Ilford AC Press Report. Monday 1st January 2018
Ilford AC Boxing Day Handicap
Hainault Forest
December 26th 2017
A record field of 23 brushed off the Turkey and Christmas hangover’s to toe the line for the 9th annual Ilford AC Boxing day handicap. The overnight rain had turned the course into the usual swamp and choice of footwear was completely irrelevant.
The idea of the handicap is that the slower runners go off first at varying time intervals and the fastest runner goes off last and tries to catch everyone, unfortunately time constraints meant the course was not marked or marshalled. A few people were unaware of the course and made up their own route.
First off were Sharon and Roger Honey, with Roger being a former 110m hurdler the race was slightly over distance, they were followed by Julia Galea, Sally Gillam and Pauline Tester. New member Anna Crawley off 4 minutes made a good start. The Hick family had dominated the race the last two years, and young Aaron aged just 9 was competing in the race for the first time. Eventually after 20 minutes the last runner Paul Grange of Havering went off.
The on course report suggested that Satha was struggling with the mud, Jak Wright had lost one of his shoes and at a certain point of the course everybody had chosen their own route. Meanwhile back at the front of the race Anna was making the most of her generous handicap and had moved into the lead. Further down the field young Aaron was passing people and Stephen Philcox was moving the fastest.
Anna held onto her lead to win by 41 seconds, from Sally Gillam, closely followed by Pauline Tester.
First male home in 5th place was former winner Alun Jones and another former winner Matthew was the first of the Hicks home, closely followed by younger brother Aaron. Steve Philcox turned out to be the fastest of the day for 15th
| Gun Time | H/Cap Min | Actual Time | ||||
| 1 | Anna Crawley | 33 | 36 | 04 | 29 | 36 |
| 2 | Sally Gillam | 34 | 17 | 03 | 31 | 17 |
| 3 | Pauline Tester | 34 | 34 | 03 | 31 | 34 |
| 4 | Sharon Honey | 35 | 08 | 00 | 35 | 08 |
| 5 | Di Crisp | 35 | 10 | 3 30 | 31 | 40 |
| 6 | Alun Jones | 35 | 19 | 05 | 30 | 19 |
| 7 | Mathew Hick | 37 | 07 | 14 | 23 | 07 |
| 8 | Julia Galea | 37 | 33 | 01 | 36 | 33 |
| 9 | Wayne Hick | 37 | 51 | 11 | 26 | 51 |
| 10 | Aaron Hick | 37 | 51 | 11 | 26 | 51 |
| 11 | Karl Hick | 39 | 01 | 14 | 25 | 01 |
| 12 | Satha Alaga | 39 | 10 | 06 | 33 | 10 |
| 13 | Billy Green | 39 | 10 | 06 | 33 | 10 |
| 14 | Roger Honey | 39 | 10 | 00 | 39 | 10 |
| 15 | Steve Philcox | 39 | 16 | 18 30 | 20 | 46 |
| 16 | John Crawley | 39 | 58 | 17 30 | 22 | 28 |
| 17 | Sam Rahman | 40 | 10 | 18 30 | 21 | 40 |
| 18 | Neil Crisp | 40 | 22 | 18 | 22 | 22 |
| 19 | Jak Wright | 40 | 54 | 17 | 23 | 54 |
| 20 | George Hick | 41 | 13 | 14 30 | 26 | 43 |
| 21 | Paul Grange | 41 | 31 | 20 | 21 | 31 |
| 22 | Diarmuid MacDonnell | 41 | 38 | 16 45 | 24 | 53 |
| 23 | Dennis Briggs | 41 | 46 | 16 30 | 25 | 16 |
Witham Boxing Day 5
Witham
Tuesday 26th December 2017
Malcolm Muir was one of three runners from Ilford AC in a 400 strong field contesting the Witham RC 5 mile run held over a rural course on a beautiful sunny Boxing Day morning.
Conditions were great apart from the slight headwind on the road out of Witham, however, this was compensated by slight wind ‘assistance’ on the final 2 miles back into Witham.
Malcolm, on the road to full fitness after a long injury still finished in 12th place overall clocking 28:10.
Nicola Chester was second home for Ilford in 293rd place clocking 46:17, followed by Malcolm’s sister Carol Muir in 330th place for 50:09
Ilford AC 10 mile Cross Country – (Race for Kev)
Hainault Forest
Saturday 30th December 2017
SENIORS
On Saturday Ilford AC hosted their winter showcase 10 mile cross country event on a cold crisp morning.
Over 70 runners were treated to the thick mud and hills that characterises most of the 3.3 mile course which is negotiated 3 times.
Overnight rain ensured the course would be slower than previous years, with just one runner, Thomas Payne, breaking the 1 hour barrier finishing in 58:34 and finishing 6 minutes ahead of his closest rival.
Ilfords first 3 runners finished in 3rd, 4th and 5th places.
First home was Paul Holloway in 1:05:20 for 1st VM40, followed by Stephen Philcox in 1:08:54 for 1st VM50 and John Crawley in 1:10:35 for 3rd Senior Male on the day.
With the race also doubling up as the clubs Cross Country Championships the three also picked up Club Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.
Also running in the mens team was Dennis Briggs 17th in 1:20:20, Billy Green 40th in 1:33:33 and Satha Alaga 55th in 1:43:55
Breege Nordin was the first Ilford lady home in 24th place 1:23:41 for 1st VF55 and club Gold medal.
Silver went to Nicola Hopkinson 31st place in 1:27:20 and 2nd VF55.
A well deserved Bronze went to Carlie Qirem competing in this race for the first time and finishing 33rd in 1:29:37 and second Senior female on the day.
Completing the ladies team were Anna Crawley 51st in 1:42:12, Julia Galea 56th 1:44:08 and Freida Keane 59th 1:47:15
The race is now held annually to commemorate Ilford AC stalwart Kevin Newell who unfortunately suffered a serious brain injury three years ago and now requires full-time care . A donation will be made from the race proceeds to a suitable charity. It is not only supported and promoted by his comrades at Ilford Athletic Club but many of his friends that he has made from the local running community and throughout the county also turn up to either run, volunteer, or just cheer on the runners in tribute to Kevin.
Ilford AC 10 mile Cross Country – (Race for Kev)
Hainault Forest
Saturday 30th December 2017
Juniors
Ilford Juniors had the option of running one lap, 3.3 miles, on Saturday.
Six Juniors took up the challenge.
First home was Aaron Samuel, who was actually in 2nd place over the entire field at the end of lap one. Aarons time was a remarkable 20:12.
Aaron was followed home by Jak Wright 22:04, Bradley Deacon 23:13, Matthew Hick 24:02 and Jordan Hinds 25:23.
Jack Hall, unfortunately, had to pull up with a twisted ankle half way around the course.
