ILFORD WALKERS gained second team prize in the Annual Belgrave Harriers Open seven mile walk, although left empty handed when an organising official forgot to bring the prizes to the venue! The six-lap circuit is one of the few left on the public highway

ILFORD WALKERS gained second team prize in the Annual Belgrave Harriers Open seven mile walk, although left empty handed when an organising official forgot to bring the prizes to the venue!

The six-lap circuit is one of the few left on the public highway and is recognised as one of the toughest courses in use with a steep climb on every lap.

Pete Ryan was the first Ilford man home with a battling fourth place that saw him walk solidly and he exhibited even pace to gradually pull away from his pursuers and finish in 61.42 minutes.

Steve Uttley moved from sixth to fifth on the final lap to finish in 62.01, but made little in-road into Ryan's lead over him. The Ilford team was completed by Dave Sharpe who walked solidly to finish 19th in 70.44.

The team's 28-point total was good enough to beat the third-placed host club Belgrave by a total of 10 points, but Steyning AC were triumphant overall.