Tag: Serpentine 5K

HARLOW MID WEEK

54 Spartans made the trip to Harlow for Wednesday’s mid week road race league event. The 23 Spartan women and 31 men were among 537 who finished the event.

This was a nominal 10K with a mixture of road and some quite narrow trail sections. For this event it was positions rather than times that mattered!

New member SAMUEL PAUL had an amazing run and finished 19^th in just 36 minutes 27 seconds. CHARLIE WHITE was next in for Fairlands Valley at 26^th in 37:11. This time seven Spartans beat 40 minutes. The others were MIKE JEFFS 38:15; NICK ANDREWS 38:49; MICHAEL FISHER 39:12; JAY PAPA 39:35; and NICK GILL 39:53.

GEORGIE HOOPER led in the women’s “A” team. She was 14^th women with 44:07. The other “A” runners were SUZY HAWKINS 47:33; OLI LACIGOVA 48:35; HARRIET FELSTEAD 49:17; ALICE WELCH 50:05; JODIE WILSON 52:34; LEANNE WILSON 53:48 and CLAIRE PULLEN 53:55.

CHARLIE ARNOLD was the fastest man over 70 with 50:04 and SHARON CROWLEY the third fastest woman over 65 with 59:03.

Another good turnout meant there were also Spartan men’s and women’s “B” teams and many others enjoying a good run.

The next and final counting Mid Week League race will be in Chingford on Wednesday evening 1^st July. After three races the Spartans are mid-table but some of the margins are tight so they could move up in race four.

The Spartans men and combined team were fourth club out of seven from division two at the Harlow race. The FVS women tied in fourth place with Watford.

After three races the Spartans overall cumulative score puts them at fourth with their men at fourth but their women fifth. Again just one point ahead of Watford. That fourth race is going to be interesting.

Race	M/F	Cat	No.	First Name	Last Name	Time	Cat.
19	15		1172	Samuel	Paul	36:27	S
26	21		1111	Charlie	White	37:11	S
38	31	16	1171	Mike	Jeffs	38:15	V 40
48	37	20	1150	Nick	Andrews	38:49	V 40
55	41		1155	Michael	Fisher	39:12	S
62	44		1096	Jay	Papa	39:35	S
70	47		1129	Nick	Gill	39:53	S
98	63	27	1110	Pete	Gentle	41:08	V 40
123	72	9	1142	Andrew	Shaw	43:06	V 50
140	14	6	1132	Georgie	Hooper	44:07	V 35
162	81	34	1118	Sam	Jarvis	45:08	V 40
170	84	14	1094	Paul	Shelley	45:21	V 50
175	86	15	1149	Alexey	Zherdev	45:31	V 50
196	95	36	1088	Danny	Scanlon	46:28	V 40
208	97	20	1147	Stephen	Massey	47:18	V 50
210	99	37	1133	Keith	Hooker	47:22	V 40
215	28	5	1144	Suzy	Hawkins	47:33	V 45
216	100		1146	Melvin	Auburn	47:34	S
235	106		1167	Matthew	Cooke	48:20	S
238	33	13	1177	Oli	Lacigova	48:35	V 35
250	112	23	1130	Craig	Bacon	49:12	V 50
253	37		1115	Harriet	Felstead	49:17	S
261	113	24	1173	Graham	Hoare	49:49	V 50
267	116	1	1093	Charlie	Arnold	50:04	V 70
268	39		1170	Alice	Welch	50:05	S
293	123	29	1119	Simon	Haigh	51:00	V 50
325	50		1098	Jodie	Wilson	52:34	S
328	134	32	1121	Tony	Vickers	52:43	V 50
331	136	4	1108	Brian	White	52:49	V 70
348	142	8	1151	Martin	Wood	53:45	V 60
349	57		1162	Leanne	Wilson	53:48	S
353	59	5	1134	Claire	Pullen	53:55	V 55
366	62		1156	Megan	Sutton	54:33	S
381	149	11	1135	Martin	Dudley	55:32	V 60
403	74	18	1137	Lucy	Paul	56:33	V 45
441	87	3	1104	Sharon	Crowley	59:03	V 65
449	91	22	1136	Sam	Gentry	59:49	V 45
453	159	41	1126	Karl	Shreeve	1:00:00	V 50
460	95	14	1127	Lorraine	Hill	1:00:43	V 55
461	160	15	1176	Ralph	Dadswell*	1:00:43	V 60
464	96	15	1164	Alison	Shelley	1:00:55	V 55
465	162	7	1158	Jim	Brown	1:00:58	V 70
473	165	42	1113	Pete	Cook	1:01:34	V 50
477	99	17	1174	Sally	Pickles	1:01:51	V 55
480	100	25	1123	Samantha	Sutton	1:02:21	V 45
483	166	43	1139	Tim	Robinson	1:02:26	V 50
487	103	27	1175	Sujatha	Alexander	1:03:09	V 45
497	168	55	1141	Matt	Tutton	1:04:43	V 40
504	111	21	1125	Judy	King	1:05:39	V 55
507	113	31	1106	Claire	Emmerson	1:06:23	V 45
508	114	22	1107	Penny	Schenkel	1:06:30	V 55
509	115	29	1087	Callie	Chapman	1:07:18	V 35
521	118	33	1091	Hayley	Peach	1:09:26	V 45
527	122	35	1120	Amanda	Vickers	1:11:31	V 45

Beat The Sunset Solstice Run

Five Spartans ran to beat the sunset on Friday evening. JOANNA NOWICKA, KATE ILES, JUDY KING, LEE POTTER and NICHOLA DURENT ran the St Albans Summer Solstice 10K.

Judy finished in 1:05:01; Joanna and Kate in 1:05:26; Lee in 1:29:50 and NICHOLA in 1:31:33.

Heatwave 5K

Temperatures rose to a heat wave 29 degrees in London on Friday but Spartan JIM BROWN was amongst those who tackled a lunch-time 5K in Hyde Park. The heat affected some but Jim was quite happy with his 28:17 and an age score of 64.66%.

His run means he has completed a series of six Serpentine 5Ks and is now in fifth position in the championship with an average of 62.7%. He might be able to improve that a little if he can do better than 58.7% in a Friday race later this year.

Bass Belle for Brainstrust

Some Fairlands Valley Spartans were at the Bass Belle 10K. The event raises funds for Brainstrust – the brain cancer people – and is based in Bassingbourn. About 7.5 kilometres of the 10K is run on public roads.

SAM GENTRY finished in 59:30. Although the course was fairly flat, it was extremely hot, so no personal best (pb) today but she was happy to get a sub 60. Sam said there was great support out on the course with people with hose pipes cooling us down. There was a great community feel to the race.

Another one struggling in the heat was SAMMIE SUTTON but she finished in 1 hour 3 minutes 57 seconds.

MONICA SMITHSON said her time was 1:15:35. Slow but it was extremely hot and as she is recovering from injury she was so glad she was able to take part 🙂

JANE WADEY completed the Bass Belle 10k for the first time on Sunday with 1:22:46. She was hoping to do better but it was very challenging with the heat and so many other runners were run/walking as well. Jane would do it again and hopefully on a cooler day.

CLAIRE EMMERSON came in with 57:41; JULIE BUDDEN with 1:31:01 and LEE POTTER with 1:31:02. There were 268 finishers.

Welwyn 10K

Spartan TONY RANDFIELD ran the Welwyn 10K at Panshanger in 49:15.

Spartans Success in the Spine Race – UK’s Most Brutal

Spartan DARREN WILBY has completed the UK’s most brutal race. The Montane Spine 2026.

He left Edale on Sunday morning and 268 miles later arrived in Kirk Yetholm after 120 hours 56 minutes and 46 seconds (120:56:46!). He was 17^th out of the 91 finishers. The time limit was seven days.

Earlier in the week JODIE KANTAS was FIRST WOMAN in the Challenger South. She raced 108 miles from Edale to Hawes in 31 hours 14 minutes 25 seconds (31:14:25). Well inside the time limit of 60 hours! 98 finished that event.

Hot Herts Hobble

The Herts Hobble was based from Baldock. The 26.6 miles Long Distance Walkers Association event went out through Walken on to Benington, a loop then back to Benington, then back to Walkern and on to Weston, finally finishing back in Baldock.

On a very hot day Karen Liddle, Trish Hooper and Barry King all finished together in 8 hours 7 minutes.

Sharon Crowley, Mike Crowley and Liz Crowley all finished together in 8 hours 37 minutes.

And A Hot Hampstead Heath

CHARLES WHITE travelled to Hampstead Heath on Sunday to take on another 1500 metres in the Southern Athletics League (SAL), competing for his second claim club. He managed to get a 4 seconds PB of 4 minutes 41 seconds despite the heat and a bit of illness.

Parkrun Highlights

Not quite as warm as Friday or Sunday and 462 people completed the Stevenage parkrun on Saturday morning. They included 180 women and 28 Spartans.

SIMON JACKSON was the fastest Spartan in second place overall with 17 minutes 50 seconds. LORRAINE HILL was the fastest female from Fairlands with 26:53.

Meanwhile PENNY SCHENKEL completed her 150^th parkrun in 43:02, an arbitrary milestone, and KEITH MANTON his 80^th in 45:36.

A famous five from Fairlands had a trip to the Great Denham parkrun which STUART ARCHER finished in 20:28; then ANDY PRIOR 25:16; VICKY ARCHER 25:19; CHARLES ARNOLD 26:40 and KEITH ABRAHAMS 28:12.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
2	2	Simon JACKSON	17:50
14	13	Steve WELLS	20:30
42	37	Andrew PATTERSON	22:30
56	49	Richard MOORE	23:17
68	58	Charlie WHITE	24:00
81	70	Matthew COOKE	24:42
86	75	Martin DUDLEY	24:50
92	79	Keith HOOKER	24:57
102	88	Matt CLARKE	25:15
123	105	Daniel VILJOEN	26:09
143	18	Lorraine HILL	26:53
146	120	Brian WHITE	26:58
163	26	Fiona CLARKE	27:39
173	31	Bronya BROWN	28:01
186	39	Alice WELCH	28:26
197	146	Ciaran MCANENY	28:51
198	147	Ryan DUNNING	28:54
200	148	Jim BROWN	29:02
234	170	Lee PICKERSGILL	30:12
277	192	Maurice BALLARD	31:59
315	91	Hayley PEACH	33:18
320	95	Pamela VILJOEN	33:31
362	222	Stephen SMITHSON	36:22
363	119	Monica SMITHSON	36:22
372	125	Zoe NEWELL	37:03
396	232	Lloyd DIAS	39:26
413	148	Penny SCHENKEL	43:02
429	246	Keith MANTON	45:36

Here Come the Relays in the Park – Almost Full

The 33^rd FVS Relays in the Park are nearly full. They are a great event to run and a great event to watch. They will be in Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage 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

There is capacity for 150 teams. 138 entries (552 people) had been received at the time of writing so don’t delay if you want to run.

Tags Bass Belle, Herts Hobble, Mid Week League, Montane Spine, parkrun, Serpentine 5K, Southern Athletics League, St Albans Summer Solstice 10k, Welwyn 10k

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

UNDULATE THE OAKLEY 20

10K & Half Marathon

The clocks have changed and dozens of Spartans are closing in on those Spring marathons.

Nine Spartans ran the Oakley 20 including KERSTIN PRIOR who accelerated by 2 minutes 25 seconds compared with her run at Debden two weeks earlier and beat three hours with 2 hours 59 minutes 22 seconds (2:59:22).

The Oakley 20 is a classic 20-mile road race and one of the most popular final long runs in the Spring marathon training calendar. With two unequal laps, 12 miles and 8 miles, it is set on a beautiful accurately measured, undulating course including the rural Bedfordshire villages of Oakley, Pavenham, Felmersham and Stevington. The race offers the perfect balance of challenge and rhythm for strong, steady pacing. With outstanding marshal support, clear signage and a professionally organised event, runners could focus entirely on their performance — and enjoy the reward at the finish: the iconic Oakley 20 finisher hoodie, a true badge of honour for a marathon season.

SAM TOPHILL was third woman 60 plus with 3:21:24.

MIKE JEFFS and MICHAEL FISHER completed the Oakley 20 in just under 2 hours 15 minutes (2:14:49), using it as a training run for their upcoming marathons. They made it an easy run for the first five miles and then marathon pace for the last 15. They said it wasn’t flat!

VICKY ARCHER finished with an excellent 3:02:05. She said “It had hills, hills and more hills! But, I ran with friends which made it enjoyable and I managed a new personal best by16 minutes! The iconic finishers’ hoodie made the hills worth it.”

ANDY PRIOR came in with 3:02:18; TONY VICKERS with 3:02:30; WAYNE SIMMONS with 3:06:38 and SAMMIE SUTTON with 3:21:19 for her first ever official 20 mile race which marks the end of training as she moves into the taper phase for the London Marathon.

There were 640 finishers.

Pos	Cat Pos	Name	Cat	Chip Time
46	13	Michael FISHER	MV35	2:14:49
47	10	Mike JEFFS	MV40	2:14:49
321	7	Kerstin PRIOR	FV55	2:59:22
338	20	Vicky ARCHER	FV45	3:02:05
341	18	Andy PRIOR	MV55	3:02:18
344	19	Tony VICKERS	MV55	3:02:30
373	13	Wayne SIMMONS	MV60	3:06:38
479	35	Samantha SUTTON	FV50	3:21:19
480	3	Samantha TOPHILL	FV60	3:21:24

Spartans Go Serpentine

Two from Fairlands Valley Spartans enjoyed the last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park.

On a mild breezy day Martin Wood finished in 22:35 and Jim Brown in 27:52. Jim’s best this year. Jim commented “not too bad after running into a pole on the Hillingdon 20 a few days earlier.”

Now the reality check. The race was won in 15:29 with the first woman in 17:03. Martin was eighth out of 17 MV60s and Jim seventh out of 11 MV70s.

There are some amazing runners plus good times and enjoyment for the rest of us at these lunch-time races near the Serpentine. Great if you can “flex off” and easy to get to on the 10:31 train from Stevenage.

Capital Challenge

On Saturday Sharon and Mike Crowley took part in the 10^th Capital Challenge. It was a self navigated LDWA event, starting near Waterloo and finishing at Crystal Palace. The walk crossed the Thames twice and went through many of London’s parks and green spaces. They completed the just over 25 miles event in 7 hours 41 minutes and were 77^th and 78^th out of 213 finishers.

Short Head

Second claim Spartan ROGER HEAD was in Torun, Poland for the European Masters Indoor Championships. On day one he ran in the male 60 plus 400 metres heats and qualified for the next round with a time of 59.82 seconds.

Parkrun Highlights

There were a tremendous 38 Spartans among the 541 people at the “Wear It Wild” Stevenage parkrun on Saturday. Buzzy bees; jogging jellyfish; all sorts of creatures were running around Fairlands Valley Park.

STEVE WELLS scored an age related 81.59% with his 20 minutes 22 seconds ((20:22) for the 5K. RICHARD MOORE ran his 20^th parkrun in 24:24; ADAM HILL his tenth in 25:29 and ADA JANUSIENE ran her 30^th in a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 28:31. This week ANN TRYSSESOONE was the fastest female from Fairlands with 26:31.

It’s coming together again for NICK KLEANTHOUS who ran the Hove parkrun in 28:48. 57 Spartans ran parkruns this Saturday.

Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
9	Simon JACKSON	18:59
17	Steve WELLS	20:22
83	Toby ECCLESHALL	23:56
86	Lee PICKERSGILL	24:02
91	Matt CLARKE	24:08
98	Richard MOORE	24:24
110	Daniel VILJOEN	24:54
117	Paul MAGUIRE	25:09
123	Adam HILL	25:29
129	Stuart ARCHER	25:38
132	Charles ARNOLD	25:43
150	Martin DUDLEY	26:07
154	Ann TRYSSESOONE	26:13
172	Lorraine HILL	26:40
200	Ryan DUNNING	27:24
239	Darren EMMERSON	28:11
248	Ada JANUSIENE	28:31
267	Peter SACH	29:10
269	Stephen SMITHSON	29:16
291	Matt TUTTON	29:52
306	Monica SMITHSON	30:19
321	Steve PLATT	30:50
352	Julie SHADBOLT	31:42
355	Keith MANTON	31:45
361	Linda GEORGE	32:05
362	Debbie BLANTERN	32:06
366	Pamela VILJOEN	32:18
407	Hilary DAVIES	34:08
410	Claire EMMERSON	34:23
412	Penny SCHENKEL	34:28
413	Jim BROWN	34:29
414	Callie CHAPMAN	34:29
449	Stephanie MAYFIELD	36:10
457	Niki PLUMB	37:07
476	Julie MANTON	38:30
490	Tracy HAYGARTH	39:36
522	Emma CHAPMAN	47:51
524	Lindsay PATEMAN	48:16

Tags Capital Challenge, European Running Championships, Oakley 20, parkrun, Serpentine 5K

News Race Results

TEN PERSONAL BESTS AT HATFIELD 5K!!

Post author By Peter Sach
Post date August 31, 2025
No Comments on TEN PERSONAL BESTS AT HATFIELD 5K!!

28 Spartans beat 30 minutes at the Hatfield 5K on Wednesday evening AND there were ten new personal bests for Fairlands Valley Spartans.

The near perfect running conditions helped CHARLIE WHITE to beat 17 minutes with a fantastic Fairlands 16:59 which got him 20th place overall and a personal best (PB). NICK GILL was just one place behind at 21^st with a new PB of 17 minutes exactly.

Nick said “17:00 for me – 25 seconds quicker than my previous PB on the same course in 2023. Would I liked to have dipped under the 17-minute barrier? Yes! Do I care? No! Delighted with the race and the time, while deep into marathon training. One year ago my longest run on the comeback from injury was 33 minutes, now I’m running faster than ever before. It was a fantastic Spartans turnout with so many incredible performances!”

SIMON JACKSON was close behind at 25^th with 17:04 and MIKE JEFFS made it into the club’s Fab Four at 29^th with 17:11.

MEGAN SUTTON 181^st got under 25 minutes for the first time with a new 5K personal best of 24 minutes 32 seconds.

A “train” of Spartans arrived just after 27 minutes. Four in 15 seconds and in consecutive positions. They were JIM BROWN 209^th in 27:27; PENNY SCHENKEL 210^th in a new season’s best (SB) of 27:34; KARL SHREEVE in 27:40 and SHARON CROWLEY second woman 65 plus in a new SB of 27:42. They were pursued by SAM GENTRY 215^th with a new personal best (PB) of 28:05 and SAMMIE SUTTON 218^th with a new PB of 28:37. CALLIE CHAPMAN 224^th ran her best 5K for several years dipping under 30 minutes with 29:56.

The other PBs were ROSS GALLAGHER 17:24 (a 32 second improvement); PERRI GENTRY 17:29; MICHAEL FISHER 17:39; NATHAN KIRLEY 17:44 and TONY RANDFIELD 20:30.

The fastest female from Fairlands was GEORGIE HOOPER with 20:24.

MARIE COLUCCI 22:11 (SB); ANNABELLE WHITE 22:25; JO COOKSLEY 23:33 (SB) and HAZEL SMITH 26:10 (SB) beat the Spartan rush.

BRIAN WHITE was second man 70 plus with 26:03.

Pl.	AG	Name	Cat	Time*
20	14	Charlie WHITE	MS	16:59
21	15	Nick GILL	MS	17:00
25	7	Simon JACKSON	MV40	17:04
29	8	Mike JEFFS	MV40	17:11
32	10	Ross GALLAGHER	MV40	17:24
35	23	Perri GENTRY	MS	17:29
38	24	Michael FISHER	MS	17:39
41	25	Nathan KIRLEY	MS	17:44
84	25	Kris JEROME	MV40	19:29
112	10	Tony RANDFIELD	MV60	20:30
113	43	Matthew JACKSON	MS	20:27
114	5	Georgie HOOPER	FV35	20:24
128	14	Charles ARNOLD	MV60	21:15
136	45	Matthew COOKE	MS	21:39
145	5	Marie COLUCCI	FV45	22:11
148	17	Annabelle WHITE	FS	22:25
151	22	Andy PRIOR	MV50	22:33
173	10	Jo COOKSLEY	FV35	23:33
181	24	Megan SUTTON	FS	24:32
198	2	Brian WHITE	MV70	26:03
200	14	Hazel SMITH	FV45	26:10
209	6	Jim BROWN	MV70	27:27
210	9	Penny SCHENKEL	FV55	27:34
211	29	Karl SHREEVE	MV50	27:40
212	2	Sharon CROWLEY	FV65	27:42
215	15	Sam GENTRY	FV45	28:05
218	17	Samantha SUTTON	FV45	28:37
224	14	Callie CHAPMAN	FV35	29:56
227	28	Rose SUTTON	FS	30:34
231	28	Paul HOLGATE	MV60	35:17
232	14	Jane WADEY	FV55	37:27
235	16	Rebecca RAYNER	FV35	41:09

Coming Up Soon – the Stevenage Half Marathon

Organised by a local community running club and with more than 225 entries so far the Stevenage Half Marathon will be on Sunday 19^th October. Entries are open to all aged 17 plus but it will include the Hertfordshire county senior championships.

The two lap course will include Fairlands Valley Park, Grace Way the railway station and other parts of Stevenage. The event HQ will be at Hampson Park Community Centre.

Fairlands Valley Spartans are delighted that SK Plumbing and Heating; ASK Physio; Andy Prior Personal Training; the Alternative Catering Company; and RHG Insurance are sponsoring the half marathon this year.

Fairlands Valley Spartans have been organising half and full marathons in Stevenage for more than 40 years. See https://stevenagehalfmarathon.org.uk/

Last Friday

After a satisfying 5K in Hatfield on Wednesday evening Spartan JIM BROWN enjoyed the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park. After a lot of rain overnight there was one flood on the course but pleasant conditions for the lunch-time event which he finished in 28 minutes 44 seconds. That let him knock off his slowest time for earlier in the year in the best of six in a calendar competition. He is now sitting on 64.1%.

MARTIN WOOD was 126^th in 22:57 and second claim club member RALPH DADSWELL 56^th in 19:47.

Hawaii Five – O Take Two – Parkrun Highlights, Saturday 30^th August

A Hawaii Five – O revival and a beautiful morning brought out 590 parkrunners including 295 women for Saturday morning’s parkrun in Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage. 33 of them were Fairlands Valley Spartans and it was an FVS one-two at the fast end. ANDREW PATTERSON was quickest in just 16 minutes 44 seconds (16:44) and SIMON JACKSON second in 17:55. This time the fastest female from Fairlands was GAIL MACKIE with 26:07.

SAMMIE SUTTON ran a new parkrun personal best (PPB) of 29 minutes 1 second (29:01) at the Jubilee parkrun in Bedford. NIKI PLUMB completed the same event in 43:27.

Altogether 51 Spartans ran parkruns on Saturday. Some of the others were CHARLES ARNOLD 22:53 and JOHN NELMS 23:34 at Henlow Bridge Lakes; JAY PAPA 23:50 at Huntingdon; MATTHEW COOKE 24:01 and DARREN EMMERSON 25:14 at Pocket; MIKE REYNOLDS 27:05 in Fareham (Hampshire); NICK GILL 27:19 in Letchworth; STEVE TINSLEY 28:50 at Westmill; KEITH ABRAHAMS 29:17 at Blandford; DANIEL SUTTON 30:09 and CHRIS HOLLAND 31:24 at Rutland and DARRYL STEVENS 40:05 at Oaklands College.

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

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
1	1	Andrew PATTERSON	16:44
2	2	Simon JACKSON	17:55
49	46	Tony RANDFIELD	22:45
69	65	Lee PICKERSGILL	23:29
93	84	Daniel VILJOEN	24:29
128	108	Charlie WHITE	25:40
144	19	Gail MACKIE	26:07
152	126	Toby ECCLESHALL	26:23
164	134	Grant RAMSAY	26:35
173	141	Martin JACOB	26:48
184	149	Andy PRIOR	27:01
195	158	Peter SACH	27:18
202	162	Mark BEASLEY	27:35
203	33	Karen ELLIS	27:38
225	177	Matt TUTTON	28:06
226	178	David ACKERY	28:08
231	182	Ryan DUNNING	28:18
290	66	Kerstin WEINER	29:45
292	215	Nick KLEANTHOUS	29:48
296	71	Harriet SMITH	29:52
315	78	Carole SHELDRICK	30:13
318	81	Ada JANUSIENE	30:23
340	90	Debbie BLANTERN	30:55
395	121	Pamela VILJOEN	32:29
409	266	Chris WATLING	33:08
455	279	Lloyd DIAS	35:08
457	163	Caroline CROFT	35:11
472	175	Annabelle WHITE	35:51
499	194	Karen PALMER	37:51
514	204	Lindsay PATEMAN	38:47
582	308	Roger BIGGS	57:38
584	256	Carolyn LINSELL	57:44
587	258	Linda GEORGE	62:13

Tags Hatfield 5K, parkrun, Serpentine 5K, Stevenage half marathon

News Race Results

SPARTANS AT LONDON 45

It was a hot one with many club members running through the afternoon but ANDREW PATTERSON from Fairlands Valley Spartans seemed super cool at the finish having run the London Marathon in a fantastic 2 hours 36 minutes 23 seconds. He was 444^th out of a record breaking more than 55,646 so easily top 1%.

The first female from Fairlands was ASHLEY JOHNSON. So close to sub three with 3:00:39. She broke a club record.

SIMON FRASER got there with 2:49:29.

LINDA GEORGE was chuffed with her London Marathon time (4:41:57) this year — and it’s a personal best PB (12 minutes 15 seconds faster) than last year’s London Marathon! She was really happy with how it went. Soaked herself in water throughout the course and used every shower on the route, which helped her manage the heat. Also managed a happy jump picture at the meeting point after the race!

CAROL PAUL completed her 23rd London Marathon and 362nd marathon in 5:02:43 on a very warm day in London.

Someone else who has run more than half of the 45 London Marathon was JIM BROWN. Not in the best shape and suffering in the heat but got round in 5:28:40 raising funds for the Mayor’s charities.

Very definitely mission accomplished for PENNY SCHENKEL who completed her first ever marathon in 5 hours 45 minutes 16 seconds.

MELANIE BATE came in with an excellent 3:09:54 and LORRAINE HILL with 5:00:14.

Some with later starts really suffered in the afternoon heat but stuck it out and got the medal. They included first timers SIMON SYPULA 5:22:55 and PETE COOK 5:56:33. Also CLARE DAVIES 5:52:19 and SARAH PARFITT 6:16:27.

New member OLIVIA NATION came in with 4:49:50.

Manchester

AND three Spartans were running the Manchester Marathon where SIMON JACKSON was sub three with 2 hours 48 minutes 17 seconds. He was 200^th out of more than 23,000. KEITH HOOKER ran a new personal best of 3:51:01 and LLOYD DIAS finished in 5:25:41.

Gerry “Not The London Marathon”

GERRY ROSEN ran the half marathon in the Phoenix Running “Not the London Marathon” event.

Almost 300 people took part including people running their virtual marathons and there were a few people there from all corners of the world, USA, Australia to name a few.

It was his first running event since his Ultra a month ago, but it went well and he finished in a respectable 2 hours 26min 47secs , Gerry says room for improvement as always.

Easy Friday

With Sunday very much on his mind JIM BROWN ran / walked around the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K in 34:08. It was sunny, mild with a light breeze in Hyde Park.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 26^th April

It may have been the day before tens of thousands ran the London Marathon but 564 ran the 398^th Stevenage parkrun on Saturday morning including 22 Spartans.

Amongst them were CLAIRE EMMERSON who ran her 180^th parkrun in 28:28.

Elsewhere three were at the Henlow Bridges parkrun where MATT GIFFORD was 35^th in 24:33; JOHN NELMS 46^th in 25:24 and NICK GILL running there for the first time who was 56^th in 25:59. There were 201 finishers.

Three others were at Panshanger. Running there for the first time PETER SACH was 162^nd in 28:22; SALLY PICKLES, another first timer, was 216^th in 32:43 and NIKI PLUMB 277^th in 48:23. There were 318 finishers.

Altogether 47 Spartans were running parkruns – and not just in the UK.There will be a Spartan “takeover” at Stevenage parkrun this Saturday 3^rd May and the local parkrun will be celebrating its 400^th run on 10^th May.

Tags London Marathon, Manchester Marathon, Not the London Marathon, parkrun, Serpentine 5K

News Race Results

MORE 20s. FAST 15s

Spartans were running from 1500 metres to 50,000 metres at the weekend.

50,000 – Ultra Gerry

GERRY ROSEN took part in London Lea Valley Ultra race on Saturday.

It’s a 50 kilometre race that starts in Welwyn Garden City and follows a disused railway line, the Cole Green Way over to Hertford, it then follows the River Lea all the way to finish by the Olympic Stadium in Hackney Wick. It was Gerry’s first attempt at an Ultra. There were three aid stations en route and glorious weather to be had and it proved to be successful as he finished the course in a respectable 7 hours 11 minutes 55 seconds (7:11:55). It’s a perfect introduction into the world of Ultra Marathon running and he’ll be back next year.

32,206 – More 20s

Four Spartans recently ran the Oakley 20 mile race.

JAY PAPA was 39^th out of the 569 finishers in 2 hours 18 minutes 32 seconds (2:18:32); and TERRY SAWYER 201^st in 2:51:32. JESS CLARKE took a huge chunk off her personal best with 2:55:07 and CHARLES ARNOLD was third man over 65 with 2:55:43.

5000 – Serpentine

It was sunny, mild with a light breeze by the Serpentine for the Last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park. After a slow first kilometre Spartan JIM BROWN was 225^th in 27 minutes 56 seconds (27:56; 64.1%).

As usual there was a great range of runners in Hyde Park. The winner finished in 16 minutes 16 seconds; the first woman in 18:39 and the last to come in was an 85 year old with 40:43.

SUE HAMER ran the recent Lee Valley 10K in a time of 54.47. She was tenth in the 50-59 age category.

1500 – Peter Lee Memorial Open Meeting

Four Spartans ran 1500 metres at the Peter Lee Memorial Open race on Sunday.

In race A PAUL SHELLEY ran a new PB of 5 minutes 1 second (5:01:00) beating his best of last year by 21 seconds.

ANDREW PATTERSON was second in race B with a season’s best 4 minutes 22.8 seconds.

SIMON JACKSON came in with 5:23:28 and SHARON CROWLEY finished with a personal best 7 minutes 56 seconds.

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 29^th March

Spartan SIMON JACKSON was first of the 545 parkrunners were at Saturday’s 394^th Stevenage parkrun which is finished in exactly 17 minutes.

34 Fairlands Valley Spartans ran at Stevenage. GRANT RAMSAY was sub 20 with 19:28. CRAIG BACON ran a new parkrun personal best of 21:23 and LINDA GEORGE a new PPB of 26:34. Linda was also the fastest female from Fairlands. PENNY SCHENKEL ran round in 28 minutes exactly, her fastest since 2018 and an improvement of 3:41 on her best time so far this year. JIM BROWN was first man 70 plus with 28:40. Altogether 46 Spartans were at parkruns across the country. Those away from Stevenage included JOHN NELMS 24:55 and SUZY HAWKINS 25:46 at Henlow Bridge Lakes; THOMAS SAUKA among 194 at the new Oaklands College parkrun; and JESSICA CLARKE 28:22 at the Shrewsbury parkrun.

Position	Gender Position	FVS parkrunner	Time
1	1	Simon JACKSON	17:00
13	13	Grant RAMSAY	19:28
33	32	Craig BACON	21:23
34	33	Tony RANDFIELD	21:26
41	40	David RIDDELL	21:56
46	45	Matthew COOKE	22:08
77	72	Toby ECCLESHALL	23:54
83	76	Martin DUDLEY	24:09
146	130	Ryan DUNNING	26:05
149	132	Darren EMMERSON	26:09
165	145	Martin JACOB	26:23
173	22	Linda GEORGE	26:34
177	154	Jay PAPA	26:56
199	171	Mark BEASLEY	27:16
201	28	Lorraine HILL	27:19
203	173	Steve TINSLEY	27:21
223	35	Penny SCHENKEL	28:00
252	204	Jim BROWN	28:40
265	211	Matt CLARKE	29:04
279	56	Fiona CLARKE	29:39
289	227	Kartik SHARMA	29:56
308	70	Elizabeth CROWLEY	30:49
317	241	Nick KLEANTHOUS	31:03
318	72	Hannah MANTON	31:05
324	76	Monica SMITHSON	31:17
344	90	Debbie BLANTERN	31:46
348	249	Paul JENNINGS	31:53
387	263	Stephen SMITHSON	33:03
455	149	Nicola HATHERLY	37:18
456	150	Chloe CHAPMAN	37:20
465	290	Lloyd DIAS	37:35
470	160	Tracy HAYGARTH	38:01
521	302	Roger BIGGS	47:26
544	212	Sharon CROWLEY	58:09

Tags Lea Valley Ultra, Oakley 20, parkrun, Peter Lee Memorial, Serpentine 5K

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

BEDFORD 10 MILES!

Spartan MIKE JEFFS had a superb run in the ten mile race at Bedford on Sunday. He was 26^th overall in 65 minutes 22 seconds.

In dry conditions but a chilly head wind in places MATT CLARKE came in at 113^th with 1 hour 22 minutes 49 seconds (1:22:49) and FIONA CLARKE at 1:28:25 for 163^rd position. Fiona enjoyed the flat course.

JIM BROWN ran the course in 1:30:03 and missed first place in his age category by only nine seconds.

Serpentine 5K

It was the first last Friday of the Month 5K for 2023 in Hyde Park, London. JIM BROWN finished in 27 minutes 16 seconds (27:14 net). There were 214 finishers in the lunch-time race.

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 28^th January 2023

For all the results please click the link – Consolidated results for 28th January 2023

Tags Bedford 10 Miles, Serpentine 5K

Club News Race Results

YUKO BREAKS UK RECORD

PB FOR ASHELY * BUSOLINI’S ACT OF ATTRITION

Spartan YUKO GORDON broke the British road 5 kilometres age record for women on Friday. Running at the Last Friday of the Month Serpentine 5K in Hyde Park she finished in 21 minutes 53 seconds beating the previous record for women aged 70 plus of 22:08 set by Angela Copson by 15 seconds. It was also a race record. While many runners would be happy with an age related score around 70% Yuko achieved 96.5%!

There was also a good run by new Spartan ASHLEY JOHNSON who won her category and got a new personal best (PB) of 21 minutes 5 seconds.

Completely outshone by the two Spartan women JIM BROWN was nevertheless pleased to get under 28 minutes for the first time in what seemed like ages. In fact with a dash for the line he beat 27 minutes with 26:58.

The Serpentine 5K is a long established running club event. Great to enjoy on a Friday lunchtime or if you are after a personal best or even a record it’s accurately measured and properly timed.

It was a good day to run – mild, dry and with a modest breeze. The next Serpentine 5K will be on Friday 25^th February.

Adrian’s Arc of Attrition

Spartan ADRIAN BUSOLINI completed the 100 miles Cornish Coastal Path “Arc of Attrition” ultra marathon in 28 hours 12 minutes 31 seconds.

Here’s his story:

“I didn’t even know what the Arc was when I added my name to its waiting list sometime last year; it was just “some legendary race” that I should probably run at some point. So it wasn’t until I was offered a place in November, that I read the website and learned the basics. January, 100 mile, Cornwall, coast path. I’d already run part of the route in the 70k Classic Quarter back in May. I rated that as one of the toughest runs I’d done, and for some reason I assumed I’d likely experienced the worst bits of the coastal path.

I learned a bit more about it in the weeks preceding the race; notably the infamous Pendeen-St Ives section, and consequently bought an awful lot of new kit. Also, only having 4 aid stations, and 1 drop bag, presented some real challenges for an uncrewed runner like me. The most kit I’d carried before was during the CCC; but even there, I hadn’t needed to carry 5kg of supplies in a 12l pack. Water resupply was an open question.

The weather conditions were described as unusually favourable, and we joked about course PBs on the start line, before the drums rang out and the blue smoke was deployed to signal the start of the Arc.

The Arc is a bit of a beast. The section through Lizard to Marazion is technical, tough coastal running. In May, when I ran the Classic Quarter, it was slippery. In January, it’s more slippery. And it’s pretty relentless up-and-down stuff. The downs in particular are awkward; you can’t easily use them to regenerate, as their awkwardness means you’re usually having to break, and thus pummel your quads, which you know you’ll pay for later.

Marazion to Mousehole (via Penzance) is flat and easy, a nice period to recover & pile on the miles. But Mousehole to Land’s End is extremely technical. It’s only runnable in very short bursts. It was tough in the Classic Quarter, and it’s tougher in the Arc when it’s at night. In places, one’s foot and entire lower leg disappear into mud. When the shining lights of Land’s End Hotel rise like the sun over the crest of the hills, they act like a beacon of hope in the loneliness of the mizzley night. At this point, my shoes were full of water, mud, sand, and stones; so my drop bag, and fresh pair of shoes and socks, at Land’s End made the world of difference.

Pendeen to St Ives is a borderline ridiculous race section. There’s about 20km of night-time rock-hopping, mud-wading, clambering, scrambling, slipping and sliding. In places, my knees were swallowed up by the mud. Progress was painfully slow. Meanwhile, time ticks away.

Arriving into St Ives was a huge relief, where I did my best to dust the worst of the debris from my socks (a lost cause), before getting back to the job of polishing off the last 35km. An easier section; initially road, then back to the coastal path, interrupted by the infamous “Dunes of Doom”, before I finally focussed back on my finishing time and place, and began to rein in those ahead of me. I must have gained 5-10 places in the final 10km.

The finish through Porthtowan, ending with a brilliant hill climb up to the Eco Park, was a thoroughly enjoyable end to what was an extremely tough race. I got a gold buckle for a sub-30 hour finish, which I’ll take with pleasure. It was a race I was simply happy to finish uninjured. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for my two pairs of socks: I fear they are both ‘beyond economical repair’.

I finished in 28:12:31, putting me around 31st place.”

Parkrun Highlights 29^th January.

Late January and it was amazingly mild and sunny for the 227^th Stevenage parkrun. Many runners were in shorts and running vests without the extra layers that might be expected at this time of the year. 326 finishers this time including 24 Spartans.

Altogether thirty-nine Fairlands Valley Spartans ran at Parkrun events around England.

PB times were recorded at the Westmill course for Danny SCANLON. Danny completed the event in 21 minutes and 36 seconds, finishing sixth overall.

Also hitting milestones were both MATT CLARKE and TONY RANDFIELD who ran in Stevenage. Here they completed their 80th and 90th Parkruns respectively, in times of 26 minutes and 47 seconds and 21 minutes and 6 seconds. MIKE REYNOLDS also hit 80 runs with a time of 26 minutes and 8 seconds at the Panshanger event.

GRANT RAMSAY was fourth overall in Stevenage in a time of 19 minutes and 15 seconds.

The next stripy Saturday will be this Saturday 5^th February.

Tables

Spartans at parkruns Saturday 29^th January

Parkrun	Position	Gender Position	Parkrunner	Time
Stevenage (24 Spartans)	4	4	Grant RAMSAY	00:19:15
	14	14	Tony RANDFIELD	00:21:06
	17	17	Martin BLACKBURN	00:21:31
	56	48	Martin DUDLEY	00:24:18
	63	54	Graham BLACKBURN	00:24:43
	95	76	Danik BATES	00:26:12
	98	79	David PATTMAN	00:26:19
	110	88	Matt CLARKE	00:26:47
	131	102	Nick KLEANTHOUS	00:27:32
	147	31	Debbie BLANTERN	00:28:28
	165	125	Jim BROWN	00:29:12
	167	127	Karl SHREEVE	00:29:17
	228	70	Chloe CHAPMAN	00:32:39
	229	71	Fiona CLARKE	00:32:39
	233	74	Tracy HAYGARTH	00:33:04
	281	105	Mo WARRILLOW	00:36:30
	282	160	Steven DOBNER	00:36:30
	309	123	Bonnie BRAZIL	00:40:40
	323	172	Roger BIGGS	00:51:54
	325	132	Helen HARRIS	00:55:04

Westmill	6	6	Danny SCANLON	00:21:36
	32	29	Andy JAY	00:26:41

Dulwich	13	13	Jonathan PARR	00:16:27

Panshanger	72	64	Mike REYNOLDS	00:26:08

Letchworth	15	13	Nick GILL	00:26:08

Kingdom (Penshurst)	82	55	Michael O’KEEFE	00:50:52

Henlow Bridge	14	11	John NELMS	00:22:32

Southall	99	67	Darryl STEVENS	00:38:16

Tags Arc of Attrition, parkrun, Serpentine 5K, Yuko Breaks UK Record

Club News Race Results

BRUTAL BALDOCK BEAST

Baldock Beast Half Marathon

It was brutal for the beast on Sunday. Fairlands Valley Spartans NEIL ROBINSON, KAREN ELLIS, TIM ROBINSON, MICHAEL O’KEEFE, TRISH HOPPER and KAREN LIDDLE ran the Baldock Beast half marathon.

Weather conditions were terrible with a yellow warning issue by the Met office, the organisers were considering cancelling the event but the forecast was for it to clear at around 11am and with five minutes to go, the runners were called to the start line.

The first mile and a half are up hill and the runners were exposed to horizontal rain and high winds, with ankle deep water, but once over the brow of the hill and into Wallington the conditions improved and running was easier.

Tim still had the Beachy Head Marathon in his legs and adopted a strategy of walking up the steep hills.

The last couple of miles the sun came out and the rain stopped but the wind still made running very difficult.

Tim said it was another superbly organised event by local runners.

Neil Robinson was first back for the Spartans with 1 hour 58 minutes 58 seconds. The first female from Fairlands was Karen Ellis in 2:05:23. Tim Robinson came in with 2:07:35 and Michael O’Keefe with 2:20:28. Tricia Hopper and Karen Liddle finished together in 2:31:47 and 2:31:48. Not a race for personal bests!


Place	Name	Category	Chip Time	Grading

119	NEIL ROBINSON	MV40	1:58:58	51.60
150	KAREN ELLIS	FV45	2:05:23	60.75
160	TIM ROBINSON	MV50	2:07:35	52.38
191	MICHAEL O’KEEFE	MV50	2:20:28	49.67
211	TRICIA HOPPER	FV45	2:31:47	50.75
212	KAREN LIDDLE	FV55+	2:31:48	55.85

Baldock Beast Half results

Lulworth Cove Marathon – and a bit

“Actually the hardest things I’ve ever done” said WENDY THARANI about Sunday’s Lulworth Cove Marathon. This was off road either going steeply uphill or steeply downhill for almost 30 miles. She said there was typical coastal changeable weather weather but some lovely sunshine and stunning scenery including Lulworth’s Cove and Durdle Door. Wendy completed the 29.41 miles in 8 hours 58 minutes 20 seconds.

Serpentine

There were two Spartans at the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park.

Spartan YUKO GORDON scored the highest age graded score in the race 94.2% with 22 minutes 25 seconds.

The fastest woman raced round in 18:28. She was an FV50 but that ONLY scored 93.5%.

The fastest man went round in 15:26 but that was only good enough for 85.5%.

The Last Friday 5K can be an amazing event at the top end but also a great way to spend a Friday lunch-time. Of course several went for coffee in the Serpentine Kitchen afterwards.

Conditions were described by the organisers as mild, dry but wet underfoot and windy.

Compared with recently JIM BROWN made a marginal gain of seven seconds to finish with 26 minutes 44 seconds. A bit disappointing but his quickest “real” 5K for a long time (real in the sense of an accurately measured and properly timed race with other people).

Position	Name	Time	Comments
75	YUKO GORDON	22:25	Best age graded
115	JIM BROWN	26:44	Seven second improvement

Two Weeks To Go! Here Comes The Stevenage Half! It’s on 21^st November.

Inspired by the London and Manchester Marathons? Now you can be one of hundreds running in Stevenage on Sunday 21^st November as entries for the town’s half marathon are open. This year the race is a couple of weeks later than usual.

Entries for the Stevenage Half Marathon are open but are going fast! To make sure that you secure your place visit the following link to enter the race! Go to https://stevenagehalfmarathon.org.uk/

Parkrun Highlights for Saturday 30^th October 2021

Twenty two Spartans headed out to run at seven different Parkrun venues on Saturday.

Congratulations to JONATHAN PARR who came first at Stevenage with a time of 17 minutes 7 seconds. This was Jonathan’s 16^th win. He is currently at third place for the most first place finishes at Stevenage.

There were four other top ten gender positions this week with GRANT RAMSAY third (19:20, Stevenage), KELLY EVANS 6^th(26:34, Erddig, near Wrexham), DAVID PATTMAN 10^th(19:58, Gunpowder, Waltham Abbey) and GAIL MACKIE 10^th (26:30 , Stevenage).There were no official Parkrun milestones this week but MONICA SMITHSON and BETH FOLEY have both reached an unofficial milestone of 40 Parkruns at Stevenage.Well done and congratulations to all.(You can find all the Spartan parkrun times near the end of this release).

The rain doesn’t stop play at Stevenage Parkrun.

Tables

Spartans at parkrun on Saturday 30^th October:

Position	Gender position		Time	Comments
Stevenage parkrun
1	1	Jonathan PARR	17:07
3	3	Grant RAMSAY	19:20
17	17	Thomas SAUKA	21:38
28	28	Toby ECCLESHALL	23:06
35	33	Andrew MCGUINNESS	23:37
78	10	Gail MACKIE	26:30
79	11	Ashley SCHOENWETTER	26:30
111	87	Nick KLEANTHOUS	28:41
140	31	Monica SMITHSON	30:15	40th
154	39	Caroline CROFT	31:28
178	53	Beth FOLEY	34:07	40th
Gunpowder parkrun
11	10	David PATTMAN	19:58
74	22	Nicola PATTMAN	28:16
Houghton Hall parkrun
73	51	Michael O’KEEFE	28:36
Erddig parkrun (Wrexham)
46	6	Kelly EVANS	26:34
Higginson parkrun, Marlow
76	20	Tracy HAYGARTH	33:34
The Great Field parkrun
336	174	Darryl STEVENS	41:26
Westmill parkrun
19	16	Andy JAY	25:37
Ferry Meadows parkrun
75	61	Steve WELLS	23:44

Tags Baldock Beast, Lulworth Cove Marathon, parkrun, Serpentine 5K, Stevenage half marathon

Club News Race Results

SPARTANS AT STANDALONE

**Women Win EMAC * Here Comes London**

Twenty two Spartans raced around the Standalone 10K in Letchworth on Sunday and their women won prizes at opposite ends of the age spectrum. ABBIE PEZ was first junior lady (under 20) with 50 minutes 2 seconds and YUKO GORDON was first woman over 65 with 45 minutes 53 seconds. CLAIRE PULLEN was first woman over 55 with 47:12.

The Standalone 10K included the Hertfordshire County Championships for veteran runners and the Fairlands Valley Spartans first team of four consisted of DEAN CARPENTER 100^th out of 747 overall (including seniors) in 44 minutes 10 seconds; JON FILBY 110^th in 45:06; MARK GOODWIN 157^th in 47:19 and ANDY JAY 227^th in 50:21.

Yuko Gordon led in the Spartan women in 120^th in 45:53 with Claire Pullen 153^rd in 47:12; TRACY PEZ 171^st in 47:47. It was teams of three for the women’s event. A second women’s team was brought in by KAREN ELLIS and NICOLA ANDERSSON 326^th and 327^th in 53 minutes 31 seconds and completed by CAROL PAUL 401^st in 56:29.

(All the Fairlands Valley Spartan times can be found in a table towards the end of this release).

Spartan Women Win In The East

The ladies track and field team saw off competition from the best athletics clubs across the East of England to regain the masters (veterans) championship trophy they last won in 2017. The team dominated from start to finish, cruising to victory with 255 points. Second placed Peterborough/Nene Valley AC scored 235.5 points, and Marshal Milton Keynes AC placed third with 232.5 points.

The team were out in force, fourteen Spartan women, and really enjoyed the competition and great conditions.

Wins came from JOYLYN SAUNDERS-MULLINS (once again dropping down an age group) – W50 (women aged 50 plus) 100 metres and W50 javelin throw (also finishing a very close second in the W50 200m). TESSA STEPHENSON – W60 200 metres (also finished 2nd placed W60 100m and W60 shot put). ALISON WOOD – W50 800m (also 2nd placed W50 in the 1500m). CHRISTINE LATHWELL – winning both W35 1500m and W35 3k.  NIKKI WILBY – W35 high jump (also 2nd W35 pole vault, 2nd W35 triple jump, and 2nd W35 400mH). ANDREA WESTCOTT – W50 triple jump (also 4th place W50 high jump and 6th place W50 long jump).

YUKO GORDON won an additional trophy having clocked an amazing age graded 99.5% in the W60 3km and also easily won the W60 800m.

The team’s strength in depth meant that all events were covered, earning vital points.

Team members bolstering the tally were CALLIE ‘Cocktail’ CHAPMAN – third place W35 long jump, 5th placed W35 100m, and 6th place W35 200m. SUZY HAWKINS – 3rd place in both W35 400m and W35 800m. KAREN DODSWORTH – dropping down an age group to cover W50 400m and finishing 5th, also placed 5th in W60 discus throw and W60 long jump, and 4th place in W60 triple jump. SHERYL HANN – also dropped down to cover W50 3km and placed 7th.  SHARON CROWLEY – first place B string 2km walk and 6th placed W60 hammer throw.  CATHY CRAIG – fourth place in the A string 2km walk (also bravely covered the W50 300mH, finishing in 5th place).  STEPHANIE BIGGAR – 2nd place W35 hammer throw, 3rd place W35 shot put, 4th place W35 javelin throw, and 5th place W35 discus throw.  MARIAN MORLEY – 2nd place in both W50 shot put and discus throw, and 4th place W50 hammer throw.

A full day of events, which started at 10:30 am, finished with the (usually) all important relay races. In reality, victory had already been sealed! The W35 team (Suzy Hawkins, Cocktail Chapman, Nikki Wilby, and Christine Lathwell) still battled well and finished second. The W50 team (Joylyn Saunders-Mullins, Sharon Crowley, Karen Dodsworth, and Tessa Stephenson) finished third.

It was a truly excellent day, with great team spirit and support throughout. Mike Crowley and Chris Westcott should also get a mention for their help and support during a very long day.

Jonathan Second In Surrey

JONATHAN PARR finished 2nd in the Mercer Surrey 5k at Woking on Sunday morning with a time of 16 minutes 18 seconds.

Happy Spartan at Bedford Autodrome

CAROLE SHELDRICK was the solo Spartan at the Bedford Autodrome 10K on Sunday.

She said, “What an amazing event they put on. I have got to say, I wasn’t too sure how this run would go for me. I felt under trained, so was just hoping I’d manage to get round in one piece so I was very happy with my time of 56:28. One happy Spartan.”

Running Through The Glen

ZOE JACKSON was celebrating in the sun after completing the Robin Hood Half Marathon. Pacing someone with a target time of 125 minutes she finished, on target, in 2 hours 3 minutes 16 seconds. Zoe said it was a great course with fantastic support the whole way round the city, and we were very lucky with the weather!

Serpentine 5K

Sunny, warm, light breeze, the odd parakeet and a cafe near the finish. “What’s not to like?” said JIM BROWN after finishing the second of the revived Last Friday of the Month 5Ks – the Serpentine 5K?

Jim achieved a marginal improvement on last month in this lunch-time race in Hyde Park.

His official time was 26:53 and 123^rd. Last month was 26:58. Both on the two lap version of the Serpentine course.

Jim commented it was very enjoyable, more should try it, but I seem to be the wrong sort of consistent at the moment.

Parkrun Highlights 25th September 2021

Members of Fairlands Valley Spartans took part across 10 different UK parkruns this week. There were PBs for ANTON McCALLA on his second appearance at Market Harborough (26:30).  It was PB o’clock for ED HARE at Lee-on-the-Solent (23:03) in his fourth run at that venue.

 In Stevenage ADRIAN DONNELLY clocked a new PB of 20:26. Eighteen Spartans were running in Stevenage while several others were helping this week.

 (The full list of Spartan parkrun times will be near the end).

The 72^nd Fly 5K – Saturday 25^th September.

Lots of “real” races going on including the London Marathon this Sunday (3^rd) but the virtual Fly 5K races continue and two Spartans were in the action. NICOLA ANDERSSON was 65^th in 28:34 and PAUL HOLGATE 78^th in 30:27. He was third veteran man 60 plus and this was his 70^th Fly 5K.

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 eight weeks 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. You can enter by following this link: Stevenage Half Marathon

Tables

Full results for all Spartans when there are a lot at an event will be listed below.

Spartans at Standalone:


Place	Gun Time	Name	Chip Time	Category	Number	Comments

100	00:44:28	DEAN CARPENTER	44:10	Vet Men 40-49	781
110	00:45:24	JON FILBY	45:06	Vet Men 40-49	68
120	00:45:56	YUKO GORDON	45:53	Vet Ladies 65+	379	1^st 65+
153	00:47:30	CLAIRE PULLEN	47:12	Vet Ladies 55-64	677	1^st 55+
157	00:47:37	MARK GOODWIN	47:19	Vet Men 60-69	58
171	00:48:06	TRACY PEZ	47:47	Vet Ladies 45-54	864
219	00:50:21	ABBIE PEZ	50:02	Junior Ladies U20	872	1^st U20
227	00:50:40	ANDY JAY	50:21	Vet Men 50-59	767
291	00:52:57	MARTIN DUDLEY	52:06	Vet Men 50-59	782
326	00:54:26	KAREN ELLIS	53:31	Vet Ladies 45-54	512
327	00:54:26	NICOLA ANDERSSON	53:31	Vet Ladies 45-54	403
401	00:57:12	CAROL PAUL	56:29	Vet Ladies 55-64	432
443	00:58:18	JIM BROWN	57:27	Vet Men 60-69	111
473	00:59:36	BARRY KING	58:36	Vet Men 50-59	139
483	00:59:56	ERICA GRAYSON	57:49	Vet Ladies 45-54	106
501	01:00:43	MICHAEL O’KEEFE	60:02	Vet Men 50-59	67
539	01:02:59	SELVAN NAICKER	62:17	Vet Men 50-59	717
549	01:03:43	PAUL HOLGATE	63:01	Vet Men 60-69	735
620	01:08:01	MARIAN MORLEY	66:45	Vet Ladies 55-64	333
744	01:33:15	HAYLEY PEACH	90:58	Vet Ladies 35-44	127
745	1:34:24	NICHOLA DURENT	92:07	VL 35-44	104
746	1:34:24	SHARON CROWLEY	92:08	VL 55-64	661

Other Spartans ran but did not count in the county veteran championships (e.g. too young or do not live in Hertfordshire).

Spartan Parkrun Results:

Stevenage parkrun

A total of 307 runners took part.

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Club	Run Time

6	6	Steve WELLS	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:19:43
10	10	Adrian DONNELLY	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:20:26
51	47	Barry OSBORNE	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:23:07
67	58	Sam SIMMONS	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:24:13
116	96	Danik BATES	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:26:33
118	98	Nick KLEANTHOUS	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:26:41
121	17	Julie SIMMONS	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:26:52
155	29	Nicola ANDERSSON	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:28:32
170	131	Matt CLARKE	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:29:01
185	40	Natalie WHITE	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:29:33
197	45	Debbie BLANTERN	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:30:14
202	148	Paul JENNINGS	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:30:38
233	61	Carole SHELDRICK	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:32:14
236	63	Dzenana TOPIC	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:32:22
239	66	Caroline CROFT	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:32:37
257	75	Beth FOLEY	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:33:47
270	80	Fiona CLARKE	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:34:37
274	83	Theresa KEAST	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:35:23

Houghton Hall parkrun

A total of 158 runners took part.

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Club	Run Time
73	49	Michael O’KEEFE	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:28:43

Brockenhurst parkrun

A total of 141 runners took part.

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Club	Run Time
141	77	Darryl STEVENS	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	01:02:16

Market Harborough parkrun

A total of 276 runners took part.

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Club	Run Time
108	80	Anton MCCALLA	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:26:30

Wimpole Estate parkrun

A total of 276 runners took part.

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Club	Run Time
99	17	Trudie MOLLOY	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:28:13
258	147	Barry KING	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:42:47

Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun

A total of 383 runners took part.

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Club	Run Time
61	51	Edward HARE	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:23:03

Letchworth parkrun

A total of 101 runners took part.

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Club	Run Time
87	22	Caren THAIN	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:37:21

Littleport parkrun

A total of 115 runners took part.

Position	Gender Position	parkrunner	Club	Run Time
19	17	James MCSWEENEY	Fairlands Valley Spartans RC	00:23:38

Tags Bedford Autodrome, Fly 5K, Ladies win EMAC, parkrun, Robin Hood Half Marathon, Serpentine 5K, Standalone 10K, Stevenage half marathon

Beat The Sunset Solstice Run

Heatwave 5K

Bass Belle for Brainstrust

Welwyn 10K

Spartans Success in the Spine Race – UK’s Most Brutal

Hot Herts Hobble

And A Hot Hampstead Heath

Parkrun Highlights

Here Come the Relays in the Park – Almost Full

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.

Spartans Go Serpentine

Capital Challenge

Short Head

Parkrun Highlights

Manchester

Gerry “Not The London Marathon”

Easy Friday

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 26th April

50,000 – Ultra Gerry

32,206 – More 20s

5000 – Serpentine

1500 – Peter Lee Memorial Open Meeting

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 29th March

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

Serpentine 5K

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 28th January 2023

Adrian’s Arc of Attrition

Parkrun Highlights 29th January.

Tables

Baldock Beast Half Marathon

Lulworth Cove Marathon – and a bit

Serpentine

Two Weeks To Go! Here Comes The Stevenage Half! It’s on 21st November.

Parkrun Highlights for Saturday 30th October 2021

Tables

Women Win EMAC * Here Comes London

Spartan Women Win In The East

Jonathan Second In Surrey

Happy Spartan at Bedford Autodrome

Running Through The Glen

Serpentine 5K

Parkrun Highlights 25th September 2021

The 72nd Fly 5K – Saturday 25th September.

Entries Open for the Stevenage Half Marathon

Tables

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 26^th April

Parkrun Highlights – Saturday 29^th March

FVS Handicap 5K 29^th August

Serpentine 30^th August

Parkrun Highlights 31^st August Hawaii Five – O

Parkrun Highlights Saturday 28^th January 2023

Parkrun Highlights 29^th January.

Two Weeks To Go! Here Comes The Stevenage Half! It’s on 21^st November.

Parkrun Highlights for Saturday 30^th October 2021

**Women Win EMAC * Here Comes London**

The 72^nd Fly 5K – Saturday 25^th September.