Fairlands Valley Spartans
Fairlands Valley Spartans organised events for hundreds of runners over the last few days.
There was a beautiful evening for the Relays in the Park on Thursday with 431 running. No so great on Sunday but many enjoyed the Fairlands Valley Challenge.
Each team in the relay had to run four 3K legs. 48 Spartans ran. Some quick individual runs by Spartans included SIMON FRASER 09:56; DAVID HARRIS-CHERGUIT 10:09; NICK GILL 10:21; GEORGIE HOOPER 12:29; MARIE COLUCCI 13:16 and JESSICA CLARKE 14:04.
Entrants could choose one of five different distances – 10K, Half Marathon, 18 miles, Marathon or 50K Ultra – in the Fairlands Valley Challenge. All were multi-terrain and self-guided.
St Albans Summer 10K
So different to some recent weekends it was a bit damp at St Albans for the Summer 10K.
Two Spartans were there. JIM BROWN and HANNAH MANTON. Raining at the start and some signs of Saturday’s deluge but no great problems. Jim finished in 57:06 and Hannah in 1:16:05. There were 456 finishers.
Parkrun Highlights, Saturday 19th July – a wet one
The heavens opened and it poured on Saturday morning but there were still 345 at Stevenage parkrun and 18 of them were Spartans. NICK KLEANTHOUS achieved a major milestone, his 250th parkrun and got to wear a very wet green cape to celebrate his achievement. Nick said “250th Park Run completed. Started park running in January 2018. Joined FVS 2019. No parkruns during Lockdown, continued July 2021. Milestone T-shirt now ordered. Not the best day for it today and cape got a little heavy.”
CHARLIE WHITE was third in 18 minutes 47 seconds (18:47).
Spartans elsewhere included PAUL MOULD 22:04 and MATT GIFFORD 22:47 at Henlow Bridge Lakes; SUZY HAWKINS first woman 24:55; MARIE COLUCCI 30:19; GEORGIE HOOPER 31:26; and NICK GILL 34:13 at Letchworth; ALISON SHELLEY 26:32 and PAUL SHELLEY 26:33 at Great Denham; JESSICA CLARKE 29:12 at Tewkesbury and SAMANTHA SUTTON 31:25 at Jersey Farm.
Stevenage Phoenix Running Club
Club Handicap 5k – Race four
On Tuesday 15th July, 20 members took part in the fourth 5k handicap race of the year. After a spell of hot weather, the heavens opened just before the race began, but that didn’t stop a few people achieving 5K PBs. The most notable was Graeme Hulstrom, who took off an incredible 3 mins 45 seconds off his handicap time.
1 Graeme Hulstrom 26:29
2 Ben Murphy 23:18
3 Ashleigh Warren 28:00
4 Martin Wasley 28:49
5 Kerry Cunnane 27:40
6 Neil Homewood 26:58
7 Paul Smith 24:32
8 Simona Leadbetter 27:26
9 Amy Whitby 32:13
10 Aaron Reynolds 19:46
11 Alex Wasley 18:25 Fastest male
12 Katka Laughton 25:26
13 David Poulter 27:42
14 Conor O’Neill 21:32
15 John Harris 23:41
16 Dan Curtin 27:57
17 Petra Warner 23:44
18 Kath Phoenix 22:31 Fastest female
19 George Curtin 25:18
20 Joanna Heasman 30:15
FVS 4x3K relay
Thursday 17th July was all about speed and seeing what we could achieve as a team. 20 runners took part in the popular FVS relay race. Congratulations to “Czech’s Mates” who were the third fastest Vets Mixed team of the evening, however not part of county/vets champs. “The event was very well run and the support from marshals and fellow Phoenix members around the course was a huge boost” – Melissa Tanti. The fastest man of the evening was Alex Wasley in 10:45 and the fastest woman was Jodie Kantas in 13:03.
The Phoenix Knights (Senior Male) 47:23
Czech’s Mates (Vets Mixed) 53:15
The Ember Pack (Senior Mixed) 58:06
Ashes to Victory (Vets Male) 01:02:17
Mild & Slightly Salty (Vets Mixed) 01:04:48
Saturn Running, Sausage run
Friday 18th July was Marathon number 140 for Chris Leigh, along the beautiful Runnymede Thames towpath. It was a tough race in the heat and humidity, but Chris got round in 05:36:19.
Race for Life, Exeter
On Saturday 19th July, Garry Wallace and Louise Chancellor took part in race for Life in Exeter. The pair completed the 5k course in 34:15 and Garry donned a fabulous pink tutu for the event.
Rat Race, Castle to castle 100
This weekend, Peter Tungate set out to complete the 100 mile Castle to Castle, Rat Race event. Sadly this weekend was a DNF for Pete.
In ten years of taking part in various events, he had never experienced weather like it. The rain began about 10 miles in and continued almost nonstop for the next 18 hours. It only really let up during the final 3–4 hours before Peter and his team reached pitstop 6 at Dunbar, just over 60 miles into the event.
The relentless rain created chaos for everyone—soaked shoes led to punishing blisters, and even the best waterproof gear failed to keep the wet out. Despite the conditions, Peter felt it was one of those rare occasions where he truly gave everything he had to the race.
Saturn Running, Rebellious rubber ducky run
Sunday 20th July was Chris Leigh’s second race in three days, both with Saturn Running. This lapped event consisted of a 4.3 mile lap and Chris intended to run three laps to make up a half marathon, however after a good start he settled on four laps, totalling 17.5 miles in 03:27:07. “17.5 miles for the project 50 total but more importantly I earnt a superb ducky medal and the famous Saturn rubber ducky!!! Now for some R and R!”.
Fairlands Valley Challenge
The Fairlands Valley Challenge is an off road and self-navigated challenge through the picturesque Hertfordshire countryside around Stevenage. Runners have the choice of five different distances, ranging from 10km to 50km. On Sunday 20th July, 14 Phoenixes took on the challenge.
13 miles – Phil Gover, Simona Leadbetter & Ben Murphy.
18 miles – Emma Mead, Lisa Liversidge, Katka Laughton, Greg Lasenby, David Poulter & Ian Harvey.
50km – Jodie Kantas, Russ Wingfield, Conor O’Neill, Andy Chapman & Graham Eden.
“How quickly time flies. This challenge is one of my favourites on the running calendar. I had the pleasure of leading Ben, Simon and Simona along the 13.1 mile route through Aston, Watton and Datchworth. The weather conditions were on everyone’s minds, however the light drizzle was welcomed with the humidity levels. Slightly disappointed on the height of the corn fields Great conversation, motivation and the sharing of snacks. We also made it back to the car with about 30 secs to spare before the heavens opened. A great morning.” – Phil Gover.
Well the snail was placed under the wings of the Head Coach Emma and Assistant Coach Lisa to attempt his longest distance ever of 18 miles in the Fairlands Valley Challenge. With the elite Katka and Greg lovingly returning occasionally to ensure he was still alive. What an amazing experience, the coaching throughout and constant encouragement reminded me why we are so lucky to be a part of this community club which gives opportunities for all to run and have life moments of achievement. We passed over the finishing line hand in hand in the most extraordinary rain storm but none of us noticed. It’s a day I won’t forget in a hurry thank you to my running pals!.” – David Poulter.
“50k, what can I say? The self-navigated route took us out of Stevenage, to take in Aston, Watton, Chapmore End, Waterford, Stapleford, Tewin, Burnham Green, Datchworth (twice!) and then back to Stevenage. The whole range of terrain was experienced! From tarmac to trail, gravel to grass, and everything in between, and a few sharp showers too. It’s not called a challenge for no reason. But we won the day! I was grateful for Russ’s, Graham’s, and Conor’s support throughout our journey, and thoroughly enjoyed it (I think). Up the Phoenix .” – Andy Chapman.
