Press Report 19th March 2019  

Mar 192019
 

Essex Road Relays
Harwich
Saturday 16th March 2019

Over 110 teams descended on the quiet sleepy town of Harwich on Saturday morning for the annual running of the Essex Relay Open and Veteran Championships.
Conditions were very challenging with strong coastal winds that were particularly harsh for the runners on the second half of the course.
Despite this the Ilford AC Mens Senior squad all posted some very impressive times to finish 6th overall on the day with all runners finishing under 20 mins on their 5k legs (Amin Koikai 16:43, Alex Richards 16:31, Tom Gardner 17:08 Malcolm Muir 18:26)

In the veterans category the Iford M40 squad finished 16th (Dennis Briggs 22:29, Julian Fabian 20:26, Trevor Robinson 24:41) and the M50 squad came in 14th (Tony Nixon 20:35, Andy Catton 22:49, Ernie Forsyth 24:55).

Although the Ilford ladies were unable to complete a full team, 2 ladies did travel up for the competition and both posted very impressive times in the conditions.
Zuzanna Sinalova ran the first 5k leg in 20:50, handing over to Gaye Young who ran 24:53.

 

Brentwood half Marathon

Sunday 17th March

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The annual popular Brentwood half marathon  took place last Sunday over a rolling route and had 2360 finishers.

Ilford AC had 10 entries and were led home by Dan Holeyman, who has shown much improved form over the winter in 50th spot with a new personal best time of 1hr 25 mins 18 secs. Next in for the club was the ever reliable Bree Nordin in 1hr 38 mins 07 secs to place 26th lady and win the F60 age category. Alan pearl also ran a personal best time of 1 hr 39 mins 48 secs in 375th  and Tony Young was another to improve his best time for the distance with 1 hr 46 mins 15 secs for 612th. Rachel Halpin was 1302nd with 2 hrs 1 min 50 secs, while Julia Galea recorded 2 hrs 1 min 20 secs as 295th lady and 3rd in the F60 grouping.
Ray ‘Sparra’ Everingham ran the distance for the first time to finish in 1588th with 2 hrs 09 mins 53 secs while Frieda Keane came home 1686th in 2 hrs 10 mins 34 secs.
Stuart Bennett race walked the event recording 2 hrs 14 mins 50s ecs and the team was completed by Mandeep Bassi in 2 hrs 26 mins 56 secs.

 

Colchester 15

Sunday 17th March

 

The Colchester 15 mile is a two lap road race around the quiet countryside of Essex around the villages of Langham and Boxted. The openness of the course resulted in the runners being exposed to a chilly stiff breeze which took the edge off of the finishing times. The two runners from Ilford Ac were running this rare distance for the first time. and produced noteworthy results. Sam Rahman came in 10th in 1hr 35 mins 32 secs and Nicola Hopkinson crossed the line in 2 hrs 6 mins 40 secs in 73th spot, 14th female and finished runner up in the F55 age category to take home a trophy

 

Fleet Half Marathon

Sunday 17th March

 

Sunday saw the 38th running of the Fleet Half Marathon which featured 3 runners from Ilford AC.

Much like all races this weekend the race had runners battling the wind as well as the course on the day.

First home for Ilford, fresh from his performance in the Essex Championships only the day before, was Malcolm Muir posting a time of 1:17:48 for 69th place.

Malcolm was followed by Paul Holloway who impressed with a time of 1:22:18 for 164th place after a long lay off from injury.

Completing the Ilford trio was Carol Muir who was pleased with her time of 2:31:17

 

  Press Report 12th March 2019  

Mar 112019
 

British Masters Cross Country Championships
Belfast
March 9th 2019

The British masters cross country championships returned to Northern Ireland for the first time in 9 years.

The race was held on a 2km grass loop on the rolling grounds of the storming estate.
Julia Galea of Ilford AC took part in the 3lap 6km ladies race which also featured the men over 65. Galea had an inspiring run to finish 42nd overall in a time of 37.13 to place 2nd in the F60 age category and take the Silver British medal

 

Hillingdon 20
March 10th 2019

The Hillingdon 20 is a new race to the racing Calendar and is ideal preparation for those runners preparing for a Spring Marathon.

What wasn’t ideal though was the blustery winds which seemed to be blowing into the runners faces for most of the 4 lap 20 mile course.
Ilford AC had one runner in attendance, Danny Holeyman, who is running his first London Marathon in Ilford colours in April.
Danny has enjoyed a very successful preparation for his marathon, achieving PB’s at 6 different distances over the last 6 months
Danny overcome the conditions on the day to run a remarkable 2 hours 20 mins and 07 seconds for 38th place in his debut at the distance, a performance he was very pleased with and one that holds him in good stead for next months London Marathon.

 

Surrey Half Marathon
Woking
March 10th 2019

The Surrey Half Marathon boasts a scenic single lap course and follows a fully road closed route out from Woking town into the rural delights of the nearby quaint villages.
Aditya Patil was the only Ilford runner in attendance and was very pleased with his time of 1 hour 47 mins and 55 seconds in what was his debut run over the distance.

 

The Vitality Big Half
Central London
March 10th 2019

 

The Vitality ‘Big Half’ is a well organised Half Marathon taking runners on a fully closed route through Central London.

The run starts at Tower Bridge, making its way through Canary Wharf before heading back with a finish by The Cutty Sark.

This years winner was Sir Mo Farah and whilst none of the 5 Ilford runners in attendance were able to beat Mo, all put in very good performances that they can be proud of.

First Ilford runner home was Amin Koikai who finished in a remarkable 1 hour 14 mins and 57 seconds to place him 158th, and 6th in his age category, in a field of over 12,000.

Next home was a new member to the club Steve Chissell who also impressed with a time of 1 hour 32 mins 8 seconds.

First Ilford female home was Zuzana Sinalova who was pleased with her time of 1 hour 33 mins 44 seconds for her debut at the distance.

Next home was Peter Spelman who continues to do numerous Half and full marathons every year with a time of 2 hours 3 minutes and 54 seconds.

Completing the Ilford contingent was Karen Kufuor who had put a lot of training into her first half marathon, and was delighted with her time of 2 hours 29 mins 10 secs

 

Finally a very big well done to 2 Ilford Runners who completed parkrun milestones at the weekend.
Carol Muir completed her 400th parkrun, whilst Sheila Sinclair completed her 250th on the same day. Both milestones were completed at Valentines Park with a large crowd of teammates in attendance to cheer them on.

 

  Press Report 4th March 2019  

Mar 112019
 

Essex 20 mile Championship
Rochford
Sunday 3 March

The Essex 20 mile championships returned to Rochford for the first time in 12 years and a squad of 10 from the endurance group at Ilford AC entered as preparations for forthcoming spring marathons. On a drizzly blustery day the conditions were not ideal but the team returned good results.

The Ilford squad was led home by Sam Rahman, who will be running his marathon in Rome, in 64th place in a controlled 2 hrs 10 mins 21 secs, with Seb Parris close behind in 70th with 2 hrs 12 mins 07 secs. Steve Parker came in in 2 hrs 44 mins 56 secs for 218th and 7th in the M60 category. Tony Young completed the lineup for the Ilford men placing 205th with 2 hrs 58 mins 35 secs.

The Ilford ladies were headed by two runners looking for good results in the London marathon. Bree Nordin recorded 2 hrs 35 mins 19 secs to take the Essex title and gold medal in the F55 group  as 17th female finisher. Carlie Qirem continued her run of good form as she recorded another personal best finishing in 2 hrs 44 mins 56 secs as 22nd lady. Nicola Hopkinson, who will be running the Boston Marathon, placed 31st female and 4th in the F55 category, in 2hrs 50mins 11 secs. Ilford were the 5th club to finish in the team competition.

Julia Galea recorded 3 hrs 22 mins 39 secs for 297th overall and 7th in the F55 age group, while Anna Crawley ran the distance for the first time finishing 299th with 3 hrs 23 mins 30 secs. The line up was completed by Frieda Keane finishing 311th in 3 hrs 32 mins 22 secs also making her debut at the distance.

Special mention to the supporters who stood out in the wind and rain for over 3 and a half hours cheering on and keeping the Ilford AC runners going when the going got tough, – Malcolm,Andy, Dennis, Tarik and Rob

Roding Valley Half Marathon
Woodford
Sunday 3 March

Two Ilford AC athletes entered the 39th Roding Valley over the usual challenging course
Diarmuid Mac Donnell placed well in 17th place with a creditable time of 1 hr 27 mins 04 secs while Adnan Karim came in 282nd with 2 hrs 06 mins 06 secs.

 

Kent Half Marathon
Sunday 3rd March

Dartford Half Marathon is Kent’s longest running half marathon, having run for over 40 years.

The race HQ is located at the Central Park Athletics Track, which also incorporates a brilliant track finish for the event.
On a wet and windy morning Ilford AC had one athlete running, Linda Day, who continued her fine form with a time of 1 hr 51 mins 48 secs for 256th place in a field of over 750 runners.

 

 

 

 

  Press Report. February 26th 2019  

Feb 262019
 

Midweek Indoor Middle Distance Meeting
Lee Valley
Wednesday 20 February

Four athletes from Ilford AC entered the middle distance meet on the indoor 200m track at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre.
In heat 1 of the 800m there was a good race from Alex Richards to take second in 1 min 58.98 secs, while Farris Patel impressed on his first indoor race finishing 6th in 2 mins 01.92 secs.  Tom Gardner placed 6th in heat 3 in 2 mins 10.65 secs.
In the 1500m Sam Rahman was involved in bunched race and coped well to come through in 5th in 4 mins 38.74 secs,

 

National Cross Country Champs
Leeds
23rd February 2019

The National cross country championships, held by the English Cross Country Association was held at Harewood House, Leeds, on Saturday.
Pitting himself against the finest athletes in the country was Ilford’s sole entrant Trevor Robinson.
Over a demanding and hilly 12.k course Trevor gave a very good account of himself, finishing in a time of 1:10 which placed him in 1,963rd place.

 

Brighton Half Marathon
24th February 2019

Over 7,000 runners ran the Brighton Half Marathon this year in unseasonably warm weather.

Ilford’s sole representative Carlie Qirem made the trip down south for what she describes as one of her favourite races, as part of her London Marathon preparations, which continue to go well.

The race is run almost entirely along the seafront, on an out and back course which takes in local landmarks such as Brighton Pier, Brighton Marina and the Royal Pavilion.

Carlie showed that her hard work this season is paying dividends by smashing her PB by over 3 mins to record a time of 1:41:42 which placed her 1001st on the day in the large field.

 

Southern Counties Veterans Athletics Club (SCVAC)
English Masters
Lee Valley
24th February 2019

 

Although Ilford AC Super-vet John Batchelor continues to struggle with Injury he still put in a couple of fine performances at the English Masters this weekend.
In the M70 800m race John finished 3rd with a seasons best time of 3:10:34, before moving on to the 1500m. This race was always going to be a tougher one for John as he had to step down an age category to compete in the M60 class, but once again John recorded a seasons best to finish in a time of 6:41 for 10th place

 

Hillingdon 10k
24th February 2019

Doris Gaga, fresh from her Half Marathon in Ethiopia two weeks ago stepped down a distance to race in the Hillingdon 10k at the weekend with her sister.
The race is a popular one in the running calendar and starts and finishes in the modern surroundings of Brunel University in Uxbridge.
Doris’ recent hard work in training showed as she ran an excellent race to place 3rd V50 on the day with a PB time over the distance of 50:56.
The result also placed her 62nd on the day in a field of almost 300.

ENGLISH MASTERS INTER AREA INDOOR CHALLENGE

LEE VALLEY ATHLETICS CENTRE, ENFIELD

24/02/2019

Two Ilford club members were selected to represent their masters area club(VAC) at this year’s Indoor Inter Area Challenge at Lee Valley. The annual event, organised by the English Athletics Masters Association (EAMA), is open to all Masters area teams in the UK, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  The competition is organised for men and women in four age groups, 35-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+. Sunday‘s event featured the Welsh Masters team plus 6 other area teams covering the English counties.

Stuart Bennett and Seb Parris both towed the line for the Veterans Athletic club in the 2000 m men’s race walk.  10 laps of the banked indoor 200m track.  Both had a solid race recording seasons bests.  Seb came 5th in 10.57 (1st v35-49) and Stuart came 7th in 11.30 (4th v60-69) out of a field of 14.

VAC ended the championships in 5th place for both the men’s and women’s teams.

 

 

 

 

  Press Report 18th February 2019  

Feb 182019
 

CHINGFORD LEAGUE 5 MILES
​Victoria Park
Saturday 16th January

The endurance squad of Ilford Ac opened there spring road season on Saturday by guesting in the Chingford League 5 mile race on the flat fast course in Victoria Park in Hackney.

In good weather conditions the  12 strong contingent produced results which showed that the squad have trained well during the winter.
Leading home the Ilford athletes was Gary Coombes in 20th spot in the mens race with a good time of 28 mins 40 secs. Next home was Seb Parris with a fine run who took nearly a minute off his pb with 29 mins 27 secs in 27th. Diarmuid Mac Donnell also recorded a new best time for the distance of 30 mins 25 secs for 39th place.
Haydn Newland made a successful club debut in 54th with 32 minutes exactly.
There were creditable runs for Tony Young with 37 mins 21 secs for 113th, Alan Pearl in 98th with 35 mins 05 secs and Ernie Forsyth in 38 mins 59 secs for 125th. Ray ‘Sparra’ also set a new personal best of 45 mins 18 secs for 222nd place, and Jim Huddart had his best run at the distance for more than 5 years with 51 mins 15 secs in 149th spot.

Alison Sale was the leading Ilford lady recording a new personal best of 43 mins 19 secs in 73th place in the female race. Frieda keane was the 5th Ilford runner to set a new best time on the day in 80th of 45 mins 26 secs.
One place behind Mandeep Bassi raced the distance for the first time setting a good debut time for the 5 miles of 45 mins 34 secs.

 

St Luke’s Hospice Test Track 10
Dunton
Sunday 17th February

On a bright and mild Sunday morning Linda Day, the sole runner from Ilford A.C. ran the St Luke’s Hospice Test Track 10.
It is run on the challenging banked Ford test track at Dunton Essex, so offers runners the opportunity to see areas normally prohibited to the general public.

Linda, in only her second run for the club, put in a fantastic performance to finish in 79:19 which placed her first female vet on the day.
Lindas finishing position was 106th in a field of 460 runners.

Hampton Court Half Marathon
Sunday 17th February

The Quicksilver Hampton Court Half Marathon is run over a fast, flat and visually interesting course that borders the river-side grounds of the magnificent Hampton Court Palace to the South West of London.
Phil Davies, another newcomer to the club, ran his first Half Marathon in the Ilford colours.
In the second impressive performances for an Ilford runner on Sunday, Phil ran a great race to knock 7 minutes off of his previous PB over the distance.
Phils time of 87:54 placed him 156th of over 4000 runners.