Tag: Handicap 5k

NATALIE WINS 5K

NATALIE BROWNE won Thursday evening’s Handicap 5K race in Stevenage and she was the fastest female with her new personal best (PB) of 26 minutes 1 second (26:01).

Natalie was 3:29 ahead of handicap, with newcomer Jen Naisbitt second, supported around by Sally Phillips, both finishing in 41:46, 3:14 better than handicap. Marleen Van Zwieten was third lady in 39:21, 2:09 faster than handicap.

Mark Goodwin was second man in a year’s best (YB) 28:31, 2:29 ahead of handicap, with Brian White second man in 25:16, 0:47 faster than his previous Handicap 5k, and Mike Reynolds third man in a season’s best (SB) 27:03.

Adrian Busolini was fastest on the night in 20:33 with newcomer Richard Pratt second fastest in a YB 21:27. Brian White was third quickest. Fastest lady was Natalie Browne with Lucy Paul second quickest in 26:44 and Judy King third fastest in 30:43.

21 finished in this month’s Handicap 5K. Excellently organised by Paul Holgate with thank yous to Sharon Crowley, Mike Crowley and Pete Cook for their assistance with the start and finish, and to supporters on the evening: Martin Jacob and Linda George.

Quicker runners get longer handicaps, they have to wait longer before they start. If the handicap times are accurate and everyone runs to form they will, in theory, all finish together. The winner of the event is the best improver.

The final Handicap 5k of the year is on Thursday evening 24^th September.

P	FIRST NAME	LAST NAME	TIME	ELAPSED TIME	COMP HCAP
1	NATALIE	BROWNE	26:01	41:31	3:29
2=	JEN	NAISBITT	41:46	41:46	3:14
2=	SALLY	PHILLIPS	41:46	41:46	3:14
4	MARK	GOODWIN	28:31	42:31	2:29
5	MARLEEN	VAN ZWIETEN	39:21	42:51	2:09
6	JUDY	KING	30:43	42:58	2:02
7	JANE	WADEY	35:31	43:16	1:44
8	BRIAN	WHITE	25:16	43:16	1:44
9	MIKE	REYNOLDS	27:03	43:18	1:42
10	RICHARD	PRATT	21:27	43:27	1:33
11	SIMON	SYPULA	28:11	43:56	1:04
12	LUCY	PAUL	26:44	43:59	1:01
13	JIM	BROWN	29:40	44:25	0:35
14	MARTIN	DUDLEY	26:12	44:57	0:03
15	JADE	JENKINS	31:47	45:17	(0:17)
16	MICHAEL	O’KEEFE	39:35	45:20	(0:20)
17	ADRIAN	BUSOLINI	20:33	45:33	(0:33)
18	CRAIG	BACON	25:22	46:07	(1:07)
19	HAYLEY	PEACH	35:04	46:34	(1:34)
20	TIM	ROBINSON	33:46	48:31	(3:31)
21	NICK	KLEANTHOUS	38:20	52:50	(7:50)

Norfolk on a Friday

Spartan DAVID BENNETT-HALLIDAY was in Norfolk Friday evening for the North Walsham 5K. He had a good run finishing in 19:08 and was 26^th out of the 481 finishers.

Then the next day, 14 hours later, he ran the North Walsham parkrun in 23:46.

Parkrun Highlights – Tutus on the 22.

Another win and another personal best for SAMUEL PAUL at Stevenage parkrun. 16:26.

KELLY McHALE was the third fastest woman at Stevenage with a new parkrun personal best of 22:25. The second fastest female from Fairlands was ALISON SHELLEY in 27:41 and SALLY PICKLES was third in 28:29. SARAH ILLINGWORTH celebrated her milestone 250^th parkrun with 29:15.

The quickest man 60 plus was RALPH DADSWELL with 20:41 giving him an impressive age related score of 78.89%.

New Spartan SOPHIE KEEBLE finished in 30:07.

JIM BROWN was first man 70 plus by just one second at Stevenage. He was happy to get under 30 minutes for the first time in several weeks with his 29:24 – despite the tutu.

HAYLEY PEACH ran a new parkrun PB of 31:42 while JANE WADEY and TRACEY TOMLIN both completed their 80^th parkruns with 35:47 and 46:21.

The theme for the run was tutus on the 22. 22^nd August. Several Spartans joined in that part of the fun. Total runners increased to 580 more than one hundred more than the previous week (476). There were 39 Spartans.

Meanwhile BRONYA BROWN was in the Scottish Borders. She ran the Wallaceneuk parkrun in 27 minutes 53 seconds. Her first Scottish parkrun. It was on a disused railway near Kelso.

ANDY and KERSTIN PRIOR were not far from Scunthorpe at the Vermuyden Way parkrun. Andy finished in 25:06 and Kerstin second woman with 26:37.

Comfortably under thirty KARL SHREEVE ran the Bracknell parkrun in 29:06.

ADRIAN DONNELLY gets around. Despite the gravel he ran the three lap Fælledparken parkrun in Copenhagen, Denmark in 29 minutes 7 seconds.

And JONATHAN PARR was third in the Minehead parkrun with 17 minutes 59 seconds.

There were nearly a thousand finishers, 979, on Hove Promenade. LEWIS GREEN was there getting round in 21:46. Altogether there were 57 Spartans at parkruns in and outside the UK.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
1	1	Samuel PAUL	16:26
35	34	Ralph DADSWELL	20:41
57	3	Kelly MCHALE	22:25
68	63	Paul SHELLEY	22:53
71	66	Matt WALTON	22:58
116	104	Daniel VILJOEN	24:23
143	127	Lee PICKERSGILL	25:16
207	173	Matt TUTTON	27:04
208	174	Matt CLARKE	27:08
218	182	Nick GILL	27:17
235	40	Alison SHELLEY	27:41
258	47	Sally PICKLES	28:29
296	61	Sarah ILLINGWORTH	29:15
303	230	Jim BROWN	29:24
310	237	Ryan DUNNING	29:36
311	238	Steve PLATT	29:37
329	76	Samantha SUTTON	30:05
330	77	Sophie KEEBLE	30:07
365	92	Alice WELCH	31:15
367	93	Linda GEORGE	31:21
376	96	Hayley PEACH	31:42
382	99	Monica SMITHSON	32:01
419	120	Pamela VILJOEN	33:36
424	124	Penny SCHENKEL	33:48
433	131	Debbie BLANTERN	34:07
451	297	Nick KLEANTHOUS	34:49
453	298	Stephen SMITHSON	34:59
463	146	Angie KEELING	35:40
465	148	Jane WADEY	35:47
466	149	Sharon CROWLEY	35:48
474	156	Liz CARVELL	36:20
477	158	Rebecca RAYNER	36:34
492	170	Zoe NEWELL	37:30
511	184	Jayne DYMOKE	39:31
535	318	James SOUTH	43:05
551	208	Tracey TOMLIN	46:21
552	209	Nichola DURENT	46:36
555	325	Thomas SAUKA	47:43
563	330	Tony RANDFIELD	51:00

Tags Handicap 5k, North Walsham 5k, parkrun

News Race Results

AIMEE AND JACOB WINNERS AT 5K

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date August 2, 2026
No Comments on AIMEE AND JACOB WINNERS AT 5K

5K Improvers – Pete is the Third Man

22 Fairlands Valley Spartans tackled the club’s handicap 5K race on Thursday evening.

The first finisher and winner of the event was newcomer Aimee Barrett smashing her 5K personal best (PB) to 40:29, 4:31 ahead of handicap with Sally Pickles second in 28:55 and Julie Budden third in a new PB of her own with 39:49.

Jacob Nelms was first male in a PB of 24:50 with Kris Westcott second man in 27:33 and Pete Cook third man with 26:47.

Quickest runner on the night was Stuart Archer in 20:33, with Lewis Green second fastest in 22:22 and Stephen Massey third fastest with a PB of 22:48.

Lucy Paul was fastest female in a SB 26:29, with Sally Pickles second quickest in 28:55 and Amanda Vickers third fastest in 34:35.

How does it work? Everyone has an expected time based on recent races. The likely slowest runners start first with others following at intervals based on performance. In theory if the handicapping is accurate and everyone runs to form everyone will finish at exactly the same time. In practice the first over the line is the best improver.

Next month’s Handicap 5k will be on Thursday 20^th August.

POS	FIRST NAME	LAST NAME	TIME	PB	IMPR	R
1	AIMEE	BARRETT	40:29	PB	0:43	18
2	SALLY	PICKLES	28:55		0:41	11
3	JULIE	BUDDEN	39:49	PB	1:10	17
4	JACOB	NELMS	24:50	PB	1:48	5
5	LUCY	PAUL	26:29	SB	0:49	6
6	KRIS	WESTCOTT	27:33			9
7	JANE	WADEY	36:06			14
8	PETE	COOK	26:47			8
9	STEPHEN	MASSEY	22:48	PB	0:32	3
10	STUART	ARCHER	20:33			1
11	SIMON	SYPULA	28:01	26		10
12	AMANDA	VICKERS	34:35			13
13	DEBORAH	AKERS	38:49			16
14	LEWIS	GREEN	22:22		0:08	2
15	LEE	PICKERSGILL	23:33			4
16	ANDREW	FENWICK	32:09		0:26	12
17	NIKI	PLUMB	41:12			19
18	NICOLA	HATHERLY	41:13			20
19	MARTIN	DUDLEY	26:42			7
20	NICHOLA	DURENT	47:34			21
21	HAYLEY	PEACH	47:35			22
22	TIM	ROBINSON	36:08			15

Seven Races In Seven Days – the Guernsey All Terrain Challenge. And A Five!

Recently JUDY KING completed the All Terrain Challenge in Guernsey – seven races in seven days!

The races were:

5k cliff path with 100s of steps
3k hilly road race
3k park race on path and gravel
Track event
8k cliff path and a bit of road and 100s of steps
700m Hill Climb
3k race round Herm Island followed by award ceremony, meal and party which continued on the boat back to Guernsey.

Judy says it’s an awesome event. After the first two races everyone is put into six divisions. There were some amazing runners and such camaraderie. She would thoroughly recommend it.

Her total time was 3:06.38. However the fastest person took 2:24:58

The cliff path races are very rough terrain – narrow paths, loose stones and rocks and at least 350 steep steps down and up.

The track event was The Devil takes the Hindmost elimination race. 350 metres jog 50 metres sprint and the last two are knocked out each lap. Runners are in their divisions so they are racing with similar paced runners.

The 700m Hill Climb was very tough. It’s on a road used for cars / bikes hill climb races because it very steep and twisting up out of St Peter Port. Slower divisions were sent up first. It took Judy 5 minutes 42 seconds. The fastest runner did it in 2:38!

Judy’s favourites were the 5 miles cliff path and the Herm race. Each division had a slightly different race distance up to 5k and ran on sandy path, common and along a steep sandy beach.

Everyone then stayed on Herm and jumped in the sea from the harbour (a small jetty!)

Next year the event will be from 18^th to 24^th July.

This Sunday Judy ran the Guernsey Athletics Summer 5 mile cross country – very hot – sandy, pebbles, common (with many rabbit holes to jump over / run around) undulating course. She finished in 49:38.

EMAC in Milton Keynes

Fairlands Valley Spartans women’s team of CALLIE CHAPMAN, SHARON CROWLEY, REBECCA RAYNER, JOYLYN SAUNDERS-MULLINS and ANDREA WESTCOTT were third in Match 4 of the EMAC West Division League at Milton Keynes on Wednesday. Joylyn won her discus contest by a good margin. After four matches the Spartans were third in the league with 323 points, not far behind second Milton Keynes (350) or the leader Corby/Northampton (361).

Eastern Masters (EMAC) provide competition opportunities for veteran athletes from 35 to 70 and above.

Bedford Autodrome 10K

Four Spartans made a trip to run on a motor racing circuit! They were at the Bedford Autodrome 10K which LIZ CROWLEY finished in 1:01:23. Next came ANDY FENWICK in 1:17:56 and LEE POTTER in 1:18:01. JULIE BUDDEN finished in 1:23:29. There were 313 finishers.

Hyde Park Hussle

The Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5Ks have been running since 1992. For the July event there was another warm sunny day in Hyde Park. The 22 degrees was a bit easier to run in than some recent events.

JIM BROWN was waving the Spartans flag at the lunch-time event and enjoyed a relaxed run finishing in 30:55 and then heading for the café.

Club Championships

Many Spartans have already completely full sets of qualifying races in the short or long or both series of club championship races. Now some will be trying to improve on the distances where they have the lowest percentage so far.

The long series consists of the best three out of 10 miles; half marathon; 20 miles and full marathon. The short series the best three out of 1500 metres; 5 kilometres; five miles and 10 kilometres. All to be done by 31^st December. There will be “absolute” winners and age related winners.

A Thank You For Niki

NIKI PLUMB was Spartan of the Month for July. Nike was chief marshal at the Relays in the Park and assisted with the Fairlands Valley Challenge.

Parkrun Highlights including Century Kris

First Saturday stripes for Spartans and there were a lot of them, and even more were volunteering at Stevenage parkrun in Fairlands Valley Park.

More than 50 Spartans ran in Stevenage.

JODIE WILSON was fastest female from Fairlands and 10^th woman in 25:54, BRONYA BROWN 13^th in 26:48 and SUSAN McANENY 15^th in 26:54. LINDSAY PATEMAN achieved a new parkrun personal best of 28:59 – a string of improvements in the past few months. AIMEE BARRETT finished in a new best of 36:15.

After a serious illness KRIS WESTCOTT wore the celebration parkrun cape to run his 100^th parkrun. And he did it in 26:32. Amazing.

There were 507 finishers including at least 195 women and 42 volunteers including several Spartans at Stevenage.

74 Spartans were running parkruns around the country. Amongst those elsewhere were JONATHAN PARR who was second on Teignmouth Promenade in 18 minutes 5 seconds; MIKE REYNOLDS running Panshanger in 28:50; ADAM HILL Stanborough in 22:44; plus KAREN PALMER 34:09 and CAROLINE CROFT 34:25 at Wimpole Estate.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
2	2	Simon JACKSON	18:07
15	14	Steve WELLS	20:22
21	20	Stuart ARCHER	20:56
27	26	Ralph DADSWELL	21:26
58	56	Lee PICKERSGILL	23:00
62	60	Paul SHELLEY	23:10
66	63	Toby ECCLESHALL	23:17
94	87	Daniel VILJOEN	24:45
99	91	Martin DUDLEY	24:54
115	102	Brian WHITE	25:38
126	10	Jodie WILSON	25:54
140	123	Kris WESTCOTT	26:32
142	125	Paul MAGUIRE	26:35
149	13	Bronya BROWN	26:48
154	15	Susan MCANENY	26:54
184	26	Alison SHELLEY	27:52
198	31	Sharon CROWLEY	28:13
199	32	Suzy HAWKINS	28:13
206	36	Lorraine HILL	28:24
215	171	Ryan DUNNING	28:35
230	41	Lindsay PATEMAN	28:59
238	188	Peter SACH	29:25
240	44	Fiona CLARKE	29:33
269	203	Steve PLATT	30:44
271	60	Monica SMITHSON	30:46
281	62	Julie SHADBOLT	31:13
285	66	Linda GEORGE	31:21
294	217	David ACKERY	31:36
296	219	Simon HAIGH	31:37
303	73	Alice WELCH	31:51
311	79	Debbie BLANTERN	32:18
318	227	Maurice BALLARD	32:33
320	84	Callie FINDLAY	32:38
324	87	Hayley PEACH	32:51
334	93	Pamela VILJOEN	33:10
389	120	Jane WADEY	35:30
391	121	Angie KEELING	35:38
397	124	Aimee BARRETT	36:15
399	125	Zoe NEWELL	36:28
402	126	Sally PICKLES	36:32
405	264	Tim ROBINSON	36:51
411	267	Michael O’KEEFE	37:30
415	134	Samantha SUTTON	37:51
418	137	Jayne DYMOKE	38:20
427	141	Niki PLUMB	39:07
442	278	James SOUTH	40:44
446	154	Gemma BARRETT	41:10
450	155	Nicola HATHERLY	41:47
471	169	Tracy HAYGARTH	45:27
481	176	Emma CHAPMAN	50:16
493	182	Emma WELCH	54:30

Tags Bedford Autodrome, Club Championships, EMAC, Guernsey All Terrain Challenge, Handicap 5k, parkrun, Serpentine, Spartan of the Month

News Race Results

YUKO WINS HANDICAP

Spartans at the Stevenage parkrun tenth birthday celebrations

639 finishers, 54 volunteers, a 35 plus strong choir, a Mayor, an MP and loads of family, friends and other spectators. What a fantastic way to celebrate Stevenage parkrun’s tenth birthday and it was great for Fairlands Valley Spartans to be part of it. Congratulations Stevenage parkrun.

At least 52 Spartans completed the 5K run and the club provided nine volunteers.

There were four Spartans in the top ten. KIRK NDUGU third in 17:17; SIMON JACKSON sixth in 17:56; JAY PAPA seventh in a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 18:09 and DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT in 18:47.

DAVID BENNETT-HALLIDAY was 40^th in a new PPB of 21:53.

TRACY HAYGARTH reached a double century of parkruns with her 43:10. There were mini-milestones from CHARLES ARNOLD 180 finishes and first man 70 plus with 24:41; MARTIN DUDLEY second man 60 plus with 24:43; GRAHAM HOARE 20 finishes with 22:57; SARAH THOMAS tenth parkrun with 28:11; LINDSAY PATEMAN 30^th parkrun with 30:18; DEBBIE BLANTERN 210^th parkrun with 32:54; KAREN PALMER 120^th parkrun with 35:09; and SAMANTHA SUTTON 220^th parkrun and volunteering with 62:26.

Kirk has just one to go to a major milestone. He ran his 99^th.

At least 73 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday.

Some of the Spartans enjoying “away” events were GRANT RAMSAY 20:25 at Milton Country; CRAIG BACON 25:31 at Sherwood Pines; PETER SACH 26:43; SALLY PICKLES 29:20 and CAROLINE AUCKLAND 37:05 all at Castle Park, Bishops Stortford; JOHN HARRIS 27:05 and LEANNE WILSON 30:33 at Henlow Bridge Lakes; ZOE JACKSON 27:20 at Panshanger; and KERSTIN WEINER 29:45 at Aldenham.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
3	3	Kirk NDUGU	17:17
6	6	Simon JACKSON	17:56
7	7	Jay PAPA	18:09
10	10	David HARRIS-CHERGUIT	18:47
40	40	David BENNETT-HALLIDAY	21:53
56	54	Toby ECCLESHALL	22:39
59	56	Nick GILL	22:47
62	59	Graham HOARE	22:57
74	70	Tony RANDFIELD	23:45
84	78	James GUNN	24:02
85	79	Paul SHELLEY	24:03
94	88	Richard MOORE	24:19
100	94	Charles ARNOLD	24:41
102	96	Martin DUDLEY	24:43
123	114	David RIDDELL	25:12
135	122	Daniel VILJOEN	25:42
154	136	Darren EMMERSON	26:05
176	24	Bronya BROWN	26:44
219	38	Sarah THOMAS	28:11
221	181	Matt TUTTON	28:19
229	42	Lorraine HILL	28:31
236	44	Claire EMMERSON	28:40
240	47	Alice WELCH	28:45
242	193	Wayne SIMMONS	28:47
268	207	Lee PICKERSGILL	29:23
301	73	Lindsay PATEMAN	30:18
333	86	Sharon CROWLEY	31:07
362	260	Steve PLATT	31:56
365	262	Ahaan SHARMA	32:00
366	263	Kartik SHARMA	32:03
393	111	Debbie BLANTERN	32:54
405	281	Jim BROWN	33:01
407	118	Erica GRAYSON	33:03
431	129	Callie FINDLAY	33:56
433	294	Mike JEFFS	33:57
443	136	Pamela VILJOEN	34:27
453	304	Keith MANTON	34:50
459	144	Annabelle WHITE	35:00
463	146	Karen PALMER	35:09
472	150	Caroline CROFT	35:24
489	160	Jayne DYMOKE	36:08
492	321	Paul HOLGATE	36:22
512	175	Jane WADEY	37:36
547	196	Jayne RIDDELL	40:05
551	200	Nikki NATION	40:25
554	203	Monica SMITHSON	40:34
556	205	Liz CARVELL	40:39
574	215	Tracy HAYGARTH	43:10
575	344	Stephen SMITHSON	43:21
596	233	Nichola DURENT	46:34
632	252	Helen HARRIS	1:00:32
634	253	Samantha SUTTON	1:02:26

Handicap 5K

23 runners who didn’t let the warm weather put them off from finishing this month’s FVS Club Handicap 5k on Thursday evening.

First to finish was YUKO GORDON continuing her recovery from injury in 32:08, 2:37 better than handicap, closely followed by Andrew Fenwick in a new personal best (PB) time 32:35. Jayne Dymoke was second lady in a year best (YB) 35:47 and Jade Jenkins third lady in 32:45. Pete Cook was second man with a YB 26:27 and Melvin Auburn third man with a new PB of 22:05, which was also the fastest time of the evening.

Stephen Massey was second quickest in 24:10 and newcomer Tom Grieveson third fastest with 24:17. Jodie Wilson was fastest lady beating her previous handicap 5k time by 4:18 with 24:55 and Alice \Welch second quickest lady in 25:58 and Samantha Sutton third quickest in 29:21.

There was also a season’s best (SB) time of 28:30 for Jon Sypula and Charles Arnold beat his previous 5k time by 1:43 in 24:28.

In handicap races the slowest start first with others following at intervals determined by recent performances. 19 of the 23 finishers were within two minutes of their calculated handicap.

The next Handicap 5k will be on Thursday evening 25^th June.

HP	FIRST NAME	LAST NAME	TIME	R	F	H’CAP	TIME
1	YUKO	GORDON	32:08	15	5	10:15	42:23
2	ANDREW	FENWICK	32:35	16		10:15	42:48
3	JAYNE	DYMOKE	35:47	19	7	7:15	43:00
4	PETE	COOK	26:27	9		16:45	43:12
5	MELVIN	AUBURN	22:05	1		21:15	43:20
6	JON	SYPULA	28:30	11		15:00	43:30
7	TOM	GRIEVESON	24:17	3		19:45	44:02
8	JADE	JENKINS	32:45	17	6	11:30	44:14
9	SALLY	PHILLIPS	40:16	22	10	4:00	44:16
10	MARLEEN	VAN ZWIETEN	40:17	23	11	4:00	44:20
11	KARL	SHREEVE	28:54	12		15:30	44:23
12	JANE	WADEY	37:12	21	9	7:15	44:27
13	STEPHEN	MASSEY	24:10	2		20:45	44:54
14	CRAIG	BACON	24:56	6		20:15	45:11
15	TONY	VICKERS	25:37	7		19:45	45:22
16	JODIE	WILSON	24:55	5	1	20:30	45:25
17	CHARLES	ARNOLD	24:28	4		21:00	45:28
18	SAMANTHA	SUTTON	29:21	13	3	16:15	45:36
19	ALICE	WELCH	25:58	8	2	20:30	46:29
20	MARTIN	DUDLEY	28:13	10		18:45	46:57
21	SAM	GENTRY	31:29	14	4	15:30	46:59
22	LEE	POTTER	33:38	18		13:45	47:20
23	AMANDA	VICKERS	35:49	20	8	11:30	47:27

Still Too Warm For Jim

Not as hot as some recent days but the accumulation of hot days meant about 23 degrees and humid was a bit too much for JIM BROWN at the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park. Still an enjoyable event but after about 3K Jim backed off and came in with 31 minutes 50 seconds.

Get To Cockfosters

The next Mid Week League race for Fairlands Valley Spartans will be in Trent Park on Thursday evening 4^th June.

Gee Up

Spartan ROBERT WRIGHT ran the Newmarket Half Marathon in 01:46:57. He was 210^th out of the 1385 finishers.

Here Come the Relays in the Park.

Entries for the 33^rd FVS Relays in the Park have opened. They will be at 7.15p.m. on Thursday 16^th July. Each leg is three kilometres and teams will consist of four runners. The event incorporates the Hertfordshire AARC (County) Senior & Veteran Championships

Below is the link for teams to enter. All entries must be completed 24 hours before the event; there will be no entries on the night. Lots of entries have been received so don’t delay.

https://my.raceresult.com/390611/registration

This is a great event to run and a great event to watch. It’s possible to see runners twice on each stage.

Tags Handicap 5k, Newmarket Half Marathon, parkrun, Serpentine 5K

News Race Results

LONDON CALLED

Only a week after running sub-three in the Manchester Marathon Fairlands Valley Spartan SIMON JACKSON ran the London Marathon in 2 hours 50 minutes 21 seconds (2:50:21). He was 1,696^th out of about 60,000 runners.

London Called and all that running in the cold and dark, long training runs, half marathons and 20 mile races became worth it as many Spartans finished Sunday’s London Marathon.

While the 26.2 miles didn’t seem to affect Simon much many in the race slowed in the second half but there were great achievements, two new personal bests and several Spartan first timers. Simon’s first half was 1:23:18 and second half 1:27:03.

The second Spartan was PETE GENTLE who went through half way in 1:29:23 and finished in 3:03:26, a new personal best (PB) by 2:36.

MICHELLE REEVES was the fastest female from Fairlands with her 3 hours 24 minutes 21 seconds (3:24:21).

New Spartan DAVID BENNETT-HALLIDAY was round in an excellent 3:13:56.

MATT NEWTON was comfortably under four hours with 3:49:28.

KERSTIN PRIOR was the second quickest woman for the Spartans with her 4:16:15.

Despite tripping on a bottle and needing attention SAMMIE SUTTON improved her marathon personal best by 1 hour 46 minutes 2 seconds (1:46:02) to 4:52:53.

ANDREW LAWLESS beat five with 4:49:59.

MATT and FIONA CLARKE ran together from 20 miles and finished in five hours and 14 seconds (5:00:14).

The Fairlands Fifteen were completed by JUDY KING 5:22:22; VISHAL SHAH 5:44:43; EMILY GRIEVES 5:48:56; AMANDA VICKERS 5:53:36 and NICHOLA DURENT 7:41:07.

Dozens of Spartans volunteered to help the London Marathon. They made sure hundreds of finishers got their kit at the “baggage buses.” Many others were around the course spectating and encouraging.

A historic day with a new world record as two elite runners beat two hours for the first time in an official marathon race, a great day for Fairlands Valley Spartans and a lot of fun including a variety of fancy dress and lots of run.

And entries have already opened for two big UK marathons which will be in April 2027….

Position	Name	Time
01696	SIMON JACKSON	2:50:21
03790	PETE GENTLE	3:03:26 (PB)
05632	DAVID BENNETT -HALLIDAY	3:13:56
08064	MICHELLE REEVES	3:24:21
16093	MATTHEW NEWTON	3:49:28
25584	KERSTIN PRIOR	4:16:15
36925	ANDREW LAWLESS	4:49:59
37849	SAMANTHA SUTTON	4:52:53 (PB)
40145	MATT CLARKE	5:00:14
40147	FIONA CLARKE	5:00:14
45558	JUDY KING	5:22:22
49062	VISHAL SHAH	5:44:43
50683	EMILY GRIEVES	5:48:56
51745	AMANDA VICKERS	5:53:36
59073	NICHOLA DURENT	7:41:07

15 Spartan finishers. Some other Spartans ran the race virtually taking advantage of the “my way” option.

Battersea Best

Fairlands Valley Spartan JAY PAPA ran a massive personal best at the Chase The Sun Battersea Park 10K on Thursday evening. His 37 minutes 13 seconds (37:13) was a 1 minute 51 seconds improvement on his previous PB.

He was in the top 10% in the race at 21^st out of 367.

Best Improvers

Fairlands Valley Spartans had a great evening for their first handicap 5K race of the year on Thursday evening. SUJATHA ALEXANDER won in 30 minutes 53 seconds (30:53) beating her handicap by 4:22. SALLY PICKLES was second on handicap with 28:22.

JACOB NELMS was first man with 26:38 in his first 5K and beating his handicap by 3:22. The winner is the best improver not the fastest overall. The fastest based on speed was NICK ANDREWS with 18:39. JO COOKSLEY was fastest woman with 24:20 with ANN TRYESSOONE second on 24:59 and CLAIRE PULLEN third on 26:02.

You might have seen the 32 runners on the Fairlands Way, Grace Way, Verity Way, Fairlands Way course. The next handicap 5K will be on Thursday evening 28th May.

Not Just London

Not all the Spartans that ran a marathon on Sunday were in London. There were two Shakespearean Spartans. KEITH HOOKER and SAM TOPHILL were in Stratford-upon-Avon for the Shakespeare Marathon. Keith came in a 4 hours 5 minutes 52 seconds and Sam at 4 hours 40 minutes 27 seconds. There were 1,693 finishers.

Spring By The Serpentine

Just five days after the Manchester Marathon JIM BROWN was running the Last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park. In the circumstances he was delighted with 28:47 and third in his category. A brilliant sunny early afternoon in London.

A Bit Different – Inflatables

MARTYN DOWLING and his daughter ran the St Albans Inflatable 5K on Saturday. There were two laps of the Hertfordshire County Showground with numerous inflatables to climb, clamber and slide over. They said it was great fun and a great workout.

Parkrun Highlights

FIONA CLARKE ran her 250^th parkrun the day before running the London Marathon. There were 547 finishers including 221 women. Spartan GEORGIE HOOPER was second woman in 23:43.

TODY ECCLESHALL ran his 200^th parkrun in 21:34 and ANDREW JORDAN set a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 25:18.

As part of a get away PENNY SCHENKEL and JIM BROWN ran one of the hilliest possible parkruns on Saturday, Durlston Country Park by Swanage. Running together Penny was 82^nd in 39:39 and Jim 83^rd in 39:40. To give some comparison the winner was about four minutes slower than at Stevenage. 114 finishers over the hills including 51 women.

Such a busy running weekend yet 69 Spartans, 47 at Stevenage, ran parkruns on Saturday.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
36	33	Toby ECCLESHALL	21:34
56	53	Lee PICKERSGILL	23:17
59	56	Martin JACOB	23:23
60	57	Charles ARNOLD	23:24
63	59	Nick GILL	23:27
69	65	Stuart ARCHER	23:37
71	67	Jay PAPA	23:41
72	68	Richard MOORE	23:43
73	2	Georgie HOOPER	23:43
74	69	Tony RANDFIELD	23:46
76	71	Matthew COOKE	23:49
83	76	Daniel VILJOEN	24:11
91	9	Suzy HAWKINS	24:24
119	101	Andrew JORDAN	25:18
135	112	Paul MAGUIRE	25:50
149	20	Lorraine HILL	26:14
164	24	Claire EMMERSON	26:39
174	139	Darren EMMERSON	26:59
178	141	Paul SHELLEY	27:04
208	161	Peter SACH	27:51
209	162	Ryan DUNNING	27:59
222	44	Tracy PEZ	28:18
232	47	Carole SHELDRICK	28:33
259	58	Ada JANUSIENE	29:09
262	60	Sally PICKLES	29:13
275	197	Steve PLATT	29:46
287	68	Monica SMITHSON	30:11
292	71	Lindsay PATEMAN	30:17
340	98	Debbie BLANTERN	31:31
357	229	Maurice BALLARD	32:14
361	232	Keith MANTON	32:28
363	111	Pamela VILJOEN	32:32
386	121	Julie SHADBOLT	33:30
390	246	Stephen SMITHSON	33:42
413	142	Caroline AUCKLAND	34:55
415	144	Hazel SMITH	34:57
431	153	Fiona CLARKE	35:52
432	154	Alison SHELLEY	35:54
433	155	Sharon CROWLEY	35:55
434	258	Matt CLARKE	35:55
436	259	Paul HOLGATE	36:05
462	168	Julie MANTON	38:09
465	270	Roger HEAD	38:21
471	172	Hayley PEACH	38:37
473	174	Tracy HAYGARTH	38:46
511	199	Sally PHILLIPS	44:53
514	200	Niki PLUMB	44:59

Tags Handicap 5k, London Marathon, parkrun, Shakespeare Marathon, St Albans Inflatable 5K

News Race Results

Andrew and Eloise Win Handicap 5K

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date September 21, 2025
No Comments on 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 2^nd lady in in a SB 37:29 and Jayne Dymoke 3^rd with a new PB of 35:35.

Adrian Busolini was fastest runner on the night in 17:55 with Matthew Jackson 2^nd quickest in 20:34 and Charlie Arnold 3^rd fastest in 21:58. Oli Lacigova was fastest lady in 22:15 with Eloise 2^nd quickest and Sam Gentry 3^rd 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 9^th November. Further details to follow later in the year.

Pos	First Name	Last Name	Own Time	H’CAP	Finish Time	Comp HCAP
1	ANDREW	FENWICK	36:11	4:30	40:41	4:19
2	ANDREW	GARDNER	22:37	18:15	40:52	4:08
3	STEPHEN	MASSEY	24:14	16:45	40:59	4:01
4	ELOISE	HIND	24:58	16:45	41:43	3:17
5	AHAAN	SHARMA	31:04	11:00	42:04	2:56
6	KARTIK	SHARMA	31:05	11:00	42:05	2:55
7	PAUL	MAGUIRE	24:41	17:45	42:26	2:34
8	REBECCA	RAYNER	37:29	5:15	42:44	2:16
9	JAYNE	DYMOKE	35:35	7:15	42:50	2:10
10	ADRIAN	BUSOLINI	17:55	25:15	43:10	1:50
11	HAYLEY	PEACH	37:54	5:30	43:24	1:36
12	ADAM	HILL	31:52	11:45	43:37	1:23
13	NICHOLA	DURENT	43:53	0:00	43:53	1:07
14	SHARON	CROWLEY	43:54	0:00	43:54	1:06
15	CHARLES	ARNOLD	21:58	22:00	43:58	1:02
16	JOHN	NELMS	23:32	20:30	44:02	0:58
17	JUDY	KING	30:18	13:45	44:03	0:57
18	MATTHEW	JACKSON	20:34	23:30	44:04	0:56
19	AMANDA	VICKERS	33:54	10:15	44:09	0:51
20	JANE	WADEY	39:11	5:00	44:11	0:49
21	CRAIG	BACON	23:14	21:00	44:14	0:46
22	OLI	LACIGOVA	22:15	22:00	44:15	0:45
23	PETE	COOK	26:01	18:15	44:16	0:44
24	TONY	VICKERS	24:16	20:00	44:16	0:44
25	LEANNE	WILSON	30:14	14:15	44:29	0:31
26	FIONA	CLARKE	31:21	13:15	44:36	0:24
27	MATT	TUTTON	25:58	18:45	44:43	0:17
28	CHRIS	WATLING	26:28	18:15	44:43	0:17
29	SAM	GENTRY	28:02	16:45	44:47	0:13
30	MATTHEW	COOKE	22:36	22:15	44:51	0:09
31	KARL	SHREEVE	28:36	16:30	45:06	(0:06)
32	MARTIN	DUDLEY	25:54	19:30	45:24	(0:24)
33	MATT	CLARKE	28:58	17:15	46:13	(1:13)
34	MICHAEL	O’KEEFE	37:08	9:15	46:23	(1:23)
35	LIZ	CARVELL	36:04	11:45	47:49	(2:49)
36	TIM	ROBINSON	31:10	17:15	48:25	(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 15^th in 29:05 and MIKE JEFFS 23^rd in 29:55.

CHLOE SIMPSON and GEORGIE HOOPER were the first two females from Fairlands. Chloe 120^th overall with 36:05 and Georgie 122^nd 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 2^nd November.

Position	Name	Time	Category
15	ADRIAN BUSOLINI	29:05	MS
23	MIKE JEFFS	29:55	M40
40	JAY PAPA	31:14	MS
62	ADRIAN DONNELLY	32:48	M40
97	DAVID RIDDELL	35:03	M60
109	CHARLIE ARNOLD	35:38	M60
120	CHLOE SIMPSON	36:05	W35
122	GEORGIE HOOPER	36:13	W35
142	STEPHEN MASSEY	38:01	M50
147	MARTIN WOOD	37:31	M60
156	MATT COOKE	37:57	MS
165	MARTIN JACOB	38:46	M40
173	ANITA WELTZ	39:08	W35
176	SIMON HAIGH	39:12	M50
179	TONY VICKERS	39:22	M50
193	ANNABELLE WHITE	39:53	WS
207	DARREN EMMERSON	40:26	M50
212	NICK GILL	41:00**	MS
254	JAYNE RIDDELL	43:30	W55
263	JACKIE PERRY	44:02	W55
266	MARK FREEMAN	44:09	M60
285	SAM GENTRY	46:05	W45
286	JODIE WILSON	46:06	WS
290	LEANNE WILSON	46:22	WS
295	JIM BROWN	46:31	M70
296	CLAIRE EMMERSON	46:41	W45
317	SHARON CROWLEY	51:30	W65
321	KARTIK SHARMA	52:30	M40
323	CALLIE CHAPMAN	52:50	W35
328	MICHAEL O’KEEFE	56:07	M60
329	AMANDA VICKERS	56:17	W45
335	BECKY RAYNOR	60:50	W35
339	AHAAN SHARMA	62:32**	MS
341	JANE WADEY	65:37	W55

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 14,353^rd.

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 20^th September 2025

54 Spartans ran parkruns. Thirty were at the 419^th 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 100^th time and volunteered for the 50^th 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 40^th parkrun in 30:33 and JANE WADEY her 70^th 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).

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
18	18	Grant RAMSAY	20:47
44	42	Tony RANDFIELD	22:35
78	71	Daniel VILJOEN	24:09
80	73	Lee PICKERSGILL	24:15
99	90	Jay PAPA	24:51
112	98	Matthew COOKE	25:19
206	32	Samantha SUTTON	28:58
207	166	Jim BROWN	28:59
239	177	Matt CLARKE	30:00
242	53	Fiona CLARKE	30:06
259	61	Eva RAMSEY	30:33
310	84	Pamela VILJOEN	32:25
330	222	Michael O’KEEFE	33:17
331	96	Carole SHELDRICK	33:17
341	100	Elizabeth CROWLEY	33:35
381	247	Lloyd DIAS	35:54
397	252	Roger HEAD	36:35
415	139	Marleen VAN ZWIETEN	37:35
420	142	Beverley HARLOW	38:19
444	265	Paul HOLGATE	41:27
455	168	Liz CARVELL	44:18
457	170	Jane WADEY	45:45
462	174	Sharon CROWLEY	46:21
463	175	Niki PLUMB	46:42
465	177	Nicola HATHERLY	46:43
464	176	Hayley PEACH	46:43
466	178	Emma CHAPMAN	46:44
474	275	Roger BIGGS	49:05
475	182	Nichola DURENT	049:11
476	183	Rebecca RAYNER	49:21

Tags Berlin Marathon, Cross Country, Handicap 5k, Letchworth 5K, Ouse Valley Way Marathon, parkrun

News Race Results

TIM AND SALLY WIN 5K HANDICAP

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date August 24, 2025
No Comments on 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 18^th September.

Pos	First Name	Last Name	Time	Hcap	Finish Time	Comp Hcap
1	TIM	ROBINSON	26:29	13:45	40:14	4:46
2	SALLY	PICKLES	30:39	11:00	41:39	3:21
3	JAYNE	DYMOKE	36:11	6:15	42:26	2:34
4	SHARON	CROWLEY	36:11	6:15	42:26	2:34
5	YUKO	GORDON	25:42	16:45	42:27	2:33
6	JUDY	KING	29:48	13:15	43:03	1:57
7	MARLEEN	VAN ZWIETEN	38:39	4:45	43:24	1:36
8	JODIE	WILSON	29:13	14:15	43:28	1:32
9	CHARLES	ARNOLD	22:04	21:30	43:34	1:26
10	LEANNE	WILSON	29:22	14:15	43:37	1:23
11	PAUL	MAGUIRE	25:55	17:45	43:40	1:20
12	KARL	SHREEVE	28:16	15:30	43:46	1:14
13	SAMANTHA	SUTTON	29:46	14:15	44:01	0:59
14	CRAIG	BACON	22:56	21:15	44:11	0:49
15	JO	COOKSLEY	24:45	19:30	44:15	0:45

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 23^rd 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 100^th 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.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
1	1	David HARRIS-CHERGUIT	17:45
4	3	Simon JACKSON	18:20
5	4	Perri GENTRY	18:39
25	24	Tony RANDFIELD	21:18
36	2	Gail MACKIE	22:18
51	46	Jay PAPA	23:05
76	69	Matthew COOKE	24:09
81	73	Martin DUDLEY	24:25
111	96	Toby ECCLESHALL	25:29
121	14	Claire PULLEN	25:42
126	15	Rhiannon GRIFFIN	25:55
159	131	Steve TINSLEY	27:04
172	140	Ryan DUNNING	27:45
173	141	Jim BROWN	27:48
236	57	Sharon CROWLEY	29:32
246	62	Sam GENTRY	30:13
256	65	Fiona CLARKE	30:24
261	68	Penny SCHENKEL	30:33
270	73	Eva RAMSEY	30:55
273	76	Debbie BLANTERN	31:00
346	120	Carole SHELDRICK	34:27
347	121	Caroline CROFT	34:28
408	232	Lloyd DIAS	38:11
423	172	Lindsay PATEMAN	39:40
439	184	Beverley HARLOW	41:43
442	187	Rebecca RAYNER	42:49
445	190	Niki PLUMB	43:53
453	196	Carolyn LINSELL	48:00
454	238	Roger BIGGS	48:02

Tags Gosfield Backyard Ultra, Handicap 5k, LDNX, parkrun

News Race Results

FAST FAIRLANDS IN BEDFORD

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date July 27, 2025
No Comments on 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 21^stAugust.

Position	First Name	Last Name	Time	Race	Fem. Race
1	PATRICK	ANYADI	25:33	5
2	SAMANTHA	SUTTON	30:12	14	4
3	BECCA	BIRT	37:25	18	8
4	PETER	SACH	25:59	8
5	JANE	WADEY	37:38	19	9
6	EMILY	GRIEVES	29:18	11	2
7	KARL	SHREEVE	28:02	10
8	JUDY	KING	30:26	15	5
9	DANNY	SCANLON	22:19	1
10	SAM	GENTRY	29:22	12	3
11	JOHN	NELMS	23:24	3
12	NICHOLA	DURENT	43:59	20	10
13	SHARON	CROWLEY	43:59	21	11
14	LIZ	CARVELL	31:51	16	6
15	TONY	VICKERS	25:14	4
16	TIM	ROBINSON	30:05	13
17	CRAIG	BACON	23:23	2
18	AMANDA	VICKERS	33:34	17	7
19	MEGAN	SUTTON	25:45	6	1
20	MARTIN	DUDLEY	25:57	7
21	CHRIS	WATLING	26:39	9
22	EMMA	CHAPMAN	46:36	22	12

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.

Position	Name	Time
11	MIKE JEFFS	17:08
12	ADRIAN BUSOLINI	17:08
19	CHARLIE WHITE	17:21
29	NATHAN KIRLEY	17:59
30	ROSS GALLAGHER	18:01
32	PAUL SHELLEY	18:05
44	JAY PAPA	18:43
120	CHARLES ARNOLD	21:54
164	JESSICA CLARKE	23:49
191	MATT TUTTON	24:38

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 29^th 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 26^th 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 300^th parkrun in 24:40 and ADA JANUSIENE her 20^th 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.

Tags Doug Anderson 5k, Fairlands Valley Challenge, Handicap 5k, parkrun, Serpentine

News Race Results

PATRICK AND ROSE WIN HANDICAP 5K

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date June 22, 2025
No Comments on 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 2^nd quickest (24:35) and Megan Sutton 3^rd 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 24^th July.

Pos	FIRST NAME	LAST NAME	Time	H’cap
1	PATRICK	ANYADI	27:35	2:40
2	ROSE	SUTTON	29:56	2:34
3	ELIZABETH	CROWLEY	30:01	2:14
4	KARL	SHREEVE	28:42	1:48
5	JANE	WADEY	39:06	1:24
6	SHARON	CROWLEY	39:06	1:24
7	MATT	TUTTON	25:13	1:17
8	SAMANTHA	SUTTON	32:50	1:10
9	JAY	PAPA	19:36	1:09
10	MEGAN	SUTTON	25:23	1:07
11	YUKO	GORDON	27:07	0:53
12	ALEX	SCOFIELD	23:43	0:47
13	LEE	PICKERSGILL	24:03	0:42
14	JOSEPH	WASNOCK	24:05	0:40
15	RICHARD	MOORE	24:23	0:22
16	TONY	VICKERS	26:44	0:16
17	MARIE	COLUCCI	23:15	0:15
18	PAUL	MOULD	20:46	0:14
19	JUDY	KING	30:35	0:10
20	PETE	COOK	26:23	0:07
21	JON	SYPULA	29:18	(0:03)
22	ANNABELLE	WHITE	24:35	(0:05)
23	PAUL	MAGUIRE	25:58	(0:13)
24	CHARLES	ARNOLD	23:07	(0:37)
25	TIM	ROBINSON	29:41	(0:56)
26	JAYNE	RIDDELL	27:35	(1:20)
27	CRAIG	BACON	24:20	(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 230^th 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 21^st 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 406^th 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.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
2	2	Kirk NDUGU	17:44
3	3	Simon JACKSON	17:55
5	5	Perri GENTRY	19:19
68	66	Charlie WHITE	23:59
72	70	Matthew COOKE	24:06
87	83	Pete COOK	25:05
101	95	Daniel VILJOEN	25:41
109	102	Darren EMMERSON	25:59
126	116	Matt TUTTON	26:39
141	130	Toby ECCLESHALL	27:02
142	9	Gail MACKIE	27:02
153	136	Ryan DUNNING	27:25
160	18	Lorraine HILL	27:46
171	20	Linda GEORGE	28:05
190	159	Mark BEASLEY	28:56
194	162	Matt CLARKE	29:01
200	165	Jim BROWN	29:08
202	31	Claire EMMERSON	29:13
220	40	Penny SCHENKEL	29:48
247	52	Fiona CLARKE	30:46
266	201	Maurice BALLARD	31:36
308	79	Pamela VILJOEN	33:18
311	82	Debbie BLANTERN	33:25
320	226	Paul JENNINGS	33:49
352	103	Hilary DAVIES	36:40
372	112	Jane WADEY	38:25
390	255	Lloyd DIAS	40:24
428	271	Roger BIGGS	53:29
435	149	Callie CHAPMAN	58:01
436	150	Chloe CHAPMAN	1:02:57

Tags Bass Belle, Bedfordshire 10k, Handicap 5k, Herts Hobble, Longbridge Backyard Ultra, parkrun, Serpentine, Summer Solstice 10K, Welwyn 10k

News Race Results

SPARTANS AT 400M RELAYS AND 5K HANDICAP

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date May 19, 2025
No Comments on 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.

Rank	Bib	Name	Cat	Team	M/F	Time
3.	5/B	Michael FISHER	MS	Magic Mike and Friends	M	00:58
4.	5/A	Mike JEFFS	MV40	Magic Mike and Friends	M	01:00
5.	5/D	Nick GILL	MS	Magic Mike and Friends	M	01:00
15.	7/B	Keith HOOKER	MV40	Sonic Boom Boys	M	01:05
22.	5/C	Jay PAPA	MS	Magic Mike and Friends	M	01:07
30.	10/A	Dave STEPHENSON	MV60	Mixed Relay Team	M	01:09
48.	10/D	Chris WAITLING	MS	Mixed Relay Team	M	01:15
49.	9/B	Georgie HOOPER	FV35	Spartans Ladies Team 3	F	01:17
51.	9/D	Gabrielle O’BRIEN	FS	Spartans Ladies Team 3	F	01:18
53.	4/A	Susan MCANANY	FV45	Female Relay Team 2	F	01:19
57.	7/C	Charlie ARNOLD	MV60	Sonic Boom Boys	M	01:21
58.	4/D	Annabelle WHITE	FS	Female Relay Team 2	F	01:21
62.	3/D	Jo COOKSLEY	FV35	Spartan Ladies 1	F	01:23
64.	10/C	Megan SUTTON	FS	Mixed Relay Team	F	01:23
66.	9/C	Marie COLUCCI	FV45	Spartans Ladies Team 3	F	01:23
68.	3/A	Liz CROWLEY	FV35	Spartan Ladies 1	F	01:24
69.	7/D	Brian WHITE	MV70	Sonic Boom Boys	M	01:25
76.	4/B	Vicky ARCHER	FV35	Female Relay Team 2	F	01:29
82.	7/A	Pete COOK	MV50	Sonic Boom Boys	M	01:32
83.	4/C	Hazel SMITH	FV45	Female Relay Team 2	F	01:35
86.	9/A	Tracy JACKSON	FV45	Spartans Ladies Team 3	F	01:35
88.	3/C	Sharon CROWLEY	FV65	Spartan Ladies 1	F	01:36
90.	11/D	Judy KING	FV55	360 + 1	F	01:37
91.	10/B	Tessa STEPHENSON	FV55	Mixed Relay Team	F	01:40
96.	11/C	Sally PICKLES	FV55	360 + 1	F	01:51
99.	11/A	Liz CARVEL	FV65	360 + 1	F	01:55
100.	3/B	Sam SUTTON	FV45	Spartan Ladies 1	F	01:57
101.	11/B	Rebecca RAYNER	FV35	360 + 1	F	02:00

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 (9^th 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 19^th June.

POS	NAME	SURNAME	TIME	H’cap
1	AMANDA	VICKERS	32:46	3:29
2	NIC	CASHMAN	23:53	3:07
3	ALICE	WELCH	34:51	2:54
4	KARL	SHREEVE	29:05	2:40
5	KARTIK	SHARMA	28:04	2:11
6	NICK	KLEANTHOUS	29:50	2:10
7	NATHAN	KIRLEY	18:56	2:04
8	PERRI	GENTRY	20:28	2:02
9	SAM	GENTRY	29:03	1:42
10	OLI	LACIGOVA	22:57	1:48
11	JO	COOK	36:20	1:25
12	JACKIE	PERRY	25:43	1:17
13	KRIS	WESTCOTT	20:18	1:12
14	TIM	ROBINSON	27:23	0:52
15	MIKE	REYNOLDS	28:15	0:30
16	MARTIN	DUDLEY	25:46	(0:01)
17	SALLY	REEVE	25:04	(0:19)
18	CRAIG	BACON	22:49	(0:04)
19	SAMANTHA	TOPHILL	26:43	(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 17^th 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 228^th 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 13^th in 21:18.

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

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
2	2	Kirk NDUGU	17:15
5	5	Simon JACKSON	19:43
23	21	Tony RANDFIELD	21:33
70	63	Lee PICKERSGILL	23:33
96	85	Martin DUDLEY	24:15
100	89	Daniel VILJOEN	24:41
153	130	Ryan DUNNING	26:43
204	37	Annabelle WHITE	27:57
228	49	Sharon CROWLEY	28:35
238	178	Matt CLARKE	28:51
252	186	Jim BROWN	29:11
251	60	Penny SCHENKEL	29:11
268	64	Fiona Clarke	29:31
295	212	Steve PLATT	30:15
326	92	Debbie BLANTERN	31:04
328	93	Ada JANUSIENE	31:05
333	96	Monica SMITHSON	31:13
398	133	Caroline CROFT	33:56
433	154	Hilary DAVIES	35:09
447	268	Nick KLEANTHOUS	35:58
453	170	Hannah MANTON	36:08
470	276	Lloyd DIAS	37:37
475	184	Tracy HAYGARTH	38:01
483	189	Jane WADEY	38:35
523	217	Nichola DURENT	45:06
530	285	Roger BIGGS	46:16
533	224	Emma CHAPMAN	47:22
553	238	Nikki Katherine NATION	53:02

Tags 400m relays, Colchester Zoo Stampede 10K, Hackney Half, Handicap 5k, parkrun, Stort 5

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.

Position	Name	Total Distance (K)	% Age Grading
1	KRISTIAN ATANASOV	15.68	–
2	BRIAN WHITE	12.58	85.65%
3	YUKO GORDON	12.21	104.65%!
4	MATT CLARKE	11.05	65.62%
5	JIM BROWN	10.82	75.44%
6	JOHN NELMS	10.63	65.62%
7	MARK FREEMAN	10.55	75.19%
8	FIONA CLARKE	10.27	70.73%
9	ANDY JAY	10.11	67.93%
10	JUDY KING	10.01	83.03%
11	LIZ CROWLEY	9.36	57.2%
12	CALLIE CHAPMAN	8.67	55.25%
13	SALLY PHILLIPS	8.6	71.3%
14	PAUL HOLGATE	8.44	61.73%
15	SAM SUTTON	7.72	54.75%
16	SHARON CROWLEY	7.57	69.5%

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.

Tags Handicap 5k, one hour trial, Three Peaks, Vitality London 10K

5K Series News Race Results Races

VICKY AND MEGAN PB AT HATFIELD

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date September 1, 2024
No Comments on 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 57^th 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 4^th September.

Pos.	Gen	Cat Pos	Name	Category	Time	Grade	Comments
57	52	14	Mike JEFFS	MV40	18:29	72.9 %
59	54	16	Ross GALLAGHER	MV40	18:31	73.3 %	PB 0:03
66	60	9	Paul SHELLEY	MV50	18:42	81.0 %	PB 0:21
79	9	1	Ashley JOHNSON	FV35	19:10	80.8 %	1^st FV35. PB 0:08
92	81	30	Terry SAWYER	MV40	19:44	69.3 %	PB 2:20
102	87	32	Mark COLLINS	MV40	19:53	70.6 %
120	21	1	Alison WOOD	FV55	21:10	84.8 %	1^st FV55
150	33	2	Yuko GORDON	FV65	22:39	96.3 %	2^nd FV65
158	122	25	Andy PRIOR	MV50	22:42	66.7 %	PB 0:05
159	123	11	Brian WHITE	MV60	22:54	74.6 %
173	45	11	Vicky ARCHER	FV35	23:38	64.9 %	PB 2:58
174	129	47	Matt TUTTON	MV40	23:40	56.4 %	PB 0:19
191	54	12	Kerstin PRIOR	FV45	25:19	67.2 %	SB 1:07
209	63	15	Andrea WESTCOTT	FV45	27:03	62.2 %	SB ?
212	65	21	Megan SUTTON	FS	27:10	53.5 %	PB 1:19
213	66	16	Hazel SMITH	FV45	27:10	59.9 %	YB 10:45
232	152	6	Jim BROWN	MV70	28:55	61.1 %
242	87	9	Sharon CROWLEY	FV65	30:29	64.6 %
248	160	23	Paul HOLGATE	MV60	33:49	49.5 %
249	89	18	Samantha SUTTON	FV45	34:32	46.6 %	SB 0:19
254	92	26	Jane WADEY	FV55	36:33	48.8 %
256	94	27	Jane WHITROW	FV55	37:35	47.5 %	SB 2:05

FVS Handicap 5K 29^th 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 19^th September.

Pos	First NAME	Last NAME	Time	R	F	PB	Impr	H’CAP	Adj	Time	H’Cap
1	SAM	GENTRY	38:28	15			New	0:00		38:28	6:32
2	PERRY	GENTRY	38:29	16	7		New	0:00		38:29	6:31
3	MARLEEN	VAN ZWIETEN	40:24	17	8			0:00	(0:01)	40:23	4:36
4	STEVE	TINSLEY	28:21	7		YB	1:44	12:45	0:03	41:09	3:54
5	ROSE	SUTTON	29:53	9	2	PB	1:09	12:15	0:09	42:17	2:52
6	JUDY	KING	29:27	8	1		0:42	13:00	0:01	42:28	2:33
7	PETER	SACH	29:54	10			0:53	12:45	(0:02)	42:37	2:21
8	SALLY	PHILLIPS	37:57	14	6	YB		4:45		42:42	2:18
9	LIZ	CARVELL	31:23	11	3	YB	0:06	11:30	(0:02)	42:51	2:07
10	NATHAN	KIRLEY	19:22	1		PB	0:15	23:45	(0:05)	43:02	1:53
11	MICHAEL	FISHER	21:03	2			New	22:00	0:05	43:08	1:57
12	CHARLES	ARNOLD	22:55	4				20:15		43:10	1:50
13	SALLY	PICKLES	37:05	12	4			6:45		43:50	1:10
14	PETE	COOK	26:54	6			0:08	17:00	0:01	43:55	1:06
15	CRAIG	BACON	22:41	3				21:15	0:01	43:57	1:04
16	JANE	WADEY	37:24	13	5			7:45	(0:01)	45:08	(0:09)
17	DANNY	SCANLON	22:59	5				22:15	0:01	45:15	(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 958^th out of nearly 17,000 runners in 1:30:09; TERRY SAWYER 1,650^th in 1:36:26, ROBERT WRIGHT 8,453^rd in 2:07:53 and running her first half marathon race MEGAN SUTTON was 10,537^th in 2:17:53. SAMANTHA SUTTON came in with 3:03:41.

Serpentine 30^th 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 31^st 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 1,000^th time on Saturday and there were thousands of runners. The 20^th 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.

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Time	Comments
5	5	Grant RAMSAY	18:49	Top Ten
17	1	Ashley SCHOENWETTER	20:52	First woman. 40^th Parkr.
26	3	Suzy HAWKINS	21:28	Third woman
41	5	Gail MACKIE	22:26	Fifth woman
58	49	Daniel VILJOEN	23:45
85	71	Lee PICKERSGILL	24:52
87	73	Toby ECCLESHALL	24:55
97	80	Darren EMMERSON	25:32
155	30	Hazel SMITH	27:58
170	127	Jay PAPA	28:14
198	148	Tony RANDFIELD	29:02
226	160	Nick KLEANTHOUS	30:07
230	60	Claire EMMERSON	30:17
235	164	Maurice BALLARD	30:28
284	85	Monica SMITHSON	32:48
288	189	Paul JENNINGS	33:02
308	97	Jenny GARRETT	33:54
310	99	Penny SCHENKEL	33:57
311	198	Jim BROWN	33:57
318	199	Paul HOLGATE	34:51
339	119	Pamela VILJOEN	36:07
348	209	James SOUTH	36:28
350	210	Stephen SMITHSON	36:41
437	174	Sharon CROWLEY	01:02:37	Volunteer. 70^th Parkrun.

Tags Big Half, Cambridge Biomedical Centre 10k, Dorney Lake, Handicap 5k, Hatfield 5k Series, parkrun, Serpentine 5K

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 1^st and 21^st 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.

Pos	F	FIRST NAME	SURNAME	TIME	R	F	H’CAP	ADJ	FINISH TIME	IMPR	COMP. H’CAP
1		STEVE	PLATT	27:55	16		14:30		42:25	0:03	2:35
2		ADRIAN	BUSOLINI	17:38	2		25:00	(0:01)	42:37		2:22
3		SIMON	JACKSON	17:36	1		25:15		42:51		2:09
4		CHRIS	WATLING	23:19	6		19:30	0:21	43:10	0:46	2:11
5	1	ROSE	SUTTON	31:14	20	3	12:00		43:14	New	1:46
6		PETE	COOK	26:47	15		16:30	(0:01)	43:16	0:15	1:43
7	2	SAMANTHA	SUTTON	36:09	23	6	7:15	(0:02)	43:22		1:36
8		NATHAN	KIRLEY	19:39	3		23:45		43:24		1:36
9	3	MEGAN	COATES	36:22	24	7	7:15		43:37	New	1:23
10		MELVIN	AUBURN	24:01	8		19:45	(0:03)	43:43		1:14
11	4	SAMANTHA	TOPHILL	25:45	12	1	18:00	(0:01)	43:44		1:15
12	5	MEGAN	SUTTON	28:46	17	2	15:00	0:01	43:47		1:14
13		CRAIG	BACON	22:35	5		21:15	(0:02)	43:48		1:10
14		MATT	TUTTON	25:11	11		18:45		43:56		1:04
15		CHARLES	ARNOLD	23:43	7		20:15	0:01	43:59		1:02
16	6	GILLIAN	KNOWLES	32:11	22	5	12:00	0:01	44:12		0:49
17	7	LIZ	CARVELL	32:01	21	4	12:15	(0:03)	44:13	0:02	0:44
18		PETER	SACH	30:47	19		13:30	(0:03)	44:14		0:43
19		ROBERT	WRIGHT	22:15	4		22:30	(0:01)	44:44	1:40	0:15
20		LLOYD	DIAS	26:20	13		18:15	0:11	44:46		0:25
21		TIM	ROBINSON	29:06	18		15:45		44:51		0:09
22		DAVID	ACKERY	26:27	14		19:00	(0:03)	45:24		(0:27)
23		BRIAN	WHITE	24:32	10		22:00	(0:02)	46:30		(1:32)
24	8	SHERYL	HOTT	47:53	25	8	0:30		48:23	New	(3:23)
25	9	ROSEMARY	ONABAWORIN	47:57	26	9	0:30		48:27		(3:27)
26		KRISTIAN	ATANSOV	24:11	9		24:30		48:41	New	(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 30^th 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.

Tags FV Challenge, Handicap 5k, Serpentine 5K

Club News Race Results

KARL AND JANE WIN THE HANDICAP 5K!

Post author By Vicky Archer
Post date August 6, 2023
No Comments on 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.

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 5^th August 2023

For the Consolidated Results please click the link.

Tags Handicap 5k, St Albans 10k

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 2^nd male in 23:02 with DANNY HUKIN 3^rd male in 18:34 and STUART ARCHER 4^th 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 23^rd out of the 393 finishers. Luke said it was hilly but worth it for the cake and was 100^th. James was 118^th and Jim 171^st.

NICOLA ANDERSSON was the fastest female from Fairlands. She was 168^th in 55 minutes 11 seconds. CAROLYN LINSELL was second woman aged 65 plus and 177^th with her 56 minutes 8 seconds. SARAH ILLINGWORTH was third Spartan woman and 188^th 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 262^nd, 263^rd and 264^th.

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

Four regular Spartans competed in the 71^st run anywhere Fly 5K on Saturday. JIM BROWN was 70^th in 27 minutes 41 seconds; NICK KLEANTHOUS 79^th in 28:23; NICOLA ANDERSSON 86^th in 29:05 and PAUL HOLGATE 97^th 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 21^st 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 16^th September

Pos	FIRST NAME	LAST NAME	OWN TIME	R	F	H’CAP	TIME	COMP H’CAP	PB	Impr
1	DAVID	PRICE	24:34	12		17:00	41:32	3:26	PB
2	FIONA	CLARKE	26:14	15	4	16:00	42:17	2:46	YB	1:52
3	NICOLA	HATHERLY	34:44	26	13	7:30	42:20	2:46	YB
4	CAROLYN	LINSELL	26:24	17	6	16:15	42:33	2:21
5	CHLOE	CHAPMAN	26:58	19	8	15:45	42:43	2:17	SB	0:33
6	MATT	CLARKE	23:02	7		19:45	42:45	2:13	SB	0:13
7	DANNY	HUKIN	18:34	1		24:15	42:51	2:11	SB
8	STUART	ARCHER	19:27	2		23:30	42:59	2:03	YB	0:22
9	ANDY	JAY	23:46	10		19:30	43:19	1:44	SB	1:40
10	DEAN	CARPENTER	21:53	5		21:30	43:23	1:37	YB
11	MARK	BEASLEY	25:39	13		18:00	43:41	1:21	YB	0:04
12	MARIE	COLUCCI	22:56	6	1	20:45	43:42	1:19	SB
13	SALLY	PICKLES	36:12	27	14	7:30	43:43	1:18	YB
14	JANE	McFARLANE	27:42	21	9	16:00	43:45	1:18	SB
15	TRACEY	JACKSON	23:32	8	2	20:15	43:47	1:13	SB
16	TRACY	PEZ	23:32	9	3	20:15	43:48	1:13	SB	1:09
17	PETER	SMITH	21:40	4		22:15	43:56	1:05	SB	0:54
18	NICK	KLEANTHOUS	25:58	14		18:00	43:58	1:02	YB	0:04
19	BRIAN	WHITE	21:15	3		22:45	44:00	1:00
20	VISHAL	SHAH	27:26	20		16:30	44:19	1:04
21	NICOLA	ANDERSSON	26:21	16	5	18:00	44:22	0:39
22	NIGEL	STRONGITHARM	24:07	11		20:15	44:22	0:38	SB	0:33
23	STEPHANIE	BIGGAR	36:45	28		7:45	44:30	0:30
24	JUDY	KING	33:29	25	12	11:30	45:05	0:01
25	KELLY	EVANS	26:54	18	7	18:30	45:24	(0:24)	YB
26	DZENANA	TOPIC	31:52	23	10	14:45	46:37	(1:37)	YB
27	SHARON	CROWLEY	32:20	24	11	14:45	46:53	(2:05)	SB	2:21
28	TIM	ROBINSON	28:29	22		18:45	47:13	(2:14)

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

Post	Cat	Name	Cat	Gun Time	Chip Time	AGrade	Comments
23.	3	Brian WHITE	MV60	0:42:22	0:42:21	81.9%	3MV60 3^rd Team
100.	29	Luke GURNEY	MS	0:50:45	0:50:12	52.6%	3^rd Team
109.	25	Nigel STRONGITHARM	MV50	51:20	50:03	62.7%
118.	33	James MCSWEENEY	MS	0:52:00	0:51:19	51.8%	3^rd Team
168.	19	Nicola ANDERSSON	FV45	0:55:34	0:55:11	62.4%
171.	11	Jim BROWN	MV60	0:55:45	0:55:21	61.6%	3^rd Team
177.	2	Carolyn LINSELL	FV65	0:56:31	0:56:08	73.7%	2FV65
188.	21	Sarah ILLINGWORTH	FV45	0:57:12	0:56:59	59.9%
219.	51	John HARDING	MS	0:59:38	0:58:24	44.8%
255.	19	Paul HOLGATE	MV60	1:02:30	1:01:56	54.4%
262.	36	Penny SCHENKEL	FV45	1:02:59	1:02:15	55.0%
263.	37	Sue HAMER	FV45	1:03:01	1:01:50	54.3%
264.	38	Erica GRAYSON	FV45	1:03:01	1:01:49	55.7%
296.	19	Monica SMITHSON	FV55	1:06:14	1:05:30	55.7%
313.	23	Angie KEELING	FV35	1:07:54	1:06:40	46.2%
320.	26	Toni NICHOLS	FV35	1:08:35	1:07:20	45.2%
326.	27	Christine ZVEREV	FV35	1:09:12	1:08:40	44.4%
337.	54	Tracy HAYGARTH	FV45	1:11:15	1:10:31	49.2%
342.	56	Carole SHELDRICK	FV45	1:12:03	1:10:49	45.9%
344.	24	Karen PALMER	FV55	1:12:03	1:10:50	50.5%

Tags Handicap 5k, parkrun, Stevenage 10K, Stevenage half marathon

Norfolk on a Friday

Parkrun Highlights – Tutus on the 22.

5K Improvers – Pete is the Third Man

Seven Races In Seven Days – the Guernsey All Terrain Challenge. And A Five!

EMAC in Milton Keynes

Bedford Autodrome 10K

Hyde Park Hussle

Club Championships

A Thank You For Niki

Parkrun Highlights including Century Kris

Spartans at the Stevenage parkrun tenth birthday celebrations

Handicap 5K

Still Too Warm For Jim

Get To Cockfosters

Gee Up

Here Come the Relays in the Park.

Battersea Best

Best Improvers

Not Just London

Spring By The Serpentine

A Bit Different – Inflatables

Parkrun Highlights

Cross Country

Berlin Station

Ouse Valley Way Marathon

Letchworth 5K

Marmite Creative juices 10k Canicross

Century Celebration – Parkrun Highlights, Saturday 20th September 2025

Alice in London

Adrian in Gosfield

Parkrun Highlights, Saturday 23rd August

Doug Anderson 5K

Serpentine

Challenge Round Up

Arty Spart

Parkrun Highlights, Saturday 26th July

Bedfordshire 10K

Beat the Sunset – Summer Solstice 10K

Serpentine Sizzled

Longbridge 100 Backyard Ultra. Victory with 23 laps.

Welwyn 10K

Bass Belle Trail

Herts Hobble

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 21st June.

Amanda Wins Handicap

Stort Five

Colchester Zoo Duo

Hackney Half

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 17th May

Vitality London 10K

Handicap 5K

Three Peaks Challenge

FVS Handicap 5K 29th August

Fairlands Five at Big Half

Serpentine 30th August

Dorney for Alison and Paul

Speeding Up

Parkrun Highlights 31st August Hawaii Five – O

Serpentine

Fairlands Valley Challenge

St Albans Summer 10k

Parkrun Saturday 5th August 2023

Team Medals * Handicap 5K

Spartans at the Stevenage 10K

Adrian’s Century Run

Swansea 10K

Parkrun Highlights 18th September 2021

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

Entries Open for the Stevenage Half Marathon

Tables

Century Celebration – Parkrun Highlights, Saturday 20^th September 2025

Parkrun Highlights, Saturday 23^rd August

Parkrun Highlights, Saturday 26^th July

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 21^st June.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 17^th May

FVS Handicap 5K 29^th August

Serpentine 30^th August

Parkrun Highlights 31^st August Hawaii Five – O

Parkrun Saturday 5^th August 2023

**Team Medals * Handicap 5K**

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