Press Report 7th January 2019  

Jan 072019
 

SENIOR PRESS REPORT

Essex Cross Country Championships
Writtle College
Saturday 5th January

The 92nd Essex Cross Country was held on firm, flat course on a chilly Saturday afternoon at Writtle College near Chelmsford. It was the first time in the history of the event that the senior men and women ran the same distance, 10km.

In the Senior Women’s race, which was won by seasoned international Jess Judd, the Ilford AC squad was led home by Carlie Qirem in 48 mins 49 secs for 57th place with Anna Crawley having a good run for 79th in 53 mins 21 secs. Next up was Sharon Honey with 56 mins 31 secs for 104th, with Alison Sale completing the scorers in 110th with 57 mins 19 secs.
Also representing the club were Frieda Keane 124th in 60 mins 11 secs and Julia Galea one place further back with 61 mins 06 secs. In the team match the club were the 15th to finish a team.

The men’s race was also won by a British International, Adam Hickey of Southend while the Ilford Ac squad of 12 was led in by Tom Gardner in 24th spot with 35 mins 21 secs. Next up was Alex Richards in 30th with 35 mins 35 secs and the reliable Malcolm Muir with 36 mins 37 secs for 47th. Seb Parris showed great form in 71st with 37 mins 52 secs , while John Crawley was another running well for 95th place in 39 mins 18 secs. Sam Rahman in his first outing over the country this winter closed the scoring six in 124th with 41 mins 10 secs. Dan Holeyman was close behind in 131st with 41 mins 28 secs and Diarmuid Mac Donnell a further 5 places back with 41 mins 47 secs. Next home for the Ilford men was the newly elected ‘Essex County Athletic Association President’ Andy Catton in 174th with 45 mins 05 secs.
Also in action in the championship  were Trevor Robinson (202 49.06) Tony Young (205  51.10) and Ray ‘Sparra’ Everingham (227 61.59)

On the team front the Ilford finished a credible 8th,

  Press Report 31st December 2018  

Dec 312018
 

lford AC Boxing Day Handicap
Hainault Forest
December 26th 2018

A record field of 30 runners brushed off the Turkey and Christmas hangover’s to toe the line for the 10th annual Ilford AC Boxing day handicap.
The route is 3.3 miles through the hills and mud of Hainault Forest. This year, for the first time, the course was marked out due to people getting lost and running their own route in previous years.
The first 5 finishers all finished within a minute of each other and was led home by Matthew Hick, closely followed by Jak Wright, John Crawley, Ryan Holeyman and Steve Philcox. Taking away the Handicaps Steve Philcox was the fastest Ilford runner on the day with a time of 20:50.
The ladies were led home by ever reliable Natalie Crisp followed by Anna Crawley, Gaye Young, new member Linda Day and Sharon Honey. Taking away the Handicaps Linda Day was the fastest female with a time of 28:02.

Witham Boxing Day 5
December 26th 2018

Brother and Sister act Malcolm and Carol Muir were amongst the 430 runners taking part in the Witham Boxing Day 5.
Malcolm finished in 10th place and second M40 position with a time of 28:40, whilst Carol who is still suffering from a calf strain finished in 51:55 for 384th place.

 

Inbhear Dee AC Streets Of Wicklow 5K
Wicklow Ireland
December 26th 2018

Diarmuid McDonnell was the only Ilford athlete to compete internationally on St Stephen’s day when he joined over 400 runners through the beautiful streets of Wicklow for the 10th running of the ‘streets of Wicklow 5k’.
A fast and furious downhill start takes runners down to the coast, before finishing with an uphill stretch through the twisting roads of the town.
Diarmuid was very pleased with his time of 18:30 which was a PB, and placed him 48th and 4th fastest M45

 

Ilford AC 10 Mile Cross Country Championship
Hainault Forest
December 29th 2018

On Saturday Ilford AC hosted their winter showcase 10 mile cross country event on an unseasonably mild December morning.
Over 90 runners were treated to the thick mud and hills that characterises most of the 3.3 mile course which is negotiated 3 times.
Ilfords first 3 runners all finished in the top 10 with Malcolm Muir leading the way in 3rd place with a time of 1:04:49 followed closely by Seb Parris in 6th place with a time of 1:06:24 and Danny Holeyman who rounded off a great year with the club for 10th place in a time of 1:13:14. Danny also took the MV40 prize.
Breege Nordin was 2nd lady home on the day and first Ilford lady with a time of 1:25:24 for 29th place.
Other Ilford athletes to complete the tough course were Tony Young 1:27:07 (35th), Doris Gaga 1:34:13 (53rd), Julia Galea 1:43:43 (71st), Alison Sale 1:44:20 (72nd), Frieda Keane 1:45:07 (74th) and Martin Clarke 1:45:07 (75th)

 

This year, for the first time, the club also opened the race up to relay teams with 3 different runners each running a lap of the tough course.
The Relays were dominated by Ilford Sprinters who took the first 3 places.
First place went to Bradley Deacon (20.38), Mungo Prior (19.14) Farris Patel (21.09) Cumulative time 61:01
Second place was Aaron Samuels (19.48), Jak Wright (21.48), Phil Ellul (22.19)
Cumulative time 63:55.
Third place was Matthew Hick (23.30), Ryan Holleyman (24.32), Joseph Grange (22.03)
Cumulative time 70:05
Ilford also had a mixed team of Junior and seniors finish in 5th place
Wayne Hick (25.17), Jordan Hinds (26.15), Cliff Warren (26.47) Cumulative time 78:19.

First place in the senior mixed relays went to the Ilford ‘Committee team’
Club Captain and Press Officer Billy Green took the first lap in an impressive 28:01, handing over to Welfare Officer Rachel Halpin with a steady lap of 32:10, before handing over to Club Chairman Ernie Forsyth, who despite giving it his all was unable to be the fastest member of the team by mere seconds, finishing in 28:03.

The race is now held annually to commemorate Ilford AC stalwart Kevin Newell who unfortunately suffered a serious brain injury four years ago and now requires full-time care . A donation will be made from the race proceeds to a suitable charity. It is not only supported and promoted by his comrades at Ilford Athletic Club but many of his friends that he has made from the local running community and throughout the county also turn up to either run, volunteer, or just cheer on the runners in tribute to Kevin.

 

 

South Essex Cross Country League
Hadleigh
30th December 2018

Three of Ilfords runners were out on Sunday on a very wet and hilly Cross Country League 4.7 mile run in Hadleigh.
Gary Coombes was first of the three home in 14th place with a time of 31:07, followed by Steve Philcox in 32:28 for 28th place and Trevor Robinson in 42:07 for 142nd place.
Gary and Trevor represented second claim club ‘Barking’ on the day as Ilford do not compete in this league, whilst Steve ran as a ‘guest’.

 

  Press Report 25th December 2018  

Dec 252018
 

Ilford Christmas Relay
Cricklefields Stadium
Tuesday 18 December

The annual Ilford AC Christmas relay took place at their home track at Cricklefields Stadium.
It is the one time of the year when all the clubs running groups come together, the Juniors, Senior track runners and the endurance road and cross country runners.

This year 10 teams of 3 or 4 runners entered the relay event with each team having to do 19 laps. The race is run as a relay with the only rules being that each runner has to do at least 3 laps, and the last lap has to be run by the whole team.

It was a close contest this year, and despite heavy rain was a lot of fun.
All ten teams finished within 500 metres of each other with the winning team finishing in 28 mins 15 seconds.

The winning team consisted of Junior Bradley Deacon, which was a complete turnaround for him as he finished in the last team this time last year, Senior Hayden Newland and Phil Euell another Junior. Their prize was a selection of Chocolates. Second prize, a box of Mince Pies, went to Mungo Prior, Aaron Hick and Matthew Cole, whilst the Selection Box which went to the third team was awarded to Rahana Islam, Aaron Samuels and Doris Gaga

 

 

  Press Report. 17th December 2018  

Dec 172018
 

Southend Rudolph 5 Mile Race
Sunday 9th December

Ilford ladies Carol Muir and Julie Gillender set out on a cold and wet Sunday morning to run the annual Southend rudolph 5 mile race.

The run consisted of part of the Southend parkrun route and then along the promenade and back again  to the finish point.

Christmas elves and Santas all festively dressed for the occasion only to be soaked by the rain but the atmosphere kept everyone’s spirits up. On finishing every runner received a medal,mince pie and Christmas pudding .
Both ladies were pleased with their runs with Julie coming in on 52:39, closely followed by Carol with a time of 53:41

 

ESSEX CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE – SENIORS
Horseheath, Cambridge
​Saturday 15 December

The third round of the Essex Cross-Country League was held on a bitterly cold afternoon on the wide open Horseheath racecourse just over the border into Cambridgeshire.

The ladies race was over 6km with Carlie Qirem leading the way in 38th in 30 mins 06 secs. Next up was Bree Nordin, who is leading the league in the F55 section, with 31 mins 19 secs. Nicola Hopkinson was 63rd in 32 mins 55 secs and Anna Crawley closed out the scorers  in 34 mins 11 secs.
The Ilford ladies fished  8th on the day and are currently in 9th in division one of the league this season.

Also in action were Sharon Honey in 79th with a time of 36:12 and Julia Galea with 89th in a time of 37:55.

The men’s race was an 8.6km event with John Crawley leading the under strength Ilford team in 82nd with 34 mins 13 secs. He was supported by Dan Holeyman in 95th with 35 mins 23 secs, with Diarmuid Mac Donnell just 2 places and 5 seconds behind.
Phil Davies ran a steady race to finish 107th with 36 mins 24 secs and Alan Pearl came 146th in 40 ins 02 secs. Trevor Robinson was the last of the team’s scoring athletes in 41 mins 55 secs.
The Ilford club finished 10th in the match and maintain 7th spot in division one of the Essex League.

The club had 4 other athletes in action in the event; Steve Cheal 162nd   42.31, sprinter Henry Ricketts 171st 46.10 Ray ‘Sparra’ Everingham 177th in 54:12 and Jim Huddart, who is leading the M70 category in the league, 180th in a time of 64:32

 

 

Dawn to Dusk Sunlight Ultra
Woodford Green
Sunday 16th December

The Dawn to Dusk Sunlight Ultra is a running event organised by the ‘Sikhs in the city’ running community every year and consists of races at many Disciplines.
Ilfords Peter Spelman decided to take part in the ‘Marathon event’ which amazingly consists of 21 laps for the 26.2 mile course.
Peter was pleased with his time of 4:59:40 which placed him 31st on the day and 4th in his age category.

  Press Report 11th December 2018  

Dec 112018
 

South of England Masters Cross Country Championship
Oxford
Saturday 8th December

Saturday saw the country’s best vets competing in Oxford for the ‘South of England Masters Cross Country Champs’
Ilford AC had the one athlete running, ex England International Andy Catton, who ran in the Over 60’s race.

On a tough hilly and muddy 10k course Andy finished in an impressive 41.29, a run he described as his best race for years.
Andy’s efforts earned him 5th place in the over 65 category, which placed him one place above World 800m and 1500m champion and record holder Dave Wilcox.

Andrew also placed 11th overall in the over 60’s.

Essex runners won both age groups – Dave Cox of Woodford was first M65 and Mick Bridgeland of Chelmsford first M60

 

WARE CUP
Loughton
Saturday 8 December

This years Ware Cup saw a field of 90 assembled at the Roding Valley Recreational Grounds in Loughton for this 8km team event. The race runs out of the park across the Roding River for 3 laps of the country park area and then back.

The Ilford male challenge was headed by Gary Coombes. who is in good form this autumn, in 9th place with 29 mins 26 secs and 1st M45 over the line.
Hard working Seb Parris backed him up in 13th place in 30 mins 42 secs.
Next up was Diarmuid Mac Donnell in 33 mins 54 secs. Ed Skinner closed the scores in 63rd spot and 2nd in the M60 category in 40 mins 40 secs.
Jim Huddart was the only 70 age category runner in the event and finished 87th.

The Ilford ladies line up was headed by Bree Nordin as 9th in the ladies race in 37 mins 54 secs and 1st in the F60 category. Nicola Hopkinson came home 22nd in a strong field with 41 mins 10 secs and 2nd in the F55 grouping.
Gaye Young completed the team in 33rd spot with 44 mins 53 secs.

In the match Ilford finished 4th in both the mens and the ladies fixtures.