Happy Birthday from Thursday 19 December to Wednesday 1 January – Helena Agholor, Angela Barrett, Dave Bedford, Miko Brai-Aloye, Milli Bridgman-Athanasatos, Willem Coertzen, Alannah Fashanu, Nathan Fernandes, Shivan Feifel, Michael Fox, Colin Godfrey, Harley Henry, Jay Herbert, Ben Kaspar, Christopher Kirwin, Kojo Kyereme, Angus McKenzie, Abiodun Oyepitan, Beth Potter, Henry Ryan, Posie Shaw, James Tsangpurides and Tani Sonoiki,

WELCOME TO 2025 – On behalf of the club and myself, we wish you all a Happy, Healthy and Successful New Year.

RECENT NEW MEMBERS – We wish you a very warm welcome, and a happy, healthy and successful time with Shaftesbury to ELSIE BETTRIDGE and JONAH GLAUSIUSZ

PARKRUN 300 CLUB – Congratulations to BRADLEY SINGER V35 who completed his 300th Parkrun at Oak Hill on 21 December.

BOXING DAY BONANZA RUN – Took place at StoneX Stadium, with some 55 runners taking part, 42 completed the 2 laps and 13 finishing the 1 lap race.

2 Lap Race – 1 LEO RONCARATI U20 (11.06.7), 2 AIMEE PORTER U15 (11.09.8), 3 ROAN PARKES U15 (11.10.8), 4 PRINCE VICTORUS JOHN U17 (11.27.4), 5 WILLIAM STOCKDALE U11 (11.28.6), 6 SAM DARCY U15 (11.43.31), 7 JAKE MICHALIK U11 (11.48.28), 8 PRINCE-MOSES JOHN U11 (12.01.7), 9 GERALD FOX V50 (12.06.9), 10 BEN BROWNLEADER U20 (12.21.2), 11 ETHAN SLUTZKIN U11 (12.23.6), 12 ANDREW PORTER V50 (12.40.2), 13 RYLE SINGARAYER U13 (12.50.14), 14 HARRY MCCANN EZEKIEL U15 (12.59.9), 15 MASSIMO RONCARATI U20 (13.12.7), 16 SIMON BROWNLEADER V50 (13.26.8), 17 SEAN SUTHERLAND V50 (13.40.5), 18 WYETH PARKES U11 (14.13.8), 19 MARIA BRANAGHAN V55 (14.27.6), 20 KAIRI TAKI CAVERO U13 (14.38.50), 21 ANAYA EVANS U11 (14.45.7), 22 NICK SAUNDER V40 (14.49.9), 23 LAWRENCE KITT V35 (14.54.7), 24 CHARLIE STOCKDALE U9 (15.17.0), 25 JOANNE STOCKDALE V45 (15.39.0), 26 KATIE ALCOCK V35 (15.46.0), 27 TAHA COCKERILL V13 (15.46.7), 28 KASIE BUBIENICE V60 (16.16.0), 29 EUGENE RIZZA SENIOR (16.39.0), 30 JOHNSON OGUNNIYI V55 (16.50.0), 31 RAY POWELL V60 (16.52.0), 32 ALESSIO CORBO V65 (16.55.0), 33 JOHN KELLY V70 (17.09.0), 34 ISABELA LABORIUEX U11 (17.12.0), 35 ARCHIE STOCKDALE U13 (17.51.0), 36 EMMA REINER U11 (17.51.8), 37 ADAM NEIDLE V35 (18.00.5), 38 ZENA RONCARATI U17 (18.18.2), 39 SABRINA SINGARAYER U13 (18.21.4), 40 ANDREW ALCOCK V35 (18.30.0), 41 GARY ALCOCK V35 (18.31.0), 42 ANGELA CORBO V60 (18.44.0)

1 Lap Race – 1 MATTIO MICHALIK U9 (6.58.6), 2 OLLIE REDWOOD U11 (7.39.9), 3 SETH SAUNDERS U13 (7.54.3), 4 MEGAN MICHALIK U9 (9.29.2), 5 BENJY REDWOOD U9 (10.04.7), 6 MIA NEIDLE U9 (10.11.7), 7 NINA LABORIEUX U11 (10.24.6), 8 SIENNA LABORIEUX U9 (10.25.0), 9 JORDAN REINER U11 (13.47.6), 10 LIBBY REINER U9 (13.50.0), 11 MICHAEL REINER V40 (13.51.0), 12 JIMMY STOCKDALE U9 (13.58.0), 13 JANET MONTGOMERY V65 (14.16.0)

ENGLAND ATHLETICS THROWS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER – Just received the December issue from NICK RIDGEON of England Athletics – EA Throws Newsletter December 2024

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS SUBSCRIPTIONS – Our new Club year started on 1 October 2024. The current SBH annual subscription is £85 (following the recent 2024 SBH AGM) and the current England Athletics annual registration from 1 April 2024 is £19. The current total is £104 and should be paid NOW to; ACCOUNT NAME: SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS, BANK: HSBC, ACCOUNT NUMBER: 41308378, SORT CODE: 400426 – Please advise GEOFF MORPHITIS by email (geoffrey.morphitis@capeandd.com) when payment has been made.

RESULTS
Just to clarify, that the results I publish can be different to those that are shown on the Power of 10. The differences relate to seasons and personal best performances. For example in the recent EYAL results, an athlete in the 200m ran (24.1), and on his profile his season’s best was shown as (23.88) indoors. As the 200m indoors and outdoors are totally different type of events, I had shown the (24.1) as a season’s best.
The Power of 10 publishes separate UK rankings for indoor and outdoor performances.

SAN SILVESTRE INTERNACIONAL CREVILLENTINA 10K – Took place at Alicante, Spain on 31 December.
10K Road – SAMUEL GREENSTEIN U20 14th (PB 33.06) taking 15 seconds off his 2022 time

FRIDAY NIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS 5 MILES – Took place at Battersea Park on 20 December.
5 Miles Road – THOMAS BUTLER 8th (SB 23.48m), NAOMI TASCHIMOWITZ V35 78th (PB 26.57 1st Female), MATTHEW GRANT V35 94th (SB 27.19)

PARKRUN – Can you make sure that you are registered as ‘Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers’, as the link I use to select all results only shows SBH athletes. If anyone is also officiating can you please contact me and advise me where and when.

PARKRUNS MILESTONE VESTS – You can purchase these from 50 to 500, this is the link – https://shop.parkrun.com/collections/milestone-run-walk-vests

PARKRUNS IN THE UK – Last Saturday at parkruns in the UK, there were…
1,216 events – 368,828 walkers, joggers, runners and volunteers – 14,068 first timers – 35,171 PBs

COMPLETELY USELESS RANDOM FACT – Over the last 20 years, 491,853 unique people have walked, jogged, run or volunteered at a parkrun on New Year’s Day! That’s a lot of people bringing in the New Year in parkrun style

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Aldenham on 28 December
PAUL LEWIS V50 4th (20.32) this was his 241st Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Fell Foot, Newby Bridge on 28 December
RUSSELL DEVITT V75 218th (51.30) this was his 329th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at the Harrogate on 28 December
ARTHUR PHILLIPS U17 2nd (PB 17.45) this was his 68th Parkrun, JOEL PHILLIPS V45 21st (PB 20.19) this was his 104th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at the Kingston on 28 December
JAMES DAVIS U23 75th (24.07) this was his 74th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at the Luton Wardown on 28 December
CHRIS PURDUE V35 57th (23.54) this was his 19th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at the Moors Valley on 28 December
ROBBIE LIGHTOWLER 49th (20.55) this was his 6th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Oak Hill on 28 December
JESSE ABRAHAMS U15 2nd (PB 18.24) this was his 9th Parkrun, BRADLEY SINGER V35 27th (21.40) this was his 301st Parkrun, STUART SINGER V60 76th (24.36) this was his 448th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Stratford Park, Stroud on 28 December
ORLANDO EDWARDS V45 4th (20.45) this was his 27th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Thornham Walks on 28 December
ROSS HAMMOND U20 2nd (19.42) this was his 66th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at the Old Showfield on 28 December
RICHARD SAMUEL V70 31st (21.38) this was his 43rd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at the Walmer and Deal on 28 December
BARRY HAWS V50 26th (21.19) this was his 58th Parkrun

UPCOMING FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 6 WEEKS, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 2 JANUARY WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY – The SBH 2024-2025 Winter Fixture Card can be found on the SBH website, in which you can Access/Print a copy for future reference. Also the majority of fixtures Information can be found on the SBH Website under the ‘Upcoming Fixtures’ section.

HERTFORDSHIRE AND MIDDLESEX CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 4 January at Trent Park, Cockfosters (Satnav EN4 0JZ).
Race HQ: Will be at the western end of Trent Park.
Registration: The races will be chip timed.  Numbers, disposable chips and pins will be available from the registration area for Team Managers and those runners who entered individually.  Registration will open from 10.00am.
Changing Facilities: There are no changing rooms, so please arrive ready to run.
Public Toilets: Are located close to the main Cockfosters Road car park.
Refreshments: It is hoped that the cafe will be open for refreshments.
Team Tents and Assembly Area: Team Tents and meeting points should be along the Limes Avenue footpath, in the area beyond Go Ape.  Please be aware that the ground can become very muddy.
Travel: Parking is available within Trent Park via the main entrance on Cockfosters Road, but will be limited.  Given the proximity of Trent Park to Cockfosters and Oakwood underground stations (Piccadilly Line), use of public transport is strongly recommended.
If you intend to drive, please car-share as much as possible. There is NO parking available at Southgate Hockey Club.  You must not attempt to park there.
Cockfosters tube station car park has 311 spaces, cost £8, and Oakwood tube has 114 spaces, cost £8.  There may be street parking on Mount Pleasant and roads off this (EN3 9HQ.  This is about 10-minutes walk from Trent Park.  Please be aware that Spurs will be playing at home with a 12.30pm kick-off.
Start / Finish: Will be at the western end, close to Go Ape.
Start Times 11.00am U11 Boys (1500m), 11.05am U11 Girls (1500m), 11.15am U13 Boys (3000m), 11.20am U13 Girls (3000m), 11.40am U15 Boys (4500m), 11.42am U15 Girls (4500m), 12.00pm U17 Men (6000m), 12.05pm U17 and U20 Women (6000m), 12.40pm U20 Men (8000m), 12.40pm Senior Women (8000m), 1.30pm Senior Men (11750m).
Entries Closed 

WINTER XC POINTS CHAMPIONSHIPS – The Hertfordshire and Middlesex fixture is the fourth fixture for the Under 11 Boys and Girls in their six race series.

VICTORIA PARK SPORTS MEDICINE METROPOLITAN LEAGUE – The fourth fixture of five takes place on Saturday 11 Janauary at at Stanborough Park, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (SatNav AL8 6DF).
The following information is from the 2023 race, and will be updated when published.
Race Headquarters – Race HQ and Registrtion will be adjacent to the Start/Finish at the south side of the North Side of the park.
Changing Facilities – There will be no dedicated changing rooms or showers, so please arrive ready to run. Toilets are available in the amenity block by the Splashlands playground. Extra toilets will be provided at the end of the car park, close to the amenty block. There are also toilets located at the Sailing Centre on the south side of the Park.
Refreshments – Will be from the kiosk in the amenity block on the north side of the park or from the cafe at the Sailing Centre on the south side of the Park.
Course Location – North Side Stanborough Park – See course maps.
Course Description – Start and Finish in grassed field, remainder undulating parkland course suitable for spikes.
Public Transport – Welwyn Garden City Station (Main Line) 1.25 miles.
Directions From Major Roads – Leave the A1(M) at Junction 4, (after the Hatfield Tunnel). At the roundabout take the second exit to A414/A6129. At the next roundabout take the first exit A6129. At the bottom of the dual carriageway take the second exit out of the roundabout. The entrance to the car park on the north side is on your left after around 100m. The entrance to the car park on the south side is more or less opposite but you cannot gain access from the left side of the carriageway. As early arrivers will undoubtedly fill the car park on the north side, you may be advised to go straight to the one on the south side.
Parking – There is a fairly large car park on the north side of the Park, adjacent to the course. There is a very large car park on the south side of the Park, 5 minutes walk to the course.
These car parks are camera operated and you must pay or you may incur a fine. You can pay at a meter by card.  However, payment does not have to be immediate. We have not been able to negotiate a reduced rate.
There is a footpath under the road bridge, providing traffic-free access between the South Side and the North Side of the Park.
Course Details – The start and finish are in grassed parkland.  The remainder is an undulating parkland course with two short woodland sections on each longer loop and a short climb and then descend on each of the shorter loops, all being suitable for spikes.
Additional Notes – The finish has been relocated and is now adjacent to the boundary with the school, and is outside the large loop of the course.
Link to the full information, include Course Maps – https://metleague.run/fixture/race-4-welwyn-13-1-2024/
Timetable – 12.00 U11 (Over 9) Boys (2km), 12.02 U11 (Over 9) Girls (2km), 12.10 U13 Boys (3km), 12.12 U13 Girls (3km), 12.30 U17 Men and U15 Boys (4km), 12.32 U17 Women and U15 Girls (4km), 12.50 U20, Senior and Veteran Women (8km), 13.30 U20, Senior and Veteran Men (8km)..
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run.
Please collect your race numbers from the respective team managers – SIMON KEENE, JEREMY SOTHCOTT and JO KENT
Please go to Start Fitness Metropolitan League web site www.metleague.co.uk for any other final information.

VICTORIA PARK SPORTS MEDICINE METROPOLITAN LEAGUE RACE NUMBERS – I have been asked to remind you that your race number must be kept by yourselves, and is to be used for all 5 fixtures.

WINTER XC POINTS CHAMPIONSHIPS – The Metropolitan League fixture is the fifth fixture for the Under 11 Boys and Girls in their six race series. It is the fourth fixture for the Under 13 and above age-groups

SBH WINTER CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS – The Metropolitan League fixture  is the club championship race for the Under 11 Boys and Girls.

SOUTHERN U13, U15 AND U17 INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at Lee Valley Athletics Centre are 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Saturday 11 January and Sunday 12 January.
Entries Closed

ENGLAND ATHLETICS U20 AND SENIOR INDOOR COMBINED EVENTS CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the English Institute of Sport, Coleridge Road, Sheffield (Satnav S9 5DA) on Saturday 18 January and Sunday 19 January.
Entries Closed

LEE VALLEY LONDON U20 AND SENIOR INDOOR GAMES – Takes place on Saturday 18 January and Sunday 19 January, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
Events are 60m, 200m 400m, 800m, 60m Hurdles, Pole Vault, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump and Shot. For age-groups U20, Senior and Veterans.
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/ligu20sen/
Entries Closing Date Friday 9 January – Please be advised that events may be full before the closing date.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

SOUTHERN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 25 January at Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham (SatNav BR3 1SY).
Start Times – 11.00am U15 Boys (4.5k), 11.20am U13 Girls (3k), 11.35am U13 Boys (3k), 11.50am U15 Girls (4.5k), 12.10pm U17 Men (6k), 12.40pm U20 Women (6k), 13.05pm U17 Women (5k), 13.30pm U20 Men (8k), 14.05pm Senior Women (8k), 14.50pm Senior Men (15k). In the Senior Men’s any athlete has not started his 3rd lap by 50 minutes they are advised they will be unlikely to complete the course in 90 minutes when times will stop being recorded. Start times to be confirmed, as those shown were for the 2022 race.
Entries Closed

WINTER XC POINTS CHAMPIONSHIPS – The Southern Championships is the fifth fixture for the Under 13 and above age-groups in their seventh race series.

SBH WINTER CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS – The Southern Championship fixture  is the club championship race for the Under 13 and 15 Boys, Under 17 Men and 9 Mile Senior Men. Under 13 and 15 Girls, Under 17 and 20 Women, Senior Women and Masters Women 40+

LEE VALLEY LONDON U13, U15 & U17 INDOOR GAMES – Takes place on Saturday 25 January and Sunday 26 January, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
Events are Saturday U17s only 60m, 200m, 300m, 400m.800m, 60m Hurdles, Pole Vault, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump and Shot –  Sunday U13 and U15s only 60m, 200m, 300m, 800m, 60m Hurdles, Pole Vault, High Jump, Long Jump and Shot
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/ligu13u15u17/
Entries Closing Date Thursday 16 January – Please be advised that events may be full before the closing date.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

BRITISH MASTERS PENTATHLON AND 3000M INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the English Institute of Sport, Coleridge Road, Sheffield (Satnav S9 5DA) on Sunday 26 January.
To enter please use this link, Due to open 19 December – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/bmaf-ipen/
Entries Closing Date Sunday 12 January
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

NORTH WEST LONDON LEAGUE – The fourth fixture of five which takes place on Saturday 1 February at Hampstead Heath Extension, Hampstead Way (Satnav NW1 7DY).
Age-Groups U11 to U17.
Timetable – The first race starts at 12.00 noon–
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run. Will our athletes please see TY HOLDEN who will give you a race number

BRITISH UNIVERSITIES CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 1 February at Blackweir Fields, Cardiff Castle & Bute Park, Castle Street, Cardiff (Satnav CF10 3FD)
Start Times –  To be confirmed.
Link to enter and all information – https://www.bucs.org.uk/events-page/athletics-cross-country-championships-2024-25.html
Entries Closing Date Tuesday 14 January
Note: You will have to enter yourselves.

SOUTHERN U20 AND SENIOR INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at Lee Valley Athletics Centre are 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Saturday 1 February and Sunday 2 February
Events Saturday – 60m, 60m Hurdles, Long Jump, Shot.
Events Sunday – 200m, 400m, 800m, High Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault.
To enter please use this link – https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=25932
Entries Closing Date Tuesday 21 January
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

VICTORIA PARK SPORTS MEDICINE METROPOLITAN LEAGUE – The fifth fixture of five takes place on Saturday 8 February at Trent Park, Cockfosters Road, Middlesex (SatNav EN4 0JZ).
The following information is from the 2023 race, and will be updated when published.
Race Headquarters – Located just beyond “Go Ape”, on the right-hand side (south) of Lime Avenue.
Refreshments – Unfortunately, the Trent Park café is currently closed. However, refreshments will be available to purchase from a mobile provider which is based close to the café and close to the Start/Finish area. In addition, the Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (Enfield), located at the eastern end of the access road known as Lime Avenue (approx. 600 metres from the Start/Finish area), has a tea shop which is open until 4 pm.
Course Location – The main start/finish area is adjacent to the race HQ, located just beyond “Go Ape”, on the right-hand side (south) of Lime Avenue.
Additional Notes – A Club/Team assembly area has been identified adjacent to the start area. This is in the area to the south of Lime Avanue and close to the pond. Please see map attached. Please note that the area shown hatched in red must be kept clear.
Course Description – Very undulating course on open, rough, lumpy park land. Liable to be soft underfoot throughout. Some exposed tree roots in places, and two small wooden bridges that could be slippery. The course is likely to be very muddy and slippery in places so is not suitable for ordinary trainers. Spikes are strongly recommended for this event
Public Transport – London Underground – Cockfosters station is the northern end of the Piccadilly Line. The station is 300 metres to the south of the Cockfosters Road entrance to Trent Park (approximately 5 minute walk). Turn right out of the station, walk north along Cockfosters Road, past the BP Garage (with M&S). Use of public transport is strongly recommended due to the proximity of the underground station and limited car parking at Trent Park.
Directions From Major Roads – Cockfosters Road (A111) entrance; approximately two miles to the south of Junction 24 of the M25, on the left hand side, or just over half a mile to the north of the junction of the A111 and A110 (Bramley Road), on the right hand side (SatNav EN4 0JZ).
Parking – Parking is available within Trent Park but is likely to be very limited. Given the proximity of Trent Park to Cockfosters underground station, use of public transport is therefore strongly recommended. If you intend to drive, please car-share as much as possible.
The main car parking facility is at the Cockfosters Road entrance to Trent Park. PLEASE NOTE: The private car park close to the Southgate Hockey Centre at the top of Snakes Lane is NOT available. Please do not attempt to park there – you WILL be turned back. Cars must not be parked on any of the roads within Trent Park.
Trent Park closes at sunset, which will be at approximately 17:00. The gate at the Cockfosters Road entrance is usually closed at this time, but drivers must take care to check the closing time which will be shown on the sign inside the main entrance.
Timetable – 12.00 U11 (Over 9) Boys (2km), 12.02 U11 (Over 9) Girls (2km), 12.10 U13 Boys (3km), 12.12 U13 Girls (3km), 12.30 U17 Men and U15 Boys (4km), 12.32 U17 Women and U15 Girls (4km), 12.50 U20, Senior and Veteran Women (8km), 13.30 U20, Senior and Veteran Men (8km).
Please Note: This is the link to all information issued by the organisers, which include the course description and maps –
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run.
Please collect your race numbers from the respective team managers – SIMON KEENE, JEREMY SOTHCOTT and JO KENT.

VICTORIA PARK SPORTS MEDICINE METROPOLITAN LEAGUE END OF SEASON PRESENTATION – Please join us after the last race for the end-of-season presentations (and tea and cakes!), which will be held at:11th Southgate Scout Group, 1c Chalk Lane, Cockfosters, Barnet (EN4 9JQ).
Directions – Leave Trent Park by the main Cockfosters Road entrance and turn left down Cockfosters Road back towards the Underground station. Just after the BP Garage (with M&S), turn right down Chalk Lane. The Scout Hut is approximately 50 metres along the road on the left hand side (see map). Please note there is no car parking at this venue.
Please also note that the Scout Hut is quite small so there is limited space available. Polite Request; the Scout Hut has a wooden parquet floor so muddy shoes must be taken off and left at the entrance..

VICTORIA PARK SPORTS MEDICINE METROPOLITAN LEAGUE RACE NUMBERS – I have been asked to remind you that your race number must be kept by yourselves, and is to be used for all 5 fixtures.

WINTER XC POINTS CHAMPIONSHIPS – The Metropolitan League fixture is the sixth and final fixture for the Under 11 Boys and Girls in their six race series. It is the sixth fixture for the Under 13 and above age-groups in their seven race series.

ENGLAND ATHLETICS U15, U17 AND U20 INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the English Institute of Sport, Coleridge Road, Sheffield (Satnav S9 5DA) on Saturday 8 February and Sunday 9 February.
To enter please use this link for information and entries – https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=25845
Entries Closing Sunday Date 26 January
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

VAC AND EMAC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Sunday 9 February.
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/emac-vac-indoor/
Entries Closing Date Sunday 2 February – Please be advised that events may be full before the closing date.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

LEE VALLEY AYO FALOLA DREAM MILE – Takes place at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Wednesday 12 February.
Events are Track 400m, 800m, Mile and Long Jump. For age-groups Under 13 and above.
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/ayofaloladreammile/
Entries Closing Date Tuesday 4 February – Please be advised that events may be full before the closing date.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

LEE VALLEY INDOOR FIXTURES – The following 4 fixture are now open to enter from 1 October. Please remember to enter as early as possible, to avoid not to be disappointed. London U20 and Senior Indoor Games 18/19 January (Closing Date Thursday 9 January), London U13, U15 and U17 Indoor Games 25/26 January (Closing Date Thursday 16 January) and Middle Distance Open Meeting 19 February (Closing Date Sunday 16 February)
Link to the 4 fixture details – Lee Valley 4 Indoor Fixture Fixtures Opening 1 October 2024

LEE VALLEY MINITHON INDOOR FIXTURES – Is for School years 3 to 7, in which you compete in 3 events from the following – 60m, 200m, 600, 60m Hurdles, High Jump (Year 6 and 7 only), Long Jump, Shot Put and Javelin (Year 6 and 7 only).
The final fixture is on Saturday 22 March.
Link to information guide on the Minithon – Information Guide For Lee Valley Minithon
To enter please use this link – https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/athletics-centre/kids-activities#%20
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

2025 ATHLETICS CALENDAR – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

All the key fixtures for the coming year in the world of track and field

January 11 UK Athletics Cross Challenge, Glasgow, 29 Belgrade Indoor Meeting

February 1 BUCS Cross Country Champs, Cardiff, 2 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, Boston, 4 Czech Indoor Gala, Ostrava, 7 INIT Meeting Karlsruhe, 8 UK Athletics Cross Challenge Inc UK Home International & Area Match & Celtic Challenge, Leeds and Millrose Games, New York City, 13 Lievin indoor meeting, 15 Keely Classic, Birmingham and Copernicus Cup, Toruń, 22 English National Cross Country Championships, Parliament Hill, London and Lindsays Scottish Athletics Cross Country Championships, Falkirk, 22-23 UK Athletics Indoor Championships , Birmingham, 28 World Indoor Tour Gold Madrid

March 2 Tokyo Marathon, 6-9 European Athletics Indoor Championships, Appeldoorn, 8 UKA Cross Challenge Final and UK Inter Counties Championships, Nottingham, 15 English Schools Cross Country Champs, Ardingly Showground, 15-16 European Throwing Cup, Nicosia, 21-23 World Athletics Indoor Championships, Nanjing, 29 Maurie Plant Meet, Melbourne

April 4-6 Grand Slam Track, Kingston, 12 Botswana Continental Tour, 12-13 European Running Championships, Brussels, 21 Boston Marathon, 26 Xiamen Diamond League, 27 London Marathon

May 2-4 Grand Slam Track, Miami, 3 Shanghai/Suzhou Diamond League, 10-11 World Athletics Relays, Guangzhou, 16 Doha Diamond League, 18 European Race Walking Team Championships, Podebrady, 24 European 10,000m Cup, Pacé and British Milers Club Grand Prix, Bury, 25 Rabat Diamond League, 30 Irena Szewińska Memorial, Bydgoszcz, May 30 – June 1 Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, 31 Kip Keino Classic, Nairobi

 June 6 Rome Diamond League, 7 British Milers Club Grand Prix, Birmingham, 8 USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix, 9 FBK Games, Hengelo, 12 Oslo Diamond League, 15 Stockholm Diamond League, 17 Paavo Nurmi Games, Turku, 20 Paris Diamond League, 21 British Milers Club Grand Prix, Loughborough, 24 Ostrava Golden Spike, 27 – 29 European Team Championships, Division 1, Madrid and Grand Slam Track, Los Angeles, 29 USATF New York City Grand Prix

July 5 Eugene Diamond League, 11 Monaco Diamond League, 12 British Milers Club Grand Prix, Watford, 17-20 European U23 Championships, Bergen, 19 London Diamond League, 27 ISTAF 2025, Berlin

August 2-3 UK Athletics Championships, Birmingham, 7-10 European Athletics U20 Championships, Tampere, 9 British Milers Club Grand Prix, Manchester, 12 Gyulai István Memorial, Székesfehérvár, 16 Silesia Diamond League, 20 Lausanne Diamond League, 22 Brussels Diamond League, 27-28 Zurich Diamond League, 30 Monument Mile, Stirling, 31 Sydney Marathon

September 7 Great North Run, Tyneside and Continental Tour, Beijing, 13-21 World Athletics Championships, Tokyo, 21 Berlin Marathon, 26-28 World Athletics Road Running Championships, San Diego

October 12 Chicago Marathon

November 5 New York City Marathon

December 14 European Cross Country Championships, Lagoa

SEB COE: “ATHLETICS IS NOT AT A TIPPING POINT” – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

World Athletics president insists new, more track-focussed, events on the calendar point to a position of strength for the sport. World Athletics president SEB COE doesn’t believe that the sport is heading towards “a tipping point” as we move into what looks like being a year of change. Events such as MICHAEL JOHNSON’S Grand Slam Track League will take place for the first time in 2025, with the opening meeting in April. It has attracted a host of big names, is generating plenty of attention and is promising much. However, projects such as this and the women-only ATHLOS meeting that took place in September are both entirely focused on track disciplines, something which has attracted criticism and in some cases outright anger from field athletes who feel their events are being marginalised. While many observers might feel that track and field is in danger of starting to splinter, Coe insists that these new additions to the athletics landscape are to be encouraged and in fact point to a position of growing strength. Speaking during an end-of-year media call, COE said: “I take comfort from the fact that we now have created, in World Athletics, a platform where people think that the sport is something that is worth investing in. Those are external investments and the market is a fairly unforgiving place. They tend not to put money where they don’t think there is a trajectory or the organisation is moving in the right direction. “Long before MICHAEL or ATHLOS came up with this thought, I’ve always been encouraging opportunities for people to innovate, come to the table with ideas and ideally activate around fresh investment, so I don’t see it as being a tipping point. I hope that these events add luster to what we’re already creating.”

Part of World Athletics’ creation is their Ultimate Championships that will take place in Budapest in the summer of 2026. The condensed program will feature 16 track events and 10 field events – all featuring straight finals. That, too, has come under some fire for the disciplines that won’t be featured and, as asked, about the reaction from some of the field athletes, COE added: “I would encourage anybody that wanted to invest in that space to do so. “If I narrowly talk for a moment about Budapest, it’s not really about winners and losers. I’m unashamed about this. This is an event designed for television. It’s three hours over three nights. We can’t possibly put all the disciplines [in there]. We don’t have every track discipline in there. “What we’ve tried to do is meld the best events at this moment into the right format. It may be that when we come to 2028 it’s different disciplines. But the main point here is there aren’t winners and losers. It’s not like we’re going to suddenly lose those events that are not appearing in Budapest. They’re not going to go from the Europeans or the area championships or our national championships, or the World Championships, or even the Olympic Games. This is very much about attracting new audiences, about taking our sport as mainstream as we can, tapping into people that like big events but may not watch athletics… all of these things.”

The sport’s schedule is looking increasingly packed, with the arrival of new events meaning that athletes have more choices to make about where and when to compete. However, COE added: “I would rather give them more opportunities than sitting there going: ‘We’re having to scrape a season together and we don’t have the pathways and the programs to choose’. [As an athlete] I had to make a judgment about where I was going and what suited me. I’m never going to force feed athletes into programs that aren’t going to work for them, but I think that I would rather have more events. “If we want to be a professional sport, we have to do more than be a professional sport from May through to September. We really do have to broaden it. We need to have more competition and we need to be able to do that, not only to give the athletes the pathways, but hopefully to create better financial stability for them.”

 COE potentially faces a year of great change on the professional front, too, given that he is one of seven candidates vying to become the next president of the International Olympic Committee. Were he to win the vote in March, senior vice president XIMENA RESTREPO, former Olympic 400m bronze medallist, will replace him as World Athletics president. The man who made such a success of staging London 2012 would not speak about IOC matters on the call, but did reiterate his desire to see cross country added to the Winter Olympic programme. The scheduling of the World Cross Country Championships is currently under close consideration, with COE adding that discussions are ongoing with European Athletics about the prospect of the biennial global championships being staged before Christmas – a potential clash with the European Cross Country Championships that take place in December. The World Cross will next be staged in Tallahassee in January of 2026 and COE said: “[Cross Country is] a really important part of the endurance paradigm and you’ve only got to look at the way African athletes have used it as part of their overall conditioning to know that it actually works. “But we also know that it needs help. It needs space and the opportunity to do that – particularly around discussions that we’re having with [the Winter Games of] Paris 2030 and also Salt Lake City in 2034 as the potential for a reintroduction – is part of our focus.”

HOW TO COMBAT OSTEOARTHRITIS IN YOU KNEES – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

Physiotherapist PAUL HOBROUGH looks at a new treatment for joint pain in the knees of a runner. For many athletes, the joy of running can be overshadowed by the realities of joint pain, particularly for those grappling with osteoarthritis of the knee. This condition is on the rise and has led to many runners hanging up their trainers. Traditionally, the most effective treatment has been knee replacement surgery, a procedure that comes with its own set of challenges, including lengthy rehabilitation periods of nine to 12 months with varying outcomes, rarely resulting in a return to running.

 However, there is a new alternative to surgery, or at least an opportunity to stave off knee replacement. Arthrosamid is a gel implant that can be injected into your knee, with barely any down time, and it’s keeping people on their feet. This therapy is designed to provide long-lasting pain relief through a single-dose injection of a hydrogel-like substance and research shows that it delivers sustained results, significantly improving the quality of life for patients. According to a recent study presented at the European Orthopaedic Research Society meeting in Aalborg, Denmark in late September, patients experienced a statistically significant reduction in pain levels and improved mobility lasting over four years from one single treatment. The best part is that so many on the study were able to return to their pre-injury activity levels. I have tried the therapy myself. I was once on the verge of undergoing a knee replacement due to debilitating osteoarthritis. I’m a keen runner and member of the Masters Great Britain over 50s basketball team but I couldn’t run any more, I was limping as I walked and was sure my sporting days were over.

The pain in my knee was so intense that I couldn’t train, much less compete, and I was considering a knee replacement. There has been little successful innovation in treating osteoarthritis over the past 20 years and, apart from surgery, there are few treatment options that can offer long-term benefits to patients, so I was keen to find out more when I first heard about Arthrosamid. I decided to have the treatment and, just two days after having the injection, I was back on my feet, jogging, twisting and turning on the basketball court. Not only could I run again, but I was performing at a level I thought was lost to me forever. Many patients have reported similar experiences. The hydrogel is the first and only injectable treatment that is biocompatible and permanently combines with the knee’s synovial tissue, decreasing joint stiffness, diminishing pain, improving the function of the knee and enhancing quality of life. Athletes don’t have to resign themselves to surgery. There are alternatives out there that can help you reclaim your active lifestyle. While Arthrosamid might not be a viable option for everyone, it is very much worth taking a few minutes to talk to an expert to find out if it will work for you.

For more information, visit: hobrough-healthcare.com/arthrosamid

ENGLAND ATHLETICS THROWS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER – Just received the December issue from NICK RIDGEON of England Athletics – EA Throws Newsletter December 2024

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS NEW INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT– Many thanks to SEAN SUTHERLAND who undertook a review on the best way forward, following this a decision was made to set up a new account, and SEAN has now set that account up.

SBH 2024-2025 WINTER FIXTURE CARD – The Updated SBH 2024-2025 Winter Fixture Card and Information Sheet is now available on the SBH Website. Please access these and print a copy for your reference

The Fixture Card has been updated on 14 November, and those changes are as follows – Cross Country – SEAA Inter-County Championships on 7 December, venue is now Croydon – BUCS Championships on 1 February, venue is now Cardiff – CAU Inter Counties on 8 March at Nottingham – English Schools on 15 March at West Sussex – Indoors all at Lee Valley – VAC and EMAC on 9 February – British Masters on 16 February – Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Kent Championships on 15/16 March – Essex and Eatern Championships on 1/2 March.

Link to the Fixture Card and Information Sheet – https://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixture-cards/
Document explaining what is contained on the Fixture Card and Information Sheet – SBH 2024-2025 Winter Fixture Card – Information on Front Sheet, Fixtures And Information Sheet
Any changes/information will be published in the SBH Weekly Newsletter as and when available, this is the link to the current and previous SBH Weekly Newsletter – https://sbharriers.co.uk/news/

SBH 2024-2025 CROSS COUNTRY POINTS RACES – Take place throughout the season, these are races that are available to run.
Under 11 Boys and Girls – All 5 Start Fitness Metropolitan League fixtures, plus Hertfordshire or Middlesex Championships. Best 4 out of 6 results to count.
Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, Under 20, Senior and Masters Men and Women – All 5 Start Fitness Metropolitan League fixtures, plus Southern and National. Best 5 out of 7 results to count.
Link to the updated Men and Women’s points tables, following the 30 November Start Fitness Metropolitan League fixture at Uxbridge –

SBH 2024-2025 CROSS COUNTRY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RACES – Take place throughout the season, these are races that are available to run.
Under 11 Boys and Girls – Start Fitness Metropolitan League on 11 January at Welwyn Garden City.
Under 20 Men, 5 Miles Senior Men and Masters Men 40+ – Start Fitness Metropolitan League on 30 November at Uxbridge.
Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, and 9 Miles Senior Men – Southern Championships on 25 January at Beckenham.
Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, Under 20, Senior and Masters 40+ Women – Southern Championships on 25 January at Beckenham.
Link to the updated Men and Women’s Club Championship winners, following the 30 October Start Fitness Metropolitan League fixture at Uxbridge –

STONEX STADIUM MEMBERSHIP – To use the StoneX Stadium facilities for training, SBH members are required to pay a fee. You can register as a member (which is free) which then entitles you to a discount. This is the link to the form to apply for membership – SBH StoneX Membership 2024-2025  The entrance fee on the membership form, cover the period 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2025.

GEORGE HARRISON MBE MEMORIAL DOCUMENT – The document has been put together with contributors from LISA WEBB, MARTIN ROCHFORD, NADEEM SHAIKH, RACHEL FELTON, LIAM and JAMIE DEE, JAMES LOVELL, EMILIA ECONOMU, ALAN WELLER,  KAREN HARRISON,  TIM UNDERHILL, GLEN WATTS, JOANNA WINFIELD, SHAUN CLIFFORD and EUAN MACKENZIE – Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Memorial To George Harrison From Friends And Members 20 April 2023
If you wish to contribute your own memories and/or photographs of GEORGE, please email them to me, either within the email or as a separate attached word document.

CODES OF CONDUCT – SBH have now adopted the UK Athletics (UKA) and the Home Country Athletics Federations (HCAF) Codes of Conduct which set out national standards of conduct for all clubs, coaches, officials, volunteers and athletes in the sport.  The purpose of the codes are to clarify what behaviours are acceptable and unacceptable, the standards of practice expected and the basis for challenging and improving practice.  The Codes are similar to our previous Codes of Conduct which were part of the previous ClubMark scheme.  All club member and anyone undertaking a relevant role must agree to abide by the codes of conduct. The Codes of Conduct have now been put onto our Website, please read these to understand the commitments you are making by being a member of SBH.
Link to the Code of Conduct document – Codes Of Conduct Booklet 2021 (1)

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION OF INTEREST CAN BE FOUND ON THE SBH WEBSITE BY USING THIS LINK – http://sbharriers.co.uk/
Section ‘About Us’, includes Annual Reports, Best Performance Trophy Awards, Individual And Relay Best Performances By Year, Club Records and SBH All-Time Top 10 T&F Performances.
Section ‘Team Managers And Competitions’, shows details of Track & Field, Cross Country and Road Relays Team Managers.
Section ‘Future Information/Results’, includes Information On Each Fixture, Summer & Winter Fixture Cards, Winter X/C Points Tables and Winter Club Championships Winners.

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS NEW CLUB KIT – They are now available to purchase from our club kit supplier, Supreme Sports – click on the link for the full range – https://www.supreme-sports.co.uk/webshop/schools-and-clubs/shaftesbury-barnet-harriers/
By opening the link, you will be on the front page, which displays the men’s items. Click on SBH LADIES for the women’s items, or click on SBH KIDS for the young athletes’ items.

CLUB HOODIES– With well over eight hundred hoodies already in circulation, this is your opportunity to join the club. The bright red hoody is made to order and has your name embroidered on the front along with the club badge and has the Club name on the back. We now have 2 styles, the original pull over style at £37 + P&P or the new one with a full zip at £40 + P&P.
Here is the link to the Supreme Sports website which if you click on it, will take YOU to the new Club Hoody and allow you to then view the full range of Club kit online – https://www.supreme-sports.co.uk/webshop/schools-and-clubs/shaftesbury-barnet-harriers/

ACCESS TO SBH CLUBHOUSE – The new Keyholders to the outside door are TY HOLDEN, CLYDE GORDON, NEVILLE THOMPSON, GREG THOMPSON, COLIN GODFREY and YAMILLE ALDAMA who all use the Clubhouse outside of normal stadium opening hours. GEOFF MORPHITIS and DAVE BEDFORD will also have a key. All other key fob holders can continue to gain access to the clubhouse via the (New) West Stand Entrance and the Trackside Door to the Clubhouse.
Link to note and details for further information – SBH Club House Door 20-01-23

PHOTOGRAPH’S – From time to time we have photographs of our members taken at meetings or presentations which we would like to use both on the website or incorporated within our report to our local newspaper. Can you please let me know if you do NOT want your photograph to be published. Also, I would appreciate if you could send me any photographs, which I can then publish on the website and newsletter.

FACEBOOK – Photographs can be found on the SBH page.

CAN YOU HELP PLEASE – I would welcome any contributions From Yourselves, any impending marriages, or additions to the family, any running or competing incidents, also past warm weather training/holidays (No Club 24 please). Currently the response has been excellent, but if you have anything that could make it into next week’s Newsletter – please email me.

CURRENT DISTRIBUTION OF SHAFTESBURY INFORMATION – Currently I notify members (by email) using “MailChimp”. The reason I changed, was in November 2017 “Gmail” put a limit of 100 addresses that users could send to in a 24-hour period, and currently I send to approximately 850 members each issue.

On seeking technical advice “MailChimp” was recommended as the best way for SBH to go forward. There is one thing you should be aware off is that when you receive an email from me, the footer at the bottom has 4 options, of which one is “Unsubscribe Me From List”. Could I ask you not to select this as if you do you will be automatically removed from my distribution list.

SBH MIDWEEK POLE VAULT CLUB AT STONEX STADIUM – The current arrangements until further notice are that Pole Vault training is on Monday’s and Wednesday’s from 18.30pm to 21.00pm. Please contact the session administrator CLYDE GORDON at clydeg67@hotmail.co.uk in advance and let him know if you are planning to attend.

SBH HIGH JUMPS GROUP AT STONEX STADIUM – High Jump training takes place on Monday’s from 19.00pm to 21.00pm. These sessions will be run by our High Jump Coach GRANT BROWN. There will be a charge of £10 per session.
Please contact the session administrator CLYDE GORDON at clydeg67@hotmail.co.uk in advance and let him know if you are planning to attend

SBH TRAINING AND COACHING – Please see the 2024-2025 Winter Fixture Card, which gives details of Training and Coaching – A SBH Winter 2024-2025 Fixture Card Front Sheet Issued 02-09-24

POLE VAULTERS REQUIRED FOR 2025 – To all athletes young & old – are you aware of the SBH Pole Vault sessions held at StoneX Stadium on Monday & Wednesday evenings from 18.30pm. We have room to coach more of you, why not come along and watch a session and the get involved – give it a try NOW.
Please contact the session administrator CLYDE GORDON at clydeg67@hotmail.co.uk for more details.

STEEPLECHASE TRAINING AT STONEX STADIUM – Check with your Coach for details of training times.

SBH PRIVACY STATEMENT – In becoming a member, SBH will collect certain information about you. Can you please read the attached ‘Privacy Statement’ which contains Information on General Data Protection Regulations – SBH Privacy Statement Final April 2018

STONEX STADIUM – Main Switchboard telephone number is 020 3675 7250.

STONEX STADIUM AWARDED TRACKMARK STANDARD – Congratulations on achieving the UK Athletics Quality Assurance Standards for StoneX Stadium. This is the letter from UK Athletics and certificate showing all area that achieved compliance – StoneX Stadium Award Letter 09.11.21StoneX Stadium Certificate

ALAN WELLER – SBH NEWSLETTER EDITOR AND WEBSITE MANAGERl