The Watford Half
It was a surprising beautiful day for the seven Spartans running the Watford Half Marathon, though that did not prevent quite a few very cold ankle deep puddles around the undulating course.
Fairlands Valley’s GRANT RAMSAY was the first veteran, and 16th overall out of thousands of runners, in 1 hour 16 minutes 17 seconds. Now he is looking forward to this years London Marathon & European Vets Marathon Championships, in Turkey this summer, where he will be representing Great Britain.
TODD GRAY was 128th in 1:28:14 and ADRIAN DONNELLY 276th in 1:32:12.
ANDREW JORDAN ran his fastest half marathon since 2007. He was 608th in 1:42:35, well within the first half of all finishers, and hopes all his injury problems are finally behind him.
NICOLA LORIMER ran a brilliant 1:57:56. PAUL HOLGATE nursed his calf around in 2:19:02 and SHARON CROWLEY protected her knee as best she could in 2:29:02.
Serpentine for Season’s Best
After a long break from racing JIM BROWN enjoyed Friday’s Serpentine 5K race and was pleasantly surprised by his time. With a nervous and slow start from the back he covered the first kilometre in 4 minutes 43 seconds but the race round Hyde Park in 22:52 – his best time since October 2012.
SIMON JACKSON was a superb eighth out of the 219 finishers in just 16 minutes 53 seconds. Jim was 163rd. Conditions were cool, dry but wet underfoot and breezy.
First Place, First Saturday
John Harris won the North Herts First Saturday of the Month 5K on a very wet and muddy course in a time of 20 minutes 58 seconds.
Presentation Evening
Fairlands Valley Spartans Presentation Evening, Dinner and Disco will be on Friday evening, 28th February. Tickets are £23. More details from 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:
• Cross country race five at Watford on Sunday 16th February
• Handicap 5K on Thursday 20th February
• Serpentine 5K at Friday lunchtime 28th February
• Presentation Evening on Friday 28th February
• Veterans Cross Country Championships in Royston on 16th March
• Off Road Challenge in Stevenage on Sunday 20th July
• Relays in the Park in Stevenage on Thursday 31st July
• Stevenage Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday 2nd 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 9.30a.m. sharp. Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m. There are events to enter every Sunday. Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not done very much running yet might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session.
Try a few sessions before joining. Membership is only £35 per year, £25 without UKA membership. Concessions are available. Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk Please ask if you would like a paper copy.
If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509), Vivienne Honey 07702 846304 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509 or Vivienne Honey (Secretary) 07702 846304
www.fvspartans.org.uk