Press Report

Ilford Athletic Club were blessed with some unseasonably fine weather when they hosted their own Club 10 mile cross country championships at Chigwell Row on Saturday afternoon. An excellent turnout of nearly 20 club runners lined up alongside a slightly larger field as Ilford AC extended a warm welcome to athletes competing in the accompanying 5 mile Insurance Championships.

As expected it was Malcolm Muir from Ilford who led the race out on the first of the 4 tough hilly laps of 2.5 miles, together with the eventual Insurance winner, Richard Holland. Such is the form of the Ilford man at the moment that he had already opened up a commanding lead on Holland, who only had to go half the distance, by the time he reached the lake on the 2^nd circuit. From then on it was all plain sailing with Muir stretching out his lead finishing in a time of 65mins and 3 seconds.

Similarly Matt Maple was secure in 2^nd spot but continued to work hard despite being a full 6 minutes ahead of his nearest rival. Maple was well pleased with his 69.51 which reflects the great improvement he has made in distance races over the year. Robin McNelis and Neil Crisp had a great battle for 3^rd spot with McNelis finally coming out on top recording 75.59 and Crisp having to settle for the top veteran’s prize some 20 seconds down in 76.19. John Mackenzie took the over 50’s prize with a good run of 78.19 from the only non Ilford runner, Peter Bulatis of Orion in 83.00. Micky Herring was first male 60 home in 95.11.

The women’s race saw Bree Nordin dominating and finishing in 7^th place overall with 80.41. It was good to see rising under star Liam Leddy accompanying her on the last 2 laps. Liam was using the race to build up his endurance base and is one of a small group of talented young athletes who are now showing great benefits from training with the senior squad and showing great promise for the future. Another is Alex Richards who celebrated his first Essex vest with an excellent run in the SEAA inter counties cross country championships on Saturday. Alex found the notorious Parliament Hill fields much to his liking and was 2^nd home for Essex in the under 13 boys race.

Keelie Brooks is also running into some fine form and deservedly took the women’s silver with a strong run of 84.52 from Sally Gillam in bronze position with 91.44. The veteran women’s prizes went to Dianne Crisp in the female vet 35 category 98.02 and recent star of Essex Radio Pam Jones with 99.06 in the female vet 55 category. Pam and fellow super veteran John Batchelor recently gave a fascinating interview on their running histories, a copy of which can be heard on the club website www.ilfordathleticclub.org.uk. Pam will also be featured on the Masters page in this week’s Athletics Weekly magazine.

Other positions and times were Abdi Berleen 80.36, Duncan Turner 82.45, Alan Lattimore 84.55, Ian Burdin 87.44, and Henry Ricketts 88.19. Graham Williams found the going tough and dropped out after 3 laps.

Ilford AC resume their Cross Country season next week when they compete in the fourth round of the Essex Cross Country League at Hylands Park Chelmsford on Saturday. New members are encouraged to join the club by joining the Ilford Harriers beginners night on Wednesday at 7pm from Cricklefields Stadium, High Road, Seven Kings.