Fifteen Spartans were spinning around at Ridlins Track on Wednesday. They were running 12.5 times 400 metres anti-clockwise laps in the Resolution 5K.
It was 1, 2, 3 for the Spartan men 40 plus. SIMON JACKSON was first, third overall, in 16:39 with ANTHONY CAHILL second in 18:06 and ROSS GALLACHER third in a new personal best (PB) of 18:34.
GEORGIE HOOPER was second woman overall with 21:30 and CRAIG BACON second man 50 plus with 21:39, his best 5K since 2021.
YUKO GORDON won her age group with 23.41% – worth 92.8% and KERSTIN PRIOR was first in hers in 26:28.
JANE WADEY was running her first race since being injured in 2023. She was hoping for a better result but it was very hot. She was very grateful for all the club support from other runners though and hope to improve now.
Altogether there were 51 finishers. 51 at a track event makes it pretty busy.
Two Winners at the Grand Prix!
There were four Fairlands Valley Spartans in the GP events at the Bedford Autodrome Running GP on Sunday.
GRANT RAMSAY beat 90 with 1 hour 28 minutes 3 seconds in the Half Marathon with GERRY ROSEN finishing in 2:29:34.
However if you have a two hour milestone in mind JIM BROWN was consistent throughout and finished in 1:59:59 which won the men 70 plus category. YUKO GORDON ran the 10K and was another age group winner with her 47 minutes 2 seconds (47:02). She was seventh woman overall.
Gerry said, “If a certain brand of beer did days like today, this would be one of them, not only did I get to meet royalty today in the shape of Yuko but equally as royal I got to say hello to Grant & Jim. As for the racing and half marathon to be precise, it couldn’t have got it any better then this, well for me anyway !!!
As usual started off too quick, then sense kicked in and I got round, not only in a respectable time, but for me a sub 2h 30, 2 hours 29 minutes 34 seconds to be precise. I’m thoroughly making up for a lost three years, loving it, now for one of my favourite suppers, Chicken Kiev. Next stop on the racing calendar, the Great North Run early next month, oh and this time I’ll do it, having deferred the past 3 times…..”
I had thought that this sort of circuit or airfield racing could be boring said Jim but it does have advantages like no pinch points or road crossings so it is easier to run steady state throughout. I did not have a significant target in mind but my four 5Ks were all within a minute of each other despite a little bit of breeze and with just over a kilometre to go I realised how close I was to breaking a significant barrier. My acceleration over the last kilometre was almost impressive. So much better to get 1:59:59 than 2:00:00 and not bad for someone who is far from 25 years old.
Parkrun Highlights 3rd August (#358)
Stripey Saturday brought out 46 Spartans to run parkruns and 30 were at Stevenage where there were 465 finishers.
Showing off his new style FVS running vest MIKE JEFFS was fourth in 19 minutes 8 seconds (19:08); GRANT RAMSAY maintained his sub 20 record with 19:57 and ASHLEY KING was third woman in 21:25. RYAN DUNNING clocked up his 80th parkrun with 26:53.
Spartans elsewhere included JAY PAPA 18:51 at Storeys Field; JOHN HARRIS 21:48 at Holkham; ANNABELLE WHITE 24:52 and CHLOE CHAPMAN 31:20 at Letchworth; MIKE REYNOLDS 26:22 at Panshanger; KIERAN FEETHAM 31:03 at Hadleigh; NICK KLEANTHOUS 31:19; and JONATHAN JONES 37:37 and DZENANA TOPIC 37:39 at the Wimpole Estate.
