Happy Birthday from this Thursday 17 February to Dara Apoola, Evelyn Barter, Jonathan Boardman, Sarah Butler, Tom Butler, Barry Chisholm, Vera Doudko, Yash Kumar Gandi, Malcolm Gesthuysen, Roisin Hanlon, Penny Harper-Wilkinson, Emma Imamovic, Victor Jacoby, Tara Kafke, Yoni Keinwald, Dalton McGuigan, Sophia Parvizi-Wayne, Nikita Petrov, Gary Smith, Neil Turner, Morgan Webster and Aron Yona

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS SUBSCRIPTIONS – SBH Treasurer GEOFF MORPHITIS has sent me the following regarding subscriptions.
Our new year started on 1 October 2021. The SBH annual subscriptions is £50 and the current England Athletics annual registration is £15 – but increase to £16 if your EA renewal date is after 1 April 2022. The total is £65 – but increase to £66 if your EA renewal date is after 1 April 2022, and should now be paid NOW to; ACCOUNT NAME: SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS, BANK: 41308378, SORT CODE: 400426 – Please let me know when payment is made. I will still be collecting subscriptions for the year to 30 September 2021 from those members who did not pay. Thanks GEOFF

MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL – It has just been announced that the meeting due to be held on Wednesday 17 August has been Cancelled, due to fixture congestion. The meeting will return in 2023.

ENGLAND ATHLETICS U15/U17/U20 INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Sheffield on 12-13 February
We had a very strong squad of athletes contesting these Championships, firstly congratulations to EMILY NEWNHAM who won the Under 20 400m title, winning by almost a second in a seasons best (54.75) 2021which ranks her UK No.2 U20 in 2022, her time was .01 of a second off her personal best from 2021.
We had three Silver Medallists from ZICO JONES, MARLI JESSOP and TRAVIS SCOTTOW – ZICO who this year has concentrated on the 400m, and as a 1st year Under 17 produced an outstanding run in the Final, producing a personal best (50.55) which ranks him UK No.2 U17 in 2022. Next MARLI who is in her final year as an Under 20 produced an excellent run in the Final, producing a personal best (8.33) taking .07 of a second off her winning Southern time on 6 February, and is ranked UK No.2 U20 in 2022. Finally TRAVIS SCOTTCOW in the Under 17 Shot won the Silver Medal with a personal best (14.56m) adding 13cm to his Southern put on 16 January, and is ranked UK No.2 U17 in 2022.
There were Bronze Medals from EMMANUEL DURUIHEOMA in the Under 20 60m Final with a time of (6.78), EVELYNE FONTEYNE in the Under 20 High Jump Final with a seasons best (1.72m) which ranks her UK No.3 U20 in 2022, and RUTH-ANN OTARUOH in the Under 20 Triple Jump won the Bronze Medal with a seasons best (12.02m), and is ranked UK No.5 U20 in 2022

60m – U15W Heat 2 ANGEL MCLEOD U15 1st (8.04), in Semi-Final 1 ANGEL finished 3rd (8.07)
60m – U17M Heat 4 MALACHI AMADI U17 1st (7.10), in Semi-Final 2 MALACHI finished 2nd (7.16), in  the Final MALACHI finished 7th (7.14)
60m – U20M Heat 1 EMMANUEL DURUIHEOMA U20 1st (6.90), in Semi-Final 2 EMMANUEL finished 1st (6.83), in  the Final EMMANUEL won the Bronze Medal (6.78)
200m – U15W Heat 1 ANGEL MCLEOD U15 3rd (SB 26.64) taking .61 of a second off her 16 January time
400m – U17M Heat 1 ZICO JONES U17 1st (51.16), in the Final ZICO won the Silver Medal (50.55) taking .40 of a second off his 16 January time, and is ranked UK No.2 U17 in 2022
400m – U20W Heat 1 EMILY NEWNHAM U20 1st (55.80), in the Final EMILY won the Gold Medal (SB 54.75) taking 1.05 seconds off her Heat 1 time, and is ranked UK No.2 U20 in 2022
60m Hurdles – U20M Heat 2 RUBEN HEDMAN U20 2nd (8.03), in the Final RUBEN finished 4th (PB 7.93) taking .06 of a second off his 5 February time, and is ranked UK No.4 U20 in 2022
60m Hurdles – U20W Heat 1 MARLI JESSOP U20 1st (8.47), in the Final MARLI won the Silver Medal (PB 8.33) taking .07 of a second off her 6 February time, and is ranked UK No.2 U20 in 2022
High Jump – U20W Straight Final EVELYNE FONTEYNE U20 won the Bronze Medal (SB 1.72m) adding 2cm to her 5 February height, and is ranked UK No.3 U20 in 2022
Pole Vault – U20W Straight Final MANON BAINES U20 finished 4th (3.50m)
Long Jump – U17M Straight Final TRAVIS SCOTTCOW U17 (2nd Claim) finished 12th (SB 6.08m)
Triple Jump – U20M Straight Final ARUN YAVUZ U20 (2nd Claim) finished 9th (SB 13.51m) adding 3cm to his 6 February jump
Triple Jump – U20W Straight Final RUTH-ANN OTARUOH U20 (2nd Claim) won the Bronze Medal (SB 12.02m), and is ranked UK No.5 U20 in 2022 KACEY WALTERS U20 finished 6th (11.86m)
Shot 5kg – U17M Straight Final TRAVIS SCOTTCOW U17 (2nd Claim) won the Silver Medal (PB 14.56m) adding 13cm to his 16 January put, and is ranked UK No.2 U17 in 2022

Photographs of ZICO JONES just before the finishing line in the 400m Final, and at the medal ceremony with his Silver Medal

START FITNESS METROPOLITAN LEAGUE – The fifth fixture of five takes place on Saturday 19 February at Trent Park, Cockfosters Road, Middlesex (SatNav EN4 0JZ). Please note; because of its size, Trent Park has several different post codes. The one given is the most appropriate and closest to the Cockfosters Road entrance to the Park.
Race Headquarters – Located just beyond “Go Ape”, on the left hand side (north) of Lime Avenue.
Refreshments – Are available for purchase in the Trent Park café which is near to the Start/Finish area. In addition, the Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (Enfield), located at the eastern end of the access road known as Lime Avenue (approx. 600 metres from the Start/Finish area), has a tea shop which is open until 4 pm.
Course Location – The main start / finish area is adjacent to the race HQ. HQ to course walk time, less than a minute.
Course Description – Very undulating course on open, rough, lumpy park land. Liable to be soft underfoot throughout. Some exposed tree roots in places, and two small wooden bridges that could be slippery. The course is likely to be very muddy and slippery in places so is not suitable for ordinary trainers. Spikes are strongly recommended for this event.
Public Transport – London Underground – Cockfosters station is the northern end of the Piccadilly Line. The station is 300 metres to the south of the Cockfosters Road entrance to Trent Park (approximately 5 minute walk). Turn right out of the station, walk north along Cockfosters Road, past the BP Garage (with M&S). Use of public transport is strongly recommended due to the proximity of the underground station and limited car parking at Trent Park.
Directions From Major Roads – Cockfosters Road (A111) entrance; approximately two miles to the south of Junction 24 of the M25, on the left hand side, or just over half a mile to the north of the junction of the A111 and A110 (Bramley Road), on the right hand side (SatNav EN4 0JZ).
Parking – Parking is available within Trent Park but is likely to be very limited. Given the proximity of Trent Park to Cockfosters underground station, use of public transport is therefore strongly recommended. If you intend to drive, please car-share as much as possible. The main car parking facility is at the Cockfosters Road entrance to Trent Park. PLEASE NOTE: The private car park close to the Southgate Hockey Centre at the top of Snakes Lane is NOT available. Please do not attempt to park there – you WILL be turned back. Cars must not be parked on any of the roads within Trent Park.
Trent Park closes at sunset, which will be at approximately 17:00. The gate at the Cockfosters Road entrance is usually closed at this time, but drivers must take care to check the closing time which will be shown on the sign inside the main entrance.
Start Times – 12.20pm U11 (Over 9) Boys (up to 1700m), 12.25pm U11 (Over 9) Girls (up to 1700m), 12.40pm U13 Boys (3400m), 12.45pm U13 Girls (3400m), not before 1.00pm U17 Men and U15 Boys (4000m), 1.10pm U17 Women and U15 Girls (4000m), 1.35pm U20, Senior and Veteran Women (8000m), 2.35pm U20, Senior and Veteran Men (8000m).
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 or JO KENT
Please go to Start Fitness Metropolitan League web site www.metleague.co.uk for course maps, and any other final information.

START FITNESS METROPOLITAN LEAGUE LOCATION AND COURSE MAPS – These are the following maps.
Location Map

Course Map U11 Boys and Girls

Course Map U13 Boys and Girls

Course Map U15/U17 Men and Women

Course Map Senior Men and Women

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

SBH CROSS COUNTRY POINTS RACE – The Start Fitness Metropolitan League at Trent Park, is the final race for the Under 11 Boys and Girls. It is also the sixth race of seven for the Remaining Age-Groups.

FEBRUARY CLOSING DATES FOR INDOOR FIXTURES – Entry details are shown in Upcoming Fixtures below.
Lee Valley Sprint Hurdles Open Meeting on Saturday 19 February (No Closing Date Given)

RESULTS
4J STUDIOS SCOTTISH ATHLETICS INDOOR MEETING – Took place at Emirates Arena on 13 February
Shot 7.26kg – SM C ANGUS MCINROY 1st (PB 15.30m) adding 50cm to his 2021 put, and is ranked UK No.10 in 2022

WOODFORD THROW INVITATION MEETING – Took place at Woodford on 13 February
Discus 2kg – SM NICK PERCY 1st (SB 59.46m) and is ranked UK No.1 in 2022
Hammer 4kg – SW PHILIPPA DAVENHALL 3rd (SB 61.91m) and is ranked UK No.3 in 2022 

SUTCLIFFE INDOOR 60m MEETING – Took place at Eltham on 13 February
60m – SM 1.3 ZANSON PLUMMER 3rd (6.98), 2.3 ZANSON finished 4th (PB 6.91) taking .04 of a second off his 2017 time
60m – SW 1.1 EJONE KRUGER 4th (PB 7.67), 2.1 EJONE finished 5th (7.74)

ESSEX AND EASTERN INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Lee Valley on 12-13 February
60m – SM Heat 2 ALEX BEECHEY (2nd Claim) 1st (7.03), in the Final ALEX won the Silver Medal (6.99)
200m – U20W Heat 2 KIERA GILMAN U20 (2nd Claim) 2nd (27.44), in the Final KIERA finished 4th (27.00)
400m – U17M Heat 2 AIDAN GAFFEY U17 2nd (PB 59.45)
400m – SW Heat 2 INDEA ADAMA-BURNETT 3rd (64.42), in the Final INDEA finished 4th (65.72)

SURREY AND SUSSEX INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Carshalton on 12-13 February
Pole Vault – SW Straight Final JADE IVE (HCA) won the Gold Medal (SB 4.35m) adding 4cm to her 30 January height, and is ranked UK No.1 in 2022
Triple Jump – SM Straight Final PAUL OGUN (HCA) won the Gold Medal (SB 7.37m) and is ranked UK No.10 in 2022

SCOTTISH ATHLETICS INDOOR STUDENTS CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Emirates Arena on 12 February
60m – SW Heat 4 SELINA HENDERSON (Warwick University) 2nd (8.02)
200m – SW Heat 4 SELINA HENDERSON (Warwick University) 1st (25.92)
High Jump – SW Straight Final CLAIRE MCGARVEY U23 (Glasgow University) won the Gold Medal (1.65m)

VAXJO INTERNATIONAL OUTDOOR MEETING – Took place at Vaxjo, Sweden on 12 February
Discus 1kg – SW AMY HOLDER (2nd Claim) 6th (SB 51.17m) and is ranked UK No.2 in 2022
Discus 2kg – SM GREGORY THOMPSON 1st (SB 56.66m) and is ranked UK No.2 in 2022

AMERICAN TRACK INDOOR LEAGUE – Took place at Louisville, Kentucky, USA on 12 February
60m – SM H2 OJIE EDOBURUN 3rd (SB 6.70) taking .09 of a second off his 6 February time, 1 OJIE finished 7th (SB 6.69) taking .01 of a second off his H2 time
300m – SW 1 LINA NEILSEN 1st (PB 37.35) and is ranked UK No.1 in 2022

CAMPEONATO AUTONOMIECO SUB23 PC INDOOR MEETING – Took place at Valencia, Spain on 12 February
3000m – U23M ISAAC HIRSHMAN CHANDLER U23 2nd (SB 8:32.04)

CATHY FREEMAN SHIELD MEETING – Took place at Nathan, Australia on 12 February
Discus 1kg – SW 1 JADE LALLY 1st (58.84m) 

NATIONAL INDOOR LEAGUE – Took place at Abbotstown, Ireland on 12 February
60m – SM G1.1 JAMAL WATSON-BROWN 2nd (6.87)
200m – SM G2 JAMAL WATSON-BROWN 1st (21.59)

NORTH WEST LONDON LEAGUE – The fourth fixture of five t00k place last Saturday12 February at Harrow School.
No SBH runners competed

HUSKY INDOOR CLASSIC – Took place at Seattle, Washington, USA on 11-12 February
Mile – SW 9 LIZZIE BIRD 3rd (PB 4:32.56) taking 6.76 seconds off her 2016 time, and is ranked UK No.2 in 2022
5000m – SM 4 CHARLES HICKS U23 (Stanford University) 7th (SB 13:37.08) and is ranked UK No.1 in 2022
60m Hurdles – SM H1 JAMI SCHLUTER U23 (Millfield School) 2nd (PB 8.39) taking .31 of a second off his 2021 time
High Jump – SM JAMI SCHLUTER U23 (Millfield School) 4th (SB 1.91m)
Long Jump – SM JAMI SCHLUTER U23 (Millfield School) 5th (SB 6.76m)
Shot 7.26kg – SM JAMI SCHLUTER U23 (Millfield School) 9th (SB 12.64m)

DAVID HEMERY VALENTINES INVITATIONAL INDOOR MEETING – Took place at Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 11-12 February
Mile – SM 11 JAMIE DEE (Iona College) 2nd (SB 4:10.49)
3000m – SM 3 LIAM DEE 6th (SB 7:57.44) taking 4.44 seconds off his 9 January time, SM 4 LIAM GARRETT U23 (Yale University 2nd Claim) 13th (SB 8:33.78)

SD SU INDOOR CLASSIC – Took place at Brookings, South Dakota, USA on 11-12 February
Pole Vault – SM B GLEN QUAYLE U23 (Northern State University) 2nd (4.87m)

GVSU BIG FRIDAY INDOOR MEETING – Took place at Allendale, Michigan, USA on 11 February
Mile – SM 2 MITCHEL COX (Queens University NC) 5th (PB 4:09.08)

INDOOR INTER VARSITY MEETING – Took place at Lee Valley on 9 February
High Jump – SM EVAN CAMPBELL U23 (Birmingham University) 2nd (SB 1.88m)
Pole Vault – SW TRINITY O’CONNOR U23 (Birmingham University) 4th (SB 3.25m) adding 4cm to her 29 January jump, and is ranked UK No.9 U23 in 2022
Triple Jump – SM JOSH WOODS U23 (Birmingham University) 1st (SB 15.16m) adding 34cm to his 29 January jump, and is ranked UK No.4 U23 in 2022
Shot 7.26kg – SM EVAN CAMPBELL U23 (Birmingham University) 3rd (PB 13.69m) adding 4cm to his 2021 put
Team Result Men – 1st Birmingham University (107 points), 2nd Loughborough Students (101), 3rd Cardiff Metropolitan (81).
Team Result Women – 1st Birmingham University (111 points), 2nd Brunel University (70), 3rd Cardiff Metropolitan (63).
Team Result Combined – 1st Birmingham University (218 points), 2nd Loughborough Students (156), 3rd Cardiff Metropolitan (144).

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. 

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Cassiobury on 12 February.
MARTIN GREY V75 302nd (34.17) this was his 22nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Great Cornard on 12 February.
SARAH WILLIAMS V35 8th (PB 19.56) this was her 28th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Hackney Marshes on 12 February.
BARRY CHISHOLM V60 135th (25.55) this was his 233rd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Jersey on 12 February.
CLIFF GOLDING V65 115th (26.38) this was his 108th Parkrun, ANDREW HOLMES V50 163rd (29.10) this was his 33rd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Jersey Farm on 12 February.
VICTORIA PRITCHARD V35 6th (20.22) this was her 37th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at March on 12 February.
GLEN WATTS V35 1st (16.53) this was his 11th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Oak Hill on 12 February.
ZACK JOSEPHS U13 11th (PB 20.17) this was his 5th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Panshanger on 12 February.
CLAIRE HOBSON 54th (PB 25.04) this was her 148th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Sunny Hill on 12 February.
SHONA MICHEL V50 16th (27.51) this was her 53rd Parkrun

UPCOMING FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS, FOR THE PERIOD THURSDAY  17 FEBRUARY UNTIL WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH – The current 2021 Summer Fixture Card can be found on the SBH website – http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixture-cards/ – also the contact details for all Team Managers can be found on the SBH website – http://sbharriers.co.uk/athletics/track-field/team-managers/
There are certain fixtures, that you will have to enter yourselves and pay the appropriate fee.

LEE VALLEY INDOOR SPRINT HURDLES OPEN MEETING – Takes place at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Saturday 19 February.
Age-group U13s and above. To enter please use this link – https://www.visitleevalley.org.uk/event-listings/blcf-indoor-sprint-hurdles-open
No Closing Date Given

NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 26 February at Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead Heath (SatNav NW5 1QR), nearest station is Gospel Oak.
Start Times 11.00am U17 Women (5000m), 11.25am U15 Boys (4000m), 11.45pm U13 Girls (3000m), 12.05pm U17 Men (6000m), 12.30pm U13 Boys (3000m), 12.45pm U15 Girls (4000m), 1.05am U20 Women (6000m), 1.35pm Senior Women (8000m), 2.20pm U20 Men (10000m), 3.00pm Senior Men (12000m)
This is the link to the National website, giving information, travel and site map http://www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk/the-national-cross-country-championships/venue/
Entries Closed
Note: You will have to be pre-entered by your Team Manager 

Post Race meet after The National is now The Old White Bear, Hampstead, cheers, Paul Simons.

UK ATHLETICS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham (Satnav B1 2AA) on Saturday 26 February.and Sunday 27 February
Link for information – https://www.britishathletics.org.uk/events-and-tickets/uk-athletics-indoor-championships-2022/?_ga=2.49572641.602358690.1642915606-959043449.1642915606

NORTH WEST LONDON LEAGUE – The fifth fixture of five takes place on Saturday 5 March at Wormwood Scrubs, Linford Christie Stadium, Du Cane Road (SatNav W12 0AE). Enter main car park off Du Cane Road (via Artillery Lane), through 6’6” height/width barrier. Extra parking will be available in the enclosed/fenced hospital parking area. Parking is free in all areas at the week-end.
Final details to follow.
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run. Will any of our Female athletes please see JEREMY SOTHCOTT who will give you a race number

BRITISH MASTERS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Saturday 5 March and Sunday 6 March
Link to entries – https://bmaf.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2022/GBR/bmaf-itfc/
Entries Close Sunday 20 February
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

ENGLAND U15 & U17 COMBINED EVENTS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the English Institute of Sport, Coleridge Road, Sheffield (Satnav S9 5DA) on Saturday 12 March and Sunday 13 March.
Please use this link for entry information – https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/england-competitions/national-championships/2022-championships-calendar-and-results/
Entries Close Saturday 27 February
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

£100k OF FUNDING NEEDED TO SAVE ENGLISH SCHOOLS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

The English Schools Athletic Association (ESAA) is coming up to its centenary year in 2025 yet they need £100,000 of funding to make sure that the 2022 ESAA Track and Field Championships can go ahead this summer. As of February 8, ESAA has raised £13,000 from more than 450 donations. This was after New Balance chose not to renew their sponsorship agreement which funded both the track and field and cross country championships. That decision and the subsequent SOS piece from CHRIS COHEN – vice-president of the English Schools Athletic Association – for AW last month, has resulted in a number of athletes, broadcasters and fans rallying in the support of ESAA.

DALEY THOMPSON, an English Schools 200m champion in 1975 who went on to become double Olympic, world, double European and three-time Commonwealth decathlon champion, tweeted: “Save the ESAA Track & Field Championships. This is the greatest athletics championship in the world. “Sorry Olympics but you are a close second. They [ESAA] are only three years off being 100! They are also the first port of call for aspiring Olympians. Your tenner will help.”

DENISE LEWIS, English Schools long jump winner in the 1980s who subsequently became Olympic, European and two-time Commonwealth heptathlon champion, tweeted: “The vital grassroots organisation needs a little help. Please donate if you can.”

KATHARINE MERRY, a former English Schools champion in sprints and combined events who went on to win bronze in the Sydney Olympics 400m final, tweeted: “Again. The thought of losing the invaluable Schools Athletics Championships is heartbreaking. It’s the launch pad for so many successful athletes. I wouldn’t have achieved what I did without proudly wearing my Warks [Warwickshire] vest from the age of 12. It can’t be lost.”

In total, 135 ESAA athletes have won European Championship medals, 35 of them gold while 278 have collected medals at British Empire or Commonwealth Games, of which 81 have claimed gold. ESAA has produced 14 Olympic champions and 77 medallists, with SIR MO FARAH the most recent, as well as 71 World Championship medals, of which 13 were gold, the most recent including DINA ASHER-SMITH & KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON in 2019. The heritage of ESAA goes back to when The DUKE OF YORK, later to become KING GEORGE VI, was the first President of the organisation and took an active part in its founding, with LORDS DESBOROUGH, LONSDALE, CASTLEROSSE and PERCY as Vice Presidents. Although ESAA no longer has royal patronage, the Association is still entirely volunteer-led with nobody in the organisation taking any salary from its activities, but a large group of teachers and retired teachers still working for the benefit of young athletes and their love of the sport. The first Olympic champions from the English Schools Championships were MARY BIGNAL (later RAND) and ANN PACKER, who each won gold in Tokyo in 1964.

As the organisation approaches its centenary year in 2025 the race is on to find a sponsor and keep the next generation of athletes not just inspired in athletics but a chance to find global success in the future. In the meantime, the fundraising offers a glimmer of hope in the short-term. You can donate to help save ESAA Track and Field Championships here.

BBC AGREE DEAL WITH UKA TO COVER 2022 MAJOR EVENTS – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

UK Athletics has confirmed that BBC will be its broadcast partner for their series of 2022 events. This follows criticism last summer when a deal failed to be struck for the Müller British Athletics Championships in Manchester which meant the Olympic trials were not shown on television for the first time in years and merely streamed on the British Athletics website instead. UKA said: “In an exciting year for the sport boasting no less than four major track and field championships, BBC Sport will bring the key UKA events to fans via a combination of network television and digital coverage on platforms including BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the red button.”

The events start next week with the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham on February 19 followed by the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham on February 26-27. Then, this summer, there is the Müller Birmingham Diamond League on May 21 and the Müller UK Athletics Championships in Manchester on June 24-26. The news follows last summer’s announcement that BBC will cover the Diamond League series until 2024. MARK MUNRO, interim CEO at UKA, said: “We are delighted to once again be partnering with the BBC for our 2022 major events series. “Athletics is given a brilliant platform by BBC Sport and we’re looking forward to working with the team there to bring great athletics performances into people’s homes in the year ahead. “The audience reach of their website, red button and iPlayer platforms coupled with the main network means our athletes’ journeys can be followed in a number of ways by fans of the sport and in this stellar year for athletics it is more important than ever to maximise the exposure that the four major track and field championships will bring.”

JUSTIN GATLIN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM TRACK AND FIELD – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

JUSTIN GATLIN – Veteran US sprinter won glittering 15 Olympic and world medals but also served two doping bans during career has retired from the sport at the age of 40. The American announced on his Instagram that he had hung up his spikes after a 20-year career with a post titled “Dear Track”. “From running around play grounds playing tag as a kid, to burning down sidelines of youth football fields, to racing the neighbourhood kids on foot while they were on bikes. My life changed the moment I knew your name…Track,” Gatlin said. “With love comes challenges and you gave me so many throughout my career, some that were easier than others and some that hurt more than life itself. “Looking toward the future, I want to live a true legacy that continues to inspire others. Turning one year older and shifting my energies into new career endeavours, I hope to continue to inspire those who have supported me throughout my whole career.” His retirement isn’t particularly a shock given GATLIN is now deep into his twilight years as a sprinter, emphasised by the fact that he failed to qualify for the US team at last year’s Tokyo Olympics. Nonetheless, he ends his career as an Olympic and four-time world sprint champion. He has won an astonishing 15 Olympic and world medals, two world indoor sprint titles and three consecutive Diamond League titles. His 60m, 100m and 200m personal bests of 6.45, 9.74 and 19.57 also sees him place ninth, fifth and sixth on the respective all-time lists.

For over a decade he was part of a sprinting generation, including USAIN BOLT, YOHAN BLAKE and TYSON GAY, which captured the imagination of athletics fans around the world. GATLIN was the first on the scene when he struck Olympic gold in the 100m at Athens 2004 before going one better a year later at Helsinki 2005 by winning the world sprint double of 100m and 200m. His rivalry with BOLT ended up becoming must-watch action and after finishing second to the Jamaican in the 100m at Moscow 2013 and Beijing 2015 he finally avenged defeat with victory at London 2017.

However, he will also be remembered as one of the most high-profile athletes in track and field history to serve two doping bans. The first occurred in 2001 when GATLIN was banned from international competition for two years, later reduced to one, by the then IAAF for amphetamine. GATLIN, who was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, appealed on the grounds that he had taken the medication since he was a child to treat the disorder. The appeal resulted in the IAAF reinstating Gatlin to competition but he was still banned from competing internationally. In 2006 GATLIN, at that point the reigning Olympic and world 100m champion, tested positive for testosterone. As this was his second doping ban the American faced a lifetime ban from the sport but due to co-operation with the authorities and the “exceptional circumstances” around the first case it was reduced to eight years. GATLIN first accepted this but later appealed to the American Arbitration Association which reduced it to four years. A further appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport – reduction of the four-year ban to two years based on the first 2001 case not being part of the evidence – failed. GATLIN subsequently missed Beijing 2008, an Olympics which saw Bolt break world records in both the 100m and 200m. The retirement of GATLIN marks the end of an era for one of the quickest and explosive yet controversial sprinters in athletics. The legacy he leaves behind will certainly not go unnoticed.

SHAFTESBURY BARNETT HARRIERS ON INSTAGRAM – Since the account was setup towards the end of last year, there has been an amazing amount of Video and Photographs contributed with many comments. The following is an update of this week’s contributions.

STONEX STADIUM – Photographs of Training Night and New West Stand.

REQUEST FROM GABBY KYRIACOU – GABBY is currently studying at Sussex University, doing mechanical engineering with an integrated masters and will be finishing her degree in 2023. GABBY joined Shaftesbury in 2012 aged 13, and has almost ever present for the club, on the track, cross country and road up to 2019, with many successes. GABBY is not the only talented KYRIACOU in Shaftesbury, there is her sister LIDIA, but unfortunately due to a hip injury has not competed since 2018.

Hi fellow SBH members and I hope you’re all well. I am taking part in a Jog Jan for Pan Can to raise funds and awareness for Pancreatic Cancer Action by running 200km over the month of January in memory of my Dad who died last year from this disease. Can you please follow the link below to my fund-raising page. If possible, please donate to this very worthwhile cause and help me to exceed my target. It would be great if you could share the link with friends and family in case they too want to donate. Thanks very much GABBY

https://pancreaticcanceraction.enthuse.com/pf/gabriella-kyriacou/post/1259383

REQUEST FROM JESSICA HURLEY – JESSICA is currently at Stirling University, studying Sports Business Management and will be graduating in June this year. She is also the President of the Women’s Hockey Club and play in the 1st XI, competing in the Scottish Hockey National League.

I was wondering whether it would be possible at all if you could forward on my dissertation research survey to athletes at Shaftesbury to complete? You must be over 18 and had previously taken part in a mass-participant sporting event.

This is the link: https://stirling.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/sustainable-development-in-mass-participant-sporting-events

BIRMINGHAM 2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES – You may wish to sign up to receive their Newsletter. Link – https://www.birmingham2022.com/register-your-interest/. This is the link to the current schedule for the 25 events – https://images.birmingham2022.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/11441664_CWGs_Daily_Competition_Schedule_FINAL.pdf.