Press Report 24th August 2021  

Aug 242021
 

Forest Five (ELvIS)
Epping Forest
Saturday 21st August

 

The latest round of the ELvIS summer league was held over a challenging 5 mile loop in Epping Forest. With the race during the summer holiday season the turnout was lower than usual with Ilford AC entering a squad of 18 who produced a set of good results.

The team was led home by dependable Malcolm Muir who came 6th just 1 second over 30 minutes which placed him 3rd in the m40 age category, with Pal Holloway racing for the first time since a period out with injury one place back in 7th position  in a time of 30m 11 secs taking the M50 first prize.
Next home was the in-form Dan Holeyman in 10th place with 30 m 58s and Steve Philcox was close behind in 31m 11s for 14th spot claiming second in the M50 category.
Terry Knightley won the M60 category prize, finishing in 27th place in a time of 33m 54 s, with Vitor Martins-Duraes, in his first senior race, completing the mens scorers in 61st with 38m 06s.

The Iford men took 3rd place in the match and are currently second in the league.

Anna Crawley was first home for the Ilford ladies, finishing 5th lady on the day with 37m 09 s, Bree Nordin finished 11th in 38m 33s taking the F60 grouping trophy. 

Hannah Sheikh, in just her second race for the club came home 15th in 40m 17 secs, with Gaye Young 2 seconds and 1 place further back. Next home for the Ilford ladies was Alison Sale with 41m 03s for 19th and Sharon Honey closed the team in 45th in a time of 46m 24s.

On the day the Ilford ladies team finished 2nd and remain on top of the ladies table

Also ran: (overall place\time) Tony Young (68  39.00)  Bradley Brown (88  41.22) Ed Skinner (119  44.08)  Mandy Reid (146  48.42)  Frieda Keane (151 49.46) Carol Muir (161  51.30)

The Vitality Big London Half
Sunday 22nd August

Two Ilford runners were amongst the 10,000 runners who took to the streets of the Capital in the long postponed Vitality Big London Half Marathon. The race starts by Tower Bridge and finishes at the Cutty Sark, passing by some of the greatest sights our capital has to offer.

Steve Chissell led the Ilford men home in a time of  1.35.52  whilst Lovedip Dhaliwal was first Ilford lady home in a time of  2.20.21

  Press Report 17th August 2021  

Aug 172021
 
TRACK

Southern League Race 3

 Ilford competed in the penultimate Southern league match of the season and a number of outstanding performances were achieved, with Ilford coming a credible fourth position

 It’s difficult to define the best performance of the day as Ilfords young sprinters and middle distance runners were outstanding. Starting with the sprints Hakin Mohamed stormed through to victory in the Men’s 100 with a superb 10.80. with Oliver Blainey coming 4th in 12.01. Oliver came 3rd in the 200 in 23.93 whilst Farris Patel took a rest from his normal 800 races to compete in the 200 and 400. Both performances were Pbs with 24.04 in the 200 and 51.49 in the 400

In the women’s sprints , Krystle Balogun stood out as usual. I don’t remember Krystle missing a southern league match over the last 5 years and  it was great to see her achieve 2 Pbs. In the 100 She broke 13 seconds for the first time in a superb 12.83 and in the 200 broke the 26 second barrier in 25.85 for 2nd place. Krystle deserves these performances for the great work she constantly does for Ilford AC for many years.
In the 100 Efe Adjarifo came 5th in 13.11 and Aleena Lawrence came 2nd in 13.22, whilst Ellie Wright ran very well for 26.87 in the 200 for second place.

In the women’s 400/800 ,Gemima Massamba and Jordan Hinds both doubled up in a very tough combination of events and as usual competed well. Jemima ran 60.36 for 3rd in the 400 and 2.30 in the 800 for 2nd. Jordan ran her best times of the year ,winning the 400 in 63.42 and 3rd in the 800 in 2.22. Jordan even came back later in the day to run the 1500 for 4th in 5.14.
Our other longer distance ladies were also outstanding . Sameena Ahmed and Anna Crawley ran superbly to win the A and B 3000 in 11.33 and 11.46 respectively. Anna came back to get 2nd in the 1500 in 5.27 to bring valuable points for the club

As usual Ilford long list of outstanding  young middle distance runners competed across many events

Best performance of the middle distance was from Jak Wright. Jak took the lead from the very start and pushed at the bell to come home  first in a  big personal best of 1.57. On a better day with better weather and more competition, Jak could definitely get this PB down much more . Jak was back in the 400 coming 2nd in 54.04 and also ran storming legs in the 4 x100 and 4 x 400.

Another Pb in the 800 for first in the B string was Dylan Harrod. Dylan has been breaking his 800 pb all season and came so close to finally breaking the 2 minute barrier with 2.00.04. I am sure that will come soon. Dylan also ran the 400 in 54 seconds and ran a great 4x 400 relay leg. Mungo Prior was back for his first southern league of the season and ran close to a personal best for second in 4.06 whilst Ryan Holeyman , who is coming back from injury battled round for 5th position.In the 5000 Danny Holeyman ran his first ever Southern league for 5th position in 18.17

Rhys Edwards had a very busy day competing in many field events and also the mens 400 hurdles. Even though Rhys made a few mistakes on the hurdles, he ran another personal best of 62.37 and if he can iron those mistakes out he will be close to breaking the 60 second barrier

Fidunu Abidekun concentrated on the jumps and was 1st in the Long jump with 6.31 and 2nd in the High Jump with 1.80

Special mention must also go to George Marshall Childs, Pete Whiting,Paul Grange and Natt Senior for competing all the various throws and jumps and bringing home valuable points for the club

In the Men’s 4x 100 Ilford’s team of sprinters and middle distance runners came 3rd but the middle distance boys saved the best for last in the Men’s 4 x 400.Rhys and Dylan ran well in first 2 legs but Jak ran an outstanding  52 seconds to make up about 60 metres from the Havering athlete , passing the baton  to Farris Patel, who stormed home in 50 seconds to win the relay

Eastern Young athletes league

 Ilford joined up with Orion to take part in the latest Eastern Young athletes league.
Due to holidays Ilford Representation were reduced but the young athletes who did compete, competed at a very high standard

Ilfords stand out athletes on the day were U15s Joseph Grange and Lucas Emeagi. Joseph raced against the Essex 1500m Champion and with 2 laps to go really pushed the Chelmsford boy and actually got a lead but the Chelmsford boy dug in and eventually beat Joseph over the last part of the race. However Joseph got an outstanding time of 4.30 for second place.
Lucas competed in the 300, 200 and 4 x100 relay and was absolutely superb. He came 2nd in a  strong field in the 300 in a pb of 39.6 and also ran a stunning 200 to win in another pb of 25.6. Finally he brought home the 4 x 100 team into 4th position.

Eva Whalley was our only female representative to run her  second  ever 1500m U15  race and competed very well. Eva went with the other athletes for the first few laps but just tired on the last lap but did 6.00 mins. With a little more training I am sure we can see that time come down very quickly

Aaron Hick was a busy u15 athlete as well , doing 4 events on the day. He ran the 1500 and came 4th but threw the javelin 14 metres for 6th  and  5.10 in the shot putt for 4th.He joined Lucas in the relay and ran a great first leg for the team to come home 4th

In the u17s 100 Oliver Blainey battled for 12.03 for 6th position and ran 54.6  secs in the 400 for 3rd place. Jacob Emeagi ran 26.2 for 6th in the 200

Ryan Holeyman, coming back from injury battled round for 5th in the 1500 in 5.03

Finally Ronan Edwards ran 2 PBs over the 800 and 400 in 2.13 and 58 seconds and gets better with every race

SCVAC match 2

The second match in the Vets League was held on  Monday 26th July at the Banister Outdoor Sports Centre, Harrow.

3 athletes represented Ilford for the evening. Malcolm Muir ran the M35 800m finishing third in 2.24.05. He followed this up with a M35 200m time of 30.5 for sixth and won the M35 3000m in 10.13.70.

Henry Ricketts achieved 4m 62 in the M50 long jump for second and unfortunately felt a hamstring pull in the first few strides of the M50 200m and was not able to finish. This didn’t stop him from throwing the discus 24m 06 in his one attempt for fourth.

Peter Whiting launched the hammer 19m 09 in the M50 age group for third and also ran 33.46 for fourth place in the M60 200m.

Thanks to Claire Levey who officiated track events on behalf of IAC.

The final match of the season is on 6th September at Lee Valley.

 

ROAD

The Lydd 20 Miles Road Race

On Sunday in Swelteringly hot and Sticky Conditions, Terry Knightley Smashed The Male Veteran Over 60 Ilford AC club 20 Miles record by 16 Minutes and 30 seconds in the Lydd 20 Miles Road Race.

On a Flat out and back course on the exposed country lanes of Kent, Terry found the heat Tough but finished in 2 Hours and 22 Minutes and 23 Seconds to come in 28th position out of 353 runners and Win the First Male Veteran Over 60 Trophy.

His time also puts him currently Number 1 on the UK Rankings for 20 Miles for The Male Veteran Over 60 Age  Category for the year 2021.


Burnham Joggers 40th Anniversary 10k and HM

The Burnham Beeches Half Marathon and 10K offers a choice of two distances, both on a mix of closed roads and hard-surfaced paths through the cool shade of the Burnham Beeches ancient woodland in South Bucks. This year 2 Ilford Athletes took part, Ray ‘Sparra’ Everingham in the Half Marathon and wife Wendy in the 10k.
Both runners enjoyed the occasion with Ray finishing 381st in the Half in a time of 2h 18m 56s and Wendy finishing 335th in the 10k in a time of 1h 18m

  Press Report 10th August  

Aug 092021
 

England U15 Championships Manchester 7th August 

Ilford AC’s Joseph Grange 14  travelled to Manchester last Saturday for the English national track championships.
Joseph ran in his preferred distance the 3000m. Joseph’s dad says: Joseph came 7th he tried so hard as he always does.
Joseph’s training partner and brother Jak says: Joseph ran the race in his typical aggressive attacking style starting with the leaders before he fell slightly off the pace, finishing in a time of 9m 33.19 secs.
Joseph battled on never giving an inch to the competitors around him running as hard as he could right to the line in the longest of the middle distance events permitted for the still growing U15s age group.
Joseph made his club proud and is hopeful of returning next year to better his finishing position

Chelmsford Mile of Miles Friday 6th August

Rhys Edwards was Ilford’s sole competitor in the mile of miles at Chelmsford, last Friday, but he acquitted himself brilliantly winning the combined U17/U20 race in a personal best time of 4.42.8. 

5k Handicap Saturday 7th August 2021

Ilford Ac’s second President’s annual 5k handicap took place last Saturday.
It is normally one of the hotter months of the year although this year the competitors were greeted with torrential rain.
This may have partly been the reason for such a small field, however,  it was disappointing to see so many members competing at or volunteering at a parkrun event rather than their own club’s event .

First person to go off , in what were initially dry conditions was Freida Keane, followed a minute later by Mandy Reid, then the remaining athletes followed at various intervals until the final runner Rhys Edwards went off 12 minutes after  Freida. 

By the end of the first lap the heavens had opened, but Freida was maintaining her lead, over Mandy who was closing in fast, further back crane family honour was being disputed between father and son , Steve and Samuel.  Scratch man Rhys was ploughing through the puddles and gaining on the field as was Danny Holeyman. 

As the athletes reappeared into view Mandy had moved into the lead, with Freida still hanging onto second place , Steve had gotten the better of Samuel and had moved into 3rd overall, with Danny Holeyman and Phil Davies battling for 2nd place in the mens category. 

The rain got even heavier along the finishing straight, but this did not deter Mandy who pulled away to win by almost a minute, from Freida, with Alison sale taking 3rd in the women’s category. 

Steve won the mens closely followed by a fast finishing Danny and Phil.  Rhys was the fastest  runner of the day.

Full results

.  .  .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .  . Time             Handicap                     Net Time

Mandy Reid                       27.48                    1                            26.48

Freida Keane                     28.45                    0                            28.45

Steve Crane                       28.56                    8                            20.56

Danny Holeyman              29.18                    11                          18.18

Phil Davies                         29.21                    8                            21.21

Samuel Crane                    29.23                    9                            20.23

Rhys Edwards                    29.3                      12                          17.3

Andy Catton                      29.53                    7                            22.53

Alison Sale                         29.56                    6                            23.56

Ryder Islam                       29.56                    8                            21.56

Julia Galea                         30.18                    2                            28.18

Ronan Edwards (guest)   31.12                    10                          21.12

 

  Press Report 3rd August 2021  

Aug 022021
 

Essex Championships
31st July/1st August

Ilford had a successful day at the rescheduled Essex championships last weekend, these championships usually take place in early May, but due to covid were moved to August.

Ilford came away with  16 Medals, of which 5 were Gold, 6 Silver and 5 Bronze

Day 1 

The first Gold medal of Day 1 was secured by Hakin Mohammed who won the senior 100m in a time of 11.08 despite getting injured late into the race (80m). He has the 55-year old club record of 10.5 in his sights before the season ends. Ahmed Abdulle ran a controlled race to win the senior 3000m, biding his time before unleashing a burst with 600m to go to win in a time of 8m.39s. 
In the final race of the day Paul Grange, who is actually a veteran athlete, beat all the youngsters to finally lift the 800m title, after many years of trying. His winning time was a fantastic 1m.53s.  

Farris Vakil, tried everything he could to get away from Basildon’s under 20 International Olive Lill, but Farris’s efforts were not quite enough and he had to settle for second and the silver, a feat that was also achieved by Jordan Hinds in the senior women’s 800m.  

Gemima Eshimu Massamba had a very good run, to finish 3rd in the senior ladies 400m, in a new personal best despite having to run in a downpour.  In the worst of the weather on Saturday, Mungo Prior got his first ever Essex individual medal when he came 3rd in the U20 3000. Surprise Ilford Medallist of the day was Lucas Emeagi in the U15 300m, who due to injury has hardly trained, but somehow produced a great run to finish in 3rd place. 

Dylan Harrod, finished 4th in the u20, and missed out on breaking 2 mins by the narrowest of margins, his time being 2.00.18. Elijah Mayindu , also narrowly missed out on the medals by finishing 4th in the U20 men’s 100m.  Other Ilford placings, Jacob Emegai  6th in the U17 400. Samuel Crane 8th in his 1500 heat and Efe Adjarho and Aleena Lawrence both ran in the U20 women‘s 100m placing highly in their respective heats and just missing out on advancing to the final. 

Day 2

Paul Grange followed up his 800m win of yesterday, by completing the middle distance double, with a fine win in a very tactical 1500m. Rhys Edwards led the charge on day 2, by taking 2nd place in the U20 men’s 2000s/c .
Fidunu Abidekun took 0.4 off of his pb in placing second in the u20 men’s 200m (21.79). Jak Wright had a great run in the u20 1500m knocking 3 seconds off his pb, but unfortunately had to settle for 2nd place. 

Joseph Grange took 3rd place in a very high standard, under u15 boys 3000m. Ahmed Abdulle won his second medal of the weekend with 3rd in the senior men’s 1500m. 

Krystle Balogun, was unfortunate to miss out in the senior women’s 200m, taking 4th place. Youngsters James Thake and Samuel Crane were 6th and 9th in their 800m heat.  Oliver Blainey ran a pb of 23.80 in the U17 men’s 200m, but this was not enough to see him reach the final. Ellie Wright was 7th in the U20 women’s 200m. Ryder Islam was 6th in the U13 1500m. Bradley Deacon, Mungo Prior and Dylan Harrod, were 5th, 6th and 7th in the u20 men’s 1500m, with Dylan setting his second pb of the weekend. 

WALKERS

ILFORD’s WOMEN GIVE THEM THE OLD 1-2

Essex County Athletic Association held their annual 3,000 Metres’ Walking Championship at Chelmsford’s Melbourne Stadium on Sunday afternoon.  In the women’s race defending champion Melanie Peddle (Loughton AC) was unavailable, so a new name on the trophy was assured.  That honour went to Ilford’s in-form Emma Dyos who sped around the track to break the tape in an unchallenged 16 minutes and 35 seconds.  Claiming the silver medal was club colleague Lesley Morris who clocked 19:44.  Another in-form Ilford walker, Rachael Lawless, gamely lined-up despite being indisposed but sadly was forced into mid-race retirement.  In the men’s race Stephen Crane, better known in Ilford’s colours as a successful runner, race walked it into a bronze medal position with 15:23 on the stopwatch headed only by 2 current internationals.

A fantastic effort by all athletes representing the club in the Essex Championships

NEWMAN Hilly 5
Hainault Forest
Wednesday July 27 July

The Annul Newman Hilly 5 miles, held in memory of Ilford official Newman Sargent, was held at Hainault Forest over a course which resembled a winter cross-country course following recent heavy rain downpours. The race was the 4th of the 7 rounds of the summer ELvIS league.

The Ilford AC challenge was headed by Malcolm Muir who with his usual all out effort style came through to 5th in 30 mins 31 secs. Steve Philcox had a fine run for 9th with 31 mins 44 secs winning the M50 age category prize, while Dan Holeyman continued his run of fine form in 13th recording 32 mins 19 secs. Will Crossley finished 15th with 32 mins 46 secs and John Crawley came home 21st in 33 mins 35 secs. Diarmuid Mac Donnell was Ilford’s sixth scoring runner in 24th spot with 34 mins 40 secs

This team placed the club 3rd in the match but the club maintain second position in the league

Terry Knightley won the M60 age group prize in 28th with 35 mins 06 secs

Sameena Ahmed finished 2nd in the ladies race in 36 mins 04 secs with support coming from Anna Crawley in 4th in 37 mins 24 secs and Bree Nordin 11th with 39 mins 53 secs. Alison Sale put in a good performance for 17th in 41 mins 33s ecs and Hannah Sheikh was 19th lady in 41 mins 39 secs. Gaye Young closed the team in 25th with 43mins 21 secs.

The ladies team placed 2nd in this match and remain on top of their section of the ELvIS competition.

Also ran (overall place\time):  Steve Crane (39  36.22)  Steve Chissell (47  37.06)  Phil Davies (54  37.27)  Dennis Briggs (55  37.36)  Tony Yong (92  40.54)  Steve Cheal (112  42.24) Bradley Brown (127  43.44)  Sharon Honey (156  46.28) Julia Galea (170  48.13)  Pramila Monro (180  52.16)  Frieda Keane (201  52.52)_ Carol Muir (198  52.16) Ray Everingham (208 55.14)  Karen St John-Kufour (220  61.22)

  Press Report 27th July 2021  

Jul 262021
 
HAVERING 5
Raphaels Park
Tuesday 20 July
On a humid evening in Raphaels Park, Romford the 3rd match of this summers ELvIS competition was held over a two lap course around the park. Ilford AC were once again in form producing a good set of results
The Ilford men were led home by the usual battling performance from Malcolm Muir in 8th spot in 29 mins 31 mins. Dan Holeyman, who is improving with every run, was next home in a new personal best of 30 mins and 7 secs for 14th, while Steve Philcox took the 1st M50 age group prize in 18th with 30 mins 43 secs. Will Crossley had a fine race in 28th with 31mins 44 secs, a new best time for the distance. Diarmuid Mac Donnell also impressed with32 mins 08 secs in 38th. John Crawley was the last of the team scoring 6 for the club in 38th with 32 mins 35secs. The squad were placed second in the match and remain second in the lague.
Terry Knightley was just outside the scorers in 40th winning the trophy for the m60 age category in 33mins 46 secs
Sameena Ahmed led home the Ilford ladies in second spot in 33 mins 47 secs and their were excellent runs from Carlie Qirem in  5th  with  35 mins 45 secs and Anna Crawley 7th with 36 mins 03 secs. Breege Nordin took the 1st FV60 prize in 13th in 37 mins 35 secs and Gaye Young ran well for 18th recording 38 mins 27 secs for a new personal best. Alison sale also set a new best 5 mile time closing the scorers in 40 mins 16 secs in 22nd.
This fine team performance by Ilford won them the match and they take over on top of the ELvIS table.
Also ran (Overall place\time):Dennis Briggs (51  34.27)  Phil Davies (55  35.28)  Adam Coals (54  36.23)  Steve Chissell (71  37.02) Tony Young (80  37.40)  Andy Catton (81  37.35)  Ed Skinner (134  42.37) Julia Galea (167  45.56_  Bradley Brown (169  46.28)  Carol Muir (172  416.44)  Pramila Monro (178  47.31_  Mandy Reid (190  48.52) Frieda Keane (197  49.51)  Ray Everingham (204  51.33) Launa Broadley (210  53.14) Karen St Jean-Kufour (220  61.19

VAC 5000m

Wimbledon Park

Wednesday 21 July

Two runners took part in the London based Masters Club Championship on a hot night in Wimbledon Park. The championship consisted of 4 graded races with the results amalgamated to produced the medal winners in each age category.
Tony Young in his second race in 2 days placed 6th in the M55 category in 23mins 52.72 secs, while Rob Sargent came home 5th in the M65 age grouping with 26mins 08.76secs.

 

 

 

CAPITAL GAINS FOR BILLY

British 10k
Central London
25th July

The British 10k was the largest unrestricted race to happen in Britain since the pandemic began, attracting over 8,000 runners including Ilford AC athlete Billy Green.

The race takes runners through Central London, traffic free, and takes in Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, The London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.

En route the runners pass several bands and large union jacks draping the streets.

On a very humid morning Billy never really threatened the leading pack, coming home in 52 mins 16 seconds for 2,191st place