This week saw the first round of the Leicester Road Racing Summer League at the Swithland 6 mile race, hosted by Birstall running club. The beautiful sunny weather which greeted the 42 strong Ivanhoe team added to the challenge of the pretty rural undulating route. Fastest with a great run was Ian Bolton who finished 55th overall in 37:07 just ahead of Osian Flowers who smashed his previous personal best time as he crossed in 38:57 (91st). Also having a fantastic run to set a great new personal fastest time of 40:13 was Andy Lindley (115th). Simon Terry crossed the line next in 124th place in a chip time of 40:40, just in front of Steve Rundell who posted a slightly faster time of 40:36 as he started further back. Next, continuing her sensational season to set yet another personal best, was Ivanhoe’s fastest lady, Clare Fowell, 128th overall and 11th lady in 40:40. Next came a trio of strong running Ivanhoe vets lead by Dave Morse, 139th in 41:02 with Martin Yeomans, 158th in 41:41 and Andy Jeyes, with a fantastic new personal best of 41:53 (169th). Becca Hallam was next, running strongly still on her return from injury, 178th in 42:11, just ahead of Kev Wright, 218th in 42:58. Mark Eydman finished next, another runner setting a new personal fastest time of 43:34 as he crossed in 237th place just ahead of Damon Bland who was 239th in a chip time of 43:20. Matthew Joyce was next, 256th in 44:07 ahead of the strong running Karen Bell (291st in 45:19) and another good race from Chris Finney (305th in 45:39). A colourful battle between Bob White and Jason Green followed with Bob just shading it on the line to finish 318th in 46:00 with Jason’s 46:01 (319th) another great new personal best time. Ladies captain Laura Graves was next continuing her comeback from injury and looking comfortable as she came home in 47:08 (340th place) ahead of Ruth Green (361st in 47:53). Karen Hartland ran 48:14 to beat her personal best by one second (378th) with Anne Newbery just behind (381st in 48:26). Amanda Bradbury was the next Ivanhoe finisher (401st in 49:07) ahead of chairman Kev Sanders (419th in 49:24). Helen Horn[RG1]  (424th in 49:32) and Bev Jones (432nd in 49:52) were next, both setting excellent new personal best times. Lucy Allsop continued her excellent first season with the club, smashing her personal best time as she came home in 50:02 (436th place) ahead of Lindsay Tilbury who had an excellent debut first six mile race (449th in 51:08). Next came a trio of Ivanhoe ladies who all beat their previous times lead by Sarah Malone (477th in 52:21), with Sally Jeyes celebrating her birthday by taking almost 5 minutes off her best time (485th in 52:44) and Gabby Smith with a new PB of 52:51 (490th). Just behind was Emma Kirtland (491st in 52:53) followed by Teresa Talbott (516th in 53:56). Kelly Finney and Allie Sturla, both recovering from injury, ran together with a strong finish (552nd in 55:54 and 553rd in 55:55). New member Alison Morrison ran her first ever six mile race finishing very well in 58:10 (584th) supported by Dawn Pearson (584th in the same time).  Finishing just outside the hour were Katie Poole (620th in 1:01:11) and John Lewis (622nd in 1:01:32) followed by Fiona Speirs who had a great race to take a minute off her personal best time (632nd in 1:02:23). Helen Thurogood was another member enjoying her debut 6 mile race finishing well in 1:02:51 (635th) with Julie Henfrey having a great run to also beat her personal best time for the distance and complete the team (648th in 1:08:39).

Written by Ruth Green - last updated on 11/06/2015