On Sunday 22 March, 1,373 runners from across the UK took part in the Ashby 20, a 20 mile run that attracted participants from across the country.

Organised by the Ivanhoe Runners and fully run by volunteers, the Ashby 20 has become one of the best-known 20 mile road races with about 80% of participants using the run to train for spring and summer marathons.

Runners set off from Upper Packington Road, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, before heading out towards Packington and completing a two-lap route through Swepstone, Heather and Normanton le Heath.

After the second lap, they returned to Ashby, finishing at the Bath Grounds where a big crowd was waiting to cheer them home.

The event was made possible by around 250 volunteers. This included members of Ivanhoe Runners along with support from Odyssey Explorer Scouts, Ashby Spa WI, LeicSAR, Castle Rotary Club of Ashby and Conkers parkrun.

Race Winners

• The men's race was won by Ian Allen in a time of 1:51:46.
• The women's race was won by Alice Bourne in 2:10:28.

Team Winners

• Men's team: Rugby and Northampton AC in 6:10:25
• Women's team: Holme Pierrepont in 07:19:04

The course records stand as:

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• Men's: Gareth Raven – 1:44:17 (2005)
• Women's: Diane Lobacevske – 2:02:40 (2009)