Despite a fixture clash this weekend, the strength in depth of Ivanhoe Runners saw 27members contest the Kibworth 6 mile race, the latest round of the Leicestershire Road running League. Run in very cold conditions, the race takes in a wicked hill at about 4 miles that slows even the best runners.

First home was Alastair Burgwin, 47th male in a swift 36.57, about half a minute ahead of Matt Pleass 54th in 37.29. Craig Hinds is returning from injury and ran a fine 38.52 in 70th, ahead of Mark Parker who is flying lately, and clocked 39.52 in 89th/ New member Eliza Wren Payne made her Ivanhoe race debut, and had a great run, coming home 5th lady in 40.21, ahead of next Ivanhoe man home Louis Barnes 107th in 40.44. Louis' time was his fastest Kibworth and a personal best for six miles. Mark Bradford was next home in 42.56 (140th), followed by Patrick Horn 43.15 (145th) and Martin Yeomans 43.33 (152nd).

A gap saw Mark Eydman then finish in 201st place in a time of 46.23, followed by Bob White with a very respectable 47.12 in 212th, just ahead of Tim Moore 216th in 47.24 - his first race over the six miles distance. He was closely followed by Emily Partridge, who set a new personal best time for six miles as she clocked 47.39 to finish second Ivanhoe lady and 56th lady overall.

Richard Bebbington was 228th in 48.04, before Ivanhoe's third lady Amanda Bradbury clocked 50.57 to finish 90th. Close behind in 93rd was new member, running her first race for Ivanhoe, Tor Meadows-Evans (51.05) and in 95th Carolyn Osborne hitting a patch of good form (51.36). Pete Graves and Laura Graves romantically celebrated Valentine's weekend by running together, both clocking 52.15 (Pete 265th, Laura 102nd), followed by the last male Ivanhoe Runner home Kev Wright trotting round for 53.58 (275th).

Ange Bebbington had a great run to knock nearly half-a-minute off her previous best six mile time as she clocked a pleasing 55.56 (133rd), ahead of Lucy Allsop 57.10 (147th), Grania Towle 59.44 (166th) and Michelle Withey enjoying her first season with Ivanhoe and clocking 1.03.03 in 191st place. Jane Cornell was 208th (1.07.12), Helen Brandon 215th (1.10.36) and Julie Henfrey 219th (1.15.37).

The Stamford 30k always proves a popular pre Spring marathon warm up, and always attracts a strong Ivanhoe Runners squad.  This year a dozen Ivanhoe Runners took part in the tough race over rural lanes and made the trip worthwhile by getting among the prizes.

Going very well at the moment, Alastair Chambers came home first for the club in an excellent 2.04.59 which placed him as 46th male and a brilliant second in the v55 category. Clare Fowell made her debut at 30k and had a great run, clocking 2.22.14 to place her 4th in the v45 category. Topping both of these and winning a prize for first in his v65 category was Andy Jeyes, clocking 2.28.47.

Andy Lindley ran his first Stamford 30k, and after running with the Ivanhoe "train" for about 15 miles, put in a fast last 4 miles to clock 2.32.47. Karen Bell also posted a fast finish to clock 2.34.51 to knock a massive 22 minutes off her previous best for the distance. Damon Bland and Karen Hartland ran most of the race together and Damon finished in 2.35.30 and Karen 2.36.24. Also in close company was Victoria Smith 2.39.38.

Two Ivanhoe couples took part in the race billed as a Valentines event, the Joyce's and the Green's. Matt Joyce was the first of them back in 2.41.18 with Jason Green next in 2.46.06. Ruth Green clocked 3.13.35 before Janet Joyce, in her longest ever run in training for her debut marathon in London, clocked 3.36.48.

Andrea Trickett ran her first 10k of the year, the Golden Gallop 10k in Herefordshire, and was rewarded by finishing 6th lady in 48.21.

Written by Kevin Sanders - last updated on 13/02/2017