Tag: Mid Week League

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Club Midweek League News Race Results

SPARTANS PARKRUN TAKE OVER

Co-ordinated by JANE WADEY Fairlands Valley Spartans organized another really successful take over of the Stevenage parkrun on Saturday.  Take overs are when one organisation takes on most of the volunteer roles at a parkrun.

There were 477 finishers including 39 Spartans.  The Spartan pacers helped to get 25 people to new parkrun personal bests.  They included CHRIS WATLING with a new PPB of 23:01 and DAVID ACKERY with 24:44. ASHLEY JOHNSON one of the pacers celebrated her 20th parkrun with 23:52.  MARK BEASLEY ran his 130th in 25:46; MARIE COLUCCI, another pacer, her tenth with 27:41; and new member Rosemary ONABAWORIN her first in 42:24.

There were 477 finishers including 39 Spartans.  Many other Spartans were marshals, helping to set up the event, volunteering in all sorts of ways.

Jim and Yuko win in League

YUKO GORDON and JIM BROWN were prizewinners in Division One of the Mid Week League.  Proving that Fairlands Valley Spartans just keep going they both won the oldest categories with Yuko winning the series for women aged 65 and over and Jim winning for men aged 70 plus.  There were 14 MV70s.

The awards were made after the “Mob Match” 10K in Welwyn Garden City in which 21 Spartans raced.

The fastest Spartan in the mob match was KIRK NDUGU, 17th in 36:13; with ADRIAN BUSOLINI and BRIAN BRACKSTONE not far behind with 36:59 (24th) and 37:23 (27th).  WENDY THARANI was the fastest female from Fairlands with 59:35 chased in by CLAIRE EMMERSON who finished in 59:39.

RaceFirst NameLast NameTimeGen PosCatVetCat.M/FImproveTeam
17KIRKNDUGU 36:1317SM0:191
24ADRIANBUSOLINI 36:5923SM0:572
27BRIANBRACKSTONE 37:2325312V 50M0:513
71JAYPAPA 41:4764SM4
99ROBERTWRIGHT 44:07833149V 40M2:345
158CHARLIEARNOLD 48:271221278V 60M0:326
186SIMONHAIGH 50:191342590V 50M2:237
210DAVIDACKERY 52:12150SM0:248
236MARTINDUDLEY 54:0416121114V 60M0:099
240DARRENEMMERSON 54:1916332116V 50M10
253PETECOOK 55:2716934121V 50M3:3111
262JIMBROWN 56:281745125V 70M3:4912
282WENDYTHARANI 59:35983270V 45F 
283CLAIREEMMERSON 59:39993371V 45F2:57 
284TIMROBINSON 59:4018342134V 50M0:36 
300NICKKLEANTHOUS 1:01:0718625137V 60M1:07 
306JUDYKING 1:02:141161981V 55F1:22 
323LIZCARVELL 1:05:441262390V 55F2:22 
329SHARONCROWLEY 1:08:48131995V 65F 
335JANEWADEY 1:15:121342598V 55F1:56 
Mob Match 10k Results

Parkrun Highlights 13th July (#355)

Altogether 59 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday.  Spartans at parkruns elsewhere included JAY PAPA 19:49 at Congleton; CHLOE CHAPMAN 27:07 at Kings Lynn; PETE SMITH 28:15 at North Yorkshire Water Park; DZENANA TOPIC 37:38 and DARRYL STEVENS 46:05 at the Wimpole Estate; and TRACY HAYGARTH 40:31 at Westmill.

PositionGender PositionparkrunnerTimeComments
1111Grant RAMSAY19:51Pacing (20)
2725Charlie WHITE20:53Pacing (21)
4947David RIDDELL22:11 
6561Chris WATLING23:01New PPB
6662Graham HOARE23:03 
805Ashley JOHNSON23:52Pacing (24).  20 parkruns.
10295David ACKERY24:44New PPB
1119Georgie HOOPER24:57Pacing (25)
131119Lee PICKERSGILL25:36 
137124Mark BEASLEY25:46130 parkruns
14213Annabelle WHITE25:53Pacing (26)
144129Ryan DUNNING25:58 
145130Martin DUDLEY26:00 
153135Charles ARNOLD26:14Pacing (27)
173147Toby ECCLESHALL26:45 
17425Gail MACKIE26:45 
21139Marie COLUCCI27:41Pacing (28).  10 parkruns.
248192Andy JAY28:57Pacing (29)
257196Matt CLARKE29:14 
269203Peter SACH29:26100 parkruns
281207Keith HOOKER29:47Pacing (30)
296215Jim BROWN30:44Pacing (31)
31382Monica SMITHSON31:28 
326229Nick KLEANTHOUS32:00Pacing (32)
347103Yuko GORDON32:49Pacing (33)
357241Paul JENNINGS33:21 
374120Penny SCHENKEL34:22 
375248Matthew NEWTON34:23 
381124Hilary DAVIES34:42 
385128Jane WADEY34:58Take over co-ordinator
396134Jo MANSFIELD35:53 
397256Stuart ARCHER35:57 
414147Sally PICKLES37:18 
425156Samantha SUTTON37:48 
456275Andy PRIOR41:57 
459173Rosemary ONABAWORIN42:24First parkrun
460174Kerstin WEINER42:47 
476185Nichola DURENT50:54Tail end
477186Sharon CROWLEY51:40Tail end
Parkrun Results
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Club News Race Results

TRENT PARK – MIDWEEK LEAGUE

There was a lot on in the world on Thursday 4th July but 30 Spartans – 19 men and 11 women made it to the final counting event in this summer’s Mid Week League race. 

Run in Trent Park, Cockfosters this was a largely off tarmac event with some grinding climbs in the woods.  It was dry!

On the night the fastest from Fairlands was KIRK NDUGU with 36:47 for 25th place out of the 194 male finishers.  ADRIAN BUSOLINI 38th in 37:56; JONATHAN PARR 41st in 38:02; BRIAN BRACKSTONE 43rd in 38:14 and third man over 50 were also under 40 minutes on the tough course.

108 women finished.  SUZY HAWKINS was the fastest female from Fairlands, 26th woman in 46:56.  YUKO GORDON won her age group with 51:14.  She was 47th woman overall.

The “Mob Match” will be in Welwyn Garden City on Wednesday 10th July.

RaceCatVetNo.TimeNameSurnameCat.M/FFemale Pos.
1431017102046:56SuzyHawkinsV 45F26
193134110051:14YukoGordonV 65F47
2171844107353:19JoCooksleyV 35F59
248109056:55SophieParsonsSF77
2592864107558:37WendyTharaniV 45F82
275327210911:02:36ClaireEmmersonV 45F92
280167610851:03:36JudyKingV 55F96
293208410781:08:06LizCarvellV 55F104
295218610991:10:32MonicaSmithsonV 55F106
299248710861:13:19CallieChapmanV 35F107
301228810791:17:08JaneWadeyV 55F108
RaceCatVetNo.TimeFirst NameLast NameCat.M/FMale Pos
25101436:47KirkNduguSM25
38102837:56AdrianBusoliniSM38
41161898838:02JonathanParrV 40M41
43319102738:14BrianBrackstoneV 50M43
74100241:16JayPapaSM72
127226499645:51MattGiffordV 50M107
131436899746:19AlexeyZherdevV 40M111
1364671101046:41RobertWrightV 40M114
14547598747:11BrianWhiteV 60M119
18089499050:25CharlieArnoldV 60M140
2113811099252:42SimonHaighV 50M156
22663115101154:31MattTuttonV 40M162
249102256:55RyanRiddellSM172
26245130101658:58PeteCookV 50M178
26961329991:00:20JimBrownV 70M180
2714613310241:01:05TimRobinsonV 50M182
2741813410211:02:14NickKleanthousV 60M183
29110261:07:37PeterSachSM188
298201429861:11:37PaulHolgateV 60M192

A Win For Yuko at the Newport Pagnell Carnival 5K

YUKO GORDON won her age group F70 (and 60 & 65 as well) at Newport Pagnell Carnival 5K, near Milton Keynes in 22:20 on Saturday 6th July.  It was a flat fast course over traffic free main road with 500 plus runners.  Crowds were surprisingly big along the course.

After Mount Chingford and the Trent Park Woods recently, she felt this was too good to be true.  However, a fast course is one thing but she said my legs had a problem adjusting to the speed this time.  Still, she was happy with the season’s best.

The Carnival 5K is a uniquely fast and flat 5k road race through the historic market town of Newport Pagnell.  On closed roads in front of thousands, it’s run ahead of the annual town Carnival Parade.  The race finishes on the carnival meadow in the show arena where there’s a day of entertainment and fun.  For the 4th consecutive year, there were two different runs.  One to suit all abilities:  The ‘Serious’ 5K and the family fun 5K.

Ware 10 + 10 – PB for Paul

GERRY ROSEN took part in the Ware 10 (miles).  It was a two lap affair with a nasty uphill first mile.  A tough little cookie.  Gerry was hoping to beat 2hrs and well and truly did it, his time was 1 hour 52 minutes 10 seconds.

The fastest of the eight Spartans was PAUL SHELLEY 20th of the 269 finishers with 1:07:25; third in his age group and a new personal best (PB) by eight seconds.  ALISON SHELLEY was first female from Fairlands at 190th with 1:33:06; ANNABELLE WHITE was 198th with 1:35:09 and FIONA CLARKE 212th with 37:47.

MATT DUTTON took part in the 10 mile race at the Ware festival of running with a chip time of 1:32:56.  His first ever 10 mile race.  Matt said he managed to miss the heavy rain showers but large puddles were an obstacle at mile 1 and 6 guaranteeing wet feet!!

CHRIS WATLING was 112th in 1:21:51 and ROBERT WRIGHT 65th with 1:15:30.

269 finishers.

JANE WHITROW ran the Ware 10K.  She said the event was really well organised with lots of water stations and friendly marshals.  Jane finished 239th in 1:21:17.

PosMFCatPosBibNameCatGunChip
20.1938901Paul SHELLEYMV501:07:271:07:25
65.55232178Robert WRIGHTMV401:15:481:15:30
112.91362127Chris WATLINGMS1:22:091:21:51
188.134458942Matt TUTTONMV401:33:191:32:56
190.5598902Alison SHELLEYFV551:33:281:33:06
198.60158896Annabelle WHITEFS1:35:301:35:09
212.67208906Fiona CLARKEFV451:38:091:37:47
254.160438829Gerry ROSENMV501:52:321:52:10

Race for Life

Some Spartans including JIM BROWN and PENNY SCHENKEL ran the Stevenage Race for Life.  Jim’s event was lucky but Penny’s finished in a downpour.

EMAC – Spartans 2 and 3.

Fairlands Valley Spartans were second and third in the latest Eastern Masters track and field league event.

The FVS women including SHARON CROWLEY, CHRISTINE LATHWELL; MARIAN MORLEY; JOYLYN SAUNDERS-MULLINS; TESSA STEPHENSON and ANDREA WESTCOTT were second with 118 points, just 19 behind the winners.

The men were third in their match with 86.  Their team included CHARLES ARNOLD; MARK FREEMAN; NICK KLEANTHOUS; STEVE MAYFIELD; TIMOTHY SAUNDERS-MULLINS and DAVID STEPHENSON.  

The event included running from 100 metres to one mile (1609 metres); walking 2 kilometres; throwing and jumping.  The league is for male and female veteran athletes aged from 35 upwards divided in various age categories.

The next EMAC track and field fixture is in Sandy on Wednesday evening 31st July.

Parkrun Highlights 6th July

DANIEL VILJOEN achieved a major parkrun milestone on Saturday morning.  His run at Stevenage was his 250th which he finished in 24 minutes 4 seconds (24:04).  There were 19 Spartans among the 363 finishers of the very wet 354th Stevenage parkrun including SIMON JACKSON second in 17:40 and GRANT RAMSAY sixth in 18:57.

ANNABELLE WHITE ran her 150th parkrun in 31:32.

19 of the 363 finishers at a very wet Stevenage parkrun were Spartans.

Spartans elsewhere included SUZY HAWKINS 25:03 at Henlow Bridge Lakes; NICK KLEANTHOUS 33:11 at Tamar Lakes near Bude and CHLOE CHAPMAN 34:05 at Lanhydrock, Bodmin.

Categories
Club News Race Results

RACE FOR LIFE, REMEMBERING CATHY

Lots of Spartans took part in Race for Life on Sunday as part of the Cancer Research fundraising event. 

It is usual to see a lot of Spartans at this event as those that don’t take part offer their marshalling skills to encourage and support others. 

This year saw a larger than normal amount of Spartans take part as they were honouring a beloved Spartan member who we sadly lost earlier this year. The family were out supporting the wonderful charity and so our members also took to the course to support and remember Cathy. 

Cathy Craig was a true inspiration to so many of us. From 5k up to Ultra’s and back down to EMAC, you name it Cathy did it. She was a renowned trophy winner at our annual Presentation Evening and we believe that she may of achieved the whole collection of awards available including the much sought after award of Spartan of the Year at this years ceremony. 

Cathy would always greet everybody with a warm, infectious smile and would always be supportive and encouraging offering lots of runners tips where she could. 

The Race for Life event would have been a day that Cathy loved! Dressing up in tutu’s, coloured wigs and head boppers, she would have been at the front of the queue! 

#bemorecathy 

Supporters and Cathy’s family

EMAC 

The FVS women’s team finished in third place in the EMAC league central division at Bedford on Wednesday.  EMAC run a track and field league for veteran athletes in the East of England.  Cambridge & Coleridge were out in force after their narrow defeat last month, winning on the night with 141 points with Marshall Milton Keynes placed second with 110 points and FVS with 106.  FVS remain top points scorers with 393 points, but it all comes down to the last match in Sandy next month. 

Spartan Women – SHARON CROWLEY, ASHLEY JOHNSON, CHRISTINE LATHWELL, PAULA McMAHON, MARIAN MORLEY, JOYLYN SAUNDERS-MULLINS and ANDREA WESTCOTT 

Wins on the night came from Sharon Crowley in the 2km A string walk and W60 hammer throw.  Sharon also placed 4th in the W50 100m and 5th in the W60 1500m.  Other points came from Christine Lathwell, who placed 5th in the W35 100m after sprinting to the start line having placed 4th in the 2km B string walk.  Christine also covered the W35 triple jump, finishing 4th. Joylyn Saunders-Mullins secured 2nd place in the W60+ 100m, 3rd in the W60+ 400m, and 2nd in the W60+ shot put.  Paula McMahon made a mad dash from her car straight to the start line for the W35 400m, changing in to her spikes while the other women were lining up!  Despite the lack of a warm up, Paula finished in a very respectable 3rd place.  Andrea Westcott placed 2nd in the W50 400m, 4th in the W35 hammer, and 6th in the W35 shot put.  Marian Morley started the evening with a new PB in the W50 shot put, finishing 3rd and also placed 3rd in the W50 hammer.  Ashley Johnson made a welcome return to the team, running a great W35 1500m and finishing 2nd. 

The W35 relay team of Paula McMahon, Christine Lathwell, Ashley Johnson, and Joylyn Saunders-Mullins finished 3rd in the 4 x 200m 

Our EMAC ladies

The men’s team conststing of CHARLIE ARNOLD, ANTON McCALLA, NICK KLEANTHOUS, STEVE MAYFIELD, MICHAEL O’KEEFE, ANDREW PATTERSON, TIM SAUNDERS-MULLINS and CHRIS WESTCOTT did themselves proud, finishing fourth on the night, just 8 points behind third placed Cambridge & Coleridge. 

Wins from Andy Patterson in the M35 1500m and Tim Saunders-Mullins in the M60+ hammer throw combined with points scored by Anton McCalla, Nick Kleanthous, Chris Westcott, Charlie Arnold, Steve Mayfield, and Michael O’Keefe so the Spartans team remain in fourth place overall. 

The EMAC men

Mid Week League Round Up 

Not only did Fairlands Valley Spartans get promoted to the top division in the Mid Week League (see last week’s release) but they had some great individual prize winners. 

SAM PRETTY was second woman in the open competition; ASHLEY JOHNSON second in the women 35 plus category; SIMON FRASER third man in the open competition; ANDREW PATERSON WON the men 40 plus category with RICHARD BATE third. 

AND Fairlands Valley Spartans were overall winners in the veterans contest. 

Trophy Winners!

Ultra 5k 

MIKE JEFFS took on the ultra 5k challenge at Box End Bedford.  This was a gruelling challenge running a 5k on the hour every hour for five hours.  He managed to keep his times consistent which helped him achieve a third place finish.  Mike’s first ever podium finish for a running event. 

Mike with his medal and trophy!

Wendover Woods 100 Miles 

Adrian Busolini WON the Centurion Wendover Woods 100 mile event in 20 hours 24 minutes 59 seconds. 

With 600m of climb and a mix of terrains, just one lap of this Wendover course is quite punchy. So 10 laps, in conditions only slightly cooler than SDW100, was always going to be a challenge for the 30 souls who toed the start line. 

13 of them made it to the end, and Adrian was glad to be the first – not just because that meant he got to take home an almost life-sized Centurion trophy, but because he could catch an hour of rest and a few pretty awesome crepes before the Wendover Weekender kicked off, with Allie talking crewing and The Green Runners demonstrating how to repair shoe uppers.  

It was the first time Centurion had run a camping, talks and general fun & games weekend like this, and they put on a really good show, with the volunteers standing out as usual being the ultra awesome folks they are. Good times, good conversations, and a weekend well spent. 

Adrian looking like he’s just taken a stroll in the park rather than running 100 miles…

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 8th July 2023 

For the full Consolidated Results please click the link 

Personal Best Achievements  

ASHLEY JOHNSON was first female at Stevenage in a new parkrun personal best of 20 minutes 21 seconds for her 10th parkrun.   

NICK GILL ran his 100th parkrun at Stevenage and did it with a new parkrun personal best of 18 minutes 40 seconds (18:40) which got him a top ten sixth place out of the 406 finishers. 

NICOLA ANNDERSSON ran a new parkrun PB of 26:22 in Ballina, Ireland  

Categories
Club News Race Results

SPARTANS PROMOTED! 

The Spartans are promoted!  In the final counting race of the Mid Week series Stevenage based Fairlands Valley Spartans squeezed past Royston Runners to grab second spot and thus promotion to the top division in the Mid Week League. 

In the end it couldn’t have been much closer with Watford first with 39 points, Spartans second with 38 and Royston missing out with third and 37. 

They did it by coming second in the men’s contest while Royston slipped to fourth.  While the Spartans were third in the women’s event, with home team Barnet winning Royston coming two places behind in the men’s race gave FVS the opportunity. 

The Trent Park race had a largely off road six miles course.  There were 449 runners overall for the combined divisions two and three event and 43 were Spartans. 

There were some brilliant Spartan performances including SAMANTHA-PRETTY CONNORS (41:30); ASHLEY JOHNSON (41:45) and CHRISTINE LATHWELL (42:02) all top ten at fourth, fifth and sixth in the women’s race.  Samantha won her category (FV35); Ashley was second and Christine was second in the FV45.  YUKO GORDON was first woman 65 plus with 49:36. 

And the FVS men had four in the top ten.  ANDREW PATTERSON (33:45); SIMON FRASER (33:54); ADRIAN BUSOLINI (34:17) and SIMON JACKSON (35:06) were fourth, fifth, sixth and ninth!  Andrew was the fastest man over 40 and Simon Jackson third. 

As a bonus the club won the veterans championship with 41 points ahead of Watford on 39 and Barnet on 27 – having beaten Watford by one race position on Thursday, just one race position by one runner – but what they are really celebrating is promotion to division one. 

Ware 10 miles 

Spartan MIKE JEFFS ran an amazing new personal best (PB) of 64 minutes 14 seconds in the challenging Ware ten mile race on Sunday morning.  He was fourth senior man, fifth overall. 

JIM BROWN defended his 70 plus “title” which he won last year.  This time he finished in exactly 100 minutes and exactly four minutes ahead of his nearest rival.   

MO WARRILLOW was fourth FV45 in 1:29:30 and ROBERT WRIGHT was another Spartan top ten in his category.  He was seventh MV40 in 1:14:07. 

DAVID PATTMAN and STEVEN DOBNER came in with 1:22:37 and 1:23:33.  There were 220 finishers. 

Photo Credit to Tony Randfield
Pos Cat Pos  Name Cat Gun Chip Comments 
5. 4 6087 Mike JEFFS MS 1:04:15 1:04:14 PB 
29. 7 6155 Robert WRIGHT MV40 1:14:07 1:14:03   
84. 25 6144 David PATTMAN MV40 1:22:37 1:22:30   
90. 26 6143 Steven DOBNER MV40 1:23:33 1:23:25   
122. 4 6168 Mo WARRILLOW FV45 1:29:38 1:29:30   
178. 1 6094 Jim BROWN MV70+ 1:40:10 1:40:00 1st MV70 

7 Peaks in Snowdonia 

Spartan JOHN NELMS took part in a national police competition on Saturday joining teams from 30 different forces racing on a 22 mile all off road route over 7 peaks in Snowdonia.  With almost 9000 feet of elevation and weather ranging from freezing rain to glorious sunshine, the team finished 21st out of 40 and 2nd in the super veterans’ category (all four team members had to be over 50 on race day). 

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 1st July 2023 

Congratulations to MATTHEW NEWTON running a parkrun PB of 18:50 at St Albans.

For the Consolidated Results please click the link.

Tables 

Women at Trent Park (Division 2 Race) – Thursday 29th June 

Tkt Race Name Surname Time Div Pos Cat Vet Cat M/F Team 
7 89 Samantha Pretty-Connors 41:30 4 1 2 V 35 F A 
8 92 Ashley Johnson 41:45 5 2 3 V 35 F A 
9 94 Christine Lathwell* 42:02 6 2 4 V 45 F A 
27 174 Georgie Hooper 46:14 17 5 10 V 35 F A 
30 177 Gabrielle O’Brien 46:21 19   S F A 
35 196 Marie Colucci 47:16 21 6 12 V 45 F A 
56 239 Yuko Gordon 49:36 32 1 17 V 65 F A 
93 326 Mo Warrillow 54:18 58 14 34 V 45 F A 
102 341 Nicola Andersson 55:13 63 16 39 V 45 F  
108 349 Chloe Chapman 55:51 68   S F  
119 365 Anna Swanepoel 57:07 74 16 47 V 35 F  
146 411 Sharon Crowley 1:03:08 89 15 58 V 55 F  
156 425 Monica Smithson 1:07:00 96 16 64 V 55 F  
170 445 Callie Chapman 1:17:22 101 19 69 V 35 F  
171 446 Hazel Smith 1:17:22 102 27 70 V 45 F  

Men at Trent Park (Division 2 Race) – Thursday 29th June 

Ticket Race Name Surname Time Div Pos Cat Vet Cat M/F Team 
5 5 Andrew Patterson 33:45 4 1 1 V 40 M A 
6 6 Simon Fraser 33:54 5   S M A 
7 7 Adrian Busolini 34:17 6   S M A 
12 12 Simon Jackson 35:06 9 3 3 V 40 M A 
17 17 Jonathan Parr 36:08 14   S M A 
24 24 Richard Bate 37:14 19 6 8 V 40 M A 
39 39 Mike Jeffs 38:34 25   S M A 
41 41 Nick Gill 38:39 26   S M A 
79 84 Adrian Donnelly 41:09 51 20 26 V 40 M A 
85 93 Ross Gallagher 41:58 55   S M A 
86 96 Danny Scanlon 42:03 56 23 30 V 40 M A 
97 110 Stuart Archer 42:47 61   S M A 
106 123 Robert Wright 43:46 65 27 37 V 40 M B 
111 130 Matt Gifford 44:08 68 11 40 V 50 M B 
121 141 David Pattman 44:42 74 29 44 V 40 M B 
125 146 Alexey Zherdev 44:54 75 30 45 V 40 M B 
139 163 Francois Swanepoel 45:54 84 35 53 V 40 M B 
148 178 Pete Smith 46:22 87 5 56 V 60 M B 
157 191 Craig Bacon 46:58 90 15 59 V 50 M B 
187 248 Charlie Arnold 50:02 109 10 75 V 60 M B 
233 324 Nick Kleanthous 54:12 132 13 94 V 60 M B 
240 343 Matt Tutton 55:31 138   S M B 
252 374 Tim Robinson 58:15 146 29 104 V 50 M B 
253 376 John Harris 58:33 147 17 105 V 60 M B 
254 377 Jim Brown 58:35 148 6 106 V 70 M  
264 404 Michael O’Keefe 1:01:21 152 31 109 V 50 M  
270 427 Paul Holgate 1:07:37 155 19 112 V 60 M  
273 437 Paul Jennings 1:12:40 157 55 114 V 40 M  
Categories
Club News Race Results

SUB THREE AT FIRST MARATHON FOR DAVID

Spartan DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT beat three hours in his first ever marathon.  He ran the Edinburgh Marathon in 2 hours 54 minutes 13 seconds and was seventh in the men 45 plus category.  David’s really pleased and proud of the result. 

Also at Edinburgh was ROB WRIGHT and he ran a new personal best (PB) of 3 hours 31 minutes 6 seconds. 

Round Up of Mid Week League Race 1 

Fairlands Valley Spartans gave their promotion hopes a tremendous boost in the first race in the 2023 Mid Week League series.  The Spartans had 67 finishers, more than any other club. 

FVS were second in the men’s “A” race just behind Watford and second in the women’s “A” race just behind Royston.  That meant that overall they scored ten match points – the same as current league leaders Watford. 

In the veterans competition the Spartans were second just behind Watford but WON the women’s event well clear of Bishop Stortford.  That means they lead the veterans contest. 

The Spartan women in the top ten were SAMANTHA PRETTY-CONNORS third, and first female 35 plus, in 40 minutes 4 seconds (40:04); CHRISTINE LATHWELL fourth, and second FV45, in 40:28 and ASHLEY JOHNSON sixth, and second 35 plus, in 40:59. 

The club’s leading men were SIMON FRASER sixth in 33:37; ANDREW PATTERSON eighth, and first man 40 plus, in 33:47; SIMON JACKSON tenth, and second man 40 plus, in 34:17 and, just out of the top ten but not far behind ADRIAN BUSOLINI eleventh in 34:27. 

Fairlands Valley Spartans had no less than three senior men’s teams, three senior women’s teams, five veteran men’s teams and six veteran women’s teams.  Senior men’s teams consisted of 12 runners.  Senior women teams had eight runners.  The 67 Spartans consisted of 38 men and 29 women. 

Hatfield Broad Oak 10k 

Jim Brown completed the course in 55:43 and Penny Schenkel in 59:05. 

Serpentine 5k 

Once through the first kilometre Spartan Jim Brown enjoyed himself and finished first MV70 in 27 minutes 24 seconds (63.7%). 

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 27th May

Please click the link for the Consolidated Results from last weeks Parkruns

Categories
Club News Race Results

TRENT PARK TRAILS

A huge thunderstorm and tremendous downpour confronted Fairlands Valley Spartans as they made their way to Trent Park, Cockfosters for the fourth Mid Week League event but 29 made it, enjoyed the rainbow and finished the event.  This was an evening largely off road 10K event. 

The fastest of the 18 men were ADRIAN BUSOLINI 25th in 37 minutes 59 seconds and SIMON FRASER 30th in 38:36.  PETE SMITH was the fastest 60 plus in the race with 45:53 and ROGER HARDMAN second 70 plus with 63:12. 

For the women SUZY HAWKINS was 16th in 44 minutes 40 seconds.  YUKO GORDON was the fastest 65 plus woman with 53:10. 

The speedy ones in action!

Altogether 306 runners finished the race.  The end of series celebration, the mob match, is at Welwyn Garden City on the 6th July. 

Happy stripes!

Ware Ten

There were two trophies for Fairlands Valley Spartans at Sunday’s testing Ware 10 mile race.  JIM BROWN won the male 70 plus award with 1 hour 34 minutes 32 seconds and JAN FRY won the women 65 plus category with 1:54:04. 

Jim and Jan with their medals.

ROB WRIGHT was the fastest Spartan with 1:19:52.  He was 67th out of the 260 finishers. 

STEVEN DOBNER said it was super weather for a scenic run around Ware and Hertford.  A few large lumps and some fast downhill sections on an enjoyable but tricky course.  A fantastic local event which deserves to be supported as they always put on a great race. 

He said he felt strong and happy to finish in 1:24:07 having spent most of the run alongside DAVID PATTMAN who finished a few seconds later in 1:24:11. 

Sunny Ware!

The fastest female from Fairlands was MO WARRILOW with 1:35:53.  CHRIS SAUNDERS ran his first ten mile race in 1:36:11 and NICOLA PATTMAN came in with 1:52:59. 

In the Ware 10K DZENANA TOPIC was 163rd in 1:11:45 and JONATHAN JONES 165th in 1:11:54. 

Roger on the River Thames Towpath  

On Friday ROGER BIGGS ran his longest race since September 21, with an event along the River Thames towpath in Walton-on-Thames. 

Eight out-and-back laps represented a total race distance equivalent to a half marathon (13.1 miles).  Roger completed the course 3:57:29 

The Legend that is Roger!

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 2nd July 

Stevenage parkrun was back above the 250 runner mark on Saturday. 

Stripey Saturday saw 24 Fairlands Valley Spartan members travelled to seven different Parkrun venues across the country. 

Jonathan PARR took first place at Exmouth finishing at 16:56, also taking the titles of fastest and the further travelled Spartan. 

Debbie BLANTERN was the fastest female Spartan finishing at 29:27 at Stevenage. 

Nikki NATION ran a personal best of 31:55, also at Stevenage. 

Three runners achieved year’s best times with Sam SIMMONS (20:04) and Hilary DAVIES (33:43) at Stevenage and Chris HOLLAND (24:50) at Rutland Waters. 

Unofficial milestones were achieved by Roger BIGGS completing 110th Parkruns, Michael O’KEEFE 140th and Danik BATES 220th  this weekend. 

Stevenage celebrates its 250th parkrun on Saturday 16th July.  Make sure you have your free parkrun barcode and that your parkrun profile includes Fairlands Valley Spartans. 

Tables 

Spartan Men 

Race Men Pos Cat Vet Time Name Surname Cat. M/F Comments 
25 25     37:59 Adrian Busolini S M A team 
30 30     38:36 Simon Fraser S M A team 
67 64     41:52 Ross Gallagher S M A team 
78 73 27 32 42:49 Adrian Donnelly V 40 M A team 
121 100     45:49 Nick Gill S M A team 
124 102 1 57 45:53 Pete Smith V 60 M 1st MV60 and A team 
135 108 43 63 46:57 Grant Ramsay V 40 M A team 
156 121 23 73 48:17 Craig Bacon V 50 M A team 
166 127 26 79 49:13 Martin Wood V 50 M A team 
168 129 51 81 49:26 David Pattman V 40 M A team 
174 134 5 86 49:46 Mark Goodwin V 60 M A team 
200 153 63 102 52:08 Steven Dobner V 40 M A team 
249 180 49 127 58:14 Tim Robinson V 50 M   
267 185 14 132 1:00:43 Jim Brown V 60 M   
275 188 2 135 1:03:12 Roger Hardman V 70 M 2nd MV70 
286 191 55 138 1:05:01 Michael O’Keefe V 50 M   
296 193 57 140 1:07:35 Andy Jay V 50 M   
306 194 16 141 1:27:31 Paul Holgate V 60 M   

194 men in the race.  18 Spartans. 

Spartan Women 

Race Pos Cat Vet Time Name Surname Cat. M/F Comments 
103 16 4 12 44:40 Suzy Hawkins V 45 F 4th FV45 
204 48 13 33 52:29 Tracy Pez V 45 F   
205 49 1 34 53:10 Yuko Gordon V 65 F 1st FV65 
231 63 21 45 56:17 Karen Ellis V 45 F   
250 70 24 51 58:29 Wendy Tharani V 45 F   
261 77 23 58 59:52 Georgie Hooper V 35 F   
290 99 38 79 1:06:14 Jenny Garrett V 45 F   
291 100 39 80 1:06:31 Mo Warrillow V 45 F   
301 108 20 87 1:11:51 Jane Wadey V 55 F   
303 110 27 89 1:14:50 Callie Chapman V 35 F   
305 112 21 91 1:27:30 Sharon Crowley V 55 F   

11 Spartan women.  112 in race. 

Spartan at the Ware Ten 

Pos Name Chip Category Cat Pos Gender Age Grade Pace Comments 
67 Robert WRIGHT 1:19:52 Ages 20 – 39 21 Male 55.98 4:59 min/km  
91 Steven DOBNER 1:24:07 Ages 40 – 49 21 Male 57.21 5:14 min/km  
93 David PATTMAN 1:24:11 Ages 40 – 49 23 Male 55.28 5:14 min/km  
171 Jim BROWN 1:34:32 Ages 70+ 1 Male 62.56 5:53 min/km Winner MV70 
182 Mo WARRILLOW 1:35:53 Ages 45 – 54 18 Female 57.05 5:58 min/km  
185 Chris SAUNDERS 1:36:11 Ages 20 – 39 42 Male 46.23 5:59 min/km First 10 mile race 
242 Nicola PATTMAN 1:52:59 Ages 35 – 44 33 Female 45.73 7:02 min/km  
243 Jan FRY 1:53:04 Ages 65+ 1 Female 64.62 7:03 min/km Winner FV65 

There were 260 finishers. 

Spartans at Parkruns on Saturday 2nd July 

Position   Gender Position   parkrunner   Run Time     
Westmill parkrun         
43 34 Nick KLEANTHOUS 29:37   
Stevenage parkrun         
2 2 Grant RAMSAY 18:31   
18 16 Sam SIMMONS 22:04 YB 
63 54 James MCSWEENEY 25:20   
68 57 Matt CLARKE 25:31   
77 66 David PATTMAN 26:13   
78 67 Danik BATES 26:21 220th 
104 87 Steven DOBNER 27:41   
112 90 Jim BROWN 27:58   
138 28 Debbie BLANTERN 29:27   
167 39 Nikki Katherine NATION 31:55 PB 
173 42 Jane WADEY 32:34   
184 49 Hilary DAVIES 33:43 YB 
201 57 Mo WARRILLOW 35:07   
202 58 Erica GRAYSON 35:07   
233 79 Sharon CROWLEY 40:02   
234 141 Paul HOLGATE 40:03   
242 145 Tony RANDFIELD 43:22   
243 146 Roger BIGGS 44:16 110th 
Rutland Water parkrun         
55 47 Chris HOLLAND 24:50 YB 
Exmouth parkrun         
1 1 Jonathan PARR 16:56   
Great Dunmow parkrun         
70 47 Darryl STEVENS 38:18   
Hunstanton Promenade parkrun         
12 1 Nicola KENNEDY 26:45   
Henlow Bridge Lakes parkrun         
49 41 Michael O’KEEFE 28:52 140th 
Categories
Club News Race Results

MIDWEEK RACING IS BACK

Mid Week racing is back for the first time in three years.  409 raced in Wednesday evening’s Mid Week League race and 79 of them were from Fairlands Valley Spartans.  The six mile race started and finished at the showground end of Fairlands Valley Park in Stevenage. 

There was some amazing running at the front end of the race which was won in 31:25 and the Spartans were fifth on the night. 

First in for the Spartans was SIMON JACKSON 15th out of 259 men in 32:59.  Not far behind came JONATHAN PARR at 17th in 33:03; SIMON FRASER 23rd in 33:39 and ANDREW PATTERSON 26th with 33:52. 

Top four finishers for the men.

PETE SMITH was third man 60 plus in 41:44. 

The quickest woman completed the largely Gunnels Wood Road cycleway based course in 34 minutes 54 seconds.  SUZY HAWKINS 16th woman out of 151 at 40:38 was the fastest of the 34 females from Fairlands and GABRIELLE O’BRIEN was 26th in 41:41 with ASHLEY KING just two seconds behind her 27th in 41:43. 

MARIE COLUCCI (45:27); ABBIE PEZ second under 20 (45:31); GEORGIE HOOPER (46:50), CLAIRE PULLEN (47:09) and TRACY PEZ (also 47:09) completed the FVS women’s “A” team. 

Marie, Tracy, Abbie and Gabrielle being chased down by Pete.

KELY McHALE led in the women’s “B” team with 47:56. 

VICKY ARCHER did a magnificent job as tail runner bringing the last runner in at 1 hour 21 minutes 57 seconds. 

Men’s teams consisted of twelve runners while women’s teams had eight so there were three men’s teams and four women’s from FVS.  The race was organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans and North Herts Road Runners. 

The second Mid Week Road Race League event will be in St. Albans on Wednesday evening 25th May. 

(For all the Spartan MWRRL results please look near the end of this release). 

Hertfordshire County Championships 

JONATHAN PARR raced in the 5,000 metres Hertfordshire County Championships at the weekend and won the trophy. 

He said it wasn’t the fastest race in the wind and the rain but he was really pleased with the result.  He won the GOLD medal in 16 minutes 28 seconds. 

The event was at the Bedfordshire International Athletics Track. 

Jonathon with his trophy!

Oxford Town & Gown 10K

SITA CHITAMBO ran the Oxford Town and Gown 10K in 63 minutes 11 seconds. 

Mammoth Half 

EMMA SOUTHERINGTON and SAMANTHA SUTTON ran the Mammoth Half in Norfolk on Sunday.  On a very tough course from Mundesley to Sheringham Emma finished in 2 hours 49 minutes 28 seconds and Samanth in 2:55:07.  There were 823 feet of climbs. 

Emma and Sam smiling with their well earnt medals!

Parkrun Highlights 

Thirty-three Fairlands Valley Spartans entered Parkrun Events in the May sunshine this weekend. 

SIMON FRASER was first to finish the Stevenage event in a time of 17 minutes and 41 seconds.  He was closely followed by GRANT RAMSAY who was third overall in 18:46, and ALISON SHELLEY was the first Spartans female to finish with 26:35.  Completing his 100th Parkrun event on the same course, TONY RANDFIELD ran in 31 minutes and 50 seconds. 

NICK KLEANTHOUS ran a parkrun PB time at the Gunpowder Parkrun of 24:52.  On the Westmill run, DAVID ACKERLEY finished fifth in 21:34. 

Stevenage parkrunners including Tony in his 100 cape!

Tables 

Spartans in Race One of the Mid Week League 

Race Pos Cat Vet No. Time Name Surname Cat. Team M/F 12 
15 15 3 3 1055 32:59 Simon Jackson V 40 A M 15 
17 17   1045 33:03 Jonathan Parr S A M 17 
23 23   1065 33:39 Simon Fraser S A M 23 
26 26 8 8 1053 33:52 Andrew Patterson V 40 A M 26 
45 43   1084 35:07 Adrian Busolini S A M 43 
48 46   1067 35:22 Kelvin Beyioku S A M 46 
58 54 19 23 1073 35:58 Danny Hukin V 40 A M 54 
61 57 20 24 1086 36:07 Steffan Ford V 40 A M 57 
77 72 27 32 1074 37:32 Grant Ramsay V 40 A M 72 
83 77   1049 37:43 Paul Hewett S A M 77 
85 79   1071 37:47 Stuart Archer S A M 79 
91 83   1057 38:03 Ross Gallagher S A M 83 
95 86   1066 38:38 Mark Williams S B M 86 
96 87   1050 38:39 Mike Jeffs S B M 87 
106 93   1046 39:25 Nick Gill S B M 93 
113 99 13 45 1078 40:04 Paul Shelley V 50 B M 99 
124 108 17 53 1041 40:37 John Harris V 50 B M 108 
133 115 2 58 1052 40:54 Steve Wells V 60 B M 115 
142 121 42 64 1085 41:17 Mark Collins V 40 B M 121 
147 123   1081 41:31 Robert Wright S B M 123 
155 127 3 69 1042 41:44 Pete Smith V 60 B M 127 
181 148 28 87 1061 43:05 Matt Clarke V 50 B M 148 
189 155 32 92 1083 43:31 Martin Wood V 50 B M 155 
190 156 55 93 1048 43:32 Thomas Sauka V 40 B M 156 
199 162   1047 43:58 Sam Simmons S C M 162 
204 165 60 100 1079 44:27 David Pattman V 40 C M 165 
211 171 8 105 1051 44:43 Tony Randfield V 60 C M 171 
218 176 37 109 1059 45:04 Craig Bacon V 50 C M 176 
230 182 11 114 1044 45:41 Mark Goodwin V 60 C M 182 
248 192 44 123 1043 46:38 Paul Maguire V 50 C M 192 
269 203 49 134 1064 47:59 Darren Emmerson V 50 C M 203 
274 207 73 138 1076 48:43 Steven Dobner V 40 C M 207 
275 208   1075 48:43 Luke Gurney S C M 208 
286 215 54 145 1082 49:32 Tim Robinson V 50 C M 215 
305 225 19 154 1062 50:54 Nick Kleanthous V 60 C M 225 
308 227 58 156 1063 51:12 Mark MacDonald V 50 C M 227 
320 232   1068 52:34 Chris Parsons S  M 232 
323 233 59 161 1058 52:47 Karl Shreeve V 50  M 233 
331 236 21 164 1054 53:24 Steve Pike V 60  M 236 
336 238 22 165 1056 53:56 Jim Brown V 60  M 238 
341 241 80 168 1060 54:41 Simon Sypula V 40  M 241 
342 242   1080 54:41 Steve Tinsley S  M 242 
389 252 70 178 1069 1:03:08 Jonathan Jones V 50  M 252 
391 253 71 179 1070 1:03:19 Taher Tharani V 50  M 253 
405 256 25 182 1072 1:19:15 Paul Holgate V 60  M 256 

45 FVS men 

Women 

Race Pos Cat Vet No. Time Name Surname Cat. Club M/F 8 
127 16 4 11 1159 40:38 Suzy Hawkins V 45 A F 16 
153 26   1183 41:41 Gabrielle O’Brien S A F 26 
154 27 12 19 1169 41:43 Ashley King V 35 A F 27 
224 44 15 31 1164 45:27 Marie Colucci V 35 A F 44 
227 46 2  1186 45:31 Abbie Pez U 20 A F 46 
249 56 19 40 1185 46:50 Georgie Hooper V 35 A F 56 
253 58 2 42 1168 47:09 Claire Pullen V 55 A F 58 
254 59 21 43 1187 47:09 Tracy Pez V 45 A F 59 
268 65 21 49 1157 47:56 Kelly McHale V 35 B F 65 
291 73 28 57 1162 49:46 Karen Ellis V 45 B F 73 
309 81 27 64 1158 51:23 Kelly Evans V 35 B F 81 
322 89 34 71 1171 52:39 Nicola Andersson V 45 B F 89 
326 91 35 73 1181 53:00 Claire Emmerson V 45 B F 91 
329 93 36 75 1167 53:15 Wendy Tharani V 45 B F 93 
332 95 37 77 1166 53:29 Carole Sheldrick V 45 B F 95 
356 109 44 90 1161 56:02 Sarah Illingworth V 45 B F 109 
358 111 46 92 1160 56:10 Debbie Blantern V 45 C F 111 
371 119 32 100 1176 58:57 Christine Zverev V 35 C F 119 
374 122 18 103 1175 59:24 Monica Smithson V 55 C F 122 
384 132 54 113 1178 1:02:27 Mo Warrillow V 45 C F 132 
390 136 33 117 1188 1:03:19 Callie Chapman V 35 C F 136 
395 139 58 120 1170 1:05:27 Tracy Haygarth V 45 C F 139 
396 140 26 121 1182 1:05:58 Jane Wadey V 55 C F 140 
398 141 27 122 1184 1:09:25 Sally Phillips V 55 C F 141 
399 142 59 123 1165 1:09:32 Samantha Sutton V 45 D F 142 
400 143 60 124 1172 1:10:33 Nicola Hatherly V 45 D F 143 
401 144 28 125 1173 1:11:18 Sally Pickles V 55 D F 144 
402 145 29 126 1180 1:11:27 Jane Whitrow V 55 D F 145 
403 146 30 127 1179 1:11:28 Judy King V 55 D F 146 
404 147 34 128 1163 1:11:54 Stephanie Biggar V 35 D F 147 
406 148 61 129 1174 1:19:54 Amanda Vickers V 45 D F 148 
407 149 35 130 1190 1:21:57 Nichola Durent V 35 D F 149 
408 150 31 131 1189 1:21:57 Sharon Crowley V 55  F 150 
409 151 36 132 1177 1:21:57 Vicky Archer V 35  F 151 

34 FVS women.   

Spartans at parkrun 

Parkrun Position Gender Position Parkrunner Time Comments 
Stevenage 1 1 Simon FRASER 00:17:41 Winner 
  3 3 Grant RAMSAY 00:18:46 Third 
  48 46 Thomas SAUKA 00:23:20  
  66 59 Ryan DUNNING 00:24:26  
  67 60 Darren EMMERSON 00:24:33  
  107 14 Alison SHELLEY 00:26:35  
  110 15 Ashley SCHOENWETTER 00:26:44  
  126 106 Matt CLARKE 00:27:12  
  130 21 Claire EMMERSON 00:27:30  
  138 114 Mark BEASLEY 00:27:47  
  154 28 Mo WARRILLOW 00:28:19  
  155 125 David PATTMAN 00:28:19  
  156 126 Steven DOBNER 00:28:20  
  164 131 Jim BROWN 00:28:37  
  165 32 Debbie BLANTERN 00:28:41  
  170 135 Toby ECCLESHALL 00:28:56  
  189 46 Nicola ANDERSSON 00:30:25  
  190 47 Karen ELLIS 00:30:26  
  204 57 Erica GRAYSON 00:31:48  
  205 146 Tony RANDFIELD 00:31:50 100th 
  263 167 Simon SYPULA 00:39:14  
  278 172 Roger BIGGS 00:47:56  
  279 103 Sharon CROWLEY 00:47:57  
           
Southsea 337 99 Tracy HAYGARTH 00:34:04  
           
Bedford 106 88 Sam SIMMONS 00:26:05  
           
Westmill 6 5 David ACKERLEY 00:21:34  
  24 20 James MCSWEENEY 00:25:51  
           
Gunpowder 45 36 Nick KLEANTHOUS 00:24:52 Parkrun PB 
           
Houghton Hall 101 22 Annabelle WHITE 00:31:22  
           
Brockenhurst 75 44 Darryl STEVENS 00:44:16  
           
Henlow Bridge Lakes 28 28 Paul MAGUIRE 00:23:59  
           
North Walsham 62 20 Samantha SUTTON 00:37:43  
Categories
Club News Race Results

SPARTANS RUNNERS UP

Mid Week League

Fairlands Valley Spartans were runners up in the 2021 series of Mid Week Road Race League 10K races. They were comfortably in second place in the top division with 27 points and a score of 1,624 positions. Trent Park won with 31 points and a score of 1,158 while North Herts were third with 25 points and a score of 1,850. (A low score is a good score as, for example, first place scores only one point). The Spartan men WON while the club’s women were second.

The result was confirmed in the fourth race when the Spartans men and women were both third but overall the club came second. FVS kept up their participation rates compared with other clubs. There are six clubs in division one. In race four 21 of the 76 women were Spartans and 36 of the 94 men were from the Stevenage based club.

Spartan highlights from race four included SIMON JACKSON second overall in 34 minutes 51 seconds; ANDREW PATTERSON third overall in 35:13 and ADRIAN BUSOLINI sixth overall in 36:16.

BRIAN WHITE was first man over 60 with 44:26; BARRY OSBORNE first man over 70 with 44:36 and WILLIAM MORLEY first male under 20 with 55:12. SIMON JACKSON was also second man over 40.

In the women’s race YUKO GORDON was in the top ten and first over 65 with 46 minutes 19 seconds and CAROLYN LINSELL second over 65 with 57:25.

JO BOWDERY was eleventh in 46:58 and TRACY PEZ fifteenth in 48:40. ZOE JACKSON just missed the top twenty at 21st in 51:46.

As the league has not had any massed start races this year all these times were recorded virtually; in the Spartans specially organised wave 10K event or in open and accurately measured 10K races.

24 Spartans ran all four midweek 10K races.

(Look near the end of this release for tables giving results for all 57 Spartans).

Big Half

In the Vitality Big Half Marathon YUKO GORDON was first in her age category, 70 plus, with 1 hour 38 minutes 35 seconds.

Spartan ASHLEY JOHNSON ran an excellent 1 hour 42 minutes 21 seconds in the event which attracted nearly 10,000 runners.

MARIAN MORLEY was running her first race in London and her first half other than the New Forest Virtual Half Marathon in 2020.

She said it was really enjoyable and finished in 2 hours 7 minutes 36 seconds which is a half marathon personal best (PB) and added there was good entertainment on the route and quite a few spectators.

SUE HAMER and ERICA GRAYSON finished together in 2:15:55.

Entries Open for the Stevenage Half Marathon

Entries for the Stevenage Half Marathon are open. 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. This year the race will be on Sunday 21st November (a couple of weeks later than usual).

To enter have a look at https://stevenagehalfmarathon.org.uk/

Tessa Takes Gold at National Championships

In a very close race, TESSA STEPHENSON became National 200 metres Gold Medallist in the race for Women aged 60 to 64 at the British Masters Championships, held in Derby at the weekend. After trailing the leader all the way, Tessa raised herself to take the lead in the last few metres in a time of 32.58 seconds. Earlier in the day, she had finished in sixth place in the 100m in a time of 15.86 seconds, using this as a warm up for her preferred event. In the category for men aged 55 to 59, her husband DAVE competed in the 400 metres finishing in second for the Silver Medal in a time of 65.45 seconds.

At the same championships GRANT RAMSAY was third man 45 plus in the 3,000 metres steeplechase with 12 minutes 10.84 seconds.

Parkrun Highlights 21st August 2021 – fifth week back

Stevenage Parkrun hit a new post lockdown record with 341 finishers in the fifth week back. 24 of them were Spartans.

Parkrun report by Danik Bates

Steve Wells was the only Spartan to manage a sub-20-minute 5km on Saturday morning at the course in Stevenage whilst Suzy Hawkins was spot on twenty minutes. 341 runners took part in this week’s event. 

Results: STEVE WELLS 19-52 (10th), SUZY HAWKINS 20-00 (13th), BARRY OSBORNE 21-26 (32nd), JAMES MCSWEENY 23-53 (71st), MARTIN DUDLEY 24-07 (79th), CLIVE CANNON 24-29 (92nd), DARREN EMMERSON 24-40 (102nd), KAREN ELLIS 25-29 (118th), SAM SIMMONS 25-55 (132nd), NICK KLEANTHOUS 26-14 (139th), JIM BROWN 26-34 (144th), DANIK BATES 26-38 (147th and with a stroller), NICOLA ANDERSSON 27-26 (164th), STEVEN DOBNER 27-46 (172nd), DAVID PATTMAN 27-47 (173rd), TOBY ECCLESHALL 28-04 (180th), PAUL HOLGATE 29-47 (200th), FIONA CLARKE 32-11 (241st), MATT CLARKE 32-12 (242nd), CHLOE CHAPMAN 32-28 (244th), TRACEY STILES 32-56 (247th), HILARY DAVIES 33-01 (248th), BETH FOLEY 34-30 (267th) and SHELBE MOONBEAM 41-27 (312th). 

Away days: 

Upton House (near Poole, Dorset): JOHN ROXBOROUGH 26-29 (128th), KEN JUDE 26-47 (138th). There were 337 runners.

Wimpole Estate (Cambs): BARRY KING 28-38 (144th), NICK WITCOMBE 35-47 (242nd). There were 295 runners.

Rutland Water (Rutland): DANIEL SUTTON 25-56 (90th), VERITY FISHER 32-18 (197th). There were 265 runners.

Millennium County – Forest of Marston (Beds): MICHAEL O’KEEFE 29-02 (68th). There were 129 runners.

Littlehampton Promenade (West Sussex): DARRYL STEVENS 36-53 (162nd). There were 179 runners.

CAROLYN LINSELL enjoyed her first run in her Spartans stripes! She ran the Hunstanton Promenade parkrun was first in her age group and took two seconds of her parkrun PB with 25:57.

A total of 33 Spartans.

Flying On Number 66 and 67

In anticipation of Sunday’s celebration numbers were down a bit for Saturday’s 66th virtual Fly 5K. However there were 151 runners including three Spartans. JIM BROWN was 68th and second in category with 26 minutes 34 seconds; NICOLA ANDERSSON 78th in 27:24 and PAUL HOLGATE second in his category and 99th with 29:46.

Fly 67 was the live celebration on Sunday. It was at Drift Limits, Bovingdon near Berkhamsted on Sunday 22nd August to bring people together who had not seen each other through months of virtual racing. The same three Spartans took part. NICOLA ANDERSSON in a new Fly 5K personal best of 25:43; JIM BROWN in 26:04 and PAUL HOLGATE in 29:36.

Fly 5K was one of the stars of lockdown keeping runners moving and in touch during the restrictions.

Sharon Sprints for Bronze in the Virtual Coast Challenge

After nearly 3,000 kilometres SHARON CROWLEY “sprinted” for club bronze in the Virtual Coast Challenge. She “crossed the line” in Bristol on Tuesday evening having followed an anticlockwise route starting from Bristol and following the coasts and borders of England. As she completed the 2,970 kilometres fourth placed BRIAN WHITE was on 2,921.7 kilometres, less than 50 behind.

The other Spartans through the 2,000 kilometre mark by Tuesday evening were JON SYPULA 2,327.2; KEN JUDE 2,255.6; CATHY CRAIG 2,191.9; HAZEL SMITH 2,174.8, LIZ CROWLEY 2,083.4 and PAUL HOLGATE on 2011.3. They and four other Spartans have until the end of the year to finish the event but the “podium” is complete.