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.

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 standard

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

Valentines parkrun

Ilford AC’s young endurance squad continued their build up for the summer track season by taking part in this weekend’s parkrun at Valentines Park. Many of the squad have been picked by the Borough for the Mini Marathon which is part of the London Marathon. So the parkrun was ideal preparation.

After the bright sunny weather on Good Friday, the field of over 200 were greeted with a cold windy Saturday morning. However this did not stop the Ilford youngsters being immediately to the front of the field. After the first 400m there was a breakaway group of three containing Mungo Prior and Jack Halil. Also inside the top 20 were Jordan Hinds and Bradley Deacon with both Matthew Hick and Euan Johnstone also in close attendance.
As the lap progressed Mungo had taken the lead and had pulled away from most of the field, but Colin Read of Orion was hanging on. Jack was unfortunately suffering a bit after his fast start, but was still moving well. The ever smiling Jordan was still moving through the field and was now the first lady. Bradley was having a much better run than his last parkrun outing and was also moving through the field. Matthew had trouble with his laces and had to stop to do them up, but after the short stop he was flying. Euan was racing on the road for the first time over this longer distance, but looked completely at ease.
Into the second lap the more experienced Orion runner pulled away, but Mungo still held onto second place in a brilliant time of 18.41(which was the 3rd fastest ever around the Valentines course for his age group). Next home was Jordan in 11th place and first lady in a time of 20.42 a 30 second improvement on her last park run and the second fastest ever by an under 15 lady around Valentines park. Bradley also finished well in 13th place and knocked an impressive 24 seconds off his previous best. Despite having a rough spell mid race Jack, showed his determination and track speed at the finish to come in 14th.
Matthew was a little disappointed with his run, but he was a great 22nd place in a time of 21.41 and is still only 11 years of age. Euan looked strong the whole way round and came in 40th in a time of 23.33.
Special mention to Katie Deacon who was doing her first ever race, despite her pre place plan of running with her mother going out the window, she maintained a perfect pace the whole way round and came in 130th in a time of 31.17.

South East Schools Inter Counties Championships – Bexhill

Ilford AC had 4 young athletes winning their first county vest by representing Essex in the South East Schools Inter Counties Championships held recently at Bexhill.
Farris Patel in the Junior boys ran a solid race for 85th place. Mungo Prior put in another good run in the inter-boys for 56th place and in the inter-girls Jordan Hinds put in solid run for 84th place. In the senior boys Ahmed Abdulle kept his current good form going with 3rd place.

Essex and Eastern Counties Indoor Championships – Lee Valley – 7th February

In the indoor arena at the Essex & Eastern Counties Indoor Championships held at Lee Valley on 7th February, Ilford AC were once again represented by 4 athletes.
Jack Maher had to settle for 5th place in the final of the u/20 800 in 2-05,Krystle Bologun had a excellent run in the Senior ladies 800 set a indoor Pb with 2 mins 18 secs for a Bronze medal. Ahmed Abdulle with a controlled run took the u/201500 title in 4.14.29 with his training partner Usamah Patel taking 2nd place in 4.51.67.

Redbridge London Mini Marathon Trials – Olympic Park Stratford

It was a busy weekend for Farris Patel, Mungo Prior and Jordan Hinds being part of an Ilford AC contingent at the Redbridge London Mini Marathon trials held at Stratford’s Olympic Park. In the u/13 boys Farris Patel was first home with Medhi Hurun 5th. In the u/15 boys Mungo Prior took first place with Manraj Gill in second place and in the u/15 girls Jordan also took first place.