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News Race Results

Andrew and Eloise Win Handicap 5K

The Spartans held their last evening handicap 5K of the year on Thursday.

First to finish was Andrew Fenwick in 36:11, 4:19 ahead of handicap, closely followed by Andrew Gardner returning to the club with a SB 22:37 and new member Stephen Massey in 24:14. Eloise Hind was first woman in 24:58 with Rebecca Rayner 2nd lady in in a SB 37:29 and Jayne Dymoke 3rd with a new PB of 35:35.

Adrian Busolini was fastest runner on the night in 17:55 with Matthew Jackson 2nd quickest in 20:34 and Charlie Arnold 3rd fastest in 21:58.  Oli Lacigova was fastest lady in 22:15 with Eloise 2nd quickest and Sam Gentry 3rd fastest lady in 28:02.

The handicap 5Ks will return in the Spring but there will be a choice of Handicap 5 miles or 10 miles on Sunday morning 9th November.  Further details to follow later in the year.

PosFirst NameLast NameOwn TimeH’CAPFinish TimeComp HCAP
1ANDREWFENWICK36:114:3040:414:19
2ANDREWGARDNER22:3718:1540:524:08
3STEPHENMASSEY24:1416:4540:594:01
4ELOISEHIND24:5816:4541:433:17
5AHAANSHARMA31:0411:0042:042:56
6KARTIKSHARMA31:0511:0042:052:55
7PAULMAGUIRE24:4117:4542:262:34
8REBECCARAYNER37:295:1542:442:16
9JAYNEDYMOKE35:357:1542:502:10
10ADRIANBUSOLINI17:5525:1543:101:50
11HAYLEYPEACH37:545:3043:241:36
12ADAMHILL31:5211:4543:371:23
13NICHOLADURENT43:530:0043:531:07
14SHARONCROWLEY43:540:0043:541:06
15CHARLESARNOLD21:5822:0043:581:02
16JOHNNELMS23:3220:3044:020:58
17JUDYKING30:1813:4544:030:57
18MATTHEWJACKSON20:3423:3044:040:56
19AMANDAVICKERS33:5410:1544:090:51
20JANEWADEY39:115:0044:110:49
21CRAIGBACON23:1421:0044:140:46
22OLILACIGOVA22:1522:0044:150:45
23PETECOOK26:0118:1544:160:44
24TONYVICKERS24:1620:0044:160:44
25LEANNEWILSON30:1414:1544:290:31
26FIONACLARKE31:2113:1544:360:24
27MATTTUTTON25:5818:4544:430:17
28CHRISWATLING26:2818:1544:430:17
29SAMGENTRY28:0216:4544:470:13
30MATTHEWCOOKE22:3622:1544:510:09
31KARLSHREEVE28:3616:3045:06(0:06)
32MARTINDUDLEY25:5419:3045:24(0:24)
33MATTCLARKE28:5817:1546:13(1:13)
34MICHAELO’KEEFE37:089:1546:23(1:23)
35LIZCARVELL36:0411:4547:49(2:49)
36TIMROBINSON31:1017:1548:25(3:25)

Cross Country

There was very early, and very sunny, start to the cross country season on Sunday.  34 Spartans, 15 women and 19 men, finished the first of five races which was at the Lucy Warren open space in Hoddesdon.

About 350 runners ran one small and three large laps to cover approximately 7.8 kilometres.

The first two Spartan men were both under 30 minutes with ADRIAN BUSOLINI 15th in 29:05 and MIKE JEFFS 23rd in 29:55.

CHLOE SIMPSON and GEORGIE HOOPER were the first two females from Fairlands.  Chloe 120th overall with 36:05 and Georgie 122nd in 36:13.

Lots more details should be available from the race organisers in the next couple of days.

The second race will be in Trent Park on Sunday 2nd November.

PositionNameTimeCategory
15ADRIAN BUSOLINI29:05MS
23MIKE JEFFS29:55M40
40JAY PAPA31:14MS
62ADRIAN DONNELLY32:48M40
97DAVID RIDDELL35:03M60
109CHARLIE ARNOLD35:38M60
120CHLOE SIMPSON36:05W35
122GEORGIE HOOPER36:13W35
142STEPHEN MASSEY38:01M50
147MARTIN WOOD37:31M60
156MATT COOKE37:57MS
165MARTIN JACOB38:46M40
173ANITA WELTZ39:08W35
176SIMON HAIGH39:12M50
179TONY VICKERS39:22M50
193ANNABELLE WHITE39:53WS
207DARREN EMMERSON40:26M50
212NICK GILL41:00**MS
254JAYNE RIDDELL43:30W55
263JACKIE PERRY44:02W55
266MARK FREEMAN44:09M60
285SAM GENTRY46:05W45
286JODIE WILSON46:06WS
290LEANNE WILSON46:22WS
295JIM BROWN46:31M70
296CLAIRE EMMERSON46:41W45
317SHARON CROWLEY51:30W65
321KARTIK SHARMA52:30M40
323CALLIE CHAPMAN52:50W35
328MICHAEL O’KEEFE56:07M60
329AMANDA VICKERS56:17W45
335BECKY RAYNOR60:50W35
339AHAAN SHARMA62:32**MS
341JANE WADEY65:37W55

Berlin Station

Spartan YUKO GORDON won her category in the Berlin Marathon by 1 minute 46 seconds.  She was the first woman aged 70 plus with 3 hours 52 minutes 28 seconds (3:52:28).  Under four hours at 70 plus is good going!  In a race of over 50,000 people she was 14,353rd

Ouse Valley Way Marathon

On Sunday 21st September Tim Robinson ran the Ouse Valley Way Marathon organised by BRJ Run & Tri.  The route is from St Neots along the Ouse River through St Ives and finishes a few miles up the river in Earith

The ground was hard and uneven along the river.  Tree roots and gravel, and herds of cows made the running tricky.  Tim finished in 6:45:43.

Letchworth 5K

Three Spartans made the short trip to the Letchworth 5K.  Carole Sheldrick was third woman 50 plus in 26:20; Karl Shreeve finished in 28:10 and Monica Smithson was second woman 60 plus with 29:54.

Marmite Creative juices 10k Canicross

Marmite made his Spartans and race debut Sunday in the Creative Juices 10K Canicross near Rickmansworth.  It was a really fun 10k which cost £31 and included a medal which is also a bottle opener, a free cup and free beer!  Marmite took 53 minutes 51 seconds but it was really about managing his human – Spartan TERRY SAWYER.

Century Celebration – Parkrun Highlights, Saturday 20th September 2025

54 Spartans ran parkruns.  Thirty were at the 419th Stevenage parkrun where there were almost 500 finishers.

There was a big caped centenary celebration for SHARON CROWLEY.  She planned her campaign so that she ran a parkrun for the 100th time and volunteered for the 50th time on the same day.  She milked it finishing in 46 minutes 21 seconds.

Returning to fitness GRANT RAMSAY was in the top twenty with 20:47.  SAMANTHA SUTTON was the fastest female from Fairlands with a new parkrun personal best of 28:58.

EVA RAMSEY ran her 40th parkrun in 30:33 and JANE WADEY her 70th in 45:45.

And proving you need never stop ROGER HEAD was first man 80 plus with 36:35; ROGER BIGGS third man 75 plus with 49:05 and JIM BROWN first man 70 plus with 28:59.

Spartans away from Stevenage on Saturday included SIMON FRASER 17:47 at Yarborough Leisure Centre (Lincoln); PETE COOK 25:40 at Southwick Country (Trowbridge, Wiltshire); CHARLES ARNOLD 22:12 at Great Denham; SIMON HAIGH 25:47 at Westmill; MARK BEASLEY 26:27 at Blickling (Norwich); ANDY PRIOR 26:36 and KERSTIN PRIOR 26:38 at Clare Castle (Sudbury); DANIEL SUTTON 29:25 and JESSICA CLARKE 29:38 at Rutland Water; RYAN DUNNING 29:35 at Hastings; and SALLY PICKLES whoop, whoop with a sub thirty 29:59 at Flegg High (Great Yarmouth).

PositionGender PositionFVS parkrunnerTime
1818Grant RAMSAY20:47
4442Tony RANDFIELD22:35
7871Daniel VILJOEN24:09
8073Lee PICKERSGILL24:15
9990Jay PAPA24:51
11298Matthew COOKE25:19
20632Samantha SUTTON28:58
207166Jim BROWN28:59
239177Matt CLARKE30:00
24253Fiona CLARKE30:06
25961Eva RAMSEY30:33
31084Pamela VILJOEN32:25
330222Michael O’KEEFE33:17
33196Carole SHELDRICK33:17
341100Elizabeth CROWLEY33:35
381247Lloyd DIAS35:54
397252Roger HEAD36:35
415139Marleen VAN ZWIETEN37:35
420142Beverley HARLOW38:19
444265Paul HOLGATE41:27
455168Liz CARVELL44:18
457170Jane WADEY45:45
462174Sharon CROWLEY46:21
463175Niki PLUMB46:42
465177Nicola HATHERLY46:43
464176Hayley PEACH46:43
466178Emma CHAPMAN46:44
474275Roger BIGGS49:05
475182Nichola DURENT049:11
476183Rebecca RAYNER49:21
Categories
News Race Results

TIM AND SALLY WIN 5K HANDICAP

Perfect running conditions helped all 15 Spartans who ran this month’s Handicap 5K to finish ahead of their handicap time.  The event which was in Stevenage on Thursday evening was won by Tim Robinson 4 minutes 46 seconds (4:46) better than handicap with a season’s best (SB) time of 26 minutes 29 seconds (26:29).

Sally Pickles was winning woman equalling her previous season’s best (SB) time of 30:39, 3:21 better than handicap.  Jayne Dymoke was second lady in a new (personal best) PB time of 36:11, finishing together with Sharon Crowley who was third lady.  Charlie Arnold was second man in 22:04 and Paul Maguire third man with 25:55.

Charlie’s 22:04 was the fastest time of the night with Craig Bacon second quickest in 22:56.  Jo Cooksley was the fastest woman with 24:45 and Yuko Gordon second quickest lady in 25:42, while new member Jodie Wilson was third fastest lady in 29:13.

Thank you Mike Crowley and Mark Freeman for their assistance with the start and finish and to Paul Holgate for organising the event.

In handicap events the slower runners start first and the others based on recent performances set off at intervals to chase them and each other.  If everyone runs “to form” they will all finish together.  In fact the best improver, while maybe not the fastest runner on the night, crosses the finish line first and wins.

The final handicap 5K of the year will be in Stevenage on Thursday evening 18th September.

PosFirst NameLast NameTimeHcapFinish TimeComp Hcap
1TIMROBINSON26:2913:4540:144:46
2SALLYPICKLES30:3911:0041:393:21
3JAYNEDYMOKE36:116:1542:262:34
4SHARONCROWLEY36:116:1542:262:34
5YUKOGORDON25:4216:4542:272:33
6JUDYKING29:4813:1543:031:57
7MARLEENVAN ZWIETEN38:394:4543:241:36
8JODIEWILSON29:1314:1543:281:32
9CHARLESARNOLD22:0421:3043:341:26
10LEANNEWILSON29:2214:1543:371:23
11PAULMAGUIRE25:5517:4543:401:20
12KARLSHREEVE28:1615:3043:461:14
13SAMANTHASUTTON29:4614:1544:010:59
14CRAIGBACON22:5621:1544:110:49
15JOCOOKSLEY24:4519:3044:150:45

Alice in London

New Spartan ALICE WELCH ran the LDNX London 10K in a new personal best (PB) of 1 hour 5 minutes 18 seconds (1:05:18).  Well done Alice all those Kenyan Hills and joining a running club has massively paid off!  There is more to come from Alice.   The Spartans are so proud of you.  There were 4,665 finishers.

Adrian in Gosfield

A win for ADRIAN BUSOLINI at the Gosfield Backyard Ultra with 31 laps or 207 kilometres in 31 hours.

Adrian said, “It was a lovely fair weather weekend for another backyard ultra, this time in Gosfield, Essex.  A compact 6.7km course full of twists and turns, loops and loopbacks, marked by hundreds of little orange flags in the grass.  Every hour, on the hour, run a lap and get back to the corral ready to go again.  Last one standing wins the trophy.

A friendly bunch of 51 souls set out on this loopy backyard adventure.  Seven of us made it 24 hours (100 miles); including me, in spite of some pretty dippy decisions like running a yard in sandals. One of the 24 hour runners was Jemima, who set a new women’s record. Given she only had a couple of ultras under her belt, the ease with which she flew around those 24 laps blew me away.

The next couple of laps took a few scalps, so it wasn’t long before only three of us remained. We were probably the predictable trio. Dom had been struggling earlier but seemed to have bounced back like a man on a mission. Jan had started the race with an injury but appeared his usual ebullient self, radiating energy and positivity. I, in contrast, was probably quite inscrutable. Unbeknownst to those around me I had no intention of DNF’ing here.  So when Dom hung up the towel, and it was just the BYU (Back Yard Ultra) master Jan and I left slogging it out, it appeared we could be in for a very long stretch.

Fortunately Jan didn’t fancy spending the week weaving around Gosfield School’s sports field for the second year on the trot, so after 30 laps & some 200km Jan genially bowed out for the assist (second place), leaving the final lap for me to hammer round in a segment course record.  I was home in time to rest up and enjoy the Benington Chilli Festival the following day, to be rounded off with a jar of Jan’s exceptional homemade jam.  A long weekend to be savoured with plums and habaneros.”

31 yards, 31 hours, 207km 

Parkrun Highlights, Saturday 23rd August

29 Fairlands Valley Spartans enjoyed the Stevenage parkrun on Saturday morning.  DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT won in 17:45; SIMON JACKSON was fourth in 18:20 and PERRI GENTLY fifth in a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 18:39.  That’s three Spartans in the top five.

GAIL MACKIE was second woman with 22:18.

SAM GENTRY ran her tenth parkrun in a new PPB of 30:13; CAROLE SHELDRICK her fortieth in 34:27 and LINDSAY PATEMAN a new PPB with 39:40.  JIM BROWN was first man 70 plus with 27:48.  A former Spartan, ROGER HARDMAN donned the celebration cape for his 100th milestone and was second man over 75 with 32:34.

50 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday.  Some of those at other parkruns included DAVID RIDDELL 22:58 and JAYNE RIDDELL 27:11 at Holkham; ANDY PRIOR 23:21 and KERSTIN PRIOR 26:06 at Scunthorpe; CHARLES ARNOLD 24:14; DAVID VILJOEN 24:46 and PAMELA VILJOEN 32:04 at Letchworth; JESSICA CLARKE 24:36 at Kings Lynn; DARREN EMMERSON 25:30 and CLAIRE EMMERSON 29:27 at Pocket; JOHN NELMS 25:36 at Ross-On-Wye; LORRAINE HILL at Glasgow Victoria Park; PETER SACH 28:11 and SALLY PICKLES 30:43 at Henlow Bridge Lakes; NICOLA HATHERLY 37:40 in Rickmansworth and TRACY HAYGARTH in Westmill.

PositionGender PositionFVS parkrunnerTime
11David HARRIS-CHERGUIT17:45
43Simon JACKSON18:20
54Perri GENTRY18:39
2524Tony RANDFIELD21:18
362Gail MACKIE22:18
5146Jay PAPA23:05
7669Matthew COOKE24:09
8173Martin DUDLEY24:25
11196Toby ECCLESHALL25:29
12114Claire PULLEN25:42
12615Rhiannon GRIFFIN25:55
159131Steve TINSLEY27:04
172140Ryan DUNNING27:45
173141Jim BROWN27:48
23657Sharon CROWLEY29:32
24662Sam GENTRY30:13
25665Fiona CLARKE30:24
26168Penny SCHENKEL30:33
27073Eva RAMSEY30:55
27376Debbie BLANTERN31:00
346120Carole SHELDRICK34:27
347121Caroline CROFT34:28
408232Lloyd DIAS38:11
423172Lindsay PATEMAN39:40
439184Beverley HARLOW41:43
442187Rebecca RAYNER42:49
445190Niki PLUMB43:53
453196Carolyn LINSELL48:00
454238Roger BIGGS48:02
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News Race Results

FAST FAIRLANDS IN BEDFORD

Patrick Anyadi made it back-to-back Handicap 5k victories as he improved his personal best (PB) by 2 minutes 2 seconds (2:02) to finish in 25:33, closely followed by the first lady, Samantha Sutton in a Season’s Best time of 30:12, just two seconds slower than her PB record from 2017.  Becca Birt was second lady in her first 5k with a time of 37:25, while Peter Sach finished second man in 25:59 and Jane Wadey third lady with a Year’s Best of 37:38 despite having to stop briefly in the home straight.  Karl Shreeve was the third man in a year’s best (YB) 28:02.

Danny Scanlon was fastest runner of the night with a Year’s Best 22:19, Craig Bacon second quickest in 23:23 and John Nelms third fastest in a SB 23:24.  Megan Sutton was fastest female in 25:45, with Emily Grieves second quickest in 29:18 and Sam Gentry third fastest in 29:22.

There was also a Year’s Best time for Nichola Durent in 43:59.

Handicap races are won by the best improvers not the fastest runners.

22 Spartans ran.  The next handicap 5K will be on Thursday evening 21stAugust.

PositionFirst NameLast NameTimeRaceFem. Race
1PATRICKANYADI25:335 
2SAMANTHASUTTON30:12144
3BECCABIRT37:25188
4PETERSACH25:598 
5JANEWADEY37:38199
6EMILYGRIEVES29:18112
7KARLSHREEVE28:0210 
8JUDYKING30:26155
9DANNYSCANLON22:191 
10SAMGENTRY29:22123
11JOHNNELMS23:243 
12NICHOLADURENT43:592010
13SHARONCROWLEY43:592111
14LIZCARVELL31:51166
15TONYVICKERS25:144 
16TIMROBINSON30:0513 
17CRAIGBACON23:232 
18AMANDAVICKERS33:34177
19MEGANSUTTON25:4561
20MARTINDUDLEY25:577 
21CHRISWATLING26:399 
22EMMACHAPMAN46:362212

Doug Anderson 5K

Ten Fairlands Valley Spartans enjoyed a fast Wednesday evening in Bedford for the Doug Anderson 5K.  The race went so well for MIKE JEFFS that he improved his personal best (PB) by 24 seconds to 17:08 for second man 40 plus.  He was only beaten by one second!  He was eleventh overall out of the 405 finishers.

ADRIAN BUSOLINI finished with him for twelfth overall and another 17:08.

CHARLIE WHITE came in at 17:21 and NATHAN KIRLEY completed four Spartans under 18 minutes with 17:59.

ROSS GALLAGHER was third man 40 plus in 18:01 and PAUL SHELLEY won the 55 plus category with 18:05.  JAY PAPA made it seven Spartan under 20 minutes with his 18:43.

Meanwhile CHARLES ARNOLD was second man 65 plus with 21:54 and JESSICA CLARKE beat 24 with 23:49.  With MATT TUTTON finishing in 24:38 all ten were under 25 minutes.

PositionNameTime
11MIKE JEFFS17:08
12ADRIAN BUSOLINI17:08
19CHARLIE WHITE17:21
29NATHAN KIRLEY17:59
30ROSS GALLAGHER18:01
32PAUL SHELLEY18:05
44JAY PAPA18:43
120CHARLES ARNOLD21:54
164JESSICA CLARKE23:49
191MATT TUTTON24:38

Serpentine

Dry, bright, humid and 25 degrees for the Last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park, London.  Spartan JIM BROWN completed a series of six this year with 28 minutes 54 seconds (28:54).  Now he’s got an opportunity to maybe improve on a couple of the times over the next few months.  The next race will be at 12.30p.m. on Friday 29th August.

Challenge Round Up

131 completed the recent Fairlands Valley Challenge multi-terrain event from Stevenage.  32 of them were Fairlands Valley Spartans.  Five distances were offered.  The most popular was the half marathon which was finished by 50 people including 14 Spartans.  27 finished the 50 kilometre Ultra event and 21 the marathon.

Arty Spart

The FVS Daylight running group enjoyed a running tour of some of the new underpass art in Stevenage.  They run for about an hour at 10a.m. on Wednesdays.

Parkrun Highlights, Saturday 26th July

There were 460 parkrunners at Stevenage, up 115 on the previous week.  28 Spartans ran the 5K in Fairlands Valley Park.

On his way to second place DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT ran a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 17:09.  TONY VICKERS also ran a new parkrun PB (PPB).  His was 24:38.

DANIEL VILJOEN ran his 300th parkrun in 24:40 and ADA JANUSIENE her 20th in 30:28. 

LINDSAY PATEMAN was a first timer with 44:20.

Altogether 50 Spartans ran parkruns those elsewhere included SALLY PICKLES whop ran a new park run PB (PPB) of 32:15 at Panshanger.  In addition ADRIAN BUSOLINI ran 17:55 at Endcliffe, Sheffield and SUSAN McANENY ran the Harleston Magpies, Diss event in 25:44.SUZY HAWKINS was in Bude for the Tamar Lakes parkrun which she ran in 23:39.

Categories
News Race Results

PATRICK AND ROSE WIN HANDICAP 5K

A very warm evening made for a difficult run in Thursday’s Handicap 5K but that didn’t stop new member Patrick Anyadi storming round in 27:35, 2:40 better than handicap, to win the event, closely followed by Rose Sutton in a year best time of 29:56, Elizabeth Crowley was second woman in 30:01 and Jane Wadey third woman with 39:06.  Karl Shreeve was second man in 28:42 and Matt Tutton third man with 25:13.

Jay Papa was fastest runner on the night in 19:36, with Paul Mould second quickest in 20:46 and Charles Arnold third fastest in 23:07.  Marie Colucci was fastest lady with a year’s best (YB) 23:15, with Annabelle White 2nd quickest (24:35) and Megan Sutton 3rd fastest in 25:23.

There were also personal bests (PBs) for Alex Scofield (23:43) and Joseph Wasnock (24:05).

In handicap races the slower runners start first and chased by the others starting at intervals based on recent races.

Thank you to Mike Crowley, Mark Freeman, Keith Fenwick, Brian White and Hannah Sypula for their help and support.

The July handicap will be on Thursday evening 24th July.

PosFIRST NAMELAST NAMETimeH’cap
1PATRICKANYADI27:352:40
2ROSESUTTON29:562:34
3ELIZABETHCROWLEY30:012:14
4KARLSHREEVE28:421:48
5JANEWADEY39:061:24
6SHARONCROWLEY39:061:24
7MATTTUTTON25:131:17
8SAMANTHASUTTON32:501:10
9JAYPAPA19:361:09
10MEGANSUTTON25:231:07
11YUKOGORDON27:070:53
12ALEXSCOFIELD23:430:47
13LEEPICKERSGILL24:030:42
14JOSEPHWASNOCK24:050:40
15RICHARDMOORE24:230:22
16TONYVICKERS26:440:16
17MARIECOLUCCI23:150:15
18PAULMOULD20:460:14
19JUDYKING30:350:10
20PETECOOK26:230:07
21JONSYPULA29:18(0:03)
22ANNABELLEWHITE24:35(0:05)
23PAULMAGUIRE25:58(0:13)
24CHARLESARNOLD23:07(0:37)
25TIMROBINSON29:41(0:56)
26JAYNERIDDELL27:35(1:20)
27CRAIGBACON24:20(1:35)

Bedfordshire 10K

The Bedfordshire 10K was held in the evening of the longest day.  Largely on cycleways and substantially flat.  Four Spartans ran and three got under 39 minutes.

CHARLIE WHITE came in with 36:28.

MIKE JEFFS said it was a hot, sweaty, tough 10K.  He didn’t think he’d ever been more exhausted after an event before like he was for this.  However he ran a new four second personal best (PB) of 36 minutes 44 seconds (36:44). 

ROSS GALLACHER got under 39 for the first time with 38:58, a ten second personal best and third in his age category and GRANT RAMSAY finished in 42:07. 

And….  Mike Jeffs won the Shephalbury Park dads race on sports day

Beat the Sunset – Summer Solstice 10K

Two Spartans ran to “Beat the Sunset” in the Summer Solstice 10K on Friday evening.  PAUL SHELLEY was twelfth out of the 262 finishers and first man 50 plus with 38:17 while ALISON SHELLEY was 230th and fourth woman 55 plus with 55:17.

Serpentine Sizzled

Only 27 degrees in Hyde Park on Friday lunch-time.  After a cautious first two kilometres in the heat JIM BROWN sped up a bit and was happy to complete the hot and humind Serpentine 5K in 27 minutes 31 seconds.

Longbridge 100 Backyard Ultra. Victory with 23 laps. 

Spartan ADRIAN BUSOLINI says Longbridge is a wonderful backyard race with a community ethos and a focus on sustainability.  The game is to run a 6.7km course with a lap every hour, every hour, with the victor being the last person standing.  For those who have not taken part in a backyard ultra before it is a last-man/woman-standing event where you must begin a new lap on the hour, every hour.  The race will only end when there is just one more runner remaining to start a lap.

It was the hottest day of the year, which caused many runners considerable difficulty when the sun rose on the second day.  Being quite comfortable in hot conditions, Adrian was able to capitalise on this, knocking out a series of faster laps to stamp his authority on the race. Victory came sooner than he (or perhaps anyone) anticipated, at just 23 laps, in a race that usually runs to about 30 laps. Such was the effect of the afternoon temperatures.  23 laps worked out at 95.84 miles.

It was a great day out with the legendary Jan Voorspoels in support, and such a friendly group of runners, marshals and of course Darren, the race director, and family, in the beautiful setting of the South Downs. If you fancy giving a backyard race a go, I can’t think of a better recommendation than Longbridge.

Welwyn 10K

Sunday morning saw MATT TUTTON run the Welwyn 10K at Panshanger Park in 57:11.  He was happy enough as he says he wilts at the first sign of warm weather.  Not surprisingly it was hot and very dusty with the wind creating a dust bowl.  Very different course conditions to the cold and frosty Panshanger Parkrun he ran in January!

Bass Belle Trail

The Bass Belle 10K is a trail event from Bassingbourn.  Five or six degrees cooler than Saturday but still pretty warm.

MONICA SMITHSON’s time was 1 hour 13 minutes for the approximately 10K race.

Herts Hobble

Recently four Spartans enjoyed the Herts Hobble.  This is a long distance cross country event from Baldock.  KAREN LIDDELL and TRISHA HOPPER finished the 26.8 miles in 7 hours 39 minutes and SHARON and MIKE CROWLEY in 8 hours 27 minutes.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 21st June.

At 9a.m. Saturday morning it was 22 degrees, not the really high temperatures later in the day, as 440 runners lined up for the 406th Stevenage parkrun.  Thirty were from Fairlands Valley Spartans.  Indeed three of the first five finishers were FVS.  They were KIRK NDUGU second in 17:44; SIMON JACKSON third in 17:55 and PERRI GENTRY fifth in 19:019.

This week GAIL MACKIE was the fastest female from Fairlands with her 27:02.

A total of 48 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday.  Those elsewhere included NICK KLEANTHOUS on the Isle of Wight with 35:02; PETER SACH at Jubilee, Bedford in 28:58 and three at Henlow Bridge Lakes – PAUL MOULD in 21:59; CHARLES ARNOLD in 24:01 and MATT GIFFORD in 25:56.

PositionGender PositionFVS parkrunnerTime
22Kirk NDUGU17:44
33Simon JACKSON17:55
55Perri GENTRY19:19
6866Charlie WHITE23:59
7270Matthew COOKE24:06
8783Pete COOK25:05
10195Daniel VILJOEN25:41
109102Darren EMMERSON25:59
126116Matt TUTTON26:39
141130Toby ECCLESHALL27:02
1429Gail MACKIE27:02
153136Ryan DUNNING27:25
16018Lorraine HILL27:46
17120Linda GEORGE28:05
190159Mark BEASLEY28:56
194162Matt CLARKE29:01
200165Jim BROWN29:08
20231Claire EMMERSON29:13
22040Penny SCHENKEL29:48
24752Fiona CLARKE30:46
266201Maurice BALLARD31:36
30879Pamela VILJOEN33:18
31182Debbie BLANTERN33:25
320226Paul JENNINGS33:49
352103Hilary DAVIES36:40
372112Jane WADEY38:25
390255Lloyd DIAS40:24
428271Roger BIGGS53:29
435149Callie CHAPMAN58:01
436150Chloe CHAPMAN1:02:57
Categories
News Race Results

SPARTANS AT 400M RELAYS AND 5K HANDICAP

Fairlands Valley Spartans were busy on Wednesday.

Shorter, much shorter for some Spartans, at the 4 x 400 metre relay event in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday evening.  Two FVS teams came out winners and 28 club members in seven teams were running.

MIKE JEFFS, MICHAEL FISHER, JAY PAPA and NICK GILL won senior male and overall with 4 minutes 6 seconds.  Michael Fisher was third of the 104 runners with 58 seconds; Mike Jeffs and Nick Gill were fourth and fifth with 1 minute exactly.

Spartan women WON the veteran race with 6:11.  Their team consisted of LIZ CROWLEY 1:24; SAM SUTTON 1:57; SHARON CROWLEY 1:36 and JO COOKSLEY 1:23.

It was second place in the senior race for TRACY JACKSON 1:35; GEORGIE HOOPER 1:17; MARIE COLUCCI 1:23 and GABRIELLE O’BRIEN 1:18.  Georgie was tenth and Gabrielle eleventh out of all the women running.

RankBibNameCatTeamM/FTime
3.5/BMichael FISHERMSMagic Mike and FriendsM00:58
4.5/AMike JEFFSMV40Magic Mike and FriendsM01:00
5.5/DNick GILLMSMagic Mike and FriendsM01:00
15.7/BKeith HOOKERMV40Sonic Boom BoysM01:05
22.5/CJay PAPAMSMagic Mike and FriendsM01:07
30.10/ADave STEPHENSONMV60Mixed Relay TeamM01:09
48.10/DChris WAITLINGMSMixed Relay TeamM01:15
49.9/BGeorgie HOOPERFV35Spartans Ladies Team 3F01:17
51.9/DGabrielle O’BRIENFSSpartans Ladies Team 3F01:18
53.4/ASusan MCANANYFV45Female Relay Team 2F01:19
57.7/CCharlie ARNOLDMV60Sonic Boom BoysM01:21
58.4/DAnnabelle WHITEFSFemale Relay Team 2F01:21
62.3/DJo COOKSLEYFV35Spartan Ladies 1F01:23
64.10/CMegan SUTTONFSMixed Relay TeamF01:23
66.9/CMarie COLUCCIFV45Spartans Ladies Team 3F01:23
68.3/ALiz CROWLEYFV35Spartan Ladies 1F01:24
69.7/DBrian WHITEMV70Sonic Boom BoysM01:25
76.4/BVicky ARCHERFV35Female Relay Team 2F01:29
82.7/APete COOKMV50Sonic Boom BoysM01:32
83.4/CHazel SMITHFV45Female Relay Team 2F01:35
86.9/ATracy JACKSONFV45Spartans Ladies Team 3F01:35
88.3/CSharon CROWLEYFV65Spartan Ladies 1F01:36
90.11/DJudy KINGFV55360 + 1F01:37
91.10/BTessa STEPHENSONFV55Mixed Relay TeamF01:40
96.11/CSally PICKLESFV55360 + 1F01:51
99.11/ALiz CARVELFV65360 + 1F01:55
100.3/BSam SUTTONFV45Spartan Ladies 1F01:57
101.11/BRebecca RAYNERFV35360 + 1F02:00

Amanda Wins Handicap

AMANDA VICKERS won the Spartans handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening.

She smashed her PB (personal best) by 1:26 to finish in 32:46, with Alice Welch second woman (3rd overall) in a debut 5k time of 34:51 and Sam Gentry third woman (9th overall) in a new PB of 29:03.

The first man was new member Nic Cashman in 23:53, with Karl Shreeve second man with 29:05 and Kartik Sharma the third man in a SB (season’s best) time of 28:04.

Nathan Kirley was fastest man on the night, 26 seconds quicker than his previous best time in 18:56, with Kris Westcott 2nd quickest with 20:18 and Perri Gentry 3rd fastest in 20:28.

Oli Lacigova was quickest lady in 22:57, with Sally Reeve second fastest in 25:04 and Jackie Perry third in 25:43.

Time difference between 1st and last position was just 3:42.

In handicap races the slowest runners, on recent form start first, and the others follow at intervals appropriate to the performances.  In theory if no-one improves or slows down everyone will finish together.

Very well done the 19 Spartans who took part in this month’s Handicap 5k and a big thank you to Mark Freeman for his much appreciated assistance.

The next handicap 5K will be on Thursday 19th June.

POSNAMESURNAMETIMEH’cap
1AMANDAVICKERS32:463:29
2NICCASHMAN23:533:07
3ALICEWELCH34:512:54
4KARLSHREEVE29:052:40
5KARTIKSHARMA28:042:11
6NICKKLEANTHOUS29:502:10
7NATHANKIRLEY18:562:04
8PERRIGENTRY20:282:02
9SAMGENTRY29:031:42
10OLILACIGOVA22:571:48
11JOCOOK36:201:25
12JACKIEPERRY25:431:17
13KRISWESTCOTT20:181:12
14TIMROBINSON27:230:52
15MIKEREYNOLDS28:150:30
16MARTINDUDLEY25:46(0:01)
17SALLYREEVE25:04(0:19)
18CRAIGBACON22:49(0:04)
19SAMANTHATOPHILL26:43(0:13)

Stort Five

CHARLIE ARNOLD ran the Stort 5 mile race at Cammas Farm, Hatfield Broad Oak

He was eighth in 37:25.

Colchester Zoo Duo

Jess Clarke and Jay Papa ran the Colchester Zoo Stampede 10K together.

They both finished in 55 minutes 24 seconds.  There were 1,857 finishers. 

Hackney Half

PETER SACH completed the Hackney Half marathon in 2:27:35 (2 hours 27 minutes 35 seconds).  He said the atmosphere as always was brilliant with people lining the streets in support, and thankfully the weather this year was much milder than last year.  There were 20,901 finishers!

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 17th May

High numbers again at Stevenage parkrun with 572 finishers.

KIRK NDUGU was second in 17 minutes 15 seconds (17:15) and SIMON JACKSON fifth in 19:43.  SHARON CROWLEY enjoyed herself continuing her recent improvement at 228th with 28:35.  JIM BROWN and PENNY SCHENKEL enjoyed the last time they could wear their Mayor and Mayoress T shirts with 29 minutes 11 seconds.  Jim broke the unofficial world mayor chain record the previous week.

ANNABELLE WHITE was the fastest female from Fairlands with 27:57.

55 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday.  Spartans elsewhere included JOHN HARRIS at the Rothay Park parkrun, Ambleside.  He finished 13th in 21:18.

Stevenage parkrun will celebrate its ninth birthday on Saturday 24th May.  There’s a celebration and a Where’s Wally? theme.

PositionGender PositionFVS parkrunnerTime
22Kirk NDUGU17:15
55Simon JACKSON19:43
2321Tony RANDFIELD21:33
7063Lee PICKERSGILL23:33
9685Martin DUDLEY24:15
10089Daniel VILJOEN24:41
153130Ryan DUNNING26:43
20437Annabelle WHITE27:57
22849Sharon CROWLEY28:35
238178Matt CLARKE28:51
252186Jim BROWN29:11
25160Penny SCHENKEL29:11
26864Fiona Clarke29:31
295212Steve PLATT30:15
32692Debbie BLANTERN31:04
32893Ada JANUSIENE31:05
33396Monica SMITHSON31:13
398133Caroline CROFT33:56
433154Hilary DAVIES35:09
447268Nick KLEANTHOUS35:58
453170Hannah MANTON36:08
470276Lloyd DIAS37:37
475184Tracy HAYGARTH38:01
483189Jane WADEY38:35
523217Nichola DURENT45:06
530285Roger BIGGS46:16
533224Emma CHAPMAN47:22
553238Nikki Katherine NATION53:02
Categories
News Race Results Races

ONE HOUR TRIAL

Fairlands Valley Spartans tried something new on Saturday.  A one hour time trial at Ridlins Track.  How far can you run in 60 minutes?  Well for KRISTIAN ATANASOV it was 15.68 kilometres!

Ten kilometres was a neat target for many people but even that represented 25 laps of the track.

There was another stand out performance by YUKO GORDON.  Her 12.21 kilometres represented an age grade performance of 104.65%.  If it had been an official session that would have been a new British record.

The whole event was organised by BRIAN WHITE who was second overall with 12.58 kilometres (85.65%).  The others in the top ten were MATT CLARKE 11.05 kms (65.62%); JIM BROWN 10.82 kms (75.44%); JOHN NELMS 10.63kms (65.62%); MARK FREEMAN 10.55 kms (75.19%); FIONA CLARKE 10.27kms (70.73%); ANDY JAY 10.27kms (67.93%) and JUDY KING 10.01 kms (83.03%).  There were 17 runners for this first running of the event.

PositionNameTotal Distance (K)% Age Grading
1KRISTIAN ATANASOV15.68
2BRIAN WHITE12.5885.65%
3YUKO GORDON12.21104.65%!
4MATT CLARKE11.0565.62%
5JIM BROWN10.8275.44%
6JOHN NELMS10.6365.62%
7MARK FREEMAN10.5575.19%
8FIONA CLARKE10.2770.73%
9ANDY JAY10.1167.93%
10JUDY KING10.0183.03%
11LIZ CROWLEY9.3657.2%
12CALLIE CHAPMAN8.6755.25%
13SALLY PHILLIPS8.671.3%
14PAUL HOLGATE8.4461.73%
15SAM SUTTON7.7254.75%
16SHARON CROWLEY7.5769.5%

Vitality London 10K

Spartan CHARLES ARNOLD ran the Vitality London 10K in 46 minutes 51 seconds and BECKY RAYNER finished in 1:23:21.

Charles said, “I took my stripes to the Vitality London 10000 today.  Travelling down I encountered torrential rain which had me wondering what to expect on the all road course.  Fortunately when I emerged at Green Park the rain had stopped, and, although damp, there were no issues with standing water.  We were ushered in our waves onto the Mall and had to wait as the elites and faster waves ahead took off.  My target was sub 48 minutes and to achieve a negative split, which was helped as we set off and approached the first pinch point under Admiralty Arch.  The course is fairly flat with a small climb up to Holborn Viaduct and from a personal point of view is my PB course from many moons ago.  I was running for 48 but saw myself on target for sub 47 so kept pushing to hold that during the final km from Parliament Square up Birdcage Walk to the finish in front of Buckingham Palace, finishing in 46:51, a season’s best.

It is a good event and a good course, well organised (as you would expect from a London Marathon event) and well attended, if a tad expensive (the cost of closed roads in the centre of London!)”

Handicap 5K

Very well done all 22 runners in this month’s Handicap 5k.  Paul Holgate organised and thank you to Sharon Crowley, Keith Fenwick and Samantha Sutton for their assistance, support and photography.

Winners were Sally Pickles, 1:16 quicker than last months 5k in 35:49, and David Ackery, 1:31 faster than his previous handicap 5k in 24:56, closely followed by pacing assistants Annabelle White and Amanda & Tony Vickers.  Steve Tinsley finished second man, 8 seconds quicker than August in 28:13 and Tim Robinson third man in 27:43 despite starting 1:30 later than handicap! Marleen Van Zwieten was second lady in 40:25 – almost identical to her previous time and Liz Carvell 3rd lady in 31:46, just behind another pacer on the night (Nikki Nation).

The fastest runner on the night was Charles Arnold in 22:59, with Yuko Gordon (23:17) second quickest (fastest lady). Marie Colucci (24:07) was third quickest (2nd fastest lady) and Chris Watling 2nd fastest man in 24:17. David Ackery was third fastest man and Jo Cooksley (25:16) third fastest woman.

Three Peaks Challenge

Barry and Trudie King, Karen Liddle and Tricia Hopper took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on Sat 21 September 2024.  The challenge is to complete the three very different, but all tough peaks in a time of 12 hours.  Trudie King came in at 9 hours 42 minutes, Barry King in 9 hrs 47 mins, with Karen Liddle and Tricia Hopper in 9 hrs 53 mins.  All were very pleased to complete in under 10 hours and enjoyed a well earned pint at the end.

Categories
5K Series News Race Results Races

VICKY AND MEGAN PB AT HATFIELD

Twenty two Spartans raced in the County 5K open road championships at Hatfield on Wednesday evening.  Eight were rewarded with new personal bests (PBs) so well worth the trip.  ASHLEY JOHNSON was eighth woman in the county and first in her category in the open race with a new PB of 19 minutes 10 seconds (19:10).  ALISON WOOD was also a Spartan category winner with 21:10 and YUKO GORDON was second in hers with 22:39.

VICKY ARCHER took a huge chunk, three minutes, off her 5K personal best when she finished in 23:38.  Meanwhile MEGAN SUTTON wanted to get under 28 minutes and did it with something to spare with her new 27:10 PB, an improvement by 1:19.

The fastest Spartan was MIKE JEFFS 57th out of the 258 finishers in 18:29 with ROSS GALLAGHER close behind in 18:31, a PB by three seconds, and PAUL SHELLEY chasing in with 18:42, a new PB by 21 seconds.

TERRY SAWYER improved by 2:20 to 19:44; ANDY PRIOR by five seconds to 22:42; and MATT TUTTON by 19 to 23:40.

The next Hatfield 5K race is this Wednesday evening 4th September.

Pos.GenCat PosNameCategoryTimeGradeComments
575214Mike JEFFSMV4018:2972.9 % 
595416Ross GALLAGHERMV4018:3173.3 %PB 0:03
66609Paul SHELLEYMV5018:4281.0 %PB 0:21
7991Ashley JOHNSONFV3519:1080.8 %1st FV35.  PB 0:08
928130Terry SAWYERMV4019:4469.3 %PB 2:20
1028732Mark COLLINSMV4019:5370.6 % 
120211Alison WOODFV5521:1084.8 %1st FV55
150332Yuko GORDONFV6522:3996.3 %2nd FV65
15812225Andy PRIORMV5022:4266.7 %PB 0:05
15912311Brian WHITEMV6022:5474.6 % 
1734511Vicky ARCHERFV3523:3864.9 %PB 2:58
17412947Matt TUTTONMV4023:4056.4 %PB 0:19
1915412Kerstin PRIORFV4525:1967.2 %SB 1:07
2096315Andrea WESTCOTTFV4527:0362.2 %SB ?
2126521Megan SUTTONFS27:1053.5 %PB 1:19
2136616Hazel SMITHFV4527:1059.9 %YB 10:45
2321526Jim BROWNMV7028:5561.1 % 
242879Sharon CROWLEYFV6530:2964.6 % 
24816023Paul HOLGATEMV6033:4949.5 % 
2498918Samantha SUTTONFV4534:3246.6 %SB 0:19
2549226Jane WADEYFV5536:3348.8 % 
2569427Jane WHITROWFV5537:3547.5 %SB 2:05

FVS Handicap 5K 29th August

The next evening, Thursday, the club held a 5K handicap race and 17 Spartans took part.

The winners were new members Sam & Perry Gentry, six and a half minutes ahead of handicap in 38:28 followed by Marleen Van Zwieten, beating her handicap by 4:36 in 40:24.  Steve Tinsley finished second man in a year best time of 28:21 with Rose Sutton third lady in a new personal best time of 29:53 and Peter Sach third man in 29:54.

The fastest runner on the night was Nathan Kirley in a new personal best of 19:22, 1:53 quicker than his previous handicap 5k, with new member Michael Fisher second quickest in 21:03 and Craig Bacon third fastest in 22:41.  Judy King was quickest woman in 29:27, 42 seconds faster than her previous handicap 5k, with Rose Sutton second quickest and Liz Carvell third fastest in a year best time of 31:23.

Handicap races are won by the best improvers.  The slower runners, based on previous recent performances, start first and others at intervals based on their results try to catch them before the finish.

Next month’s final evening Handicap 5k of the year will be on Thursday 19th September.

PosFirst NAMELast NAMETimeRFPBImprH’CAPAdjTimeH’Cap
1SAMGENTRY38:2815New0:0038:286:32
2PERRYGENTRY38:29167New0:0038:296:31
3MARLEENVAN ZWIETEN40:241780:00(0:01)40:234:36
4STEVETINSLEY28:217YB1:4412:450:0341:093:54
5ROSESUTTON29:5392PB1:0912:150:0942:172:52
6JUDYKING29:27810:4213:000:0142:282:33
7PETERSACH29:54100:5312:45(0:02)42:372:21
8SALLYPHILLIPS37:57146YB4:4542:422:18
9LIZCARVELL31:23113YB0:0611:30(0:02)42:512:07
10NATHANKIRLEY19:221PB0:1523:45(0:05)43:021:53
11MICHAELFISHER21:032New22:000:0543:081:57
12CHARLESARNOLD22:55420:1543:101:50
13SALLYPICKLES37:051246:4543:501:10
14PETECOOK26:5460:0817:000:0143:551:06
15CRAIGBACON22:41321:150:0143:571:04
16JANEWADEY37:241357:45(0:01)45:08(0:09)
17DANNYSCANLON22:59522:150:0145:15(0:14)

Fairlands Five at Big Half

The heat in London made the race that bit harder but a famous five from Fairlands made a really good job of Sunday’s “Big Half.”  STUART MEAD was 958th out of nearly 17,000 runners in 1:30:09; TERRY SAWYER 1,650th in 1:36:26, ROBERT WRIGHT 8,453rd in 2:07:53 and running her first half marathon race MEGAN SUTTON was 10,537th in 2:17:53.  SAMANTHA SUTTON came in with 3:03:41.

Serpentine 30th August

It was warm, sunny with a light breeze and excellent visibility in Hyde Park on Friday.  That enabled JIM BROWN to run his fastest road 5K this year.  27 minutes 23 seconds (27:23) in the Last Friday of the Month event.

Dorney for Alison and Paul

On a warm day ALISON and PAUL SHELLEY ran Sunday’s Dorney Lake Half Marathon and both won their age groups.  Paul in 1:30:46 and Alison in 2 hours 5 minutes 52 seconds.

Speeding Up

MIKE JEFFS is getting his speed back.  He finished the hot sweaty and gruelling Cambridge Biomedical Centre 10K in 39:28.

Parkrun Highlights 31st August Hawaii Five – O

In case of adversity go with the flow, or maybe the wave.  Stevenage parkrun had a hacking attack and found themselves temporarily named Hawaii 5 – O.  They decided to own it and had a theme of Hawaiian wear.  Lots of Spartans joined in with that fun and dug out those shirts, shorts and Hawaiian leis.

24 Spartans ran and three of the top five females were from FVS.  ASHLEY KING first in 20:52; SUZY HAWKINS third in 21:28 and GAIL MACKIE fifth in 22:26.

GRANT RAMSAY maintains his record as a top ten finisher.  This time he was fifth in 18:49.  There were 439 finishers at Stevenage including 174 women.  Local event #362.  Up considerably on the previous week.

Parkrun started at Bushy Park in 2004.  That event ran for the 1,000th time on Saturday and there were thousands of runners.   The 20th anniversary of parkruns will be in October.

Spartans elsewhere included YUKO GORDON with a season’s best 22:18 – that’s 105.01% – at Storeys Field; JOHN HARRIS 23:15; RYAN RIDELL 29:34; GEORGIE HOOPER 30:19 and NICK GILL 30:29 at Letchworth; MATTHEW NEWTON 26:18 at Pymmes; PETE SMITH 26:37 at North Yorkshire Water; DANIEL SUTTON 27:22 at Rutland Water; ANDY JAY 27:42 at Hunstanton Promenade; ANNABELLE WHITE 35:11 and CHLOE CHAPMAN 35:12 at Aldenham; NICOLA PATTMAN 33:25 at Gorleston Cliffs; JONATHAN JONES 37:24 and DZENANA TOPIC 37:25 at Wimpole Estate; and DARRYL STEVENS 44:44 at Banstead Woods.

PositionGender PositionparkrunnerTimeComments
55Grant RAMSAY18:49Top Ten
171Ashley SCHOENWETTER20:52First woman.  40th Parkr.
263Suzy HAWKINS21:28Third woman
415Gail MACKIE22:26Fifth woman
5849Daniel VILJOEN23:45 
8571Lee PICKERSGILL24:52 
8773Toby ECCLESHALL24:55 
9780Darren EMMERSON25:32 
15530Hazel SMITH27:58 
170127Jay PAPA28:14 
198148Tony RANDFIELD29:02 
226160Nick KLEANTHOUS30:07 
23060Claire EMMERSON30:17 
235164Maurice BALLARD30:28 
28485Monica SMITHSON32:48 
288189Paul JENNINGS33:02 
30897Jenny GARRETT33:54 
31099Penny SCHENKEL33:57 
311198Jim BROWN33:57 
318199Paul HOLGATE34:51 
339119Pamela VILJOEN36:07 
348209James SOUTH36:28 
350210Stephen SMITHSON36:41 
437174Sharon CROWLEY01:02:37Volunteer.  70th Parkrun.
Categories
5k FVS Handicap Club Fairlands Valley Challenge News Race Results Races

SPARTANS HANDICAP 5K

26 Spartans ran this month’s Handicap 5K.  Paul Holgate, Mike & Sharon Crowley and Mark Freeman made it possible.

Winner was Steve Platt in 27:55, 2 minutes 35 seconds (2:35) better than handicap, with Adrian Busolini second, 2:22 ahead of handicap in 17:38 and Simon Jackson third, 2:09 better than handicap in 17:36.

Rose Sutton was first lady, first woman across the line and 1:46 better than handicap in 31:14, with Samantha Sutton second, 1:15 ahead of handicap in 36:09 and new member Megan Coates third, 1:23 better than handicap in 36:22.

Simon Jackson was the fastest runner on the night with his 17:36, with Adrian Busolini second quickest (17:38) and Nathan Kirley 3rd fastest with 19:39.

Samantha Tophill was quickest woman, 25:45, with Megan Sutton second quickest, 28:46 and Rose Sutton (31:14) 3rd fastest.

19 of the finishers were within two minutes of their calculated handicap and the time difference between 1st and 21st position was just 2:26.

In handicap races the slower runners start first at intervals determined by recent performances.  If everyone runs to form they will all finish together so the winners are the best improvers.

The last handicap 5k of the year will be on Thursday 19th September.

PosFFIRST NAMESURNAMETIMERFH’CAPADJFINISH TIMEIMPRCOMP. H’CAP
1STEVEPLATT27:551614:3042:250:032:35
2ADRIANBUSOLINI17:38225:00(0:01)42:372:22
3SIMONJACKSON17:36125:1542:512:09
4CHRISWATLING23:19619:300:2143:100:462:11
51ROSESUTTON31:1420312:0043:14New1:46
6PETECOOK26:471516:30(0:01)43:160:151:43
72SAMANTHASUTTON36:092367:15(0:02)43:221:36
8NATHANKIRLEY19:39323:4543:241:36
93MEGANCOATES36:222477:1543:37New1:23
10MELVINAUBURN24:01819:45(0:03)43:431:14
114SAMANTHATOPHILL25:4512118:00(0:01)43:441:15
125MEGANSUTTON28:4617215:000:0143:471:14
13CRAIGBACON22:35521:15(0:02)43:481:10
14MATTTUTTON25:111118:4543:561:04
15CHARLESARNOLD23:43720:150:0143:591:02
166GILLIANKNOWLES32:1122512:000:0144:120:49
177LIZCARVELL32:0121412:15(0:03)44:130:020:44
18PETERSACH30:471913:30(0:03)44:140:43
19ROBERTWRIGHT22:15422:30(0:01)44:441:400:15
20LLOYDDIAS26:201318:150:1144:460:25
21TIMROBINSON29:061815:4544:510:09
22DAVIDACKERY26:271419:00(0:03)45:24(0:27)
23BRIANWHITE24:321022:00(0:02)46:30(1:32)
248SHERYLHOTT47:532580:3048:23New(3:23)
259ROSEMARYONABAWORIN47:572690:3048:27(3:27)
26KRISTIANATANSOV24:11924:3048:41New(3:41)
Spartans Handicap 5k Results

Serpentine

JIM BROWN enjoyed the sunshine in Hyde Park running 28:36 in the Last Friday of the Month 5K.  He reports pleasant and sunny conditions and that he’s completed a series of six with an average of 64.0%.  The next race will be at lunch-time on Friday 30th August.

Fairlands Valley Challenge

Results from the Fairlands Valley Challenge the previous weekend show that 118 people finished the off road event. 

16 completed the 10 kilometres with Spartan MIKE JEFFS first in with 1 hour 7 minutes 18 seconds (1:07:18); 21 finished the 13 miles with Will Mitchell, Gemma Smith, Phil Gover, Jess Clark and Caitlin Evans coming in together with 2:50:46; Alex Statham led in the 25 people in the 18 miles option with 2:45:04; 41 went round 26 miles with Alistair Flowers first with 3:55:43. 

15 finished the 50 kilometres with Mark O’Dell first back in 4:53:18.  Spartan JAY PAPA completed his first ever ultra in 6:00:17.

Categories
Club News Race Results

KARL AND JANE WIN THE HANDICAP 5K!

KARL SHREEVE and JANE WADEY won Thursday evening’s Fairlands Valley Spartans club handicap 5K race in Stevenage.  28 Spartans took part. 

The winner was Karl Shreeve showing a much improved return to form in 29 minutes 15 seconds (29:15), six minutes ahead of handicap with Jane Wadey second (1st female) in 34:06, four seconds ahead of Sally Pickles with a 2:22 Season Best (SB) time of 34:10.  New member Lee Burton was second man in 28:48 and Steve Platt third in a Year Best time of 26:17. 

Photo Credit Tony Randfield (Sharon Crowley for the headline photo)

The fastest runner on the night was Adrian Busolini with a SB 17:41 with Nick Gill second quickest in 20:01 and Matt Gifford third fastest in a new Personal Best (PB) time of 20:41.  

Ashley Johnson was quickest female in 20:45 with Jackie Perry second quickest in 26:10 and Nicola Andersson third fastest in 28:56.  19 of the 28 finishers finished within two minutes of their handicap time. 

Photo credit Tony Randfield

St Albans Summer 10k 

Spartan JIM BROWN ran the St Albans Summer 10K on Sunday in 54 minutes 49 seconds.  He was the first finisher over 70 years of age by more than ten minutes and won GOLD in the Hertfordshire 10K Championship for veteran runners.  The county championships were incorporated in the open race in which there were 294 finishers. 

Jim says he went through 5K seven seconds late and had doubts whether he could do it but a substantial negative split in the second half of the race meant he beat his target by a few seconds. 

ROBERT WRIGHT completed his 10K in 42 minutes 55 seconds and was well placed in the 40 plus category. 

Parkrun Saturday 5th August 2023 

For the Consolidated Results please click the link. 

Categories
Club News Race Results

SPARTAN IMPROVERS

Team Medals * Handicap 5K

28 Spartans took part in Thursday evening’s Handicap 5K around Stevenage.

Winner on the night was DAVID PRICE in a time of 24 minutes 34 seconds 3:26 better than handicap with FIONA CLARKE firstfemale in 26:14, 2:46 better than handicap.  NICOLA HATHERLY was second female in 34:44 and CAROLYN LINSELL third female in 26:24, while CHLOE CHAPMAN was fourth female in 26:58.  MATT CLARKE was 2nd male in 23:02 with DANNY HUKIN 3rd male in 18:34 and STUART ARCHER 4th male in 19:27.

The winners are, in effect, the best improvers.  In a handicap event the slowest go off first with the faster ones following according to recent performances.  In theory if everyone runs to form they will all finish together.  In practice the first ones over the finish line will be those that have improved the most, or those that have slowed down the least.

DANNY HUKIN was fastest on the night with his 18:34 and STUART ARCHER second quickest with his 19:27, while BRIAN WHITE was third quickest in 21:15 and PETE SMITH fourth fastest in 21:40.  MARIE COLUCCI was quickest female in 22:56, with TRACEY JACKSON & TRACY PEZ second and third fastest in 23:32 and FIONA CLARKE fourth quickest with her 26:14.

There were Season Best times for Chloe Chapman, Matt Clarke, Danny Hukin, Andy Jay, Marie Colucci, Jane McFarlane, Tracey Jackson, Tracy Pez, Peter Smith, Nigel Strongitharm and Sharon Crowley, and Year Best times for Fiona Clarke, Nicola Hatherly, Stuart Archer, Dean Carpenter, Mark Beasley, Sally Pickles, Nick Kleanthous, Kelly Evans and Dzenana Topic.

The race was in Stevenage on the Fairlands, Verity, Martins, Grace and back to Fairlands Way course with the start near Webb Rise and the finish under Douglas Drive.

The club thanked Paul Holgate, Cathy Craig, Mark Freeman, Angie Keeling and Adrian Busolini for their much appreciated support, assistance and photos which made the event a success.

Spartans at the Stevenage 10K

After months of cancellations and postponements it was great to enjoy the company of others at a “real” race in Stevenage.  Twenty Spartans ran the Stevenage 10K on Sunday.

The Spartan men’s team of four consisted of BRIAN WHITE in 42 minutes 21 seconds; LUKE GURNEY 50:12; JAMES McSWEENEY 51:19 and, to his surprise, JIM BROWN in 55:21.

Brian was third runner aged 60 plus and 23rd out of the 393 finishers.  Luke said it was hilly but worth it for the cake and was 100th.  James was 118th and Jim 171st.

NICOLA ANDERSSON was the fastest female from Fairlands.  She was 168th in 55 minutes 11 seconds.  CAROLYN LINSELL was second woman aged 65 plus and 177th with her 56 minutes 8 seconds.  SARAH ILLINGWORTH was third Spartan woman and 188th overall with 56:59.  Sarah said “It was certainly not a PB (personal best) but given the lack of races over the last 17 months and sporadic training not too bad.  Great race, well organised, friendly and only five minutes from my front door.  Post race cake is always a bonus!”  PENNY SCHENKEL was fourth female from Spartans in 1:02:15.  Penny, SUE HAMER and ERICA GRAYSON were 262nd, 263rd and 264th.

CHRISTINE ZVEREV recorded a chip time of 1 hour 8 minutes 40 seconds for the Stevenage 10K.  She said, “The course was a bit hilly in places but I still kept the time under 1 hour 10minutes and I did manage a 5K PB of 29 minutes 5 seconds on the way round.  That’s a win in my book.”

The County Championships for veteran runners (those aged 35 and over will be in the Standalone 10K this Sunday.

(All the Spartan results from the Stevenage 10K can be found near the end of this release.

Adrian’s Century Run

ADRIAN BUSOLINI ran the Cotswold Way Century, finishing in 25 hours, in ninth place. The Cotswold Way Century is a 102 miler along the Cotswold Way walking path, which runs north to south through the hills and villages of the Cotswolds, finishing outside the Abbey in Bath.  It’s incessantly hilly, and navigation requires constant vigilance; however, weather conditions were favourable, there was great camaraderie out on the course, and the vegan chili at Painswick aid station was awesome.

Swansea 10K

Spartan ROBERT EVANS had a good run in the Swansea 10K with 52 minutes 54 seconds. 

Parkrun Highlights 18th September 2021

In this week’s roundup of Spartans on the Parkrun circuit, there was a first finisher (event winner) at Exmouth in Devon where Jonathan Parr powered home in a time of 16-46 whilst Steve Wells took on the Great Notley course near Braintree, Essex and tackled the ‘big hill’ twice to finish in third with a time of 20-11 

Stevenage Parkrun Results: SAM SIMMONS 21-50 (31st) – Parkrun PB, EVA RAMSEY 23-02 (49th), PAUL SHELLEY 23-14 (56th), ASHLEY KING 23-16 (57th), CLIVE CANNON 23-40 (65th), DARREN EMMERSON 24-44 (83rd), GAIL MACKIE 25-23 (98th), JULIE SIMMONS 26-10 (117th), DAVID PATTMAN 26-52 (137th), STEVE DOBNER 26-52 (138th), JIM BROWN 27-41 (157th), MATT CLARKE 29-00 (183rd), CHLOE CHAPMAN 29-05 (187th), NICOLA ANDERSSON 29-07 (192nd), DEBBIE BLANTERN 29-31 (202nd), STEPHEN SMITHSON 31-51 (254th), FIONA CLARKE 33-28 (281st) and BETH FOLEY 33-34 (286th).  In its ninth week back Stevenage parkrun was up to 358 runners.

The Spartans on parkrun away days were: 

Brockenhurst (Dorset): DARRYL STEVENS 53-47 (156th out of 156 runners).

Canons Park (North London): TIM SABAN 24-46 (37th out of 192 runners).

Exmouth (Devon): JONATHAN PARR 16-46 (1st out of 313 runners). 

Great Notley (Essex): STEVE WELLS 20-11 (3rd out of 221 runners). 

Lee-on-the Solent (Hampshire): ED HARE 27-39 (175th out of 418 runners). 

Letchworth (Hertfordshire): NICK GILL 21-49 (14th out of 128 runners), GEORGIE HOOPER 25-11 (33rd), CAREN THAIN 38-31 (113th). 

Luton Wardown (Bedfordshire): MICHAEL O’KEEFE 28-18 (94th out of 280 runners). 

Medina (Isle of Wight), NICK KLEANTHOUS 28-29 (83rd out of 199 runners). 

University of Stirling (Stirlingshire, Scotland): STUART STABLES 22-31 (18th out of 131 runners).

The 71st Fly 5K – Saturday 18th September.

Four regular Spartans competed in the 71st run anywhere Fly 5K on Saturday.  JIM BROWN was 70th in 27 minutes 41 seconds; NICK KLEANTHOUS 79th in 28:23; NICOLA ANDERSSON 86th in 29:05 and PAUL HOLGATE 97th in 30:55.

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

Entries Open for the Stevenage Half Marathon

With only two months to go to the Stevenage Half Marathon 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).

Entries for the Stevenage Half Marathon are open and you can enter by clicking this link: Stevenage Half Marathon.  This club and community event has a history going back 37 years and is organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans.  With a break due to Covid 19 in 2020 it’s back for 2021. 

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

Tables

Handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday 16th September

PosFIRST NAMELAST NAMEOWN TIMERFH’CAPTIMECOMP H’CAPPBImpr
1DAVIDPRICE24:3412 17:0041:323:26PB 
2FIONACLARKE26:1415416:0042:172:46YB1:52
3NICOLAHATHERLY34:4426137:3042:202:46YB 
4CAROLYNLINSELL26:2417616:1542:332:21  
5CHLOECHAPMAN26:5819815:4542:432:17SB0:33
6MATTCLARKE23:027 19:4542:452:13SB0:13
7DANNYHUKIN18:341 24:1542:512:11SB 
8STUARTARCHER19:272 23:3042:592:03YB0:22
9ANDYJAY23:4610 19:3043:191:44SB1:40
10DEANCARPENTER21:535 21:3043:231:37YB 
11MARKBEASLEY25:3913 18:0043:411:21YB0:04
12MARIECOLUCCI22:566120:4543:421:19SB 
13SALLYPICKLES36:1227147:3043:431:18YB 
14JANEMcFARLANE27:4221916:0043:451:18SB 
15TRACEYJACKSON23:328220:1543:471:13SB 
16TRACYPEZ23:329320:1543:481:13SB1:09
17PETERSMITH21:404 22:1543:561:05SB0:54
18NICKKLEANTHOUS25:5814 18:0043:581:02YB0:04
19BRIANWHITE21:153 22:4544:001:00  
20VISHALSHAH27:2620 16:3044:191:04  
21NICOLAANDERSSON26:2116518:0044:220:39  
22NIGELSTRONGITHARM24:0711 20:1544:220:38SB0:33
23STEPHANIEBIGGAR36:4528 7:4544:300:30  
24JUDYKING33:29251211:3045:050:01  
25KELLYEVANS26:5418718:3045:24(0:24)YB 
26DZENANATOPIC31:52231014:4546:37(1:37)YB 
27SHARONCROWLEY32:20241114:4546:53(2:05)SB2:21
28TIMROBINSON28:2922 18:4547:13(2:14)  

Stevenage 10K – Sunday 19th September (394 finishers)

PostCatNameCatGun TimeChip TimeAGradeComments
23.3Brian WHITEMV600:42:220:42:2181.9%3MV60  3rd Team
100.29Luke GURNEYMS0:50:450:50:1252.6%3rd Team
109.25Nigel STRONGITHARMMV5051:2050:0362.7% 
118.33James MCSWEENEYMS0:52:000:51:1951.8%3rd Team
168.19Nicola ANDERSSONFV450:55:340:55:1162.4% 
171.11Jim BROWNMV600:55:450:55:2161.6%3rd Team
177.2Carolyn LINSELLFV650:56:310:56:0873.7%2FV65
188.21Sarah ILLINGWORTHFV450:57:120:56:5959.9% 
219.51John HARDINGMS0:59:380:58:2444.8% 
255.19Paul HOLGATEMV601:02:301:01:5654.4% 
262.36Penny SCHENKELFV451:02:591:02:1555.0% 
263.37Sue HAMERFV451:03:011:01:5054.3% 
264.38Erica GRAYSONFV451:03:011:01:4955.7% 
296.19Monica SMITHSONFV551:06:141:05:3055.7% 
313.23Angie KEELINGFV351:07:541:06:4046.2% 
320.26Toni NICHOLSFV351:08:351:07:2045.2% 
326.27Christine ZVEREVFV351:09:121:08:4044.4% 
337.54Tracy HAYGARTHFV451:11:151:10:3149.2% 
342.56Carole SHELDRICKFV451:12:031:10:4945.9% 
344.24Karen PALMERFV551:12:031:10:5050.5%