Ilford Press Report 14th March 2017
*Ilford AC Press report March 14th 2017 *
*Bath** Half Marathon*
*12th March 2017*
Blair McWhirter produced probably the best performance of the week
finishing 4th of over 12,500 runners in the Bath Half in a time of 1:09:44.
The two lap traffic-free course, which is well known for being flat and
fast, straddles both sides of the River Avon, taking runners through the
beautiful World Heritage Site of Bath.
*Colchester Half Marathon12th March 2017*
On an overcast but dry morning over 2600 runners took part in the annual
Colchester Half Marathon, including a trio of Ilford AC athletes.
The challenging course was won by Thomas Kaye representing the Army in an
impressive 1:14:25.
First Ilford athlete home was Stephen Parker who ran well for 362nd place
in a time of 1:39:55. Stephen was followed closely by Satha Alaga who
continued his training for this years London Marathon with an impressive
1:43:51 for 500th place and a pb by over 4 minutes. Completing the Ilford
trio was Nicola Chester who came in at 2:16:23 for 1,947th place.
*Dartford Half Marathon12th March 2017*
724 runners took part in the Dartford Half Marathon on a mild, dry Sunday
morning.
The race is Kents oldest Half Marathon, now in it’s 41st year, and is
notorious for its hilly, challenging course
The race was won by Chris Biddle of Dartford Harriers in 1:17:22
Ilford’s sole representative was Seb Parris who used the race as a training
run for this years London Marathon, and finished in an outstanding 28th
place with a time of 1:28:36 which beat his pb by over 6 minutes.
*British Masters Indoor Track and field ChampionshipsLee Valley11th and
12th March 2017*
Ilford Super veteran John Batchelor continues to impress in the Indoor
league with 4 races, 4 Golds and 4 pb’s achieved in the M75 category over
the weekend.
On Saturday John competed in the 400m and despite this not being a race he
normally competes in he won by 10 seconds in a time of 74:11, a time that
places him 5th in the UK indoor M75 all time rankings.
A couple of hours later John took M75 Gold in the 1500m with a time of
5:46:54 – second fastest ever for a M75 indoor runner.
On Sunday John took M75 Gold in the 800m with a time of 2:47:30 and Gold
again in the 3000m with a time of 12:25:75. Both runs placing him second in
the all-time M75 rankings.
*RACE WALKING NEWS*
ILFORD ON FORM
On Saturday afernoon Ilford AC contested Race 3 of this year’s Enfield
Walking League, over five 1 mile twisting circuits of the vast and flat
King George V Playing Fields in that town.
It was to be Ilford’s day, as their members filled 3 of the top 4
positions.
Lining up for a 5 miles’ event was Olympian, Neringa Aidietyte, who made
her 2nd appearance since recovering from injury sustained in the Rio
Games. Her performance, like her previous one, was sensational. On this
occasion Miss Aidietyte enjoyed the kudos of leading from start-to-finish
and also beating all the men competitors to boot! Her time time of 40
minutes and 48 seconds was outstanding.
A by-product of Aidietyte’s success was dragging the next 2 women in her
wake to season’s personal bests!
After the race, Organiser Ron Wallwork MBE – the 1966 Commonwealth Games
Gold medalist stated, “In exceedingly mild conditions, double Olympian
Neringa Aidietyte demolished the field and looked very impressive
doing it”. Next
home was Steyning AC’s Jim Ball, a frequent winner on this course, but this
time was never in it when clocking 43.49. Maintaining his commendable
sequence of top-3 finishes was 3rd placed Seb Parris, who put in his best
work over the penultimate and final laps, as he came through the field to
record 48.12 just ahead of colleague Stuart Bennett 4th in 48.32.
