Ivanhoe Runners returned to the mud last weekend with the latest round of the Derby Runner cross-country league, a 5.3 mile out and back course from Grace Dieu. This is always a tough course and the wet weather certainly made the conditions nice and muddy, with multiple stream crossings also thrown in.  

The strength of Ivanhoe’s men’s team was shown when even depleted by a stag weekend fixture clash, they fielded a very strong squad with five runners in the top 100 and 11 in the top 200. Ramzi Sidani again led the team home in a fine 40th place, in 38.07, with Craig Hinds just 8 places behind with a time of 38.53, and Osian Flowers 69th (39.49). Dave Hobbs had a good run for 79th in 40.51 and Ian Bolton returned from altitude training to finish 95th (41.58). Men’s cross country captain Martin Yeomans ran strongly for a time of 43.24 in 122nd, just in front of newcomer Mark Parker making his Ivanhoe cross-country debut finishing 129th (43.56). Steve Rundall completed the scoring eight, finishing 163rd (45.48) and giving the team a total of 745 points. This brought them home third in League 2 and leaves them in second place after five races, just two points ahead of West End.

James Cubitt continued his run of form, coming home next in a time of 45.56 in 167th place, while Nick Lee Smith made a welcome appearance for the club as he finished 172nd (46.10). Ian Potter was 194th (47.18) as 11th counter, just ahead of Kevin Brown 206th (47.54) and Mark Eydman 231st (50.04). Tim Sturla ran 52.43 in 253rd half a minute ahead of Julian Rawlings 259th (53.17), and the men’s squad was completed by Kev Wright 268th (55.15), Keith Baron 279th (57.22) and new member Jez Millington-Pike 284th (58.37).

Ivanhoe ladies had a very strong team out and once again Faith Tipper had a great run to finish 18th in a time of 42.33, ahead of stalwart Rosie Dear 27th (44.08) and Ingrid Redmond 46th (46.55). Ladies club captain Victoria Smith was 59th (48.28) to complete the four scorers with a combined score of 150 points. This placed them fourth in League 1 but maintains their second position after 5 races. Cathy Bradley ran well for 62nd (48.41), followed by the Ivanhoe ladies “engine room” packing well together - consisting of Tracey Powell 71st (49.36), Ruth Enion 72nd (49.42), Emily Partridge in her first cross-country for Ivanhoe 75th (49.47), Karen Hartland 76th (49.54), Amanda Bradbury 78th (50.08), Anne Newbury  83rd (50.42) and ladies cross-country captain Teresa Talbott 85th (50.53).

Ruth Green enjoyed a pleasant run round in 54.18 for 109th, closely followed by Sarah Malone 111th in 54.54 and Trish McPherson 115th in 55.33. Chairman Heather Swan was 132nd (58.39), ahead of Karen Edwards 152nd (62.33), Grania Towle 157th (63.26), Lucy Allsop continuing her return from injury 158th (63.36) and Chrissy Betteridge 171st (68.32).

Overall, the combined men’s and ladies team were an excellent fifth in League 1 on the day, and sit 8th with two races to go, Lutterworth and Holly Hayes.

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Written by Kevin Sanders - last updated on 04/02/2016