26/11/2017 - Holly Hayes XC, Clowne, Tower'un

Race results


 

The Derby Runner cross-country league moved to the tricky and technical Holly Hayes course at Whitwick, with water crossings, tree roots and rocks adding to the excitement. On a cold and wet morning an excellent 43 Ivanhoe Runners braved the conditions to maintain their challenge for honours. 

First home in the men's race for the club, for the first time, was the impressive George Loveday who was 26th in 38.28, followed by Mr Consistent Craig Hinds who was 41st in 39.23. Alastair Burgwin was next in 68th (41.31) just ahead of men's club captain Nick Rowles having a good run for 73rd (41.47). Hot on his heels was Matt Brocklehurst 79th (42.07), while Ian Bolton was just outside the top 100 in 106th (43.25). Mark Parker was 111th (43.51) and Phil Stevenson 120th (44.09) to fill the scoring eight team positions. 

Backing up the eight and pushing the opposition scorers back is critical, and Andy Lindley had a great run despite being a little "off-colour", finishing 121st  in 44.10 with Tom Smith 125th in 44.14. Andy Pearce was 138th (45.08), leading Karl Wideman 163rd (46.19), and cross-country skipper Martin Yeomans 198th (48.36) to crack the top 200. Just outside was Ian Potter 206th in 48.58, and Adam Smythe on a comeback 211th in 49.10, before a group close together including Richard Hope 256th (51.55), Chris Finney 260th (52.06), Damon Bland 262nd (52.12), Alan Edwards 271st (52.35) and Julian Rawlings 276th (53.08). 

All making the top 300 and running well to complete the men's team were Mukesh Peva 290th (53.58), Mark Eydman 291st (54.00) and Kev Laz 298th (54.50).

Faith Tipper had a good run to lead the Ivanhoe women home, finishing 19thin 47.13, ahead of Karen Bell 39th in 50.04, Lucy Arkinstall 42nd in 50.09 and Rosie Dear 44th in 50.15 to complete the four scorers. Again, backup was essential and Lucy McDermott provided that with a great 49th place in 50.57, along with women's captain Victoria Smith 57th (52.18), newcomer Julie Taylor 58th (52.24), and Carolyn Osborne 73rd (53.24) all making the top 100 in a competitive field. 

Next home was women's cross-country guru Teresa Talbott in 102nd (55.46), just one place ahead of team-mate Tor Meadow-Evans 103rd (55.52). Helen Finn, like several others, had a fall but ran well for a time of 1.01.30 in 151st, followed by Sarah Malone 157th (1.01.53), Marie Concannon 170th (1.03.24), Judy Gray 184th (1.05.20), Lucy Allsop 191st (1.05.56), Kelly Finney192nd (1.05.57) and Grania Towle 194th (1.06.41) all making the top 200 places. They in turn were supported well by Lauren Hope 201st (1.08.13), Jenny Hope 202nd (1.08.14) and Chrissy Betteridge 211th (1.13.11). 

 

Elsewhere, Jez Millington-Pipe endured horrible conditions for the Clowne half marathon, with low temperatures and chilly winds. He was pleased to clock 2.06.41 in spite of the sleet for the last three miles. Also making a re-appearance for Ivanhoe Runners after a gap of some time was Andy Hough, who rolled back tye yeasr with a swift 1.35.26 clocking to place him 91st overall. 

 

Avoiding the weather by running indoors was Matt Pleass who raced up 35 floors and 877 steps of the Broadgate Tower in London. Matt finished 4th in the Elite class or runners who did the climb twice, and clocked the 7th fastest individual climb of the day with 5 minutes 6.5 seconds! 

Written by Kevin Sanders - last updated by Lucy Allsop on 19/01/2018