Press Report 12th September 2023  

Sep 122023
 

PLESHEY HALF MARATHON (Incorporating the Essex Championship)

Sunday  September 10

The Essex Half Marathon Championship was held in conjunction with the Pleshey half marathon for the 10th consecutive year.
The race from the village green in the picturesque village is held over rural roads on a rolling course and was held in blazing temperatures, in the early 30’s, which made the times well down on normal.
Ilford AC had 15 runners among the 282 finishers and Sam Rahman led the way for the club in 22nd spot with I:23:04 to finish 4th in the Essex M40 category. Four places back was Malcolm Muir with 1:25:20 which earned him the Bronze Essex medal in the M45 age grouping.
Then followed a batch of club members competing against each other, grouping together in in 80s with Richard Woolterton 83rd (1:38:48) Dennis Briggs 87th (1:39:45) Dan Holeyman 89th (1:40:21) and Terry Knightley 90th (1:40:30). 

Carlie Qirem was the first Ilford lady to finish in 110th place overall and 18th in the Essex female Championship in 1:45:12, with her husband Tariq not far behind in 123rd in 1:48:30 and one place in front of Steve Chissel in 1:49:25
Joanne Reeves 23rd lady and 134th overall was the second Ilford lady home in 1:50:56.
Stephen Lacey was next home in 140th for 1:52:06 followed by Alison Sale who was 3rd lady home for the club and 203th in the overall race in 2:10:48.

Alison was followed by home by Mandy Reid 241st 2:25:18 and Launa Broadley 257th 2:37:11

There was a Silver Essex medal for Julia Galea in the Essex F65 category as she came home 276th overall and 70th lady in the Essex Championship in 2:58:01.

Great North Run

Sunday  September 10

Three Ilford AC runners made the journey north to Newcastle for the iconic Great North run, joining in excess of 60,000 others running the 13.1 miles from Newcastle down to the coast at South Tyneside.

The race set off in record breaking high temperatures which made the run even more challenging than our team would have prepared for.
Leading the club home was our very own Geordie Tony Young who came home in 1:56:01.

Next home was Nick West who finished in 2:01:00.

On the very day that Sir Mo Farah ran his very last GNR, Ilford AC runner Wendy Everingham ran her first. Wendy had won a ballot place and has worked very hard over the summer to be able to complete the distance. On a day of contrasts Wendy crossed the line in 3:14:23 in a torrential downpour and flash floods which led to chaos for athletes trying to get back to their transport home.

Well done to all Ilford runners completing a Half Marathon in challenging conditions on Sunday

  Press Report 5th September 2023  

Sep 042023
 

ONE HUNDRED NOT OUT

The Essex Way
Essex
Sunday 3rd September

The Essex Way relay is held on the first Sunday in September every year and covers 82 miles of ancient trails, footpaths, and countryside across Essex starting from Epping Station at 8am and finishing after 6pm at the Harwich Old Lighthouse in a 10 stage relay.

This is one of the County’s premier events with 76 teams from across Essex and beyond competing

Ilfords team of 10 not only competed the 82 miles successfully, finishing a very credible 5th, but this year, to celebrate the clubs centenary we used the occasion to run a club 100 miles by adding 3 runners to make up the remaining 18 miles.

Ilford’s lucky 13 runners were Ray Sparra Everingham, Seb Parris, Jim Tilbrook, Anna Crawley, Julia Galea, Malcolm Muir, Dave Thomas, Sharon Honey, Neil Crisp, Billy Green, Diane Crisp, Mandy Reid and Alison Sale.

At the end of the race it is tradition for the club to meet up at the end of the last leg for a Fish and Chip supper as reward for the days work.

With the logistics of running a relay cross country, especially getting people back to their cars, the club were grateful for the support of Robin Davis, Pam Jones, Roger Honey, Frieda Keane, Bev Thomas and Catherine Green

 

Phipps 5km

Barking Park

 Monday 28 August

Ilford had a good day at the Bank Holiday 5km race in Barking Park which incorporated the penultimate Elvis fixture in this year’s league. The team of 34 performed well in the good conditionS on the fast two lap course winning both the mens and ladies ELvIs matches.

The ladies team were led home by Zuzana Sinalova in 71st 6th spot in the ladies competition (71st overall)  in a new personal best of 20 mins 47 secs, with support from Gemma Ellender. also in a new best time for the distance of 21 mins 35 secs, in 11th (83rd overall). Carlie Qirem and Joanne Reeves both recorded 21 mins 45 secs as they finished 13th and 14th ladies respectively (88th and 90th overall), while Bree Nordin took the 1st F60 trophy as she came in 16th (97th overall) with 22 mins 02 secs. 

The team was completed by Alison Sale in 29th (127th overall) with 23 mins 09 secs. 

The team finished first in this match and will go into the last fixture at Valentines Park on September 24th still in contention for the title.

There was some excellent running on the men’s side as Tom Gardner had a great race to finish 3rd in a new personal best of 15 mins 43 secs with teammate Alex Richards next over the line in 15 mins 52 secs. Sam Rahman gave good support in 11th in 17 mins 07 secs. Young Sam Crane excelled recording 17 mins 23 secs for 15th. The team was completed by Malcolm Muir in 19th with 17 mins 41 secs and Steve Philcox with 18 mins 54 secs for 32nd. Ilford won this match and are a solid 3rd in this year’s table with one match to go.

There were also two more age category wins for the club with Neil Crisp taking the M60 prize in 19 mins 56 mins and Andy Catton placing 1st in the M70 group with 22 mins 38 secs.

There were also personal bests for 4 more club members :- Josh Adler (19.36)Steve Chissell (20.23), Steve Lacey (21.45) and Barmanaden Ramen (26.17)

Also running were:  Diarmuid Mac Donnell (18.56)  Dan Holeyman (19.23)  Ryder Islam ((19.53)   Dave Thomas (20.03)  Terry Knightley (20.24)  Dennis Briggs (21.12)  Tarik Qirem (21.59)  Tony Young (22.35)  Gary Floate (22.46) Sean Costello (23.29)  Pauline Tester (24.47) Dianne Crisp (27.35)  Ray Everingham (28.39) Jimmy Huddart (29.02)  Beverley Thomas (29.43)  Wendy Everingham (36.19)

  Press Report 29th August 2023  

Aug 292023
 

Ilford AC gain promotion in Centenary year

SOUTHERN ATHLETICS LEAGUE

Ilford AC has been competing in the lower leagues of the Southern league athletics competition for nearly 20 years.
Ilford have always had many talented individual athletes but never had enough athletes to be able to compete over 4 individual matches during the track season
However from the very first match of the 2023 season Ilford were able to compete very well against the other teams in the league and after the first 3 matches ,Ilford were in the top 3, this was after winning their first match for the first time for many years.

The last match of the season was held at Ware and promotion was in Ilford’s hands.
Five of the top six teams in the league were competing in the last match and Ilford had to get in the top 2 on the day whilst also beating Luton and Harlow to secure promotion.
Due to the August school holidays, some key athletes were not available so the team on paper was a weakened team, however the small team that we took to Ware were happy to compete in more/new events than they had previously done.

Special mention must go to the Super seven ladies that covered most of the ladies’ events on the day.

Ever consistent sprinter Krystle Balogun, has been injured for a few weeks but put her body on the line to complete in the 100m ,200m, Shot-putt and both relays to gain lots of points
Our middle distance superstar Jordan hinds did her normal 400m, 800m and 1500m ,winning 2 of these and coming second in the 400m.
She also found energy to do her first high jump and both relays.
Anna Crawley always makes herself available and once again gained lots of points in the 400m, 800m, 5000m, Discus, High Jump and 4x400m whilst Suzanna Sinalova did the tough 5000m and 1500m double, winning the 1500m and also competed in the 4x400m.

Youngsters Stacey Kwarteng Amaniampong and Adaeze Oyem, at the age of 15, did amazingly well in the sprints, hurdles, long jump and relays.

Last but not least in the women’s event was Claire Thake. Claire hadn’t competed in the southern league for many years but agreed to make a comeback to help the club out and hopefully inspire other Ilford ladies to compete next year and support the club on the track. Claire did all the throws and triple jump and added key points to the Ilford total.

In the men’s events many athletes, like the ladies, competed in lots of events.
Akwasi Nkrumah competed well in both hurdles’ events, pole vault, long and triple jump, discus and javelin.
Sam Malekout won the 110 hurdles, pole vault and threw the shot, discus and Javelin. Youngsters Samuel Crane and Aaron Hick, both 15, gained valuable points. Both did the 1500 and 2000m Steeplechase with only 10 mins between races.
Aaron also won the 400m hurdles and came second in 4x400m.
Malachi Harley looked super quick in the 100 and 200m and ran a relay leg.
Key sprint coach Nat Senior came 2nd in the 100m and threw well in the Shot putt.
Youngster Jeremiah Brown won the 200m and Triple jump and was also 2nd in the high jump.
Dylan Harrod ran well in a tough 800 and 400m double whilst also competing in the 4x400m relay and Oliver Blainey won the A string 400m.
James Thake got lots of points for second in 800m, was 3rd in the Long jump and ran a great relay leg In the Men’s 5000m. In that relay Sam Rahman and Fabrizio Stefanoni both ran under 18 mins to also gain valuable points

Last mention goes to veteran Pete whiting who did the Hammer and Mohammed Zergouat in the relays

The final match was very close during the day but due to the amazing team effort of everybody who have competed this track season and especially in the last match, Ilford came second in the final match which means that Ilford AC have won promotion to the Southern league division 2 for the first time in many years

Well done to everybody in Ilford AC’s centenary year

  Press Report 22nd August 2023  

Aug 222023
 

Southern Counties Veterans Athletics Club (SCVAC)

Ilford Victorious in the Vets League in their Centenary Season

The men’s team travelled to the Roger Bannister Stadium on the evening of Monday 14th August holding a 1 point lead over London Heathside into the final match.
Cheered on by Club President John Batchelor and cajoled into unfamiliar events by Team Manager, Henry Ricketts the team took to the track and field for the fourth and last time in the season.
Sam Malekout competing as V35 finished second in the 800m and first in javelin.
Danny Holeyman competed in the 3000m as the V35 athlete and placed sixth.
Chris Scott as V40 placed first in the 800m and fourth in the 200m.
Fabrizio Stefanoni’s sprint finish won the 800m and he also won the 3000m as V50.
Michael Osunsami covered the 200m in the V50 age group placing fifth.
James Lambden had a busy evening as V60 finishing fourth in the 800m, third in the 200m and second in the long jump.
Peter Whiting in the V60 shot and javelin finished fourth and third respectively.
Busiest of the evening was David Butler winning the 800m, third in the 200m, fifth shot, sixth javelin and third long jump all as V70. Coming down to V60 to race the 3000m he finished fifth.
Also competing as a non-scoring athlete in the 3000m, Diarmuid MacDonnell finished eleventh overall and third V50.
The relay team of Chris, Fab, Michael and Sam just missed out on third place for fourth in the 4 x 200m.
Finishing second on the evening to London Heathside meaning both teams were tied on 33 points over the four evenings it was going to come down to match points.
The final result confirmed that the Ilford team won the season by 505 points to 500 proving that every effort should be made to cover an event, because every point counts.
Congratulations to all the athletes who competed over the Vets season and a mention to the supporters and officials who helped over the matches

parkrun Takeover

Last Saturday, as part of Ilford AC’s Centenary year, the club staged a parkrun takeover at Valentines Park, where members were encouraged to wear our centenary tops and promote the club whilst also celebrating our rich history.
In our 100 years, Ilford AC are one of only a few clubs who have never changed our name or colours. Our running vests of white with 2 contrasting blue stripes are exactly the same as they were when we first competed as a club back in 1923.
As well as providing all the Marshals and officials on the day, Ilford also had 18 runners competing and were rewarded with the first 2 finishers, Sam Rahman in 17:56 and Joshua Adler in 19:28

London Summer 10k.

On Sunday the London Summer 10k returned to Regents Park.
The course is a 3 lap route covering the tarmac paths, with runners passing the boating Lake, Regents Park Broad Walk and London Zoo.
This year Ilford AC had only one the one competitor but Billy Green ran well to finish in a time of 54 mins 41 secs which placed him second in his age category 

MICHELIN 5km
Greenville South Carolina
Saturday 19 August 2023
 
While on a trip to the USA Ilford AC endurance coach Rob Sargent took the opportunity to run in the Michelin 5km in Greenville , South Carolina. The route was an up and back course from the Michelin complex over the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rob ran a well judged race on a sunny warm morning to come home 253rd in a field of 568 finishers in 29mins 54 secs  to place 8th in the M65 category.

  Press Report 15th August 2023  

Aug 152023
 

Eastern Young Athletes League (EYAL)
Basildon

Ilford AC sent a team of 25 young athletes to the last EYAL match of the year in Basildon. 

Two athletes competed in the under 13 girl’s age group. Nayla Mills Ugoh competed in 100m, 200m and long jump and achieved 2 PBs in the 100m (14.7secs) and the 200m (31.8secs). Sofia Crane competed in the shot put and Long jump.

In the under 15 girls we had 4 athletes competing in multiple sprints, jumps and throws. They also ran extremely well with excellent changeovers in the 4x100m. Highlights were Nora Nzurike who gained PBs in the 100m (14.6) and 200m (30.2secs). Kenina Nkrumah threw an excellent 19.54m in the Javelin and her team mate Chiara Mullings Smith jumped a new PB of 1.30m in the high jump. Finally to complete the set of PBs Venisha Ngala ran 30.5 secs in the 200m

The U17 Women had a great turnout with 5 athletes. They all grouped together to run a strong 4x100m and had good success individually. Precious Ajireloja competed well in the sprints with new PBs of 13.0 in the 100m and 9.55 in the triple jump. Leila Lauder ran well in the 1500m for 3rd place and set a new long jump PB of 3.42m. Anika Sharma returned to competition with a new PB of 50.1secs in the 300m and strong 800m. Stacey Kwarteng-Amaniampong improved her PB to 3.97m in the long jump and ran well in the sprints. Finally for the ladies Adaeze Oyem had a great competition setting PBs in the 100m (14.1secs) and 80m hurdles (14.9secs).

The club had its best turnout of the season of 5 athletes in the Under 13 boys. Kelvin Ajireloja had a great debut for the club setting the third fastest 100m of the day of 13.1 secs and then running the 200m and throwing the shot.  Elias Furreedan continues to improve running PBs in the 100m (17.4secs) , 800m (3m 11 secs) and jumped a great 2.87m in the long jump. Barney Perkins ran a new PB in the 1500m of 5m 24 secs. It was great to see him then have a go at the 100m and Javelin. Khalif Ali ran a brilliant debut 5m 29 secs in the 1500 and also sprinted and jumped. Finally Ibrhaim Khan showed his endurance and strength competing in the 100, 800, Long jump and Shot. His 100m of 17 secs was a new PB.

The under 15 boys were as always well represented. Aron Berhe had a great performance in the 800m to finish second and threw the Javelin. His team mate Sam Horsley jumped off his sick bed to run the 1500m and throw the Javelin. Ryder Islam ran his first ever competitive 200m in 30.1secs and was just outside his best in the 1500m

The sprinters again showed improvement. New Recruit Justice Okereke ran 12.3secs in the 100m, 25.7secs in the 200m and jumped 4.64m in the long jump. Jaskirat Singh set a new PB of 5.18m in the long jump and equalled his best in the 200m. Damien Amaniampong ran new PBs of 12.3 secs in the 100m, 25.8secs in the 200m and competed in the high jump for the first time. Finally Jaydan Roberts Edwards returning from injury equalled his PB in the 100m (12.2 secs) , ran a new one of 25.5secs in the 200m and threw the Javelin for the first time. 

The whole group of Sprinters has worked really hard on their relays with Coach Ernie and Jeevakan and this led to a season’s best time of 49.4 secs in the 4x100m relay for the team of Damien, Jaskirat, Justice and Jaydan. With a strong winter training, great things are in store.

In the under 17s Mohamed Zergouat ran 100m in 12.6 seconds for a season’s best and ran the 400m for the first time. Samuel Crane completed a day of multiple PBs running 4:33 in the 1500m and made a debut over 200m. 

Another great day for all the club! Work Hard and look forward to further improvement next year!

Essex 5k Championships
Colchester

A contingent of 15 Ilford members made the journey to Colchester on the evening of 11th August, representing the club in its centenary year, to compete in the “Friday Night 5K” which also incorporated the Essex County Championship over that distance. 

The races were spread out over 5 separate races, based on expected finishing times, culminating in the elite women’s race at 8pm and men’s elite race at 8.30pm.
Ilford AC had runners competing in all 5 races and were rewarded on the night with some superb performances and four positions on the podium along with Essex County medals.

Representing the club on the night were: Danny Holeyman, Joanne Reeves, Joel Denning, Terry Knightley, Andy Catton, Richard Woolterton, Diaurmuid McDonnell, Stephen Philcox, Tom Gardner, Jordan Hinds, Aron Berakhy, Ryder Islam, Sam Rahman, Fabrizio Stefanoni  and Samuel Crane. 

Samuel Crane, although under 17, had a fantastic run in the Elite men’s race and finished in a personal best time of 17 minutes and 6 seconds. Ahead of him in the same race was the ever dependable Tom Gardner who ran a blistering 15.58 which was enough to earn him the gold medal in the V40 category.

 

Other County medalists on the night were Danny Holeyman, Bronze V45 in 18:52, Fabrizio Stefanoni, who just missed a Gold medal spot by 2 seconds, attaining Silver V50 in 17:22, and Andy Catton  who added to his many Essex Championships medals with a Silver V70 in 22:41

Although just outside the medal positions there were also PB’s on the night for Joel Denning 19:27, Richard Woolterton 18:46 and Diaurmuid McDonnell in 18:36