• Press Report 18th August 2008

    A large squad of 18 Ilford AC runners were in action against fellow local clubs Havering 90 and Dagenham 88 on Tuesday evening around the roads of  Hornchurch Sports Centre at Harrow Lodge Park. The race advertised as a friendly "mob" match was preceded by a 2 leg relay made up of teams from the competing clubs with each runner completing a lap of just under one and a quarter miles. The team of Peter Spelman and Abdi Berleen distinguished itself coming home in 2nd place overall in times of 7.59 and 6.44 respectively (total time 14.43). They were chased to the line by Henry Ricketts, 7.14 and Nicola Hopkinson, 7.49 (15.03) with Sally Gillam, 8.49, and Liam Leddy, 6.36, (15.25) third home for the club. Neil Crisp returned the fastest Ilford time of the evening clocking 6.31.
    Other times were:- 
    Pete Whiting  / Martin Clarke, 8.01, 7.34 (15.35)
    Vanessa Apps / Ray Rawlinson, 8.30, 7.36 (16.06)
    Dianne Crisp / Gerry Trill: 8.05, 8.01 (16.06)
    Steve Parker / Mary O'Brien: 7.38, 8.49 (16.27)
    Carol Muir / Bree Nordin: 9.43, 7.42 (17.25)
    Neil  Crisp / Steve Port : 6.31, 11.26 (17.57)
     
    With the runners now nicely warmed up on what was proving to be a damp and chilly night the field were again called together for the start of the main event which was an interclub road race on a 3.6 mile loop. Once again Neil Crisp was Ilford's main threat to a strong Havering squad running strongly for 3rd overall in 21.35. Abdi Berleen was 4th in 22.26 with Steve Parker 10th in 24.01 and Liam Leddy 14th in 25.05 also running well. Bree Nordin was the top woman runner finishing just behind in 15th overall and 25.09 while Peter Spelman recorded a top 20 place with 26.03.     
    Other Ilford times and positions were:-
    Martin Clarke 26.13 (21st), Nicola Hopkinson 26.31 (22nd), Henry Ricketts 26.40 (23rd), Dianne Crisp 27.07 (25th), Ray Rawlinson 28.01 (31st), Sally Gillam 29.32 (38th), Mary O'Brien 30.08 (41st), Vanessa Apps 30.10 (42nd),  Gerry Trill 30.45 (43rd), Pete Whiting 30.55 (45th), Carol Muir 35.46 (59th), The combined team score of 157 points placed the club 2nd to Havering on the night with Dagenham 88 back in third place.
     
    The previous weekend Ilford's promising newcomer Jenny Cass competed in her first London Triathlon in Docklands. Jenny started the event somewhat apprehensively being unfamiliar with both openwater swimming and wearing a wet suit. Nevertheless she took great pleasure from her day completing the Olympic distance course comprising the 3 disciplines of a 1500 metre swim, 40K bike ride and a 10k run in a total time of 3 hours 24 minutes, describing it in her own words as "better than I dreamed possible". Cycling back to Leytonstone in torrential rain she was already planning her forthcoming itinerary which includes the notoriously tough cross country Beachy Head Marathon in October.
     
    Meanwhile the Club are busy with preparations  for their inaugural 5k Road Race which will be held over an accurately measured  two lap fast and flat course in Ilford's scenic Valentines Park on Sunday 28th September. Ilford Athletic Club have linked up with the Cardinal Heenan Centre in Ilford High Road to host this run / walk involving 10 local charities and voluntary groups. There will be a competitive run and racewalk at 10 am with the charity run setting off 1 hour later at 11am.