Athletes from Ilford AC were spread far and wide this weekend. On Sunday the South coast resort of Worthing saw 3 of Ilford's crack women's squad put the final touches to their marathon preparations when competing over  4 laps of 5 miles in the Worthing 20 mile road race. All 3 athletes were pleased with the way the race went although none of them confessed to be particularly worried about times at this stage of their marathon training. Bree Nordin ran 2.24.59 just 1 second ahead of ex Ilford man Gary Christie also training for London. Nicola Hopkinson, recently returned from a Canadian holiday, proved she had lost none of her fitness knocking out a metronomic 8 minute mile pace to clock 2.41.27. Sally Gillam, still with some doubts about starting next month's event, proved she is still well on track should she decide to run, with a 2.44,14 clocking.   

 

The Paddock Wood Half Marathon set on a picturesque course through the hop county of Kent saw another contingent of Ilford Runners preparing for London  - Peter Spelman seems to be going extremely well knocking a full 7 mins plus off last years time. Unfortunately Nikki Martin's back injury still continues to plague her resulting in yet another run far below her potential and she now seems unlikely to be fit for London.

 

Malcolm Muir, who recently won the notorious Orion 15 mile, flew the home flag with pride at the weekend as he represented Essex and returned with an inter-counties half-marathon bronze medal.  On Malcolm's second occasion in the Essex colours this year, Malcolm was third team scorer, returning home in 26th place in 75.40 minutes in the national championships.  Malcolm started rapidly around the tough rural course starting in Ackworth ,Yorkshire and at 10 miles, he was still competing strongly in the top 15 beside Essex colleague, Gary Chandler, with a split of 57 minutes.  Gary finally broke free as the pair turned into a long uphill 11th mile and despite a fast downhill finish he was unable to make up the lost ground.
Despite strong local opposition, Essex trio of Crispian Bloomfield (72.42), Gary (73.12) and Malcolm won an excellent team bronze.  The Essex team was made up by Paul Molyneux (76.05) and Matthew Maple, running for Ilford, ran a commendable 83.39.  The Essex womens team matched the men, also returning home in third place, making the long journey north, a successful outing. Malcolm stated 'This is an excellent warm up for the (London) marathon.
Gary had an excellent run today but I won't let him get away so easily in London.' 

Local rivalries will be tested on Easter Saturday with annual Ilford AC 4 mile road race, where Malcolm will be looking to defend his title.

Nearer to home Liam Leddy ran himself giddy round the Cricklefields track on Tuesday evening  completing  17 laps in 30minutes in aid of the National Society For Epilepsy [NSE]. Liam, a very talented junior,  who has recently moved up to the U15 age group raised a staggering £475 soon to be donated to the Royal London Hospital.