Press Report 26th May 2009

On a lovely Bank Holiday morning a small contingent of Ilford AC Athletes lined up for the well supported Hatfield Broad Oak 10k.

In a high quality race over an undulating course, first home for the men was Iain Campbell in 33:40, good enough for 4^th place overall  [2^nd O40]. He was heard to say 16 minutes for the 5k is now in sight!! Terry Knightley, on his continued comeback to some fine form also impressed in a season’s best of 35:53 for 17^th overall [6^th O40]. Neil Crisp, not far behind also clocked a season’s best, 36:43, in finishing in 29^th overall [9^th V40]. Closing the team was Abdi Berleen who had a solid run for 39:45, 89^th overall [29^th V4O] The Men’s race was run by Paul Molyneux in 32:09.

The Ilford Ladies were represented by the Mother and Daughter duo of Dianne and Jenni Crisp. Despite a slight twinge at 5k Dianne completed the course in a new personal best of 45:43 for 286^th overall [5^th Supervet]. Jenni also achieved a new personal best, clocking 50:52 for 521^st [30^th Senior Lady]. The Women’s race was won by Tracey Ranson in 36:48. 1119 runners completed the race.

 

On Saturday Peter Spelman ran the final leg of the first day of the Green Belt Relay in a mixed team organised by Dulwich Runners. He followed this with the first leg of the second day early on Sunday morning. The first leg was between Toot Hill and Blackmore (7.6 miles) covering some of the same course as the Essex Way relay and the second leg from Blackmore to Thorndon Country Park (10.9 miles). Spelman's times were 62.05 and 1.29.50 respectively.

Ilford AC Veterans Team kicked off their track season with a fine 4th placing in the first of their 4 fixtures held at Picketts Lock.
Henry Ricketts started the evening with a 5th place in the 100m with a time of 12.4 just outside his PB. Matt Maple pipped 5th place in the B race with a time of 14.1. Both competed in the A and B string 400m finishing in 4th with times of 58.5 and 61.9 respectively. A below par Long Jump saw Ricketts finish 6th in the long jump with 4m 53.
Pete Whiting competed in the Shot Put placing 8th in 6m 97 and 5th in the Javelin with 27m 53. Micky Sutton placed 4th in the 2km walk in a time of 13.37.1. Having acquired Vets status this season, Malcolm Muir took control of the 1500m after the first lap and eased away in the last lap to win the event in 4.20.8. Andy Catton dropped down an age group by stepping into the B string to finish 4th and 11th overall in 5.12.8.
Ray Rawlinson competed in the 50 plus sprints finishing 7th and 4th in the 100m and 400m in times of 14.5 and 68.8. His Long Jump saw him finish 5th with 3m 23. Chris Togwell was another who debuted on the track as a vet and after initially going with the leaders held on for 8th place in 5.21.2. Rob Sargent had made himself available and competed as a non-scorer finishing one place behind Chris in 5.38.1.  Two first places were secured by Steve Uttley in the 2km walk with a time of 10.12.7 and Brian Meadows who launched the Javelin 33m 38.
John Batchelor found himself in the unusual position of being the over 60 sprinter and distance athlete. His 100m saw him finish 4th in 15.9 and the more favoured distance of 1500m was completed in 5.19.0 for 2nd.
The evening finished with the 4x100m relay where the team of Ricketts,Rawlinson, Maple and Muir finished 3rd in a time of 54.5.
The next match is Monday 1 June at Barnet Copthall.