Happy Birthday from Thursday 17 October to Wednesday 23 October – Ella Buckley, Ruben Cardoso, Gerald Collins, Charlie Dobson, Lorcan Farrell, Nathan Fox, George Groom, Brooke Martin, Ben McGuire, Lewis MsGuire, Louis Pelta, Saugat Pun, Daniel Rees, Joseph Reindel, Naolmi Taschimowitz and James Walters

ETHAN WALSH – The photograph was taken at ETHAN’S wake, which his family and GEOFF MORPHITIS were admiring a superb selection of photographs through the life of ETHAN.

134TH SBH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – Notice is hereby given of the 134th Annual General Meeting of Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers to be held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 26th November 2024 at StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon, London, NW4 1RL. Any proposal for a change of rule or notice of any business as per rule 22 must be submitted in writing to the General Secretary by Tuesday 29th October 2024.
Link to AGM Notice – AGM Notice 2024

TCS LONDON MARATHON 2025 SBH CLUB ENTRIES – The club should be allocated 2 places for next years London Marathon. These places are for active club members that were unsuccessful in the ballot.  Places will be allocated based on issues such as length of membership, participation for the club in recent years etc. To apply for one of these Club places you will need to send proof of application/rejection to our Club Secretary, Phil Cunningham by email to billylow@ntlworld.com by Monday 28th October 2024 at which time a decision will be made by the Club Officers.

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

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

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS SUBSCRIPTIONS – Our new Club year started on 1 October 2023. The current SBH annual subscription is £80 and the current England Athletics annual registration from 1 April 2024 is £19. The current total is £99 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 first fixture of five took place on Saturday 12 October at Claybury, Essex.
What a solid start to the season, with the numbers slightly down to last season at Claybury. The day started with the Under 11s, with the Boys team finishing a close 2nd to WSEH, the Girls finished in 10th place as we had only 1 runner and you need 4 for the team result. The Under 13s Boys with 3 in 8 won the team result (4th last season), with the Girls finishing in 7th place with 2 runners. The Under 15/U17 Men finished in 3rd place, albeit only 17 points behind the winners, the Women finishing in a splendid 4th place. Finally the Senior Men now back in Division 1 had ABDIRAHIM HAMUD U20 finishing in an excellent 2nd place, team wise we had 9 runners of which 7 were our veterans, which mean the team finished in 14th place. The Veterans were also promoted to Division 1, and finished the race in 12th place. The Senior Women with 2 runners finished in 8th place.

These are our individual top 10 finishers – Under 11 Boys JAKE MILICHAK 5th, DANIYAL JANMOHAMED 6th, PRINCE-MOSES JOHN 7th – Under 13 Boys BEN KASPAR 2nd, DENNYS PASCAL 3rd, HARRISON HENDERSON 8th – Under 13 Girls SIENNA DARCY 7th – Under 15 Girls AIMEE PORTER 3rd – Under 17 Men EUAN PHILLIPS U17 8th, JOHN-MICHAEL DIRACLES U17 9th, AIDEN MCAVOY U17 10th – Under 20 Men ABDIRAHIM HAMUD 1st

Under 11 Boys (1500m) – JAKE MILICHAK 5th (5.35), DANIYAL JANMOHAMED 6th (5.36), PRINCE-MOSES JOHN 7th (5.38), LUCAS XIE 15th (5.54) the winner was Jack Tonge of Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow (5.19) 50 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow A (181 points), 2nd SBH (171), 3rd Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow B (143) 16 teams finished.

Under 11 Girls (1500m) – KEENYAH ADELISE 11th (6.30) the winner was Sophie Davis of Thames Valley Harriers (5.40) 35 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Woodford Green & Essex Ladies A (121 points), 2nd London Heathside (80), 3rd Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow B (78), 10th SBH (25) 12 teams finished.

Under 13 Boys (3000m) – BEN KASPAR 2nd (10.37), DENNYS PASCAL 3rd (10.39), HARRISON HENDERSON 8th (11.19), LEWIS WARD 16th (11.44), RYLE SINGARAYER 23rd (12.21) the winner was Joshua Maiden of Herts Phoenix (10.32) 48 runners finished.
Team Result – 1st SBH (167 points), 2nd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (153), 3rd Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow (114) 18 teams finished

Under 13 Girls (3000m) – SIENNA DARCY 7th (12.28), ABIGAIL ROSS 10th (12.40) the winner was Violet Muralidhar of Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (11.44) 49 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Woodford Green & Essex Ladies (151 points), 2nd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (129), 3rd Barnet & District (121), 7th SBH (83) 20 teams finished.

Under 15 Boys (4200m) – EUAN PHILLIPS U17 10th (14.20 8th U17), JOHN-MICHAEL DIRACLES U17 12th (14.26 9th U17), AIDEN MCAVOY U17 13th (14.27 10th U17), ARTHUR PHILLIPS U17 22nd (14.53 15th U17), EDWARD PASCAL U15 45th (15.43 18th U15), SAM CLEMENTS U15 67th (16.39 33rd U15), SAM DARCY U15 74th (17.03 40th U15) the U15 winner was Arjuna Pflug of Highgate Harriers (13.44) and the U17 winner was Luke Dunham of Herts Phoenix (13.24) there were 53 U15 runners finished and 38 U17 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Woodford Green & Essex Ladies (328 points), 2nd Herts Phoenix (319), 3rd SBH (311) 25 teams finished

Under 15 Girls (4200m) – AIMEE PORTER U15 4th (16.07 3rd U15), AMBER JACKSON U15 19th (17.47 11th U15), OLIVIA ABBOTT U15 25th (18.43 16th U15), PHOEBE KEMP U17 40th (19.47 14th U17) the U15 winner was Jorjia March of Barnet& District (15.17) and the U17 winner was Amy Kirk of London Heathside (16.02) there were 50 U15 runners finished and 22 U17 runners finished.
Team Result – 1st London Heathside (245 points), 2nd St Marys Richmond (227), 3rd Harrow (224), 4th SBH (204) 23 teams finished

Senior Men (8100m) – ABDIRAHIM HAMUD U20 2nd (25.09 1st U20), FINN MACCARTHY U23 65th (29.11), DANIEL NICHOLS V40 100th (30.24), JOEL PHILLIPS V45 159th (32.17), DAVID GREENSTEIN V60 252nd (35.54), JONNY SHAW V50 282nd (37.12), TIM UNDERHILL V55 331st (39.28), BARRY HAWS V50 339th (40.11), PHILIP CUNNINGHAM V60 381st (45.19) the winner was Brett Rushman of Herts Phoenix (24.37) 393 runners finished.
Team Result – Senior Men Division 1 1st Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets C (1925 points), 2nd Highgate Harriers (1721), 3rd Woodford Green & Essex Ladies (1615), 14th SBH (493) 15 teams finished, Veteran Men Division 1 1st Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets C (489 points), 2nd London Heathside (430), 3rd Serpentine (389), 12th SBH (179) 15 teams finished

Senior Women (8100m) – ELANA DIMMER 25th (34.01), EMILIA ECONOMU 59th (36.48), JO KENT V55 (Barnet & District) 72nd (38.17) the winner was Khahisa Mhlanga of Herts Phoenix (29.56) 180 runners finished
Team Result – Division 1 1st Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets A (443 points), 2nd London Heathside (423), 3rd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets B (316) 15 teams finished, Division 2 1st Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets C (289 points), 2nd London Heathside B (251), 3rd Southwark AC (244), 8th SBH (131) 10 teams finished

Link to the Start Fitness Metropolitan League results – https://www.metleague.run/results/ now select ‘Read More’ on Race 4, now select ‘Spreadsheet Results Link’

These are the updated Men and Women’s winter points tables following the Start Fitness Metropolitan League at Claybury on 12 October – Mens Cross Country Points Tables 2024-2025 Updated 12-10-24  Womens Cross Country Points Tables 2024-2025 Updated 12-10-24

THESE ARE THE SBH ATHLETES CURRENT CONSECUTIVE RACES, FOLLOWING THE FIRST METROPOLITAN LEAGUE FIXTURE AT CLAYBURY ON 12 OCTOBER

(11) JOEL PHILLIPS V45
(10) PHILIP CUNNINGHAM V55/V60
(7) AIDEN MACAVOY U15/U17, ARTHUR PHILLIPS U15U17
(6) LUCAS XIE U11, SIENNA DARCY U11, HARRISON HENDERSON U11/U13, EDWARD PASCAL U13/U15
(5) SAM DARCY U13/U15
(4) AIMEE PORTER U13/U15
(3) BEN KASPAR U13, FINN MACCARTHY U20/U23, JO KENT V55, DAVID GREENSTEIN V55/V60, BARRY HAWS V50
(2) PRINCE-MOSES JOHN U11, SIENNA DARCY U11/U13, AMBER JACKSON U15

The current record for consecutive appearances is held by JOHN KELLY, who completed 28 races between 1985 to 1990.

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…
1,235 events – 225,455 walkers, joggers, runners and volunteers – 10,787 first timers – 26,747 PBs

COMPLETELY USELESS RANDOM FACT – Parkrun’s 20th anniversary may be over, but did you know 852,977 registered parkrunners also have birthdays in October? And 12,230 of them are celebrating turning 20! Happy Birthday

UPCOMING FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 6 WEEKS, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER UNTIL WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER – The SBH 2024 Summer 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 CROSS COUNTRY RELAYS – Takes place on Saturday 19 October at Wormwood Scrubs, Linford Christie Stadium, Du Cane Road (SatNav W12 0DF). 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.
Wormwood Scrubs is within the Ultra Low Emmission Zone, this is a Link to the map showing the new Ultra Low Emmission Zone, which is in Green –
Link to check if your car is chargeable for the ULEZ – https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/
Timetable – 11.00 U17 & U20 Women (3 x 3km), 11.30 U17 & U20 Men (3 x 3km), 12.10 U13 Girls (3 x 2km), 12.40 U13 Boys (3 x 2km), 13.10 U15 Girls (3 x 2km), 13.35 U15 Boys (3 x 2km), 14.00 Senior Women (3 x 3km), 14.30 Senior Men (4 x 4km).
Entries Closed

NORTH LONDON CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 26 October (Date and Venue to be confirmed).
Age-groups U20, Senior and Masters.
Timetable – 13.30 Senior Women (8000m), 14.15 Senior Men (8000m).
Entries Closing Date TBC
Note: You will have to be pre-entered by your respective Team Manager

NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 2 November at Berry Hill Park, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire (SatNav NG18 4JR).
Age-Groups U13 to Senior Men & Women
Timetable – 10.45 U20 Women (3 x 2.5K), 10.57 U17 Women (3 x 2.5K), 11.26 U13 Boys (3 x 2K), 11.50 U13 Girls (3 x 2K), 12.15 U20 Men (3 x 3K), 12.40 U17 Men (3 x 3K), 13.06 U15 Girls (3 x 2K), 13.30 U15 Boys (3 x 2K), 13.50 Senior Women (3 x 3K), 14.40 Senior Men (4 x 5K).
Entries Closed

NORTH WEST LONDON LEAGUE AND NORTH OF THE THAMES  – The second fixture of five takes place on Saturday 2 November at Fryent Country Park, Kingsbury. Race headquarters is at the Kingsbury Free Church Hall, Slough Lane, Kingsbury (SatNav NW9 8QG).
Please park in nearby roads, but not at church Hall. Toilets available at the Church Hall, no showers and very limited changing facilities.Church Hall will not be available until 12 noon. The hall is in use for a fitness class, and is only accessible after 12 noon.
Timetable – 13.00 U11 Boys & Girls (2000m), 13.15 U13 Boys & U13 Girls (3000m), 13.45 U15 Boys & Girls (4000m), 13.30 approximately U15 Boys (4000m), 14.15 approximately U17 Men & Women (5000m) inconjunction with the Senior athletes who run (8000m). Numbers will be given out close to the start area.
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run. Will any of our Female athletes please see TY HOLDEN who will give you a race number

76TH LIDDIARD TROPHY AND NORTH OF THE THAMES – Takes place on Saturday 2 November at Fryent Country Park, Kingsbury. Race headquarters is at the Kingsbury Free Church Hall, Slough Lane, Kingsbury (SatNav NW9 8QG). Please park in nearby roads, but not at church Hall. Toilets available at the Church Hall, no showers and very limited changing facilities.Church Hall will not be available until 12 noon. The hall is in use for a fitness class, and is only accessible after 12 noon.
Timetable – 14.15 U20 and Senior Men/Women (8000m).
Link to the map of the course – https://www.queensparkharriers.org.uk/liddiard
Entries Closing Date TBC
Note: You will have to be pre-entered by your respective Team Manager 

START FITNESS METROPOLITAN LEAGUE – The second fixture of five takes place on Saturday 9 November at Horsenden Hill (Satnav W12 0DF).
This is the link to information as published on the Metropolitan League web site including map of course –
Please Note – to access the Metropolitan League web site please use https://metleague.run
Timetable – 12.00 Under 11 Boys/Girls (2km), 12.10 Under 13 Boys, (3km) 12.20 Under 13 Girls (3km), 12.30 Under 15 Boys and Under 17 (4km), 12.45 Under 15 Girls and Under 17 Women (4kg), 13.00 Under 20, Senior and Veteran Women (7.2km), 13.45 Under 20, Senior and Veteran Men (7.2kgm)
Link to document showing all information including course description and maps –
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run.
Please collect your race numbers from the respective team managers – SIMON KEENE, JEREMY SOTHCOTT and JO KENT
Note: Still awaiting for the fixture details to be published on the Start Finish Metropiltan League website

START FITNESS 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.

START FITNESS METROPOLITAN LEAGUE WINTER POINTS CHAMPIONSHIPS – This race is 2nd of the fixtures that count in the winter points championships.

LONDON CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 16 November at Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead Heath (SatNav NW5 1QR), nearest station is Gospel Oak.
Timetable – 13.15 U20 and Senior Women (6k), 14.00 Under 20 and Senior Men (10k).
To Qualify you must have to be (a) born in the Greater London area, (b) has not less than one year’s bona fide residence in the Greater London area, (c) has not less than one year’s continuous full-time employment in the Greater London area, (d) has not less than one year’s full-time attendance at an education establishment in the Greater London area.
Map of Parliament Hill and adjoining roads and stations, start of races close to athletic track – https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5596772,-0.1597202,15z
Entries Closing Date Friday 1 November
Note: You will have to be pre-entered by your respective Team Manager 

LONDON YOUTH GAMES – Takes place on Saturday 16 November at Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead Heath (SatNav NW5 1QR), nearest station is Gospel Oak.
Note: You will be selected by your respective Borough Team Manager

FRATERNITY AND SORORITY CUPS – Takes place on Saturday 23 November at Trent Park, Cockfosters Road, Middlesex (SatNav EN4 0PS). The start is close to the car park which is accessible from the western gate of Trent Park, found on the left-side before reaching Cockfosters underground station (Piccadilly line).
Timetable – 14.30 for Men/Women – Junior, Senior and Veteran. Numbers will be given out close to the start area.
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run. 

NORTH WEST LONDON LEAGUE – The third fixture of five takes place on Saturday 23 November at Trent Park, Cockfosters Road, Middlesex (SatNav EN4 0PS). The start is close to the car park which is accessible from the western gate of Trent Park, found on the left-side before reaching Cockfosters underground station (Piccadilly line).
Timetable – 12.00 U11 Boys & Girls (2000m), 12.15 U13 Boys & Girls (3000m), 12.40 U15 Boys & Girls (4000m), 13.05 U17 Men & Women (5000m).
Numbers will be given out close to the start area. The times are as the 2022 fixture
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run. Will any of our Female athletes please see TY HOLDEN who will give you a race number

SBH 134TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – Takes place on Tuesday 26 November in the 100 Club, East Stand, StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon, London (SatNav NW4 1RL), The AGM commences at 19.30. Regarding the Presentation of Awards for the 2023 Track & Field season, and 2022-2023 Cross Country season for both Men and Women, I am awaiting a decision whether this will be held at a separate event.

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 16 February (Closing Date Sunday 16 February)
Link to the 4 fixture details – Lee Valley 4 Indoor Fixture Fixtures Opening 1 October 2024

REMAINING LEE VALLEY INDOOR FIXTURES

LEE VALLEY INDOOR OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Monday 1 December, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
Events are 60m, 300m, 600m, 60m Hurdles and Long Jump. For all age-groups including U13s.
Entries Opened Sunday 1 September
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/decopen/
Entries Closing Date Sunday 24 November – Please be advised that events may be full before the closing date.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

LEE VALLEY 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 3 fixtures on Saturday 19 October, 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

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

ROBERT RIGBY – Ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday 13th October, and finished 777th. out of some 16,000 runners, in a time of (1.32.25) he was 3rd in the 60-64 age group 60-64.
He was running for one of the charities he is supporting this year as Lord Mayor of Westminster, The Cardinal Hume Centre.

CARDIFF KICKS OFF THE BRITISH ATHLETICS CROSS CHALLENGE – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

Llandaff Fields in the Welsh capital is stage one of this winter’s popular cross-country series followed by events in Liverpool, Glasgow, Leeds and Nottingham.The British Athletics Cross Challenge Series kicks off in Cardiff on November 9 followed by the European trials in Liverpool on November 23 and then Glasgow and Leeds in the new year before culminating in Wollaton Park in March.

The Cardiff event has grown in stature in recent years after becoming part of the World Athletics Cross Country Tour with Megan Keith and Innes FitzGerald among the winners last year.  Grassroots runners from the Gwent League ensure a busy day in this early-winter test. The series moves to Sefton Park in Liverpool a fortnight later for the European Cross Country Championships trials, where athletes will look to earn selection on the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for Antalya in December. The trial is a long established event at Sefton Park although there will be changes to the senior and under-23 races this year with under-23 athletes running a lap less than their senior counter-parts and peeling off to the finish much earlier.

Athletes at the European Cross Country Championships in Turkey in December will race over relatively short distances this year with senior men and women tackling 7.5km, under-23 men and women both covering 6km and the under-20 men and women running 4.5km. In order to pick the best possible team the trials distances for seniors and under-23s in Liverpool are 8km and 5.6km respectively, although the fact both age groups will be in the same race – and tackling different distances – will potentially cause confusion on the day.

The under-17 and under-20 athletes will also race alongside each other in Liverpool over just 4.4km. In addition there will be trials for the mixed relay at the Euro Cross over 1500m. What’s more, the whole event incorporates the Mid Lancs, Liverpool & District and Red Rose cross-country leagues.

On January 11 the Cross Challenge moves on to Alexandra Park in Glasgow with the event including the Scottish District Championships before hitting Temple Newsam in Leeds on February 8 (it has been incorrectly advertised as Roundhay Park elsewhere). The Temple Newsam event will incorporate the Home Countries International and Celtic Challenge too. Then, on March 8, the finale of the Cross Challenge is at Wollaton Park in Nottingham and will, as usual, incorporate the UK Inter-Counties Championships. Senior titles last winter went to Abbie Donnelly and Calum Johnson before both of them went on to tackle the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade.

With the World Cross now being a biennial event, there is no global championships this coming winter. Instead it is next held in Tallahassee, United States, on January 10 in 2026. Given the much earlier than usual date, British organisers are already weighing up how the domestic calendar should play out in 2025-2026 with one of the key questions being where and when to hold a GB trial for Tallahassee.

RUTH CHEPNGETICH TAKES APART WOMEN’S WORLD MARATHON RECORD IN CHICAGO – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

The Kenyan becomes the first woman in history to go sub-2:10 in the marathon and obliterates the previous mark of (2:11:53). It’s five years to the day since BRIGID KOSGEI smashed the women’s marathon record with (2:14:04) in Chicago. Not only was it a performance that re-defined what was possible over 26.2 miles but it also bettered PAULA RADCLIFFE’S (2:15:25) – described as a “quantum leap” back in 2003 – by one minute and 21 seconds. KOSGEI’S mark survived until 2023 when, at last year’s Berlin Marathon, TIGIST ASSEFA decimated it, becoming the first woman in history to run a sub-2:12 marathon with (2:11:53). In slicing two minutes and 11 seconds off the world record, ASSEFA a took the marathon to new levels and for the first time, you questioned whether it was possible for a female athlete to go under two hours and 10 minutes. Even though the marathon has evolved substantially over the last couple of decades – the 2:20 barrier was only broken in 2001 – the idea of a sub-2:10 run was still seen as largely fictitious and something that you’d need to see to believe it. If it was broken, how long would it take? Years or even decades? Well, it’s happened a lot sooner than everyone thought.

At this year’s Chicago Marathon, five years on from KOSGEI’S (2:14:04), fellow Kenyan RUTH CHEPNGETICH re-wrote the record books with a time of (2:09:56). Crossing the line, CHEPNGETICH CHEPNGETICH – the 2019 world marathon champion – raised her arms in the air, scarcely believing the magnitude of her accomplishment. Like ROGER BANNISTER’S (3:59.4) in 1954, USAIN BOLT’S (9.58) in 2009 or more recently, FAITH KIPYEGON’S (3:49.11) in 2023, Chepng’etich CHEPNGETICH’S time will be remembered forever. No doubt there will be others who also go below the 2:10 mark in the future, but CHEPNGETICH will always be the first who did it. “I feel so great, I’m proud of myself,” she said, after claiming her third crown at the Chicago Marathon. “This is my dream that has come true. I’ve fought a lot thinking about the world record and I have fulfilled it.” After 5km, CHEPNGETICH had made her intentions known and went through in an astonishing (15:00), with Ethiopian SUTUME KEBEDE just two seconds behind.

KEBEDE, who’d hinted of world record pace at the press-conference, was the only athlete who kept up with CHEPNGETICH in the early stages and the pair went through 10km in around (30:14). At this point, their projected time was around 2:07. The absurd pace was set and it was now a case of how long they could sustain it. By half-way, CHEPNGETICH had established a lead of 14 seconds to KEBEDE and looked in imperious shape, going through 13.1 miles in (64:16). To put that into perspective, it would put her fifth on the half-marathon all time list. As KEBEDE continued to fade, CHEPNGETICH maintained her strength and clocked (1:31:49) and (1:47:32) at the 30km and 35km marks respectively. Even though CHEPNGETICH was slowing, her start was that good that she had time to play with. The prospect of a sub-2:10 marathon now started to become real. There was little doubt that CHEPNGETICH would break ASSEFA’S mark of (2:11:53), which was remarkable enough in itself, but could she sneak under that barrier?

Aided by male pacemakers, Chepng’etich pushed on and went through 40km in (2:03:11). “It’s almost like seeing someone landing on the moon,” remarked CARRIE TOLLEFSON, the Athens 2004 Olympian who was commentating on the marathon. As CHEPNGETICH approached the final straight on Columbus Drive, she knew what was at stake. As the seconds agonisingly ticked away she sprinted towards the tape, her face grimacing but mind set on creating history. After crossing the line CHEPNGETICH’S face beamed as she looked at the time (2:09:56). In the end, the winning margin was seven minutes and 36 seconds, with KEBEDE coming home in (2:17:32). Before 2019, that would’ve put her third on the all-time list. The top American in the field was SUSANNA SULLIVAN, a full-time teacher who knocked over two minutes off her personal best to clock (2:21:56) and finished seventh overall.

In the men’s field, JOHN KORIR produced a fine performance, running (2:02:44) to win by one minute and 55 seconds. The Kenyan’s time was that fast it now puts him sixth on the all-time list. In a closely packed race early on, KORIR was one of a dozen or so guys that went through 5km and 10km in (14:43) and (29:27) respectively. Even at the half-way stage, it was difficult to decide the winner, with the front of the field keeping a metronomic pace, going through in (62:19). Between 30km and 35km, KORIR made his move and within the space of 10 minutes had established a gap of 29 seconds. There was no turning back and as the margin to the rest of the field became bigger by the kilometre, victory was never in doubt. KORIR, who is a regular in Chicago and finished third two years ago, could finally taste victory in the Windy City.

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

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

THE FOLLOWING IS CLUB INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TOPICS

SBH 2024-2025 WINTER FIXTURE CARD – The 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. 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 12 October Start Fitness Metropolitan League fixture – Mens Cross Country Points Tables 2024-2025 Updated 12-10-24  Womens Cross Country Points Tables 2024-2025 Updated 12-10-24

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.
Updated document of winners will be published in the SBH Weekly Newsletter and Website, following the Start Fitness Metropolitan League fixture on 30 November 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.

JAMIE BATH MEMBERS MASSAGE SERVICE – Since joining SBH he has been working closely with TY HOLDEN in his quest for Athlete and Athletics Development. To help support the club members he has (with the club’s support) set up a Members Massage Service available on club nights at a small charge of £15 (as compared to outside masseurs who charge £60) to simply cover materials and insurance.
Please contact JAMIE at jamiebath@live.co.uk or text him on 07902 592561. You can also see him on training nights for availability.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FACEBOOK – Photographs can be found on the SBH page.

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

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

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

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

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

SBH TRAINING AND COACHING – Please see the 2024 Summer Fixture Card, which gives full details of Training and Coaching – A SBH Summer 2024 Fixture Card Front Sheet Re-Issued 10-03-24

POLE VAULTERS REQUIRED FOR 2024 – 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