Ilford AC Press Report Week Ending Sunday 26 January 2014  

SEAA Cross Country Championships – Parliament Hill Fields

Saturday 25 January

Last Saturday saw the annual SEAA Cross Country Championships at Parliament
Hill Fields. As a result of the recent wet weather conditions were
challenging to say the least. All races started just in front of the lido
with the first of many climbs being the familiar 500m “slog” up to the
supporting fans. First up for the club was Usamah Patel. Looking for a top
20 position he had trouble with the condition & had to settle for 44th place
in the U15 race. Jack Maher, using these races in preparation for the track
season found the going even tougher finishing 173rd place in the U 17 race.

The weather was still bright when the Women’s race set off over two laps of
5 miles. Jenni Sheehan, on her first appearance in the Southerns didn’t
disappoint as she was fist Lady home in 238th . She was closely followed by
Dianne Crisp in 267th and Breege Nordin, despite a fall in the closing
stages in 277th. There were 466 finishers.

The last race of the day was the Men’s held over the “classic” 9 miles. By
now the course was well churned. Malcolm Muir had an excellent run as he
finished in 87th. Paul Holloway, also on his first appearance at these
Championships, battled his way round for 314th. Kevin Newell, off the back
of a few races, found the course challenging and was 391st. At this time the
heavens opened as Ben Jones finished in 482nd. Tony Hyde was 607th, Bradley
Brown 705th and Darren Bottrill 795th. The team was 59th and there were 988
finishers.

Report and pictures courtesy of Ian Gains, Neil “Wellies” Crisp & Jenni
Sheehan