GOLDS IN COUNTY CHAMPS, Progress in EVAC League
Six Spartans brought home 17 medals including THIRTEEN GOLDS from the Hertfordshire Veterans Track & Field County Championships which were at Watford on Saturday.
In the 1500 metres, IRIS HORNSEY, SHARON CROWLEY and STEPH MAYFIELD posted strong times for the club’s short course championships with Iris & Sharon winning gold and Steph silver in their respective age categories. Steph was first Spartan home in a new PB of 6:39.23 closely followed by Sharon in 6:42.73, whilst Iris’s time of 7:16.31 gave her a fantastic 85% age grading. Sharon later took a second gold on the track with 14:29.01 in the 3000m. Sharon and Steph had another close contest in the Hammer, with both throwing new PBs of 17.25m and 17.39m respectively, the latter earning Steph a gold for the F35s. She won a second gold in the 100 metres hurdles (23.94) and another silver in the Pole Vault (1.80m) making it four PBs from four events.
MONICA BROWN had a sprint double with golds in the 100 metres (14.21) and 200 metres (29.85) and later added a third F40 gold in the Long Jump.
MARC GREEN was the sole Spartan representative in the men’s 5000 metres and won gold for the M35s in 22:38.47. STEVE MAYFIELD struggled with injury, but still managed clear 2.0m to win gold in the M40 pole vault and throw 23.05 to win the M40 javelin. He took further golds in the M40 discus and 800 metres, and bronze medals in the long and triple jumps.
An Eye On The Final
Fairlands Valley Spartans are targeting a place in the EVAC (Eastern Veterans) final after their women were second and men a comfortable third out of the seven clubs in the second of the four league matches which was in Bedford on Wednesday evening.
The next fixture is in Kettering on Wednesday 13th June.
St Albans 10K
RACHEL PAYNE ran the St Albans 10K in a new personal best of 52 minutes 44 seconds.
Chris Leigh’s Comeback
After a break of 21 months since his last race CHRIS LEIGH ran the Marlow 5 on Sunday. He last ran this race in 2007 and it is still superbly organised. Over a flat course taking runners through the town and then back close to the river in a single loop he managed to hold on to complete the race in 36 minutes 52 seconds. A T-shirt, an excellent medal and a bulging goody bag awaited him at the finish — he thinks he will be back again next year!!
Great West Patrick
PATRICK MARSHALL ran the Great West Run half marathon in 1 hour 45 minutes 39 seconds. He says it was a lovely race.
Curragh Biggs
ROGER BIGGS was running in the Kildare Marathon on Sunday. The race was held at the home of Irish Horse racing ‘The Curragh’ in County Kiladare, Ireland. On a moderately undulating course on quiet road in a big lop around the Racecourse. he ran a good even race, running the second half quicker than the firstt to finish in 3:56:34. Regards
Becca Trailblazer
BECCA HART took part in the Runners World Trailblazer at Bedgebury Forest in Kent on Saturday 12 May 12. It was a great event, the first of 3 x 10k trail runs, and very well organized. The day was perfect for running but the ground not so! After 20 consecutive days of rain, the sun decided to shine on race day, thankfully it wasn’t all on tracks and there were some dry trails! This was Becca’s first solo event and she completed the 10k trail race in 1:11:36. The next one is in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire on May 26th.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
- Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Stevenage at 7.45p.m. on Tuesday 15th May.
- Mid Week Road Race League fixture in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 31st May.
- EVAC Track and Field event in Kettering on Wednesday 13th June.
- Mid Week Road Race League 10K in Harlow on Wednesday 20th June.
- Spartans v NHRR “Olympic” Fun Event on Sunday 24th June.
- Mid Week Road Race League Seven Miles in St. Albans on Thursday 28th June.
- Mob Match at Trent Park on Wednesday 11th July.
- EVAC Track and Field event in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11th July.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge (Off Road) on Sunday 15th July.
- Relays in the Park (3K legs) on Thursday evening 19th July.
- County 5K Championships in Stevenage on Sunday 9th September.
- County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- 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
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More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Stephanie Mayfield (Secretary) 01438 815859