ILFORD AC switched their club road championships to Valentines Park on Saturday morning and the decision was an inspired one as the club s athletes impressed with some fine runs. A trio comprising Peter Clinch, youngster Iain Macdonald and a resurgent Ter

ILFORD AC switched their club road championships to Valentines Park on Saturday morning and the decision was an inspired one as the club's athletes impressed with some fine runs.

A trio comprising Peter Clinch, youngster Iain Macdonald and a resurgent Terry Knightley soon got away from the rest of the field and were together at the end of the first small loop around the lake and well into the first of the larger loops.

Clinch then began to apply the pressure as first Knightley dropped off the back and then Macdonald found the pace too hot, Clinch eventually storming home in 27mins 27secs with Macdonald (27.51) and Knightley (28.03) occupying the podium positions.

Neil Crisp, in fourth, took the top male vet 40 award in 28.50 and Chris Togwell's 29.54 was good enough for fifth and securing the 50s gold. Robin Davis recorded 45.53 for 21st and the fastest male vet 60 of the day.

In the women's race, Dianne Crisp was a class apart, speeding home to 10th overall to take the women's gold in 34.25 from Sally Gillam (17th, 41.02) and Carol Muir (18th, 42.56.)

Pam Jones was the top woman vet with 39.15 and finishing an excellent 15th overall out of 23. Alex Richards, in eighth place overall, secured the under-20s gold with 32.37.

Others finishing were Matt Maple (6th, 30.58), Ian Burdin (7th, 31.15), John Mackenzie (9th, 33.30), Steve Uttley (11th, 35.41), Chris Evans (12th, 36.55), Jack Webb (13th, 38.07), Peter Spelman (14th, 39.14), Mital Kotecha (16th, 40.57), Sukhbindar Jandu (19th, 43.54), Paul Cheal (20th, 44.51), Gerrry Pells (22nd, 46.54), and Dave Sharp (23rd, 54.45).

On Tuesday evening, Ilford's John Batchelor and Pam Jones ran in the first vets AC five-miler of the season at Battersea Park.

After starting a little too fast, Batchelor was passed at 1k by 62-year-old Gareth Jones, a national M60 champion and regular slow starter, and couldn't make up lost ground in the closing stages.

Jones won in 31.21, but Batchelor was second in 31.33, the closest he has finished to him in many races. Pam Jones was 20th out of 27, and third woman, and was happy with her time of 41.35.

Malcolm Muir grabbed third place in the Newham 10k on Sunday morning, finishing in 33.20.

Gerry Trill led in a trio of Ilford Harriers, finishing 238th ahead of Dave Rowley (250th) and Billy Green (271st).