Ilford walkers dominated both the Civil Service and Police 10kms walking championships, which were held together, along with a match race between the two, over an undulating 6 1/2 lap course around Birmingham’s Cannon Hill Park in good conditions on Wednesday afternoon 19th September. Steve Uttley dominated the race from the start leading from the gun. A small group accompanied him for the first half lap, but no-one wished to follow the initial pace, so Steve decided to press on and build an advantage, which eventually stretched to over 4 minutes in front of his nearest Civil Service rival, John Hall. He crossed the finish line in time of 52 minutes 50 to retain the title he won in 2011, with Ilford’s John Llewellyn 3rd in 57-33 and Bob Dobson 9th in 65-11. Meanwhile, Peter Ryan led the Police Championship to cross the line in 55-08, over 4 minutes clear of his nearest rival, Amos Seddon. Former Ilford walker Gary Smith placed 4th in that event in 61-55.

Woodford Green with Essex Ladies AC staged the last of this season’s series of evening graded athletics meetings at Ashtons Track on Tuesday (11th September), with a 3000 metres’ walking race proving the night’s final action.The walk saw a clear victory for Barnet’s Steve Allen, a former TV Crypton Factor contestant, who was always clear of the pack so leaving the rest to race for 2nd place. This was confidently filled by the pick of Ilford’s entrants, Abdi Berleen who clocked 17 minutes and 8 seconds, with near neighbour John Taylor of Loughton 3rd in 17.47. Being the final race Series Awards were presented in Woodford’s Clubhouse, which saw Berleen joint 2nd with Enfield’s Sean Pender. Berleen has enjoyed a successful 2nd season as a race walker after switching coes from running in 2011. Ilford AC won the team award, claiming it back from Enfield & Harringey AC who’d pipped them in 2011. Near neighbours Loughton AC were 2nd overall team.

Issued by Iflord AC Walking Section (01708-377382)