Ivanhoe Runners had a very successful trip to Tamworth for the Gate Gallop 10k on Sunday, the latest round of the Burton and District Summer League. With a huge team turn out, encouraged by the beer and cheese on offer at the end thanks to Social Secretary Heather Swan, there was some excellent running and a big haul of prizes for the team. Set on an off road course across fields the route took in stiles, a bridge and single file running in places and so is not a fast course, yet despite this a couple of runners even managed to post personal fastest times. First home for the club with another fine run was Ramzi Sidani, 10th overall in 38:46 ahead of Alistair Chambers, 22nd in 41:18. Dave Hobbs was next with a fantastic run to beat his personal best time finishing 25th in 41:25 ahead of Nicholas Lee-Smith who also had a brilliant run to beat his personal best, crossing in 40th place in 43:46 ahead of Captain Martin Yeomans, 53rd in 44:53 just ahead of James Cox, 57th in 44:54. Becca Hallam was Ivanhoe’s first lady and came home with the trophy for 2nd fastest lady in the race, 58th overall in 45:20. Andy Jeyes was next also picking up a trophy for his efforts, this time for 1st Vet 65 male, 59th in 45:20 just ahead of Kev Wright, 61st in 45:30 followed by Andy Lindley, 70th in 47:12 and Damon Bland, 79th in 47:32. Laura Graves collected the 1st vet 45 lady prize as she finished 9th lady (99th overall) in 49:32, followed by Julia Blewitt-Jenkins, 10th lady in 50:41 finishing in a dead heat with chairman Kev Sanders after battling with thim throughout the race (114th in 50:41). Next came Victoria Smith with a strong run to finish 18th lady in 51:57 ahead of Ruth Green, 21st lady in 52:37. Ruth Enion did well to run despite feeling unwell finishing 26th lady in 53:39, crossing alongside Karl Savill (154th, same time) and new member Will Wright (155th, 53:56). Next came Fiona McKean, 36th lady in 56:16 and Gabby Smith, 40th lady in 57:59. Heather Swan enjoyed the off road course as she finished in 58:05 (41st lady) just ahead of the final individual trophy winner of the day, Sally Jeyes who collected the 1st vet 60 prize to great cheers from the team as she crossed in 58:55 (43rd lady). Julie Henfrey continued her great first season for the club to complete the team finishing 107th lady in 1:18:55. The event was rounded off for Ivanhoe in style as the ladies team of Becca Hallam, Laura Graves, Julia Blewitt-Jenkins and Victoria Smith collected first prize. Well done Ivanhoe!!

Written by Ruth Green - last updated on 01/07/2014