Road runner Muir picks up fine third place

Ilford AC’s Malcolm Muir impresses in 10 mile road race

ILFORD ATHLETICS CLUB runner Malcolm Muir swapped his cross country spikes for his running shoes to good effect on Sunday as he finished third in the Stebbing 10 mile road race in Great Dunmow.

Muir’s finishing time of 55 minutes and two seconds was just short of winner Paolo Natali, with the Italian clocking 52.31.

Also representing Ilford was Martin Clarke, who finished in 1:18.27, Sally Gillam who was close behind in 1:19.09 and Muir’s sister Carol who crossed the line in 1:40.14.

The previous day, Ilford AC men’s squad hung on to fifth place in the Essex Cross Country League with a solid performance in the third round meeting at Hockley Woods.

Tom Gardner led the team home in 16th place with Muir just behind in 19th.

Ray Dzikowski was the pick of the veterans, finishing an impressive 41st, while the ever-improving Terry Knightley finished 55th.

Captain Neil Crisp came home in 71st position and Frank McGowan was the last of the scoring runners, finishing 91st.

Andy Catton held off a determined challenge from fellow veteran Tony Nixon, as the pair finished 93rd and 95th respectively, while Darren Bottrill was 107th, Matt Maple 116th and Paul Emery 160th in a race won by Paul Whittaker of Chelmsford AC.

In the women’s race, Bree Nordin led the team home in 37th and Jenni Crisp produced an impressive run to finish 42nd.

Captain Dianne Crisp was 48th, Nicola Hopkinson 59th, Sally Gillam 65th and Meredith Floate completed the field, finishing 89th.

Veteran Margaret Deasy of Colchester and Tendring won the race, entered by 19 teams.

In the under-15s race, newcomer Adam Sharmaarke finished 18th.