Press Report 28th October 2025
ESSEX CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE
One Tree Hill
The Essex Cross-Country League opened this winter’s fixtures on a warm sunny day at One Tree Hill in Basildon last Saturday. The races were held over the trials in the country park with the course featuring a couple of stiff climbs on each lap.
Ilford AC were very well represented across all age groups.
SENIORS
Ilford Ladies had 11 athletes representing the club over the 6.5k course.
Leading the team home was Jordan Hinds in 29th place in a time of 28:44, followed by Anna Crawley who came home in 29:46 for 43rd.
Dani Thomas placed 86th for 33:22 and the team of 4 was completed by Alison Sale who came home in 98th place in 34:02
The ladies finished in 11th place in the Div 1 fixture.
Also competing were: Jenni Sheehan 99th 34:04, Pauline Tester 117th 35:59, Natalie Crisp 118th 36:02, Shahnaj Begum 140th 40:51, 142nd 41:10, Frieda Keane 152nd 42:58, Launa Broadley 154th 44:37
The men had 12 athletes on the day, competing over the challenging 8k course.
First home for the club was Samuel Crane in 29:09 for 37th place. Joshua Adler came home in 48th place in 29:47, With Malcolm Muir putting in his normal gritty performance for a time of 31:40 and 78th place. Fourth home for the team was Dylan Harrod in 82nd place in 31:50 with Dyfan Garmon just 2 places behind in 31:53.
Completing the team of 6 was Steve Philcox in 94th place for 32:18
The men finished the day in 6th place in Div 1
Also competing were:- Bradley Brown 195th 37:32, Terry Knightley 201st 37:55, Alan Pearl 213th 39:10, Jim Tilbrook 250th 42:16, Andrew Catton 251st 42:28 and Michael Perkins 268th 45:20
JUNIORS
Ilford AC had 19 Junior runners competing in the first Essex Cross Country league fixture at One Tree Hill in Basildon
U11 girls started first with debutant Olivia Spink making light work of the very tough 1.5km hilly course finishing in a brilliant 6th place with a time of 6.05m
Olivia was well supported by her teammates who were also making their debuts Flavia Busciglio and Phoebe Rice recording times of 7.14m and 9.15m respectively earning the team a fantastic 4th place overall. Great performances for the newcomers
U11 boys were led home by debutant Christopher Maidwell in 28th place completing the tough course in 6.19m . Next runner home was youngest member of the team Matthew Guiney who produced a great battling performance of 6.35m in 36th place . Closing the team and producing an impressive determined run of 6.58m was fast finishing debutant Zac Forsyth Im 44th place.
U13 girls were led home by stalwart D.L. Majen Akande with yet another impressive run of 15.31m over the 3km distance to maintain her continued improvement over both Country and track. Backing up her teammate was another newcomer Jiya Gill who ran really well to finish in 47th place clocking 17.11m
Sole U13 boys runner Danilo Reina ran a strong determined race despite a nasty cut on his leg following an accidental spiking by a fellow competitor . Danilo finished in 38th position clocking 13.57m .
U15 girls Iris Wan and Hawaa Patel had mixed results in their 4km race with Hawaa unfortunately having to stop during her race due to sickness and cramp whilst Iris went on to finish in an excellent 33rd place in 20.05m confirming her recent improving form.
U15 runner Barney Perkins continued his recent good form with a time of 15.43m to gain an excellent 28th place leading home his teammates Aryan Gohil in 55th place 19.12m and Daniel Guiba in 58th place 21.39m
U17 boys team produced some excellent runs over the 6km distance, being led home by the ever improving Fabio Reina who closed in 14th place recording a great time of 24.05m
Fabio was ably supported by his teammates Ryder Islam in 21st place 26.32m, fast finishing Luke Thake in 27th place 28.37m , debutant Robert Stanciu in 28th place 32.12m and Ethan Guiba who despite being sick during his run managed to finish his race in 29th position with a time of 39.01m
Team Results:-
Under 11 girls – 4th
Under 11 boys – 7th
Under 13 girls – 9th
Under 13 boys – 13th
Under 15 girls – 10th
Under 15 boys – 8th
Under 17 boys – 4th
