Happy Birthday from Thursday 18 April to Wednesday 24 April – Louis Cross, Victoria Godfrey, Lola McCann-Ezekiel, Andrew Millett, Tristan Procida, Joe Purbrick, Robert Rigby, Sean Sutherland, Alan Weller, Tariq Wild and Ben Winfield
RECENT NEW MEMBERS – We wish you a very warm welcome, and a happy, healthy and successful time with Shaftesbury to FARRAH GEORGIADES, JOSEPH GOATER and ISSA PHILLIPS-POPE
EMILY NEWNHAM U23, LINA NEILSEN AND CHARLIE DOBSON BAHAMAS BOUND – Congratulations to EMILY, LINA and CHARLIE will be representing GB&NI at the World Athletic Relays in Nassau, Bahamas on 4-5 May. They are in their respective 4x400m relay teams, with the objective to qualify all relay teams for the Paris Olympic Games.
BETH POTTER WINS SUPERTRI E WORLD TITLE 2024 – The following article was published on the World Triathlon website recently.
British triathlon star Beth Potter has been crowned the the supertri E World Triathlon Champion powered by Zwift after an epic battle with French racer Cassandre Beaugrand in London on 13 April. The 27-year-old BEAUGRAND would suffer from cramp in her calf on the final run leg of the day but held onto second place, with American star Katie Zafares producing an impressive third place on her supertri E debut.
POTTER and BEAUGRAND were largely inseparable throughout the first eight triathlon disciplines, with POTTER finally breaking BEAUGRAND’S resolve with 500m to go of the final run leg in front of a raucous home crowd at the London Aquatics Centre in Queen Elizabeth Park. Having won the Esports worlds in 2022, POTTER’S victory adds another world title to her trophy cabinet and lays down a huge marker before this summer’s Paris Olympic Games, where the 32-year-old and BEAUGRAND are set for another major battle.
“It was my season opener today and I didn’t know where my form was at, so I’m really happy to take the win,” said POTTER at the finish. “I didn’t go too hard in the third swim and had to bide my time until the final run.”
The London Aquatics Centre in Queen Elizabeth Park was the host of the World Champs, with 10 women’s triathletes qualifying from the morning heats. These included the two favourites for this summer’s Paris Olympics, France’s CASSANDRE BEAUGRAND and BETH POTTER of the UK, who were going head-to-head for the first time in 2024 in London. Joining them was supertri regular KATIE ZAFARES (USA), but sadly home favourite Vicky Holland and rising Hungarian star Fanni Szalai both missed out on qualification.
The World Championship race consisted of 3 Stages over the supertri E format, with a 200m Swim – 4km Bike – 1km Run followed by a 1km Run – 4km Bike – 200m Swim before a final 200m Swim – 4km Bike – 1km Run.
The final stage saw a Pursuit start based on the time difference accumulated across the first two stages, with the athlete with the fastest times starting first.
STAGE 1 – Swim: 200m CASSANDRE BEAUGRAND (FRA) led the pace on the day’s first discipline, exiting the water after 2:12mins, five seconds ahead of POTTER – Bike: 4km Onto the day’s first Zwift bike leg and BEAUGRAND’S lead was cut in half by POTTER at the halfway stage, with POTTER pulling level at the 3km stage. The 34-year-old American KATIE ZAFARES was just four seconds back, with POTTER and BEAUGRAND exiting the bikes together – Run: 1km BEAUGRAND’S seamless T2 saw her onto the treadmill first, with POTTER in her shadow. POTTER would make the pass at the halfway stage, with ZAFARES and Tanja Neubert (GER) dropping 10secs back. POTTER’S lead by the end of the run would be five seconds ahead of BEAUGRAND and 19secs ahead of ZAFARES. 1-0 to the Scot.
STAGE 2 – Run: 1km Stage 2’s opening run began with POTTER and BEAUGRAND remaining inseparable at the front of the field, with ZAFARES in close proximity. POTTER and BEAUGRAND would exit the treadmill together, with ZAFARES 3secs back – Bike: 4km Onto the Tacx smart trainers and POTTER would create an instant lead of 2secs over her French rival courtesy of a faultless transition, with ZAFARES 4secs behind. POTTER would regularly push out of the saddle but BEAUGRAND would stubbornly stay right behind, while ZAFARES would push a bigger gear and lower cadence to remain in third. By T2, the gap between POTTER and BEAUGRAND was minimal, with the two race favourites exchanging glances at they entered the swim – Swim: 200m POTTER again produced the best transition to enter the water first, but BEAUGRAND had drawn level by the 50m mark. POTTER wouldn’t give up her lead, however, edging BEAUGRAND to the finish to set up an epic final showdown. ZAFARES would be 12secs in arrears.
STAGE 3 – Swim: 200m The pursuit-style start saw POTTER enter the water with a 5sec advantage over BEAUGRAND and 30secs over ZAFARES, who had a 29sec lead over NEUBERT in fourth. BEAUGRAND was quick to reduce the deficit to POTTER and was alongside her with 100m to go. The two were level at the 150m mark, but BEAUGRAND was to nudge ahead by the swim’s finale – Bike: 4km POTTER would lose precious seconds at the start of the final bike leg, with BEAUGRAND now 12-metres ahead of POTTER. Riding side-by-side on the Tacx turbos, the gap between the athletes would remain at 12-metres as they pushed 300+ watts and speeds over 40km/h. BEAUGRAND would finally increase the gap to POTTER by 2secs by T2. The scene would be set for an epic climax on the run – Run: 1km POTTER would begin the final run leg courtesy of yet another textbook transition, establishing a 1sec lead over BEAUGRAND by 100m and 5secs by 500m. With BEAUGRAND visibly in pain, POTTER’S minute back. The German pair of NEUBERT and Lena Meibner would finish fourth and fifth respectively.
STATUS ON OPEN MEETINGS – These are the fixtures which are now open for you to enter yourself, which are as follows. Changes this week in Red.
BFTA Series – 14 April Entries Closed, 19 May Closing Date 12 May and 2 June Closing Date 26 May, 23 June Open To Enter Closing Date 16 June (All entries on Opentrack)
Lee Valley – 24 April Closing Date 23 April , 8 May Closing Date 7 May, 22 May Closing Date 21 May, 5 June Closing Date 4 June (All entries on Opentrack)
Newham – 26 May Open To Enter, Closing Date 23 May (All entries on Entry4sports)
Watford – 17 April Entries Closed, 1 May Open To Enter, Closing Date 29 April (Entries on Roster Athletics)
Please remember there is a possibility that the limits may be taken up before the closing date.
SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS SUBSCRIPTIONS – Our new Club year started on 1 October 2023. The current SBH annual subscription is £80 and the current England Athletics annual registration from 1 April 2024 is £19. The current total is £99 and should be paid NOW to; ACCOUNT NAME: SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS, BANK: HSBC, ACCOUNT NUMBER: 41308378, SORT CODE: 400426 – Please advise GEOFF MORPHITIS by email (geoffrey.morphitis@capeandd.com) when payment has been made.
RESULTS
EASTERN YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE – The first of four fixtures took place at Ware on 14 April.
The following results are still provisional.
What a superb start to the season, and congratulations to our athletes which included many of our new members who have joined us over the past 6 months. Also many thanks to our Team Managers and Officials, also the many parents who brought their boy or girl to Ware.
Our points total of 689 was the highest of the 4 fixtures held, with Chelmsford finishing with 678.5 points at Thurrock, Dacorum finishing with 668 points at Stevenage and Havering finishing with 638 points at Norwich.
Our next fixture is on Sunday 5 May at Watford, in which our next opponets are Braintree, Brentwood Beagles, Peterborough & Nene Valley, St Albans and Watford.
Match Result – 1st SBH (689 points), 2nd Herts Phoenix (567.5), 3rd Basildon (501), 4th Colchester Harriers (271), 5th Orion and Ilford (257.5), 6th Harlow (176)
100m – U13B A LUCAS DAVIS U13 1st (14.4 nwr), B NOSA URUBUSI U13 2nd (PB 14.7 nwr) Non Scoring DANIEL MURRAY U13 (PB 16.3 nwr),
100m – U13G A KAYIKUNMI OMIDIJI U13 1st (PB 13.5 nwr) taking .02 of a second off her 2023 time, B LEXI MAI U13 1st (PB 14.5 nwr) Non Scoring LILA COHEN U13 (PB 14.6 nwr), DAMI ADEKUNLE U13 (14.9 nwr), ELLA APPIAH-SPICK U13 (PB 15.5 nwr) taking 1.28 seconds off her 2023 time
100m – U15B A JOSHUA NYMAN U15 1st (PB 11.7 nwr) taking .2 of a second off his 2023 time, B DIJANI BARNOR U15 1st (SB 12.0 nwr) Non Scoring LOUIS XUN U15 (12.6 nwr), BEN BAMISAIYE U15 (SB 13.8 nwr), ISLEY AKENIZI NORTON U15 (13.9 nwr), TIRENI GEORGE U15 (14.7 nwr), MATTHEW MURRAY U15 (PB 15.4 nwr)
100m – U15G A AARA KAMARA U15 1st (SB 13.0 nwr) B MOIESHA SAVAGE 1st (SB 13.2 nwr) Non Scoring NATALIA PANKO U15 (PB 14.3 nwr), ANNA ANENE U15 (PB 13.5 nwr) taking .2 of a second off her 2 July time
100m – U17M A B JAIAN SAUNDERS U17 2nd (11.2 nwr) taking .07 of a second off his 2023 time, and is ranked UK No.4 U17 in 2024, B KHYAN MARKLAND U17 1st (PB 11.3 nwr) taking .04 of a second off his 2023 time, and is ranked joint UK No.8 U17 in 2024, Non Scoring NATHAN HOWELL U17 (SB 11.8 nwr), SAVAN MALIK U17 (PB 12.7 nwr), ASHER ESCOBAR U17 (SB 12.8 nwr), MODEBAYO AKIN-AGUNBIADE U17 (SB 13.0 nwr)
100m – U17W A TAMI GEORGE U17 1st (SB 12.2 nwr) and is ranked UK No.1 U17 outdoors in 2024, B MAKAYLA BRAY-ALOIE U17 1st (SB 12.6 nwr) and is ranked UK No.6 U17 outdoors in 2024, Non Scoring FOYIN SONOIKI U17 (SB 13.3 nwr), SHAMMAH ST JOHN U17 (SB 14.0 nwr)
200m – U13B A LUCAS DAVIS U13 1st (29.7 nwr), B JENSON DAY U13 1st (PB 31.5 nwr)
200m – U13G A KAYIKUNMI OMIDIJI U13 1st (SB 28.2 nwr), B LEXI MAI U13 1st (PB 31.7 nwr) Non Scoring LILA COHEN U13 (31.2 nwr), DAMI ADEKUNLE U13 (31.4 nwr), ELLA APPIAH-SPICK U13 (34.4 nwr)
200m – U15B A JOSHUA NYMAN U15 1st (24.1 nwr) taking .5 of a second off his 2023 time, B LOUIS XUN U15 2nd (PB 25.6 nwr) taking .56 of a second off his 2023 time, Non Scoring BEN BAMISAIYE U15 (SB 27.8 nwr), CHAYIL JOHN U15 (SB 28.7 nwr), ISLEY AKENIZI NORTON U15 (SB 29.2 nwr),
200m – U15G A AARA KAMARA U15 1st (SB 27.1 nwr), B HOLLY RYAN U15 1st (PB 25.8 nwr) taking .7 of a second off her 2023 time, and is ranked UK No.1 U15 outdoors in 2024, Non Scoring MOIESHA SAVAGE U15 (SB 27.9 nwr), ANNA ANENE U15 (28.8 nwr), VERA DOUDKO U15 (29.4 nwr), NATALIA PANKO U15 (PB 32.0 nwr) taking 1.12 seconds off her 2023 time
200m – U17M A JAIAN SAUNDERS U17 4th (SB 29.5 nwr), B KHYAN MARKLAND U17 1st (SB 23.6 nwr) Non Scoring NATHAN HOWELL U17 (SB 24.7 nwr), SAVAN MALIK U17 (PB 25.9 nwr), ASHER ESCOBAR U17 (PB 26.0 nwr) taking .61 of a second off his 2023 time, MODEBAYO AKIN-AGUNBIADE U17 (SB 27.9 nwr)
200m – U17W A TAMI GEORGE U17 1st (SB 25.8 nwr), B MAKAYLA BRAY-ALOIE U17 1st (SB 26.3 nwr) Non Scoring FOYIN SONOIKI U17 (29.2 nwr)
300m – U13B Non Scoring CHAYIL JOHN U13 (PB 44.1)
300m – U15B A DIJANI BARNOR U15 1st (PB 37.3) taking .40 of a second off his 2023 time, and is ranked UK No.2 U15 in 2024, B SAM DARCY U15 2nd (PB 44.1) taking 2.96 seconds off his 2023 time
300m – U15G A HOLLY RYAN U15 1st (PB 40.6) taking .61 of a second off her 1 April time, and is ranked UK No.1 U15 outdoors in 2014, B ELIZABETH OTHULO U15 3rd (PB 49.6) Non Scoring JESSICA ADAMS U15 (PB 48.6)
300m – U17W A ADANNA MAZINWOSU U17 2nd (SB 43.2), B ELLA BUCKLEY U17 1st (SB 43.9) Non Scoring SHAMMAH ST JOHN U17 (SB 45.0), TAYLA ROBINSON U17 (PB 45.0)
400m – U17M A AUSTIN WARD U17 2nd (PB 52.6), B JOE COX U17 1st (SB 54.3) Non Scoring SETH RENNIE-RODDY U17 (PB 56.2)
800m – U13B A BEN KASPAR U13 1st (SB 2:31.6), B JENSON DAY U13 1st (PB 2:43.6) Non Scoring ROAN PARKES U13 (PB 2:33.1) taking .84 of a second off his 2023 time
800m – U13G A SIENNA DARCY U13 1st (SB 2:41.1), B ABIGAIL ROSS U13 1st (PB 2:51.9) taking 3.87 seconds off her 2023 time, Non Scoring HOLLY CLARKE U13 (PB 3:00.4) taking .86 of a second off her 2023 time, ELFIE SHAW U13 (SB 3:05.0), LOIS CLARKE U13 (PB 3:06.9)
800m – U15B A EDWARD PASCAL U15 2nd (SB 2:27.7), B LADDIE SHAW U15 1st (SB 2:29.2) Non Scoring ETHAN MOSS U15 (SB 2:36.0)
800m – U15G A ELIZABETH OTHOLU U15 3rd (SB 2:32.9)
800m – U17M A EUAN PHILLIPS U17 2nd (SB 2:08.8), B JARED MORRIS U17 2nd (PB 2:16.7) taking 7.64 seconds off his 2022 time
800m – U17W A DINA SILVERMAN U17 1st (SB 2:27.6)
1500m – U13B A DENNYS PASCAL U13 1st (PB 4:51.7) taking 9.60 seconds off his 2023 time, and is ranked UK No.5 U13 in 2024, B TAHA COCKERELL U13 1st (SB 5:22.0)
1500m – U13G A LUCIA CASALENUOVO U13 1st (SB 5:47.2), B GRACE ROONEY U13 1st (PB 5:48.4)
1500m – U15B A CALEB HILTON U15 3rd (SB 4:46.6), B JESSE ABRAHAMS U15 1st (4:52.0)
1500m – U15G A AIMEE PORTER U15 1st (SB 5:12.3), B AMBER JACKSON U15 1st (SB 5:38.3)
1500m – U17M A ARTHUR PHILLIPS U17 2nd (SB 4:21.0), B JOHN-MICHAEL DIRACLES U17 1st (PB 4:30.8) Non Scoring MATTHEW MAY U17 (PB 4:44.2) taking 8.79 seconds off his 3 April time
1500m – U17W A ADANNA MAZINWOSU 4th (SB 5:40.7)
70m Hurdles – U13G A SIENNA DARCY U13 2nd (PB 14.3 nwr), B LUCIA CASALENUOVO U13 2nd (SB 15.7 nwr) Non Scoring LEXI MAI U13 (PB 14.6 nwr)
75m Hurdles – U13B A SETH SAUNDERS U13 1st (PB 15.3 nwr), B BEN KASPAR U13 1st (PB 16.8 nwr)
75m Hurdles – U15G A KYRA WILLIAMS U15 2nd (PB 13.0 nwr) taking .05 of a second off her 6 April time, B SIENNA OAKLEY MEDWINTER U15 1st (PB 15.0 nwr)
80m Hurdles – U15B A SAM DARCY U15 2nd (PB 15.5 nwr) taking 2.88 seconds off his 2023 time
80m Hurdles – U17W A EVA HIGSON U17 1st (SB 13.0 nwr), B TALYA ROBINSON U17 2nd (PB 14.4 nwr)
100m Hurdles – U17M A SETH RENNIE-RODDY U17 1st (PB 15.0 nwr), A RIAN SHAH U17 1st (PB 16.7 nwr) Non Scoring ASHER ESCOBAR U17 (PB 16.5 nwr)
High Jump – U13B A TAHA COCKERELL U13 3rd (PB 1.20m) equalling his 2023 height, B DENNYS PASCAL U13 1st (PB 1.15m)
High Jump – U13G A SIENNA DARCY U13 4th (PB 1.10m)
High Jump – U15B A DIJANI BARNOR U15 1st (PB 1.60m) adding 10cm to his 2023 height, B EDWARD PASCAL U15 1st (1.50m) adding 10cm to his 2023 height
High Jump – U15G A ELIZABETH OTHULO U15 4th (SB 1.30m), B SIENNA OAKLEY MEDWINTER U15 2nd (PB 1.25m)
High Jump – U17M A RIAN SHAH U17 1st (PB 1.78m) adding 2cm to his 2022 height
High Jump – U17W A ELLA BUCKLEY U17 2nd (SB 1.53m), B ADANNA MAZINWOSU U17 2nd (PB 1.45m) equalling her 2023 height
Pole Vault – U15M NOAH VAN DEN BERGH U15 1st (2.90m)
Pole Vault – U17M ISAAC VAN DEN BURGH U17 1st (3.73m) Non Scoring THOMAS ROBERTSON U17 (SB 3.50m) equalling his 13 March height, ISSA PHILLIPS-POPE U17 (2nd Claim) (3.20m), WILLIAM SYLVESTER U17 (3.10m)
Long Jump – U13B A SETH SAUNDERS U13 3rd (PB 3.66m nwr), B JENSON DAY U13 2nd (PB 3.49m nwr)
Long Jump – U13G A DAMI ADEKUNLE U13 1st (4.03m nwr) adding 52cm to her 2022 jump, B LIXI MAI U13 2nd (PB 3.66m nwr) Non Scoring EDIE RENNIE-RODDY U13 (PB 2.62m nwr) adding 22cm to her 2023 jump
Long Jump – U15B A BEN BAMIISAIYE U15 3rd (SB 4.36m nwr), B LOUIS XUN U15 5th (PB 3.71m nwr)
Long Jump – U15G A GRACE NYAONGO U15 1st (4.43m nwr) Non Scoring VERA DOUDKO U15 (SB 3.91m nwr), SIENNA OAKLEY MEDWINTER U15 (PB 3.61m nwr)
Long Jump – U17M A RIAN SHAH 2nd (SB 5.20m nwr), B NATHAN HOWELL 2nd (SB 4.61m nwr)
Long Jump – U17W A ULANI MCCABE-HUGGINS U17 1st (SB 4.78m nwr) adding 6cm to her 14 January jump, B MILLI BRIDGEMAN-ATHANASATOS U17 1st (4.49m nwr)
Triple Jump – U17M A JOE COX U17 2nd (SB 10.55m nwr)
Triple Jump – U17W A MILLI BRIDGEMAN-ATHANASATOS U17 1st (9.78m nwr)
Shot 2.72kg – U13G A LUCY COX U13 3rd (PB 5.08m), B LILA COHEN U13 2nd (PB 4.31m)
Shot 3kg – U15G A MALIA ANDERSON U15 1st (PB 9.17m) adding 11cm to her 17 March put, B MOIESHA SAVAGE U15 1st (SB 6.49m)
Shot 3kg – U17W A ELSA SHABANI U17 2nd (11.85m), B KEIRA LAKE-BRYAN U17 1st (9.76m)
Shot 4kg – U15B A MILO RYNEHART U15 1st (PB 12.10 nwr) adding 37cm to his 2023 put, and is ranked UK No.9 U15 in 2024, B TOBILOBA AYETAN U15 1st (PB 10.20m nwr) adding 50cm to his 2023 put
Shot 5kg – U17M A JAVON WILLIAMS U17 2nd (PB 11.19m), B AUSTIN WARD U17 1st (PB 8.45m)
Discus 1kg – U13B A LUCAS DAVIS U13 2nd (PB 13.98m), B SETH SAUNDERS U13 1st (PB 12.23m)
Discus 1.25kg – U15B A MILO RYNEHART U15 1st (PB 31.94 nwr) adding 22cm to his 2023 throw, and is ranked UK No.4 U15 in 2024, B TOBILOBA AYETAN U15 1st PB (22.18m nwr)
Discus 1kg – U15G A MALIA ANDERSON U15 1st (SB 20.43m), B ANNA ANENE U15 1st (PB 17.40m)
Discus 1kg – U17W A ELSA SHABANI U17 2nd (SB 20.99m), B MAIREAD MCGRATH U17 1st (PB 18.69m) adding 1.74m to her 2023 throw
Discus 1.25kg – U15B A TOBILOBA AYETAN U15 1st (PB 22.18m)
Discus 1.5kg – U17M A JAVON WILLIAMS U17 3rd (PB 19.55m)
Hammer 4kg – U15B A MILO RYNEHART U15 1st (SB 39.00m)
Hammer 3kg – U15G A MALIA ANDERSON U15 1st (SB 27.58m)
Hammer 3kg – U17W A ELSA SHABANI U17 1st (41.50m), Non Scoring KEIRA LAKE-BRYAN U17 (SB 42.41m) taking 2cm off her 7 April throw, MAIREAD MCGRATH U17 (32.80m)
Hammer 5kg – U17M A ALON TAYLOR U17 2nd (PT 19.29m)
Javelin 400g – U13B A DENNYS PASCAL U13 3rd (PB 15.74m), B ROAN PARKES U13 2nd (PB 10.15m) adding 41cm to his 2023 throw
Javelin 400g – U13G A KAYIKUNMI ODIMIDIJI U13 1st (PB 12.17m)
Javelin 500g – U15G A VERA DOUDKO U15 6th (PB 9.42m), B JESSICA ADAMS U15 4th (PB 5.33m)
Javelin 500g – U17W A MAIREAD MCGRATH U17 3rd (PB 22.77m), B ELSA SHABANI U17 2nd (SB 13.71m)
Javelin 700g – U17M A ALON TAYLOR U17 2nd (PB 34.11m) adding 3.58m to his 7 April throw, B JAVON WILLIAMS U17 1st (PB 12.78m)
4x100m Mixed Relay – U13 A 1st (SB 58.3) MAKAYLA BRAI ALOIE, TAMI GEORGE, KHYAN MARKLAND, JAIAN SAUNDERS, U13 B 1st (SB 61.1) MILLI BRIDGMANN ATHANASATOS, FOYIN SOINIKI, NATHAN HOWELL, RIAN SHAH, U15 A 1st (SB 49.1) AARA KAMARA, HOLLY RYAN, LOUIS XUN, DIJANI BARNOR, U15 B 1st (SB 54.2) ANNA ANENE, MOIESHA SAVAGE, RYAN ISLEYNORTON, BEN BAMISAIYE, U17 A (DQ) KAYIKUNMI OMIDIJI, LEXI MAI, LUCAS DAVIS, SETH SAUNDERS, U17 B (DQ) DAMI ADEKUNIE, LILA COHEN, JENSON DAY, NOSA URUBUSI
BE FIT TODAY OUTDOOR SERIES – Took place at Lee Valley on 14 April
100m – SM A06 RUBEN CARDOSO U20 2nd (PB 11.39 w1.1) taking .27 of a second off his 2023 time, 7 EUGENE RIZA 6th (12.31 w1.1), 10 MALACHI AMADI U20 5th (SB 10.95 w0.3) taking .50 of a second of his 6 April time, and is ranked UK No.6 U20 in 2024, B02 EUGENE finished 3rd (12.21 w1.2), 5 RUBEN finished 2nd (11.37 w3.2) taking .02 of a second off his A06 time
100m – SW A09 NIAH AKINTOKUN U20 2nd (12.20 w1.7), B07 NIAH finished 4th (SB 12.10 w2.8) taking .10 of a second of her A09 time
200m – SM 2 ALEX KONSTANTARAS U17 (2nd Claim) 5th (PB 23.11 w0.6) taking .07 of a second off his 2023 time, 8 COLUMBA BLANGO T20/F20 6th (SB 22.75 w2.9) taking .19 of a second off his 7 April time
CHARNWOOD OPEN MEETING – Took place at Loughborough on 14 April
Discus 1kg – SW B ALEXANDRA BALTAZAR-HALL U23 2nd (SB 46.27m) adding 3.16m to her 2 April throw, and is ranked UK No.4 U23 in 2024
Javelin 700g – SW B JO BLAIR V35 (HCA) 1st (SB 44.19m) and is ranked UK No.1 V35 in 2024
MARK CAWTE MEMORIAL OPEN MEETING – Took place at Swindon on 14 April
Long Jump – SW LYDIA ROGERS 3rd (4.41m nwr)
LEAMINGTON SPRING THROWS FESTIVAL – Took place at Leamington on 13-14 April
Shot 4kg – SW CHEUK-WING CHAN V35 3rd (PB 6.97m) adding 23cm to her 7 April put
Discus 1kg – SW CHEUK-WING CHAN V35 2nd (PB 16.31m)
OK THROWS SERIES – Took place at Romona, Oklahoma, USA on 13-14 April
Discus 2kg – SM 3 NICK PERCY 5th (65.37m)
RADLEY OPEN MEETING – Took place at Abingdon on 13 April
2000m Steeplechase – U20M CALLUM SYDENHAM U20 (2nd Claim) 3rd (PB 6:35.03) taking 15.24 seconds off his 2023 time, and is ranked UK No.4 U20 in 2024
LARRY ELLIS INVITATIONAL – Took place at Princeton, New Jersey, USA on 12-13 April
100m Hurdles – SW H3 LILY PARRIS U23 (Princeton University 2nd Claim) 2nd (14.59 w0.9) in the next race LILY finished 2nd (SB 14.32 w-1.5) taking .03 of a second off her 30 March time, and is ranked UK No.2 U23 in 2024
TOM JONES INVITATIONAL – Took place at Gainesville, Florida, USA on 12-13 April
100m – SM 4 JOHN OTUGADE 2nd (SB 10.29 w0.1) and is ranked UK No.1 in 2024
200m – SM 3 MICHAEL OHIOZE 1st (PB 20.42 w1.0) taking .09 of a second off his 2023 time, and is ranked UK No.3 in 2024
400m – SM 5 MICHAEL OHIOZE 1st (SB 46.32) and is ranked UK No.2 in 2024
400m – SW 5 LILY BECKFORD 5th (56.63)
100m Hurdles – SW H3 JESSICA HUNTER 3rd (SB 13.54 w2.1)
UCONN NORTHEAST CHALLENGE – Took place at Storrs, Connecticut, USA on 12-13 April
100m – SW 4 LARISSA GILES U23 (Yale University) 7th (12.68 w0.2)
BEACH INVITATIONAL – Took place at Long Beach, California, USA on 12-13 April
Pole Vault – SM D GLEN QUAYLE U23 (Long Beach State University) 6th (SB 4.86m) adding 45cm to his 6 April height, and is ranked UK No.6 U23 in 2024
FRIDAY NIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS 10K – Took place at Battersea Park on 12 April
THOMAS BUTLER 3rd (SB 30.24)
ALEXANDER VIDAL SPRINT SERIES – Took place at Sportcity on 10 April
300m – SX 2 SOPHIE FORBES-LAIRD U20 5th (SB 45.33)
PARKRUN – Can you make sure that you are registered as ‘Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers’, as the link I use to select all results only shows SBH athletes. If anyone is also officiating can you please contact me and advise me where and when.
PARKRUNS MILESTONE VESTS – You can purchase these from 50 to 500, this is the link – https://shop.parkrun.com/collections/milestone-run-walk-vests
PARKRUNS IN THE UK – Last Saturday at parkruns in the UK, there were…
1,207 events – 204,104 walkers, joggers, runners and volunteers – 11,595 first timers – 29,801 PBs
COMPLETELY USELESS RANDOM FACT – Almost 18,000 first-timers attended a parkrun event last weekend!
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Bedford on 13 April.
IZZY THOMPSON 152nd (27.14) this was her 2nd Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Blandford on 13 April.
HUGH RICHARDS V75 152nd (35.52) this was his 244th Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Cassiobury on 13 April.
MARTIN GREY V80 495th (36.27) this was his 30th Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Glossop on 13 April.
MARK COTTLE V35 3rd (19.34) this was his 22nd Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Grovelands on 13 April.
SAM CLEMENTS U13 14th (PB 21.03) this was his 10th Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Hackney Marshes on 13 April.
BARRY CHISHOLM V65 263rd (27.50) this was his 327th Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Hampstead Heath on 13 April.
JOEL PHILLIPS V45 35th (21.32) this was his 95th Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Harrow on 13 April.
DANIYAL JANMOHAMED U11 9th (PB 20.54) this was his 11th Parkrun, LILY JANMOHAMED U11 67th (25.23) this was her 9th Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Hove Promenade on 13 April.
JAMES DAVIS U23 398h (26.58) this was his 54th Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Lowestoft on 13 April.
BARRY HAWES V50 31st (22.21) this was his 44th Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Medina, Isle ofWight on 13 April.
TIM PARKIN V45 40th (23.08) this was his 3rd Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Mile End on 13 April.
JO KENT V55 46th (20.39) this was her 136th Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Oak Hill on 13 April.
BRADLEY SINGER V35 30th (PB 21.12) this was his 266th Parkrun, STUART SINGER V60 54th (22.59) this was his 416th Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Panshanger on 13 April.
RUSSELL DEVITT V75 271st (45.47) this was his 299th Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Sunny Hill on 13 April.
ESTAFANIA PALANCA U20 59th (PB 31.48) this was her 2nd Parkrun
UPCOMING TRACK AND FIELD FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 5 WEEKS, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 18 APRIL UNTIL WEDNESDAY 22 MAY – The SBH 2024 Summer Fixture Card can be found on the SBH website, in which you can Access/Print a copy for future reference. Also the majority of fixtures Information can be found on the SBH Website under the ‘Fixtures and Results’ section.
SUMMER OPEN MEETINGS 2024 – The link will open the document that has the dates for all fixture dates for BFTA, Lee Valley, Newham and Watford fixtures and updated up to the 11 April – All Summer Open Meetings 2024 Updated 18 April 2024
The Information including how to enter for each fixture, will be published below as and when known.
TCS MONEY LONDON MINI MARATHON – Takes place on Saturday 20 April close to Temple Station and finishes on The Mall.
Note: The teams have been selected for the London Borough of Barnet, which include many Shaftesbury athletes.
TCS MONEY LONDON MARATHON – Takes place on Sunday 21 April from Greenwich. We should have a few runners representing the Stripes.
Note: You will have to enter yourself.
LEE VALLLEY 100M/200M SPRINTS NIGHT – Takes place on Wednesday 24 April at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Timetable 19.00pm 100m, 20.00pm 200m estimated start time, or 20 minutes after the end of the last 100m race.
Entry is via Open Track, now open to enter – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/?o=&page=3&date__gte=2024-03-20&date__lte=2024-06-30&type=&q=&country_id=GBR&uses_ot=on
Entries Closing Date Wednesday 23 April
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.
MIDDLESEX YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE ROUND 1 – The first fixture of four takes place on Saturday 27 April at the Finsbury Park Athletics Track (Satnav N4 2NQ).
Age-Groups Under 13, 15 & 17 Men/Women.
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager.
To Be Confirmed: Those athletes who wish to compete as a non-scorer, please contact your Team Manager no later than Thursday 25 April as the declarations have to be in on Friday 26 April.
UK YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH ROUND 1 – The first fixture of three takes place on Sunday 28 April at the Thames Valley Athletics Track, Pococks Lane, Eton, Windsor (Satnav SL4 6HN).
Age-Groups Under 17 & U20 Men/Women.
Link to the timetable – UKYDL UAG Timetable 2024
Note: You will have to be selected by your respective Team Manager
WATFORD OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Wednesday 1 May at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav WD25 7HH).
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Timetable 19.00pm 100m, 19.15pm 1500m between 4 minutes 40 seconds to 5 minutes 30 seconds, 20.15pm 1500m sub 4 minutes 40 seconds, 21.15pm 3000m.
Link to entries on roster athletics – https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=25113
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.
BUCS CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place from Saturday 4 May to Monday 6 May at the Manchester Regional Arena, Gate 13, Ethiad Campus, Rowsley Street, Manchester (M11 3FF)
Entries Closed
EASTERN YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE ROUND 2 – The second of four fixtures takes place on Sunday 5 May at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav WD25 7HH).
Age-Groups Under U13, U15 & U17 Men/Women.
Link to the timetable – EYAL Timetable 2024 For Matches 2 and 4
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager, Those athletes who wish to compete as a non-scorer, please contact your Team Manager no later than Thursday 2 May as the declarations have to be in on Friday 3 May
LONDON INTER CLUB CHALLENGE HURDLES NIGHT – Due to take place on Wednesday 8 May has now been cancelled.
LEE VALLLEY DOUBLE 100M SPRINTS NIGHT – Takes place on Wednesday 8 May at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Timetable 19.00pm 100m 1st round, 2nd round will follow the last race of the 1st round.
Entry is via Open Track – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/lvac1001001/
Entries Closing Date Tuesday 7 May
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.
HERTFORDSHIRE AND BEDFORDSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 11 May and Sunday 12 May. at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav WD25 7HH)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women
Link to enter on Roster athletics – https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions?nextUrl=L3B1YmxpYy9jb21wZXRpdGlvbnM%2FaWQ9MjQ5NDUmY2M9R0JSJmZyb209MjAyNC0wMy0yMyZ0bz0yMDI0LTA2LTMwJnBhZ2U9MQ%3D%3D&cc=GBR&page=2&from=2024-04-03&to=2024-06-28
Entries Closing Date Sunday 30 April
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 11 May and Sunday 12 May at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women
Link to enter on Opentrack and Information – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/?o=&page=2&date__gte=2024-03-20&date__lte=2024-06-30&type=&q=&country_id=GBR&uses_ot=on
Entries Closing Date Sunday 30 April
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.
WATFORD OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Wednesday 15 May at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav WD25 7HH).
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Timetable – TBC
Link to entries on roster athletics, although entries scheduled to be open from TBC –
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.
WORLD PARA ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place from Friday 17 May to Sunday 25 May at Kobe, Japan.
Link to their website for all information – https://en.kobe2022wpac.org/schedule/
NIGHT OF THE 10000m PBs – Takes place on Saturday 18 May at Parliament Hill Fields Athletics Track, London (Satnav NW3 2JP).
Established in 2013, the 2022 races incorporates the UK 10,000m Championships. Taking place at Parliament Hill Athletics Track, it will also provide a key performance indicator for athletes targeting the Olympic Games in Paris later in the summer. Free for spectators against a backdrop of music and entertainment, the high-quality open races are sure to be an event for all the family
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Events 800m and 10000m
Link to entries – https://www.nightofthe10kpbs.com/race-entry/
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.
MIDDLESEX YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE – The second fixture of four takes place on Sunday 19 May at the Perival Park Athletics Track, Stockdove Way, Perivale, Greenford (Satnav UP6 8TJ).
Age-Groups Under 13, 15 & 17 Men/Women.
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager.
To Be Confirmed: Those athletes who wish to compete as a non-scorer, please contact your Team Manager no later than Thursday 16 May as the declarations have to be in on Friday 17 May.
LOUGHBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL – Takes place on Sunday 19 May at the Loughborough University Track, Ashby Road, Loughborough (Satnav LE11 3TU).
Age-Groups Under U20 & Senior Men/Women.
Note: There are Guest Entries, but limited, this is the link https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/sports/athletics/loughborough-international-athletics/
BFTTA OUTDOOR SERIES – Takes place on Sunday 19 May TBC at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Entry is via Open Track – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/bft11111/
Entries Closing Date Sunday 12 May
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.
LEE VALLLEY 100M/200M SPRINTS NIGHT – Takes place on Wednesday 22 May at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Timetable 19.00pm 100m, 20.00pm 200m estimated start time, or 20 minutes after the end of the last 100m race.
Entry is via Open Track, and not open as yet –
Entries Closing Date TBC
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.
JURGEN SCHULT’S LONG-STANDING WORLD DISCUS RECORD FALLS TO MYKOLAS ALEKNA – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.
Young Lithuanian throws (74.35m) to beat 38-year-old mark at the Ramona Throws Festival in Oklahoma. History was made at the Ramona Throws Festival in Oklahoma as MYKOLAS ALEKNA, the 21-year-old discus throwing talent from Lithuania, took advantage of windy conditions at the venue to break JURGEN SCHULT’S long-time world record of (74.08m) with (74.35m). The East German SCHULT’S mark – the oldest world record in men’s track and field – was set in similarly gusty conditions in Neubrandenburg on June 6, 1986. Not only was this 16 years before ALEKNA was born but the Lithuanian’s famous father, VIRGILIJUS, was still only 14 at the time. VIRGILIJUS went on to win Olympic titles at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 in addition to world titles in 2003 and 2005. If he can translate this kind of form to future major championships, ALEKNA junior could surpass his father when it comes to silverware.
With some of the world’s best throwers queuing up to take advantage of the great conditions in Oklahoma, ALEKNA’S throw was first announced as (74.41m) before being declared as (74.35m). Until this weekend, ALEKNA senior also stood No.2 on the world all-time rankings with a best of (73.88m) from 2000 – just 20cm behind SCHULT’S world record. Amazingly ALEKNA junior did not start to take the discus seriously until he was around 16 years old. Before that he played football as a striker and did events like high jump. But once focusing on the discus he has shown immense ability. After winning world and European under-20 titles, he won the European senior crown in 2022 aged 19.
Also in 2022 he became the youngest world discus medallist in history with silver in Eugene – another amazing achievement in an event where the top athlete usually peak when they are much older. What’s more, last year he became the youngest athlete to throw over 70 metres with (71.00m) in Berkeley, California. But now he is the world record-holder with a full series that included: (72.21m), (70.32m), (72.89m), (70.51m), (74.35m) and (70.50m). A psychology student at California State University, he will now be aiming to win Olympic gold in Paris this summer.
LONDON MARATHON TO HONOUR KELVIN KIPTUM – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.
Tribute is planned for the fastest marathon runner in history, who died in a car accident in February. The TCS London Marathon will pay homage to KELVIN KIPTUM, the men’s world marathon record-holder who sadly lost his life in a car crash, with a series of tributes this Sunday (April 21). KIPTUM won last year’s London Marathon in a course record of (2:01:25), narrowly missing ELIUD KIPCHOGE’S previous world record by just 16 seconds. Last October, KIPTUM then blitzed KIPCHOGE’S mark of (2:01:09) with a stunning (2:00:35) at the Chicago Marathon, becoming the first ever person to go sub-2:01 over 26.2 miles. Ahead of this season, KIPTUM was the heavy favourite to win the Olympic marathon gold medal in Paris and there were even hopes he could break the two-hour barrier at the recent Rotterdam Marathon (April 14). However, on February 11, the 24-year-old Kenyan was tragically killed in a car accident alongside his coach GERVAIS HAKIZIMANA. The news shocked the sporting world and tributes poured in from all over the globe.
The London Marathon has therefore decided to honour KIPTUM before the elite races begin on Sunday. There will be a 30-second round of applause, a video of KIPTUM’S life and performances will be played and GEOFF WIGHTMAN, who is one of the announcers at the London Marathon, will also speak. KIPTUM’S family won’t be present though. “We want to celebrate the man,” says HUGH BRASHER, Event Director of the London Marathon. “We’ll be doing this in conjunction with the BBC, as well, in terms of what they’re doing. “There’ll be some words that GEOFF will say, just to remind people [of KIPTUM] and celebrate his short but impactful life.” Women’s world marathon record-holder TIGIST ASSEFA will make her first appearance in London and expectation is high. At last year’s Berlin Marathon, she ran (2:11:53), taking an astonishing two minutes and 11 seconds off BRIGID KOSGEI’S previous world record of (2:14:04). ASSEFA and KOSGEwill go head-to-head in London but they will also be joined by 2019 world champion RUTH CHEPNGETICH, Olympic champion PERES JEPCHIRCHIR and 2022 London winner YALEMZERF YEHUALAW. This means three of the four fastest women in history are in the race.
“I think what she [ASSEFA] did in Berlin redefined my thoughts of what would probably happen in my lifetime,” adds BRASHER, Event Director of the London Marathon. “We’ll be doing this in conjunction with the BBC, as well, in. “Do I believe that a woman is capable of sub-2:10 and it will happen in my lifetime? Yes. I go back to what PAULA RADCLIFFE did in 2003 when she ran (2:15:25) and that world record stood for 16 years. “These things go in cycles and you’d had a period of time where Paula’s record wasn’t broken for such a long time. Now we’ve got these new athletes whose minds are not so much defined by the past but the future instead.” With any record-breaking performance at a marathon, talk of the ‘super shoes’ is not far away. When ASSEFA ran (2:11:53), she wore a prototype of Adidas’s Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1s, one of the lightest racing shoes ever created. How much should we embrace the ever evolving technology and is there also an impact for those who aren’t just elite athletes?
“Without a doubt, the shoes have made a difference,” says BRASHER. “The research has shown that the benefits vary for different [elite] athletes. It does depend on your game, so sometimes an athlete will have more of an advantage than someone else. “It is also really helping the recovery [for mass runners]. Everyone’s talking about the speed and 100% it helps but it’s also aiding consistency and where the recovery is much better. The impact on your muscles is far more reduced.
Read More: 2024 London Marathon preview
“The last time I did a marathon was London in 2003. I did it six weeks after my father had passed away and I did it on no training. For quite a few days, I couldn’t really walk down the stairs afterwards.
“With the increase in times, it has meant that for next year’s race, we’ve had to reduce the good for age times – the automatic qualification marks to get into the London Marathon.” Technology is not just exclusive to shoes though. DAVID WEIR, who will be competing in his 25th consecutive London Marathon, will be buoyed by the fact that he has a new wheelchair, the same one used by MARCEL HUG, who is the defending champion in the British capital and last weekend claimed an incredible seventh Boston Marathon crown. Three years ago WEIR called HUG’S chair, helped designed by companies Swiss Side and Orthotec, a “Ferrari”. “If I was asked to predict one winner this weekend it would have to be MARCEL HUG,” BRASHER tells AW. “But the fact that DAVID WEIR is coming into London with this new wheelchair and is the most decorated winner of the London Marathon, I wouldn’t bet on it. “I think overall, technology has always been at the forefront of moving society on.” In a significant and historic moment for disability sport, the London Marathon will also be the first marathon in the world where prize money for both wheelchair and able-bodied athletes will be exactly the same.
The London Marathon wheelchair races were already the richest in the world. However, a further increase of $54,500 to the prize money means the total prize pot now stands at $308,000, creating parity with the able-bodied athletes. This means that all winners in the elite races of the London Marathon will receive $55,000, with the runner-up earning $30,000 and third-place $22,500.
BRASHER has hailed this as a “landmark move” and one that means the London Marathon will be the “most diverse and equitable” one in the world. The expectation is for 50,000 runners to cross the finish line on Sunday with Brasher describing it as “the biggest London Marathon yet”. JASMIN PARIS, who became the first woman in history to complete the prestigious yet gruelling Barkley Marathons, will also be an official London Marathon starter alongside double Olympic middle-distance champion KELLY HOLMES.
THE DAY BANNISTER RAN A ‘DEMO’ MILE – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.
Ahead of the BANNISTER MILES anniversary event in Oxford on May 6, GAVIN RILEY recalls a prophetic ‘demonstration mile’ featuring ROGER BANNISTER at Motspur Park in 1953. When ROGER BANNISTER achieved athletics immortality 70 years ago by becoming the first athlete to run the mile in under four minutes, it was the realisation of an ambition he had nursed privately for more than a year.
As a member of the last generation of “gentleman” athletes – well-educated, academically gifted, assured of a rewarding professional future – BANNISTER had to assume the role of the gifted amateur whose sport was merely a hobby and secondary to his core lifestyle. Hence his 40-minute lunchtime training sessions and exit from the sport at the age of 25. Because of how society expected “Oxbridge” athletes to conduct themselves, BANNISTER could not be openly ambitious in his quest to run the first sub-four mile. But his ambition, desperately intense, was fleetingly on public display almost a year before his historic achievement in clocking 3:59.4 at Oxford in May 1954 – and I (aged 16) was there to witness it.
The occasion was the Surrey schools championships on a blisteringly hot June Saturday in 1953 at Motspur Park, scene of SYDNEY WOODERSON’S one-mile and half-mile world records before the war. The diminutive Wooderson was also there that day, to be honoured in a march-past by the hundreds of schoolboy athletes. The meeting was enjoying a lunchtime break when an electrifying but curious announcement was made over the loudspeaker: R G BANNISTER, the British record-holder, was about to run a demonstration mile. It is hard to imagine in this blasé, communication-overload age the dramatic impact of that out-of-the-blue news. For eight years, since the last year of the war, the world record had stood at (4:01.4). Talk of a four-minute mile had been rife all spring and early summer. WES SANTEE in the United States (4:02.4), JOHN LANDY in Australia (4:02.0) and BANNISTER (4:03.6) were all closing in on the magic mark. SANTEE, it was known, was to make another attempt that very day. So what was the purpose of BANNISTER’S unscheduled appearance? Was it merely a demonstration mile? Or did he mean business? We were soon to find out. The 24-year-old British champion and two companions, training partner CHRIS BRASHER and tall Australian Olympian DON MACMILLAN, quickly went to the start line. From my vantage point on a grassy bank at the beginning of the back straight, I sweatily clutched my cheap stopwatch.
BANNISTER himself, wary of journalists, disappeared immediately after the race with Brasher and CHRIS CHATAWAY to climb remote mountains in Wales. On his return he refused to say anything to the press when the “record” was rejected. Privately, he accepted the ruling, though he indicated he would have taken a different view if he had beaten four minutes. Surprisingly, he maintained he knew nothing before the race about the tactics that were employed. Less surprisingly, officialdom had the last word. In those days Britain wielded considerable influence in world athletics, and the international body subsequently followed the BAAB’s lead in framing rules regarding pacemaking. My abiding memory of that glorious June day at Motspur Park is of going into the dressing rooms beneath the stand shortly after BANNISTER’S electrifying run. The great man was in the shower, oblivious of people passing by. As he soaped himself he was deep in thought, his eyes fixed on some distant horizon. It was as if he had glimpsed history yet to come and knew beyond doubt exactly what his place in it would be.
At the gun MACMILLAN tore into the lead, followed by BANNISTER. A puzzled roar went round the ground when it was seen that BRASHER was only jogging. Then all eyes returned to the fast-moving pair who were churning their way round the smooth black cinders. The first lap was completed in just under a minute – right on four-minute schedule. As MACMILLAN powered past me and down the back straight for the second time, I heard BANNISTER call: “Faster, DON, faster!” Clearly this was no demonstration mile. Halfway was reached in a tick under two minutes, and shortly after MACMILLAN and BANNISTER swept past my vantage point for the third time, the straining Australian dropped out. BANNISTER drove on alone down the back straight to the far bend, where the jogging BRASHER’S role suddenly became clear. Glancing repeatedly over his left shoulder and calling encouragement to the British champion, BRASHER picked up the pace and the pair strode through the three-quarter mark in 3:01.8. On the last lap BANNISTER battled magnificently against his mounting oxygen debt, and to the wild excitement of my schoolmates my watch clocked him at (4:01.0) – a new world record.
Alas, the drama of the occasion had warped my judgment and the official time was announced as (4:02.0). It was the third fastest mile of all time, a British and British Empire (Commonwealth) record. At least, that was the way the sporting public saw it. Officialdom took a different view. Meeting just two weeks later, the British Amateur Athletics Board (BAAB) ratified BANNISTER’S (4:03.6), set at Oxford in May. But faced with a precedent (which no bureaucracy welcomes) it disallowed his Motspur Park effort on the basis that it did not regard individual record attempts to be in the best interests of athletics. The board said it had no doubt the time was accomplished, and it appreciated the public enthusiasm for record performances and the natural and commendable desire for athletes to accomplish them. However, it did not consider the event was a bona fide competition according to the rules. BANNISTER’S momentous achievement barely made the three London Saturday evening papers. But extensive press coverage on the Sunday and the Monday concentrated on the secrecy surrounding the record attempt and paid little attention to the race tactics.
ENGLAND ATHLETICS APRIL THROWS NEWSLETTER – I recently received this months edition from NICK RIDGEON of EA.
The content is varied and interesting including upcoming events from April to August – Throws Newsletter Apr-24
OLYMPIC GAMES 2024 – Take place in Paris from the 26 July until the 11 August. The Athletics take place from the 1 August until the 11 August.
Link to the Olympic Games website for the schedule for all events – https://www.paris2024.org/en/competition-schedule-olympic-games/
Detailed schedule for events will be issued later this year
Link to the Olympic Games website to register for tickets – https://tickets.paris2024.org/en/
PARALYMPIC GAMES 2024 – Take place in Paris, from the 28 August until the 8 September.
Link to the Paralympic Games website for the schedule for all events – https://www.paris2024.org/en/competition-schedule-paralympic-games/
Link to the Paralympic Games website to register for tickets – https://tickets.paris2024.org/en/
SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS ON INSTAGRAM – Since the account was setup, there has been an amazing amount of Videos and Photographs contributed with many comments. There is 1 post this week.
Photograph of our 4 Pole Vaulters THOMAS ROBERTSON, NOAH VAN DEN BURGH, ISAAC VAN DEN BURGH and ISSY PHILLIPS-POPE at the Eastern Young Athletes League fixture at Ware last Sunday.
SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS NEW INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT– Many thanks to SEAN SUTHERLAND who undertook a review on the best way forward, following this a decision was made to set up a new account, and SEAN has now set that account up.
To follow our newInstagram account, from your own account, by searching for ‘shaftesbury_barnet’ or by clicking https://www.instagram.com/shaftesbury_barnet/
To Members and Parents, if you wish for any photographs to be posted on Instagram, please email them to sbh.instagram@outlook.com If you can at the same time give details on when and where the photographs was taken, plus any other comments.
Please feel free to post photographs of any special occasion, for example, your wedding day, an addition to the family.
THE FOLLOWING IS CLUB INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TOPICS
SBH 2024 SUMMER FIXTURE CARD – The 2024 Summer Fixture Card is now published on the SBH Website, in which you can Access/Print a copy for future reference.
The Information on upcoming fixtures will be published in the SBH Weekly Newsletter, plus the majority of fixtures Information can be found on the SBH Website under the ‘Fixtures and Results’ section.
Link to Fixture Card – A SBH Summer 2024 Fixture Card Front Sheet Re-Issued 10-03-24 B SBH Summer 2024 Fixture Card Fixtures Re-Issued 30-03-24 – 8 May LICC Fixture Cancelled
STONEX STADIUM MEMBERSHIP – To use the StoneX Stadium facilities for training, SBH members are required to pay a fee. You can register as a member (which is free) which then entitles you to a discount. This is the link to the form to apply for membership – StoneX Membership (1) as of 30 October 2023
JAMIE BATH MEMBERS MASSAGE SERVICE – Since joining SBH he has been working closely with TY HOLDEN in his quest for Athlete and Athletics Development. To help support the club members he has (with the club’s support) set up a Members Massage Service available on club nights at a small charge of £15 (as compared to outside masseurs who charge £60) to simply cover materials and insurance.
Please contact JAMIE at jamiebath@live.co.uk or text him on 07902 592561. You can also see him on training nights for availability.
GEORGE HARRISON MBE MEMORIAL DOCUMENT – The document has been put together with contributors from LISA WEBB, MARTIN ROCHFORD, NADEEM SHAIKH, RACHEL FELTON, LIAM and JAMIE DEE, JAMES LOVELL, EMILIA ECONOMU, ALAN WELLER, KAREN HARRISON, TIM UNDERHILL, GLEN WATTS, JOANNA WINFIELD, SHAUN CLIFFORD and EUAN MACKENZIE – Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Memorial To George Harrison From Friends And Members 20 April 2023
If you wish to contribute your own memories and/or photographs of GEORGE, please email them to me, either within the email or as a separate attached word document.
CODES OF CONDUCT – SBH have now adopted the UK Athletics (UKA) and the Home Country Athletics Federations (HCAF) Codes of Conduct which set out national standards of conduct for all clubs, coaches, officials, volunteers and athletes in the sport. The purpose of the codes are to clarify what behaviours are acceptable and unacceptable, the standards of practice expected and the basis for challenging and improving practice. The Codes are similar to our previous Codes of Conduct which were part of the previous ClubMark scheme. All club member and anyone undertaking a relevant role must agree to abide by the codes of conduct. The Codes of Conduct have now been put onto our Website, please read these to understand the commitments you are making by being a member of SBH.
Link to the Code of Conduct document – Codes Of Conduct Booklet 2021 (1)
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION OF INTEREST CAN BE FOUND ON THE SBH WEBSITE BY USING THIS LINK – http://sbharriers.co.uk/
Section ‘About Us’, includes Annual Reports, Best Performance Trophy Awards, Individual And Relay Best Performances By Year, Club Records and SBH All-Time Top 10 T&F Performances.
Section ‘Team Managers And Competitions’, shows details of Track & Field, Cross Country and Road Relays Team Managers.
Section ‘Future Information/Results’, includes Information On Each Fixture, Summer & Winter Fixture Cards, Winter X/C Points Tables and Winter Club Championships Winners.
SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS NEW CLUB KIT – They are now available to purchase from our club kit supplier, Supreme Sports – click on the link for the full range – https://www.supreme-sports.co.uk/webshop/schools-and-clubs/shaftesbury-barnet-harriers/
By opening the link, you will be on the front page, which displays the men’s items. Click on SBH LADIES for the women’s items, or click on SBH KIDS for the young athletes’ items.
CLUB HOODIES– With well over eight hundred hoodies already in circulation, this is your opportunity to join the club. The bright red hoody is made to order and has your name embroidered on the front along with the club badge and has the Club name on the back. We now have 2 styles, the original pull over style at £37 + P&P or the new one with a full zip at £40 + P&P.
Here is the link to the Supreme Sports website which if you click on it, will take YOU to the new Club Hoody and allow you to then view the full range of Club kit online – https://www.supreme-sports.co.uk/webshop/schools-and-clubs/shaftesbury-barnet-harriers/
ACCESS TO SBH CLUBHOUSE – The new Keyholders to the outside door are TY HOLDEN, CLYDE GORDON, NEVILLE THOMPSON, GREG THOMPSON, COLIN GODFREY and YAMILLE ALDAMA who all use the Clubhouse outside of normal stadium opening hours. GEOFF MORPHITIS and DAVE BEDFORD will also have a key. All other key fob holders can continue to gain access to the clubhouse via the (New) West Stand Entrance and the Trackside Door to the Clubhouse.
Link to note and details for further information – SBH Club House Door 20-01-23
PHOTOGRAPH’S – From time to time we have photographs of our members taken at meetings or presentations which we would like to use both on the website or incorporated within our report to our local newspaper. Can you please let me know if you do NOT want your photograph to be published. Also, I would appreciate if you could send me any photographs, which I can then publish on the website and newsletter.
FACEBOOK – Photographs can be found on the SBH page.
CAN YOU HELP PLEASE – I would welcome any contributions From Yourselves, any impending marriages, or additions to the family, any running or competing incidents, also past warm weather training/holidays (No Club 24 please). Currently the response has been excellent, but if you have anything that could make it into next week’s Newsletter – please email me.
CURRENT DISTRIBUTION OF SHAFTESBURY INFORMATION – Currently I notify members (by email) using “MailChimp”. The reason I changed, was in November 2017 “Gmail” put a limit of 100 addresses that users could send to in a 24-hour period, and currently I send to approximately 850 members each issue.
On seeking technical advice “MailChimp” was recommended as the best way for SBH to go forward. There is one thing you should be aware off is that when you receive an email from me, the footer at the bottom has 4 options, of which one is “Unsubscribe Me From List”. Could I ask you not to select this as if you do you will be automatically removed from my distribution list.
SBH MIDWEEK JUMPS CLUB AT STONEX STADIUM – The current arrangements until further notice are that Pole Vault training is on Monday’s and Wednesday’s from 18.30pm to 21.00pm. High Jump training is on Wednesday’s from 18.45pm to 21.00pm.
Please contact the session administrator CLYDE GORDON at clydeg67@hotmail.co.uk in advance and let him know if you are planning to attend.
SBH TRAINING AND COACHING – Please see the 2024 Summer Fixture Card, which gives full details of Traing and Coaching – A SBH Summer 2024 Fixture Card Front Sheet Re-Issued 10-03-24
POLE VAULTERS REQUIRED FOR 2024 – To all athletes young & old – are you aware of the SBH Pole Vault sessions held at StoneX Stadium on Monday & Wednesday evenings from 18.30pm. We have room to coach more of you, why not come along and watch a session and the get involved – give it a try NOW.
Please contact the session administrator CLYDE GORDON at clydeg67@hotmail.co.uk for more details.
STEEPLECHASE TRAINING AT STONEX STADIUM – Check with your Coach for details of training times.
SBH PRIVACY STATEMENT – In becoming a member, SBH will collect certain information about you. Can you please read the attached ‘Privacy Statement’ which contains Information on General Data Protection Regulations – SBH Privacy Statement Final April 2018
STONEX STADIUM – Main Switchboard telephone number is 020 3675 7250.
STONEX STADIUM AWARDED TRACKMARK STANDARD – Congratulations on achieving the UK Athletics Quality Assurance Standards for StoneX Stadium. This is the letter from UK Athletics and certificate showing all area that achieved compliance – StoneX Stadium Award Letter 09.11.21StoneX Stadium Certificate
ALAN WELLER – SBH NEWSLETTER EDITOR AND WEBSITE MANAGER
