CROWLEYS DIP IN DOVEDALE
Gold Connection * Here Come The Fives
Dovedale Dipper
Spartans MIKE and SHARON CROWLEY took on the Dovedale Dipper based at Hartington in Derbyshire. Sharon completed the marathon run in a time of 7 hours 21 minutes, finishing in 120th place. Mike completed the 15 mile walk in 4 hours 53 minutes, the 10th finisher. The weather was generally OK, Mike getting just a few spots of rain and missing the showers, but Sharon getting drenched at one point! Mike’s brother, Gregory, won the marathon race in 3 hours 45 minutes!
Gold Connection
Spartans PETE and KAREN SMITH are celebrating. Their niece, Katherine Copeland and her partner Sophie Hosking won the Olympic Gold Medal for Women’s Lightweight Double Sculls on Saturday 4th August. They are extremely proud of her.
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
Please see the separate release about the Paul Maguire Five.
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