Race 2 - Cromford
7th May 2024
Cromford, the second race of the summer season is a slightly longer race at 5.5mi (8.9km), which centres around the infamous mile climb known as 'Sheep Pasture Incline', a 1.5mile incline with a 6% gradient. As Coach Hunter puts this, "think hare and tortoise", there is absolutely no shame in walking this section of the course. The rest of the course is along tight canals before a finish across the events field.
The Mens Team started followed up a great start at Teversal with provisional results leaving IRC now 4th in the teams table, just behind Long Eaton RC. Jack Broughton bettered his performance last time out with a 5th place, whilst Andy Aiston produced his highest finish with 32nd place. Fantastic outings from John Reynolds, James Read, Ben Fensom & Dave Feely, in a very competitive field ensures IRC remain in the hunt for silverware.
Hollie made is a Broughton double with a 21st place finish, closely followed by ladies captain Kerstine Herbert. Sonia Hutsby & Laura Hickey collected IRC's remaining counters with impressive performances.
Steve Robinson-Day & Heather Howarth were on debut in red and white, with overall 17 men and 8 ladies overall for Ilkeston RC. Link to the complete results are here.
Race 1 - Teversal
16th April 2024
The Summer BDL League started at Teversal, a 4.5mi (7.4km) relatively flat course that often feels like an endless train of runners with long open straights that keep runners packed together throughout. The race serves as a race against dawn, with sunlight drawing soon after 8pm as a reminder for runners that the lighter nights are not quite with us yet.
The Mens Team started the season with a great performance, provisional results show IRC finishing 3rd overall as a team and some incredible individual performances; Jack Broughton came home in 10th place off the back of great winter XC series. Josh Hazeldine came in with a valuable 28th place, a highest overall finish for him. An honorary mention to Sam Waddington, on debut, for picking up 73rd place as IRC's 7th runner.
The Ladies also performed well at Teversal with Jess Denman & Hollie Broughton finishing 15th & 17th respectively. Sonia Hutchby's 4th place gave the Ladies just enough points ahead of North Derbyshire RC to leave the team in 5th place in the standings well poised ahead of next month's race at Cromford.
21 male runners and 9 ladies overall turned out in Red & White. Link to the complete results can be found here.
