Sunday 16th November saw a cold dank misty morning in Markfield for the setting of the first race of the 2014-2015 season in the Derby Runner Cross Country League and a huge turnout of 43 Ivanhoe Runners keen to embrace the mud. Spurred on by great team spirit with new ladies cross country captain Teresa Talbott alongside men’s captain Martin Yeomans there were some excellent individual and team performances over the tough varied terrain. After battling the course which took in stiles, stream crossings and a circuit around the reservoir the team was rewarded with coffee and cake thanks to Teresa and social secretary Heather Swan.

First home for the men after an excellent race was Ramzi Sidani, 35th overall in 36:02. Next came cross-country specialist Darren Jones, 86th in 38:43 just ahead of Phil Stevenson who had a great run to finish 98th in 39:14 closely followed by Dave Hobbs, 102nd in 39:31. Osian Flowers also had a strong run in the conditions coming home 119th in 40:36 just ahead of Martin Yeomans, 126th in 40:48 and Simon Terry, 127th in 40:52. Nick Rowles followed soon after, 132nd in 41:13 completing the scoring team. Next home were Andy Lindley, 188th in 44:04, James Cox, 218th in 45:48 and Tim Caukwell, 234th in 46:41. Ivanhoe Robins chairman Ian Potter had a great race, his first for the senior club, 235th in 46:42 with Kev Wright close behind, 237th in 46:50. Barry Alldread finished next, 245th in 47:23 ahead of Andy Pawley, 256th in 48:03, Jake Shaw, 262nd , Jonathan Shaw, 276th in 49:19 and Bob White, 282nd in 49:42, good strong runs for all in the conditions. Keith Baron finished well, 341st in 54:11 ahead of 375th placed John Lewis in 63:47 with Brian Gough just behind in 378th place.

The ladies fielded a particularly strong team and were delighted to have three finishers in the top ten. First home and proving what a great new asset to the club she is was Sarah Terry, 4th in 39:56 with Becca Hallam hot on her heels in 5th place in 40:43. Laura Johnson made a fantastic return to racing after many months out to finish 9th in 42:08. Karen Bell was next, 28th in 44:44 completing the counting team and just seconds ahead of Zoe Allery, 29th in 44:48. Rosie Dear finished strongly crossing in 33rd place in 45:31 with Tracey Powell next, 54th in 48:00 just ahead of Victoria Smith, 58th in 48:23. Amanda Bradbury had a good run coming home in 67th place in 49:04 closely followed by Julia Blewitt-Jenkins, 74th in 49:22. Karen Hartland had a great debut cross country race finishing 87th in 50:28 ahead of Tracey Smith, 109th in 42:32. Allie Sturla continued her come back from injury with an excellent run, 129th in 54:09 just ahead of her captain Teresa Talbott, 130th in 54:20 and Emma Kirtland, 132nd in 54:37. Trish McPherson and Fiona McKean finished next in 142nd nd 143rd places (55:23 and 55:30) just in front of Heather Swan, 150th in 56:14, Fran Sinclair, 153rd in 56:16 and Ellie Shaw, 157th in 56:35. Maureen Danvers and new member Katie Poole were also both running their first cross country race and did really well finishing in 182nd (60:22) and 199th (65:16) places to complete the team.

Overall the men’s team finished a very creditable 11th out of 21 teams. The high scoring finishers meant that the ladies team finished an excellent 2nd place behind Barrow Runners. Ivanhoe’s combined team score saw the club 10th overall which should bode well for the rest of the season.

Written by Ruth Green - last updated on 22/11/2014