The 2016 Ashby 20 was a huge success with a record 1,239 runners enjoying dry and bright conditions as they completed the 20 mile course from Ashby and taking in two challenging laps of Packington, Swepstone, Heather and Normanton. The race attracted an entry of 1,500 runners from all over the country and sold out in six days due to its stature and popularity. This is due to the excellent organisation by the host club Ivanhoe Runners, ably assisted by the Ashby Endurance Explorer Scouts Unit, the Rotary Club of Ashby Castle, Leicestershire Search and Rescue, Community First Responders, Ashby Town Council, the Midland School of Massage, United Biscuits and Conkers parkrunners, in total well over 220 helpers on the day. And once again the race was magnificently supported by sponsors Aldi, who had a number of employees running the race. With the fine weather, there was also great crowd support in all the villages en route and at the Bath Grounds, and once again a significant sum was raised directly for local charities and indirectly by runners competing for their own charities.

As the race set off on the dot of 10am, two runners set the early pace, Gareth Lowe from Clowne RRC and George Birt from local club Hermitage Harriers, who was sixth in the 2015 race. As the race pushed on, Gareth kept pushing the pace and eventually broke the link, as he pulled away to win in 1.53.45. George came in second, clocking 1.55.19. Next home came a brace of Birmingham Running Athletics and Triathlon Club Runners, Karl Welborn finishing third in 1.56.41 ahead of teammate Daniel Robinson fourth in 1.57.47. Fifth was Leicester Coritanian’s Ludovic Renou in 1.58.25, sixth was Damien Taylor from Badgers in 1.59.30, seventh was Chris Patterson from Ashbourne AC in 2.00.31, and eighth was the popular Gordy Smith running for Heanor, clocking 2.00.38.

The men’s team prize was secured by Hermitage Harriers with three men in the first 13 places; George Birt second, James Willougby 13th and Paul Gregory 14th. First vet40 home was the winner Gareth Lowe, while first vet 50 was Tim Clayton from North Derbyshire Running Club in 19th place (2.06.42) and first vet60 was Trevor Allport from Midland Masters in 264th place with a time of 2.33.41.

First female home was Katie Lomas from Charnwood AC, clocking 2.17.17. Katie was second last year, and whilst she led most of the way, at the finish she was just 9 seconds ahead of fast finishing Julie Warner who clocked 2.17.26. Julie was also the first vet45 home. Third female was local Deborah Gilman from Hatton Darts, having a strong run to clock 2.19.51. Fourth was Rebecca Taylor from Newark AC in 2.21.31, and fifth was Tracie Truman from Lawley Running Club in 2.22.42. Kate Champneys from Charnwod AC in 8th overall in 2.23.35 was the first vet35 home, while Madeleine Lomas in 63rd was the first vet55 home in 2.39.17. With Katie Lomas 1st, Natalie Weller 6th (2.23.16) and Kate Champneys 8th Charnwood easily won the ladies team prize.

Host club Ivanhoe Runners had a handful of runners taking part with most members out on marshal duties or manning drinks stations. Anne Newbury was first home in 3.10.13, ahead of Karen Hartland running with her twin sister in fancy dress as “peas in a pod” to celebrate their 40th birthdays. They finished together in 3.14.44. Ian Kirk maintained the tradition of the Ivanhoe gorilla running the race, and despite a lack of training through illness, and the warm conditions, Ian did well to clock 3.21.12. Finally Jeremy Millington-Pipe ran 3.41.49 in his first Ashby 20.

Without sponsors Aldi the race could not go ahead, and reinforcing their commitment to the event they were well represented in the race itself, with James Millington running for his club Burntwood Triathlon Club running an excellent 2.40.13, just ahead of Richard Thornton 2.44.19 and James Hutcheson 2.51.15.

Written by Kevin Sanders - last updated by Lucy Allsop on 28/03/2016