Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Weekly Newsletter Thursday 12 June 2025

Happy Birthday from Thursday 12 June to Wednesday 18 June – Dominic Ashwell, Alina Cofie, Charlie Etame, Luke Flatley, Anjali Fowkes-Gajan, Aidan Gaffey, Tony Henry, Gabor Kiss, Rafael Kruskal, Claire McGarvey, Freya Prasher, Kazumasa Saito, Nathan Tadese and Ethan Walsh

HELP WANTED – PARENTS – we need your help to ensure your child can compete at all their events this season!
Volunteering to help on the track or field at just a couple of our home and away fixtures in 2025, will give us certainty early on that the meetings can go ahead. It’s a fun way to be involved on the day, you will still be free to watch your child’s events, lunches and refreshments are always provided at our home fixtures and at most away ones too.

Please contact either GERALD ALTERMAN or ROSALIND ZEFFERTT for further information or complete this form SBH 2025 Summer Availability.
GERALD: (SBH Officials Secretary; athletics@marksman.plus.com: 07956 825781)
ROSALIND: (SBH Officials Co-ordinator: anglo.japan@outlook.com: 07973 822874)

NEW CLUB RECORD – Congratulations to KAYDEN THOMAS who broke the Under 15 Men’s 80m Hurdles record with a time of (11.30 w0.8) at the Southern U13, U15, U17 Championships at Crystal Palace on 8 June. The previous Club Record was (11.42 w1.8) by HARRY WEBB set at Birmingham on 30 June 2023.

SBH TRACK AND FIELD OPEN MEETING – The first of five fixtures takes place on Saturday 21 June at the StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL).
Entry Fees: £5 for SBH members, £7.50 subsequent events. £10 for non SBH members.
Age-Groups 100m, 200m, 800m, 1500m for U11 and upwards. 300m, 3000m for U15 and upwards. 400m, 5000m for U17 and upwards. Hurdles and Field events for U13 and upwards.
Events: 100m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 70m Hurdles, 75m Hurdles, 80m Hurdles, 100m Hurdles, 110m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, Pole Vault, High Jump, Shot, Discus, Javelin and Hammer
Link for information and to enter – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/sbh-season-opener/
Entries Closing Date Monday 16 June
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a probability that the limits for some or all events will be taken up well before the closing date

QUADKIDS – Takes place prior to the SBH Track and Field Open Meeting on Saturday 21 June
CLYDE GORDON and TY HOLDEN will be managing the event, with registration from 09.30am, first event starts at 10.00am, and completion around 11.30am, and is £4 to enter for Shaftesbury members and is £8 for non-members. Quadkids is primarily for school years 3 to 7 inclusive, ie age 7 to 12 and includes the four core disciplines of running (600m), throwing (Vortex Howler), jumping (Long Jump) and sprinting (75m). All are welcome and Parents you may be asked to join in by helping out on maybe one of the events.

TRACK ACADEMY OUTDOOR MEETING – Takes place on Thursday 17 July at the Willesden Sports Centre, Donnington Road, London (Satnav N10 3QX).
Timetable: 6.30pm U11 75m & Long Jump, 6.45pm 100m Round 1, 7.15m 400m, 7.35pm 800m, 7.50pm Mile Run all ages, 8.00pm 100m Round 2, 8.30pm 200m
Link to enter – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/taoc25/
Entries Closing Date Sunday 13 July
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a probability that the limits for some or all events will be taken up well before the closing date

ENGLAND ATHLETICS THROWS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER – Just received the May issue from NICK RIDGEON of England Athletics – Throws Community Newsletter May-25

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, covers the period 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2025. The entrance fee charges have not been increased from the 1 May 2025 as yet, we will be advised of any changes when they take place. Please us the 2024-2025 membership form until further notice.

LEE VALLEY OPEN MEETINGS – They have not published their fixtures yet, although they now say they will be imminent. I sent them an email on 31 May.

WATFORD OPEN MEETINGS – To avoid disappointment, please remember the each meeting opens on the lunchtime of the preceding meeting and other than sprints are normally full within about 48 hours. Therefore the 11 June fixture will be open from the 27 May on the ‘Roster’ site.

UPCOMING FIXTURES – I have now shown as 2 sections – The first section covers the fixtures that SBH compete in and other major fixtures – The second section covers the Open Meeting fixtures, that you have to enter yourselves.

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 2025 is £20. The current total is £105 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. Regarding Master athletes any personal best performances relate to their current age-groups, as Club Records for Masters age-groups are in 5 year periods.

SOUTHERN U13, U15, U17 CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Crystal Palace on 7-8 June
100m – U13G H1 DAMI ADEKUNLE U13 3rd (13.99 w-1.4), 3 GEORGINA WARMATE U13 6th (15.19 w1.1), in Semi-Final 2 DAMI finished 5th (13.84 w-1.3)
100m – U17M H2 TYLER HOLDEN-AIKHOMU U17 3rd (11.45 w1.0)
200m – U13G H3 DAMI ADEKUNLE U13 2nd (28.87 w0.8), 5 GEORGINA WARMATE U13 3rd (30.62 w1.3)
200m – U17M H2 LANI JAIYEOLA U17 3rd (23.79 w1.3), KACEI GRIFFITH U17 5th (PB 24.60 w1.3) taking 1.90 seconds off his 2024 time, 3 TYLER HOLDEN-AIKHOMU U17 3rd (23.53 w0.9), in Semi-Final 1 LANI finished 6th (23.91 w0.2), in Semi-Final 2 TYLER finished 6th (23.28 w-0.9)
400m – U17W H2 HOLLY RYAN U17 1st (59.82) in the Final HOLLY won the Bronze Medal (PB 56.12) taking 2.07 seconds off her 5 May time, and is ranked UK No.5 in 2025
800m – U13B H2 DENNYS PASCAL U13 1st (2:19.46), 4 HARRISON HENDERSON U13 2nd (PB 2:21.13) taking 1.77 seconds off his 18 May time, in the Final DENNYS won the Bronze Medal (PB 2:13.59) taking .48 of a second off his 2024 time, and is ranked UK No.4 in 2025, HARRISON finished 8th (PB 2:19.01) taking 2.12 seconds off his H4 May time
800m – U13G H5 GEORGINA WARMATE U13 5th (2:51.98), 7 SIENNA DARCY U13 2nd (2:32.94) in the Final SIENNA finished 8th (2:32.76)
800m – U15B H4 EDWARD PASCAL U15 6th (2:16.19)
800m – U17M H1 CALEB HILTON U17 4th (2:06.45), 5 SAM DARCY U17 8th (2:11.79), 6 JACOB SUGARMAN U17 6th (PB 2:29.16) taking 3.52 seconds off his 2024 time
1500m – U17M H1 ARTHUR PHILLIPS U17 3rd (4:10.67), 3 JESSE ABRAHAMS U17 8th (4:24.35), in the Final ARTHUR finished 7th (4:08.31)
70m Hurdles – U13G H3 SIENNA DARCY U13 1st (11.62 w0.5) in the Final SIENNA won the Gold Medal (11.39 w0.4)
80m Hurdles – U15B H1 KAYDEN THOMAS U15 1st (11.69 w0.8) in the Final KAYDEN won the Gold Medal (PB 11.30 w0.8) taking .34 of a second off his 1 June time, and is ranked UK No.2 U15 in 2025, and a new Club Record
100m Hurdles – U17M H2 SETH REDDIE-RODDY U17 4th (14.02 w-0.9) in the Final SETH finished 8th (14.16 w-0.7)
Pole Vault – U17M Straight Final RAMSEY GILL U17 won the Bronze Medal (3.60m)
Long Jump – U13G Straight Final DAMI ADEKUNLE U13 10th (4.05m w0.8)
Long Jump – U17W Straight Final GRACE NYAONGO U17 5th (5.39m w0.0)
Triple Jump – U17M Straight Final HARLEY HENRY U17 won the Silver Medal (PB 14.84m w1.4) adding 26cm to his 25 January jump, and is ranked UK No.2 U17 in 2025
Triple Jump – U17W Straight Final ULANI MCCABE-HUGGINS U17 13th (10.25m w1.0)
Discus 1kg – U17W Straight Final ELKIE BAKER U17 (2nd Claim) won the Silver Medal (36.23m)

FBK GAMES – Took place at Hengelo, Netherlands on 8 June
400m Hurdles – SW LINA NIELSEN 6th (56.17)

INTERNATIONALES PFINGSTSPORTFEST REHLINGEN – Took place at Rehlingen, Germany on 8 June
3000m Steeplechase – SM MARK PEARCE 10th (SB 8:36.04) and is ranked UK No.4 in 2025

PFINGSTMEETING – Took place at Zofingen, Switzerland on 7 June
Javelin 800g – SM DANIEL BAINBRIDGE 1st (73.44m)

BMC GRAND PRIX – Took place at Birmingham on 7 June
1500m – Men’s B ISAAC HIRSHMAN-CHANDLER 9th (PB 3:42.97) taking 3.61 seconds off his 2022 time

FAST 5000 – Took place at Maison-Laffitte, France on 7 June
5000m – SW B NAOMI TASCHIMOWITZ V35 1st (SB 16:06.75) taking 47.14 seconds off her 18 May time, and is ranked UK No.1 V35 in 2025

WANDA DIAMOND LEAGUE – Took place at Rome, Italy on 6 June
400m – SM CHARLIE DOBSON (HCA) 4th (SB 44.64) and is ranked UK No.2 in 2025
400m Hurdles – SW LINA NIELSEN 4th (SB 54.66) taking 2.48 seconds off her 31 May time, and is ranked UK No.1 in 2025

DESAFIO NERJA – Took place at Nerja, Spain on 4 June
100m – SM H3 CAI CRAWFORD U23 3rd (SB 10.78 w2.4) taking .38 of a second of his 3 May time, in the next race CAI finished 7th (10.82 w0.1)
200m – SM 1 CAI CRAWFORD U23 2nd (SB 21.37 w2.5)

PICKERING MEMORIAL THROWS INTERNATIONAL – Took place at Loughborough on 1 June
Shot 6kg – U20M ALASTAIR BROWN U20 (2nd Claim) 2nd (16.61m)

VENIZELEIA-CHANIA INTERNATIONAL MEETING – Took place at Chania, Greece on 1 June
400m Hurdles – SW 2 HAYLEY MCLEAN 2nd (58.15)

TRACKSMITH AMATEUR MILE LONDON – Took place at Stratford on 29 May
Mile – SX 7 DANIEL NICHOLS V40 7th (PB 4:56.46) taking 8.17 seconds off his 2019 time

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.

LINK TO PARKRUN RESULTS – This is the Link I use to obtain the current week’s Parkrun results, if you go to the bottom of the results, you can obtain the previous weeks results – parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=1018.
The results shown are for those SBH athletes that added SBH when they registered for Parkrun.
How to use results – Scroll down to the first Parkrun, Which will show you how many SBH runners had competed. To get all the runners details, click on “View Full Results” which will show all runners that had competed at that event. Scroll down to the first SBH athlete, which will his or her age, also if they have a OB, by clicking on the athletes name, this will show you how many Parkruns they have competed in sinc registering.

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…
1,247 events – 244,862 walkers, joggers, runners and volunteers – 12,909 first timers – 36,179 PBs

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Brooklands on 7 June
JAMES DAVIS 173rd (24.59) this was his 87th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Canons Park on 7 June
LENARD MICHEL V55 20th (22.24) this was his 148th Parkrun, SHONA MICHEL V50 228th (58.21) this was her 151st Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Cassiobury on 7 June
PAUL LEWIS V50 13th (PB 19.07) this was his 260th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Felixstowe on 7 June
ROSS HAMMOND U20 20th (19.31) this was his 83rd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Galup Reserve, Perth, Australia on 7 June
STUART MOORE V65 171st (30.04) this was his 238th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Hackney Marshes on 7 June
BARRY CHISHOLM V65 387th (33.41) this was his 372nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Jersey Farm on 7 June
FERGUS WATSON U23 3rd (PB 18.31) this was his 34th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Malmo Ribersborg, Sweden on 7 June
ELLIOT BURCHER U17 7th (PB 18.57) this was his 10th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Oak Hill on 7 June
DYLAN MICHEL U23 23rd (20.48) this was his 43rd Parkrun, DAVID JOSEPHS V50 37th (21.53) this was his 30th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Panshanger on 7 June
RUSSELL DEVITT V75 312th (54.40) this was his 349th Parkrun

SBH UPCOMING FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 6 WEEKS, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 12 JUNE UNTIL WEDNESDAY 23 JULY – 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.

EASTERN YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE – The third of four fixtures takes place on Sunday 15 June at the Ridlins Stadium, Woodcock Road, Shephall, Stevenage (Satnav SG2 9QZ)
Age-Groups Under U13, U15 & U17 Men/Women.
Link to the timetable – EYAL-Timetable-2025-matches-1-and-3-v1 (1)
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager, Those athletes who wish to compete as a non-scorer, please contact your Team Manager no later than Thursday 12 June as the declarations have to be in on Friday 13 June.

SBH TRACK AND FIELD OPEN MEETING – The first of five fixtures takes place on Saturday 21 June at the StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL).
Entry Fees: £5 for SBH members, £7.50 subsequent events. £10 for non SBH members.
Age-Groups 100m, 200m, 800m, 1500m for U11 upwards. 300m, 3000m for U15 upwards. 400m, 5000m for U17 upwards. Hurdles and Field events for U13 upwards.
Events: 100m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 70m Hurdles, 75m Hurdles, 80m Hurdles, 100m Hurdles, 110m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, Pole Vault, High Jump, Shot, Discus, Javelin and Hammer
Link for information and to enter – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/sbh-season-opener/
Entries Closing Date Monday 16 June
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a probability that the limits for some or all events will be taken up well before the closing date

MIDDLESEX YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE – The third fixture of four takes place on Saturday 28 June at the Bannister Outdoor Sports Centre, Uxbridge Road, Harrow (Satnav HA3 6SW).
Age-Groups Under 13, 15 & 17 Men/Women.
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager.
Those athletes who wish to compete as a non-scorer, please contact your Team Manager no later than Wednesday 25 June as the declarations have to be in on Thursday 26 June.

SOUTHERN U20 AND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 28 June and Sunday 29 June at the Horspath Athletics Track, Horspath Road, Oxford (Satnav OX4 2RR).
Link to entries on roster athletics – https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=26423
Entries Closing Date Tuesday 17 June
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.

NATIONAL ATHLETIC LEAGUE – The second of three fixtures takes place on Saturday 5 July at the Moorsway Stadium, Derby (Satnav DE24 9HY)
Age-Groups Under U20 & Senior Men/Women.
This is the link to the timetable –NAL Premiership Timetable 2025
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager

SOUTHERN COMBINED EVENTS U17, U20 AND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 5 July and Sunday 6 July at the Horspath Athletics Track, Horspath Road, Oxford (Satnav OX4 2RR).
Please Note: For all information including entering yourself online please use this link – https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=26434
Entries Closing Date Tuesday 24 June
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee.

UK YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH – The third fixture of three takes place on Sunday 6 July at the StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL).
Age-Groups Under 17 & U20 Men/Women.
Link to the timetable –YDL UAG Timetables 2025
Note: You will have to be selected by your respective Team Manager

SCVAC VETERANS LEAGUE – Takes place on Monday 7 July at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups 35 and above Men/Women
Note: You will have to be a 2nd claim member of Barnet & District AC. Just turn up and you may be selected (dependant on you current performances), otherwise you can compete as a guest

ENGLISH SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Fnday 11 July and Saturday 12 July at the Alexander Stadium, Walsall Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham (Satnav B42 2LR).

Link for tickets and information – https://esaa.org.uk/competitions/track-field-championship/

SBH JUMPS OPEN MEETING – The second of five fixtures takes place on Sunday 13 July at the StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL).
Entry Fees: £5 for SBH members, £7.50 subsequent events. £10 for non SBH members.
Age-Groups TBC
Events: High Jump.Pole Vault, Long Jump, Triple Jump
Link for information and to enter – not on Opentrack yet
Entries Closing Date TBC
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a probability that the limits for some or all events will be taken up well before the closing date

EUROPEAN UNDER 23 CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place from Tuesday 17 July to Friday 20 July in Bergen, Norway.
Please Note: You will selected for these Championships

LONDON ANNIVERSARY GAMES INCLUDING CLUB CONNECT RELAYS – Takes place on Saturday 19 July at the London Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Satnav E20 2ST).

MIDDLESEX YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE – The fourth fixture of four takes place on Sunday 20 July at Parliament Hill Fields Athletics Track, London (Satnav NW3 2JP).
Age-Groups Under 13, 15 & 17 Men/Women.
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager.
To Be Confirmed: Those athletes who wish to compete as a non-scorer, please contact your Team Manager no later than Thursday 17 July as the declarations have to be in on Friday 18 June.

OPEN MEETING UPCOMING FIXTURES, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 12 JUNE UNTIL WEDNESDAY 23 JULY.

WATFORD OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Wednesday 25 June at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav WD25 7HH).
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Timetable – 7.00pm 100m, 7.15pm BMCs, 7.50pm 1500m no times over 5 minutes 30 seconds, 9.10pm 3000m no times over 11 minutes, no under 13s
To avoid disappointment, please remember the each meeting opens on the lunchtime of the preceding meeting and other than sprints are normally full within about 48 hours. Therefore the 25 June fixture will be open from the 10 June on the ‘Roster’ site.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a probability that the limits for some or all events will be taken up well before the closing date

WATFORD OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Wednesday 9 July at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav WD25 7HH).
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Timetable – 7.00pm 400m no under 13s, 7.15pm 800m no times over 2 minutes 45 seconds, 9.00pm 3000m no times over 11 minutes, no under 13s
To avoid disappointment, please remember the each meeting opens on the lunchtime of the preceding meeting and other than sprints are normally full within about 48 hours. Therefore the 9 July fixture will be open from the 24 June on the ‘Roster’ site.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a probability that the limits for some or all events will be taken up well before the closing date

BFTTA OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Sunday 20 July at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Events – 75m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, 800m, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump
Entry is now open via Open Track – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/bft111120/
Entries Closing Date Friday 11 July
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a probability that the limits for some or all events will be taken up well before the closing date

WATFORD OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Wednesday 23 July at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav WD25 7HH).
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Timetable – 7.00pm 200m, 7.15pm BMCs, 7.50pm 1500m no times over 5 minutes 30 seconds, 9.10pm 3000m no times over 11 minutes, no under 13s
To avoid disappointment, please remember the each meeting opens on the lunchtime of the preceding meeting and other than sprints are normally full within about 48 hours. Therefore the 23 July fixture will be open from the 8 July on the ‘Roster’ site.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a probability that the limits for some or all events will be taken up well before the closing date

ZHARNEL HUGHES: I WANT TO REWRITE HISTORY – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently. Photograph taken by MARK SHEARMAN.

The British sprinter hopes to return to Tokyo this September and turn past disappointment into success at the World Championships. ZHARNEL HUGHES is running with a different kind of energy this season. It’s not just about medals or times anymore—it’s about perspective. And if there’s one moment that defines the shift, it’s not a race or a training milestone. It’s the moment his son was born. “I broke down in the room,” HUGHES says. “I just couldn’t believe it—I’m a dad. It is my biggest blessing to this day and it forever will be.”

Six months later, HUGHES is in the best place he’s been physically and mentally in the last few HUGHES and to frequent racing. The target is a full season that peaks at the World Championships in Tokyo this September. “I’m feeling pretty good, nice and strong,” he says. “Last year wasn’t good for me, so I’m just grateful each time I get to compete and cross the line feeling healthy and live to fight another day.” The route back has been anything but routine. HUGHES has been a regular feature in the Grand Slam Track series, a new competitive circuit that allows athletes to race hard and more frequently, often against the same rivals multiple times.

HUGHES has frequently finished runner-up in the Short Sprints behind KENNY BEDNAREK. The American currently tops the Racer of the Year standings, having maintained a perfect record with victories in every round of the series to date. “It’s very competitive and I needed something like that, especially because I didn’t get much races in last year,” he says. “It keeps you sharp. “I do want to compete against some other people as well to mix it up a little bit. But at the same time you’re seeing the same guys and it makes you want to get better. I see the errors I make and I know the same guys will come back again in the next two weeks so it keeps you wanting to sharpen up a little bit and try to tweak your training.”

HUGHES has rediscovered his closing speed, though there have been some things to work on along the way. “In the 100m [in Philadelphia], I popped up too early after a great start. That delayed my transition. But if I can still run (10.0) with an error like that, I know there’s more to come.” Even in the 200m—whether navigating a strange 130m bend in Philadelphia or flying down the straight 200m track at the Atlanta City Games, where he clocked a wind-assisted (19.55) Hughes has shown there’s real strength in his speed endurance. “I’m currently running off of speed endurance,” said HUGHES. “What you saw in Atlanta was just speed endurance, that’s not my actual speed work. I’m still sharpening up my speed and tweaking little bits as we go along. When it comes closer to the British Championships then my speed work will be introduced.”

Behind the performances is a reworked approach to training and recovery. The British record-holder has been putting in the work in areas most fans never see—massage tables, ice baths, and rehab sessions to prevent any injuries. “I don’t like ice baths,” he said. “But I’m doing them more now to keep my body clear. I’m ensuring that my recovery is on point, always making sure I’m eating properly, getting proper sleep and getting regular treatment.” Becoming a father has made him even more focused and disciplined. “Before, I always knew it [sprinting] was my job. But now, I have to take care of my son. I look at him and know why I’m doing this.”

HUGHES isn’t one to dwell on the past, but he hasn’t forgotten Tokyo—specifically the heartbreak of the 2021 Olympic final, where he false started in the biggest race of his life. If he makes the British team through trials, he’ll return to that same stadium for this year’s World Championships, aiming to write a very different ending. “It’s long gone,” he says, “but it would be amazing to rewrite history from there. I’m looking forward to just going over there, competing well and getting through the rounds and hopefully do well in the final. “Obviously, I want to medal. That’s the main goal. But I want to lower my times too. I want to be on the podium. That’s what I’m working for.”

After the World Athletics Championships, the focus next year will be the European Championships on home soil in Birmingham. With HUGHES having secured a Commonwealth 200m silver medal and 4x100m gold at the Alexander Stadium three years ago, he’s now determined to give the UK fans another show. “Last time I ran there [Alexander Stadium] was the Commonwealth Games and the support was just top-tier,” says HUGHES. “Anytime you run in the UK, you can expect that kind of support from the crowd. It’ll be a good turnout and hopefully we can put on a performance for the fans.” As for the new mixed 4x100m relay event? He’s watching from a distance—for now. “It takes time and there has to be some serious chemistry in order for that to work out well. Maybe down the line I’ll try it out. But right now, I’ll continue to watch it and see how it pays off.”

To find out more information on Birmingham 2026, click here.

CHARLIE DOBSON TARGETS ANOTHER SEASON TO REMEMBER – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

CHARLIE DOBSON is hoping the new season picks up right where the last one left off. The 25-year-old is set to open his 2025 campaign at the Rome Diamond League on June 6, following a breakout year that firmly established him as one of Britain’s fastest 400m athletes. His 2024 season was nothing short of transformative. DOBSON began with a silver medal in the 400m at the European Championships, and closed the year by winning the Diamond League final in Brussels — a race he hadn’t even expected to qualify for just days before. That unexpected victory capped a season full of milestones, which included a new personal best of (44.23) in the 400m, making him the second-fastest Brit of all time behind MATTHEW HUDSON-SMITH.

As DOBSON said: “I think the 400m is an event that finds you rather than the other way around.” It’s a distance that wasn’t originally part of his plan. Known previously for the 200m — including a fourth-place finish at the 2022 European Championships — DOBSON made the move up after injuries from high-intensity sprint training became too frequent. In addition to his Diamond League win and individual personal best, the PUMA athlete also helped Team GB claim bronze in the men’s 4x400m relay at the Paris Olympic Games. The team’s time of (2:55.83) not only secured a podium finish but also broke a European record that had stood since 1996.

But the road to this point hasn’t been smooth. A string of injuries over several years, including a serious stress fracture in 2021 during a warm-up at the World Athletics Relays, forced him to miss an entire season and presented the biggest challenge of his career so far. Now fully fit and focused, DOBSON has already helped secure Britain’s spot in the men’s 4x400m relay at the upcoming World Championships after their performance at the World Relays in May. The next goal? To qualify individually and make the 400m final in Tokyo — and once there, he knows anything is possible. We caught up with DOBSON ahead of his season opener to learn more about his passions on and off the track — from engineering and golf to his ambitions for the year ahead.

What is your biggest achievement? – My biggest achievement so far has to be 2024 as a whole. I started off with the European Championships, winning a silver medal there, and then moving on to represent Team GB in the Olympics. We came home with a bronze medal in the relay and in the process of that we set a European/British record that stood for 20 odd years. We finished off the year winning the Diamond League final in Brussels. If I had to pinpoint one thing it would probably be the Diamond League final, it’s a pretty remarkable achievement. Three or four days before the final, we didn’t even know that we were going to be in the race and then we suddenly had to book some train tickets to Brussels.

The league structure of the Diamond League means you have to earn a certain number of points to finish in the top eight. After the last event I was tenth ranked and I had to wait for two people to drop out which was a little bit tense. So we ended up finding out on the Monday, travelled out on the Wednesday and the race was Friday.

What is the biggest challenge you have had to overcome? – So far as an athlete, it has definitely been injuries. It certainly hasn’t been an easy ride to get to where I am now. The last three to four years I’ve really struggled with minor injuries, such as simple hamstring injuries coming at the wrong time up to large things like stress fractures. I think dealing with a stress fracture was the biggest one I have had to overcome because I had to take an entire year out.

What is the best thing about being a professional athlete? – The best thing is being able to do what I love everyday. The saying – you never work a day in your life if you are doing what you love – that’s what I’m doing right now.

What are your goals for the rest of the year? – The main ambition for this year is to definitely make the final at the World Championships in Tokyo and once you’re in the final anything can happen, so I’ll be going for a medal. I also want to start off the season getting more and more race experience. That’s a massive thing for me is learning the event [400m] and learning how to run races differently as well as overcoming different setbacks within races.

When you are standing on the start line, what is going through your mind? – When I’m walking out to the blocks, getting set up and waiting for the starter to set everyone off there is actually not going much through my head. At that point I’ve done all the mental preparation during the warm up and in the call room. At that point I’m purely focused on the first couple of steps and from then it’s taking every step at a time. Every step is broken into segments, and I approach each segment as it comes. The segments are every 50m or so, and I’m thinking at what point should I be pushing and at what point should I be maintaining rather than trying to accelerate.

How did the transition from 200m to 400m happen? – Growing up, I don’t think I ever wanted to be a 400m sprinter. I think the 400m is an event that finds you rather than the other way around. I was always a 200m sprinter and I did a few 100s at the same time. The 200m to 400m transition came around because we gave the 200m a decent go, I ran well and came fourth at the European Championships. But it just wasn’t sustainable. I was getting injured doing the type of training required for a 200m and my body just couldn’t withstand it. So we made a decision in 2023 to move up to the 400m training. It’s harder training for the 400m but it’s slightly less explosive and slightly less intense so it allowed me to have a full winter season of training and eventually an entire full season of competing.

Who did you look up to growing up? – My biggest inspiration growing up was probably GREG RUTHERFORD. I know he’s a long jumper but he’s ginger and I am also ginger if you can’t tell!

What interests do you have other than running? – Whilst I was at university I studied Aeronautical Engineering which is a little bit different to the average subject studied by an athlete. I chose it because my grandad was an engineer so growing up I always had an interest in that kind of field. He always used to take me to Duxford Airfield to watch the air shows and that spawned my love for Aeronautical Engineering because I wanted to learn more about how planes worked. When I get away from the track I also like to go and play a few rounds of golf, it gives my mind a break from thinking about athletics all the time and it’s a nice place to go and hit some balls. I picked up golf during the pandemic in 2020, me and uni mates would go down ground and play a few rounds there. I normally try to play at least every other week to keep improving. My best score to date is 81 on a par 72 golf course so that’s 9 over par.

Do you find any similarities between playing golf and athletics? – I love it so much because it’s a completely different atmosphere to athletics where everything is fast paced and there is so much going on at the same time. When you’re on the golf course it is quite relaxed unless you hit in the water or something then it’s quite stressful so I try not to do that.

What shoes will you be training and competing in this year? – For normal training days I will train in the PUMA Deviate NITRO 3s and for speed sessions or racing, I will use the PUMA evoSpeed Forte NITRO Elites. I think they are an incredible blend of comfort and the carbon plate in them is really quite stiff which is nice and it helps for the longer reps like the 400m.

MEMOROBILIA AVAILABLE, ARE YOU INTERESTED – An Athletics enthusiast, who I’ve known for many years as a senior official, wishes to dispose of part of his collection of Athletics related books and programmes. These have been acquired since the 1950’s, and would certainly be of interest to serious collectors. They include: –
Books – from the 1920’s to 1960
AAA Championship Programmes from 1932 to 1967 (incomplete)
White City Programmes from 1937 to 1967 (incomplete)
British Olympic Association – Official Reports – 1936 Berlin, 1948 London, 1952 Helsinki, and 1956 Melbourne

A Real once only opportunity for a serious athletics enthusiast to acquire part of a collection which currently includes:
Association of Track & Field Statisticians Annuals – from the first publication in 1951 (majority edited by Peter Matthews)
The “SPALDINGS” Annual sports reviews mainly Athletics from 1923 to 1939.
United States Track & Field Statistical Annuals from 1983 to 1988.
Worldwide Track & Field Performances Through the Years – Volume 2 (1937 – 1944) and Volume 3 (1945 -1950)

If interested, please contact me, geoffrey.morphitis@capeandd.com / 07976 994302

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT– 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. These latest posts I will add next week.

THE FOLLOWING IS CLUB INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TOPICS

‘MEMBERMOJO’ SECURE MEMBERS SYSTEM – We have implemented a new secure member system to allow members to join and renew their membership online. (You can also delete yourself from our records if you are no longer a member, or you can request deletion from sean.sutherland@yahoo.ca)
Your basic contact information has been imported. Please check and update your data so that we can have up-to-date information. View your profile using the instructions below, check your data and update as necessary. You will also be able to renew your record when it is close to expiring (within a month of expiry). Payments will still be made via bank transfer.

Link to document which gives information to existing members on the system, and how to use it – Membermojo Instructions To Use For Existing Members May 2025

SBH 2025 SUMMER FIXTURE CARD – The SBH 2025 Summer Fixture Card has now been published on the SBH Website on 20 March 2025. This is the link to the fixture card, which you can access and print for future reference – https://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixture-cards/
Information on each fixture will be published in the SBH Weekly Newsletter as and when available, this is the link to the current and previous SBH Weekly Newsletters – https://sbharriers.co.uk/news/

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. The entrance fee charges have not been increased from the 1 May 2025, we will be advised of any changes when they change. Please us the 2024-2025 membership form.

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 2025 Summer Fixture Card, which gives details of Training and Coaching – A SBH Summer 2025 Fixture Card Front Sheet Issued 20-03-25

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 09.11.21 StoneX Stadium Certificate

ALAN WELLER – SBH NEWSLETTER EDITOR AND WEBSITE MANAGER – alanweller111@gmail.com