Press Report 17th May 2016  

May 162016
 

Essex County Track & Field Championships

Three Ilford athletes Krystle Bologun,Tom Gardner, Ahmed Abdulle, amassed 3gold 1 silver and 1 bronze medal at these championships held at Chelmsford.
On day 1 the 3000m saw the Senior men and U/20 race combined with Ahmedwinning the overall race in 8-51 together with the U/20 title,with Tom coming 2nd in 8-57 and thereby taking the Senior men’s title,. In the 800m Krystle battled all the way for herbronze in 2-23.
On day 2 it was the same format again with the 1500m U/20 combined with the Senior men. Although Ahmedcome 4th overall he took the U/20 title in 4-06-6. In the 5000m Tom lost out in asprint finish in the home straight narrowly beaten into 2nd place in a time of 15-26.

Ilford Young Athletes go Fourth
Further down the age groups the Ilford young athletes produced some impressive performances but unfortunately were unable to bring home a county medal. Three of Ilford’s young stars just missed out by taking 4th place.
First up was Mungo Prior in the Under 15 boys 1500m, in his first ever 1500m race running a great race to finish 4th in a time of 4.40.8. On the Next day Farris Patel claimed the same position in a very fast under 15 boys 800m, with a time of 2.14.0, which was just 2 tenths outside his personal best.
Best performance of the weekend was from Jordan Hinds in the U17 girls 800m, having recently missed a few training sessions due to studying, she defied expectations. In a fast race Jordan let the leaders get away early but was always moving through the field and put in an excellent finish to come 4th in a time of 2.28.7 , her third PB of the season.
Three other squad members set personal best times including Isabella Hick who set a personal best running 46.90 in the U15 girls 300m and also ran 2.44.5 in the 800m. Bradley Deacon knocked 5 seconds of his best in the U15 boys 1500m in a time of 5.25.1. Despite being disappointed with his run Jack Halil ran a personal best of 44.5 in the U15 boys 300m, before returning the next day to run 2.38 in the 800m for 9th place.
The squad’s two youngest members Euan Johnstone and Matthew Hick, both ran well. Euan ran in the worst of the conditions on Saturday, but managed to equal his personal best in the under 13 boys 800m with a time of 2.56. Next day Matthew came 7th in the 1500m in a time of 5.31.

On the Road and trails
Elsewhere Ilford;s Declan Cullen took part in the Oxford Town & Gown 10k reporting a very crowded start and warm and sunny conditions. Despite this he was delighted to run well and lower his pb for the distance to 44.56

Meanwhile stalwart Andy Catton had one of his best runs in the last 6 months when competing in the brilliantly organised Haldon Heartbeat 8.5 miles trail race on Saturday morning. On a tough hilly course, all off road in Haldon Forest near Exeter, Devon, Catton prevailed over a monster of a hill at 5 miles to come home as the 35th finisher and first M60 in 62.02.

  Press Report 10th May 2016  

May 102016
 

VICTORIA PARK 5 miles

The numbers where somewhat down for this year’s running of this long established race which was run later this year. Four Ilford athletes took to the park paths of this figure of 8 course on a warm sunny day with variable head & cross winds . From the off birthday boy Ahmed Abdulle now 17 went with the lead group with Tom Gardner just sitting off the pace. Tom started to reel in Ahmed over the later stages finishing in 4th place in 26-04 with Ahmed in his first ever 5 miler in 5th place in 26-08. Usamah Patel returning back from injury used this as a fitness run finishing in 30th in 30-31 with track team manger Gary Floate in 51st place 36-17. In the team event with 3 scoring Ilford finished 2nd behind Highgate Harriers with VPHTHac in 3rd and Woodford Green in 4th.

  Press Report 3rd May 2016  

May 032016
 

Witham 5 Mile Road Race
(incorporating the Essex Championships)
Monday 2 May

There was a good turn out of endurance runners from Ilford AC in the Witham 5 mile road race, which incorporated the Essex Championships, run over a gently undulating course on Bank Holiday Monday Morning.

Tom Gardner put together a great race to win the event and the Essex title, the second Ilford runner to do so in the last 3 years, he was the runner-up last year. Tom’s winning time was 25m 48s, a new personal best.Also medalling in the county championships was Steve Philcox in 15th place with 28m 46s, taking the silver in the M50 category. There was a good run from Terry Knightley in 27th with 29m 57s and Neil Crisp just failed to break 30 minutes in 30th with 30m 02s. Paul Holloway was next over the line with a new personal best of 30m 12s.In 37th was Tony Hyde recording 30m 31s, with Andy Catton finishing in 35m 01s for 107th.

[shashin type=”album” id=”171″ size=”medium” crop=”n” columns=”max” caption=”n” order=”date” position=”left”]

Leading the ladies was Mel Jones in spot 112th with 35m 16s which placed her 4th in the F45 grouping. Supporting her was Nicola Hopkinson in 182nd with 38m 57s and Dianne Crisp recording 42m 02s for 248th.

Also improving their best times for the distance were Declan Cullen (35m 50s) Billy Green (37m 42s) Ernie Forsyth (40m 32s) and Julie Gillender (48m 34s).

The squad were completed by Satha Alaga (40m 17s) Steve Parker (44m 06s) Julia Galea (42m 21s) Carol Muir (47m 08s) Pam Jones (50m 01s) and Kim Baxter (55m 42s)

SCVAC Vets League – Match 1
Injury, traffic and the small matter of a marathon the day before meant that a small contingent of Vet athletes ventured to Lee Valley on a cold, windy and wet Monday evening to represent IAC at match 1 where the team finished 7th.
Steve Uttley won the M35 2km walk in a time of 10.56.6. Henry Ricketts finished 4th, 5th, 5th and 2nd in the M35 100m (13.2), 400m (68.2), Shot Put (6.88m) and Long Jump (4.38m).
Peter Whiting covered the M35 Hammer finishing 7th with 15.86m. In the M50 category he finished 4th in his 100m heat (8th overall on timing with 16.4), 9th in the Long Jump (2.50m) and 2nd in the Shot (7.13m).
Andy Catton covered the M50 1500m finishing 7th (5.56.8) and M60 100m placing 7th (17.6). John Batchelor on his return after injury finished 4th in the M60 1500m in 6.12.7. Ted Skinner also ran in the M60 1500m as a non-scorer finishing just ahead of John in 6.10.9 and competed in the M60 Hammer achieving 4.85m for 6th.

Full results are on Power of 10.
The team move on to Stevenage for match 2 on Monday 16th May.

  Press Report Ilford AC 26th April 2016  

Apr 262016
 

Virgin London Marathon
Sunday 24 April

A very chilly morning day provided some good running conditions for the 39000 plus finishers in the 36th staging of the London Marathon first run back in March 1981. This suited the 11 strong squad from Ilford AC enabling them to produce some good results. They were cheered through the 19 mile mark at Canary Wharf by a team of dedicated volunteers many of whom had braved the cold since early morning to man the Ilford AC water station with their customary enthusiasm and encouragement.

First Ilford vest to coss the finishing line in The Mall was Blair McWhirter who recorded a notable 74th position overall in a time of 2h 28m 12s having passed the half way mark in 72m 10s. Next home in a new personal best time of 2h 48m 17s was Robin McNelis , with Sam Rahman crossing the line in 2h 55m 44s Neil Crisp ran his first marathon for over 10 years reached half way in 1h 29m 07s suffered slightly along the last miles on the Embankment to record 3h 12m 12s. Rohan Alexander maintained an even pace throughout going through halfway in 1h 43m 41s and finishing in 3h 30m 25s. Declan Cullen once again improved his best time for the distance for the 4th time in as many races to 3h 36m 26s.

[shashin type=”album” id=”170″ size=”medium” crop=”n” columns=”max” caption=”n” order=”date” position=”center”]

There was also a personal best for Rachel Halpin , who was at halfway in 1h 51m 31s, of 3hrs 53m 50s, the first time she had broken the 4 hour barrier. Jenni Sheehan ran a steady race on her debut at the marathon distance to finish in 3h 55m 50s, while Julia Galea set a mark on the Club record books as the only over 60 woman yet to have a time recorded for the distance with 4h 18m 30s. Peter Spelman was very disappointed with his time of 4h 44m 05s admitting that running Paris and London again so soon afterwards may have been foolish. Completing the team was Nicola Chester who improved her best time for the marathon by over 20 minutes to 4h 48m 50s.

For those inspired by the London Marathon and wanting to take up running or if you just want to improve your parkrun Ilford AC are holding a beginners and improvers course starting on Wednesday 4th May. The sessions are suitable for all standards from complete beginner to running 4 miles around the park. It is a small friendly group and there will be 2-3 coaches in attendance so you will get plenty of encouragement and 1 to 1 assistance. If Interested come along on Wednesday 4th May Melbourne Rd entrance at Valentines Park.

London Mini Marathon 24th April
Ahmed shines at the Marathon

Nine Ilford athletes had to previously come through tough Trials to represent their local borough in this years London Mini Marathon on Sunday. All of the young athletes competed to a very high standard, but it was Ahmed Abdulle ,who shined through to win the U17s Boys 3 mile race. Ahmed beat a very high quality field to win by over 20 seconds in an outstanding 15:05.
In the same race Usamah Patel , running with an injury came home in 91st with a time of 18:07
In the U15 Boys, Mungo Prior gets better with every performance and came a very promising 19th place. His time of 16:57 was outstanding , for an athlete who has only been in the sport for 6 months
In the U 13 Boys, Ilford AC had 5 athletes competing and all of these performed well against a very tough field. Farris Patel, after a bad start , came through the field to come a very credible 10th Position, in a time of 17:26. Farris once again is getting better with every race this year and used his speed at the end to take over many of the other athletes.
Bradley Deacon ran his fastest time in the Mini Marathon to come 92nd and Matthew Hick,only 11 and 2 years left in the age group,came 100th. Bradley ran 19:22 and Matthew 19:31 respectively.
Euan Johnstone, also only 11, ran 21:53 for 166th and Mehdi Hurun was 168th

In the Girls U15s race, Jordan Hinds and Katie Deacon were Ilfords representatives. Jordan came 59th in a time of 20:31 and Katie 29:00 to finish 172

It was great to see so many of the Ilford youngsters perform to such a high standard

Woodford Open Meeting 23rd April

A number of Ilford ACs youngsters competed at Woodford open meeting on Saturday in a very testing conditions. As usual the conditions at Woodford was windy and cold but we still saw some good performances

Isabella Hick,14, ran her first ever 300m hurdles race in the u17s age group came third , in a very promising 55.87.She followed that up with a 200 m and came 4th in a time of 30.63
Young sprinter Anthony George ran in the 75 m Hurdles, 200 and 300 . Anthony ran some very good times, all against the wind . He ran 15:00 seconds in the 75M Hurdles for 3rd, 27.11 to win the U15s 200 m and came third in the 300m in 41.36
Krystle Balogun moved down events to show her speed over 200 and 300 respectively. Krystle came 4th in the 200 in 28.97 and 4th in the 300 m in 45.14

  Press Report 19th April 2016  

Apr 192016
 

Braintree 5 Mile Road Race
Sunday 17 April

There was a good turnout from the Ilford AC endurance squad at the Braintree 5 mile road race last Sunday with some of the Club’s runners using the event as a last hard run out before next weeks London Marathon where there will be a large Ilford team. The race was held over a slightly undulating rural course , next to Great Notley Country Park, Braintree with a fan entry of some 375 competitors.

Leading the Ilford challenge was Malcolm Muir who showed good form to take second place and first in the M40 age category in 27m 10s. Steve Philcox took the M50 group trophy placing 10th in 29m 03s and Neil Crisp was 15th with a time of 29m 36s and was third in the m50 category. These three combined to place third in the team competition.Pam-Jones-1

Tony Hyde had a fine run for 19th with 30m 13s and Paul Holloway came home 21 st with 30m 34s, while Rohan Alexander recorded a personal best of 32m 27s in 31st. There was a close finish between Steve Parker and Gary Floate with the former winning out for 67th in 35m 08 with Floate one place and one second back.

Mel Jones was the top female in action for the club finishing 73rd overall and 13th in the ladies race in 35m 38s, just missing out of the F45 group trophy. Nicola Hopkinson gave a good performance in 122th and 23th female with 39m 26s, while Julia Galea took the F55 category trophy in a personal best time of 42m 08s as 38th lady, Also recording a new best time for the distance was Julie Gillender in 49m 50s.

Also in action were: Satha Alaga 41m 11s 149th, Dianne Crisp 42m 19s 169th Nicola Chester 43m 54s 197th Carol Muir 48m 37s 256th Pam Jones 276th 50m 22s

Young Athletes Report

A number of the Ilford AC youngsters competed over the weekend with great success.
At the Opening Southern league Senior competition,14 year old Jordan Hinds competed in her first ever senior race. In very testing conditions Jordan showed her full potential by coming second overall in both the 800m and 400m races in times of 2.35 and 67 seconds respectively. For somebody so young ,Jordan gets better with every run.Krystle & Jordan

In the Open race at Lee valley on Sunday, in much better conditions on Sunday, the llford AC youngsters once again performed to a very high standardIMG_3059

First up in the Mens 800 race was Farris Patel and Mungo Prior. Competing against adults Farris and Mungo once again were very competitive . Farris ,just turned 13 , ran a very even race and used his great speed over the last 200 to record another personal best of 2.13, 3 seconds quicker than the previous one. Mungo also equalled his best in a time of 2.17 and this times bodes well for his 1500m, which is his better event

Jack Halil gets better with every race and won the second 800 in a new PB of 2.30 , with Bradley Deacon, just outside his best in 2.41. Euan Johnstone , just 11, ran his second personal best in week over 800 with a very promising 2.56

Isabelle Hick ran 2.51