Press Report 2nd November 2021  

Nov 012021
 
ESSEX CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE
Saturday 30 October
Writtle College, Chelmsford

The second round of this season’s Essex Cross-country League was held at Writtle College on the outskirts of Chelmsford On Saturday and there was a strong turn out from all 24 clubs in the league.
The course was a flat grassland lap which was a little slippery after overnight rain.

The first race of the day in which Ilford were featured was the U15 Boys race, which was also a trial race for Essex selection for the SEAA Inter Counties XC Champs at Oxford later in the year.
The race, over 4k, consisted of a very strong field with the first 3 runners finishing just 2 seconds apart.  In a thrilling finish Ilford’s Joseph Grange came home second in a time of 13:54 which was enough to earn him the coveted Essex vest in what is proving to be a great season for the youngster.
Also continuing to impress in his first season with the club was Samuel Crane who ran a strong race to finish 27th in a time of 16:02

The Senior ladies raced over 2 laps for a distance of around 5.5km and the Ilford AC ladies team was headed by Jordan Hinds in her first senior league race having just moved up from the junior ranks. In an impressive run she came home in 15th place in 22mins 55 secs.
Next home was Carlie Qirem with 24m 35s for 31st, with Alison Sale 54th in 26m 34s. Alison was also 3rd in the F55 category in this race. 
Gaye Young completed the scorers in 62nd with 26m 59s.
The Ilford ladies placed 4th in this second division in this fixture but remain top of the table after their win in the first match at Hockley.

The team was completed by Hannah Sheikh placing 66th with 27m 21s and Sharon Honey in 88th, and 4th F60 on the day, in 29m 21s. Dianne Crisp placed 95th in 30:54 and Launa Broadley completed the squad in 123rd in 38:28

The men raced over 3 laps from a distance of 8km with Ahmed Abdulle giving a strong performance to come home second in 26mins 09 secs.
Supporting him was  Gary Coombes in 34th with 29m 54 secs, placing him as 3rd M45, and the ever reliable Malcolm Muir in 39th in a time of 30m 12s. Dan Holeyman came home 76th in 32m 34s with John Crawley running close to him all the way in the race just 3 spots behind with 32m 40s.
Terry Knightley placed 1st in the M60 age grouping in 97th with 33m 49s . He completed the scoring six which placed the Ilford team 8th in this fixture but they remain 5th in division 1 of the league.

Neil Crisp returned to racing after a break to place 116th in 35m 32s and Denis Briggs came home 148th in 38m 14s. The team was completed by Steve Cheal in 182nd in 44:03 and Rob Sargent 192nd in 48:44

In the u17s male age group race, which was over the same 2 lap course the ladies raced on Ilford had the one runner. Ryan Holeyman ran a strong race and placed 16th in a good time of 20m 42s

WIX 5
Sunday 31 October

A day after representing Ilford AC at the Essex League  cross-country race at Writtle, Terry Knightley braved what can only be described as ‘Biblical’ Weather Conditions of driving torrential rain and Gale force winds at the Annual Wix 5 Miles Road Race.

On a one lap course around the flooded country lanes of Manningtree and Wix in North Essex, Knightley braved the weather conditions with 80 other athletes to finish in a ‘seasons best’ time of 31 minutes and 43 Seconds and 9th position overall and claim the First Male Veteran Over 60 title !

Hexham 10km
Sunday 31 October

Tony Young returned to his native Northumbria at weekend to take part in the Hexham 10km. The race is held on one of the fastest courses in the north east and Tony was rewarded with a new personal best of 45m 44s placing 91st  in a field of over 400.

Serpentine 5km
Hyde Park
Friday 29th October

On a very windy 2 lap course Ilfords Carol Muir found the going tough but did well to finish in a time of 29:22 which placed her 6th in the FV50 category and 129th position overall

 

 

  Press Report 26th October 2021  

Oct 262021
 

CHINGFORD LEAGUE
Olympic Velopark
Wednesday 20 October

The third fixture in this winter’s Chingford League was held at the floodlit Olympic Velopark in the Queen Elizabeth Park at Stratford .
The 5km race was just over 3 laps of the fast circuit and Ilford AC had teams in both the mens’ and ladies’ events.

The ladies were headed by Anna Crawley in 19th spot in 20m 55s with Carlie Qirem close behind in 21st with 21m 10s. Amy-Loise Bird completed a powerful trio for the club in 23rd recording 21m 28s.  Next home was Gaye Young in 22m 53s for 39th with Alison Sale 42nd with 23m 22s. One place behind Hannah Sheikh completed the scorers with 23m 31s.
On the night the ladies team finished 5th in the first division of the league.
Supporting their colleagues were Pauline Tester (72  25.06)  Sharon Honey (81  26.13)  Frieda Keane (103  29.01) Launa Broadley (111 33.226)  Karen Kufour (113  26.33)

The Ilford men were led home by Dan Holeyman in 18mn 18s for 49th place with Diarmuid Mac Donnell in 70th recording 19m 13s. Next over the line was Adam Coals with 20m 24s for 99th, with Tony Young 153rd in 22m 42s. The team was completed by Rob Sargent 208th with 27m 05s and Trevor Robinson in 211th for 27m 47s.
In the match the men finished in 9th spot in division 1.

Report – man in the bushes

SEAA Cross Country Relays
Wormwood Scrubs
Saturday 23 October

The SEAA Cross Country relays were held on an unseasonably warm Saturday morning  at Wormwood scrubs.

41 teams had entered the men’s race, which consisted of 4 laps of 4000m over a tough undulating course, including 2 teams from Ilford AC.

The SEAA consists of the very best runners in the south of England so it was always going to be a tough challenge for our teams. The challenge was made even harder when none of our registered runners turned up.

* NOT sent to press !

  Press Report 19th October 2021  

Oct 192021
 

Chelmsford Marathon incorporating The Essex County Marathon Championships
Sunday 17th October

On Sunday a Dynamic Duo of Ilford AC athletes had a very successful morning of racing at the Chelmsford Marathon which incorporated The Essex County Marathon Championships.

The race of over 550 athletes was held On a One Lap Course starting at Chelmsford City Centre and then heading out to the surrounding country lanes and finishing back in Central Park in Chelmsford.

First Home for the Club in 4th Overall position was Amin  Koikai in a superb time of 2 Hours 42 Minutes and 18 seconds to Win The Bronze County Senior Medal as well as winning Essex Gold in the Male Veteran Over 50 category.

Following him home in 54th Position was Terry Knightley in 3 Hours 8 Minutes and 11 Seconds to Win The Essex County Gold Medal in The Male Veteran Over 60 Category.

Terry continues to break long standing Ilford AC V60 records, this time smashing a 40 year old Ilford Half Marathon record by 8 minutes and 12 seconds.


Yorkshire Marathon
Sunday 17th October

The Yorkshire Marathon has quickly established itself as one of the highlights of the UK’s sporting year. This popular and picturesque one lap run,, takes participants past some of York’s most historic sights and along scenic country lanes.

This year’s race was also part of the England Athletics ‘England Masters’ programme where 100 athletes from across the country are chosen to wear the England vest and represent the country. Amongst these was Ilford AC’s Paul Holloway, who finished in a very respectable time of 3:02:20

The London Mini Marathon
Sunday 3rd October.
The Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon is the official British road championships for young athletes aged between 11 and 17 years.
The course takes place over the final miles of the London Marathon course, stretching from Old Billingsgate to The Mall.
Representing their schools were 4 Ilford AC Youngsters who all put in superb performances on the 2.6k course.
Joseph Grange finished 13th overall and 3rd U15 in a time of 8:13
Ryan Holeyman finished 92nd overall and 33rd U17 in a time of 8:36
Ronan Edwards finished 105th overall and 46th U17 in a time of 8:47

Matthew Hick finished 144th overall and 82nd U17 in a time of 9:26

Lullingstone 10K
Sunday 17th  October

Hosted by Eynsford Running Club [ERC] the Lullingstone 10K is a hilly off road two lap course with an elevation gain of over 800 feet. Parts of the course feature some enticing names such as: DeFrib Hill, Leg Stretcher, Root 66 (tree roots), Death Drop and Ankle Break Alley. 

Ray ‘Sparra’ Everingham took on the course which he found tough going just 2 weeks after competing in the London Marathon. Despite the challenging course he finished in a time of 1:14:13 placing him 117th on the day and 9th VM60

 

  Press Report 12th October 2021  

Oct 112021
 
Manchester Marathon / Half Marathon
Sunday 10th October

Three runners from Ilford AC travelled North to take part in the Manchester Full and Half Marathons. The Marathon, the 2nd largest in the country, started and finished outside Old Trafford Cricket Ground and is run over a fast course. Carlie Qirem represented the club in this event and kept to her plan of running just inside of 8 minutes a mile. The even paced approach was successful as she passed 1306 other competitors between 10km and the finish setting a new personal best time, by over 13 minutes,  of 3 hrs 26 minutes 22 seconds, finishing 1893th out of a field of 13850 finishers, and was 136th female to finish. This performance moved her up to 10th in the Ilford all time female marathon rankings.

In the half marathon Julia Galea had a good race just  one week after running the London Marathon, to record 2hrs 06 mins 40 secs for 6th in the F65 age category. Club endurance coach Rob Sargent also took part finishing in 2 hrs 03mins 47 secs.


Eden Marathon
Cornwall
Sunday 10th October

Cornwall’s biggest running event, the Eden Marathon and Half-Marathon took place in glorious sunshine on Sunday.

Ilford AC’s Diarmuid Mac Donnell decided to tackle the Cornish challenge having had to defer his place for the Chicago marathon taking place on the same day.

Starting and ending at the Eden Project the race is multi-terrain run over a very undulating and very scenic course. Having started off at a steady pace he managed to work his way up through the pack picking off pacesetters as the hills took their toll. Given the terrain a fast time was never on and he eventually crossed the line with a chip time of 3.42 finishing in 14th place out of 209 finishers.
In true Cornish tradition, the post race refreshment consisted of a complimentary pasty and ale.

Tiptree 10 Miles
Sunday 10th October

On Sunday A Trio of Ilford AC Athletes travelled to North Essex for the Annual Tiptree 10 Miles Road Race achieving some outstanding performances.

First Home for the Club was Terry Knightley in 13th Position for 63 Minutes and 57 Seconds.
Terry’s time smashed Ilfords V60 Ten mile record, which has stood for 40 years, by 2 Minutes and 8 Seconds.
Terry also Won The 1st Male Veteran Over 60 Trophy 

Next Home and destroying her own Personal Best by 8 Minutes and 27 Seconds was Alison Sale in 111th position out of 255 Athletes with 83 Minutes and 33 Seconds.

Frieda Keane completed the Ilford trio finishing just outside her personal best in 97 Minutes and 20 Seconds in 197th place.

   

Kosice Peace Marathon
Slovakia
Sunday 10th October

The 93rd edition of the oldest marathon in Europe was held this weekend in Slovakia.
Included in the starting lineup was Ilfords Zuzana Sinalova who is currently living back in Slovakia for the time being. Despite a lay off with injury hampering her training Zuzana was delighted with her finish time of 3:49:20

Adidas City Runs
Emirates Stadium

Sunday 10th October

Meanwhile, closer to home, a trio of Ilfords finest athletes travelled up to North London for the Adidas City Run. The race started outside Arsenal’s Emirates stadium and took in a mile long course which included a full lap of the stadium before heading on to local streets and back. The race was a One hour run with runners trying to complete as many mile laps as they could within the hour with countdown clocks lining the route.
Dennis Briggs completed most miles of the Ilford trio clocking over 8.5 laps, followed by Hannah Sheikh with over 7.5 and Billy Green who completed just over 7 laps
Following the race the runners were invited to collect their medals pitchside inside the stadium.
There was also a photo opportunity with Arsenal’s mascot Gunnersaurus who made national headlines during the pandemic when Arsenal made him redundant, citing the financial implications of Covid. After a huge outcry the football club backtracked and saved the Dinosaur from extinction.

 

 

  Press Report 5th October 2021  

Oct 052021
 

London Marathon
Sunday 3 October

The London Marathon returned to the streets of London after an absence of 2 1/2 years and Ilford AC had 8 runners among the 38500 finishers and a small army of volunteers handing out Lucozade at Mile 9..

Sam Rahman had a steady controlled run after having some foot problems in his build up, reaching half way in 1 hour 29 minutes 57 seconds and finishing the 26 miles in 3 hours 3 minutes and 53 seconds.
Gaye young was the next Ilford runner home on her debut over the classic distance in 3 hrs 56mins 20 secs, which gave her the ‘Good for Age’ qualification for the F50 grouping for next year’s race.
Also reaching this qualification mark was Julia Galea with 4hrs 36 mins 07 secs in the F65 category.   

Alan Pearl had a steady run for 4:01:48 with Tony Young not far behind on 4:11:12 for a new PB over the distance.

Ray ‘Sparra’ Everingham was very pleased with his time of 4:56:34 which was a 34 minute improvement on his previous run over the distance for last years ‘virtual’ London Marathon.

Lovedip Dhaliwal 5.38.55 and Mandeep Bassi 5.42.56 both enjoyed their debut runs at the London Marathon to complete the Ilford AC lineup. 

 

Essex County Relays
Saturday 2 October
Weald Country Park

With races coming thick and fast and the London Marathon the following day, Ilford AC were still able to field 2 Senior men’s and 3 Senior Ladies teams at Weald Country Park.
Constant heavy rain on the day, added to a hilly muddy course contributed to what many described as a traditional cross country race after an unseasonably warm and dry start to the cross country season in recent weeks.

Although finishing outside the medal positions all Ilford AC runners did themselves proud in this prestigious County cross country event with all 5 teams finishing in the Top 20 of their respective categories.

Teams of 3 ladies were Jordan Hinds, Carlie Qirem, Anna Crawley, Breege Nordin, Alison Sale, Sharon Honey, Frieda Keane, Pramila Monro and Diane Crisp. The 2 men’s teams of 4 were John Crawley, Rhys Edwards, Dylan Harrod, Seb Parris, Dennis Briggs, Adam Coals, Steve Crane and Neil Crisp.

Chingford League
Saturday 2 October
Central Park, Dagenham

The second fixture of the winter’s Chingford League was held over a 5 mile course in Central Park Dagenham of grass and on trails in the adjoining EastbrookEnd Country Park.
Ilford Ac again fielded a depleted squad due to fixture clashes in a busy autumn schedule.

There was an excellent run from Gary Coombes as he stormed home in 3rd spot in 28 mins 33 secs. Ed Skinner came home 127th in 43m 001s, Rob Sargent 144th in 45m 06s and Trevor Robinson with 47m 26s in 158th.

Chelmsford Half Marathon
Sunday 3rd October
Despite being on the same day as the London Marathon, the Chelmsford Half Marathon still managed to attract over 1,000 runners.
The race was part of the Essex road running championships and was held in Central Park Chelmsford.
Competing against a strong field Danny Holeyman ran a PB to finish in 1:22:12 which placed him 10th on the day and 3rd V40.