Ilford AC Walking Section Press Report 11th Nov 2013  

TEAM WIN FOR 4TH SUCCESSIVE YEAR
Ilford sent a team to contest the 87th Annual Enfield Open 7 Miles’ Walk at Lee Valley on Saturday afternoon. On route to the venue it was windy with heavy rain descending and entrants assumed they’ be in for an uncomfortable afternoon with a drenching. As it turned out just minutes before the “off”, nothing could have been further from the truth as clouds passed and wind abated leaving faint sunshine, making perfect athletics conditions!From the start on a pleasant 3 times’ “out-and-back” course along a canal bank, Ilford’s Captain STEVE UTTLEY tucked-in behind the leading trio and was ready to pounce should any fail to maintain their pace. But that never occurred so Uttley raced for 4th spot, and had to work hard gaining that position as the race’s closing stages saw the event’s leading lady competitor, Lithuanian GRAZINA NARVILIENE (Belgrave Harriers) launch a grandstand finish to draw level with Uttley and then forge slightly ahead within yards of the finish line. One last gasp from Ilford’s man as both sped across the line saw them jointly timed at 60 minutes and 17 seconds with Uttley getting 4th place by the width of his singlet!In close order came twice-former event winner PETE RYAN with 61.50 on the stopwatch to fill 8th spot, while former Scottish international STUART BENNETT was 17th in a sound 67.21. Closing home the team in 18th position was STEVE ALLEN in 68.42, which was a remarkable performance as he’d started with a hamstring injury but didn’t want to let the team down by not appearing! Ilford narrowly won 1st team prizes, for a 4th successive year, but were hard-pressed by hosts Enfield & Harringey AC.
Issued by Ilford AC Walking Section (01708-377382)