Press Report 28th July 2026 – Ilford Athletic Club

Pam’s Surprise

Pam Jones is a much loved member of Ilford AC.
Pam joined the club in 1950, starting out with track races, as ladies were not allowed to compete in road races over 6,000m (4 miles) until October 1975 when Pam was 40.
Despite this, Pam went on to post impressive times on the road and Cross Country, and was selected to run for Essex and England on many occasions, winning many age graded medals. Pam was still competing for the club in her late 70’s.
Pam retired to the Essex coast 10 years ago but remains a popular member of the club, often coming down to watch races.
This month Pam turned 90, and as a surprise 30 or so of her colleagues travelled to Walton, with 13 of us competing in the parkrun (Pam thought she was going to watch a friend run, who was in on the surprise).
There was then a party on a field, followed by the beach when the tide went out.

Parkrun finishers were :- Steve Philcox 4^th 17:56, Malcolm Muir 6^th 18:13, Neil Crisp 24^th 21:13, Terry Knightley 33^rd 21:52, Natalie Crisp 38^th 22:23, Billy Green 99^th 26:54, Dianne Crisp 143^rd 29:13, Sharon Honey 178^th 31:20, Satha Alaga 185^th 31:35, Carol Muir 225^th 36:13, Kim Baxter 266^th 42:02, Julie Gillender 272^nd 44:44, Catherine Green 45:54