Athletes from Ilford AC made light of the atrocious weather last weekend with golden super oldies John Batchelor and Pam Jones leading the charge at the Serpentine “Last Friday of the Month” 10k in Hyde Park. Batchelor placed 35^th out of 169 competitors to win the men’s over 65 with Pam 1^st female 70 in 24.57. They were joined by new “Harrier” Matthew Davenport who opened his account with the club with a more than pleasing 18.49. Competitors had to endure a thunderstorm and deluge just before the start although conditions were sunny and breezy as the race got underway.

Sunday saw over 20,000 runners taking part in the 2007 British 10k London Run with three athletes from Ilford finishing within a minute of each other. Duncan Turner clocked 45.14 to finish just ahead of his partner Keelie Brooks with Mel Jones just behind in 46.06. The race was won by regular visitor to the Capital, Stephano Baldini of Italy, in 29mins and 27 seconds.

Elsewhere long distance specialists, Peter Spelman and Sally Gillam, made the trip to Wadhurst on the Sussex Kent borders to contest the Bewl 15 mile multi terrain race. Following the recent wet weather the course proved to be very slippery especially on the very steep hill sections. However both negotiated it successfully, Spelman finishing 104^th with 1.52.56 and Gillam in 2.17.37.  In the High Ongar 10k the fast improving Rohan Alexander lowered his personal best to 41.13  accomapnied by Abdi Berleen who completed the course in just over 43 minutes.

The previous week Ilford’s rising young 13 year old starlet, Emma Light, proved she is going to be one to watch for the future with an excellent performance in the Barking and Dagenham District schools championships. Emma, who was competing for her school Robert Clack won her 1500m  event in a very good time of 5mins 25secs.

EYAL – Chelmsford – Report by Paul Cheal

 

KING RULES WITH 1500m PB

 

On a showery and very blustery day Ilford AC took a very depleted junior squad to Chelmsford for Round 3 of the EYAL. Match results:

 

1) St Albans:                     683 Points

2) Chelmsford:                   678 Points

3) Colchester & Tendering: 323 Points

4) Huntingdon:                   299 Points

5) Ilford:                            254 Points

6) Harlow:                         219 Points

7) Barnet:                         101 Points

 

 

Thomas King in the U/13 Boys is coming along in leaps and bounds slashing yet more time of his 1500m time with a PB of: 5m 34.0s and he also recorded a PB in the shot with - 4m 28cm. George Hadler did the 75m hurdles - 18.4s, the 800m - 3m 11.7 and the shot - 3m 82, whilst Ciaran Rodway: 75m hurdles - 17.1s, discus - 8m 72cm and the 1500m - 6m 06.1s. Nnamdi Anyika completed the sprint double with - 13.9s for 100m and 31.5s for the 200m and the long jump - 3m 60cm. The two Jordan's, Akisanya & Ricketts did the long jump: 4m 39cm, 200m - 28.5s and 100m - 13.9s (Akisanya) and 800m - 3m 05.7s. The relay 4x100m (Akisanya, Ricketts, Rodway & Nnamdi) came home in second with - 58.0s.

 

The U/15 Boys was almost made up of throwers. Andrew Townsend did the discus with - 21m 11cm and got a PB in the shot with - 7m 17cm. Youcef Zatat did all three of the throwing events: discus - 29m 06cm, shot putt - 8m 87cm and Javelin - 23m 31cm. Debutant Zac Smith did the Javelin - 16m 07cm, Long Jump - 2m 92 and a non-scorer in the discus. Last of the quartet Jack Webb did the 800m with - 2m 27.4s and Long Jump - 3m 92cm.

 

Chris Dawe was in impressive form which resulted in a PB in the U/17M discus - 32m 58cm and the shot with - 8m 86cm. Andy Carle did the discus - 22m 63cm and the Javelin with - 44m's. Rob Legon the shot - 9m 44cm and the 200m with a PB of - 32.6s. Kurtland Martyr the Javelin - 19m 67cm as a non-scorer in the Shot with a PB - 7m 65cm. The track athletes consisted of Bakr Al-Akku and Mohammed Swamad. Bakr ran the 400m in a time of - 56.7s and the 800m in - 2m 21.5s, whilst he recorded a PB in the Long Jump - 5m 34cm, whilst Mohammed did the 800m in a time of - 2m 14.0s and the Long Jump with a distance of - 4m 52cm.

 

The only athlete in the U/13 Girls was Mika Marston who did the 100m in a time of - 14.6s and the shot putt with a distance of - 6m 34cm.

 

Clare Rodway recorded a PB in the Long Jump U/15 Girl's with -3m 78cm, the discus was - 11m 68cm and the 70m hurdles of - 14.9s. Rochelle Kaur did the shot putt in a PB of - 5m 52cm, whilst Liabah Malik did the shot with - 2m 49cm and a PB in the Long Jump of - 2m 51cm.

 

In the U/17 Women there were 5 competitors. Lydia Hall did the 200m & 300m with two outstanding runs coming 1st on both occasions. The 300m was in a time of - 43.1s and the 200m was a PB of - 27.5s. Charlotte Deacon did the shot putt with - 8m 46cm and achieved a PB in the Javelin with a distance of - 20m 41cm, whilst Charlie Clements threw - 23m 29cm. Clarissa Dougan did the discus with - 12m 29 and the Long Jump - 3m 42. The only other athlete was debutant Claire Porter who did the 100m in - 18.2s and the Long Jump with - 2m 29cm.

 

There were 12 PB's in the small squad that Ilford had so WELL DONE to them all. Next Meeting is Round 4 of the EYAL at Ipswich on Sunday 15th July, hope to see you all there.