Fairlands Valley Spartans
Farnborough Winter Half Marathon
Spartan SAM TOPHILL said the Farnborough Winter Half Marathon was a really well organised and popular event – 3000 capacity sell out! Traffic free and reasonably flat. Samantha beat two hours with a chip time of 1 hour 55 minutes 18 seconds – and the goody bag was pretty good.
Punchbowl Devil
The Punchbowl Marathon passes through some of the best of the Surrey countryside and Spartan THOMAS SAUKA completed the 30 mile option in 7 hours 32 minutes.
The event is a walk (or run) on the footpaths and bridleways of Surrey. It is a challenge not a race. Two routes were offered – 30 and 20 miles – both started in Tilford and passed around the scenic Devil’s Punchbowl with the 30 visiting Elstead, Frensham Ponds and Seale, passing over Crooksbury Hill and the commons of Hankley, Elstead, Puttenham, Ockley and Frensham.
It’s a bit different. Participants are required to carry a cup/mug, compass, route description, map case & whistle, hat & gloves, waterproofs, good torch for those finishing after 5pm, and warm clothing.
Parkrun Highlights Saturday 8th February
There were at least 40 Spartans at parkruns on Saturday. 27 Spartans among the 479 finishers at Stevenage.
GRANT RAMSAY was top ten with 19 minutes 1 second (19:01) and GAIL MACKIE a top ten woman at sixth with 23:26.
There were some quite high scoring mini milestones with DANIEL VILJOEN on 280 with 24:25; MARTIN DUDLEY on 230 with 25:00; CHLOE CHAPMAN on 170 with 34 minutes exactly; and JIM BROWN on 190 walking round in 47:02. STEVE SMITHSON has one to go to a major milestone. He completed his 99th in 34:38.
Spartans enjoying parkruns elsewhere included HARRIET SMITH with a bit of parkrun tourism at Donaupark, Austria which she finished in 26:26. Meanwhile PAUL MOULD finished Bedford in 20:47; MATTHEW NEWTON Pymmes in 23:34; NICK GILL Letchworth in 24:49; PAUL SHELLEY Wimpole Estate in 26:44; MARIA SWIFT Bug Hunters in 26:49; LUCY FIELD University Parks in 27:19; JAY PAPA 27:58 and JESSICA CLARKE 29:58 at Milton Country, near Cambridge; and ANDREA WESTCOTT 34:48 in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
Coming Up. Cross Country League. Fifth and final race of the cross country league’s 2024/2025 season is in Watford on Sunday morning 16th February. Fourteen Spartans have already entered the Baldock Beast Half Marathon which will be on Sunday 23rd February.
Stevenage Phoenix Running Club
ZigZag Running: Run for Cake
On Sunday 9th February, Head Coach Emma Mead and Deputy Head Coach Lisa Liversidge took part in Zig Zag Running’s ‘Run for Cake’ event at Ferry Meadows Country Park in Peterborough. The route was a 5.3k lap incorporating both tarmac & trail, the duo completed 8 laps to achieve a marathon in 05:27:39.
This was a training run for them both, as they gradually increase their weekly mileage in preparation for their 100 mile event in May. Today was all about HR zones, as they tried to keep in zones 2 and 3 throughout.
Emma remarked that “It was a lovely venue. At the end we were rewarded with a coffee, some lemon drizzle cake and a stunning medal”.
Stevenage Striders Running Club
Saturday Parkrun
The Striders had an amazing turn-out at this week’s parkrun, with Striders out in force around the lakes. A huge congratulations to Joe Bateman on completing his 50th parkrun, and a massive thank you to Angus, who marked an incredible 450 volunteer roles—what an achievement! We hope you all showed him some appreciation. Some of you may have spotted Lennie, who was capturing fantastic shots and making all the Striders look amazing as usual. Well done to everyone who took part, including those who tackled a parkrun sandwich or ventured further afield for a bit of parkrun tourism. And of course, a big high five to all the park run PBs—keep pushing those boundaries!
Sunday Club Long run
Sunday was another busy day with over 30 Striders lacing up their running shoes as we were spoiled for choice of two planned club long runs.
Russ A led 18 runners on an 8km route, all on roads and paths, focusing on building endurance at a relaxed pace enjoying the social aspect of running. Helen M took another group on a longer 18km route starting from Meadway, tackling country lanes along with some puddle-filled footpaths. A fantastic effort from all involved!
Cattle Creep A Little Further (10 Mile)
Adam Hough represented the Striders in Milton Keynes at the Cattle Creep A Little Further race, a 10-mile route packed with undulating hills and beautiful countryside scenery. Adam said “If hiking your way to Milton Keynes to run a 10-mile race packed with hills galore is your idea of a restful Sunday, then oh boy, was this the race for you!”
Adam delivered an impressive performance, completing the course in 1:04:15, earning 6th place overall.
Fantastic running!
ZigZag Running “Run for Cake” Half Marathon
Peter Monk and Marc Hagland took on the equally enticing ZigZag Running “Run for Cake” Half Marathon. Both runners crossed the finish line together in 2:29:22, completing the 4 lap course with smiles and a well deserved post race treat.
