On a rather damp morning 5 of Ilford's finest made the short trip East to the Horndon Feast and Fayre, incorporating their Annual 10k. The good news from the starter was that the "hill" would only be negotiated once!!

The race was won by Bertie Powell of WG & EL in 32:09. Andy Catton made the most of a congested downhill start and had a small lead over Neil Crisp by the 1 mile marker. Crisp made a move returning up the "hill" and the two vied with each other for the next 3 miles. By the finish Crisp, 38:09 for 23rd, had worked his way clear of Catton, 38:33 for 24th. Both were pleased with their runs considering the testing nature of the course, especially the farm tracks.Chris Catton made a welcome return to the fray and was very pleased with his 42:25, which was good enough for 66th overall. Keith Ennis, 44:08 [91st] and evergreen Phil Postings, 59:29 [290th] completed the Ilford AC contingent.

BMAF 5k - Horwich

Meanwhile Ilford superveteran, John Batchelor made the trek North to Horwich for the BMAF 5K  where arch-rival Steve James - now 69 years young  - got his revenge over him a for last year's track champs, winning the M65 title in 18mins 48secs.  Batchelor  could see his head bobbing up and down in front of him after about 2K but was unable to close the gap. Neverthelesss the Ilford AC man was pleased with his 2^nd place in 18:57 on the basis of the training he’d been able to do so far. Batchelor will race next at the Serpentine 5k on Friday followed by the SCVAC on the following Monday.

Ilford Athletic Club came an impressive third place at the weekend's 4th round of the Southern Mens League, despite missing five of their top athletes.  Stars of the show were the club's sprinters who scored near maximum points.  The 100m and 200m distances were dominated by Marvin Tuffor (11.2 / 23.3) and Gary Madigan (11.7 / 23.5) into strong head winds, while Sam Malekout ran the race of his season with a battling run to overtake in the last few metres to win in 51.1 seconds and Bakr Al-Akku coming back from studies held his form well to record 56.1 over the quarter mile.  The 4x100m was never in doubt and despite safe changeovers all the way, Tuffor, Madigan, Simeon Stuart and Erik Obot recorded a seasons best over the distance of 44.7.  The 4x400m was a much closer affair, up against a strong Newbury squad.  Malekout powered into an early lead, while Al-Akku held the Newbury team to within a few metres and Tuffor took a slight lead on the third leg.  Last leg runner, Gary Madigan looked beaten as he was overtaken with half a lap to go but incredibly was able to come back as he battled strongly down the home straight to put pressure on the Newbury anchor leg.   The team eventually lost out by a whisker as Madigan recorded a lifetime best of 52.5 and an excellent team time of 3.34.6.  

The other star of the show was veteran hurdling star, John Hadler, who used to rub shoulders with the likes of Steve Backley at Cambridge Harriers.  Persuaded to put on his athletics togs for his new local club, for the first time in 8 years, Hadler went through the throws card, scoring 11 points including a b string win in the hammer with 29.72m and an excellent shot putt of 10.26m.  A short training session during the 5000m and he was ready for his first occasion over the high hurdles for almost a decade.  Hadler showed his former grace and speed over the first 3 hurdles but a lack of practice put paid to his chances at the fourth as he took a bad tumble, but soldiered bravely on to finish for valuable points.

Mo Swamad (15) was in his usual excellent form in the middle distance, running a mature race on the shoulders of the leaders in the 1500m, recording a good quality 4.30.3 in the strong wind.  The wind put paid to fast times in the half mile as the leaders went through in 66 seconds.  The second lap of 56 seconds was too hot for Swamad but he held on well to record 2.10.0.  Also making a return after a long lay off was John Macdonald, who battled well despite limited training to record an impressive 2nd place in the b string 1500m in 4.33.8.  Darren Bottrill showed strength in the wind during the 5000m for another sub 18 minute time of 17.57.5.

Nathaniel Senior was battling against a sore back but worked hard for a good quality jump of 12.48 metres in the triple jump and 1.70m in the high jump.  Simeon Stuart and Sam Malekout scored heavily again in the long jump with two second places with 6.28m and 6.23m respectively, while Malekout equalled his personal best of 2.60m in the pole vault for the umpteenth time.

Ilford AC who are 4th in the league now, should be back to full strength for the last two matches, which should put them into contention for a promotion place.  The next match is on the 14th July in Luton.

Other results:-
Iain Macdonald: 800m - 2.30.4; 3000SC - 12.00.1; Matt Maple: 5000m - 17.44.2; 110mH - 24.7; 400mH - 72.4; 3000mSC - 10.58.6; HJ - 1.20m; PV - 1.20m; John Hadler: 110mH - 38.6; DT - 26.78m; JT - 29.72m; Tony Nixon (yes and he still runs with great style!): 400mH - 1.59.3; Pete Whiting: SP - 6.75m; NS: Simeon Stuart: 100m - 12.3; 200m - 25.1; Erik Obot: 100m - 12.0.Malcolm Muir from Ilford Athletic Club and competing for Essex ran within 7 seconds of his best ever half marathon for a marvellous 5^th place in the UK Inter-Counties half marathon  championships held at Hull on  Sunday morning . Muir’s time of  71 minutes 45 seconds helped fellow Essex competitors Crispian Bloomfield of Billericay and Gary Chandler of Springfield Striders to a superb men’s team Gold Muir. Bloomfield clocked 70.38 for 3^rd and Chandler 74.48 for 10^th.

UKYAL Round 3 at Erith Sports Centre hosted by Bexley AC. – Report by Paul Cheal

Carle Throws-Up the goods in the gloomy weather

Andy Carle shrugged away his recent below standard performances to firstly record a PB in the U/17 Boys discus with - 23m 18cm but went one better with a very impressive PB in the Javelin with a throw of over 3 metres better than he has ever thrown - 47m 80cm to claim first place. Kurtland Martyr also did the javelin with - 25m 83cm but was able to record a PB in the Hammer with - 23m 03cm. Rob Legon did the hammer with - 20m 71cm and the shot - 9m 22cm. Chris dawe likewise did the shot with - 7m 82 and had a respectable throw of - 29m 94cm in the discus. Bakr Al-Akkun returning from exams did the 800m in - 2m 25.9s and the 400m in - 57.6s. The other U/17 was Simeon Stuart, he did the 100m in - 12.2s, the long jump - 5m 9cm and the triple jump with - 11m 48cm.

The U/15 Boys had Youcef Zatat do three throwing events. His discus is beginning to become very consistent with - 26m 27, the hammer - 18m 91and the shot - 8m 90. Andrew Townsend putt close to his PB in the shot with - 6m 84 but recorded a PB in the discus with a good distance of - 21m 47cm. Jerrell Alleyne suffering from so slight injury was able to struggle around the 400m in a time of - 76.3s. Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake also had a slight injury problem but was still able to record a time of - 12.6s in the 100m. Liam Leddy and Alex Richards did the 800m in - 2m 35.6s & 2m 32.1s respectively. They then went on to do the javelin an event they aren't normally associated with. Liam threw a PB with - 7m 59cm whilst Alex surpassed that with a solid performance of - 14m exactly. The other competitor was Joshua Daly who did the 200m in - 31.3s and the long jump with - 4m 29. They rounded this of with the 4x100m (Leddy, Richards, Mitchell-Blake & Daly) in - 57.5s.

Thomas King in the U/13 Boys continues to show his commitment with a PB in the shot putt - 4m 16cm and a good run in the 1500m with - 5m 43. Ciaran Rodway recovering from a minor operation did the 800m with - 3m 03.5s and the long jump - 3m 43 and a PB. George Hadler also ran the 800m with - 3m 11.7s, the 200m in - 35.8s and the 75mh in - 18.4s. Jordan Ricketts did the 100m in - 14.8s, whilst Jordan Akisanya ran the sprint double with - 28.9s in the 200m and 14.0s in the 100 with a long jump of - 4m 27. The 4x100m relay of (King, Akisanya, Ricketts & Rodway) came home 1st in an exciting race just getting the nod with - 58.7s.

The U/13 Girls had a depleted squad of only 2 athletes with Tamara Chambers running the 75m in - 11.3s, the 150m - 22.8s and the 70mh in - 13.3s, whilst Mika Marston also did the 75m in - 11.0s, the 150m - 22.2s and recorded a PB in the shot putt with - 7m 04cm.

In the U/15 Girls Corina Bryce-Arnold did the sprint double with - 29.9s in the 200m and 14.2s in the 100m. Aimee Jones also ran the 200m coming home in - 29.8s whilst doing the 75mh in - 15.8s and the long jump - 3m 76cm. Liabah Malik the 100m with - 16.3s and Clare Rodway the shot putt - 4m 33cm and the 75m hurdles. Rochelle Kaur recorded a PB in the javelin with - 6m 01cm and shot with - 4m 52. The team of (Malik, Kaur, Rodway & Bryce-Arnold) did the 4x100m but a mix-up on the 1st change over and the original thought of disqualification then the realisation that they hadn't left them training way at the back coming home in - 77.3s, but give them credit at least they continued and finished.

Jamie Smith was the star of the U/17 Women with a very pleasing performance in the hammer with a PB of over 3m's with 1st place distance of - 29m 63cm, she also did the shot - 8m 03cm and the discus with - 23m 68cm. Lydia Hall ran away with it in the 300m in - 43.5s (TBC) and the 200m with - 28.0s. Fionnuala Crowe coming back to competition after exams did the 80mh with - 16.7s. Charlie Clements did the Javelin with - 21m 81cm and the discus - 15m 23cm. Clarissa Dougan did the long jump with - 3m 52cm and the javelin - 10m 23cm. Last of the U/17 Women was Tanieka Mitchell-Blake who did the shot putt and ended up with a distance of - 6m 62cm.

Ilford did well with 11 PB's in a squad that was missing numerous athletes so full credit to all those who competed today. The next meeting is next Sunday 01st July at Chelmsford for Round 3 of the EYAL, hope to see you all there and many more.

EYAL League Round 2  – Cricklefields – Report by Paul Cheal

Rhodes Goes One Way to CLUB RECORD

The previous Sunday Ilford AC hosted Round 2 of the EYAL League. On a day where the Ilford junior finished in 3^rd place the highlight amongst many pbs being was a new U17 club record set by an  U/15 athlete. 

1) Basildon -         703.0 Points

2) Herts Phoenix - 480.5 Points

3) Ilford               - 408.0 Points

4) West Suffolk   - 387.5 Points

5) Trent Park      - 284.0 Points

6) Braintree        - 188.0 Points

Rochelle Rhodes in the U/15 Girls although turning up after netball practice took her place in the triple jump U/17's as she had not competed in any other event. Her performance was to not only surpass the 10 year CLUB RECORD of the U/17's Women at Ilford but also beat all the other competitors in the event on the day with a leap of - 10m 03cm. The other U/15 girls saw Clare Rodway do the 70m hurdles in - 14.4s and a PB in the discus with - 11m 70cm. Rochelle Kaur did the 200m in - 31.4s and the shot with - 5m 25. Corina Bryce-Arnold ran the 100m - 13.9s and the 200m - 29.0s. Aimee Jones clocked a PB in the 300m with - 46.5s, 100m - 15.45s and the Javelin with - 8m 42. Liabah Malik did the long jump - 2m 43 and a PB in the Javelin 4m 71. Last was Nkiru Anyika doing the discus with - 15m 79 and a PB in the long jump - 4m 02. They finished with a 4x100m (Arnold, Anyika, Jones & Kaur) with - 56.9s.

In the U/13 Girls the team was depleted with only 2 athletes.Ceris Burgues ran the 70m hurdles in 15.9s and recorded a PB in the 100m in a time of - 15.1s. Whilst Mika Marston did the sprint double with a PB in the 100m with 14.4s and the 200m 30.7s.

Jamie Smith in the U/17 Girls did the shot and putt - 7m 96 and the discus with a PB of - 23m 81. Clarissa Dougan the long jump - 3m 39 and the javelin - 13m 11. Zena Uppal continues to show her consistency with a time of - 2m 37.4s in the 800m whilst Lydia Hall the 200m with a PB of - 27.6s and a 300m - 43.5s.

The U/13 Boys had some fine performances. George Hadler broke the 3 minute barrier for the 800m for the first time with - 2m 57.3s and the 75m hurdles - 17.4s. Duncan Whitfield also the hurdles with - 17.5s and the shot - 4m 08cm. Ntambi Anyika accompanied Duncan in the shot with - 5m 06, the long jump - 3m 39 and the 800m in - 3m 19.5s. Thomas King is really doing well in his running shaving another 6 sec of his 1500m PB in  - 5m 39.1s and the high jump was - 1m 05. In the sprints both Jordan's ran well Jordan Akisanya the 100m in - 14.2s & 200m - 28.6s whilst leaping - 4m 30 in the long jump. Jordan Ricketts on the other hand did - 14.6s in the 100m and a PB of - 29.8s in the 200m. The final event of 4x100m (Jordan.A, Jordan.R, Ntambi.A & Thomas.K) came home in 59.2s.

In the U/15 Boys Kofi Jeffers started off with the 80m hurdles in -13.8s and excelled in the high jump with an impressive  - 1m 55cm and non-scored in the 100m with - 13.0s. Jerrell Alleyne improving in the 400m with a PB of - 55.9s and copied this in the 200m with a PB of - 24.8s. Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake ran the 100m in - 12.5s, recorded a PB in the 200m with - 25.4s and non-scorer in the long jump with - 5m 27cm. Ayokunle Adekeye also did the 100m in - 12.8s and the long jump with - 5m 17cm. Joshua Daly also the long jump with - 4m 56cm and the high jump - 1m 25cm. Andrew Townsend is throwing well and this shows with a PB in the shot with - 6m 90 and a discus throw of - 19m 71. Youcef Zatat also threw well with - 28m 84cm in the discus, 23m 87 in the javelin and 9m 13cm in the shot. Alex Legon did a non-scoring long jump of - 4m 07cm. Aaron Akisanya came off the bench so to speak and was impressive with his javelin throw distance of - 30m 89cm. The other athletes were Liam Leddy and Jack Webb who both recorded PB's in the 800m with Liam's time of - 2m 30.3s and Jack's time of - 2m 23.5s. The relay was an awesome event with the quartet of (Jeffers, Adekeye, Mitchell-Blake & Alleyne) flying home in 1st with - 49.2s just outside the club record.

Rob Legon & Chris Dawe recorded PB's in the U/17 Men shot. Rob closed in on the 10m mark with - 9m 98cm whilst Chris putt - 9m 24cm. Rob did a non-scoring discus throw of - 23m 07, whilst Chris also threw the discus - 29m 08cm. Kurtland Martyr did the discus with a PB of - 23m 88cm, javelin was - 25m 52 and shot non-scorer - 7m 81cm. Andy Carle also threw the javelin coming 1st with a distance of - 38m 44cm. The only other athletes were Simeon Stuart who was a clear winner in the long jump with - 6m 32, whilst his 100m - 12.1s, 200m - 24.7s and triple jump - 11m 90cm. Ozi Nzeako on the other hand did - 12.2s in the 100m, the triple jump - 11m 15cm and a PB of 24.1s in the 200m.