Ilford AC athletes were in action across three events last weekend, with the club’s youngsters producing a particularly impressive set of performances in the opening Chingford League fixture.
The London Cross Country Championships returned to Parliament Hill, regarded as the home of cross-country running, where two Ilford athletes tackled the notoriously challenging course.
Alison Sale completed the women’s 6km race in 30.52, while Dyfan Garmon negotiated the men’s 11km course in 45.35.
Steve Chissell was among the club’s representatives elsewhere, lining up for the Stebbing 10-mile race on Remembrance Sunday.
Held over a rolling course around the picturesque Essex village, the event began shortly after a Remembrance service at 11am.
Chissell produced a strong performance to claim third place in his age category, completing the course in 1:13.06.
Ilford’s young endurance athletes, meanwhile, made an encouraging start to their Chingford League campaign at Eastbrook End.
Debutant George Moore led the way in the Under-10/Under-12 2km race, taking an excellent second place in 10.39.
Rose Spink was third in the Under-12 girls’ race in 9.52, backed up by Phoebe Rice, who finished 18th in 12.41.
Matthew Guiney led home a closely-matched Under-12 boys’ team, finishing 10th in an improved 10.20.
Oliver Maidwell was just behind in 11th in 10.28, with Matthew Baker 12th in 10.29 and debutant Fred Catton completing the team in 16th in 11.08.
Over 4km, Olivia Spink began the defence of her Under-14 girls’ series title in style with victory in 17.57.
Danilo Reina produced his best performance to date in a competitive Under-14 boys’ race, taking sixth in 18.38, while Christopher Maidwell followed closely in seventh with 18.52.
Ilford’s Under-16 girls also enjoyed a strong team performance, led by D L Majen-Akande in sixth place with 20.48.
Alicia Adams and Iris Wan both improved on last year’s performances, finishing ninth and 10th in 21.48 and 22.06 respectively.
Hawaa Patel took 11th in 22.57, while the team’s youngest runner, Jiya Gill, battled to 12th in 23.12 to secure more valuable league points.
The impressive individual and team performances leave Ilford’s youngsters well placed as the Chingford League season gets under way.
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