Stevenage Striders Running Club
The Stevenage Striders had a weekend to remember, with outstanding performances across multiple events, including the Festive 5, ATW Stevenage Winter 10K, various half marathons, and an excellent turnout at Stevenage Parkrun.
Festive 5 Highlights
- Matthew Robinson secured 3rd place overall with a blazing PB of 29:35.
- Storm Moore clocked a PB of 37:01, finishing as the 2nd female.
- Keith Dennis (36:50 PB) and Luke Gooding-Williams (36:52) pushed each other to stellar times.
- Ben Ward, dressed as Holiday Santa, celebrated his 300th Parkrun with a time of 38:45.
- Sub-40 finishers included Daniel Meadows (39:53), Neil Walsh (39:35), and Jim Callaghan (39:05).
- Helen Moye took 2nd place in her age category with 40:24, running alongside teammates Kevyn and Russell.
- Jess Ives-Keeler (40:57) celebrated her run alongside Harry Ives-Keeler (40:22), who set a PB in his first 5-mile race.
- More PBs were achieved by Tanya Catton (1:00:47), Maxine Shackell (1:00:52), Helen Cal-Fernandez (1:00:31), and Penny Fanthorpe (1:04:19).
ATW Stevenage Winter 10K
- Adam Hough impressed with 40:15, finishing 8th overall in his return to racing.
- Strong runs came from Chris Newton (1:02:03), Jennifer Graham (1:11:53), and Lianne Michelle Loosley (1:01:58).
- Becky Miles celebrated breaking the 1-hour barrier, securing a PB.
Half Marathon Triumphs
- Richard Longley smashed his PB with a time of 1:38:46 at the Stevenage Half Marathon.
- Chrissie Thomas completed two half marathons over the weekend, including her fastest time since March at the ATW Stevenage Half (2:17:15).
- Marc Hagland had a standout weekend, completing the ATW Half Marathon in 2:25 and earning the final medal in the Phoenix Running Community Military Series with the Pearl Harbour Half (2:26).
- Great performances came from Gemma O’Donnell (2:14), Laura O’Donnell (2:04), and Vicky Phillips (2:17:28 PB) at the MK Half Marathon.
Parkrun Achievements
The Stevenage Striders had a strong presence at the local Parkrun, led by:
- Marc Cecil, who finished in 18:53, taking 4th place overall in the SM30-34 category.
- Michael Dennis, close behind in 19:08, secured 5th place overall in SM20-24.
- Solid runs included Peter Moye (23:03), Steven Dennis (23:25), and Chris Rowlands (24:30).
- Notable finishes came from Gemma O’Donnell (28:41), Storm Moore (29:12), Helen Moye (29:11), and Russ Andrews (29:05).
This weekend showcased the resilience, teamwork, and dedication of the Stevenage Striders. A huge congratulations to everyone for their achievements—here’s to more PBs, milestones, and memorable moments!
Stevenage Phoenix Running Club
Enigma Running’s X-wing-mas
On Friday 6th December, Melissa Tanti travelled to Milton Keynes to take part in the half marathon distance of Enigma Running’s x-wing-mas race. The course consisted of three and a half laps of Caldecotte Lake. Dressed in all black, Melissa channelled her inner Darth Vader and completed the race in 02:10:17.
ATW’s Stevenage Winter 10k & Half Marathon
It was another stormy weekend of racing, but that didn’t stop 11 Phoenicians from taking part in ATW’s inaugural Stevenage winter race on Sunday 8th December. We had eight runners in the 10km and three in the half marathon. The route saw runners starting and finishing on the Ridlins Athletics Track and passed through Fairlands lakes and the showground.
Alex Wasley and Aaron Reynolds ran together and Alex crossed the line in 42:54, coming 1st in his age category. Aaron, who was representing SNHAC, finished with an impressive PB time of 43:03. Richard Moore and Graham Eden both achieved well-earned PBs in 46:37 and 46:59 respectively. Richard came 5th in his age category and Graham came 4th in his. George Bradshaw – who gained a place by winning an ATW competition – was up next, finishing in 50:57 and Andy Chapman wasn’t far behind with a PB time of 52:47. Phil Gover completed the race in 57:20 and Myles Hammersley ran a PB time of 01:01:53.
In the Half Marathon, Katie Mitham, John Harris and Martin Harris ran the two-lap course together and John bagged himself a PB. Katie crossed the line in 02:15:01, Martin was next in 02:16:25, followed by John in 02:16:28.
The Festive 5
The Festive 5 is an annual race organised by Garden City Runners held just before Christmas and this year their proceeds went towards Isabel Hospice. On Sunday 8th December, eight members travelled to Welwyn Garden City to take on the 2 lap course. Head Coach, Emma Mead remarked that “Storm Darragh added some challenges and some new water features in today but the support remained strong and there was a lovely friendly and Christmassy vibe. Festive wear is optional but there was a lot of it today including several inflatable Santa’s that thankfully didn’t fly away with the storm”.
First home (eager for his chocolate selection box) was Ian Young in 37:21, making him the 26th overall finisher. Next up was Ashley Bates in 41:35, followed by Emma Mead in 42:01. Ken Hall, was the fourth member to cross the line and came first in the MV70 age category with 43:31. Scott Crawford completed the race in 48:58 and Lacey Harris finished in a PB time of 54:41, taking a whopping 5 minutes off her time from May. Amy Whitby and Wendy Summerbee ran together and finished in 58:15 and 58:16 respectively.
Milton Keynes Winter Half Marathon
On Sunday 8th December Peter Tungate travelled to Milton Keynes to take part in the Winter Half Marathon. It was easily one of the coldest race starts Pete had ever experienced, but he embraced the challenge. The wind chill was fierce, so he made the smart decision to move up a wave. The narrow paths added to the excitement, and moving up a wave gave him the space he needed to find his stride. The toughest section came toward the end — a steady uphill climb around mile 10 that included a long motorway bridge that seemed to stretch on forever. But Pete powered through, knowing that a smooth, flowing downhill was waiting on the other side.
Overall, the short, sharp uphills tested his strength, but the long, sweeping downhills made up for it in the best way. It was a tough but rewarding experience, ending in a PB time of 01:42:02.
Christmas Party
On Friday 6th December 30+ members ditched their running gear and enjoyed a night of delicious food and fantastic company at the Waggon and Horses in Graveley.
Fairland Spartans Running Club
Festive Five
Despite Stormy Darragh 30 Fairlands Valley Spartans ran the Festive Five in Welwyn Garden City and ANDREW PATTERSON won it! His 27 minutes 5 seconds (27:05) was more than two minutes quicker than the next runner.
SAM GENTRY said despite it being harder with the rain and wind, she still really enjoyed it and was pleased with her time. She finished in 51:35.
Spartan MIKE JEFFS was third man 40 plus and fourth overall with 30:12; ANNABELLE WHITE third senior woman (i.e. 18 plus) with 39:54 and VICKY ARCHER third woman 35 plus with 41:56.
BRIAN WHITE commented on the stormy conditions but still finished in exactly 38 minutes.
Fantastic to see so many Fairlands on a trip to a race.
Winter Half
Four Spartans ran the Stevenage Winter Half. SIMON JACKSON was fifth out of the 312 finishers and first man 40 plus in 1:20:23. JAY PAPA was 27th in 1:32:15; MATT GIFFORD finished in 1:39:33 and LLOYD DIAS in 2:29:08.
Simon said “After many months of minimal training, Kieran somehow got me out racing. Conditions were horrendous, with rain, wind and hills.” There were 312 finishers.
Parkrun Highlights 7th December
Stormy Darragh did its worst and participation at the 376th Stevenage Parkrun was half many recent totals. Windy, raining and generally unpleasant but there were still 234 who ran the Saturday morning 5K including ten Spartans including CAROLYN LINSELL and SHARON CROWLEY who were there as volunteer tailwalkers.
GRANT RAMSAY was top ten again with his 19 minutes 30 seconds.
Altogether 14 Spartans ran parkruns which reflects the conditions and the cancellation of some events due to the conditions. That didn’t stop NICK GILL who ran Letchworth in 24:58.
