Press Report. 1st October 2018  

Oct 012018
 
Valentines Park 5k
Sunday 30th September 2018


Ilford AC fielded a team of 31 runners in the 8th and final race of the East London FiVe Interclub Series (Elvis) held at Valentines Park and hosted by East London Runners last Sunday.
Held over the traditional two lap 5k course, 275 runners enjoyed the warm September sunshine.

The club used the race, and social event afterwards, to celebrate our ‘Super vets’.
Five of our longest serving veterans, having a combined membership of over 300 years between them, were in attendance on the day with three of them also running in the race.
Gerry Pells who no longer races has 69 years under his belt. Pam Jones who came 2nd FV70 68 years at the club. John Batchelor, who regularly races but is currently injured, 61 years service. Anthony Nixon, first V70 on the day 56 years service and Andy Catton, 3rd V50 on the day 51 years as a member.

It was a very successful day for the club with 5 runners attaining a PB and 5 age graded first prizes.

First home was Amin Koikai in 2nd place and first MV40 in 16:12, closely followed by Tom Gardner in 3rd for 16:18. Third home for the club, and in 7th place overall was Stephen Philcox in a time of 17:42 which gained him 1st MV50 on the day. The men’s team was completed by Danny Holeyman who achieved the remarkable feat of completing 4 PB’s in 4 successive Sundays over 4 different distances. Danny finished in 27th position with a time of 19:01 to add a 5k PB to his 10 miles, Half Marathon and 5 mile PB’s achieved over the last 3 weeks. Next home was Alan Pearl in 21:01 for 59th followed by one of the Super vets Andy Catton who completed the men’s scoring team in 21:26 for 67th place
Anthony Nixon, another of our Super Vets took the V70 title for 95th place in 22:26

The men’s team were second on the day, and second overall for the series.

First home for the ladies was Carlie Qirem, who continues her great form this season with 79th place, and 8th female on the day for a time of 22:12. Carlie was closely followed by Breege Nordin, 11th lady for 22:34 and 1st FV60 place.Third home for the ladies was club President Nicola Hopkinson who was 17th lady and first FV50 in 23:18 followed by Melinda Jones who was  3rd FV50 on the day in 23:33. This was Melinda’s first race after a long injury lay off, so a fantastic achievement.

The ladies team finished 2nd on the day and third overall in the series.

Other notable performances were Gaye Young returning from injury to finish 126th in 23:35, Natalie Crisp 130th 23:54 PB, Alison Sale 160th 25:18 PB,  Ray Sparra Everingham 179th 26:44, Freida Keane 189th 27:28 PB, Suki Jandu 198th 28:04 for a seasons best and Pam Jones in her 68th year at the club finishing in 34:04 for 253rd and second in her age group.

Remaining times (chip times) and positions for Ilford AC athletes:-

Tony Young 22:23 84th, Stephen Parker 22:41 90th,  Adnan Karim 23:05 104th, Ernie Forsyth 23:36 118th, Satha Alaga 24:28 140th, Julia Galea 26:33 177th, Doris Gaga 27:01 181st, Carol Muir 28:42 204th, James Huddart 28:57 207th, Natasha Mansouri 28:57 207th, Launa Broadley 29:27 214th, Julie Gillender 30:19 224th and Pete Whiting 30:40 229th

 

Warsaw Marathon
Sunday 30 September

Sam Rahman of Ilford AC took part in the 40th staging of the Warsaw Marathon last Sunday. The course followed a scenic route around the Polish Capital, even running through the zoo!  Sam ran a well judged pace with even splits reaching half way in 1 hr 27 mins 10 secs. He tired slightly in the last 3 miles however to finish his 12 th marathon in 2 hrs 55 mins 11 secs, the 7th time he has broken 3 hours, for 118th position in a field of 7515 finishers.

Blackwater Navigation Marathon
Chelmsford Essex
Sunday 30th September

Ilfords Peter Spelman took part in the inaugural Blackwater Navigation Marathon which was limited to 50 runners as it was a trial event.

Unfortunately Peter took a wrong turn after 8 miles as a sign telling you to cross a bridge had been removed and consequently ran an extra mile or so. Peter remarked that a beautiful course, good company and great weather made it an enjoyable experience.
Peter finished in 36th place in 5.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Press Report. Monday 24th September 2018  

Sep 242018
 

Ingatestone 5
Sunday 23rd September 2018


Ilford AC sent a team of 8 runners to the 34th running of the Ingatestone 5, half of whom impressed with personal best performances.
The race took place during a very heavy downpour on a challenging course starting from the Anglos-European school in Willow Green, taking in Fryerning and a challenging Beggar Hill before heading back to the finish at the back of the school.

First home for Ilford, continuing to find form after an injury layoff, was Malcolm Muir in 9th place for 29:24. Malcolm also placed 3rd in the V40 category on the day.
Second home, and the first of the personal bests, was Danny Holeyman with a very impressive time of 31:43 for 25th place.
Third home and completing the men’s scoring team on the day was Bradley Brown coming in 54th place for 36:34.
The men’s team placed first on the day.

Next two men home, both also achieving personal bests, were Anthony Young in 37:12 for 62nd place and Adnan Karim in 39:21 for 79th place.
The men’s squad was completed by Ernie Forsyth coming in at 39:59 for 84th place.

Two ladies represented Ilford AC on the day. First home was Freida Keane who has had a very impressive summer, who came home in 122nd place for 45:44 and the fourth personal best of the morning.
Next home was Carol Muir with a solid run of 50:27 for 135th place.

This charity race has strong links with Ilford AC being founded by Ilford Legend Howard Williams to raise money for Ingatestone Boys Club. Sadly Howard passed away last year, but nevertheless every year a willing team of Club volunteers keep Howard’s legacy by providing a team to administer the on the day entries and results service. Special mention therefore goes to the team of Martin Clarke, Andy Catton, Carlie Qirem, Julia Galia, Gaye Young, Satha Alaga, Declan and Ethne Cullen, Satha Alaga and Billy Green

 

RACE WALKING

Full Set (Gold/Silver/Bronze) for Ilford’s Walkers

Enfield League One Hour race
Lee Valley
Saturday 22nd September


Ilford’s walkers contested the annual Enfield League One Hour race at Lee Valley track on a cold and rainy Saturday afternoon.  They were led home by Mark Culshaw who in the 60 minutes’ period had the kudos of bettering 10,000 metres – by one metre as he covered 10,001 metres to claim 4th place in the men’s race.   In 10th spot, with 9,017 metres under his belt, came stalwart Dave Kates, who had just returned from competitive action in a much warmer Spain. Veteran Bob Dobson was 20th with 8,271 achieved.  Ilford’s women really set the track alight as all 3 recorded intermediate personal bests as they sped through 3,000 metres, 5,000 metres and 5 miles on route to their final totals. Emma Dyros was 4th with 9,475 metres, Rachel Lawless 8th on 8,760 metres and Lesley Morris 10th having recorded 8,540 metres.

In conjunction was an Essex County Championship, where gold medalist Dave Kates was 1st Essex man home and Bob Dobson 3rd Essex man so collecting a bronze award.  The women’s race saw Emma Dyros claim silver, with near neighbour Melanie Peddle of Loughton AC taking gold.

 

SWIMMING

Serpentine Swim
Saturday 22nd September

Thousands of swimmers took to the water at Swim Serpentine in Hyde Park’s famous Serpentine Lake.
Now in its third year, a record breaking 6,000 people of all ages and abilities entered this inspirational open water swimming event that includes half-mile, one-mile, two-mile and ‘Super Six’ swims. The temperature was about 17 degrees so pretty challenging for the swimmers.
Two Ilford ladies, Nicola Hopkinson and Carlie Qirem, took part in the 2 mile swim.

Nicola Hopkinson was first home with a very strong swim of 1:09:30 followed by Carlie in 1:46:37.
Carlie was particularly emotional at the end as swimming is by no means her strongest discipline and she was physically and emotionally drained at the end.
However her participation meant that Carlie earned the ‘London Classics’ medal which is awarded to anyone who completes the 3 disciplines of Running, Riding and Swimming the London Marathon, Ride 100 and Serpentine Swim.

 

  Press Report 18th September 2018  

Sep 182018
 

PLESHEY HALF MARATHON (incorporating the Essex Championship)
Pleshey, Essex
Sunday 16th September

The Essex Championship were once again staged in conjunction with the Pleshey Half Marathon. The race from the picturesque village is over a rolling course and was once again a successful day for Ilford AC with the club winning 4 county medals and runners setting three new personal bests for the distance.

Amin Koikai led the way for the Ilford team with an excellent 6th place in 1hr 14 mins 23 secs, the performance winning the Essex title as 1st in the M40 age group.  The ever reliable Malcolm Muir put in his usual gutsy run for 17th in 1 hr 19 mins 50 secs and 4th in the M40 category. Next home was Sam Rahman who is returning to form have a series of niggly injuries in 19th in 1hr 21 mins 02 secs. These three combined to place third in the Essex team race and bronze medals.

Steve Philcox came in 27th in 1hr 22 mins 26secs to win the M50 age category Essex gold medal.
Next up were a trio if runners setting new personal bets: Seb Parris with 1hr 22mins 46 secs for 29th, Dan Holeyman in 1hr 28mins 17secs placing 53rd and Alan Pearl with 1hr 40mins 25secs in 12th.

Bree Nordin finished 126th in 1hr 40 mins 35 secs to take the silver medal in the Essex F55 category contest.
Other Ilford AC runners in action were: Adnan Karim (268  1.56.36 ( Julia Galea ( 315 2.05.32) Satha Alaganasundaram (349  2.13.52) Frieda Keane (364 2.16.26) Natasha Mansouri (380 2.29.31)

 

Harvest Trail Quarter Marathon
Royston
Sunday 16th September.

Ray ‘Sparra’ Everingham was this years only entrant in the Harvest Trail Quarter Marathon,.
Starting in Royston, the race is a good old fashioned ‘trail run’ taking in many challenging hills and sections through the woods.
Sparra was pleased with his time of 1:09:18 although he commented he had to walk up the aptly named ‘cardiac hill’ which cost him a few minutes.

WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP –
Malaga, Spain
10th – 15th September


The 23rd World Masters Track and field Championships are taking place in Malaga on the Spanish Costa del Sol. These championships also feature road races, walks and cross country

Rob Sargent of Ilford Ac competed in the 8km cross country over a 4 lap tough stony course coming home 57th in the M60age group with 43 mins 43 secs and was the 4th Brit to finish.
He was joined in the 10km road race by clubmate Steve Parker on an out and back course from the stadium to the seafront. Both runners were in the M60 category with Parker having a well paced run to finish 61st in the age group race in 47 mins 25 secs and Sargent showed improved form with 52 mins 32 secs for 75th

Also in the first week Ilford second claim member Gerald Daniel ran in the M65 300m hurdles semi finals. He finished 5th in ht1 and recorded 57.23 secs, the 11th fastest time, but was not a qualifier for the final.

During the second week Rob Sargent took to the track for the 5000m. There was a large entry of 67 for the M60 age categoryso the race was split into 3 sections and the results merged together. Rob ran a steady race to finish 56th overall in 25mins 47secs 32secs
Ilford Second claimer Gerald Daniel took part in his second hurdle event, the M65 100 hurdles. Gerald make a great start in his heat but hit the second hurdle and lost time as he recorded 21.16secs for 4th in his heat, He was once again the 11th fastest in the vent and a non-qualifier for the final.
On the final Sunday of the championship the morning was  hot sunny and humid for the half marathon which had 816 finishers in total. The course was similar to the 10km but over 2 laps. Sargent was in his 4th race of the championships and again keep a steady pace passing many tiring runners on the second lap to finish I 2 hours 0 mins 19 secs for 683th and 76 the in the M60 grouping, |He was the 9th finisher in a strong British team in this category. Teammate

Steve Parker had been suffering with food poisoning in the days before and was down on power but did well to complete the race in 2hrs 13 mins 45secs.

 

 

  Press Report 11th September 2018  

Sep 112018
 

Running

This week Ilford athletes push their own personal limitations and it ‘reigns’ rewards.

Crown to Crown 5k
Langdon hills, Basildon
Wedneday 5th Sept

Last race of this year’s popular off road 5k series hosted by Pitsea Striders. The 5k course has a reputation for being one of the toughest around and in particular the finish which is located on a grassy meadow which can only be reached via a long gruelling steep uphill slog! Gary Coombes was the sole Ilford runner and in slightly wet conditions ran very well to secure 3rd place in 18:18. In fact the first 3 runners were unchanged from the previous race held in August.

Essex 10km Cross Country Series
Weald Park
Saturday 8th Sept

Weald Park was the location for the last in the 6 race summer xc series. The circuit was a 3 lap, 2 mile loop that took runners on an undulating course through the forest and surrounding grassy areas.

Once again Gary Coombes was the sole Ilford representative and his regular hill training sessions seemed to pay off as he finished the race in 3rd place in 36.14 – also bagging the first V40 prize.

Parkrun
Vancouver
Saturday 8th Sept

While visiting Canada on her holidays, running technique coach Sharon Honey became a parkrun ‘tourist’ and took part in the 5km run through Richmond Olympic park in Vancouver.  She ran strongly to finish 27th in 25.30 and bagged 6th woman home in the process.

Harlow 10
Mark Hall Sports Centre
Sunday 9th september

This is a popular fixture with club member’s year in year out.  A good days racing was in the cross hairs for 10 Ilford athletes.  They didn’t disappoint with five of the team recording new personal bests, some by a country mile too!  Perfect overcast conditions faced the runners if a little windy.  The ten mile figure of eight course had a few stinging hills at mile five and seven but the pleasure of a fast track finish.  Ilford’s good fortunes began with Seb Parris leading them home for 12th spot in 63.17.  Danny Holeyman sped in for 10th V40 in 24th spot with an incredible 67.12 (PB number one and by nine minutes).  Alan Pearl’s good running form continues to be paying off as he took 54th place and 8th V50 in 73.58 (PB number two and by 6 minutes).  Carlie Qirem ran outstandingly well clocking 76.42 (PB number three and by over ninety seconds) and bagging 2nd senior female on the day.  Next home and debuting at the distance was Adnan Karim.  Picking up speed in the final five miles for a commendable 83.38 and 134th place.   Satha Alaga ran well for 187th in 91.08.  Julia Galia looked very composed when finishing and picked up a seasons best in 95.03 for 212th spot.  Freida Keane was hot on her heels and looked like she had a very strong finish clocking 97.40 (PB number four and by a minute) for 225th place.  Next up placing 264th and having a super year of running, with multiple bests being smashed, was Launa Broadly in a brilliant 104.44 (PB number five and by 3 minutes).  Natasha Mansouri also debuting at the distance had a fine race for 289th and a strong finish time of 110.21.  Ilford AC had some very energetic performances on a good day!

Great north run
Newcastle
Sunday 9th Sept

43,000 runners attempted the 13.1 mile event, which stretches from Newcastle to South Shields.  Among the celebrities taking part were singer Olly Murs, news presenter Sophie Raworth and model Nell McAndrew.  Ilford AC put forward three of their own stars to this list. Great north run regular Anthony Young and Family duo John and Anna Crawley.

The weather was warm and the hills were… hilly. After the first few miles in to the race, both John and Anna knew it wasn’t going to be their day for a pb as the long drags were relentless so they slowed a little and tried to enjoy the race.  John Crawley came home in an impressive 1.31.47 for 647th spot.  Antony clocked his 2nd faster course time in 1.51.28 for 4854th.   While Anna finished in 2:03:27 for 9901st.

World Masters Athletics
Malaga
Sunday 9th September

The 23rd World Masters Track and field Championships are taking place in Malaga on the Spanish Costa del Sol. These championships also feature road races, walks and cross country.

Rob Sargent of Ilford Ac competed in the 8km cross country over a 4 lap tough stony course coming home 57th in the M60age group with 43 mins 43 secs and was the 4th Brit to finish.

He was joined in the 10km road race by clubmate Steve Parker on an out and back course from the stadium to the seafront. Both runners were in the M60 category with Parker having a well-paced run to finish 61st in the age group race in 47 mins 25 secs and Sargent showed improved form with 52 mins 32 secs for 75th.

Earlier in the week Ilford second claim member Gerald Daniel ran in the M65 300m hurdles semi-finals. He finished 5th in ht1 and recorded 57.23 secs, the 11th fastest time, but was not a qualifier for the final.

Race Walking

The 3000m Woodford Walks series
Ashton Playing fields
Tuesday 4th Sept

Ilford AC were crowned team champions in this final meeting of the four race series without needing to field a team.    Cracking previous performances from Stuart Bennett, Mark Culshaw, Rachel Lawless, Mick Barnbrook, Dave Ainsworth and Lesley Morris had secured an unassailable 1st team lead that couldn’t be caught prior to race four taking place.   Excellent and consistent results from Stuart Bennett meant he placed third in the overall individual standings.

  Press Report. 3rd September 2018  

Sep 032018
 

The Essex Way – 10 Stage Relay Event
Epping Station to Harwich Lighthouse
Sunday 2nd September 2018

Ilford AC had 13 hardy runners including a full A team and a small B and C team, flying the flag for the Club in the iconic 30th running of The Essex Way.
This is one of the County’s truly inspirational and premier events, with 74 teams from clubs from all over the county and beyond racing on the ancient trails and footpaths which make up the 82 miles of the historic Essex Way that runs from Epping Station to Harwich Old Lighthouse.

Martin Clarke and Peter Spelman duly set off from Epping Station at 8am on Sunday morning to represent Ilford on Leg 1 finishing 7.5 miles later at Chipping Ongar finishing 55th and 67th. The first leg is also jointly organised by Ilford with East London Runners.
Leg 2 saw Rachel Halpin, Alison Sale and Freida Keane run the 9.5 miles to Good Easter finishing 55th 63rd and 64th.
Leg 3 had Anthony Young running another 9.5 miles to Little Leighs finishing 31st.
Leg 4 was Gaye Young running the 10.1 miles to Cressing Church finishing 41st .
Leg 5 saw Nicola Hopkinson running the 9.4 miles to Great Tay in 34th position..
Highlight of the day came at Leg 6. Malcolm Muir who lives local to the end of leg 4 came along to cheer on the team. When told that our runner for Leg 6 had pulled out last minute he agreed, with 30 minutes notice, to run the 5.7 miles to West Bergholt for Leg 6 and despite getting lost on one occasion finished 5th in his leg.
Leg 7 had Carlie Qirem run the longest leg of the day running the 11.2 miles to Dedham for 30th place (although she claims to have got lost in a vineyard, adding another mile to her route!.)
Leg 8 saw Billy Green run the 8 miles to Bradfield in 37th place before Gary Coombes took on the 6 miles to Ramsey in leg 9 finishing in a very strong 6th place.
Fittingly it was left to the clubs senior stateswoman Pam Jones to take on the 5.5 miles to Harwich lighthouse, along with Nicola Hopkinson and Billy Green who were both running their second leg of the day finishing in 67th, 68th and 69th to culminate an enjoyable days running on what was an unseasonably hot day.

The final results saw Ilfords ‘A’ squad finishing a very credible 24th on the day with the B and C squads finishing in 50th and 51st places.

The day finished with a few of the runners who did the later legs, along with Robin Davies, Catherine Green and Dennis Briggs who assisted and supported throughout the day, have a traditional fish and chip supper near the seafront after a team photo on the lighthouse at Harwich.

 

Takeley 10k
Sunday 2nd September

Also running in the glorious sunshine on Sunday was Ray ‘Sparra’ Everingham, in his debut season for the club, take on the Takely 10k.
The 10k route, almost all off road, starts alongside an old unused railway track and takes runners through the Essex Countryside before heading back to the village Hall for a nice flat finish.
Ray was determined to get under the hour for the 10k, and was delighted to do so for the first time securing a new PB time of 58:54 to finish in 216th place in a field of 428.
Ray came to the club last winter having never done any proper running in his life with an aim to do a park run without walking. What he has achieved in the subsequent months is a credit to his determination and hard work.

 

RACE WALKING

ON THE ISLAND

Ilford’s evergreen veteran race walker Ed Shillabeer travelled to Guernsey to line up in Sunday’s long established “Church-to-Church” race, held over the odd distance of 19.4 miles.   So called as it passes every parish church on this holiday island, Shillabeer is a 4-times’ former winner (1988/89 & 2004/5).
Over a long circuit, starting and finishing in the Island’s capital St.Peter Port, Shillabeer settled into a steady pace, arriving at the finish line in 4 hours 6 minutes and 6 seconds to claim a commendable 8th place.