News Release      
19th April 2009

JENNIFER AND JOHANNES WIN EVENING HANDICAP
And Five PBs for Richie B

An impressive forty nine Fairlands Valley Spartans took part in Thursday evening’s 5K Handicap Road Race in Stevenage.

First to cross the finish line this month in her debut 5k was Jennifer Robertson, smashing her handicap by more than 5 minutes to win in an impressive debut 5k time of 26:20. Winning man was another first timer, Johannes Pieterse, second overall and beating his handicap time by a massive 4:33 in 31:06.  Liam Herbert was second man to finish beating his previous time by 4:03 for a new PB of 22:46.  Newcomer Paul Carter was third man home, fourth overall, 3:29 ahead of handicap in a very impressive 21:40.

Emma Gilmore was second lady and finished in 6th position, beating her March time by 3:34 to finish in a new PB of 35:39.  Newcomer Rena Dudhia was third female.  She beat her handicap by 2:13 to finish in 27:56.

Once again the fastest runner on the night was Richard Bate this time with a new personal best of 16:51.  Duncan Choosey was second quickest in 18:17 and Steve Smithson third 20:04.  Fastest lady on the night was Jacqui Connolly in a new PB of 24:01, with Sarah Kearsey second quickest in a new PB of her own, 26:01.  Race winner Jennifer Robertson was third fastest woman.

Eighteen runners recorded new personal bests and thirteen were running a 5K race for the first time.
The new personal bests (in addition to those already mentioned above) included Barry O'Sullivan +4:12 to 31:36, Michelle Dighton + 2:20 to 34:10, Anna O'Sullivan +1:44 to 34:23, Nikki Tout +1:43 to 29:25, Angela Moore +1:36 to 36:37, John Allen +1:17 to 28:06, Debbie Blackburn +1:16 to 35:35, Ian Larman +1:06 to 26:59, Bill Carroll +1:01 to 24:04, Richard Moore +0:57 to 21:12, Lisa Potter +0:30 to 33:41 and Pete Smith +0:11 to 21:33, and Monica Read with a one second improvement to 26:42.  The full result follows:

Pos      NAME      Time      Comments      Time Position      Female Time Position
1      JENNIFER ROBERTSON      26:20      New      23      3
2      JOHANNES PIETERSE      31:06      New      36      
3      LIAM HERBERT      22:46      PB (4:03)      14      
4      PAUL CARTER      21:40      New      10      
5      BARRY O'SULLIVAN      31:36      PB (4:12)      37      
6      EMMA GILMORE      35:39      PB (3:34)      45      18
7      JAMES REGA      27:54      New      28      
8      RENA DUDHIA      27:56      New      30      7
9      ANGELA MOORE      36:37      PB (1:36)      47      20
10      JOAN RIDGER      36:40            48      21
11      KAREN SMITH      29:58      New      33      9
12      JILL CHILD      29:58      New      34      10
13      MICHELLE DIGHTON      34:10      PB (2:20)      40      13
14      IAN LARMAN      26:59      PB (1:06)      26      
15      BILL CARROLL      24:04      PB (1:01)      17      
16      NIKKI TOUT      29:25      PB (1:43)      32      8
17      MONICA READ      26:42      PB (0:01)      24      4
18      SARAH KEARSEY      26:01      PB (0:45)      22      2
19      DEBBIE BLACKBURN      35:35      PB (1:16)      43      16
20      THERESA SHEARING      35:35      New      44      17
21      SARA SAVORY      35:40      New      46      19
22      GRAHAM BLACKBURN      20:27      YB      4      
23      RICHARD MOORE      21:12      PB (0:57)      6      
24      STEVE SMITHSON      20:05      YB      3      
25      RACHEL STANTON      32:54      New      38      11
26      JOHN ALLEN      28:06      PB (1:17)      31      
27      ROGER BIGGS      21:25      YB      8      
28      JACQUI CONNOLLY      24:01      PB (0:27)      15      1
29      SEAN GRIFFIN      24:02      New      16      
30      PETE SMITH      21:33      PB (0:11)      9      
31      RICHARD BATE      16:51      PB (0:04)      1      
32      PAUL HOLGATE      24:11      YB      19      
33      JIM BROWN      21:16            7      
34      MARK GOODWIN      22:21            13      
35      MARK BEASLEY      20:52            5      
36      MANDY BULLOCK      27:54      New      27      5
37      JULIE      27:55            29      6
38      LISA POTTER      33:41      PB (0:30)      39      12
39      ANDY JAY      22:14            12      
40      DUNCAN CHOOSEY      18:17            2      
41      DARREN STEPHENSON      22:02            11      
42      PETE O'REILLY      25:23            20      
43      CHAS AVIS      30:21      YB      35      
44      CRAIG BACON      24:07      New      18      
45      ANNA O'SULLIVAN      34:23      PB (1:44)      41      14
46      MARK DRUMMOND      26:43            25      
47      LAURA STAFFORD      34:42            42      15
48      SELVAN NAICKER      25:47            21      
49      SIMON HARRIS      46:23            49      

The next handicap 5k will be in the Summer after the midweek league fixtures which are from May to July.

Flitwick 10K

Fairlands Valley Spartans’ Men’s Captain RICHARD BATE kept his amazing run of good form up by securing two personal bests, making a total of five within four weeks. Over the last three weeks, Richard had already secured PBs in distances of 1500m, 10 miles and 20 miles.  This week was no exception with Richard gaining a PB in the 5k handicap race on Thursday, being the fastest runner on the night and taking 4 seconds of his previous PB with a time of 16 minutes 51 seconds. Only a few days later, Richard ran in the Flitwick 10k on Sunday where he came 16th overall completing the course with a new PB of 35:42.

Two other Spartans ran new personal bests at Flitwick.  They were DUNCAN CHOOSEY (37:45) and ALISON HOPWOOD (46:55).

Three Spartans were running their first ever 10K race.  They were PETE SMITH (44:11), DEBBIE HALL (53:59) and IAN MURRAY (58:16).

The Spartan men’s team consisting of Richard Bate, Duncan Choosey and BEN HARRIS were fifth team out of 56 in the race.  KERRY JAMES, Alison Hopwood and NIKKI NATION were 12th women’s team out of 35.

Position      Name      Time      Comments
16      RICHARD BATE      35:42      PB
42      DUNCAN CHOOSEY      37:45      PB
54      BEN HARRIS      38:33      
149      MATTHEW JAMIESON      43:08      
170      JIM BROWN      43:54      
183      PETE SMITH      44:11      New (first 10K)
223      KERRY JAMES (L)      45:42      
231      RICHARD MOORE      45:53      
234      DARREN STEPHENSON      46:08      
269      ALISON HOPWOOD (L)      46:55      PB
363      PAUL HOLGATE      49:29      
379      ALAN GOODWIN      49:46      
496      NIKKI NATION (L)      53:16      
516      DOUG HALL      53:59      
596      TONY WILLSON      56:38      
600      DEBBIE HALL (L)      56:29      New (first 10K)
623      RON COHEN      58:02      
639      IAN MURRAY      58:16      New (first 10K)

There were 819 finishers.

Mayor of Hertford’s Charity Run

This was the second year of this race and it was a bright sunny morning (compared to last year’s snow).  Run on country lanes and bridle paths this excellent local race supports the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund.  Nine Fairlands Valley Spartans ran the distance which was slightly short of 10km.

They were Duncan Marshall 13th in 38:44; Steve Smithson 20th in 39:46; Gerry McCabe 91st in 46:18; Andy Jay 114th in 47:33; Cally Glading 206th in 53:20; Mark Glading 207th in 53:20; Esther Hamill 217th in 53:58; Jeannette Collins in 61:30 and Tracy Stiles in 66:30.

Bungay Black Dog Marathon

It was cold and breezy at the start, perfect in the middle and a bit warm at the end, nevertheless it stayed dry for the Bungay Black Dog Marathon.  Despite a poor last six and cramp at 25 miles.  Spartan STEVE MAYFIELD managed to get round in 3 hours 41 minutes 32 seconds which was good enough for 94th place.

Pewsey Downandaround Off Road Marathon - Sunday, 19th April 2009

Three Spartans travelled to Wiltshire for the Pewsey Downandaround Off Road Marathon on Sunday.  This was in the Countryside around Pewsey, taking in the lovely Pewsey Dale and the famous White Horse.  It was a tough course but with lovely weather.

MIKE NEWBITT completed the event in 4 hours 54 minutes 30 seconds followed by ROGER BIGGS in 5:27:39 and ROBERT HARDY in 7:07:04.

All Set For London

More than 36 Spartans ranging from first timers to some who will have run in more than half the London Marathons there have ever been are set to run the 26.2 miles on Sunday.  Many are running for charity.

The Spartan hopefuls include Nikki Andrews, Simon Bell, Roger Biggs, Steven Biggs, David Bowker, Jim Brown, Gary Byrne, Dave Carter, Ian Chappell, Lydia Clarkson, Steve Dear, Dave Farthing, Mark Glading, Julie Goodwin, Simon Green, David Hamill, Anna Handley, Richard Hazeldene, Paul Holgate, Andrew Hull, Simon Jackson, Yvonne Jones, Chris King, Jamie Laird, Chris Leigh, Michelle Long, Von Maguire, Michelle Marchant, Sara O’Callaghan, Carol Paul, Dave Paul, Joan Ridger, Rob Shaw,  Paula Williams and Alison Wood.

Nearly Time For The Midweek Road Race League

Last year Fairlands Valley Spartans were delighted to win promotion to the top division of the Mid Week Road Race League and turned out huge numbers for each event.  The first fixture in this year’s series is in Stevenage on Thursday 14th May.  The four counting events are all around ten kilometers.  If you want to support your local club, why not join Fairlands Valley Spartans now?  See www.fvspartans.org.uk for details.

Coming Events

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

•      Flora London Marathon on Sunday 26th April.
•      Track events at Ridlins, Stevenage on Monday 4th May.
•      St. Albans 10K (inc. county vets championships) on Sunday 10th May.
•      First Mid Week Road Race League event in Stevenage on Thursday evening 14th May.
•      East Cambridgeshire Half Marathon on Sunday 17th May.
•      First Watford Open Graded Meeting on Wednesday 20th May.
•      Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday 31st May.
•      Second Mid Week Road Race League event in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday evening 4th June.
•      St. Albans Half Marathon on Sunday 14th June.
•      Third Mid Week Road Race League event in Chingford on Wednesday evening 17th June.
•      Fairlands Valley Off Road Challenge on Sunday 19th July.
•      Silver Jubilee Five Mile Race in Fairlands Valley Park on Sunday 13th September.
•      Silver Jubilee Gala Ball on Saturday 17th October.
•      Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 1st November.

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 170 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.  Last year the club 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 £25 per year.  Concessions are available.  Subscriptions and membership forms should be sent to Fairlands Valley Spartans c/o 19 Bellamy Close, Knebworth, Herts, SG3 6EH.

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