There was a fantastic atmosphere in Ashby, Packington and the surrounding villages on Sunday 22nd March at the annual ALDI Ashby 20 mile road race, now in its 26th year. 1200 runners from across the region and beyond gathered at the Ashby Bath Grounds in perfect running conditions, cool initially but with bright sunshine particularly for the latter stages. The race is organised by a huge team of volunteers from Ivanhoe Runners with support from many local organisations including sponsors ALDI, Ashby Explorer Scouts, local Rotary clubs, neighbouring running clubs, Conkers parkrun, Leicestershire Search and Rescue, St Johns Ambulance and the town council, with Ashby’s mayor starting the event and presenting the prizes. This year Leicestershire County Council and Leicestershire police insisted that the club organise a partial road closure along most of the route which greatly increased the complexity of the planning but greatly improved the safety of the event. The club are very grateful for the fantastic support and patience shown by the many local residents and businesses who certainly embraced the event. This superb community spirit on show helped to ensure that the race was once again a great success, with the race adjudicator commenting that the team had “reached yet another level of professionalism.” The 2014 event was voted 3rd best race of its type in the whole country and the team are hoping for even greater recognition this year.

The race itself was led from start to finish by local runner Matt Adcock of Hermitage Harriers who showed superb class to come home well ahead of the next placed runners as he finished in 1:49:10, 5 minutes quicker than last year when he was runner-up.  George Gurney took 2nd place in an excellent 1:53:40 whilst Pete Norriss  was 3rd in 1:53:54. Emily Ault of Barrow Runners was fastest lady in 2:09:56  followed by 2nd placed Katie Lomas in 2:14:56 and Linda Howell in 2:16:58   who was 3rd.  With all hands on deck required for the organisation on the day Ivanhoe Runners fielded just four runners in the race. Fastest was Andy Lindley who came a very pleasing 193rd place in 2:30:20. Mark Eydman was next in his first season at Ivanhoe Runners and had a great race to beat his previous 20 mile time set 2 weeks earlier at Stafford as he crossed in 1 402nd place in 2:45:41. Next came Jason Green who stormed to a 22 minute personal best time of 2:52:16 (497th). There is a long tradition of an Ivanhoe gorilla participating in the event, with many runners challenging themselves to beat him. This year saw the debut of a new gorilla (Ian Kirk) who ran well despite the warm conditions to finish just under the hour in 2:59:05 (601st place).

The race was a resounding success putting Ashby on the map, and excellent feedback has been received from runners thanking not only the club but also the fantastic support offered by people of Ashby, Packington and beyond.

Ivanhoe Runners staged a 20 mile training run the previous day and first home was Ramzi Sidani who flew around the course in a personal best time of 2:10, ahead of Alistair Chambers, 2nd in 2:20. Nick Rowles was third in an excellent time of 2:26 for his debut 20 mile race finishing together with Dave Hobbs in the same time. They ran with Clare Fowell for much of the course, Clare having an excellent run to finish first lady in a fantastic new personal best time of 2:28:03.

Martin Yeomans was next, very pleased with his 2:37:21 finish followed by Andy Jeyes with another good run, completing in 2:41:43 just ahead of Allan Ferrie who also beat his previous personal best as he finished in 2:42. Karen Hartland with a great debut 20 mile time of 2:54:38 just in front of Chris Finney and Damon Bland, also running the distance for the first time and completing in 2:55:07. Despite recent injury Lynda Revill finished next in a great time of 2:58, alongside Richard Bebbington in the same time, the last runners under the 3 hour mark. Heather Swan beat her previous best time by several minutes coming home in 3:03:18, as did Francesca Sinclair with a time of 3:04. Amanda Bradbury and Teresa Talbott were next crossing in 3:10 followed by Rosie Dear, who accompanied Sarah Sanganee to her first 20 mile finish in an excellent time of 3:16:56 with Fiona McKean just behind in 3:17:42, a new personal best time for Fiona. Grant (?) had a good run, next, in 3:23:55 ahead of 20 mile debutant and new Ivanhoe member Diane Brocklesby who finished strongly in 3:43 in her first 20 miler run with the club ahead of John Lewis, delighted to finish his first ever 20 mile run in 3:58:37. Elaine Moulton continued her excellent marathon training to complete the team.

Written by Ruth Green - last updated on 26/03/2015