Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Weekly Newsletter Thursday 25 June 2020

Happy Birthday from this Thursday 25 June to Maria Eduarda Araujo, Poppy Fenwick-Moore, Chay Jiboye, Orlando Edwards, James Hamblin, Marli Jessop, Gavin Marcus, Kayla Michel, Joanne Miranda, Ella Nash, Emma Rae, Eavion Richardson, Phillip Richardson, Hannah Ridley, Sarah Ridley, Annina Rive, Seb Roger and Nadeem Shaikh

RECENT NEW MEMBERS We wish you a very warm welcome, and a happy, healthy and successful time with Shaftesbury to GILLIAN GOLDIN and  OGOCHUKWU ANOCHIRIONYE (25-06-20 Newsletter)

CAN YOU HELP PLEASE During the period when all competitions are suspended, I will do my upmost in keeping the Newsletter information and other content going.
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.

TRAINING VIDEOS PRODUCED BY JADE LALLY – JADE has recently produced two videos relating to the basic fundamentals for Discus, this is the link to JADE’S first video on How To Hold A Discus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA9jyS4Wung&t=6s the second video is on Discus Basics: Foot Placement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8ahzDmrldk

YOU CAN JOIN TY HOLDEN’S CIRCUIT SESSION ON ZOOM – TY will be holding a circuit session on Zoom, which is a conferencing platform, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6pm. If you wish to join, please email TY at dtyholden@yahoo.co.uk and he will email you an ID number for you to join in. Zoom can accommodate up to 100 users at a time.

UPDATE ON PROCEDURES FOR USING ALLIANZ PARK FROM JEREMY SOTHCOTTWhich is now open to SBH members subject to the conditions below.
We have now negotiated the use of some Track & Field facilities with Saracens compliant with current guidance issued by the UK Government and England Athletics.
At the present time, the track & field groups will be limited to a maximum of five ‘Competing Club Athletes’ and one coach for each session e.g. 5 athletes on track and 5 athletes at the throws area.
Throws
Athletes should have their own implements. However, one implement of each weight will be left in the SBH store beside the sanitising equipment. Arrangements will have to be made in advance with TY HOLDEN.
Jumps
Following Government Guidelines up to 5 athletes with a suitably qualified coach can now undertake Jumps training utilising jump beds and sand pits. We have updated our guidance documents, based on information and advice from our partners and government, to include guidance specific to Jumps areas (such as Cleaning requirements before, during and after sessions). Athletes, coaches, clubs and venues must follow the latest guidance – please read our updated guidance documents at: ???? https://bit.ly/2ATiU7R
The indoor track and the clubhouse gymnasium cannot be used.
Athletes invited to train by their coach must be sent the attached Allianz Park Track & Field Agreement in advance of starting training at Allianz Park. The athlete and parent (if under 16) to sign and return to me and TY before they can train.  Athletes should meet their coach promptly at their booking time outside the SBH Clubhouse where they will be asked to confirm that they do not have, and that no one in their household has, (or has had within the last 14 days) any of the symptoms of COVID-19.
The athletes will then be escorted using social distancing (2 metres) into the SBH Clubhouse to sign the attendance record with times in and out of the stadium (black A4 folder on photocopier).  There is also some hand sanitiser on the table for use. Athletes must follow the instructions of the coach and observe social distancing during warm-up, the session and cool down.
Stadium Booking details
Please let me and TY know the names of the athletes and your preferred time slots for the following week (Monday to Sunday) before 6pm on the Saturday. We will confirm the availability and distribute the schedule to Saracens and to all coaches.
Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
All 1 hour 35 minute slots (Saturday & Sunday – last slot finishes at 7.20)
9.00 – 10.35, 10.45 – 12.20, 12.30 – 2.05, 2.15 – 3.50, 4.00 – 5.35, 5.45 – 7.20, 7.30 – 9.00
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
There are 3 x 1 hour 35 minute slots and 7 x shorter 50 minute slots
9.15 – 10.50, 11.00 – 11.50, 12.00 – 12.50, 1.00 – 1.50, 2.00 – 2.50, 3.00 – 3.50, 4.00 – 4.50, 5.00 – 5.50, 6.00 – 7.25, 7.35 – 9.00
There is a 10 minute gap between each session for transitioning.
If you haven’t got a key fob for gaining access through the clubhouse, then please contact GEOFF MORPHITIS Mobile: 07976 994302 who will arrange to issue one to you. Please do not enter the clubhouse until the coach/athletes from the previous session exit.  No parents will be permitted to enter the stadium unless there is a child protection issue i.e. one coach and one athlete aged under 18.
There is a single disabled toilet (unisex) that can be used within the indoor area.
When going in and out of the Clubhouse from the carpark please make sure the door handle is left in the upward locked position at all times.
Link to the SBH Athlete and Coach Track & Field Training Agreement, which will sent to all participating athletes, and then to be returned signed by the athlete and parent – SBH – Allianz Park Track & Field Areement During Lockdown Period
Please let me know if you have any questions – JEREMY SOTHCOTT Mobile: 07764 621424 email jeremy.sothcott@btinternet.com

ENGLAND ATHLETICS DRAFT COMPETITION PROGRAMME – England Athletics have just published  May 2020 version 9 of The Draft Competition Programme for the period w/e 19 July to w/e 27 September. This sets the structure for joint men/women meetings which SBH hopes to follow. Fixtures below updated 24 June 2020 with Venue Confirmations and Dete Changes (these are shown in Red).

All the promotions listed below are subject to: –
1. Government lifting the present lockdown by 1 July so as to allow group gatherings
2. UKA issuing specific instructions to allow compliance with Government requirements
3. Obtaining a sufficient number of appropriately qualified officials from the participating clubs
4. Facility availability
5. Securing a suitable First Aid provision
6. Receipt of the appropriate licences from UKA

Saturday 25 July – LICC (1) – Venue Lee Valley – all age groups, Sunday 26 July – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (1) – Venue Lee Valley – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Sunday 2 August – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (1) – Venue Lee Valley – U20 / Senior, Saturday 8 August – LICC (2) – Venue Lee Valley – all age groups, Sunday 9 August – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (2) –  Venue Lee Valley – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Saturday 15 August – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (2) – Venue Lee Valley – U20 / Senior, Saturday 22 August – LICC (3) – Venue Lee Valley – all age groups, Sunday 23 August – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (3) –  Bromley – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Saturday 5 September – U15/U17 Southern Area Championships – Venue TBA, Saturday 5 September – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (3) – Venue Chelmsford – U20 / Senior, Saturday 12 September – U20/Senior Southern Area Championships – Venue TBA, Saturday 19 September – U15/U17 England Championships – Venue TBA, Saturday 26 September – U20/Senior England Championships – Venue TBA

The British Championships are due to be held in Manchester on 8/9 August, however, they have not yet been confirmed.

BACK IN THE DAY BY CLIFF GOLDING –  CLIFF mentioned below that in 2007 to dust off the memories and run and race again. From 2010 to 2013 he competed as a V55 runner, completing marathons and half marathons and his personal bests are (2:57.00) in Kiel, Germany in 1986, and (96.45) Jersey in 2012. In 2015, after moving up to the V60 age-group he started the first of 84 Parkruns to date, of these 44 were at his hometown of Maidstone, and 32 on the island of Jersey. His personal best is (22.56) at Maidstone on the 2 March 2019. Photograph taked during the Kiel Marathon.

In life, we make decisions every day. Sometimes these decisions turn out to be good ones.  Sometimes they turn out not to be so good. And then there are those, which turn out to be amongst the best we ever made. In around 1969 I made one which has had a profound affect on my life ever since. I joined Shaftesbury Harriers.
It was a Tuesday evening when, as a nervous, skinny and quite timid 14-year-old, pedalled from home in Burnt Oak to Copthall to have a track session with Shaftesbury Harriers (a very long time before the club merged with Barnet Ladies). Such was my naivety I thought I was going for a trial and that, an hour or so later, I would be told whether I had made the cut and could wear the striped vest.
BRYAN SMITH, who was taking the session, met me. He was very friendly and welcoming and explained what the session was going to be and introduced me to the other runners.  And that was when my nervousness heightened about tenfold. Until that time I had just enjoyed running and doing school cross-country or athletics on sports day And I played football incessantly. Unfortunately, I played with far more enthusiasm than talent and it continues to be a great disappointment that ALF RAMSEY didn’t knock on my front door to tell my parents that CLIFFORD had a rare talent and would one day captain the England team!!
So, I concentrated on just running everywhere and nailing my sporting colours to athletics, which I followed avidly through the pages of Athletics Weekly.
When BRYAN introduced his wife, JOYCE, MARGARET BEACHAM, both internationals and members of Barnet Ladies, and Shaftesbury members, JULIAN GOATER, HUGH RICHARDS and DAVE BEDFORD, I was pretty much in awe and star struck. I knew about these people. I read about them every week. They were superstars and me and the other boys and youths were running with them, or near them, as they were all a lot quicker than us.
After that session, I waited nervously for the verdict, still thinking that I was on a trial. BRYAN came up to me and said these exact words, which I will never forget: “Well done CLIFF. See you on Thursday?” I passed! Ha-ha. I didn’t realise that everybody was welcome regardless of ability.
BRYAN then gave me a piece of advice, which I have never forgotten and have passed on many times. He said, “CLIFF you are not a sprinter. You will be a middle distance and long distance runner. So, you run with your arms too high. Drop them down like this. Now run with me with your arms by your side. Lift them up. Lift them up. Stop. That’s where your arms should be, nice and natural and relaxed.”
And so, began my proper running career. I remember VAUGHAN VOLLER and GEOFF THOMSON in my age group and DICK BOBER, MARTIN GREY, GERRY ELMORE, ANGIE TOMS, TONY SUNDERLAND and GEOFF MORPHITIS and others who were just a few years older than me. Those older runners probably never knew it but I looked up to them and wanted to run like them (well, not GEOFF, maybe, as he was a field eventer!).
I especially remember MARTIN GREY and how he ran. He had an absolutely brilliant forefoot running style. They always said that FRED ASTAIRE didn’t walk into a room, he glided in. I always thought that when I saw MARTIN run. He seemed to just glide across the ground.  Heavy praise indeed and I also remember him as a 50 to 51 minute ten miler, which was pretty swift by any standard.
I was never more than a decent club runner. I crept under three hours for the marathon a few times in my twenties, which was OK and got back down to three and half hours several years ago approaching 60, which I was very happy about.  I think I might have run 60 minutes on one of the Shaftesbury 10s in the 80s and 1 hour 20 on a half. Wouldn’t mind doing that today!!
But, the point is, I still run today and enjoy a resting pulse in the low 40s because of that first track session with BRYAN. In the three years leading up to when I joined the army, I spent every waking moment looking forward to the next training session at Copthall and the races at the weekend. In the fourth year at senior school I won the 1500 metres at school sports day beating the star athlete and nobody knew, or could believe, that the skinny kid could run.
I remember being given lifts to meetings by HAROLD ASHTON and meeting FRED HENNING at Hendon Central when three of us youngsters would pile into his Morris Minor to be taken to a cross country event. On these journeys, and at track sessions or on pack runs, all you had to do was listen and have an enquiring mind. I didn’t realise then but I learnt so much from these times and it gave me such a good grounding for when I took the Queen’s shilling at Finchley Central Army recruiting office on my 17th birthday.
I was about 9 stone soaking wet back then and couldn’t do a single press up or pull up. But, because of my Shaftesbury pedigree, I could run all day long in boots and with kit on my back.
I never told him this but, during basic training in Surrey in 1971, DAVE BEDFORD once saved me from a severe duffing up!  We had a 16-man room and, one night, a fellow recruit (a large, menacing individual) came into the room having enjoyed several ‘lemonades’ in the NAAFI. He honed in on the skinniest in the room – me – and loudly announced that I was in for some damage. But, before he could lay a finger on me, another recruit, Dinger Bell, said, “Leave it, he knows DAVE BEDFORD!” Drunk man stops and slurred, “You know DAVE BEDFORD? Fair play.” He shook my hand, collapsed on his bed and didn’t wake up until morning with no memory of the night before!  Thanks DAVE!  (I’ve still got a copy of the DAVE BEDFORD story from around that time). Image of the book cover of the ‘The Dave Badford Story’ published in 1971.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I spent the next 14 years in various postings around the world. But I ran everywhere I served and I kept on running and keep on running because of Shaftesbury Harriers and people like BRYAN SMITH and all the others I have mentioned and many more I haven’t.
Around 1991, I decided I would become a Channel swimmer. Bit of a departure for someone who only had a Bronze Certificate to his name (so, if any of you have a pool and need a drowning rubber brick rescued by a man dressed in striped pyjamas, I am that man).
Seven Channel attempts over five years later, I finally achieved that dream. Today I give presentations on overcoming the fear of failure. I talk about those failed attempts and then about the successful swims and what I learnt in the process. But everything always comes back to that momentous decision I made aged 14.
In the years that followed me deciding to become a swimmer I still ran but not too often.  Then, in 2007, I decided to dust off the memories and run and race again. I live in Kent now and there are a lot of good clubs around here but there was only one club for me and I contacted GEOFF and signed up.
When I re-joined the club, I was 53. I dug out all my old stats and remembered a piece of advice MARTIN GREY gave me in the 80s. He said that, once he had reached vet status, every few years he recalibrated his expectations and set new targets. So, I came up with PB2s – personal bests second time around. It was great fun to chase times and wear the Shaftesbury vest again, to buy a red hoody and put the window sticker on my car.
So, during these very challenging times, I have a message to all the young athletes in the club who proudly wear the Stripes. Decades separate us but some things don’t change. Look to your coaches and senior athletes for inspiration and leadership. Soak up their knowledge and make it yours. Be the very best you can be and make fitness your life-long lifestyle choice. Running has been by best ever friend and has seen me through lots of challenges and life and stuff. I will always owe so much to this club and I treasure those early memories. Current Photograph taken in 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay safe and take care – Up the Stripes CLIFF.

HISTORY OF THE LONDON TO BRIGHTON ROAD RACE The popularity of Brighton as a spa town began in 1754 when took residence there and made sea bathing popular. The Prince of Wales frequently visited the town in the 1780s. In July 1803, a Captain ROBERTSON walked from London to Brighton and back in 45 hours, and repeated the feat in November of that year, covering the first 53 miles from Brighton to Westminster Bridge in 14 hours.
The following year another pedestrian JOHN BELL went from Hammersmith in London to Brighton by a somewhat longer route in (13:00:45) to become the first recorded person to contest the London to Brighton.
Improvement in the road meant that on 30 January 1837, two professional runners, JOHN TOWNSEND and JACK BERRY set off from the Elephant & Castle in London, about a mile from the present start. TOWNSEND was 45 and entered Brighton in triumph in 8 hours 37 minutes, but BERRY was forced to retire four miles from Brighton.
The first amateur running event was organised by South London Harriers in 1899, which started from Big Ben soon after 7a.m on 6 May. The winner was F.D.RANDALL of Finchley Harriers in 6 hours 58:18, SAWARD 2nd in (7:17:50) and POOL 3rd in (7:31:53). On the strength of this run, the three runners were selected to compete for GB in the 1900 Olympic Marathon.

“The Evening News” promoted a similar event in 1903, this time open to professionals. The field of 90 sped away at 5 am, and LEN HURST the leading professional distance runners of the period won in (6:32:34). In 1937 the “News of the World” sponsored an international London to Brighton race, and the leading South African ultrarunner HARDY BALLINGTON was invited to compete. He won and just succeeded in clipping ARTHUR NEWTON record of (5:53:43).
The first open amateur race was held in 1951, and proved and outstanding success. The winner was LEWIS PIPER of Blackheath Harriers, who took the lead four miles from Brighton. 32 of the 47 starters completed the race having to run into driving rain and wind for the majority of the race.
The course distance in 1951 was 52 miles 566 yards, and varied until 1991 and was then modified to allow for the A23 road conditions and measured 55 miles/88.514km. Although due to the different course distances, course records are varied. Therefore, the best way of measuring performance is an average of miles per minute.
Currently two runners have maintained and average of 5.81 minutes per mile, DON RITCHIE of Forres Harriers in 1978 and IAN THOMPSON of Luton United Harriers in 1980. Current course record since 1991 is (5:50:30) by JOHANNES OOSTHUIZEN of South Africa in 2005.
The current race from 1991 to 2005 started at Westminster then proceeds along the A23 to Brixton, Croydon and Purley, past Gatwick Airport, Crawley and then into the beautiful countryside of the Weald, crossing the North and South Downs. Ditchling Beacon on the South Downs (near but not part of the A23) is a steep climb followed by a gentle descent for five miles into the seaside resort of Brighton, where finish is on the promenade by the Kings Road Arches.
The future of this particular race is in doubt following a decision by the Road Runners Club not to hold the race in 2006. Since 2009 “Extreme Running” now hold a version of the London to Brighton. This starts from Blackheath, then through Kent, Surrey and on to Brighton.

SHAFTESBURY HARRIERS IN THE LONDON TO BRIGHTON ROAD RELAY Shaftesbury had been ever present since 1951, and on 10 October 1964 the team were ready. We had a Shaftesbury coach carrying our supporters, which followed the race to Brighton, stopping at various points to cheer on the runners.

Stage 1 Started from the Old Palace Yard, Westminster at 10.00am then on to Clapham Common, a distance of 4 miles 436 yards. ALAN PATTEN ran 21 minutes 12 seconds.
Stage 2 Went through Tooting Bec to Mitcham Common, a distance of 5 miles 249 yards. BRIAN CAKEBREAD ran 27 minutes 18 seconds.
Stage 3 Went through Hackbridge to Wallington, a distance of 4 miles. BOB PARKER ran 21 minutes 53 minutes.
Stage 4 Went onto the main Brighton Road to Merstham, a distance of 6 miles. GERRY ELMORE ran 31 minutes 3 seconds.
Stage 5 Went to Redhill, a distance of 4 miles 821 yards. DAVE HOWE ran 22 minutes 56 seconds.
Stage 6 Went through Horley to Povey Cross, a distance of 2 miles 1396 yards. KEN TOLLADY ran 15 minutes 15 seconds.
Stage 7 Went passed Gatwick Station Lowfield Heath, a distance of 3 miles 1248 yards. ROLF CLAYTON ran 20 minutes 10 seconds.
Stage 8 Went through Crawley to Handcross, a distance of 5 miles 1744 yards. TONY SUNDERLAND ran 31 minutes 48 seconds.
Stage 9 Went through Bolney to Hickstead, a distance of 6 miles 52 yards. KEITH MACKAY ran 31 minutes 31 seconds.
Stage 10 Went through Aldbourne Green to Newtimber, a distance of 4 miles 61 yards. KEN PEASNELL ran 21 minutes 30 seconds.
Stage 11 Went up Pine Hill to Pycombe, a distance of 4 miles 238 yards. TED NOLAN ran 22 minutes 07 seconds.
Stage 12 Went past Preston Park to the Aquarium, finishing along Madiera Drive, Brighton, a distance of 3 miles 1008 yards. DAVE HUXLEY ran 18 minutes 24 seconds.

The team ran a total time of 4 hours 45 minutes 7 seconds, for the 54 miles 208 yards.
There were 21 teams who competed, and the winners were Portsmouth who time was 4 hours 27 minutes 5 seconds.
Following the race competitors with tea tickets, went to the Regent Ballroom where high tea was served at 3.30pm.
Since 1951 to 1964 Shaftesbury had competed in 18 races, of which 4 were National, and 14 Southern. TONY SUNDERLAND and SID BEALES have competed in 9 races, RON COLLINS, JIM CUNNINGHAM, COLIN FRENCH, DAVE HUXLEY and ALAN PATTEN ran 8, BILL STEVEN, HAROLD ASHTON, ERIC FORD, DAVE HOWE and JIM STOUTE 7, BOB PARKER, TED PEARCE and JOHN JALES 6.
The Club record is 4 hours 42 minutes 56 seconds in 1958 (National).

ENGLAND ATHLETICS LAUNCH WEEKLY30 RUN CHALLENGE The following was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

Participants will be able to compete virtually against other runners as well as other sports. England Athletics has launched the Weekly30 Run Challenge, a free weekly virtual running challenge starting June 20-21, encouraging everyone to run for 30 minutes a week and compete against each other. With group running and mass participation events currently restricted, the aim of the Weekly30 Run Challenge is to help keep people fit while giving them a performance benchmark through inclusive, friendly competition.

From this weekend, participants will be challenged to run as far as they can in 30 minutes on Saturday or Sunday each week, while following government guidelines. Runners can register for free via the OpenTrack virtual running events website at data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2020/GBR/weekly30/ Once registered, participants complete their weekly run and then upload evidence to OpenTrack through a platform such as Strava, which is integrated into the Weekly30 Run Challenge. Every runner will see their results added to the scoring tables. Both total distance and average distance contribute to overall league tables showing results for all individuals, sport versus sport and England Athletics club/RunTogether group versus England Athletics club/RunTogether group. “Our Weekly30 Run Challenge gives individuals a perfect incentive to run safely on a weekly basis, adhering to government guidance, and in doing so proudly representing their sport, club or group,” says England Athletics CEO Chris Jones. “Participants will be competing against an online community of other runners not only from other England Athletics’ member clubs and RunTogether groups but from other sporting disciplines – the competition across the country we expect to be fierce and the pride of our clubs, running groups and the sport as a whole is at stake: I say let the rivalry begin!”

He adds: “We know that alongside the c.6 million regular monthly runners in England, there are c.6 million people who are more occasional runners, c.8 million people who are lapsed and c.4 million people who have an interest in running but not yet started so we’re expecting our Weekly30 Run Challenge to get more people lacing up their trainers and going for a run.” Some of the other sporting associations involved include Badminton England, RFU, RFL, British Rowing, England Netball, Archery GB, Table Tennis England and British Wrestling. Click here to register.

INTERVIEW WITH JOANNA COATES The following was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

UKA CEO JOANNA COATES tells STUART WEIR about her background and focus for the future.
JOANNA COATES began her role as UK Athletics (UKA) chief executive in March, during a time of great uncertainty.

Last month, in her first interview with the wider media following her appointment, COATES gave strong views on a range of topics, addressing ‘ethical success’, the need for a ‘culture of collaboration’, organisation changes, reviews and more. READ MORE: New UKA CEO seeks ‘ethical success’ and a united sport

The national governing body has come under repeated fire in recent years and has faced multiple reviews, including of its performance system and relationship with ALBERTO SALAZAR, plus numerous leadership changes. Here, in an interview with STUART WEIR, COATES shares further insight into her background and focus for the future. STUART WEIR: What attracted you to the job as CEO of UKA? JOANNA COATES: I had been at England Netball for 10 years, I was made an offer to go to the London Legacy Development Corporation and I stepped out of the true running of sport, I suppose. I missed it terribly. I missed the chaos of running a national governing body – the stress and the pressure, getting calls in the middle of the night, “there’s a hole in the netball court”, and things like that. I just missed it. I was approached for the UKA role – I think head-hunters approached a few people – and when they did, I thought: “yes, that would just be a dream”. I had worked in football, in truly commercial sport, but never in an Olympic sport. I had worked for netball which is grassroots through to the elite and Commonwealth, but for a sports administrator, this is the dream job.

SW: What do regard as your best achievements in netball? JC: Everyone points to the Commonwealth Games gold medal, which was the first time we’d ever done it, and that was amazing. But for me, I still believe it was the growth in grassroots and that people are now proud of their sport. That is what I think my greatest achievement was. Now I work for a sport where delivery at the elite level is really important. My heart is in trying to join up that pathway from grassroots to elite so that everyone has an amazing experience in sport. For me, seeing netballers who were truly proud of their sport – grass roots up to elite – was the achievement. SW: You’re not an athletics person. Is that a weakness or a strength?  JC: I think it’s a huge strength. I had never played netball and they never got me on a netball court! And I still don’t play netball.  But I was able to go in there with a fresh pair of eyes and make quite tough decisions because you don’t have the emotional connection. You can look at it more as a business and ask: “where do I need to make change?” And I don’t think I did a bad job there. I want to take all the learnings that I’ve had from sport over the years and apply it to athletics. I think you can look at it with a really fair pair of eyes, because you don’t have the emotion, you can be very critical of things. But don’t get me wrong, you do then fall in love with it! Of course, you need people around you who have the knowledge of the sport – that’s the key thing. Surround yourself with great people who understand the sport. Learn from them and consult them. But I think that coming in fresh is a good thing. SW: How do you restore public confidence in UKA? JC: I think we restore confidence by having a really good plan. I’m always talking about this and I think I’m boring people to death. Unless an organisation has a really good plan that everyone buys into, you can’t restore confidence – because nobody knows what their part of the plan is. So it’s writing a very clear plan which has some very strong themes in it. A few of the themes I’m talking about, which will restore confidence, are coaching, competition, communication, culture and behaviour. Things like that need to be a big part of that plan. Once people start to see that we are delivering against the things that they – as our customers – think are really important, then we start to see people have confidence in the sport they love. We are in a privileged position that we have an opportunity to make decisions on their behalf. Once they see a plan – that they believe in – working, I think then they will have the confidence to give us, once again, the ability to make decisions on their behalf. SW: You also said “there definitely is an issue around trust”. JC: I think people have lost their trust in athletics because of all the negative stories they’ve read over the last few years. There’s a lack of trust that what they see is real. And absolutely what they see people do in track and field is real. We need to have processes in place that we can prove that it is real and regain the people’s trust. We can do that through good clinical governance and more transparency around those issues, and that’s certainly what I’m looking for. It’s something the chief medical officer and I are discussing. It’s about how we make it all more transparent. I think once we do that, we will regain people’s trust. SW: What lessons has UKA learned from the SALAZAR incident? JC: That’s a really interesting question which has never been posed to me like that before. I think it has learned to have exceptionally good processes for decision making. I think that’s one of the biggest lessons, that you have to have very sturdy processes in place. I think it may also be a lesson learned that when something like this happens your sport can really suffer because it can take hours and hours of executive time and resource away from growing the sport. Remember I wasn’t there when it happened and so I’m only seeing the results of it. SW: How would you like to see coaching develop? JC: I would like to see coaching develop in the way that many sports have it; you have the right coach with the right athlete at the right stage of their development. I would like to see a coaching strategy that matches the number of athletes we have in this country. If we can map the numbers then we can say there are so many athletes, then we need so many coaches.

What TONI MINICHELLO and MALCOLM BROWN have done so far on coaching strategy is a really good piece of work and we need to take that on now. We will be developing a coaching steering group to drive that work forward. I’m also a great believer that if an athlete really loves their coach and doesn’t want to change coaches, we shouldn’t force them to. We should enable them to stay with that coach and put all the support around them if they choose to have it. I think there are two important things. We need to make sure that we can educate coaches at all levels so that we have suitable coaches for athletes at each stage of their career. But if an athlete loves their coach and is developing with that coach, you don’t remove them from that environment, you add to that environment. We know that a lot of the time, what coaches offer is a lot more than technical support; they offer emotional support and a connection which is really important to an athlete.   don’t think you should take that away. It’s about building a structure which gives coaches opportunities to develop and also ensures that we have enough coaches at each level to service the organisation. SW: How do you see 2020 developing? JC: I would love to be optimistic that there’s going to be a season with some events. At the moment, all we can do is follow government guidance. We all want everyone competing again but we don’t want to see a spike in the virus. With regard to the competition season, we will keep optimistic until the point where we are told we have to cancel. That’s what we did with the Müller Anniversary Games. We were later than most in cancelling because we wanted to hold on to the thought that potentially we might have something this year. Commercially we need to put on those events. SW: Is it viable to run the Gateshead Diamond League with no spectators? JC: No, it is not. Economically it makes no sense. We are not football, we don’t have those massive broadcast rights. SW: It is a huge legacy that you must continue, with the success of UK athletics. Can you give us three key goals? JC: I’m going to go medals first, because I think I’d be criticised if I don’t! I need to put elite success first. In 2024 I would like to see us deliver more finalists in the Olympics and Paralympics. I think making a final at the Olympics or Paralympics is unbelievable. So, I am stressing our goal of finals rather than medal tally. My performance director and UK Sport will probably be very cross with me for saying that. My second one would be that we have change the perception of the sport, that people believe what they see is real. That’s really important to me – that we have left all of that behind. Thirdly, that there’s a real and joined up system between grassroots and elite success and that the grassroots is thriving.

SARACENS SPORTS FOUNDATION The following was in the ‘The Rugby Paper’ on 14 June, and gives an insight into their works within the community.

THE ATHLETICS MUSEUM A AAA LEGACY PROJECT In summer 2018, AAA formally identified the project of creating a museum of athletics as part of their legacy to the sport. Since then, a small team has been working to put this plan into action. Thank you for your interest in and support for the project; this is the link to the current newsletter TAM Newsletter Winter 2019 2020

OLYMPIC QUALIFYING PROCESS An updated Olympic qualifying process which can be found here.

BRITISH ATHLETICS LEAGUE 50TH YEAR BOOK We are delighted to announce that a publication celebrating 50 years of British Athletics League history is now available to purchase.
Copies can be bought for £5, or £8 for two, and £10 for three, which is the maximum order. The cost includes postage and packing, with all money raised going to help young athletes through the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, which has also supported many BAL athletes on their journey along the athletics pathway.
To order, simply email geoffrey.morphitis@capeandd.com with the details of your order and make an online payment of the appropriate amount to;
ACCOUNT NAME : SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS, BANK : HSBC, ACCOUNT NUMBER : 41308378, SORT CODE : 400426
The publication itself features a range of nostalgic contributions from athletes, committee members, team managers and officials. Olympic champion and President of World Athletics, SEBASTIAN COE said: “The competition has been of constant high standard and I remember fondly my own competitions as a member of the Haringey team that were not only important for the club and its status but were important stepping stones to championships later in the season.”
There are great stories of feats that will impress, surprise and amuse you, from exhausted athletes doubling-up to score points, to guitar sing-alongs on team buses. Liverpool Harriers’ MIKE HOLMES has provided a fascinating series of archive reports that bring the piece to life, as do images by MARK SHEARMAN and MELISSA GRESSWELL. Statistical information has also been compiled by PETER MATTHEWS, with a club-by-club directory of every team to compete over the last five decades put together by MIKE HEATH.
Please note that orders will be satisfied on a first come first served basis. No booklets will be sent until payments have cleared so allow please allow seven working days between order and delivery.

ENGLAND ATHLETICS CORONAVIRUS HELP FOR ATHLETES Many thanks to TUNJI who as reported on the 19 March newsletter is the father of NIAH AKINTOKUN. 
In these unprecedented times, I wanted to draw the club’s attention to some of the great resources available online. England Athletics is expanding its campaign to support Athletics and Running for everyone @home, with a focus on ‘Running @home’ support and advice. The homepage can be accessed here
There are many webinars, interviews and tips from top coaches and athletes on how to stay conditioned and focused.
In addition, there are some fantastic videos for 4-11yr olds on the Funetics webpage put together in conjunction with England Athletics.  The videos demonstrate parents and children (aged 4-11) taking part in FUN activities based on fundamental core movement skills: running, jumping and throwing. Funetics is a programme that has been designed to reflect the requirements of the National Curriculum Key Stage 1 and 2. At this time when our children are currently schooling at home, we hope that these video activities will support the need for education to continue at home.  You can access the videos here   TUNJI AKINTOKUN MBE – Non Executive Director, England Athletics

THE FOLLOWING SBH DOCUMENTS/INFORMATION CAN EITHER BE VIEWED, DOWNLOADED OR PRINTED 
SBH 2020 Summer Fixture Card Front Sheet Summer 2020 Fixture Card Front Sheet Final Issue 12-02-20
SBH 2020 Summer Fixture Card Fixtures, Updated 24-06-20 Showing Proposed Fixtures From 25 July 2020 – Summer 2020 Fixture Card – Updated 24-06-20 Showing Proposed Fixtures From 25 July 2020
Track and Field Team Managers Detailshttp://sbharriers.co.uk/athletics/track-field/team-managers/
Road Running Team Managers Detailshttp://sbharriers.co.uk/athletics/road-running/team-managers/

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION OF INTEREST CAN BE FOUND ON THE SBH HOME PAGE BY USING THIS LINK, THEN SELECT THE LEFT OR RIGHT ARROWhttp://sbharriers.co.uk/
Allianz Park Membership, which gives SBH members 10% discount on entry to the Allianz Park stadium – Membership details and Form can be either printed or downloaded
Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Club Hoody, information on how to purchase one, please go to the bottom of this Newsletter

SBH MIDWEEK JUMPS CLUB AT ALLIANZ PARK  Currently Suspended. POLE VAULTERS REQUIRED FOR 2020 Currently Suspended. STEEPLECHASE TRAINING AT ALLIANZ PARK  Currently Suspended.

PARKRUN 5K RESULTS – Currently Suspended

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.

UPCOMING SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS FIXTURES AND OTHER FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS – Due to the Coronavirus situation, all fixtures further notice. All fixtures have been Cancelled until the Tuesday 30 June, this is the link to the SBH Fixture Card updated on the 30 AprilSummer 2020 Fixture Card – Updated 30-04-20 Showing Cancelled & Postponed Fixtures

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 used. Also, I would appreciate if you could send me any photographs, which I can then publish on the website and newsletter.

CLUB EMBROIDERED RED HOODIES Currently there are now over 750 Hoodies in circulation, this is the link giving details on how you can order your Club Hoody for £35, which includes having your name embroidered on the front Club Hoodies Updated 01-07-19

FACEBOOK – Photographs can be found on the SBH page.

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 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

ALLIANZ PARK – Main Switchboard telephone number is 0203 675 7250.

CHARGES FOR USING ALLIANZ PARK – Currently the stadium is open for limited use.

ALAN WELLER




Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Weekly Newsletter Thursday 18 June 2020

Happy Birthday from this Thursday 18 June to Angus Chisolm, Olivia Da Cruz, Aaron Ellington, Charlie Etami, Amelia Haffner, Rayyan Kaderbhoy, Charles Livingston, Ceake Maddix, Archie Nash, Sara Rourke, Freddie Shiret, Nathan Tadesse, Natasha Tanner and Asher Weissbart

RECENT NEW MEMBERS We wish you a very warm welcome, and a happy, healthy and successful time with Shaftesbury to AMY HOLDER and CLAUDIA KERRY-ROGER

CAN YOU HELP PLEASE During the period when all competitions are suspended, I will do my upmost in keeping the Newsletter information and other content going.
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.

TRAINING VIDEOS PRODUCED BY JADE LALLY – JADE has recently produced two videos relating to the basic fundamentals for Discus, this is the link to JADE’S first video on How To Hold A Discus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA9jyS4Wung&t=6s the second video is on Discus Basics: Foot Placement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8ahzDmrldk

YOU CAN JOIN TY HOLDEN’S CIRCUIT SESSION ON ZOOM – TY will be holding a circuit session on Zoom, which is a conferencing platform, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6pm. If you wish to join, please email TY at dtyholden@yahoo.co.uk and he will email you an ID number for you to join in. Zoom can accommodate up to 100 users at a time.

UPDATE ON PROCEDURES FOR USING ALLIANZ PARK FROM JEREMY SOTHCOTTWhich is now open to SBH members subject to the conditions below.
We have now negotiated the use of some Track & Field facilities with Saracens compliant with current guidance issued by the UK Government and England Athletics.
At the present time, the track & field groups will be limited to a maximum of five ‘Competing Club Athletes’ and one coach for each session e.g. 5 athletes on track and 5 athletes at the throws area.
Throws
Athletes should have their own implements. However, one implement of each weight will be left in the SBH store beside the sanitising equipment. Arrangements will have to be made in advance with TY HOLDEN.
Jumps
Following Government Guidelines up to 5 athletes with a suitably qualified coach can now undertake Jumps training utilising jump beds and sand pits. We have updated our guidance documents, based on information and advice from our partners and government, to include guidance specific to Jumps areas (such as Cleaning requirements before, during and after sessions). Athletes, coaches, clubs and venues must follow the latest guidance – please read our updated guidance documents at: ???? https://bit.ly/2ATiU7R
The indoor track and the clubhouse gymnasium cannot be used.
Athletes invited to train by their coach must be sent the attached Allianz Park Track & Field Agreement in advance of starting training at Allianz Park. The athlete and parent (if under 16) to sign and return to me and TY before they can train.  Athletes should meet their coach promptly at their booking time outside the SBH Clubhouse where they will be asked to confirm that they do not have, and that no one in their household has, (or has had within the last 14 days) any of the symptoms of COVID-19.
The athletes will then be escorted using social distancing (2 metres) into the SBH Clubhouse to sign the attendance record with times in and out of the stadium (black A4 folder on photocopier).  There is also some hand sanitiser on the table for use. Athletes must follow the instructions of the coach and observe social distancing during warm-up, the session and cool down.
Stadium Booking details
Please let me and TY know the names of the athletes and your preferred time slots for the following week (Monday to Sunday) before 6pm on the Saturday. We will confirm the availability and distribute the schedule to Saracens and to all coaches.
Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
All 1 hour 35 minute slots (Saturday & Sunday – last slot finishes at 7.20)
9.00 – 10.35, 10.45 – 12.20, 12.30 – 2.05, 2.15 – 3.50, 4.00 – 5.35, 5.45 – 7.20, 7.30 – 9.00
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
There are 3 x 1 hour 35 minute slots and 7 x shorter 50 minute slots
9.15 – 10.50, 11.00 – 11.50, 12.00 – 12.50, 1.00 – 1.50, 2.00 – 2.50, 3.00 – 3.50, 4.00 – 4.50, 5.00 – 5.50, 6.00 – 7.25, 7.35 – 9.00
There is a 10 minute gap between each session for transitioning.
If you haven’t got a key fob for gaining access through the clubhouse, then please contact GEOFF MORPHITIS Mobile: 07976 994302 who will arrange to issue one to you. Please do not enter the clubhouse until the coach/athletes from the previous session exit.  No parents will be permitted to enter the stadium unless there is a child protection issue i.e. one coach and one athlete aged under 18.
There is a single disabled toilet (unisex) that can be used within the indoor area.
When going in and out of the Clubhouse from the carpark please make sure the door handle is left in the upward locked position at all times.
Link to the SBH Athlete and Coach Track & Field Training Agreement, which will sent to all participating athletes, and then to be returned signed by the athlete and parent – SBH – Allianz Park Track & Field Areement During Lockdown Period
Please let me know if you have any questions – JEREMY SOTHCOTT Mobile: 07764 621424 email jeremy.sothcott@btinternet.com

ENGLAND ATHLETICS DRAFT COMPETITION PROGRAMME – England Athletics have just published  May 2020 version 9 of The Draft Competition Programme for the period w/e 19 July to w/e 27 September. This sets the structure for joint men/women meetings which SBH hopes to follow.

All the promotions listed below are subject to: –
1. Government lifting the present lockdown by 1 July so as to allow group gatherings
2. UKA issuing specific instructions to allow compliance with Government requirements
3. Obtaining a sufficient number of appropriately qualified officials from the participating clubs
4. Facility availability
5. Securing a suitable First Aid provision
6. Receipt of the appropriate licences from UKA

Saturday 25 July – LICC (1) – Allianz Park – all age groups, Sunday 26 July – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (1) – Allianz Park – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Sunday 2 August – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (1) – Bedford – U20 / Senior, Saturday 8 August – LICC (2) – Allianz Park – all age groups, Sunday 9 August – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (2) –  Venue TBA – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Sunday 16 August – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (2) – Venue TBA – U20 / Senior, Saturday 22 August – LICC (3) – Allianz Park – all age groups, Sunday 23 August – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (3) –  Bromley – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Saturday 5 September – U15/U17 Southern Area Championships – Venue TBA, Sunday 6 September – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (3) – Venue TBA – U20 / Senior, Saturday 12 September – U20/Senior Southern Area Championships – Venue TBA, Saturday 19 September – U15/U17 England Championships – Venue TBA, Saturday 26 September – U20/Senior England Championships – Venue TBA

The British Championships are due to be held in Manchester on 8/9 August, however, they have not yet been confirmed.

MANY THANKS TO GEOFF WILLIAMS FOR HIS NOSTALGIC LOOK AT HUMBUG SUCCESSES IN THE NINETIES AND NOUGHTIES Part 3: Relays a truly whole club experience.

For me, Club athletics is still the backbone of our sport. Club success hugely depends on the willingness of individual athletes and their coaches to buy into the concept that running for the team is important. For endurance coaches and their runners, building your season around key fixtures is very important. It is not possible to race every weekend but with effective communication and realistic goal targets strong groups of athletes should come together for the major fixtures.
Reminiscing last week about the double victory in the 2009 National Cross Country Relays brought back some great memories of trips up to Berry Park in Mansfield in early November each year and of the positive value of every age group in a club supporting the big National events. Most of the bigger endurance based clubs have exceptional individuals/groups and intermittently duly win single titles but few clubs have the ability and organisation to be regularly successful in most age groups across the board in the same season.
On the 21 February 1998 saw the Relays transferred to February and Shaftesbury’s team managers and coaches had worked hard to encourage a very large contingent of ‘Humbugs’ to make the journey up the M1. They were rewarded with no less than five ‘Top Ten’ finishes. My key memory of that day was that Shaftesbury were represented in almost every age group race; not necessarily at full strength and not without some disappointment when arguably our best chance of success, the Under 15 Boys team, was incomplete at the very last moment. The Berry Park course is ideal for relays and a superb spectator course, winding its way in and out of woodlands and very visible across the meadows to the lake so the noise from supporters can be a huge encouragement for athletes to squeeze that extra bit of energy into your performance.

Shaftesbury’s Senior Men were looking to medal. While KEITH ANDERSON ran away from the field on Leg 1 to give Bingley a superb start in what was to prove a comfortable win with 2nd fastest time of the day, COLIN JOHNSTONE (16.01) ran a very sensible opening leg and duly brought us home in 8th handing over to DAVID BULLOCK who showed his 3m45 1500m pace to bring us up to 6th with an impressive (15.59). The ever consistent DOMONIC BANNISTER (15.25) flew around the lake and by the time he had finished his first lap was just few seconds off second place before powering away on the second lap to give ANDY ULVIN a 17 second advantage over third placed Salford. His (16.07) was a solid effort but with Bingley’s RICHARD NERURKAR in such impressive form out in front the battle was on for the silver and bronze medals. Morpeth’s IAN HUDSPITH had yet another great run to just hold off both Loughborough Students in 3rd and Shaftesbury with just 11 seconds separating these three teams – fourth was difficult to swallow but it was a great effort from the Shaftesbury quartet. Our ‘B’ team led the unofficial 2nd team honours in 13th position with CHARLIE LOW (16.42), JOHN SHERBAN (16.11), JONATHAN KILSBY (16.57) and ANDY MAGNALL (16.33) showing our depth of talent. GLYNN TROMANS imperiously ran fastest lap 24secs quicker than everyone else!
Final Order: 1st Bingley Harriers (1:03.00), 2nd Morpeth Harriers (1:03.21), 3rd Loughborough Students (1:03.25), 4th Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers (1:03.32), 5th Coventry Godiva AC (1:03.33), 6th Southampton RC (1:03.38)

The Senior Women’s team of HAZEL SUTHERLAND (10.46), RITA QUILL (11.08) and ANGELA JOINER (10.34) ran brilliantly to secure Bronze medals in a race run very much in the same fashion as the mens’. With Birchfield way out in front it was left to ANGELA to hold on to 3rd as LIZZIE TALBOT ran fastest time of the day for Bedford to pull them up to Silver medal position.  Interestingly, when the National Cross Country Relays returned to their normal November slot in the following autumn the Shaftesbury women clamed a resounding victory!
Final Order:  1st Birchfield Harriers (31.54), 2nd Bedford & County (32.22), 3rd Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers (32.28), 4th Charnwood AC (32.32), 5th.Sale Harriers (33.10), 6th Hallamshire Harriers (33.12)

The Under 17 Mens’ race included real drama – to quote Athletics Weekly, Shaftesbury Barnet were the surprise leaders of a South of England clean sweep of the medals – after a fabulous chase by Sale Harriers Manchester blew up near the end. Second place involved more drama when the results computer, refusing to believe two Bakers could clock (8.19) – because nobody had told it JOHN and DAVID are twins – decided Blackheath had an incomplete team, rather than the quartet that held off Aldershot’s English Schools’ 3000metres champion CHRIS THOMPSON.
Shaftesbury’s ‘surprise Gold’ was in fact a triumph for the underdog, sensible use of each runner’s individual strengths and huge support from Humbug faithfull around the course. First leg runner PAUL MURPHY brought us back in 3rd (8.06) holding STEVE VERNON of Stockport to 18 secs on the first leg.  PATRICK PEARCE (8.24) ran a very sensible second leg to consolidate our position. First year Youth RICHARD WILLIAMS, with an impressive (8.06) effort had reduced the 16 second deficit by the top of the long drag up to the top of the hill and then relentlessly built a 12 second lead by the end of the lap despite a scorching chasing run of (7.40) by ROB MAYCOCK of Sale. That JOE COLLINS (8.16), our final leg runner, and another first year Youth, maintained his concentration to produce a perfectly paced run was a triumph in itself. DAN AYTON of pre-race favourites Blackheath relentlessly wore him down while CHRIS THOMPSON, in typical barn storming fashion and encouraged by a baying group of MIKE WOODS inspired athletes ran (7.33), fastest time of the day, to pressurise the leaders. That long undulating finishing straight must have felt like ‘Hill 60’ in Leeds but JOE didn’t panic and a surge over last 50 metres ensured a well deserved win as just 6 seconds separated all of the medalists – exciting stuff and once again Veteran team manager TONY SMITH got his team order spot on!
Again, the SBH strength in depth saw the ‘B’ team take second team honours with MATT COLLINS (9.07), STEVEN EFTAKARI (8.51), ROSS ANDERSON (8.22) and NICK PHILLIPS (9.00) to finish 18th.
Final Order: 1st Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers (32.52), 2nd Blackheath & Bromley AC (32.56), 3rd Aldershot & Farnham AC (32.58), 4th Sale Harriers (33.18), 5th Sunderland Harriers (33.22), 6th OWLS (33.32)

Photograph left to right – PATRICK PEARCE, PAUL MURPHY, JOE COLLINS and RICHARD WILLIAMS

Shaftesbury’s combined U17/20 Women were not to be outdone as they placed 5th in their race. CHARLOTTE FERNE (10.16) brought us home in 23rd on first leg as she battled with a stitch and was followed by a terrific effort of (9.37) by SOPHIE KOEHNE which elevated us to 9th before EMMA BROOKER secured 5th place with a storming effort of (9.16). The ‘B’ team finished 14th with JO ANKIER (9.39), SARA DAREVE (10.24) and DONNA CONWAY (10.22). Our best three from these two teams would have medalled!
Final Order: 1st Loughborough Students (28.09), 2nd Charnwood AC (28.12), 3rd Morpeth (29.00), 4th Aldershot & Farnham AC (29.09), 5th Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers (29.09), 6th Coventry Godiva Harriers (29.28)

The Under 15 Girls team had high hopes of medalling and they duly produced the goods in a very exciting race which saw the lead changing hands several times. Bristol and Mansfield had a 10 second cushion at the end of the first leg with our JADE WRIGHT 7th in (7.46). The consistent SARAH STANMORE with (7.48) produced her usual solid performance as the order changed dramatically to improve Shaftesbury to 5th handing to LAYLA HALL who was in the middle of a rich vein of form. Her impressive (7.36) appeared to be claiming Silver but LOIS WHITTAKER of Sale just pipped her on the line producing fastest time of the day with (7.14) – 13 seconds faster than anyone else on the day as a very determined LAYLA brilliantly held off Havering Mayesbrooks’ fast finishing FIONA FULLERTON to secure the Bronze medal.
Final Order: 1st Peterborough AC (22.58), 2nd Sale Harriers (23.07), 3rd Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers (23.10), 4th Havering Mayesbrook (23.10), 5th. Bristol AC (23.150, 6th Aldershot (23.21)

MARTIN GREY CONTACTED ME RECENTLY Good Afternoon ALAN, very interesting piece by KINGSTON MILLS, although really a lot of common sense. The sort of running we do must carry very little risk indeed, but big mass events are obviously going to be hugely affected, and some creative thinking will be needed by the governing bodies for all parts of our sport.  Interesting that one of his ideas is to hold what we used to call Yacht Handicaps – slower runners starting first with the faster ones following at intervals. I think we used to hold these at Headstone Manor, Harrow and then at Cophalll for a while (1950s/60s).  KINGSTON was a key member of our relay and cross country races in the 80’s. For me the most memorable was our Dream Team which won the National 6 stage Road Relay in 1983 from the likes of Gateshead, Birchfield and Aldershot etc. The team consisted of NEIL LEACH, JIM ESPIR, RICHARD SAMUEL, JULIAN GOATER, STEVE LOWE and STEVE HARRIS.

Therefore, I have taken the baton up MARTIN, by consulting the December 1983 issue of the Shaftesbury Harriers Magazine. First there was a report from TONY SUNDERLAND who was a former Club President, Champion and Team Manager, and until 2019 was Chairman of Shaftesbury. Following this is the race report from MARTIN who at the time was the Team Manager.

TONY had the privilege to be present at Melton Mowbray on Saturday 22 October 1983 to witness Shaftesbury Harriers winning a National Senior team title, the first in the 93-year history of the club, and finally fulfilling the promise which we all felt was there.
The occasion was the National 6 Stage Road Relay Championships in which we had finished 2nd in 1975 and 1978, and finally this year we pulled together a dream team, and with tremendous efforts all round, won one of the most fiercely competitive relays for many years.
The possibility that we could win this relay dawned on all concerned when two weeks prior to the event the team which we finally on the starting line was drawn up, and although there were the problems, which we overcome by gentle persuasion and in certain cases not too gentle, all arrived at Melton Mowbray raring to go.
Before the day and on the way to Melton Mowbray confidence was riding high that a National title could possibly be obtained. On arrival, when the many stars from other teams were spotted and the line-up of Tipton, Gateshead and Aldershot became known, it was realised that the task in hand was formidable.
I have been to many National road relays, including the old London to Brighton, and it is a long time since I have experienced such tremendous atmosphere before even the first leg commenced. All the top teams were there, all fielding their strongest possible runners, and everyone seemed to be making the same comment that this was going to be some race and the outcome was impossible to foresee. This was the year to win and to leave in no doubt who was the true National 6 Stage Champion club was.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all members of the team for their tremendous performance, and MARTIN for his splendid efforts in being able to bring together this winning team. Also, a special thanks to DAVE SWEENEY who travelled as reserve, for being on the spot, should there be any mishaps with any of the selected runners.

MARTIN reported, a superb victory against the toughest competition – in no was a hollow win. Athletics Weekly published an excellent report, with photographs of JULIAN and STEVE. The Telegraph and Guardian stressed the high standard of our win but was more concerned about the lack of AAA officials from London and the fact that the race was held at a derelict-looking ironworks in the middle of nowhere.
NEIL (17.35) was 30 seconds down on ANDY HOLDEN on Leg 1 in 14th place – sufficiently in touch for JIM to produce an inspired run (17.15) taking us up to 5th place. RICHARD has a solid run (17.29) taking us up 1 place to 4th, JULIAN produced the third fastest leg ever run on the course (16.37) apart from MICK MCLEOD (16.31) today, and NICK ROSE ran (16.33) some years ago. Now in 1st place STEVE LOWE’S experience came in handy as Gateshead’s GARY NAGEL took off ridiculous fast on Leg 5 and led STEVE all the way round to the hill not far from the finish (17.22) – then died. Great excitement therefore when STEVE appeared in view STEVE HARRIS, despite some injury doubts, finished off excellently (16.53) and we beat a 100% strength Aldershot team (same as the winning National cross country team) by recording a new course record.

Result1st Shaftesbury Harriers (1:43.11), 2nd Aldershot, Farnham & District (1:43.21), 3rd Gateshead Harriers (1:44.28), 4th Tipton Harriers (1:44.45), 5th Staffordshire Moorlands (1:45.01), 6th Derby & County (1:45.17)

NEW MEMBERS IN 1983 Since Shaftesbury was founded 130 years ago in 1890, we have developed an abundance of athletes from a young age through to International standard. Also, many athletes have joined Shaftesbury based on improving themselves with one of the most successful clubs in the UK. In early 1983 we had four athletes join Shaftesbury, of which three were this country’s top Juniors, as well as a proven Senior International.

Strictly alphabetical – COLIN BOREHAM who is a GB Senior International in both High Jump and Decathlon. His all-round talent (number two to DALEY THOMPSON) will prove invaluable, particularly his expertise in the High Jump, Pole Vault and Shot. He has joined us in order to obtain top class club competition which we hope will provide the extra stimulus to push COLIN over the 8,000 barriers and truly into world class.
BILLY DAVEY is, of course, known as the GB Junior Pole Vault record-holder, but in addition he is an excellent athlete with all-round sporting ability – as indicated in the televised 1982 Junior Superstars Competition Final.
MICHAEL JONES is the AAA Junior Hammer Champion and has been aware of the club for some time, as he is coached by ALAN BERTRAM who has been a long time provider of Hammer throwers in Shaftesbury colours. MICHAEL competed in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul and 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur competing for England and came away with a Silver Medal.
PAUL MORGAN who was the top ranked Youth Javelin thrower in the UK in 1982. PAUL who is coached by his Mother, a former GB International ROSEMARY MORGAN.

DETECTIVE WORK FROM TIM PARKIN Hi Alan, thanks for maintaining the weekly newsletter at this moment in time. I’ve enjoyed reading the extra detail included on past events. In the newsletter 2 weeks you included a piece about the 1987 National Cross Country Relays which I read with interest and discussed with my dad. Whilst neither of us were there on the day but Dad looked out the copy of Athletics Weekly from his collection. The front page below featured MIKE WILLIAMS on the final leg

 

Photograph of MIKE WILLIAMS, JOHN SHERBAN, Team Manager CHRIS IRELAND, KINGSTON MILLS and JULIAN GOATER

THE ATHLETICS MUSEUM A AAA LEGACY PROJECT In summer 2018, AAA formally identified the project of creating a museum of athletics as part of their legacy to the sport. Since then, a small team has been working to put this plan into action. Thank you for your interest in and support for the project; this is the link to the current newsletter TAM Newsletter Winter 2019 2020

OLYMPIC QUALIFYING PROCESS An updated Olympic qualifying process which can be found here.

BRITISH ATHLETICS LEAGUE 50TH YEAR BOOK We are delighted to announce that a publication celebrating 50 years of British Athletics League history is now available to purchase.
Copies can be bought for £5, or £8 for two, and £10 for three, which is the maximum order. The cost includes postage and packing, with all money raised going to help young athletes through the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, which has also supported many BAL athletes on their journey along the athletics pathway.
To order, simply email geoffrey.morphitis@capeandd.com with the details of your order and make an online payment of the appropriate amount to;
ACCOUNT NAME : SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS, BANK : HSBC, ACCOUNT NUMBER : 41308378, SORT CODE : 400426
The publication itself features a range of nostalgic contributions from athletes, committee members, team managers and officials. Olympic champion and President of World Athletics, SEBASTIAN COE said: “The competition has been of constant high standard and I remember fondly my own competitions as a member of the Haringey team that were not only important for the club and its status but were important stepping stones to championships later in the season.”
There are great stories of feats that will impress, surprise and amuse you, from exhausted athletes doubling-up to score points, to guitar sing-alongs on team buses. Liverpool Harriers’ MIKE HOLMES has provided a fascinating series of archive reports that bring the piece to life, as do images by MARK SHEARMAN and MELISSA GRESSWELL. Statistical information has also been compiled by PETER MATTHEWS, with a club-by-club directory of every team to compete over the last five decades put together by MIKE HEATH.
Please note that orders will be satisfied on a first come first served basis. No booklets will be sent until payments have cleared so allow please allow seven working days between order and delivery.

ENGLAND ATHLETICS CORONAVIRUS HELP FOR ATHLETES Many thanks to TUNJI who as reported on the 19 March newsletter is the father of NIAH AKINTOKUN. 
In these unprecedented times, I wanted to draw the club’s attention to some of the great resources available online. England Athletics is expanding its campaign to support Athletics and Running for everyone @home, with a focus on ‘Running @home’ support and advice. The homepage can be accessed here
There are many webinars, interviews and tips from top coaches and athletes on how to stay conditioned and focused.
In addition, there are some fantastic videos for 4-11yr olds on the Funetics webpage put together in conjunction with England Athletics.  The videos demonstrate parents and children (aged 4-11) taking part in FUN activities based on fundamental core movement skills: running, jumping and throwing. Funetics is a programme that has been designed to reflect the requirements of the National Curriculum Key Stage 1 and 2. At this time when our children are currently schooling at home, we hope that these video activities will support the need for education to continue at home.  You can access the videos here   TUNJI AKINTOKUN MBE – Non Executive Director, England Athletics

THE FOLLOWING SBH DOCUMENTS/INFORMATION CAN EITHER BE VIEWED, DOWNLOADED OR PRINTED 
SBH 2020 Summer Fixture Card Front Sheet Summer 2020 Fixture Card Front Sheet Final Issue 12-02-20
SBH 2020 Summer Fixture Card Fixtures, Updated 30-04-20 Showing Cancelled & Postponed Fixtures – Summer 2020 Fixture Card – Updated 30-04-20 Showing Cancelled & Postponed Fixtures
Track and Field Team Managers Detailshttp://sbharriers.co.uk/athletics/track-field/team-managers/
Road Running Team Managers Detailshttp://sbharriers.co.uk/athletics/road-running/team-managers/

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION OF INTEREST CAN BE FOUND ON THE SBH HOME PAGE BY USING THIS LINK, THEN SELECT THE LEFT OR RIGHT ARROWhttp://sbharriers.co.uk/
Allianz Park Membership, which gives SBH members 10% discount on entry to the Allianz Park stadium – Membership details and Form can be either printed or downloaded
Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Club Hoody, information on how to purchase one, please go to the bottom of this Newsletter

SBH MIDWEEK JUMPS CLUB AT ALLIANZ PARK  Currently Suspended. POLE VAULTERS REQUIRED FOR 2020 Currently Suspended. STEEPLECHASE TRAINING AT ALLIANZ PARK  Currently Suspended.

PARKRUN 5K RESULTS – Currently Suspended

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.

UPCOMING SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS FIXTURES AND OTHER FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS – Due to the Coronavirus situation, all fixtures further notice. All fixtures have been Cancelled until the Tuesday 30 June, this is the link to the SBH Fixture Card updated on the 30 AprilSummer 2020 Fixture Card – Updated 30-04-20 Showing Cancelled & Postponed Fixtures

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 used. Also, I would appreciate if you could send me any photographs, which I can then publish on the website and newsletter.

CLUB EMBROIDERED RED HOODIES Currently there are now over 750 Hoodies in circulation, this is the link giving details on how you can order your Club Hoody for £35, which includes having your name embroidered on the front Club Hoodies Updated 01-07-19

FACEBOOK – Photographs can be found on the SBH page.

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 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

ALLIANZ PARK – Main Switchboard telephone number is 0203 675 7250.

CHARGES FOR USING ALLIANZ PARK – Currently the stadium is closed for athletics until the 31 May.

ALAN WELLER




Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Weekly Newsletter Thursday 11 June 2020

Happy Birthday from this Thursday 11 June to Jubril Adeniji, Yasmin Ahmed, Dominic Ashwell, Alina Cofi, Tolu Elesin, Anjali Fowkes-Gajan, Tony Henry, Uriel Hirsch, Charlie Knott, Yiannis Kourpas, Joshua Kumar, Rafael Kruskal, Claire McGarvey, Omar Parsons, Kayanna Reid and Ethan Walsh

CAN YOU HELP PLEASE During the period when all competitions are suspended, I will do my upmost in keeping the Newsletter information and other content going.
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.

TRAINING VIDEOS PRODUCED BY JADE LALLY – JADE has recently produced two videos relating to the basic fundamentals for Discus, this is the link to JADE’S first video on How To Hold A Discus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA9jyS4Wung&t=6s the second video is on Discus Basics: Foot Placement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8ahzDmrldk

YOU CAN JOIN TY HOLDEN’S CIRCUIT SESSION ON ZOOM – TY will be holding a circuit session on Zoom, which is a conferencing platform, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6pm. If you wish to join, please email TY at dtyholden@yahoo.co.uk and he will email you an ID number for you to join in. Zoom can accommodate up to 100 users at a time.

UPDATE ON PROCEDURES FOR USING ALLIANZ PARK FROM JEREMY SOTHCOTTWhich is now open to SBH members subject to the conditions below.
We have now negotiated the use of some Track & Field facilities with Saracens compliant with current guidance issued by the UK Government and England Athletics.
At the present time, the track & field groups will be limited to a maximum of five ‘Competing Club Athletes’ and one coach for each session e.g. 5 athletes on track and 5 athletes at the throws area.
Throws
Athletes should have their own implements. However, one implement of each weight will be left in the SBH store beside the sanitising equipment. Arrangements will have to be made in advance with TY HOLDEN.
Jumps
Following Government Guidelines up to 5 athletes with a suitably qualified coach can now undertake Jumps training utilising jump beds and sand pits. We have updated our guidance documents, based on information and advice from our partners and government, to include guidance specific to Jumps areas (such as Cleaning requirements before, during and after sessions). Athletes, coaches, clubs and venues must follow the latest guidance – please read our updated guidance documents at: ???? https://bit.ly/2ATiU7R
The indoor track and the clubhouse gymnasium cannot be used.
Athletes invited to train by their coach must be sent the attached Allianz Park Track & Field Agreement in advance of starting training at Allianz Park. The athlete and parent (if under 16) to sign and return to me and TY before they can train.  Athletes should meet their coach promptly at their booking time outside the SBH Clubhouse where they will be asked to confirm that they do not have, and that no one in their household has, (or has had within the last 14 days) any of the symptoms of COVID-19.
The athletes will then be escorted using social distancing (2 metres) into the SBH Clubhouse to sign the attendance record with times in and out of the stadium (black A4 folder on photocopier).  There is also some hand sanitiser on the table for use. Athletes must follow the instructions of the coach and observe social distancing during warm-up, the session and cool down.
Stadium Booking details
Please let me and TY know the names of the athletes and your preferred time slots for the following week (Monday to Sunday) before 6pm on the Saturday. We will confirm the availability and distribute the schedule to Saracens and to all coaches.
Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
All 1 hour 35 minute slots (Saturday & Sunday – last slot finishes at 7.20)
9.00 – 10.35, 10.45 – 12.20, 12.30 – 2.05, 2.15 – 3.50, 4.00 – 5.35, 5.45 – 7.20, 7.30 – 9.00
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
There are 3 x 1 hour 35 minute slots and 7 x shorter 50 minute slots
9.15 – 10.50, 11.00 – 11.50, 12.00 – 12.50, 1.00 – 1.50, 2.00 – 2.50, 3.00 – 3.50, 4.00 – 4.50, 5.00 – 5.50, 6.00 – 7.25, 7.35 – 9.00
There is a 10 minute gap between each session for transitioning.
If you haven’t got a key fob for gaining access through the clubhouse, then please contact GEOFF MORPHITIS Mobile: 07976 994302 who will arrange to issue one to you. Please do not enter the clubhouse until the coach/athletes from the previous session exit.  No parents will be permitted to enter the stadium unless there is a child protection issue i.e. one coach and one athlete aged under 18.
There is a single disabled toilet (unisex) that can be used within the indoor area.
When going in and out of the Clubhouse from the carpark please make sure the door handle is left in the upward locked position at all times.
Link to the SBH Athlete and Coach Track & Field Training Agreement, which will sent to all participating athletes, and then to be returned signed by the athlete and parent – SBH – Allianz Park Track & Field Areement During Lockdown Period
Please let me know if you have any questions – JEREMY SOTHCOTT Mobile: 07764 621424 email jeremy.sothcott@btinternet.com

MANY THANKS TO GEOFF WILLIAMS FOR HIS NOSTALGIC LOOK AT HUMBUG SUCCESSES IN THE NINETIES AND NOUGHTIES Part 2: National Cross Country Championships in 1957. Very few folk will be old enough to remember the Shaftesbury Harriers team who placed 21st in the National Cross Country Championships held at Parliament Hill Fields.
The National was held at the now famous course at Parliament Hill, over a 12k course, consisting of two large laps, that twisted around Hampstead Heath, with deep mud, streams, ditches and hills, making it a very testing course. Fortunately, the weather was dry, vloudy-bright and cool, but heavy rain over the previous two weeks had made the course very wet and difficult for runners – and officials and spectators; someting like the courses at Milton Kernes, and more recently, Alton Towers and Sunderland.

A quick look at the SBH website History page gives an excellent insight into the club’s origins as a true Harriers Club with training based at Parliament Hill and Headstone Lane, Harrow at the time. The Athletics Weekly report of the 1957 National Cross Country (see below) threw up some interesting facts.
Shaftesbury finished 21st team and were pleasingly in front of traditional adversaries Highgate Harriers, Woodford Green, North London, Essex Beagles, Enfield and Ealing.
The scoring team that day was DON MARTIN (103), ERIC FORD (133), ERNIE CHAPLIN (192), RON COLLINS (202), SID BEALE (210), BILL STEVENS (281).
Aylesford Paper Mill AC from Kent placed 6th overall led by individual winner FRANK SANDO (photographed) who was a GB International and Olympian.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TVH, led by 3rd placed individual KEN NORRIS who was the 1956 and 1959 champion bagged Bronze team medals to claim the honour of ‘best in London’
A certain GEORGE HARRISON (surely only in his early twenties) placed 94th for Highgate Harriers.
HARRY HICKS, finishing in 16th led Hampstead Harriers to the ‘best in Barnet title’
Queens Park Harriers placed 12th including P. O’CONNOR (156th) who appeared in the National results 31 times!
Finchley Harriers, Polytechnic Harriers, Hampstead Harriers, Southgate Harriers and Wigmore Harriers were well represented but are, sadly, now defunct clubs.

Link to the Athletics Weekly results National XC Relays 1957 AW Result

Earlier in the day our YOUTHS team had become National Champions. The course was saturated and a thorough test of stamina. At the start ALAN PATTEN had the misfortune to lose one of his shoes and get spiked into the bargain, and youth captain TONY SUNDERLAND was fearing that the team’s chances of success were rapidly diminishing. He need not have worried as JOHN JALES and DAVE HUXLEY were right at the head of the field with BARRY ROSENBERG and BRIAN CAKEBREAD well placed, and ALAN was no means finished.
As the race progressed JOHN, TONY and DAVE were well placed, and with just over a half a mile to go we had 3 in 25, but there was an agonised wait before ALAN chugged by, closely followed by BRIAN and BARRY. So, to the finish with little change, JOHN past the post in 7th place, TONY was 11 seconds behind in 11th place, DAVE a further 22 seconds away in 23rd place. ALAN who had run a plucky to finish 69th, BRIAN and BARRY were close up, 78th and 86th respectively.
Had they managed it? Was the gap between third and fourth man too much? Our fears were answered a few minutes later when the loudspeakers boomed: 1st Shaftesbury (100 points), 2nd Halifax (209), 3rd Birchfield (234). A letter appeared in Athletics Weekly a few weeks later which ended: “Shaftesbury were winners with almost 100 points to spare – surely this team must be one of the strongest ever to run in the National?”

ROSALIND ZEFFERTT REACHING NEW HEIGHTS ROSALIND is squarely putting the blame on GERALD ALTERMAN’S shoulders, has signed up to do a fundraising abseil in aid of London’s Air Ambulance charity.
On Sunday September 13th, circumstances permitting I’ll be abseiling from the Royal London Hospital’s helipad to the ground 17 floors down, in aid of London’s Air Ambulance. And with my vast experience as a novice pole vaulter, abseiling seems the logical next step – doesn’t it?
If you are able to make a donation, no matter how small, you will be helping London’s Air Ambulance to save more lives by keeping the helicopter in the air and the rapid response cars on the road. By providing intervention as quickly as possible after injury, London’s Air Ambulance Charity aims to give patients the best chance of survival, and best quality of life, after trauma.
I have admired the work they do for a long time, plus the abseil will be a real challenge for me (17 floors), which I think it ought to be if people are being asked to make a donation.

Here is the link to my fundraising page: https://fundraising.londonsairambulance.org.uk/fundraisers/rosalindzeffertt/londons-air-ambulance-helipad-abseil-2020
Many thanks and Best wishes ROSALIND

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WILLIAM WILSON BY TOM MCNABIt was just over seventy years a go that I made contact with the man who was to bring me into athletics. He was WILLIAM WILSON, a 150-year-old athlete who featured in the pages of the comic paper “The Wizard”. I therefore make no apology for bringing him now to your attention.

Wilson was the construct of GILBERT DALTON, who had been prompted to create him by someone from my own club, Shettleston Harriers, the editor of the “Wizard”, by name WILLIAM BLAINSIR ROGER BANNISTER expressed dismay when I informed him that the four-minute mile had in fact been achieved in 1815, but less concerned when I said that it had been WILSON who had done so. Wilson could do anything. Having been given the elixir of life by a hermit called MATTHEW in 1812, he spent the rest of his life attacking every athletics record known to man. In the process, he cleared over seven feet in high jump, over nine metres in leaping The Pit of Fire in the Sahara, and over seventy feet in shot put. In the process, he quelled a Zulu rising in Africa, defeated a lost contingent of Ancient Romans, trained a disabled soldier to beat four minutes for the mile, and destroyed fleets of German planes as a Battle of Britain pilot. My imagination feasted on the feats of WILLIAM WILSON. In providing these illustrations I hope that I will have given you some idea of the source of an enthusiasm for athletics which has never dimmed.

WORLD ATHLETICS UNVEILS NEW STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE SPORT The following was published recently on the Athletics Weekly website on 3 June.
World Athletics has unveiled a new four-year strategic plan for the sport, with a vision of using “the power and accessibility of athletics and its athletes” to create “a healthier and fitter world”.
On Wednesday three online meetings were held between the sport’s global governing body and its 214 member federations as they discussed the direction athletics will take over the next four years and the short-term challenges and opportunities the sport has as the world begins to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. “Our head office may have been closed for 11 weeks but we have not been idle,” said World Athletics president SEBASTIAN COE, who chaired the meetings.

“We have used that time to continue to develop our strategy to grow athletics. A huge amount of work has been put into developing our four-year strategic plan, led by our CEO JON RIDGEON, and with input and involvement from all at HQ, our executive board, our area presidents, commission chairs and commissions. “This is an exceptional body of work that brings together all the great things we do as a global sport body with a laser sharp focus on doing it better, and includes some innovative and creative ideas to drive growth in our sport,” he added. “It is exactly the type of roadmap our sport needs to bring together all our stakeholders with a single vision, mission and clear priorities. “Over the next few months we have an unprecedented opportunity on the back of the increased physical activity of people in lockdown. The latest research from runrepeat.com shows that exercise has increased 88% during lockdown and running and walking has topped the tables. We need to inspire these people to continue the habits they have learned and we will with our own campaigns but also by embracing campaigns that many others in our sport are driving.”

World Athletics says its mission is to: Grow the sport and make it relevant in people’s lives and the lives of their communities.
Inspire by creating globally appealing and accessible competitions, events, and activities so our talented athletes can entertain and inspire the world.
Lead by being the best example of a well-governed sports federation taking brave leadership decisions and valuing partnerships that deliver athletics around the world.

The governing body also outlined aims relating to participation and events, partnerships, people and fans. “By 2024 our aim is to grow our broadcast reach, double our digital following and create a database of 1 million known fans who actively choose to connect and engage with us and our sport,” said World Athletics. The full strategic plan is set to be available by the end of June. Click here to read more.

OLYMPIC QUALIFYING PROCESS At the above meeting they released an updated Olympic qualifying process which can be found here.

GUERNSEY FIRST T&F COMPETITION IN BRITISHISLESThe following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website.
The Channel Island will host a meeting featuring short sprints and throws, plus an 800m run completely in lanes, on June 14. Guernsey’s Footes Lane stadium is set to welcome athletes for the British Isles’ first track & field competition of the 2020 summer season next Sunday 14 June.

The Channel Island of Guernsey – a British Crown Dependency based off the west coast of France – has seemingly eliminated Covid-19 from its shores and is in Phase 4 of the island’s exit strategy. As a result, within certain parameters – including strict social distancing and hygiene practices – competitive sport can recommence. However, Guernsey’s borders are essentially closed, with anyone entering the island required by law to self- isolate for 14 days from arrival. Therefore, no athletes from outside of the island will be able to compete.

Current regulations rule out certain disciplines, such as long distance races, and athletes under the age of 18 are not able to take part, but Guernsey Athletics say they will “softly launch” the track & field season with the meeting which will feature short sprints and throws as well as an 800m which will require athletes to remain in their own lanes for the full duration of the race. Two rounds of the women’s 100m will be the main attraction for the locals, as former Commonwealth Youth Games semi-finalist ABI GALPIN looks to translate her strong indoor form into summer performances. The 19-year-old University of Bath student became Guernsey’s second fastest ever 60m sprinter back in January as she clocked (7.74) in Cardiff. “I’m really excited to get out there and start my season,” she said. “Things have been going very well in training despite the lockdown, and particularly now we can train on the track properly. “I think we are extremely fortunate to be in this situation – being in the first meet in Britain and perhaps even in Europe.” The NatWest International Island Games 200m bronze medallist will be joined by fellow Games sprinters VICKY MANN and AMELIA LEES. In the throws, island record-holder SIA BANBURY will headline the hammer, while JAMES BOUGOURD contests the javelin and TOM BRIERLEY the discus. The top international names on the island’s athlete roster, brothers CAMERON and ALASTAIR CHALMERS, are not set to compete.

Guernsey Athletics development officer and meet organiser TOM DRUCE expects Sunday to be a significant event for local athletics. “Not only will it be the first event to take place in the British Isles, but it is also the first meet to take place on the newly refurbished track. So, there is a lot of significance surrounding it,” he said. “A lot of work has gone in at various levels to get to this point and I’m excited to see some live athletics both on the track and in the field. “Because we are unable to host endurance or under-18 events, the meet will be quite small with regards to participants, but the quality is going to be there.”

BRITISH ATHLETICS LEAGUE 50TH YEAR BOOK We are delighted to announce that a publication celebrating 50 years of British Athletics League history is now available to purchase.
Copies can be bought for £5, or £8 for two, and £10 for three, which is the maximum order. The cost includes postage and packing, with all money raised going to help young athletes through the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, which has also supported many BAL athletes on their journey along the athletics pathway.
To order, simply email geoffrey.morphitis@capeandd.com with the details of your order and make an online payment of the appropriate amount to;
ACCOUNT NAME : SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS, BANK : HSBC, ACCOUNT NUMBER : 41308378, SORT CODE : 400426
The publication itself features a range of nostalgic contributions from athletes, committee members, team managers and officials. Olympic champion and President of World Athletics, SEBASTIAN COE said: “The competition has been of constant high standard and I remember fondly my own competitions as a member of the Haringey team that were not only important for the club and its status but were important stepping stones to championships later in the season.”
There are great stories of feats that will impress, surprise and amuse you, from exhausted athletes doubling-up to score points, to guitar sing-alongs on team buses. Liverpool Harriers’ MIKE HOLMES has provided a fascinating series of archive reports that bring the piece to life, as do images by MARK SHEARMAN and MELISSA GRESSWELL. Statistical information has also been compiled by PETER MATTHEWS, with a club-by-club directory of every team to compete over the last five decades put together by MIKE HEATH.
Please note that orders will be satisfied on a first come first served basis. No booklets will be sent until payments have cleared so allow please allow seven working days between order and delivery.

ENGLAND ATHLETICS DRAFT COMPETITION PROGRAMME – England Athletics have just published  May 2020 version 9 of The Draft Competition Programme for the period w/e 19 July to w/e 27 September. This sets the structure for joint men/women meetings which SBH hopes to follow.

All the promotions listed below are subject to: –
1. Government lifting the present lockdown by 1 July so as to allow group gatherings
2. UKA issuing specific instructions to allow compliance with Government requirements
3. Obtaining a sufficient number of appropriately qualified officials from the participating clubs
4. Facility availability
5. Securing a suitable First Aid provision
6. Receipt of the appropriate licences from UKA

Saturday 25 July – LICC (1) – Allianz Park – all age groups, Sunday 26 July – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (1) – Allianz Park – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Sunday 2 August – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (1) – Bedford – U20 / Senior, Saturday 8 August – LICC (2) – Allianz Park – all age groups, Sunday 9 August – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (2) –  Venue TBA – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Sunday 16 August – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (2) – Venue TBA – U20 / Senior, Saturday 22 August – LICC (3) – Allianz Park – all age groups, Sunday 23 August – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (3) –  Bromley – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Saturday 5 September – U15/U17 Southern Area Championships – Venue TBA, Sunday 6 September – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (3) – Venue TBA – U20 / Senior, Saturday 12 September – U20/Senior Southern Area Championships – Venue TBA, Saturday 19 September – U15/U17 England Championships – Venue TBA, Saturday 26 September – U20/Senior England Championships – Venue TBA

The British Championships are due to be held in Manchester on 8/9 August, however, they have not yet been confirmed.

ENGLAND ATHLETICS CORONAVIRUS HELP FOR ATHLETES Many thanks to TUNJI who as reported on the 19 March newsletter is the father of NIAH AKINTOKUN. 
In these unprecedented times, I wanted to draw the club’s attention to some of the great resources available online. England Athletics is expanding its campaign to support Athletics and Running for everyone @home, with a focus on ‘Running @home’ support and advice. The homepage can be accessed here
There are many webinars, interviews and tips from top coaches and athletes on how to stay conditioned and focused.
In addition, there are some fantastic videos for 4-11yr olds on the Funetics webpage put together in conjunction with England Athletics.  The videos demonstrate parents and children (aged 4-11) taking part in FUN activities based on fundamental core movement skills: running, jumping and throwing. Funetics is a programme that has been designed to reflect the requirements of the National Curriculum Key Stage 1 and 2. At this time when our children are currently schooling at home, we hope that these video activities will support the need for education to continue at home.  You can access the videos here   TUNJI AKINTOKUN MBE – Non Executive Director, England Athletics

THE FOLLOWING SBH DOCUMENTS/INFORMATION CAN EITHER BE VIEWED, DOWNLOADED OR PRINTED 
SBH 2020 Summer Fixture Card Front Sheet Summer 2020 Fixture Card Front Sheet Final Issue 12-02-20
SBH 2020 Summer Fixture Card Fixtures, Updated 30-04-20 Showing Cancelled & Postponed Fixtures – Summer 2020 Fixture Card – Updated 30-04-20 Showing Cancelled & Postponed Fixtures
Track and Field Team Managers Detailshttp://sbharriers.co.uk/athletics/track-field/team-managers/
Road Running Team Managers Detailshttp://sbharriers.co.uk/athletics/road-running/team-managers/

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION OF INTEREST CAN BE FOUND ON THE SBH HOME PAGE BY USING THIS LINK, THEN SELECT THE LEFT OR RIGHT ARROWhttp://sbharriers.co.uk/
Allianz Park Membership, which gives SBH members 10% discount on entry to the Allianz Park stadium – Membership details and Form can be either printed or downloaded
Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Club Hoody, information on how to purchase one, please go to the bottom of this Newsletter

SBH MIDWEEK JUMPS CLUB AT ALLIANZ PARK  Currently Suspended. POLE VAULTERS REQUIRED FOR 2020 Currently Suspended. STEEPLECHASE TRAINING AT ALLIANZ PARK  Currently Suspended.

PARKRUN 5K RESULTS – Currently Suspended

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.

UPCOMING SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS FIXTURES AND OTHER FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS – Due to the Coronavirus situation, all fixtures further notice. All fixtures have been Cancelled until the Tuesday 30 June, this is the link to the SBH Fixture Card updated on the 30 AprilSummer 2020 Fixture Card – Updated 30-04-20 Showing Cancelled & Postponed Fixtures

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 used. Also, I would appreciate if you could send me any photographs, which I can then publish on the website and newsletter.

CLUB EMBROIDERED RED HOODIES Currently there are now over 750 Hoodies in circulation, this is the link giving details on how you can order your Club Hoody for £35, which includes having your name embroidered on the front Club Hoodies Updated 01-07-19

FACEBOOK – Photographs can be found on the SBH page.

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 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

ALLIANZ PARK – Main Switchboard telephone number is 0203 675 7250.

CHARGES FOR USING ALLIANZ PARK – Currently the stadium is closed for athletics until the 31 May.

ALAN




Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Weekly Newsletter Thursday 4 June 2020

Happy Birthday from this Thursday 4 June to Karen Apolot, Laura Cregg, Niah Forbes-Agyepong, Andrew Holmes, Louis Marcus, Matthew McAteer, Jared Morris and Jimmy Thoronka

RECENT NEW MEMBER We wish you a very warm welcome, and a happy, healthy and successful time with Shaftesbury to MITCHEL COX

RE-OPENING OF ALLIANZ PARK Will be re-opening on Monday 8 June, with a coach and up to 5 athletes. Coaches must contact JEREMY SOTHCOTT on 07764 621424 or jeremy.sothcott@btinternet.com to organise pre-arranged sessions and receive information on the relevant paperwork that needs to be signed by athletes or parents of athletes under 18 years of age before accessing the stadium. The gym is presently strictly out of bounds and all training must be done with a SBH coach.
Here is the link to the new UKA guidelines regarding training https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/guidance-update-step-2/

TUNJI AKINTOKUN MBENon Executive Director, England Athletics sent me the following information. CHRIS JONES, CEO of England Athletics published an interesting piece, including a vlog, relating to a number of matters but particularly England Athletics (EA) future partnership and collaboration with UK Athletics (UKA) and specifically the planned June end webinar roadshow programme https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/a-message-from-chris-jones-england-athletics-ceo/
In addition, the England Athletics coaches webinar programme has reached its 10,000th participant last week and it also delivered its Athletics Leader qualification course online this week to 80 people largely aged between 14-25. This, together with recent officials pilot courses and event modules that have been delivered online demonstrates the appetite there is for online learning now and perhaps in the future post COVID-19 lockdown.

CAN YOU HELP PLEASE During the period when all competitions are suspended, I will do my upmost in keeping the Newsletter information and other content going.
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.

TRAINING VIDEOS PRODUCED BY JADE LALLY – JADE has recently produced two videos relating to the basic fundamentals for Discus, this is the link to JADE’S first video on How To Hold A Discus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA9jyS4Wung&t=6s the second video is on Discus Basics: Foot Placement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8ahzDmrldk

1987 NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY RELAY TRIUMPH The following report was published in the SBH Winter 1987-1988 club magazine.
Following the recent article published in the 21 May SBH Newsletter which featured KINGSTON MILLS views on Immunology. KINGSTON was a member of the winning team in the 1987 ECCA Relay Championships.
The English Cross Country Relay Championships took place at Crystal Palace on 24 October 1987, on a bright and sunny day. The Relays were inaugurated in 1985 at Crystal Palace, following the 1987 race they then moved to Mansfield, which has been their home ever since.

I was priviliged to have been there to support our team in their outstanding win, the couurse was adjacent to the Crystal Palace motor racing circuit. No shortage of stars here, with KINGSTON lining up with what looked like a 3000m track field, and only a month after running the World Championships Marathon in Berlin (2:13.55). The race started at a franetic pace in which KINGSTON was not detered and came home in 6th place (8.34) 15 seconds behind the leader. JULIAN GOATER ran a superb 2nd leg (8.21) moving us up to 4th place. JOHN SHERBAN has run some brilliant relay legs this season, and this was to be no exemption. His (8.12) was 2nd fastest time of the day and took us into the lead, but only a couple of yards. MIKE WILLIAMS had the daunting task of holding off Birchfield’s ALAN SALTER and for two-thirds of the course they were locked together. On the final steep climb MIKE piled on the pressure and went right away to win by 80 metres (8.09), fastest time of the day. Shaftesbury winning time was (33.16), ahead of Birchfield (33.31), and Stetford (33.38). There were some splendid colour pictures in Athletics Weekly, with no one more proud than CHRIS IRELAND in the middle of his team in his first season as Team Manager.

In the Youths race, JAMIE GODDEN (still a 1st year Youth) ran a superb (8.53), 5th fastest of the day, to come home in 2nd place. JAMES AUFENAST kept expectations alive to hold onto 2nd place (9.02).  GERALD FOX also a 1st year, who was called up to the team 2 days before the race, dropped one place with (9.36). WAYNE DART ran well, clocking (9.11), but was overtaken by the Portmouth runner to leave us 3 seconds away from the medals. 1st Chester-Le-Street (35.55), 2nd Wirral (36.00), 3rd Portsmouth (36.39) 4th SBH (36.42).

Very consistent running by the Junior team, and there was only 15 seconds between 5th to 8th place, and with the quality field was a satisfactory performance. ROBERT DRAPER came in 6th on the 1st leg (8.54), PAUL KERBEY (9.02) and JOEL EDWARDS (9.06) maintained 6th place, and STEVE WIRTH though clocking (9.04) brought the team home in 8th place. 1st Aldershot (34.30), 2nd Stretford (34.49), 3rd GEC Avionics (35.08), 8th SBH (36.09).

HUGH STARKEY LOOKS BACK TO 1982 It was great to hear from Professor KINGSTON MILLS in the 21 May edition of the SBH weekly newsletter. This sent me back to the archives again for a cutting (attached) of KINGSTON (26.57) winning for Shaftesbury in a road race at Saint Sebastien sur Loire near Nantes on 29 March 1982. Shaftesbury won the team race with other runners STEVE LOWE (5th) HUGH STARKEY (11th) and ANDY LUNNON (15th). For those who have a smattering of French this is the newspaper cutting Kingston Mills wins Saint-Sebastien race March 1982

The newspaper cutting makes much of ALAIN MIMOUN (aged 61) winning the veterans race (31.51). We used to see MIMOUN regularly on our visits to France for road races. He was, of course, Olympic champion in the marathon at the 1956 Melbourne games (2:25.00) jhaving been silver medalist behind EMILE ZATOPEK in the 10000 metres (30:47.4) at London (1948) and (29:32.8) at Helsinki (1952) also silver for the 5000m (14:07.4) at those games.

VIRTUAL ISORACE01 10 MILES Hope you’re enjoying this weather and logging some miles too. I just thought I’d send you another email about our virtual race on the 20th June.
We do wholly believe your runners would love to take part, we’ve built this entire race around runners and we’ve worked super hard to get some awesome prizes and giveaways together. Over the weekend we’re giving away a pair of the shoes that ELIUD KIPCHOGE wore on his sub-2hr marathon. We’ve also got live yoga and personal training starting next week, a podcast with pro trail runners and an ex-elite coach. This stuff is all happening on our instagram, you don’t even have to sign up to enjoy it all!
We’ve built this stuff specifically for runners across the country, members of running clubs who have had races cancelled and have little motivation to train. Not to mention it’s all for charities Mind UK and The Eden Project.
If you have any further questions or would like to chat with us personally, please let us know and we’ll be happy to call you and explain more about us! Link to Information and how to enter Virtual Entry Pack
All the best OLLY FAWCETT Race Director T: +44 (0) 7531 204220

10 TOP LONDON MARATHON MOMENTS The following was from the Virgin Money London Marathon website.
Experienced marathoner STEVE SMYTHE shares the races that he will always remember. STEVE, who has achieved a 40-year span of sub-three-hour marathons, would have been running his 39th London Marathon in April. When news of the 40th edition’s postponement was confirmed, he sat down to reflect on his top 10 moments so far as a fan. 

1981 The inaugural London Marathon took place on March 29 with a few missing the start because the clocks went forward. 20,000 applicants were whittled down to 7055 starters and 6255 finishers.
In near windless conditions and light drizzle, Norway’s INGE SIMONSEN and USA’s DICK BEARDSLEY decided not to race it out and shared victory in (2:11:48). The almost exclusively British field was led by 1971 European runner-up TREVOR WRIGHT in third (2:12:53) and former UK 1500m record-holder MIKE KEARNS (2:13:37) in fourth. JOYCE SMITH won the women’s race (held with the men) in a British record of (2:29:57), exactly nine minutes ahead of New Zealand’s GILLIAN DRAKE.

1985 While nowadays the race is Kenyan dominated, back then it was Britain’s men who led the way and there was a fourth successive UK men’s victory as Welsh world record-holder STEVE JONES won in (2:08:16), despite a brief toilet stop near the Tower of London. It would remain a course record for a dozen years. In second, the 1984 winner CHARLIE SPEDDING set an English record of (2:08:33) while Scot ALLISTER HUTTON was third in (2:09:16) to share the podium around the home nations. The women ran with the men and INGRID KRISTIANSON benefitted from the company to smash the world record with a groundbreaking (2:21:06). It would last as a world record for 13 years and a course record for 17 years. Seven minutes back in second, SARAH ROWELL set a British record of (2:28:06) while SALLY-ANN HALES set an 11-minute PB in third with (2:28:38). 

1989 The race was the best ever men’s field and also the best race yet as it was all decided on the finish on The Mall. Japanese-based Kenyan world champion DOUGLAS WAKIIHURI outsprinted Australia’s STEVE MONAGHETTI (2:09:06) and Djibouti’s AHMED SALAH (2:09:09). TONY MILOVSOROV was the leading Briton in sixth in (2:09:54). Eight years after finishing ninth in the first London Marathon, VERONIQUE MAROT won in a British record (2:25:56) from future 1991 world champion WANDA PANFIL of Poland. MAROT’S British record would last 13 years. 

1993 There had not been an English victory since CHARLIE SPEDDING in 1984 and this proved to be the last ever men’s win. The Commonwealth 10,000m champion EAMONN MARTIN showed his great finishing speed on his debut marathon as he sprinted away from Mexican ISIDIRO RICO on the finish on Westminster Bridge. The Basildon athlete won by three seconds in (2:10:50). Poland’s GRZEGORZ GAJDUS was third, 17 seconds back on the winner, Cornwall’s DAVE BUZZA finished sixth in (2:12:24). LIZ MCCOLGAN lost her unbeaten marathon record as KATRIN DORRE retained her title in (2:27:09) with a very strong last few miles. Commonwealth champion LISA ONDIEKI was second around 100m back, with a disappointed MCCOLGAN third in (2:29:37). GILLIAN ADAMS, who had been third in the inaugural 1981 race, finished 10th and second Briton. There were a record number of finishers as 24,448 made it to the finish line.

Note: Shaftesbury’s MIKE O’REILLY was the designated pacemaker until the halfway point. MIKE is currently our club record holder for the Marathon (2:10.39), which was set in Fukuoka, Japan on 5 December 1993. MIKE was trained by BOB PARKER. 

1997 STEVE JONES’ 12-year-old course record finally fell in an exciting race won by 1992 champion and former race cyclist ANTONIO PINTO. PINTO was back in sixth at 20 miles, some way off a leading pack which included Olympic champion JOSIAH THUGWANE and STEFANO BALDINI, but it was the Portuguese PINTO who finished the strongest to win in (2:07:55), two seconds ahead of BALDINI, with 13 seconds covering the top four. Britain’s RICHARD NERURKAR was in the thick of the battle until the last few miles and finished fifth in (2:08:36) while PAUL EVANS was also inside 2:10 with (2:09:18) in eighth. The previous year LIZ MCCOLGAN had easily won the women’s race and was followed home by JOYCE CHEPCHUMBA. The position was reversed a year later though the Scot led into the finishing straight but could not quite hold off the Kenyan who won by a second in (2:26:51). A record 29,189 finished.

2002 There was a record-breaking event as KHALID KHANNOUCHI improved his world record to (2:05:38) and PAULA RADCLIFFE set a women’s-only record of (2:18:56).
It was a classic race which came down to the Embankment as world record-holder KHANNOUCHI surged away from two of the greatest track runners in history, PAUL TERGAT, the Olympic 10,000m silver medallist, and his conqueror from Sydney, HAILE GEBRESELASSIE.
The Moroccan-born American had to work hard to get away from TERGAT, who finished 10 seconds back in (2:05:48) to go second all-time.
GEBRESELASSIE, who was to later add the world record to his many track marks, suffered in the last few miles as he paid for avoiding sports drinks and relying just on water and he was third in (2:06:35), 17 seconds ahead of defending champion ABDELKADER EL MOUAZIZ.
Such was the quality, European champion and Olympic champion-to be STEFANO BALDINI was only sixth and previous course record-holder ANTONIO PINTO seventh, just ahead of leading Briton MARK STEINLE (2:09:17).
Britain did even better in the women’s race as RADCLIFFE won by over three minutes.
The early pace was nothing special but RADCLIFFE broke clear at nine miles and was full of running and covered the 24th and 25 miles in 5:09 and 5:06. Only CATHERINE NDEREBA had gone faster in a mixed race in Chicago, and then only nine seconds quicker.
There were also record numbers of applicants (99,000), accepted applicants (46.083), starters (33,297) and finishers (32,989).

2003 In her second marathon PAULA RADCLIFFE set a world record of (2:17:18) in Chicago, but that was nothing compared to what she did in London six months later.
With the aid of male pacemakers, she took almost two minutes off her record time with (2:15:25) in what many thought was the greatest female endurance run in history.
In perfect conditions, she went through half way well on target in (68:02) and she continued to churn out 5:10 miles as she passed 30km and 20 miles in world bests of (1:36:39) and (1:43:34).
Despite the torrid pace, and suffering from stomach cramps, she actually sped up. She covered the second half in (67:23) and the last 10km well inside 32 minutes.
The former world record-holder and world champion CATHERINE NDEREBA ran (2:19:55) but was an astonishing four and a half minutes behind.
NDEREBA and third-placer DEENA DROSSIN (2:21:16) would match these positions in the following year’s Olympics in which RADCLIFFE dropped out at 20 miles.
The world record would last for 16 years.
While the women’s event was barely a race, the men’s was a superb battle with seven seconds covering the top six as they all sprinted on to the finish on The Mall.
GEZAHEGNE ABERA, the reigning world and Olympic champion, won in (2:07:56), sharing the winning time with STEFANO BALDINI, a second up on JOSEPH NGOLEPUS.
PAUL TERGAT, who had been second the previous two years, was fourth this time but was closer to the winner as he was just four seconds back.
2009 The Olympic champion SAMUEL WANJIRU eyed a world record and in perfect conditions, the pacemakers blasted through 5km in (14:06) which is inside two hour pace for the full distance.
The tempo slowed slightly but it was still inside world record pace at 10km (28:30) and 15km (43:12).
The half way time of (61:35) was the fastest in marathon history.
The pace slowed a little until HENDRICK RAMAALA kicked in a (4:37) 19th mile.
WANJIRU took the pace on himself in the 20th mile and a (4:40) and (4:46) mile got him clear but he was chased hard all the way by TSEGAYE KEBEDE and often the gap was just a few seconds.
The Olympic champion, who was to tragically die very young two years later at the age of 24 in a fall from his balcony, won by 10 seconds in a course record of (2:05:10), 10 seconds ahead of KEBEDE.
Olympic silver medallist JAOUAD GHARIB finished third in (2:05:27).
It was Kenya’s sixth win in a row. ANDI JONES was the leading Briton in 13th in (2:15:20).
The women’s race was not of the same quality and Germany’s IRINA MIKITENKO retained her title in (2:22:11) as MARA YAMAUCHI set a two-minute PB of (2:23:12) in second place.
Altogether there were 155,000 applicants and 35,375 finished.

2016 ELIUD KIPCHOGE retained his title and finished just eight seconds outside the world record despite cold and windy conditions but did set a course record of (2:03:05).
The early pace was fast with eight going through half way in a best on record (61:24) and KIPCHOGE and STANLEY BIWOTT set a 30km world record of (1:27:13).
The Kenyan moved away in the last 5km and won by 46 seconds from Biwott, with world 5000m and 10,000m world record-holder KENENISA BEKELE well back in third in (2:06:36).
CALLUM HAWKINS was the leading Briton in eighth in (2:10:52) to seal his selection for Rio, where he went on to be a superb ninth.
The women’s race was even more dramatic as JEMIMA SUMGONG survived a fall at 22 miles and then narrowly held off the challenge of defending champion TIGIST TUFA to win by five seconds in (2:22:58).
ALYSON DIXON was the leading Briton in 13th in (2:31:52) which sealed her Olympic place.
There were a record 39,140 finishers from 247,069 applications – almost 75,000 more than any previous year.

2019 The race was billed as a battle between world record-holder ELIUD KIPCHOGE and European record-holder and multiple Olympic track champion MO FARAH.
It proved a no contest as the brilliant Kenyan won the men’s race for a record fourth time and despite blustery conditions, improved the course record to (2:02:37) in running the second fastest time in history.
His (4:30) 25th mile gave him a 18-second win over MOSINAT GEREMEW’S Ethiopian record (2:02:55), MULE WASIHUN was third in (2:03:16).
FARAH dropped off the pace after half way was reached in (61:37) and though he found the second half hard, battled on finish fifth in 2:05:39, three minutes down on the winner and just outside his European record time from winning in Chicago. In 10th, CALLUM HAWKINS set a Scottish record (2:08:14).
The women’s race began at a modest pace and half way was reached in a modest (71:38).
However, there was nothing modest about the second half as BRIGID KOSGEI blasted an unprecedented (66:42) second half to run (2:18:20) and take almost two minutes out of defending champion VIVIAN CHERUIYOT (2:20:14) in the last 10km. KOSGEI would go on to smash RADCLIFFE’S 2003 world record in Chicago.
The leading Briton was CHARLOTTE PURDUE in 10th in a huge PB of (2:25:38).
A record 42,549 finished (42,906 started), breaking the 2018 mark of 40,273.

THE BEAMON JUMP BY TOM MCNABMexico City,1968. It is morning and I am perched high in the windy stands, as the qualifying rounds of the Olympic long jump begin. BOB BEAMON storms in for his first jump but is about forty centimetres beyond the board. In his second attempt he hits the board, but it is a massive foul.
Olympic oblivion beckons. BOB enters into conference with RALPH BOSTON who almost certainly advises him to put his approach run about half a metre back, and the qualifying-distance of (7.50m) will be his.
BEAMON again storms in and takes off about sixty centimetres from the front of the board, and I reckon that his take-off to landing distance must be around (8.60m), well beyond the world record. But I would be a liar if I were to say that I predicted what would occur a day later.
By then the wind had changed, and the final took place at the other end of the stadium, and I sat with a pack of coaches and athletes directly above the pit. On his first jump BEAMON surged in, smacked a full twenty centimetres of board and soared, landing well beyond the end of the measuring device, tumbling forward into the end of the pit.
The little Mexican official sitting at the take-off board clutching red and white flags little realised that in a moment she would become a part of athletics history. She looked down at the board for what seemed to be an eternity. Then she slowly raised the white flag.
But the operator of the measuring device could not locate BEAMON’S mark, simply because he had landed well beyond it. Chaos.
Then IAAF chairman ADRIAN PAULEN suddenly appeared and promptly took charge, immediately summoned a steel tape, and the jump was measured. Then the figures (8.90m) suddenly appeared on the score-board, and were rapidly converted by an athlete at my side to twenty nine feet two and a half inches.
But at the end of the runway the metric distance meant nothing to BOB BEAMON, and when it was converted for him into Imperial measurement, he immediately collapsed.
For me, this was to be the moment of my athletics life. But it is worth observing that BEAMON might easily have gone out beyond nine metres. Because his ten percent of extra flight-time meant that he finished his one and a half hitch kick too early. Thus he rotated forward, landing with a poor, bent knee leg-shoot.
And that single jump convinced me of the essential simplicity of long jump. Which is a fast accurate run, hitting plenty of board in a good position and exploding hard out of it. That was consequently what, over thirty years later, I was to teach a 16 year old footballer called GREG RUTHERFORD.

BRITISH ATHLETICS LEAGUE 50TH YEAR BOOK We are delighted to announce that a publication celebrating 50 years of British Athletics League history is now available to purchase.
Copies can be bought for £5, or £8 for two, and £10 for three, which is the maximum order. The cost includes postage and packing, with all money raised going to help young athletes through the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, which has also supported many BAL athletes on their journey along the athletics pathway.
To order, simply email geoffrey.morphitis@capeandd.com with the details of your order and make an online payment of the appropriate amount to;
ACCOUNT NAME : SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS, BANK : HSBC, ACCOUNT NUMBER : 41308378, SORT CODE : 400426
The publication itself features a range of nostalgic contributions from athletes, committee members, team managers and officials. Olympic champion and President of World Athletics, SEBASTIAN COE said: “The competition has been of constant high standard and I remember fondly my own competitions as a member of the Haringey team that were not only important for the club and its status but were important stepping stones to championships later in the season.”
There are great stories of feats that will impress, surprise and amuse you, from exhausted athletes doubling-up to score points, to guitar sing-alongs on team buses. Liverpool Harriers’ MIKE HOLMES has provided a fascinating series of archive reports that bring the piece to life, as do images by MARK SHEARMAN and MELISSA GRESSWELL. Statistical information has also been compiled by PETER MATTHEWS, with a club-by-club directory of every team to compete over the last five decades put together by MIKE HEATH.
Please note that orders will be satisfied on a first come first served basis. No booklets will be sent until payments have cleared so allow please allow seven working days between order and delivery.

ENGLAND ATHLETICS DRAFT COMPETITION PROGRAMME – England Athletics have just published  May 2020 version 9 of The Draft Competition Programme for the period w/e 19 July to w/e 27 September. This sets the structure for joint men/women meetings which SBH hopes to follow.

All the promotions listed below are subject to: –
1. Government lifting the present lockdown by 1 July so as to allow group gatherings
2. UKA issuing specific instructions to allow compliance with Government requirements
3. Obtaining a sufficient number of appropriately qualified officials from the participating clubs
4. Facility availability
5. Securing a suitable First Aid provision
6. Receipt of the appropriate licences from UKA

Saturday 25 July – LICC (1) – Allianz Park – all age groups, Sunday 26 July – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (1) – Allianz Park – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Sunday 2 August – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (1) – Bedford – U20 / Senior, Saturday 8 August – LICC (2) – Allianz Park – all age groups, Sunday 9 August – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (2) –  Venue TBA – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Sunday 16 August – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (2) – Venue TBA – U20 / Senior, Saturday 22 August – LICC (3) – Allianz Park – all age groups, Sunday 23 August – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (3) –  Bromley – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Saturday 5 September – U15/U17 Southern Area Championships – Venue TBA, Sunday 6 September – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (3) – Venue TBA – U20 / Senior, Saturday 12 September – U20/Senior Southern Area Championships – Venue TBA, Saturday 19 September – U15/U17 England Championships – Venue TBA, Saturday 26 September – U20/Senior England Championships – Venue TBA

The British Championships are due to be held in Manchester on 8/9 August, however, they have not yet been confirmed.

YOU CAN JOIN TY HOLDEN’S CIRCUIT SESSION ON ZOOM – TY will be holding a circuit session on Zoom, which is a conferencing platform, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6pm. If you wish to join, please email TY at dtyholden@yahoo.co.uk and he will email you an ID number for you to join in. Zoom can accommodate up to 100 users at a time.

ENGLAND ATHLETICS CORONAVIRUS HELP FOR ATHLETES Many thanks to TUNJI who as reported on the 19 March newsletter is the father of NIAH AKINTOKUN. 
In these unprecedented times, I wanted to draw the club’s attention to some of the great resources available online. England Athletics is expanding its campaign to support Athletics and Running for everyone @home, with a focus on ‘Running @home’ support and advice. The homepage can be accessed here
There are many webinars, interviews and tips from top coaches and athletes on how to stay conditioned and focused.
In addition, there are some fantastic videos for 4-11yr olds on the Funetics webpage put together in conjunction with England Athletics.  The videos demonstrate parents and children (aged 4-11) taking part in FUN activities based on fundamental core movement skills: running, jumping and throwing. Funetics is a programme that has been designed to reflect the requirements of the National Curriculum Key Stage 1 and 2. At this time when our children are currently schooling at home, we hope that these video activities will support the need for education to continue at home.  You can access the videos here   TUNJI AKINTOKUN MBE – Non Executive Director, England Athletics

THE FOLLOWING SBH DOCUMENTS/INFORMATION CAN EITHER BE VIEWED, DOWNLOADED OR PRINTED 
SBH 2020 Summer Fixture Card Front Sheet Summer 2020 Fixture Card Front Sheet Final Issue 12-02-20
SBH 2020 Summer Fixture Card Fixtures, Updated 30-04-20 Showing Cancelled & Postponed Fixtures – Summer 2020 Fixture Card – Updated 30-04-20 Showing Cancelled & Postponed Fixtures
Track and Field Team Managers Detailshttp://sbharriers.co.uk/athletics/track-field/team-managers/
Road Running Team Managers Detailshttp://sbharriers.co.uk/athletics/road-running/team-managers/

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION OF INTEREST CAN BE FOUND ON THE SBH HOME PAGE BY USING THIS LINK, THEN SELECT THE LEFT OR RIGHT ARROWhttp://sbharriers.co.uk/
Allianz Park Membership, which gives SBH members 10% discount on entry to the Allianz Park stadium – Membership details and Form can be either printed or downloaded
Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Club Hoody, information on how to purchase one, please go to the bottom of this Newsletter

SBH MIDWEEK JUMPS CLUB AT ALLIANZ PARK  Currently Suspended. POLE VAULTERS REQUIRED FOR 2020 Currently Suspended. STEEPLECHASE TRAINING AT ALLIANZ PARK  Currently Suspended.

PARKRUN 5K RESULTS – Currently Suspended

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.

UPCOMING SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS FIXTURES AND OTHER FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS – Due to the Coronavirus situation, all fixtures further notice. All fixtures have been Cancelled until the Tuesday 30 June, this is the link to the SBH Fixture Card updated on the 30 AprilSummer 2020 Fixture Card – Updated 30-04-20 Showing Cancelled & Postponed Fixtures

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 used. Also, I would appreciate if you could send me any photographs, which I can then publish on the website and newsletter.

CLUB EMBROIDERED RED HOODIES Currently there are now over 750 Hoodies in circulation, this is the link giving details on how you can order your Club Hoody for £35, which includes having your name embroidered on the front Club Hoodies Updated 01-07-19

FACEBOOK – Photographs can be found on the SBH page.

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 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

ALLIANZ PARK – Main Switchboard telephone number is 0203 675 7250.

CHARGES FOR USING ALLIANZ PARK – Currently the stadium is closed for athletics until the 31 May.

ALAN