Press Report 11th August 2008

Ilford Athletic Club's prolific road racer Abdi Berleen had only been back home 48 hours from his 4 week "warm weather training camp" in Tanzania before returning to action on the roads of East London. Berleen admitted he had to dig deep in the Newham Charity 10k but proved he had maintained at least some basic fitness recording a good time of 39mins 46 seconds.

Elsewhere Malcolm Muir received an eleventh hour call to compete for the County in the Inter Counties 5000metres at the Kingsmeadow track in Norbiton, a drama caused by the late scratching of the Essex competitor. Despite a frantic cross country dash from Chelmsford the Ilford man hit delays on the M25 eventually missing the start by 1 minute.

Another of Ilford's road stars, Terry Knightley, turned his hand to the microphone on Sunday, by providing the commentary on the Littlehavens Charity 5k Road race. Knightley had secured the services of world champion snooker ace Ronnie O'sullivan who presented the prizes. O'sullivan, who is an Ilford 2nd claim member, also competed in the race living up to his nickname of "the Rocket" by finishing 3rd in a very fast time of 17mins 32 seconds.

 

 

 It was a great day for the Charity and organisers with the youngest competitor just 1 year old and the oldest 81. Other celebrities taking part were Thurrock's Pat Dobbs, one of the few people to have run in every London Marathon, and club marathon vets record holder Owen Phipps who jogged around with partner Joan De'ath. 

Ilford's super duo of  Pam Jones and John Batchelor have returned from succesful races in Slovenia at the European veterans track and field championships and now switch their concentration back to both the road and the homefront both targetting the Vets AC 5k road race this Tuesday.