Tag: Farnborough Half Marathon

THE BIG SQUELCH – WATFORD X/C

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date February 15, 2026
No Comments on THE BIG SQUELCH – WATFORD X/C

On Sunday morning 21 “hardcore” Spartans finished the last race in this season’s cross country league. Meanwhile 12 more were in London for the Winter 10K. On Saturday 37 Spartans ran the Valentine’s Day parkrun in Stevenage – one became a caped crusader.

Sunday’s Cross Country League race in Watford was described as one big squelch. The 21 Spartans who finished have built some bigger characters. Days and days of rain finished off with continuous heavy rain throughout the race meant the route was very wet making for damp shoes, mud splattered everywhere, some tricky stretches and it wasn’t warm!

The fastest Spartan in the 300 plus finishers was DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT who was seventh overall. He ran the soggy undulating six miles in 37 minutes 18 seconds (37:18). ADRIAN BUSOLINI was second Spartan at 29^th in 39:43 and club captain MIKE JEFFS third in 44:30.

GEORGIE HOOPER was the fastest female from Fairlands at 107^th in 48:09 with JODIE KANTAS was second woman in 53:40 and JO COOKSLEY third in 55:03.

Eleven men and ten women finished from FVS which meant the club had complete men’s and women’s teams which is more than can be said for some other clubs.

Position	Name	Time
7	DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT	37:18
29	ADRIAN BUSOLINI	39:43
64	MIKE JEFFS	44:30
107	GEORGIE HOOPER	48:09
123	DANNY SCANLON	49:39
141	CHARLES ARNOLD	51:19
164	MATT COOKE	53:00
178	JODIE KANTAS	53:40
186	TONY VICKERS	54:20
187	STEPHEN MASSEY	54:22
198	JO COOKSLEY	55:03
252	MARK FREEMAN	62:29
253	SHARON CROWLEY	62:37
274	CLAIRE EMMERSON	65:59
275	LIZ CROWLEY	65:59
276	PENNY SCHENKEL	66:00
279	SAMMIE SUTTON	66:49
280	LLOYD DIAS	67:17
290	JIM BROWN	71:07
296	CALLIE CHAPMAN	74:15
301	JANE DYMOKE	81:09

London Winter 10K

Twelve Spartans were among about 20,000 people who ran the Cancer Research UK London Winter Run on Sunday.

ALISON SHELLEY said to say it was really cold and wet is a bit of an understatement, with rain setting in before we even started and continuing through and after the race. It was impossible to avoid the many big puddles so we just had to embrace the water! Despite this there were over 19,500 finishers. She had a goal to try and finish under the hour but due to the weather decided to not worry about the watch and just do her best with the conditions. So Alison was quite surprised – and happy – when she finished in 56:42 (chip time) with a negative split.

Despite the weather a great day, supporting Cancer Research UK.

ALICE and JOSHUA WELCH both ran the London Winter 10K. This was Joshua’s first race as a Spartan and they both ran new PBs (personal bests). Alice finished in a new 10K PB of 47 minutes 59 seconds (47:59) and Joshua in a new 10K PB of 57:53.

It was also PB time for REBECCA RAYNER. She finished in 63:10.

KEITH HOOKER ran a new personal best of 43:33 but the fastest Spartan was DAVE COOK. He was 14^th in the very large field with 34:27.

Pos	Name	Bib	Category	Chip time
14	Dave Cook	27112	MSEN	34:27
951	Keith Hooker	817	M45	43:33
1818	George Halfpenny	10931	MSEN	46:47
2244	Alice Welch	22847	FSEN	47:59
4848	Peter Sach	255	MSEN	53:44
6733	Alison Shelley	22119	F55	56:42
7542	Joshua Welch	12349	MSEN	57:53
9080	Vishal Shah	4270	M40	1:00:02
9627	Karl Shreeve	9429	M55	1:00:54
10991	Rebecca Rayner	20990	F40	1:03:10
19206	Emma Chapman	6786	F35	1:40:41
19488	Lee Potter	13089	M35	2:00:52

Farnborough Half

Spartan SAM TOPHILL beat two hours with 1:59:25 at the Farnborough Half Marathon.

Parkrun Highlights

Chilly but there was a break in the grey skies and 593 finished the Valentine’s Day parkrun in Stevenage on Saturday.

The 37 Spartans included two achieving new milestones. One was a major milestone celebrated by wearing the big red cape round the 5K. MIKE JEFFS FVS men’s club captain ran his 50^th parkrun which he finished in 28:09. Just behind him was NICK GILL who finished his 150^th in 28:12.

LEE POTTER ran a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 34:02. New member JADE JENKINS was a first timer with 34:09.

Spartans elsewhere included JESSICA CLARKE 29:09 at Wisbech; REBECCA RAYNER at Southwark in 34:15 and DARRYL STEVENS in Edinburgh with 37:27.

Position	Gender Position	Parkrunner	Time
15	15	Perri GENTRY	20:27
30	30	Stuart ARCHER	21:44
32	32	Steve WELLS	21:47
45	43	Toby ECCLESHALL	22:43
54	51	Alexey ZHERDEV	22:58
88	83	Matthew COOKE	24:19
157	143	Keith HOOKER	26:43
172	18	Karen ELLIS	27:12
190	162	Ryan DUNNING	27:35
206	176	Lee PICKERSGILL	27:53
207	28	Georgie HOOPER	27:54
208	29	Lorraine HILL	27:55
217	182	Mike JEFFS	28:09
218	183	Nick GILL	28:12
219	184	Andy PRIOR	28:12
228	187	James SOUTH	28:29
261	204	Daniel VILJOEN	29:21
303	65	Sarah ILLINGWORTH	30:38
308	236	Jim BROWN	30:52
322	245	Steve PLATT	31:24
328	75	Hannah MANTON	31:42
338	81	Monica SMITHSON	32:01
348	87	Linda GEORGE	32:24
352	90	Debbie BLANTERN	32:27
355	92	Penny SCHENKEL	32:35
393	278	Lee Francis POTTER	34:02
394	110	Sally PICKLES	34:03
399	114	Alison SHELLEY	34:07
401	116	Jade JENKINS	34:09
402	117	Sam GENTRY	34:10
415	127	Pamela VILJOEN	34:34
425	290	Keith MANTON	34:56
440	139	Angie KEELING	35:34
495	317	Lloyd DIAS	38:23
515	183	Julie MANTON	40:52
516	184	Stephanie GAJIC	40:57
569	219	Samantha SUTTON	53:50

Tags Farnborough Half Marathon, London Winter 10k, parkrun, Watford Cross Country

News Race Results

FARNBOROUGH IS REALLY COOL

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date February 9, 2025
No Comments on FARNBOROUGH IS REALLY COOL

Spartan SAM TOPHILL said the Farnborough Winter Half Marathon was a really well organised and popular event – 3000 capacity sell out! Traffic free and reasonably flat. Samantha beat two hours with a chip time of 1 hour 55 minutes 18 seconds – and the goody bag was pretty good.

Punchbowl Devil

The Punchbowl Marathon passes through some of the best of the Surrey countryside and Spartan THOMAS SAUKA completed the 30 mile option in 7 hours 32 minutes.

The event is a walk (or run) on the footpaths and bridleways of Surrey. It is a challenge not a race. Two routes were offered – 30 and 20 miles – both started in Tilford and passed around the scenic Devil’s Punchbowl with the 30 visiting Elstead, Frensham Ponds and Seale, passing over Crooksbury Hill and the commons of Hankley, Elstead, Puttenham, Ockley and Frensham.

It’s a bit different. Participants are required to carry a cup/mug, compass, route description, map case & whistle, hat & gloves, waterproofs, good torch for those finishing after 5pm, and warm clothing.

Run for the Cake

Karen Liddle and Tricia Hopper completed the Run for the Cake Trail Marathon. It was organised by Zig Zag Running and consisted of eight laps around Ferry Meadows in Peterborough. The finished in a time of 5 hours and 46 minutes.

A lovely route around the lakes and by some woods. They said it was very well organised and worth taking part, especially for the big slice of cake at the end.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 8^th February

There were at least 40 Spartans at parkruns on Saturday. 27 Spartans among the 479 finishers at Stevenage.

GRANT RAMSAY was top ten with 19 minutes 1 second (19:01) and GAIL MACKIE a top ten woman at sixth with 23:26.

There were some quite high scoring mini milestones with DANIEL VILJOEN on 280 with 24:25; MARTIN DUDLEY on 230 with 25:00; CHLOE CHAPMAN on 170 with 34 minutes exactly; and JIM BROWN on 190 walking round in 47:02. STEVE SMITHSON has one to go to a major milestone. He completed his 99th in 34:38.

Spartans enjoying parkruns elsewhere included HARRIET SMITH with a bit of parkrun tourism at Donaupark, Austria which she finished in 26:26. Meanwhile PAUL MOULD finished Bedford in 20:47; MATTHEW NEWTON Pymmes in 23:34; NICK GILL Letchworth in 24:49; PAUL SHELLEY Wimpole Estate in 26:44; MARIA SWIFT Bug Hunters in 26:49; LUCY FIELD University Parks in 27:19; JAY PAPA 27:58 and JESSICA CLARKE 29:58 at Milton Country, near Cambridge; and ANDREA WESTCOTT 34:48 in Bangor, Northern Ireland.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
4	4	Grant RAMSAY	19:01
37	31	Tony RANDFIELD	22:25
52	6	Gail MACKIE	23:26
72	64	Daniel VILJOEN	24:25
87	79	Martin DUDLEY	25:00
96	86	Ryan DUNNING	25:25
107	97	Matt TUTTON	25:51
136	17	Lorraine HILL	26:34
204	167	Matt CLARKE	29:08
237	48	Fiona CLARKE	29:57
246	191	Mike REYNOLDS	30:21
258	196	Steve PLATT	30:47
259	197	Nick KLEANTHOUS	30:49
273	206	Paul JENNINGS	31:22
292	74	Pamela VILJOEN	32:14
299	79	Penny SCHENKEL	32:26
307	85	Debbie BLANTERN	32:32
320	93	Monica SMITHSON	33:00
349	111	Chloe CHAPMAN	34:00
367	238	Stephen SMITHSON	34:38
394	140	Nicola HATHERLY	36:37
425	160	Tracy HAYGARTH	39:11
445	175	Niki PLUMB	41:24
466	265	Jim BROWN	47:02
470	266	Roger BIGGS	48:42
478	196	Sharon CROWLEY	64:30
479	197	Elizabeth CROWLEY	64:49

Tags Farnborough Half Marathon, parkrun, Run for the Cake

Club News Race Results

AMAZING ADRIAN

Amazing ADRIAN BUSOLINI from Fairlands Valley Spartans has completed one of the toughest running events anywhere. He ran 268 miles of the Pennine Way in 120 hours 45 minutes 46 seconds in the Montane Spine Winter Race. This was a non-stop expedition style race from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. The time limit was 168 hours.

Gold, Silver and Bronze for Spartans in the 30^th Aniversary Fred Hughes 10

There were gold, silver and bronze medals for Fairlands Valley Spartans at the 30^th Anniversary Fred Hughes 10 (miles) race from St. Albans on Sunday. The race included the county championships for veterans.

SIMON JACKSON said it was very windy and hilly. He took SILVER in the men 40 plus category in 57 minutes 48 seconds (57:48) which was also a 40 second personal best from 13 years ago!

JOHN HARRIS is the new county champion for men 60 plus. He won with 1 hour 12 minutes 5 seconds (1:12:05).

Successfully defending a BRONZE medal he won only three weeks ago at the very end of 2023 JIM BROWN finished in 1:30:57 for third in the county championship for men 70 plus. That was 57 seconds quicker than on the same course twelve months ago and 46 seconds quicker than the last county championship.

In the open race GABBIE O’BRIEN finished in 1:17:14 and MARIE COLUCCI in 1:22:36. It was great to see 15 Spartans in the open race which had 1,003 finishers.

Pos	Name	Time	Category	Cat	Gender	Gender	Grade	Pace	Comments
16	Simon JACKSON	00:57:47	Ages 40 – 49	2	Male	16	78.23	5:46 min/m	County Silver
138	Mike JEFFS	01:09:23	Ages 20 – 39	60	Male	127	64.30	6:59 min/m
187	John HARRIS	01:12:05	Ages 60 – 69	2	Male	160	74.93	7:14 min/m	County Gold
207	Matt GIFFORD	01:12:45	Ages 50 – 59	29	Male	175	68.64	7:20 min/m
208	Matthew NEWTON	01:12:37	Ages 40 – 49	74	Male	176	62.52	7:20 min/m
294	Gabrielle OÆBRIEN	01:17:14	Ages 20 – 34	18	Female	53	62.56	7:49 min/m
412	Marie COLUCCI	01:22:36	Ages 45 – 54	38	Female	102	63.50	8:22 min/m
596	Jim BROWN	01:30:57	Ages 70 – 99	4	Male	402	64.61	9:17 min/m	County Bronze
809	Wendy THARANI	01:41:11	Ages 45 – 54	116	Female	316	54.09	10:22 min/m
816	Alison SHELLEY	01:41:08	Ages 45 – 54	119	Female	321	55.73	10:26 min/m
824	Nick KLEANTHOUS	01:42:31	Ages 60 – 69	47	Male	498	51.25	10:29 min/m
833	Nicola PATTMAN	01:42:13	Ages 45-54	122	Female	332	55.17	10:32 min/m
862	Sue HAMER	01:44:53	Ages 45 – 54	131	Female	356	53.18	10:48 min/m
891	Sharon CROWLEY	01:46:47	Ages 65 – 99	7	Female	377	60.52	11:05 min/m
962	Rebecca RAYNER	01:59:59	Ages 35 – 44	111	Female	432	41.40	12:25 min/m

Yuko Wins At Farnborough

YUKO GORDON was the fastest woman aged 70 plus in the Farnborough Half Marathon. She finished in 1:44:34 and was 86^th out of 732 women.

Parkrun 20^th January

For the Consolidated Results please click the link

Tags Farnborough Half Marathon, Fred Hughes 10, Montane Spine