The annual Great North Run half marathon is a very popular event both nationally and with Ivanhoe Runners, and eight club members took part. The event is televised live, and Amanda Bradbury made it onto the screen by running next to someone resembling Hagrid. Amanda finished in 2.05.04. Ahead of her, first home for Ivanhoe Runners was the ever youthful Alistair Chambers, running yet another impressive time of 1.24.03. Mark Parker was next home in 1.30.42, happy with is time after a lack of distance training. There followed a glut of runners in the 1.40's- Karl Smith and Tim Moore ran together, clocking 1.43.46 and 1.43.52, with Karl's time being a personal best by just 2 seconds, while Tim's time was a new personal best by over 5 minutes! Lucy Arkinstall was just behind them with 1.44.22, one of the fastest Ivanhoe ladies times on that course for a few years. She was just ahead of Alan Edwards who not only ran a fine 1.44.26, he also raised £1,000 for the Alzheimers Society. Emily Partridge was pleased to run her second fastest ever half marathon with 1.47.17, a great run. 

At a much more leisurely pace, three club member ran the Bacchus half marathon, which involves multiple stops at vineyards and wine stops en route. This led to very enjoyable personal worst times for the trio of Fiona McKean, Francesca Sinclair and Andy Lindley. 

Two members, Tracey Powell and David Walker, did the low-key Decathlon 5k Series race from Awsworth near Nottingham, with Tracey finishing well inside the top ten. 

Written by Kevin Sanders - last updated on 11/09/2017