Christopher and Andrea Westcott were among the World Record number of 50,564 finishers when they completed the TCS New York marathon recently. Despite winds gusting at over 40mph and some challenging climbs, Chris clocked a time of 2 minutes 57 minutes 46 seconds while Andrea took a huge 61 minutes off her previous best to finish in 4:37:28. The support throughout the race was amazing with a Gospel choir, rappers, soul bands and bagpipes along the way.
Marathon Des Alpes Maritimes- Sunday, 9th November 2014
The Marathon des Alpes Maritimes is billed as the second biggest marathon in France behind Paris. The course runs along or near to the Cote D’Azur, from Nice to Cannes. For the first half, it was dry and flat with no wind and a perfect temperature. However by the time runners reached half way, it was raining, hilly, windy and cooler.
Overall it was still a good day for running as Roger Biggs produced his second best marathon of the year, finishing in 4 hours 34 minutes 16 seconds. Paul Holgate went one better, with his best marathon of the year, finishing in 5:13:29.
Met League
MADDIE PRITCHARD and BERNIE BARNABY ran as guests in the Metropolitan League cross country race at Stevenage on Saturday. The men’s race was eight kilometres and Bernie was 348th out of 450 in 37 minutes 20 seconds. In the women’s race, over six kilometres, Maddie was 85th, well in the top half of the field.
The next Sunday League cross country fixture for the Spartans is in Grovelands Park on Sunday 23rd November.
Coming Events
Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the:
Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening 20th November
Cross Country League at Grovelands on Sunday 23rd November
Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park on Friday 28th November
Spartans’ AGM on Friday 28th November
Wolverton Five on Saturday 29th November
Cross Country League at Watford on Sunday 7th December
Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening 18th December
Serpentine 5K In Hyde Park on Friday 19th December (not 26th)
Spartans’ Christmas Social in Stevenage on Friday 19th December
Buntingford Year End Ten (County Vets Champs) on Sunday 28th December
Ely New Year’s Eve 10K on Wednesday 31st December
Serpentine New Year’s Day 10K in Hyde Park on Thursday 1st January
Cross Country League at Trent Park on Sunday 11th January.
Fred Hughes 10 in St. Albans on Sunday 18th January.
Watford Half Marathon on Sunday 1st February.
Cross Country League at Therfield Heath, Royston on Sunday 15th February.
London Marathon on Sunday 26th April.
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 9.00a.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 £35 per year, £25 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
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More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 0793 968 7509 or Vivienne Honey (Secretary) 07702 846304