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General Information

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The Aldi Ashby 20 is a 'not for profit' event, 'organised by runners for runners' (Ivanhoe Runners)

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We would like to thanks all our runners, volunteers, sponsors, local residents, and businesses for your support. We would also like to wish everyone the very best if you are planning a spring marathon.

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2024 Report

Athletes from across the country descended upon Ashby on Sunday 17th March to take part in the annual Aldi Ashby 20, established in 1988. The 20-mile road race, organised by runners for runners, commenced on Upper Packington Road, Ashby, going towards Packington before heading to Heather via Swepstone, returning to Packigton via Normanton Le Heath. After completing their 2nd lap, the runners then headed towards the finish line on the Bath Grounds, where they were met by a large array of supporters.

 

Members of Ivanhoe Runners, along with the Explorer Scouts were out in the rain from 6 am, setting up the course, ensuring the infrastructure was in place to make it an enjoyable and safe event for all involved. With runners arriving from the early hours, they congregated around the Bath Grounds before heading towards the start for a prompt 10 am start. The Mayor of Ashby, Avril Wilson, offered the runners words of encouragement before officially starting the race. Supporters came out in their hundreds to witness up to 1500 runners start the professionally organised event, something you’d expect to witness in a major city rather than the small market town of Ashby.

 

Soon after the start, the rain eased, helping runners to realise their goal. Whether that was to get a certain time or simply to complete the undulating 20-mile route. The first male runner, Jack Dakin (Derby AC) finished in a superb time of 1:52:22, followed closely by Daniel Bagley (un-affiliated) 1:53:44, and Simon Allen (Owls AC) 1:55:26. The first female, Amy Lowe (Washlands Women Runners) finished looking as fresh as when she started with a time of 2:11:12. Rebecca Randell (Shepshed RC) was close behind finishing in 2:14:05, closely followed by Rebecca Miller (Derby AC) in 2:15:01. With 2 official race winners, there were also 1295 other winners crossing the finish line, ready to pick up their well-earned famous Ashby 20 Hoodie, along with their Cheese and Tomato cob, prepared by Ashby Spa WI.

 

The runners had various reasons for competing in the 20-mile event. Around 80% of the runners were training for a Spring Marathon, including the London Marathon, and many were running for a charity, including Teenage Cancer Trust, Wishes 4 Kids, and Bright Hope House (formally known as Hospice Hope). The exact amounts aren’t known yet, however it’s known to be in the thousands. Gary Lowe, Wishes 4 Kids Charity Manager said, “the support that you receive from all of the marshals and volunteers is truly incredible”. He goes on to say, “an unbelievable amount of over £2,000 has been raised, an amazing amount for our small charity”.

 

Being a true community event, many other local organisations joined Ivanhoe Runners and the Ashby 20 Organising Committee to help on the day. Without the local support the event simply wouldn’t happen. Special thanks go to Leicestershire Search and Rescue, Heartwize, Explorer Scouts, Ashby Spa WI, Ashby Castle Rotary, Conkers parkrun, and finally, the local community in supporting the runners around the route.

 

Further thanks go to the official supporters of the event including Aldi (main sponsors), Pladis (McVities), Everyone Active, Derby Runner, and Julia’s Bakery for supplying the cobs.

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2024 Official Photos

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Local News Article (2024)

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