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.

Barking Park Bank Holiday 5km
Elvis match No 7
Monday 27 August 2018

It was a successful Bank Holiday morning for Ilford AC at the annual 5km in Barking Park. The club had 32 entrants for the race, which was also the 7th match in this summer’s ELvIS series, ran over a fast flat course around the park.

Leading the team home was Alex Richards in 3rd spot in an impressive time of 16 minutes 04 seconds. Next over the line was junior Aaron Samuel, who improves in each race, with a personal best time of 16 minutes 20 seconds. In 5th was Amin Kolkai with 16 mins 31 secs earning the trophy for the first in the M40 category. There was also a personal best for  Gary Coombes of 17 mins 26 secs as he took 9th spot. Sam Rahman had a strong run for 16th in 17 mins 52 secs and Steve Philcox closed the scorers in 17 mins 59 secs in 21st winning the M50 group trophy.

The mens Ilford team won their second ELvIS match of the series as they remain in second spot in the league.

Bree Nordin showed a return to form with 21 mins 39 secs as 7th lady and 1st in the F55 category. Carlie Qirem ran a new best time for the distance of 21 mins 54 secs for 9th, while Jenni Sheehan impressed with 14th in 22 mins 21 secs. The team’s 4th scorer was Nicola Hopkinson with 23 mins 49 secs for 29th.

The team placed 2nd on the day which moves them up to 2nd for the series.

Other Ilford club members recording personal bests on the day were John Crawley of 18 mins 17 secs in 26th, Alan Pearl improved his time by over a minute to 20 mins 42 secs in 77th, Eain Begg came home 93rd with 21 mins 27 secs, Tony Young was 117th with 22 mins 18 secs and Natalie Crisp achieved a new best time of 24 08 secs as she finished 160th.

Another club juniors  in action was Bradley Deacon recording 19 mins 06 secs in 35th.

Other Ilford AC runners: Terry Knightley (42  19.22)  Dan Holeyman (46  19.37)  Bradley Brown (86  20.56) Andy Catton (110 22.00) Satha Alaga (166 24.24)  Ernie Forsyth (168 24.30) Sharon Honey (186 25.21)Anna Crawley (197  25.37) Alson Sale (206 26.19)Julia Galea (222 27.16) Doris Gaga (226 27:33) James Huddart (242  26.32)Suki Jandu (252 29.55)Carol Muir (254 30.09) Julie Gillender (262 31.11)

Straight after the Barking Park 5k, an U15 2k fun run took place around the park.
Noah and Jude Crawley, sons of Ilford runner John Crawley, and nephews of Ilford runner Anna Crawley took part and achieved very good times of 15:33 and 20:29 respectively.

 

Chase the Sun 10k
Olympic Park
Wednesday 8th August 2018

The monthly ‘Chase the Sun’ event is a flat and fast course taking part within the grounds of London’s iconic Olympic Park. Ilford AC’s Carol Muir was the sole Ilford entrant this month and was very pleased with her time of 1hr 2 mins 44 secs which placed her 8th in her age category.

Pride run 10k
Victoria Park Hackney
Saturday 11th August 2018

London’s yearly Pride run is a fast 3 lap course that takes place entirely within the grounds of Hackney’s Victoria Park. A popular race with an inclusive and fun atmosphere and after race BBQ to enjoy.
Ilford’s Doris Gaga was very pleased to break the 1 hour target she had set herself, finishing in a time of 57:44

 

South of England Champs
Lee Valley
Saturday and Sunday 11th/12th August

 

Saturday 11th August

Three  Ilford Youngsters competed in the South of England Champs over the weekend.
First up on Saturday was Farris Patel in the 800m, there were three heats and qualifying was tough with only the first two going into the final. Farris was in heat three and positioned himself in a great position the whole way, but unfortunately, in the home straight was unable to get a qualifying spot  and his time of 2.01.58 was not one of the fastest losers.
Aaron Samuel was in the 1500m which had two heats , Aaron was up with the leaders for the first two laps, but was slightly boxed in, but as the bell approached he got himself out and kicked with 300m to go, which took him clear of the field and enabled him to ease up down the home straight and qualify in second place

 

Sunday 12th August

Next day saw Anthony George defending his Triple jump title, he started well with a very good jump of 12.88, but unfortunately could not improve on this as the competition went on and had to settle for 5th place.
Later in the day Aaron was back for the 1500m final. Will Mahoney of Norwich shot into the lead and Aaron went with him, Mahoney set a fast pace and by the end of the  first lap reached in 63 secs only 7 athletes were in contention. The pattern remained the same as they approached 800m, but one further athlete had dropped away. Approaching the bell  the Norwich athlete and Aaron had opened up a slight gap on the rest of the field. Aaron left it slightly later than the heat and kicked with 250 to go and opened and gap, he continued to apply the speed and moved away to claim his first southern title in a winning time of 4.04.

FOREST FIVE (miles)
Epping Forest
Saturday 11 August

The 6th round of the 2018 ELvIS competition was held over the trials of Epping Forest last Saturday morning. The early August date meant that many teams were missing key athletes as the match was held in a prime holiday period.

The Ilford AC challenge was led by te in form Gary Coombes who came home 6th in 29 minutes 24 seconds for the 5 mile course and won the award for the 1st M40 home. Backing up in 16th was Steve Philcox with 31 mins 06 secs to take the M50 trophy and John Crawley I 24th with a good run in 32 mins 03 secs. Next home were Terry Knightley in his first appearance in the league this summer in 56th  in 33 mins 56 secs and Alan Pearl recording 36 mins 57 secs in 93th . Closing the scorers was Eain Begg, who only joined the team recently, in 107th with 37 mins 47 secs.
With Home team Orion Harriers fielding a strong team in this match Ilford finished 3rd but retain second spot in the ELvIS table.

Bree Nordin was the lead runner for the Ilford Ladies in 11th place with 37 mins 35 secs. One place back was Carlie Qirem in 37 mins 47 secs with Nicola Hopkinson finishing 20th in 39 mins 41 secs. Jenni Sheehan, who improves with very race, closed the team in 24th place with 40 mins 28 secs.
This resulted in Ilford winning their first match of the summer just in front of Orion. They are 3rd in the table but aim to move up in the final two matches.

There were also creditable performances from Bradley Brown  in 109th with 37m 56s, Tony Young with 38 mins 04 secs for 112th and Natalie Crisp with 43 mi 56 s in 175th overall.

Also ran: Declan Cullen (128 38m 50s)  Steve Parker (130 38.58) Adnan Karim (134 39.11)  Billy Green (150 40.29) Alison Sale (191 45.28) Rachel Halpin (196 46.04)  Julia Galea (213 47.22) Frieda Keane (225 48.21) James Huddart (264 56.34)

SEAA Southern Walks Championships
Lee Valley –
12 August 2018

Mark Culshaw represented Ilford AC in the Senior Men’s 5k race walk at Lee Valley at the weekend.
Continuing his fine form of late, Mark picked up another Gold medal to add to his collection, finishing in a time of 30:53.

Apologies for the following report being a few weeks late – Admin error by me

SCVAC Match 4
Hemel Hempstead
23rd July

The final match of the SCVAC season was held at the Dacorum and Tring track in Hemel Hempstead on Monday 23rd July.

The track events were 2000m walk, 800m, 200m, 3000m and 4×200 relay. Field events were Javelin, High Jump and Long Jump.

The evening started with Seb  Parris (V35) and Mark Culshaw (V50) win their age categories in 9.53.6 and 10.54.9 with Seb achieving a PB and Mark setting a seasons best. 3 ladies also competed as guests with Emma Dyos, Rachel Lawless and Lesley Morris all setting PBs with times of 11.41.5, 13.20.9 and 13.49.9 respectively.

In the 800m Malcolm Muir (V35) made a welcome return to action finishing 5th in 2.22.7. Gary Coombes (V40) on his debut placed 4th in 2.23.9. Dave Butler (V50) came down an age group to secure 6th in 2.39.3.

Rohan Alexander (V35) returning to Vets action ran an excellent 27.6 for 200m to place him
2nd. Gary Coombes (V40) covered the distance in 29.9 for 7th and Henry Ricketts (V50) finished in 28.3 for 4th. Andy Catton (V60) at short notice ran the distance in 38.7 for 6th.

Due to motorway delays Steve Philcox (V50) was only able to run the 3000m and with a storming finish won the overall race in 10.05.1. Gary (V40) in a much preferred distance finished 3rd overall and 2nd in his age group with a time of 10.16.0. Malcolm and Dave also ran as guests finishing in 10.23.1 and 11.11.3.

In the field Henry and Roger Honey had to compete between Long Jump, High Jump and Javelin which were scheduled closely together. Henry (V35) threw the Javelin 23m 22 for 7th, leapt 4m 51 in the V40 Long Jump for 4th and cleared 1m 25 for 7th in the High Jump (V35). Roger (V60) achieved 25m 44 for 2nd in the Javelin. His V60 Long Jump of 3m 88 also placed him 2nd. The High Jump clearance of 1m 15 secured 6th in the V50 category.

The 4×200 relay team of Gary, Rohan, Malcolm and Henry came home 5th in 1.58.4.

On the evening Ilford finished 3rd with 115 points behind Heathside and Enfield and Haringey with 122 and 126.5 respectively. The end of season tally has not been sent through yet to confirm placings but Ilford should be placed 3rd which is the best result for some seasons.