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.
Parkrun Take Over
Co-ordinated by JANE WADEY Fairlands Valley Spartans organized another really successful take over of the Stevenage parkrun on Saturday. Takeovers 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.
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.
Running into 2024
The Spartans regular training is free for all members. There’s an introductory session on Monday evenings; Tuesday evening sessions now with up to six groups; three choices on Thursdays, and a track session at 9.15am for 9.30am on Saturday mornings; Wednesday morning daylight runs; plenty for a huge range of abilities and loads of opportunities to progress. You can run with the Spartans at least five days a week. Tuesday and Thursday sessions are from the Stevenage Hockey Club, Ditchmore Lane, Old Town, SG1 3LJ at 7p.m.
You can enjoy three free training sessions with the Spartans before deciding if you want to join. Members of Fairlands Valley Spartans also get discounts on entries to many open events.
Coming Events – the Short List (updated)
The Spartans are looking forward to a busy programme of races. Here are some road race league, county championship and club organised events:
- County 10K track championships in Sandy on Wednesday evening 17th July.
- Relays in the Park organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans on Thursday 18th July.
- Fairlands Valley Challenge off road organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans on Sunday 21st July.
- FVS club handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening 25th July.
- EMAC track and field fixture in Sandy on Wednesday evening 31st July.
- Resolution track 5K in Stevenage on Wednesday 31st July.
- Woodstock Anniversary Run on Saturday 17th August (TBC).
- Senior 5K County Championships at Hatfield on Wednesday evening 28th August.
- FVS club handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening 29th August.
- Veterans 5K County Championships and open at Hatfield on Wednesday evening 4th September.
- FVS club handicap 5K in Stevenage on Thursday evening 19th September.
- Spartans 40th Anniversary Afternoon in Datchworth on Saturday 28th September.
- Standalone 10K including the Hertfordshire veterans’ championships on Sunday 6th October.
- Stevenage Marathon and Half Marathon 40th Anniversary on Sunday 20th October. Include county championships. Organised by FVS.
- Hatfield Five Miles on Sunday 24th November. Includes county championships and open races.
- FVS at the Secret London Run on Saturday 14th December.
- Buntingford 10 (miles) including County senior and British Masters championships on Sunday 29th December.
