Tag: Great north run

TROPHIES AT HATFIELD THREE

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date September 14, 2025
No Comments on TROPHIES AT HATFIELD THREE

Spartans SHARON CROWLEY and GEORGIE HOOPER were trophy winners at the end of the three race Hatfield 5K series.

It was a bit damp and getting a bit dark for the third race but SAM GENTRY and other Spartans still ran new personal bests.

Sam managed to get another PB of 26:57 in the last race. Overall she made a 1 minute 48 second improvement over the three races.

She said, “It’s been amazing seeing everybody’s progress over the last three weeks and all the praise and encouragement to each other

HAZEL SMITH ran all three of the Hatfield 5K series, gradually improving her time. Her last race chip time was 25:19, a season’s best.

Perri Gentry got another PB this week (17:10), which is 8 seconds quicker than last week!

Andy Prior hit a PB of 21.54. He said he was very fortunate to have Mike Jeffsand Michael Fisher pacing him – although at times it felt like an assassination attempt – we got the job done.

What was amazing was how the group grew with runners from other clubs also using our unofficial pacers to help support them to PBs as well – at least two non-Spartans thanked us afterwards and the results show we were a tight group – a very proud Spartan moment. Andy (12 seconds).

JAY PAPA ran a PB again!!! – This time it was 18:36. Five seconds quicker than the previous week.

BECKY RAYNER’s time at race 3 of the Hatfield 5km was 37:47, which is a season’s best

She said that following injury the 5km series were her first runs back. She took the first one easy (41:09), the second she started easy then pushed on a little (40:16). Before the third race she had in my head that she would like to get under 40 minutes so was thrilled to come in well under that and over three minutes quicker than race 1

8 Spartan women, 11 men ran all three races.

Pos	MF	AG	Name	Cat	Gun	Chip
14	13	10	Charlie WHITE	MS	17:04	17:03
17	16	11	Perri GENTRY	MS	17:11	17:10
25	24	13	Nathan KIRLEY	MS	17:36	17:34
34	33	18	Nick GILL	MS	18:02	17:59
46	43	22	Jay PAPA	MS	18:37	18:36
64	60	22	Kris JEROME	MV40	19:15	19:13
78	70	26	Mark COLLINS	MV40	19:45	19:33
81	73	28	Matthew JACKSON	MS	19:51	19:45
82	74	27	Simon JACKSON	MV40	19:51	19:45
97	87	8	Tony RANDFIELD	MV60	20:18	20:17
114	101	11	Charles ARNOLD	MV60	21:07	20:58
116	103	37	Matthew COOKE	MS	21:13	21:05
130	110	35	Mike JEFFS	MV40	22:03	21:53
131	111	24	Andy PRIOR	MV50	22:04	21:54
132	21	5	Georgie HOOPER	FV35	22:04	21:53
133	112	40	Michael FISHER	MS	22:04	21:54
154	36	10	Jo COOKSLEY	FV35	24:04	23:47
166	41	17	Megan SUTTON	FS	25:09	24:54
173	44	9	Hazel SMITH	FV45	25:35	25:19
183	51	12	Sam GENTRY	FV45	27:15	26:57
188	53	2	Sharon CROWLEY	FV65	28:06	27:50
189	54	13	Samantha SUTTON	FV45	28:51	28:35
198	60	19	Rose SUTTON	FS	31:28	31:11
200	62	6	Liz CARVELL	FV65	32:00	31:42
203	64	13	Rebecca RAYNER	FV35	38:04	37:47
205	66	11	Jane WADEY	FV55	38:47	38:29

Spartans at Stevenage 10K and 5K

Spartan DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT won the age percentage competition in the Stevenage 5K and 10K races on Sunday morning. He scored 83.2% in the 5K with his time of 17:08 then 80.0% in the 10K with 36:10.

David and MIKE JEFF (17:33) were second and third overall, and first and second men 40 plus, in the 5K.

CAROLE SHELDRICK said it was a great event. She wanted to go out and just run the 5k and see what she could do and couldn’t have been happier coming in at 26.39, her body was then ready to go home but with the support of her fellow Spartans she then took on the 10k and did it in 59.36.

She said, “At the start of the year I couldn’t even run a mile after being out injured for 14 months, but thanks to the Spartans Sunday 6 milers, Tuesday interval sessions every week and a few park runs every month my running has started to progress brilliantly.”

Alice Welch:

My 5k time was 27:52 (chip time)
My 10k time was 1:01:24 (chip time)

Both are PBs and the 5k was my first sub 30 5k

Jane Wadey would like to thank everyone who took part in the Stevenage parkrun headline event on 13 September. Gary, the race director, was very pleased with so many volunteers and the pacers were great too. Jane’s daughter Olivia Hopkinson who joined the club earlier this year took part in her first park run as a park walker in 55:18 minutes. Jane also took part in the Menzies 5k and 10k races on 14 September which was a challenge after the Big Half and the third Hatfield 5k last week. She decided to run / walk in order to concentrate on her running form but was determined to finish and ran as much as possible. One thing that really helped was that with her name on her vest, lots of people were encouraging her all along the way.

5K

Pos	MF	AG	Name	Cat	Gun Time	Chip Time
2	2	1	David HARRIS-CHERGUIT	MV40	17:09	17:08
3	3	2	Mike JEFFS	MV40	17:34	17:33
17	17	10	Nick GILL	MS	21:01	20:58
24	23	14	Matthew COOKE	MS	21:49	21:44
34	31	5	Lee PICKERSGILL	MV40	22:24	22:20
41	4	2	Jess CLARKE	FS	23:11	23:07
99	20	7	Carole SHELDRICK	FV45	26:59	26:39
117	92	1	Jim BROWN	MV70+	28:05	27:55
120	27	10	Alice WELCH	FS	28:11	27:52
134	103	16	Andy PRIOR	MV50	28:49	28:13
135	104	26	Keith HOOKER	MV40	28:49	28:13
149	110	7	Nick KLEANTHOUS	MV60	29:45	29:22
192	61	19	Callie CHAPMAN	FV35	31:55	31:19
232	143	15	Paul HOLGATE	MV60	35:51	35:28
237	146	61	Lloyd DIAS	MS	36:15	35:35
239	93	22	Jo COOK	FV45	36:31	35:41
245	97	23	Jayne DYMOKE	FV45	37:07	36:16
251	102	12	Jane WADEY	FV55	38:37	37:59
268	116	33	Emma CHAPMAN.	FV35	45:09	44:30

10K

Pos	MF	AG	Name	Cat	Gun Time	Chip Time
5	5	3	David HARRIS-CHERGUIT	MV40	36:12	36:10
8	8	5	Michael FISHER	MS	37:49	37:47
11	11	7	Nick GILL	MS	38:16	38:14
12	12	4	Mike JEFFS	MV40	38:20	38:18
15	15	9	Jay PAPA	MS	39:06	39:04
35	33	10	Danny SCANLON	MV40	44:20	44:16
37	35	12	Keith HOOKER	MV40	44:25	44:18
44	42	21	Matthew COOKE	MS	44:42	44:38
46	44	23	Simon FRASER	MS	44:49	44:45
49	47	25	Melvin AUBURN	MS	45:26	45:18
59	56	10	Andy PRIOR	MV50	46:53	46:46
64	4	3	Annabelle WHITE	FS	47:30	47:23
69	64	17	Lee PICKERSGILL	MV40	47:52	47:45
129	108	25	Pete COOK	MV50	54:30	54:22
142	116	51	Lloyd DIAS	MS	55:29	55:07
156	125	1	Jim BROWN	MV70+	56:45	56:28
160	33	9	Kelly EVANS	FV35	57:04	56:47
198	49	1	Sharon CROWLEY	FV65+	59:34	59:12
212	55	15	Carole SHELDRICK	FV45	1:00:18	59:36
222	59	16	Alice WELCH	FS	1:01:51	1:01:24
258	84	8	Monica SMITHSON	FV55	1:05:15	1:04:36
341	194	19	Paul HOLGATE	MV60	1:21:39	1:20:53
342	148	20	Jane WADEY	FV55	1:22:23	1:21:48
345	150	53	Emma CHAPMAN	FV35	1:33:03	1:32:40

Kelly Raised Thousands

Kelly McHale ran The Great North Run recently. Tyron, her brother, and Kelly would like to thank all those who donated. They raised nearly £3,000 for The British Heart Foundation. Kelly’s hard work was rewarded with a 1:50:31 finish.

I had a wonderful day. Was an amazing experience. It was a tough run, I didn’t get the time I wanted 1hour 45. I got 1 hour 50. I should have practiced running and drinking at the same time as I chocked at mile 9. I made a few silly mistakes that cost me a few minutes. Lesson learnt for my next half marathon. Thank you you all for your support and well wishes.

Harvathon

Five Spartans – Claire Emmerson, Hazel Smith, Sam Sutton, Matt Tutton and Nichola Durent enjoyed the Harvathon trail event.

Today I completed 6 loops at Harvathon, a brilliant local race comprising of trail loops. Support, good, drink and music was a plenty! Lovely medal and goodie bag at the end too.

HAZEL SMITH managed 6 loops, covering 20.8 miles. Second Lady she was told as she finished (can’t find results to confirm) as one lady did 7 laps

Matt Tutton five laps. 27.44 km in 3 hours 34 minutes moving time.

Sam Sutton completed 5 laps with a total distance of 27.63km in 3 hours 40 minutes.

NICHOLA DURENT said I took part in a great local event in Offley, The Harvathon.

It’s a trail event of 5 k loops and you can do as many as you want in an allocated time. It was a lovely route but did have one harsh hill that was hard work. I did three laps which was my goal. It was such a lovely relaxed atmosphere with lots of support from others runners, marshals and those in the event village.

Sue at Copenhagen Half Marathon

Spartan SUE HAMER ran the Copenhagen half marathon in 2 hours 8 minutes and 17 seconds.

She said, “The 3rd of my superhalfs, in a couple of weeks’ time I have Cardiff, which will be my 4th.

We started off in rain, so wet and cold, by the time I finished the sun had come out. It was a lovely course, with amazing support on route.”

Langdale Half Marathon

SAM TOPHILL ran the Langdale Half Marathon in 2 hours 22 minutes 51 seconds.

Takeover – Parkrun Highlights, Saturday 13^th September 2025

There was a Spartan takeover at Stevenage parkrun on Saturday morning. Fairlands Valley Spartans took on many of the volunteer roles in the event in Fairlands Valley Park.

For example FVS provided all the pacers – Simon Fraser 20; Jay Papa 22; Charlie White 24; Nick Gill 26; Matthew Cooke 28; Jess Clarke 30; Jim Brown 32; Annabelle White 34 and Nick Kleanthous 36 minutes.

576 ran the 5K with large numbers achieving new personal bests.

Hayley Peach enjoyed some parkrun tourism in Aberystwyth with a 37:35 while TRACY HAYGARTH took in the fabulous Mura di Lucca parkrun around the city walls in Lucca, Italy. She finished in 45:03. CHRIS HOLLAND headed north, far north. He ran the Thurso parkrun in 26:01. Altogether 68 Spartans ran a parkrun on Saturday.

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Time
2	2	Simon JACKSON	17:46
6	6	Perri GENTRY	19:36
12	12	Simon FRASER	20:04
22	22	Grant RAMSAY	20:56
33	31	David RIDDELL	21:25
41	39	Jay PAPA	21:50
46	44	Mike JEFFS	22:03
54	51	Martin JACOB	22:31
68	64	Steve WELLS	23:02
76	71	Daniel VILJOEN	23:25
91	84	Craig BACON	23:55
95	87	Charlie WHITE	23:59
98	90	Wayne SIMMONS	24:08
108	98	Martin DUDLEY	24:25
139	125	Tony RANDFIELD	25:10
146	130	Pete COOK	25:27
149	133	Chris WATLING	25:31
164	144	Nick GILL	25:55
180	155	Mark BEASLEY	26:16
238	196	Matthew COOKE	27:54
253	45	Suzy HAWKINS	28:17
263	210	Keith HOOKER	28:32
266	49	Ada JANUSIENE	28:36
295	233	David ACKERY	29:36
300	58	Jessica CLARKE	29:43
360	95	Pamela VILJOEN	31:42
371	266	Jim BROWN	32:02
425	128	Annabelle WHITE	34:05
426	290	Michael O’KEEFE	34:06
465	146	Lindsay PATEMAN	35:50
470	306	Nick KLEANTHOUS	36:00
482	310	Lloyd DIAS	36:53
502	173	Beverley HARLOW	38:13
525	321	Andy PRIOR	40:13
526	191	Kerstin WEINER	40:14
535	198	Emma CHAPMAN	42:54
561	211	Debbie BLANTERN	49:52
567	340	Roger BIGGS	53:14
568	214	Sharon CROWLEY	53:15
572	218	Olivia HOPKINSON	55:18
575	220	Niki PLUMB	58:13
576	221	Sally PICKLES	58:13

Tags Copenhagen Half, Great north run, Harvathon, Hatfield 5k Series, Langdale Half, parkrun, Stevenage 10K, Stevenage 5K

News Race Results

MEDALS AT HATFIELD BESTS in 5K

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date September 7, 2025
No Comments on MEDALS AT HATFIELD BESTS in 5K

Nikon Z8

Great North Run, Bedford Running Festival, Big Half, a Twenty, 5K PBs, an Enduro, sprinting, jumping, throwing and at least 59 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday. Fairlands Valley have been busy the last few days.

Many runners were so pleased that the heavy rain during the day stopped before the start of Wednesday’s Hatfield 5K. That meant the daylight lasted a little longer into the evening.

This was race 2 of the series and there were another TEN personal bests plus a season’s best and a county SILVER and BRONZE medal for Spartans.

28 Spartans finished. There were ten new personal bests (PB) for the second week running. A new season’s best (SB) and two county medals.

MIKE JEFFS said after last week’s unforeseen stop by the local authorities this week nothing was going to stop him. He joked “I’d even practiced sliding across the Mrs car bonnet just in case. I set a new PB of 16:55 joining the sub 17 club betting my last time by 13 seconds.

The personal bests were by Mike Jeffs 16:55; Ross Gallagher 17:15; Perri Gently 17:18; Nathan Kirley 17:24; Michael Fisher 17:29; Jay Papa 18:41; Terry Sawyer 19:34; Matthew Jackson 2012; Andy Prior 22:06 and Samantha Sutton 28:55. The SILVER medal was won by Andrew Patterson 16:28 for men 40 plus; the BRONZE by Sharon Crowley 27:55 for women 65 plus and the season’s best was by Jim Brown 27:10.

PL	MF	AG	Name	Cat	Time
8	8	2	Andrew PATTERSON	MV40	16:28
20	19	7	Mike JEFFS	MV40	16:55
26	25	10	Simon JACKSON	MV40	17:10
28	27	11	Ross GALLAGHER	MV40	17:15
31	30	17	Perri GENTRY	MS	17:18
35	34	18	Nathan KIRLEY	MS	17:24
37	36	20	Michael FISHER	MS	17:29
65	61	28	Nick GILL	MS	18:38
66	62	29	Jay PAPA	MS	18:41
92	84	31	Mark COLLINS	MV40	19:30
94	86	32	Terry SAWYER	MV40	19:34
105	95	35	Matthew JACKSON	MS	20:12
111	99	7	Tony RANDFIELD	MV60	20:25
129	112	12	Charles ARNOLD	MV60	21:13
134	116	41	Matthew COOKE	MS	21:23
151	127	25	Andy PRIOR	MV50	22:06
154	26	12	Annabelle WHITE	FS	22:11
155	27	7	Georgie HOOPER	FV35	22:12
176	43	12	Jo COOKSLEY	FV35	23:35
203	56	22	Megan SUTTON	FS	25:31
206	58	13	Hazel SMITH	FV45	25:50
214	151	30	Karl SHREEVE	MV50	27:08
215	152	6	Jim BROWN	MV70	27:10
217	64	16	Sam GENTRY	FV45	27:20
221	67	3	Sharon CROWLEY	FV65	27:55
223	69	17	Samantha SUTTON	FV45	28:36
236	77	8	Liz CARVELL	FV65	31:29
243	82	16	Rebecca RAYNER	FV35	40:16

Famous Fairlands Five at Great North Run

Spartan CHLOE SIMPSON ran the Great North Run in a fantastic new personal best (PB) of 1 hour 42 minutes 59 seconds for the 13.1 miles from Town Moor Newcastle to South Shields. She was raising funds for Guide Dogs.

Also among the 60,000 runners was KELLY McHALE. Her hard work paid off with a tremendous 1:50:31. Kelly is collecting for the British Heart Foundation.

ZOE JACKSON was really happy to finish in just under two hours with 1:59:28. Zoe was sponsored for the Alzheimer’s Society.

So three Fairlands Valley Spartans under two hours. They were 4,569^th, 7,724^th and 12,911^th. All well within the first quarter of finishers. Tremendous.

In addition MICHELLE HOLTON was 23,154^th in 2:17:23 and CHRIS WATLING 28,049^th in 2:26:03.

Bedford Running Festival

Bedford 20

Starting with the longest race, the 20 miles which warmed up as it went on. There were two Spartans. NICK GILL finished 33^rd in 2:27:08 and MARTIN JACOB 114^th in 3:08:14. There were 197 finishers.

Nick said he ran 10 miles easy/steady with Jay Papa and then 15 seconds faster/slower than marathon pace every half mile. Tough going and got warm, but nailed almost every split. Marathon training continues!

His Sunday effort followed the Hatfield 5k on Wednesday pacing Jay to a new 5K PB!

Bedford Half

Another famous five Spartans tackled the Bedford Half Marathon. GEORGIE HOOPER had a great run with 1 hour 53 minutes 41 seconds and was 257^th out of the 1071 finishers. LINDA GEORGE was in the top half with 2:08:28.

JIM BROWN was a bit off delighted with his 2:12:11 but he was second in his age group and well a bit too warm, Considering he failed to get beyond 10K in his last attempt at a half marathon it was progress so he was happy.

Spartan MARIE COLUCCI went round with a friend and came in a with 2:25:10 and JESSICA CLARKE came in at 2:31:19,

The five avoided the pressures of the thousands in the big city half marathons on the same day but there were some trip hazards to look out for.

Twilight 10K

Saturday evening was time for the Twilight 10K at Bedford. CRAIG BACON finished in 46:01. He was 87^th out of 944 finishers.

And JESSICA CLARKE whizzed round the Bedford 5K in 23:53. Fourth in her category and 84^th out of 493.

Big Half in London

More than 17,000 runners were in London for the Big Half on Sunday. Eight of them were Spartans.

First in, and in the first thousand, was SIMON FRASER at 876^th in 1 hour 28 minutes 39 seconds (1:28:39). A well earned sub 90 minutes.

SALLY PICKLES ran a new personal best (PB) of 2:41:27.

Sammie Sutton’s time for Sunday’s Big Half in London was 2.38.10 not a pb but best for the year and for a few years and she managed a 10k pb for the first 10k!

Jane Wadey said it was her first half marathon since October 2024 and her first ever run in London! It was so lovely to be supported by Amanda Vickers who tried her hardest to get us to under three hours but I was in pain from mile 10 / 11 and every time I tried even a jog, my calf muscles flared up in pain. But really enjoyed it and I had several runners from other deaf groups encouraging me as well. (I now have DEAF printed on the back of my vest). Jane finished in 3:19:03.

The other Spartans were Wayne Simmons 1:58:40; Linda Nolan 2:12:10; Vishal Shah 2:39:33 and Amanda Vickers 3:16:51.

Enduro Stampede

Three Fairlands Valley Spartans were at the St Albans Stampede a 12 hour enduro event. TRICIA HOPPER was 31^st, BARRY KING 39^th and KAREN LIDDLE 41^st.

EMAC

Six Spartan women were in Thurrock for the East of England track and field championships for veteran athletes. They were ELIZABETH CROWLEY, SHARON CROWLEY, KAREN DODSWORTH, CHRISTINE LATHWELL, JOYLYN SAUNDERS- MULLINS and TESS STEPHENSON. Organised by EMAC.

Stripey Saturday – Parkrun Highlights, Saturday 7^th September 2025

Another Stevenage Saturday morning with more than 500 people enjoying the local 5K parkrun. First of the month so stripes for Spartans and 41 joined in the fun for 518.

TONY VICKERS ran a new parkrun PB of 23:55 and LINDSAY PATEMAN got a new PPB o 36:42.

At least 59 Spartans ran a parkrun somewhere on Saturday.

Several Spartans helped at Stevenage. The next Spartan “takeover” of Stevenage parkrun will be at 9a.m. on Saturday 13^th September. Takeovers are when a club takes on most of the volunteering roles including marshals and pacers.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
7	7	Charlie WHITE	18:42
21	21	Perri GENTRY	20:56
23	23	Jay PAPA	21:00
25	25	Tony RANDFIELD	21:14
35	34	David RIDDELL	22:03
63	60	Matthew COOKE	23:05
66	63	Martin JACOB	23:08
73	69	Daniel VILJOEN	23:34
76	72	Grant RAMSAY	23:37
82	77	Tony VICKERS	23:55
89	84	Martin DUDLEY	24:20
98	92	Darren EMMERSON	24:52
131	12	Natalie WHITE	25:56
149	19	Jayne RIDDELL	26:25
168	144	Mark BEASLEY	27:12
176	151	Ryan DUNNING	27:33
185	27	Carole SHELDRICK	27:45
198	164	Keith ABRAHAMS	27:59
214	37	Claire EMMERSON	28:24
222	181	Peter SACH	28:42
234	189	Jim BROWN	28:54
237	46	Ada JANUSIENE	29:03
287	63	Debbie BLANTERN	30:37
294	224	Chris HOLLAND	30:47
335	241	Kartik SHARMA	32:14
336	242	Ahaan SHARMA	32:14
339	91	Pamela VILJOEN	32:20
384	115	Caroline CROFT	34:26
393	265	Michael O’KEEFE	34:59
399	124	Karen PALMER	35:11
417	271	Paul JENNINGS	35:53
420	272	Lloyd DIAS	36:25
428	144	Lindsay PATEMAN	36:42
439	151	Jayne DYMOKE	37:32
459	168	Tracy HAYGARTH	38:24
474	176	Melody BROWN	40:04
478	178	Hayley PEACH	40:20
483	181	Rebecca RAYNER	41:19
504	299	Roger BIGGS	49:57
517	203	Niki PLUMB	58:39
518	204	Sally PICKLES	58:41

Tags Bedford 20, Bedford Half Marathon, Bedford Running Festival, Big Half, EMAC, Great north run, Hatfield 5K, Twilight 10K

5K Series News Race Results Races

MEDALS FOR SPARTANS

There were medals of all colours for Fairlands Valley Spartans at the second in the series of Hatfield 5K races which included the county championships for veterans. ASHLEY JOHNSON won GOLD in the women 35 plus category with 18:56; ALISON WOOD won GOLD in the women 55 plus with 20:53; YUKO GORDON won SILVER in the women 65 plus with 22:19 and the men’s team of JONATHAN PARR (16:40); MIKE JEFFS (17:49); ROSS GALLAGHER (17:56) and GRANT RAMSAY (18:27) won team BRONZE.

22 Spartans ran and there were five new personal bests (PBs) – ROSS GALLAGHER by 35 seconds; PAUL SHELLEY by 11 seconds to 18:31; ASHLEY JOHNSON by 14 seconds; MATT TUTTON by 47 seconds to 22:53 and MEGAN SUTTON took another 22 seconds off her PB from only a week earlier with 26:48. ANDREA WESTCOTT equalled her previous PB of 25:53.

16 of the Spartans who ran in the first race of the series improved on those times including HAZEL SMITH by 2:08 to 25:02; JIM BROWN by 2:01 to 26:54; PAUL HOLGATE by 1:42 to 32:07; JANE WADEY by 1:27 to 35:06 and SHARON CROWLEY by 1:21 to 29:08.

The next Hatfield 5K race is this Wednesday evening 11^th September.

Pos	MF	AG	BiB	Name	Cat	Time	Grade	Comments
11	10	4	2200	Jonathan PARR	MV40	16:40	81.1 %	Team Bronze
32	29	12	3991	Mike JEFFS	MV40	17:49	75.8 %	Team Bronze
36	32	14	4400	Ross GALLAGHER	MV40	17:56	75.8 %	Team Bronze (PB 0:35)
55	50	8	5129	Grant RAMSAY	MV50	18:27	80.1 %	Team Bronze
58	52	9	3985	Paul SHELLEY	MV50	18:31	81.7 %	PB (0:11)
70	7	1	3993	Ashley JOHNSON	FV35	18:56	81.9 %	GOLD (F35; PB 0:14)
87	77	34	4517	Mark COLLINS	MV40	19:28	72.1 %
114	21	1	4464	Alison WOOD	FV55	20:53	85.4 %	GOLD (F55)
142	33	2	4249	Yuko GORDON	FV65	22:19	98.0 %	SILVER (F65)
165	123	52	4354	Matt TUTTON	MV40	22:53	58.4 %	PB (0:47)
166	43	10	5116	Marie COLUCCI	FV45	22:57	68.8 %
180	128	27	2202	John NELMS	MV50	23:45	63.2 %
200	63	16	4350	Hazel SMITH	FV45	25:02	64.8 %	2:08 Imp.
210	141	17	5127	Andy JAY	MV60	26:04	60.5 %
212	70	18	4383	Andrea WESTCOTT	FV45	25:53	64.9 %	=PB
216	72	19	4495	Megan SUTTON	FS	26:48	54.2 %	PB (0:22)
218	146	7	4396	Jim BROWN	MV70	26:54	65.6 %	2:01 Imp
237	86	8	4570	Sharon CROWLEY	FV65	29:08	67.5 %	1:21 Imp
244	91	22	2199	Monica SMITHSON	FV55	30:56	58.2 %
246	155	20	4348	Paul HOLGATE	MV60	32:07	52.3 %	1:42 Imp
251	92	21	4589	Samantha SUTTON	FV45	33:15	48.4 %
256	96	24	4367	Jane WADEY	FV55	35:06	50.8 %	1:21 Imp

Bedford Festival of Running

Several Spartans ran a half marathon or 20 miles at the Bedford Festival of Running. Despite a thunderstorm and some long sections of cross country, particularly near the end of the race, many got some really good times.

ANDY PRIOR said, “Myself and Kerstin ran Bedford Half Marathon today, a mixture of Road and trail which was a bit treacherous in the last two miles.

Luckily they were giving alcohol free beer to all finishers which helped with the wait to get away from venue!!!”

Andy finished in 1:43:06 and Kerstin in 1:57:12.

JIM BROWN needed a 13 mile training run and he got it with 2:02:19 for the 13.1, good enough for third in category, and CONOR ECCLESTON came in with 2:41:41.

Half – 869 finishers

Position	Name	Time	Age	Pace	Comments
125	ANDREW PRIOR	1:43:06	50-59	4:53 m / km
346	KERSTIN PRIOR	1:57:12	50-59	5:33 m /km
450	JIM BROWN	2:02:19	70-79	5:47 m / km	3^rd MV70
826	CONOR ECCLESTON	2:41:41	20-29	7:39 m /km

20 – 298 finishers

CRAIG BACON said “20 miles for me at Bedford and finished in 2:44:56. This was a milestone run in preparation for the Stevenage Marathon in six weeks time.

The plan was to run the first seven miles at a steady 9 minute/mile pace, then run the next 7 at 8:30 pace and the final 6 miles at target marathon pace of 8 minutes/mile. Loved the first 7 miles despite the thunderstorm. Nice and easy. Second 7 I discovered that I can’t run at 8:30 pace and ended up with most of it at 8:15 minutes/mile. Last 6 was a slog, including a fair portion of it being off road and muddy due to the earlier rain. However, I managed to be on pace or under for 5 or 6 miles.

Final result was a 13 minute PB (although I’ve only run 1 other 20 mile race, which was 13 years ago). Very happy. Two more big weeks of training and then it’s downhill all the way to marathon day.”

ROSS GALLAGHER was the fastest from Fairlands at 28^th out of the 298 finishers, top ten per cent, and pretty much spot on three hour marathon pace with 6:52 per min.

He was followed by PAUL SHELLEY 2:39:30; Craig, SAMANTH TOPHILL 3:05:57 and ALISON SHELLEY 3:33:53.

Position	Name	Time	Pace	Comments
28	ROSS GALLAGHER	2:17:24	6:52 min/mile
78	PAUL SHELLEY	2:39:30	7:58 min/mile
98	CRAIG BACON	2:44:56	8:14 min/mile	PB
154	SAMANTHA TOPHILL	3:05:57	9:17 min/mile
246	ALISON SHELLEY	3:33:53	10:41 min/mile

5K / 10K

On Saturday JAY PAPA ran the Bedford 5K race in 19:07 and was 11^th out of the 350 finishers. CHARLES ARNOLD ran the Bedford Twilight 10k in 47:22.

Tremendous Trio at the Great North Run.

The biggest half marathon and three Spartans were at the Great North Run with MIKE JEFFS running an excellent 1 hour 23 minutes 54 seconds (1:23:54 and 587^th); CHRIS WATLING 1:57:20 (13,305^th) and SARAH ILLINGWORTH 2:14:24 (23,856^th). There were 60,000 runners. Mike said, ”The crowds, the atmosphere was electric throughout the whole race even with it hammering it down with rain.”

St Albans Stampede

Karen Liddle and Tricia Hopper took part in the St Albans Stampede 2024; a 12 hour endurance challenge on Saturday 7 September 2024, starting at 9am.

The route is 4.01 miles around Heartwood Forest, Wheathampstead, over varying off road terrain. Karen completed 9 laps (36 miles – 1st female in her age category) and Tricia completed 11 laps (44 miles – 2nd female in her age category) in 10 hrs.56 mins.

A thoroughly enjoyable day with perfect weather conditions, great support from the volunteers and friendly atmosphere

Inter Area Championships

YUKO GORDON represented Eastern Masters at the England Masters Athletics Association Inter Area Championships at Corby on Saturday 7th. She ran 400m, 800m and 1500m and came second in all of them. Eastern Masters won overall championship along with women’s and men’s trophies. Teams came from nine regions including Scotland and Wales.

Round The Garden

JOHN HARRIS did the Run around the Garden 5K in Letchworth.

He was second man 60 plus and 24^th in the race with 21:21.

NIKKI NATION won her category with 31:25. There were three other Spartans – BRIAN WHITE 22:58; KEITH ABRAHAM 27:27 and NICK GILL 31:26.

Tags Bedford Festival, Great north run, Hatfield 5k Series, Inter Area Championships, Round the Garden 5K, St Albans

Club News Races

LUKE COMPLETES HIS FIRST MARATHON!

Post author By Hazel Smith
Post date September 12, 2021
No Comments on 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 11^th 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 90^th parkrun.

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

The 70^th Fly 5K

Four Spartans enjoyed the 70^th Fly 5K on Saturday. They were NICK KLEANTHOUS 70^th in 28:02; JIM BROWN 84^th in 29:30; PENNY SCHENKEL 85^th in 29:34 and PAUL HOLGATE 87^th 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 21^st 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 11^th September.

	Position	Gender Position	Parkrunner	Time
Stevenage parkrun
	51	48	Toby ECCLESHALL	00:23:11
	55	52	Barry OSBORNE	00:23:18
	67	61	James MCSWEENEY	00:24:12
	70	63	Clive CANNON	00:24:22
	83	73	Darren EMMERSON	00:24:57
	98	85	Mark BEASLEY	00:25:43
	102	13	Gail MACKIE	00:25:51
	114	17	Julie SIMMONS	00:26:14
	150	119	Nick KLEANTHOUS	00:28:01
	160	125	Mike GREEN	00:28:29
	165	32	Debbie BLANTERN	00:28:45
	182	137	Jim BROWN	00:29:33
	183	38	Penny SCHENKEL	00:29:34
	197	149	Paul SHELLEY	00:29:53
	199	150	David PATTMAN	00:29:56
	200	151	Edward HARE	00:29:57
	201	152	Steven DOBNER	00:29:58
	224	50	Chloe CHAPMAN	00:31:21
	231	56	Fiona CLARKE	00:31:35
	232	166	Matt CLARKE	00:31:36
	254	69	Beth FOLEY	00:33:20
	303	189	Paul JENNINGS	00:38:53

Brockenhurst parkrun
	112	68	Darryl STEVENS	00:41:35

Wimpole Estate parkrun
	286	101	Sally PHILLIPS	00:35:00

Cassiobury parkrun
	2	2	Jonathan PARR	00:17:13

Hove Promenade parkrun
	1	1	Andrew PATTERSON	00:16:18

Dunstable Downs parkrun
	44	32	Michael O’KEEFE	00:28:59

Sandy Water parkrun
	16	16	Craig BACON	00:21:33

Tags Brighton marathon, Great north run, New forest, Park run, Rat run, Stevenage half marathon