Ivanhoe Runners were out in force this weekend for the first race of The Leicestershire Road Running Summer League, the Swithland 6. Set over a pretty course taking in Swithland Reservoir and the surrounding rural lanes, the race saw some great performances from both the men and ladies teams. First home for the club once again was men’s captain Martin Yeomans in 40:30 (99th) just ahead of the strong running Kev Wright (41:14, 124th). Andy Jeyes had a fine run to win the Male vet 60 category (42:23, 145th). Andy was just seconds ahead of Nick Rowles who continued his return from injury finishing in 42:44 (152nd). Damon Bland enjoyed the race and set a great new personal best time of 43:20 (174th) with Andy Lindley having a steady run following last weeks triathlon (45:41, 238th). Ladies captain Laura Graves continued her excellent run of form to set yet another new personal best time of 45:47 (243rd) just ahead of Dave Morse, 244th in 45:50. Lynda Revill was next suffering a little in the warm conditions yet finishing strongly in 47:02 (290th) ahead of Ruth Green, 298th in 47:23. Kevin Marsh was next, enjoying his debut race for the club with a great time of 48:51 (340th) just in front of Amanda Bradbury who had a strong run given that she is at the peak of her marathon training, finishing in 48:58 (351st). Carolyn Osborne and Kevin Sanders both finished in the same time of 49:27 but having started higher up the field Carolyn finished several places ahead, 364th to Kev’s 371st. Chris Finney was next and the final Ivanhoe Runner to break the 50 minute mark, 385th in 49:54 followed by Fiona McKean 393rd in 50:34. Karen Hartland was running her first ever 6 mile race and enjoyed the distance to record a 51:02 finish (405th). Next came a flurry of Ivanhoe women -Gabby Smith, 454th in 54:27 for her first 6 mile race, Angela Wheeler, 457th in a new personal best of 54:34 and Kelly Finney, 460th in 54:42 – a new personal fastest time for Kelly by some 7 minutes. Super veteran Sally Jeyes had a great run next in 57:21 (489th) ahead of Andy Pole, 528th in 1:01:09. Elaine Moulton and Julie Henfrey ran together to finish in 559th and 560th places in 1:10:59 and 1:11:00, a pleasing new personal best time for Julie in her first year of running for the club. The day was rounded off in style for the club as Laura Graves was presented with the Leicestershire Road Racing Winter League Women’s vet 50 2nd place trophy – a great achievement by the Captain.

Written by Ruth Green - last updated on 25/08/2014