Tag: Brighton marathon

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News Race Results

BRIGHTON, PARIS & BOSTON

Fairlands Valley Spartans get around.  They were represented at three marathons – Brighton, Paris and Boston; a half marathon – London Landmarks; and two 10Ks – Guernsey and Flitwick – recently.

Coming Close at the Paris Marathon

MARTIN JACOB and LINDA GEORGE ran the Paris Marathon on Sunday and are super happy with the results.

Linda finished in 4:06:08 and Martin in 4:06:13.

Sub-4 was Linda’s A goal / dream goal, but with flu during marathon week, she wasn’t very hopeful.  4:05 became the next target, and she got pretty close to it.  Martin was her pacer and water boy (as the water stations didn’t have bottles or cups, he was responsible for filling the flask and catching up with me).

The second half was absolute madness – lots of tunnels, uphills, and narrow running space with spectators spilling onto the course.

All in all, a tough but memorable race!

Brighton

Five Fairlands Valley Spartans were among about 14,000 runners who finished the Brighton Marathon.  SHAUNA LAWLESS was 72nd out of the 9,213 women in a great time of 3 hours 24 minutes 58 seconds.  She was in the top ten per cent of all finishers.

BECKY RAYNER slipped under five hours with 4:59:36; LLOYD DIAS was close with 5:01:23 and HANNAH MANTON came in with 6:21:36.

Becky said it was a PB for her at Brighton marathon, 4:59:36.  It was my first time doing this marathon, fantastic support all round the course and hit my target of under 5 hours.  So happy.

LUCY PAUL had a great day running the Brighton marathon with her two eldest children.  She was helping Holly round her first ever marathon and we finished in 5 hours 42 minutes (5:42:33).  Lovely day for running by the sea! 

Boston Fastest For Years

Spartans tackled the flat but rather windy Boston UK Marathon.  Advertised as the flattest marathon in the UK.  SHARON CROWLEY finished in 4 hours 48 minutes 17 seconds and was first in her age group!  Sharon thinks it was her fastest marathon in 16 years. 

TONY VICKERS ran the marathon in 4:23:11 and AMANDA VICKERS the half marathon in 2:39:29.  There were 1020 finishers of the full marathon and 487 of the half.

London Landmarks

Not really “tapering” but JIM BROWN was happy to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise funds for the Stevenage Community Trust.  He was 7,237th out of the 19,870 finishers in 2 hours 6 minutes 54 seconds.

He said it was quite a complex course with a lot of switch backs and zig zags but it visited many of the sights of London including Downing Street, the Tower of London and Trafalgar Square.

The timing was superb.  Finished in sunshine, collected kit from a double decker bus, then heavy cold rain a retreat to a nearby warm café.  Next Jim is down to run the Manchester Marathon only seven days later.  That, said Jim, could be a struggle.  Donations still welcome!

Flitwick

Not travelling quite so far as some other members, nor doing the distance but CHARLES ARNOLD ran the Flitwick 10k put on by Ampthill and Flitwick Flyers.  An undulating course with steep uphills at km 7 and 8 but a lovely decline finish past spectators who were out in force as usual.  Intermittent sunshine with a gusting, cool wind made for difficult conditions.  Suffering with a knee problem which, thankfully, eased off after the first km, he was pleased to finish sub 50 minutes with a chip time of 49:22 and second in his age category. 

Judy in Guernsey

JUDY KING ran the Guernsey Easter Running Festival 10K in 1:02:37

Not a personal best but she went on to run another 10 miles for her long run before the London Marathon, followed by a 30 minute sea swim to cool off her tired legs!  It was mostly around the coast with beautiful views and lovely to run with her sister.

Bedfordshire – Feisty Phoenix

LEE POTTER covered 16.4 miles in the Bedford Feisty Phoenix event.  He said he hit a wall but it was an improvement on the half marathon distance.

Less Than Five Minutes

At the opposite end of the distance scale SIMON JACKSON was fourth overall and first over 20 years in the Peter Lee Memorial 1500 metres at Ridlins with a time of 4 minutes 38.4 seconds.

Parkrun Highlights

Two parkrun milestones for Spartans at Stevenage. 50 parkruns for MATT TUTTON and MAURICE BALLARD.  Matt finished in 29:29 and Maurice in 30:08.  And there were new parkrun personal bests (PPB) for LEE POTTER 33:36 and ANDREW JORDAN 26:09.

CLAIRE EMMERSON was the fastest female from Spartans with her 27:13 and JAY PAPA fourth fastest in the event with 18:30.

There were 496 finishers at Stevenage’s parkrun including 32 Spartans despite many other running attractions over the weekend.

PositionGender PositionFVS parkrunnerTime
44Jay PAPA18:30
2322Steve WELLS21:24
4240Toby ECCLESHALL22:30
6762Matthew COOKE23:55
9079Daniel VILJOEN24:52
10288Paul MAGUIRE25:12
116100Martin DUDLEY25:53
127110Andrew JORDAN26:09
17031Claire EMMERSON27:13
183143Darren EMMERSON27:48
193150Brian WHITE28:07
20441Sarah ILLINGWORTH28:32
205158Ryan DUNNING28:36
21746Alison SHELLEY29:00
233175Matt TUTTON29:29
250184Maurice BALLARD30:08
25661Monica SMITHSON30:22
25762Lindsay PATEMAN30:25
288205Steve PLATT31:37
29278Fiona CLARKE31:44
30987Debbie BLANTERN32:17
313215Jim BROWN32:24
32694Penny SCHENKEL32:38
33297Annabelle WHITE32:45
33499Pamela VILJOEN32:46
341228Nick KLEANTHOUS32:55
357110Caroline CROFT33:29
361235Lee POTTER33:36
365236Stephen SMITHSON33:49
386130Karen PALMER34:45
425254Paul SHELLEY38:02
440163Tracy HAYGARTH39:39
Categories
Club News Race Results

1500m, BRIGHTON MARATHON AND LLHM!

Six Fairlands Valley Spartans accepted an invitation from Stevenage and North Herts Athletics Club to join them at their open track event. 

Spartan SIMON JACKSON won the men’s 1500 metres race at the SNHAC Track Open event at Ridlins on Saturday afternoon.  He finished in 4 minutes 38.61 seconds.  NICK GILL was next in for Fairlands Valley with 5 minutes 3 seconds exactly. 

PETER ORTON came in with 5:49.93; NICK KLEANTHOUS, running his first 1500, with 6:34.47 and JIM BROWN was first in his category with 8:08.62. 

In the women’s race JANE WADEY, also running her first 1500, was sixth with 9:12.89. 

Jane said that it was her first attempt at 1500m and although it was hard, she was pleased in the end as she managed my best pace yet. 

Brighton Marathon Weekend 

Spartans STEVE DOBNER and DAVE PATTMAN ran the Brighton Marathon on Sunday. 

Steve said it was pretty chilly on arrival but the sun came out to warm the day.  Lots of hairpin turns and hillier than they anticipated. 

He was really pleased to complete it in 3:47:33 for a 25 minute PB and achieving a sub 4 after struggling for the last 3 or 4 miles. 

Dave Pattman came home in 3:52 and said with his sub 4 he is retiring from marathons – well until he runs Beachy Head in October. 

Steve and Dave mid race!

Paris Marathon

MIKE JEFFS took part in the Paris marathon on Sunday. He said that the event was incredible, really well supported and organised.

He completed the course in 3:13:18 taking 11 mins off his PB. Leading up to the day he had struggled with his knee but on the day it played ball and he was able to take in the sites and keep a good pace. He now has 3 weeks to rest before doing it all again in London!

International Spartan Mike!

London Landmarks Half Marathon 

Spartan CHRIS WATLING finished the London Landmarks Half Marathon in (what he called) a respectable 1.55:02 

He said it’s a race he’s always wanted to do and he thoroughly enjoyed it! 

Chris looking fresh pre race.

Danny Scanlon finished the Landmarks in 1:30:21. 

Danny with his LLHM medal!

Sandy 10 

CLAIRE PULLEN finished in 1 hour 18 minutes 18 seconds for 84th place.  JIM BROWN and TRICIA HOPPER raced together over the last mile with Jim finishing 172 in 1:31:15 and Tricia 173rd in 1:31:17.  SHARON CROWLEY came in with 1:47:55 and PAUL HOLGATE with 1:49:50. 

Serpentine 5k 

Last Friday of the Month Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park, London.  Spartan JIM BROWN was first man 70 plus in 28 minutes 29 seconds (28:29). 

Parkrun Highlights

For all the Spartan Parkrun results from the weekend please click the link – Consolidated Parkrun Results 1st April 2023

Categories
Club News Race Results

JONATHAN WINS AT KEW

Fairlands Valley Spartans JONATHAN PARR has won another race.  He won the Kew Gardens 10K on Saturday with a time of 33 minutes 54 seconds.  It was part of the Richmond Running Festival and he beat 1886 other runners. 

Great Welsh Half 

Carmarthenshire was the setting for a great result for JOHN HARRIS.  He ran the Great Welsh Half Marathon in 1 hour 31 minutes 4 seconds, was 38th out of the 576 finishers and first runner aged 55 plus.  The event started and finished in Pembrey Country Park and was along the Welsh scenic coastal path. 

John enjoying his Welsh half marathon!

Essex 

THOMAS SAUKA completed the Essex walker LDWA challenge marathon, in 5 hours 47 minutes.  He said the event is run in a lovely area, starting at Galley Wood Heritage Centre, which is a lovely wooded area, going out to Ingatestone and back to the start, some lovely villages and lanes around the course as well as woodland. 

This was his first marathon of the year.  He said he’s a bit out of practice but looking forward to the next one. 

Ibiza Relay Marathon 

Callie CHAPMAN and Hazel SMITH ran the relay marathon in Ibiza.  Hazel ran the first half then handed over to Callie before they both reunited to cross the finish line together. 

It was hot and hilly but both were over the moon with their combined time of 4 hours 35 minutes 18 seconds. 

The girls living their best lives in Ibiza!

Flitwick 

CATHY CRAIG had to run her 20 miles training run on a very windy Thursday instead of the weekend after discovering midweek that she had an entry in Sunday’s Flitwick 10K.  Sunday was a perfect day for a run in beautiful hilly countryside with a nice downhill finish. She ran it in 63:31, third in her age category, a nice way to start tapering for her marathon. 

Cathy enjoyed her 10k with friends.

Brighton Marathon and 10K 

WENDY THARANI completed the Brighton marathon in 5.12.22 only a week after running the Manchester Marathon!  She now deserves a massive rest!  EMMA SOUTHERINGTON finished in 6 hours 20 minutes 18 seconds. 

The amazing Wendy and Emma all smiles in sunny Brighton!

SAMANTHA SUTTON took part in the Brighton 10K on Sunday and finished with a time of 1 hour 12 minutes 54 seconds. 

Sam getting stuck into the running life of a Spartan!

Calderdale Hike 

On Saturday Sharon and Mike Crowley took part in the 42nd Calderdale Hike back after a break of two years.  The walk started and finished in Sowerby Bridge, the suggested route followed part of the Pennine Way and over the M62.  The route involved over a 1000 metres of climb, the pair completed the short walk of 27 miles in 8 hours and 45 minutes, Sharon being second lady home. 

Spartan legend Sharon and her husband Mike taking on the Calderdale Hike together!

Parkrun Highlights 9th April 

SIMON JACKSON won the Stevenage parkrun in 17 minutes 2 seconds, a parkrun PB for him. 

Twenty six Spartans headed out to nine different venues for Parkrun last Saturday with Darryl STEVENS running at Stadspark, Netherlands! 

Grant RAMSAY also achieved a top ten finish at Stevenage, with a time of 19:24. 

Stevenage parkrun winner Simon with other Spartans.

Congratulations to Jenny GARRETT and Michael O’KEEFE who have achieved unofficial milestones of 40th and 130th Parkruns.  Jim BROWN achieved his own unofficial milestone of 75 parkruns, halfway to his next T shirt, and this was his first run of any kind since an encounter with Omnicron. 

There were 211 runners at Stevenage including 18 Spartans. 

John ROXBOROUGH tried out another new venue at Bury Field, Newport Pagnell.  That’s John’s 101st different parkrun venue. 

Spartan parkrunners on Saturday 9th April 

Stevenage parkrun         
Position   Gender Position   parkrunner   Run Time     
1 1 Simon JACKSON 17:02 Winner 
7 7 Grant RAMSAY 19:24 Top Ten  
17 17 Tony RANDFIELD 21:06   
38 35 Sam SIMMONS 23:58   
46 43 Toby ECCLESHALL 24:17   
58 53 Darren EMMERSON 25:14   
105 84 Matt CLARKE 27:33   
110 21 Debbie BLANTERN 28:00   
145 42 Fiona CLARKE 31:20   
146 43 Chloe CHAPMAN 31:22   
151 102 Jim BROWN 31:34 75th 
152 46 Jenny GARRETT 31:35 40th 
166 55 Tracy HAYGARTH 33:39   
199 76 Gail MACKIE 41:40   
204 80 Angie WATERS 44:52   
208 120 Roger BIGGS 46:48   
Gunpowder parkrun         
Position   Gender Position   parkrunner   Run Time     
85 24 Mo WARRILLOW 27:15   
86 59 David PATTMAN 27:16   
Brandon Country Park parkrun         
Position   Gender Position   parkrunner   Run Time     
41 31 James MCSWEENEY 26:56   
Panshanger parkrun         
Position   Gender Position   parkrunner   Run Time     
71 62 Mike REYNOLDS 25:34   
Teignmouth Promenade parkrun         
Position   Gender Position   parkrunner   Run Time     
42 35 Andy JAY 24:17   
Stadspark parkrun         
Position   Gender Position   parkrunner   Run Time     
21 9 Darryl STEVENS 39:42 Netherlands 
Henlow Bridge Lakes parkrun         
Position   Gender Position   parkrunner   Run Time     
47 26 Michael O’KEEFE 32:54 130th 
Bury Field parkrun         
Position   Gender Position   parkrunner   Run Time     
16 15 John ROXBOROUGH 24:57   
Categories
Club News Races

LUKE COMPLETES HIS FIRST MARATHON!

LUKE GURNEY thoroughly enjoyed his first marathon which was at Brighton.  He said it was a difficult final few miles but the gorgeous sea views and the mass crowds kept him going.  He finished in 4 hours 28 minutes 6 seconds.

Tom Happy in the New Forest

Spartan THOMAS SAUKA said “I’ll have that” after running the off road New Forest Marathon in 5 hours 41 minutes 53 seconds.  He added, “43.13 kilometres of beautiful New Forest trails, well happy and they even had beer at the finish line.”

Great North Run Half Marathon

STEVEN DOBNER said the Great North Run was an awesome race.  He loved every second and really enjoyed this year’s out and back course.  He ran at his planned marathon pace but kicked on as he felt good and finished in 1 hour 54 minutes 47 seconds.

ADRIAN DONNELLY ran 1:28:01 in the Great North Run, and was thrilled to beat my personal best (PB) by four minutes.  The route was changed to an out and back finishing back in Newcastle so we had the added bonus of crossing the iconic Tyne bridge twice.  He said, “It was great to get also get unexpected cheer from another Spartan going in the opposite direction.”

Baldock Rat Run 5K

Spartan JOHN HARRIS ran the Baldock Rat Run 5K in 21 minutes 59 seconds.  He was 11th overall whilst TIM ROBINSON completed in 30:27.

SUE HAMER and ERICA GRAYSON also did the Baldock Rat Run.

Sue finished in 29 minutes and 32 seconds and Erica in 29:35.

Sue said it was an interesting run, the dark tunnel being an interesting challenge, especially if you were still wearing sunglasses!!

Richmond Run Festival

FIONA CLARKE ran her second road marathon finishing in 5:48:55 whilst SAM SIMMONS finished in 3:41:58. 


MATT CLARKE and CHLOE CHAPMAN completed the half marathon in 1:31:58 and 2:13:38 respectively.

Parkrun Highlights

Thirty Fairlands Valley Spartans ran in Parkrun Events across the UK this week.  A total of 324 people ran at Stevenage.

ANDREW PATTERSON dominated the Hove Promenade event coming first overall in a time of 16 minutes 18 seconds.  While JONATHAN PARR demonstrated similar flair coming second, in 17 mins 13 secs, at the Cassiobury run.  Finishing in the top 20 on the Sandy water course, CRAIG BACON ran a time of 21 mins and 33 secs (16th).

In Stevenage, four Spartans finished in the top 40 females, GAIL MACKIE was 13th in 25 minutes 51 seconds closely followed by JULIE SIMMONS (17th) in 26 minutes and 14 seconds, DEBBIE BLANTERN (28:45) and PENNY SCHENKEL (29:34).

NICK KLEANTHOUS ran his 90th parkrun.

(You can find all the Spartan parkrunners in a table near the end of this release).

The 70th Fly 5K

Four Spartans enjoyed the 70th Fly 5K on Saturday.  They were NICK KLEANTHOUS 70th in 28:02; JIM BROWN 84th in 29:30; PENNY SCHENKEL 85th in 29:34 and PAUL HOLGATE 87th in 29:50.

Fly 5K was one of the stars of lockdown keeping runners moving and in touch during the restrictions.  The first virtual race was in June 2020.

Entries Open for the Stevenage Half Marathon

Only just over two months to go to the Stevenage Half Marathon and it’s time to start getting ready and entered.  This year the race will be on Sunday 21st November (a couple of weeks later than usual).  You can enter here: Stevenage Half Marathon

Each Year the Spartans nominate a charity to support and the chosen charity for 2021 is Feed Up Warm Up.

Tables

Full results for all Spartans when there are a lot at an event will be listed below. 

Spartans at Parkruns on Saturday 11th September.

 PositionGender PositionParkrunnerTime 
Stevenage parkrun     
 5148Toby ECCLESHALL00:23:11 
 5552Barry OSBORNE00:23:18 
 6761James MCSWEENEY00:24:12 
 7063Clive CANNON00:24:22 
 8373Darren EMMERSON00:24:57 
 9885Mark BEASLEY00:25:43 
 10213Gail MACKIE00:25:51 
 11417Julie SIMMONS00:26:14 
 150119Nick KLEANTHOUS00:28:01 
 160125Mike GREEN00:28:29 
 16532Debbie BLANTERN00:28:45 
 182137Jim BROWN00:29:33 
 18338Penny SCHENKEL00:29:34 
 197149Paul SHELLEY00:29:53 
 199150David PATTMAN00:29:56 
 200151Edward HARE00:29:57 
 201152Steven DOBNER00:29:58 
 22450Chloe CHAPMAN00:31:21 
 23156Fiona CLARKE00:31:35 
 232166Matt CLARKE00:31:36 
 25469Beth FOLEY00:33:20 
 303189Paul JENNINGS00:38:53 
      
Brockenhurst parkrun     
 11268Darryl STEVENS00:41:35 
      
Wimpole Estate parkrun     
 286101Sally PHILLIPS00:35:00 
      
Cassiobury parkrun     
 22Jonathan PARR00:17:13 
      
Hove Promenade parkrun     
 11Andrew PATTERSON00:16:18 
      
Dunstable Downs parkrun     
 4432Michael O’KEEFE00:28:59 
      
Sandy Water parkrun     
 1616Craig BACON00:21:33