It was a big weekend for Ivanhoe Runners with representatives in two major marathons and a Leicestershire Road Running League race to compete in. Pick of the marathoners were Nick Teige and Jason Green. Both took part in the Brighton marathon, a race fast becoming the Spring alternative to London. Nick blasted home to a new personal best and significantly cracked the three hour barrier for the first time, clocking 2.58.21 and finishing 78th overall, a brilliant run. Jason meanwhile was taking part in his first marathon and cajoled round by wife Ruth, clocked an excellent 4.35.05 as they crossed the line hand in hand. Further North, Barry Alldread and Andy Lindley contested the Manchester marathon. After recent injury and back trouble which severely restricted his training, Barry did well to clock 3.45.39. Ahead of him, Andy Lindley ran the race to pace round a friend in their first marathon but was really pleased to clock 3.40.04 which was only just outside his own personal best in his second marathon! Back in Leicestershire, the Club fielded 21 runners in the Desford 6, the latest round of the Leicestershire Road Running League. Unfortunately this only included seven men, one short of a scoring team whilst of eight, while the ladies easily fielded three teams of four for an A, B and C team. The team were headed home by Ramzi Sidani, warming up for next weeks London marathon by clocking a swift 36.25 in 34th place. Next home were the backbone of the men’s team, skipper Martin Yeomans 117th in 40.45 and Kev Wright 156th 42.14. Hot on his heels, and doing London with Kev, was Andy Jeyes, 159th in 42.25. Splitting them though, and also London bound was Bec Hallam, having a storming run to clock 42.15 which placed here 11th lady, a brilliant result. Another heading for the capital and using Desford as a last sharpener was Ian Kirk, content with his 44.02 for 185th. Julia Blewitt-Jenkins did not seem too pleased with her time of 47.53 but should have been on the tough, hilly course, and she finished 46th lady. Amanda Bradbury was next home, clocking 49.01 to finish 50th lady. Chairman Kevin Sanders was 21 seconds behind her, clocking 49.22 for 286th place. Then came a flurry of great runs, Victoria Smith clocking 49.45 (56th) before she heads off to her debut London Marathon, Emily Starkie 49.53 (57th) and the Allie Sturla blitzing her six mile personal best, clocking 49.59 to finish 61st lady. Fiona McKean shaded over 50 minutes as she clocked 50.11 (63rd), just ahead of Teresa Talbott 50.23 (64th). Bev Trilloe had a strong run to clock 52.07 (77th), ahead of Helen Horn (53.53, 91st), Angela Wheeler who set a great new personal best (54.58, 98th) after being paced round by ladies captain Laura Graves (same time, 99th). Shirley Marlow did well to clock 59.36 (114th) whilst Julie Henfrey was accompanied by Dave More who gamely struggled round with a very sore foot, clocking 71.20 and 71.13 respectively. This weeks Conkers Parkrunners from Ivanhoe Runners included Richard Martin in 4th, Julian Rawlings, Richard Bebbington, Ruth Enion, Victoria Smith, Keith Baron, Shane Stanton, Angela Bebbington, Seran Bradley, Allie Sturla, Laura Harvey, Bec Hallam, Helen Horn and Brian Gough. At the inaugural Beeston Parkrun in Nottingham, Andy Jeyes, Kevin Sanders and Sally Jeyes represented Ivanhoe Runners.