Press Report June 19th 2018  

Jun 182018
 

Southern Counties Vets League
Walton
11th June 2018

Another fine team performance resulted in the Vets team again finishing second on the evening.
The evening started with a non-scoring 200m hurdles but a new Club record with Wayne Hick finishing 3rd in 29.7s.
The scoring distances were 200m, 800m and 3000m with the field events being shot, hammer and discus.

Sam Malekout debuted as a vet over 200m in M35. He held his form well to take 1st in 24.5s.
In the same age group Seb Parris changed his walking shoes for the track covering the 800m and 3000m in 2.26.2s and 10.36.5s for 2nd and 4th respectively.

Jim Harrison came down an age group to run the M40 200m and his time of 30.3s placed him 6th. Dave Butler came down two age groups to run the 800m. 2.38.4s secured 6th and most importantly is his best time since returning from injury. Henry Ricketts came down an age group to compete in the shot and his distance of 7m 71 placed him 4th.

Going back to M50 Henry’s 200m time of 28.7s secured 5th. Steve Philcox dominated the 800m gaining 1st in a time of 2.18.3. Andy Catton came down an age group in the 3000m and his time of 12.30.1s grabbed 7th. Pete Whiting launched the hammer 18m 53 for 6th. In the discus Henry’s throw of 26m 92 secured 3rd.

In the M60 category Gerald Daniel covered the 200m in 32.4s for 6th. Dave Butler moving back to his age group ran the 3000m in 11.08.7 for 2nd. Roger Honey put the shot 8m 89 also for 2nd.

Other non-scoring athletes performances – Bradley Brown 3000m 11.49.5, Roger Honey Hammer 23m 23, Discus 22m 71, Mark Culshaw Discus 20m 06, Pete Whiting Discus 18m 15.

The final event of the evening was the 4 x 400m relay (Wayne, Henry, Seb and Sam) and despite a storming last leg by Sam, Ilford had to settle for 4th in 4.14.1s.

Thanks to Clare Levey for officiating and Pam for support.

After two matches Enfield and Haringey lead the way with 239.5 points. London Heathside are second with 226.5 and IAC third with 219.

South London Swimming Club Aquathlon summer series race 2
Tooting Bec lido
Wednesday 13th June

Seb Parris travelled south of the river Wednesday evening for the second race in this very popular aquathlon series (a race comprising of a swim transitioning into a run).  It’s a pacey race with 100 triathletes going off in two waves 25 minutes apart.

Tooting Bec lido was a nippy 19c, so wetsuits were worn for the 11 length 1100m swim.
Seb started in the first wave of 50 athletes and after a powerful swim exited the water in 7th place of his wave.

The run was 7.5km and 3 loops of tooting common.
Seb found his rhythm very early on and recorded 28.40 on the course, the 7th fastest run across both waves of the day.  After all the athletes had finished he placed 13th overall in 46.27.

 

Havering 5 (ELvIS)
Raphael Park
Wednesday June 13

There was another impressive turn out from the endurance squad of Ilford AC in the second round of the summer 2018 ELvIS tournament. The event was held on a two course within Raphael park, Romford. Leading the way for Ilford was Steve Philcox in an excellent 6th place in 29 mins 09 secs winning the M50 category trophy. One place back was Gary Coombes taking the M45 group cup in 29 mins 21 secs, while Seb Parris once again showing improvement as he recorded a new personnel best of 30 mins 23 secs for 17th spot. John Crawley closed out the top 20 in 31 mins 09 secs and Dan Holeyman posted 31 mins 28 secs in 28th. Closing out the scorers for the club was Rohan Alexander with 33mins 16 secs for 39th place

In the team match Ilford once again finished 2nd and maintain that position in the 9-team match.

Bree Nordin was the first home for the Ilford ladies with 36 mins 20 secs as 9th female and took the F60 category. Carlie Qirem recorded a personal best of 36 ins 25 secs as 10th female. Nicola Hopkinson was 17th in 38mins 24 secs with Jenni Sheehan being the 4th scorer in 32nd place in 41mins 30 secs. The ladies finished 4th in the match but are 3rd in the competition overall.

There were also personal bests for Alan Pearl of 36mins 40 secs in 83rd, Tony Young in 100th with 37 mins 47 secs and Rhoan Gabbidon placed 101st with 37 mins 50 secs.

Also ran: – Dennis Briggs (56th 34.43) Andy Catton (66th 35:30) Satha Alaga (109th 38.23) Eain Begg (112th 38.38)  Natalie Crisp (150th 41.55)  Peter Spelman (153rd 42.33)  Adnan Karim (192nd  45.37) Julia Galea 9194th 45.24) Frieda Keane (218th 47.59)  Ray ‘Sparra’ Everingham (22nd  48.36)  Suki Jandu (228th  49.17) Natasha Mansouri (231st 50.49) Pam Jones (251st 54.40)  James Huddart (256th 56.31) Brennie Gabbidon (258th 58.54)

Adidas City Run – 1 hour
City of London
17th June 2018

Sunday saw the inaugural staging of the Adidas One-hour city run, where the aim is to run as far as you can in one hour.
The course was a one-mile loop, with timing mats at every 0.1m, starting at St. Pauls Cathedral and taking in St Mary-Le-Bow church, Guildhall and Mansion house.
In the first wave of the day Rhoan Gabbidon completed 7.5 miles and Brennie Gabbidon 5.2 miles. In wave four Dennis Briggs completed 8.1 miles and Billy Green 7.4 miles.

BMAF 5k Road Championships
Horwich
17th June 2018

The British Masters 5km Championship was held at its usual venue of Horwich, just outside of Manchester over a 3-lap hilly course. A quartet from Ilford Ac travelled north to take part. The only clubman running was Steve Parker who came home 129th overall and 18th in the M60 age grouping in 22 mins 47 secs. Pam Jones won another British title in the F60category in 31 mins 40 secs. Julia Galea was 4th in the F60 group in 27 mins 32 secs while Doris was 8th in the F50 category with 29 mins 23 secs

The three ladies combined to form a team in the ten-year band F45-54 group and finished in a creditable 3rd to take the bronze medal.

 

 

 

 

 

  Ilford AC Press Report. June 12th 2018  

Jun 112018
 

Orion Forest 5 Miles
Chingford
Saturday June 9th

On Saturday morning, 5 Ilford AC athletes were amongst the 190 runners lining up for the first of Orion running clubs 3 race ‘Forest 5’ summer series.
The undulating multi-terrain course follows a one lap route around Epping Forest.

Leading the Ilford men home and placing first in the M50 category was Stephen Philcox with a time of 30:00 for 8th place.
Next home was Bradley Brown in 52nd place in 36:01 followed by Dennis Briggs in 78th place in 39:37

Gaye Young was the only Ilford lady competing, and she came home in 81st place in a time of 39:55

The Ilford team was completed by club captain Billy Green who came home in 87th place for a time of 40:47

Southend Half Marathon
Sunday June 10th

A squad of 10 Ilford AC runners and one guest travelled down to Southend on Sunday for the Annual Southend Half Marathon.
The race is mainly flat, apart from some undulations in the last couple of miles, and the middle 8 miles of the course takes you up and down the Southend sea-front twice where you are greeted by large crowds of locals cheering loudly. This also gives you the chance to see club mates passing on the other side of the road a few times so there were many encouraging shouts of “Come on Ilford”.

Remarkably, of the ten Ilford runners that competed on Sunday, six recorded PB’s, whilst 2 others made their debut at the distance.

1st home for Ilford, and first PB of the day was Daniel Holeyman who finished in 74th place, of over 2000 runners, in a time of 1:28:35.
Daniel was followed by Dennis Briggs in 147th place in a time of 1:33:34 for the second PB of the morning.
The Ilford mens team was completed with solid runs by Anthony Young in 614th place in a time of 1:49:17 and Billy Green in 873rd place in a time of 1:56:33.

The 6 Ilford AC ladies, and guest runner who trains with the club, were all made up of ladies who joined the club as beginners to running and all of whom have gone from beginners to competing in a Half Marathon within 18 months.

First home for the ladies was Gaye Young, who along with Dennis and Billy was competing in her second race of the weekend, in 351st place and a new PB time of 1:41:54.
2nd and 3rd ladies, both with PB’s and finishing closely together was Pramila Monroe in 1277th place for 2:08:16 and Frieda Keane in 1286th for 2:08:38.
Making not only her debut at the distance, but also her debut competing for the club was Alison Sale who wore the vest proudly to finish in 1399th place in a time of 2:11:43. Next home was Josnara Uddin who trains with the club. Josnara finished in 2:12:34 for 1421st place.
Making her debut at the distance was Launa Broadley who was pleased to complete the distance in a time of 2:26:01 for 1727th place.
Last, but by no means least, was Brennie Gabbidon who put in the performance of the day to knock over half an hour off her previous PB to finish in 2:33:47 for 1834th

Jack Fitzgerald memorial 10k race walk
Crawley, Surrey
Saturday June 9th

 

2nd IN CLASS COMPANY

Mark Culshaw was the only Ilford race walker making a journey to Tilgate Park, near Crawley, for the annual Jack Fitzgerald memorial race held on a slighly over-distance 10 kilometres course on a hot afternoon.  Still recovering from rib injuries, Cusklaw showed class by coming a comfortable 2nd in good company, clocking 63 minutes and 51 seconds – beaten only by Sussex-based Olympian Ian Richards.

 

 

 

 

  Press Report June 5th 2018  

Jun 052018
 

DAGENHAM 5mish ELVIS
Wednesday 30 May

 

The 2018 Elvis series (East London fiVes Interclub series) got off to a good start at Eastbrook End Country Park on Wednesday Evening when Dagenham 88 hosted the first of this years 8 summer races on a 2 lap multi-terrain course of 5 miles.

 Ilford AC entered a large squad in the event with Steve Philcox leading the team home in 6th place, which won him the 1st M50 trophy, in 30 mins 42 secs. He was supported by fine runs from John Crawley in 13th in 32 mins 12 secs and Seb Parris with 32 mins 20 secs for 15th. The ever-reliable Neil Crisp came in 20th in 32 mins 41 secs and second in the M50 category.
Two newcomers to the team completed the men’s scoring six with Dan Holeyman in 21st with 32 mins 45 secs and Julian Fabian recording 33 mins 23 secs for 23rd place. They also finished 4th and 5th in the M40 age group respectively.
Rohan Alexander came home 3rd in the M50 age group in 33rd place with 34mins 25 secs.

The slightly understrength Ilford men’s team finished 2nd in the match behind the powerful East London Runners squad.

 

Bree Nordin led home the Ilford ladies in 81st and 7th female in 38 mins 06 secs and won the F55 category. Support came from Carlie Qirem in 87th and 10th lady with 38 mins 43 secs and Nicola Hopkinson with 39 mins 34 secs for 99th and 12th female finisher. The team was completed by Gaye Young in 110th and 14th lady with 40 mins 27 secs

In the ELVIS match Ilford ladies came 3rd behind East London Runners and Eton Manor.

Also in action :- Dennis Briggs (46th  35.30) Andy Catton (55th  36.08) Alan Pearl (88th 38.58) Rhoan Gabbidon (97th  39.33)Tony Young (103rd  40.00)Adnan Karim (113th  40.40)  Satha Alaga (115th  40.44)  Eain Begg (131st  41.56)  Anna Crawley (159th  44.16)  Jenni Sheehan (162nd  44.34)Peter Spelman (169th  45.14)  Sharon Honey (174th  45.20) Natalie Crisp (175th  45.28)  Julia Galea (199th  48.08)  Natasha Mansouri (213th  49.09)  Frieda Keane (214th  49.09)  Launa Broadley (227th  50.51)  Julie Gillender  (250th  56.40)  Pam Jones (251st  57.02)  Brennie Gabbidon (257th  61.43)

DORKING 10
Sunday 3 June

The 33rd Dorking 10 was run over an undulating route loops through scenic countryside with one challenging hill. A quartet from the Ilford endurance squad travelled down to Surrey to compete in the event which also incorporated the VAC 10 mile championship. Best for the team was Alan pearl with 80 mins 56secs for 257th place , with Tony Young in 308th with 85 mins 16 secs. Next home was squad coach Rob Sargent in 395th with 90 mins 32 secs, taking the silver in the M60 age group in the VAC Championship.  Julia Galea was competing in her 3rd race in 7 days found the going tough recording 1hr 43 mins 56 secs in 488th but the performance did win her the gold medal in the VAC event in the GF60 age group.

 

 

Moulton Open Race-walk
5 miles
Saturday 2nd June

CAPTAIN’S ROLE

Ilford’s Walking Captain Steve Uttley was the star of the Club’s turnout on a hot Saturday afternoon, for the annual 5 miles Moulton Open race.

Held on a testing out-and-back rural course in the Suffolk countryside near Newmarket, it regularly attracts big names as was the case on this occasion, as the first 3 home were recent participants in the Olympic or Commonwealth Games!   For Uttley to be 6th man home in such company was a feather in his cap.  In only his 3rd race after a long injury lay-off, he was always moving well on route to securing 6th spot in 48 minutes and 52 seconds.

8th man home was Mark Culshaw with 50.35 on the stopwatch, followed by stalwart Dave Kates 12th in 53.50.    Veteran Bob Dobson was 19th in 58.51.    There wasn’t a team race, instead each finisher received a prize – traditionally handed out at random.

 

  Press Report. Tuesday May 29th  

May 292018
 

The Folkestone Coastal 10k
Sunday 27th May

On Sunday morning In the Blistering Heat of Folkestone Seafront in temperatures  around 26c, Terry Knightley of Ilford Athletic Club, was the sole club member to contest the The Folkestone Coastal 10K Road Race.

Up against a huge field of 550 plus athletes, Knightley found the second half of the race up and down the Seafront, particularly challenging in the hot and humid conditions but still finished in a respectable 28th position overall.

His time of 41 Minutes and 26 Seconds was good enough for 2nd place in the MV55 age category – A category that he had won outright in the previous two years of the annual race.

 

Vitality London 10k
Monday 28th May

On Bank holiday Monday over 15,000 runners lined up for the iconic Vitality London 10k, including 15 runners from Ilford AC.
The race starts on the Mall, takes in such landmarks as Trafalgar Square, St Pauls, Horse Guards parade and Parliament Square before finishing in front of Buckingham Palace.
This years race was held in particularly hot and muggy conditions, but en-route showers, water stations and large crowds ensured all runners had an enjoyable and well supported event.

Leading the men home was Amin Koikai in a time of 33:18 which placed him in 137th place and 2nd in his age group. Second home was the ever reliable Malcolm Muir in 36:38. Malcolm was closely followed by Sebastian Parris in 37:55 for 526th place and a new PB.
4th home was John Crawley in 40:26 for 856th place.
The men’s team was completed with Dennis Briggs 43:32, Satha Alaga 49:01, Ernie Forsyth 50:34 and Billy Green 50:51.
First home for the ladies was Zuzana Sinalova. Zuzana had been concentrating on the track last season and the speed work certainly showed off as she took a mighty 3 minutes off of her PB over the distance to finish in 41:55. 2nd home for the ladies was Breege Nordin in 45:50 which placed her 5th on the day in her age group. 3rd home for the ladies was Carlie Qirem who continues her fantastic form over the last year with yet another PB in a time of 46:23.

Carlie was closely followed home by Gaye Young who came back from a long lay off with illness to finish in a time of 46:53 and a new PB.

The ladies team was completed by Frieda Keane 59:02, Launa Broadley 1:04:24 and Sheila Sinclair 1:07:41

Hatfield Broad Oak 10km
Monday 28 May

Now in its 33rd year, the Hatfield Broad Oak 10K has grown to be one of the largest and most popular road races in the South East, attracting 1500 runners nationwide.

Held in the medieval village of Hatfield Broad Oak near Bishop’s Stortford and organised by the local school PTA the race is held on country roads which are fully closed to traffic which gives the race a very special atmosphere as residents and spectators gather to cheer you on as you loop through the village in a figure of eight eventually finishing on the beautiful village green in the heart of the village.

A squad of 12 from the endurance team at Ilford AC took part in the vent with Gary Coombes leading the way in 17th pace, and 1st in the M45 category, in a fine time of 36 mins 50 secs. Next home was Dan Holeyman on his club competitive debut in 40 mins 29 secs, while Steve Parker put in a good performance in 234th spot and 8th in the M60 group in 46 mins 39 secs. Alan pearl recorded a personal best time of 47 mins and 08 secs for 264th and there was also a personal best for Rhoan Gabbidon of 47 mins 51 secs for 284th. Ray Everington also made his club debut crossing the line for 896th place in 63 mins 18 secs. and Pam Jones was 2nd lady over 70 in 1004th with 69 mins 07 secs. Brennie Gabbidon improves with very race and set a new best time for the distance of 70 mins 43 secs in 1034th.

Also in action were:- Tony Young (320th  48.36) Rob Sargent (529th 54.09( Julia Galea (735th 58.38)  Carol Muir (938 65.07)

  Press Report 22nd May 2018  

May 212018
 

Southern Counties Veterans’ League Herts & North Middx Division
Lee Valley
Monday 14th May

The opening match of the Vets season started at Lee Valley on a warm and sunny evening.

First event on the track was the 2000m walk where Seb Parris debuting as a veteran comfortably won the V35 category in 10.12.9. Mark Culshaw matched the win in the V50 category in 11.24.2. Rachel Lawless also race walked as a guest finishing in 13.37.9 for 3rd place.

The sprinters came out for the 100m with Jim Harrison (Ilford debut) and Henry Ricketts coming down age groups to cover V35 and V40. Taking account of non-scorers Jim placed 6th in 14.2 and Henry 5th in 13.6. Cliff Warren’s 13.7 placed him 5th in V50. Gerald Daniel’s time of 15.1 secured 6th in V60. Ted Skinner ran as a non-scorer finishing in 16.0 for 5th place.

The 400m was covered by Seb, Henry and Cliff in the V35, V40 and V50 age groups. Seb’s 69.2 secured 5th, Henry’s 68.4 secured 6th and Cliff’s 64.2 secured 3rd.

The 1500m saw another Vets debut with Sam Rahman (V35) grabbing 2nd in 4.51.2. Steve Philcox came down an age group to also finish 2nd in the V40 category in 4.49.1. Dave Butler made a welcome return to Ilford after injury and also came down an age group to cover the V50 category finishing in 5.23.3 for 8th. Tony Dixon covered the V60 category and his time of 5.18.5 won the event and also ranks him 1st nationally as V70. Andy Catton running as a guest finished in 5.49.4 and Ted completed the distance in 6.14.0.

The field events were hammer, pole vault, shot and long jump.

In the hammer Pete Whiting’s 16m 66 placed him 7th in V35. Gerald’s distance of 16m 59 secured 4th in V60.
Pete also covered the pole vault clearing 1m 60 for 5th in V35. Jim clearance of 2m 50 secured 2nd in V50.
Henry’s shot of 8m 06 in V35 placed 5th and Gerald came down an age group to finish 7th with 7m 39.
In between his pole vaulting Jim managed to leap 3m 76 for 8th in V35. Cliff’s 4m 52 secured 2nd place.

The relay team of Cliff, Henry, Jim and Gerald brought the baton home in 56.9 for 6th.

Covering all the events meant that Ilford finished an excellent 2nd on the evening.

 

Crystal Palace 5k/10k
Wednesday 16th May

The Crystal Palace run-through event takes place monthly at Crystal Palace Park located in the South-East London suburb of Crystal Palace The park is situated on the Norwood Ridge, offering views of Central London, Greenwich and the North Downs. This undulating route in the beautiful park is the perfect opportunity for a fun evening out, even passing a few dinosaurs along the course!
Competitors can decide on the day whether to complete 5k or do two laps for 10k.
Gary Floate opted for the 5k and finished in a time of 23:00.
Peter Spelman opted for the 10k, however an administrative error meant that only his 5k time of 28:56 was recorded.

 

Hyde Park 10k
Saturday 19th May

Carlie Qirem was the sole Ilford runner in the Hyde Park 10k on a very warm Saturday morning.
Carlie, who wanted to rush home for the Royal Wedding, wasted no time by finishing 56th and 12th female on the day in a time of 46:55. This time was a PB for Carlie, a time that smashed her previous best by almost 2 minutes.

European Masters Road Running Championships
Alicante
Friday 18- Sunday 20

The 16th European Masters Road Running Championships were held in Alicante Spain.
A group of 4 athletes from Ilford AC travelled to the Mediterranean resort to compete. The first event was the 10km road race held in the San Juan district over a flat fast course on Friday evening It was a typical sunny Spanish day which made the going tough for the race at 5.30pm. The star for the club was Pam Jones who cruised to victory and the European title in the F80 category in 69 mins 10 secs. Faster of the Ilford contingent was Steve parker who came home in 48 mins 10 secs for 31st in the M60, with Rob Sargent 34th in 56mins 15 secs in the same age group. Completing the squad for the club was Julia Galea in the F60 grouping in 14th spot with 59 mins 22 secs.

Two days later the half marathon was held on a two lap city centre course which featured all the historical sights of the town and also the seafront and the harbour. The race started on a cloudy morning so conditions were cool for the first part of the race until the sun came through. Only Steve Parker and Julia Galea from the Ilford club ran with Parker coming home 34 th in the M60 age group in 1hr 49 mins 46 secs with Galea placing 7th in the F60 category in 2hrs 09mins 59secs.

 

Braintree 5
Sunday 20th May

Ilford AC sent a team of eight runners to Braintree for the annual running of the 5 mile race that takes runners on an all road, undulating course, through the town.
First home for the team was Alan Pearl, returning after a long injury, to finish in a time of 37:05 for 51st place in his debut at the distance.
Rhoan Gabbidon followed closely in a time of 37:59 for 61st place and a new PB.
Just 2 places and 9 seconds behind Rhoan was Anthony Young in 63rd place and a time of 38:08 and the second PB of the morning. Completing the mens team on the day was Satha Alaga coming in at 39:37 for 80th place.

Frieda Keane, who continues to improve in her second season with the club was the first lady home in 135th place in a time of 46.01 and another PB for the team. Carol Muir was 2nd lady home for Ilford on the day in 153rd place for a time of 48:50 followed closely by Launa Broadley in 49:27 for 159th place and a new PB.. Completing the ladies team was Brennie Gabbidon who finished in a time of 55:21 for 181st place. This was also a PB which meant a remarkable 5 PB’s for the team on the day.

 

Hackney Half Marathon
Sunday 20th May

The Hackney Half Marathon is one of Londons newest, and largest halves with over 13,000 athletes congregating on Hackney marshes for the early start.
Amongst the large crowd were 4 runners from Ilford AC. The route skirts parks and the major roads through Hackney, which are all closed to traffic, before winding its way through the Olympic park and finishing back on Hackney Marshes.
First home for Ilford in an incredible 92nd place on the day in a time of 1:21:56 was Gary Coombes. Gary was followed home by Dennis Briggs who knocked a mighty 6 minutes off of his PB at the distance to finish in a time of 1:34:14 for 1,130th place.
Ilfords only female on the day, Gaye Young, also set a new PB to finish in a great time of 1:44:01 for 3,524th place.
Completing the team on the day was Declan Cullen, who although struggling with injury over the last few months, still managed to complete the course on a hot day in a time of 1:57:59 for 5,154th place.