Ilford AC Press Report 21st March 2022  

Ilford AC had representation across the age groups this weekend with good success

English Schools Cross Country
Hop Farm, Kent
Saturday 19th March 

Joseph Grange  rounded off his great cross country season with another fine run at the English Schools Cross Country champs held at Hop Farm in Kent at the weekend .

Joseph was running in the intermediate boys category, which meant he was running against athletes a school year  older than himself, so even making the team was an excellent achievement. 
Not content with just making the team Joseph had a great  run finishing 41st out of  325 runners and he was 3rd man home for Essex, who took an excellent 9th place in the team event. 

Victoria Park Open 5
Victoria Park Hackney
Saturday 19th March

This long established race that takes in a figure of 8 course around Hackney’s Victoria Park was being held for the first time for a couple of years and 135 runners took advantage of the fine weather to celebrate its return. Amongst them was Ilford AC’s Gary Coombes who, taking part in his first Road Race as a V50, celebrated in style with a V50 Gold medal in a time of 27 mins 29 secs to finish 22nd overall.

Before the Seniors race two Junior races were held, and Ilford AC’s foundation group were again out in force accompanied by coach and mentor Ernie Forsyth.

The U11 ‘s raced over 1 mile and was led home by Ernie’s grandson Zac Forsyth (6 yrs old) in 4th place in 9:03. Zac was backed up by (age in brackets) Noah Crawley (8) 6th place 9:13,  Sofia Crane (11) 9th place and 2nd girl 9:48, Jude Crawley (6) 10th place 10:07, Saif Crane (8) 9th place 10:09 and Saavi Saxena (9) 12th place and 3rd girl 10:16.
There were 50 runners.

The U13’s ran over 2.6 miles and were led home by Tyran Pabla (11) in 3rd place in 22:21. He was backed up by Jayden McDermott (12) 24:19 and Anika Sharma (14) 13th and first girl in 22:36.
There were 25 runners.

Brentwood 5k
Sunday 20th March

As  part of the Brentwood half marathon race, a  5km race is also incorporated open to all ages.
With his mum doing the half marathon, 13 year old Ryder Islam elected to take part in the shorter race  and had a great run finishing 3rd overall, in a field of 182 runners,  in a time of 18.29 secs. Nearly 2 minutes faster than when he last ran the course.

BRENTWOOD HALF MARATHON
Sunday 20 March

The 40th anniversary Brentwood half marathon was held on fine sunny morning on the usual route from Brentwood town centre on an undulating course in the Essex countryside before returning to the town. This poplar race had over 1500 finishers this year

The first runner home from Ilford Ac was Diarmuid Mac Donnell in 94th place in a new personal best time of 1hr 27mins 50secs. he placed 8th in the M50 category and looks on target for a good time in the upcoming Boston marathon. He was followed home by Steve Chissell who showed improved form finishing in 1 hour 33 mins 37secs  for 167th and 6th in the M55 age group. Adam Coals also ran a new best time for the distance of 1hr 38 mins 01 secs for 263th. Bre Nordin recorded 1hr 40 mins 28secs in 326th .  She placed 38th in the female race and was the first home in the F65 category. Finishing 3rd in the same grouping was Julia  Galea  in 2hrs 13 mins 23 secs.