Stevenage Striders Running Club
Sunday 15 September at 8:30am the running event schedule for the Stevenage Striders 10km kicked off. The day’s proceedings started at 9:30am with the mini mile where kids up to the age of 16 were able to take part in the well supported 1.6km course of cycle paths and grassed terrain. Each child crossed the finish line with a massive smile on their faces as they collected their well deserved finishes medal and a packet of Haribo’s. The winner of the mini mile completed the course in a breathtaking time of 6:28.
As 10:10am approached the nerves of the runners began to flutter as their preparations for the start of the annual Stevenage Striders 10km race was about to get under way with the pre race warm up session. With Adam on the mic excitement was increasing 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and it was go go go. The pack of runners headed down the hill and out of Hampson Park turning right at the bottom heading towards Fairlands valley lakes in the front group was our very own Matty Robinson, he looked relaxed but very focused on the job at hand. The front 2 runners who were representing Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets AC reached the halfway point in 16:35 followed closely by a chasing group of approximately 10 runners only 2min behind.
As the excitement began to rise in the race village, spectators waited in anticipation for the runners to start returning. The cheers began as Nat Rowland turned onto the finish straight followed closely by Dominic Howarth. Nat Rowland won the race in 33.32, hot on his heels was Dominic who both run for Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets AC in London. Rounding up the podium was James Huish in 37:06. There were so many Pb’s and running achievements right through the pack as 305 runners crossed the finish line with smiles for miles.
Some of the many comments on the Striders Facebook & Instagram pages.
- “loved this today, the support was amazing”
- “we smashed the Stevenage hills today”
- “what a day, what a race”
- “Thank you Stevenage Striders for a great event”
- “Thanks for organising the event. Lovely friendly race & perfect weather!”
- “great event, really well organised and fab location”
- “cracking race, well organised and very friendly”
- “the Striders sure know how to put on an event”
As we read through many many more positive comments on Facebook and Instagram posts there are a few phrases that keep repeating which perfectly describe that Striders spirit. and an amazing event.
- “Well organised event”
- “awesome atmosphere”
- “Family”
We managed to have a chat with Nat & Dominic after the trophy presentation. they were asked what they thought of the race from both a route and organisation aspect. They both expressed how much they enjoyed running through the muraled underpasses. Nat is busy training for the New York marathon and says the hills of Stevenage was just what he needed. When explaining the atmosphere of the race they both said and I quote “the atmosphere was fantastic like a family full of cheers”
Fairlands Valley Spartans
Spartans ASHLEY JOHNSON and ALISON WOOD were series winners in the Hatfield 5K races. Ashley won the women 35 plus category with a total time of exactly 57 minutes for the three 5K races. Her third 5K was her fastest. A new personal best of 18 minutes 48 seconds, an improvement of ten seconds. Alison won the women 55 plus with a total of 1:03:29. Her third race took 20:56.
21 Fairlands Valley Spartans ran in the final event and despite some great runs in race two they achieved four new personal bests. MIKE JEFFS by 3 seconds to 17:34; ANDREA WESTCOTT by 10 seconds to 25:43; and MEGAN SUTTON by another 6 seconds to 26:42, and Ashley.
CALLIE CHAPMAN ran her best 5K this season by 2:19 with her 32:13; SAMANTHA SUTTON by 12 seconds to 33:03. SHARON CROWLEY was delighted to get under 29 minutes with 28:53, her fastest this year by 15 seconds and JANE WADEY dipped under 35 minutes with 34:57, her fastest this year by 9 seconds.
ANDREW PATTERSON was the fastest Spartan in the race with his 16 minutes 18 seconds (16:18) which got him sixth overall in the race and second in his age group.
7 Spartan men and 8 women completed the whole series. All three had to be completed to count.
Stevenage 10K on 15th September
Eleven Spartans kept it local on Sunday and ran the Stevenage 10K.
MIKE JEFFS stormed round the undulating course in 37 minutes 28 seconds which WON his age group and got him fourth overall out of the 305 finishers. BRIAN WHITE was second MV60 in 46:43 while JAY PAPA was ninth senior in 40:23.
Brian there were ideal cool, sunny and still conditions for a picturesque run around some Stevenage cycle tracks.
Several other Spartans volunteered as marshals.
Runaway Racing
Spartans Ciaran and Su McAneny ran the Runaway Racing Suffolk Coastal 50km on Saturday. Running from Lowestoft to Aldeburgh on the coastal pathway, it was a beautiful, scenic route passing by all the summer beach hotspots! It was Su’s first Ultra and she hit the wall sooner than expected, but dug herself out of it with Ciaran’s support. They Crossed the line together to receive a medal from the mayoress!
Parkrun Highlights 14th September
There were centenaries for Spartans at the Stevenage parkrun. PENNY SCHENKEL and DARREN EMMERSON had an enjoyable party mood run in a “gang of ten” around the 5K course. Penny got the big black cape for her 100th and Darren a 200th crown to wear. Penny was also recognised for volunteering for the 25th time, she helped to set up before the run.
35 Spartans ran the 364th Stevenage parkrun. SIMON JACKSON was third of the 421 runners in 17 minutes 33 seconds.
The club welcomed back MICHAEL O’KEEFE after illness. He ran round in 50 minutes 42 seconds.
Spartans elsewhere included KELLY McHALE who ran the Panshanger parkrun in 23 minutes 44 minutes and was third woman. Altogether 49 Spartans were running parkruns around the UK.
Stevenage Phoenix Running Club
Hatfield 5k series, race 3
On Wednesday 11th September, Lewis Green ran the 3rd and final race of the series. Lewis took full advantage of the fast and flat course on this cool September evening by running a 5K personal best time of 21mins 03s, which he described as “13 years in the making”.
Ultra X England
Ultra X England is an event that takes place in the picturesque Peak District National Park in September each year. It offers three races: Ultra X 110 England, Ultra X 50 England and Ultra X 25 England. Ashley Bates went into the event with his sights set on the longest distance of 110km, which is held over two days. However, after a brutal 68km, 2,565m of elevation, and Ultra X Jordon only two weeks away, Ashley took the sensible decision to refrain from taking part in the second day. Ashley completed day one in 15hrs 16mins.
Menzies Stevenage 10k
The energy was high for this sold-out event, which started and finished in Hampson Park. This scenic route took runners through Fairlands Valley Park, King George V park and past the Stevenage Old Town, the war memorial. First home was Ian Harvey in 42mins 32s and 22nd overall. Next to cross the finish line was Ken Hall in 51mins 07s, securing first place for MV70. Vicky Lang was the third Phoenician home in 58mins 24s and said it was a “brilliant experience”. Emma Wick was delighted to finish her first 10k race in 01hr 11mins 42s and Charlie Day completed the team in 01hr 17mins 03s.
Grafham Triathlon, standard distance
On Sunday 15th September Conor O’Neill and Nick West tried their hand at a standard distance triathlon. The swim took place in the beautiful clean waters of the Grafham Water reservoir with two 750m laps. Conor completed the swim in 42mins 24s and Nick in 46mins 23s. Next up was the flat out and back bike ride through the local villages. Conor completed the 38km ride in 01hr 29mins 34s and Nick in 01hr 28mins 50s. The challenge came to an end with a 10km run. Conor surprised himself by running it in 50mins 20s and Nick completed the course in 01hr 02mins 19s.
ParkRun
This week at Stevenage Phoenix we had 13 runners travelling to five locations from Minehead to Milton Country (as well as other locations not beginning with M). Thank you to ladies captain, Caitlin Evans, for organising a “ParkRun sandwich” this week in lieu of the Sunday social.
