Press Report 12th March 2007
 

Northern national champs tests Ilford runners

Malcolm Muir led home a dedicated team of Ilford runners at the annual National Cross Country Championships held at Herrington Park in Sunderland last Saturday.  Muir lasted the 300 mile journey to the course well to finish a career best 137th place as he pitted his will against England's finest athletes.  Battling a vicious chill wind, Muir worked through the field, taking over 100 places during the 3 lap course to finish with a time of 42.39. Muir said "I'm delighted to have been competing shoulder to shoulder with top class athletes.  I am strong at the moment and will be hoping to turn that into a good marathon time at London".  

Second for Ilford was the talented Rob Nixon in 306th in a time of 46.17.  Nixon has only been able to put together a few weeks of training as a series of injuries has blighted his recent performances, but a fast start and a gritty finish saw him through to a decent performance, with promise of a much better summer in 2007.  Matthew Maple, 410th in 48.11 and Darren Bottrill, 704th in 55.07 completed the Ilford team.  Bottrill had started steadily after suffering from a virus the night before but came through in the third lap with real strength, which bodes well for his forthcoming half marathon at Brentwood.

The day was rounded off with a well deserved celebration in the lively quayside area of Newcastle, where the Ilford squad joined up with fellow Essex travellers, Springfield Striders to mark the end of the cross country season and a successful Spring of road racing.