Ivanhoe's Andy Lindley and Karen Hartland  made a quick dash from the Loughborough 10k  over to Bagworth Heath where they joined a 46-strong Ivanhoe team for a very tough 6.5 mile race over challenging hilly terrain with plenty of mud adding to the fun and causing a few tumbles. First home for the team after a great run despite his preference for road running was Craig Hinds, 59th in 44:40, just ahead of Gerard Eivors, 63rd in 44:48. Osian Flowers and Phil Stevenson were next both showing their cross country class with Osian 85th in 46:25 and Phil 101st in 47:26. Nick Teige (120th, 48:25) and Nick Rowles (122nd, 48:29) had a closely fought battle throughout with men’s club Captain Rowles stumbling twice causing Teige to fall over him before he edged ahead at the line. The men’s scoring eight was completed by mens cross country captain Martin Yeomans (162nd, 50:49) and new member Dean Armstrong (173rd, 51:49), with Pav Mazur just behind (176th, 51:54). Andrew Jeyes (182nd, 52:12) and debutants Matt Freeman (184th, 52:15) and Andrew Pearce (187th, 52:18) finished close together, next. Tom Smith was another member racing for the first time for the club and doing well to finish 197th (52:55) just ahead of Ian Potter (199th, 52:57). Ivanhoe packed the next group of finishers with Kevin Brown 233rd (55:08) followed be Alan Edwards (243rd (55:54), Andy Lindley following his 10k warm up (244th, 55:55) and Damon Bland who recovered well from a fall (245th, 56:02). Martin Rowse (260th, 56:49), Tim Sturla (288th, 59:26), Keith Baron (328th, 66:54) and John Lewis (347th, 79:33) completed the men’s team. Chris Finney and Julian Rawlings started but unfortunately both were forced to drop out with injury.

The ladies team were lead home by teenager Ellie Armstrong who had a fantastic race to finish third lady (47:45) ahead of new member Faith Tipper, proving a great addition to the team placing 19th (53:17) with Rosie Dear next in 27th place (54:28). Zoe Allery did well to finish strongly despite sustaining a painful knee injury completing the scoring four in 42nd place (57:51). Next came close team packing lead by Carolyn Osborne (63rd, 60:50) and followed by an Ivanhoe trio of Ruth Enion (74th, 62:27), Cathy Bradley (75th, 62:43) and Tracey Powell (76th, 62:43). Ladies cross country captain lead by example next finishing very comfortably in 87th (64:36) with Jennifer Smith just behind (88th, 64:51). Sarah Malone had a great race finishing 94th (65:57) ahead of Ruth Green who struggled home in 95th (65:57) supported by Karen Hartland who didn’t seem tired despite her earlier 10k race (96th, 65:59). Next came Trish McPherson (110th, 68:23), Heather Swan (115th, 70:02) and Helen Smith (116th, 70:16). A closely packing group of Ivanhoe ladies completed the team with Fiona McKean 132nd (73:58), Alison Morrison 139th (75:24), Emma Rudge 141st (76:36), Karen Edwards 143rd (76:57), Katie Poole 144th (76:58) and Maureen Danvers 146th (77:06).

Written by Kevin Sanders - last updated on 26/01/2016