FV55 |
236 |
173 |
Simon | Stewart |
S |
52:49 |
1st 10K |
238 |
174 |
Paul | Holgate |
V 50 |
52:47 |
|
243 |
65 |
Sarah | Pike |
S |
53:38 |
|
245 |
66 |
Karen | Ellis |
V 35 |
53:57 |
|
247 |
179 |
Steve | Pike |
V 50 |
54:15 |
|
250 |
181 |
Steve | Carter |
V 40 |
54:46 |
|
251 |
182 |
Mark | Cheadle |
S |
54:54 |
|
252 |
69 |
Stephanie | Mayfield |
V 35 |
54:50 |
|
260 |
72 |
Sharon | Crowley |
V 45 |
55:37 |
|
266 |
188 |
Nick | Witcombe |
V 40 |
56:06 |
|
267 |
189 |
Chris | Leigh |
V 40 |
56:05 |
|
268 |
190 |
Barry | King |
V 40 |
56:05 |
YB |
271 |
79 |
Julie | Twomey |
V 45 |
56:19 |
|
272 |
192 |
Roger | Hardman |
V 60 |
56:10 |
|
280 |
86 |
Lorraine | Thomas |
V 45 |
58:12 |
YB |
281 |
87 |
Victoria | Sealy |
S |
58:15 |
|
287 |
91 |
Jeanette | Collins |
V 45 |
59:14 |
|
288 |
92 |
Iris | Hornsey |
V 65 |
59:35 |
1st FV65 SB |
293 |
97 |
Lisa | Gavigan |
V 35 |
1:00:22 |
|
296 |
100 |
Andrea | Westcott |
V 35 |
1:00:48 |
|
304 |
107 |
Claire | Drake |
S |
1:02:01 |
1st 10K |
311 |
111 |
Tracy | Stiles |
V 35 |
1:04:45 |
|
312 |
112 |
Sarah | Sapstead |
S |
1:04:46 |
PB (equal) |
318 |
201 |
Jim | Brown |
V 60 |
1:13:50 |
|
319 |
202 |
Mick | Connell |
V 50 |
1:13:50 |
There were 320 finishers. 203 men and 117 women.
Free Club race entry 2012 – details
As the Spartan Race Calendar is starting to get into full swing, your club will be asking for your help with organising and supporting our club races.
Spartan races either support local charities or contribute to club funds which in turn keep the clubs membership fees at its current low price.
Our club races cannot take part without your assistance and support. Your committee would hope each member would be prepared to help with at least one a race a year…. We often see the same members of the club helping out time and time again, with a club membership of 350+ this should not be the case.
For those members who help with one of our events the club would like to continue the offer of an option of a FREE race entry for a future club race during the 2012 season.
How does this work for 2012?
If you help with any of the events below:
- Midweek League Home Fixture
- Fairlands Valley Challenge
- 3K Relays
- Paul Maguire 5
- 5K race
- Stevenage Half Marathon
You can claim a free race entry to any of these Fairland Valley Spartan Races
- Paul Maguire 5 **
- 5K race
- Stevenage Half **
** The proceeds of these two races are donated to good causes, if you are happy to pay for your entry as normal and forgo your free race entry to support these charities please do. Use the normal race entry form.
There are a few conditions that must be met for you to qualify:
- When helping with a club race, your assistance must be for the whole race and leave you in a position where you are not able to run, for you to qualify for a free race.
- The free entry can only be taken by the specific member and is not transferable.
- A free race entry cannot be carried over into the following year.
- A free race entry should be claimed using the club entry form attached below.
Each member will be entitled to only one free race entry (even if they help with more than one club race — sorry).
Regards
Club Committee
WOMEN FIRST IN EVAC FIXTURE
National Championship Bronze for Monica
Fairlands Valley Spartans enjoyed a day at the races on Wednesday. The club hired a mini bus to take their team to Kettering for the third fixture of the EVAC (Eastern Veterans Athletic Club) central division track and field league.
Travelling the furthest distance out of the four meetings did not deter the women’s team winning the match with a score of 142.5 with Milton Keynes in second place with 119.5 followed by Bedford, Kettering and Corby. The men’s team were definitely stronger than before and finished a close third place in 100.5 to Bedford 105.5 and Milton Keynes winning the match with 141 points.
Good performances were produced by Rosie Canham, Monica Brown, with wins in the 100 metres in their age groups. Carolyn Shortland won the shot putt in the older age group (over 55 years) then completed in the hammer in the youngest age (35 plus) and came second.
In the men’s team Steve Mayfield continued to progress by winning the men’s over 40 years age group long jump along with Andy Neatham who won the over 40 1500 metres comfortably and Mick Shortland who won the over 60 Shot Putt.
Dave Bowker returned from injury to win the over 50 walk. Dave Stephenson produced a great run in the men’s 4×100 metres to put the team into first place, along with Steve Mayfield, Paul Pickard and Andy Neatham they set a new club record of 55.0 seconds.
Overall, after three of the four matches, the Spartan women lead the Central Division with the men in third place. If they keep this up in the fourth match on 11th July both could be at the regional final.
A few statistical highlights from Wednesday night’s EVAC match at Kettering:
There are two new club records and one equalled, and a number of age group bests.
Outright Club Records
Mens 4x100m 55.0 by the M40 team in 1st place. The club’s first ever men’s relay win at EVAC.
Mens 2000m Walk 11.17.7 – Dave Bowker in 1st place M50.
Womens High Jump 1.33 metres – Monica Brown in 1st place W45 (equals her own Club Record)
1500 metres 4.34.8 – Andy Neatham in 1st place M40
M50 (plus) team – 4×100 metres relay in 64.3 seconds.
400m 65.8 – John Harris -who turned 50 within the last month.
Long Jump 3.95 – John Harris
High Jump 1.30 – John Harris
Shot Putt 9.03 – Mick Shortland M60.
Hammer 31.75 – Mick Shortland M60.
2000 metres walk 14.55.4 – Jan Fry (W60)
400 metres 97.6 seconds – Iris Hornsey (W70)
Long Jump 2.67 metres – Iris Hornsey (W70)
Monica and Mayfield at Masters Championships
Spartans multi eventers were in action at the British Masters Athletics Federation Outdoor Pentathlon in Oxford. In the W45 (Women 45 plus) category MONICA BROWN won Bronze with a points total of 2577 and in the very competitive M45 (Men 45 plus) category STEVE MAYFIELD was fifth with a points total of 2243.
Monica’s results were hurdles 16.44 (PB — personal best), high jump 1.36 (PB equalled), shot 6.48 metres, long jump 4.39 metres and 800 metres 3 minutes 13 seconds.
Steve’s results were long jump 4.58 metres, javelin 24.32 metres (SB — season’s best), 200 metres 28.19 seconds (SB), discus 20.29 metres (SB), 1500 metres 5.10.14. Steve improved on last year’s performance in four of the five events.
Marston Forest 5K
In the Marston Forest 5K on Friday evening Spartan Richard Bate finished a fantastic fifth out of 339 in a time of 17 minutes 4 seconds. Liam Herbert ran a new personal best (PB) time of 18:34, his fifth PB this year, to finish in the top thirty in 26th.
Paul Holgate completed the course in 25:27, in 159th place.
Lee Morris closely followed Paul in with a time of 25:46 (166th) and Helen Morris finished in 32:16, in 304th place overall.
Conditions were surprisingly humid and windy around a deceptively punishing course, which was run on relatively flat country footpaths circling the Marston Forest Centre. Good times but all in all it felt like hard work!
Done 10K
ANDY NEATHAM ran in the Dunmanway 10k in West Cork, Ireland on Sunday morning. It was a well organised and chip timed event, with an undulating course through the Cork countryside. The event started in bright sunshine, but the runners all finished sodden in an absolute deluge! Andy finished 10th out of 428 finishers, was 3rd Vet (2nd V45) in 36 minutes 38 seconds, a new VPB (veterans PB).
Roger’s Holly Trail
Roger Biggs ran the Holly Trail Challenge Trail Marathon on Saturday. Based on Lightmoor near Telford it consisted of 31 laps on muddy tracks. It was raining most of the time. Roger says it was very undulating and really tough but he kept going to finish in 4 hours 32 minutes 43 seconds
Tracy’s First Half
New member TRACY BULLOT ran her first half marathon in the recent St Albans Half Marathon. She finished in an excellent 1 hour 56.44 seconds
The club are preparing for the third Mid Week Road Race League Division One fixture which will be in Harlow this Wednesday 20th June.
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 Road Race League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 20th June.
- Spartans v NHRR “Olympic” Fun Event on Sunday 24th June.
- Mid Week Road Race League Seven Miles in St. Albans on Thursday 28th June.
- Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11th July.
- EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11th July.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
- Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19th July.
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
THREE SPARTAN HALF HEROES
Plus Strathearn, Southend and Sheringham
Three Fairlands Valley Spartans ran the Heroes Half Marathon based on Bassingbourn on Sunday. LEE MORRIS was 286th in 2 hours 6 minutes 28 seconds, MARIANNE SILSBY 372nd in 2:21:49 and HELEN KINCH 405th in 2:43:54. There were 409 finishers.
Strathearn Marathon
ROGER BIGGS travelled to Highland Perthshire for the scenic (when you could see through the mist) Strathearn Marathon from a Second World War Prisoner of War Camp near Comrie.
The first five miles were probably as hard a start as you will find in any road marathon in the UK, with several hard hills coming later. However the second half was easier than the first as Roger turned a 2:01 :54 at halfway into a finishing time of 3:57:03 with a very strong finish.
Southend Half Marathon
PAUL HOLGATE enjoyed pleasant sea breezes along with 2,000 other runners at the Southend Half Marathon. He just missed out on a sub 2 hours time as he finished in 2:03:39.
Sheringham — Poppyline Marathon
On Sunday CAROL PAUL was in Sheringham, Norfolk where she ran the Poppyline Marathon (26.9 miles off road) on a hot and humid day. Her time was 5 hours 46 minutes and 10 seconds
The club are preparing for the third Mid Week Road Race League Division One fixture which will be in Harlow on Wednesday 20th June.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- EVAC Track and Field event in Kettering on Wednesday 13th June.
- Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 20th June.
- Spartans v NHRR “Olympic” Fun Event on Sunday 24th June.
- Mid Week Road Race League Seven Miles in St. Albans on Thursday 28th June.
- Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11th July.
- EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11th July.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
- Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19th July.
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
ALL TO RUN FOR IN MIDWEEK LEAGUE
Plus Stuart’s Comrades Marathon
A huge contingent of 95 Fairlands Valley Spartans travelled to Welwyn Garden City for the second 10K race in the Mid Week Road Race League series.
Both the men and the women finished fourth of the six ‘A’ teams for fourth position overall. However the men were just six points short of Garden City Runners in third and the women only 33 shy of third place Trent Park.
At the half-way point of the league the men are third just 10 scoring positions behind Trent Park in second, both have 8 league points each. The Spartan women are fifth only 5 scoring positions behind Barnet & District but two league points adrift.
St Albans are running away at the top and Harlow adrift at the bottom, but the 2nd., 3rd., and 4th positions are unbelievably close and there is still has everything to play for, so the club is encouraging another big turnout for race 3 which will be in Harlow on Wednesday 20th June.
In Thursday’s race RICHARD BATE was the first Spartan finisher with a superb new personal best of 34 minutes 37 seconds and eighth position overall.
Richard Bate, Craig Halsey (35:16), Simon Jackson (35:42), Andy Neatham (36:42), Lee Reynolds (36:44) and Chris Westcott (37:14) were all in the top 30 finishers of the 400 runners taking part. Andy was also 5th V40.
Natalie Barnard (41:49), Lisa Burgess (42:17), Kerry James (43:36) and Tracy Pez (44:36) were in the top 30 female finishers out of 138 women, with Natalie an excellent 7th and Lisa 9th, while Kerry was 5th V35 and Tracy 8th. Julie Simmons (48:20) was 9th V45, Tony Osborne (59:10) 2nd V70, Iris Hornsey (1:01:03) 1st V65 and Jan Fry (1:04:46) 8th V55. 71 Spartans recorded their fastest 10K time of the year with 43 personal bests, 10 season’s bests and 18 other year bests.
Times for all 95 Spartans can be found at the very end of this release.
Comrades Marathon
STUART HAYCROFT ran the very gruesome Comrades Marathon in South Africa on Sunday. The Comrades is a 56 mile ultra marathon from the city of Petermaritzburg to the city of Durban. Stuart finished in 10 hours 32 minutes.
Hatfield Broad Oak
TREVOR SETTERFIELD set a new personal best of 43 minutes 27 seconds and came 171st out of 1106 runners at the Bank Holiday Hatfield Broad Oak 10K on Monday.
TONY ARGYROU was 401st in 48:41.
With a blistering downhill finish PAUL HOLGATE blew MICK CONNELL away and beat him by less than a second in a 10K season’s best time. Paul was 502nd in 50:57 and Mick 503rd also in 50:57.
DAVID CLARKE was 511th in 51 minutes 6 seconds, SHARON CROWLEY 669th in 54:32 and PAUL FORDE 730th in 55:49.
The village had its usual festive atmosphere with marquees in the churchyard and 1500? runners gathered in Cage End at the start.
Watford Warm Up
Two Spartans warmed up for the midweek league fixture with exciting 1500 metres races at Watford Track the evening before. Race entry is on the day and heats are allocated according to runners expected times, starting with the slowest heat and ending with the fastest. In heat 7, CHRIS WESTCOTT stayed near the rear of the field for the first two laps then moved gradually through the pack in lap three. He ran an excellent last lap of under 70 seconds, reigning in the leading group, and was closing rapidly on the leaders and crossed the line in third place with a new PB of 4:41.56. Returning from injury STEVE MAYFIELD started at the back of heat 2, but improved his position as other runners slowed and caught the leader with 250 metres to go. The final 100m was neck and neck with Steve edging it by just 0.07 seconds to win the heat in 5:09.99.
Kent Road Runner Marathon — On A Bike Course
ROGER BIGGS ran 17 undulating laps of the new purpose built Cyclo Park near Gravesend on Monday in the Kent Road Runner Marathon. He ran another consistent race on a tough course to finish in 3:58:28.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- EVAC Track and Field event in Kettering on Wednesday 13th June.
- Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 20th June.
- Spartans v NHRR “Olympic” Fun Event on Sunday 24th June.
- Mid Week Road Race League Seven Miles in St. Albans on Thursday 28th June.
- Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11th July.
- EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11th July.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
- Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19th July.
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
Mid Week Road Race Leagues Times for all 95 Spartans
Race |
Name | Surname |
Cat. |
Time |
PB |
8 |
Richard | Bate |
S |
34:37 |
PB |
13 |
Craig | Halsey |
S |
35:16 |
YB |
17 |
Simon | Jackson |
S |
35:42 |
|
19 |
Andy | Neatham |
V 40 |
36:42 |
PB |
21 |
Lee | Reynolds |
S |
36:44 |
|
28 |
Chris | Westcott |
S |
37:14 |
PB |
50 |
Liam | Herbert |
S |
39:05 |
|
61 |
Jake | Amos |
S |
39:26 |
1st 10K |
64 |
Todd | Gray |
S |
39:39 |
|
70 |
Jamie | Drackford |
S |
40:13 |
PB |
75 |
Christopher | Kremer |
S |
40:32 |
1st 10K |
83 |
Sam | Harte |
S |
40:48 |
PB |
93 |
Phil | Gale |
V 40 |
41:21 |
|
97 |
Danny | Hukin |
S |
41:31 |
YB |
107 |
Natalie | Barnard |
S |
41:49 |
SB |
109 |
Tony | Bradford |
V 40 |
42:03 |
YB |
112 |
Lisa | Burgess |
S |
42:17 |
|
118 |
Davie | Stafford |
S |
42:25 |
PB |
133 |
Pete | Smith |
V 50 |
43:15 |
|
145 |
Mark | Beasley |
V 50 |
43:31 |
YB |
148 |
Kerry | James |
V 35 |
43:36 |
SB |
153 |
Steve | Mayfield |
V 40 |
44:06 |
YB |
160 |
Adrian | Donnelly |
S |
44:22 |
YB |
163 |
Kevin | Smyth |
V 50 |
44:24 |
|
170 |
Tracy | Pez |
V 35 |
44:36 |
SB |
181 |
Darren | Wilby |
S |
45:17 |
PB |
184 |
Lee | Lawrence |
S |
45:26 |
PB |
188 |
Matt | Gill |
S |
45:29 |
PB |
193 |
Trevor | Setterfield |
V 40 |
45:45 |
|
201 |
Mark | Goodwin |
V 50 |
46:05 |
|
202 |
Robert | Evans |
S |
46:09 |
YB |
211 |
Dave | Stephenson |
V 40 |
46:31 |
SB |
213 |
Jon | Sypula |
S |
46:27 |
PB |
215 |
Ryan | Dunning |
S |
46:37 |
YB |
229 |
Jim | Brown |
V 50 |
47:07 |
|
230 |
Hadrian | Cooper |
S |
47:16 |
YB |
231 |
Roger | Biggs |
V 60 |
47:20 |
YB |
233 |
Mark | Glading |
V 50 |
47:24 |
SB |
241 |
Clive | Cannon |
V 50 |
47:57 |
YB |
242 |
Andrew | Hull |
V 40 |
48:06 |
|
246 |
Julie | Simmons |
V 45 |
48:20 |
|
252 |
Derek | Wood |
S |
48:30 |
1st 10K |
255 |
Rhiannon | Griffin |
S |
48:35 |
1st 10K |
265 |
Vishal | Shah |
S |
49:05 |
PB |
266 |
Andy | Jay |
V 40 |
49:14 |
YB |
272 |
Marie | Colucci |
V 35 |
49:37 |
SB |
274 |
Tony | Vickers |
V 40 |
49:48 |
PB |
282 |
Matthew | Palacio |
S |
50:28 |
1st 10K |
283 |
James | Day |
S |
50:29 |
SB |
288 |
Claire | Coker |
V 35 |
50:22 |
PB |
290 |
Andy | Prior |
V 40 |
50:39 |
PB |
293 |
Nikki | Collins |
S |
50:53 |
PB |
294 |
Rachel | Payne |
S |
50:55 |
PB |
299 |
Marc | Green |
S |
51:24 |
|
301 |
Tracy | Bullot |
V 35 |
51:44 |
PB |
302 |
Stephanie | Mayfield |
V 35 |
51:47 |
PB |
303 |
Robert | Shaw |
V 60 |
51:51 |
|
310 |
Sarah | Pike |
S |
52:24 |
|
311 |
Karen | Palmer |
V 45 |
52:19 |
PB |
312 |
Karen | Ellis |
V 35 |
52:37 |
PB |
314 |
Chris | Leigh |
V 40 |
52:40 |
SB |
315 |
Paul | Holgate |
V 50 |
52:46 |
|
316 |
Steve | Carter |
V 40 |
52:54 |
PB |
319 |
Steve | Pike |
V 50 |
53:06 |
|
322 |
Anton | McCalla |
S |
53:26 |
PB |
327 |
Sharon | Crowley |
V 45 |
53:37 |
YB |
329 |
Mark | Cheadle |
S |
53:53 |
SB |
333 |
Katie | Bradford |
S |
54:10 |
PB |
335 |
Katy | Jinks |
V 35 |
54:22 |
|
338 |
Nick | Stewart |
V 50 |
54:57 |
|
341 |
Maria | Thorne |
V 35 |
55:35 |
PB |
342 |
Julie | Twomey |
V 45 |
55:42 |
PB |
346 |
Lisa | Gavigan |
V 35 |
55:59 |
PB |
349 |
Gary | Dempsey |
V 40 |
56:09 |
YB |
352 |
Ruth | Murtagh |
V 35 |
56:43 |
PB |
354 |
Gaynor | Knight |
V 45 |
57:30 |
1st 10K |
355 |
Louisa | Bill |
S |
57:32 |
PB |
360 |
Victoria | Sealy |
S |
57:55 |
PB |
361 |
Nick | Witcombe |
V 40 |
58:03 |
|
365 |
Andrea | Westcott |
V 35 |
58:00 |
YB |
367 |
Jeanette | Collins |
V 45 |
58:46 |
YB |
368 |
Sarah | Hukin |
S |
58:57 |
PB |
369 |
Anthony | Osborne |
V 70 |
59:10 |
YB |
371 |
Steven | Dobner |
S |
59:15 |
PB |
377 |
Iris | Hornsey |
V 65 |
1:00:03 |
SB |
380 |
Melissa | Gibson |
V 35 |
1:01:08 |
PB |
382 |
Annette | Young |
S |
1:01:43 |
1st 10K |
383 |
Nicky | Freeman |
V 45 |
1:02:39 |
PB |
385 |
Tracy | Stiles |
V 35 |
1:02:47 |
|
387 |
Karen | Smith |
V 45 |
1:03:06 |
|
391 |
Sarah | Sapstead |
S |
1:04:46 |
1st 10K |
392 |
Jan | Fry |
V 55 |
1:04:46 |
PB |
398 |
Jo | Cahill |
V 45 |
1:22:04 |
YB |
399 |
Jo | Eley |
V 45 |
1:22:04 |
1st 10K |
400 |
Simon | Harris |
S |
1:28:50 |
Meeting point-training Tuesday 5th June
Please note that Marriotts is closed for the Bank Holiday on Tuesday 5th June so the training session at 7pm will start from the main car park in Fairlands Valley (off of Six Hills Way).
June edition of Catch a Coach!
The latest edition of the Catch a Coach newsletter from the coaching team is available here! Just click on the link below.
Catch a Coach newsletter June 2012v01.2
IT’S HOT AGAIN! Edinburgh, Whipsnade, Hyde Park
For the third year running it was hot, hot, hot for the Edinburgh Marathon and Half Marathon.
In the half marathon with fantastic support from Katrina Doyle, Debbie Blackburn and Jayne Pinner GRAHAM BLACKBURN finished just before the sun burst through with a great time of 1 hour 29 minutes 33 seconds.
Also in the Half Marathon ANDY JAY finished in 1 hour 54 minutes 41 seconds and PHIL RUSHTON in 2:01:30. NICK WITCOMBE ran a new personal best for the second week running with his time of 2 hours 6 minutes 12 seconds. TRACY STILES ran her fastest half this year with 2:08:06. KAREN SMITH ran her first half marathon in 2 hours 12 minutes 4 seconds
MARIA RUSHTON took 2:16:30. JACKIE MORRISON and LES BUTLER both ran their best half marathons this year with the same time – 2:26:30; and KERRY SETTERFIELD completed the race in 2:30:30.
The Marathon runners started just as the faster half marathon runners were finishers and had 26.2 miles of hot roads to contend with though they were near the banks of the Forth for much of the race and almost on the beach at Portobello.
JO LAING ran an excellent London Marathon qualifying time and new personal best (PB) of 3 hours 5 minutes 20 seconds. She was 195th out of thousands of runners; PETE SMITH’s new PB of 3 hours 14 minutes 9 seconds gives him a “Good For Age” entry for London; TODD GRAY finished in 3 hours 34 minutes 52 seconds; ROGER BIGGS in a year’s best time of 3 hours 51 minutes 17 seconds; CLIVE CANNON finished in 4:09:30; SARAH O’BRYAN in 4:27:30; and KAREN LIDDLE in a new PB of 4:33:30.
Wilting At Whipsnade
Sunday’s Whipsnade 10K was VERY warm but over an enjoyable three lap course past the zebras, flamingos and rhinos inside Whipsnade Zoo. There were Spartan starters although CHRIS WESTCOTT collapsed from exhaustion less than 1k from the finish not too long after lapping wife Andrea, who not surprisingly then retired from the race to ensure Chris was okay, so just the 11 finish times.
ANDY NEATHAM was first to finish with an impressive eighth position overall out of 562 finishers in 37 minutes 59 seconds. MADDIE PRITCHARD was the next Spartan finisher completing her first ever 10K in 49:11. She was 19th woman out of the 270 female finishers. Those were both very good times in such warm conditions.
Spartan times: Andy Neatham, 8th in 37:59; Maddie Pritchard 108th in 49:11 (PB); Dan Sims 113th in 49:31; Paul Holgate 203rd in 54:39; Stephen Block 260th in 57:09; Sarah Hukin 321st in 60:14; Danny Hukin 322nd in 60:15; Lisa Jerrom 417th in 65:46; Gemma Nash 472nd in 68:34; Jan Fry 485th in 69:45; Anne-Marie Neatham 507th in 72:32.
Excellent preparation for Thursday’s 10K league race!
Sweltering Serpentine
The Serpentine was looking very tempting during the Last Friday of the Month 5K race which started at 12.30p.m. It was hot in Hyde Park with conditions described by the organizers as sunny, hot, windy with lots of pollen. Spartan JIM BROWN finished with salt stinging his eyes in a fairly controlled time of 23 minutes 14 seconds. He was 115th out of the 194 finishers and eighth in his category.
Blistering BUPA
RUTH MURTAGH completed the BUPA London 10K in 59 minutes 38 minutes. She was it was too blooming hot and had to walk for 1.3 miles. Ruth hopes to do much better in the Mid Week League race on Thursday evening.
Go For It At Welwyn Garden City
After a fantastic turnout and good result in the first Mid Week Road Race League event of the season Fairlands Valley Spartans are going all out for more than one hundred runners at the next fixture which is a 10K race in Welwyn Garden City this Thursday evening, 31st May. Everyone can contribute to the club’s success provided they have joined and wear the stripy vest.
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 Road Race League 10K fixture in Welwyn Garden City at 7.45p.m. on Thursday 31st May.
- EVAC Track and Field event in Kettering on Wednesday 13th June.
- Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 20th June.
- Spartans v NHRR “Olympic” Fun Event on Sunday 24th June.
- Mid Week Road Race League Seven Miles in St. Albans on Thursday 28th June.
- Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11th July.
- EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11th July.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
- Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19th July.
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
Sport Relief – thank you so much!!!!
I promised shortly after the event that I would give you all an update on the funds raised from the Stevenage Sport Relief.
I heard from the organisers today and they have confirmed that the money is still rolling in. The latest figure for our event is a massive £4800!!! This does not include entry fees as these are used to contribute towards the overall running costs for the events.
This is an amazing achievement. I would like to say a big thanks to all of you who took part and helped raise this incredible total as well as those who gave up their time so freely on the day to make it such a huge success.
Thanks
Coach Leigh
News Release
20th May 2012
MEN SECOND IN MID WEEK 10K
Roger’s 700th Marathon
350 runners including 92 from Fairlands Valley Spartans raced round Stevenage on Tuesday night in the opening First Division Mid Week Road Race League fixture of the season.
The club’s men finished a brilliant second and the women fifth (only 19 points behind Trent Park in fourth and probably only 1 runner away from an even higher position) to give third position overall, two points behind Barnet & District and one point ahead of Trent Park and Garden City Runners.
The overall scores in the first race were 1st St. Albans Striders 279 (12 league points); 2nd Barnet and District AC 620 (9 league points); 3rd Fairlands Valley Spartans 652 (7 league points); 4th Trent Park Running Club 703 (6 league points); 5th Garden City Runners 788 (6 league points) and 6th Harlow Running Club 1,368 (2 league points).
As expected the league is fascinatingly close and the club will need just as big a, if not a bigger, turnout for the race in Welwyn Garden City on the 31st May.
There were some brilliant individual performances including: Simon Jackson, Richard Bate and Lee Reynolds in the top 20 finishers. Jo Laing & Lisa Burgess both in the top ten women. Andy Gardner, Andy Neatham & Brian Brackstone among the top 10 veteran (40 plus) finishers. Barry Osborne second veteran (60 plus); Jo Laing third veteran woman (35 plus) and Kerry James in the top ten in that category. Julie Simmons in the top ten veteran women (45 plus), Bev Harlow first veteran woman (55 plus) and Iris Hornsey first veteran woman (65 plus).
The Spartans’ leading men included:
10. Simon Jackson (35:02 PB); 13. Richard Bate (35:18); 15. Lee Reynolds (35:44); 24. Andy Gardner (36:37); 25. Andy Neatham (36:42); 26. Andrew Patterson (36:45); 27. Brian Brackstone (36:45); 36. Chris Westcott (37:26 PB); 48. Liam Herbert (38:35); 55. Todd Gray (39:03); 68. Salva Guardiola who ran his first 10K in 39:57 and 69th Phil Gale (39:54)
The club’s leading women included:
5. Jo Laing (39:44, 3rd FV35); 9. Lisa Burgess in a new personal best of 42 minutes 11 seconds; 22. Kerry James (43:53); 27. Katy Jinks in a new personal best of 44 minutes 44 seconds; 32. Tracy Pez (46:03); 38. Julie Simmons (48:08); 51. Beverley Harlow first FV55+ in a new personal best of 50:52; 53. Claire Coker running her first 10K in 51 minutes exactly; 54. Nicola Lorimer in a new PB of 51 minutes exactly; 55 Sarah Pike in a new personal best of 51:14; 56. Nicky Collins in a new PB of 51:26; and 57th Rachel Payne in a new PB of 51:28.
Others running their first 10K included Kerry Flain (40:51); Jamie Kellett (42:23); Sam Harte (43:28); Lee Thorpe (45:36); Tony Vickers (50:30); Tracy Bullot (56:00); Anton McCalla (57:40); Julie Twomey (58:20); Louisa Bill (59:33); Victoria Sealy (59:40); Melissa Tyler (59:51); Steven Dobner (59:52); Melissa Gibson (1:02:23) and Nicky Freeman (1:04:50).
The times for all 92 Spartans can be found at the very end of this release. The race director was Steve Smithson, the race referee Jim Brown and there were dozens of Spartans supported by members of North Herts Road Runners marshalling and helping in other ways.
The next league race will be in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 31st May.
Simon Back On Track
Spartan SIMON HARRIS was in action back on the track at Chelmsford on Saturday, taking part in the disabled athletics Eastern region championships meeting. Simon won a medal of each colour – gold in 100 metres, silver in 200 metres and a bronze in shot putt.
Lee and Helen’s First Trail Race
HELEN and LEE MORRIS ran their first “trail” race on Sunday. It was the Wimpole Hall (HooHaah) 10K.
They both finished in 1 hour 11 minutes and say it was a bit muddy but excellent, well organised. Shame it was so cold though. All in all they enjoyed it and would recommend it for next year.
Roger’s 700th!
ROGER BIGGS ran the Richmond Park Marathon in 4 hours 32 minutes 29 seconds on Sunday. It was an undulating three lap trail run within the Royal Park. Roger says a bit cold and windy for late May but OK. This was his 700th race over the full marathon distance or further.
Wheathampstead 10K
Sunday’s Wheathampstead 10km was an off road multi-terrain event utilising the Ayot Greenway, the old track bed that was once the Welwyn – Luton railway line and negotiating a few obstacles in the form of flights of steps and the odd kissing gate. The race was full, with 800 runners.
Running his first race having been injured with a severe Achilles injury in July 2011 ANDREW HULL finished in 45 minutes 30 seconds. ANN TRYSSESOONE took 56 minutes 10 seconds.
Ironman Rodger the Rocket
On Saturday 19th May, Rodger McPherson competed in the Ironman Triathlon in Lanzarote. Described as the toughest Ironman in the world, Rodger swam the 2.5 mile sea swim in 1hr 6mins, cycled 112 miles around the mountainous Island in 7hrs 59mins and then ran a marathon in 32 degree heat in 5hrs 29mins, completing the course, including transitions, in 14hrs 57mins Rodger came 203rd in his age group.
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 Road Race League fixture in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 31st May.
- EVAC Track and Field event in Kettering on Wednesday 13th June.
- Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 20th June.
- Spartans v NHRR “Olympic” Fun Event on Sunday 24th June.
- Mid Week Road Race League Seven Miles in St. Albans on Thursday 28th June.
- Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11th July.
- EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11th July.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
- Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19th July.
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
MWRRL 10K Times for all 92 Spartans
Race |
M/F |
Cat |
Name | Surname |
Cat. |
M/F |
Time |
PB |
Impr |
10 |
10 |
8 |
Simon | Jackson |
S |
M |
35:02 |
PB |
0:01 |
13 |
12 |
9 |
Richard | Bate |
S |
M |
35:18 |
||
16 |
15 |
11 |
Lee | Reynolds |
S |
M |
35:44 |
||
25 |
24 |
5 |
Andy | Gardner |
V 40 |
M |
36:37 |
SB |
0:36 |
26 |
25 |
6 |
Andy | Neatham |
V 40 |
M |
36:42 |
? |
|
27 |
26 |
19 |
Andrew | Patterson |
S |
M |
36:45 |
SB |
1:03 |
28 |
27 |
7 |
Brian | Brackstone |
V 40 |
M |
36:45 |
SB |
1:31 |
37 |
36 |
22 |
Chris | Westcott |
S |
M |
26:00 |
PB |
1:05 |
50 |
48 |
28 |
Liam | Herbert |
S |
M |
35:00 |
||
58 |
55 |
32 |
Todd | Gray |
S |
M |
39:03 |
SB |
0:46 |
72 |
68 |
34 |
Salva | Guardiola |
S |
M |
39:43* |
1st 10K |
New |
73 |
5 |
3 |
Jo | Laing |
V 35 |
F |
39:44 |
SB |
0:11 |
74 |
69 |
27 |
Phil | Gale |
V 40 |
M |
39:54 |
SB |
0:41 |
82 |
77 |
37 |
Kerry | Flain |
S |
M |
40:51 |
1st 10K |
New |
84 |
79 |
2 |
Barry | Osborne |
V 60 |
M |
40:59 |
? |
0:38 |
96 |
91 |
36 |
Graham | Blackburn |
V 40 |
M |
41:31 |
||
101 |
94 |
13 |
Pete | Smith |
V 50 |
M |
41:39 |
SB |
1:16 |
109 |
9 |
4 |
Lisa | Burgess |
S |
F |
42:11 |
PB |
3:01 |
112 |
100 |
45 |
Jamie | Kellett |
S |
M |
42:23 |
1st 10K |
New |
121 |
107 |
41 |
Mike | King |
V 40 |
M |
42:48 |
SB |
0:05 |
130 |
114 |
45 |
Tony | Bradford |
V 40 |
M |
43:16 |
||
135 |
117 |
48 |
Sam | Harte |
S |
M |
43:28 |
1st 10K |
New |
142 |
121 |
50 |
Davie | Stafford |
S |
M |
43:40 |
PB |
0:28 |
146 |
22 |
9 |
Kerry | James |
V 35 |
F |
43:53 |
||
147 |
124 |
19 |
Kevin | Smyth |
V 50 |
M |
44:06 |
||
159 |
132 |
51 |
Adrian | Donnelly |
S |
M |
44:29 |
||
163 |
27 |
12 |
Katy | Jinks |
V 35 |
F |
44:44 |
PB |
2:06 |
171 |
142 |
58 |
Trevor | Setterfield |
V 40 |
M |
45:17 |
||
172 |
143 |
54 |
Lee | Thorpe |
S |
M |
45:36 |
1st 10K |
New |
178 |
147 |
26 |
Mark | Beasley |
V 50 |
M |
45:46 |
||
179 |
148 |
27 |
Mark | Goodwin |
V 50 |
M |
45:46 |
||
183 |
32 |
14 |
Tracy | Pez |
V 35 |
F |
46:03 |
SB |
0:02 |
193 |
159 |
56 |
Ryan | Dunning |
S |
M |
46:39 |
||
198 |
163 |
57 |
Jamie | Drackford |
S |
M |
46:59 |
SB |
New |
199 |
164 |
58 |
Jon | Sypula |
S |
M |
47:00 |
PB |
4:17 |
202 |
166 |
59 |
Matt | Gill |
S |
M |
47:12 |
||
205 |
168 |
12 |
Roger | Biggs |
V 60 |
M |
47:30 |
||
209 |
172 |
34 |
Dan | Simms |
V 50 |
M |
47:41 |
PB |
2:14 |
212 |
174 |
35 |
Mick | Connell |
V 50 |
M |
47:55 |
||
213 |
38 |
10 |
Julie | Simmons |
V 45 |
F |
48:08 |
PB |
0:39 |
214 |
175 |
68 |
Paul | Pickard |
V 40 |
M |
48:11 |
||
224 |
183 |
61 |
Hadrian | Cooper |
S |
M |
48:45 |
||
227 |
184 |
62 |
Robert | Evans |
S |
M |
48:51 |
||
232 |
188 |
63 |
Richard | Moore |
S |
M |
49:30* |
SB |
0:01 |
237 |
191 |
64 |
Vishal | Shah |
S |
M |
49:31 |
PB |
1:27 |
241 |
193 |
65 |
Marc | Green |
S |
M |
49:49* |
YB |
4:23 |
242 |
194 |
70 |
Andy | Jay |
V 40 |
M |
49:40 |
YB |
2:15 |
244 |
196 |
71 |
Tony | Vickers |
V 40 |
M |
50:30 |
1st 10K |
New |
249 |
198 |
66 |
James | Day |
S |
M |
50:43 |
SB |
New |
251 |
51 |
1 |
Beverley | Harlow |
V 55 |
F |
50:52 |
PB |
0:31 |
253 |
201 |
73 |
Rob | King |
V 40 |
M |
51:05 |
SB |
1:38 |
255 |
53 |
20 |
Claire | Coker |
V 35 |
F |
51:00 |
1st 10K |
New |
256 |
54 |
21 |
Nicola | Lorimer |
V 35 |
F |
51:00 |
PB |
1:30 |
257 |
55 |
20 |
Sarah | Pike |
S |
F |
51:14 |
PB |
1:12 |
258 |
202 |
46 |
Paul | Holgate |
V 50 |
M |
51:12 |
YB |
2:21 |
260 |
204 |
18 |
Robert | Shaw |
V 60 |
M |
51:25 |
||
261 |
56 |
21 |
Nicky | Collins |
S |
F |
51:26 |
PB |
2:37 |
262 |
57 |
22 |
Rachel | Payne |
S |
F |
51:28 |
PB |
1:18 |
264 |
206 |
47 |
Steve | Pike |
V 50 |
M |
51:38 |
SB |
New |
271 |
62 |
23 |
Karen | Ellis |
V 35 |
F |
53:06 |
PB |
1:47 |
273 |
63 |
15 |
Karen | Palmer |
V 45 |
F |
53:07 |
PB |
2:28 |
276 |
210 |
19 |
Roger | Hardman |
V 60 |
M |
53:21 |
SB |
0:38 |
281 |
66 |
17 |
Sharon | Crowley |
V 45 |
F |
53:45 |
||
284 |
215 |
76 |
Nick | Witcombe |
V 40 |
M |
53:57 |
PB |
0:18 |
285 |
216 |
50 |
Nick | Stewart |
V 50 |
M |
54:05 |
SB |
New |
292 |
73 |
28 |
Isabel | Green |
S |
F |
54:44 |
PB |
0:52 |
294 |
75 |
29 |
Katie | Bradford |
S |
F |
55:05 |
PB |
4:29 |
295 |
76 |
19 |
Ruth | Bradford |
V 45 |
F |
55:05 |
||
300 |
80 |
27 |
Tracy | Bullot |
V 35 |
F |
56:00 |
1st 10K |
New |
301 |
220 |
77 |
Steve | Carter |
V 40 |
M |
55:50 |
SB |
New |
302 |
81 |
28 |
Lisa | Gavigan |
V 35 |
F |
56:00 |
PB |
0:19 |
304 |
222 |
69 |
Mark | Cheadle |
S |
M |
56:37 |
||
310 |
224 |
70 |
Anton | McCalla |
S |
M |
57:40 |
1st 10K |
New |
313 |
88 |
30 |
Tracy | Stiles |
V 35 |
F |
57:35 |
SB |
0:54 |
318 |
93 |
24 |
Julie | Twomey |
V 45 |
F |
58:20* |
1st 10K |
New |
319 |
94 |
25 |
Karen | Smith |
V 45 |
F |
58:21* |
PB |
0:09 |
320 |
225 |
78 |
Andy | Prior |
V 40 |
M |
58:22 |
||
327 |
100 |
34 |
Louisa | Bill |
S |
F |
59:33 |
1st 10K |
New |
329 |
101 |
35 |
Victoria | Sealy |
S |
F |
59:40 |
1st 10K |
New |
330 |
228 |
80 |
Barry | King |
V 40 |
M |
59:40 |
||
331 |
102 |
36 |
Melissa | Tyler |
S |
F |
59:51* |
1st 10K |
New |
332 |
229 |
71 |
Steven | Dobner |
S |
M |
59:52 |
1st 10K |
New |
333 |
103 |
1 |
Iris | Hornsey |
V 65 |
F |
1:00:05 |
SB |
2:05 |
335 |
230 |
56 |
Doug | Hall |
V 50 |
M |
1:00:05 |
||
336 |
105 |
35 |
Dawn | Andrews |
V 35 |
F |
1:00:10 |
PB |
2:43 |
337 |
231 |
3 |
Anthony | Osborne |
V 70 |
M |
59:58* |
YB |
0:25 |
341 |
108 |
36 |
Melissa | Gibson |
V 35 |
F |
1:02:23 |
1st 10K |
New |
342 |
109 |
37 |
Lisa | Jerrom |
V 35 |
F |
1:02:51 |
||
344 |
111 |
38 |
Rebecca | Hart |
V 35 |
F |
1:04:31 |
PB |
7:05 |
345 |
112 |
28 |
Nicky | Freeman |
V 45 |
F |
1:04:50 |
1st 10K |
New |
347 |
233 |
81 |
Steve | Gough |
V 40 |
M |
1:05:50 |
SB |
New |
350 |
234 |
72 |
Simon | Harris |
S |
M |
1:11:20 |
YB |
0:01 |
GOLDS IN COUNTY CHAMPS, Progress in EVAC League
Six Spartans brought home 17 medals including THIRTEEN GOLDS from the Hertfordshire Veterans Track & Field County Championships which were at Watford on Saturday.
In the 1500 metres, IRIS HORNSEY, SHARON CROWLEY and STEPH MAYFIELD posted strong times for the club’s short course championships with Iris & Sharon winning gold and Steph silver in their respective age categories. Steph was first Spartan home in a new PB of 6:39.23 closely followed by Sharon in 6:42.73, whilst Iris’s time of 7:16.31 gave her a fantastic 85% age grading. Sharon later took a second gold on the track with 14:29.01 in the 3000m. Sharon and Steph had another close contest in the Hammer, with both throwing new PBs of 17.25m and 17.39m respectively, the latter earning Steph a gold for the F35s. She won a second gold in the 100 metres hurdles (23.94) and another silver in the Pole Vault (1.80m) making it four PBs from four events.
MONICA BROWN had a sprint double with golds in the 100 metres (14.21) and 200 metres (29.85) and later added a third F40 gold in the Long Jump.
MARC GREEN was the sole Spartan representative in the men’s 5000 metres and won gold for the M35s in 22:38.47. STEVE MAYFIELD struggled with injury, but still managed clear 2.0m to win gold in the M40 pole vault and throw 23.05 to win the M40 javelin. He took further golds in the M40 discus and 800 metres, and bronze medals in the long and triple jumps.
An Eye On The Final
Fairlands Valley Spartans are targeting a place in the EVAC (Eastern Veterans) final after their women were second and men a comfortable third out of the seven clubs in the second of the four league matches which was in Bedford on Wednesday evening.
The next fixture is in Kettering on Wednesday 13th June.
St Albans 10K
RACHEL PAYNE ran the St Albans 10K in a new personal best of 52 minutes 44 seconds.
Chris Leigh’s Comeback
After a break of 21 months since his last race CHRIS LEIGH ran the Marlow 5 on Sunday. He last ran this race in 2007 and it is still superbly organised. Over a flat course taking runners through the town and then back close to the river in a single loop he managed to hold on to complete the race in 36 minutes 52 seconds. A T-shirt, an excellent medal and a bulging goody bag awaited him at the finish — he thinks he will be back again next year!!
Great West Patrick
PATRICK MARSHALL ran the Great West Run half marathon in 1 hour 45 minutes 39 seconds. He says it was a lovely race.
Curragh Biggs
ROGER BIGGS was running in the Kildare Marathon on Sunday. The race was held at the home of Irish Horse racing ‘The Curragh’ in County Kiladare, Ireland. On a moderately undulating course on quiet road in a big lop around the Racecourse. he ran a good even race, running the second half quicker than the firstt to finish in 3:56:34. Regards
Becca Trailblazer
BECCA HART took part in the Runners World Trailblazer at Bedgebury Forest in Kent on Saturday 12 May 12. It was a great event, the first of 3 x 10k trail runs, and very well organized. The day was perfect for running but the ground not so! After 20 consecutive days of rain, the sun decided to shine on race day, thankfully it wasn’t all on tracks and there were some dry trails! This was Becca’s first solo event and she completed the 10k trail race in 1:11:36. The next one is in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire on May 26th.
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 Road Race League 10K in Stevenage at 7.45p.m. on Tuesday 15th May.
- Mid Week Road Race League fixture in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 31st May.
- EVAC Track and Field event in Kettering on Wednesday 13th June.
- Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 20th June.
- Spartans v NHRR “Olympic” Fun Event on Sunday 24th June.
- Mid Week Road Race League Seven Miles in St. Albans on Thursday 28th June.
- Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11th July.
- EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11th July.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
- Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19th July.
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
Starting from this weekend the club are introducing an additional training group category to complement the existing two groups that normally organise Sunday runs. This will mean in future you are likely to see three different run options on a Sunday! The groups are being identified by their long run pace*, as follows:
Group A – designed to cater for runners at a long run pace* of 8 min/mile or faster;
Group B – designed to cater for runners at a long run pace* of between 8 min/mile and 10:30 min/mile;
Group C – designed to cater for runners at a long run pace* slower than 10:30 min/mile
As a coaching team we will do our best to organise a run for each of these groups on each Sunday. Ocassionally even we are fallable though!! Please have a look at the details that are shown in the training programme by going to the training programme option within the calendar drop down menu on the new website home page. Simples! We will aim to post details of each Sunday run by the end of Thursday (or earlier) each week. The routes being used by the groups will be varied and will incorporate off road and on road running. its a great way to explore the countryside surrounding Stevenage (and if you go out with Coach Leigh – the surrounding countryside of Bedfordshire and Bucks – only joking!!)
I hope you continue to enjoy what we are offering on Sundays! The three groups should now be able to cater for the full range of runners within the club. Please let us know what you think, your feedback is really valuable to us.
Thank you
Chris Leigh, Head Coach
* this is a pace that equates to approximately 65%-70% of maximum heart rate. You should be able to hold a conversation at this pace and not be gasping for air in between the odd word!! If you are struggling to speak, you are running too fast. In terms of effort level, this type of run equates to a 6-7 out of 10 where 10 is the effort you exert on a race (i.e. maximal!). You are training your aerobic energy system and not trying to push through your lactate threshold! If you are in any doubt about pacing for these runs please have a word with the coach.
GREENWAY CHALLENGE, Nats Tri Third; Muddy First Saturday
Seven Spartans took up the Greenway Challenge off road half marathon and finished as follows:
LISA BURGESS 1 hour 40mins 2 seconds (female); KATY JINKS 1:41:14 secs (female); JODY FLETT 1:47:30 (male); RYAN DUNNING 1:52:30 (male); ROB KING 1:52:31 PB (male); MARC GREEN 2:10:30 (male) and RON COHEN 2:39:56 (male)
They say it was a good course of mainly trail and paths with a few steep climbs but the weather held out and it ended up being really good running conditions! Marc enjoyed it even though he got a little lost and did some extra miles!!
Nat Third In International Tri
Last weekend NATALIE BARNARD raced her first 70.3 of the season at the Lisbon International 70.3 where she raced the same event last year. That was her first ever long distance event.
As ever, her swimming proved the strongest of the three disciplines, exiting in fifth place overall and in a faster time from last year of 25min22sec (for 1900m).
After never riding or racing on a time trial (TT) bike, which would debut on this race, she clearly found it a massive shift up from last years’ road bike, by holding off the eventual winner Alison Rowatt for two hours before being overtaken in a new 10min personal best (PB) of 2 hours 35 minutes (for 90km).
Barnard unfortunately punctured 1200m before the second transition which cost her a few minutes and the overall final position on the podium.
The run proved, as ever, to be Barnard’s weaker of the three disciplines. She fought hard to keep second position from the Irish athlete, but a mixture of blisters, bruised toes bone and heat meant that she took the final slot of the podium to make it a British 1,2,3.
Natalie’s next event focus is the UK Ironman 70.3 in June where she faces her biggest competition yet!
Sub 40s At The Regent’s Park 10K
Two Spartan stars competed in the May Regent’s Park 10K on Saturday morning. Conditions were a little grey, windy but otherwise pleasant for the three lap circuit of the park. RICHARD BATE finished a fantastic FIFTH out of the 484 runners, in a time of 36 minutes dead.
LIAM HERBERT ran a new personal best time of 38:24, finishing 17th overall. He took 14 seconds off his previous 10K PB which was set at the same race last month, and claims his fourth personal best this year.
First Saturday of the Month
On a very wet and muddy course, JOHN HARRIS was fourth in the North Herts First Saturday of the Month 5K with a time of 19 minutes 59 seconds. TRACY PEZ was second lady.
Bank Holiday Running
After missing the Manchester Marathon last week due to a cold CAROL PAUL was back in action on Bank Holiday Monday for the wet and cold Belfast Marathon. The course was hilly in the first half and flattened out in the second half. Carol completed the course in 4 hours 39 minutes 59 seconds. ROGER BIGGS ran the same event in 3 hours 57 minutes 32 seconds.
Also on Bank Holiday Monday, STEPHANIE MAYFIELD took part in the Kimpton Fun Run. In cool conditions she ran 51mins 25seconds over the 9 kilometres undulating, multi-terrain course which due to the recent rain was a little boggy in places!
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
– Herts County Track and Field Championships on Saturday 12th May.
– Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Stevenage on Tuesday 15th May.
– Mid Week Road Race League fixture in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 31st May.
– EVAC Track and Field event in Kettering on Wednesday 13th June.
– Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 20th June.
– Spartans v NHRR “Olympic” Fun Event on Sunday 24th June.
– Mid Week Road Race League Seven Miles in St. Albans on Thursday 28th June.
– Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11th July.
– EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11th July.
– Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
– Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19th July.
– County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
– County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
– 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
www.fvspartans.org.uk
Catch up with the latest edition of Catch a Coach here:
Spartan Track Stars: Women Win, Men Move Up To Third; Two More Sub 3 At MK
It felt more like winter than the start of a summer track and field league at Ridlins on Wednesday but the Fairlands Valley Spartans veterans athletics team enjoyed their finest performance to date with the women’s team winning and the men a comfortable third in the opening match in the Eastern Veterans Athletics Club (EVAC) central division. In the contest with six other clubs the men showed how much they have improved since last season. If they can keep that up they could qualify for the East of England finals in September.
This was the first ever track and field home match hosted by Spartans who organised a successful event in difficult weather conditions.
The ladies won twelve events in total with some surprises coming in the field events where the Spartans often struggle against specialist athletics clubs. Ladies captain TESSA STEPHENSON lead the way, dropping down an age group, winning the women 35 plus (F35) Long Jump, High Jump and Shot. MONICA BROWN also had a hat-trick of 1st places, in the F45 100m, High Jump and Long Jump. There was a clean sweep for the team in the Ladies Hammer, with wins for STEPH MAYFIELD in the F35, SHARON CROWLEY F45 and CAROLYN SHORTLAND whose 18.41m for the F55s was the longest ladies throw of the night. Steph followed up with a surprise win in her first ever attempt at the 100m hurdles.
On the track IRIS HORNSEY won the F55 1500m to add to her 2nd place in the Long Jump. ROSIE CANHAM was twice beaten narrowly, but had the consolation of a new personal best (PB) of 14.3 seconds in the 100 metres and an excellent 67.5 in the 400 metres. Second places were also earned by CHRIS FEELY in the F45 sprint hurdles and in the 2km walk by SHARON CROWLEY F45 and JAN FRY F55 whose 15:01 beat her previous PB by 26 seconds.
The men enjoyed mixed fortunes and were forced into several last minute changes. In the opening event, team captain DAVE STEPHENSON won the men 40 plus (M40) 2km walk then withdrew from competition to help officiate. Injury restricted DAVE BOWKER’s participation, but he made it a double in the walk winning the M50 in a new PB of 11:23. STEVE MAYFIELD registered just one jump before injury also cut his evening short, however it was good enough to claim 1st in the M40 Long Jump.
As a result of these setbacks, several new team members took on more than they expected; some at very short notice! JOHN HARRIS stepped in to do the 100m, 400m and High Jump, and ANDY NEATHAM produced one of the best performances of the night with second in the 1500m in 4:43.4 pushing an exceptional Milton Keynes athlete all the way. BARRY OSBORNE also recorded a superb 1500m time of 5:41.3 to claim maximum points for the M60s after coming 3rd in the Long Jump. JOHN TYRELL and BARRY KING were the other debutants, the latter being summoned from tea making duties to lead off the M40 relay team. MICK SHORTLAND dropped down an age group to help out the M50s and despite the heavier weights achieved 2nd places in the Hammer and Shot.
The evening ended with the medley relay races which consisted of 2 x 200 metres, 1 x 400 metres and 1 x 800 metres. They were some of the most exciting relays seen for a while. In the male vet 40 plus event Andy Neatham swept past several runners in his 800 metres to finish second. In the vet 50 plus race DAVE BOWKER handed over to JIM BROWN who gradually caught a Bedford and County runner before kicking past him at 600 minutes to take second place by eleven seconds and gain lots of valuable points.
In the women’s medley Julie Simmons ran a great final 800 metres to win the race by just 1.3 seconds. JULIE SIMMONS ran a fine 800m leg on her EVAC debut for the Spartans to bring them home first in the F45 medley relay. In the women 35 plus race Rosie Canham passed several runners to lift the team into third place.
PAUL PICKARD and PAUL HOLGATE completed the men’s team and ensured it fielded an athlete and collected points in all bar three of the 26 events.
The team scores:
Women — Fairlands Valley Spartans 159; Marshall Milton Keynes 143; Kettering Town Harriers 84.5; Bedford & County 81; Corby 51.5; Biggleswade 12 and Wellingborough 6.
Men — Bedford & County 146; Marshall Milton Keynes 125; Fairlands Valley Spartans 105; Kettering 74; Biggleswade 54; Corby 42 and Wellingborough 34.
The Spartan women’s team consisted of MONICA BROWN, SHARON CROWLEY, CHRIS FEELY, JAN FRY, IRIS HORNSEY, STEPHANIE MAYFIELD, CAROLYN SHORTLAND, JULIE SIMMONS, TESSA STEPHENSON while DAVE BOWKER, JIM BROWN, JOHN HARRIS, PAUL HOLGATE, STEVE MAYFIELD, ANDY NEATHAM, BARRY OSBORNE, PAUL PICKARD, MICK SHORTLAND, DAVE STEPHENSON and JOHN TYRELL competed for the men.
Stevenage and North Herts Athletics Club played a huge part in facilitating this fixture for Fairlands Valley Spartans and supplying officials, with STEVE FEELY in particular working incredibly hard behind the scenes. The next EVAC match is at Bedford on May 9th.
Christopher and Lee Excel In Rain and Wind
Another two Spartans have beaten the three hour marathon barrier. Following Grant Ramsay and Simon Jackson’s achievement in London CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT and LEE THORP went sub three on Sunday. What’s more both were running their first marathon! It was windy and incredibly wet for the inaugural Milton Keynes Marathon. So wet that part of the course had to be changed due to flooding. A fantastic twenty three Spartans completed the race. A huge success for Fairlands Valley only a week after the London Marathon. In April 68 different Spartans ran a marathon. They clocked up 76 marathons between them!
Chris Westcott was 17th out of the 2,923 finishers in 2 hours 57 minutes 17 seconds and Lee Thorp 21st in 2 hours 29 minutes 3 seconds.
DAVIE STAFFORD (3:44:47); STEVE GREEN (3:48:41); ANDY PRIOR (4:26:35); VISHAL SHAH (4:31:20); STEPHEN BLOCK (4:32:11); TREVOR SETTERFIELD (5:13:06); HANNAH SYPULA (5:19:06) and SARAH HUKIN (5:33:31) were also running their first marathons. That makes 26 new marathon runners in just two weeks for Fairlands Valley Spartans.
Despite the conditions five Spartans ran new personal bests — JAMIE DRACKFORD by 23 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes 7 seconds; NIKKI ANDREWS to 3:50:07; MARK GOODWIN to 3:54:14; STUART HAYCROFT by 14 minutes to 3:54:25 and BARRY KING by a huge 57 minutes to 4:26:36;
FVS Club Chair GRAHAM BLACKBURN ran a good time at London then just a week later he finished this marathon in just 3 hours 33 minutes 31 seconds. ROB SHAW and PAUL HOLGATE ran their best times for 2012 — Rob at 4:31:14 and Paul 4:36:53:
The other Spartans who waded MK were TODD GRAY (3:16:44); MARK BEASLEY (3:46:03); PHIL RUSHTON (4:31:40); ROGER BIGGS (4:42:30) and TONY ARGYROU (5:33:29).
Full results for all Spartans:
Position Name Time Comments
17 CHRISTOPHER WESTCOTT 2:57:17 1st marathon
21 LEE THORP 2:59:03 1st marathon
139 TODD GRAY 3:16:44
311 JAMIE DRACKFORD 3:30:07 PB by 23 minutes
377 GRAHAM BLACKBURN 3:33:31
570* DAVIE STAFFORD 3:44:47 1st marathon
592 MARK BEASLEY 3:46:03
689 STEVE GREEN 3:48:41 1st marathon
780 NIKKI ANDREWS (F) 3:50:07 PB
899 MARK GOODWIN 3:54:14 PB
859 STUART HAYCROFT 3:54:25 PB by 14 minutes
1794 ANDY PRIOR 4:26:35 1st marathon
1795 BARRY KING 4:26:36 PB by 57 minutes
1834 ROB SHAW 4:31:14 YB
1807 VISHAL SHAH 4:31:20 1st marathon
1903 PHIL RUSHTON 4:31:40
2047 PAUL HOLGATE 4:36:53 Year’s Best
1932 STEPHEN BLOCK 4:32:11 1st marathon
2100 ROGER BIGGS 4:42:30
2571 TREVOR SETTERFIELD 5:13:06 1st marathon
2634 HANNAH SYPULA (F) 5:19:06 1st marathon
2754 SARAH HUKIN 5:33:31 1st marathon
2755 TONY ARGYROU 5:33:29
Jim Moves Up In Hyde Park
It was blustery and wet underfoot in Hyde Park on Friday but Fairlands Valley Spartans’ JIM BROWN ran his fastest 5K race for many years. Having run his last 5K in 22 minutes 56 seconds he worked out an ambitious plan to take 22:30 for the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K and finished in 21 minutes 49 seconds! That’s a year’s best by 1 minute 7 seconds and could qualify him for the “A” race next time.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
– EVAC Track and Field event in Bedford on Wednesday 9th May.
– Herts County Track and Field Championships on Saturday 12th May.
– Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Stevenage on Tuesday 15th May.
– Mid Week Road Race League fixture in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 31st May.
– EVAC Track and Field event in Kettering on Wednesday 13th June.
– Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 20th June.
– Spartans v NHRR “Olympic” Fun Event on Sunday 24th June.
– Mid Week Road Race League Seven Miles in St. Albans on Thursday 28th June.
– Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11th July.
– EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11th July.
– Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
– Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19th July.
– County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
– County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
– 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
Please note that the Aston Hills session that was originally scheduled for Thursday 3rd May has been moved to Thursday 7th June for safety reasons.
A 4-6 x 800 metres training session will be run this Thursday in its place.
Thank you
Coach Leigh
TWO SPARTANS SUB THREE AT LONDON
Massive 38 Spartans finish London Marathon
Lyndsey and James win 5K
Spartans GRANT RAMSAY and SIMON JACKSON both beat the three hour barrier in Sunday’s London Marathon. Grant was in the top 1% of the 37,000 plus runners. He was 314th overall in a magnificent championship qualifying time of 2 hours 43 minutes 57 seconds – his best time for three years. Simon was 687th in 2 hours 53 minutes 38 seconds.
They were among a massive thirty eight Fairlands Valley Spartans who completed the 26.2 miles. Sixteen were running their first marathon and eight others ran new personal bests by big margins — a real demonstration of how well the club helps runners prepare for the marathon.
STEPHEN BIGGS was running his first marathon and beat his dad, ROGER by 43 seconds. Stephen was 9,851st in 3:56:08 and Roger 10,068th in 3:56:51. That 217 runners crossed the line in those 43 seconds shows how busy the finish is at that time.
The other first timers in the Virgin London Marathon were DICLUM LOY (2,783rd in 3:02:11); PAUL WADESON (11,082nd in 4:00:05); GARY CRETTON (18,823rd in 4:30:49); KAREN PALMER (19,207th in 4:32:24); ANNE-MARIE NEATHAM (21,724th in 4:42:11); SALLY BEASLEY (22,302nd in 4:44:37); LEE POTTER (22,665th in 4:46:04); RODGER McPHERSON (24,069th in 4:51:44); ANDY INGRAM-TEDD (25,748th in 4:58:56); MARIA RUSHTON (26,589th in 5:03:26); LARYA BARTON (27,638th in 5:08:31); ELEANOR GLADING (28,819th in 5:10:42); JO CAHILL (31,921st in 5:39:13): HILARY DAVIES (32,601st in 5:45:23); and DAWN TAYLOR (36,631st in 8:001:11).
Two Spartan women improved their personal bests by more than eleven minutes to beat 3 hours 30 minutes for the first time. They were KERRY JAMES (4,296th in 3 hours 28 minutes 32 seconds, an improvement of 11 minutes 13) and SAM PRETTY (4,316th in 3:28:38, an improvement of 11:01).
The other Spartan personal bests (PBs) were by MICHAEL GREEN (2,864th in 3:17:17, an improvement of 4:13); ROB EVANS (7,075th in 3:44:14, an improvement of 10:46); HELENE MILLER (8,524th in 3:51:02, an improvement of 10:43); JON SYPULA (11,890th in 4:03:34, an improvement of 26:57); STEVE KEMP who improved by more than an hour to 4 hours 15 minutes 34 seconds (14,781st); and KAREN LIDDLE (24,124th in 4:52:02, an improvement of 22:44).
SHARON CROWLEY (20,837th in 4:38:42) was running her 14th London Marathon.
Results for all the Spartans in the London Marathon:
Position |
Name |
Time |
Comments |
314 | GRANT RAMSAY | 2:43:57 | Champ time. Top 1%. |
687 | SIMON JACKSON | 2:53:38 | |
1379 | SIMON BELL | 3:02:11 | |
2783 | DICLUM LOY | 3:16:33 | First marathon |
2864 | MICHAEL GREEN | 3:17:17 | PB (4:13) |
3334 | GRAHAM BLACKBURN | 3:21:33 | |
4296 | KERRY JAMES (F) | 3:28:32 | PB (11:13) |
4316 | SAM PRETTY (F) | 3:28:38 | PB (11:01) |
7075 | ROB EVANS | 3:44:14 | PB (10:46) |
8236 | RICHARD HAZLEDENE | 3:49:47 | |
8524 | HELENE MILLER (F) | 3:51:02 | PB (10:43) |
9851 | STEPHEN BIGGS | 3:56:08 | Son beats father in 1st marathon |
10068 | ROGER BIGGS | 3:56:51 | |
11082 | PAUL WADESON | 4:00:05 | First marathon |
11840 | AMANDA BROOK (F) | 4:03:22 | |
11890 | JON SYPULA | 4:03:34 | PB (26:57) |
14070 | KEVIN SMYTH | 4:12:44 | |
14395 | BEV HARLOW (F) | 4:13:59 | |
14781 | STEVE KEMP | 4:15:34 | PB (over an hour) |
16006 | MARK GLADING | 4:20:05 | |
18592 | TRICIA HOPPER (F) | 4:29:46 | |
18823 | GARY CRETTON | 4:30:39 | First marathon |
19207 | KAREN PALMER (F) | 4:32:24 | First marathon |
19238 | RICHARD MOORE | 4:32:29 | |
20837 | SHARON CROWLEY (F) | 4:38:42 | |
21724 | ANNE-MARIE NEATHAM (F) | 4:42:11 | First marathon |
22302 | SALLY BEASLEY (F) | 4:44:37 | First marathon |
22665 | LEE POTTER | 4:46:04 | First marathon |
24069 | RODGER McPHERSON | 4:51:44 | First marathon |
24124 | KAREN LIDDLE (F) | 4:52:02 | PB (22:44) |
24748 | CRAIG SNOWDEN | 4:54:45 | |
25748 | ANDY INGRAM-TEDD | 4:58:56 | First marathon |
26589 | MARIA RUSHTON (F) | 5:03:26 | First marathon |
27638 | LARYA BARTON (F) | 5:08:31 | First marathon |
27819 | ELEANOR GLADING (F) | 5:10:42 | First marathon |
31921 | JO CAHILL (F) | 5:39:13 | First marathon |
32601 | HILARY DAVIES (F) | 5:45:23 | First marathon |
36631 | DAWN TAYLOR (F) | 8:00:11 | First marathon |
Dozens of other Spartans helped at the finish. Without the volunteers the London Marathon would be impossible to organise.
Lyndsey and James Win 5K
Thirty one runners braved the weather on Thursday night to take part in the 63rd running of the Fairlands Valley Spartans’ Handicap 5K.
LYNDSEY CARLISLE was first to finish. She claimed her second Handicap 5K victory by running a new personal best (PB) time of 31 minutes 51 seconds, 1:40 quicker than her previous PB and 4:39 ahead of handicap. LOUISA BILL was second female, and third overall in her first race with a time of 28 minutes 46 seconds and VICTORIA SEALY was third woman, in a new PB of 27:33 – 53 seconds faster than before.
The winning man, in second position overall, was newcomer JAMES COOPER in 27:33, 3:26 faster than handicap. Another first timer, CHRIS HILTON, set a handicap new course record time of 16 minutes 33 seconds to finish second male and fifth overall. This was three seconds quicker than the previous record.
RICHARD BATE was third man in a new seasons best (SB) time of 16:57, five seconds quicker than previously.
Chris and Richard were also fastest and second fastest runners on the night, with ROB WILLIS third quickest in a new PB time of 18:31. LIAM HERBERT (18:41 YB) and STEVE WILLIAMSON (19:11) were also inside 20 minutes.
TRACY PEZ was the fastest female equalling her year’s best (YB) time of 22:22, with MADDIE PRITCHARD second quickest in a new YB time 23:21, and SARAH PIKE third fastest in 26:03.
In addition to those already mentioned above, Sarah Sapstead also took 29 seconds off her PB time to 30:05 and Amanda Vickers 0:51 to 36:58, while there were SB times for Steve Pike (+0:05) and James Day (+0:07), and YB times for Selvan Naicker (+0:26), Matthew Holgate (+0:38) and Andy Jay (+0:16).
The start and finish was superbly organised by Graham Blackburn, Mike Crowley, Jim Brown and Jayne Pinner. Barry King, Sharon Crowley, Kerry Setterfield and Lee Reynolds supported runners around the course, and the Spartan Starter Group provided lots of vocal encouragement.
Next up is the first midweek league race, in Stevenage, on Tuesday 15th May. The Handicap 5Ks will return at the end of this year’s league races in the Summer.
Madrid Marathon
For the first time in twenty years CAROL PAUL was not running the London Marathon. But she was running 26.2 miles in Madrid. On a hot day and on a hilly course Carol’s third marathon in two weeks was completed in 4 hours 28 minutes 50 seconds. KEVIN LAWLOR finished in 5:18:43. MIKE NEWBITT and DAVE PAUL came in together in 5:19:24.
Mayor of Hertford’s 10K
Eight Spartans competed in the recent Mayor of Hertford’s charity race which was over about 10 kilometres. DUNCAN MARSHALL was third overall in 37 minutes 5 seconds. The others were SIMON BELL (40:30); ANDY JAY (51:55); DYFED THOMPSON-SMITH (53:29); JEANETTE COLLINS (1:00:27); TRACY STILES (1:02:30); and KATIE and ANNETTE BELL finishing together in 1:03:40. This was Katie’s first 10K.
They said it was a lovely run, along trails and road, well organised with some nice goodies at the finish.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- EVAC track and field league match in Stevenage on Wednesday evening 25th April.
- Serpentine Last Friday 5K on Friday 27th April.
- Herts County Track and Field Championships on Saturday 12th May.
- Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Stevenage on Tuesday 15th May.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
- Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19th July.
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
Over the weekend (14th/15th April) our Assistant Head Coach, Charlie Paterson, put the finishing touches to the Coach in Running and Fitness (CiRF) course by passing through the assessment phase. This now means that Charlie is CiRF qualified and a ‘fully fledged’ coach within the coaching team. The course is particularly demanding, requiring a commitment to attend workshops over two weekends as well as building up a comprehensive coaching diary with training plans and relective notes. The course is completed with a written test and practical assessment. Congratulations to Charlie!
IRIS AND STEVE WIN TRACK AND FIELD
Fast at Flitwick
IRIS HORNSEY and STEVE MAYFIELD were the winners at a chilly Fairlands Valley Spartans Track and Field Championships on Sunday afternoon. There were even the odd hail storms at the event which was kindly hosted by Stevenage and North Herts AC as part of their meeting at Ridlins. Several Spartans were taking part in Track & Field for the first time since schooldays and everybody enjoyed the event. Each athlete completed a sprint, a middle distance event, a jump and a throw and the results were age adjusted and then points awarded. Following on from her recent National Masters Indoor Titles, IRIS HORNSEY won the Womens event with MONICA BROWN second and TESSA STEPHENSON third.
In the men’s event STEVE MAYFIELD finished just ahead of DAVE STEPHENSON with BILL TUCK third.
The scoring system was based on taking the performance, age grading it and then using tables to provide a points score for each event. Points were added up for the four events and the person with the highest total wins.
Overall the results were as follows:
Women – Iris Hornsey 314; Monica Brown 308; Tessa Stephenson 301; Julie Simmons 240; Sharon Crowley 236; Steph Mayfield 195 and Jo Laing 182.
Men — Steve Mayfield 337; Dave Stephenson 329; Bill Tuck 306; Andy Neatham 305; Kieran Feetham 272; Paul Holgate 237; Mark Cheadle 208; Simon Harris 147 and Matthew Holgate 43.
Fast at Flitwick
Fourteen Spartans were at the Flitwick 10K on Sunday. For some it was a last bit of preparation before the London Marathon. The Spartan runners included PHIL GALE (54th in 40:35); MATT JAMIESON (158th in 44:50); TRACY PEZ (213th in 46:28); CRAIG SNOWDEN (320th in 49:26); DAN SIMS running his first 10K (324th in 49:55); RICHARD MOORE (326th in 49:35); PAUL HOLGATE (451st in 53:33); NICK WITCOMBE (478th in 54:15); KAREN PALMER (521st in 55:35); JOHN WILDEN (576th in 56:33); TONY OSBORNE was running his first road race since June 2011 and was the fifth “Vet 70” (659th in 60:23); KERRY SETTERFIELD (728th in 64:15); LEE MORRIS (782nd in 68:58) and HELEN MORRIS (783rd in 68:59).
Brighton Rocks for Carol
CAROL PAUL ran her second marathon in six days at Brighton after running her best time (4:15:40) since November 2008 at Utrecht, Holland the previous week. She ran the Brighton Marathon in windy over cast conditions in a time of 4 hours 18 minutes 4 seconds.
Two Inaugurals for Roger
On Sunday ROGER BIGGS ran the inaugural Worcester Marathon in 4 hours 4 minutes 54 seconds. It was on a hilly two lap course in sunny but cold conditions. Last week he ran the inaugural Humberside Marathon in 4 hours 6 minutes 58 seconds.
Cambourne for Dania
DANIA HEATH ran the Cambourne 10K in Cambridgeshire on Sunday in 58 minutes 26 seconds (620th). RHIANNON HOWE was 890th in 66:51. There were 1,001 finishers.
Andrenalin War
MARC GREEN completed the Andrenalin War army assault course 10k on the Dunstable Downs on Saturday. Rope swings, tubes, netting, slides, see-saws, balance bars and hills did not stop Marc finishing in an excellent 54.30
Bests for Grant and Liam
LIAM HERBERT, GRANT RAMSAY and DON GREGORY ran the Victoria Park Open Five with a fleet of exceptional runners. To put it into perspective, the winning time was 23 minutes 28 seconds and the fastest woman crossed the line in 27:04.
Both ran new personal bests (PB).
Liam’s PB time of 30 minutes 28 seconds represented an improvement of 2 minutes 59 seconds, coming off the back of last weekend’s improvement over 10K. He was delighted to take approximately 3 minutes off his last 5 mile personal best time which was set at the same race last year (33:27). Just goes to show what a difference a year, and being coached to run the distance specifically, makes. Liam placed 76th out of 174 finishers. This was his second personal best in six days and third PB of the year.
Meanwhile Grant Ramsay finished in a superb time of 27 minutes 37 seconds. That he was 34th shows the quality of the entries. He improved his PB by ten seconds.
Don Gregory was 110th in 35m 41s.
There was a bit of a head-wind which meant the long expansive flats around the park dragged and that was off-putting. All in all, it was a great fast competitive course and he look forward to returning back there for a third attempt in 2013. Well worth the trip to Hackney.
First Saturday
Spartan JOHN HARRIS was fifth overall in the North Herts First Saturday of the Month 5K with a time of 19 minutes 17 seconds — a new season’s best.
Ultra Ladies
On Saturday (7th) Sharon Crowley,Trica Hopper and Karen Liddle took on the challenge of ‘The Bedford Clanger’ a 28 mile ultra trail marathon around the Bedfordshire countryside. They were all delighted to finish in 5 hours 55 minutes 7 seconds.
Karen and Tricia then completed another 21 miles in training on Sunday as they continued their preparations for the 70 mile Hadrian’s Wall weekend event in June.
Carol’s Best Marathon Since 2008
CAROL PAUL did the Utrecht Marathon in Holland on Sunday and ran her best time since November 2008. She completed the flat, wet and windy race in 4 hours 15 minutes 40 seconds.
Running, Jumping, Throwing
Spartan MATTHEW HOLGATE enjoyed a great day at the Olympic Challenge organised by Stevenage and North Hertfordshire Athletics Club. He threw the shot putt 4.44 metres; achieved 1.30 metres in the long jump and ran the 100 metres in 20.38 seconds.
Dozens of Spartans will be running the London Marathon and dozens more will be helping at the finish. Without the volunteers the London Marathon could not take place.
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 evening 19th April.
- London Marathon on Sunday 22nd April.
- EVAC track and field in Stevenage on Wednesday 25th April.
- Serpentine Last Friday 5K on Friday 27th April.
- Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Stevenage on Tuesday 15th May.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
- Relays in the Park on Thursday evening 19th July.
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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 430 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. Now the clocks have changed they will be even more popular. 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
Spartan Jukebox!
GET MOTIVATED WITH MUSIC
We need your help to top-up our Spartan jukebox!
Getting out and training is one thing, but what helps to motivate you to start your run and to want to keep on going?
You might have a target time or distance in your head, but getting from start to finish might seem like a bit of a chore.
Running to a beat or musical tempo might help you to maintain your tempo pace and to spur you on until the very end!!!
Many runners regularly take out an iPod or MP3 player with them on a solo run. Of course, we ask our club runners NOT to bring these to training as wearing earphones mean that you will not be able to hear our coaches’ instructions and warnings relating to oncoming traffic, pedestrians or hazards. Similarly, most race organisers ban the use of personal MP3 players from their events for very much the same reason.
Enjoy listening to, and running to, music in our own time as we understand that it does have benefits but just be careful out there! 🙂
You may have noticed that we have placed a Spotify Music Player on the home page of this website. It holds a list of songs which we hope we motivate you to get out there and run. Give them a good listen if you ever need inspiration before that next long training run.
We are going to compile regular play-lists of YOUR favourite motivational running songs, so we need your input!
If you would like to share your musical choices with the rest of the club, please write a comment on this page and we’ll do our best to include them in an upcoming play-list!
Or if you have made your own complete playlist on Spotify, even better!
Please make sure that the playlist is ‘published’ and then copy and paste the Spotify URI into a new comment and I will update the widget so we can all hear your motivational music. If you have any anything to say about the songs themselves, please include them in your comment.
If you need help doing this, let me know (generally all you need to do is create a new playlist and then right click on that playlist in the menu bar on the right, and select ‘copy Spotify URI’). I’ll alternate the playlists so that everyone gets a go!
Our current play-list for April 2012 includes the following contributions from our members:
To get you motivated, we asked ‘PB Machine’ Liam Herbert to share (and talk through) some of his favourite running songs, so over to Liam:
- The Launch – DJ Jean (get way to get to ‘launch’ yourself off at the start of your run. A classic song which builds nicely as you settle into your pace)
- Good Luck – Basement Jaxx (dance songs motivate me to run more than any other genre … and Basement Jaxx are fantastic at this! This song remind me that I’ve only just set out but to keep my focus on the road/cycle path and to continue working hard)
- We Speak No Americano – Yolanda Be Cool (possibly my favourite dance song at the moment – only slightly behind on trends! Love the quirkiness of the bouncy beat which really makes me want to shuffle on)
- Lose Control – Missy Elliott (this song sounds like some sort of deranged video game and generates a great hard base beat to get me to push on)
- Morning After Dark – Timbaland (yes this is the hip-hop section of my run! Another song with electronica influences and a crazy BPM to try to get up with!)
- SexyBack – Justin Timberlake (a drop in speed on this, but this song has an almost mechanical consistency which helps when I feel like I’m dropping off the pace ever so slightly … by making me remember the need to maintain a consistent pace)
- Sandstorm – Darude (firmly back into classic dance music territory, this is a great number for that part of the run where you have been going well but feel the need to explode out and increase your pace. Energetic!)
- Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) – Backstreet Boys (the optimal boy-band to run along to! Not as full-on as some of the earlier dance numbers, but catchy sing-a-long lyrics are great for keeping your mind off of the evitable fatigue you feel as you get towards the end of your run)
- Fireflies – Owl City (the pace is slowing down, but you don’t want to drop off completely. This song had a ploddy beat but explodes back up in the chorus. Almost time to wind down and wrap up a good training run…)
- Porcelain – Moby (my premier cool-down track. Its keeps a strong beat to remind you to keeping moving and not to stop immediately at the end of your run. The song is also very pretty and relaxing and gives me a great calming assurance that I’ve just enjoyed a great run).
Can you do better than this? If so, post a comment and let us know the song(s) that get you motivated!
Soooo get your groove on Spartans, and share some beautiful sounds! 😉
Our current play-list. Give it a listen!!!
Please note that you will need to have the Spotify software installed on your PC before you can use this feature. You can download it for FREE by following the instructions in the box below.
[spotifyplaybutton play=”spotify:user:1122177190:playlist:03cMAIbwLkiwkY4JF3VFkn”]
BESTS FOR GRANT AND LIAM
Ultra Women
LIAM HERBERT and GRANT RAMSAY ran Saturday’s Victoria Park Open Five with a fleet of exceptional runners. To put it into perspective, the winning time was 23 minutes 28 seconds and the fastest woman crossed the line in 27:04.
Both ran new personal bests (PB).
Liam’s PB time of 30 minutes 28 seconds represented an improvement of 2 minutes 59 seconds, coming off the back of last weekend’s improvement over 10K. He was delighted to take approximately 3 minutes off his last 5 mile personal best time which was set at the same race last year (33:27). Just goes to show what a difference a year, and being coached to run the distance specifically, makes. Liam placed 76th out of 174 finishers. This was his second personal best in six days and third PB of the year.
Meanwhile GRANT RAMSAY finished in a superb time of 27 minutes 37 seconds. That he was 34th shows the quality of the entries. He improved his PB by ten seconds.
There was a bit of a head-wind which meant the long expansive flats around the park dragged and that was off-putting. All in all, it was a great fast competitive course and he look forward to returning back there for a third attempt in 2013. Well worth the trip to Hackney.
First Saturday
Spartan JOHN HARRIS was fifth overall in the North Herts First Saturday of the Month 5K with a time of 19 minutes 17 seconds — a new season’s best.
Ultra Ladies
On Saturday (7th) Sharon Crowley,Trica Hopper and Karen Liddle took on the challenge of ‘The Bedford Clanger’ a 28 mile ultra trail marathon around the Bedfordshire countryside. They were all delighted to finish in 5 hours 55 minutes 7 seconds.
Karen and Tricia then completed another 21 miles in training on Sunday as they continued their preparations for the 70 mile Hadrian’s Wall weekend event in June.
Running, Jumping, Throwing
Spartan MATTHEW HOLGATE enjoyed a great day at the Olympic Challenge organised by Stevenage and North Hertfordshire Athletics Club. He threw the shot putt 4.44 metres; achieved 1.30 metres in the long jump and ran the 100 metres in 20.38 seconds.
Fairlands Valley Spartans Track and Field Championships take place at Ridlins Track, Stevenage between 12 noon and 5p.m. this Sunday 15th April.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Spartans Track and Field Championships on Sunday 15th April.
- Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening 19th April.
- London Marathon on Sunday 22nd April.
- EVAC track and field in Stevenage on Wednesday 25th April.
- Serpentine Last Friday 5K on Friday 27th April.
- Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Stevenage on Tuesday 15th May.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
- Relays in the Park on Thursday evening 19th July.
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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 430 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. Now the clocks have changed they will be even more popular. 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
OLYMPIC FIVE
PBs at Twenty and 10K
Four Spartans were among the first ever to finish a race inside the new London Olympic Stadium. They were taking part in the National Lottery Five Mile Race on Saturday.
ANDY NEATHAM was 70th in 29 minutes 41 seconds (10th MV45); NICKY GILMORE 1,965th in 41:28; BEV HARLOW was 2,476th in 43:21; and JAN FRY 4,377th on 51 minutes exactly.
Bev, the Spartans Vice-Chair, said it was a real privilege to take part in the Olympic Park run. It was well organised with the 5,000 runners going off in four waves. The course meandered around the Olympic Park before entering the stadium through the athlete’s tunnel with the final 300metres on the athletics track. It was very exciting to enter the stadium to the music from Chariots of Fire.
Still on an Olympic theme could we be seeing DAVID BOWKER on TV this summer?
At last the rating and paperwork is complete and he can officially try to qualify for the Paralympic Marathon by running a target time in the London Marathon.
Starting with the elite runners he’ll be aiming for the “A” standard of 2 hours 55 minutes or better. Three “A” standard places are available. The “B” standard is no slower than 3 hours 15 minutes but only one “B” place is available and only the fastest will get it.
Oakley 20
KERRY JAMES completed Sunday’s Oakley 20 mile road race today in a time of 2hrs 32 mins 36 seconds! That’s a personal best (PB) by almost four minutes from the same course two years ago. She was fifth female veteran (40 plus).
BARRY KING also enjoyed the perfect running conditions and took 6 minutes 47 seconds off his old PB when he finished in 3 hours 11 minutes 13 seconds.
PAULETTE ELDRIDGE ran her first twenty mile race in 2 hours 55 minutes.
PB Machine Runs Again
LIAM HERBERT recorded another personal best (PB) Sunday morning at the Regents Park 10K. He was kept alert by having to hurdle over a dog chasing over a squirrel on the first lap
Liam’s 38 minutes 38 seconds made him 15th out of the 430 finishers. His previous best was 39:39 at last year’s Standalone 10K.
PETE SMITH was 62nd in 43 minutes exactly.
Last Friday
SIMON JACKSON enjoyed the hot and sunny weather on Friday lunchtime when he ran the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K. He was very happy with his time of 17 minutes 3 seconds and 11th overall.
Yakima River Canyon Marathon — Saturday, 31st March 2012
While the UK was warm & Sunny, ROGER BIGGS started the scenic YAKIMA RIVER CANYON MARATHON in light snow. The course followed the River Canyon south to Yakima, and while it was mostly downhill, the course got its vengeance with two long and tough hills.
Roger struggled to find his recent form, but dragged his time down nearer to 4 hours with a fast three mile downhill section, finishing in 4:05:15.
Dozens of other Spartans enjoyed the club twenty mile training run as they prepared for the London Marathon which will be on Sunday 22nd April.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Spartans Track and Field Championships on Sunday 15th April.
- Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening 19th April.
- London Marathon on Sunday 22nd April.
- EVAC track and field in Stevenage on Wednesday 25th April.
- Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Stevenage on Tuesday 15th May.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
- Relays in the Park on Thursday evening 19th July.
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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 430 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. Now the clocks have changed they will be even more popular. 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
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859
CLAIRE WINS 5K
Spartans at Sandy + Sport Relief
There was an excellent turn-out of almost 60 Spartans for Thursday evening’s Handicap 5K, with 53 finishers from 54 starters, fantastically supported at the start and finish by Liam Herbert, Mark Beasley and Andy Prior; and those who helped others around the course — Bill Tuck, Chris Leigh, Sharon Crowley, Barbara Wilson, Lee Reynolds and Andy Prior.
On a beautiful evening for running 40 of the 53 finishers recorded their fastest 5K of 2012, with 12 personal bests (PB) and 6 season bests (SB) including, in addition to those mentioned below, Kieran Feetham +2:09 to 20:57, Victoria Sealy +0:39 to 28:26 and Sean Millwood +0:11 to 30:55.
First to finish, in her first 5K with the club, was Claire Coker in an excellent 27:10, 2:50 ahead of handicap, closely followed by Jo Eley, supported by Andy Prior, who continued to improve her 5K PB, this time by another 2:43 to 41:35, and with Jennifer Robertson third in a new PB of her own of 22:29, 3:51 quicker than previously.
The winning man was Steve Pike, in a new SB time 24:17, 2:26 ahead of handicap and 46 seconds quicker than his previous best SB time, followed by Dan Sims in a new PB of 23:44, 1;09 quicker than before, and with Steven Dobner third man in a new PB of his own, 2:01 faster at 27:50.
GRANT RAMSAY was the fastest runner on the evening in a new Year Best time of 16:45 to move from 53rd position at the start to 12th position by the end, with Rebecca Newstead & Lee Reynolds second quickest in yet another female Handicap 5K course record, smashing another 38 seconds off her time set in February, to 17:43.
Rob Willis was also well inside 20 minutes, with 18:44, as were Todd Gray 18:59, Steve Williamson 19:06 and Graham Blackburn 19:47. Next quickest female was Katy Jinks in 22;04, with Tracy Pez third quickest in a new year’s best time of 22:22.
Next month will see the final Handicap 5k before a break for the Midweek League. It will be on Thursday 19th April 2012.
Sandy Ten
Spartan LEE THORP beat the hour in his first ten mile road race which was Sunday’s Sandy Ten. He finished tenth out of the 500 competitors in 59 minutes 13 seconds. Club Secretary STEPH MAYFIELD ran a new personal best to finish 288th in 1 hour 24 minutes 29 seconds.
There was a good turnout from Fairlands Valley Spartans with the club’s other runners including Graham Blackburn 1:07:13 (61st); Steve Mayfield 1:09:58 (94th); Pete Smith 1:10:30 (103rd); Claire Haddleton 1:11:25 (124th); Mike King 1:11:25 (125th); Davie Stafford 1:12:17 (137th); David Moss 1:13:04 (149th); Rob Brady 1:13:30 (156th); Maddie Pritchard 1:24:45 (290th); Paul Holgate 1:24:54 (294th); Karen Ellis 1:27:47 (323rd); Maria Thorne 1:30:26 (350th); Sharon Crowley 1:32:00; Dania Heath 1:33:30 and Mark Cheadle 1:49:15.
Busy Bell
Recently SIMON BELL ran the Milton Keynes 10km race in 38 minutes 22 seconds and was second Vet 40. He also ran the Finchley 20 in 2 hours 15 minutes 48 seconds
Round The Rowing
TREVOR and KERRY SETTERFIELD ran a warm, flat half marathon around the Olympic rowing venue at Dorney Lake, near Windsor on Sunday. Trev finished in 1 hour 47 minutes 6 seconds and Kerry in 2 hours 24 minutes 5 seconds.
Spartans Help Sport Relief
Many Spartans helped organise Sunday’s Sport Relief event in Stevenage.
Amongst those running was LIAM HERBERT who did 25 laps (“10K”) in 39:44, in the full stripy outfit (oh yes the shorts!), with blue stripy face paint and neon blue hair. His inspiration was Sonic the Hedgehog (fast with spiky blue hair) but he received comparisons to Braveheart and Avatar as well! He says it was a great event to be involved in, for a very good cause!
SIMON HARRIS ran 10K in 1 hour 11 minutes 21 seconds and MATTHEW HOLGATE ran a mile in ten minutes 17 seconds.
ALISON SUCKLING completed the Brentwood Half Marathon in 2 hours 13 minutes 7 seconds while several other Spartans were amongst the 455 enjoying the Stevenage Start of Summertime Specials (SSoSS) cycle rides.
The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Now the clocks have changed they will be even more popular. 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.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
– Spartans Track and Field Championships on Sunday 15th April.
– Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening 19th April.
– London Marathon on Sunday 22nd April.
– EVAC track and field in Stevenage on Wednesday 25th April.
– Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Stevenage on Tuesday 15th May.
– Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
– Relays in the Park on Thursday evening 19th July.
– County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
– County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
– 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 430 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. Now the clocks have changed they will be even more popular. 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 websitewww.fvspartans.org.uk
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859