It was back to basics for DANIEL BATES at the Halstead and Essex Marathon which was part of his five marathons in eight weeks challenge. Marathon number three (and second one in six days) was completed in beautiful rural Essex on Sunday 11th May 2014 in 3 hours 48 minutes 56 seconds. With the weather managing to hold off during the whole race in Halstead, he kept to 8 minutes a mile pacing until mile 19 then slowed it down to under 10 minutes a mile pacing as his legs were getting tired. Daniel’s next marathon will be in the Latvian capital of Riga on Sunday 18th May.
Pritchard’s Parkrun
MADDIE PRITCHARD was fourth woman and 39th overall in Saturday’s Cambridge Parkrun with her time of 21 minutes 8 seconds. There were 303 finishers.
Corporate
Andrew Patterson took part in the Milton Keynes Corporate Relay representing his work team.
The relay was a 6 miles, two 7:25 miles and a final 6 miles lap. Andy did the third leg. He set off in about 10th place and made his way through the crowded field of marathon runners to second relay place which is where his team finished. He completed his 7.25 mile leg in 43 minutes 22 seconds.
Jim Runs Short Distance Championship In One Day
Recently JIM BROWN qualified for the Spartans’ Short Distance Club Championship in one day.
Starting at Ridlins Track at 11.15a.m. Jim ran 1500 metres in 6:25.33 and took the 60 plus gold medal in the County veterans’ championships.
Still on the track just before 4p.m. he won another gold in the 5000 metres with his year best time of 22 minutes 43 seconds.
Next it was off to Chesham where Jim ran the Pednor Five (5 miles) in a season’s best 38 minutes 49 seconds at 7p.m.
The club short distance championship consists of any three out of 1500 metres, 5000 metres, 5 miles and 10 kilometres.
Master Mayfield
Competing in the Midland Masters Track & Field League in Stourport on Severn, STEVE MAYFIELD set a new personal best of 12.9 seconds for the 100 metres. He later ran 59.8 seconds for the 400 metres and threw the javelin 24.84m into a very strong headwind!
10K this Tuesday!!!!
Fairlands Valley Spartans host the first race in the Mid Week Road Race League in Stevenage tomorrow evening, Tuesday. The course is ideal for spectators and photographs. After starting on the Fairlands Way cycle route near Bedwell Crescent at 7.45p.m. the last half of the 10K course is within Fairlands Valley Park coming up from the showground then past the lakes to loop back to a finish near the swing park.
Marriotts Sports Centre will be the event headquarters.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
• First Mid Week Road Race League (10K) race in Stevenage on Tuesday 13th May
• Second Road Race League (5 miles) race in Chingford on Wednesday 4th June
• Third Road Race League (9K) race in Trent Park on Thursday 12th June
• Fourth Road Race League (10K) in St Albans on Tuesday 1st July
• Mid Week Mob Match (10K) in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 17th July
• Off Road Challenge in Stevenage on Sunday 20th July
• Relays in the Park in Stevenage on Thursday 31st July
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 14th August.
• Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 18th September.
• County 5K Veteran Championship in Hatfield on Wednesday 24th September
• County 5K Senior Championship in Hatfield on Wednesday 8th October
• 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 ÂŁ35 per year, ÂŁ25 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