Press Report

Press Report 22nd January 2007

Ilford Athletic Club enjoyed a great day of Cross Country when they extended a warm and friendly welcome to the county’s premier running clubs by hosting the Essex AAA Senior Cross Country Championships from their Chigwell Row headquarters on Sunday morning.

The clerk of the course resurrected a historically classic 2.5 mile course set on the varied and challenging terrain of the scenic Hainault Forest. No less than 31 Ilford athletes, making up 7 teams, responded to the organizing committees call by donning the blue and white club vest thereby producing what must be the biggest club turnout in years.

In the men’s race, held over 5 legs, a star-studded Basildon team swept all before them coming home well ahead of Chelmsford and Havering Mayesbrook. Ilford’s A squad were always going to be up against it with captain Malcolm Muir (14.29) the only one of the five really fit at the moment. Yet they fought hard to finish in a respectable 7^th place out of 25 teams. Rob Nixon (15.44), Peter Clinch (16.31) Terry Knightley (16.31) and Robin McNelis(17.03) completed the squad.

It was a testament to the day that 3 other Ilford squads closed, some comprising athletes more at home competing in track and field throwing events. Ilford ‘B’ closed in 12^th place and featured a welcome return to the fold of old favourite Iain Wilson (16.19) who, together with injured team manager Matt Maple (16.08), quite bizarrely returned times faster than their A string counterparts. Youngster Iain Macdonald (16.34) , Superveteran John Mackenzie (17.30) and Darren Bottrill (18.02) made up the rest of the B string.

Other times were as follows:-

Ilford C - Alan Lattimore (19.06, Duncan Turner (19.21), John Pocock (22.11) Ray Rawlinson (21.33) Henry Ricketts (20.24)

Ilford D - Peter Spelman (20.28), Peter Whiting (21.24), Martin Clarke (20.43), Wesley Clarke (21.54), Jim McNamee (26.49)

The senior women’s race saw Chelmsford AC winning gold with Southend AC and Colchester and Tendering taking Silver and Bronze positions. Coincidently Ilford’s A and B squads finished identically to the men occupying 7^th and 12^th positions respectively.

For the A string Bree Nordin (19.06) performed a captain’s role to lead from the front with excellent support from Nicola Hopkinson (20.13) Keelie Brooks (20.25) and Mel Jones (19.53).

Ilford B returned some very close and consistent times:- Dianne Crisp (22.01), Lindsey Barker (22.41), Sally Gillam (22.51) and Sharon Honey (22.42).

Ilford C:- Pam Jones (23.09), Pauline Tester (24.47), Clare Thake (25.47).

The club was complimented on the course and their friendly and efficient organization by senior Essex officials and following this success now look forward to hosting similar events in the future. However for the time being Ilford AC are now focused on next Saturday’s SEAA Cross Country Championships at Holcombe Park Norfolk where they hope to have a strong club presence. Two young athletes that will be competing are Liam Leddy and Alex Richards. Both lads warmed up for the event when they ran in the Essex Schools Championships on Saturday over the notoriously tough course at Gloucester Park Basildon. Competing in the years 8-9 race Leddy ran exceptionally well to place 47^th overall was 7^th scorer for Redbridge. Richards was again unhappy on a course he has always struggled on and came home in a disappointing 65^th.