The first race in this season Derby Runner Cross-Country league took place at Bagworth Heath and saw a huge team of over 40 Ivanhoe Runners take part. 

First home for the club in 23rd place was Ramzi Sidani, chased by Craig Hinds in 34th. Men's captain Nick Rowles was next back for Ivanhoe in 83rd, just ahead of Mark Parker 87th, Also making the top 100 was George Loveday in 98th, and Alastair Burgwin in 100th place. Completing the scoring eight to count in the men's team were Louis Barnes 122nd and Andy Lindley having a good run in 129th. 

Packing the midfield and hence helping the team score against other teams were Andrew Stanley in 165th, Martin Yeomans in 178th, James Cox in 186th, Andy Pearce in 188th and Tom Smith in 193rd, all making the top 200 which is great running. Ian Potter made his usual cross-country appearance for Ivanhoe as he finished in 217th, followed by Karl Smith 228th, Jordan Cope 249th, Alan Edwards 262nd, Chris Finney 274th, Damon Bland 276th and Julian Rawlings 297th all making the top 300. Peter Graves made his cross-country debit and confessed afterwards that he enjoyed it, he was 327th ahead of Mark Hoult 331st and Kev Laz 348th. 

The Ivanhoe Runners women fielded a strong team with most of the top runners present. Eliza McDermott ran brilliantly to finish a superb 3rd overall, and was backed up by Faith Tipper in 17th, Lucy Arkinstall in 30th and Emily Wideman in 37th to give an impressive team score. Karen Bell was next home in 39th, followed by newcomer Julie Taylor in 48th, cross-country addict Teresa Talbott in 118th and her sidekick Amanda Bradbury in 138th. 

Lindsay Tilbury enjoyed her run for 145th place, just ahead of Lucy Allsop 151st, and fellow runners making the top 200 were Sarah Malone 161st, Trish McPherson  - who always comes out for the cross-country season - in 172nd, Helen Finn in 185th and Marie Concannon in 186th. Pushing opposition runners back is an important part of team scoring and Ivanhoe packed well with Karen Edwards next home in 202nd, followed by Kelly Finney 205th, Grania Towle 206th, Sonia Hoult in 224th and Michelle Moore in 225th. 

Ivanhoe Runner Charlene Withall did the Great South Run in Portsmouth in a time of 1.53.13. 

Written by Kevin Sanders - last updated on 25/10/2017