Ivanhoe Runners had a massive turnout of 47 runners for the start of the 2016/17 Derby Runner league cross-country season, in the first race at Holly Hayes Woods, Whitwick. And this effort combined with some brilliant individual performances saw the Club make a great start to the season. On the day, the men's team finished second in the race behind hosts Hermitage Harriers, and that means they head Division 2, while the ladies finished third on the day meaning they lie third in Division One. The combined team were a brilliant second on the day meaning they lie second in Division One.

The only negative on the day was that with the large numbers competing on the tight, technical course, some runners lining up further back on the start line had to queue over 8 minutes during the race to get through congested stiles and water crossings, something that obviously needs to be addressed in the upcoming races.

That did not affect the front runners, and first home for the club was Matt Pleass in 36th (36.13), followed by Ramzi Sidani in 40th (39.17), Craig Hinds in 52nd (39.50), Matt Brocklehurst in 54th (40.02) and Gerard Eivors in 55th (40.16). Behind men's captain Nick Rowles who was 70th (40.50) was new member Chris Lockhart, finishing in a great 78th place (41.16), while final team counter for the scoring eight was Phil Stevenson in 98th (42.28).

Team success though is not just based on the scorers but also on the rest of the squad pushing other teams scoring runners further back. Andy Lindley ran well despite feeling ropey to finish 137th (44.28), ahead of Osian Flowers 139th (44.41), Mark Bradford 146th (45.35) and Alastair Burgwin 184th (48.04). Men's cross-country captain Martin Yeomans was 192nd (48.37), followed by Tom Smith 193th (48.40), Steve Baggott 196th (48.56),  Ian Potter 242nd (51.46) and Damon Bland 261st (54.04). Relative newcomer Patrick Horn was 275th (55.06), ahead of Alan Edwards 287th (56.45), new member Mark Hoult 318th (59.49), Mark Edyman 324th (60.27), Kevin Sanders 338th (63.43), Keith Baron 344th (64.49) and Kev Wright 362nd (70.38).

In the ladies race, after winning the Skeleton run on Friday night, Sarah Terry proved she is back on top form as she finished 10th (44.39), ably backed up by Faith Tipper in 15th (46.27). The ladies "engine room" of Karen Bell 36th (49.45), Emily Wideman 39th (50.12), Ingrid Stevenson 40th (50.20) and Rosie Dear 43rd (50.42)guaranteed the ladies team a top placing and they were not disappointed. Rebecca Hobbs continued her come back from maternity with a solid 86th (55.34), while ladies cross-country captain Teresa Talbott finished 91st (56.31) ahead of ladies club captain Victoria Smith in 117th (60.51).

Carolyn Osborne was pleased with her run for 128th place (61.57), with Helen Horn 142th (63.17) and newcomer to this fixture Helen Smith enjoying her run for 163rd place.

The ladies team continued to pack well, with Trish McPherson in144th (66.01), ahead of Christine Ridley 198th (69.27), Karen Edwards 201st (69.38), Sarah Sanganee 204th (69.54), Ruth Cousins 212nd (71.09) and Alison Cooper 215th (71.30). Grania Towle was 221nd (72.21) ahead of new member Michelle Withley 235th (74.37), club chairman Heather Swan 236th (74.40), Katie Fox 242nd (78.02) and Jenny Hope 243rd (78.04). This sets everything up nicely for the second race at Markfield in two weeks time.

Written by Kevin Sanders - last updated by Lucy Allsop on 03/11/2016