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CHARLOTTE AND JIM ARE WINNERS

FV Challenge Is Up and Running * Take Part Up To 6th September

 

It’s confirmed!  The results are out and Spartans CHARLOTTE SMITH and JIM BROWN were winners in the Hatfield Broad Oak virtual 10K race.  Charlotte won the women 25 to 29 race in 47 minutes 6 seconds and Jim the men 65 to 69 race in 51:14.

 

The Fairlands Valley Challenge Is Open

The Fairlands Valley Spartans off road challenge is up and running.  It’s been a hot weekend and some phenomenal results as the 50K participants have decided to show how hardcore they really are.  Top slots now are occupied by George Burkin and Stuart Archer while Hazel Smith, Julie Shadbolt and Karen Ellis are joint third in the ultra event.  Judy King and Nicola Hatherly have put in a solid 15 miles as well in the last few days.

The Challenge is a virtual event this year and you can still run on a route you choose any day between now and Sunday 6th September 2020.

Just like the usual event you have multiple choices.  They are 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon or 50k Ultra.  You can RUN or WALK.

A difference from many of the virtual events is that at least 25% of your route must be off road.

The event ethos is that this is an individual challenge in a friendly non competitive environment and another difference is that on your route you must take eleven selfies, include a different item in the background of each.  The initials of each item when put together must spell out the word FVChallenge.  You must abide by the current guidance on social distancing.  All Entries are £12 (£10 for affiliated runners).

All finishers will receive a medal based on the Challenge banner.  Go to www.fvchallenge.org.uk for more details and a link to the entry system.

 

Flying for the Tenth Time

F0ur Spartans ran the tenth virtual Fly 5K event.

Jim Brown was first Vet 65 and 69th out of the 125 participants in 26:30; Nick Kleanthous 78th in 27:41; Nicola Andersson was third Vet 45 in 27:48 which was a season’s best improvement of five seconds and Paul Holgate was 192nd in 30:05 his best this year by 11 seconds.

The Spartans are hoping to field at least two complete men’s and women’s teams for the next Fly 5K event which will be on Saturday 15th August.

 

Parkrun Roundup 15th August 2020

Parkruns have restarted in some other countries but not yet in the UK.

Fairlands Valley Spartans and many others are looking forward to the 200th Stevenage Parkrun which will be the first local parkrun when the events can restart.  The 199th parkrun was on Saturday 14th March.  It’ll be some party when they restart.

In the meantime seven Spartans ran the eighth “(not) Stevenage ParkRun” virtual event on Saturday.  They were

James McSweeney 26:02; Nick Kleanthous 27:38; Nicola Andersson 27:48 (SB 0:05); Marian Morley 27:53; Paul Jennings 29:33; Paul Holgate 30:05 (YB 0:11) and Debbie Blantern 30:08.  16 times were recorded

Jim Brown ran the Portobello (not) Parkrun he was 8th out of the 29 finishers and first male 65 plus with 26 minutes 30 seconds.

A side effect of virtual racing is that you can be taking part in more than one event with the same run.

Dozens of events have been cancelled in the Spring and Summer including the mass participation London Marathon but there are some glimmers of a return to “live” competition with entries being invited for events on 23rd August; 4th October and 18th October amongst others.

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