Stevenage Striders Running Club
Stevenage Striders have been out tackling sun-soaked trails in Hertfordshire to sizzling road races in Portugal this weekend.
At the Herts Hobble, a scenic and hilly trail event, three Striders took on the challenge with impressive performances.
- In the 18-mile route, Kevyn Hopkins-Hall completed his first ever run at this distance in 3 hours 52 minutes, navigating the undulating countryside, encountering goats the size of alpacas, and discovering the surprising fuelling power of rice pudding and tinned peaches.
- Helen Moye also finished in 3 hours 52 minutes, praising the scenic views, supportive atmosphere, and well-stocked feed stations. She described it as a “great scenic, undulating, trail run through the countryside,” made all the better by sharing the experience with a fellow Strider.
- In the full 26-mile version of the Herts Hobble, Peter Moye powered through the hilly course in 4:20:34, earning an impressive 3rd place finish. With perfect sunshine, tough climbs, and stunning countryside, Peter summed it up in classic fashion: “Lovely sunshine, lots of hills, came 3rd — bish bash bosh!”
Further afield, Helder Soares represented the club at the Reguengos de Monsaraz 9.5km race in Portugal. On a hot day and tough course, Helder ran a strong 37:11, placing 22nd overall and taking 2nd place in the MV60 category.
Striders Shine as Stevenage Parkrun Hosts Takeover Full of Pace, Positivity, and Purpose
Saturday morning magic as local running club brings energy, encouragement, and charity to Fairlands Valley Park
STEVENAGE, June 15, 2025 – It was a morning to remember at Stevenage Parkrun this weekend as the Stevenage Striders running club took over the event in full force, delivering a vibrant blend of community spirit, charity, and personal bests.
From the crack of dawn, the park was awash in Striders’ signature colours as members donned pacer vests, hi-vis marshal gear, and big smiles. Their mission? To support runners of all abilities, encourage good vibes, and give something back—both on the course and off it.
With pacers covering a wide range of times, many participants found themselves breaking their personal records. “I’ve been chasing a sub-25-minute 5K for months,” said local runner Gemma Lewis, beaming after finishing in 24:48. “The pacing today was spot on, and the support from the marshals made all the difference!”
But the Striders didn’t stop at split times and cheers—they also organised a perishable food collection to support a local charity food bank Foodshed. Runners, volunteers, and spectators came armed with bags of items, filling crates with selected products, and more.
Even the weather played its part, offering a cool breeze and bursts of sunshine to perfectly match the cheerful atmosphere. With cowbells ringing and encouragement echoing through Fairlands Valley Park, it was clear: this was more than just a run—it was a celebration of what community sport can be.
As the final runners crossed the line, they were greeted with cheers, high-fives, and the usual parkrun camaraderie—amplified tenfold by the Striders’ enthusiasm. “It’s the best parkrun I’ve been to,” said newcomer Daniel Franks, who promised to return next week (and maybe even join the Striders himself).
The Stevenage Striders takeover proved that when a community comes together—with a bit of pace, a lot of heart, and a whole lot of positivity—every step really does count.
Stevenage Phoenix Running Club
Age Group Masters – 10k
We are excited and proud to share that club member, Simon Lodge has qualified to represent England as an MV55 Masters athlete. Simon came first in his age group at the Green Park Reading 10K earlier this month, with a time of 36:48. This time has now been verified, and he has received official confirmation that he will be representing England at the 2026 International Representative Masters 10k. Simon has a big year of training ahead of him, and Stevenage Phoenix will be cheering him on every step of the way.
Mid Week League race three – Harpenden
On Wednesday 10th June, eight members of Stevenage Phoenix travelled to Harpenden to take part in the third instalment of the Herts MWL with SNHAC, this time hosted by the Harpenden Arrows. Despite her tired legs (from Endure24), Katka, enjoyed the route. “Once you get out of town, it’s two loops starting up the hill so you can feel the legs again and again.” Andy added, “The loop felt like 80% of it was a gradual incline, but the sharper descent was a nice reward. Some nice countryside views and good cake!”
Gray Eden 44:55
Andy Liddle 47:23
Neal Crawley 47:59
Conor O’Neill 48:16
Jodie Kantas 51:50
Ken Hall 54:12
Katka Laughton 58:52
Jon Boe 59:08
London to Brighton bike ride
From 25 miles at Endure24 last weekend to 54 miles on a bike this weekend, Amy Whitby is on a roll and enjoying the ride. Sunday 15th June saw around 14,000 people ride on closed roads from London’s Clapham Common to Brighton’s seafront, and Amy Whitby was amongst those taking part. Having the event take place on father’s day was a poignant one, as Amy chose to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, in memory of her father, channelling her love and loss into something positive. Reflecting on both Endure24 and L2B, Amy can confirm that Ditchling Beacon is “100 times worse than Heartbreak Hill”. At the time of writing, Amy has raised over £195 for BHF.
The Phoenix 5 charity donations
The numbers have been finalised, and we are pleased to announce that The Phoenix 5 race, on 11th May, raised £1,600 for our four chosen charities. That’s £400 going to Herts and Essex air ambulance, Feed Up Warm Up, Garden House Hospice and Knebworth Food bank.
Fairlands Valley Spartans
Fairlands Valley Spartans are ahead on score and just need one extra race point to secure promotion in the Mid Week League. They are way ahead of all the other clubs in participation but after three out of the four evening races just need that one more competitive point.
Going into the third Mid Week League race the tussle for the vital second place was really tight.
And then on Thursday evening an amazing 77 Spartans, 30 women and 47 men, made the journey to Ware to run and finish in race three.
That meant FVS had three complete women’s teams of eight and three complete men’s teams of twelve finish the multi-terrain and undulating 9.5 kilometre race.
On the night ADRIAN BUSOLINI, sixth overall in 34:21 and SIMON FRASER, seventh overall in 34:30 led in the Spartans with SIMON JACKSON close to top ten at 14th in 34:56. Even the FVS “A” teams twelfth counter, PAUL SHELLEY was well under 40 minutes with 38:53.
They helped the team to second place
In the age group tussles RALPH DADSWELL was second 60 plus in 39:33; BRIAN WHITE first 70 plus in 52:39 and JIM BROWN third 70 plus in 56:18.
There were some high category places for Spartans in the women’s race. OLIVIA LACIGOVA was tenth overall but won the 35 plus category with 43:57; GEORGIE HOOPER was second with 44 minutes exactly. MARIE COLUCCI was second in the 45 plus contest with 46:12. All eight team “A” women squeaked under 54 minutes to put them in third place.
All this means that after three out of the four races Fairlands Valley Spartans are just short of the vital second spot with 33 points compared with Royston’s 34. However the FVS score is 144 so one point in the last races would be enough.
Now look at these Spartan turnouts. Race one in Stevenage 609 runners from divisions two and three – 87 Spartans; Race two in Watford 515 runners from divisions two and three – 62 Spartans; Race three in Ware 385 runners from division two only– 77 Spartans.
16 clubs took part in races one and two and seven in race three so that’s fantastic participation by FVS. More Spartans ran in race three than from any other club.
After three races Fairlands Valley Spartans will not be relegated but it would be great to win that promotion.
The fourth and final counting race will be in Royston on Wednesday evening 25th June.
Prifysgol Abertawe Hanner Marathon
The Swansea Half Marathon was also a representative international masters race and Spartan ASHLEY JOHNSON was running for England. Ashley had a fall during the race but got up and finished in 1 hour 27 minutes 16 seconds (1:27:16).
MARIE COLUCCI also ran the Swansea half marathon. Despite a fuelling error she was pleased with her time of 1.45.40 on tired legs. She said there were beautiful views along the course!
There were 5,730 finishers. Ashley was 295th overall, easily top 10%, and Marie 1,358th.
Ten Times Up Death Hill
Spartan JIM BROWN completed his birthday weekend – and Father’s Day – by running up “Death Hill” ten times. Yes the Finsbury Park Half Marathon consists of nine complete laps but with the lead in and lead out that means runners have to climb what the organisers call death hill ten times.
It was tough and warm. Jim was happy to win his category with 2:06:46 which he noted was almost 24 minutes faster than the age group below him.
Hyrox Harris
John Harris was at the HYROX World Champs in Chicago on Friday 13th June. He qualified to represent England at the World Champs back in April at the Warsaw Hyrox event.
A tough but wonderful occasion and he was so proud to represent his country
Round the King’s House
CRAIG BACON ran the Sandringham 5K on Sunday. this morning. It was on an undulating trail course around the King’s house and back through the woods. He finished in 22:02. The important thing was that he beat his nephew!.
Parkrun Highlights Saturday 14th June.
Spartan SIMON JACKSON won the Stevenage parkrun by a big margin with his 17 minutes 57 seconds in his 70th parkrun.
GRANT RAMSAY was top ten with 19:46.
Other mini-milestones included TOBY ECCLESHALL running his 180th parkrun in 24:06; DARREN EMMERSON his 230th in 25:29 and ANNBALLE WHITE her 180th in 30:32.
LORRAINE HILL was the fastest female from Fairlands in27:26.
Birthday Boy JIM BROWN finished in 28:07 beating the next runner in his category by more than 16 minutes.
47 Spartans ran in parkruns on Saturday.
