Press Report

Press Report 30th March 2009

Ilford AC athletes put in some good performances on a busy weekend of rip-roaring action. On the strength of only one outdoor training run since before Christmas John Batchelor managed a time of 19mins27seconds in the Serpentine 5K at Hyde Park on Friday for 45th place and 1st M65 (and M60). Pam Jones found the wind a bit strong for her slight frame, but still managed 25:48, which saw her top the age-graded results with 90.4%. Batchelor's performance was best male at 88.7%

On a cold and blustery Saturday morning Ilford AC had 5 runners participating in the 42^nd VPH & TH 5m Road Race held within the traffic free surroundings of Victoria Park, East London. The Women proved to be the pick of the bunch with Breege Nordin 1^st O50 [162^nd overall] in 34:12 supported by the ever improving Carol Muir in 359^th for a new personal best of 45:30.

In what proved to be a top quality Men’s race, won by Ben Tickner in 24:12, Malcolm Muir, returning from injury ran solidly for 20^th in 26:48. He was well supported by Abdi –Karim Berleen in 98^th [31:39] and the ever present Andy Catton in 109^th [31:51].

The weather conditions had improved somewhat by Sunday, when another 5 Ilford runners took part in the 15^th and final Nicola 5 on Canvey Island in ideal conditions. The course is renowned for PB’s and the small contingent did not disappoint. Lindsey Barker ran a well judged race to lead home the ladies team in an excellent 33.19 which also secured the Vet’s 35 ladies 3^rd position prize. Next was Dianne Crisp with a new personal best of 36.11. The team was closed by Pam Jones in a seasons best of 40.49.

The men were represented by Neil Crisp, 29.38 (19^th position overall) who narrowly pipped the resurgent Terry Knightley, 29.42 (20^th) following a hard fought battle for the duration of the race.

Elswhere Steve Allen and Gursch Pabla competed in the mass field of the very popular Reading half marathon. Allen recorded 1.38.57 for 1449th position whilst Pabla finished in 2.01.35 for 5428th.

On the same day Ilford had only 2 juniors at the winter warm up meeting held at Upminster. George Hadler making his debut at U-15 level put in a great
performance in the 150m where he smashed his previous PB in a new time of 19.3s and in the 300m where this was the 1st time he had competed over this
sprint distance he recorded a time of 41.2s both races he finished 2nd which all goes well for the season ahead where he will be competing in the
400m. Also competing and making her track debut was Ellie Atkinson in the U-13 she took part in three events first the Long Jump in a distance of
2.62m for 5th then the 600m in a time of 2m 11.4s for 5th place and finally the 150m in 26-4s for 4th place.

The fine weather also brought out some 65 field athletes who enjoyed the hospitality of the host club at Cricklefields stadium. 4 disciplines, javelin, hammer discus and shot putt made up the agenda of a very successful Throws open meeting as athletes of all ages and representing clubs the length and breadth of the country warmed up in their preparation for the coming Track and Field season.

The club now look forward to the county veteran relays which will be held at the Garrison track at Colchester next Sunday.