Ilford AC’s veteran athletes impressed at the Essex County Veteran Road relay Championships held at Colchester on a very warm Sunday afternoon. Over a two lap loop of the Abbey Fields surrounding the Garrison track and measuring just over 5K the Club’s over 50’s contingent always looked favourites for a medal. It was just a question of what colour. This was the first time that the superveterans category has been run as a separate competition as part of these championships and Chris Togwell got the team off to flying start with an excellent 19.36 on leg 1. John Batchelor then blasted round with his customary metronomic pace hitting 19.17 to put the squad in pole position at the 2nd changeover. It was left to ex international Andy Catton to put the icing on the cake bringing the team home for a glorious Gold medal in another fast time of 19.48.

In the over 40’s section Ilford fielded a makeshift team comprising the in form Neil Crisp and 2 over 50’s drafted in late as reserves, Club President John Mackenzie and Martin Clarke carrying a long term Achilles injury. Crisp put in an excellent leg running 18.22 to put the squad in 6th position at the first changeover. Both Mackenzie and Clarke battled well despite their lack of full fitness recording 21.45 and 23.26 respectively to close the squad in 13th place.

The final results placed Ilford’s over 50’s  an impressive 6th overall in the main race and 67 year old Batchelor was declared as the fastest super veteran of the day for his 19.16 clocking. Unfortunately injury and late withdrawals meant that the Ilford ladies were unable to declare a full team but Dianne Crisp ran the 1st leg doing exceptionally well coming to her finish as the 3rd lady in 22.05 before the team were automatically scratched.

 

In the morning Bree Nordin and Pam Jones were both in action but at separate venues. Nordin was putting the final touches to her London marathon preparations going round the Paddock Wood half marathon in a comfortable 1hr 33minutes whilst Jones finished 2nd lady over 55 in the Sunflower 10k at Hastingwood recording 51.03. She was accompanied by Ray Rawlinson who finished in 49.02