This weekend was the biggest in Ivanhoe Runners calendar as Sunday saw them organise the prestigious Aldi Ashby 20, the areas biggest road race and one of the most popular in the country. Having been held since 1989 as a perfect pre-Spring marathon 20 mile road run, this year's event sold out in less than three hours, and Sunday saw 1,500 runners from all over the country descend on Ashby for the race.

First home in a time of 1.54.38 was Gareth Lowe of Clowne RRC, followed by Hywel Davis of McKarkiss Endurance Project in 1.55.38 and his team-mate Richard Simkiss 3rd in 1.57.10. First vet 40 prize went to Stephen Kings from Rugby and Northampton in 1.59.49, first vet 50 was David Leadley in 2.09.00 from Kenilworth and first vet 60 Raymond Robinson from Beaumont RC in 2.18.03. Hermitage Harriers won the men's team prize through Anthony Woodward (5th), Ryan Twigg (12th) and James Willoughby (13th).

The female race was won by Victoria Nealon in 2.14.29, from Rugby and Northampton, ahead of Nicola Holmes 2.16.00 from Poplar Running Club and Julie Warner in 2.16.10. First vet 35 was Melissa Venables from Spa Striders in 2.20.23, first vet 45 was Christine Heaton in 2.23.51 from Holme Pierrepoint and first vet 55 was Madeleine Lomas in 2.36.42 from Charnwood AC. The female team prize went to Spa Striders with Venables, Kelsey Wiberley and Carolyn Wilkinson.

With the majority of Ivanhoe Runners involved in the organisation for the event,  just three members ran the race. Ian Kirk donned the traditional gorilla suit to provide some in-race amusement, and despite injury niggles clocked 3.16.10 to finish 589th male. Janet Joyce is heading for her first marathon in London and in this race clocked an excellent 3.57.42 (554th), while Diane Brocklesby clocked 4.04.50 to finish 583rd lady.

Preceding the Ashby 20, on Saturday the Ivanhoe Runners stage their own 20 miler, the Ivanhoe 20. Now run on the Cloud Trail for safety reasons, the full 20 is a five miles out-and-back twice challenge. Ramzi Sidani became the new men's record holder as he shook off the attention of Alastair Burgwin, and came home in 2.10.07, to Alastair's 2.12.18. Alistair Chambers tracked Ian Bolton for much of the race, then passed him in the latter stages to finish third in 2.18.37, with Ian 4th in 2.20.06. Andy Jeyes had a great run to clock 2.35.45 in 5th, before Tom Smith finished in 2.45.04.  

A large early group consisting on Martin Rowse, Karen Bell, Andy Lindley, Kevin Brown and others kept together for much of the race but eventually split. First home from the group was Martin Rowse, clocking 2.45.28 ahead of the Manchester marathon in two weeks time. Karen Bell became the ladies club record holder for this new course with her 2.45.40 time, with regular training and racing partner Andy Lindley finishing in the same time. Kevin Brown found the early pace a bit swift but finished in 2.52.55 as he also heads to Manchester. Passing him in the final half mile though, Clare Fowell ran a steady for her 2.52.31 in her final marathon preparations. Helen Smith ran a strong 3.13.13, ahead of fast finishing Ruth Cousins who took off in the last couple of miles and clocked 3.25.42. She passed Jez Millington-Pipe on the run-in, Jez clocking 3.26.41, and Sarah Malone, who had run most of the way with Ruth, finished in 3.35.45.

Many more Ivanhoe Runners ran half of the race to get a 10 mile run. These included Craig Hinds 1.05.24, Pav Mazur 1.16.52, Rosie Dear 1.16.38, Mark Radford 1.20.28, Simon Hill 1.27.50, Bev Jones 1.31.29, Alison Cooper 1.33.40, Christine Ridley 1.42.52, Karen Edwards 1.44.19 and Jane Bland 1.47.00. Other distances were completed by Hannah Knowles (15 in 2.11.27), Karen Hartland and Damon Bland (both 16 in 2.21.47), Helen Horn (13 in 1.59.30), Victoria Smith (16 in 2.23.53), Julian Rawlings (13 in 1.56.34), and Richard Martin.

Written by Kevin Sanders - last updated on 20/03/2017