Categories
News Race Results

Spartans Win in Fairlands Valley Challenge

Fairlands Valley Spartans again hosted the Fairlands Valley Challenge Weekend on 16th and 17th July offering runners and walkers of all abilities a range of distance options in the glorious local Hertfordshire countryside.

On the Saturday, Spartans’ LIAM HERBERT was first finisher in the 6 mile event, an event he created when Race Director last year, finishing in a time of 47 minutes 12 seconds. OLWEN BATTY for the Spartans was the first woman home in 59:03.

Sunday’s events comprised of 12 miles, 18 miles, marathon and 50k ultra-marathon distances. In the 12 mile event STUART HAYCROFT was first home in 1:45:00. PAULINE HARDY for the Spartans was first V65 woman finisher in 3:26:59, while DARYL STEVENS was first V50 male in 3:35:35.

In the 18 miler, LIAM HERBERT took his second victory of the weekend, finishing in 3:02:17, while ISABEL GREEN was joint first woman in a time of 3:08:40. In the Marathon distance, Spartan CAROL PAUL was first V45 woman in 4:42:02. KARL CLARKE was the sole Spartan in the ultra and finished in 5:57:12, a worthy performance in extremely hot conditions.

Full Spartans results as follows:

 

6 mile Trail Run – Saturday 16th July 2016
Pos No. Name Surname M/F Time
1 916 Liam Herbert M 47:12
7 910 Darren Emmerson M 59:03
8 921 Olwen Batty F 59:03
9 939 Lee Pickersgill M 59:03
16 909 Claire Cox F 1:07:07
17 927 Sophie Cowan F 1:07:07
18 935 Hayley Yendell F 1:07:07
19 941 Steve Green M 1:07:07
20 902 Andrew Martin M 1:09:28
23 906 Carole Sheldrick F 1:15:42
24 913 Heather Moloney F 1:15:43
25 907 Caroline Croft F 1:16:16
26 914 Jana Smith F 1:16:19
31 903 Andy Prior M 1:25:35
32 934 Nick Witcombe M 1:25:35
33 937 Steve Smithson M 1:27:03
34 938 Monica Smithson F 1:27:03
35 929 Stuart Haycroft M 1:50:58

 

12.3 mile Trail Run – Sunday 17th July 2016
Pos M/F Cat No. Name Surname M/F Time
1 1 637 Stuart Haycroft M 1:45:00
11 8 6 615 Greg Kelly M 40 2:25:30
11 4 627 Olwen Batty F 2:25:30
19 13 604 Andrew Martin M 2:43:26
28 12 6 645 Wendy Tharani F 35 2:53:38
32 15 2 608 Claire Cox F 45 2:57:44
32 15 2 624 Kerstin Weiner F 45 2:57:44
32 15 2 638 Sue Hamer F 45 2:57:44
35 18 9 605 Carole Sheldrick F  35 2:59:27
36 19 5 606 Caroline Croft F 45 2:59:54
43 19 8 651 Jon Sypula M 40 3:09:18
43 25 10 652 Hannah Sypula F 35 3:09:18
45 26 1 629 Pauline Hardy F 65 3:26:59
46 20 1 648 Darryl Stevens M 50 3:35:35

 

18.7 mile Trail Run – Sunday 17th July 2016
Pos M/F Cat No. Name Surname M/F Time
1 1 1 263 Liam Herbert M 3:02:17
3 2 1 275 Isabel Green F 35 3:08:40

 

26.3 mile Trail Run – Sunday 17th July 2016
Pos M/F Cat No. Name Surname M/F Time
6 2 1 17 Carol Paul F 45 4:42:02
49 33 6 119 Rob Shaw M 60 5:56:27
58 18 9 99 Tricia Hopper F 45 6:07:49
58 41 9 14 Barry King M 40 6:07:49
62 20 126 Karen Ellis F 6:13:37
69 46 2 67 Mike Newbitt M 70 6:23:19
81 52 15 76 Paul Holgate M 50 6:59:36
82 30 3 94 Sharon Crowley F 55 7:05:29
100 63 8 88 Robert Hardy M 60 8:21:23
100 63 8 89 Roger Biggs M 60 8:21:23
105 67 19 102 Ian Alexander M 50 8:57:28

 

50k Trail Run – Sunday 17th July 2016
Pos M/F Cat No. Name Surname M/F Time
12 10 3 718 Karl Clark M 40 5:57:12

 

 

Panshanger Park Mid-Summer 5 Mile Race

Six Spartans took on the new 5 mile event at Panshanger Park, the second of a two-race Mid-Summer series which began with a 5 mile race at Hatfield House. DAVID RIDDELL was 41st across the line in 35:21. ANDY CHURN finished 98th in 42:09 while the first Spartan woman finisher was CAROLINE CROFT in 48:56. The other Spartans in action were PAUL HOLGATE (52:48), SARAH ATKINSON (57:56) and OLWEN BATTY (59:43).

 

Portchester Castle 10k

JENNY GARRETT competed in the inaugural Portchester Castle 10k, finishing in a time of 57:18. She considered it to be a nice run overall, although the event was not without some teething problems in its first year.

 

Around the Reservoir off road Marathon

CAROL PAUL and MIKE NEWBITT ran the Around the Reservoir off road marathon in Northampton. On an exposed course with temperatures reaching 27 degrees and hardly any shade Carol completed the marathon in 4hrs 53 mins and Mike completed it in 6 hrs 17 mins.

 

Parkrun Report

CRAIG HALSEY was first finisher at Stevenage parkrun, finishing on 16:58 on a very warm morning. MARK BEASLEY notched a new course PB of 21:38 while finishing 13th male, DARREN EMMERSON was 21st male in 22:43 and MARTYN DOWLING was 35th male in 23:38 (a new course PB).

For the women, ANN TRYSSESOONE was 6th finisher in 24:14, KERSTIN WEINER notched a new course PB of 26:51 in finishing 16th, HEATHER MOLONEY was 56th in 33:00 and KARIN BREACH 74th in 34:50-on her first parkrun appearance.

Other Spartans in action in Stevenage were CALLUM BEASLEY (36th, 23:38), JAMES SOUTH (53rd, 25:22) and CAREN THAIN (96th, 38:31). CLAIRE COX (97th, 38:42) and ANDY PRIOR (125th, 38:43) were pacing others around the course.

Others in local parkrun action were DAVE SMITH (45th male, 22:27) at Huntingdon, TIM SABAN (16th male, 21:07) at Cassiobury Park, TIM ROBINSON (15th male, 25:24 a new course PB) at Ellenbrook Fields, and both DANNY SUTTON (22nd male, 24:22) and VERITY FISHER (9th woman, 26:32) at Rutland Water.

Finally, after his trip back to Stevenage last week for the FVS Challenge DARYL STEVENS returned south and was 139th male finisher at EASTLEIGH in 40:24.

 

Relays in the Park Coming Soon

The Relays in the Park organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans and in Fairlands Valley Park will be on Thursday 28th July starting at 7.30p.m.  Each runner will complete three kilometres.  Men’s teams will consist of five runners and women’s of four.  The event will include the county championships but a wide range of abilities are expected.  This is a great event for spectators with the half way point only a short distance from the changeover area in the top half of the park.  For more details please visit 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:

 

  • Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3rd August.
  • Harlow 10 on Sunday 4th September.
  • Herts 5K senior championships on Wednesday 7th September.
  • Herts 5K veteran championships on Wednesday 21st September.
  • FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5th October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.
  • Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

MIDWEEK MOB MATCH

There were two wins and a second place for Fairlands Valley Spartans in the Mid Week Road Race League.  NATALIE LAWRENCE was the first woman overall in the four race series.  SIMON JACKSON was the first male veteran runner with GRANT RAMSAY second.  Well over one hundred different Spartans took part in at least one race.

47 Spartans ran in the “mob match” at Welwyn Garden City which preceded the league presentations.  The Spartan women’s “A” team were seventh out of the 29 teams in the race and the men 7th out of 17.  Overall the Spartans were seventh out of the 17 clubs.

GRANT RAMSAY was first Spartan, eleventh out of nearly 500 club runners in 35 minutes 44 seconds.  The others in the men’s “A” team were CRAIG HALSEY, 30th in 37:09; KEITH COUGHLIN, 41st in 37:45; DAVID RIDDELL who was sixth veteran (50 plus) and 82nd overall in 40:32; STEVE GREEN, 98th in 41:07; THOMAS SAUKA, 120th in 42:20; JOHN NELMS, 126th in a new personal best of 42:27; TODD GRAY, 138th in 42:48; TIM SABAN, 145th in 42:56; PAUL WHYTE, 156th in 43:34; PETE SMITH, 175th in 44:43 and DAVE SMITH, 179th in 44:53.

Fairlands fastest female was ROSIE CANHAM, 170th overall in a new personal best of 44 minutes 15 seconds.  TRACY PEZ was just over a minute slower, 189th in 45:16.  ISABEL GREEN, 252nd in 48:22; JULIE SIMMONS, 275th in 49:43; LISA GRAY, 285th in 50:06 and NICOLA TOUT, 297th in a personal best 50:38 completed the women’s “A” team.

CLAIRE COX led in the “B” team with 50:46 and 307th overall.  She was supported by SOPHIE COWAN, 308th in 50:48; OLWEN BATTY, 313th in a new personal best (PB) 51:03; PENNY SCHENKEL making her first ever appearance in the “B” team with 52:46 and 338th; KELLY McHALE, running her first 10K was 354th in 53:30; and KAREN ELLIS, 387th in 55:58.

JULIE SHADBOLT, VICTORIA BRETT (PB), CLAIRE HYDE, CHLOE EMMERSON (PB), JENNY GARRETT, SHARON CROWLEY and EMMA MARTIN were more than enough for a “C” team, something achieved by few other clubs.

The men had a good “B” team with MARK BEASLEY, 190th in 45:20; MARK GOODWIN, 194th in 45:27; DARREN EMMERSON, 214th in 46:20; DEAN CARPENTER, 235th in 47:43; MARTIN DUDLEY, 251st in 48:29; KEN JUDE, 286th in 50:03; JIM BROWN making it into the “B” team for the first time in many years at 290th and 50:14 which was a 3 minutes 40 seconds improvement over the Stevenage race; CALLUM BEASLEY, 291st at 50:24; MARK CHEADLE, 292nd at 50:27; CLIVE CANNON, 303rd in 50:47; JAMES SOUTH, 306th with a new PB of 50:55; VISH SHAH, 330th in 52:17;  SIMON SYPULA, 349th in a PB 53:16.

Race Pos Cat Vet Name Surname Cat. M/F Time Comments
11 11 5 5 Grant Ramsay V 40 M 35:44 5th Vet 40
30 29 Craig Halsey S M 37:09
41 40 Keith Coughlin S M 37:45
82 77 6 35 David Riddell V 50 M 40:32 6th Vet 50
98 92 32 44 Steve Green V 40 M 41:07
120 112 38 55 Thomas Sauka V 40 M 42:20
126 116 40 59 John Nelms V 40 M 42:27 PB (1:03)
138 123 Todd Gray S M 42:48
145 129 47 67 Tim Saban V 40 M 42:56
156 136 Paul Whyte S M 43:34
170 22 8 13 Rosie Canham V 35 F 44:15 8th FV35 (PB 2:02)
175 150 23 78 Pete Smith V 50 M 44:43
179 153 52 80 Dave Smith V 40 M 44:53
189 27 10 16 Tracy Pez V 35 F 45:16
190 161 25 85 Mark Beasley V 50 M 45:20
194 164 27 87 Mark Goodwin V 50 M 45:27
214 177 60 98 Darren Emmerson V 40 M 46:20 PB (1:20)
235 192 63 108 Dean Carpenter V 40 M 47:43
251 204 39 119 Martin Dudley V 50 M 48:29
252 46 16 31 Isabel Green V 35 F 48:22
275 58 2 42 Julie Simmons V 55 F 49:43 2nd FV 55
285 61 22 44 Lisa Gray V 45 F 50:06
286 223 44 135 Ken Jude V 50 M 50:03
290 226 18 138 Jim Brown V 60 M 50:14
291 227 Callum Beasley S M 50:24
292 228 Mark Cheadle S M 50:27
297 65 21 46 Nicola Tout V 35 F 50:38 PB (1:41)
303 233 45 142 Clive Cannon V 50 M 50:47
306 236 James South S M 50:55 PB (3:50)
307 69 23 50 Claire Cox V 35 F 50:46
308 70 24 51 Sophie Cowan V 35 F 50:48
313 73 Olwen Batty S F 51:03 PB (1:13)
330 245 Vishal Shah S M 52:17
338 90 30 64 Penny Schenkel V 45 F 52:46
349 250 76 153 Simon Sypula V 40 M 53:16 PB (0:50)
354 100 32 72 Kelly McHale V 35 F 53:30 1st 10K
361 255 79 158 Karl Shreeve V 40 M 53:57 PB (5:16)
363 256 Lee Pickersgill S M 54:09
387 122 40 88 Karen Ellis V 45 F 55:58
388 123 41 89 Julie Shadbolt V 45 F 55:58
394 126 37 92 Victoria Brett V 35 F 56:14 PB (0:03)
403 132 39 97 Claire Hyde V 35 F 57:33
405 271 58 172 Paul Holgate V 50 M 57:57
443 160 Chloe Emmerson S F 1:03:20 PB (1:48)
445 162 52 121 Jenny Garrett V 45 F 1:03:24
452 165 19 124 Sharon Crowley V 55 F 1:05:58
458 169 52 128 Emma Martin V 35 F 1:15:21

 

Standard Chartered Great City Race

Whilst other Spartans were racing in the Mob Match SIMON JACKSON and STEFFAN FORD were racing for their companies against 5000 other runners in the Standard Chartered Great City Race. This is a twisty turny 5k race around the City of London, run as an individual race and a team race for your company. Even with the temperature at 21 degrees, Steffan after minimal run training due to injury finished in 17:40 and Simon finished in 17:03.

 

Parkrun Report

With the FVS Challenge due to kick off in the afternoon a lower than usual 17 runners tackled Stevenage parkrun in warm and humid conditions with Spartans again also helping with volunteering duties.

JOHN HARRIS was first male Spartan in a new course PB time of 19:20. MARK BEASLEY was 26th in 22:44. JOHN SYPULA was 46th in 24:11 (course PB) and KEN JUDE 78th in 27:12.

For the women, CAROL PAUL was 4th finisher in 25:31, LAUREN HARNETT 29th in 28:48, HAZEL SMITH was 31st in 28:56 and CHLOE EMMERSON continued her improvement finishing 26th woman in a new course PB of 29:14.

Other runners in action at Stevenage were SARAH STAPSTEAD (29:34), TRACY PEZ (30:02), LIZ CARVELL making a welcome return from a lengthy injury break (30:38), ISABEL GREEN (33:04), STEVE GREEN (38:20), DARRYL STEVENS making a rare trip back to Stevenage for parkrun and FVS Challenge action (40:22) and CAREN THAIN (41:14).

The only other Spartans at parkruns were DAVE SMITH (22:02) and GRAHAM HILL (34:19, new course PB), who both ran at Milton Keynes.

 

Relays in the Park Coming Soon

The Relays in the Park organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans and in Fairlands Valley Park will be on Thursday 28th July starting at 7.30p.m.  Each runner will complete three kilometres.  Men’s teams will consist of five runners and women’s of four.  The event will include the county championships but a wide range of abilities are expected.  This is a great event for spectators with the half way point only a short distance from the changeover area in the top half of the park.  For more details please visit www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Fairlands Valley Challenge

Fairlands Valley Spartans hosted the Fairlands Valley Challenge off road events on Saturday and Sunday.  There was a choice of four distances.  Results should be available in time for next week’s release.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3rd August.
  • Harlow 10 on Sunday 4th September.
  • Herts 5K senior championships on Wednesday 7th September.
  • Herts 5K veteran championships on Wednesday 21st September.
  • FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5th October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.
  • Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

Scott’s Midweek League – Mob Match

The final race of the Scott’s Midweek Road Race Leaugue was the Mob Match, which was hosted by Garden City Runners and took place in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 14th July.

The results can be found on the link below. Well done to all Spartans who ran in the race and throughout the League season.

Mob Match Results

Categories
News Race Results

WOMEN WIN IN MILTON KEYNES

Fairlands Valley Spartan women’s team WON the track and field event at Milton Keynes.  Consisting of MONICA BROWN, CATHY CRAIG, SHARON CROWLEY, YUKO GORDON, IRIS HORNSEY, STEPHANIE MAYFIELD, TESSA STEPHENSON, PETA WILSON and ANDREA WESTCOTT they beat the host club Milton Keynes by 109 points to 94.  They lead the six club table by 306 points to 296 and look set to advance to the regional final if they can do well in the final event which will be in Stevenage on 3rd August.

The men were third.  DAVE BOWKER, MARK FREEMAN, MARK GLADING, JAMES KILROY, STEVE MAYFIELD, ANTON MCALLA, TIM SABAN and DAVE STEPHENSON scored 72 points behind Bedford and County on 91 but shading out Bedford Harriers on 71.

 

Pos Women’s Teams Match Score 1, 2 & 3
1 Fairlands Valley Spartans 109 306
2 Marshall Milton Keynes AC 94 296
3 Bedford Harriers 75 221
4 Luton AC 23 43
5 Bedford & County AC 15 71
6 Biggleswade AC 11 63

 

 

Pos Men’s Teams Match Score 1, 2 & 3
1 Marshall Milton Keynes AC 100 276
2 Bedford & County AC 91 316
3 Fairlands Valley Spartans 72 232
4 Bedford Harriers 71 213
5 Biggleswade AC 31 106
6 Luton AC 26 88

 

At last! The weather was so much better for Fairlands Valley Spartans third Eastern Masters Athletic Club (EMAC) track and field league match at Milton Keynes. Facing clubs from Biggleswade, two clubs from Bedford, Luton and the host club competition was fierce.

The Fairlands Valley women’s team were on good form on Wednesday evening. Wins for Monica Brown (50 -59 200 metres, Long Jump, Pole Vault), Yuko Gordon (60+ 800 metres),  Tessa Stephenson (50 – 59 300m hurdles and shot putt), Cathy Craig (60+ hammer throw) and Stephanie Mayfield ( 35 -49 pole vault) meant that with Sharon Crowley Iris Hornsey, Peta Wilson and Andrea Westcott they secured the win by 15  points.

The men’s team struggled with younger team members missing. Steve Mayfield and Dave Stephenson performed well in several events along with Mark Freeman who covered all the Male 60 events.  Despite a two month break due to injury Dave Bowker was second in the one mile walk with a personal best of nine minutes exactly.

The last match is at Ridlins in Stevenage on Wednesday 3rd August.

 

Gold for Penny

New member this year PENNY SCHENKEL is a County GOLD Medallist.  She completed the 25 laps of the County 10K Track Championship on Thursday evening to win the women veteran (45 plus) category in a new personal best of 51 minutes 58 seconds.  That’s an 8 minutes 54 seconds since her first 10K with the Spartans on 17th May.

GRANT RAMSAY won SILVER in the male veteran (40 plus) race with 36:07 and JIM BROWN took SILVER in the veteran (60 plus) category with 51:55.

 

Ware Ten

A dozen Spartans enjoyed the mixed terrain Ware Ten on Sunday morning.

DARREN EMERSON was 39th in the 10K with 46:55.

 

Position Name Time Comments
20 KARL CLARK 1:10:39
25 JOHN NELMS 1:11:30
37 SUZY HAWKINS (F) 1:14:06
39 TIM SABAN 1:14:24
63 MARK GOODWIN 1:18:54
91 CLAIRE COX (F) 1:22:53
125 NICOLA TOUT (F) 1:28:15
132 ANDY JAY 1:29:16
136 VISHAL SHAH 1:33:18
181 ROGER BIGGS 1:38:49
184 JULIE SHADBOLT (F) 1:39:32
227 JAN FRY (F) 1:53:06 First in age group

 

 

Hatfield Five

The Hatfield Five is was a lovely route-a run around the estate grounds of Hatfield House.  The race was well organised and finished in front of the house.  Roughly five miles and partly cross country BEV HARLOW completed the race in 47 minutes 56 seconds.

 

1. 1. 248 Craig HALSEY MS 0:27:39 78.74%
116. 5. 124 Roger BIGGS MV60 0:43:25 64.63%
141. 17. 296 Caroline CROFT FV45 0:45:23 56.59%
171. 23. 241 Paul HOLGATE MV50 0:47:52 53.97%
173. 5. 305 Beverley HARLOW FV55 0:47:56 62.99%
212. 36. 135 Sarah ATKINSON FS 0:52:22 46.10%

 

Dave Walks for Herts

DAVE BOWKER represented Hertfordshire in the Inter County athletics match in Basingstoke.  He was fourth in the 3K race “A” race in 18 minutes 19 seconds.

 

Carol Goes Off Road

On Saturday 9th July Carol Paul took part in the Ranscombe challenge near Rochester in Kent. On a very hilly off road course in hot and humid conditions Carol completed 30.8 miles in 6:06:23.

 

Parkrun Report

Sixteen Spartans took on Stevenage parkrun with a further four volunteering behind the scenes.

KEITH COUGHLIN was first male finisher, third overall, in a new course PB time of 18:24. MARK BEASLEY was 13th in 21:40 (also a course PB) and DARREN EMMERSON 37th in 24:39. JON SYPULA was the next in 24:41.

For the women, TRACY PEZ ran a new course PB of 22:27 in finishing 3rd, CLAIRE PULLEN was 5th in 22:41. ANN TRYSSESOONE was 7th on her first visit in a time of 23:06 and HAZEL SMITH secured a new PB of 26:56.

There were also course PBs for LEE PICKERSGILL (24:43), KERSTIN WEINER (27:23), HANNA SYPULA (29:01) and EMMA MARTIN (35:41). The other Spartans in action at Stevenage were KEN JUDE (24:47), CAROLE SHELDRICK (27:15), HEATHER MALONEY (29:01) and ANDY PRIOR (29:02).

Elsewhere DARYL STEVENS ran at LYMINGTON WOODSIDE (38:50), ANDY JAY warmed up for the Ware 10 with a steady 26:57 at Panshanger, JAMES SOUTH ran 23:54 at Aldenham and DAVE SMITH ran at Ellenbrook Fields finishing in a time of 22:12.

 

Relays in the Park Coming Soon

The Relays in the Park organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans and in Fairlands Valley Park will be on Thursday 28th July starting at 7.30p.m.  Each runner will complete three kilometres.  Men’s teams will consist of five runners and women’s of four.  The event will include the county championships but a wide range of abilities are expected.  This is a great event for spectators with the half way point only a short distance from the changeover area in the top half of the park.  For more details please visit 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:

  • Midweek Mob Match at Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 14th July.
  • Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 17th July.
  • Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3rd August.
  • Harlow 10 on Sunday 4th September.
  • Herts 5K senior championships on Wednesday 7th September.
  • Herts 5K veteran championships on Wednesday 21st September.
  • FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5th October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.
  • Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

Scott’s Midweek League – Individual Results 2016

Please find individual results and prize winners from this year’s series on the link below. This season saw 2,923 times recorded by 1,256 individuals over the 8 races, taking the overall total number of times and finishers in the 14 years that Paul Holgate has been doing the results to 34,213 times by more than 8,500 individuals.

Please note that we have 3rd places in the Mens Open category in Division 1,  equal 2nd places in the women’s vet35 category in Division 1 and equal 2nd in the men’s vet40 category in Division 2.

For the Spartans, there were prizes in Division 1 for the following:

Natalie Lawrence – 1st (Senior Women)
Simon Jackson – 1st (V40 Men)*
Grant Ramsay – 2nd (V40 Men)*

Congratulations to Natalie, Simon and Grant, and also to all the Spartans who gave it their all in a tough Division 1 this season.

Prizes will be awarded following the Mob Match in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 14th July

MWL Presentation 2016

Note: Division 2 men’s table updated 07/07/2016 after correction of an inconsistency in scores for race 2.

* Amended positions after Mark Vaughan opted to be awarded 3rd= Male Open prize rather than 1st V40

Categories
News Race Results

SECONDS AT BASSINGBOURN HALF

Spartan GRANT RAMSAY was fifth out of the 307 finishers in Sunday’s Bassingbourn Half Marathon with a time of 1 hour 20 minutes 10 seconds.  He was the second veteran (40 plus) to finish.  THOMAS SAUKA was the second Spartan in, 39th in 1:38:58.

ANN TRYSSESOONE was also second in her age category with her time of 1 hour 49 minutes 5 seconds.

JON and HANNAH SYPULA both enjoyed the event which was well organised on lovely scenic routes though perhaps it was a bit warm.  JON finished in 1:56:31 and HANNAH in 2:29:35.

Four other Spartan women completed the race.  They were VICTORIA BRETT in 2:03:52; club secretary KAREN PALMER in 2:06:50; JENNY GARRETT in 2:07:07 and SUE HAMER in 2:08:26.

Club chair NICK WITCOMBE finished in 2:30:57.

 

Position Name Time Comments
5 GRANT RAMSAY 1:20:10 Second veteran
39 THOMAS SAUKA 1:38:58
87 ANN TRYSSESOONE 1:49:05 Second in age category
135 JON SYPULA 1:56:31
191 VICTORIA BRETT 2:03:52
205 KAREN PALMER 2:06:50
208 JENNY GARRETT 2:07:07
211 SUE HAMER 2:08:26
286 HANNAH SYPULA 2:29:35
288 NICK WITCOMBE 2:30:57

There were 307 finishers in the race.

 

St Magnus Marathon – Sunday, 3rd July 2916 – Orkney Islands

Roger Biggs travelled to the outer extremities of the UK, to run a marathon from the St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, to the village of Birsay on the North West Coast of Mainland Orkney.

This was not a flat marathon, it rained on and off, and the Westerly winds did their best to slow Roger down.  However, if there is a more scenic marathon on these shores, then Roger has yet to find it.

Roger ran a consistent marathon to finish in 4:41:48.  He has now run marathons in 93 different counties in the UK and Ireland.

 

Potteries Marathon

On Sunday CAROL PAUL ran the Potteries marathon in Stoke on Trent. On a warm day and a hilly course Carol completed the marathon in 4:14:34, 22 minutes quicker than last year and she was 2nd in her age category

 

Parkrun Report

There were some scintillating performances among the thirty Spartans in action at Stevenage parkrun on Saturday.

CRAIG HALSEY secured a new course Personal Best in blustery conditions, finishing in 16mins 51secs and beating the previous male course record which was set by Mark Vaughan (North Herts Road Runners) at the first event. However, he was just headed by first finisher Oliver Wallace from Chorlton Runners who now holds the record at 16:50. ANDREW PATTERSON (3rd in 17:07), DANNY HUKIN (4th in 18:33) and DAVID RIDDLE (7th in 19:12) and all set new course PBs.

For the women, SUZY HAWKINS was second finisher in 21:31 on her first run at this venue. CLAIRE PULLEN was third woman to finish in 22:15, ISABEL GREEN was fifth woman in 24:03 and JACKIE DOWNES 17th woman, finishing in 27:23, a new course PB.

There were further course PBs at Stevenage for MARK BEASLEY, JAMES KILROY, DARREN EMMERSON, MARTIN DUDLEY, CALLUM BEASLEY, ANDY PRIOR, DANIEL SUTTON and HAZEL SMITH.

Elsewhere DAVE SMITH finished as 12th male in 22:20 at Hatfield Forest and ANDY JAY was 50th male finisher in 24:06 at Panshanger.  DARRYL STEVENS was 252nd in the Moors Valley Parkrun with 38:33 and EMMA POULTER 112th in the Brundall park run in 39:24.

The full list of Spartans in parkrun action at Stevenage was as follows:

 

STEVENAGE

 

Pos Gender Pos parkrunner Time Notes
2 2 Craig HALSEY 00:16:51 New PB!
3 3 Andrew PATTERSON 00:17:07 New PB!
4 4 Danny HUKIN 00:18:33 New PB!
8 7 David RIDDELL 00:19:12 New PB!
13 12 Liam HERBERT 00:20:21 PB stays at 00:20:07
14 13 Steve GREEN 00:20:25 First Timer!
21 2 Suzy HAWKINS 00:21:31 First Timer!
23 21 Mark BEASLEY 00:21:43 New PB!
27 25 James KILROY 00:22:05 New PB!
31 3 Claire PULLEN 00:22:15 PB stays at 00:22:03
35 32 Darren EMMERSON 00:22:20 New PB!
36 33 Martin DUDLEY 00:22:21 New PB!
43 39 Callum BEASLEY 00:23:11 PB stays at 00:23:06
55 51 Ken JUDE 00:23:42 First Timer!
54 50 Stephen SMITHSON 00:23:42 First Timer!
57 53 Andy PRIOR 00:23:49 New PB!
58 54 Martyn DOWLING 00:23:58 First Timer!
59 5 Isabel GREEN 00:24:03 First Timer!
69 61 Daniel SUTTON 00:25:07 New PB!
95 17 Jackie DOWNES 00:27:23 New PB!
127 35 Tracy PEZ 00:29:25 PB stays at 00:22:45
133 41 Lauren HARNETT 00:29:55 PB stays at 00:28:34
140 47 Hazel SMITH 00:30:22 New PB!
146 53 Chloe EMMERSON 00:30:41 PB stays at 00:30:09
152 95 John NELMS 00:31:08 PB stays at 00:19:58
177 103 Daniel GREEN 00:33:21 First Timer!
178 75 Beverley HARLOW 00:33:30 PB stays at 00:29:24
204 95 Claire COX 00:37:30 PB stays at 00:23:23
222 108 Caren THAIN 00:42:52 PB stays at 00:38:04
238 116 Verity FISHER 00:54:59 PB stays at 00:26:45

 

Relays in the Park Coming Soon

The Relays in the Park organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans and in Fairlands Valley Park will be on Thursday 28th July starting at 7.30p.m.  Each runner will complete three kilometres.  Men’s teams will consist of five runners and women’s of four.  The event will include the county championships but a wide range of abilities are expected.  This is a great event for spectators with the half way point only a short distance from the changeover area in the top half of the park.  For more details please visit www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Confirmed Welwyn

Official results have been confirmed for the recent Welwyn 10K which included the Hertfordshire County Championships.  CRAIG HALSEY was third overall and took BRONZE in the County with a time of 35 minutes 20 seconds.

 

Position Name Time Comments
3 CRAIG HALSEY 35:20 Third Overall.  County Bronze.
85 TIM SABAN 46:37
94 MARK GOODWIN 47:15
175 KEN JUDE 52:33
188 JIM BROWN 52:59 Third MV60
190 PENNY SCHENKEL 53:07 Personal best.
201 CHRIS HOLLAND 53:40
203 OLWEN BATTY 53:40
252 LEE PICKERSGILL 55:32
282 CLAIRE HYDE 57:00
341 JOHN McCALL 59:32

 

Coming Events

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

  • EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 6th July.
  • County Track 10K at Sandy, SG19 1BL on Thursday 7th July.  Enter up to one hour before race.
  • Midweek Mob Match at Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 14th July.
  • Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 17th July.
  • Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3rd August.
  • Harlow 10 on Sunday 4th September.
  • Herts 5K senior championships on Wednesday 7th September.
  • Herts 5K veteran championships on Wednesday 21st September.
  • FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Open 5K race in Hatfield on Wednesday 5th October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.
  • Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

Scott’s Midweek League – Div 2 Race 4

Results from the final Division 2 race of the season can be found on the link below. Congratulations to the promoted teams. Minor amendments made on 5th July – one spelling correction and minor amendments to a handful of the men’s times.

Div 2 Race 4 – Royston Results

The Mob Match will take place in Welwyn Garden City on Thurs 14th July.

Categories
News Race Results

CRAIG AND JIM WIN PRIZES AT COUNTY 10K

Ninety six Fairlands Valley Spartans raced round Fairlands Valley Park in the fourth Mid Week League 10K race of the season.  Others helped organise the event so well over a hundred club members were involved.

An improved turnout of forty helped the Spartan women beat Orion Harriers and Trent Park Running Club.  They were boosted by NATALIE LAWRENCE who won the women’s race in 38 minutes 57 seconds.  SAM PRETTY finished in 41:45; MICHELLE REEVES with a 2 minute 37 seconds improvement on her personal best (PB) in 42:55; SUZY HAWKINS in 44:30, an improvement of 36 seconds; TRACY PEZ in 46:33; ANN TRYSSESOONE in 46:47; CLAIRE COX in 48:07; and ANGELA ARMITAGE with a 37 second improvement to 49:01.

MARIE COLUCCI led in the women’s “B” team with 49:41.  The team was completed by LISA GRAY, 49:59; JULIE SIMMONS, 50:31; JANE MacFARLANE, 50:48; KAREN ELLIS, 51:22; SOPHIE COWAN, 51:24; OLWEN BATTY, 52:23; and NIKKI TOUT 52:51.

With a dramatic 8 minutes 3 seconds improvement since the 10K league race in St Albans PENNY SCHENKEL was first for the “C” team in 53:48.  She was chased in by TRICIA HOPPER, 54:11; KAREN PALMER 54:32 and SUE HARMER, 55:01.  Then there was a rush of other Spartan women ADA JANUSIENNE, 55:22; CAROLINE CROFT, 56:11; JENNY GARRETT, 56:14 and JULIE SHADBOLT, 56:14 completed the “C” team and were followed in by KERSTON WEINER also 56:14; VICTORIA BRETT with a 2:57 improvement to finish in 56:17; KATHERINE HYDE, also 56:17; SARAH PIKE 58:06 and MARIA THORNE, 58:34.

SIMON JACKSON was fastest man for the Spartans.  He was 19th out of the 400 plus runners in 35:59; ANDREW PATTERSON was 26th in 36:34 and STEFFAN FORD 41st in 37:18.  PAUL HEWETT improved his personal best by nine seconds to be 43rd in 37:25 and IAIN McKEAN was 44th in his first 10K with a time of 37:26.  GRANT RAMSAY was in the top fifty at 49th with 37:38.

 

Race Name Surname Cat. M/F Time Comments
19 Simon Jackson V 40 M 35:59 4MV40
26 Andrew Patterson S M 36:34 YB
41 Steffan Ford S M 37:18 YB
43 Paul Hewett S M 37:25 PB (0:09)
44 Iain McKean S M 37:26 1st 10K
49 Grant Ramsay V 40 M 37:38
58 Brian Brackstone V 40 M 38:13
71 Natalie Lawrence S F 38:57 First woman
73 Keith Coughlin S M 39:11
79 Danny Hukin S M 39:27 YB
93 John Harris V 50 M 40:29 YB
100 David Riddell V 50 M 40:44
111 Karl Clark V 40 M 41:22 PB (1:24)
118 Todd Gray S M 41:32 YB
124 Sam Pretty S F 41:45 YB
127 Liam Herbert S M 41:57 YB
142 Michelle Reeves S F 42:55 PB (2:37)
148 Kevin Smart V 40 M 43:05
149 Kieran Feetham S M 43:08 PB (0:14)
153 Liam Errington S M 43:44 1st 10K
156 Tim Saban V 40 M 43:57
158 Paul Batterbee S M 43:58 PB 1:06)
162 Stuart Haycroft S M 44:20 1st 10K
164 Thomas Sauka V 40 M 44:26
168 Dean Carpenter V 40 M 44:33 YB
172 Suzy Hawkins V 35 F 44:30 6FV35. PB (0:36)
176 Paul Whyte S M 44:43 YB
186 Paul Carter V 40 M 45:21 SB
187 Claire Pullen V 45 F 45:20 YB
188 Mark Goodwin V 50 M 45:25 YB
189 Chris Manning S M 45:26 1st 10K
192 Mark Beasley V 50 M 45:42
196 David Hodbod S M 46:08 YB
204 Tracy Pez V 35 F 46:33 YB
207 James Kilroy S M 46:40 PB (0:05)
209 Ann Tryssesoone V 45 F 46:47
215 Martin Dudley V 50 M 47:10 PB (0:49)
218 Greg Kelly V 40 M 47:10 PB
226 Darren Emmerson V 40 M 47:40 PB (0:54)
232 Robert Evans V 40 M 48:17
233 Claire Cox V 35 F 48:07
235 Gareth Powell V 40 M 48:15 1st 10K
240 Paul Maguire V 50 M 48:45 PB (0:13)
252 Selvan Naicker V 40 M 49:18 YB
256 Angela Armitage V 35 F 49:01 PB (0:37)
264 Marie Colucci V 35 F 49:41
267 Lisa Gray V 45 F 49:59 YB
268 Jon Sypula V 40 M 49:51
270 Andy Jay V 50 M 50:02
277 Julie Simmons V 55 F 50:31 5FV55 YB
279 Martin Nicholas V 40 M 50:29 PB (3:04)
281 Jane McFarlane V 35 F 50:48
286 Sophie Cowan V 35 F 51:24
289 Karen Ellis V 45 F 51:22
297 Vishal Shah S M 52:05
299 Steve Pike V 50 M 52:06
300 Olwen Batty S F 52:23
308 Nikki Tout V 35 F 52:51
313 Callum Beasley S M 53:04
317 Tim Robinson V 40 M 53:26
321 Lee Pickersgill S M 53:27
322 James South S M 53:45 1st 10K
324 Roger Biggs V 60 M 53:41 YB
325 Jim Brown V 60 M 53:45
326 Rob Shaw V 60 M 53:45
327 Penny Schenkel V 45 F 53:48 PB (8:03)
333 Tricia Hopper V 45 F 54:11 YB
337 Karen Palmer V 45 F 54:32
343 Sue Hamer V 45 F 55:01 PB (1:13)
344 Mark West V 40 M 55:10 1st 10K
345 Simon Sypula V 40 M 55:15
347 Andy Prior V 40 M 55:16
348 Ada Janusiene S F 55:22
356 Caroline Croft V 45 F 56:11 1st 10K
357 Jenny Garrett V 45 F 56:14
358 Julie Shadbolt V 45 F 56:14 YB
359 Kerstin Weiner V 45 F 56:14 YB
362 Victoria Brett V 35 F 56:17 PB (2:57)
363 Katherine Hyde V 35 F 56:17 1st 10K
373 Sarah Pike S F 58:06
375 Maria Thorne V 45 F 58:34
377 Anton McCalla S M 58:59
378 Heather Moloney V 45 F 59:02 1st 10K
379 Beverley Harlow V 55 F 59:11 YB
380 Karl Shreeve V 40 M 59:13 PB (7:35)
382 Stephanie Mayfield V 35 F 59:14 YB
386 Paul Holgate V 50 M 59:48 YB
387 Sarah Sapstead S F 1:00:13 PB (3:55)
399 Claire Bell S F 1:01:12
401 Sharon Crowley V 55 F 1:02:18 YB
407 Tracy Stiles V 45 F 1:04:06
409 Steve Gough V 40 M 1:04:22 YB
414 Chloe Emmerson S F 1:05:08 1st 10K
416 Hannah Sypula V 35 F 1:05:24 YB
420 Peter Carpenter V 70 M 1:06:42 7MV70
427 Emma Martin V 35 F 1:11:00 1st 10K

 

The relays in the park will be on Thursday 28th July.  See www.fvspartans.org.uk for details.

 

Craig and Jim Win Prizes At Welwyn 10K

CRAIG HALSEY was third overall in Sunday’s Welwyn 10K in a fantastic time of 35 minutes 20 seconds.  The race included the Hertfordshire Championships for seniors (18 plus) in which he will win at least a BRONZE medal.  There were about 800 runners.

JIM BROWN won the trophy for third veteran (60 plus) in the race with 52 minutes 59 seconds.  Despite tough hills at four and nine kilometres PENNY SCHENKEL took another 41 seconds off her personal best when she finished in 53:07.

Two more sub 50 times were recorded by TIM SABAN and MARK GOODWIN, Tim with 46:37 and Mark on 47:15.

KEN JUDE was very pleased to record 52 minutes 33 seconds at this stage in his recovery from injury.

OLWEN BATTY had other Spartans in her sights for most of the race and finished in 53:40.  She was followed in by LEE PICKERSGILL (55:32) and CLAIRE HYDE (57:00).

 

The County Track 10K is on Thursday evening 7th July.

 

Herts Hobble

KAREN LIDDLE, BARRY KING and CAROL PAUL ran the Herts Hobble on Sunday.  It was on a new tough course.  Carol completed the 26.2 miles in 5 hours 35 minutes 39 seconds while Karen and Barry took 7 hours 36 minutes.  The event was based in Buntingford and included Great Hormead, Anstey, Barley, Reed and Wyddial.

Mike and Liz CROWLEY covered the 17.4 miles option in 5 hours 59 minutes 30 seconds.

 

Springfield Friday 5 – Friday, 24th June 2016

The Springfield Five is a Friday evening race on quiet roads in and around the Village of Pleshey in Essex.  ROGER BIGGS run a consistent race over an undulating course, in almost perfect running weather, to finish with a time of 42:31.

 

Parkrun Report

Spartan women dominated the first six finishing positions at Stevenage on Saturday.

ALISON WOOD was first to cross the line in 19:42, going almost half a minute faster that last week for a new course personal best (PB).  NICOLA HABERLAND was second in 22:53 on her first visit, MARIE COLUCCI 3rd in 22:59, also a new course PB, TRACY PEZ 4th in 23:00 and CLAIRE COX 5th in a new course PB of 23:23. CLAIRE PULLEN completed the sextet of Spartan women at the head of the field.

For the men DANNY HUKIN was 5th male in a new PB of 19:43, despite pushing a buggy that had mechanical difficulties, THOMAS SAUKA was 10th in 20:34 (course PB), MARTIN WOOD 12th in 20:45 (course PB), RICHARD KENNEDY 22nd in 21:55 and DARREN EMMERSON was 30th in 22:32.

There were also parkrun course PBs this weekend for JON SYPULA, VERITY FISHER, CAROLE SHELDRICK, KERSTIN WEINER, CLAIRE COKER and JANET COX, all at Stevenage.

The full list of Spartans in parkrun action at Stevenage and elsewhere this weekend was as follows:

 

STEVENAGE

 

Pos Gender Pos parkrunner Time Notes
5 1 Alison WOOD 00:19:42 New PB!
6 5 Danny HUKIN 00:19:43 New PB!
11 10 Thomas SAUKA 00:20:34 New PB!
13 12 Martin WOOD 00:20:45 New PB!
23 22 Richard KENNEDY 00:21:55 First Timer!
31 30 Darren EMMERSON 00:22:32 PB stays at 00:22:26
33 2 Nicola HABERLAND 00:22:53 First Timer!
34 3 Marie COLUCCI 00:22:59 New PB!
35 4 Tracy PEZ 00:23:00 PB stays at 00:22:45
39 35 Martin DUDLEY 00:23:06 PB stays at 00:22:30
44 5 Claire COX 00:23:23 New PB!
45 6 Claire PULLEN 00:23:28 PB stays at 00:22:03
48 41 James KILROY 00:23:37 First Timer!
65 55 Jon SYPULA 00:24:39 New PB!
74 64 Daniel SUTTON 00:25:21 PB stays at 00:25:21
75 11 Carol PAUL 00:25:22 PB stays at 00:25:18
85 71 Simon SYPULA 00:25:48 First Timer!
94 18 Verity FISHER 00:26:45 New PB!
96 20 Carole SHELDRICK 00:27:01 New PB!
97 21 Kerstin WEINER 00:27:24 New PB!
126 31 Theresa KEAST 00:29:14 PB stays at 00:28:45
142 41 Beverley HARLOW 00:29:57 PB stays at 00:29:24
149 44 Hannah SYPULA 00:30:28 PB stays at 00:29:14
169 61 Liz MORGAN 00:32:40 First Timer!
179 111 Ian ALEXANDER 00:33:34 PB stays at 00:32:06
189 76 Claire COKER 00:34:15 New PB!
202 118 John NELMS 00:35:32 PB stays at 00:19:58
225 100 Janet COX 00:39:49 New PB!
226 101 Caren THAIN 00:40:09 PB stays at 00:38:04
242 115 Claire DRAKE 00:50:44 PB stays at 00:31:08

 

GRAHAM HILL ran the Milton Keynes parkrun in 34:22; DAVE SMITH Wimpole Estate in 23:50; ANDY JAY Panshanger in 24:08 and TIM ROBINSON Ellenbrook Fields in 34:22.

 

Swansea Half Marathon

Rob Evans and Karl Clark travelled to South Wales for the Swansea Half Marathon. With near-perfect weather conditions, Karl completed the flat and fast course in 1:30:41 and Rob in 1:48:20.
Coming Events

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

Milton Keynes 10K on Tuesday 28th June.

EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 6th July.

County Track 10K on Sandy on Thursday 7th July.

Midweek Mob Match at Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 14th July.

Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 17th July.

Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.

Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.

EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3rd August.

Harlow 10 on Sunday 4th September.

FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25th September.

Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.

Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.

Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.

Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.

St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.

County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.

Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

Scott’s Midweek League – Div 1 Race 4

Results from the fourth race of Division 1 of the Scott’s Midweek Road Race League, jointly hosted by the Spartans and North Herts Road Runners, can be found at the link below:

Div 1 Race 4 Results

Results have been tidied up including correction to the Orion position in the men’s table.

Categories
News Race Results

Gold and bronze at British Masters Pentathlon

MONICA BROWN is the new British Masters Pentathlon Champion in the W50 age group. She won her hurdles race and cleared 1m 36cm in the high jump on her way to winning gold in Oxford.

TESSA STEPHENSON also brought home a medal, winning bronze in the W55 age group. STEVE MAYFIELD was a creditable 6th in his men’s category including a brilliant finish in his 1500m race. All three athletes finished with age-group PB scores for the outdoor Pentathlon.

Full event results will be available next week.

 

Spartans in the Triffic Trail 10k

Five Spartans headed to the beautiful surroundings of Trent Park on Sunday for the multi-terrain Triffic Trail 10k race.

KARL CLARK was first of the five to finish, crossing the line in 42nd place in 45 mins 13 secs. ANDREW JORDAN was 65th in a new course best of 47:09 and TIM SABAN was 133rd in 50:23.   DEAN CARPENTER (172nd, 53:37) and TIM ROBINSON (173rd, 53:38) were the other finishers.

 

South Downs Marathon – Saturday, 18th June 2016

ROGER BIGGS ran in The South Downs Marathon, the course for which leaves Slindon College in West Sussex and climbs North up into the South Downs to join the South Downs Way at 5.5 miles. The course then heads West, all the way to the finish at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park, adjacent to the A3 and just in Hampshire.

With significant climbs at 4, 8, 14, 18, 20 & 24 miles, an overall ascent of 3300ft and some very stony trails, this has to be one of the toughest marathons in the country. Biggs decided it was a day to survive and finished near the back of the field in 6:24:35.

 

Macmillan Runathon 10k

Robert Clark was proud to have run his first ever 10k race on Sunday. He competed in the Macmillan Runathon, a new festival of running taking place in Regent’s Park. He completed the 10k route in 57:03.

 

parkrun Report

Spartans continued to support the Stevenage parkrun in numbers this week, and again had the first finishers for both men and women.

For the women, NATALIE LAWRENCE was running with a buggy again and knocked over half a minute off last week’s time to cross the line in 20 mins 04 secs. ALISON WOOD was second woman finisher in 20:11 and CLAIRE PULLEN 3rd woman in a new course PB of 22:03.

CRAIG HALSEY was first male finisher in 16:59 (a new course PB), IAIN MCKEAN was 5th man in 18:45 and DAVID RIDDELL was 7th man in 19:17.

There were additional course PBs for LIAM ERRINGTON, DARREN EMMERSON, MARTIN DUDLEY, CALLUM BEASLEY, CAROL PAUL, OLWEN BATTY, KAREN PALMER, LESLEY AITKINS, VICTORIA BRETT, NICK WHITCOMBE, HAZEL SMITH, CLAIRE DRAKE and EMMA MARTIN.

The full list of 36 Spartan finishers was as follows:

 

Pos Gender Pos parkrunner Time Notes
1 1 Craig HALSEY 00:16:59 New PB!
5 5 Iain MCKEAN 00:18:45 First Timer!
7 7 David RIDDELL 00:19:17 First Timer!
10 1 Natalie LAWRENCE 00:20:04 PB stays at 00:18:47
12 2 Alison WOOD 00:20:11 First Timer!
23 21 Liam ERRINGTON 00:20:55 New PB!
25 23 Martin WOOD 00:21:07 First Timer!
32 30 Tim SABAN 00:21:49 First Timer!
36 34 Mark BEASLEY 00:22:01 PB stays at 00:21:56
37 3 Claire PULLEN 00:22:03 New PB!
40 37 Darren EMMERSON 00:22:26 New PB!
42 39 Martin DUDLEY 00:22:30 New PB!
50 45 Paul MAGUIRE 00:23:04 First Timer!
51 46 Callum BEASLEY 00:23:06 New PB!
85 14 Carol PAUL 00:25:18 New PB!
90 17 Olwen BATTY 00:25:39 New PB!
109 89 Lee PICKERSGILL 00:26:34 First Timer!
110 21 Karen PALMER 00:26:36 New PB!
117 24 Sue HAMER 00:26:48 First Timer!
123 27 Lesley AITKINS 00:27:24 New PB!
135 32 Victoria BRETT 00:28:11 New PB!
143 108 John WALSH 00:28:29 PB stays at 00:27:45
145 37 Lauren HARNETT 00:28:34 First Timer!
152 111 Nick WITCOMBE 00:29:25 New PB!
171 56 Tracy PEZ 00:30:41 PB stays at 00:22:45
173 58 Hazel SMITH 00:30:45 New PB!
182 63 Claire DRAKE 00:31:08 New PB!
184 121 Andrew SMITH 00:31:18 First Timer!
191 124 Andy PRIOR 00:31:46 PB stays at 00:24:05
208 132 Ian ALEXANDER 00:33:04 PB stays at 00:32:06
228 89 Vikki MEREDITH 00:35:07 PB stays at 00:34:46
242 100 Emma MARTIN 00:36:37 New PB!
252 109 Claire COX 00:37:09 PB stays at 00:23:33
253 110 Chloe EMMERSON 00:37:10 PB stays at 00:30:09
259 113 Caren THAIN 00:38:56 PB stays at 00:38:04
265 117 Janet COX 00:43:16 First Timer!

 

Elsewhere, DARRYL STEVENS ran 39:28 at Brockenhurst to finish as 71st male, JAMES SOUTH was 12th man to finish at Pymmes parkrun in North London in 24:36.

Finally, DANIEL SUTTON was 35th male finisher at Feel Foot in the Lake District in a time of 24:40 and VERITY FISHER was 41st woman there in 30:14.

 

Coming Events

 

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

 

  • Fourth event, Midweek League in Stevenage (FVS) on Tuesday 21st June.
  • County Senior Championships at the Welwyn 10K on Sunday 26th June.
  • Milton Keynes 10K on Tuesday 28th June.
  • EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 6th July.
  • County Track 10K on Sandy on Thursday 7th July.
  • Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 17th July.
  • Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3rd August.
  • Harlow 10 on Sunday 4th September.
  • FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.

 

Join The Spartans

 

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

Scott’s Midweek League – Div 2 Race 3

Results from Race 3 of Division 2 of the Scott’s Midweek Road Race League, held at Harlow on 15th June, can be found on the link below.

Race 3 Div 2 Harlow

Categories
News Race Results

SIXTY PLUS SPARTANS RACE THURSDAY

More than sixty Fairlands Valley Spartans tackled a tough course in Trent Park, North London for the third race in this season’s Mid Week League series of evening races.  Racing over 9.8 undulating and largely off road kilometres the outstanding Spartan performance was by NATALIE LAWRENCE who was second woman, beating the winner of the previous race, with a superb time of 37 minutes 38 seconds.  An accelerating MICHELLE REEVES was 14th woman in 41:54.

GRANT RAMSAY was fastest from the Spartans.  He was 21st overall out of more than 400 runners and third veteran (40 plus) in 35:07.  SIMON JACKSON was also under 36 minutes at 26th in 35:41.  The others in the twelve man “A” team were KEITH COUGHLIN, 46th in 37:17; IAIN McKEAN, 60th in 38:05; DAVID RIDDELL, 79th in 39:19;   BRIAN WHITE who won the 60 plus category with 40 minutes 24 seconds, he was 94th overall; KARL CLARK, 105th in 40:52; LIAM HERBERT, 114th in 41:39; TODD GRAY, 121st in 41:58; DEAN CARPENTER, 132nd in 42:28; THOMAS SAUKA, 138th in 42:50 and PETE SMITH, 141st in 43:02.

Meanwhile the women’s “A” team of eight runners were putting in some good performance.  In addition to Natalie and Michelle there was SUZY HAWKINS, 23rd woman in 43:35; MARIE COLUCCI, 43rd in 46:29; NICOLA HABERLAND, 47th in 47:04; CLAIRE COX and ISABEL GREEN, 51st and 52nd both in 47:47; and LISA GRAY, 62nd in 49:07.

JULIE SIMMONS led in the “B” team.  She was 66th in 49 minutes 39 seconds.  She was supported by JANE McFARLANE, 79th in 51:31; NIKKI TOUT, 83rd in 51:55; KAREN ELLIS, 84th in 51:58; SOPHIE COWAN, 86th in 52:03; OLWEN BATTY, 88th in 52:36; ADA JANUSIENE, 90th in 52:43 and SARAH PIKE, 96th in 53:34.

And the club are very proud of KAREN PALMER, 108th in 55:59; 109th in 56:01; JULIE SHADBOLT, 113th in 56:43; MARIA THORNE, 120th in 58:15; KATHERINE HYDE, 121st in 58:27; TRACY STILES, 138th in 1:02:38; SHARON CROWLEY, 143rd in 1:03:39 and KAREN BROOM, 153rd in 1:08:05 who made up a “C” team and EMMA MARTIN who finished in 1:15:06.  Altogether 25 Spartan women finished the race and there will be more at the Stevenage race on 21st June.

The Spartan men also fielded full “B” and “C” teams each with twelve runners.  Something few other clubs can do.

 

Spartan Women At Trent Park (25)

Race Women Pos Name Surname Time Cat. Comments
51 2 Natalie Lawrence 37:38 S Second woman
120 14 Michelle Reeves 41:54 S
154 23 Suzy Hawkins 43:35 V 35 7th FV35
203 43 Marie Colucci 46:29 V 35
211 47 Nicola Haberland 47:04 V 35
226 51 Claire Cox 47:47 V 35
227 52 Isabel Green 47:47 V 35
251 62 Lisa Gray 49:07 V 45
258 66 Julie Simmons 49:39 V 55 4th FV55
286 79 Jane McFarlane 51:31 V 35
291 83 Nikki Tout 51:55 V 35
292 84 Karen Ellis 51:58 V 45
296 86 Sophie Cowan 52:03 V 35
302 88 Olwen Batty 52:36 S
304 90 Ada Janusiene 52:43 S
314 96 Sarah Pike 53:34 S
336 108 Karen Palmer 55:59 V 45
337 109 Ann Tryssesoone 56:01 V 45
342 113 Julie Shadbolt 56:43 V 45
350 120 Maria Thorne 58:15 V 45
351 121 Katherine Hyde 58:27 V 35
371 138 Tracy Stiles 1:02:38 V 45
377 143 Sharon Crowley 1:03:39 V 55
395 153 Karen Broom 1:08:05 V 45
402 159 Emma Martin 1:15:06 V 35

 

Spartan Men At Trent Park (36)

Race Male Pos Name Surname Time Cat. Comments
21 21 Grant Ramsay 35:07 V 40 3rd Veteran
26 26 Simon Jackson 35:41 V 40 5MV40
46 45 Keith Coughlin 37:17 S
60 57 Iain McKean 38:05 S
78 71 David Riddell 39:19 V 50
94 84 Brian White 40:24 V 60 First V60
105 94 Karl Clark 40:52 V 40
114 102 Liam Herbert 41:39 S
121 107 Todd Gray 41:58 S
132 116 Dean Carpenter 42:28 V 40
138 121 Thomas Sauka 42:50 V 40
141 123 Pete Smith 43:02 V 50
147 126 Tim Saban 43:17 V 40
148 127 Paul Batterbee 43:20 S
165 136 Liam Errington 44:13 S
170 139 Mark Goodwin 44:32 V 50
177 144 Paul Harris 44:52 S
180 147 James Kilroy 45:17 S
216 169 Darren Emmerson 47:26 V 40
220 171 Paul Maguire 47:37 V 50
222 172 Mark Beasley 47:42 V 50
229 177 Martin Dudley 47:55 V 50
252 190 Andy Jay 49:10 V 50
263 195 Callum Beasley 50:00 S
269 199 Clive Cannon 50:34 V 50
276 202 Mark Cheadle 50:47 S
278 204 Tim Robinson 50:58 V 40
281 206 Jim Brown 51:10 V 60
293 209 Steve Pike 51:59 V 50
295 210 Andy Prior 52:01 V 40
300 213 Rob Shaw 52:30 V 60
329 226 Lee Pickersgill 55:15 S
353 231 Anton McCalla 58:41 S
379 235 Steve Gough 1:04:13 V 40
386 238 Peter Carpenter 1:06:07 V 70 8MV70
404 244 Ian Alexander 1:16:33 V 50

 

The next league race will be organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans in Stevenage on Tuesday evening 21 June.

 

St Albans Half

It rained consistently for Sunday’s St Albans Half Marathon and it was a really hilly course but all six Spartans that ran enjoyed it and crossed the line smiling.  JOHN NELMS ran a new personal best (PB) of 1 hour 34 minutes 34 seconds; THOMAS SAUKA finished in 1:36:28; JAMES KILROY in 1:47:35 and KAREN ELLIS in 1:55:22.  Two others were running their first ever half marathon.  VICTORIA MACK BRETT came in with 2:07:36 and JULIE SHADBOLT 2:06:36.

 

Wexford Marathon – Sunday, 12th June 2016

Finishing the Wexford Marathon means that ROGER BIGGS has completed marathons in 92 Counties, of the 109 recognised in the UK & Ireland.  It was a warm day in the South East corner of Ireland, as Roger took on a hilly circular marathon course in the countryside in County Wexford.  With the course generally up for most of the opening seven miles, then a later hill that was entirely up for nearly three miles, Roger was happy just to finish with a time of 5:18:31.

 

Poppyline

On Sunday CAROL PAUL ran the Poppyline off road marathon from Sheringham, Norfolk in 5:17:20.  MIKE NEWBITT completed the same event in 6:33:30.

 

Parkrun Report

Thirty-eight Spartans took part in the Stevenage parkrun this week in which 266 runners ran in total.

For the second week running Spartans were first male and female finishers. For the men, ANDREW PATTERSON was first finisher and clocked 17 mins 18 seconds. KEITH COUGHLIN was 4th in 18:35, JOHN HARRIS was 7th (19:27) and LIAM HERBERT 12th (20:07). All four were making their debut at the venue, and for Keith Coughlin it was a first ever parkrun.

For the women, NATALIE LAWRENCE has yet to be headed in Stevenage parkruns and today ran pushing a buggy.  Despite this she still finished in a superb time of 20:39. CLAIRE PULLEN was second Spartan woman, 3rd woman overall, in a new course PB  of 22:22, TRACY PEZ was 4th overall in 22:45 on her debut here and MARIE COLUCCI achieved a new course PB of 23:18 in finishing 7th.

CAROL PAUL was third in her age group with 25:25.

There were also course personal bests (PBs) for ANDY JAY, JAMES SOUTH, MEGAN TAYLOR, VERITY FISHER, KERSTIN WEINER, JACKIE DOWNES, CAROLINE CROFT, CHLOE EMMERSON, HAZEL SMITH, and CLAIRE ENNEVER-DORMER.

 

The full list of Spartan finishers was as follows:

Pos Gen Pos Name Time Note
1 1 Andrew PATTERSON 17:18 First Timer!
4 4 Keith COUGHLIN 18:35 First Timer!
7 7 John HARRIS 19:27 First Timer!
12 12 Liam HERBERT 20:07 First Timer!
15 1 Natalie LAWRENCE 20:39 PB stays at 00:18:47
19 18 Dave SMITH 21:12 PB stays at 00:21:05
32 3 Claire PULLEN 22:22 New PB!
40 37 John NELMS 22:43 PB stays at 00:19:58
42 4 Tracy PEZ 22:45 First Timer!
43 39 Mark BEASLEY 22:46 PB stays at 00:21:56
53 7 Marie COLUCCI 23:18 New PB!
62 53 Andy JAY 23:52 New PB!
64 55 Martin NICHOLAS 24:03 First Timer!
69 60 Adam RANDS 24:15 PB stays at 00:23:20
78 11 Claire COX 24:45 PB stays at 00:23:33
79 68 Darren EMMERSON 24:45 PB stays at 00:23:19
88 75 James SOUTH 25:19 New PB!
89 14 Carol PAUL 25:24 First Timer!
100 21 Megan TAYLOR 26:18 New PB!
102 22 Olwen BATTY 26:20 PB stays at 00:26:06
112 25 Verity FISHER 26:50 New PB!
113 26 Jenny GARRETT 26:57 First Timer!
128 33 Kerstin WEINER 28:10 New PB!
134 37 Jackie DOWNES 28:33 New PB!
137 40 Caroline CROFT 28:39 New PB!
143 43 Theresa KEAST 28:50 PB stays at 00:28:45
158 105 John WALSH 30:02 PB stays at 00:27:45
161 56 Chloe EMMERSON 30:09 New PB!
177 69 Hazel SMITH 30:55 New PB!
179 109 Nick WITCOMBE 30:58 PB stays at 00:29:31
201 117 Ian ALEXANDER 32:46 PB stays at 00:32:06
211 92 Claire DRAKE 33:50 First Timer!
218 98 Karen BROOM 34:35 PB stays at 00:33:26
228 107 Claire COKER 35:45 First Timer!
245 120 Emma MARTIN 38:12 First Timer!
249 124 Claire ENNEVER-DORMER 38:12 New PB!
253 126 Caren THAIN 39:03 PB stays at 00:38:04
255 128 Andy PRIOR 40:03 PB stays at 00:24:05

 

At Panshanger Park JOHN ROXBOROUGH was 26th finisher in 22:17 while DARRYL STEVENS was back at Brockenhurst this week and 103rd in a time of 39:05.

Finally ROGER HARDMAN was 297th in a massive field of 531 at Newcastle, stopping the watch at 27:03.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • Fourth event, Midweek League in Stevenage (FVS) on Tuesday 21st June.
  • County Senior Championships at the Welwyn 10K on Sunday 26th June.
  • Milton Keynes 10K on Tuesday 28th June.
  • EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 6th July.
  • County Track 10K on Sandy on Thursday 7th July.
  • Fairlands Valley Challenge on Sunday 17th July.
  • Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3rd August.
  • Harlow 10 on Sunday 4th September.
  • FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

Scott’s Midweek League – Div 1 Race 3

The results from Race 3 of Division 1 of the Scott’s Midweek Road Race League, held at Trent Park on Thursday 9th June, can be found on the link below.

These results incorporate requested changes and Vet scores and positions, Charlie Crump now recorded as a guest, correction to Gerry Randel’s name and cumulative team scores corrected.

MWL Div 1 Race 3 Results

The next race is in Stevenage on 21st June.

Categories
News Race Results

BRONZE FOR CAROLINE

Fairlands Valley Spartans’ CAROLINE BARTER is a county medallist.  She won BRONZE in the Hertfordshire County Marathon Championships with her time of 4 hours 40 minutes 49 seconds.  The championships were incorporated in the undulating Halstead Marathon.

 

Track and Field

Wednesday evening proved to be a really cold, wet and windy evening at Bedford for the second meeting of the Eastern Masters Athletics Club track and field league. The weather was so bad, part of a tree on the back straight of the track broke off and fell to the ground!

The Spartan women continued their good form by finishing second to Marshall Milton Keynes by 4 points.  Their team consisted of Monica Brown, Hazel Clark, Kathy Craig, Sharon Crowley, Yuko Gordon, Iris Hornsey, Christine Lathwell, Tessa Stephenson, Andrea Westcott and Peta Wilson, The men’s team of Anton McCalla, Mark Freeman, Mark Glading, Craig Halsey, James Kilroy, Steve Mayfield, Barry Osborne and Dave Stephenson were third behind Bedford and County Athletics Club and Milton Keynes Athletics Club.

Highlights were wins for men’s team Captain Mark Freeman who commenced his new age group competition as a 60 year old by winning the B string 1500 metre walk. Dave Stephenson won the mens 50 to 59 age group high jump in 1 metre 35cm.

Monica Brown was in great form winning several events  (80 Metre Hurdles, 200 metres, High Jump and Triple Jump), Iris Hornsey (200 Metres 60+) Cathy Craig (women’s 60+ High Jump), Yuko Gordon (Women 60+ 1500 Metres). The women’s 50+years team (Tessa Stephenson, Sharon Crowley, Yuko Gordon and Monica Brown) then finished off the evening by winning their age group relay in a League record of 2 minutes 23.8 seconds.

The women’s team are looking strong to qualify as one of the two teams for the final in September.

 

Viking Carol

CAROL PAUL ran her best marathon in over 10 years on Sunday.  She took part in the Viking Coastal marathon at Birchington in Kent.  On a four lap flat course along the coast which started at 7am Carol completed the 26.2 miles in 4:08:09.

 

Faster in Hertford

Recently ANDREW MARTIN ran the Hertford 5K in a new personal best (PB) of 24 minutes 10 seconds.

 

Parkrun Reports

At least 30 Spartans* turned out for the second Stevenage parkrun at the weekend, making up over 10% of the healthy field of 272.

It was a Spartans first place double as CRAIG HALSEY made it six parkrun first places on the trot (previously three at St Albans and two at Luton in February through to April) with his time of 17 minutes 16 seconds and NATALIE LAWRENCE followed up last week’s first place with more of the same, officially two seconds outside last week’s time at 18:49.

For the men, JOHN NELMS was second Spartan home, breaking 20 minutes for the first time, while KEIRAN FEETHAM and DAVE SMITH also notched new course PBs in being third and fourth male Spartans across the line.

For the women, CLAIRE COX was second Spartan finisher in a new course PB (personal best), fourth woman overall, and CAROLE SHELDRICK and LESLIE AITKINS were third and fourth Spartan women.

There were additional course PBs for PAUL BATTERBEE, DARREN EMMERSON, and ANDY PRIOR.

The published list of Spartan finishers was as follows:

Pos Gender Pos Name Time Note
1 1 Craig HALSEY 17:16 First Timer!
4 1 Natalie LAWRENCE 18:49 PB stays at 00:18:47
14 13 John NELMS 19:58 New PB!
17 16 Kieran FEETHAM 20:20 New PB!
25 24 Dave SMITH 21:05 New PB!
28 27 Liam ERRINGTON 21:18 PB stays at 00:21:17
31 29 Paul BATTERBEE 21:37 New PB!
54 51 Mark BEASLEY 22:58 PB stays at 00:21:56
56 53 Darren EMMERSON 23:19 New PB!
57 54 Adam RANDS 23:20 First Timer!
58 55 Martin DUDLEY 23:21 First Timer!
61 4 Claire COX 23:33 New PB!
73 67 Andy PRIOR 24:05 New PB!
77 71 Callum BEASLEY 24:20 PB stays at 00:23:53
127 113 John MCCALL 27:20 First Timer!
130 16 Carole SHELDRICK 27:26 First Timer!
138 18 Lesley AITKINS 28:17 First Timer!
143 20 Caroline CROFT 28:45 First Timer!
144 21 Theresa KEAST 28:45 First Timer!
154 23 Beverley HARLOW 29:24 First Timer!
173 34 Chloe EMMERSON 31:10 PB stays at 00:30:38
179 37 Hazel SMITH 31:43 First Timer!
184* 39* Liz MORGAN 32:00 Missed by scanner
198 156 Ian ALEXANDER 32:50 PB stays at 00:32:06
202 44 Hilary DAVIES 33:03 First Timer!
237 55 Emma POULTER 37:07 First Timer!
250 64 Caren THAIN 38:53 PB stays at 00:38:04
251 65 Claire ENNEVER-DORMER 38:53 First Timer!
265 70 Hayley PEACH 41:36 PB stays at 00:39:46
272 76 Verity FISHER 55:30 Tail-runner

 

Note: there may be missing Spartans as there was a scanner fault on the day.

In other Hertfordshire events, TRACY STILES ran at Panshanger and achieved a new course PB of 30:03 knocking an impressive 79 seconds off her previous attempt there.  In his first visit to Cassiobury Park in Watford JOHN ROXBOROUGH was 38th finisher in 21:52 while TIM ROBINSON accompanied his son round Ellenbrook Fields in 39:29.

Finally DARRYL STEVENS was 227th finisher at Lloyd parkrun in Croydon in a time of 55:24 on his first visit there.

 

League Campaign

Fairlands Valley Spartans are hoping for a big turnout of club members at the next midweek league race which will be in Trent Park this Thursday evening, 9th June.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • Third event, Midweek League in Trent Park on Thursday 9th June.
  • Fourth event, Midweek League in Stevenage (FVS) on Tuesday 21st June.
  • Milton Keynes 10K on Tuesday 28th June.
  • EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 6th July.
  • County Track 10K on Sandy on Thursday 7th July.
  • Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3rd August.
  • FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Categories
News Race Results

SPARTANS BEAT THE ESSEX MOUNTAINS

Despite a really awkward venue to get to after work sixty one Fairlands Valley Spartans travelled to Chingford to race in the second Mid Week League race of the season.  This was a tough six miles in Epping Forest including the Long Hills and High Beach.

NATALIE LAWRENCE turned in a brilliant performance over the hills to finish as second woman in 38 minutes 7 seconds, only about twenty seconds behind a past Olympian from St Albans Striders.

The fastest from Fairlands award went to GRANT RAMSAY who was 22nd overall in 35 minutes 4 seconds.  BRIAN WHITE won the veterans (60 plus) category in an amazing 39 minutes 44 seconds.  He was 83rd overall out of about 400 runners.

Two other Spartans beat forty minutes.  They were SIMON JACKSON, 25th in 35:37; and KEITH COUGHLIN, 46th in 37:09.

The Spartan men’s “A” team was completed by DAVID RIDDELL, 101st overall in 40:29; BARRY OSBORNE, 107th in 41:03 which was a 1 minute 49 seconds improvement on last year; KARL CLARK, 108th in 41:06; PAUL HARRIS, 112th in 41:21; DEAN CARPENTER, 129th in 42:11; GRAHAM BLACKBURN, 130th in 42:15; TIM SABAN, 139th in 42:30; and TODD GRAY, 142nd in 42:42.

SUZY HAWKINS was the next female from Fairlands.  She was 16th woman in 42:29.  The others in the eight runner women’s “A” team were TRACY PEZ, 27th in 44:16 – a 2:39 improvement since 2015; ANN TRYSSESOONE, 42nd in 46:26; CLAIRE COX, 46th in 47:17; MARIE COLUCCI, 47th in 47:34; ISABEL GREEN, 48th in 48:09 and ANGELA ARMITAGE, 56th in 48:32.

The women’s “B” team were LISA GRAY, 58th in   48:55; KAREN ELLIS, 68th in 50:10; JANE MCFARLANE, 74th in 50:25; SOPHIE COWAN, 75th in 50:54; NIKKI TOUT, 87th in 52:43; OLWEN BATTY, 88th in 52:45; SARAH PIKE, 98th in 53:43; and JENNY GARRETT, 108th in 55:22.

An improving PENNY SCHENKEL was only five seconds behind at 109th in 55:27.  She was followed in by ADA JANUSIENE, 111th and JULIE SHADBOLT, 112th both in 55:47; MARIA THORNE, 124th in 58:01 – a 3:39 improvement since 2015; SHARON CROWLEY, 138th in 1:02:27 and KAREN BROOM, 149th woman in 1:11:45.

All 61 runners helped make it a great evening for Fairlands Valley Spartans.

Now the club are looking forward to the next fixture which will be in Trent Park on Thursday 9th June.

 

Chingford Times For All Spartans

Position M/F Name Time Comments
22 22 GRANT RAMSAY 35:04 4MV40
25 25 SIMON JACKSON 35:37
46 46 KEITH COUGHLIN 37:09
63 2 NATALIE LAWRENCE 38:07 Second woman.   FVS “A”
87 83 BRIAN WHITE 39:44 1st MV60
101 93 DAVID RIDDELL 40:29
107 99 BARRY OSBORNE 41:03 1:49 improvement since 2015.  4MV60
108 100 KARL CLARK 41:06
112 102 PAUL HARRIS 41:21
129 115 DEAN CARPENTER 42:11
130 116 GRAHAM BLACKBURN 42:15
135 16 SUZY HAWKINS 42:29 FV35.  FVS “A”
139 122 TIM SABAN 42:30
142 125 TODD GRAY 42:42
147 130 THOMAS SAUKA 43:02 3:42 improvement since 2015
155 136 PAUL BATTERBEE 43:47
166 27 TRACY PEZ 44:16 2:39 improvement since 2015.  FVS “A”
173 143 MARK BEASLEY 44:44
176 145 MARK GOODWIN 44:51 0:58 improvement since 2015
183 150 JAMES KILROY 45:07 3:22 improvement since 2015
187 154 ALEX NEE 45:16
203 42 ANN TRYSSESOONE 46:26 FVS “A”
213 169 PAUL MAGUIRE 47:16
215 46 CLAIRE COX 47:17 FVS “A”
216 170 ROBERT EVANS 47:33
217 47 MARIE COLUCCI 47:34 FVS “A”
218 171 PAUL WHYTE 47:34
219 48 ISABEL GREEN 47:35 FVS “A”
234 179 MARTIN DUDLEY 48:09
235 180 CHRIS HOLLAND 48:13
239 56 ANGELA ARMITAGE 48:32 FVS “A”
240 184 ANDY JAY 48:33
244 187 TIM ROBINSON 48:53 1:14 improvement since 2015
246 58 LISA GRAY 48:55 FVS “B”
247 189 ANDY CHURN 49:02
252 191 MARK CHEADLE 49:13 1:29 improvement since 2015
264 68 KAREN ELLIS 50:10 FVS “B”
268 197 VISHAL SHAH 50:11 2:39 improvement since 2015
273 74 JANE MCFARLANE 50:25 FVS “B”
274 200 STEVE PIKE 50:26
275 75 SOPHIE COWAN 50:54 FVS “B”
288 205 CALLUM BEASLEY 51:53
294 208 LEE PICKERSGILL 52:26
295 87 NIKKI TOUT 52:43 FVS “B”
296 88 OLWEN BATTY 52:45 FVS “B”
309 215 ROB SHAW 53:40
312 216 ROGER BIGGS 53:34 3:21 improvement since 2015
314 98 SARAH PIKE 53:43 FVS “B”
327 108 JENNY GARRETT 55:22 FVS “B”
329 109 PENNY SCHENKEL 55:27
330 221 JIM BROWN 55:29
333 111 ADA JANUSIENE 55:47
334 112 JULIE SHADBOLT 55:47
348 124 MARIA THORNE 58:01 3:39 improvement since 2015.
350 225 ANTON MCCALLA 58:16
351 226 NICK WITCOMBE 58:18 0:56 improvement since 2015
361 228 PAUL HOLGATE 1:00:06
368 138 SHARON CROWLEY 1:02:27 4:52 improvement since 2015
373 233 STEVE GOUGH 1:04:44
385 238 IAN ALEXANDER 1:09:52
387 149 KAREN BROOM 1:11:45

 

Fifty Spartans Support The First Stevenage Parkrun

Stevenage gained its parkrun this week and a fantastic fifty Spartans turned out to help give the new parkrun a great start.  A huge field of 426 completed the inaugural event which was also well supported by other local clubs.

First Spartan finisher, and first woman finisher, was NATALIE LAWRENCE who became the first women’s course record holder in a time of 18 mins 47 secs. MICHELLE REEVES made it a 1-2 for the Spartan ladies, finishing in 20:49.  CLAIRE PULLEN was 5th woman to finish in 22:43 and CLAIRE COX was 9th woman in 23:52.

JOHN NELMS was the first male Spartan to finish, and 23rd male overall, in 20:26, with, KEIRAN FEETHAM next (27th male, 20:46).  DAVE SMITH was third Spartan in 21:06 (35th male). LIAM ERRINGTON was 37th male, in 21:17.

The full list of Spartan finishers was as follows:

Position Gender Position Name Time
8 1 Natalie LAWRENCE 00:18:47
24 23 John NELMS 00:20:26
28 27 Kieran FEETHAM 00:20:46
29 2 Michelle REEVES 00:20:49
37 35 Dave SMITH 00:21:06
39 37 Liam ERRINGTON 00:21:17
46 44 Mark BEASLEY 00:21:56
50 48 Craig BACON 00:22:06
62 58 Paul BATTERBEE 00:22:28
68 64 Thomas SAUKA 00:22:39
69 5 Claire PULLEN 00:22:43
72 67 John ROXBOROUGH 00:22:51
102 9 Claire COX 00:23:52
103 94 Callum BEASLEY 00:23:53
104 95 Darren EMMERSON 00:23:53
109 12 Marie COLUCCI 00:24:01
122 108 Jon SYPULA 00:24:42
133 116 Andy PRIOR 00:25:13
134 18 Jane MCFARLANE 00:25:15
138 119 Daniel SUTTON 00:25:21
149 23 Olwen BATTY 00:26:06
161 134 Chris HOLLAND 00:26:31
170 30 Lisa GRAY 00:26:41
173 143 Robert SHAW 00:26:43
178 33 Karen PALMER 00:26:47
187 151 Andy JAY 00:27:01
210 45 Lesley JEIVE 00:27:35
213 47 Verity FISHER 00:27:39
224 173 Roger BIGGS 00:28:03
230 55 Heather MOLONEY 00:28:13
235 59 Victoria BRETT 00:28:27
262 72 Hannah SYPULA 00:29:14
266 192 Nick WITCOMBE 00:29:31
269 77 Jackie DOWNES 00:29:40
281 85 Jan FRY 00:30:06
294 95 Chloe EMMERSON 00:30:38
312 105 Emma KINSEY 00:31:10
323 111 Tracy STILES 00:31:31
334 217 Ian ALEXANDER 00:32:06
337 120 Lisa JERROM 00:32:14
351 127 Karen BROOM 00:33:26
360 226 Andrew MARTIN 00:34:42
361 135 Vikki MEREDITH 00:34:46
366 229 Anthony OSBORNE 00:35:22
377 144 Kerstin WEINER 00:36:14
389 236 Robert HARDY 00:37:13
390 154 Caren THAIN 00:38:04
396 158 Pauline HARDY 00:39:10
399 160 Hayley PEACH 00:39:46

 

With so many running in Stevenage the only other Spartan at a parkrun this weekend was DARRYL STEVENS.  He was 73rd male finisher at Brockenhurst, finishing in a time of 37:34.

 

Hatfield Broad Oak

Conditions were almost perfect for the Bank Holiday Monday 10K race round Hatfield Broad Oak in Essex.  1,216 runners enjoyed a traffic free race on a new course that finished on the village green.  CRAIG HALSEY was 91st in 40 minutes 28 seconds; JIM BROWN 531st in 51:43; ROGER BIGGS 741st in 56:10 and PAUL HOLGATE 947th in 1:00:28.

 

Edinburgh Marathon

Finishing in bright sunshine, The Smith Family ran the Edinburgh Marathon and Half Marathon for charity.

Mollie completed the 26.2 mile course in 3 hours 58 minutes and 16 seconds.  She was running for the Great Ormond Street Hospital charity.  Mollie has recently started her nursing training at Great Ormond Street.

Karen and Pete are both coaches at Fairlands Valley Spartans running club.  Karen completed the Half Marathon course in 2 hours 13 minutes 14 seconds and Pete the Full Marathon in 3 hours 18 minutes and 19 seconds.  Pete and Karen ran for the locally based Gambia Project charity. They both recently went to The Gambia with a group of Marriotts School students and community volunteers working on various projects to help the children and villagers in deprived areas of the country.

To donate to either cause please see www.gambiaproject.co.uk/fundraising/ or www.justgiving.com/mollierunsthebig26-2

Spartan MARTIN NICHOLAS was running his first marathon and finished in 4 hours 28 minutes.

JENNY GARRETT ran the Edinburgh Marathon Festival Half Marathon in a new personal best of 1 hour 57 minutes 35 seconds.

 

Vitality

TIM SABAN ran the Vitality London 10k on Monday in 44 minutes 26 seconds.  JJORDAN QUICKE finished in 52:57.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Bedford on Wednesday 1st June.
  • Third event, Midweek League in Trent Park on Thursday 9th June.
  • Fourth event, Midweek League in Stevenage (FVS) on Tuesday 21st June.
  • Milton Keynes 10K on Tuesday 28th June.
  • EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 6th July.
  • County Track 10K on Sandy on Thursday 7th July.
  • Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • EMAC (Veterans Track & Field) event in Stevenage on Wednesday 3rd August.
  • FVS Handicap 5 / 10 in Stevenage on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

 

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

Scott’s Midweek League – Div 1 Race 2

Results from the Orion Harrier’s hosted second race of the season at Chingford are on the link below.

Race 2 Division 1 result

Categories
News Race Results

Scott’s Midweek League – Div 2 Race 2

Updated results now available on the link below as of 1st June.

Race 2 Division 2 – Hitchin

Categories
News Race Results

75 IN ST ALBANS

A huge contingent of 75 Spartans travelled to St Albans for the first Division One race in the 2016 Mid Week League series.  Many of the 44 men and 31 women were running their first ever 10K race.  They enjoyed a great sunny evening for the basically flat 10K race which was largely on tracks and a disused railway line.

GRANT RAMSAY was first finisher for Fairlands Valley Spartans.  He was thirteenth out of the 435 finishers and third veteran in 34 minutes 54 seconds, his fastest 10K time for this year.  NATALIE LAWRENCE was second woman in the whole race with her time of 38 minutes 41 seconds.

Grant was backed up in the men’s “A” team by CRAIG HALSEY, 23rd in 35:41; SIMON JACKSON, 25th and fifth veteran in 36:00; BRIAN BRACKSTONE, 26th in 36:10; PAUL HEWETT, 48th in 37:34; MIKE GREEN, 57th in 38:03; KEITH LOUGHLIN, 59th in 38:06; BARRY OSBORNE, 93rd and first Vet 60 plus in 40:12; DAVID RIDDELL, 97th in 40:18 and BRIAN WHITE, 100th and second Vet 60 plus in 40:25; JOE McAFFERY, 118th in 41:32 for his first 10K and LIAM HERBERT, 129th in 42 minutes exactly.

 

Women Beat PBs

The Spartan women’s “A” team consisted of eight runners who were Natalie Lawrence; ANN TRYSSESOONE who beat her 10K personal best by 1 minute 31 seconds to finish 190th in 45:30; NICOLA HABERLAND who beat her PB by 1:36 to be 191st in 45:36; ISABEL GREEN who beat her PB by 2:34 to be 200th in 45:55; CLAIRE COX who beat her PB by 24 seconds to be 231st in 47:32; MARIE COLUCCI, 249th in 48:15; ANGELA ARMITAGE who ran her first 10K in 49:38 to be 269th; and HAZEL CLARK, 273rd in 49:42.

There were some pretty quick times in the men’s “B” team.  Men’s teams consisted of twelve runners.  PAUL HARRIS was 139th in his first 10K with 42:45; KARL CLARK beat his PB by a massive 7:25 to be 141st in 42:46; TIM SABAN was 142nd in 42:48; PETE SMITH, 146th in 43:01; THOMAS SAUKA beating his PB by 0:34 was 160th in 43:57; TODD GRAY, 163rd in 44:06; PAUL BATTERBEE, 180th in 45:04; MARK BEASLEY, 196th in 45:41; JAMES KILROY, 225th in 47:20; RICHARD KENNEDY, 227th in 47:20 and ROBERT EVANS, 239th in 47:52 and CHRIS HOLLAND, 248th in 48:`12 – a 2 minutes 59 seconds improvement on his personal best.

LISA GRAY led in the women’s “B” team.  She was 287th in 50 minutes 14 seconds.  Next came SOPHIE COWAN beating her PB by 1 minute 31 seconds to finish 292nd in 50:38; JULIE SIMMONS, 295th in 50:55; JANE McFARLANE, 297th in 50:46; KAREN ELLIS, 304th in 51:12; OLWEN BATTY, who improved her PB by 1:17 to be 318th in 52:16; NIKKI TOUT who improved by a huge 3:59 to 319th in 52:19; and SARAH PIKE, 324th in 52:28.

The “C” team were KAREN PALMER, 353rd in 54:26; JENNY GARRETT, beating her PB by 1:39 to 359th in 54:58; MARIA THORNE, 368th in 56:52; KERSTIN WEINER, 371st in 56:50; JULIE SHADBOLT, 379th in 57:44; KAREN SMITH who took 12 seconds off her PB to 384th in 58:26; then CLAIRE BELL and VICTORIA BRETT both running their first 10K with Claire 393rd in 59:22 and Victoria 394th 59:24.

Every Spartan that runs contributes to the team effort, sometimes by getting ahead of runners from other clubs.

PAUL WHYTE, 250th in 48:16; VISHAL SHAH, 252nd in 48:29; TIM ROBINSON, 259th equalled his 48:53 PB; ANDY JAY 263rd in a 2016 best 49:05; ADAM RANDS ran his first 10K in 49:16; CALLUM BEASLEY, 267th in 49:27; MARK CHEADLE, 272nd in 49:42; JON SYPULA, 275th in 49:44; ANDY CHURN, 288th in 50:15; ANDREW MARTIN who was running his first 10K, 294th in 50:40; ANDY PRIOR, 296th in 50:55; STEVE PIKE, 314th in 51:56; JORDAN QUICKE, 320th in 52:19 beating his PB by 2:40; LEE PICKERSGILL ran his first 10Kbeat his PB by 2:40 in 52:58 for 330th; ROB SHAW was 332nd in 53:15; SIMON SYPULA running his first 10K was 342nd in 54:06; Another first timer ANTON McCALLA was 374th in 57:21; CLAIRE HYDE squeaked under the hour in her first 10K, she was 396th in 59:45; PAUL HOLGATE was 398th in 1:00:22 and JIM BROWN 400th in 1:00:51.  PENNY SCHENKEL’s first ever run with the Spartans was a race!  Having joined earlier in the day she was 401st also in 1:00:51.  Past club chair BEV HARLOW was 402nd in 1:00:52.  CATHY CRAIG was 409th in 1:02:37; PETER CARPENTER fifth male (70 plus) in 1:03:54; SHARON CROWLEY 419th in 1:04:43; KARENA TRUMAN, 427th in 1:06:47 and HANNAH SYPULA 428th in 1:06:59.

The second race in the series will be in Epping Forest this Thursday evening, 26th May.

 

Results for All 75 Spartans:

 

Position Name Time Cat. Comments
13 GRANT RAMSAY 34:54 V 40 3rd MV40.  Year’s Best.
23 CRAIG HALSEY 35:41 S
25 SIMON JACKSON 36:00 V 40 5th MV40
26 BRIAN BRACKSTONE 36:10 V 40
48 PAUL HEWETT 37:34 S 1st 10K
57 MIKE GREEN 38:03 S 1st 10K
59 KEITH COUGHLIN 38:06 S
70 NATALIE LAWRENCE (F) 38:41 S Second woman
93 BARRY OSBORNE 40:12 V 60 1st MV60
97 DAVID RIDDELL 40:18 V 50
100 BRIAN WHITE 40:25 V 60 2nd MV60
118 JOE MCAFFERY 41:32 S 1st 10K
129 LIAM HERBERT 42:00 S
139 PAUL HARRIS 42:45 S 1st 10K
141 KARL CLARK 42:46 V 40 Personal best by 7:25
142 TIM SABAN 42:48 V 40
146 PETE SMITH 43:01 V 50
160 THOMAS SAUKA 43:57 V 40 PB 0:34
163 TODD GRAY 44:06 S
180 PAUL BATTERBEE 45:04 S 1st 10K
190 ANN TRYSSESOONE (F) 45:30 V 45 PB 1:31
191 NICOLA HABERLAND (F) 45:36 V 35 PB 1:36
196 MARK BEASLEY 45:41 V 50
200 ISABEL GREEN (F) 45:55 V 35 PB 2:34
225 JAMES KILROY 47:20 S
227 RICHARD KENNEDY 47:20 S
231 CLAIRE COX (F) 47:32 V 35 PB 0:24
239 ROBERT EVANS 47:52 V 40
248 CHRIS HOLLAND 48:12 S PB 2:59
249 MARIE COLUCCI (F) 48:15 V 35
250 PAUL WHYTE 48:16 S
252 VISHAL SHAH 48:29 S
259 TIM ROBINSON 48:53 V 40 Equalled PB
263 ANDY JAY 49:05 V 50 YB
265 ADAM RANDS 49:16 S 1st 10K
267 CALLUM BEASLEY 49:27 S
269 ANGELA ARMITAGE (F) 49:38 V 35 1st 10K
272 MARK CHEADLE 49:42 S
273 HAZEL CLARK (F) 49:42 V 35
275 JON SYPULA 49:44 V 40
287 LISA GRAY (F) 50:14 V 45
288 ANDY CHURN 50:15 V 50
292 SOPHIE COWAN (F) 50:38 V 35 PB 1:31
294 ANDREW MARTIN 50:40 S 1st 10K
295 JULIE SIMMONS (F) 50:55 V 55
296 ANDY PRIOR 50:55 V 40
297 JANE MCFARLANE (F) 50:46 V 35
304 KAREN ELLIS (F) 51:12 V 45
314 STEVE PIKE 51:56 V 50
318 OLWEN BATTY (F) 52:16 S PB 1:17
319 NIKKI TOUT (F) 52:19 V 35 PB 3:59
320 JORDAN QUICKE 52:19 S PB 2:40
324 SARAH PIKE (F) 52:28 S
330 LEE PICKERSGILL 52:58 S 1st 10K
332 ROB SHAW 53:15 V 60
342 SIMON SYPULA 54:06 V 40 1st 10K
353 KAREN PALMER (F) 54:26 V 45
359 JENNY GARRETT (F) 54:58 V 45 PB 1:39
368 MARIA THORNE (F) 56:52 V 45
371 KERSTIN WEINER (F) 56:50 V 45
374 ANTON MCCALLA 57:21 S 1st 10K
379 JULIE SHADBOLT (F) 57:44 V 45
384 KAREN SMITH (F) 58:26 V 45 PB 0:12
393 CLAIRE BELL (F) 59:22 S 1st 10K
394 VICTORIA BRETT (F) 59:14 V 35 1st 10K
396 CLAIRE HYDE (F) 59:45 V 35 1st 10K
398 PAUL HOLGATE 1:00:22 V 50
400 JIM BROWN 1:00:51 V 60
401 PENNY SCHENKEL (F) 1:00:51 V 45 New member.  1st 10K
402 BEVERLEY HARLOW (F) 1:00:42 V 55
409 CATHY CRAIG (F) 1:02:37 V 55
417 PETER CARPENTER 1:03:54 V 70 5th MV70
419 SHARON CROWLEY (F) 1:04:43 V 55
427 KARENA TRUMAN (F) 1:06:47 V 35
428 HANNAH SYPULA (F) 1:06:59 V 35

 

New England Series – Friday, 20th May 2016

ROGER BIGGS completed his four marathon trip to the States & Canada, with a marathon near Hartford, Connecticut., part of the New England series.  The course was twelve out and back laps along the Iron Bridge Greenway (a paved path).  Virtually flat and with the sun just coming up as the event started at 06:00hrs, made for good marathon conditions.

Roger finished the marathon in 4:50:07, his best of the four, and very pleased to have run the event with no walking.

 

Wheathampstead 10K

Three Spartans enjoyed the Wheathampstead 10K on Sunday.  MIKE GREEN was 23rd in 41 minutes 7 seconds; ANDY CHURN 158th in 50:05 and CLAIRE BELL 447th in 1:03:19.

 

Hoohah 10K

OLWEN BATTY ran the Hoohah 10K, a multi-terrain event at the Wimpole Estate. She was 94th in 56:56 and 53rd in the senior category.

 

James At Royal Windsor

Spartan JAMES KILROY ran the Royal Windsor River Trail Run on Sunday morning,  The weather was glorious, the scenery alongside the Thames was stunning.  He had to walk a few times for the first time ever, but that was due to dehydration mainly.  Jams struggled over the last two miles to finish in 1:53:23, which he was happy with considering his very poor pre-race preparation due to other events.

 

Parkrun Reports

Hertfordshire gained the first of two new parkruns in two weeks this weekend as Ellenbrook Fields at Hatfield held its inaugural event. 273 runners, including eight Spartans, took part in the first running.

First Spartan to finish was JOHN ROXBOROUGH, 51st in 22 mins 23 seconds. DANNY SUTTON was next Spartan, 99th in 24:27 and OLWEN BATTY was third Spartan in 25:16 in 114th (14th woman). The other Spartans were TIM ROBINSON (25:47), VERITY FISHER (27:13), LESLEY JEIVE (28:32), CAROLINE CROFT (29:26) and HEATHER MALONEY (29:26).

Five miles away St Albans saw only marginal impact to its own field size as two Spartans were among 418 runners there. DAVE SMITH was 31st in 20:35, while SUZY HAWKINS was 41st overall and 3rd woman in setting a new course PB of 20:56.

JOHN NELMS was 8th finisher of 359 runners at Bedford, and his time of 20:34 was a new course PB, improving 10 seconds over his last visit in November. At the Wimpole Estate JOHN HARRIS was 9th of 320 runners in 19:41, just one second outside his course PB.

Finally at Panshanger Park ANDY JAY was 63rd of 302 runners in 24:06. BEVERLEY HARLOW was 242nd (78th woman) in 34:11. ISABEL GREEN ran a time of 35:13 pacing daughter GEORGINA  round (35:11) while son DANIEL finished around a minute ahead in 34:05.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • Second event, Midweek League at Chingford (Orion) on Thursday 26th May.
  • Hatfield Broad Oak 10K on Monday 30th May.
  • Third event, Midweek League in Trent Park on Thursday 9th June.
  • Fourth event, Midweek League in Stevenage (FVS) on Tuesday 21st June.
  • Milton Keynes 10K on Tuesday 28th June.
  • County Track 10K on Sandy on Thursday 7th July.
  • Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Handicap 5 / 10 on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

Scott’s Midweek League – Div 1 Race 1

Updated results from the first race in Division 1 of the Scott’s Midweek Road Race League from St Albans can be found at the link below, now including Vets results and, just for fun, B,C,D,E and F team tables:

Midweek Leage Race 1 Division 1 Results

Categories
News Race Results

5K MEDALS

GRANT RAMSAY and THOMAS SAUKA both won medals at the main County Championships at the weekend.  In the 5,000 metres Grant won SILVER in 16 minutes 53 seconds and Thomas BRONZE in 20:40.  Both times were season’s bests.

 

Maine Coast Marathon – Sunday, 15th May 2016

ROGER BIGGS third weekend in the States, brought him to the South Maine Coast, to run a marathon starting in Kennebunk, and finishing at the New England University at Biddeford.

Other than the cold wind, it was a reasonable day for marathon running, but the undulating nature of the course took its toll, and Roger finished with a time of 5:22:18, for 812th of 874 finishers.  True to its name, the course was often right by the coast with stunning views.

 

Parkrun Reports

In the week that parkrun announced it had surpassed 1 million unique runners in UK events DANNY SUTTON notched a milestone of his own and became the second Spartan to complete a century of parkruns.  He and VERITY FISHER both ran at Yeovil Montacute, Danny finishing 90th of 320 in 25:58 and Verity finishing 233rd (78th woman) in 33:26.

Half a dozen Spartans headed to Panshanger Park with two runners bagging new course personal bests (PBs) for their efforts.  TIM ROBINSON’s 23 mins 38 in 75th place was a six second improvement over the mark he set in September and JOHN MCCALL’s 27:50 in 166th position knocked almost a minute off his previous best here.  Other Spartans crossing the line with a barcode were: TIM SABAN (42nd) in 22:00, DAVE SMITH (45th)in 22:06, HEATHER MALONEY (218th, 55th woman) in 29:48 and CAROLINE CROFT (233rd, 66th woman) in 30:25.  396 runners took part here as the popularity of this venue continues to grow now the good weather has arrived.

Finally, DARRYL STEVENS again ran at Brockenhurst this week, finishing 111th of 114 runners in 38:12.

 

Midweek Challenge Starts Tuesday

Fairlands Valley Spartans won promotion to the top division in the Mid Week League last year.  This year’s challenge starts with a 10K race in St. Albans on Tuesday evening 17th May.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • First event, Midweek League at St. Albans on Tuesday 17th May.
  • Second event, Midweek League at Chingford (Orion) on Thursday 26th May.
  • Hatfield Broad Oak 10K on Monday 30th May.
  • Third event, Midweek League in Trent Park on Thursday 9th June.
  • Fourth event, Midweek League in Stevenage (FVS) on Tuesday 21st June.
  • Milton Keynes 10K on Tuesday 28th June.
  • County Track 10K on Sandy on Thursday 7th July.
  • Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Handicap 5 / 10 on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

Scott’s Midweek League – Div 2 Race 1

Updated provisional results (as of 17:45 pm 14/05/2016) from the first race of the new season of the Scott’s Midweek Road Race League can be found on the link below..

Many thanks everybody who has sent in their times so far. 97 times are now included for the 321 finishers. I have had to tweak a few times by the odd seconds to ensure that results flow.

Please note the change in status of the race winner in the men’s race to ‘Guest’. Updated results attached, including a correction in category for one of the Harpenden Arrows finishers improving their result in the men’s vet league positions.

There are still 2 missing finishers in 109th position in the women’s race and 195th position in the men’s race if anybody can help. Also missing first names for the 2 guest runners

Best regards

Paul Holgate

Midweek League Race 1 Division 2 Results

Categories
News Race Results

SECONDS OUT AT SANDY

Both Fairlands Valley Spartans teams were second in the first event this year for the western division of the Eastern Masters Athletics Club track and field league.  The women were only one point behind the winners, Milton Keynes, 102 to 103.

The meeting was in Sandy, Bedfordshire. The other clubs in the Western division are Milton Keynes, Bedford & County AC, Luton AC, Biggleswade AC and Bedford Harriers.

Andy Neatham returned to the team in winning form and also broke the club record for a fifty year old when he won the 3000 metres.

After his medal winning performances in the County Championships on Bank Holiday Monday, Steve Mayfield continued his success by running a club age and seasons best of running 400metres in 60.5 seconds and throwing a personal best in the men’s 50 to 59 years Hammer throw of 21.07 metres and running a club as well as doing the 100 metres, Long Jump, Pole Vault and 4×100 metres Relay.

Newcomers to the FVS team and EMAC are Hazel Clark (1000 Walk 3000 metres) and Anton MC Calla (100 metres and Long Jump) which was a boost as there were several members missing due to holiday and injury.

Monica Brown continued her success from the Bank Holiday as well, by winning her events, 100 metres, Long Jump and finishing second in the pole vault.  She also was part of the winning W50+ relay team.

Tessa Stephenson broke the club W55 best at the 400 metres (77.8s) & the 3kg Shot Putt (8.00 metres).   Barry Osborne also set a new M60 & M65 best at 3000m with 11.31.0.  Andy Neatham’s time was 9.56.6 which took 22 seconds off the Dave Bowker’s old record.  Steve Mayfield’s 400 metres was three seconds ahead of John Harris’s 2013 mark.

 

Event Name Position Time/Distance
100m W35-49 Peta Wilson 2 15.6
100m W50-59 Monica Brown 1 17.4
100m W60+ Iris Hornsey 2 20.1
100m M35-49 Anton McCalla 3 14.5
100m M50-59 Steve Mayfield 3 13.7
100m M60+ Barry Osborne 5 19.8
400m W35-49 Peta Wilson 3 80.5
400m W50-59 Tessa Stephenson 2 77.8
400m M35-49 Craig Halsey 2 61.3
400m M50-59 Steve Mayfield 3 60.5
3000m W35-49 Christine Lathwell 2 11:22
3000m W50-59 Sharon Crowley 4 16:12
3000m W60+ Iris Hornsey 3 16:48
3000m M35-49 Craig Halsey 4 9:51
3000m M50-59 Andy Neatham 1 9:57
3000m M60+ Barry Osborne 2 11:31
1K Walk Women A Sharon Crowley 3 6:56
1K Walk Women B Hazel Clark 2 7:32
1K Walk Men A Barry King 1 5:56
1K Walk Men B Mark Freeman 3 7:31
Long Jump W35-49  –
Long Jump W50-59 Monica Brown 1 4.42
Long Jump W60+ Iris Hornsey 1 2.42
Long Jump M35-49 Anton McCalla 3.45
Long Jump M50-59 Steve Mayfield 3 4.30
Long Jump M60+ Barry Osborne 4 1.91
Pole Vault W35-49 Stephanie Mayfield 1.80
Pole Vault W50-59 Monica Brown 2 1.40
Pole Vault M35-49  –
Pole Vault M50-59 Steve Mayfield 2 2.2
Hammer Throw W35-49 Stephanie Mayfield 1 19.05
Hammer Throw W50-59 Sharon Crowley 3 16.97
Hammer Throw M35-49 Barry King 3 14.81
Hammer Throw M50-59 Steve Mayfield 4 21.07
Hammer Throw M60+  –
Shot Putt W35-49 Andrea Westcott 4 4.13
Shot Putt W50-59 Tessa Stephenson 1 8
Shot Putt W60+ Iris Hornsey 2 4.5
Shot Putt M35-49 Barry King 4 6.54
Shot Putt M50-59 John Harris 4 6.5
Shot Putt M60+ Barry Osborne 5 5.09
4x100m Relay W35-49 Steph, Hazel, Peta, Christine 3 70.6
4x101m Relay W50+ Monica, Iris, Sharon, Tessa 1 68.1
4x100m Relay Men M35-49 Anton, Barry, Barry, Craig 4 62.5
4x100m Relay Men M50+ Steve, Andy Mark & John 2 60.3

 

Pos Men’s Teams Match Score Points
1 Bedford & County AC 118 118
2 Fairlands Valley Spartans 81 81
3 Marshall Milton Keynes AC 76 76
3 Bedford Harriers 76 76
5 Biggleswade AC 38 38
6 Luton AC 36 36

 

 

Pos Women’s Teams Match Score Points
1 Marshall Milton Keynes AC 103 103
2 Fairlands Valley Spartans 102 102
3 Bedford Harriers 82 82
4 Biggleswade AC 25 25
5 Bedford & County AC 21 21
6 Luton AC 12 12

 

Halstead Marathon

On Sunday CAROLINE BARTER took on the Halstead and Essex Marathon was really pleased with a 4 hours 49 minutes 19 seconds finish considering the “undulations” and 26 degrees heat.  She was 267th out of the 452 finishers.

 

Delaware Marathon – Sunday, 8th May 2016

After some serious local rain, Wilmington turned sunny for a well organised Delaware Marathon.  The course was two laps, taking in part of the Riverfront Boardwalk, and a tough mile plus long climb halfway through each lap.  ROGER BIGGS ran a reasonable firstt lap, but came apart at the seams as the temperature rose with the constant sunshine.

He finished in 5:14:02, which was good enough to pick up a trophy for third in the Vet 65-69 category.

 

Wings For Life

LIAM HERBERT ran the Wings for Life World Run in Cambridge on Sunday. It is a global race in which runners in 34 locations worldwide start at the same time and have to run for as long as possible before a catcher car passes them.  The catcher car starts 30 minutes after the race start and gradually increases speed as it travels along the course. The person who runs the furthest before getting caught at any location is the local race champion, and the person who runs the furthest out of all competitors worldwide is the global champion.

The British race started in Cambridge at midday, and the unrelenting heat proved punishing.  Tremendous local support (and soakings from residents’ garden hoses) helped me along the course as the flattish course travelled out of Cambridge city centre and north through neighbouring villages.  Liam ran 16.68 miles before the catcher car passed me, in a time of 2 hours 13 minutes and 25 seconds.  His aim was to run 16 miles so he was pleased with his performance given the conditions.  There were 2002 finishers in Cambridge, and 130,732 finishers in total across the world. The official results (and world rankings) have not been released yet, but are expected in the next few days.

He was 115th out of 2,002 in Cambridge which put him in the top 6% of the British contingent.   In Britain he was 101st man and 28th in my age category.  Liam’s global ranking is currently 5042 (out of 130,732) … which puts him in the top 4% of the world.

 

Meridian Meander

On the hottest day of the year so far Sharon and Mike Crowley went to Over near St Ives to walk the Meridian Meander.  Sharon completed the full 26 with an ice cream stop in 7hrs 35 mins.  Mike took on the 5 Pub Challenge completing the 11.5 miles in 3hrs 30.  Mike was first to finish but had avoided stopping at all the pubs on the way round!

 

Parkrun Reports

Four Spartans took on the delights of a glorious spring morning at Panshanger Park. TIM ROBINSON was first Spartan finisher in 26min 11secs. KAREN PALMER was first Spartan woman (and 30th woman overall) in 28:20. CAROLINE CROFT (51st woman in 30:12) and HEATHER MALONEY (54th woman in 30:18) were the other Spartans in a record turnout of 325 at the venue.

At Aldenham JOHN ROXBOROUGH was 14th finisher in a field of 53, crossing the line in 23:28, while at the Wimpole Estate DAVE SMITH was 39th of 368 runners in 22:57 on his first visit to this parkrun.

Furthest traveller this week was DARRYL STEVENS, 149th of 157 in 37:10 at Brockenhurst. Finally, DANNY SUTTON (122nd in 24:45)  and VERITY FISHER (117th woman in 44:42) headed over to Reading parkrun for the first time, leaving Danny now only one short of his 100th parkrun.

 

Midweek Challenge Starts Soon

Fairlands Valley Spartans won promotion to the top division in the Mid Week League last year.  This year’s challenge starts with a 10K race in St. Albans on Tuesday evening 17th May.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • First event, Midweek League at St. Albans on Tuesday 17th May.
  • Second event, Midweek League at Chingford (Orion) on Thursday 26th May.
  • Hatfield Broad Oak 10K on Monday 30th May.
  • Third event, Midweek League in Trent Park on Thursday 9th June.
  • Fourth event, Midweek League in Stevenage (FVS) on Tuesday 21st June.
  • Milton Keynes 10K on Tuesday 28th June.
  • County Track 10K on Sandy on Thursday 7th July.
  • Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Handicap 5 / 10 on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

Categories
News Race Results

GOLDEN SPARTANS AT TRACK CHAMPS

It was medals galore for Fairlands Valley Spartans at the Hertfordshire County Track and Field Championships for veteran athletes on Monday.  The golden Spartans at Ridlins were GRAHAM BLACKBURN, JIM BROWN, MONICA BROWN, HAZEL CLARK, SHARON CROWLEY, THOMAS SAUKA, DAVE STEPHENSON, TESSA STEPHENSON and ANN TRYSSESOONE

Sharon Crowley came away with three 50 medals medals – GOLD in the Hammer, GOLD in the 3K walk and SILVER for the 1500 metres.

Jim Brown won two GOLDS, at 1115 in the morning in the veteran men (60 plus) 1500 metres and then twelve and a half times round the track for the 5000 at 1555.  His 24 minutes 23.97 seconds was his fastest this year.

Graham Blackburn won the 1500 metres for men (50 plus) in 5:31.6; Hazel Clark the 1500 for women (35 plus) in 6:14.13 and Ann Tryssesoone the 1500 for women (50 plus) in an excellent first time 6:07.33.

There were two other Spartans in the 5000 metres.  Thomas Sauka won GOLD in the 40 plus category with 20 minutes 44 seconds and GRANT RAMSAY running as an open entry finished with 17:50.

In the high jump Dave Stephenson won the 50 plus category with 1.40 metres, a personal best.  He was fourth in the long jump with 4.34 metres.

TESSA STEPHENSON threw 8.03 metres for 50 plus GOLD in the shot with MONICA BROWN taking SILVER with 7.99 metres, then 16.20 metres to take GOLD in the DISCUS.  Monica got her GOLD in the long jump with a personal best of 4.82 metres.

 

Greenway Challenge 

At the Greenway Challenge LIAM HERBERT celebrated his return to Fairlands Valley Spartans by finishing 15th and first from the club in a time of 1 hour 33 minutes 28 seconds.

BRIAN WHITE enjoyed a good quality training run in pleasant countryside with perfect sunny conditions.  He was 19th in 1.35.06.

ISABEL GREEN was 72nd in 1:50:04; TIM ROBINSON 112th in 1:54:48 and MARTIN NICHOLAS 122nd in 1:56:23.

 

Position Name Time Comments
15 LIAM HERBERT 1:33:28
19 BRIAN WHITE 1:35:06
72 ISABEL GREEN 1:50:04
112 TIM ROBINSON 1:54:48
122 MARTIN NICHOLAS 1:56:23

 

Milton Keynes Festival of Running – Rocket Race (Saturday)

DANNY HUKIN went hard from the start in Saturday’s 5K Rocket Race to finish eighth out of 1,243 finishers in 17 minutes 35 seconds.  That’s a 31 second personal best in his first proper race for years.

CHLOE EMMERSON and VICTORUA BRETT both ran their first 5K races for Fairlands Valley Spartans and both got great times, Victoria’s time was 26:38 and Chloe got 29:54.  CAROLE SHELDRICK finished in 26:35; CAROLINE CROFT in 27:54 and HEATHER MOLONEY in 32:05.

 

Marathon and Half Marathon (Sunday)

The Milton Keynes marathon & half marathon are very well organised races finishing inside stadium MK, home of the MK Dons.

This year saw new and much improved courses for both distances and to add to that the weather and course support was wonderful.

Three Spartans tackled the full marathon:  STEVE GREEN finished in 3 hours 36 minutes 7 seconds, ROB SHAW in 4:47:17 and ANDREW MARTIN in 5:49:08.

And nine ran the half.  They were Craig Bacon 1:40:54; Dave Smith 1:42:41; James Kilroy 1:46:20; Chris Holland 1:50:26; Stephen Pike 2:00:36; Sarah Pike 2:06:36; Caroline Croft 2:18:39; Carole Sheldrick 2:20:20 and Heather Moloney 2:24:58

As Carole, Caroline, & Heather competed on both days they earned an additional medal.

 

Langtoft

Danny Sutton and Verity Fisher ran Langtoft 10km in Lincolnshire.  Verity ran a new personal best of 49 minutes 54 seconds and Danny ran 49:59..

 

GEAR

OLWEN BATTY ran the G.E.A.R (Grand East Anglian Run) 10K in Kings Lynn and got a PB of 53.33 which was a 2 mins 30 seconds improvement.

She says it was an amazing course that runs through the town centre, nice and flat and the weather was perfect, lovely sunshine with a gorgeous breeze along the Quay Road.

 

Vancouver Marathon

CAROL PAUL ran the beautiful Vancouver marathon in Canada.  She was really pleased with her time of 4:24:32 on a hot day.   This now bring Carol up to having ran a marathon in four provinces in Canada but the real reason Carol was at the Vancouver marathon was because her friend Carla Hayes became the first Brit to run a marathon in all 13 provinces and territories in Canada.  ROGER BIGGS finished in 4:54:21.  He added that half the course was run right beside the bays that lead to the Pacific Ocean, on ‘First Narrows’ and ‘Burrard Inlet.’

 

Squally Serpentine

It may have been chilly but sunny for the start of Friday’s 5K race round the Serpentine in Hyde Park but before the half way point the wind was getting up, by the Peter Pan statue the sky was turning very dark, by the Lido large drops of cold rain were coming down and at the finish line it was sleet.  Spartan SIMON JACKSON was 12th out of the 286 finishers in 17 minutes 32 seconds and JIM BROWN 215th in 25:18, an 18 second improvement on his last attempt at the same race.  It set him up nicely for his gold medal performance in the county veteran championship on Monday.

 

Pony Express Ultra

Karen Liddle and Tricia Hopper  travelled to Brockenhurst in the New Forest for the Pony Express 60 mile ultra over 2 days!  On a tough  hilly course they managed  a negative split finishing day one in seven hours 39 minutes and day two in 7.17.

 

Parkrun Reports

MIKE GREEN was in sparking form at Panshanger Park, taking over a minute off his previous visit to record a new course PB of 19 minutes and 15 seconds and finish in 8th place. TIM ROBINSON finished 95 of the 295 runners in 25:38

At St Albans DAVE SMITH maintained his excellent form to finish 42nd of 448 runners in 20:32, just 7 seconds outside the course PB he set last week, while at the Wimpole Estate CRAIG BACON was 292nd of 365 in a time of 32:45 while pacing young Mary Bacon in her first parkrun.

Finally, LUCY FIELD ran at Cambridge, finishing 322nd of 532 (78th woman) in 29:14.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • Veterans Track League at Sandy on Wednesday 4th May.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • First event, Midweek League at St. Albans on Tuesday 17th May.
  • Second event, Midweek League at Chingford (Orion) on Thursday 26th May.
  • Hatfield Broad Oak 10K on Monday 30th May.
  • Third event, Midweek League in Trent Park on Thursday 9th June.
  • Fourth event, Midweek League in Stevenage (FVS) on Tuesday 21st June.
  • Milton Keynes 10K on Tuesday 28th June.
  • County Track 10K on Sandy on Thursday 7th July.
  • Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Handicap 5 / 10 on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

LONDON CALLED AND THE SPARTANS CAME

London called and nineteen Spartans took up the challenge and won.  Yes nineteen members of Stevenage based Fairlands Valley Spartans completed Sunday’s London Marathon.  First to finish was CRAIG HALSEY in an amazing sub three time of 2 hours 45 minutes 2 second, well inside the first one thousand of about forty thousand finishers.

ANDREW PATTERSON also beat the three hour barrier with 2 hours 54 minutes 27 seconds and MIKE GREEN was faster than the critical 3:15 with 3 hours 14 minutes exactly.  PETE SMITH celebrated his birthday with 3 hours 16 minutes 50 seconds which will give him a huge age related score.

The fastest Fairlands Female was NICOLA HABERLAND with 3 hours 32 minutes 9 seconds.

Three Spartans were delighted to complete their first ever full marathons.  They were KAREN ELLIS, 4:29:59; MARIA THORNE, 4:58:45 and phenomenal fund raiser IAN ALEXANDER in 6:32:21.

Meanwhile JASON ANDERSON finished in 3:21:11; ROBERT EVANS in 3:46:01; JON SYPULA in 3:56:08; TIM SABAN in 4:04:32; ANDY JAY in 4:16:39; NIGEL STRONGITHARM in 4:17:16 and CHRISTINE SHARMAN in 4:24:47.

Perpetual marathon runner ROGER BIGGS came home in 4:40:05 with ROB WRIGHT in 5:05:11; LISA GRAY in 5:05:18 and JAN FRY in 5:24:53.

 

Position Name Number Time Comments
556 Craig Halsey  31865 2:45:02
1202 Andrew Patterson 31155 2:54:27
3798 Mike Green 2323 3:14:00
4213 Pete Smith 26853 3:16:50 Birthday
4874 Jason Anderson 31214 3:21:11
5250* Nicola Haberland 27196 3:32:09
10035 Robert Evans 55528 3:46:01
12844 Jon Sypula 2023 3:56:08
15404 Tim Saban 1681 4:04:32
18472 Andy Jay 55529 4:16:39  PB
18623 Nigel Strongitharm 33036 4:17:16
20650 Christine Sharman  15021 4:24:47
21978 Karen Ellis 16812 4:29:59 1st marathon
26118 Roger Biggs 25521 4:40:05
28872 Maria Thorne 21304 4:58:45 1st marathon
30065 Rob Wright 41629 5:05:11
30075 Lisa Gray 55526 5:05:18
33002 Jan Fry 7579 5:24:53
37877 Ian Alexander 37069 6:32:21 1st marathon

 

Flying 5Ks – Quicke is Fast, Angie Accelerates

New Spartan JORDAN QUICKE won Thursday evening’s Handicap 5K race in Stevenage.  He beat his handicap by 4 minutes 9 seconds to cross the line first with an actual time of 23 minutes 51 seconds.

IAIN McKAIN was second with an actual of 18:43.

The winning woman was SARAH SAPSTEAD who improved her personal best (PB) by two minutes to 27 minutes 34 seconds.

LEE PICKERSGILL was third man, and fourth overall in a PB of his own, 24 minutes 53 seconds.  New member LEANNE ROYALE was second female in 23:42, and NIKKI TOUT third improving her PB to 26:48.

The fastest runner on the night was ANDY NEATHAM in a SB 18:07, with DANNY HUKIN second with 18:26, and Iain’s 18:43 made him third quickest.  LIAM HERBERT also recorded a sub-20 minute time of 19:51.

Quickest female was Angela Armitage, improving her PB by a significant 1:55 to 23 minutes 7 seconds.  LEANNE ROYALE’s 23:42 made her second quickest and SOFIA CARPENTER was third fastest in 24:43.

There were also PBs for Paul Harris, Liam Errington, Olwen Batty, Darren Emmerson, Karl Shreeve, Brian Bailey, Jane McFarlane, Dave Quicke and Claire Hyde.

There will be a break for the midweek league events from May to July.  The Handicap 5k will return in August.

 

Shakespeare Marathon

It was a beautiful Spring day in Stratford upon Avon for the Shakespeare marathon which coincided with the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death on the 24th April 1616.  PAUL HOLGATE’s time was 5:42:22.

 

Southampton Half

Way down south JAMES KILROY was 898th in the Southampton Half Marathon with a time of 1 hour 44 minutes 38 seconds.

 

Parkrun Reports

At Panshanger Park, CAROLINE CROFT was first Spartan officially over the line, clocking a time of 29mins 14secs to finish 166th overall (34th woman). HEATHER MALONEY finished 174th (41st woman) in 29:36 and TIM ROBINSON was 196th finisher in 31:05 having given the field of 291 runners a 5 minute head start.

DANIEL SUTTON and VERITY FISHER are regular parkrun tourists. This week they were in local action at LUTON WARDOWN. Fisher was 48th (5th woman) of 236 runners in 24:05, a new course PB, and Sutton was 64th in 25:32.

Finally, there was another course PB for DAVE SMITH, the sole Spartan running at St Albans, who clocked 20:25 to finish 40th of 402 runners.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.  Advance entries essential.  Supporters welcome.
  • Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • First event, Midweek League at St. Albans on Tuesday 17th May.
  • Second event, Midweek League at Chingford (Orion) on Thursday 26th May.
  • Hatfield Broad Oak 10K on Monday 30th May.
  • Third event, Midweek League in Trent Park on Thursday 9th June.
  • Fourth event, Midweek League in Stevenage (FVS) on Tuesday 21st June.
  • Milton Keynes 10K on Tuesday 28th June.
  • Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Handicap 5 / 10 on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

FAIRLANDS FLYING AT FLITWICK

The Spring sunshine brought out seven hundred runners including 13 from Fairlands Valley Spartans to run the Flitwick 10K, for many a last race before the London Marathon.  The race is on a great if undulating course which can catch some runners out in the second half.

GRANT RAMSAY was fastest for Fairlands in 37 minutes 6 seconds; second veteran runner in the race and 17th out of the 691 finishers.  ANN TRYESSOONE was fastest Fairlands female in 47 minutes 1 second, missing a personal best by just one second despite the lumpy course.

WINSTON WOODWARD made the top twenty with 37:20 and JAMES KILROY came in with 46:51,

CLAIRE COX ran an excellent 48 minutes 23 seconds finishing just eleven seconds ahead of DARREN EMMERSON in 48:34.  Next came MARK CHEADLE in 49:33; ANDY JAY in 51:44 and ADA JANUSIENE in 54:12.  NICOLA TOUT is steadily improving and finished in 56:18 with JENNY GARRETT and NICK WITCOMBE close behind in 56:37 and 56:38.  TRACY STILES completed the line up with 62:47.

 

Position Name Time Comments
17 GRANT RAMSAY 37:06 2nd Veteran
20 WINSTON WOODWARD 37:20 4MV40
166 JAMES KILROY 46:51
171 ANN TRYSSESOONE 47:01
205 CLAIRE COX 48:23
212 DARREN EMMERSON 48:34
243 MARK CHEADLE 49:33
314 ANDY JAY 51:44
378 ADA JANUSIENE 54:12
431 NICOLA TOUT 56:18
443 JENNY GARRETT 56:37
444 NICK WITCOMBE 56:38
581 TRACY STILES 62:47

 

There were 691 finishers.

 

Brighton Marathon

Spartans ISABEL GREEN and KAREN BROOM both ran their first ever marathons at Brighton on Sunday.

It was a perfect running day, cool, sunny and a light breeze.  Around 11,000 runners turned up for the well organised event on a fairly flat, single lap course that took in the town centre, the promenade, a very well supported residential section and a more peaceful industrial area.  The support was amazing, and yet again the Spartans showed their true colours, with lots of cheering and encouragement from those in the race and also many club members watching from the sidelines.  ISABEL GREEN showed the benefit of the Club Sunday marathon training runs, stuck to her plan to keep every mile under nine minutes (some by a narrower margin than others) and finished her first marathon in 3 hours 52 minutes 18 seconds.

KAREN BROOM was really pleased to finish her first marathon in 5 hours 42 minutes 9 seconds.

Isabel and Karen both thanked the Spartan coaching team for their advice and support.

TIM ROBINSON ran a new personal best (PB) of 4 hours 14 minutes 51 seconds

 

Bungay Marathon

On Sunday CAROL PAUL ran the Bungay marathon in Suffolk.  It was on a two lap course that went from Bungay out to Beccles and then back to Bungay.  The first half of the lap was very hilly.  In weather of sunshine and hail stones Carol completed the 26.2 miles in 4 hours 25 minutes 21 seconds.

 

Parkrun Reports

With the spring marathon season in full swing and a popular 10k at Flitwick fewer Spartans took part in parkruns this week.

CRAIG HALSEY made it back to back first place finishes at St Albans in successive weeks, finishing in 16:46, ten seconds slower than last week.  DAVE SMITH also returned and delivered another course PB, bringing his time down to 20:29 while finishing in 31st place, Finally, SUZY HAWKINS made her parkrun debut, finishing as third woman in a time of 21:04.

At Panshanger Park the three Spartans in attendance were led home by MARTIN NICHOLAS in 51st place in a time of 24:36 on his first appearance at the venue. HEATHER MALONEY was 137th (38th woman) in 29:28 and CAROLINE CROFT was 140th (41st woman) in 29:37.

Fastest Spartan woman of the week was NATALIE LAWRENCE who was first woman (and 6th overall) at Luton Wardown in a new course PB of 19:09.

Travelling further for their parkrun fix were VERITY FISHER (64th overall, 7th woman in 24:00) and DANNY SUTTON (76th overall in 24:44) who ran at Moors Valley for the first time.  Finally, on his latest Newcastle start, ROGER HARDMAN was 286th finisher in 26:37, and BEV HARLOW was also running at Newcastle finishing 429th (128th woman) in 31:14 on her first visit..

 

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 21st April.
  • London Marathon on Sunday 24th April.
  • County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.  Advance entries essential.
  • Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • First event, Midweek League at St. Albans on Tuesday 17th May.
  • Hatfield Broad Oak 10K on Monday 30th May.
  • Milton Keynes 10K on Tuesday 28th June.
  • Bedford 5K on Wednesday 27th July.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Handicap 5 / 10 on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

KAREN’S FIFTIETH

Spartan ANDY JAY enjoyed the Sandy sunshine and finished the ten mile race in 1 hour 26 minutes 22 seconds.  JULIE SHADBOLT was delighted to complete her longest race ever so far in 1:39:21 and thanked KAREN ELLIS, 1:39:23 and MARIA THORNE, also 1:39:23 who supported her all the way round.

 

Karen’s Fiftieth

Karen Liddle, Tricia Hopper, Barry King and Paul Holgate all took part and ran the Caythorpe off-road marathon on Saturday. This was amazingly KAREN LIDDLE’s 50th marathon. A fantastic achievement! She is a wonderful runner and Fairlands Valley Spartan.

The event was on a beautiful course with some hills, including one monster hill.

Karen, Tricia and Barry all finished in 5 hours 44 minutes 36 seconds and Paul came in at 6.11.23

 

Cambourne 10K

Two Spartans ran the off-road Cambourne 10k. This was run on a gently undulating, mainly off-road, route on parkland trails in almost perfect conditions bar the wind.

JORDAN QUICKE finished in 54 minutes 59 seconds and KEN JUDE in 55:40.

 

Calderdale Hike

SHARON and MIKE CROWLEY took part in the Calderdale Hike on Saturday.

The 26.2 miles included over 4000 feet of climbing – nearly the height of Ben Nevis!

This was no ordinary marathon, there were no marshals to show the way, no route description for participants, just map references for the checkpoints plus a Mountain Rescue team do a kit check before you can start.

The start and finish were in Sowerby Bridge near Halifax.  Sharon and Mike finished in 8 hours 48 minutes, that’s 54 minutes faster than last year despite it being very muddy underfoot.  They enjoyed a sunny day for the event but after they had finished it rained and then snowed.  Sharon was third woman to complete the testing course.

 

Ashford & District Marathon – Sunday, 10th April 2016

The Ashford and District Marathon is held on the edge of the Downs, starting from the Kent Village of Charing and is a two lap event.

A late enforced course change meant a very hilly opening four miles, but the rest of the course could be considered undulating, over generally quiet roads, including a section along the Pilgrims Way, which certainly tested the grip on the bottom of your shoes.

Although tiring over the last few miles, Roger Biggs completed the race in 4:54:32, his second best marathon of 2016, and good enough to win him the Veteran (65 plus) category.

 

Parkrun Reports

Two Spartans headed to the St Albans Parkrun.  CRAIG HALSEY showed again that he’s in fine form as the London Marathon approaches, finishing first in a field of 329 in a time of 16 minutes and 36 seconds, and looked extremely impressive as he led the second placed finisher by around a minute.  DAVE SMITH also ran well, finishing 44th in 20:53 for a second consecutive course PB, and an improvement of over a minute over the course of his three runs at the venue.

At Panshanger Park TIM ROBINSON finished 68th of 210 runners in 25:27, while VERITY FISHER was 48th overall, and 9th woman finisher, in a field of 244 at Huntingdon.  She crossed the line in 24:16, a new course PB.

EMMA POULTER is improving all the time.  She made her third visit to Cleethorpes this year and was 111th (35th woman). She finished in 34:51 which is a new course PB and means she has now improved by 1 minute 20 seconds since her first run in this race.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17th April.
  • Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 21st April.
  • London Marathon on Sunday 24th April.
  • County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.  Advance entries essential.
  • Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • First event, Midweek League at St. Albans on Tuesday 17th May.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Handicap 5 / 10 on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Categories
News Race Results

OAKLEY COUNTY 20

The Oakley 20 is often the last long run before a Spring marathon and several Spartans proved they are nearly ready for, say, the London Marathon which is on Sunday 24th April.

MIKE GREEN finished in an impressive 2 hours 19 minutes 23 seconds for the undulating twenty miles in Bedfordshire.  He was 37th out of the 787 finishers.

Next in for the Spartans was STEVE GREEN, 104th in 2:32:10 closely followed by PETE SMITH, 107th in 2:32:53.  ISABEL GREEN was 342nd in 2:55:16.  MOLLIE SMITH completed a father daughter team when she finished 481st in 3:08:19.  KAREN ELLIS completed the tough course in 3 hours 16 minutes 32 seconds; BARRY KING in 3 hours 21 minutes exactly and MARIA THORNE in 3:35:58.

Position Name Time
37 MIKE GREEN 2:19:23
104 STEVE GREEN 2:32:10
107 PETE SMITH 2:32:53
342 ISABEL GREEN (F) 2:55:16
481 MOLLIE SMITH (F) 3:08:19
533 KAREN ELLIS (F) 3:16:32
573 BARRY KING 3:21:00
689 MARIA THORNE (F) 3:35:58

 

Iris Blooms in Ancona

Over the last week Fairlands Valley Spartans members have been taking part in the European Masters Athletics Indoor Championships.  This is for athletes over 35 years of age and over 2,500 travelled to Ancona, Italy from 41 countries

Iris Hornsey had a busy few days as she took part in three individual races and a relay and brought back 4 medals in the over 70 age group.  Showing consistent strength against a very high standard of competition, she won Bronze medals won in the 800 metre, 1500 metre and 400 metre races which were followed by running the first leg of the 4×200 metre relay with the British team finishing behind the German team but ahead of the home nation to take Silver medals.

Monica Brown and Tessa Stephenson took part in the Indoor Pentathlon. This consists of a 60 metre Hurdles race, High Jump, Shot Putt, Long Jump and an 800 metre race which all take place on one day. The result in each of these is awarded points from scoring tables and they are then added together to decide the final position of the athletes.

Monica, competing in the over 50 age group, produced results which included the best long jump overall in the competition with a new personal best of 4.68 metres, a personal best in the Shot Putt of 7.88 metres and an overall second position in the High Jump with 1.39 metres.  She finished 5th overall with a Personal Best score of 3502 points, an impressive improvement of 272 points.

In the over 55 age group, Tessa performed consistently better than she expected producing personal bests in the hurdles of 14.74 seconds and indoor Shot Putt of 8.73 metres finishing in 12th position overall with a score of 2543 points also a large improvement of 294 points.

Dave Stephenson, in the over 50 age group, also competed and took part in a Pentathlon for the first time.  The men’s event also consists of 60 metre Hurdles, Long Jump, Shot Putt and High Jump but ends with a 1000m race.  Technical problems in the Shot Putt led to the event being severely delayed which made competing difficult but he was happy to complete the event in 20th position overall with a score of 2169 points.

 

Reading Half

JOHN NELMS, “fresh” from his 100 mile efforts ran the Reading Half Marathon in a new personal best of 1 hour 35 minutes 40 seconds.  HAYLEY FAULKNER was also rewarded with a new PB at the same event.  She improved by 24 seconds to 1:58:33.

 

Florence half marathon Sunday 3rd April

BRIAN WHITE completed the Florence Half Marathon in 1:37:16.  He enjoyed perfect running weather and a very nice two lap course all within the city centre.  Twice round the Duomo and twice across the Ponte Vecchio bridge.

 

MEC North Vancouver

DANNY SUTTON and VERITY FISHER completed a 10 kilometre race in Vancouver, Canada at the weekend.  The event was on a pretty hilly but beautiful course with tall fir trees lining a creek which they ran up.  Their times were 52:34 for Verity and 51:18 for Danny.

 

Biggs In Bratislava

Roger Biggs spent the weekend in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, taking in the Marathon he missed two years ago.  This marathon has a strict 5hr time limit, which Roger thought he could beat, until he realised it was gun time.  The 5 mins he took to get over the start line meant he now had to finish inside 4:55, quicker than anything he had run this year.

There is nothing like time pressure to bring out all the stops, with Roger finishing in 4:46:32, over ten minutes quicker than his previous best of the year.

The marathon was two laps, flat other than a small hill that brought you into the Quant Old Town area, crammed with locals and tourists.  The only snag being that is was mostly cobbles.

 

Parkrun Reports

A beautiful spring morning saw six Spartans among a large field of 271 at local favourite Panshanger Park.  First Spartan to finish was TIM ROBINSON, finishing 60th in a time of 23 minutes 54 seconds, not too far outside his course PB.  ANDY JAY continued his London Marathon build up, finishing 89th in 25:55. LESLIE JIEVE was 111th (18th woman finisher) in 27:11, a new course PB. There were also course PBs for KAREN PALMER (120th, 22nd woman, in 27:34) and HEATHER MOLONEY (138th, 26th woman, in 28:42. CAROLINE CROFT crossed the line in 30:11 to finish 168th (39th woman).

In other local events, DAVE SMITH ran a new course PB at St Albans finishing 40th of 391 runners in 21:11 for a 49 second improvement over last week. At Oak Hill, TRACY STILES was 124th of 168 (34th woman) in 30:47 in her first appearance at this venue, while at the Wimpole Estate JOHN HARRIS finished 10th of 386 participants in 20:06.

Further afield, DARYL STEVENS was again in action at Brockenhurst, crossing the line in 40:40 for 142nd place (of 146) , and ROGER HARDMAN’S latest run at Newcastle saw him finish 229th of 479 in a time of 25:56, only 2 seconds outside his best at the venue.

Finally, MADELEINE PRITCHARD flew the Spartan flag overseas, finishing the parkrun du Bois de Boulogne in a time of 33:08 for 162nd place in a field of 176, swollen by British runners limbering up for the Paris Marathon.

 

Several other Spartans enjoyed the Stevenage Start of Summertime cycle rides.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • Sandy 10 on Sunday 10th April.
  • Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17th April.
  • Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 21st April.
  • London Marathon on Sunday 24th April.
  • County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.  Advance entries essential.
  • Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • First event, Midweek League at St. Albans on Tuesday 17th May.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Handicap 5 / 10 on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
  • Spartans Christmas Social on Saturday 10th December.

 

Join The Spartans

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

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

BRIAN RUNS THE WORLD

Spartan BRIAN WHITE endured rather adverse conditions to finish the World Half Marathon Championship in 1 hour 31 minutes 29 seconds.  The event was in Cardiff on Saturday.  He was sixth veteran (60 plus) and 1,030 overall out of the 12,068 finishers.

 

Good Friday Ten

The previous day it was a great sunny Spring morning for the three Spartans at the Maidenhead Easter Ten on Good Friday.  The course was basically flat except for a wicked little hill at 8 miles.

Jim Brown improved by 62 seconds on last year to finish in 87 minutes 3 seconds (526); Stephen Pike finished in 90:13 (577) and Sarah Pike in 92:49 (617).  There were 805 finishers.

 

Reservoir Jogs

A cold wind made the ‘Easter around the Reservoir Marathon’ a tough day to be running six laps around the Brackmills Reservoir just South of Northampton.

Each lap was a tale of two halves, one half being a tarmac surface and sheltered from the wind, the other half on lumpy grass and trail, and fully feeling what the day was throwing at the runners.  CAROL PAUL completed the marathon in 4 hours 38 minutes 16 seconds; ROGER BIGGS in 5:24:30 and MIKE NEWBITT in 5:46:25.

 

Parkrun Reports

Two Spartans headed over to a windy and chilly St Albans. TIM SABAN rushed round in a time of 21 minutes 12 seconds to finish 42nd of 392 runners.   DAVE SMITH was 66th in 22:00 in his first parkrun.

At Panshanger Park, TIM ROBINSON was first Spartan finisher (102nd of 318 runners) in 25:46.  BEV HARLOW was first Spartan woman finisher, finishing 248th (and 79th woman) overall, in 33:05 and LIZ MORGAN was 256th (83rd woman) in 33:11 in her parkrun debut.

Heading south, DARYL STEVENS was 160th of 166 at Brockenhurst in a new course PB time of 39:34, which in the north-east ROGER HARDMAN was 225th of 457 runners, crossing the line in a time of 26:53.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
  • Sandy 10 on Sunday 10th April.
  • Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17th April.
  • Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 21st April.
  • London Marathon on Sunday 24th April.
  • County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.  Advance entries essential.
  • Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Handicap 5 / 10 on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

SPARTANS SPORT RELIEF

Fairlands Valley Spartan JOHN NELMS ran 100 miles round the 400 metre athletics track at Ridlins End as his contribution to Sport Relief.  He beat his 24 hour target by 2 hours 32 minutes and has raised £1,100 so far.  Club members took it in turns to join him for a few laps throughout Saturday and into the early hours of Sunday morning.  Two, KARL CLARK and DARREN WILBY, ran full marathons with John.  John’s wife Sharon stayed awake throughout providing all the food and drink that John needed.

He set off on his 402 laps at 09.30 Saturday morning and finished his 100th lap Sundays morning at 06.58, taking over 4 hours off his 100 mile personal best.  John is truly an inspiration and deserves all the accolades for this super human effort, but I just have to say how proud I was to be a Spartan this weekend.

Then on Sunday the Spartans organised the Stevenage Sport Relief event.  More on that in a few days.

 

Rob and Victoria Win 5K

ROB DOE and VICTORIA BRETT won the Spartans Handicap 5K event in Stevenage on a chilly evening last Thursday.  Fourteen took part.

Race winner Rob won in a new personal best (PB) time of 24 minutes 15 seconds.  LEE PICKERSGILL was second to finish in a new PB time of his own of 25 minutes exactly.  CRAIG HALSEY was third in an excellent 16:42, the fastest Handicap 5k time recorded in four years, just 9 seconds off Chris Hilton’s 2012 course record time.

The winning woman was new member VICTORIA BRETT in 29:50, 1:25 quicker than handicap, with Verity Fisher second in 24:05.  BERNADETTE MILLWOOD was third in 30:45.

Fastest runner on the night was Craig, with JAMES KILROY second in 21:31 and MARK GOODWIN third in 22:23.

Verity was quickest lady, with Victoria second fastest and Bernadette third.

There was also a PB for Tim Robinson of 22:37 and year best times for Martin Dudley, 23:17 and Peter Carpenter 31:22.

The last Handicap 5k before this year’s Midweek League races will be on Thursday 21st April 2016 and it will be in daylight!  In handicap events runners start according to recent performances, slower runners first.  If everyone runs to form they will all finish together.

The event was organised by PAUL HOLGATE with IAN ALEXANDER and JIM BROWN acting as timekeepers and start / finish marshals.

 

Welwyn Half

NATALIE LAWRENCE was second fastest female and improved her personal best to 1 hour 25 minutes exactly at Sunday’s Welwyn Half Marathon.  She was 17th overall out of the 461 finishers.

PAUL HEWETT was 25th in 1:26:34.

Robert Wright ran a new personal best of 1 hour 59 minutes.  His last half marathon took 2:13.  MARK GOODWIN was 115th in 1:42:03.

OLWEN BATTY improved by more than 32 minutes since last year with her time of 2 hours 3 minutes 55 seconds and RUTH REILLY finished in 2:07:06.

 

Hampton Half

 

JENNY GARRETT finished Hampton Court Half in 2.05:14, a new personal best just over two minutes quicker than at Milton Keynes.

ANDREW JORDAN set a new personal best at the Hampton Court Half Marathon of 1:35:28 today

This beats my previous best of 1:36:20 set at Silverstone way back in March 2007.

I am unbelievably pleased as it more than makes up for my poor showing at Watford a few weeks ago.

 

Serpentine Snap

DAVID BOWKER ran the Serpentine 5K in exactly the same time as last month, 19 minutes 38 seconds.  In dry, overcast, chilly conditions he was 62nd out of the 212 finishers but second in his age category.  He hopes to qualify in the age group competition by finishing at least six races this year.

 

North London Half

KAREN BROOM was so pleased to finish the North London half marathon in 2 hours 30 minutes as she nearly pulled out at mile 8 with a foot injury.  This was her 11th half marathon in 12 months.

 

Leighton 10K

TRACY STILES enjoyed the Leighton 10K which she completed in 61 minutes 10 seconds.

 

Mission Control Marathon

Roger Biggs completed his two weekend trip to the States with a Trail Marathon in Seabrook, on the outskirts of Houston, Texas, and very close to the NASA installation.

The course was four laps of basically flat terrain on a mixture of surfaces, well marshalled, with a total of 19 aid stations including Portaloos at every one.

For Roger it was a mixed day, struggling to maintain a good pace as the sun warmed up the day, yet his finishing time of 5:03:39 was good enough to place 2nd in his age group (65 to 69). As Roger was the only non American runner in the events, he was refunded his $85 entry fee!

 

Daffodil Dawdle

The Daffodil Dawdle is an off road marathon on a circular course starting from Stradbroke in Suffolk.  It’s a scenic flat route along the Waveney Valley, involving sections of the Mid Suffolk Footpath and the Angles Way, and taking in the historic churches of Eye, Hoxne and Wingfield.

The weather was very kind.  SHARON and MIKE CROWLEY with PAUL HOLGATE walked the 26.2 miles in 7 hours 15 minutes 46 seconds but CAROL PAUL completed the event in 5:57:33.

 

Parkrun Reports

At Panshanger Park HEATHER MOLONEY was 134th finisher of 225 runners (40th woman finisher) in 29:53, while ANDREW MARTIN was 194th, crossing the line in a time of 36:09.

At Cambridge LUCY FIELD was 237th (and 46th woman finisher) in a field of 450, finishing in a time of 26:58. Finally, DARRYL STEVENS was 188th of 202 runners on his first visit to Chipping Sodbury, completing in 38:23.

 

Ashridge Boundary

TIM ROBINSON ran the 16mile Ashridge Boundary trail run on Saturday and came 153rd in 2 hours 41 minutes 38 seconds, MIKE GREEN was 18th in 2:03:03.  Returning from injury LISA GRAY was 199th in 3:01:20.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25th March.
  • Club Training 20 on Sunday 27th March.
  • County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
  • Sandy 10 on Sunday 10th April.
  • Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17th April.
  • Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 21st April.
  • London Marathon on Sunday 24th April.
  • County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.
  • Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Handicap 5 / 10 on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation.  Concessions are available.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk  Please ask if you would like a paper copy.  You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

SPARTANS SURPRISE IN FINCHLEY

There were amazing runs from Spartans ANDREW PATTERSON and SAM PRETTY in Sunday’s Finchley 20. This is the oldest 20 mile event in the race calendar and always attracts a good entry.

Andrew beat two hours and was top ten in the four lap race. He finished ninth in 1 hour 59 minutes 30 seconds. Sam was third woman and 90th overall out of the 428 finishers in 2:19:38.

JASON ANDERSON was beating out 6 minute 33 second miles, faster than needed for a quicker than three hours marathon and was 39th in 2:11:03, an improvement of 8 and a half minutes from last year. STEFFAN FORD was also in the top 100. He was 79th in 2:17:44. STEVE GREEN was 147th in a new personal best of 2:29:03 and TIM SABAN 164th in 2:34:30.

JIM BROWN was on a mission to finish. He picked up a faller at eight miles and went on to enjoy what became a really lovely day for running. Jim was 319th in 3 hours 5 minutes 34 seconds and fourth in his category.

 

County Cross Country

Fairlands Valley Spartans had seven members running the County Cross Country Championships for Veterans including TONY OSBORNE who was celebrating his 60th year of competitive running. Over 4.4 miles he was 22nd in the 60 plus category, he is actually over 70, in 1 hour 1 minute and 9 seconds.

Also racing over 4.4 miles CLAIRE PULLEN was 10th in the women’s championship with 32 minutes 47 seconds. SOPHIE COWAN was 30th in 36:30; PETA WILSON 34th in 37:41; JULIE SHADBOLT 50th in 42:46 and SHARON CROWLEY 56th in 50:11.

CRAIG BACON ran 5.9 miles in the men’s 40 plus championship. He was 43rd in 46:45 on a lovely morning.

 

Sunny Silverstone Half Marathon

CLAIRE COX and DARREN EMMERSON both improved their personal bests by about four minutes at the sunny Silverstone Half Marathon. Claire finished in 1 hour 46 minutes 2 seconds and Darren in 1:46:57.

JAMES KILROY was the fastest Spartan with 1:45:50. EMMA MARTIN was very pleased with her first half marathon which she finished in 2 hours 48 minutes 16 seconds.

IAN ALEXANDER had three targets (1) to get a time of under 3 hours; (2) to remain injury free for the London Marathon, and (3) to feel good at the finish. He achieved all three and had a time of 2 hours 59 minutes 40 seconds.

MOLLIE SMITH finished in 1:49:06; ANDY JAY in 1:59:00; JAN FRY in 2:23:12 and PAUL HOLGATE in 2:32:50.

Position Name Time Comments
1381 JAMES KILROY 1:45:50
1404 CLAIRE COX (F) 1:46:02 PB (4 minutes)
1493 DARREN EMMERSON 1:46:57 PB (4 minutes)
1749 MOLLIE SMITH (F) 1:49:06
2950 ANDY JAY 1:59:00
5320 JAN FRY (F) 2:23:12
5854 PAUL HOLGATE 2:32:50
6285 EMMA MARTIN (F) 2:48:16 First Half
6488 IAN ALEXANDER 2:59:37

 

Lydd 20

The Lydd 20 is on a flat course over the UK’s only desert. DANIEL BATES was 204th out of 498 runners in 2 hours 55 minutes 23 seconds. Unfortunately he got injured after 12 miles with calf and ankle problems. It was very slow going on the last eight miles especially with a strong headwind.

 

Colchester Half

SUE HAMER ran the Colchester half marathon in 2 hours 5 minutes and 34 seconds.

 

Lee Valley

The British Masters Athletics Federation Indoor Track and Field Championships were held at The Lee Valley Indoor Athletics Centre last Weekend. Competitors ranged in age from 35 to 96 and are grouped into five year age groups. Four Spartans took part over the two days.

On Saturday, Iris Hornsey finished in Silver Medal position in the 1500 metre race for Women over 70 in a time of 7 minutes 33.52 seconds which is over 20 seconds quicker than she ran last year. She followed this on Sunday, with the 800m. After having a fall 20 minutes before the race, she still managed to finish in Silver Medal Position, recording a time of 3 minutes 42.44 seconds, losing out in a photo finish.

Dave Bowker was agonisingly close to finishing in Bronze Medal position in the 1500 metres for over 55 men, having led a group of three athletes for most of the race but being passed right on the line to finish fourth in a time of 5 minutes 5.08 seconds.

Tessa Stephenson, whilst recovering from injury, still managed to take a creditable fourth place in the over 55 women’s Shot Putt with a best of 8.34 metres and also completed the Long Jump with 3.36 metres.

Dave Stephenson, competing in the over 50 age group, managed times of 8.70 seconds and 65.40 second in the 60 and 400 metres respectively.

For Iris, Tessa and Dave Stephenson this was the last competition before shortly flying to Ancona in Italy, with fellow Spartan Monica Brown, to take part in the European Masters Indoor Championships.

 

Lafayette

ROGER BIGGS travelled to Lafayette in Louisiana for their marathon which was run in very warm conditions. It was already 60F (15C) at 7am when the race started, and rose to a humid 80F (27C) quite early in the race.

The amount of concrete paved roads certainly did not help, and further drained Roger, who crossed the finishing line in 5:08:35. This was Roger’s 95th marathon completed in the USA!

 

Parkrun Reports

CRAIG HALSEY delivered on his promise three weeks ago to return to Luton Wardown parkrun for another go at breaking the course record, and this time he achieved it. He finished 1st of 180 runners and knocked 22 seconds off his previous effort to set a new course record of 16:35 (the previous record was 16:50 which had stood since Luton’s 10th event last June).

At Panshanger Park, MARK BEASLEY finished 35th of 203 runners to be first Spartan finisher in 22:53. CALLUM BEASLEY was next Spartan home, 42nd in a time of 23:32. ANDY JAY warmed up for the Silverstone Half Marathon with a run-round at marathon pace, finishing 95th in 27:17. LESELY JEIVE was 99th overall (18th woman finisher) in 27:34 (a new course PB) and HEATHER MOLONEY was 142nd (38th woman) in 30:42.

Two Spartans headed south to run. NATALIE LAWRENCE ran the Brockenhurst parkrun in the New Forest, finishing as second woman, 27th overall from 131 runners, in a time of 23:29. Meanwhile, DARRYL STEVENS ran along the promenade at Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun, finishing 325th of 334 in 39:40.

Finally, in the north ROGER HARDMAN ran at Newcastle parkrun, finishing 387th of a massive field of 677 in a time of 27:06.

 

Sport Relief

Don’t forget Sport Relief is this Sunday 20th March. The Stevenage event is organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans. See you at Ridlins Athletics Track. More details can be found at http://findarace.com/events/sainsburys-sport-relief-mile-stevenage-2016

 

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 17th March.
• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 18th March.
• Essex 20 including Intercounties on Sunday 20th March.
• Sport Relief on Sunday 20th March.
• Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25th March.
• Club Training 20 on Sunday 27th March.
• County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
• Sandy 10 on Sunday 10th April.
• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17th April.
• London Marathon on Sunday 24th April.
• County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.
• Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
• Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
• Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
• Handicap 5 / 10 on Sunday 25th September.
• Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
• Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
• Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
• St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

FOURS AT MK HALF

Four females from Fairlands ran the Milton Keynes Half Marathon and NATALIE LAWRENCE was fourth woman in the race. Her time of 1 hour 26 minutes 59 seconds gave her 63rd position out of the 1,556 finishers.

JENNY GARRETT was running her first half marathon as a Spartan. She finished in 2:07:43. LOUISE NEWTON finished in 1:56:26 and WENDY THARANI in 1:59:19.

 

Position Name Time Comments
63 NATALIE LAWRENCE 1:26:59 4th woman
705 LOUISE NEWTON 1:56:26
768 WENDY THARANI 1:59:19
1082 JENNY GARRETT 2:07:43 1st FVS Half

 

Also at the Milton Keynes Festival of Running HAYLEY FAULKNER raced a great new personal best in the MK 10K. She was 202nd of the 1,196 finishers in 51 minutes 5 seconds, completing the Spartans Six LINDA GREENE ran the MK 5K in 36:44.

 

Berkhamsted Bates.

DANIEL BATES ran the Berkhamsted half marathon. On the very tough hilly course he finished 154th out of the 883 runners in 1 hour 37 minutes 10 seconds.

 

Mill Hill Mud

Karen Liddle, Tricia Hopper and Barry King ran the Mill Hill off road Marathon in north London on Sunday. On a chilly winter day they ran the hilly four lap course together. It had ankle deep mud in parts. They averaged the first two laps in one and half hours before coming in quicker the last two laps to go sub 6 hours with a finish time of 5 hours 52 minutes 46 seconds.

 

Wrexham Marathon – Sunday, 6th March 2016

Fortunately, the snow weather warning did not materialise, and conditions, although quite cold, were very good for marathon running at Wrexham on Sunday. Starting/finishing in the town centre, the race spent most of the miles in the local countryside. It was mildly undulating throughout, although the last mile proved the toughest and ROGER BIGGS had to dig in to sneak over the line in just under 5 hours in 4:58:37.

 

Boundary Run

On Sunday CAROL PAUL ran the Cambridge boundary run trail marathon. On a combination of footpaths and muddy fields carol completed the 26.2 miles in 5:24:06

 

Parkrun Report

There was just the one Spartan in parkrun action on Saturday. At Panshanger Park DEBBIE RAINES finished 99th of 197 (and was the 20th woman to finish) in a time of 28:59. In doing so she knocked 58 seconds off her previous best round the challenging course.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13th March.
  • Finchley 20 on Sunday 13th March.
  • Handicap 5K on Thursday 17th March.
  • Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 18th March.
  • Essex 20 including Intercounties on Sunday 20th March.
  • Sport Relief on Sunday 20th March.
  • Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25th March.
  • Club Training 20 on Sunday 27th March.
  • County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
  • Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17th April.
  • London Marathon on Sunday 24th April.
  • County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.
  • Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Handicap 5 / 10 on Sunday 25th September.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

CHAMPIONS NIGHT CELEBRATIONS

GRANT RAMSAY and YLLKA ISTREFI are the new Fairlands Valley Spartans club champions. Scores of Spartans enjoyed the club’s presentation evening which was at Chesfield Downs on Friday evening.

BEV HARLOW, club chair in 2015, presented the awards. Before she did Bev mentioned some of the club’s achievements last year. They included promotion to the top division in the Mid Week League; a fantastic result in the cross country league with 53 Spartans racing in the last event; some great performances by Spartans in the East of England track and field league; GRANT RAMSAY winning GOLD in the British Masters Marathon Championship for runners 40 plus; MONICA BROWN who is leading the Power of 10 UK 100 metre rankings for 50 plus women; CHRIS WESTCOTT broke the club record for 800 metres and JOHN HARRIS who broke the Spartans 200 metre record.

There were presentations for performance, and for supporting the club. The captains’ awards for those running the most events in the midweek and cross country leagues went to PAUL HOLGATE (10 out of 10) and PETA WILSON (9).

The short distance age related championship for women was won by JULIE SIMMONS with IRIS HORNSEY second and TESSA STEPHENSON third. This was over 1500 metres, five kilometres, five miles and 10 kilometres. In the same event for men BARRY OSBORNE took the top spot with BERNIE BARNABY second and JOHN HARRIS third.

Moving up SUZY HAWKINS was first woman in the long distance age based championship. This was over 10 miles, half marathon (13.1); 20 miles and full marathon (26.2). JAN FRY was second and MOLLIE SMITH third. The men’s version was won by STEFFAN FORD with FVS press officer JIM BROWN second and JOHN NELMS third.

LIZ CARVELL and STEVE GREEN were the most improved female and male runners over the year, while KAREN BROOM was “Starter of the Year.”

Next came the fastest runners in the club, the medal winners in the open championships. SAM PRETTY won the women’s short distance championship with YLLKA ISTREFI second and TRACY PEZ third. However Yllka WON the long distance trophy with MADDIE PRITCHARD second and NICOLA HABERLAND third so with a first and second place Yllka won the overall club championship for women.

GRANT RAMSAY was first in the men’s short distance championship with JASON ANDERSON second and CRAIG HALSEY third. Grant and Jason were also first and second in the long distance event but STEVE GREEN was third. Thus with two first places Grant was the men’s champion and the overall club champion for 2015.

HANNAH and JON SYPULA won the Chair’s Award for their efforts with the club kit and MARK FREEMAN was a very popular Spartan of the Year. His was an inspired and successful effort to get people running the cross country races.

 

Brian Wins In Cambridge

Sunday’s Cambridge Half Marathon was on a good flat course in great conditions though it was a bit congested in the first couple of miles. Fairlands Valley Spartans’ BRIAN WHITE notched up another category win for the distance. He was first veteran (60 plus) in 1 hour 27 minutes 58 seconds and 263rd out of the 5,308 finishers.

STEFFAN FORD was fastest from Fairlands finishing 67th in 1:19:35. STEVE and ISABEL GREEN but achieved a new personal bests (PB). Steve went sub 90 with 1:29:37 and Isabel under an hour and three quarters with 1:44:36.

TIM SABAN came in with 1:32:28 and THOMAS SAUKA with 1:37:27. SCOTT ROUSE and SIMON JACKSON finished together with 1:47:15 and KEN JUDE was delighted to finish his first half marathon in 1 hour 52 minutes 38 seconds. Soon afterwards ANDREA WESTCOTT finished in 2:07:51; JEANETTE COLLINS in 2:13;35; MARK CHEADLE in 2:18:02 and a delighted “Spartan Starter of the Year” KAREN BROOM in 2:32:10.

Pos. Name Time Comments
67 STEFFAN FORD 01:19:35
263 BRIAN WHITE 01:27:58 Winner (1st MV60)
385 STEVE GREEN 01:29:37 PB.
481 TIM SABAN 01:32:28
804 THOMAS SAUKA 01:37:27
1539 ISABEL GREEN 01:44:36 PB.
1656 SCOTT ROUSE 01:47:15
1659 SIMON JACKSON 01:47:15
2626 KEN JUDE 01:52:38 First Half Marathon
3782 ANDREA WESTCOTT 02:07:51
4284 JEANNETTE COLLINS 02:13:35
4428 MARK CHEADLE 02:18:02
5006 KAREN BROOM 02:32:10

 

Winning The Baldock Beast

In the Baldock Beast Half Marathon NATALIE LAWRENCE was the winning woman overall, and the first of the seven Spartans home in a new personal best of 1:25:21. She was sixth out of everyone completing the race.

There were perfect weather conditions for the multi-terrain 13.1 miles. The course was very hilly and the running surfaces variable.

DANIEL BATES was 58th in 1:40:40; BERT BUTLER 64th in 1:41:21; TIM ROBINSON 111th in 1:46:56; ROBERT EVANS 113th in 1:47:11; STUART HAYCROFT 181st in 1:55:51 and TRACY STILES 290th in 2:26:38.

 

Champion PB

Spartan women’s club champion YLLKA ISTREFI set a new half marathon personal best at Kingston on Sunday. She finished in 1 hour 35 minutes 51 seconds, third in her category and 182nd out of all the 1,145 finishers.

 

A Swift South Coast Half

MADDIE PRITCHARD ran the Brighton Half Marathon in 1 hour 42 minutes 24 seconds.

 

Serpentine

It was chilly, breezy but sunny for the Last Friday of the Month 5K race round the Serpentine. DAVID BOWKER beat the twenty minute barrier to come 61st out of the 264 in 19 minutes 38 seconds.

Still very heavy legged after the Tour of East Lothian cycling event JIM BROWN was happy to get round in 25 minutes 32 seconds. He was 221st.

 

Indoor

David Bowker was also in action on Sunday but this time he was inside. He competed for EVAC (the Eastern Veterans) in BMAF Indoor Inter Area Match and was second in the male 50 plus 2K walk in 11 minutes 18 seconds.

 

Parkrun Reports

With so much going on it was a relatively quiet Saturday for Spartans on the parkrun scene.

At Panshanger Park ALISON WOOD led home the four Spartans taking part, finishing in 14th overall out of 246 and 4th woman finisher in a time of 20:41. LESLEY JEIVE was 107th in 27:38, knocking 37 seconds off her course PB. HEATHER MALONEY was 125th in 28:45, also a new course PB by 78 seconds. TIM ROBINSON paced his son round the course in 42:12 as a limber up ahead of the Baldock Beast the next day.

In a biting wind at St Albans DANNY SUTTON was 73rd finisher out of 392 in a new course PB time of 22:20, while VERITY FISHER was 101st in 23:19.

Finally, DARRYL STEVENS was 184th out of 191 at Northala Fields parkrun, finishing in 46:48 on his first visit to that venue.

 

Twenty’s Plenty

Recently ROBERT EVANS completed the Bramley 20 in a time of 2 hours 48 minutes 43 seconds.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13th March.
  • Finchley 20 on Sunday 13th March.
  • Handicap 5K on Thursday 17th March.
  • Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 18th March.
  • Essex 20 including Intercounties on Sunday 20th March.
  • Sport Relief on Sunday 20th March.
  • Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25th March.
  • County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
  • Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17th April.
  • London Marathon on Sunday 24th April.
  • County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.
  • Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

MONICA WINS NATIONAL GOLD

MONICA BROWN was at Lee Valley Indoor Athletics Track on Valentine’s Day to compete in the British Masters Pentathlon Championships and loved winning the Gold medal in the over 50 age group!

Indoor Pentathlon consists of 60 metres Hurdles, High Jump, Shot Putt, Long Jump and 800 metres and Monica lead the age group competition from start to finish ending with a personal best final score of 3230 points.

TESSA STEPHENSON was also competing in the Pentathlon but in the over 55 age group. This was her first indoor pentathlon and she finished with 2249 points to finish fourth. She was especially pleased with her indoor personal best in the shot, with a distance of 8.29 metres, which currently places her third in the UK for her age group.

This meeting also hosted both the Eastern Veterans AC and South of England Veterans Championships with IRIS HORNSEY and DAVE BOWKER competing for the Spartans.

Iris Hornsey continued her good form by running faster than last year’s times in the Over 70 age group. Iris completed the 400 metres in 98.59 seconds to take the Gold Medal in both Championships and the 800 metres in 3minutes 42.71 seconds to take the Silver Medals

Dave Bowker finished the over 55 age group 1500 metres in a time of 5 minutes 8.19 seconds, setting a new Championship Best, and the 3000 metres in 11 minutes 30.27 seconds. Dave was first in both events to take both Gold Medals in each event.

All four athletes are now in contention to represent the Eastern Veterans Region, against teams from all other areas of the UK in the inter-area match at the end of February.

Following on from the Masters championships four Spartans returned to take part, as guests, at the Southern Counties Veterans Athletics Club Championships last weekend.

GRANT RAMSAY and DAVE BOWKER competed in the 3000 and 1500 metre races. Grant finished with times of 9 minutes 55 seconds and 4 minutes 43 seconds in the Men’s 40 age group (2nd in age group in both events) and Dave Bowker with times of 11 minutes 14 seconds (1st in age group) and  5 minutes 19 seconds (2nd in a the Men’s 55 age group).

TESSA STEPHENSON won the Women’s 55 age group Shot Putt competition in a new indoor personal best of 8.57 metres. DAVE STEPHENSON managed 7.32 metres and also 12.68 seconds in his first 60 metre hurdles race in the M50 age group. Both were using this as preparation for upcoming multi event competitions.

 

Chilly 5K

Perfect running conditions saw some very fast times from the 25 Spartans taking part in this month’s Handicap 5k as almost every participant beat their handicap time, including the fastest female course time recorded in over 4 years, 8 PBs, 2 Season Best and 13 year best times.

Winner on the night was newcomer NEIL ROBINSON, a massive 5:23 quicker than handicap in 24:37, followed by SARAH ATKINSON, supported around the course by JIM BROWN to a new personal best time 28:37, 2:54 quicker than previous.

2nd woman was ANDREA WESTCOTT in 26:37, 2:38 ahead of handicap, with LIZ CARVELL 3rd woman in a year best time of 28:09, 14 seconds quicker than in January.

SIMON SYPULA was 2nd man, taking 61 seconds off his PB to finish in 27:01, with ANDY JAY 3rd man in a new season best time of 22:26.

Fastest runner on the night, despite having to start early and complete most of the run on her own, in the fastest female course time for more than 4 years, was NATALIE LAWRENCE in a new PB time of 18:44.

CLAIRE COX was 2nd quickest woman, with 23:06 for her first 5k with the club, and ISABEL GREEN was 3rd quickest in a new PB time of 23:19, taking 24 seconds off her previous quickest time.

Fastest man was KEITH COUGHLIN in 18:49, 1:11 better than handicap. LIAM HERBERT was 2nd quickest man, celebrating his birthday in style by running a warm-up lap of the 5k course in 21:36 and following that with 20:20 for the Handicap 5k itself, and JAMES KILROY was 3rd fastest man in a new personal best time of 21:17.

There was also a PB for KARL SHREEVE (+0:35 to 6:37), while DAVID BOWKER power-walked his way around the circuit in a new season best time of 31:12, 1:20 faster than in January.

24 of the 25 finishers beat their handicap, with 76% finishing within 1 minute of their adjusted handicap time, and the time difference between 2nd-24th position was just 2:29.

The March Handicap 5k will be on Thursday 17th March 2016.

 

Pos Name Time T. Pos F. Pos Comments
1 NEIL ROBINSON 24:37 15 PB, 1st 5k, Winner
2 SARAH ATKINSON 28:37 23 7 PB (2:54) 1st Woman
3 JIM BROWN 28:37 24
4 ANDREA WESTCOTT 26:37 17 5 YB, New
5 SIMON SYPULA 27:01 20 PB (1:01)
6 ANDY JAY 22:26 6 SB (0:43)
7 KARL SHREEVE 26:37 18 PB (0:35)
8 MARTIN DUDLEY 23:23 11 YB (0:37)
9 LIZ CARVELL 28:09 22 6 YB (0:14)
10 ISABEL GREEN 23:19 9 3 PB (0:24)
11 NATALIE LAWRENCE 18:44 1 1 PB (0:03) Fast runner on the night
12 TIM ROBINSON 23:02 7 YB (0:49)
13 JAMES KILROY 21:17 4 PB (0:04)
14 CLAIRE COX 23:06 8 2 PB, 1st 5k
15 DAVID BOWKER 31:12 25 SB (1:20)
16 MARK GOODWIN 22:13 5 YB (0:14)
17 KEITH COUGHLIN 18:49 2 YB Fastest man on the night
18 LIAM HERBERT 20:20 3 YB
19 DARREN EMMERSON 23:20 10 YB
20 VISHAL SHAH 23:26 12 YB (2:08)
21 LEE PICKERSGILL 27:12 21 YB
22 HAYLEY FAULKNER 25:36 16 4
23 CALLUM BEASLEY 24:00 13 YB
24 ROGER BIGGS 26:51 19 YB
25 MARK BEASLEY 24:30 14 YB

 

Andrea’s Bramley

ANDREA WESTCOTT ran the Bramley 10 in 92 minutes 22 seconds.

 

100 Marathon Club AGM Marathon/The Good The Bad and The Ugly Marathon

CAROL PAUL ran the 100 Marathon Club AGM Marathon on Saturday. Comprising of 13 laps of the cycle park in Fowlmead Country Park near Deal in Kent, Carol completed the race in 4hrs 36 minutes 28 seconds.

The following day the same course hosted The Good, The Bad and the Ugly Marathon, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first spaghetti western. Although the temperature was good, winds gusting up to 50 mph made for 13 laps of toil, and ROGER BIGGS completed the race in 5hrs 06 minutes and 24 seconds.

 

Wokingham Half Marathon

JAMES KILROY ran the second if his 2016 challenge half marathons at Wokingham. At the half-way stage he was two minutes inside his PB pace, but calf and breathing difficulties affected him from the 8 mile mark. He ran through the difficulties to finish in a very creditable 1 hr 45mins and 44 seconds.

 

Celebrate!!

The Fairlands Valley Spartans Presentation Evening, Dinner and Disco will be at Chesfield Downs Gold Club from 7.30p.m. this Friday 26th February. Tickets are just £20. More details on www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

Parkrun Reports

CRAIG HALSEY continued his recent sparking form at Luton Wardown parkrun. He finished first of 185 runners in a fine time of 16:57 but was disappointed not to take the course record and vowed to return in the near future for another attempt. At St Albans TIM SABAN also showed himself to be in fine shape, finishing 34th of 360 runners in a new course PB of 20:21.

Three Spartans headed down to favourite local venue Panshanger Park, with THOMAS SAUKA finishing 36th of 212 in 22:53. LESLEY JEIVE finished 115th in 28:19 and HEATHER MOLONEY finished 146th in 30:03, a new course PB.

JOHN ROXBURGH paid a first visit to Barclay parkrun and finished 6th of 64 in a time of 24:19, while at Cassiobury Park in Watford Darryl Stevens was 277th of 295 finishers in 38:15 in his first run at that venue. LUCY FIELD finished 351st of 478 at Cambridge in 30:56.

Travelling further afield, DANIEL SUTTON and VERITY FISHER headed to Rutland Water, Danny finishing 29th of 134 in 23:52 and Verity finishing 34th in 24:38 (new course PB). At Cleethorpes, EMMA POULTER finished 106th of 120 in 35:28, also a new course PB while at Carlisle ANDREW MARTIN finished 56th of 185 runners, crossing the line in 25:36.

The most northerly Spartan parkrunner of the week was JIM BROWN who ran at Portobello parkrun in Edinburgh and finished 123rd of 220 runners in 27:06 in his first parkrun anywhere.

 

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 18th February.
  • Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 26th February at 12.30p.m.
  • Spartans Presentation Evening on Friday 26th February. Tickets only £20.
  • County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13th March (probably Watford).
  • Finchley 20 on Sunday 13th March.
  • Handicap 5K on Thursday 17th March.
  • Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 18th March.
  • Essex 20 including Intercounties on Sunday 20th March.
  • Sport Relief on Sunday 20th March.
  • Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25th March.
  • County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
  • Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17th April.
  • London Marathon on Sunday 24th April.
  • County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.
  • Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Standalone 10K including County Vets Championships on Sunday 2nd October.
  • Peterborough Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October.
  • Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • St Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 20th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th November.
Categories
News Race Results

SPARTANS WIN CROSS COUNTRY

Fairlands Valley Spartans won the men’s and women’s race in the final cross country league fixture of the 2015-2016 season.

CRAIG HALSEY opened up a gap to win the men’s race by 51 seconds in 34 minutes 25 seconds and NATALIE LAWRENCE won the women’s event in a fantastic 38 minutes 42 seconds no less than 3 minutes 32 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.

It was hilly, chilly and sunny as the Spartans set a new all time club record for participation in a cross country event. 324 from 20 clubs finished and 53 were FVS. Many had joined the Stevenage based club in the last year.

Despite the tough course five of the men’s team managed to run the 5.5 miles in less than 40 minutes. After Craig ANDREW PATTERSON was third in 35 minutes 29 seconds; GRANT RAMSAY 14th in 37:29; KEITH COUGHLIN 23rd in 38:33; and PAUL HEWETT 33rd in 39:35. The eight man “A” team was completed by MIKE GREEN, 45th in 41:09; STEVE GREEN, 51st in 41:41 and PAUL WHYTE, 65th in 42:44.

The men were second on the day, just six points ahead of Trent Park, and came THIRD in the whole series with 92 league points, just one behind Trent Park and five behind winners Royston.

The Spartan women’s “A” team WON their race on Sunday. All five of them finished in the top twenty five with CLAIRE WHITCHURCH moving into the top flight for the first time. They were, of course, led in by race winner NATALIE LAWRENCE in 38:42; MICHELLE REEVES sped in at eighth in 44:56; TRACY PEZ was 15th in 46:40; CLAIRE PULLEN 21st in 48:19 and Claire Whitchurch 22nd in 48:22. Fifteen other Spartan women finished so the club were unique with complete A, B, C and D teams at the end.

The others, many running such a hard event for the first time and coming out smiling, were SUZY HAWKINS, 28th in 49:20; CLAIRE COX, 48th in 52:07; HAZEL CLARK, 57th in 53:13; ISOBEL GREEN, 63rd in 54:02; VERITY FISHER, 73rd in 55:27; STEPH MAYFIELD, 87th in 58:26; SUE HAMER, 91st in 59:30; ADA JANUSIENE, 95th in 60:32; JEANETTE COLLINS, 99th in 61:32; OLWEN BATTY, 103rd in 62:32; NICOLA TOUT, 104th in 62:47; JENNY GARRETT, 105th in 63:02; SHARON CROWLEY, 107th in 63:33; JULIE SHADBOLT, 115th in 67:52 and PETA WILSON, 122nd in 72:00.

The FVS women were fourth over the whole series which started in October. It was desperately close for the third, or BRONZE, position with the Spartans just one league point, 82 to 83, behind Garden City but actually ahead of them, 813 to 751 on individual race points. The combined male and female teams were second on the day – Royston scored 1772; FVS 1962 and Trent Park 2020.

The 33 men had enough for four teams and some to spare.

Those giving tremendous support to the “A” team and beating many other clubs’ first teams in the process were LIAM HERBERT, 69th in 43:08; JOHN HARRIS, 70th in 43:11; KARL CLARKE, 77th in 43:51; TIM SABAN, 82nd in 44:07; TODD GRAY, 83rd in 44:15; DANIEL BATES, 91st in 45:16; THOMAS SAUKA, 92nd in 45:22; RYAN DUNNING, 117th in 48:12; MARK GOODWIN, 127th in 49:07; STEVE SMITHSON, 142nd in 50:44; DEAN CARPENTER, 153rd in 52:44; DANNY SUTTON, 157th in 54:09; JON SYPULA, 160th in 54:23; ROBERT WRIGHT, 165th in 55:25; VISH SHAH, 166th in 55:26; ANDY JAY, 167th in 55:26; TIM ROBINSON, 169th in 55:45; ANDY PRIOR, 175th in 56:41; KEN JUDE, 182nd in 57:47; JIM BROWN, 184th in 58:29; LEE PICKERSGILL, 187th in 61:08; SIMON SYPULA, 190th in 62:50; STEVE GOUGH, 198th in 67:42; MARK FREEMAN, 200th in 76:29 and PAUL HOLGATE, 201st in 76:32.

Spartan Men on Therfield Heath (Eight for each team); FVS Second Out Of Twenty.

Position Name Age Group Time Comments
1 Craig HALSEY SM 34:25 “A” team
3 Andrew PATTERSON SM 35:29 “A” team
14 Grant RAMSAY V40 37:29 “A” team
23 Keith COUGHLIN SM 38:33 “A” team
33 Paul HEWETT SM 39:35 “A” team
45 Mike GREEN V40 41:09 “A” team
51 Steve GREEN V40 41:41 “A” team
65 Paul WHYTE SM 42:44 “A” team
69 Liam HERBERT SM 43:08
70 John HARRIS V50 43:11
77 Karl CLARKE SM 43:51
82 Tim SABAN V40 44:07
83 Todd GRAY SM 44:15
91 Daniel BATES SM 45:16
92 Thomas SAUKA V40 45:22
117 Ryan DUNNING V40 48:12
127 Mark GOODWIN V50 49:07
142 Steve SMITHSON V40 50:44
153 Dean CARPENTER V40 52:44
157 Danny SUTTON SM 54:09
160 Jon SYPULA V40 54:23
165 Robert WRIGHT SM 55.25
166 Vish SHAH SM 55:26
167 Andy JAY V50 55.26
169 Tim ROBINSON V40 55:45
175 Andy PRIOR V40 56:41
182 Ken JUDE V50 57:47
184 Jim BROWN V60 58:29
187 Lee PICKERSGILL SM 61:08
190 Simon SYPULA V40 62:50
198 Steve GOUGH V40 67:42
200 Mark FREEMAN V50 76:29
201 Paul HOLGATE V50 76.16

 

Spartan Women on Therfield Heath (Five for each team): FVS Win, First Out Of Twenty.

Position Name Age Group Time Comments
1 Natalie LAWRENCE SW 38:42 “A” team
8 Michelle REEVES SW 44.57 “A” team
15 Tracy PEZ V35 46:40 “A” team
21 Claire PULLEN V45 48:19 “A” team
22 Claire WHITCHURCH V35 48:22 “A” team
28 Suzy HAWKINS V35 49.20
48 Claire COX V35 52.07
57 Hazel CLARK V35 53.13
63 Isobel GREEN V35 54.02
73 Verity FISHER SW 55.27
87 Steph MAYFIELD V35 58.26
91 Sue HAMER V45 59.30
95 Ada JANUSIENE SW 60.32
99 Jeanette COLLINS V45 61:32
103 Olwen BATTY SW 63:37
104 Nicola TOUT V35 63:57
105 Jenny GARRETT V45 63:57
107 Sharon CROWLEY V55 64:02
115 Julie SHADBOLT V45 67.41
122 Peta WILSON V45 76:27

 

Suspicious in Gravesend

ROGER BIGGS ran in the strangely named ‘Unusual Suspects’ marathon from the Cyclo Park in Gravesend. It was seven out and back laps on mixed terrain, uphill for the first half of each lap, and down for the second. He finished in 5 hours 35 minutes 15 seconds.

 

Punchbowl Paul

On Sunday CAROL PAUL ran the Punchbowl marathon in Surrey which is a 30 mile off road event taking in the Devil’s Punchbowl. There were lots of hills and it was very muddy underfoot. Carol completed the event in 8 hours

 

Who Will It Be?

Will it be Iris, Julie, Maddie, Sam, Suzy, Tracy or Yllka? Will it be Barry, Bernie, Craig, Grant, Jason, Jim or Steffan? Who will be the club champions for 2015? Come along to Fairlands Valley Spartans Presentation Evening, Dinner and Disco which will be at Chesfield Downs Gold Club from 7.30p.m. on Friday 26th February. Tickets are just £20. Go to www.fvspartans.org.uk to book yours. You must book by 19th February.

 

Parkrun Reports

Spartans were relatively few in number at parkruns last weekend as most took it easy ahead of the final cross country league race.

At Panshanger Park ISABEL GREEN had a gentle outing finishing 164th of 197 in 35:52, accompanied by children GEORGINA (165th, 35:52, new course PB) and DANIEL (170th, 37:25, new course PB).

RICHARD KENNEDY and NICOLA HABERLAND ran their regular parkrun at Holkham, Richard finishing 10th of 133 in a new course PB of 20:24. Nicola also achieved a new course PB of 23:01 in finishing 29th.

SIMON JACKSON finished second of 154 runners at Bognor Regis parkrun in a time of 17:59 on his first visit to the venue, while closer to home at the Wimpole Estate ANDREW MARTIN finished 232nd of 250 runners in 37:23 accompanying young Mabel Martin in her first parkrun (same time).

At Brockenhurst DARYL STEVENS was 90th of 91 finishers in 40:02, while DANNY SUTTON and VERITY FISHER ran at Cannon Hill parkrun in Birmingham, Danny finishing 125th of 626 in 22:44 and Verity finishing 255th in 25:45.

Finally, the most northerly Spartans at parkruns were MICK CONNELL (295th of 496 in a time of 27:25) and ROGER HARDMAN (29th, 27:27) who both ran at Newcastle.

 

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 18th February.
• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 26th February at 12.30p.m.
• Spartans Presentation Evening on Friday 26th February. Tickets only £20.
• County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13th March (probably Watford).
• Finchley 20 on Sunday 13th March.
• Handicap 5K on Thursday 17th March.
• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 18th March.
• Essex 20 including Intercounties on Sunday 20th March.
• Sport Relief on Sunday 20th March.
• Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25th March.
• County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
• Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17th April.
• London Marathon on Sunday 24th April.
• County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.
• Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
• Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
• Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

BRIAN WINS GOLD IN COUNTY HALF

Now back with Fairlands Valley Spartans BRIAN WHITE took GOLD in the Hertfordshire Half Marathon County Championships for veteran runners on Sunday. The championships were included in the popular Watford Half Marathon which had 1,864 finishers. Brian also won the 60 plus category in the open race with a superb 1 hour 32 minutes 16 seconds.

Twelve Spartans completed the tough 13.1 miles course. A deluge was threatened but no rain came. However the hills had not gone away and there were some tough ones at 5, 7 and 9 miles. Despite that JASON ANDERSON finished 86th in 1:24:30 and PAUL HEWETT beat one and a half hours for the first time with a personal best of 1:29:26 for 198th. Brian White was 249th with his 1:32:16. TIM SABAN was 408th with 1:38:17; ANDREW JORDAN 536th with 1:41:07 and JAMES KILROY was 615th with a new personal best of 1:43:07. JIM BROWN completed the four runner male veteran team with his 1:54:35. He was 1,105th improving on his Stevenage time by 3 minutes 57 seconds.

CLAIRE WHITCHURCH was the fastest Spartan woman with 1 hour 45 minutes 1 second. She was 695th overall. CAROLINE BARTER was next with 1:55:16 and 1,147th.

MARTIN NICHOLAS was 1,178th in 1:56:09; running his first half marathon ROBERT WRIGHT was 1,629th in 2:13:50; SHARON CROWLEY was 1,744th in 2:21:38 and the sun was shining at the finish.

 

Position Name Time Comments
86 JASON ANDERSON 1:24:30
198 PAUL HEWETT 1:29:26 PB
249 BRIAN WHITE 1:32:16 GOLD
408 TIM SABAN 1:38:17
536 ANDREW JORDAN 1:41:09
615 JAMES KILROY 1:43:07 PB
695 CLAIRE WHITCHURCH 1:45:01
1105 JIM BROWN 1:54:35 Year Best
1147 CAROLINE BARTER 1:55:16
1178 MARTIN NICHOLAS 1:56:09
1629 ROBERT WRIGHT 2:13:50 First Half
1744 SHARON CROWLEY 2:21:38

 

Tracking

Three Fairlands Valley Spartans went to Lee Valley Indoor Stadium to compete in the Eastern and Essex area Championships. Although the event was meant for younger athletes, there were several races for veteran athletes.

Dave Bowker started his 2016 race campaign by running the men’s 1500 metres. Dave achieved 5 minutes 15 .85, the race was of mixed ages so Dave did exceptionally well against much younger runners.

Tessa and Dave Stephenson improved on their times for 300 metres from a month ago. Dave did 45.44 and Tessa did 53.79, only the second time the couple have run together in the same track race in twenty years.

 

It Could Be Silver On Valentine’s Day

Fairlands Valley Spartans are aiming for second spot in the league at the final cross country match which will be on Therfield Heath this Sunday. The SILVER medal position will be a huge improvement for the club. Twenty clubs are competing.

 

Who Will It Be?

Will it be Iris, Julie, Maddie, Sam, Suzy, Tracy or Yllka? Will it be Barry, Bernie, Craig, Grant, Jason, Jim or Steffan? Who will be the club champions for 2015? Come along to Fairlands Valley Spartans Presentation Evening, Dinner and Disco which will be at Chesfield Downs Gold Club from 7.30p.m. on Friday 26th February. Tickets are just £20. Go to www.fvspartans.org.uk to book yours.

 

Enigma Quadzilla Trail Marathon

The Enigma Quadzilla Trail event is up to four marathons from Thursday to Sunday, but just the first day was enough for ROGER BIGGS. The course was seven laps round the edge of Caldecote Lake on the edge of Milton Keyes to make up the marathon distance. Considering the weather of the last week, the day ended up almost perfect for marathon running and Roger finished in 5 hours 37 minutes 12 seconds.

 

Parkrun Reports

ROGER HARDMAN was the Spartan running a Parkrun furthest from Stevenage. He finished 254th out of 554 runners in a time of 25 minutes 54 seconds to complete the Newcastle 5km course.

Down at St Albans by the lake, Craig Halsey finished 1st out of 311 runners in a time of 16-44, crossing the line 12 seconds ahead of 2nd place. Verity Fisher came in at 23-55 in 91st place.

Panshanger Parkrun in Hertford saw 196 runners take part which included a few Spartans. Richard Kennedy came 11th in 20-55, Craig Bacon in 23-32 (40th), Nicola Harberland in 23-46 (and was second female home), Andy Jay in 25-02 (60th), Ken Jude in 25-24 (63rd), Beverley Harlow in in 31-34 (148th) and Tony Osborne in 37-16.

Down the A1 in Barnet at the Oak Hill parkrun, Thomas Sauka completed one of the fastest courses in the area in 21-23 finishing 10th out of 132 runners.
Coming Events

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

 

  • Fifth and final cross country league race on Therfield Heath on Sunday 14th February.
  • Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 18th February.
  • Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 26th February at 12.30p.m.
  • Spartans Presentation Evening on Friday 26th February. Tickets only £20.
  • County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13th March (probably Watford).
  • Finchley 20 on Sunday 13th March.
  • Handicap 5K on Thursday 17th March.
  • Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 18th March.
  • Essex 20 including Intercounties on Sunday 20th March.
  • Sport Relief on Sunday 20th March.
  • Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25th March.
  • County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
  • Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17th April.
  • London Marathon on Sunday 24th April.
  • County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.
  • Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

SPARTAN THREE BEAT PARLIAMENT MUD

Three Spartans took on and conquered one of the hardest races in the calendar on Saturday. MADDIE PRITCHARD, PETA WILSON and DAVE BOWKER were at the South of England Athletics Association (SEAA) cross country championships at Parliament Hill Fields on Saturday. The first climb is immediate and lung busting straight after the start. Over the first hill and it was straight into the mud.

Maddie and Peta ran the eight kilometres senior women’s course with Maddie finishing in 44 minutes 26 seconds and Peta in 51:28. Dave Bowker battled round 15K (9.3 miles) of hills and mud and finished in 82:07.

 

Lucky 13th.

Fighting strong winds SIMON JACKSON ran Friday’s 5K race round the Serpentine in Hyde Park. Despite a last minute decision to race he was third in his age group and thirteenth out of the 245 finishers in 17 minutes 16 seconds.

 

Who Will It Be?

Will it be Iris, Julie, Maddie, Sam, Suzy, Tracy or Yllka? Will it be Barry, Bernie, Craig, Grant, Jason, Jim or Steffan? Who will be the club champions for 2015? Come along to Fairlands Valley Spartans Presentation Evening, Dinner and Disco which will be at Chesfield Downs Gold Club from 7.30p.m. on Friday 26th February. Tickets are just £20. Go to www.fvspartans.org.uk to book yours.

 

Tamsin’s First

TAMSIN McLEISH completed the Cancer Research London Winter Run 10K in 1 hour 28 minutes 35 seconds, her first event in a Spartan vest.

 

If you are not in it – you can’t win it!!

Roger Biggs had a bad day at the office when running the Funchal Marathon in Madeira on Sunday.

It is not flat anywhere on the Island. The course started with 3.5 hilly laps, before dropping down to sea level to complete the marathon distance with 4 shorter laps. By now temperatures were on a sharp rise, with Roger really feeling the heat. Roger was overtaken late on leaving him to be the last person to finish. Despite this, Roger ended up with a trophy for winning his age group with a time of 5 hours 39 minutes 34 seconds.

 

Parkrun Reports

The highlight of Saturday’s results from the 5km Parkrun circuit has to be at one of the fastest courses in the area, Bedford. At the County Park, Craig Halsey finished second out of 334 runners in 16 minutes 59 seconds but couldn’t keep up with the winner who was from the RAF and finished in 16:11. Natalie Lawrence finished sixth overall and was first female in 18:36 whilst Tim Saban finished 22nd in 20:49.

Down at Panshanger Parkrun in Hertford, the Spartans were out in force again. Out of the 223 runners who took part, first Spartan home was newbie Mike Green in 20:16 finishing 13th. Thomas Sauka gained a course PB in 21:41 (22nd) whilst Tracy Pez gained a new course PB in 23:02 (31st). She was fourth female. Other Spartans to complete the cross-country course were Tim Robinson in 24:26 (49th), James Kilroy in 25:13 (60th) Jeanette Collins in 28:09 (107th), Lesley Jive in 28:15 (111th), Olwen Batty in 28:46 (122nd), Carole Shredwick in 29:43 (136th) and Heather Moloney in 31:19 (156th).

The Gunpowder Parkrun near Waltham Cross saw 116 runners with Spartans Daniel Sutton finishing 28th in 22:45, Mark Allen 29th in 22:50, Verity Fisher was third female and 37th overall with a time of 24:06 followed by Emma Kinsey in 25:21.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • Watford Half Marathon including the County Championships for Veterans on Sunday 7th February.
  • Fifth and final cross country league race on Therfield Heath on Sunday 14th February.
  • Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 18th February.
  • Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 26th February at 12.30p.m.
  • Spartans Presentation Evening on Friday 26th February. Tickets only £20.
  • County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13th March (probably Watford).
  • Finchley 20 on Sunday 13th March.
  • Handicap 5K on Thursday 17th March.
  • Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 18th March.
  • Essex 20 including Intercounties on Sunday 20th March.
  • Sport Relief on Sunday 20th March.
  • Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25th March.
  • County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
  • Flitwick 10K on Sunday 17th April.
  • London Marathon on Sunday 24th April.
  • County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.
  • Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • Relays in the Park, our 3K Relays in Fairlands Valley on Thursday 28th July.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
  • County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

SILVER SPARTAN IN COUNTY TEN

Fairlands Valley Spartans have been on a bit of an award winning roll recently. This weekend it was the women’s turn as NATALIE LAWRENCE won open silver in the Hertfordshire Ten Miles Championships on Sunday morning and the women’s team of Natalie, YLLKA ISTREFI and ISABEL GREEN were third in the race.

Despite racing the previous day Natalie was 58th overall out of the 734 finishers and romped round the hilly course in 1 hour 5 minutes 37 seconds; Yllka 251st in 1:17:27 and Isabel 279th in a new personal best of 1:19:41.

BRIAN WHITE celebrated his return to Fairlands Valley Spartans by finishing second veteran (60 plus) and 97th overall in 1 hour 8 minutes 50 seconds. The second man for the club was STEVE GREEN, 105th in a new personal best (PB) of 1:09:09. Next came TIM SABAN at 151st in 1:13:09.

KEN JUDE was delighted to beat his target by nearly seven minutes. He finished his first ten mile race, and he didn’t pick a flat one, in 1:23:16 and 337th. JIM BROWN was 404th in 1:26:05; WENDY THARANI 413th in 1:27:20; MARTIN NICHOLAS 466th in 1:30:12; JEANNETTE COLLINS, 559th in 1:36:06 and SHARON CROWLEY, 669th in 1:44:48.

 

Position Name Time Comments
58 NATALIE LAWRENCE (F) 1:05:38 Second senior woman
97 BRIAN WHITE 1:08:50 2MV60
105 STEVE GREEN 1:09:09 PB
151 TIM SABAN 1:13:09
251 YLLKA ISTREFI (F) 1:17:27
279 ISABEL GREEN (F) 1:19:41 PB
337 KEN JUDE 1:23:16 First 10 miles
404 JIM BROWN 1:26:05
413 WENDY THARANI (F) 1:27:20
466 MARTIN NICHOLAS 1:30:12
559 JEANNETTE COLLINS (F) 1:36:06
669 SHARON CROWLEY (F) 1:44:48

 

Angela and James Win 5K

It was cold and dark on Thursday evening but 23 Spartans lined up for the Stevenage based club’s first Handicap 5K race in 2016. Not only did ANGELA ARMITAGE win the event but she was also the fastest woman with an excellent 25 minutes 2 seconds which beat her previous PB (personal best) by 2 minutes 11 seconds.

Angela was closely followed by JENNY GARRETT, improving her own PB by a massive 3:15 to 26:48. JAMES KILROY was first man home, in third position overall, in a new season (and course) best of 21:41, 1:19 quicker than his fastest 5k of the previous two years. Second man (fourth overall) was newcomer Steve Close in 25:50, 2:40 quicker than handicap, with the rapidly improving Olwen Batty third lady in 27:09, 19 seconds quicker than earlier in the month, and Richard Kennedy third man, 32 seconds faster than his weekend 5K, in 21:33.

JOHN NELMS was the fastest runner on the night with 20 minutes 47 seconds, an improvement of 1:22. He was in ninth position overall in the event. Richard’s 21:33 was the second quickest time, and James’ 21:41 third.

Fastest female was Angela’s 25:02, with the fast improving JANE McFARLANE only seven seconds slower with her new PB time of 25:09. Jenny’s 26:48 put her in third position.

There were also PBs for Emma Poulter, 35:36, and newcomer Sarah Atkinson, 31:31, season bests for Bernadette Millwood and Nikki Tout, and year bests for Jim Brown (25:10), Mark Goodwin (22:27), Robert Shaw (27:15), Liz Carvell (28:51), Andy Jay (23:59); power-walker David Bowker (32:32), Martin Dudley (24:00), Paul Holgate (29:53), John Wasmunth (30:50) and Karl Shreeve (35:54). Club chair NICK WITCOMBE was sweeping and finished in 34 minutes 9 seconds.

In handicap races the slowest runners start first with others following at intervals determined by their current form. The winner is the person who improves the most, not necessarily the fastest runner.

The next Handicap 5k will be on Thursday 18th February 2016.

 

Pos Name Time T. Pos F. Pos Comments
1 ANGELA ARMITAGE 25:02 7 1 PB (2:11). Winner
2 JENNY GARRETT 26:48 11 3 PB (3:15). 3rd fastest woman.
3 JAMES KILROY 21:41 3 SB (1:19). 3rd fastest man.
4 STEVE CLOSE 25:50 10 1st 5K
5 OLWEN BATTY 27:09 12 4 YB
6 RICHARD KENNEDY 21:33 2 YB. 2nd fastest man.
7 JANE McFARLANE 25:09 8 2 PB (0:29). 2nd fastest woman
8 JIM BROWN 25:10 9 YB
9 JOHN NELMS 20:47 1 YB. Fastest man.
10 EMMA POULTER 35:36 22 9 PB
11 MARK GOODWIN 22:27 4 YB
12 ROBERT SHAW 27:15 13 YB
13 LIZ CARVELL 28:51 14 5 YB
14 ANDY JAY 23:59 5 YB
15 DAVID BOWKER 32:32 20 Race Walking. YB
16 BERNADETTE MILLWOOD 30:36 17 7 SB (0:10)
17 MARTIN DUDLEY 24:00 6 YB
18 NIKKI TOUT 29:51 15 6 SB (0:07)
19 PAUL HOLGATE 29:53 16 YB
20 JOHN WASMUNTH 30:50 18 YB
21 SARAH ATKINSON 31:31 19 8 1st 5K
22 NICK WITCOMBE 34:09 21 Sweeping
23 KARL SHREEVE 35:54 23 YB

 

Ten Miles In Kent

Another Spartan was trying to beat 90 minutes on Sunday but MARK CHEADLE was in Kent. He did the Canterbury 10 mile road race. While it was lovely and warm, despite being a road race it had more than its fair share of mud and was hilly.

Mark came 712th out of 1163 in a time of 1:29:19 so with the help of a decent finish he had sneaked under an hour and a half.

 

Liliput

On Saturday ROGER BIGGS ran the Liliput Marathon in County Westmeath, Ireland. He just beat the five hour time limit to finish in 4 hours 59 minutes 50 seconds. Not a fast time but the first time in over thirty marathons that Roger had run from start to finish.

 

Parkrun Reports

Several Spartans were at the Panshanger Parkrun on Saturday. Training Group 5 runner Natalie Lawrence was first female home finishing fifth out of the 225 runners in 19 minutes 15 seconds. Fellow group 5 runner Paul Whyte grabbed a course personal best (PB) by sneaking under 20 minutes to finish in 19:55 for eighth place. Michelle ‘Speedy’ Reeves is returning to form and her fitness improving. She tackled the cross-country course by coming in 22nd and third female runner with 21:17. Isabel Green came in 25:33 (76th), Lesley Jeive 29:37 (138th), and Alastair Baldwin 31:55 (170th).

At St Albans, Daniel Sutton came in at 23:06 gaining a new course PB (94th out of 445 runners), Verity Fisher finished in 23:26 (108th), Emma Kinsey in 24:32 (143rd) and it was great to see Ken Jude helping out doing timekeeping duties at the finish line.

Further afield, Darryl Stevens completed the Brockenhurst Parkrun in Dorset, just sneaking in a sub-40 minute run in 39-54 whilst John Nelms grabbed a course PB at Ashton Gate parkrun in Bristol by finishing 23rd out of 443 runners in 21-10.

RICHARD KENNEDY and NICOLA HABERLAND ran again at Holkham parkrun this weekend, Richard finishing 20th of 106 in a time of 22:49 and Nicola finishing 26th in 23:32.

 

Monica’s Power Of Ten

Congratulations to Monica Brown who topped the ‘Power of 10’ 100 metre rankings for women of 50 plus in the UK in 2015, whilst running for Fairlands Valley Spartans in the Eastern Veterans Athletics League.

 

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 in Hyde Park on Friday 29th January.
• South of England Cross Country Championships in London on Saturday 30th January.
• Watford Half Marathon including the County Championships for Veterans on Sunday 7th February.
• Fifth and final cross country league race on Therfield Heath on Sunday 14th February.
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 18th February.
• County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13th March (probably Watford).
• Finchley 20 on Sunday 13th March.
• Essex 20 including Intercounties on Sunday 20th March.
• Sport Relief on Sunday 20th March.
• Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25th March.
• County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
• County 1500 metres open and veteran track and field championships in Stevenage on Monday 2nd May.
• Pednor Five (including County five miles championship for veterans) on Monday evening 2nd May.
• Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
• County Five Miles Open Championship in Hatfield on 27th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

FAIRLANDS FORTY FOUR IN XC LEAGUE

Once again Fairlands Valley Spartans turned out more than forty runners for a cross country league race AND the Stevenage based club had five men in the top twenty. Despite snow, ice, lots of mud and hills ANDREW PATTERSON beat 35 minutes for about 10 tough kilometres and was third overall in 34 minutes 59 seconds. Just two behind CRAIG HALSEY was fifth in 35:30. Then GRANT RAMSAY was 12th in 36:33; BRIAN BRACKSTONE 14th in 37:03 and CHRIS WESTCOTT 16th in 37:11. The “A” team was completed by JASON ANDERSON, 24th in 37:58; PAUL HEWETT, 40th in 39:02 and KEITH COUGHLIN, 52nd in 39:53.

This means the Spartan men were second in the race and are now third in the league out of twenty clubs.

Running her first cross country for the Spartans CLAIRE WHITCHURCH was first woman for the club finishing 28th female in 49:07. The others in the FVS women’s “A” team were CLAIRE COX, 48th in 51:17; HAZEL CLARK, 52nd in 51:38; ISOBEL GREEN, 55th in 52:28 and SOPHIE COWAN, 58th in 52:43.

There were about 345 runners so the 44 from Fairlands Valley Spartans were very visible in all parts of the race.

The other 23 male Spartan runners made up “B” and “C” teams with some to spare. It was eight to count for the men’s teams. They were DAVID RIDDELL, 63rd in 40 minutes 44 seconds; STEVE GREEN, 67th in 40:58; PAUL WHYTE, 68th in 41:00; TODD GRAY, 103rd in 42:54; JOHN NELMS, 113th in 43:43; KARL CLARKE, 118th in 44:06; TIM SABAN, 119th in 44:09 and THOMAS SAUKA, 133rd in 45:38 for the “B” team, then NICK CROWLEY, 143rd in 46 minutes 14 seconds; JAMES KILROY, 163rd in 47:18; STEVE SMITHSON, 169th in 47:29; PETE SMITH, 170th in 47:43; MARK GOODWIN, 171st in 47:59; TIM ROBINSON, 225th in 50:49; KEN JUDE, 241st in 52:17 and MARK CHEADLE, 246th in 52:46 made up the FVS “C” team.

The women’s “B” team (five to count) were SARAH PIKE, 69th in 54:06; PETA WILSON, 73rd in 54:41; LAUREN ING, 87th in 56:44 and SUE HAMER, 89th in 56:52 and newcomer JENNY GARRETT 99th in 60:08.

In addition OLWEN BATTY was 100th in 60:44, SHARON CROWLEY 101st in 61:26 and NICOLA TOUT 111th in 64:41, and for the men ANDY JAY 268th overall in 54:41; STEVE PIKE 270th in 54:26; MARK FREEMAN team organiser 300th in 57:54; NICK WITCOMBE 316th in 62:19; PAUL HOLGATE 321st in 62:38; STEVE GOUGH 331st in 66:00and IAN ALEXANDER 345th in 73:01 all ran well for the club.

Men’s Results

Position Name Category Time
3 ANDREW PATTERSON SM 34:59
5 CRAIG HALSEY SM 35:30
12 GRANT RAMSAY V40 36:33
14 BRIAN BRACKSTONE V40 37:03
16 CHRIS WESTCOTT V40 37:11
24 JASON ANDERSON SM 37:55
40 PAUL HEWETT SM 39:02
52 KEITH COUGHLIN SM 39:59
63 DAVID RIDDELL V50 40:44
67 STEVE GREEN V40 40:58
68 PAUL WHYTE SM 41:00
103 TODD GRAY SM 42:54
113 JOHN NELMS V40 43:43
118 KARL CLARKE SM 44:06
119 TIM SABAN V40 44:09
133 THOMAS SAUKA V40 45:38
143 NICK CROWLEY SM 46:14
163 JAMES KILROY SM 47:18
169 STEVE SMITHSON V40 47:29
170 PETE SMITH V50 47:43
171 MARK GOODWIN V50 47:59
225 TIM ROBINSON V40 50:49
241 KEN JUDE V50 52:17
246 MARK CHEADLE SM 52:46
268 ANDY JAY V50 54:14
270 STEVE PIKE V50 54:26
300 MARK FREEMAN V50 57:54
316 NICK WITCOMBE V40 62:19
321 PAUL HOLGATE V50 62:38
331 STEVE GOUGH V40 66:00
340 IAN ALEXANDER V50 73:01

 

Women’s Results

 

Position Name Category Time
28 CLAIRE WHITCHURCH V35 49:07
48 CLAIRE COX V35 51.17
52 HAZEL CLARK V35 51.38
55 ISOBEL GREEN V35 52.28
58 SOPHIE COWAN V35 52.43
69 SARAH PIKE SW 54.06
73 PETA WILSON V45 54:41
87 LAUREN ING SW 56.44
89 SUE HAMER V45 56:52
99 JENNY GARRETT V45 60:08
100 OLWEN BATTY SW 60:44
101 SHARON CROWLEY V55 61.26
111 NICOLA TOUT V35 64:41

 

31 men. 13 women.

 

Hong Kong Marathon

Battling it out in monsoon conditions, poor air quality and high heat at the same time DANIEL BATES ran the Hong Kong Marathon. Very unusual conditions to race in but he had a plan for the race. Returning to fitness, he decided to race the first ten miles then steady pacing for the rest of the course which lead to him finishing 1119th out of 5637 runners in 3:44:37 and also the eighth runner home from United Kingdom.

Daniel says he couldn’t believe the length of the inclines on the bridges and tunnels and 90% of the route was on motorways so the atmosphere was very very boring! Never been so wet in his life!

Now it’s time for him to head back to Sweden and Latvia this week before returning back to Stevenage.

 

Phoenix Rock’n’Roll Marathon – Sunday, 17th January

The Phoenix Rock ’n’ Roll is part of a worldwide marathon series featuring live bands on the course. The race started in downtown Phoenix, and finished by the Salt River in Tempe.

A week of rich meals, oversize Stateside meals, and no training, not forgetting wall to wall sunshine, meant a tough day for Roger.

Surprisingly it took quite a while to warm up, around 8C at the start, but into the low 20s Celsius by the finish. J ust to make things worse, all the hills came in the last 4 miles.

Roger just managed to hold things together to creep under 5 hours. He finished in 4:58:45.

 

Saturday Parkrun Reports

At Panshanger Park NATALIE LAWRENCE was the first female finisher and eighth overall of the 254 runners in superb time of 18 minutes 47 seconds. VERITY FISHER was next Spartan finisher (67th in 24:22) followed by DANNY SUTTON (85th, 25:02).

Other Spartans running at Panshanger were ANDY JAY (86th, 25:17), TIM ROBINSON (99th, 25:51), JEANETTE COLLINS (123rd, 27:30), EMMA KINSEY (130th, 27:59), KAREN PALMER (137th in a new course PB of 28:32), CAROLINE CROFT (142nd, 28:51, new course PB), LESLEY JEIVE (143rd, 28:51, new course PB), HEATHER MOLONEY (179th, 30:39, new course PB) and TRACY STILES running her first parkrun (182nd, 31:22).

At Wimpole Estate JOHN HARRIS was 13th finisher of 248 in as time of 20:46, while at Brockenhurst DARRYL STEVENS was 126th in 46:23 in his first parkrun.

Finally, RICHARD KENNEDY and NICOLA HABERLAND were in action at Holkham parkrun, Richard finishing 13th in a new course PB time of 22:05 and Nicola finishing 25th in a time of 23:22, also a new course PB time.

 

People of Stevenage to walk and run themselves proud for Sport Relief

The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile is back – and it’s coming to Stevenage. The town is set to host its second Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile on Sunday 20th March, and needs local people to come together and make themselves proud by entering now at www.sportrelief.com

Local heroes from Stevenage will be walking and running themselves proud during the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile to raise life-changing money for Sport Relief 2016.

The colourful, cheerful and eager Milers will be doing their bit to make a difference to people living across the UK and the world’s poorest communities.

Setting off from Ridlins End Running Track the Stevenage Mile will be contained on the track, with the 3 and 6 mile events starting and finishing on the track having taken in the sights of the surrounding park. This is set to be an even bigger and better event than ever before.

Fairlands Valley Spartans Running Club will be hosting the Stevenage Mile and are pleased to confirm that one of their members, John Nelms, a Hertfordshire Police Officer and keen endurance runner, will be taking on the epic challenge of completing 100 miles within 24 hours all on the running track.   John will be starting his epic challenge at 10am on Saturday 19th March, during the clubs usual track training session, and by running through the night aims to have completed the mammoth 402 laps by the time the Sport Relief Mile starts at 10:15am on Sunday 20th March.   We encourage anybody that wants to support John during this huge challenge to come along to the track anytime between 9am and 10pm on Saturday and from 9am on Sunday.   Any runners wishing to join him for some laps are welcome to do so, but should sign up and pay for one of the Stevenage Mile sessions available, but then contact Race Director James Kilroy to confirm when you intend on joining John.

James Kilroy of Fairlands Valley Spartans Running Club said: “The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in Stevenage is here and it’s your time to walk or run yourself proud. From little ones with their mums and dads, to runners up against the clock there’s something for everyone to make themselves feel proud on this special day.   Additionally I am super pleased to accommodate John’s amazing 24 hour challenge and will be onsite throughout to support John, I encourage anyone wishing to help in some way to get in touch with me via our Facebook page or email below and wish John every success during his training over the next 4 weeks”.

Sport Relief is back from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th March 2016 and there are more ways than ever for you to take part, change lives and feel proud. Whether you get sponsored to enter an event at the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games or fundraise with friends and family at home, work or school, you’ll help people living incredibly tough lives. In fact, half of all the money raised by the public is spent right here at home in the UK, with the other half used to make a difference in the world’s poorest communities.

Fairlands Valley Spartans Head Coach and qualified personal trainer, Andy Prior will be onsite to motivate and warm up all participants 15 minutes before their Sport Relief start times with some funky music and moves.

Club celebrity Andy J will have mic in hand to keep the crowd entertained whilst you wait for heroic friends and family to do us proud during their walk or run.

Various refreshments will be available for all participants and be available to buy for supporters.

Fairlands Valley personnel will be on hand throughout. If you are interested in finding out more about joining a friendly running club, whether you are looking to run socially in a safe and fun environment or wish to progress with particular goals in mind we have sessions to suit all.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 21st January.
  • Fred Hughes 10 including the County Ten Mile Championships for Veterans on Sunday 24th January.
  • Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 29th January.
  • South of England Cross Country Championships in London on Saturday 30th January.
  • Watford Half Marathon including the County Championships for Veterans on Sunday 7th February.
  • Fifth and final cross country league race on Therfield Heath on Sunday 14th February.
  • County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13th March (probably Watford).
  • Finchley 20 on Sunday 13th March.
  • Essex 20 including Intercounties on Sunday 20th March.
  • Sport Relief on Sunday 20th March.
  • Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25th March.
  • County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

FIRST EVER MEDALS FOR SPARTANS

Fairlands Valley Spartans won their first ever County Cross Country Championship team medals as the championships came to Stevenage on Sunday.

The Spartan men’s team “A” team of CRAIG HALSEY, ANDREW PATTERSON, GRANT RAMSAY, BRIAN BRACKSTONE, PAUL HEWITT and PAUL WHYTE won BRONZE by racing round 12 kilometres on a “real” cross country course made muddier by Saturday’s heavy rain.

Craig was 12th in 43:51; Andrew 17th in 44:38; Grant 19th in 44:48; Brian 24th in 45:35; Paul Hewitt 51st in 49:31 and Paul Whyte 72nd in 53:07.

There was a good Spartan turnout for such a tough event. In addition DAVE RIDDELL was 75th over the three laps in 53:22; DAVE BOWKER 92nd in 56:18; NICK CROWLEY 93rd in 56:22; RICHARD KENNEDY 99th in 57:53; PETE SMITH 106th in 59:42; ANDY JAY 123rd in 65:42 and JIM BROWN 125th in 67:07.

Spartan NATALIE LAWRENCE went top ten in the women’s championship. Over two laps, eight kilometres she was ninth in 32 minutes 7 seconds. MADDIE PRITCHARD was 39th in 40:15; NICOLA HABERLAND 44th in 40:48; CLAIRE COX 48th in 41:37; SOPHIE COWAN 54th in 43:34; PETA WILSON 55th in 44:37; SUE HAMER 58th in 45:43 and SHARON CROWLEY 66th in 49:34.

The women’s team were seventh, just behind two other teams. Fairlands Valley Spartans were one of just two clubs who finished with at least two complete teams in both the senior men’s and senior women’s races. The next cross country race for the Spartans will be this Sunday, 17th January in Watford.

 

Hong Kong Captain

Club Captain DANIEL BATES ran the “Green Race” on Hong Kong Island, China on Saturday. This was a 15 kilometres off-road mountain race.

He finished 59th out of 181 runners in a time of 1 hour 53 minutes 18 seconds. It was tough going, probably the hardest race he has ever done due to heat, fitness and terrain (yes, even tougher than his Jungfrau Marathon back in 2013) but hopefully a good warm up for next Sunday’s Hong Kong marathon (paperwork pending). Daniel loved every minute of it though his legs were jelly afterwards.

 

Mississippi Blues Marathon – Saturday, 9th January 2016

ROGER BIGGS travelled to Jackson, the State Capital of Mississippi for a marathon to remember one of the legends of the blues, B B King, who died last year.

A tough course starting and finishing at the Jackson Convention Center. While the hills kept coming, it was the weather that had the biggest effect on the race. Based on the 5 hours that Roger took, the first hour was light rain; for the next three hours the weather was almost perfect for running; the last hour was a torrential downpour, and a thunderstorm that threatened to ‘Black Flag’ the event.

A soaked Roger finished the Marathon in 4:56:15, for 646th out of 754 finishers.

 

Fowlmead

On Saturday CAROL PAUL ran the Fowlmead marathon at the Fowlmead country park near Deal in Kent. It was a six lap trail marathon with a hilly out and back leg to get on to the lap. The hills seemed to get bigger with each lap. It was a bit wet and muddy underfoot at times but Carol completed the marathon in 5:05:56.

 

Verity 100th in 100th

There was a celebration at Panshanger Park as a number of Spartans turned out to support VERITY FISHER as she joined the parkrun 100 Club in very tough, muddy conditions. As if fate had decreed, Verity crossed the line as 100th finisher in 26mins 57secs wearing a “100 parkruns” sash to crown a special achievement.

First Spartan to finish was JOHN NELMS (29th out of 294 in 22:18) on his first visit to the venue. TIM ROBINSON was second Spartan home (65th, 25:08) with VISHY SHAH not far behind (75th, 25:34).

Other Spartans running at Panshanger were DANIEL SUTTON (101st, 26:57), ANDY JAY (109th, 27:27), EMMA KINSEY (153rd, 29:54), DEBBIE RAINES (163rd, 30:22), KAREN PALMER (177th, 30:49), LESLEY JEIVE (179th, 30:50, a new course PB) and HEATHER MOLONEY (224th, 33:09).

Elsewhere, JAMES KILROY ran at Norwich for the first time, finishing 181st of 550 runners in a time of 24:26 despite having to start from the back as he was accompanied by Sasha, his Dad’s dog, enjoying her first parkrun while up in Newcastle ROGER HARDMAN finished 240th of 527 runners in a new course PB time of 26:34.

 

Coming Events

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

• Quiz Night at Marriotts on Saturday 16th January.
• Fourth cross country league race in Watford on Sunday 17th January.
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 21st January.
• Fred Hughes 10 including the County Ten Mile Championships for Veterans on Sunday 24th January.
• Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 29th January.
• South of England Cross Country Championships in London on Saturday 30th January.
• Watford Half Marathon including the County Championships for Veterans on Sunday 7th February.
• Fifth and final cross country league race on Therfield Heath on Sunday 14th February.
• County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13th March (probably Watford).
• Finchley 20 on Sunday 13th March.
• Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25th March.
• County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
• Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
• Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

RACING INTO THE NEW YEAR

Spartans’ male captain DANIEL BATES ran an amazing five kilometres (5K) race in Riga, Latvia. Running in snow and a temperature of minus 15 degrees he was second in 21 minutes 32 seconds despite saying that his muscles never did warm up.

 

Last 10K in 2015

The last 10K of 2015 was the perfect way to see out the year. The weather was very mild but it was also windy on the very exposed course for the Ely New Year’s Eve race.

Spartan SAMANTHA PRETTY set a new personal best of 40 minutes 39 seconds and was in the top 10% of the field at 49th overall out of the 566 finishers, men and women. She was fourth woman. MARK CHEADLE set a season’s best of 50:05 (225th); ROGER BIGGS finished in 55:50 and PAUL HOLGATE in 62:31.

 

First 10K in 2016

After 2K JIM BROWN thought he might grind to a near halt soon after 5K but then thought let’s try for sub 50. He did it with 49 minutes 21 seconds and 219th out of the 518 finishers. That was eight seconds faster than the same event a year earlier. It was chilly (compared with December) but dry. Everyone enjoyed an interesting route in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens which started by Winter Wonderland and finished by the Serpentine.

 

New Year Indoors

Tessa and Dave Stephenson started their competition year at the New Year’s Day Open Meeting at Lee Valley Athletics Centre’s indoor track. Taking the chance to do an unusual distance, they were both graded to be in the same heat of the 300 metres. Dave was third place in 46.61 seconds and Tessa sixth in 54.69 seconds.

They then moved onto the Shot Putt with all age groups throwing together, Tessa achieving 8.23 metres and Dave 7.23 metres.

 

Parkrun Report – New Year’s Day

A large crowd of Spartans celebrated the New Year parkrunning across the country, many taking the once-a-year opportunity to do the double, or “10k before breakfast” as Tim Robinson labelled it.

At Panshanger Park, the first Spartan finisher was STEVE GREEN (12th in 19:46, new course PB), followed by recently-returned TODD GRAY, 27th in 21:10. TIM SABAN (36th, 22:06), TOM SAUKA (39th, 22:11) and JAMES KILROY (59th, 23:52) rounded out the Spartans’ first five.

Other Spartans in action at the Hertford course were KEN JUDE (75th, 24:47 running his 50th parkrun), TIM ROBINSON (105th, 27:36), OLWEN BATTY (113th, 28:46), KAREN PALMER (122nd, 30:09, course PB), ANN TRYSSESOONE taking it easy for her parkrun debut after her massive effort at Buntingford was 123rd in 30:09, VIKKI MEREDITH also running her first parkrun was 158th in 33:49 and ISABEL GREEN was 179th in 39:37.

They were also joined by some of the next generation of Spartans, GEORGINA GREEN (175th, 37:14) and DANIEL GREEN (178th, 38:54) both making their parkrun debuts in the junior (JW10 and JM10 respectively) categories. Finally, three new Spartans also took part: LESLEY JEIVE (134th, 30:57), CAROLINE CROFT (136th, 31:13), and HEATHER MOLONEY (14th, 32:42).

The majority of the Spartans headed over to St Albans for the double where they were joined by first Spartan finisher MICHAEL BIRONNEAU (5th in an excellent 18:21) and HAYLEY FAULKNER (153rd, 25:03).

Results for those completing the double at St Albans were: TOM SAUKA (59th, 21:54), TIM SABAN (64th, 22:03), JAMES KILROY (97th, 23:20), TIM ROBINSON (114th, 23:51, course PB), KEN JUDE (159th, 25:18), OLWEN BATTY, 207th, 27:28), ANN TRYSSESOONE (214th, 28:02), LESLEY JEIVE (241st, 29:56), KAREN PALMER (245th, 30:03), CAROLINE CROFT (246th, 30:05) and HEATHER MOLONEY (291st, 31:36).

Other Spartans in action on New Year’s Day included ANDREW PATTERSON finishing a comfortable second at Luton Wardown in 17:44; and JOHN NELM completed the double, running first at Dewsbury, 22nd in 22:09, and following up at Nostell Priory where he was 48th in 22:04).

 

Enigma Winter Trail Marathon

A 7.5 lap marathon run around the edge on Caldecote Lake on the outskirts of Milton Keynes attracted ROGER BIGGS on Saturday. Each lap of the Enigma Winter Trail Marathon hugged the edge of the lake, on a wet miserable morning, made for the hundreds of swan, geese, ducks & various other forms of bird life that frequent the lake. He finished in 5:08:52.

 

Saturday’s Parkruns

GRANT RAMSAY made his first visit to Luton Wardown parkrun and was satisfied with his effort, finishing second in a time of 17:32, after logging heavy mileage over the festive period.

At a muddy Panshanger, ANDY JAY was first Spartan finisher, crossing the line 94th of 236 runners in a time of 27:50, with JENNY GARRETT making her parkrun debut finishing 160th in 33:08 and NICK WITCOMBE 161st in 33:10.

Further afield, EMMA POULTER ran at Cleethorpes in her first ever parkrun, finishing 106th of the 117 participants in a time of 36:11, while RICHARD KENNEDY and NICOLA HABERLAND were in action at the Holkham parkrun. Richard finished 22nd of 124 runners in 22:49 and Nicola finished 39th in 24:17, both obtaining new course PBs.

 

County Championships in Stevenage this Sunday

The Hertfordshire County Cross Country Championships will be in Fairlands Valley Park this Sunday, 10th January. There will be particular Spartan interest in the senior women’s race over 8 kilometres (two laps) at 1230 and the men’s race over 12 kilometres (three laps) at 1315. (Senior means 21 years and over). Much of the action will be around the lakes. Come and support our local runners.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • County Cross Country Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 10th January 2016.
  • Fourth cross country league race in Watford on Sunday 17th January.
  • Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 21st January.
  • Fred Hughes 10 including the County Ten Mile Championships for Veterans on Sunday 24th January.
  • Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 29th January.
  • South of England Cross Country Championships in London on Saturday 30th January.
  • Watford Half Marathon including the County Championships for Veterans on Sunday 7th February.
  • Fifth and final cross country league race on Therfield Heath on Sunday 14th February.
  • County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13th March (probably Watford).
  • Finchley 20 on Sunday 13th March.
  • Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25th March.
  • County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

BALMY BUNTINGFORD

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away runners had to endure ice, snow, freezing rain or howling winds in the Buntingford Year End ten mile road race but on Monday fifteen Spartans enjoyed Spring like conditions in this year’s race.

The race was on a hilly course with some tricky turns within Buntingford but SIMON JACKSON beat the hour to come 11th out of the 482 finishers in just 59 minutes 8 seconds.

ANN TRYSSESOONE gave everything to take a massive 4 minutes 47 seconds off her personal best with 1 hour 17 minutes 2 seconds. She was an impressive fifth in her category and 149th overall.

There was a special award for ROGER BIGGS. He had run twenty Year End Tens before Monday’s race. This time he was 405th in 1:40:18.

The other “A” team Spartans were STEFFAN FORD, 18th in 1:01:52; CRAIG HALSEY, 55th in 1:07:34 and DAVID RIDDELL, 56th in 1:07:39.

MADDIE PRITCHARD was Fairlands fastest female at 140th with 1:16:20. SHARON CROWLEY came in with 1:49:47.

Position Name Time Comments
11 SIMON JACKSON 59:08
18 STEFFAN FORD 1:01:52
55 CRAIG HALSEY 1:07:34
56 DAVID RIDDELL 1:07:39
105 JOHN NELMS 1:12:57
139 MARK GOODWIN 1:16:01
140 MADDIE PRITCHARD (F) 1:16:20
149 ANN TRYSSESOONE (F) 1:17:02 PB (4:47)
182 ROBERT EVANS 1:19:43
253 TIM ROBINSON 1:25:53
405 ROGER BIGGS 1:40:18 Special Award
432 ANTHONY WALLER 1:45:35
436 PAUL HOLGATE 1:46:00
456 SHARON CROWLEY (F) 1:49:47
467 GRAHAM HILL 1:52:59

There were 482 finishers.

 

Christmas Day Parkrunners

Christmas Day saw the Spartans out in force for the festive Parkrun at Panshanger Park in Hertford. There were sixteen seasonal Spartans in the blue stripe vests taking on the 5km cross country course and club captain Daniel Bates said ‘it was a great turnout by the club, we all went there with aim, to promote the club, to put in a great performance whilst being in the festive mood and we were rewarded with some great performances.

Craig Halsey put on a strong performance and finished 5th overall of the 270 runners with a time of 17 minutes 14 seconds, gaining a course personal best (PB) at the time. Daniel Bates was second Spartan home in his preparations for the Riga 5km and two running events in Hong Kong in the next fortnight and finished in 21:15 (29th). Tim Saban was third Spartan in 21:51. The other highlight was at the finish line where Andy Jay and Tracy Pez were fighting it out going neck and neck on ‘that’ final uphill but it was Andy who finished first in 24:31 (84th) and Tracy in 24:34 (85th). Other results as follow: Thomas Sauka 22:15 (40th); James Kilroy 23:32 (61st); Michelle Reeves 23:43 (65th); Ken Jude 24:58 (94th), Andy Prior 26:16 (115th); Hazel Clark 26:17; Jeanette Collins 28:09 (156th), Olwen Batty 28:26 (159th and also a new course PB), Debbie Raines 29:57 (172th), Nicola Tout 33:08 (231st); Nick Witcombe 33:08 (232th).  There were 265 finishers.

Up the A1 at Peterborough, Verity Fisher put on a good performance by finishing 105th out of 424 runners in 23 minutes 39 seconds.

Even further up the A1 Isabel Green, Roger Hardman and Steve Green ran a Newcastle parkrun double. On Christmas day in near perfect condition and on a fast course Steve ran a personal best 19:33, Isabel 23:43 also a PB, and Roger won his category in 26:43.

 

Ran Their Box Off

TIM SABAN and JIM BROWN ran their Box Off at the Boxing Day Five in Witham on Saturday. Jim said it seemed incredibly hot and didn’t often sweat that much in July races.

On a lovely bright morning but with a stiff headwind between one and three miles Tim was 76th over the five miles in 35 minutes 28 seconds. Jim was delighted with a year’s best time, and squeaking under 40 minutes, to finish in 39 minutes 56 seconds.

 

Pirton Boxing Day 5km – Run Like A Turkey

It was a Spartan one two as GRANT RAMSAY won the Pirton Boxing Day 5K race in 18 minutes 32 seconds with ANDREW PATTERSON second in 18:51. STEFFAN FORD was seventh of the 171 finishers in 20:17.

As ever it was a last ditch decision for NATALIE LAWRENCE to enter. Having been invited to run like a turkey by the organisers and despite enjoying a good Christmas Day she finished first woman and in the top ten (ninth) overall with a time of 20 minutes 48 seconds.

 

Boxing Day Parkruns

Less than 24 hours after doing a Christmas Day parkrun, a few Spartans were back on the road for another 5km event. The big shock came at Barclay Parkrun at Hoddesdon where Thomas Sauka, not known for his speedy parkruns, ran a very steady 5km and held on to finish in 2nd place, one second ahead of third place. Thomas ramped up the style on the final lap of the three lap course and held on to his life for his first ever top three finish in any sort of running event, finishing in 22-55 (3 minutes and 12 seconds behind 1st place). Fellow Spartan Daniel Bates finished 5th after slipping from 2nd in the final lap and came in at 23-35. Both Daniel and Thomas also ran a Parkrun the day before this event.

Back at Panshanger for the second time in 24 hours, Andy Jay managed to equal the Christmas Day positioning of 84th by finishing in the same place again with a time of 27-43, finishing 11 seconds slower than yesterday’s time. Tim Robinson finished in 26-31 (63rd) and Robert Shaw in 27-52 (86th). There were 197 runners turning out.

St Albans, also glutton for punishment by doing two parkruns in the space of 24 hours was Olwen Batty, finishing 168th out of 290 runners in 27-13, gaining a new course PB. Liz Carvel wasn’t too far behind finishing 175th in 27-33, 4 seconds off her course pb. Ken Jude was at St Albans helping out with the timekeeping duties.

Wimpole Hall Estate saw John Harris finishing in 21st out of 322 runners with a time of 21-58.

Further afield, Verity Fisher was out again for her second run in 24 hours at Belton House in scenic Leicestershire. Finishing in 32-35 and coming in 157th out of 197 runners. At Ashton Court, Bristol, John Nelms finished 29th out of 228 runners in a time of 22-04, a new course PB.

Remember, there are Parkruns on News Years Day (check the official Parkrun website for start times, there is even a chance you can do TWO that morning if you time it right) and normal service resumes on Saturday 2nd January.

Still in Newcastle for a rainy Boxing Day (with turkey on board) the results for Steve Green, Isabel Green and Roger Hardman were a little slower than the previous day! Steve 19:49, Isabel 24:54 and Roger 27:12

 

Grant’s XC

Club Champion GRANT RAMSAY completed the 10 mile Ilford cross country in 64:57. He was fourth overall out of more than 200 runners. Grant used the race as a glorified training session following 20 miles put in the previous day.

 

Stansted Stagger

It was the Stansted Stagger for Tricia HOPPER and KAREN LIDDLE on Monday. Very muddy, as expected, but a nice varied course and some bits where you could actually shake the mud off your shoes and stop looking like Bambi on ice. They both came home in 5 hours 51 which was 9 minutes quicker than they expected so they are happy with that.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • New Year’s Day 10K in Hyde Park on Friday 1st January 2016.
  • County Cross Country Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 10th January 2016.
  • Fourth cross country league race in Watford on Sunday 17th January.
  • Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 21st January.
  • Fred Hughes 10 including the County Ten Mile Championships for Veterans on Sunday 24th January.
  • Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 29th January.
  • South of England Cross Country Championships in London on Saturday 30th January.
  • Watford Half Marathon including the County Championships for Veterans on Sunday 7th February.
  • Fifth and final cross country league race on Therfield Heath on Sunday 14th February.
  • County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13th March (probably Watford).
  • Finchley 20 on Sunday 13th March.
  • Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 25th March.
  • County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

Categories
News Race Results

CHRIS & OLWEN WIN HANDICAP 5K

Thirty six Spartans completed the club’s handicap 5K on Thursday evening and CHRIS HOLLAND had an excellent win in a season’s best time of 22 minutes 28 seconds beating his handicap by 3 minutes 52 seconds.

He was closely followed over the line by newcomer ROB BRIGHT in 28:28. He improved on his handicap by 3:32. DANNY HUKIN was third in a new season’s best time of his own, 18:51.

The winning woman was OLWEN BATTY in a new personal best time of 26:52. That was 1:40 faster than her previous PB.

ANDREA WESTCOTT was second lady in 27:55, and Tessa Stephenson third in a season’s best 26:28.

The fastest runner on the night was GRANT RAMSAY in 16:49, three seconds quicker than his last handicap 5k back in January 2014. Danny’s 18:51 was the 2nd fastest time of the night and STEVE GREEN was third quickest in 20:04.

TRACY PEZ was the fastest female equalling her fastest time of the year with 22:04, SUZY HAWKINS second quickest in a year’s best time of 22:14 and ISABEL GREEN third quickest in a new PB time of 23:46.

There were also personal bests (PB) for Darren Emmerson, Alex Nee, Simon Sypula, Sean Millwood, Bev Redfern, Vikki Meredith and Dominic Jay; season’s bests (SB) for James Kilroy, Mark Goodwin, Dave Stephenson and Sharon Crowley. Callum Beasley, Dean Carpenter, Andy Jay, John Nelms, Vish Shah and Bernadette Millwood all beat their previous Handicap 5k time. There was also a 2015 best time for Alistair Baldwin.

In handicap races the slowest runners start first with others following at intervals calculated from recent performances. If everyone runs to form everyone finish together. In practice the best improver wins.

The next Handicap 5k will be on Thursday 21st January 2016.

 

Pos Name Time Speed Pos. F Comments
1 CHRIS HOLLAND 22:38 13 Event winner
2 ROB BRIGHT 28:28 28 First 5K
3 DANNY HUKIN 18:51 2 Second fastest
4 DARREN EMMERSON 23:06 16 First 5K
5 OLWEN BATTY 26:52 23 5 1st woman. PB (1:40)
6 ANDREA WESTCOTT 27:55 25 6
7 ALEX NEE 22:01 8 First 5K
8 TESSA STEPHENSON 26:28 22 4 SB
9 ISABEL GREEN 23:46 20 3 3rd fastest woman. PB (0:07)
10 GRANT RAMSAY 16:49 1 Fastest
11 SIMON SYPULA 28:02 26 PB (1:14)
12 TODD GRAY 20:39 4
13 CALLUM BEASLEY 23:28 19
14 JAMES KILROY 23:00 15 SB
15 MARK GOODWIN 21:50 7 SB
16 DEAN CARPENTER 20:51 5
17 ANDY JAY 23:12 18
18 SUZY HAWKINS 22:14 10 2 Second fastest woman
19 STEVE GREEN 20:04 3 Third fastest
20 SEAN MILLWOOD 28:51 29 PB (1:00)
21 DAVE STEPHENSON 22:22 11 SB
22 MARK BEASLEY 22:59 14
23 BEV REDFERN 29:33 30 8 First 5K
24 JOHN NELMS 21:04 6
25 ROBERT SHAW 27:14 24
26 TRACY PEZ 22:04 9 1 Fastest woman
27 STEVE SMITHSON 24:38 21
28 VISHAL SHAH 23:10 17
29 PETER SMITH 22:27 12
30 VIKKI MEREDITH 31:32 34 11 PB (0:14)
31 BERNADETTE MILLWOOD 30:53 33 10
32 SHARON CROWLEY 30:05 32 9 SB
33 LIZ CARVELL 28:22 27 7
34 ALISTAIR BALDWIN 30:00 31
35 EMMA POULTER 37:56 36 12
36 DOMINIC JAY 32:00 35 First 5K

 

Portsmouth Coastal

On Sunday CAROL PAUL ran the Portsmouth Coastal Waterfront Marathon. The course was on paths and off road starting in Southsea and running out to Hayling Island and back. It was really windy with a couple of heavy downpours of rain. Carol completed the race in 5 hours 3 minutes 2 seconds.

 

Serpentine

Spartan SIMON JACKSON was second in his category at the Serpentine 5K race in Hyde Park last Friday. He had an excellent time of 17 minutes 7 seconds scoring more than 79%.

An out of sorts JIM BROWN pootled round in 25 minutes 43 seconds but still enjoyed this pre-Christmas race. He finished 64th out of 1200 runners in the year long championship.

 

Natalie Qualifies

NATALIE LAWRENCE qualified to run in the women’s championships at the London Marathon with a well judged run at the Milton Keynes Winter Half Marathon. She was ninth female overall and with a time of 1 hour 29 minutes 33 seconds beat the 1:30 barrier. All that only nine weeks after having her baby!

 

Parkruns

DANIEL BATES took on the three and half lap parkrun course at Luton’s Wardown Park in the very unusual December heat. Still carrying an ankle injury, he managed to finish the five kilometres 16th out of 129 runners in 21 minutes 49 seconds.

At Panshanger (Hertford) the Spartan women were out in force. ISABEL GREEN finished in 25-41 and was 83rd runner home out of 226; JEANETTE COLLINS was 126th at 28:22, and EMMA KINSEY 176th in 33:02.

St Albans produced a fast time with DAVID RIDDELL finishing 12th out of 311 runners with a time of 18 minutes 18 seconds. DANIEL SUTTON was 126th in 23:58 whilst VERITY FISHER was 132nd in 24:15.

TIM ROBINSON ran the Raphael parkrun near Romford on Saturday. He was 22nd overall and fifth in his age category with 23:16.

There will be a parkrun at Panshanger on Christmas Day.

 

No Snow For Spartans

No snow and no sign of it for this year’s pre-Christmas run by Fairlands Valley Spartans to Minsden Chapel on Sunday but forty club members enjoyed the morning.

 

Coming Events

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

 

  • Boxing Day Five at Witham on Saturday 26th December.
  • County 10 miles Veterans Championship and Open 10 at Buntingford on Monday 28th December.
  • New Year’s Day 10K in Hyde Park on Friday 1st January 2016.
  • County Cross Country Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 10th January 2016.
  • Fourth cross country league race in Watford on Sunday 17th January.
  • Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 21st January.
  • Fred Hughes 10 including the County Ten Mile Championships for Veterans on Sunday 24th January.
  • Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 29th January.
  • South of England Cross Country Championships in London on Saturday 30th January.
  • Watford Half Marathon including the County Championships for Veterans on Sunday 7th February.
  • Fifth and final cross country league race on Therfield Heath on Sunday 14th February.
  • County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13th March (probably Watford).
  • Finchley 20 on Sunday 13th March.
  • County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

E N D S

 

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509; Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889 or Karen Palmer (Secretary) 0773 467 8566

Categories
News Race Results

NEW BLOOD BOOSTS SPARTANS

A combination of new members and good performances by others meant Fairlands Valley Spartans did incredibly well in the third cross country league race of the season. The FVS men WON their race against nineteen other teams with 190 race points 40 ahead of second placed Royston Runners.

With four Spartans in the top twelve the “A” team consisted of CRAIG HALSEY fourth in 28 minutes 6 seconds; ANDREW PATTERSON sixth in 28:38; GRANT RAMSAY ninth in 28:53; SIMON JACKSON 12th in 29:08; CHRIS WESTCOTT 23rd in 29:52; STEFFAN FORD, 38th in 30:43; PAUL HEWITT 44th in 31:07 and DAN HUKIN 55th in 31:51.

The Spartan women’s “A” team were seventh on 155 only one point behind the next team. They were TRACY PEZ, 193rd overall in 37 minutes 57 seconds; CLAIRE PULLEN, 196th in 38:03; SUZY HAWKINS, 204th in 38:19; MADDIE PRITCHARD, 223rd in 38:58 and HAZEL CLARK, 242nd in 39:22. All under 40 minutes for the tough five miles.

Overall the club’s men are third with 54 league points but only three points behind the top two teams who are tied on 54. The FVS females are fifth with 50 but the second and third teams only have 52. So the outcome depend on the last league two races which will be in Watford on 17th January and on Therfield Heath on 14th February..

There were a record equalling 44 Spartans in the race.

 

Spartans At South East Cross Country

Shuttleworth at Old Warden was the venue for this year’s South East of England Athletics Association (SEAA) Masters’ Cross Country Championships on Saturday.

TRACY PEZ 27:50; CLAIRE COX 30:53; PETA WILSON 31:56; SUE HAMER 33:26; STEPH MAYFIELD 36:29 and SHARON CROWLEY 38:53 raced round the women’s six kilometre race then the men took on 10K. DAVE RIDDELL finished in 40 minutes 17 seconds with JOHN HARRIS in 42:38; DAVE BOWKER 43:37; ANDY JAY 53:07; DARREN EMMERSON 53:15; MARK FREEMAN 61:15 and NICK WITCOMBE 64:22.

 

PB for Ann at Welwyn Festive Five

Spartan ANN TRYSSESOONE had not raced for 18 months but then smashed her personal best by an impressive 1 minute 28 seconds at Sunday’s Welwyn Festive Five. She was 65th out of the 209 in the race with 36 minutes 45 seconds. Despite the wet and cold all five Spartans enjoyed a well organised race with a chocolate Father Christmas and cakes for everyone at the finish.  JOHN NELMS was 63rd in 36:40; HAYLEY FAULKNER improved on her recent Wolverton time and was 119th in 42:09; OLWEN BATTY 149th in 45:16 and IRIS HORNSEY was second veteran woman (65 plus) and 174th in 48:33.

 

Lanzarotte – Another Week, Another Marathon

Roger Biggs took the four hour flight to the Canary Islands, to run the Lanzarote Marathon.

It was a glorious sunny day ideal for the deckchairs but certainly not for marathon runners. The route went 21.1 kilometres from Costa Teguise to a turn-round in Puerto Carmen, and then back all the way to Costa Teguise.

For much of the run, the course hugged the coast on traffic free sea wall/promenade, with lots of little ups and downs to keep you on your toes, just a pity there was so much concrete. Employing a run 3 minutes/walk 30 secs tactic in the heat, Roger completed the 42.2K course in 4 hours 44 minutes 48 seconds.

 

Parkrun Report – 12th December 2015

VERITY FISHER is getting back to form. She ran the St Albans Parkrun in 23 minutes 19 seconds, 13th woman and 82nd out of the 239 runners. DANIEL SUTTON was 106th in 24:11.

DANIEL BATES finished the cross-country Wimpole course in very muddy conditions in 22-58. He was 39th out of the 192 runners.  At Panshanger DAVID HODBOD finished 13th out of 169 runners with a time of 20-22.; JOHN ROXBURGH 34th with a time of 22-31 whilst TIM ROBINSON crossed the line in 112th with 27-52.

 

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 17th December.
  • Serpentine 5K on Friday 18th December (obviously won’t be on Christmas Day).
  • Spartans Christmas Social Run at 7p.m. on Tuesday 22nd December.
  • County 10 miles Veterans Championship and Open 10 at Buntingford on Monday 28th December.
  • New Year’s Day 10K in Hyde Park on Friday 1st January 2016.
  • County Cross Country Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 10th January 2016.
  • Fourth cross country league race in Watford on Sunday 17th January.
  • Fred Hughes 10 including the County Ten Mile Championships for Veterans on Sunday 24th January.
  • South of England Cross Country Championships in London on Saturday 30th January.
  • Watford Half Marathon including the County Championships for Veterans on Sunday 7th February.
  • Fifth and final cross country league race on Therfield Heath on Sunday 14th February.
  • County Veterans Cross Country Championships on Sunday 13th March (probably Watford).
  • Finchley 20 on Sunday 13th March.
  • County 20 Miles Championships at Oakley on Sunday 3rd April.
  • Halstead Marathon, including Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors and veterans, on Sunday 8th May.
  • Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th 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 hundreds of members and encourages participation by all. The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons.

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

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

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9a.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 yet done very much running might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.

Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £37 per year, £25 without UKA affiliation. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy. You can also join online.

 

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889; or Karen Palmer (07734678566) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

 

E N D S

 

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509; Andy Neatham 0777 197 5499 and 01438 816889 or Karen Palmer (Secretary) 0773 467 8566

 

www.fvspartans.org.uk