This was a very busy week for Ivanhoe Runners starting on Wednesday evening with the Adrian Smith 10k handicap race, run in memory of an early member of the club who sadly died whilst out training for the team. Held for the first time at Hick’s Lodge, the race was a great success as club members raced each other around 5 laps of the lake. The winner, beating his handicap time by around 4 minutes was Michael Swan, finishing in a new personal best 10k time of 52:16 just ahead of Laura Harvey, who was 3 minutes faster than predicted in 56:25 and new member Simon Terry who blasted home to finish over a minute quicker than predicted in 41:02 (3rd fastest overall). Quickest on the night and showing younger members a clean pair of heels was Alistair Chambers in 38:09. Next fastest with a great run and a new personal fastest time was Nick Rowles (40:43). Kev Wright (41:45) and Martin Yeomans (42:17) were next just ahead of James Cox who incredibly finished in a PB of 42:34 despite changing his running shoes half way around the course. Mike Sharpe (43:46 and a new personal best), Andy Lindley (44:07) and Damon Bland (44:18) were next ahead of Will Wright, who set a new personal best of 46:56. Fastest lady was Victoria Smith in a new PB time of 47:06 just ahead of Rebecca Wilkinson also running her fastest time at the distance (47:25) as did Karen Hartland, next in 48:39. New member Chris Wright was next in 49:43 ahead of Fiona McKean (50:56) and Emily Starkie (51:28). Handicap winner Michael Swan finished next fastest ahead of Tim Sturla (52:23) and Emma Kirtland who set a new PB of 52:57 as did Gabby Smith who crossed in 53:09. Next came another new Ivanhoe Runner, Grania Towle in 56:13 followed by Laura Harvey and Keith Baron (56:38). Next came Ellen Charles with a welcome return finishing in 57:06 ahead of Maureen Danvers, yet another runner setting a new personal quickest time of 58:26. John Lewis was next in 1:02:46 before Natasha Quick (1:03:07), Elaine Moulton (1:05:39) and Julie Henfrey (1:12:09) who also ran her best time over the distance. The team celebrated the success of the evening with beer and soup and raised £185 for the British Heart Foundation.

Written by Ruth Green - last updated on 16/09/2014