A fabulous turnout from Ivanhoe graced the third Derby Runner XC fixture of the season hosted by West End at Martinshaw Woods. To be enjoyed on the 5 and a bit mile route was mud a plenty, grasslands, woodlands (no surprises there), a lot of technical tree roots, stumps, low level branches, and a motorway bridge – now that sounds somewhat out of place.

For the second time this season Mark Parker picked up token number 10 and first back for the club, Ramzi Sidani followed in 25th and Karl Wideman squeezed into the top 50 with position 49. Paul Codd, Dan Bladon, Andrew Stanley, Captain Coxy and Jordan Cope followed next completing the scoring eight.

The top eight all made the top 100, and were joined by Patrick Horn also achieving the fine feat. The men’s squad were out in force, some trying their hand at XC racing for the very first time, a further 10 troopers stacked out the field. Richard Hope and Andy Hough finished within 50 minutes, next in was Colin Hope, Mark Bradford, Andrew Bottrill and Paul Averillo. Martin Yeomans was next, followed by Roger Western, Phil Cooling and newcomer of the year, Jeff Cross.

For the ladies it was double Emily trouble at the front once more, Wideman leading from Partridge in positions 18 and 21. Amelia Willden had a fabulous run for 20th, and Captain Fizz completed the scorers in position 32.

Inside the top 50 was Cath Watkins, followed in by Jill Singleton scoring very well in her category this season. Lindsey Tilbury was next, from Gemma Shaw, Alex Gillon, who was perhaps the muddiest of them all, and team player of the year, Lucy Allsop. Completing our amazing team was Teresa Talbott, Jenny Hope, Amanda Bradbury and Sonia Hoult.

With three down and two to go, the mixed team sit in third (collecting 6 points this round), the men fourth in their table (colleting 5 from this race) with the ladies also in fourth (collecting 6 points). The next fixture is this Sunday 19 Feb (what a well timed report I’d say) and it doesn’t get much more local. Hope to see you there for more fun and games!

Written by Emily Partridge - last updated on 16/02/2023