Ivanhoe Runners are set to make history in hosting the first Virtual Aldi Ashby 20, next weekend - between Friday 19th March - Sunday 21st March.

Over 1,200 runners are taking part and each participant, throughout the UK, is set to receive their 'special edition' Aldi Ashby 20 Hoodie.

The event will see entrants run 20 miles of their own choice between the specified dates and record their times.

In August last year, the Aldi Ashby 20 committee had the foresight to see that the 2021 event would not go ahead in its normal format.

Ashby 20 will be held as a virtual event in 2021.

Therefore, well before the second or third Covid-19 spike, and keeping with the government guidelines, we took the decision to organise the Virtual Aldi Ashby 20.

Undoubtedly the decision was the right one.

This has helped to raise more needed funds for Teenage Cancer Trust, our sponsor's charity partner.

In addition, many of the runners are taking in the challenge for their own nominated charity.

Another bonus, during these surreal times, is that it has helped to focus our participants' minds, helping them to focus on achieving the 20 mile goal.

It is great for their mental and physical wellbeing in these challenging times.

Each participant will receive the famous Aldi Ashby 20 Hoodie, which they proudly wear bearing the Ashby logo.

As a group of volunteers who organise this 'not for profit' event, we are extremely proud of the continued support we get from all our stakeholders, especially the runners Enter the Virtual Ashby 20.

Our slogan 'a race organised by runners, for runners', probably has a lot to do with this.

Along with our slogan I'd add 'professionally' organised by the Ivanhoe Runners.

Even before the virtual event is complete, we are busy organising next year's event.

This is due to take place in Ashby on Sunday 20th March.

I dare say that this will sell out, 1,500 entrants, once again in a matter of minutes.

Next year will be our 30th Anniversary of the actual road race taking place, '30th Anniversary, Take 2' (as it should have been our anniversary in 2020).