The club was in action on Wednesday evening at the Doug Anderson 5k and then on Sunday they raced a little more locally at the St Albans 10k and Fairlands Valley Challenge.
The club also held an EGM on Sunday afternoon to establish a new constitution and elect its first management committee, giving it a robust governance structure for the years ahead.
The Doug Anderson 5k
On a very humid Wednesday evening, 19 members of the club travelled to Bedford to race in the highly popular Doug Anderson 5k. Over 400 runners took part. The race follows a similar route to the Bedford Park run, run on the tarmac pathways in the pretty Bedford Park.
First home was Ian Harvey in 19:39, setting a new club age category record. First lady home, Jodie Kantas, also set a new club age category record with a time of 22:29. Splitting the two was Conor O’Neill in a sub 22 minute finish of 21:29.
St Albans 10k
New personal bests were the order of the day for Katie Mitham and her partner Martin Harris. Travelling to St Albans they were aiming for sub 55 min finishes and actually came extremely close to sub 50 minute finishes with Katie finishing in 50:07 and Martin in 50:06. Great racing!
Fairlands Valley Challenge
On Sunday, 8 Phoenicians took part in the Fairlands Valley Challenge. This long running self navigating trail event offered participants a range of routes taking in beautiful countryside to the south of Stevenage. The club had runners in the half marathon, 18 mile and full marathon runs.
In the half marathon, the quartet of Phil Gover, Gemma Smith, Jess Clarke and Caitlin Evans helped each other around in 2 hours and 38 mins.
The longer route of just over 18 miles was completed by Ian Young, Mark Legate and Scott Crawford in 4 hours and 25 minutes. The route had additional sections through the scenic Woodhall Estate and Bramfield Woods.
Russ Wingfield had initially set off to tackle the 50km route but stepped down to the marathon as he approached Datchworth on the return leg. He completed the course, and his first marathon, in a highly creditable 5 hours and 14 minutes.
The Club EGM
On Sunday the club held an EGM to adopt a constitution and elect a management committee. This will provide the governance structure the club will need for the coming years.
The club chair is Phil Gover and he is supported by the following members of the committee:
Coach – Emma Mead
Secretary – Stella Toresse
Treasurer – Jon Boe
Membership Secretary – Gemma Smith
Men’s captain – Conor O’Neill
Ladies captain – Caitlin Evans
Press and social media – Mel Tanti
Welfare Officer – Amy Whitby
In non committee roles there are also:
Club President – Darren Gilbert
Social secretary – Jo Heasman
Kit – Charlie Day
