Ilford AC’s rising under 13 star, Alex Richards, ran a fantastic race in the 4^th round of the Essex Cross Country League at Hylands Park, Chelmsford on Saturday. On a fast undulating course of approximately 3km, Alex set off strongly keeping in the lead pack of fast starters. By the end of the first kilometre Alex had forged ahead to open a gap of 8 seconds between himself and the chasing pack which included competition leaders Darryl Worbey of Thurrock and Stephen Woodford of Chelmsford both now finding it tough to maintain the blistering pace.

Alex maintained his advantage keeping his form until the final 400m when his pursuers mounted a strong challenge to reduce the gap to only 5 seconds. With 200m to go Alex dug deep lifting his pace for home to record his first ever League win by a margin of 7 seconds. This marvellous win has now lifted Alex to 3^rd place in the individual standings after 4 rounds with 1 race to go.

 In the under 15 category Liam Leddy  placed 33^rd in the boys race with Lydia Hall also performing well with 20^th position for the girls. Mo Swamad once again missed his race forcing him to move up a level to the under 17 men where he finished 15^th out of 18.

 Ilford’s senior men placed 10^th team out of 18 with Malcolm Muir once again securing a top 10 spot in 9^th. There were also some excellent performances from Matt Maple who finished 50^th with under 20 Ian Macdonald chasing him hard in 57^th. Terry Knightley and Neil Crisp were next home in 71^st and 75^th respectively with Duncan Turner closing the team in 94^th. Other runners were John Mackenzie 105^th, Henry Ricketts 117^th and Steve Cheal 120^th.

 The senior women fielded one of their strongest squads of the season placing an excellent 5^th out of 15 competing teams. Bree Nordin was once again pick of the crop leading the club home in 24^th . Club Captain Keelie Brooks ran strongly for 30^th  just getting the better of Mel Jones making a welcome return to league action just behind in 31^st. Sally Gillam closed the scoring quartet  with 47^th place leaving Dianne Crisp 49^th and Pam Jones 55^th to complete the strong Ilford presence.