News Release
23rd June 2024
Solstice 10k
Alison and Paul SHELLEY ran the St Albans Summer Solstice 10K on Thursday evening. They said it was a beautiful warm sunny evening and it’s a nice course and well organised race. Paul was aiming for sub 40 and achieved that with 39:23. Alison is coming back from ACL injury but was pushing for around 55 minutes which she beat with 54:48.
Handicap 5K – Longest Day
Sixteen Spartans ran the Handicap 5K on the longest day, Thursday 20th June. In handicap races runners set off in recent pace order, slowest first and the first one across the finish line is the winner. It’s the best improver rather than absolute fastest that wins the race.
Beating his handicap by 3 minutes 10 seconds (3:10) and improving his 5K by 28 seconds MATT TUTTON was first to finish by 1 minute 25 seconds (1:25) with his 25:05. He was the fourth fastest in the race.
NICOLA NATION was first female and third overall when she finished in 31:55, beating her handicap by 1:35. The fastest female was SAMANTHA TOPHILL with 25:52 and the fastest overall CRAIG BACON in 22:40.
The next FVS club handicap 5K will be in Stevenage on Thursday evening 25th July
Rainbow Run
Several Spartans ran the Rainbow Run in Stevenage to raise funds for the NHS. They included LLOYD DIAS, JIM BROWN (finishing as a pink Jim), PENNY SCHENKEL and GILLIAN KNOWLES. More than 500 people enjoyed the sunshine and the run.
This was the third Stevenage Rainbow Run which raises funds for the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals Charity.
Herts Hobble
Claire Pullen and Tricia Hopper completed the Herts Hobble off road event starting at Baldock, passing through Wallngton, Ardeley, Graveley and back to Baldock which was 26.4 miles and they completed it in 6 hours 40 minutes. A really lovely loop, very warm conditions, but a great event
Parkrun Highlights 22nd June
Fairlands Valley Spartans improved to two in the top five at Saturday’s Stevenage parkrun. The wet, dry, wet event was the 352nd Stevenage parkrun and attracted 437 finishers including 23 Spartans.
Wet, dry, wet – Wet on the start line, dry for many in the middle of the race and wet again just as many finished.
Spartan SIMON JACKSON was third in 18 minutes 18 seconds and GRANT RAMSAY fifth in 18:53. SUZY HAWKINS was running her 50th parkrun and was fourth woman with 22:48. There were mini-milestones for KEITH HOOKER, 20th parkrun in 23:29 and JIM BROWN, 160th parkrun in 27:57.
Elsewhere Spartan parkruns included STUART ARCHER and DANNY SCANLON at Westmill (Ware) where Stuart was second with 20:14 and Danny 12th with 22:56; the Millennium Country parkrun, Forest of Marston Vale where ANNABELLE WHITE was second woman in 23:18 and CHLOE CHAPMAN finished in 29:11; Teignmouth Promenade, Devon which KIM TYLER completed in 24:48; Tawd Valley, Lancashire which ROS INGRAM ran in 28:10; Henlow Bridge Lakes run by GEORGIE HOOPER in 28:11; NICK KLEANTHOUS running the Medina, Isle of Wight parkrun in 28:30; GRAHAM BLACKBURN the Pocket parkrun in 29:41 and MONICA SMITHSON running the out and back trail parkrun at Sheringham, Norfolk in 34:37.
Anniversary Marathon and Stevenage Half
Fairlands Valley Spartans are in their 40th Anniversary Year and a high point will be the Stevenage Marathon which they are organising on Sunday 20th October. There will also be a half marathon on the same day.
The events will be licenced by England Athletics. 535 entries are already in.
The start and finish will be in Hampson Park. This year the charity is Pancreatic Cancer UK. Entries are £40 for the full marathon and £30 for the half with discounts for members of clubs affiliated to England Athletics. The races will include county championships for Hertfordshire.
Daylight Running
Not keen on running in the evenings? Fairlands Valley Spartans have sessions from various locations at the weekends and at 10a.m. from Fairlands Valley Park on Wednesdays. Those that can run five miles continuously are welcome on Wednesdays.
The Wednesday start is by the bollards at the north end of the largest lake. Near the old bandstand. You can find us using SG2 0BL, SG1 1LQ or what three words miss.shape.global – known to many as the Stevenage parkrun start.
From Tuesday 20th February, Spartan coach JOHN HARRIS has been leading weekly long interval sessions for two faster groups sub 42 minutes for 10K and sub 50 minutes for 10K groups around Fairlands Valley Park. Meet at the main car park to start at 6.45a.m.
If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (0793 968 7509); Vicky Archer (07403 096582); info@fvspartans.org.uk; or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk
