Downton Half Marathon near Salisbury

Salisbury

Sunday 24 November

On a cold crisp morning Kevin Newell lined up at the start of the Downton
Half Marathon near Salisbury. The Ilford ac athlete is on a good run of form
of late & he didn’t disappoint this time. On a very up and down course
taking the runners through the beautiful New Forest, passing the odd horse
on the way, he led from start to finish to come home in a time of 80 mins 25
secs. 205 runners finished the race

Report courtesy of The Cowboy from the Abbey

Chelmsford 10km
Sunday 24 November

Six runners from the endurance squad of Ilford AC tackled the rural course
of the 408 entrant strong Sunday Chelmsford 10k, which finishes on the
Melbourne Park track. Heading up the team, who returned good times for the
autumn season, was Malcolm Muir, just back from injury, in 11th with 34 mins
15 secs, with Steve Philcox 20th and 2nd in the M45 category with 37m 24s.
Tony Hyde recorded 38m 08s for 36th and Darren Bottrill, who has returned to
the team after a couple years away from the sport, 88th in 41m 43s with
Bradley Brown just 2 places and 2 seconds behind.

Report by Hank in the Bushes

Southwark Park Run

Saturday 23 November

My dad Chris and I took put in our second Southwark Park Run yesterday, I had
a grandstand view from my buggy as he pushed me round the flat 5Km course.
He started well, running at a good pace mid field. My job was to psyche out the
following runners so that they didn’t overtake us, which I can do effectively as my
buggy seat is rear facing. This I did for the first 3 and a half kilometres until
I fell asleep, inevitable I’m afraid with the lulling motion of the buggy round the
winding course. This gave the runner behind his opportunity and he passed us to
leave us finishing in 16th place out of 34 runners. Dad’s time of 22:57 was 53 second
s up on last week’s effort and was good enough for 1st VM55 runner; not difficult
as he was the only VM55! However, Park Run do a handicap % figure
(the % of the world record for age and gender) and using this figure of 68.12% he was
placed 3rd. Not bad as I’m sure the world record wasn’t set pushing a buggy and baby!
Report by Lukas Togwell (aged 9 months).

Stebbing Remembrance Day 10 Road Race

Sunday 10 November

Nearly 500 runners lined up for the start of the Stebbing 10 mile race on a
very crisp and windswept Remembrance Day morning. Ilford AC were well
represented with no less than 7 men and 6 women competing in this Essex
Championship race over a rural course of quiet yet exposed country lanes and
track.

The eye catching performance of the day came once again from Kevin Newell
who continues to improve on his personal bests, this time clocking 58.53 for
14th place. He was ably supported by a strong well packing trio consisting
of Steve Philcox 60.41 (24th) Kevin Wotton 61.06 (28th) and Sam Rahman
61.58 (33rd).

In the women’s race Breege Nordin proved a class above her opposition
winning the over 55 category in a good time of 73.37 and taking the Essex
gold medal in the process. The mother and daughter pairing of Dianne Crisp
and Jenni Sheehan closed the team with 79.58 (216th) and 81.10 (235th)
respectively. Nicola Hopkinson 81.23 (240th) led the ladies B team home
which also included good runs from Carol Muir 95.54 (420th) and Nicola
Chester 97.50 (433rd).

Others performing with some distinction were Dan Cogan making his 10 mile
debut for the club and coming home in a creditable 71.23 (117th) followed by
superveteran Martin Clarke making a welcome appearance at a 10 mile finish
with 77.59 (193rd).

The hapless Terry Knightley started the race but unfortunately had to pull
out at 3 miles due to a troublesome hamstring injury.

Ilford’s Claire Levey attended the race in her capacity of County President
presenting the prizes afterwards as well as lending her considerable vocal
support to the runners as they passed.

Top performer of the morning was once again Billericay’s Crispian Bloomfield
who triumphed over some stern opposition mainly provided by Orion Harriers
and Springfield Striders to blast home in 53.56.

Report by a man rapidly going backwards. Pictures below courtesy of Kim the
Blur

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Chingford League – Hog Hill 5km
Tuesday 5th November

The third match of this winter’s Chingford League was held at the Redbridge
Cycle Circuit and attracted a large field of 258 despite the clash with
Bonfire Night. There were 11 in the race from Ilford AC’s endurance squad,
who ran as guests as the club are not members of the league. Heading the
club home was Kevin Newell, who is in fine form at present, in 21st place in
a good time of 17mins 55 secs for the demanding hilly course. Next home was
Steve Philcox in 30th and 3rd in the M40 category with 18m 16s and Kevin
Wotton in 19m 09s for 52nd. The leading lady for the club was Krystle
Balogun in 97th and 7th in the ladies section with 20m 52s.

Rob Sargent finished 158th with 22m 50s and Ted Skinner was 163th in 22m
55s, while Breege Nordin was the second Ilford lady to finish placing 170
overall in 23m 10s.

Also in action were: Peter Spelman (227th) Nicola Chester (236th) Carol Muir
(247th 30.01) and Meredith Floate

Report by Hank in the Darkness

Wix 5m

Sunday 20 October

Three Ilford runners competed in the Wix 5 mile road race near Manningtree
on Sunday morning. Heavy morning showers had waterlogged the course but did
not deter the field of 211 runners. First man home was the in form Kevin
Newell who picked his way through the puddles to break the tape in a good
time of 28.46 for 8th place. He was well supported by veteran Tony Hyde who
ran 30.26 for 18th place. Martin Clarke, nursing a hamstring injury, closed
the team in 89th place recording 37.32. Chris Burgoyne of Springfield
Striders led the field home in 27.14 from local man Robert Reason of
Harwich.

Report courtesy of Martin Clarke and The Cowboy in the D.I.Y store

World Masters Championship – 5000m
Porto Alegre, Brazil
Saturday 19 October

The men´s 5000m races were held at the Sogipa Stadium in porto Alegre on a
sunny hot Saturday. Ilford AC´s Rob Sargent ran in the M55 heats which
started at 9,30am. There were 3 heats and the races are amalgamated to
decide the results. Rob ran in the 3rd heat with the temperature reaching
30C by this time. He ran a steady race in the conditions to finish 8th in
his heat in 22 mins 03,63 secs, which placed him 40th overall in a field
dominated by South Americans.

Report by Ramon Racer