• Press Report 14th January 2008

     
    Ilford AC concluded their Essex League Cross country program with their 5th and final fixture held on a rain-sodden Hylands Park course at Chelmsford on Saturday.
     
    Malcolm Muir has ever been a great fan of this course and returning from a heavy cold decided to ease into the proceedings with a very steady start before eventually passing many of his teammates to record 14th place overall. Darren Bottrill continues his progress impressing with 32nd place, his highest position so far in the series. Under 20 Iain Macdonald (47th) was next home for the club seeing of the challenge of both Neil Crisp (51st) and Andy Catton (53rd).

    Catton later was presented with a momento for finishing runner-up in the over 50's section to Thrift Green's Alan Butler. Ilford's President John Mackenzie completed the scoring squad in 83rd place with Steve Cheal (95th) and Robin Davis 116th also making the trip. The race proved to be sweet revenge for a determined looking Adrian Mussett of Colchester Harriers who turned the tables on last weeks Essex Championship winner, Gareth Riddell of Basildon, and Southend's international Adam Hickey who had also beaten him recently. The Cricklefields based club finished 7th on the day and 7th overall in the series.

    The women's race saw a close fought battle between a resurgent Debbie Appleton and Lauren Deadman both of Havering with Deadman sprinting away in the final stages. Colchester and Tendering's veteran Margaret Deasy was tracking them back in third. Dianne Crisp produced another excellent run for 27th place. Not far behind Sally Gillam and Victoria Morgan were locked in their own private battle with Gillam coming through for 35th to Morgan's 37th. Pam Jones was another category winner with 44th place on the day and taking the series title virtually unopposed. The ladies squad finished a pleasing 6th on the day and matched their male counterparts with 7th in the series.
     
    The club had just one representative in the U13 boys race where Thomas King was rewarded for competing in every race with his highest position of 17th out of 30 finishers. The boys under 15 race witnessed the usual close battle between training partners Liam Leddy and Jack Webb with Leddy happy to emerge triumphant. Ali Javi-Gauoui competed well in the very strong under 17 boys event putting in a solid performance.
     
    In warmer climes the cheery Steve Parker posted a very respectable 1hr 33 mins 58secs in the Disney Half Marathon in Florida on Saturday. Parker then belied his 51 years when returning the following day to complete the full distance of 26 miles 385 yards in 3hrs 48 mins 10 secs. Parker now looks forward to a well deserved rest and a bit of sightseeing.
     
    Ilford now look forward to the Essex Cross Country Relay championships which are to be held on the tough and demanding Downs around Hadleigh Castle next Saturday.