Happy Birthday from this Thursday 18 August to Wednesday 24 August – Tyrell Akintokun, Frank Attoh, Eleni Caponi, Sam Dawkins, Afolabi Fasogbon, Steven Garrett, Molly Hopping, Amelia Karger, Deanna Koranteng-Addo, Oliver Laurens, Kara Oniuiri, Tanawat Raveng, Stuart Singer, Ellie Spain, Ralph Williams and Dimitri Yap

RECENT NEW MEMBERS – We wish you a very warm welcome, and a happy, healthy and successful time with Shaftesbury to TAHA COCKERELL, TAMI GEORGE, JADA-HALLE GRANT, TYLER HOLDEN-AIKHOMU and CHUKWUMA ONONOGBU

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED FOR ‘THE BIG HALF’ – With just 3 weeks to go before the ‘Big Half’, RAY POWELL still requires a further 10 volunteers. If you are available, please contact RAY as soon as possible at ray571@btopenworld.com
‘The Big Half’ is on Sunday 4 September.  We are doing the same job as last year, the Lucozade station at Mile 8. Start time 7.15am finishing around 1.00 to 1.30pm, after we cleared the tables and stock back onto the lorry. Venue Jamaica Road, come out of Bermondsey station, turn left and then its 300 yards. Lunch, Kit and Lucozade supplied.

LIZZIE BIRD’S AMAZING RUN‘ – As reported by Athletics Weekly, LIZZIE smashed the British record for 3000m steeplechase at the Wanda Diamond League in Monaco on the 10 August.
LIZZIE improved AIMEE PRATT’S national mark by almost eight seconds to (9:07.87). AIMEE set a British record twice at the World Championships last month as she ran (9:18.91) in her heat and (9:15.64) to place seventh in the final. But LIZZIE ran (9:17.79) to take silver at the Commonwealth Games and here in Monaco swiped a further 10 seconds off her best as she pipped former world champion EMMA COBURN at the finish to place third behind Ethiopia duo WORKUA GATACHEW (9:06.19) and ZERFE WONDEMAGEGN (9:06.63).

LIZZIE, was encouraged to try the steeplechase while studying at Princeton in the United States. She was a reluctant steeplechaser at first and suffered injuries from 2016-18 but set a UK record of (9:19.68) when placing ninth in the Olympics last year and the Shaftesbury Barnet athlete is now closing in on the nine-minute barrier while combining athletics with a career in immigration law based in Colorado. LIZZIE will go to Munich with high hopes too as this run placed her fourth on the European all-time rankings and No.1 in Europe this year.

EASTERN YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE TOP 6 TROPHY (8 CLUBS) – Due to take place last Sunday at the Stonex Stadium, was cancelled due to the adverse Hot weather.
It has now been confirmed that the 8 teams that will compete at the EYAL Final are, Chelmsford, Dacorum, Havering, Stevenage & North Herts and Thurrock. City of Norwich and Norwich are still to confirm whether they will be competing by 19 August. Reserve teams are St Albans and Basildon. The Final takes place at Chelmsford on Sunday 11 September

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, RESULTS
DAY 1 – 15 AUGUST – SCOTT LINCOLN following his outstanding Bronze Medal in the Commonwealth Games, was drawn in qualification group A in the Shot. His three attempts were (20.28m), (20.64m) and (20.36m), finishing in third place, and was very confident of a medal in the Final later that day. SCOTT’S (20.64m) was 7cm further than his Commonwealth Games put.
In the Final SCOTT could not match his qualification performance, and his second attempt was (19.90m) which left him in tenth place.

JADE LALLY following her outstanding Silver Medal in the Commonwealth Games, was drawn in qualification group A in the Discus. JADE was not quite on song, and with her second attempts threw (57.68m) to finish in sixth place, qualifying for tomorrow’s Final.

DAY 2 – 16 AUGUST – ZHARNEL HUGHES who has shown his racing preparation and tactics have improved during the World Championships and Commonwealth Games.  ZHARNEL started Semi-Final one in lane five, and with a good start, moved ahead for a comfortable win (10.03 w0.0).
The Final took place later that day, with ZHARNEL drawing in lane three, and MARCELL JACOBS of Italy the Olympic champion back to his 2021 form. ZHARNEL again had a good start, but at halfway JACOBS had a lead which he never lost (9.95 w0.1). Post-race ZHARNEL was very complimentary that the better man on the day won, ZHARNEL’s time was just a shade off his World Championship time with (9.99).

OJIE EDOBURUN after a long and successful season, was about to start his 24th 100m race of the year. OJIE ran in Semi-Final three in lane five, his start was not quite there and was on the back foot from then, and finished in sixth place with (10.25 w0.2). With a 4x100m relay Gold Medal from the Commonwealth Games, should give OJIE a big lift for 2023.

ELLIE BAKER moved up from the 800m in the World Championships to the 1500m in Munich, and was drawing in Heat two. ELLIE ran a very good tactical race, and in a close finish, came in eighth place with a personal best (4:04.90) taking 1.64 seconds off her 2021 time, ranking her UK No.5 in 2022. Qualifying her for Friday’s Final.

DAVID SMITH competing in his second European Championships, was drawn qualification pool A of the High Jump. DAVID cleared (2.12m) with his second attempt, his subsequent height was (2.17m), and his three attempts were very close, which meant DAVID was finished eighth in the pool, and did not qualify for the Final.

JADE LALLY was in her fourth European Championships, and qualified for today’s Final in the Discus. JADE seemed to be struggling to find her normal technique, which meant that after three attempts she had thrown (57.08m), finishing in ninth place.

DAY 3 – 17 AUGUST – HAYLEY MCLEAN running her first senior major Championships, was drawn in heat three of the 400m Hurdles. HAYLEY was drawn in lane eight, and with no one to chase ran a very controlled race, and in the last few hurdles managed to finish in an excellent third place (56.64). Post-race she was very happy, albeit she thought she had a few mistakes to iron out. HAYLEY qualified for today’s Semi-Finals.

JOSHUA FAULDS U23 running his first senior major Championships, was drawn in heat three of the 400m Hurdles. JOSHUA was drawn in lane six, and ran an even paced race, and crossed the line in fifth place (51.21). As his career progresses, these Championships will be a good learning curve.

NICK PERCY This is his third major Championships of the year, following his World Championships (14th) and Commonwealth Games (5th). NICK was drawn qualification pool A of the Discus. and in his three attempts his rhythm was not quite there, and finished in fifth place (61.26m), finishing in fourteen place overall.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place in Munich, Germany and finishes this Sunday 21 August.
The Championships are a multi sports event, featuring Athletics, Beach Volleyball, Canoe Sprint, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing, Sports Climbing, Table Tennis and Triathlon.
This is the link to the schedule for all of the sports – https://results.mun.mev.atos.net/ECM2022/en/results/all-sports/competition-schedule.htm

You can view the Championships on BBC One, BBC Two and the Purple Button and there will likely be intensive streaming throughout BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport web site

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS SUBSCRIPTIONS – SBH Treasurer GEOFF MORPHITIS has sent me the following request.
Our new Club year started on 1 October 2021. The SBH annual subscriptions is £50 and the current England Athletics annual registration is £16 from 1 April 2022. The total is £66 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. Thanks GEOFF

TCS MINI LONDON MARATHON TRIAL – The 2022 TCS Mini London Marathon Championships gives the UK’s most promising young athletes the chance to compete against the best new talent in British road running, just like in the previous Mini Marathon events. This year however there are some changes – the event will now take place the day before the TCS London Marathon – Saturday 1 October and the route will be 2.6km.
The Championships kick-start what’s set to be an amazing day on Saturday 1 October 2022 – the children and young people taking part will be the first people to cross the world-famous TCS London Marathon Finish Line this year (yes, even before the adult elite athletes!). The championship participants will set off first in the morning, from approximately 09:00am, followed by the waves that will make up the rest of the event (schools event).

The age groups for the 2022 TCS Mini Marathon championships are:
Under-13 Boys and Girls (must be aged 12 on 31 August 2022, or at least 11 years old on the day of the event)
Under-15 Boys and Girls (must be aged 14 or 15 on 31 August 2022
Under-17 Boys and Girls (must be aged 15 or 16 on 31 August 2022
Each London borough can have a maximum of 6 boys and 6 girls in each age group.

How to enter and run for Barnet
The team to represent Barnet will be chosen based on the quickest times for a 5km Parkrun. To be able to represent Barnet, you need to have been either born, live or go to school in the borough. To submit your interest in being part of Team Barnet, you need to do the following;
Step 1 – Register and attend at least one Parkrun event in or close to Barnet. Parkruns take place every Saturday at 9am. See links below for Parkrun locations in Barnet;
Oak Hill Parkrun –    home | Oak Hill parkrun | Oak Hill parkrun
Sunnyhill Parkrun – home | Sunny Hill parkrun | Sunny Hill parkrun
Please could participants note that Parkrun is not a race, and all participants need to adhere to the parkrun code; https://volunteer.parkrun.com/principles/codes-of-conduct

Step 2 – Complete the registration form and parental consent form via the link below, and include your quickest time achieved in a Parkrun before the closing date. Please stipulate, the date and the venue of your fastest run and the time achieved. We will verify this on the Parkrun website and make team selections once the deadline has passed. Entry form: https://forms.office.com/r/xMny333pRu

Step 3 – All submitted forms will be assessed and verified before selection letters sent out. We will select 6 in each category with 3 reserves.

If you are interested in representing Team Barnet please submit a completed entry form with your best time for a Parkrun by 9am on Monday 12 September 2022. We will then contact you to confirm if you have been selected or not and to provide further information for those selected. Any queries please contact us sport@barnet.gov.uk We look forward to receiving your entries.

Best wishes – Barnet Sport & Physical Activity Team

LONDON INTER CLUB CHALLENGE/LUCA ATHLETICS SERIES – The fourth of four fixtures takes place on Sunday 28 August at the StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL).
Entry fee is £8 per event for all age-groups. Members of SBH and LUCA qualify for a 50% discount.
Online entries will be open soon – no entries on the day.
Link to entries – https://entry4sports.co.uk/#/ in the filter type in 374
Link to provisional timetable – LICC 4 – Provisional Timetable 28-08-22
Other than when races are combined, the LUCA race is first, men followed by women. All subsequent races are graded with fastest first. Mixed races will be run where possible. Photo finish and EDM are provided. LICC meetings are Licenced by UKA at Level 2.
Entries Closing Date Sunday 21 August

RESULTS
SOUTH OF ENGLAND U13/U15/U17 CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Chelmsford on 13-14 August.
100m – U15G 1 ONYEBUCHI ODIAKA U15 3rd (PB 13.03 w2.2) taking .05 of a second off her 18 June time, 3 ANGEL MCLEOD U15 1st (12.73 w-1.8), in the Final ANGEL won the Gold Medal (12.63 w0.1), ONYEBUCHI finished 8th (13.38 w0.1)
200m – U15B 3 NATHAN HOWELL U15 4th (25.83 w0.8)
200m – U15G 2 ANGEL MCLEOD U15 1st (26.10 w-1.7), 3 ONYEBUCHI ODIAKA U15 2nd (PB 27.21 w-1.9) taking .04 of a second off her 25 June time, in the Final ANGEL won the Silver Medal (PB 25.71 w1.4) equalling her 25 June time, ONYEBUCHI finished 7th (PB 26.92 w1.4) taking .29 of a second off her 3 time
200m – U17M 1 EBUKA NWOKEJI U17 3rd (22.94 w-2.9), in the Final EBUKA finished 5th (22.70 w-0.9)
400m – U17M 1 ZICO JONES U17 1st (50.78), in the Final ZICO won the Gold Medal (49.38)
400m – U17W 1 LOLA MCCANN-EZEKIEL U17 5th (PB 63.44)
800m – U15G 1 DINA SILVERMAN U15 6th (2:27.35)
800m – U17M 1 DANIEL BANYARD U17 7th (2:06.77)
Pole Vault – U15B Straight Final ISSA PHILLIPS-POPE U15 4th (2.80m)
Pole Vault – U15G Straight Final ABIGAIL EDWARDS U15 won the Silver Medal (3.00m)
Discus 1.25kg – U15B Straight Final FRED TAYLOR U15 won the Silver Medal (PB 35.66m) adding 1.31m to his 23 July throw, and is ranked UK No.10 U15 in 2022
Discus 1.5kg – U17M Straight Final TRAVIS SCOTTOW U17 (2nd Claim) 4th (40.34m)

NEWHAM AND ESSEX BEAGLES OPEN MEETING – Took place at Stratford on 14 August
100m – SM 1.1 JOHN OTUGADE 5th (10.38 w2.0), 1.3 JAMAL RHODEN-STEVENS 4th (10.39 w1.8), 1.4 GERALD MATTHEW 8th (10.80 w1.5), 1.9 ZANSON PLUMMER 1st (10.38 w1.8), 1.11 EDSON GOMES 1st (PB 10.87 w1.3) taking .09 of a second off his 14 May time, 1.12 TARIQ WILD U20 1st (10.85 w1.3), 1.14 NENGI OSSAI V45 3rd (11.36 w0.5), 2.1 JOHN finished 7th (10.39 w1.8), 2.2 JAMAL finished 3rd (10.42 w1.0), 9 ZANSON finished 4th (10.43 w1.0), 2.6 GERALD finished 1st (10.62 w0.5), EDSON finished 3rd (PB 10.75 w0.5) taking .12 of a second off his 1.11 time, 2.7 TARIQ finished 1st (PB 10.72 w1.4) taking .03 of a second off his 2020 time
100m – SW 1.4 SHEREEN CHARLES V35 6th (SB 12.54 w0.8) taking .01 of a second off her 30 June time, and is ranked UK No.2 V35 in 2022, 2.4 SHEREEN finished 4th (12.56 w1.3)
200m – SM 4 GERALD MATTHEW 4th (21.37 w1.3)
400m – SM 1 KYLE LANGFORD 2nd (PB 47.10) taking .04 of a second off his 2021 time, 2 COLUMBA BLANGO T20/F20 4th (50.38), 4 NIALL CARNEY 3rd (PB 49.25) taking .24 of a second off his 2021 time, 6 JUBRIL ADENIJI U20 2nd (SB 52.75)

4J STUDIOS SCOTTISH ATHLETICS SENIOR/U17 CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Aberdeen on 13-14 August.
100m – SM H1 KRISHAWN AIKEN 1st (10.79 w0.9), H3 BEN MCGUIRE 3rd (11.24 w-0.3), in Semi-Final 1 BEN finished 6th (11.09 w3.0), in Semi-Final 2 KRISHAWN finished 1st (10.36 w1.4), in the Final KRISHAWN won the Gold Medal (10.49 w-0.4)
200m – SM H1 KRISHAWN AIKEN 1st (22.14 w2.0), in the Final KRISHAWN won the Gold Medal (21.26 w0.5)
110m Hurdles – SM Straight Final DANIEL REES 4th (SB 16.11 w0.5) taking .76 of a second off his 2 July time
400m Hurdles – SM Straight Final DANIEL REES won the Bronze Medal (53.60)
High Jump – SM Straight Final LEWIS MCGUIRE won the Gold Medal (2.02m)
High Jump – SW Straight Final CLAIRE MCGARVEY U23 won the Gold Medal (1.68m)
Long Jump – SM Straight Final BEN MCGUIRE won the Silver Medal (7.00m w0.7)
Long Jump – SW Straight Final SELINA HENDERSON won the Silver Medal (5.57m w0.8)
Shot 7.26kg – SM Straight Final ANGUS MCINROY V35 won the Silver Medal (14.33m)
Discus 2kg – SM Straight Final ANGUS MCINROY V35 won the Silver Medal (45.53m)
Hammer 7.26kg – SM Straight Final CHRIS BENNETT won the Gold Medal (68.28m)

WELSH ATHLETICS JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Newport on 13-14 August.
Hammer 4kg – U20W JESSICA-CHARLIE BENNETT U20 (2nd Claim) won the Gold Medal (48.97m)

SOUTHERN ATHLETICS LEAGUE DIVISION 1 – Took place at Gillingham on 13 August.
1500m Steeplechase – SW A AMELIA WILLS U23 (2nd Claim) 1st (PB 5:15.63) and is ranked UK No.2 U20 in 2022

SOUTHERN ATHLETICS LEAGUE DIVISION 1 – Took place at Peterborough on 13 August.
Shot 4kg – SW B EMMA BEARDMORE (2nd Claim) 3rd (10.75m)
Discus 1kg – SW A EMMA BEARDMORE (2nd Claim) 2nd (41.43m)
Hammer 4kg – SW A EMMA BEARDMORE (2nd Claim) 3rd (44.26m)
Javelin 600g – SW A EMMA BEARDMORE (2nd Claim) 3rd (23.42m)

SOUTHERN ATHLETICS LEAGUE DIVISION 1 – Took place at Winchester on 13 August.
Hammer 4kg – SW A JESSICA-CHARLIE BENNETT U20 (2nd Claim) 1st (53.17m)

SOUTHERN ATHLETICS LEAGUE DIVISION 2E – Took place at Woodford on 13 August.
100m – SW Non-Scoring HELENE KEHOE V55 (2nd Claim) 6th (14.96 w1.2)
200m – SW Non-Scoring HELENE KEHOE V55 (2nd Claim) 4th (31.86 w1.8)
Shot 4kg – SW B HELENE KEHOE V55 (2nd Claim) 4th (6.92m)
Shot 7.26kg – SM A JAMES HAMBLIN (2nd Claim) 1st (12.21m)
Discus 1kg – SW B HELENE KEHOE V55 (2nd Claim) 4th (19.85m)
Discus 2kg – SM A JAMES HAMBLIN (2nd Claim) 3rd (29.85m)
Hammer 4kg – SW B HELENE KEHOE V55 (2nd Claim) 3rd (20.97m)
Hammer 7.26kg – SM A JAMES HAMBLIN (2nd Claim) 1st (59.95m)
Javelin 800g – SM A JAMES HAMBLIN (2nd Claim) 3rd (34.85m)

BMC GOLD STANDARD RACES – Took place at Watford on 10 August.
1500m – Mens A HENRY MCLUCKIE U23 6th (3:42.03), JEREMY DEMPSEY 15th (3:52.55), B KRISTIAN IMROTH U23 1st (PB 3:47.38) taking 1.68 seconds of his 6 July time

BMC REGIONAL RACES – Took place at Loughborough on 10 August.
1500m – Mens A THOMAS PATRICK U23 2nd (PB 3:47.88) taking .23 of a second of his 28 May time

WATFORD OPEN MEETING – Took place at Loughborough on 10 August.
800m – SX 5 CALEB HILTON U13 7th (2:22.91), 6 SCARLETT KENT U23 4th (SB 2:18.08) taking .19 of a second off her 15 June time, 8 BEN BROWNLEADER U20 5th (PB 2:15.22), 10 RAPHAEL AARON U20 10th (PB 2:12.30) taking .42 of a second off his 20 July time, 11 JACOB CLEMENT U17 7th (2:05.86), 12 MAX WINFIELD U20 3rd (PB 2:00.04) taking 1.58 seconds off his 18 May time, DANIEL BANYARD U17 8th (PB 2:01.94) taking 3.00 seconds off his 18 May time, 14 JOSHUA FISHER U20 9th (PB 1:59.77) taking .99 of a second off his 18 May time
3000m – SX 1 PETER BAYVEL-ZAYATS U17 10th (PB 9:44.52), 2 HENRY DOVER U17 2nd (PB 8:15.36) taking 3.16 seconds off his 2020 time, and is ranked UK No.2 U17 in 2022

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 Dietenbach, Germany on 13 August.
JO KENT V55 5th (20.13) this was her 88th Parkrun, RUFUS KENT U23 6th (20.13) this was his 45th Parkrun, SCARLETT KENT U20 7th (20.52) this was her 47th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Gladstone on 13 August.
JULIAN LAMY 24th (23.54) this was his 37th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Hackney Marshes on 13 August.
BARRY CHISHOLM V60 205th (30.35) this was his 258th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Maidenhead on 13 August.
BRADLEY SINGER 16th (22.51) this was his 190th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Norwich on 13 August.
FREYA STAPLETON U20 6th (17.53) this was her 50th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Oak Hill on 13 August.
STUART SINGER V60 37th (22.26) this was his 338th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Panshanger on 13 August.
RUSSELL DEVITT V70 162nd (35.46) this was his 232nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Raphael on 13 August.
STEPHEN SRIKANTHA V35 92nd (29.16) this was his 1st Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Sunny Hill on 13 August.
GEMMA DAVIES V40 40th (32.01) this was her 23rd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Tullow on 13 August.
EUAN PHILLIPS U13 2nd (19.31) this was his 35th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Upton House on 13 August.
HUGH RICHARDS V75 167th (34.12) this was his 175th Parkrun

UPCOMING FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS, FOR THE PERIOD THURSDAY 18 AUGUST UNTIL WEDNESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER – The current 2022 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

ENGLAND U17 & U15 CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 27 August and Sunday 28 August at Manchester Regional Arena, Rowsley Street, Manchester (Satnav M11 3FF).
For all entry details and full information please use this link
http://www.englandathletics.org/england-athletics/english-national-championships
Entries Closed 

LONDON INTER CLUB CHALLENGE/LUCA ATHLETICS SERIES– The fourth of four fixtures takes place on Sunday 28 August at the StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon(Satnav NW4 1RL).
Entry fee is £8 per event for all age-groups. Members of SBH and LUCA qualify for a 50% discount.
Online entries will be open soon – no entries on the day.
Link to entries – https://entry4sports.co.uk/#/ in the filter type in 374
Link to provisional timetable –LICC 4 – Provisional Timetable 28-08-22
Other than when races are combined, the LUCA race is first, men followed by women. All subsequent races are graded with fastest first. Mixed races will be run where possible. Photo finish and EDM are provided. LICC meetings are Licenced by UKA at Level 2.
Entries Closing Date Sunday 21 August 

VITALITY BIG HALF – Takes place on Sunday 4 September.
Start Time 8.30am.
Route: A stunning courses that sets off by Tower Bridge and finishes at the famous Cutty Sark in Greenwich.
The Shaftesbury team of volunteers will be at the Lucozade station at Mile 8.

SOUTHERN U15 AND U17 INTER COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 10 September at the Horspath Athletics Track, Horspath Road, Oxford (Satnav OX4 2RR).
Please Note: You will be selected by your respective County Team Manager.
Closing Date Tuesday 30 August

EASTERN YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE TOP 6 TROPHY (8 CLUBS) – Takes place on Sunday 11 September at the Chelmsford Athletic Centre, Salemo Way, Chelmsford (Satnav CM1 2EH).  
Age-Groups Under U13, U15 & U17 Men/Women. This is the link to the timetable – EYAL-Finals-Timetable-2022-V2 (2)
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager.

DAVE BEDFORD’S 50 YEAR-OLD CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently. Photograph by MARK SHEARMAN.

The oldest British Championships record in the book has stood the test of time for an amazing half century. Fifty years ago in July 1972, the British Championships (officially then the AAA) staged the Olympic Trials at Crystal Palace. At the time, Edward Heath was Prime Minister and Puppy Love by Donny Osmond was the No.1 record in the music charts.

The event was considered the greatest championships in the 92-year history of the event with huge crowds, great weather and a fantastic atmosphere. Undoubtedly some of the crowds and atmosphere were due to the charismatic DAVE BEDFORD. The previous year he had set an European 10,000m record on a baking hot day on a cinder track in Portsmouth and his presence had led to sell out crowds at Crystal Palace where he attempted the world 5000m record at the AAA Championships and set a British record in the steeplechase in the IAC/Coca-Cola meeting.

In 1972, everyone thought he was focusing on the 10,000m and it was that this event that was chosen for the sell-out (3.25pm ) Saturday day two crowd with the 5000m on the Friday evening at 7.50pm. Bedford was not mentioned in the Athletics Weekly 5000m preview though 13 names were picked out to look out for. BEDFORD himself was not sure about risking running the shorter distance and though he was entered his participation was unexpected and he even changed his mind seconds before the start. Though he had not run a fast 5000m for over a year he had run a British 2000m record of (5:03.0) the week before. He started quickly – almost stumbling – as he powered into the lead at 200 metres and completed the first lap in (61.6). He followed that with laps of (62.4), (62.8) and (62.6) for a first mile inside (4:11).

Only IAN STEWART and IAN MCCAFFERTY could live with this staggering pace. The two Scots had fought out a brilliant Commonwealth Games race two years earlier (ahead of Olympic 1500m champion KIP KEINO and world record-holder RON CLARKE) and run the then second and third fastest times in history of (13:22.8) and (13:23.4). DAVE BLACK followed 40 metres back. BEDFORD’S fifth circuit was (63.0) which meant his 2000m time of (5:12.4) put him five seconds up on CLARKE’S equivalent time during his (13:16.6) world record in 1966 and both STEWART and MCCAFFERTY were forced to let him go. Gradually BEDFORD’S tempo slowed with laps of (63.8) and (64.4) but he was still through halfway in (6:32) and a (65.2) brought him through 3000m in an unprecedented (7:53.6), still over three seconds quicker than BEDFORD’S mark during his world record. STEWART (7:59.2) and MCCAFFERTY (7:59.4) were around 40 metres back but still with a clear gap to BLACK (8:01.0).

Not surprisingly, the tempo began to slow further and laps of (65.8) and (66.0) brought him to 4000m in (10:38.6), just 1.4 seconds up on CLARKE’S time. Had there been pacer lights at CLARKE’S pace, it would have overtaken the Briton with 600 metres to go. At this stage, MCCAFFERTY had left STEWART behind and was closing. BEDFORD then rallied and after passing the bell in (12:17.6) he completed the lap from 4400 to 4800 in (62.4) and was 0.7 down on CLARKE’S equivalent with 200m to go. Having run (29.6) for his penultimate 200m, he needed (29.4) for his final one but despite a big effort he covered it in (30.0) to miss the Australian’s mark by just 0.6 of a second.

His winning time of (13:17.2) was still easily the second fastest time in history and a European record and no one has bettered that in the British Championships in the past half century. MCCAFFERTY settled for second in (13:19.8) to be only the third man ever to break (13:20).

LAVIAI NIELSEN, “WE WANT TO BE A BEACON OF LIGHT” – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

World relay medallist hopes she and her twin sister LINA can help others after speaking out about living with Multiple Sclerosis. LAVIAI NIELSEN would like she and her twin sister to represent “a beacon of hope” to people going through their own challenges, after both recently spoke out about living with Multiple Sclerosis.

Two weeks after her sibling and fellow international athlete Lina revealed she has had the condition which affects the brain and the spinal cord, after her 400m heat on Monday evening the 26-year-old spoke about being diagnosed with the same disease last summer. Talking about it has helped and the number of supportive messages which have come the NIELSEN’S way since has provided motivation to be of service to others. “I feel confident now that my sister has done it,” LAVIAI told AW, when asked how she had felt about voicing the news. “Before she spoke out, it was kind of daunting but we’ve had so many positive messages saying that we’re role models and inspirations, which is hard to believe. “We’re taking that very seriously, though, and hope to be a beacon of hope for anyone not just going through MS but any difficulties or chronic illnesses.” MS can damage nerves and cause a number of debilitating symptoms, which include numbness or weakness in the limbs, a lack of co-ordination, vision problems, slurred speech and dizziness.

On Monday evening LAVIAI had said: “I got diagnosed last year, two days before I flew to the Olympics, which was great for my mental health. I saw LINA when she got diagnosed when she was 17 and she went through a really dark period. No 17-year-old should have to face that. “I saw her face depression. I looked back at the nine years she had and thought ‘I’m going to be ok’. I’ve got the most perfect example right in front of me. I dealt with it in my own way, but ever since it’s been really positive and we’ve helped each other through it all.” In terms of how badly she has been affected, LAVIAI added: “The only thing I had last year was I would be affected by heat. I would get pins and needles or a numb feeling down my left side. So I spoke to her [LINA] about it and said ‘could it be what you have’? “Luckily, I haven’t had any severe symptoms. It hasn’t hindered my training or my performance, so I consider myself quite lucky.” The emotional toll of revealing her illness must have been significant but, barely a few hours after her disclosure, LAVIAI NIELSEN was offering no excuses about being unable to progress from the 400m semi-finals.

A season’s best of (51.53) was not enough for the three-time world 4x400m medallist to keep hopes of a first major individual honour alive, and she said: “I know I shouldn’t take these moments for granted but I expected more of myself today. I probably just let the occasion get to me a little bit. “Last summer, when I got diagnosed, it was hard to compartmentalise the two [the diagnosis and competing] but this year I’ve gotten really good at switching off. I had a task to do today, and that was making the final. That’s all that was in my head. Now that we’ve spoken out about it, you can kind of park it and get on with everything else. “I think the more people message us and say, ‘How are you doing this?’ and that we’ve done so well, it sinks in a bit more because I think when you’re in athletics, and you’re training and you’re performing, you just always take some next thing and not worrying about what’s going on around you.”

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE WINTER SEASON – Apologies i know we are just in August, but for those who are looking forward to the mud, these are the key cross country fixtures for the season.
Start Fitness Metropolitan League – October 15 at Claybury, November 12 at Wormwood Scrubs, December 3 at Uxbridge, January 14 at Welwyn Garden City and February 11 at Trent Park. (For all age-groups Men/Women including U11s, you do not need to be pre-entered, just turn up and run).
North West London League – Awaiting Dates/Venues. (For age-groups U11, U13, U15 and U17 Men/Women, you do not need to be pre-entered, just turn up and run).

The following cross country fixtures you will have to be pre-entered by your relevant Team Manager.
Southern Relays – October 22 at Wormwood Scrubs, National Relays – November 5 at Mansfield,  London Championships and Youth Games – November 19 at Parliament Hill, Southern Masters and Inter Counties – December 10 at Croydon, Middlesex Championships – January 7 venue TBC, Hertfordshire Championships – January 8 venue TBC, Southern Championships – January 28 venue TBC and National Championships – February 25 at Leeds.

The following road relay fixtures you will have to be pre-entered by your relevant Team Manager.
Middlesex Relays – September 11 at Hayes, Southern 4/6 Stage Relays – September 24 venue TBC, National 4/6 Stage Relays – October 8 at Sutton Park, Southern 6/12 Stage Relays – April 2 at Milton Keynes and National 6/12 Stage Relays – April 15 at Sutton Park.

The following road fixtures you will have to be pre-entered by your relevant Team Manager, there will be a trial race for selecting the London Borough of Barnet teams. (For age-groups U13, U15 and U17 Men/Women).
TCS Mini London Marathon – October 1 near Temple Station and April 22 near Temple Station.

SHAFTESBURY BARNET 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. This is the one post this week;

SOUTH OF ENGLAND U13/U15/U17 CHAMPIONSHIPS at Chelmsford on 13-14 August.

Photograph of ANGEL MCLEOD after winning the U15 100m (12.73 w-1.8) and 200m with a personal best (25.71 w1.4).

Photograph of ZICO JONES after winning the U17 400m (49.38).

Congratulations also to ABIGAIL EDWARDS who won the U15 Pole Vault Silver Medal (3.00m), and FRED TAYLOR won the U15 Discus Silver Medal with a personal best (35.66m) adding 1.31m to his 23 July throw, and is ranked UK No.10 U15 in 2022

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION OF INTEREST CAN BE FOUND ON THE SBH WEBSITE BY USING THIS LINK – http://sbharriers.co.uk/