ESSEX VETERANS CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP There were 15 runners from Ilford Athletic Club in action in the Essex Veterans Cross-Country Championship held on a cold morning at Claybury Park, Woodford. All races were over a testing 3 lap 8km course. There were 3 individual medallists for the club along with strong team performances. Spencer Hempstead was always up in the leading group of the M40 race and sealed the bronze medal in a sprint finish in a time of 29 mins 11 secs. he was backed up by Steve Philcox in 19th with 30m 45s and Peter Clinch in 22nd in 30m 58s. Next home was Neil Crisp in 26th position with 31m 11s and the team was completed by Tont Hyde who finished in 49th with 33m 14s. The team placed 4th in the team competition. Terry Knightley led the way for the club in the combined M50 M60 and M70 race placing 10th in the M50 age category in 32m 25s. Next over the line was Andy catton in 17th and 33m 40s, closely followed by Frank McGown, making a welcome return to competition, three places back with 34m 03s. Steve Parker recorded 38m 15s and pipped John Platt by one second in 46th and 47th repectively. Rob Sargent (50th 39m 16s) and Steve Cheal (60th 42m 12s completed the M50 entrants for the club. Martin Clarke was the only Ilford runner in the M60 finishing in 41m 33s. There was gold for Graham Williams as he led the M70 grouping from start to finish to win in 42m 06s. In the combined race Ilford A finished 5th team and the B team came 12th,. Injuries and illness meant that there were only two Ilford ladies in action. Pam Jones was in her usual good form to win the F65 category and take the gold medal in 48m 59s. Nicola Hopkinson finished 26th in the F45 group in 40m 46s. The next morning saw Ilford dominate the Dagenham 5km Santathon. Steve Philcox won the event with Terry Knightley 3rd and Iain Knight 4th. Nicola Hopkinson placed 3rd in the ladies race. Report courtesy of Hank in the Bushes assisted by Santa’s Little Helper

Essex Cross-Country League Just one week after the last match the third round of the Essex Cross-Country League was held at Hylands Park, Chelmsford last Saturday. The course was around the country park mainly on grassland but included a section through forest so the going was fast on a mainly firm surface. The ladies raced over 6.2km and the leading finisher from Ilford AC was Melinda Jones in 38th in 29mins 52 secs in her first race on the country this season. One place and 4 seconds later Dianne Crisp came home with Nicola Hopkinson giving her usual battling performance in 45th with 30m 07s. the team was completed by the evergreen Pam Jones in 76th with a time of 35m 47s. The ladies combined to finish 10th in the match which moved them upto 13th in the 25 team event for the winter. The Men’s race over 8.1km saw Steve Philcox running strongly leading the team home in 47th [29:23]. He was followed by the returning Peter Clinch [57th 30:06] who just held off Neil Crisp [59th 30:14]. They were well supported by Andy Catton [89 32:17], Tony Nixon [108th 33:25], Rob Sargent [148th 37:19, John Platt (153rd 37m 43s) and Steve Cheal (162nd 39 05s). The men placed 9th in the match and moved up to 11th in the league. The results in this match were good when it is noted that all 12 of the runners from Ilford were over 40. The club is targeting top 10 finishes in the league for the mens and ladies teams. Jersey 1/2 Marathon Kevin Newell put the disappointment of losing his run in the cancelled New York City marathon and travelling to the Channel Islands to run in the Jersey half marathon. Over a scenic undulating course, his marathon training helped him to power to a 4th place finish in a time of 1 hour 18 mins 54 secs, just outside his personal best time. Report courtesy of Hank in the Bushes with assistance from Welch by the Sea

Essex Cross Country League – Hilly Fields Colchester 10 athletes from ilford AC made the journey out to Colchester for the second round of this winter’s Essex Cross-Country League. The race took place at Hilly Fields over a firm but challenging course. The senior women raced over 6km and the side was led home by Dianne Crisp in 49th place in a field of around one hundred in 28 mins 23 secs. next up was Jenni Sheehan with a good run and fast finish for 53rd in 29m 09s. Nicola Hopkinson also improved her position in the home straight moving up to 58th with 29m 53s. Combined they finished in 12th place in the 24 team match. The in form Kevin Newell was best for the men in their 9km race. He was 47th in a race of 187 finishers in 34m 22s. Kevin was due to run in the cancelled New York City Marathon but has now turned his attention to the Jersey half marathon next weekend and is going for a fast time. Neil Crisp came home 56th with 35m 07s. Paul Holloway impressed in his league debut for the club in 115th and 39m 07s. Tony Nixon was the leading M60 with a time of 39m 58s in 123rd while Rob Sargent crossed the line 148th with 43m 16s. John Platt (161st 44m 15s) and Steve Cheal (169th 47m 10s) completed the team. The club finished 10th on the day to move up to 13th for the season. Also in action was nine year old Harry Holloway taking part in his first competitive cross-country in the under 11s 2000m race. He put in a good solid performance to finish 26th in 10m 08s. Chingford League 5k On the previous Tuesday 7 members guessed in the Chingford League 5km at the tough Redbridge Cycle Circuit. The course involves 4 tough climbs and it was once agin Kevin Newell who led the way fro Ilford. he finished in an excellent 18th in a field of just under 200 in 18m 05s. Neil Crisp recorded 19m 02s in 29th while Paul Holloway came home 61st in 20m 35s. Paul Charters was 91st with 22m 24s and Rob Sargent completed the complement of men in 105th with 23m 19s. There were two ladies in action; Dianne Crisp (23m 15s) and Mel Jones (23m 45s) finished 21st and 22nd respectively out of the 58 women running in the race. Stebbing 10m On Sunday Mel Jones was in action again in the scenic Stebbing Remembrance 10 mile race and came home in 78m 08s. Also competing were Natalie Felix, in her maiden 10m, and Carol Muir making a welcome return. Report courtesy of Hank in the Bushes