The event consisted of a set of five age group races over the classic distance, from school Year 4 through to senior women and men.
In addition to rugby World Cup winner and now England manager Johnno, other Leicester Tigers stalwarts Matt Poole and Richard Cockerill were also out in support of the event, which was designed to raise funds for F4F (Facilities for Fleckney) and Wishes for Kids, a charity of which ex-Leicester City footballer Izzet is patron.
Both Cockerill's and Izzet's wives are club members and helped recruit the celebrities, who captured the imagination of the villagers making up the bulk of the entry.
The event was primarily focused on Fleckney and Kibworth rather than inviting elite runners from around the county as organisers wanted the races to feature local children and adults.
"There was a tangible atmosphere of community spirit throughout the evening," said race organiser Dave Wheeler.
"We were lucky with the weather, the support of our
VIPs and we had some high quality racing."
The star performer was outstanding 13-year-old Stefan Ashman, a student at Kibworth High School.
Ashman, who is ranked second over 1500m in the Midlands for his age group, showed a sharp tactical brain by tracking Karl Beardall who, in turn, had set a club record for five miles at Gartree the week before. With 600 metres to go Ashman seized the initiative and blazed to a fine 5mins 16secs – to everyone's knowledge the fastest mile ever run in Fleckney. Beardall held his form to finish five seconds adrift, while third place went to former Great Kibworth Run winner Rob Pullen in 5:33.
In the women's race,
newcomer Lorna Waters looked comfortable in taking the honours in 6:45. Second place
went to Tina McDonagh in 7:18 and third was Anne Ghilespy in 8:07.
The junior races produced great competition backed by huge vocal support from parents and families.
Leading results were: Year 4 to 6 girls 1st Tegan Allen, 2nd Abbi York, 3rd Charlotte Mathers, 4th Katrina Prior; Year 4 to 6 boys 1st Josh Knight, 2nd Josh Ashman, 3rd Bryn Willams; Years 7 to 8 girls 1st Ella Voss, 2nd Amy Skinner, 3rd Ellie Martin; Years 7 to 8 boys 1st Chris Parkes Bowen, 2nd Luke Mathers, 3rd Niall Conaghan; Years 9 to 10 boys 1st Louis Guess.
On Sunday the senior club were back on Leicestershire Road Running League duty in leg seven of the 2008 competition in the Prestwold 10K held on an open and windswept former RAF base.
In a quality field of more than 800, which incorporated the Men's Masters UK 10K championships, the club acquitted themselves well to continue their quest for league honours.
Women's results: Kate Dormer 43:50, Claire Beach 47:29, Bernie Owen 48:21, Lisa Stone 48:31, Tina McDonagh 49:00, Lucy Butwell 49:45, Linda Moss 51:39, Elaine Prior 54:42, Jody Ward 1:01:36, Aileen Collins 1:02:03; men's results: Karl Beardall 36:49, Stacey Voss 38:07, Sergio Gisbert 38:33, Chris Wiley 39:35, Dave Wheeler 41:10, Martin Pickles 44:04, John Redfearn 46:20, Andy Bailey 1:00:43.