ILFORD S WALKERS attended the 82nd annual Enfield Open Seven Miles Walk at the Lee Valley Stadium in Ponders End on Saturday. Ex-Olympic walker Darrell Stone of Steyning AC stamped his class on proceedings, winning with ease in 52.51 mins, but Ilford s P

ILFORD'S WALKERS attended the 82nd annual Enfield Open Seven Miles Walk at the Lee Valley Stadium in Ponders End on Saturday.

Ex-Olympic walker Darrell Stone of Steyning AC stamped his class on proceedings, winning with ease in 52.51 mins, but Ilford's Phil Barnard secured second spot, erasing memories of disqualification in 2008's corresponding race, clocking a time of 56.25.

Event regular Steve Uttley was typically consistent placing sixth in 62.42.

Completing Ilford's scoring three was former Portuguese international Francisco Reis, in only his second outing in over a decade.

Reis was Ilford's protagonist in the mid-80s and had won the Enfield event in 1987.

On this occasion he recorded a time of 64.14 to finish eighth as the Ilford team finished second behind clear favourites Steyning.

Ilford athletes, Steve Allen, who came 15th in 67.51, and Bob Dobson, who came 20th in 69.37, were two other former event winners taking part on the day.

Ilford captain Dave Sharpe clocked 70.45 to finish 22nd position, while Micky Sutton returned to race walking after a lay-off with 28th in 75.08.

In 33rd was the returning Olly Browne, in his first race since breaking a bone in his foot, with a time of 78.03, the same as teammate Alan O'Rawe who was given 32nd spot on a dip finish.

In a competitive ladies race Liz Stocker came 10th in 76.57. In the youth's two mile race, Helen Croft stepped up to this distance for a first time and won in 27.25.