Ivanhoe Runners annual awards night saw nearly 80 trophies presented by Chairman Heather Swan and Captains Nick Rowles and Victoria Smith. The climax of the evening is the Club Member of the Year Award voted by the members, and the Chairman’s Award. This year, uniquely, they were both awarded to Ruth Green for her work with the club but significantly for her founding of the Heartwize Runners charity following her life-saving actions at a cross-country race in January 2016. This charities mission is to make every runner in the UK and beyond confident to provide high quality CPR should they witness a cardiac arrest, and to disseminate these key skills via a volunteer force of trainers that can help to create a community of lifesavers.

The best newcomers awards went to Sonia Hoult, a very successful “graduate” of the beginners programme, and Mark Parker, while the team players awards went to Craig Hinds and Grania Towle recognising their significant support for other members of the club at races and training. The most improved runners awards again saw a unique event where both captains triumphed – Victoria Smith and Nick Rowles deservedly collecting these awards after an impressive season or personal bests.

The Margaret Hibell Endeavour Award went jointly to Richard and Angela Bebbington recognising their four marathons in four weeks challenge in 2016, which they did to raise money for the Wishes for Kids charity. Ironman Awards, to members who have completed a full ironman triathlon for the first time, were awarded to Ruth Enion, Andy Pearce,  Osian Flowers and Alastair Burgwin. This was especially poignant for Ruth whose father, Paul Enion, a founder member of the club, was one of the first club members to complete the ironman before being killed in training for the World Championships in 1992.

League successes were also recognised on the night. Receiving 100% awards for doing all the Derby Runner cross-country races were Craig Hinds, Keith Baron, Faith Tipper, Ruth Green, Teresa Talbott and Heather Swan. Similarly for the Leicester Road Running League, Andy Lindley and Craig Hinds received 100% awards. Ivanhoe Runners had a very successful Burton and District Summer League season, with individual awards to Ramzi Sidani (2nd vet40), Craig Hinds (3rd vet40), Sarah Terry (2nd senior lady), and Karen Hartland (ladies series winner – all races, and 3rd v35).  Team awards went to the high scoring ladies who won the overall team prize – Karen Hartland, Karen Bell, Victoria Smith, Andrea Trickett, Sarah Terry and Emily Wideman – and the men who secured the second overall trophy – Ian Bolton, Ramzi Sidani, Nick Rowles, Martin Yeomans, Matt Pleass, Matt Brocklehurst and Craig Hinds. In the Leicester Road Running league, trophies were presented to the ladies vet 3rd team which included Victoria Smith, Clare Fowell, Lynda Revill, Emily Wideman, Carolyn Osborne, Karen Hartland and Tracey Powell.

The grand prix series winners were Victoria Smith and Craig Hinds, with runners-up Karen Hartland and Nick Rowles. The Ivanhoe 20 shields were presented to Clare Fowell and Ramzi Sidani, and the Adrian Smith handicap cup was presented to Ian Kirk. The Club operates a very successful “standards” scheme recognising runners performances over a range of distances and in different age groups. For 2016, Bronze awards were presented to Louis Barnes, Helen Smith, James Cox, Mark Parker, Dave Walker, Patrick Horn, Ruth Cousin and Hannah Knowles. A Bronze Distinction went to Lindsay Tilbury, while Silver awards were made to Ian Kirk, Emily Partridge, Matt Pleass, Andrea Trickett, Sarah Terry, Christine Ridley and Laura Collier, and a Silver Distinction went to Matt Joyce. Finally, Gold Awards were made to Craig Hinds, Nick Rowles, Tracey Powell, Victoria Smith and Emily Wideman.

Written by Kevin Sanders - last updated on 23/01/2017