The Stevenage Half Marathon will be on Sunday 6th November and YOU can tackle the 13.1 miles. Go to www.fvspartans.org.uk to enter.
This will be the 30th Stevenage Half and it’s a 70th Anniversary event for Stevenage New Town.
The race starts from Ridlins Athletics Track promptly at 11a.m. and will follow a two lap course up Gresley Way and Six Hills Way into Fairlands Valley Park passing the lakes then down the length of the park past the showground then along Broadhall Way and back onto Gresley Way. The first lap is slightly shorter than the second which has an extra loop at the north end of the park. Almost all the race will be on cycleways and footpaths.
The race is open to all aged 17 or over but it also includes the Hertfordshire County Championships for seniors (18 plus). Entries are £24, less for Spartans and members of other UK Athletics affiliated clubs. There are already about 600 entries. Don’t delay if you want a space.
Running a successful event like this takes dozens of helpers. If you want to be a volunteer marshal or to help in any other way please contact shm@fvspartans.org.uk.
Ampthill
Spartans JOHN HARRIS and DAVID DOWKER were at the Ampthill Cross Country Festival on Sunday. It was a tough one on a hilly 10K route. Luckily they missed the rain and the sun came out just in time for the seniors. It had been very wet for the children’s races. John finished 28th in 44 minutes exactly and David was 66th in 52:17.
Maidstone Marathon
On Sunday CAROL PAUL ran the Maidstone marathon in Kent. The course was tough and hilly but she completed her 340th marathon in 4:25:26. Carol was seventh lady and 37th overall.
A Mission In Canada
ROGER BIGGS continued his mission to run a marathon in all 13 Canadian Provinces & Territories.
Sunday’s Prince Edward Island Marathon started on the Northern shores of the Island, and looped round to finish in the Prince Edward Island capital town Charlottetown. The guide books will tell you that there are no mountains on the Island, but there are plenty of hills.
On a lovely day for running, wall to wall sunshine yet a cool breeze, Roger completed the marathon in 4:46:06, his 8th of 13 in his Province / territory quest.
1066 Way To Battle
KIERAN FEETHAM and HOLLIE DOUTRE ran the 1066 Way to Battle trail event, part of the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings commemorations.
Over about 17 miles following the 1066 Way Footpath Kieran was 198th in 2 hours 43 minutes 20 seconds and Hollie 199th in 2:43:19 (these are chip times).
Cross Country Season Starts
The first cross country league race of the season will be in Cheshunt this Sunday 23rd October. Dozens of Fairlands Valley Spartans are expected to compete.
Parkrun Report
A baker’s dozen Spartans were in action at Stevenage parkrun with some fine performances
DAVE SMITH was again first Spartan finisher this week, crossing the line in 20:42 for 14 place overall and a new course personal best (PB). DAVID RIDDELL was 15th in 20:53 and DARREN EMMERSON, who continues to be in fantastic form, was 19th in a new course PB of 21:45. CLIVE CANNON also achieved a new course PB of 23:45 to finish 36th.
For the ladies, CLAIRE COX was 3rd to finish in 23:13. VERITY FISHER was 5th in 23:33, and NIKKI WILBY was 37th in 24:26. All three achieved new course PBs.
The other Spartans in action at Stevenage were DANIEL SUTTON (23:47), ANDREW SMITH (24:32), STEFFAN FORD (27:37), JOHN MCCALL (27:57), ALEXANDRA WHITEHOUSE (31:55) and IAN ALEXANDER (58:37 on tail-running duties).
At Panshanger JEANETTE COLLINS was the sole Spartan in attendance, finishing 43rd in 29:01. DARRYL STEVENS continued on his mission across the south-coast parkruns, finishing the Havant event in 40:56.
Finally, STEVE GREEN was 8th male finisher at Stratford-upon-Avon in 19:37, ISABEL GREEN was 3rd woman in a time of 22:52 and ROGER HARDMAN was 64th male in 26:17.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the Hertfordshire 10K championships. The opportunities include:
- Abingdon Marathon on Sunday 23rd October.
- First Cross Country League Race in Cheshunt on Sunday 23rd October.
- Stevenage Half Marathon, a Stevenage 70 event, on Sunday 6th November.
- Second Cross Country League Race on Sunday 13th November (new date).
- 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.
- Third Cross Country League Race on Sunday 18th December.
- Boxing Day Five in Witham on Monday 26th December.
- Serpentine New Year 10K in Hyde Park on 1st January.
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