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News Race Results

SPARTANS MAKE PBs AT NEWPORT

In the Newport Marathon a time of 2:48:19 brought a new marathon PB (personal best) for DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT.  He said it was a great course, a really well organised race and there was a quality field with great groups to work with on pacing.

David said he was super happy with a new PB, making all the early starts and running up Martins Way worthwhile.

He was bought rapidly back down to earth shortly after finishing by his kids in the Fun Run who both left him for dust!

VICKY ARCHER ran the Newport Half Marathon with an aim to go sub 1:50.  She said Stuart ran with her keeping her on track and was amazing!  They crossed the line in 1:47:42!  That’s a PB of just over 4 minutes. 

Vicky said “1:47 is a time I thought was out of reach a few months ago… hard work and consistency pays off.”

Spartan Six at Flitwick

BRIAN WHITE ran his first race since moving up to the 70 category and met some very good vets at the Flitwick 10K.  He was fourth in his age category on a fairly challenging course in 47 minutes 20 seconds.  The weather was perfect and the race very well organised.

Spartan YUKO GORDON finished first woman 65 plus with 49:16.

She said, “I haven’t trained much for the last three weeks with my injury after the bad fall during the MK 20 Mile race last month and I couldn’t reach my usual racing pace at all today.  Fortunately I won my age group but my time was nearly three minutes slower than two years ago.”

JOHN NELMS and JACKIE PERRY finished together in 54:08 and 54:09.

JIM BROWN set off thinking about a “58” based on recent running so was very happy with 55 minutes 45 seconds.  PENNY SCHENKEL continued her good progress towards the London Marathon with a 6:30 minutes per kilometre run to give her a time of 64 minutes 13 seconds.

PosFirst nameLast nameChip time
140BrianWhite47:20
194YukoGordon49:16
316JohnNelms54:08
317JackiePerry54:09
350JimBrown55:45
548PennySchenkel64:13

April in Paris

Tim ROBINSON ran the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon 2025 in a time of 5:43:33. It’s the 4th time he has completed the Paris Marathon. A beautiful route starting and finishing at the Arc De Triomphe and taking in many famous Paris landmarks. 

Rotterdam

DAVE COOK said he was disappointed with his run at the Rotterdam Marathon but he was still well under three hours with his 2:52:21.

In the same race MICHAEL FISHER struggled to hold his pace for the first 10km and then it got better.  Felt warmer than forecasted so water was a must.  The fast start punished him from 34 kilometres onwards so he held himself slightly to ensure that he could still hit my targeted time.  He got it right with a PB improvement of 11 minutes and a Sub 2 run of 2 hours 57 minutes 13 seconds (2:57:13).

Euro Matt

On Saturday MATT TUTTON ran the Half Marathon at the European Running Championships in the small city of Leuven in Belgium.  The atmosphere was fantastic, course was flat and the weather was very warm but beautiful.  He beat his previous PB and finished in 2 hours 1 minute and 22 seconds. Not enough to finish in top 25 Brits to score points although we finished 5th so no additional medal to bring home.  It is a great weekend with 10k and marathon on Sunday.  He was looking forward to watch both elite and recreational runners come through.  Next edition will be in Belgrade in 2027.

Ultra Spartans.

Ciaran McAneny raced in the UKA 2025 British Championship 24 hour race on the track at Crawley from noon on Saturday until noon on Sunday.

In a race that started fast and saw many contenders burn their matches early in warm weather; Ciaran kept control of his early pace to move up through the field as others dropped out.

Spartan Ciaran was one of three runners who closed in on the lead as the day progressed.  He made his way into second, until the closing stages when he started to struggle to maintain pace and eventually came away with a British Championship Bronze Medal and a distance of 201.3 kilometres.

The race itself was won outright with an astonishing run by Sarah Webster who finished with a distance of 243.4km and a new British Women’s 100 mile record of 14:05 along the way.

On Saturday, MARTIN JACOB ran his first 50 mile ultramarathon – the South Downs Way 50.  He was initially worried it might be a very warm day, but it turned out to be a pleasant day for the run. There were a few brutal hills along the way, but aside from those, he enjoyed every bit of the race.  He finished in 11:30:47, with a strong sprint at the end. Super happy with the result !

Sharon and Mike Crowley took part in Capital Challenge, a self navigated long distance walk north and south of the River Thames.  On a very warm day and after almost 28 miles they finished in 9 hours 15 minutes.

Ibiza Marathon, Saturday

JAY PAPA was 76th out of 1,042 finishers in Saturday’s Ibiza Marathon with his time of 3 hours 22 minutes 21 seconds (3:22:21).

Hyrox Harris

JOHN HARRIS completed the Warsaw Hyrox in 1 hour 26 minutes 40 seconds (1:26:40). 1-26-40 finishing 6th V60 at his first attempt.  Hyrox is an indoor fitness competition combining eight kilometres of running with eight functional workout stations.

Club Championships Are Go

The Fairlands Valley Spartans club championships last all year and started on 1st January 2025.

There are long and short distance options.  For the long it will be the best of three out of 10 miles, half marathon, 20 miles and full marathon (42.2 kilometres).  For the short the best of three out of 1500 metres, 5 kilometres, 5 miles and 10 kilometres.  Counting races must be licensed with a certified accurate course – there are hundreds to chose from.

By the end of March, the first quarter, only PENNY SCHENKEL had completed a female three distance series so she is leading the women’s long distance series with 56.4%.  BRIAN WHITE is leading the men’s long distance with 74.9% while JIM BROWN is second on 66.0%.

This won’t last for long as many other Spartans had already recorded two fast times for either the long or short distances.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 12th April

Over 500 parkrunners again at Stevenage parkrun on Saturday morning with 501 finishers.  24 were Spartans. 

PETE COOK made into the top 100 at Stevenage parkrun and ran another parkrun personal best (PPB).  This time it was 24:51.  He was 26 seconds behind TANYA BRAZIER who also ran a new PPB, for her it was 24:25.

It was a double century for ROGER BIGGS.  He ran his 200th parkrun in 48:33.  LORRAINE HILL ran her 350th in 26:16.

CHARLIEV WHITE was the quickest Spartan at Stevenage with 18:09 and JO COOKSLEY the Fastest Female From Fairlands with 24:16.

SIMON JACKSON did 16:56 at the Great Denham park run on Saturday.  PAUL SHELLEY ran the same event in 17:41.

PositionGender PositionFVS parkrunnerTime
55Charlie WHITE18:09
2827Tony RANDFIELD21:17
5452Toby ECCLESHALL23:01
845Jo COOKSLEY24:16
886Tanya BRAZIER24:25
9379Chris WATLING24:38
9882Pete COOK24:51
11090Stuart ARCHER25:15
127104Darren EMMERSON26:01
13414Lorraine HILL26:16
235172Kartik SHARMA29:12
248181Thomas SAUKA29:34
25253Claire EMMERSON29:46
25958Penny SCHENKEL30:08
26966Hannah MANTON30:35
274189Peter SACH30:53
30187Debbie BLANTERN31:44
31896Fiona CLARKE32:30
319205Matt CLARKE32:31
321206Maurice BALLARD32:32
420159Tracy HAYGARTH37:49
426163Hilary DAVIES38:04
481200Nichola DURENT46:01
487257Roger BIGGS48:33
Categories
Club News Race Results

RESOLUTION 5K, MANCHESTER & FLITWICK 10K

Wednesday 12th April saw the return of the evening Resolution 5K on Ridlins track, Fairlands Valley Spartans won it and recorded no less than eight new personal bests (PBs). 

The Spartans won with Simon Fraser 3rd in 16:27, Jonathan Parr 4th in 16:45, Kelvin Beyioku 6th in 17:54 and Ashley Johnson first woman and 27th overall in 20:19.  Teams consisted of the first three men and first woman finishing from each club.  Simon improved his PB by 21 seconds and Ashley hers by 46 seconds. 

Spartan PAULA DUNNE was the third woman overall in 21:39, a new personal best by 1 minute 14 seconds. 

NICK GILL was seventh in the race in 17:59, a new 5K personal best by 1 minute 8 seconds.  He said the support in the stands and on the track made a real difference and helped him get over the line in just under 18 minutes with the help of a sprint finish.  MIKE JEFFS came in next in 19:11 and DANNY SCANLON in 19:25. 

There was another PB by NICK KLEANTHOUS with 24:04.  He said it was a well organised event and a very big turnout for FVS.  Lots of runners stayed until the end to support later runners.  Lovely to see this and the support from non runners alike. 

Sharon, Liz & Jane followed by some of the Spartan supporters!

JANE WADEY equalled her 5K personal best with 31:31 which was set in May 2022.  HAZEL SMITH was very pleased with her 24:22. 

That was cold said JIM BROWN who went round the 12.5 laps in a steady 27 minutes 57 seconds. 

FVS also achieved the highest number of finishers.  The top three clubs were FVS 24; North Herts Road Runners 14 and Stevenage Phoenix 11. 

Manchester Marathon 

Spartan SIMON JACKSON ran a new personal best at the Manchester Marathon.  His 2:44:12 beat the very significant 2 hours 45 minutes target. 

Simon said “A new PB which I’ll take at 47 and after a lot of years of running.” 

Spartans LINDA GEORGE and MARTIN JACOB did their first full marathon at Manchester on Sunday. 

Martin said the last six miles were a real struggle.  The training sessions and the long Sunday runs with Fairlands Valley Spartans really helped me to push the boundaries and achieve a sub 4 hour timing. 

Martin Jacob finished in 3:59:57 and Linda George in 5:00:23 

VICKY ARCHER ran her first road marathon in Manchester finishing in 4.19.09. 

She smashed her 4:30 goal and it was also a personal best from her last one on file which was 5:40 (although that was a trail marathon when doing the challenge a couple of years ago). 

Martin, Vicky & Linda all enjoying the buzz of Manchester!!

Flitwick 10K 

Spartan YUKO GORDON showed the way at the Flitwick 10K.  She won the women 65 plus category in 46 minutes 33 seconds, was 85th overall out of 424 finishers and received a lovely gold medal. 

HAZEL SMITH did 52:47 for 178th

JIM BROWN was very pleased with his efforts at Flitwick.  He finished in 55 minutes 38 seconds, 1 minute 13 seconds faster than on the flatter St. Albans 10K two weeks earlier.  He said the first kilometre winding up through a housing scheme felt hard but he ran a negative split, second half faster than the first by 34 seconds, came second in his category and just in the first half of the race. 

Calderdale Hike 

Mike and Sharon Crowley took part in the Calderdale Hike on Saturday, based at Sowerby. They completed the 26 miles, with some 3600 feet of climb, in 8 hours 26 minutes.  The weather was unexpectedly lovely, with lots of sunshine and minimal breeze. 

Sharon and Mike on their hike.

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 15th April 2023 

Congratulations to Spartan TRACY HAYGARTH who was at Stevenage to run her 100th parkrun.  She finished her celebration run around Fairlands Valley Park in 34:07. 

Tracey in her 100 Parkrun cape!

For all the Spartan Parkrun results please click the link – Consolidated Parkrun Results 15th 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     
Simon JACKSON 17:02 Winner 
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 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