CHESHUNT CROSS COUNTRY


Thirty three Fairlands Valley Spartans took part in the first cross country league fixture of the season.  The course at Cheshunt is normally dry, firm and pretty easy going for cross country but not on Sunday!

The Spartan positions were:

Mens "A" Team

Duncan Choosey (SM) - 13th; Richard Bate (SM) - 21st; Dave Bowker (M50) – 26th; Steve Smithson (M40) - 56th; Richard Sidlin (M40) - 65th; Andy Garrett (M40) - 72nd; Alan Donald (SM) - 81st; Sean Thompson (SM) - 82nd
.
Mens "B" Team

Andy Bramall (M40) - 86th; Nick Stewart (M40) - 124th; Anthony White (M50) - 129th; Mick Ling (M40) - 140th; Mark Glading (M40) - 157th; Gary Mulhern (SM) - 165th; Selvan Naicker (SM) - 176th; Kirston Winters (SM) - 179th

Men Others

Pete O'Reilly (M40) - 181st; Graeme Stewart (SM) - 183rd; Mark Freeman (M50) - 188th; and Ron Cohen (M70) - 212nd

Womens "A" Team

Chris King (W45) - 93rd; Chris Feely (W45) - 148th; Barbara Wilson (W55) - 158th; Peta Wilson (W35) - 159th; Debbie Hall (SW) - 194th

Womens "B" Team

Sarah O'Bryan (SW) - 211th; Cally Glading (W45) - 222nd; Tessa Stephenson (W45) - 225th; Michelle Long (SW) - 227th; Sarah Erne (SW) - 228th

Women Others

Sue Wiggins (W35) - 229th; Emma Welch (W35) - 232nd and Katrina Doyle (W35) - 233rd

Times and team results have not yet been published.  The team categories are:

Men’s Teams 8 to score; Men’s Masters (Veterans) 4 to score.
Women’s teams 5 to score; Women’s Masters (Veterans) 3 to score

Snowdon Marathon

Conditions for the Snowdon Marathon on Saturday were atrocious.  Spartans PAUL HOLGATE and SHARON CROWLEY faced gale force winds and cold driving rain.  More than 500 the 1687 entrants did not start or did not finish but Paul got round in 4 hours 53 minutes 54 seconds (910th) and Sharon in Sharon in 4:45:49 (939th).

Beachy Head Marathon

SARA O’CALLAGHAN completed the Beachy Head Off Road Marathon in 4 hours 55 minutes 33 seconds.

Stevenage Half Marathon This Sunday

The Stevenage Half Marathon takes place this Sunday 2nd November.  Fairlands Valley Spartans had received over 750 entries by Sunday.  Spectators will be very welcome to encourage runners.  The course starts on Gresley Way near Woodcock Road and continues on cycleways and footpaths for two laps via Six Hills Way, Fairlands Valley Park (north), Fairlands Valley Park (south), Broadhall Way and Gresley Way before finishing on Ridlins Athletics Ground track.

There will also be a two mile fun run.

More details are available from the Spartan website www.fvspartans.org.uk ;

It Is Too Late To Enter The 5K Series

All the places in the series of three evening 5K races in Stevenage have gone.  The races are on Wednesdays 12th November, 26th November and 10th December.  The event will be on the Fairlands Way, Verity Way, Martins Way, Grace Way, Fairlands Way cycleway circuit.

Coming Events

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

•      Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 2nd November.
•      Henlow 10 on Wednesday daytime 12th November.
•      First race Spartans Stevenage 5K series Wednesday evening 12th November.
•      St. Neots Half Marathon on Sunday 16th November.
•      Second race Spartans Stevenage 5K series Wednesday evening 26th November.
•      Wolverton Five Mile race on Saturday 29th November.
•      Spartans Christmas Party on Friday 5th December.
•      Luton Marathon including County Championships on Sunday 7th December.

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 recently moved to better, more modern facilities at the gymnastics centre Marriotts School – a Sports College, Telford Avenue, Stevenage (SG2 0AN).  Meet them there at 7p.m.

The Spartan Starter group starts from Marriotts at 7.30p.m. every Monday and 7p.m. on Thursdays.

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