News Release      
21st February 2010

CARTER’S CASSIOBURY CROSS COUNTRY

Snow turned to soggy as twenty one Spartans tackled the last cross country league race of the season.  PAUL CARTER, 29th in 46 minutes 14 seconds, was the first Spartan finisher in the race of about eleven kilometres in and around Cassiobury Park, Jacotts Hill and Whippendell Wood, Watford on Sunday morning.     STEVE SMITHSON was next in – 41st in 47 minutes 20 seconds.  Most improved Spartan of 2009 PETE SMITH was 57th in 49:15 and Club Treasurer SEAN THOMPSON also beat 50 minutes when he was 61st in 49:23

SAM PRETTY showed the way in the women’s race.  She was 13th in 50 minutes 38 seconds.  ELLA CERAULO continues her improvement and was 19th in 53:24.  Club Secretary SARA O’CALLAGHAN was 34th in 57:25.

Results for all the Fairlands Valley Spartans runners follow:

Men

Position      Name      Time      Category
29      PAUL CARTER      46:14      SM
41      STEVE SMITHSON      47:20      M40
57      PETE SMITH      49:15      M40
61      SEAN THOMPSON      49:23      SM
70      ADRIAN DONNELLY      50:14      SM
90      ANDREW HULL      53:14      M40
100      DAVE PARSONS      54:40      M50
116      JIM BROWN      56:19      M50
140      ANTHONY WHITE      59:55      M50
154      TONY OSBORNE      64:02      M70
164      MARK CHEADLE      70:12      SM

Women

Position      Name      Time      Category
13      SAM PRETTY      50:38      Senior
19      ELLA CERAULO      53:54      Senior
34      SARA O’CALLAGHAN      57:25      Veteran
43      CHRISTINE SHARMAN      61:17      Veteran
46      BARBARA WILSON      61:36      Veteran
56      KAREN LIDDLE      65:05      Veteran
58      SHARON CROWLEY      66:02      Veteran
60      SUE LEIGH      68:15      Veteran
61      TRISH HOPPER      68:15      Veteran
70      IRIS HORNSEY      71:28      Veteran

Team results for the race and for the series have not yet been published by the organisers.

The league may be over but Spartans will be taking part in the Hertfordshire County (and South of England) Cross Country Championships for veterans on Sunday 14th March and in the postponed County Open Championships which will now be on Sunday 28th March.

Grant Breaks Course Record

Spartan GRANT RAMSAY broke the course record in the recent 5K Park Run in Milton Keynes.  He won the race in 16 minutes 52 seconds.

Valencia Marathon

Roger ran the Valencia Marathon in not so sunny Spain on Sunday.  Dull though conditions were excellent for running.  Nursing a strained back, Roger was not able to take advantage of the flat course, but finished in 4 hours 4 minutes 25 seconds and kept his weekly marathon sequence going, which now sits at 69!

5K This Thursday

The next Thursday evening 5K race in Stevenage is this Thursday, 25th February and will be on the Fairlands Way, Verity Way, Martins Way, Grace Way, Fairlands Way course with the finish near Douglas Drive.

Run4Fun With The Spartans

The Spartans Run4Fun sessions for 17 to 25 year olds have started on Saturday mornings.

Don't worry if you missed the first few weeks, you can join in this Saturday (or another Saturday if you are already busy this week) when a very warm welcome will be waiting for you no matter how cold the weather.  For more information contact Paul Holgate on 07764 237659, or by e-mail at paul.holgate@bt.com, or simply turn up at 9:15 a.m. at Ridlins Athletic Track, Woodcock Road (off Gresley Way) in Stevenage on any Saturday morning.

Coming Events

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

•      Spartans Handicap 5K in Stevenage this Thursday evening 25th February.
•      Last Friday of the Month 5K in Hyde Park, London on Friday 26th February.
•      Roding Valley Half Marathon on Sunday 28th February.
•      Milton Keynes Half Marathon on Sunday 7th March.
•      Wymondham 20 Mile Race on Sunday 7th March.
•      Southern and County Veterans Cross Country Championships in Trent Park on 14th March.
•      Orion 15 mile cross country race on Saturday 20th March.
•      Fleet and Brentwood Half Marathons on 21st March.
•      Finchley 20 Mile Race on Sunday 28th March.
•      Rearranged County Cross Country Championships at Watford on Sunday 28th March.
•      Maidenhead Easter Ten on Friday 2nd April.
•      Sandy 10 on Sunday 11th April.
•      Flitwick 10K on Sunday 18th April.
•      London Marathon on Sunday 25th April.
•      First EVAC track and field meeting on Wednesday 5th May.
•      First Mid Week League 10K race in WGC on Tuesday 11th May.
•      East Cambridgeshire Half Marathon on Sunday 16th May (TBC).
•      Edinburgh Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday 23rd May.
•      Second Mid Week League 10K race in Stevenage on Tuesday 25th May.
•      Hatfield Broad Oak 10K on Monday 31st May.
•      St. Albans Half Marathon on Sunday 13th June.
•      Lee Valley 10K on Sunday 4th July.
•      Great Yarmouth Half Marathon on Sunday 22nd August.
•      Burnham Beeches Half Marathon (BMAF Champs) on Sunday 22nd August.
•      Stevenage Half Marathon on Sunday 7th 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 now has almost 350 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.  They are now based at 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.  Membership forms are available on the Spartans website www.fvspartans.org.uk ; Please ask if you would like a paper copy. 

If you want to know more about the Spartans please contact Jim Brown (01438 354505 or 0793 968 7509), Sara O’Callaghan 077911 51 986 or visit their website www.fvspartans.org.uk

E N D S

More from Jim Brown (Press Officer) 01438 354505 / 0793 968 7509 or Sara O’Callaghan (Secretary) 077911 51 986

www.fvspartans.org.uk