There were some stunning Ivanhoe Runners performances in the final round of the Leicestershire Road Running League winter series, the Desford 6 miler. The pick of these was probably Clare Fowell’s super-fast time of 40.50 which was quick enough on the day to place her third lady in the quality field and the first female vet, she also headed all but three of Ivanhoe’s male team runners, a great run.

First home was again Ivanhoe’s Mr. reliable Craig Hinds, finishing 54th in 37.26 on the undulating course. He was followed by men’s captain Nick Rowles who had a great run to annihilate his previous best for six miles by 2 minutes as he clocked 37.50 in 60th place, another stunning performance. Third home was James Cubitt, flying round in 40.08 for 103rd place.  Behind Clare Fowell, Louis Barnes was another runner claiming a personal best as he clocked 41.32 in 138th, ahead of Martin Yeomans 141st (42.03) and Mark Parker 147th (42.05).

Next home was Andy Jeyes, 179th in 43.31 and third vet65, followed by second Ivanhoe lady home, Emily Wideman clocking a personal best 44.26 as 19th lady. Matt Joyce was 211th (45.42), Alan Edwards 214th (46.21) before Ivanhoe’s third lady and team captain Victoria Smith finished in 46.54 as 40th lady. Just behind her, Karen Hartland ran a personal best just a week after the Ashby 20 to clock 47.14 and 44th lady. Andy Lindley used the race and return home as a training run and clocked 47.30 (241st), running with Kev Wright (47.42, 245th). Damon Bland continued his injury return, clocking 48.14 (249th), before the impressive Emma Kirtland posted a PB as she glided round in 48.56 (60th lady), just ahead of Cathy Bradley (62nd in 48.47) and Anne Newbury (64th in 48.50).

Emily Partridge was next home, claiming 68th place in 49.11, ahead of Carolyn Osborne 72nd in 49.46 and Ruth Cousin 84th, setting a new personal best by over three minutes as she was timed at 50.52. Amanda Bradbury ran 51.45 (90th) as she continues her London Marathon build up, while Sally Jeyes achieved her diamond standard time as she clocked an impressive 51.42 as 93rd lady and 1st vet65, also setting a new club age group record. Teresa Talbott tuned up for the Brighton Marathon as she clocked 52.37 (100th), just ahead of London-bound Heather Swan (52.48, 103rd).

Karen Edwards was another Ivanhoe Runner setting a personal best as she clocked 54.18 (114th), ahead of Simon Hall (317th, 56.44), Fiona McKean (140th, 56.40), Rebecca Wilkinson in her first six mile race (142nd, 56.59) and Lucy Allsop (145th, 57.26). Finally Helen Thurogood ran 64.16 (186th) and Julie Henfrey 69.16 (194th), pleased with a running faster than in 2015 on this course. That rounded off a great day for Ivanhoe as the league moves into the “open” summer series.

Written by Kevin Sanders - last updated on 30/03/2016