Following a year of racing success in 2017 it was time for Ivanhoe runners to gather for the annual celebration night. Organised this year by Helen Horn and Bev Jones, over 100 club members attended the awards at the Lyric Rooms, Ashby.

An array of awards were presented on the night by club chairman Heather Swan, and Captains Nick Rowles and Victoria Smith, starting off with the Ivanhoe 20 held in March, to Ramzi Sidani, the first man home for 3 consecutive years, and first lady home Karen Bell. Following this the Adrian Smith handicap cup and shield was handed to winner Julie Henfrey.

The Derby Runner Cross Country League Last season was a great success, with a huge team effort meaning Ivanhoe were division 2 runners up for both men and women. Highest scoring men were Matt Pleass, Ramzi Sidani, Craig Hinds, Matt Brocklehurst, Gerard Eivors, Nick Rowles, Chris Lockhart, Phil Stevenson, Alistair Burgwin, Andy Lindley, Mark Bradford.

Picking up awards for highest scoring women were Karen Bell, Ellie Armstrong, Isabel Armstrong, Emily Wideman, Rosie Dear, Faith Tipper, Carolyn Osbourne, Victoria Smith, Teresa Talbot.

Completing all races last season, 100% awards go to Ramzi Sidani, Andy Lindley, Mark Bradford, Martin Yeomans, Emily Wideman, Carolyn Osbourne and Teresa Talbot.

The Burton Road Running League in 2017 saw both Men's and Women's teams come in Runner up positions. Picking up shields for the women's team were Eliza, Rosie, Karen Bell, Victoria, Lucy McDermot, Helen Finn, Andrea and Karen Hartland. The Mens team scorers were Ramzi, Craig, Matt Pleass, Matt Broklehurst, Nick Rowles, Patrick horn, Mark Parker, Louis Barnes and Alistair Burgwin.

Some Exceptional Individual performances in the Burton League were awarded to Ramzi Sidani for 2nd Vet40, Craig Hinds for 3rd Vet40, Lucy McDermott for 2nd Vet35, Victoria Smith 3rd Vet 45 and Helen Finn1st Vet55. The competitive Leicester Road running league saw the men's team get 3rd division champion status, and the women's team 5th in division 1, with 4th place division 1 for the vet ladies.

The Club operates a Standards Scheme as an incentive to improve runners times over a range of distances throughout the year, from 5k to Marathon. 5 Distances must be achieved for a Standard, and 9 distances for a distinction, ranging in levels bronze to diamond. Picking up their bronze Standards were Janet Joyce, Sam Toon, Pete Graves, Karl Smith, Tom Smith, Jane Bland and Mark Hoult. Bronze Distinctions were awarded to Tim Moore and Mark Parker. Silver Awards went to Hanna Robbins, Mark Bradford, Damon Bland, Marie Concannon, Helen Smith, Karl Wideman and Ruth Cousin. Gold Standards were awarded to Helen Finn, Karen Hartland, Ramzi Sidani and Andy Lindley. Finally after an excellent first season with Ivanhoe the multi-talented Eliza picked up the sole Diamond Standard.

Another Internal award for club members is the Grand Prix, this is an award for the highest scorer for a variety of races over different distances and terrain. The overall winners for 2017 were Karen Hartland for the ladies and Matt Pleass for the men. Runners up were Victoria Smith and Craig Hinds.

The Ironman Trophy this year went to Ian Kirk, for completing the Outlaw Triathlon in July in less than 13 hours. Next was the most improved Female, awarded to Angela Bebbinton and most improved Male given to Mark Parker. Both runners achieved PB's throughout the year, showing great improvement from 2016.

Team Player shields were handed to Matt Pleass, for showing support and encouragement to his team mates while still setting an example, putting in great performances himself. Mo Danvers was the very deserving recipient of the Ladies Team Player award for turning up to support at races when injured, and noting all performances at Conkers Parkrun with her weekly report which everyone loves to read.

Best Newcomer Cups go this year to Patrick Horn for the Men, after an exceptional and prolific first year, and Helen Finn, who despite being in her 50's and only taking up running in February is smashing records and winning Age categories. We look forward to seeing what this pair can do in 2018. Following this the Margaret Hibell Trophy was awarded to Louis Barnes after an exceptional year.

A new award for this year is the Brian Gough award, in memory of this wonderful and supportive man who sadly passed away in 2017. Andy Jeyes and Clare Fowell won this for their times at the London Marathon last year. Andy's London Time was 3:18:39, 2 minutes faster than in 2016 and was 6thVM65. Clare's London Time of 3:21:42 came after running Manchester only 2 weeks before and earned her an England age group selection.

The Chairmans award went to Cross Country Captains Martin Yeomans and Teresa Talbott, in recognition of their hard work throughout the winter.

The culmination of awards at celebration night is the Club Member of the year, nominated by other club members and voted for on the night. Ladies Captain Victoria Smith was a deserving winner, showing dedication and hard work behind the scenes ensuring the smooth running of the club training nights, sorting kit, and going above and beyond the call of duty to support the Ivanhoe Ladies.

Ivanhoe runners look forward to another year of running achievements in 2018.

Written by Sarah Malone - last updated on 25/01/2018