Four runners from Ilford Athletics Club travelled to take part in the second VAC promoted 5km run in Battersea Park.

First home for the club was Tony Young (22.07) in 43rd spot, with Alison Sale (23.47) behind in 54th and fifth in the F55 grouping.

Ilford Recorder: Alison Sale of Ilford AC in action at Battersea ParkAlison Sale of Ilford AC in action at Battersea Park (Image: Cliff Hide (VAC))

Ilford endurance coach Rob Sargent (25.35) laced them up and came home 62nd for fourth in the M65 age category.

Ilford Recorder: Rob Sargent of Ilford AC in action at Battersea ParkRob Sargent of Ilford AC in action at Battersea Park (Image: Cliff Hide (VAC))

Ernie Forsyth (28.43) raced for the first time in two years after breaking his shoulder and despite the injury still causing him a few problems finished in 70th and fifth in the M65 age group.

Two race walkers also represented the club on the night in the 5k Race Walk and Stuart Bennett put in a season's best performance to finish fourth overall and first V60 in a time of 32.07.

Lesley Morris was just one second outside her PB finishing in seventh place and second V60 female in a time of 34.12.

Sameena Ahmed was the sole Ilford representative in the Sri Chinmoy 5k held at Battersea Park last Monday and ran an excellent time of 19.39 for fourth female on the night, while at this week’s event Ilford’s sole representative was Anna Crawley who produced a time of 20.50.

Elsewhere, Paul Grange ran a personal best and club vet record over 800m of 1.53.20. It was the eighth fastest ever by an Ilford athlete and fourth fastest ever 800m by a UK over-40 male.

Jak Wright raced over 800m at a BMC meeting last Wednesday at Wormwood Scrubs and not only won the race, but broke two minutes for the first time, in a time of 1.59.64.

A few of the younger athletes competed in the Essex Schools' Championships at Chelmsford on Saturday, where Joseph Grange ran for Havering in the junior boys' 1500m and was fourth in a personal best 4.29.

Also running in the junior boys' category over 800m was Lucas Emeagi, who is more used to running in lanes over shorter sprints. He ran almost the whole of the first lap in lanes before breaking just before the bell. Regardless of this he produced a great performance for fourth place in a time around 2.23.

In the BMC Grand Prix 5000m at Watford, Ahmed Abdulle ran in the B race putting in another excellent performance taking 28 seconds of his previous 5000m pb for a time of 14:21.36.