Press Report – Pre London 8th April 2014  

Ilford AC’s superveteran John Batchelor has returned  from the British Masters Indoor World Champs in Budapest where the standard in the M70 distance races was unusually high.  Batchelor placed seventh in the 3000m after leading the field for the first kilometre, whereupon he was passed by a string of former World or European champions fighting it out for the major honours.  Although John was unable to stick with them in the mid-race section he closed on the leaders over the last few laps to finish in 11:48.03, close to his season’s best.

The Ilford man comfortably made the final of the 1500m, but in the final against similar high-quality opposition was again unable to pick up the pace when it mattered, and again, though finishing fast took another seventh place, in an indoor personal best of 5:32.58.

The Club now prepare for next Sunday’s blue riband event, The London Marathon, when 14 Ilford AC members will make their way to Blackheath and Greenwich Park for the early morning start. Once again family and friends will be lending their considerable support, cheering on and rehydrating runners at their 19 mile water station in Canary Wharf and also at other various places along the 26.2 mile route.

Martin