Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Weekly Newsletter Thursday 5 December 2024

Happy Birthday from Thursday 5 December to Wednesday 11 December – Hope Baker, Emma Beardmore, Thomas Cadwallader, Janiya George, John Kelly, Nick Percy, Anaya Rao, Joseph Rodriguez, Grace Rooney, Ross Sambrook, Jaden Smith, Nick Smith, Albert Taylor, Dan Watts and Glen Watts

SBH 134th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – Took place on Tuesday 26 November in the 100 Club, East Stand, StoneX Stadium. These are the minutes of the AGM – SBH AGM 2024 Minutes
List of SBH Club Officers for 2024-2025 – SBH List of Club Officers 2024-2025

NEW CLUB RECORD – Congratulations to ROSALIND ZEFFERTT who broke her own V60 Pole Vault (2.44mi) adding 4cm to her 16 March height, and is ranked UK No.1 V60 in 2024, also ranked UK No.3 on the UK All-Time list

SBH CROSS COUNTRY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS – Congratulations to the first winners of the season, which they won at the Start Fitness Metropolitan League fixture at Uxbridge on 30 November. The winners were – Under 20 Men ADAM O’GORMAN, 5 Miles Senior Men THOMAS BUTLER and Masters Men 40+ JOEL PHILLIPS V45. Photographs of JOEL and THOMAS taken by TY HOLDEN.

REG BLACK – I have just been informed REG passed away last week, our thoughts are with REG and his family. Further details to follow.

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

ENGLAND ATHLETICS DISCUS AND JAVELIN MASTERCLASS  Just received the following from NICK RIDGEON of England Athletics – Regarding the masterclasses, we are going for something a bit different with the technical coaching coming from within the brilliant English coaching community. We are then bringing in good practitioners to supplement them.

Talent Development Javelin Masterclass: Target audience: Javelin throwers who are 14 and over and are already on the talent programmes or are hoping to progress onto them in the next few years. Javelin coaches working with club and talent level athletes hoping to support athletes on to talent programmes and national and international championships.
Date: 25-26th January 2025.
Venue: Loughborough University
Content:

  • Saturday – movement skills & ball throwing (Mark Bradford), technical throwing practical (Tom Dobbing, Mike McNeill & Nick Neiland), running mechanics practical (Joe McDonnell – Loughborough Head of Para Sprints), gymnastics for javelin (Scott Knighton) & mastering competition (Nick Neiland)
  • Sunday – Injury prevention (Lucy Eggleton – EA Pathway Physio), physical preparation (Jake Reeve – Loughborough University), talent pathway overview (Tom Dobbing), medicine ball practical (Scott Knighton), planning and communication (Mike McNeill)) & sports psychology (James Austin – Grey Matters)

Booking:

Talent Development Discus Masterclass: Target audience: Discus throwers who are 14 and over and are already on the talent programmes or are hoping to progress onto them in the next few years. Discus coaches working with club and talent level athletes hoping to support athletes on to talent programmes and national and international championships.
Date: 25-26th January 2025.
Venue: Loughborough University
Content:

  • Saturday – physical preparation (Rich Eaton – Newcastle University), technical throwing practical (Mark Chapman & Garry Power) & overview of the technical excellence framework (Mark Chapman)
  • Sunday – Injury prevention (Lucy Eggleton – EA Pathway Physio), throwing technical review (Mark Chapman), goal setting and planning (Garry Power) & sports psychology (James Austin – Grey Matters)

Booking

 If you continue to face difficulties booking onto the masterclasses via athletics hub, please email Enquiries@englandathletics.org

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.

START FITNESS METROPOLITAN LEAGUE – The third fixture of five took place on Saturday 30 November at Uxbridge.

The following is a comparison between the Uxbridge and Perivale results.

The Under 11 Boys repeated there 2nd place result from Perivale, and overall are now 20 points behind Woodford Green & Essex Ladies.
The Under 11 Girls were joint 2nd at Perivale, unfortunately with 3 runners this affected our team result, meaning we finished in 8th place and now 6th overall.
The Under 13 Boys made it three wins out of three, and now have increased their 32 point lead over Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets to 51 points.
The Under 13 Girls unfortunately had no runners, slipped to 9th overall.
The Under 15 Boys and Under 17 Men finished in 3rd place as at Perivale, with 11 runners again, they have now slipped to 3rd place overall 79 points behind Woodford Green & Essex Ladies.
The Under 15 Girls and Under 17 Women with 2 runners, finished in 11h place, although they still managed to finish in 7th place overall.
The Senior Men improved even further from their result at Perivale, managing to finish in 8th place, moving the team up from 13th place to 9th place overall. .
The Senior Women with our lone runner NICOLA finished in 9th place, and are still in 10th place overall.
The Veterans Men finished 13th place at Perivale, and finished in the same position this time.  Looking ahead if we have our normal turnout in the final 2 fixtures, the 2 clubs below us will find it quite hard to catch us.

These are our individual top 10 finishers – Under 11 Boys – WILLIAM STOCKDALE 1st, ARI RUBENSTEIN 6th, DANIYAL JANMOHAMED 9th – Under 11 Girls KEENYAH ADELISE 8th – Under 13 Boys DENNYS PASCAL 1st, JENSON DAY 9th – Under 15/U17 Men CALEB HILTON U15 10th, ARTHUR PHILLIPS U17 6th, EUAN PHILLIPS U17 8th – Under 20 Men ADAM O’GORMAN 1st, TOMMY NARVAEZ-WHITE 2nd – Senior Men THOMAS BUTLER 2nd

Under 11 Boys (2000m)WILLIAM STOCKDALE 1st (7.06), ARI RUBENSTEIN 6th (7.18), DANIYAL JANMOHAMED 9th (7.31), LUCAS XIE 10th (7.34), ETHAN SLUTKIN 14th (7.51) 40 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Woodford Green & Essex Ladies A (141 points), 2nd SBH A (138), 3rd Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (94), 11th SBH B (27) 16 teams finished.
Team Result After 3 Fixtures – 1st Woodford Green & Essex Ladies A (489 points), 2nd SBH A (469), 3rd Woodford Green & Essex Ladies B (352), 18th SBH B (27)

Under 11 Girls (2000m)KEENYAH ADELISE 8th (8.16), ELSIE BETTRIDGE 24th (9.08), RUBY KONVISER 29th (9.37) the winner was Sophie Davis of Thames Valley Harriers (7.21) 34 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Woodford Green & Essex Ladies A (111 points), 2nd Thames Valley Harriers (66), 3rd Woodford Green & Essex Ladies B (59), 8th SBH A (44) 14 teams finished.
Team Result After 3 Fixtures – 1st Woodford Green & Essex Ladies A (339 points), 2nd London Heathside (202), 3rd Thames Valley Harriers (198), 6th SBH A (136), 16th SBH B (6)

Under 13 Boys (3000m)DENNYS PASCAL 1st (11.01), JENSON DAY 9th (11.43), LEWIS WARD 11th (11.44), HARRISON HENDERSON 12th (11.45), TAHA COCKERILL 23rd (12.41), HARRY SAMUEL 33rd (13.12) 51 runners finished
Team Result 1st SBH A (183 points), 2nd Herts Phoenix (171), 3rd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (164), 10th SBH B (52) 18 teams finished.
Team Result After 3 Fixtures 1st SBH A (548 points), 2nd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (497), 3rd Herts Phoenix (436), 13th SBH B (114)

Under 13 Girls (3000m) – No SBH runners, the winner was Violet Muralidhar of Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (12.09) 49 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (121 points), 2nd Woodford Green & Essex Ladies A (103), 3rd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (92) 16 teams finished.
Team Result After 3 Fixtures – 1st Woodford Green & Essex Ladies A (408 points), 2nd Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (365), 3rd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (328), 9th SBH (189)

Under 15 Boys/Under 17 Men (4000m)ARTHUR PHILLIPS U17 11th (13.53 6th U17), EUAN PHILLIPS U17 14th (13.57 8th U17), CALEB HILTON U15 28th (14.39 10th U15), AIDAN MCAVOY U17 34th (14.52 18th U17), JARED MORRIS U17 36th (14.55 19th U17), MATTHEW MAY U17 41st (15.04 21st U17), EDWARD PASCAL U15 47th (15.13 20th U15), ETHAN MOSS U15 60th (15.42 20th U15), SAM CLEMENTS U15 61st (15.45 20th U15), LADDIE SHAW U15 79th (16.52 20th U15), JACOB SUGARMAN U15 92nd (17.45 56th U15) the U15 winner was Arjuna Pflug of Highgate Harriers (13.08) and the U17 winner was Luke Dunham of Herts Phoenix (12.59) there were 59 U15 runners finished and 41 U17 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Woodford Green & Essex Ladies (373 points), 2nd Herts Phoenix (370), 3rd SBH A (317), 12th SBH B (220), 22nd SBH C (71) 30 teams finished.
Team Result After 3 Fixtures – 1st Woodford Green & Essex Ladies (1109 points), 2nd Herts Phoenix (1078), 3rd SBH A (1030), 14th SBH B (573), 24th SBH C (125)

Under 15 Girls/Under 17 Women (4000m)AMBER JACKSON U15 19th (17.35 13th U15), OLIVIA ABOTT U15 29th (18.12 20th U17) the U15 winner was Jorjia March of Barnet& District (14.41) and the U17 winner was Leoni Delvendahl of Highgate Harriers (15.49) there were 40 U15 runners finished and 14 U17 runners finished.
Team Result – 1st St Marys Richmond (202 points), 2nd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (189), 3rd London Heathside (178), 11th SBH (66) 22 teams finished.
Team Result After 3 Fixtures – 1st St Marys Richmond (597 points), 2nd London Heathside (580), 3rd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (538), 7th SBH (332)

Senior Men (8000m)THOMAS BUTLER 2nd (26.50), ADAM O’GORMAN U20 23rd (28.56 1st U20), JACK PARSLOW 29th (29.18), TOMMY NARVAEZ-WHITE U20 31st (29.22 2nd U20), FINN MACCARTHY U23 57th (30.33), OLIVER GREENSTEIN 58th (30.34), JACOB CLEMENT U20 129th (32.53), JOEL PHILLIPS V45 155th (33.36), MARK COTTLE V35 169th (34.11), KEVIN WALDEN V40 183rd (34.29), JONNY SHAW V50 256th (37.01), PAUL LEWIS V50 281st (38.04), TIM UNDERHILL V55 328th (40.17), PAUL MACCARTHY V55 337th (40.42), ANDREW PORTER V50 346th (41.11), BARRY HAWS V50 350th (41.24), TIM PARKIN V45 380th (44.15), PHILIP CUNNINGHAM V60 390th (46.38) the winner was Alexander Lepretre of Highgate Harriers (26.01) 407 runners finished.
Team Result Senior Men Division 1 1st Highgate Harriers A (1897 points), 2nd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (1812), 3rd Woodford Green & Essex Ladies (1471), 8th SBH (1093) 15 teams finished, Veteran Men Division 1 1st Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (473 points), 2nd Serpentine (471), 3rd London Heathside (373), 13th SBH (170) 15 teams finished.
Team Result After 3 Fixtures Senior Men Division 1 1st Highgate Harriers A (5652), 2nd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (5630 points), 3rd Woodford Green & Essex Ladies (4374), 9th SBH (2481), Veteran Men Division 1 1st Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (1446 points), 2nd London Heathside (1233), 3rd Serpentine (1195), 13th SBH (561)

Senior Women (8000m)NICOLA PAYNE 26th (34.38) the winner was Annabel Gummow of Herts Phoenix (30.15) 179 runners finished
Team Result Division 2 1st Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (295 points), 2nd Thames Valley Harriers (239), 3rd London Heathside (234), 9th SBH (670) 13 teams finished
Team Result After 3 Fixtures Division 2 1st Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (972 points), 2nd London Heathside (800), 3rd Thames Valley Harriers (621), 10th SBH (348)

Howard Williams Trophy Juniors – 1st Woodford Green & Essex Ladies (85 points – 11 wins), 2nd SBH (72 points – 2 wins), 3rd London Heathside (69 points – 1 win)

Howard Williams Trophy Seniors – 1st Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (45 points), 2nd Highgate Harriers (43), 3rd London Heathside (43), 16th SBH (19)

Link to the Start Fitness Metropolitan League results – https://metleague.run/

THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL PLACINGS FOR ALL AGE-GROUPS, AND IT THE BEST 4 OUT OF 5 RESULTS THAT COUNT

Link to the individual positions for each age-group, to find your own age-group select it from the column ‘Category’ – https://metleague.run/results/individual-results-2024/

The points allocated per race for each age-group are as follows – Under 11 and 13 Boys and Girls 1st 100 points, 2nd 99, then downwards – Under 15 and 17 Men and Women 1st 200 points, 2nd 199, then downwards – Under 20, Senior and Veteran Men 1st 600 points, 2nd 599, then downwards – Under 20, Senior and Veteran Women 1st 300 points, 2nd 299, then downwards

SBH leading position for each age-group;
Men Under 11 Boys DANIYAL JANMOHAMED 4th (282 points), Under 13 Boys DENNYS PASCAL 1st (298 points), Under 15 Boys EDWARD PASCAL 14th (461 points), Under 17 Men EUAN PHILLIPS 6th (563 points), Under 20 Men ADAM O’GORMAN 8th (1139 points) has competed in 2 of the 3 races, Senior Men FINN MACCARTHY 14th (1607 points) THOMAS BUTLER has competed in 2 of the 3 races, Veteran Men V45 JOEL PHILLIPS 8th (1692 points), Veteran Men V50 JONNY SHAW 9th (1504 points), Veteran Men V55 TIM UNDERHILL 11th (1380 points), Veteran Men V60 PHILIP CUNNINGHAM 13th (1222 points)

Women Under 11 Girls KEENYAH ADELISE 7th (277 points), Under 13 Girls SIENNA DARCY 28th (184 points) has competed in 2 of the 3 races, Under 15 Girls AMBER JACKSON 124th (542 points), Under 17 Women PHOEBE KEMP 16th (333 points) has competed in 2 of the 3 races, Senior Women NICOLA PAYNE 41st (539 points) has competed in 2 of the 3 races

THESE ARE THE SBH ATHLETES CURRENT CONSECUTIVE RACES, FOLLOWING THE THIRD METROPOLITAN LEAGUE FIXTURE AT UXBRIDGE ON 30 NOVEMBER

(13) JOEL PHILLIPS V45
(12) PHILIP CUNNINGHAM V55/V60
(9) AIDEN MACAVOY U15/U17, ARTHUR PHILLIPS U15U17
(8) LUCAS XIE U11, HARRISON HENDERSON U11/U13, EDWARD PASCAL U13/U15
(5) BARRY HAWS V50, FINN MACCARTHY U20/U23
(4) AMBER JACKSON U15
(3) KEENYAH ADELISE U11, DANIYAL JANMOHAMED U11, DENNYS PASCAL U13, LEWIS WARD U13, SAM CLEMENTS U15, EUAN PHILLIPS U17, JONNY SHAW V50, TIM UNDERHILL V55
(2) ELSIE BETTRIDGE U11, RUBY KONVISOR U11, ARI RUBENSTEIN U11, CALEB HILTON U15, JARED MORRIS U17, JACOB SUGARMAN U15, ADAM O’GORMAN U20, TOMMY NARVAEZ-WHITE U20, NICOLA PAYNE SW, THOMAS BUTLER SM, MARK COTTLE V35, PAUL LEWIS V50, ANDREW PORTER V50, PAUL MACARTHY V55
The current record for consecutive appearances is held by JOHN KELLY, who completed 28 races between 1985 to 1990.

THESE ARE THE SBH WINTER POINTS FIRST THREE POSITIONS, FOLLOWING THE THIRD METROPOLITAN LEAGUE FIXTURE AT UXBRIDGE ON 30 NOVEMBER

Men – Under 11 Boys 1st DANIYAL JANMOHAMED (20 points), 2nd LUCAS XIE and ARI RUBENSTEIN (15), Under 13 Boys 1st DENNYS PASCAL (23), 2nd HARRISON HENDERSON (17), 3rd BEN KASPAR (15), Under 15 Boys 1st EDWARD PASCAL (22), 2nd SAM CLEMENTS (18), 3rd CALEB HILTON (16), Under 17 Men 1st EUAN PHILLIPS (20), 2nd AIDEN MCAVOY and ARTHUR PHILLIPS (19), Under 20 Men 1st ADAM O’GORMAN (16), 2nd TOMMY NARVAEZ-WHITE (14), 3rd ABDIRAHIM HAMUD (8), Senior Men 1st FINN MACCARTHY (21), 2nd THOMAS BUTLER (16), 3rd MARK COTTLE (10), Masters Men 40-49 1st JOEL PHILLIPS (21), 2nd DANIEL NICHOLS (15), 3rd GARY PELOSI (8), Masters Men 50-59 1st JONNY SHAW (23), 2nd TIM UNDERHILL (19), 3rd PAUL LEWIS (15), Masters Men 60-69 1st PHILIP CUNNINGHAM (23), 2nd DAVID GREENSTEIN (8)

Women – Under 11 Girls 1st KEENYAH ADELISE (24 points), 2nd ELSIE BETTRIDGE (13), 3rd RUBY KONVISOR (11), Under 13 Girls 1st SIENNA DARCY (16), 2nd ABIGAIL ROSS and GRACE ROONEY (7), Under 15 Girls 1st AMBER JACKSON (23), 2nd OLIVIA ABBOTT (13), 3rd AIMEE PORTER (8), Under 17 Women 1st PHOEBE KEMP (16), Senior Women 1st NICOLA PAYNE (16), 2nd EMILIA ECONOMU (14), 3rd ELANA DIMMER (8)

Link to full list of Men and Women points total following the Start Fitness Metropolitan League fixture at Uxbridge on 30 November – Mens Cross Country Points Tables 2024-2025 Updated 30-11-24  Womens Cross Country Points Tables 2024-2025 Updated 30-11-24

Link to full list of Men and Women Club Championship winners following the Start Fitness Metropolitan League fixture at Uxbridge on 30 November – SBH Cross Country Club Championship Winners 2024-2025 Updated 30-11-24

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN BY GRAHAM SMITH – Meny thanks to GRAHAM, who produced an amazing set of photographs, covering the Senior Men and Women’s races. Many of the photographs were taken whilst crossing the stream.

NICOLA PAYNE

START OF THE MEN’S RACE LtoR THOMAS BUTLER, GARY PELOSI and JACK PARSLOW

THOMAS BUTLER

JACK PARSLOW

FINN MACCARTHY

OLIVER GREENSTEIN

GARY PELOSI, UFORTUNATELY HE DROPPED OUT ON THE 2ND LAP AFTER FEELING UNWELL

JOEL PHILLIPS

MARK COTTLE

TEAM MANAGER SIMON KEENE AT THE FINISH FUNNEL

NORTH WEST LONDON LEAGUE – The third of five fixtures took at Trent Park on 23 November.
Theese are the Team results, the overall results after 3 fixtures have not been published as yet

Under 11 BoysTeam Result 1st SBH (16 points), 2nd London Heathside (59), 3rd Highgate Harriers (72)

Under 11 GirlsTeam Result 1st Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow (32 points), 2nd SBH (66), 3rd Thames Valley Harriers (83)

Under 13 BoysTeam Result 1st SBH (39 points), 2nd Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (53), 3rd Highgate Harriers (55)

Under 13 GirlsTeam Result 1st Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow (43 points), 2nd London Heathside (48), 3rd Barnet & District (58)

Under 15 BoysTeam Result 1st Highgate Harriers (45 points), 2nd London Heathside (46), 3rd Trent Park (54), 6th SBH (77)

Under 15 GirlsTeam Result 1st Harrow (51 points), 2nd Thames Valley Harriers (55), 3rd Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow (57)

Under 17 MenTeam Result 1st London Heathside (53 points), 2nd Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (56), 3rd Maidenhead (70), 8th SBH (94)

Under 17 WomenTeam Result 1st Dacorum (27 points), 2nd Highgate Harriers (31), 3rd London Heathside (40)

BRITISH MASTERS 5K CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Battersea Park on 1 December
5000m – M45 KOJO KYEREME V45 won the Gold Medal (SB 15.31)

LEE VALLEY DECEMBER OPEN MEETING – Took place at Lee Valley on 1 December
60m – SM A01 JOSHUA NAMIECH-OYEBOLA 5th (PB 7.22i), A04 SAVAN MALLIK U20 1st (PB 7.39i), A08 BEN BAMISAIYE U15 5th (PB 8.17i) taking .09 of a second off his 17 March time, B02 JOSHUA finished 3rd (7.24i), B03 SAVAN finished 4th (7.42i), B09 BEN finished 3rd (8.20i)
300m – SM 6 BEN BAMISAIYE U15 3rd (42.32i)
300m – SW 1 HOLLY RYAN U17 3rd (42.05i)
60m Hurdles – U13B A01 SETH SAUNDERS U13 1st (PB 10.41i) taking .28 of a second off his 19 October time, and is ranked UK No.4 U13 in 2024, B01 SETH finished 1st (10.56i)
60m Hurdles – M50 A02 GARY SMITH V50 (2nd Claim) 1st (8.75i), B02 GARY finished 1st (8.74i)
Pole Vault – SX A ISAAC VAN DEN BURGH U17 1st Equal (PB 4.04mi) adding 4cm to his 27 July height, RAMSEY GILL U17 5th (3.54mi), THOMAS ROBERTSON U17 7th (3.44mi), NOAH VAN DEN BURGH U15 7th (3.34mi), SX D ROSALIND ZEFFERTT V60 5th Equal (PB 2.44mi) adding 4cm to her 16 March height, and is ranked UK No.1 V60 in 2024, also ranked UK No.3 on the UK All-Time list
Shot 4kg – SX A NENE HARRISON V40 3rd (SB 10.00mi) and is ranked UK No.3 V40 in 2024

LONDON UNIVERSITIES INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Lee Valley on 30 November
60m – SM H5 SYDNEY MENDES U23 (Middlesex University) 2nd (7.28i)
60m – SW H5 ESTHER AKITI U23 (Middlesex University) 2nd (8.47i) in the Final ESTHER finished 7th (8.45i)
200m – SM H6 SYDNEY MENDES U23 (Middlesex University) 1st (23.25i) in the Final SYDNEY won the Bronze Medal (23.06i)
60m Hurdles – SM Straight Final RUBEN HEDMAN U23 (St Mary’s University) won the Gold Medal (8.09i)

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…
1,214 events – 203,535 walkers, joggers, runners and volunteers – 7,019 first timers – 19,864 PBs

COMPLETELY USELESS RANDOM FACT – On average there are roughly 17 volunteers per event. Every single one has a valuable role, we thank you

PARKRUN 5KTook place at Aldenham on 30 November
DAVID BROOKS U23 6th (20.56) this was his 12th Parkrun, PAUL LEWIS V50 15th (25.14) this was his 238th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at Canons Park on 30 November
KAYLA MiICHEL U23 41st (24.57) this was her 45th Parkrun, ELLIE MCNAMARA 55th (26.38) this was her 42nd Parkrun, SHONA MiICHEL V50 85th (29.07) this was her 132nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at the Dunstable Downs on 30 November
JAMES DAVIS U23 10th (24.26) this was his 70th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at East Coast Park, Singapore on 30 November
STUART MOORE V65 162nd (43.06) this was his 232nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at Hackney Marshes on 30 November
BARRY CHISHOLM V65 271st (31.39) this was his 354th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at Kesgrave on 30 November
ROSS HAMMOND U20 1st (18.30) this was his 62nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at the Northala Fields on 30 November
LILY JANMOHAMED U11 21st (PB 21.47) this was her 28th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at Oak Hill on 30 November
EMILY HATHAWAY U23 3rd (PB 18.26) this was her 36th Parkrun, BRADLEY SINGER V35 71st (23.59) this was his 297th Parkrun, STUART SINGER V60 84th (24.29) this was his 444th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at Panshanger on 30 November
RUSSELL DEVITT V75 268th (53.15) this was his 325th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at Rickmansworth on 30 November
DAN WATTS V35 1st (17.01) this was his 18th Parkrun

UPCOMING FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 6 WEEKS, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 5 DECEMBER UNTIL WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY – 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.

SOUTHERN INTER COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 7 December, venue TBC.
Timetable – 11.00 U13 Girls (Approximately 3k), 11.20 U13 Boys (Approximately 3k), 11.40 U15 Girls (Approximately 4k), 12.25 U15 Boys (Approximately 4k), 12.50 U17 Men (Approximately 5k), 13.15 U17 Women (Approximately 5k), 13.40 U20 Women and Senior Women (Approximately 6k)
Note: You will have to be pre-entered by your County Team Manager

SOUTHERN MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 7 December, venue TBC.
Timetable – 11.45 Women 40+ 50+, 60+ (Approximately 6k), 14.10 Men 40+, 50+, 60+ (Approximately 10k)
Entries Closing Date Friday 22 November
Note: If you wish to be entered please contact your Team Manager

LEE VALLEY MINITHON – Takes place on Saturday 7 December, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
For school years 3 to 7.
To enter please use this link – https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/athletics-centre/minithon
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee – Please be advised that events may be full before the fixture date.

20TH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Sunday 8 December at Antiayla, Turkey.
Note: You will be selected following the trials on the 23 November

BE FIT TODAY INDOOR OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Sunday 8 December, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
Events are 60m, 200m, 300m, 600m, 800m, 60m Hurdles, High Jump (2 spaces left), Long Jump and Triple Jump. For all age-groups including U13s.
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/bftta-indoor-1/
Entries Closing Date Sunday 1 December – 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 U15/U17/U20 AND SENIOR COMBINED EVENTS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at Lee Valley Athletics Centre are 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Saturday 14 December and Sunday 15 December.
To enter please use this link – http://www.seaa.org.uk/index.php
Entries Closing Date Tuesday 3 December
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

BOXING DAY BONANZA RUN – Takes place on Thursday 26 December at StoneX Stadium.
DAVE BEDFORD will be organising this event, with the racing starting at 11.00. 
The issuing of numbers, refreshments and prize giving takes place in the Indoor Track area. Distance 2 miles and  1 mile for Under 11. Only £2 entry fee! There will be prizes, raffle (bring cash) and free refreshments……why not come in fancy dress.
A run or even walk for all the family including pets!. Last year we had 50 runners!  Donations to the raffle welcome with winners galore!

LEE VALLEY NEW YEARS INDOOR OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Wednesday 1 January, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/lvacnewyearsopen/
Entries Closing Date Sunday 29 December – 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

MIDDLESEX AND HERTFORDSHIRE 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 Closing Date Friday 27 December
Note: You will have to be pre-entered by your respective Team Manager 

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 Mapshttps://metleague.run/fixture/race-4-welwyn-13-1-2024/
Timetable12.00 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

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.
To enter please use this link – http://www.seaa.org.uk/index.php
Entries Closing Date Monday 30 December
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. New Years Open Meeting 1 January (Closing Date Sunday 29 December), 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).
There are 2 fixtures on Saturday 17 December and 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
Entries Closing Date Wednesday 16 October – 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

PHOTOGRAPHER MARK SHEARMAN HANGS UP HIS CAMERA  The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently. Photograph of MARK SHEARMAN.

After a remarkable 62 years of capturing images of athletes, AW’s long-time snapper is moving into retirement. At first glance, TREVOR BURTON’S attempt at the British record for the men’s pole vault in May of 1962 might not seem like it should rank too highly in terms of athletics’ landmark moments. However, that day at Tooting Bec in London set in motion another career that has expertly captured and chronicled just about all of the most significant performances in the sport’s recent history.

An image of BURTON in action from that meeting graced the cover of the May 19 edition of Athletics Weekly. The man who took the picture? A certain MARK SHEARMAN. It was the first time the keen runner would see one of his images grace the front of this magazine, but it would certainly not be the last.  Now, after 62 years behind the lens, having covered 14 Olympic Games, every single World Championships with the exception of Eugene 2022 and countless other events both international and domestic in between, the world-renowned photographer has decided to call it a day. There are few top athletes, certainly from British shores, who have not had every stage of their careers caught on SHEARMAN’S camera and the 81-year-old whose work has appeared in publications throughout the globe steps into retirement possessing an encyclopaedic archive of athletics images. Receiving an MBE from the Queen for his services to sports photography ten years ago is one of his most treasured accomplishments, while the 2012 Olympics in his home city of London is at the top of his list when it comes to the exhaustive list of events he has covered. 

SHEARMAN’S final assignment, as it turned out, was the English Cross Country relays in Mansfield towards the end of last year. Going back to his first, as part of an interview he did with AW in 2021, he told me: “In 1962, my twin brother, who was quite a good runner and ran for Wimbledon Athletics Club, said to me: ‘There’s a guy trying to break the British record for the pole vault at Tooting Bec. Why don’t you come along and take some photographs?’ “The athlete’s name was TREVOR BURTON from Stoke AC. I went along and I took one or two pictures, one of which was an image of him going over the bar. My brother said: ‘There’s a magazine called Athletics Weekly. Why don’t you send it to them? They might be interested’. It was the very first picture I sent to the magazine and they published it on the cover. “I thought: ‘that was easy, let’s continue down this road!’. Of course I learned very quickly that it wasn’t always that easy but that’s how it started. I didn’t look back.”

SHEARMAN, a (2:48) marathon runner at his peak, set about honing his craft and became a fixture by the side of tracks and in the field of athletics stadia – not to mention his work at major road races. Having joined the Fox Photos agency after leaving school, he began working for himself in 1972. Tokyo 1964 was his first Olympics and, though he didn’t have any accreditation either there or at Mexico 1968, he still expertly photographed the action from various points in the stands. It was the Munich Games of 1972 when he first officially got behind the ropes. “It can be like a battle plan,” he said of how he approached the job at hand. “You work out where you’re going to be for one event and then how you’ll go into another. I always go through the timetable beforehand and pick out what events are the most important.”

As SHEARMAN puts it, when it came to getting just the shot he wanted: “I didn’t get a second chance. In the eight years running up to London 2012, every time I drove past the stadium being built I used to get really a queasy stomach. I felt physically sick with worry, knowing that I was going to have to perform when the Games took place. That’s the only Games where I’ve had this feeling that ‘it’s the home games, I’ve got to come away with a good set of pictures’. It was nervous tension and I suppose that obviously helped. “I’ve got to perform. In the 100m they run 10 seconds and that’s it. I’ve got to perform eight hours a day for seven, eight, ten consecutive days, so it is quite demanding and I don’t think a lot of people appreciate that.” The appreciation for his work is widespread, however, and it’s the athletes and officials – many of whom he came to count as good friends – plus the camaraderie of his fellow photographers that SHEARMAN will miss most. “It is very satisfying when you get the right shot,” he added. “It’s even more satisfying when you get a shot that you plan to do.” On that basis, he is retiring with a lifetime of job satisfaction to remember.

Tributes… SEBASTIAN COE – Two-time Olympic 1500m champion and World Athletics president For me and every other leading British athlete of the last 50 years, MARK SHEARMAN has been a constant – the man behind the camera preserving many of the most important moments of our lives. MARK has been there in good times and bad, whether we were sweating in anonymity or dancing under the lights, to paraphrase MUHAMMAD ALI. The measure of a great sports photographer is not just the ability to capture the moment, but also the emotion, and MARK us. MARK, I congratulate you on an outstanding career, I’m most grateful for your contribution to my own career and our sport. Photograph taken by MARK of SEBASTIAN COE.

PAULA RADCLIFFE – Former marathon world record-holder and broadcaster MARK photographed my wedding. I am sure it was a different challenge for him than the usual action ones! It was nice, though, to have a friendly face we knew behind the camera. I am trying to remember when I first met Mark and I can’t because it seems like he was always there. It was always great to see his reassuring presence on the infield or press truck as I progress from English Schools to European and World Juniors and on to Senior World Championships and the Olympics. If I look back through my scrapbook his name comes up all the time in the photo credits!. Of course I treasure the race photos but also those lovely shots MARK shared of post-race times with my coach ALEX and his wife, my team-mates and of course my parents and family.

KATHARINE MERRY – Olympic medallist and broadcaster It’s going to be a very different environment not to have MARK walking around with his camera, because I just don’t know an athletics stadium without him. He’ll be greatly missed. Some of the most treasured images from my athletics career were taken by him and what he’s given to the sport, not to mention the way he’s told so many stories through his lens, has just been phenomenal.

GEOFF WIGHTMAN – Coach, broadcaster and former international marathon runner There will never be another like ‘The Shearmanator’. His retirement from our sport leaves a void that can’t be filled. No-one will ever again cover 14 Olympics behind the lens. MARK is now on to his third generation of photographing some families in athletics and has been a familiar and well-liked figure trackside, roadside and especially at wet and windy cross-country finish lines for seven decades. After a while, you get to recognise a SHEARMAN photo. They are always well-framed, capturing the crucial split second of action clearly and always showing the spirit and energy of our sport. That is true from long before the advent of motor drives on cameras and digital imagery re-touches. MARK was always the one to get the shot. His photo archive will serve the sport well for many years to come and we look forward to seeing him socially at athletics events and for a glass of something fruity to accompany lunch at Denbies vineyard. Cheers and thank you, old boy. It’s your round. 

WENDY SLY – Olympic medallist and managing director of AW MARK has been present in my life on and off for the 50-odd years that I’ve been involved in athletics. Firstly as a young athlete running cross country, an international and Olympic athlete on the track, then in my time with UK Athletics working as a team manager and now on the board. We have also worked together for a long time in the publishing world, first at Athletics Today and more recently in my role as MD of AW. At AW we constantly look to MARK and his back catalogue for pictures, whether they be of current athletes when they were young, iconic images from days gone by or sadly pictures that capture a passing athlete’s greatest moments. A familiar figure on the infield and at finish lines in the mud, rain, wind and sun, MARK will be sorely missed by so many in the sport past and present. Have a wonderful retirement MARK, especially relish the extra time you’ll have to enjoy your favourite coffee and cake. It’s well deserved!

JACK BUGNER – Former European 5000m champion and UKA chief executive MARK SHEARMAN has been a wonderful ever-present figure in athletic stadiums my whole athletics life. Like generations of athletes, MARK SHEARMAN photographs are on my wall and in my photo album. He has photographed almost every moment of athletics significance for more years than I can remember. More importantly he is a lovely man with a huge passion and affection for our sport. His photography library is a treasure trove of athletics and helps us promote the sport today. Enjoy your retirement MARK – we shall miss you dashing across the stadium but your many friends in the sport will keep in touch.

DAVE MOORCROFT – Former 5000m world record-holder and former UKA chief executive  MARK is, and always will be, a star of our sport. For many, many years his passion for athletics at every level has shone through in his photography. His photos have helped capture the drama and emotions of athletes and athletics over the decades but it is not only his continuing presence at major championships that will be missed, he has also been equally committed to local and grassroot competitions at all levels. Thank you, MARK. You have helped tell the story of thousands and thousands of athletes for many years and we will always treasure your work.

PAUL DICKENSON, BBC COMMENTATOR, OLYMPIC HAMMER THROWER AND COACH, DIES  The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

Two-time Olympian and long-time television commentator at events like the Summer and Winter Olympics, Superstars and World’s Strongest Man was 74. As an athlete, PAUL DICKENSON competed in the 1976 and 1980 Olympics with a hammer best of 73.20m. As a coach, he advised among others the current UK No.1 JAKE NORRIS. As a television commentator he worked at the Olympics from 1992 to 2014. “DICKO”, as he was known to many, was perhaps best known for his television work and will be sorely missed after dying on Tuesday just a few days before his 75th birthday. He specialised in field events coverage for BBC but was versatile enough to commentate on other disciplines in addition to competitions such as World’s Strongest Man, Superstars and the Winter Olympics. Knowledgeable and with a strong and authoritative voice, he was a popular and familiar commentator in track and field especially for many years. As a young athlete, DICKENSON featured in Athletics Weekly in 1965 when he was featured in the ‘Spotlight on Youth’ column and was described as “the most exciting youth hammer thrower Britain has ever had”.

He was introduced to the hammer by his PE teacher at Tynemouth Grammar School, CARL JOHNSON, who later became his long-time coach. After winning five consecutive English Schools titles in the mid-1960s, he went on to break the UK record in 1976 with a performance that still places him 21st on the UK all-time rankings nearly half a century later. He went on to compete in the 1976 and 1980 Olympics and the Commonwealth Games of 1978 and 1982, finishing just outside the medals in the latter. A lifelong athlete, he was still throwing competitively well into his 60s and hammer throwers he has coached include the 2018 world under-20 champion NORRIS, plus brothers TAYLOR and BAYLEY CAMPBELL.

In broadcasting, his first job was a trackside interview with CARL LEWIS at the 1987 World Championships and in 1990 he was promoted to the commentary box at the Commonwealth Games. He was once asked for the secret of good commentating and said: “You’ve got to sound knowledgeable and you’ve got to make it sound easy. I might be commentating to an auntie or an uncle who might not know anything about athletics, so you’ve got to make it sound very simple. That requires a huge amount of background reading and preparation.”

MICHAEL JOHNSON; “I THINK I CAN SAVE TRACK, BUT NOT TRACK AND FIELD”  The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

Former world 200m and 400m record-holder tells BBC why his new Grand Slam Track series features runners only. MICHAEL JOHNSON believes his new Grand Slam Track events in 2025 have the potential to save “track” but not “track and field”. The first meeting takes place in Kingston, Jamaica, on April 4 next year followed by Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. But it features running events only, which has drawn criticism. “I love this sport,” he told BBC on Wednesday (Nov 27). “But I have had time to reconcile the fact that if we continue to just do the same thing, tell people that ‘you should love this’ or ‘you should understand this’ – that doesn’t work. “Grand Slam Track is track, that is what we’re doing. I am going to save what I think I can save; I think I can save track, I don’t think I can save track and field. “Putting the two together works at the Olympics and World Championships, but I’m not sure it works when you’re trying to create a professional sport outside of those global competitions.” He added: “My objective is to make the sport of track and field more popular but you have to pick your battles to do that. “Based on today’s audience, if you were going to build a sport then you would not build ‘track and field’ because it would not work. It doesn’t work to have four or five all in one and to then call it one sport, because that’s what track and field is.

“There’s no similarity at all between pole vaulters and sprinters or shot putters and triple jumpers. As a sport it’s very difficult to change that but with us (Grand Slam Track) coming from the outside and creating something very new, we can change it. “We needed to get around a single narrative. Only the fastest is that narrative. Whether we can ultimately create something for the field events for today’s audience is to be determined and I’d love to be able to do that, but they are very different events.” JOHNSON, 57, believes field events are not television-friendly due to the length of time they take to complete.

SYDNEY MCLAUGHLIN-LEVRONE, JOSH KERR and MATT HUDSON-SMITH are among the athletes who have signed up to the series so far with more recent signings including sprinters GABBY THOMAS and DARYLL NEITA. However, big names like JAKOB INGEBRIGTSEN, FEMKE BOL and KEELY HODGKINSON have not signed. Or not yet anyway. “My objective is to create the opportunities that athletes have always wanted and to put them on a stage that is worthy of their greatness, with races that mean something,” JOHNSON continued. “To do that you have to have the best competing against each other. That is what is compelling about the biggest sports in the world. That’s what we’re creating. “We want to create a little bit more jeopardy, higher stakes and better narrative.”

JOHNSON also wants to ensure competitors are rewarded financially as as well as a $12.6m prize pot, 48 contracted ‘racers’ will receive a base salary to compete at all four slams. At each slam the racers are joined by 48 challengers in one of six groups of men and women – they are short and long sprints, short and long hurdles, and short and long distance – with each athlete running in two events. Athletes receive points for their finishing position in both races. The combined results determine each slam’s champion – and the recipient of $100,000.

The series has also drawn mild criticism for being very US-centric but JOHNSON says this was part of his plan. Responding to recent claims by UK Athletics that the British governing body turned down the opportunity to get involved, he said: “UK Athletics didn’t decline to have a Grand Slam Track event. We engaged with 10 interested cities around the globe and we decided for year one that we wanted to focus our energy on the US. “We will continue to engage with interested cities. As we look to expand and rotate, that [a UK event] certainly will be a possibility.” Grand Slam Track also finds itself in competition with established events like the Diamond League circuit. World Athletics has also recently been creating new events such as its World Athletics Ultimate Championships in 2026 and there is talk of a new treadmill world championships. “We have had numerous conversations with World Athletics and we have listened to a lot of what they have said over the years,” said JOHNSON. “They want to grow the sport in the US, for athletes to be paid more, to encourage more innovation in the sport. “When we sat down to build Grand Slam Track we listened to that – we built Grand Slam Track to do all those things.”

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

To follow our newInstagram account, from your own account, by searching for ‘shaftesbury_barnet’ or by clicking https://www.instagram.com/shaftesbury_barnet/
To Members and Parents, if you wish for any photographs to be posted on Instagram, please email them to sbh.instagram@outlook.com  If you can at the same time give details on when and where the photographs was taken, plus any other comments.
Please feel free to post photographs of any special occasion, for example, your wedding day, an addition to the family.

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS ON INSTAGRAM – Since the account was setup, there has been an amazing amount of Videos and Photographs contributed with many comments. There is no posts this week.

THE FOLLOWING IS CLUB INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TOPICS

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 WELLERKAREN HARRISONTIM UNDERHILL, GLEN WATTS, JOANNA WINFIELD, SHAUN CLIFFORD and EUAN MACKENZIEShaftesbury 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 LINKhttp://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 MANAGER