Chingford League There were 7 runners from Ilford AC in opening fixture of this winter’s Chingford league held at the Redbridge Cycle Circuit at Hainault. As Ilford do not compete in this league they ran for their second claim clubs or as guest in the 5km race featuring 4 stiff climbs, held on the 2000m unlit track with a 8pm start time on Tuesday. First home was the in form Kevin Newell, who will competing in the New York City Marathon in November, in 21st position in 18 mins 13 secs. Newell was representing Orion Harriers in this race as was Sally Gillam who was 28th lady in 26m 35s and Paul Emery with 26m 10s in 149th. Steve Philcox performed well as a guest in 25th spot with 18m 32, while Neil Crisp recorded 19m 10s for position 43. Rob Sargent wore Dagenham colours and finished 115th with 23m 26s. The group were completed by the evergreen Pam Jones who was 42nd lady in a time of 29m 42s. Report courtesy of Hank in the bushes and the shadows. ELVIS Series Last Friday saw the inaugural ELVIS presentation evening at the May and Baker Social Club. There was a good turnout from the 7 participating clubs and Ilford AC were among the many winners of the evening. Held over 7 races throughout the Summer the Women’s team finished a very strong second overall. Pick of the Ladies were Dianne Crisp [2nd overall and 1st V45], Nicola Hopkinson [1st V45 ] and Pam Jones [1st V55]. In the Men’s series there was a first ever tie with Ilford AC and East London Runners sharing the spoils. Pick of the men was Malcolm Muir who was 1st overall. Many thanks go to Martin Clarke and Sally Gillam for their unstinting support of the series. Ilford AC now go into the Winter season with the first Essex League at Brantree this Saturday. Report courtesy of Neil Crisp Southend 10k Iain Campbell disguised in his Metropolitan Police AC Vest lead the Ilford AC squad home in 34.26 at the Southend 10th Classic on Sunday 7th October, snatching the 1st male V50 prize from Billericay Strider Dave Butler. A large crowd, brought out by the pleasant late summer sun, enthusiastically cheered the 1255 strong field onto success. Ilford Ac Stephen Philcox ran an impressive 36:32 [1st V40] over the new seafront course and Terry Knightley showed excellent progress on his comeback trail by taking the 4th V50 place in 38:31. Rohan Alexander came home in 100th place in 41:30 and Pam Jones took the 1st female V65 prize in 53:55. Carol Muir pipped new club member Julia Ridley to the post in 61:13 and Steve Allen dressed as a Postman raced walked over the finish line in 62:02 Report and pictures courtesy of Kim “The Blur”

Open Track Meeting – Woodford The last open track meeting of the season at Woodford Green saw a small group of masters athletes from Ilford AC in action. On a chillier evening than of late the first distance event was the 1500m. Steve Philcox showed good late season from recording 4mins 42.12 secs, while Kevin Newell, currently training for the New York marathon, came home in 4m 50.79s. Also running this distance was Jessica Ferris from the junior squad who finished in 6m 05.49s. The last track race of the night was the 3000m where all the large field of entrants ran in one heat . First home for Ilford was Kevin Newell, who posted a fine time of 10m 16.58s in 10th place. Neil Crisp came home 19th in 10m 38.62s, while wife Dianne finished in 12m 38.89s for 27th spot. Also running in this race were under-15 Jack Maher, who finished 14th with an excellent run of 10m 28.18s and Jeffrey Nkrumah who recorded 10m 55.30s in 21st. Report courtesy of Hank in the Bushes Rotary Club Canvey Island Seafront 10K Inspired by London 2012 Terry Knightley raced down by the jetty in the Rotary Club Canvey Island Seafront 10K on Sunday. On Dr Feelgood’s home turf, in blistering 27c temperatures, Terry was feeling good as he crossed the finish line in a respectable 41.51. Taking 13th place in a field of 163 Terry commented, “Back in the night I’d have been further up there, but I don’t mind, it’s one step forward”. Adam Hickey of Southend–on–Sea AC beat Billericay Strider Crispian Bloomfield to the winning post in an impressive 32.09 and Kerry Holland, also of Southend-on-Sea AC lead the ladies home in a solid 41.41. Report and picture courtesy of Terry Knightley.

Ilford coach Rob Sargent was recently honoured by being selected as a one of 30 Community Champions in East London by the London Legacy Development Corporation. Rob was selected for his voluntary work within athletics where he has set up a course for beginner runners and his continued coaching of masters athletes. The awards were presented at a ceremony in the Olympic Park attended by London Mayor Boris Johnson and paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson and the winners also presented with tickets for the Paralympics Opening Ceremony. Rob has delighted to be selected as one of the winners and humbled by the excellent work carried out by the other winners. Hank in the bushes Rob far left with Boris Johnson, Tanni Grey-Thompson and other award winners