National Title for Ilford AC Member – Racewalking 10th March 2013  

Mar 122013
 

After a well-earned 5 months’ lay-off following her Olympic appearance, Ilford’s Bethnal Green-based Lithuanian International athlete NERINGA AIDIETYTE made it 3 wins from 3 starts since returning to action in late January.On a bitterly cold Sunday afternoon on a multi-lap course inside Hackney’s Victoria Park, Miss Aidietyte won the National 10 Miles Women’s Championship “by a distance” to borrow a term from the turf. From the gun the Ilford star went clear of all rivals and pressed on; without chasing company offering any threat, to clock an excellent 79 minutes and 43 seconds at the finish, streets ahead of 2nd place Lauren Whelan (Belgrave harriers).NeringaOn the same programme was the National Men’s 10 Miles, in which Ilford AC went to post as defending team champions. Across the card, including supporting events, turnout was lower than expected as athletes scratched on account of intense cold and also due to major traffic chaos following closure of the Dartford crossing. With last year’s 3rd placed athlete FRANCISCO REIS competing, and winning, the National Indoor 3,000 metres Championship at Lee Valley, it was left to Captain STEVE UTTLEY to head Ilford’s challenge, which he did with distinction gaining a high 5th place in 89 minutes and 11 seconds despite completing his entire journey virtually in his own company! Consistent STEVE ALLEN was 8th in 93.50 and, with evergreen former International ED SHILLABEER 13th in 103.32, Ilford AC were 2nd National team just a shade behind Ashford AC. In 19th place came former Captain DAVE KATES who eased himself back into racing after a long injury. He was delighted to record 107.46 on a day not conducive to fast times.In conjunction with the National 10 Miles was the Essex 10 Miles Championship in which Uttley was 3rd behind Colchester Harriers International twins Daniel & Dominic King, who were 1st & 2nd Essex competitors respectively. With Shillabeer not eligible for Essex events it was Kates who closed home Ilford’s team which retained their County title. Ilford AC member Mrs CLAIRE LEVY is now Essex County Athletics Association President and she was on hand to make the awards.
Issued by Ilford AC Walking Section (01708-377382)

  BMAF – Lydd Half Marathon ….plus Indoor BMAF T&F Champs Lee Valley – 10th March 2013  

Mar 122013
 

Lydd Half Marathon, incorporating the British Masters Athletic Federation (BMAF) and Southern Counties Veteran Athletic Championships (SCVAC)

Seven runners from Ilford AC travelled down to Lydd in Kent on a cold Sunday morning to compete in the British Masters Half Marathon Championship, and came back with a haul of 5 medals. The race which was held in conjunction with the annual Lydd event which attracted a large field of just under 600. The course was flat and fast and with the race being near the coast the Easterly breeze off the North sea add a wind chill to the 2C temperature at the start. Malcolm Muir put in an excellent performance to finish second overall in a closely fought battle with Buzz Shepherd of Dulwich Runners and win the British Masters title in a time of 1hr 12mins 48secs.

Next Ilford runner home was Road Running stalwart Terry Knightley who secured Silver medals in both the BMAF and SCVAC Vet 50 Championships as he stormed over the finish line in 78:44 for 12th Place overall. This impressive time pushes Terry into 7th place in the National Veterans over 50 Half-Marathon rankings for 2013. Tony Hyde also took a British medal with 1h 25m 47s in 41st position, which secured him the bronze in the M45 age group. Steve Parker came home in 1h 38m 24s in 147th, while club endurance coach Rob Sargent was 215th with 1h 44m 01s, which was good enough for the bronze medal in the Vet 55 SCVAC category. Graham Williams had a good run in 333rd to win the silver in the M70 category of the British Championship in a time of 1h 53m 31s The only female entrant for the club was Nicola Hopkinson, who con tinued to show good form, finished 226th overall and 46th lady in 1h 44m 22s and won the bronze in the BMAF F50 category.

Report courtesy of Shivering Hank in the Bushes and Terry Knightley Pictures courtesy of Kim the “Blur”
BMAF Indoor Track & Field Championship – Lee Valley Centre

Ilford vet Peter Clinch, after picking up a bronze medal in the 800 at the South of England Vets Championship in February, stepped up to the top flight competing in the National Championships. Running a controlled race he finished an excellent 4th place in the 800m in 2:08:68 only half a second behind 3rd place. Report courtesy of Ian Gains

  Youngsters edge Ilford Walkers Out – 03/03/2013  

Mar 052013
 

FRANCISCO REIS and captain STEVE UTTLEY were the pick of Ilford’s walkers contesting Saturday afternoon’s Winter League 5 Kilometres race at Bexley, over 4 testing circuits of an “around-the-houses” course. From the ‘off’ precocious 16 year old CAMERON CORBISHLY (Medway & Maidstone AC) stormed into a lead which was held until the tape was broken in 22 minutes and 46 seconds. In an isolated 2nd place was Ilford’s Francisco Reis who also recorded an excellent time when stopping the watch at 23.52. Ilford’s Captain Steve Uttley had a race to remember for he recorded his fastest 5 Kilometres time in over 6 years after a ‘nip-and-tuck’ battle with another promising 16 year old in Tonbridge AC’s Guy Thomas. Each got the better of the other on a number of occasions but it was the youngster who was ahead at the line to claim 3rd spot in 25.09 with Uttley 4th in 25.24.

  Roding Valley Half Marathon 03/03/2013  

Mar 042013
 

There were two runners from Ilford AC in action in last Sunday’s Roding Valley half marathon. Breege Nordin was in good form finishing 8th in the ladies race and taking first place in the F55 category with a time of 1hr 38min 32 secs. Team mate Satha Alaganandasundaram recorded 2h 07m 41s.

  Trophy Moments From The Essex 20  

Mar 042013