What a glorious start to the Bank Holiday weekend with a beautifully sunny Good Friday. Many of the runners I’m about to mention will now be entering the taper phase of their training, hopefully enjoying some relaxed miles as the big day draws ever closer, and maybe even putting their feet up. That I would recommend to you all, because this is a long one.

What also started as a sunny morning, but didn’t half change in the latter stages, was the day of the Ivanhoe 20, the infamous event for our very own members the day before the Ashby 20.

An impressive 27 runners ran the full distance, joined by many others tackling shorter distances up and down the traffic free Cloud Trail route. A big well done to Matt Pleass for his debut in charge as Special Events Officer, and a huge thanks to everyone who volunteered and came out to support make the morning a success.

We start at the top, where we witnessed the changing of the guard, which hasn’t occurred for three years in the female race, and six years in the male race, big kudos to Emily Wideman and Ramzi Sidani for their impressive reign.

It was Mark Parker first past the post and setting a course record on the out and back route, 2:02:56 was the time that secured over a minute personal best too as he reached the sharp end of his training for London marathon, ever so grateful for the opportunity to take part thanks to the club opportunity. Despite having to settle for silver place this year, it was also a personal best for Ramzi, 2:08:53 his time and a perfect platinum standard. Third place went to Paul Woods who looked in great shape all the way, and sure should be smiling after a personal best of more than 15 minutes and a diamond standard in 2:13:30.

For the ladies, the shining star was Clare Wood, a posse of men doing their best to keep with her for the duration, an amazing team spirit as they charged up and down the former railway line. The Boston marathon is the fast approaching target for Clare, and her 2:43:20 time sees her name engraved on this years trophy. It was a standout performance for Georgie Smith home in second place, paced to perfection for her longest run to date as she builds towards the Leeds Rob Burrow marathon, 2:47:02 her time. In third it was Julie Taylor, her only other 20 milers being tricky off road courses so a PB of more than 35 minutes welcomed her in a time of 2:48:44.

Organiser extraordinaire Pleass was home fourth in 2:16:16, a debut 20 added to his scorecard. No stranger to long distance, Alistair Chambers finished fifth in 2:23:10. Andrew Stanley ran an amazing new high score improving on his ’19 Cloud Trail time in 2:30:52, and almost a 20 minute PB welcomed Jordan Cope who despite some initial mis-calculations kept his head in the game, got back on pace and roared home to 2:38:12 and a bronze standard.

Captain Louis Barnes was last man standing occupying Clare on her quest and enduring her singing, Matthew Joyce followed with more than 3 minutes better than his time last year, and Andy Hough was next running strong in 2:45:41. James Cox kept Georgie company throughout the long distance run and bagged a PB of nearly 12 minutes in the process, and Chris Osborne had a mad dash over from Conkers parkrun seeing relatives finish the weekly event, pleased to bank a strong long run as the days to London tick down where he’s running for Children with Cancer.

Andrea Trickett was fourth in the ladies race in 2:52:06, and Patrick Horn was next, a big week for them both with busy Ashby 20 roles, and ran in 2:53:32. Amazing team energy and smiles, and much persuasion on last minute marathon sign ups amongst the happy duo of Sandra Lawless and Cath Watkins, running 2:54:29 and 2:55:22 respectively.

Vic Smith had a superb run in 2:58:17, who will most certainly do us proud alongside Mark with her club London place in a few weeks. Colin Hope put a debut 20 miler on his Ivanhoe board in 2:58:37, Nancy Bennion was next home in 3:07:01 also with sights on London for charity, and Judy Mouncer despite recent illness battles did incredibly ahead of Manchester marathon, a new PB by almost 3 minutes. Tim Sturla looked calm and collected on route, 3:27:24 his time, Martin Yeomans did well in 3:33:36 and Sophie Lee saw every season as she completed her biggie ahead of London running for the Rainbows Hospice.

The biggest good luck to all of you with eyes now firmly on the 26.2. You’ve got this!

Written by Emily Partridge - last updated on 07/04/2023