Twenty-seven Ivanhoe Runners took part in the latest round of the Leicestershire Road Running League, the Swithland 6 miler. And it was a good day, with a smattering of personal bests and at least three runners making their six mile racing debuts.

First home was Craig Hinds in 28th place in 35.37, over a minute ahead of Matt Pleass, 43rd in 36.41. First Ivanhoe lady home and a brilliant 8th overall was Ellie Armstrong, running a swift 40.08. Louis Barnes set a new personal best as he clocked 40.22 in 109th place, followed by Mark Bradford 127th in 41.30 and Tom Smith making his club six mile debut 144th in 41.31.

Clare Fowell was disappointed with her run, but still clocked 42.33 and finished 14th lady, a good performance. Andy Lindley ran 42.43 in 152nd place, having raced the Kegworth Long Lane 5 mile dash on Friday night and setting a new personal best there - despite three recent marathons! Martin Yeomans was next home, clocking 44.10 in 186th place, a minute ahead of Richard Bebbington 204th in 45.13. Just behind Richard in 208th was Damon Bland in 45.25, and was just 7 places ahead of Mark Hoult making his six mile race debut for Ivanhoe Runners and clocking 45.50 in 215th place.

Karen Hartland was next home, running 48.10 in 76th place, ahead of Carolyn Osborne 48.43 in 84th place. Following closely was Ruth Cousin, her time of 49.01 being a brilliant new personal best time, in 89th place. Peter Graves also set a new personal best, 50.54 being his new six mile marker as he finished 273rd. Continuing the personal bests, Ange Bebbington continues to smash her times and clocked a superb 51.14 to set a new PB for six miles, as she finished in 114th place. Sarah Malone was 132nd in 52.11, just in front of Helen Smith 137th in 52.54, Helen also runing her first six miler for Ivanhoe.

Jenny Hope set a new personal best for the distance with a time of 57.57 in 221st place. Grania Towle ran 59.24 in 235th to crack the hour, while Jane Bland made her six mile debut a successful one with a great time of 1.01.51 in 262nd. Michelle Withey was 278th in 1.02.58, ahead of Mo Danvers 295th in 1.05.25, while Laura Graves sadly picked up an injury and limped home in 304th in 1.08.08. Julie Henfrey was next home in 1.12.01 (315th) before another debutante, Michelle Moore, ran well for 318th in 1.12.25.

In the Derby Ramathon half marathon, club veteran and stalwart Alistair Chambers finished first for Ivanhoe Runners in the impressive time of 1.25.42 in 63rd place. He was also the second vet 50 home, a great run. Karl Wideman is a relative newcomer to the club but is already a great asset, blasting round in his debut half in 1.29.51 to finish 131st. Patrick Horn was next home and set a new personal best for the half marathon, clocking 1.36.37 in 310th place, ahead of James Cox 445th in 1.41.30. Karl Smith also set a new personal best, running a swift 1.43.48 in 569th. Emily Wideman was pleased with 1.48.48 after a difficult build-up, while Tor Leigh was delighted to set a new personal best with a 1.53.41 clocking.

Written by Kevin Sanders - last updated on 06/06/2017