Press Report 25th November 2025

ESSEX CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE
Hadleigh Park
Saturday 22 November

SENIORS

The third round of the Essex Cross Country League was held at Hadleigh Park
over a tough course on a cold Saturday

The senior men raced over a 3 lap 8km course with a couple of difficult
climbs on each lap. Ilford AC had 11 runners in action and they were led
home by James Thake, who is in his first season at this level, in 57th
place in 34 mins 01 secs. Next home was the ever reliable Malcolm Muir with
34 mins 32 secs for 64th and Steve Philcox came in 68th and was the first
in the M60 age group, at 34mins 57secs. Dyfan Garmon was next home with 35
mins 47 secs for 82nd spot and Steve Chissell placed 133rd in 39 mins 22
secs. Closing the scorers was Diarmuid Mac Donnell in 136th in a time of
39mins 34 secs.

Also in action were: Joel Denning (155 41.10) Bradley Brown (156 41.14)
Alan Pearl (166 42.18) Terry Knightley (179 43.19) Andy Catton (204
46.38 3rd M70)

In the match Ilford placed 11th and are 8th in the division 1 of the league.

The ladies also raced over a tricky 3 lap hilly course totalling 6.5km.
Ilford were led by Dani Thomas who improves with every run and moved
through the field to come home 65th in 36mins 34 secs. Next in for the club
was Alison Sale in 74th and 2nd in the F60 category with 37mins 42 secs
with Natalie Crisp just 5 seconds behind with 37 wins 47 secs. Pauline
Tester closed the team scorers in 103rd with 41mins 20 secs. Completing the
squad were Dianne Crisp in 45mins 22 secs for 125th And in 135th spot
Frieda Keane in 47 mins 56 secs.

In the match Ilford ladies were 10th and occupy the same position in the
first division of the league.

JUNIORS

Ilford also had five junior runners on the tough hilly course in cold,
windy and damp conditions.

U11 Matthew Guiney produced another great performance completing the 1.5km
course in 10.46m to claim 39th place

U13 Danilo Reina continued his good form clocking 14.51m over the 3km
course in 45th position

U15 competitor Elias Furreedan closed in 55th place with a determined run
of 15.56m over the 4km race whilst teammate Jiya Gill in u13 girls race
finished 29th with a time of 19.43m for the 3km race

U17 runner Ryder Islam battled really well to close 15th place clocking
24.47m for the 6km distance

Well done everyone in very tough conditions