Ivanhoe Runners Awards night

After a tremendously successful season Ivanhoe Runners held their annual awards evening on Saturday 10th January at the Lyric Rooms in Ashby. Prizes were presented to 49 different club members by club chairman Kevin Sanders and team captains Martin Yeomans and Laura Graves. Ivanhoe 20 winners Kelly Alldread and Steve Baggott were the first to their receive awards followed by Michael Swan, winner of the annual Adrian Smith Club Handicap race. Several members received recognition for excellent performances in the 2014 Leicestershire Road Running League with Martin Yeomans and Dave Morse presented with 100% awards for completing each of the 11 races. The male vet team of Dave Morse, Kev Wright, Martin Yeomans and Nick Rowles received trophies for winning division 3 whilst the senior men’s team of Alistair Chambers, Chris Finney, Damon Bland, Dave Morse, Kev Wright, Kevin Sanders, Martin Yeomans and Nick Rowles collected Division 3 runners up prizes. The ladies vet team of Laura Graves, Karen Bell and Victoria Smith collected third team prizes for division one. The club also competes in the Burton and District Summer League and six members (Alistair Chambers, Andy Lindley, Karl Savill, Kev Wright, Ramzi Sidani and Ruth Green) received prizes for completing the full series of eight races. Also in the Burton League, Alistair Chambers, Andy Jeyes and Sally Jeyes all lifted 2nd prize overall in their category (male vet 50, male vet 60 and female vet 55) whilst Laura Graves took home 3rd prize overall for her category of female vet 45. 

The club operates a standards system where runners are recognised when they complete five different distance races within a particular finishing time which varies depending on the level of the award. Members who complete nine different differences within the required times receive a distinction award. This year a record number of runners received a standard award. Bronze awards were presented to Angela Wheeler, Bev Trilloe, Chris Finney, Damon Bland, Dave Hobbs, Duncan Ross, Emma Kirtland, Gabby Smith, Jason Green, Kelly Finney, Phil Slocombe, Seran Bradley and Tim Sturla. Ian Kirk received a Bronze distinction award while silver awards were presented to Andy Lindley, Gerard Eivors, Helen Horn, Karen Hartland, Kevin Sanders, Maureen Danvers, Mike Trott and Rebecca Wilkinson. Silver distinction awards were made to Fiona McKean, Heather Swan, Kev Wright, Ramzi Sidani and Victoria Smith. Becca Hobbs and Lynda Revill were each awarded a gold distinction prize whilst the particularly challenging diamond award was presented to Clare Fowell and Laura Graves.

Winners of the annual club Grand Prix competition this year were Laura Graves and Andy Jeyes, with Sally Jeyes and Martin Yeomans lifting the runners up awards. Teresa Talbott was presented with an Ironman award after her incredible performance in the Outlaw event. Angela Wheeler and Ian Bolton were each rewarded for their hard training over the season as they lifted the most improved trophies. Kev Wright was a very popular winner of the male team player award for the second year running, with the female team player award given to Victoria Smith, fully deserved after her excellent season. Best newcomer trophies were awarded to Karen Hartland and Damon Bland who have both competed regularly at an impressive level in their first year with Ivanhoe Runners. The Margaret Hibbell Trophy for outstanding endeavour was presented to Nick Teige who has had an incredible year, running ten consecutive marathons in ten weeks for charity, racing to a sub three hour marathon in Brighton, finishing the Ironman Austria event in an impressive time of 10 hours 50 minutes, whilst also competing in a number of swimming and cycling events. Ian Kirk and Tim Sturla were also recognised as they shared the new Chairman’s award for their feat of completing 12 marathon or ultramarathon events in 12 months including the 69 mile “The Wall” and 46 mile Brecon Ultra. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Club Member of the Year Trophy, which is voted for by members on the night. A hugely popular winner this year for his inspirational leadership of the club and support of fellow members was Chairman Kevin Sanders, who lifted the award to a unanimous standing ovation. This rounded off an excellent evening, organised by social secretaries Heather Swan and Emma Kirtland. One member missed the evening as he competed in a tough Welsh hill race. Andy Gillies ran the 14 mile “Fan Dance” a tough out and back race over some of the steepest Brecon Beacons peaks and despite falling three times in the tough icy conditions he finished in an impressive 3 hours 15 minutes.

Written by Ruth Green - last updated by Andy Lindley on 13/01/2015