Press Report 1st January 2024
2023 saw Ilford AC celebrate their 100 year anniversary, a year that saw club members old and new, close to home and those now living far away, come together for many events throughout the year, whether it be participating in events, or just as importantly helping with the organization and marshalling of races.
The centenary year concluded with 2 of the clubs longest running(excuse the pun) events, the Boxing day handicap which is 14 years old, and the 10m Cross Country Championships which has been part of the clubs running calendar since the early 1950’s
Ilford AC Boxing Day Handicap
Hainault Forest
26th December 2023
A field of 28 runners brushed off the Turkey and Christmas hangover to toe the line for the 13th annual Ilford AC Boxing day handicap.
The route is 3.3 miles through the hills and mud of Hainault Forest and forms one lap of the clubs own 10 mile championships which traditionally takes place a few days later
Each runner is given a handicap based on their previous form over the year.
This years winner was Jim Tilbrook who ran the course in 32:57 off of a 1 minute handicap giving him a Nett time of 33.57, just 4 seconds ahead of Di Crisp who’s nett time was 34.01 running from scratch
The actual fastest times on the day, handicap excluded, were Josh Adler 20.29, Samuel Crane 20.59 and Stephen Philcox 22.06.
Remaining finishers in time order, excluding handicaps were Tomas Krukauskas 22 22, Aaron Hick 23 02, Akwasi Nkrumah 23 03, Barney Perkins 23 19, Steve Chissall 24 30, Jordan Hinds 24 50, Danny Holeyman 24 52, Paul Allen 25 15, Wayne Hick 26 05, Anna Crawley 26 28, Mike Perkins 27 05, George Hick 27 48, Pauline Tester 31 42, Jim Tilbrook 33 57, Di Crisp 34 1, Zavinta Krukauskiene 34 17, Billy Green 34 48, Rachel Halpin 35 06, Shahnaj Begum 35 15, Steve Crane 35 19 and Julia Galea 36 57
ILFORD CLEAN UP IN THE MUD
Ilford AC 10 Mile Cross Country Championship
Hainault Forest
December 30th 2023
On Saturday Ilford AC hosted their winter showcase 10-mile cross country event on a pleasantly mild December morning.
Runners were treated to the thick mud and hills that characterizes most of the 3.3-mile course which is negotiated 3 times.
Ilford’s men totally dominated the race, providing 5 of the first 6 finishers.
Coming home in first place was Malcolm Muir in 65.17 followed by Josh Adler in 2nd place in 66.36 and Stephen Philcox in 3rd in 70.42, a time that also earned him V50 Gold.
In 5th was Danny Holeyman in 71.55, earning himself an overall and club V5O Gold and in 6th place was Seb Parris in 72.04 giving him an overall and club V40 Gold.
Next male home for the club was Steve Chissell in 80.36 for 18th place and a Club V60 Gold
First lady home was Anna Crawley in 29th place in 85.18, earning herself a club Senior Female Gold medal, followed by Alison Sale who earned both a club and overall FV50 Gold medal with a time of 94.16 in 50th place. Just one place behind, earning a Silver medal in the same category was Pauline Tester in 94.56.
Final medal winner of the day was a well deserved club Gold medal for Frieda Keane who got a V60 Gold after an injury hit year with a time of 117.26 for 75th place
Also finishing the tough course for the club were:-
Stephen Crane 21st 81.49, Steven Horsley 25th 83.53, Bradley Brown 31st 86.16, Stephen Lacey 33rd 87.47, Nick West 58th 98.14 and Jim Tilbrook 73rd 116.45
Of course this event wouldn’t have been possible without the help of all the marshals, organisers and scorers, all of whom were club members, many traveling many miles to offer their support and help to the club.
Our 2 Centenary Presidents, John Batchelor and Pam Jones also travelled a good distance to be in attendance for the medal ceremonies after the race for which the club are very grateful.
Buntingford 10 (incorporating the British Masters Championship)
Saturday 30 December 2023
The Buntingford 10 took place on a mild drizzly Saturday morning on a moderately hilly course around the outskirts of the Hertfordshire town.
Ilford AC had four runners in the field and first home for the club was Joel Denning in 118th place with a time of 71 mins 29 mins to finish 7th in the British Masters M45 group.
Joanne Reeves recorded 75 mins 18 secs for 152nd , and was also 7th F45 in the British Masters.
Further down the large field was Rob Sargent who claimed 4th in The British Masters M65 age category in 1 hr 41mins 28 secs for 407th overall.
Completing the Ilford squad was Julia Galea in 417th in a time of 1hr 44mins 06 secs for 8th in her F65 group in the Championship
