Despite strong winds and rain more than 700 runners completed Sunday 40th anniversary Stevenage Marathon and Half organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans.
From the start at the corner of Grace Way and Martins Way to the finish in Hampson Park it was a windswept run, particularly going south with some black numbers in the wind speeds in the weather forecast, and undulating but there were some fantastic runs.
The marathon was won by Stephen Buckle from St Albans in 2 hours 40 minutes 32 seconds (2:40:32) but, by 14 seconds, Fairlands Valley Spartansâ Suzy Hawkins was first woman in 3:32:21.
And the Spartans were third and fourth in the menâs race. David Harris-Cherguit third in 2:50:20 and Adrian Busolini fourth and first senior (over 18) in 2:55:17.
There were 303 finishers in the marathon and 413 in the half. The Spartans were wearing their stripes with pride â 38 first claim Spartans finished the full 26.2 miles marathon and 30 the half marathon.
ALISON and PAUL SHELLEY were incredible. They ran the Chicago Marathon last week and came home to run Stevenage this week. Just home so sending our results although pretty sure you will have them all.
Alison said, âThat was pretty brutal today – tough course and tough conditions on tired legs. But we are super proud to have both completed the decennial FVS Stevenage Marathon as a âChicago Chaserâ!!!â
Paulâs time was 3:42:06 and Alison 4:54:22.
Despite the conditions there were marathon personal bests by CRAIG BACON 3:39:10; MARTIN JACOB 3:57:30 and GERRY ROSEN 5:33:36
There was a clean sweep GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE for Fairlands Valley Spartans in the County team championships for veteran men (over 40s) and veteran women (over 35s).
The male winners were DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT (2:05:20), CRAIG BACON (3:39:10), PAUL SHELLEY (3:42:06) and MARTIN JACOB (3:57:30). Silvers went to LIAM HERBERT (3:57:47), ROBERT WRIGHT (4:17:32), MATT GIFFORD (4:18:40) and MATT CLARKE (4:49:11) and Bronzes to MARTIN DUDLEY (4:53:19), JIM BROWN (4:55:05), TIM ROBINSON (5:02:06) and PAUL HOLGATE (6:10:35). (Teams of four).
The women team winners were:
GOLD â SUZY HAWKINS (3:32:25); CLAIRE PULLEN (4:08:04) and SAM TOPHILL (4:19:44). SILVER â ALISON SHELLEY (4:54:58); TRICIA HOPPER (4:57:06) and LINDA GEORGE (5:11:37). BRONZE â KAREN LIDDLE (5:17:15); FIONA CLARKE (5:23:06) and SHARON CROWLEY (6:14:16). (Teams of three).
Fairlands Valley Spartans are a local community running club in Stevenage and are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. The half is organised every year but the full 26.2 miles marathon is a bit special. It only takes place every ten years.
Apart from 68 finishers FVS organised the event including dozens of volunteers including marshals, lead bikes and finish funnel.
Big thanks to the Hertfordshire Sports Partnership and the University of Hertfordshire who brought 14 volunteers â mostly overseas students and UH staff. Ten different nationalities. John OâCallaghan from HSP said, âGreat event despite at times, atrocious weather conditions.â The Hertfordshire Sports and Active Recreation Partnership are one of the Mayorâs good causes this year.
ALL the proceeds from Sundayâs events will go to charity. This year it is Pancreatic Cancer UK which was chosen by the club in memory of a much loved member.
There was huge Spartan success in the Hertfordshire County Marathon Championships.
The Spartan men won GOLD and BRONZE in the male senior (over 18) team county championships. The clubâs women won GOLD and SILVER in the female senior team competition.
LINDA GEORGE (5:11:37) won BRONZE for women 35 plus; SUZY HAWKINS (3:32:25) for women 45 plus; CLAIRE PULLEN (4:08:04), Sam TOPHILL (4:19:44) and ALISON SHELLEY (4:54:58) GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE for women 55 plus; and KAREN LIDDLE (5:17:15) and SHARON CROWLEY (6:14:16) GOLD and SILVER for women 65 plus).
DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT (2:50:20) was GOLD for men 40 plus and JIM BROWN (4:55:05) GOLD for men 70 plus.
Civic Team
Irrespective of time JIM BROWN was delighted to finish the Stevenage Marathon. It was his first marathon back in 1994 and this time he became the first Stevenage Mayor, as Mayor, to complete the Stevenage Marathon. And he won a County GOLD medal for his age group. Jim got round in 4:55:05. He was lead bike in 2014.
The Mayoress, Penny Schenkel, was the lead bike this time.
Stevenage Half
There were 413 finishers in Sundayâs 40th anniversary Stevenage Half Marathon. It was won by BEN TACEY in 1:13:48. FREYA WEDDELL from St Albans was first woman with 1:20:02, more than ten minutes ahead of her nearest rival.
SIMON FRASER was the first Spartan finisher. Sub 90 minutes with 1 hour 28 minutes 17 seconds (1:28:17) for 17th position.
YUKO GORDON was the fastest female from Fairlands. She won her category and a county GOLD medal with 1:45:44.
There were new personal bests from DAVID ACKERY 2:01:52; JUDY KING 2:22:51; SAMANTHA SUTTON 2:46:29.
There were some great Spartan results in the county half marathon championships for veteran runners, part of the race. The womenâs team consisting of Yuko (above); JAYNE RIDDELL 1:57:51 and SUE HAMER 2:05:00 won SILVER only one point behind the gold medallists AND SARAH ILLINGWORTH 2:17:53; Judy (above) and JO COOKSLEY 2:27:25 won BRONZE in the female veteransâ team championship (women over 35, teams of three).
The Spartan veterans were also second in the veteran menâs championship with SILVER going to TERRY SAWYER (1:38:45), BRIAN WHITE (1:43:58), MATT TUTTON (2:02:17) and BEN TORREGIANI (2:03:12) (males over 40, teams of four).
Jayne won individual bronze for women 55 plus and BRIAN WHITE individual silver for men 60 plus with his 1:43:58.
303 finishers in marathon â 38 first claim Spartans; 413 finishers in half – 29 first claim FVS.
Super PB in Amsterdam
Spartan ANDREW PATTERSON ran a new marathon personal best in the Amsterdam Marathon. A fantastic 2 hours 34 minutes 9 seconds. A personal best by more than two minutes. He was top 100, 95th out of 16,763 finishers.
SIMON JACKSON did 2.46.10 at the Amsterdam marathon on Sunday. He finished sixth in his age group and said there was amazing crowd, nice course and a good weekend with friends.
Go Georgie at the Abingdon Marathon
Spartan GEORGIE HOOPER ran the Abingdon Marathon and broke her personal best by 43 minutes!! She finished in 3:46:02. CHARLES COOK ran the same race in 3:02:53.
York 10 Miles
CHRIS WATLING ran the York 10 miler for the third year in a row. 1.24:24
Results Out For Cross Country
The official results are now in for last weekâs cross country, the first league race this season. Only six clubs beat 1,000 points and FVS were sixth out of the 20 clubs with 880 making them the best club from Stevenage. The Spartans three leading women were TRACY PEZ 19th in 38:14 for the 7.6 kilometres; ZOE JACKSON 37th in 40:42 and ELODIE MOAKES in 41:56. The clubâs leading three men were GRANT RAMSAY 25th in 30:33; JAY PAPA 40th in 31:46 and ADRIAN DONNELLY 53rd in 32:48.
The club were delighted to finish two complete teams in both the menâs and womenâs races.
There were 288 finishers. 109 women and 178 men. The next cross country league race will be near Royston on Sunday 27th October.
Ashley Beats 20 Year Record
Spartan ASHLEY JOHNSON beat a 20 year record at the Great Eastern Run. Her 1 hour 24 minutes 25 seconds beat the club record for women 35 plus and was a personal best by 33 seconds.
Chicago Extra
There was a big personal best (PB) of 10 minutes 6 seconds (10:06) achieved by PAUL SHELLEY at the Chicago Marathon. ALISON SHELLEY said it was definitely was Fairlands Fortitude for her â She said she couldnât fuel enough and hit the wall but still super proud of the finish and time, coming back from injury, after a one year deferral.
Alison continued. âAn amazing experience and trip, having both qualified for âgood for ageâ entry âŚand we wore our FVS stripes with pride!â
Paul went through half way in 1:31:42 and maintained that pace to finish in 3 hours 3 minutes 30 seconds (3:03:30). Alison went through a half marathon in 2:08:12 and then demonstrated Fairlands fortitude to finish in 4:28:14.
Parkrun Highlights 19th October
Yuko beat 100%. Yes Spartan YUKO GORDON beat an age related score of 100% at Saturday morningâs Stevenage parkrun. Her 23:24 gave her a score of 100.07%.
The weather and the Stevenage marathon the following day kept the numbers down a bit but there were still 337 runners including 16 Spartans at the Stevenage parkrun.