GREAT NORTH SPARTANS
In his last race representing Fairlands Valley Spartans, ANDREW HULL completed the Great North Run in 1 hour 37 minutes 57 seconds improving his personal best (PB) by 55 seconds. NIKKI COLLINS was happy to report a great race for her and a brilliant day running in the rain. She finished in a new PB of 1:55:36.
St. Paul’s 10K
In near perfect conditions STEVE GREEN ran the charity organised hilly, off road St. Paul’s Walden 10K in 46 minutes 43 seconds. GEORGINA (6) and DANIEL GREEN (4) completed the 2K fun run in 18:45.
Ponton Plod
On Sunday CAROL and DAVE PAUL, and MIKE NEWBITT travelled to Great Ponton nr Grantham for the Ponton Plod. This was an off road event with scenic views of the Lincolnshire and Leicestershire countryside near the Vale of Bevoir. Carol and Mike did the 27.5 mile route in 5:44:27. Dave did the 17.1 mile route in 4:01:19 on a very windy day
Memorial Five This Sunday
The Paul Maguire Memorial Five Mile Race is in Stevenage this Sunday 23rd September. It will include the Hertfordshire County Championships for men and women, senior and veteran but everyone can have a go. Based at Moss Bury School (Webb Rise) the race starts on the Fairlands Way cycleway, opposite Bedwell Crescent, at 10.30a.m. with a course via Grace Way, Martins Way, Verity Way, Fairlands Way, around the lakes in Fairlands Valley Park to the finish near the school.
For more information and how to enter please go to www.fvspartans.org.uk
Enter Now!
The club host the County Championship Half Marathon on Sunday 4th November. The race is in Stevenage and is for seniors and veterans. The championships are within an open race — 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:
- Paul Maguire Memorial and County 5 Miles Championship in Stevenage on Sunday 23rd September.
- Serpentine 5K on Friday 28th September.
- Standalone 10K in Letchworth on Sunday 7th October.
- Handicap 5K on Thursday evening 25th 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