• Press Report 31st March 2008

     
    Malcolm Muir from Ilford AC ran exceptionally well placing 2nd in the historic Orion 15 held in Epping Forest in the environs of Chingford on Saturday. Following some very wet weather the forest was at its muddiest for some years and together with some steep climbs and descents that characterise this famous race this made for a lethal cocktail for those selecting the wrong footwear. This did not deter Muir, a previous winner of the race in 2006, who even managed to eclipse his time of 2 years ago running 1hr 31mins 17 secs some 2 minutes faster. The early part of the race one of the race favourites Crispian Bloomfield of Billericay take an early lead. However Bloomfield's footwear selection of spikes over studs meant Muir was able to make up some ground on some of the short road sections and indeed by the time the leaders had reached High Beach at 9 miles Muir had closed to within 7 seconds. However the Billericay man was able to turn the screw on the switchbacks and bridle paths leading back home to speed away and power home in 1hr 29 54, an exceptionally fast time given the conditions.
    Veteran Neil Crisp also enjoyed an excellent run and was pleased to place 23rd overall with a time of 1hr49.26. The club's sole lady representative, Sally Gillam, used the race to build some strength and confidence following a knee injury as she prepares for the Edinburgh Marathon. Sally was happy with her performance and finished strongly to record 2hrs 29.57     
     
    Meanwhile Pam Jones took the women's over 70's gold in the British Masters Cross Country championships at Banbury. Pam enjoyed a good tussle with some of the younger age groups in some very wet and windy conditions.
     
    Ilford AC Throws  open Meeting - Report by Paul Cheal
    On a much much warmer and drier Sunday, Ilford AC hosted its first Throws Open Meeting which had over 50 entrants as athletes took part in a warm-up for the season ahead.
     
    In the U/15 Boys Youcef Zatat competed in the Discus and showed that his winter training has gone well. He threw a CLUB RECORD which he has extended from last year by over 2 metres from his previous best to a fine early season: 36m 25cm and currently leads the way in the U/15 Boys category for this event in the country. With the championships coming up this year it all bodes well for a fine season ahead.
     
    Rob Legon in the U/17 Men was able to obtain 2 PB's in the shot putt and discus. In the shot although hampered recently by an ankle injury was able to putt the shot for the first time over the 10m barrier with: 10m 07cm. In the Discus which he wants to try more this season he is coming to terms with the 2 turns and this helped him record a PB of nearly 4mtrs with: 28m 21cm. Andrew Townsend in his first outdoor competition in the U/17 category threw: 21m 15cm. Chris Dawe also did the shot and discus double. In the shot he recorded a distance of: 9m 58cm which was a PB and in the discus it didn't go quite right but threw: 24m 49cm. Kurtland Martyr was the other athlete to do this discipline and was also able to throw a PB with: 27m 52cm. Kurltand also did the hammer, although technically not right at the moment he still did a respectable distance of: 33m 29cm which is not far short of his PB recorded last week.
     
    In the Senior Men Wesley Clarke did the Hammer and threw: 40m 95cm which he said he was happy with for this time of the year. Sam Malekout was the other senior to take part. He did the Javelin and did very well with a good distance of: 42m 76 whilst his shot putt was: 9m 66cm.
     
    At the other warm-up meeting at Havering Mayesbrook (Hornchurch stadium) 4 Ilford AC athletes took to the track. In the U/13 Boys Ciaran Rodway did the 600m. In slightly better conditions than last week Ciaran was able to run a much better race and although still hurting him he produced a very respectable time of: 1m 59.9sec. His sister Clare did the 300m for the first time and finished with: 51.3sec. In the U/17 Men Jack Webb also did the 600m and was equally good with a time of: 1m 40.2sec. The last competitor was Junior Men athlete Nathaniel Senior he did the 80m & 150m finishing in times of: 10.5sec and 19.5sec respectively.
     
    These are some excellent performances so early on in the season and must be a good indication of what is to come for the long season ahead. Keep it up guys.