Stevenage Running Clubs Results and News – 25th November 2024

Stevenage Striders Running Club

This past Friday evening was the Stevenage Striders annual awards evening at Cinnabar in Old Town which was truly a night to remember! The striders took over the old town in style as they gathered to celebrate not only their outstanding award winners but also the vibrant spirit of their entire club. Without each member their running community would not be the same, and this celebration was a testament to that. 

As the evening unfolded, members danced the night away, sharing laughter and engaging in heartfelt conversations. The atmosphere was filled with joy and camaraderie, reminding them all of the wonderful connections they share. 

A special thank you goes out to everyone who made the evening possible. Their hard work and dedication ensured a memorable experience for all. 

Congratulations to all the award winners! Their personal achievements inspire us all, and we are thrilled to celebrate  their success. 

• Shape Showdown  –  Martin Scales
• FOMO award – Chrissie Thomas
• Funniest Moment of the Year  –  Frankie 
• Ultimate Snack Hero – Esther Dixon
• Best Race Photo – Lennie Cant 
• Most Colourful Runner – Paula Hayes
• All Weather Terrain Hero – Matty Robinson 
• Best Comeback/Most Inspirational member – Aaron Casper
• Run Leader of the year – Helen Moye
• Members member of the year – Maxine Shackel
• Coaches Member of the year – Jack Cant
• The Unsung Hero –  Ally Brown
• Services to the Club – Marc Hagland  
• The final award that was not for just one member but numerous handed was for Best Cheer squad 26 members were acknowledged

Moving onto Sundays Festive 5 a flat and fast 5 miler in some very windy conditions.

A Tail wind on the way out and a big old head wind on the way back in! A great event with 735 runners 13 Striders took it on not only the 5 miles but the vicious winds.

• Jamie Cecil 31:51
• Helder Soares 34:15
• Richard Longley 34:35
• Tony Randfield 36:33
• Neil McKinnon 40:57
• Tina Buckeridge 42:18
• Stuart Cuzner 42:08
• Danielle Das 46:48
• Martin Watson 46:56
• Chrissie Thomas 47:37 
• Lennie Cant 47:37
• Mike Astley 49:49
• Fiona Davies 49:52
• Lianne Loosley 50:30
• Jennifer Graham 59:15
• Sarah Goodyear 62:35
• Penny Fanthorpe 65:32

Fairlands Valley Spartans

Storm Bert did his best to confound them but Fairlands Valley Spartans had a good team of 21 at Sunday’s Hatfield Five and several ran new lifetime best times (PBs) and season’s bests (SB) for the five miles (8.05 kilometres).

MIKE JEFFS battled Bert to good effect.  He was 25^th out of the 735 finishers and third in his race category with a new personal best of 29 minutes 6 seconds, an improvement of 2 minutes 46 seconds.  Under 30 minutes and a PB in those tricky conditions.  Amazing.

At exactly 30 minutes DAN HUKIN was next in at 36^th position.  PAUL SHELLEY continues to knock chunks off his PBs.  This time it was 21 seconds off his five miles time with 30:10.  He was second in his category.

ASHLEY JOHNSON was the fastest female from Fairlands with her 31:59 and in the top ten women.  MARIE COLUCCI was round in 39 minutes exactly.

CRAIG BACON took 1:31 of his PB with 35:09 and CHARLES ARNOLD ran his fastest five mile race in more than three years with 37:19.

Altogether three new personal bests and ten new season’s bests for Fairlands Valley Spartans. 

Parkrun Highlights

Storm Bert was largely responsible for reducing the turnout at Stevenage parkrun from 510 the previous week to 357 but despite some fights into the wind alongside the large lake in Fairlands Valley Park the 26 Spartans enjoyed some good runs.

YUKO GORDON was fourth woman and won her category with 24 minutes 19 seconds.  KAREN ELLIS was ninth woman and won her category with 25:38.  JIM BROWN won his with 31:36 and ROGER HEAD his with 34:43.

Meanwhile MARTIN DUDLEY was running his 220^th parkrun in 25:03; CHLOE CHAPMAN her 160^th in 31:35; SAMANTHA SUTTON her 170^th in 32:49 and CAROLYN LINSELL volunteering as a walker on the day her 130^th with 56:53.

Stevenage Phoenix Running Club

brainstrustBass Belle 10 miler

On Sunday 24^th November, Nick West and Conor O’Neill took part in the braintrust Bass Belle 10-miler, which winds through the picturesque Cambridgeshire villages of Bassingbourn, Litlington, and Abington Pigotts. With only 465 places, this is an intimate race, meaning runners can get off the start line quickly. It’s also part of the ‘Take on 10 for brain tumours’ series of events and all proceeds help to fund brainstrust’s vital services.

While the route is predominantly flat and on-road, runners faced additional challenges, including a trail section just after the two-mile mark and a steep, short hill around the seven-mile point. Adding to the difficulty were the tough conditions brought by Storm Bert, with strong winds frequently blowing head-on and only occasionally offering a helpful tailwind. Conor O’Neill was first home in 01:19:49, followed by Nick West in 01:32:54.

ATW Hatfield 5

Stevenage Phoenix were out in full force for the 10^th anniversary of “the fastest 5 miler around”. On Sunday 24^th November, 23 Phoenicians travelled to Hatfield to take on the race, however, storm Bert put a spanner (or should I say twig) in the works, with high winds the debris, making for a much tougher race. Despite the weather, the team gave it their all with some reaching a PA and even breaking records.

The first man home was Simon Lodge in 30:38 and third in his age category, next up was Alex Wasley in 31:52 with a PB and second in his age category. Martin Harris completed his first 5-mile race in a fantastic time of 35:44. Martin was followed by Lewis Green in 37:11 and Neal Crawley in 38:10. 

Katie Mitham was the first woman home with a PB and new club record (FS) time of 39:28. Also coming in under 40 and with a PB was Ben Murphy in 39:57. Katka Laughton ran the course in 41:07 and was followed closely by Ashley Bates in 41:40 and Danny Bishop in a PB time of 41:43. Next up on the PB train was Melissa Tanti with a palindrome time of 43:34, Lisa Liversidge with 45:19 (earning her a PB and club record for FV55), and Zoe Shreeve with 46:58. 

John Harris, Kerry Cunnane and Gemma Holloway crossed the finish line in 47:17, 47:48 and 47:58 respectively. Kerry’s time earnt her a 5-mile PB. Next was Simona Leadbetter, also with a PB, in 48:02 and Jon Boe in 48:15. Martin Wasley sustained a knee injury halfway through the race and was pleased to finish in “50 minutes on the button”. Emma Wick approached the finish line smiling with a PB of 56:47. Amy Whitby and Wendy Summerbee ran together and completed the course in 57:18 and 57:20 respectively. Charlie Day completed the team in 58:45. 

Adnams 10k Run

On Sunday 24^th November Kath Phoenix took part in Southwold’s sold out Adnams 10k Run. The race is renowned for being “one of the most popular races in the region” and is a circular route, consisting of two-and-a-half laps, starting at The Harbour Inn, and taking in The Common. Kath ran the “tough and windy” race with her sister and two cousins and crossed the finish line in 48:49.