08/06/2022 - All about the Mars bars.


The Washlands relays is a big night on the Ivanhoe race calendar, organised by the Washlands Women Runners and ran in Burton at the, wait for it, Washlands, the 2.1 mile blast brings an electric atmosphere with ample support and a Mars bar at the finish.

49 in blue completed the 2022 event where the Ivanhoe records fell for both the men and the women. Mark Parker took it for the men in 11:03, while Abby Halcarz broke through 12 in 11:56 to secure the best club time for the women.

Mark was joined by Tom Potter (eighth overall), Paul Woods and Ramzi Sidani, the team finishing fifth on the night. Abby’s time was the fastest of the night, and her team of Emily Wideman and Georgie Smith also helped them to fifth team home.

The team of Andrew Stanley, Paul Codd, chair Nick Rowles and Richard Martin ran home to earn them 16th place, followed in 17th by Karl Wideman, Louis Barnes, Patrick Horn and James Cox. Matt Joyce, Ian Kirk, Rob Slack and James Ogilvie were the next Ivanhoe team over the line, only one position separating them and the team of Andrew Bottrill, Jordan Cope, Paul Averillo and Simon Hill.

Not even a minute passed between our penultimate and final male teams, with Damon Bland, Rich Bebbington, Matthew Humphreys and Alistair Chambers bringing it home for the boys.

Emily Partridge, Ruth Enion and Amelia Monaghan followed straight behind Abby and team for sixth place, and the lucky for some 13th team position scooped up by Bec Sharpe, Lucy Allsop and Cath Watkins. Fiona Betts, Sarah Malone and Christine Ridley ran a combined time of 47:46, and the team of Sandra Lawless, Sue Tait and Carloyn Osborne ran strong for 16th position.

Vic Smith, Faye Burrows and Suzy Parish were the next team home and dry, followed by Mindy Ashton, Kim Harris and Tor Meadows. Alex Gillon showed strength and determination to ensure she made it round for her team mates, Helen Finn and Lindsay then taking the reins to conclude an incredible evening of racing.

One relay a week wasn’t enough for some, so James Cox joined friends at South Derbyshire for the Hairy Helmet relay in Derby on the Friday night, joined by Rom, Becky and Emma to finish fourth in their category.

Written by Emily Partridge - last updated on 24/09/2022