• Press Report 27th May 2008
     

    Road Report 
    Ilford AC's Robin McNelis was one of 13000 runners competing in the largest ever Edinburgh Marathon this weekend. In cruel conditions variously described as "horrendous" and "like being sand-blasted" McNelis battled a stiff and cold easterly 17mph wind which whipped up sand in the competitors' faces as they ran along the Portobello Promenade at 3miles. The wind, a daunting addition to the normal rigours of the classical distance was a problem right up until the turn point at 18 miles. However McNelis survived this "war of attrition" and was delighted to cross the finish line at Musselburgh Racecourse dipping under the magical 3 hour mark for the 2nd time in as many months in a very good time for the conditions of 2hrs 59mins 36 seconds.  
     
    Meanwhile in the wetter weather much further South 4 intrepid athletes from Ilford AC ventured out into the picturesque countryside around Hatfield Broad Oak Village. On a figure of 8 looped course, which was traffic free and well marshalled, the four musketeers battled against the conditions to complete the course.
    The race was won by Colchester's Adrian Mussett, just holding off Billericay's Crispian Bloomfield.
    The Ilford contingent was lead home by Abdi Berleen in 38:27 [52nd], ably backed up by Alan Lattimore in 43:38 [197th]. The Ladies were represented by the Mother and Daughter team of Dianne in 47:56 [370th] and Jenni Crisp in 53:08 [597th]. In excess of a 1000 runners "sploshed" their way around the rain filled roads!!
     
     
     

    Track and Field

     
    Sadly a major lap-scoring problem marred Ilford AC's Pam Jones' race in the BMAF T&F 10000m championships held at Oxford this weekend. With some athletes reporting that they had ran up to 3 laps too many there was no meaningful result for Pam. John Batchelor, however, had no such problems racing later in the afternoon in now dry but breezy conditions and was very pleased to place 2nd in the M65's to Mike Smith of Bingley. Despite only 3 weeks training Batchelor was delighted with his trip over the 25 laps in 39:26 with splits of 19:44 for the first 5k and 19:42 for the second. 
     
    The previous Monday more of Ilford's veterans had been in action in match 1 of the SCVAC track and field league. With a new season and a new manager the club did extremely well to cover all events finishing in a creditable 4th position in the team result. Rohan Alexander ran the 1500m A string  finishing sixth in 5.15.6 and the 400m finishing third in 59.8. He also ran a storming leg 2 of the 4x100m relay. Rob Sargent was the 1500m B athlete finishing in 5.26.1 for fourth.Ray Rawlinson completed his own Penthalon in the 100m, 400m, Discus, Shot and Long Jump. His respective placings wer fourth, fifth, seventh, fifth and fourth. He also ran leg 3 of the 4x100m in what was his 6th event of the evening. Andy Catton surprised himself with a competent 5.00.8 for second in the 1500m. He wasn't feeling too fit before he ran but was very pleased with his result. John Batchelor another Ilford athlete recovering from injury also finished second in the M60s with 5.21.8. Bob Corbett turned out for Ilford for the first time in a while and pushed first place all the way to the line in the 100m. He also put the shot and ran a non-scoring 400m.

    Steve Uttley secured first place in the 2000m walk and Micky Sutton doubled up in the unusual combination of the 2000m walk where he placed third and the 4x100m relay. Neil Keane placed fifth and fourth in the shot and discus after some emergency coaching. Apparently the last time he was involved in those events he was at school. Henry Ricketts placed fifth, third and third in the 100m, 400m and Long Jump and brought the relay team home to fourth.

    On Sunday 25th May Ilford AC had two representatives in the South of England U/17 Track & Field Championships. Kurtland Martyr in the U/17 Men was in a very tough competition in the hammer with the winner being the leader in the country at the moment with over 65m's. Kurtland had a bad start with 2 no throws but was able to regain some composure to record a PB with a throw of: 35m 68cm. Unfortunately it was not quite good enough for him to proceed any further in the competition. Youcef Zatat went into the U/15 Boys Discus competition lying 2nd in the rankings in the country and in a small field had high hopes of success. He did well in his warm-up throws exceeding 40m's but had to settle for 38m 63 coming away disappointed but nevertheless a bronze medallist.