Press Report 6th November 2018  

Nov 052018
 

Thames Meander Marathon and Half Marathon
Kingston Upon Thames
Saturday 3rd November

The Thames Meander Marathon and Half Marathon is a flat scenic riverside trail marathon festival on an out and back course of the Thames path starting and finishing near the YMCA in Kingston Upon Thames.
On Saturday Ilford AC sister and brother, Anna and John Crawley, ran with Anna opting for the Half and John the full marathon.
Both went into their races with disappointing previous runs at the distance in the back of their minds.
Anna’s aim was to get under 2 hours after missing out on that at the recent Great North run. She ran a steady race with a time goal in mind which she stuck to perfectly. From mile 7 Anna knew she was on for a PB, dug in, and was pleased to come in at 1:54:22 which was a PB for her by almost 2 minutes.
John’s achilles heel has been the Marathon with him feeling he had never ran one without hitting ‘the wall’ and struggling in the later stages.
By Half way Johns pace was exactly where he wanted it to be and from that point on he was never overtaken, whilst overtaking a good dozen or so runners in the process, to finish 24th on the day with a massive PB of over 25 minutes in 3:13:55

Masters Open Cross-Country
Loughton
Saturday 3rd November

Saturday morning saw the staging of the Masters Open Cross-Country hosted by Loughton AC at the Roding Valley Country park.
The race was over 8 km and Ilford’s Gary Coombes put in a great performance to take second overall and win the M45 category. He was always challenging at the front and recorded a time of 29 minutes 50 secs. Seb Parris also showed good form in the M35 age category finishing 6th in the main race in 31 mins 39 secs. Another Ilford runner winning their age category was Andy Catton, who took the M60s, and 17th overall in 34 mins 37 secs.Next home for the club was Trevor Robinson in 40 mins exactly for 37th with Ed Skinner close behind in 40th with 40 mins 26 secs.Completing the mens line up for Ilford was Jim Huddart in 77th with 53 mins 45 secs and the only competitor in the M70 category.
Bree Nordin was the clubs only female competitor on the day finishing 34th, 8th lady and 1st in the F60 age grouping in 38 mins 35 secs.



Billericay 10km
Sunday 4th November

Eleven members of the Ilford AC endurance squad headed to Billericay on Sunday morning for the 23rd staging of the Billericay 10 km road race. The race over a rolling course was held in near perfect conditions with Dan Holeyman leading the teams challenge. Dan, who has been improving over the summer, broke the 40 minute barrier for the first time recording a new personal best of 39 mins 47 secs in 20th spot and was 8th in the M4 category.
The next two Ilford men home also recorded personal bests  with Alan Pearl coming home 77th with 44 mins 02 secs and Tony Young recording 47 mins 42 secs in 151st. Adnan Karim finished 284th with 53 mins 17 secs, while Ray ‘Sparra’ Everingham was another with a personal best time of 58 mins 05 secs in 407th spot.

Doris Gaga showed improved form as she led the Ilford ladies challenge in 313th overall with 54 mins 32 secs. Close behind was Alson sale with a new best time for the distance of 54 mins 43 secs in 319th. Julia Galea came home 383th in 57 mins 06 secs. There was an impressive club debut for Mandeep Bassi in 463rd with 60 mins 11 secs. The Ilford line up was completed by Launa Broadley in 481st with 61 mins 44 secs and Sheila Sinclair with 68 mins 41 secs for 546th place.

In the team event with 4 to score both the Ilford men and ladies finished 8th

Another Brother and Sister pairing, Malcolm and Carol Muir, travelled up to Scotland this weekend to represent Ilford AC.

 

Perth 10k MOrun
Sunday  4th November

Carol Muir took part in the Perth MOrun which is part of the Movember campaign that raises funds and awareness for Men’s health issues.
Carol stepped up from her usual distance of 5k to run in the 10k event and was pleased with her time of 1:02:59

Templeton 10 mile Road Race
Dundee
Sunday 4th November

The Templeton 10 mile race is a well established race in Dundee, now in its 32nd year.
The course is scenic and consists of quiet, undulating, country roads on the outskirts of Dundee.
Malcolm lined up against 300 other runners and was first home in a time of 60:20, winning £55 of running vouchers and taking the Gold medal south of the border back to Ilford.

 

  Press Report 29th October 2018  

Oct 292018
 

Essex League
Hockley
27th October 2018

SENIOR WOMEN

Seven ladies from Ilford AC took part in the Senior women’s race, which was their first race back in the top division after promotion last season.
Leading the ladies home, in her first ever cross country run for the club was Amy bird who finished in a very good time of 30:54 over the 6.6k distance for 38th position.
Backing Amy up to complete the scoring team of 4 was Breege Nordin in 32:03 for 51st, Carlie Qirem in 32:20 for 54th and Nicola Hopkinson in 34:15 for 74th. On the day this was enough for 9th position
Also putting in good runs for the ladies on the day were Anna Crawley 35:40 82nd, Sharon Honey 35:59 86th and Launa Broadley 44:09 116th

SENIOR MEN.

Final race of the day was the Senior men, held over a 8.8km course.
Although fielding 11 runners, Ilford AC were slightly under-strength on the day.
First Ilford runner home on the day was Tom Gardner with an impressive 9th finish for a time of 31:23. Tom was very closely followed in 12th place by Alex Richardson in a time of 31:46.
Paul Holloway, returning from injury was next home in 34:46 for 58th followed by Seb Parris in 36:07 in 78th position. Completing the scoring for the men’s team of 6 was Andy Catton in 40:14 for 128th and Alan Pearl, making his debut for Ilford at Cross country, who finished in 154th position in a time of 42:12.
The men’s team finished in a very credible 7th position on the day of the 25 clubs who entered.
Backing up the scoring runners, all putting in fine performances over the hills of hockley were Anthony Young 44:02 166th, Trevor Robinson 45:55 182nd, Henry Ricketts 51:16 204th, Ray Sparra Everingham 57:04 215th and James Huddart 64:50 217th.

 

 


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Big Punkin 5k
Greenville, South Carolina
Saturday 27th October

On an autumnal Saturday morning perfect for running the 14th Runfest was held in Greenville , South Carolina was held. The event is 5 races ranging from the marathon to the 1 mile childrens run. Ilford AC endurance coach was on his annual visit where he guest coaches the local track club on their midweek workouts, took part. He ran in the Big Punkin 5km as he has been bothered by a knee problem since the World Masters Championship in Malaga in September. With Greenville being in the foothills of the Smokie Mountains the courses are always challenging and Rob was pleased to record 28 minutes exactly to finish 60th in a field of 551. This result earned the 3rd place award in the M60-64 age group.

 

Amsterdam Marathon
Sunday 21st October 2018

Last weekend Julia Galea competed in the Amsterdam Marathon.
Julia had worked hard in her training with her goal being a sub 4:30 marathon.
On the day everything went to plan and Julia was pleased with her time of 4:25:15 which placed her 15th F60 on the day.

 

  Press Report 22nd October 2018  

Oct 222018
 

ELVIS Presentation evening
Forest Gate
19th October

After another successful ‘Elvis’ series, now consisting of 8 races after Harold Wood joined the club this year, the presentation evening was held in Forest Gate last Friday.
Hosted by East End Road Runners (EERR) the evening was well attended by runners from all clubs celebrating some fine performances and sell out attendances.
Ilford AC came away with 3 individual age graded first places – Breege Nordin Veteran Female 55, Gary Coombes Veteran Male 40, and Stephen Philcox who was in attendance on the night to collect the Veteran Male 50 trophy.

Wix 5
Incorporating the Essex 5 mile County Championship
21st October

ILFORD MEN LAND COUNTY SILVER MEDAL

The Wix 5 is always a popular event on the running calendar, and with this years race incorporating the Essex 5 mile County Championships the event sold out of its allocation of 550 runners many months in advance.
The course is a predominantly flat one, comprising a single lap course starting and finishing in Wix and taking in the Essex villages of Stones Green and Great Oakley and todays race was unseasonably warm for late Ovtober.
Ilford AC had 17 runners on the day, 6 of whom recorded personal bests over the distance.
First home was Tom Gardner in 5th place overall in a time of 26:54. Tom was followed home by Malcolm Muir in 14th for 28:14 to take a silver medal in the M40 category. Next home was Gary Coombes with the first PB of the day in a time of 28:22 for 16th place.
It was a very successful day for Gary as in the morning he picked up his VM40 trophy from the recent ‘Elvis’ series and in the race he picked up a bronze county medal in the M40 category and combined with Tom and Malcolm to pick up a County Silver medal as Ilford men were the second team home on the day.

Following Gary in 34th place and picking up a county silver medal for V50 was Stephen Philcox in a time of 29:27 and Paul Holloway close behind for a county bronze medal for V50 and a new pb in a time of 29:49.
The next two men home, and both recording pb’s were Julian Fabian for 31:42 in 64th place and Alan Pearl in 118th position in a time of 34:54.
Final two men home, both recording good times were Stephen Parker 156th 36:39 and Anthony Young 177th 38:02.

Leading the ladies home, continuing her fine form this season was Carlie Qirem in 164th Place for 37:05. Carlie was followed home by Ilford President Nicola Hopkinson in 39:28 for 211th and Doris Gaga in 43:41 for 288th.
Next home, with a PB after hard work in training was Frieda Keane in 334th for 46:42 followed by Carol Muir in 360th for 48:47.
Another lady who has worked hard in training this year is Launa Broadley, and her hard work was rewarded with a pb over the distance in a time of 48:55 for 361st place.
Laura was followed home by Julie Gillender in 53:58 followed by Pam Jones, who defied her 82 years by picking  up a County Bronze medal in the ladies V65 category in a time of 55:34 for 413th place.

  Press Report. 16th October 2018  

Oct 152018
 

Metropolitan League Cross Country
Claybury
Saturday 13th October

Ilford’s Tom Gardner opened his account for the start of the X country season at Claybury, with a solid run on a 3 lap course.
After 2 laps Tom was laying in the 29th place, but not being race sharp yet he slipped back on the final lap to 35th in 28-09.

Two other Ilford athletes guested in the race, Gary Coombes finishing in 30:47 for 119th place and Trevor Robinson who came in on 43:37 for 453rd place

 

TIPTREE 10
Sunday 14th October.

Sunday morning saw the running of the 2018 Essex 10 mile Championship incorporated into the Tiptree 10 mile road race.
The race was held on quiet rural roads around Tiptree but contained a couple of testing hills towards the end of the course. Ilford AC sent a squad of 13 runners, 6 of whom returned with a personal best over the distance.

The Ilford team were led home by Gary Coombes in 13th place and first pb of the morning in 58:56 Next home for the club was Malcolm Muir in 16th spot with 60:11 and the team scorers were completed by Steve Philcox in 27th in 61:32. Steve finished 2nd in the M50 group and took home a silver county medal.
Danny Holeyman was the next Ilford man to finish in 65:20 for 47th spot to complete a remarkable 5 pbs in his last 5 races.
The mens squad was completed by Alan Pearl 102nd 73:19 pb, Stephen Parker 139th 66:24 and Tony Young 165th 80:05.
The ladies squad was led home by Breege Nordin with a return to form in 132nd place for 75:59. Not far behind was Carlie Qirem who clocked up another impressive run for the season for 143rd place and a new pb time of 76:35, with Julia Galea completing the squad in 289th and 92:45.
Next two ladies home Alison Sale and Frieda Keane both recorded new pb’s over the distance, Alison by an incredible 10 minutes. Alison was 302nd for 95:03 followed by Frieda in 96:55. The ladies squad was completed by Launa Broadley who came in at 109:47 for 388th place

 

 

 

Royal Parks Half Marathon
Sunday 14th October

The Royal Parks race a spectacular Half Marathon in central London – the first and only one of its kind. The stunning 13.1 mile route takes in the capital’s world-famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of London’s eight Royal Parks – Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens. Sundays race was held in pouring rain which made for a difficult race. Despite this Julian Fabian put in an excellent performance to record 86 mins 59 secs for 220th place and a new pb at the Half Marathon distance.
Also running was Peter Spelman who finished in 1:56:59 to come 44th in the V60 category. Peter was very pleased with his negative split which meant he was able to achieve his target of a ‘sub 2 hour’ half.

 

 

The Cabbage Patch 10-mile race
Sunday 14th October

The Cabbage Patch 10 is one of the flattest, most scenic, ten mile races in the country and almost as old as The London Marathon.
Starting in King Street, Twickenham, the route crosses the Thames at Kingston Bridge and Richmond Bridge, runs along the Riverside to finish on the drive in front of the York House Civic Building in Twickenham. Previous winners include Mo Farah.
This year Ilford’s sole entrant was Doris Gaga, and whilst not emulating Mo Farah, Doris still finished in a very credible 94:21 for 919th place.

 

 

WALKING SECTION

Enfield Walking League
Lee Valley
Saturday 13th October

FINE PERFORMANCES IN FINE WEATHER

Ilford sent a team to contest the 10th, and penultimate, race in the 2018 Enfield Walking League on Saturday afternoon at Lee Valley Athletics Centre.  The 5 miles’ road race was held in warm Autumn sunshine, and it was former Scottish international Stuart Bennett who showed best, as he claimed a high 5th position in a classy men’s race clocking 48 minutes and 28 seconds, being under pressure throughout but able to pull away from near rivals in the closing stages.  Next home was Mark Culshaw who deserved praise for making the start line, let alone the finishing post, as he turned out while suffering from a bug, having done so to gain team points.  He was rewarded with a 50.39 timing which secured him 7th spot.  In 10th came stalwart Dave Kates with a sound 54.13 clocking, while veteran Bob Dobson closed home the Ilford contingent in 19th position with 59.03 on the stopwatch.

The ladies race saw Rachael Lawless 8th and Lesley Morris 9th recording 56.03 and 57.04 respectively.   It was a red letter for both as they gained personal bests with Lawless beating the hour for this distance for a first time.

 

 

 

 

 

  Press Report October 9th 2018  

Oct 082018
 

Chicago Marathon
0730 Sunday 7th October

Trying to complete all the Abbott Marathon majors, Seb Parris took on his 5th in the series over the pond in Chicago.
A new event record of 44,571 runners hit the downtown ‘loop’ headed by the speedy event winner, Mo Farah.

The race began unusually early at 0730 and conditions were cold and wet throughout.

A good recent training cycle due to an ironman event meant Seb was hunting a new marathon PB despite falling a last-minute victim to the dreaded food poisoning less than 48 hours pre-race.

The rain was persistent all morning but so too was Seb’s determination. Crossing the line at the city’s Grant Park in a 6-minute PB for 03.03.39 (1627th place).
Seb even found the time to stop for a mid-race photo looking very relaxed for someone on their way to achieving a pb.
Pizza pie was eaten afterwards in celebration.

 

Harold Wood Charity 5 mile race
Sunday 7th October

 Six Ilford runners lined up for the third annual running of the Harold Wood charity 5 mile race which was supported and started by local West Ham and England legend Sir Trevor Brooking.

Held over a challenging 2 lap, undulating, mainly gravel course the race started and finished in Harold Wood park.

Leading the team home in 6th place, and first male vet on the day was Stephen Philcox in a time of 30:36. 2nd home was Bradley Brown in a time of 37:19 for 33rd place closely followed by Andy Catton in 37:41 for 39th place.

Finishing 4th was club captain Billy Green, who took the opportunity of a photo with his boyhood hero Trevor Brooking before the race, coming in for a time of 42:54 for 84th place.

Julie Gillender and James Huddart had a good spirited running battle throughout the race with positions changing on many occasions. Julie eventually saw her hill training give her an advantage and she finished in a time of 54:17 for 154th place with James coming in on 55:31 for 161st place

 

Chingford League Cross Country
Hog Hill Hainault
Tuesday 2nd October

 4 Ilford AC Runners ran as guests in the Chingford Cross Country League last Tuesday on the hilly cycle course at Hog Hill.

Alan Pearl lead the trio home in 22:41 for 100th place followed by Anthony Young in 24:07 for 118th , Trevor Robinson in 24:51 for 125th and James Huddart in 36:06 for 166th place