The club fielded a very strong team in the first round of the Burton and District Summer League, the Conkers 5 mile race. Ramzi Sidani was the first man home with a great run bringing him 5th place in 29:40. Ian Bolton was next, 12th in 31:07 ahead of Simon Terry and Nick Rowles who had a great battle throughout which Simon just edged taking 22nd place in 32:46 to Nick’s 23rd (32:52). Close behind was Martin Yeomans, 25th in 33:13, followed by Kev Wright, returning from injury to place 29th in 34:09. The ever consistent Andy Jeyes ran very well to take the 1st prize in age category, 30th overall, in 34:53. Pawel Mazur was running his first ever race for the club and had a great day finishing just ahead of two team mates in 33rd place (35:55). Damon Bland took 34th place next in 36:02 followed by Chris Finney who continued his excellent year to post another new personal best time of 36:11 (35th). Next came James Cubitt with a great run in his first race for the club, 43rd in 37:39. Fastest Ivanhoe lady was another club debutant, Amy Lupton, who finished an excellent third in age category and 7th overall in 37:56 (46th) just ahead of Karen Hartland who was delighted to take the vet35 1st prize as she finished in a new personal best of 38:17 (47th place, 8th lady). Kev Sanders was next running very well given his injured knee, 50th place in 38:37 just ahead of Victoria Smith, 52nd in 38:45 and Carolyn Osborne, 59th in 39:20. Amanda Bradbury was next running well despite a foot problem to cross in 40:55 (75th place). Next came a trio of Ivanhoe finishers lead by Shane Stanton, 79th in 41:15 followed by Helen Horn, 80th in 41:18 and Sarah Malone, 82nd in 41:28, all great runs. Natasha Perkins was another runner making a great debut for the club finishing in 86th place in 42:34 ahead of yet another debutant, Jennifer Smith who ran very well to a 43:02 finish (91st place). Next came Sally Jeyes who like husband Andy was the fastest in her age group, finishing 94th in 43:16, just in front of Heather Swan who came 97th in 44:15. The ladies team was very pleased to see so many new runners, with Judith Shepherd and Donna Jackson finishing next in their first club race in 123rd and 124th places, both crossing in 48:05 and supported by Maureen Danvers (125th in 48:11) and Christine Ridley (126th in 48:13). Katie Poole was next continuing a great first year, 130th in 49:36 just ahead of Andy Pole, 132nd in 50:26. Tracey Griffiths was yet another member enjoying her first race in Ivanhoe colours and running well to a 136th place finish (51:26). Lisa Honeysett made a welcome return to the team, next in 140th place (51:39) just ahead of another good run from Fiona Speirs, 141st in 52:52. Finally Julie Henfrey rounded off the team completing in 57:57 in 147th place. The very large turnout, particularly in marathon season, showed the strength in depth of the club as the men took the first team prize of 14 teams whilst the ladies came third. With the club’s marathoners set to return to league racing these results bode well for an excellent summer season for the club.

Written by Ruth Green - last updated on 23/04/2015