BOWKER WINS BRITISH MASTERS
Monica Takes Silver * Grant Ready for Europe
Fairlands Valley Spartans’ DAVID BOWKER won GOLD in the British Masters Athletics Federation Championships at Oxford on Sunday. He was first vet (50 plus) in the 10 kilometre walk with a time of 66 minutes 48 seconds.
MONICA BROWN took silver in the Heptathlon which was held on Saturday and Sunday though she says she had a mixed competition.
She was disappointed to be down on her jumps and 200 metres after last week’s EVAC championships but was pleased to see an improvement in her throws with personal bests (PB) in both the shot and javelin. The overall result was a Silver Medal in my age group (W45).
Day One: The day was a mixture of sunshine and occasional showers but luckily athletes managed to avoid the rain but sadly not the wind. Hurdles- 17.05 seconds, High Jump – 1.30 metres, Shot – 6.87 metres (PB), 200 metres sprint – 29.91 seconds.
Day Two: Heavy rain and more wind. There were showers just before the long jump, javelin in the rain and heavy rain and lightning during the 800 metres. Mmonica was hoping that the thought of getting soaked and possibly struck by lightning might help her to run faster for the 800 metres but sadly that was not the case. Long Jump – 4.03 metres, Javelin 17.60 metres (PB), 800metres — 3 minutes 18.10 seconds.
Overall an enjoyable couple of days, made better by being joined on the Sunday by fellow Spartans. Dave Bowker for the BMAF 10K Walk Championships and Grant Ramsay for the BMAF 10K Run Championships. Her silver medal was in the women (45 plus) category.
GRANT RAMSAY was fourth man (40 plus) in the British Masters 10K Track Champs, Oxford in 34 minutes 47 seconds.
A nice confidence booster ahead of the European Vets Marathon Championships, which will be in the Czech Republic on Aug 25th. He will be representing team GB.
And, of course, lots of Spartans have been watching or helping the London Olympics.
John’s Golds, Silver and Bronze.
In the recent EVAC (East of England) championships Spartan JOHN TYRELL was first in the male (75 plus) category javelin with 16.57 metres; second in the hammer with 11.32 metres; third in the discus with 18.32 metres and fourth in the shot with 5.97 metres.
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship 5K road race on Sunday 9th September, Championship Five Miles on 23rd September and Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. All are in Stevenage and all are for seniors and veterans. The championships are within open races — everyone can have a go. Enter now. There are details on 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:
- Serpentine 5K on Friday 24th August (note different Friday and starting point due to the Olympics and Paralympics)
- County 5K Championships and Open 5K in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- Paul Maguire Memorial and County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- Standalone 10K in Letchworth on Sunday 7th October.
- Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 4th 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 over 400 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 drama studio next to the gymnastics centre at Marriotts School — a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN) 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 £27 per year. 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 (01438 354505 or 0793 968 7509), Stephanie Mayfield 01438 815859 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk
E N D S
More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859