IAIN CAMPBELL emerged as the first male athlete to finish from a small contingent of Ilford AC competitors at the Hatfield Broad Oak 10k race. In a high quality event over an undulating course, Campbell clocked 33 minutes 40 seconds, good enough for fourt

IAIN CAMPBELL emerged as the first male athlete to finish from a small contingent of Ilford AC competitors at the Hatfield Broad Oak 10k race.

In a high quality event over an undulating course, Campbell clocked 33 minutes 40 seconds, good enough for fourth place overall.

Terry Knightley, on his continued comeback to some fine form, also impressed in a season's best of 35.53 for 17th overall, while Neil Crisp, not far behind, also clocked a season's best 36.43 in 29th.

Closing the team was Abdi Berleen, who had a solid run for 39.45 in 89th overall. The men's race was won by Paul Molyneux in 32.09.

The Ilford ladies were represented by the mother and daughter duo of Dianne and Jenni Crisp.

Despite a slight twinge at 5k, Dianne completed the course in a new personal best of 45.43 for 286th overall, while Jenni also achieved a new personal best, clocking 50.52 for 521st. The women's race was won by Tracey Ranson in 36.48, as 1119 runners completed the race.

On Saturday, Peter Spelman ran the final leg of the first day of the Green Belt Relay in a mixed team organised by Dulwich Runners, and followed this with the first leg of the second day early on Sunday morning.

The first leg was between Toot Hill and Blackmore (7.6 miles), covering some of the same course as the Essex Way relay, and the second leg was from Blackmore to Thorndon Country Park (10.9 miles). Spelman's times were 1:2.05 and 1:29.50 respectively.

Ilford AC Veterans' team kicked off their track season with a fine fourth placing in the first of their four fixtures held at Picketts Lock.

Henry Ricketts started the evening with fifth place in the 100m with a time of 12.4, just outside his PB, while Matt Maple took fifth place in the B race with a time of 14.1.

Both competed in the A and B string 400m, finishing in fourth with times of 58.5 and 1.1.9 respectively. A below-par long jump saw Ricketts finish sixth with 4m 53.

Pete Whiting competed in the shot putt, placing eighth in 6.97m and finished fifth in the javelin with 27.53m, while Micky Sutton placed fourth in the 2km walk, in a time of 13.37.1.

Having acquired vets status this season, Malcolm Muir took control of the 1,500m after the first lap and eased away in the last to win the event in 4.20.8.

Andy Catton dropped down an age group by stepping into the B string to finish fourth in 5.12.8.

Ray Rawlinson competed in the 50-plus sprints, finishing seventh and fourth in the 100m and 400m in times of 14.5 and 1.8.8. His long jump saw him finish fifth with 3.23m.

Chris Togwell was another who debuted on the track as a vet and after initially going with the leaders, held on for eighth place in 5.21.2. Rob Sargent competed as a non-scorer, finishing one place behind Togwellin 5.38.1.

Two first places were secured by Steve Uttley in the 2km walk with a time of 10.12.7 and Brian Meadows, who launched the javelin to 33.38m.

John Batchelor found himself in the unusual position of being the over-60 sprinter and distance athlete. His 100m saw him finish fourth in 15.9, and the more favoured distance of 1,500m was completed in 5.19.0 for second.

The evening finished with the 4x100m relay where the team of Ricketts, Rawlinson, Maple and Muir finished third in a time of 54.5.

The next match is Monday, June 1, at Barnet Copthall.