Fairlands Valley Spartans

News Release      
4th August 2008

SPARTANS TAKE TO THE HILLS,
WHILE COACH LEIGH STORMS 5 MILES

Several Spartans were in the Peak District Village of Hartington for the Dovedale Dipper Off Road Marathon & 15 miles events.

The competitors enjoyed good weather conditions and enjoyed some lovely English countryside, although at times very hilly.

Meanwhile a bit further South, Spartan Coach Chris Leigh was obviously taking some of his own advice at Wellingborough, with a Personal Best time over 5 miles.

Dovedale Dipper Off Road Marathon & 15 miles (Sunday, 3rd August 2008)

Marathon:
5:53:18 – Mike Newbitt
6:20:52 – Mark Sanders **
** This takes Mark into the nervous nineties, with just 10 more for Mark to achieve 100 Marathons. This is scheduled for Florence at the end of November.

15 Miles:
5:07:07 – Pauline Hardy
5:17:15 – Roger Biggs & Robert Hardy

Wellingborough 5 miles (Sunday, 3rd August 2008)

33:42 – Chris Leigh
In perfect running conditions (gentle breeze & light drizzle), Chris took a massive 1 min 48 seconds off his previous personal best for 5 miles to finish in 55th place of 241.

Coming Events

Many Spartans will be enjoying a busy programme of races, social and training events over the next few weeks including the: 

Reminder:
Midweek League celebrations are being held at 2Dry in the Old Town on Saturday, 9th August. This will start at 6pm with some food being served at 7pm.

Races:
Cranfield 5 miles on Friday, 8th August
Burnham Beeches Half Marathon on Sunday 17th August.
Garden City Ten on Sunday 7th September.
Grunty Fen Half Marathon on Sunday 14th September.
Spartans Track and Field Day on Saturday 20th September.
Standalone 10K on Sunday 5th October.
Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 2nd November.

Entries have already opened for the Stevenage Half Marathon and for the late Autumn series of evening 5K races in Stevenage.  See www.fvspartans.org.uk for details.

Join The Spartans

Live in or near Stevenage?  Like running?  Fairlands Valley Spartans is your local running club and is on the up!  The club has well over 100 members and encourages participation by all.  The Spartans have a varied training programme to suit those who want to run 5 kilometres through to full marathons. 

The Spartans weekday training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  The club have moved to better, more modern facilities at Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN).  Meet them there at 7p.m.

Most long Sunday morning training sessions start 9.30a.m. sharp.  Spartan track training sessions are held at Ridlins Athletics Track, Woodcock Road, Stevenage most Saturdays from 9.15a.m.  There are events to enter every Sunday.  Newcomers are very welcome – those who have not done very much running yet might prefer to start with a Thursday, Saturday or Monday session. 

Try a few sessions before joining.  Membership is only £20 per year.  Subscriptions should be sent to Fairlands Valley Spartans c/o Chris King 16 Redwing Close, Stevenage, Herts, SG2 9FE,  (07779 880 522).

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (01438 354505 or 0793 968 7509), Chris King (07779 880 522) or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509, Chris King (Secretary) 07779 880 522 (christine-king@orange-ftgroup.com)

www.fvspartans.org.uk