Prologue
The Great Kibworth Run was held on 7 occasions between 2001 and 2013 becoming a popular event for running enthusiasts and the local community. The run was born out of a desire by a small group of local running enthusiasts who in 2000 decided to organise a run in Kibworth with the objectives of:
- providing an activity, which would involve members of the local communities of all ages and abilities.
- raising funds for local charities.
The Great Kibworth Run 2001
A small Committee was formed to organise the first event and decided to hold a half marathon and a family fun run. The size of the task soon became apparent and advice was sought from the Ivanhoe Runners, a running club experienced in organising running events. Tasks included Affiliation to England Athletics, obtaining sponsorship from local businesses, selecting and measuring the routes, arranging a reception area for competitors to enter and receive race numbers, deciding the position of marshal points (65) and direction/information signs, water stations, start and finish areas, the timing of the runners.
The start and finish positions were located in the Kibworth High School (now Kibworth Mead Academy) grounds, off Smeeton Road, with race administration located in the adjacent Leisure Centre. The route for both runs required the closure of Smeeton Road from the High School to High Street and High Street for 1 hour to allow runners to use the roads safely. The road closure order was granted by Leicestershire County Council and necessitated planning diversion routes and road sign positions. The race route followed Smeeton Road to High Street, Meadowbrook Road, the recreation ground, the Kibworth Primary School grounds to return to Smeeton Road where the fun run turned towards the finish and the half marathon continued along the rural section of the course for the next 11 miles before returning to the finish line via Smeeton Road.
The first Great Kibworth Run was held on Sunday 30th September 2001. Entry forms were printed and made available for potential entrants. Volunteers were recruited for all the many tasks required on the race day to hold a successful event.
Completed entry forms were received and, along with those who entered on the day, total entrants exceeded 500. Of these runners most were local, 10 entrants in the Fun Run were 5 years and under and 5 entrants in the Half Marathon were 60 years and over. The event was a success and many letters were received from competitors praising the event.
RESULTS
Half Marathon
Winner Ishmaq Ahmed 1.14.51
1st female and 11th Sandra Grimes 1.28.21
1st male veteran and 4th Les Chesterton 1.24.58
1st female veteran and 22nd Nicki Wray 1.37.30
Fun Run
1st boy Eddie Glaister
1st girl Jessica Bridgewood
Charity Donation: £17,182
St Luke’s Hospital, Market Harborough,
Palliative Care Fund
How race day unfolded and the thoughts of one of the Committee members:
6.30 am The organising Committee meet at the Kibworth High School, at least the weather is fine. A lot of nerves, is it going to be successful?
6.40 am Two teams, one for Kibworth and the other for the villages on the route set off to erect route signs, 136 in total and water stations.
7.00 am Didn’t realise how much noise a mallet hitting a wooden stake made at this time on a Sunday morning, hope we didn’t disturb too many people.
8.00 am Return to Leisure Centre, it has started to rain, that won’t help. Thankfully only a short shower. All signs, stakes, tape and water stations in position.
8.30 am Start and finish area laid out. Runners’ reception area prepared in the Leisure Centre, all we need are some runners. Have much needed bacon sandwich.
9 am Three cheers! A runner has arrived to enter the event, what a relief, at least one competitor.
9.15 am More competitors arriving, looks promising.
9.30 am The place is a hive of activity, registered entrants arriving along with more entering on the day, weather still fine although it is a bit windy, things looking very promising.
10.00 am The Great Kibworth Run T/Shirt stall is doing an excellent trade. Entrants for the Family Fun Run arriving, there is a feeling of excitement about the place. It is going to be OK.
10.30 am Place is full of people, the warm-up session is about to start. All marshals for the road junctions and road closures on first half of the route in position. That’s a relief, we couldn’t hold the event without them.
10.45am Road closures in place making Smeeton Road and High Street a safe environment for the runners. Some of the fun runners are very young, glad we opted for road closures even though it was bound to cause some inconvenience to motorists. Plenty of spectators at the start and along the road into High St.
10.50 am Real air of excitement and anticipation, warm up sessions ends, runners asked to take their places at the start, half marathon at the front, fun run behind.
11.00 am Start whistle blow for half marathon runners.
11.01 am First rows of fun runners straining at the leash wanting to set off, shall we let them go now, no, it is too close to the half marathon runners.
11.02 am Whistle blows again, the fun run has started. Starter has to jump aside to avoid being overrun by 235 enthusiastic young runners who are so keen to get going.
11.10 am The leading runner is already flying past the High School entrance with a lead of at least 1 minute over the second runner. If he goes on at this pace he will be back before all the fun runners have finished. Good crowd of spectators cheering the runners on their way creating a great atmosphere.
11.15 am All marshals, a total of 65, now in position for the second part of the course, we owe these volunteers a big thank you, you couldn’t hold the event without them. It is no fun being stuck at a cattle grid near Gumley Cricket Pitch on a windy day for 2+ hours with a few cows for company, thank goodness it’s not raining.
11.16 am First fun runner approaches the High School having overtaken a number of the half marathon runners, he gets a terrific cheer from the crowd. Runners from both events pouring along Smeeton Road towards the High School where good work by the marshals ensures that the fun runners are directed to the finish and the half marathon runners are directed towards Smeeton Westerby and 11 more hard miles. Tremendous enthusiasm from the young runners some of whom are very competitive as they approach the finish. The crowd really appreciates the efforts of these runners.
11.35am All runners have cleared the road outside the High School, decide to lift the road closures 25 minutes earlier than anticipated. This eased the inconvenience to motorists.
12.00 pm Growing anticipation among the increasing number of spectators gathered around the finish area waiting for the leading runner to arrive. The team who will time and record the runners as they finish are in position along with medal presenters, stop watches, clip boards and medals at the ready.
12.13 pm Cheers from the spectators indicate the first runner is about to arrive. He turns into the High School towards the finish, there are no other runners in sight. Hope they haven’t taken a wrong turn.
12.22 pm Second finisher in sight and arrives to a noisy reception from the crowd. Steady flow of runners arriving at the High School to great cheers and encouragement, some horrified to find they still had to run around the football pitch before reaching the finish. One runner finishes then joins a friend who he accompanies to the finish and is timed again putting the results out of sequence and causing much annoyance to the timers.
1.15 pm The last runner arrives to a good cheer, he had run almost all the course with a leg injury, yet despite advise to give up, finished the run.
1.20 pm Presentation of prizes:
1.40 pm Runners and spectators begin to disperse, bit of an anti-climax but relief that the event was successful. Lots of praise from runners who really enjoyed the event.
1.45 pm Start to clear up, collect all the signs from the route.
4.00 pm All done, time for a pint at the Kings Head.
The Great Kibworth Run Part 2 includes winners and donations for the races every other year from 2003 to 2013 plus several photos!