Happy Birthday from Thursday 18 January to Wednesday 25 January – Alastair Brown, Jolomi Demeyin, Charly Doyon, Asher Escobar, George Evans, Matei Frunze, Matthew Grant, Kristian Imroth, Jade Ive, Lani Jaiyeola, Azaria Nwankwo, John Otugade, Aran Patel, Mark Pearce and Alex Stapleton

UNDER 11 CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONS – Congratulations to WILLIAM STOCKDALE and GRACE ROONEY who won the Under 11 title at the Metropolitan League on 13 January.

PARKRUN 200 CLUB – Congratulations to PAUL LEWIS who completed an amazing 200 Parkruns at Aldenham on 13 January.

NOW OPEN TO ENTER, HERTFORDSHIRE, MIDDLESEX AND KENT INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at Lee Valley on Saturday 16 March and Sunday 17 March, for all age-groups excluding U13s.
Link to Hertfordshire online entries – https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions?cc=GBR&page=0&from=2024-03-01&to=2024-03-30
Link to Middlesex entries online – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/?o=&page=7&date__gte=&date__lte=&type=&q=&country_id=&uses_ot=on
Link to Kent entries online – http://kcaa.org.uk/onlineregs/newmeeting9.php?MeetID=1
Link to Middlesex full fixture information – Middlesex Indoor Championships 16-03-24
Closing Dates for Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Kent is Friday 1 March
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

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 2023 is £17. The current total is £97 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.

FEBRUARY AND MARCH INDOOR FIXTURES NOW OPEN TO ENTER – The following 6 fixtures are now open for you to enter – 11 February VAC and EMAC championships, 14 February Lee Valley Middles Distance open meeting,  17-18 February British Masters championships, 23-25 February BUCS championships, 2-3 March Essex and Eastern Counties championships, 16-17 March Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Kent championships.
Link showing full details of all 6 fixtures – February 2024 Indoor Fixtures Now Open To Enter

UNDER 11 TO UNDER 17 WOMEN ALL-TIME TOP 10 – I have now competed the process, and will publish the top 3 plus the full document in next weeks Newsletter..

RESULTS
VICTORIA PARK SPORTS MEDICINE METROPOLITAN LEAGUE – The fourth fixture of five took place at Welwyn Garden City on 13 January.
There were team wins from the Under 11 Boys, Under 15 Boys/17 Men and Veteran Men. The Under 13 Boys finished 4th, Under 11 and 13 Girls finished 5th, Under 15 Girls/17 Women finished in 8th, Senior Men finished 10th and Senior Women finished in 12th place.

These are our individual top 10 finishers – Under 11 Boys WILLIAM STOCKDALE 3rd, HARRISON HENDERSON 4th, JENSON DAY 5th – Under 11 Girls GRACE ROONEY 3rd – Under 13 Boys EDWARD PASCAL 5th – Under 13 Girls AIMEE PORTER 4th – Under 15 Boys ARTHUR PHILLIPS 4th, CALEB HILTON 6th – Under 15 Girls POSIE SHAW 5th – Under 17 Men ADAM O’GORMAN 2nd, JORDAN PEARLMAN 9th – Senior Men THOMAS BUTLER 5th.

I have a problem locating the overall team positions after 4 fixture, and will publish next week.

Under 11 Boys (1400m) – WILLIAM STOCKDALE 3rd (5.15), HARRISON HENDERSON 4th (5.21), JENSON DAY 5th (5.32), LUCAS XIE 11th (5.50), JAMES BERNSTEIN 23rd (6.19) the winner was Joshua Maiden of Harts Phoenix (5.03), 36 runners finished
Team Results – 1st SBH A (125 points), 2nd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (114), 3rd Herts Phoenix (81), 13th SBH B (14) 14 teams finished
Team Results After 3 Fixtures – 1st SBH (480 points), 2nd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (405), 3rd Woodford Green & Essex Ladies (305)

Under 11 Girls (1400m) – GRACE ROONEY 3rd (5.51), KEENYAH ADELISE 17th (6.33) the winner was Alice Clements of Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (5.39), 33 runners finished
Team Results – 1st Woodford Green & Essex Ladies A (97 points), 3rd Harrow (69), 3rd Woodford Green & Essex Ladies B (59), 5th Equal SBH(48) 15 teams finished
Team Results After 3 Fixtures – 1st Woodford Green & Essex Ladies (262), 3rd London Heathside

Under 13 Boys (3200m) – EDWARD PASCAL 5th (11.46), BEN KASPAR 13th (12.23), SAM CLEMENTS 15th (12.28) the winner was Jake Summers of Herts Phoenix (11.25), 35 runners finished
Team Results – 1st Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (117 points), 2nd Herts Phoenix (97), 3rd London Heathside (81), 4th SBH (75) 13 teams finishe

Under 13 Girls (3200m) – AIMEE PORTER 4th (12.33), LUCIA CASALENUOVO 11th (13.33) the winner was Ellina Ponkratieva of St Mary’s Richmond (12.14), 30 runners finished
Team Results – 1st Harrow (75 points), 2nd St Mary’s Richmond (68), 3rd Barnet & District (59), 5th SBH (47) 14 teams finishe

Under 15 Boys and Under 17 Men (4200m) – ADAM O’GORMAN U17 2nd – 2nd U17 (14.19), ARTHUR PHILLIPS U15 4th – 1st U15 (14.22), JORDAN PEARLMAN U17 11th – 9th U17 (15.18), JACOB CLEMENT U17 13th – 11th U17 (15.20), AIDAN MCAVOY U17 17th – 23rd U17 (15.38), CALEB HILTON U15 23rd – 6th U15 (15.49), TOMMY NARVAEZ-WHITE U17 26th – 9th U17 (15.56), GUY FAWCETT U17 31st – 9th U17 (16.16), LADDIE SHAW U15 26th – 22nd U15 (17.08), ZACK JOSEPHS U15 68th – 36th U15 (18.13), OMAR MIAH U15 69th – 36th U15 (18.30), JOSHUA BOWMAN U15 70th – 38th U15 (18.38), JACOB SUGARMAN U15 75th – 41st U15 (19.08), the Under 17 winner was Luke Dunham of Herts Phoenix (14.16), 44 Under 15 runners finished, 35 Under 17 runners finished
Team Results – 1st SBH A (286 points), 2nd Woodford Green & Essex Ladies (274), 3rd Herts Phoenix (269), 4th SBH B (219), 16th SBH C (59) 23 teams finishe

Under 15 Girls and Under 17 Women (4200m) – POSIE SHAW U15 5th – 4th U15 (16.50), ERIN GIBLIN U15 28th – 20th U15 (20.55), PHOEBE MUSIC U17 33rd – 10th U17 (22.29) the Under 15 winner was Jorjia March of Barnet & District (15.54), the Under 17 winner was Keira Shaw of Herts Phoenix (16.19), 24 Under 15 runners finished, 10 Under 17 runners finished
Team Results – 1st London Heathside (113 points), 2nd Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (76), 3rd Woodford Green & Essex Ladies (74), 8th SBH (39) 12 teams finishe

Senior Men (8100m) – THOMAS BUTLER 5th (26.34), FINN MACARTHY 58th (30.08), GARY PELOSI V35 67th (30.21), DANIEL NICHOLS V40 130th (32.29), ROBERT RIGBY V60 156th (33.04), KEVIN WALDEN V40 168th (33.33), JONATHAN BOARDMAN U23 172nd (33.40), ALEJANDRO SANCHEZ 174th (33.42), MARK COTTLE V35 182nd (33.55), JOEL PHILLIPS V45 183rd (33.55), TIM BUTLER V55 240th (36.06), DAVID GREENSTEIN V55 261st (37.04), PAUL MACARTHY V55 270th (37.26), JONNY SHAW V50 288th (38.07), BARRY HAWS V50 298th (38.33), TIM UNDERHILL V55 301st (38.57), PHILIP CUNNINGHAM V60 362nd (43.52) the winner was Roger Poolman of Highgate Harriers (25.46), 379 runners finished
Team Results Division 1 – 1st Highgate Harriers (1456 points), 2nd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (1399), 3rd London Heathside (1341), 10th SBH (599) 12 teams finished
Team Results Veterans Division 2 – 1st SBH (279 points), 2nd Herts Phoenix (271), London Heathside (243) 12 teams finished

Senior Women (8100m) – EMILIA ECONOMU 66th (37.24), JO KENT V55 (2nd Claim) 81st 2nd V55 (38.51) the winner was Elizabeth Janes of Herts Phoenix (30.01), 178 runners finished
Team Results Division 2 – 1st Herts Phoenix (302 points), 2nd Ealing Eagles (260), 3rd Trent Park (202), 12th SBH (12) 12 teams finishe

THESE ARE THE SBH ATHLETES WHO HAVE COMPLETED 3 OR MORE CONSECUTIVE RACES, FOLLOWING THE WELWYN GARDEN CITY FIXTURE ON 13 JANUARY

(9) ARTHUR PHILLIPS
(8) JOEL PHILLIPS V45, PHILIP CUNNINGHAM V55/V60
(6) GRACE ROONEY U11
(5) JACOB CLEMENT U17, ADAM O’GORMAN U17
(4) HARRISON HENDERSON U11, LUCAS XIE U11, EDWARD PASCAL U13, LUCIA CASALENUOVO U13, LADDIE SHAW U15, JACOB SUGARMAN U15, AIDAN MACAVOY U17
(3) SAM CLEMENTS U13, CALEB HILTON U15, POSIE SHAW U15, PHOEBE MUSIC U15, THOMAS BUTLER SM, GERY PELOSI V35

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

SBH WINTER POINTS CHAMPIONSHIPS. THESE ARE THE TOP 3 POSITIONS FOLLOWING THE WELWYN GARDEN CITY FIXTURE ON 13 JANUARY
The Under 11 Boys and Girls totals, include the best 4 of 5 race results if applicable.

Under 11 Boys – 1st DENNYS PASCAL (32 points), 2nd HARRISON HENDERSON (28), 3rd LUCAS XIE (21), – Under 13 Boys – 1st EDWARD PASCAL (32), 2nd BEN KASPAR (21), 3rd SAM CLEMENTS (19) – Under 15 Boys – 1st ARTHUR PHILLIPS (31), 2nd EUAN PHILLIPS (22), 3rd LADDIE SHAW (19) – Under 17 Men – 1st ADAM O’GORMAN (31), 2nd JACOB CLEMENT (23), 3rd AIDAN MACAVOY (19) – Senior Men – 1st THOMAS BUTLER (36), 2nd GARY PELOSI V35 (31), 3rd JONATHAN BOARDMAN U23 (29) – Masters Men 40-49 – 1st JOEL PHILLIPS V45 (26), 2nd DANIEL NICHOLS V40 (23). 3rd KEVIN WALDEN V40 (15) – Masters Men 50-59 – 1st PAUL MACCARTHY V55 (20), 2nd TIM UNDERHILL V55 (19), 3rd TIM BUTLER V55 (16) – Masters Men 60-69 – 1st PHILIP CUNNINGHAM V60 (30), 2nd ROBERT RIGBY V60 (16)

Under 11 Girls – 1st GRACE ROONEY (31 points), 2nd SIENNA DARCY (30), 3rd KEENYAH ADELISE (23) – Under 13 Girls – 1st LUCIA CASALENUOVO (27), 2nd AIMEE PORTER (24), 3rd OLIVIA ABBOTT (15) – Under 15 Girls – 1st POSIE SHAW (24), 2nd ERIN GIBLIN (20), 3rd AMBER JACKSON (14),  (8) – Under 17 Women – 1st ELIZABETH DA TERESA (21), 2nd PHOEBE MUSIC (19), 3rd MYA MAIRS-INGRAM  and ADANNA MAZINWOSU (8)  – Under 20 Women – 1st EVIE WINSTON (8) – Senior Women – 1st NICOLA PAYNE and EMILIA ECONOMU (16)

Winter Points Tables updated with the Metropolitan League results – Mens Cross Country Points Tables 2023-2024 Updated 13-01-24    Womens Cross Country Points Tables 2023-2024 Updated 13-01-24

SOUTHERN U17, U15, U13 INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Lee Valley on 13-14 January
60m – U13B H3 LUCAS DAVIS 5th (8.77i)
60m – U13G H1 ANU JAIYEOLA 2nd (8.33i), Semi-Final 1 ANU finished 2nd (8.35i), in the Final ANU Won the Silver Medal (PB 8.24i) taking .04 of a second off her 7 January time
60m – U15B H1 LANI JAIYEOLA 2nd (PB 7.80i) taking .12 of a second off his 7 January time, 2 JOSHUA NYMAN 1st (PB 7.35i) taking .03 of a second off his 7 January time, 3 LOUIS XUN 4th (SB 8.05i), in Semi-Final 1 LOUIS finished 8th (SB 8.00i) taking .05 of a second off his H3 time, Semi-Final 2 JOSHUA finished 1st (7.41i), Semi-Final 3 LANI finished 6th (7.87i), in the JOSHUA won the Gold Medal (PB 7.22i) taking .13 of a second off his H2 time
60m – U15G H1 AARA KAMARA 4th (8.23i), 5 ISLA BRASSNET 6th (PB 8.85i), Semi-Final 3 AARA finished 2nd (8.14i), in the Final AARA finished 4th (8.12i)
60m – U17M H1 JAIAN SAUNDERS 1st (PB 7.22i) taking .05 of a second off his 7 January time, ALEX KONSTANTARAS (2nd Claim) 1st (SB 7.37i) taking .05 of a second off his 7 January time, 4 KHYAN MARKLAND 2nd (PB 7.29i) taking .21 of a second off his 2023 time, 5 SETH RENNIE-RODDY 7th (PB 7.88i) taking .01 of a second off his 2023 time, Semi-Final 2 KHYAN finished 4th (7.31i), Semi-Final 3 JAIAN finished 3rd (7.26i)
60m – U17W H3 TAMI GEORGE 1st (7.81i), 4 MAKAYLA BRAI-ALOYE 1st (PB 7.89i) taking .08 of a second off her 7 January time, Semi-Final 2 MAKAYLA finished 1st (PB 7.85i) taking .04 of a second off her H4 time, Semi-Final 3 TAMI finished 1st (PB 7.72i) taking .02 of a second off her 7 January time, in the Final TAMI won the Gold Medal (PB 7.68i) taking .04 of a second off her SF3 time,, MAKAYLA finished 4th (7.89i)
200m – U15B H4 JOSHUA NYMAN 1st (PB 24.11i) taking .13 of a second off his 7 January time, in Semi-Final 2 JOSHUA finished 1st (PB 24.05i) taking .06 of a second off his H4 time, in the JOSHUA won the Gold Medal (PB 23.76i) taking .29 of a second off his SF2 time
200m – U15G H1 AARA KAMARA 3rd (28.01i), 6 ISLA BRASSNET 3rd (SB 28.53i), Semi-Final 1 ISLA finished 4th (SB 28.48i) taking .05 of a second off her H6 time, Semi-Final 3 AARA finished 3rd (27.73i)
200m – U17M H1 ALEX KONSTANTARAS (2nd Claim) 2nd (SB 23.59i), 2 JAIAN SAUNDERS 1st (23.30i), Semi-Final 1 JAIAN finished 1st (23.33i), ALEX (DNS), in the JAIAN won the Silver Medal (SB 22.96i) taking .19 of a second off his 1 January time
200m – U17W H5 TAMI GEORGE 1st (SB 25.58i) taking .47 of a second off her 7 January time,, 7 SHAMMAH ST JOHN 4th (SB 28.08i), Semi-Final 2 TAMI finished 1st (SB 25.53i) taking .05 of a second off her H5 time, in the Final TAMI won the Silver Medal (25.20i) taking .33 of a second off her SF2 time
300m – U15G H1 ELIZABETH OTHULO 3rd (45.86i), 3 HOLLY RYAN 2nd (44.73i), in the Final HOLLY won the Bronze Medal (42,16i)
400m – U17M H3 JOE COX 3rd (SB 54.44i) taking .70 of a second off his 1 January time
800m – U13B Straight Final DENNYS PASCAL won the Gold Medal (SB 2:25.59i)
800m – U15G H4 ELIZABETH OTHULO 2nd (PB 2:29.43i) taking .85 of a second off her 2023 time, in the Final ELIZABETH finished 6th (2:45.08i)
800m – U17W H1 DINA SILVERMAN 2nd (SB 2:20.82i) taking 1.86 seconds off her 1 January time, 4 POSIE SHAW 2nd (SB 2:16.85i), in the Final POSIE won the Silver Medal (PB 2:14.05i) taking 2.14 seconds off her 2023 time
60m Hurdles – U17W H5 EVA HIGSON 3rd (SB 9.68i)
Long Jump – U13G Straight Final ANU JAIYEOLA won the Bronze Medal (PB 4.34mi) adding 3cm to her 2023 jump, EDIE RENNIE-RODDY finished 14th (SB 2.39mi)
Long Jump – U15G Pool A ISLA BRASSNET finished 9th (SB 4.32mi)
Long Jump – U17W Pool A ULANI MCCABE-HUGGINS finished 4th (PB 4.72mi) taking 14cm off her 2023 jump, in the Final ULANI finished 9th (PB 4.67mi) taking 5cm off her Pool A jump
Shot 4kg – U15B Straight Final CHU ONONOGBU won the Silver Medal (SB 8.37mi)
Shot 3kg – U17WB Straight Final ELSA SHABANI won the Bronze Medal (PB 12.59mi) adding 3cm to her 2023 put, KIERA LAKE-BRYAN finished 7th (SB 9.60mi)

NORTHERN SENIOR, U20, U17 INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Sheffield on 13-14 January
800m – SM H2 ROBERT SHIPLEY (HCA) 1st (SB 1:58.13i), in the Final ROBERT won the Silver Medal (PB 1:54.30i) taking 2.52 seconds off his 2018 time

LOUGHBOROUGH INDOOR OPEN MEETING – Took place at Loughborough on 13-14 January
60m Hurdles – SM A5 EDSON GOMES 2nd (PB 7.89i) taking .07 of a second off his 2020 time, 6 RUBEN HEDMAN U23 1st (PB 8.14i), B4 EDSON finished 1st (PB 7.84i) taking .05 of a second off his A5 time, 5 RUBEN HEDMAN U23 1st (PB 8.16i)
60m Hurdles – SW A4 JESSICA HUNTER 2nd (SB 8.59i), B3 JESSICA finished 2nd (SB 8.36i) taking .23 of a second off her A4 time
60m Hurdles – M50 A3 GARY SMITH V50 (2nd Claim) 2nd (SB 8.59i) taking .13 of a second off his 6 January time, B2 GARY finished 1st (SB 8.65i)
High Jump – SM KIMANI JACK 1st (PB 2.15mi) adding 3cm to his 2023 height
Pole Vault – SX MANON BAINES U20 6th (SB 3.51mi)
Triple Jump – SM JOSH WOODS U23 2nd (SB 14.73mi)
Triple Jump – SX TRINITY O’CONNOR U23 9th (SB 10.19mi)
Shot 4kg – U23W ALEXANDRA BALTAZAR-HALL U23 2nd (PB 11.21mi) adding 40cm to her 2022 put, NAOMI OGUNNIYI U20 4th (PB 7.80mi) adding 1cm to her 2023 put

VALENCIA10K – Took place at Valencia, Spain on 14 January.
ALEXANDER LEPRETRE (HCA) 68th (SB 29.38), KOJO KYEREME V45 148th 1st V45 (SB 30.56)

BIRMINGHAM LEAGUE DIVISION 1 – Took place at Warley Woods on 13 January.
9500m XC – SM LUCA STUBBS U20 (Loughborough Students) 14th (28.58)

MIDLAND WOMEN’S LEAGUE DIVISION 1 – Took place at Warley Woods on 13 January.
6800m XC – SW FREYA STAPLETON U23 (Birmingham University) 2nd (22.35), EMILY HATHAWAY U23 (Birmingham University) 23rd (24.48)

NAVY PRINCETON DUEL – Took place at Annapolis, Maryland, USA on 13 January.
60m – SW 1 LILY PARRIS U23 (Princeton University 2nd Claim) 4th (PB 7.83i) taking .006 of a second off her 2021 time
60m Hurdles – SW 1 LILY PARRIS U23 (Princeton University 2nd Claim) 4th (SB 8.91i) 

UW PREVIEW – Took place at Seattle, Washington, USA on 13 January.
Pole Vault – SM JAMI SCHLUETER U23 (University of Washington) 10th (SB 4.42mi)
Long Jump – SM B JAMI SCHLUETER U23 (University of Washington) 2nd (SB 7.12mi)

RUNNING2TIME BRUNEL INDOOR OPEN SERIES – Took place at Uxbridge on 14 January.
60m – SX A8 ESTHER AKITI U23 1st (PB 8.41i) taking .14 of a second off her 1 January time, B6 ESTHER finished 3rd (PB 8.41i) equalling her A8 time
60m Hurdles – M50 GARY SMITH V50 (2nd Claim) 1st (SB 8.96i)

SEFTON BRANCKER CUP – Took place at RAF Halton on 14 January.
10000m XC – SM WILLIAM RYLE HODGES 9th (38.10), TIM BUTLER V60 45th 1st V60 (47.50)

HAMPSHIRE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Botley on 6 January.
12200m XC – SM BENJAMIN WILLS won the Silver Medal (42.53)

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…
1,167 events – 229,118 walkers, joggers, runners and volunteers – 11,363 first timers – 25,835 PBs

COMPLETELY USELESS RANDOM FACT – Did you know … In 2023, the distance walked, jogged and run at parkrun covered the distance halfway to the Sun!

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Aldenham on 13 January.
PAUL LEWIS V50 9th (22.15) this was his 200th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Canons Park on 13 January.
DANIYAL JANMOHAMED U11 6th (PB 22.28) this was his 4th Parkrun, LENARD MICHEL V50 19th (24.41) this was his 112th Parkrun, LILYL JANMOHAMED U11 26th (PB 25.09) this was her 3rd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Finsbury on 13 January.
JOSEPH HEATHER U23 3rd (16.46) this was his 45th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Hackney Marshes on 13 January.
BARRY CHISHOLM V60 424th (36.14) this was his 316th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Kesgrave on 13 January.
ROSS HAMMOMD U17 2nd (PB 18.00) this was his 29th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Lake Cleremont, Perth, Australia on 13 January.
STUART MOORE V60 47th (29.27) this was his 218th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Maidstone on 13 January.
CLIFF GOLDING V65 78th (24.50) this was his 158th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Oak Hill on 13 January.
STUART SINGER V60 28th (23.31) this was his 402nd Parkrun, BRADLEY SINGER V35 30th (23.43) this was his 253rd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Pavilion Gardens on 13 January.
ELEANOR HUNT 30th (PB 22.21) this was her 11th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Panshanger on 13 January.
RUSSELL DEVITT V70 242nd (43.51) this was his 287th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at The Old Showfield on 13 January.
RICHARD SAMUEL V70 15th (PB 21.23) this was his 27th Parkrun

UPCOMING ROAD RELAY AND CROSS COUNTRY FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 5 WEEKS, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 18 JANUARY UNTIL WEDNESDAY 21 FEBRUARY – The SBH 2023-2024 Winter Fixture Card and Information Sheet are available on the SBH website – http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixture-cards/ 

SOUTHERN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 27 January at Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham (SatNav BR3 1SY).
Start Times – 11.00am U15 Boys (4.5k), 11.20am U13 Girls (3k), 11.35am U13 Boys (3k), 11.50am U15 Girls (4.5k), 12.10pm U17 Men (6k), 12.40pm U20 Women (6k), 13.05pm U17 Women (5k), 13.30pm U20 Men (8k), 14.05pm Senior Women (8k), 14.50pm Senior Men (15k). In the Senior Men’s any athlete has not started his 3rd lap by 50 minutes they are advised they will be unlikely to complete the course in 90 minutes when times will stop being recorded. Start times to be confirmed, as those shown above were for the 2022 race.
Entries Closed

NORTH WEST LONDON LEAGUE – The fourth fixture of five which takes place on Saturday 3 February at Hampstead Heath Extension, Hampstead Way (Satnav NW!! 7DY).
Age-Groups U11 to U17.
Timetable – 12.00noon U11B&G 1 medium blue lap 1700m, 12.15pm U13B&G 2 medium blue laps 3000m, 12.35pm U15B&G 1 small yellow lap & 1 large red lap 3800m, 13.00pm U17M&W 1 medium blue map & 1 large red lap 4800.
Link to all information including course map – NWLL Hampstead Heath Course Map 03-02-24
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run. Will our athletes please see TY HOLDEN who will give you a race number

START FITNESS METROPOLITAN LEAGUE – The fifth fixture of five takes place on Saturday 10 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.
Awaiting 2024 race details from the organiser.
Race Headquarters – Located just beyond “Go Ape”, on the left hand side (south) 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 – 12.00pm U11 (Over 9) Boys & Girls (up to 1800m), 12.15pm U13 Boys (3000m), 12.30pm U13 Girls (3000m), 12.45pm U17 Men and U15 Boys (4000m), 1.00pm U17 Women and U15 Girls (4000m), 1.15pm U20, Senior and Veteran Women (7800m), 2.15pm U20, Senior and Veteran Men (7800m).
Please Note: This is the link to all information issued by the organisers, which include the course description and maps – Race 5 – Trent Park – 11 February 2023
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run.
Please collect your race numbers from the respective team managers – SIMON KEENE, JEREMY SOTHCOTT and JO KENT
Please go to Start Fitness Metropolitan League web site www.metleague.co.uk for course maps, and any other final information.

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. Still to be confirmed.

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.

NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 24 February at Western Park, Telford, Shropshire.
Start Times 11.00am 57th U17 Women (5000m), 11.25am 21st U15 Boys (4000m), 11.45pm 54th U13 Girls (3000m), 12.05pm 78th U17 Men (6000m), 12.30pm 20th U13 Boys (3000m), 12.45pm 58th U15 Girls (4000m), 1.05am 32nd U20 Women (6000m), 1.35pm 91st Senior Women (8000m), 2.20pm 76th U20 Men (10000m), 3.00pm 136th 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 Close Friday 26 January
Note: You will have to be pre-entered by your Team Manager.

NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS VENUE – The venue for this season’s English National Cross Country Championships returns to the Midland’s and another new one has been chosen with the event taking place this time at Weston Park, near Telford along the A5 to Cannock. With the entrance via Shrewsbury Gate on that road and is scheduled for Saturday 24th February.

The address of the venue is Weston under Lizard, which is a small village nearby. In appearance it is very much an estate village because of Weston Park the family seat of the Earls of Bradford. The lizard bit coming from the proximity of Lizard Hill. The element ‘Weston’ deriving from the Old English, west-tun meaning ‘west farmstead.’

Situated minutes from major motorways and with easy access to mainline train stations, Weston’s location and road network can deal with all sorts of capacity. There is over a 1000 acres of Capability Brown parkland at Weston and this will be a good test for those taking part in the 2024 event with undulating parkland and quality grass.

This will be 136th time a Senior Men’s Championship will be staged since the first in 1876 while the latest ones are the Under 13 and Under 15 Boys first stage in 2003. Once again, the traditional distances will be raced with Senior Men running 12K and the Senior Women 8K. and the finish is adjacent to the wonderfully named Temple of Diana.

UPCOMING INDOOR FIXTURES, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 18 JANUARY UNTIL WEDNESDAY 21 FEBRUARY – Please enter yourself and pay the appropiate fee. Also note, especially Lee Valley, that events may close before any closing date, if that event is fully subscribed.

LEE VALLEY LONDON U20 AND SENIOR INDOOR GAMES – Takes place on Saturday 20 January and Sunday 21 January, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
Events to be advised. For age-groups U20, Senior and Veterans.
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/ligu20sen/
Entries Closing Date Thursday 11 January – 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 LONDON U13, U15 & U17 INDOOR GAMES – Takes place on Saturday 27 January and Sunday 28 January, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
Events to be advised. For age-groups U13, U15 & U17.
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/ligu20sen/
Entries Closing Date Thursday 18 January – Please be advised that events may be full before the closing date.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

SOUTHERN U20 AND SENIOR INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at Lee Valley Athletics Centre are 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Saturday 3 February and Sunday 4 February
To enter please use this link,although entries are not open as yet – http://www.seaa.org.uk/index.php
Entries Closing Date Tuesday 23 January
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

LEE VALLEY AYO FALOLA DREAM MILE – Takes place at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Wednesday 7 February.
Events are Track 400m, 800m, Mile and Triple Jump. For age-groups Under 15 and above.
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/ayofaloladreammile/
Entries Close Wednesday 31 January – 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

ENGLAND ATHLETICS U15, U17 AND U20 INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the English Institute of Sport, Coleridge Road, Sheffield (Satnav S9 5DA) on Saturday 10 February and Sunday 11 February.
To enter please use this link for information and entries – https://www.englandathletics.org/competitions-and-events/national-championships/2024-championships/#nat
Entries Closing Date Sunday 21 January
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

VAC AND EMAC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Sunday 11 February.
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/?o=&page=5&date__gte=&date__lte=&type=&q=&country_id=&uses_ot=on
Entries Closing Date Thursday 1 February – 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 MIDDLE DISTANCE OPEN MEETING – Takes place at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Wednesday 14 February,
Events 800m and 1500m. Age-groups Under 13 and above.
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/?o=&page=5&date__gte=&date__lte=&type=&q=&country_id=&uses_ot=on
Entries Closing Date Monday 12 February – 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  (LOOK FOR INFO)

 UK ATHLETICS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS AND EUROPEAN TRIALS – Takes place at the Utilita Arena, King Edwards Road, Birmingham (Satnav B1 2AA) on Saturday 17 February and Sunday 18 February.
Athletes will be invited to compete.
Link to apply for tickets – https://www.koobit.com/uk-athletics-indoor-championships-e5431

 BRITISH MASTERS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the English Institute of Sport, Coleridge Road, Sheffield (Satnav S9 5DA) on Saturday 17 February and Sunday 18 February.
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/?o=&page=5&date__gte=&date__lte=&type=&q=&country_id=&uses_ot=on
Entries Closing Date Wednesday 7 February
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

ALL EYES ON PARLIAMENT HILL AS A FEAST OF CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING AWAITS – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently. Photograph taken by MARK SHEARMAN.

We set the scene for one of the most anticipated events of the year – the London International Cross Country. Earlier this month an England cross-country squad led by EAMONN MARTIN was thwarted in their attempt to race in Elgoibar when their flight from Gatwick to Bilbao was cancelled. On Saturday (Jan 20) MARTIN organises the London International Cross Country and he will be praying for better luck when the athletes and spectators descend on Parliament Hill for one of the most eagerly awaited events of the season.

With short laps, tight bends and sharp climbs, MARTI has devised a course that is devilishly challenging and spectator friendly. The idea is to mimic some of the atmosphere and excitement that unfolds every summer at the Night of the 10,000m PBs at the same Hampstead Heath venue. Weather permitting, there are also plans for a big screen, a marquee filled with fans for runners to race through and alcoholic drinks, plus a live stream for those who cannot make it. In the spiritual home of cross-country running, MARTI aims to puts on a show that brings the sport into the modern era. Pure spectacle aside, the event incorporates the Home Countries International and British Athletics Cross Challenge, together with the trial for the World University Games in Oman and World Cross Country Championships in Serbia. For the latter, the winners of the senior men’s and women’s races will earn automatic selection into the GB team. “There’s something fantastic about running in the centre of London,” says NIAMH BRIDSON HUBBARD, one of the senior women’s contenders this weekend. “I lived right by Hampstead Heath for a year and it’s such a great place to run. It’s amazing being at the top of Parliament Hill as well as you forget you’re in the centre of the city. You come up all the mud and hills and get to the top and you have this great view of the city. It’s pretty cool.”

Current athletes aside, there will also be some legendary runners from yesteryear among the spectators such as DAVE BEDFORD and JULIAN GOATER. In 1970, BEDFORD famously won the Southern senior men’s title at Parliament Hill before audaciously tackling the junior men’s event 20 minutes later, which he also won in style. GOATER, meanwhile, demolished a world-class field at the 1981 English National at the same famous venue by almost two minutes. Parliament Hill has seen plenty of historic performances over the years and an exciting new chapter could be written this weekend.

London International Cross Country teams
Senior men
England – Alfie Manthorpe, Jack Gray, James Kingston
Scotland – Angus McMillan, Jamie Crowe, Scott Stirling, Harry Henricksen
Wales – Tom Wood, Mike Ward, Ben Miles
Northern Ireland – Chris Fielding, Coneal McCambridge, Craig McMeechan, Andrew Milligan
Eastern Counties – Edward Blythman, Callum Charleston, James Connor, John Millar
Midland Counties – Thomas Bentley, Charlie Davies, Jack Millar, Kurt Taylor
Northern Athletics – Hugo Milner, Matt Ramsden, Tom Humphries, Tommy Power
South of England – Jeremy Dempsey, Sam Hodgson, Mahamed Mahamed, Tomer Tarragano

 U20 men
England – William Rabjohns, James Dargan, Quinn Miell-Ingram, Jake Stevens
Scotland – Connor Bell, Logan Beagley, Angus Wright, Hamish McKay
Wales – Henry Evans, Rhys Llewellyn, Tudur Harper Lloyd
Eastern Counties – Tom Bongaerts, Harry Hewitt, Oscar Graham-Pereira, Ben Peck
Midland Counties – Michael Banks, Harry Bond, Ash Burgess, Andy Jeavons
Northern Athletics – Edward Hobbs, Liam McCay, Alex Poulston, Will Sutcliffe
South of England – Noah Campion, Harry Johnston, Ethan Primett, Mark Ruby

Senior women
England – Niamh Bridson Hubbard, Phoebe Barker, Amelia Quirk, Ellie Wallace
Scotland – Kirsty Walker, Lynn McKenna, Holly Page, Scout Adkin
Wales – Alaw Evans, Lauren Cooper, Martha Owen
Northern Ireland – Orla Duffy, Hannah Gilliland, Robyn McKee, Edel Monaghan
Eastern Counties – Holly Fisher, Lizzie James, Rebecca Murray, Lauren Nichols
Midland Counties – Julie Emmerson, Amy Fuller, Megan Marchant, Penny Oliver
Northern Athletics – Ellie Curran, Lauren McNeil, Emilia Platt, Rosie Woodhams
South of England – Niamh Brown, Holly Dixon, Charlotte Dannatt, Katie Hughes

U20 women
England – Eliza Nicholson, Innes FitzGerald, Jess Bailey, Isobelle Jones
Scotland – Mille McClelland Brooks, Natasha Phillips, Jessica Inglis, Amy Teasdale
Wales – Ben Rawlinson, Caitlin Jones, Maddison Griffiths
Eastern Counties – Madeline Barker, Lucy Jones, Isabel Mansley, Amie Read
Midland Counties – Aria Abberley-Barker, Jade Charlton, Bethan Homer, Maisi Trueman
Northern Athletics – India Barwell, Isabel Holt, Amelia Lane, Beth Rogers
South of England – Jenny Leggate, Maddie Hughes, Lauren Russell

Teams aside, there are a number of individual athletes competing as part of the Cross Challenge series. They include Sarah Astin, Alice Goodall, Phoebe Law, Beth Kidger, Will Battershill and Tom Evans. In the BUCS 4km trial races, meanwhile, look out for runners like Khai Mhlanga and Sam Mills.

Timetable
10.45 U13 girls 3km
11.00 U13 boys 3km
11.15 Open women’s & BUCS 4km trial
11.35 U15 boys 4km
11.55 U15 girls 4km
12.15 Senior women 10km
13.00 Senior men 10km
13.40 U20/U17 women 6km
14.05 U17 men 6km
14.30 U20 men 8km
15.00 Open men’s & BUCS 4km trial

YOUNG ATHLETE AGE-GROUPS IN BRITAIN SET FOR CONTROVERSIAL OVERHAUL – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

UKA board approves proposals from the home country athletics federations to adopt even number age group categories. The age-group system for young athletes in Britain will change from odd to even numbers in April 2026. In an historic move, the traditional categories of under-13, under-15 and under-17 will be replaced by under-12, under-14, under-16 and under-18. It is a move that will anger grassroots coaches and officials in particular, many of whom have fiercely argued against the changes in recent years. The ‘even number’ categories are used by World Athletics and the vast majority of its member federations. International championships organised by World Athletics and European Athletics also use the under-18 and under-20 categories. Yet now, following last month’s UK Athletics board meeting, the same age groups will be used in Britain from April 1 in 2026, thereby giving the sport just over two years to prepare for the change. The proposals to move from odd to even age groups were made by the home country athletics federations last year with a nationwide consultation taking place in the autumn before it was debated at the UKA board in December.

“UK Athletics can confirm an amendment to age groups as part of the rule change proposals for the 2024-2026 rule book has been approved at a recent UKA board meeting,” a statement read. “The home country athletics federations’ proposal to revise the current age groups of U13, U15, U17 to new age groups of U12, U14, U16 and U18 was approved.” The statement continued: “The HCAF proposal was formed following consultation carried out by each of the HCAFs with key stakeholders in the sport to frame the recommendation to the UKA board. In approving the proposal, the UK Athletics board acknowledged the strategic role of the HCAFs in administering the sport at junior age group level, while also recognising the important role carried out by the rules group on behalf of the whole sport. “The full implementation of the age group changes will come into effect from 1 April 2026. A publication of a summary of changes and guidance notes will be on the 16 February 2024 as per the rules consultation timeline.”

This will mean:
Years 5 and 6 (ages 9-11) will fall into the under-12 category.
Years 7 and 8 (11-13) will be under-14.
Years 9 and 10 (13-15) will be under-16.
Years 11 and 12 (15-17) will be under-18.
Year 13 and university students (17+) will be under-20.

As well as moving into alignment with the rest of the world, the governing bodies argue the changes will help minimise teenage drop-out rates because the current system in the UK sees top year under-17 and under-20 athletes juggling athletics competitions with GCSEs and A-levels – or National exams and Highers in Scotland. This is, they say, is a “perfect storm” of pressure. They have pointed to a 2018 survey that found “time constraints from studying” was the leading reason for athletes aged 15-22 stopping athletics. “The clash with academic commitments, creating massive pressure on young people, the lack of alignment with other countries, sports and talent pathways and the negative mental effect caused by large amounts of pressure and other aspects such as the Relative Age Effect could cause the athlete to decrease or case participation in athletics,” the governing bodies told grassroots during their consultation period in 2023. “An athlete shouldn’t have to choose between academic or athletics success.”

Several attempts in recent years to change the age groups have been met with strong opposition from grassroots. They insist new age groups will not improve drop-out rates and will cause confusion when it comes to throws implements and hurdles races, not to mention long-established age-group records.

As we reported last year, Northern Athletics – the main track and field competition provider in the North of England – was particularly critical and last year wrote to its member clubs to say that the consultation process was sprung on them with the webinars being “lectures followed by a few approved questions and answers”. They added that changing the age groups would create “considerable chaos… and there is scant evidence it will benefit our athletes nor our clubs and officials.” AW understands that despite these new rules the age groups within schools competitions will remain unchanged.

AGNES JEBET NGETICH SMASHES 29 MINUTE BARRIER FOR 10KM – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

Kenyan takes almost half a minute off YALEMZERF YEHUALAW’S women’s world record as she runs (28:46) in Valencia. AGNES JEBET NGETICH has become the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier for 10km after clocking a scintillating (28:46) on the roads of Valencia on Sunday (Jan 14).

The 22-year-old Kenyan took 28 seconds off YALEMZERF YEHUALAW’S world record of (29:14), which was set in Castellon, Spain, in 2022. After passing halfway in (14:13), NGETICH also equalled BEATRICE CHEBET’S world 5km record, which was set two weeks ago in Barcelona. Runner-up EMMACULATE ACHOL was also under YEHUALAW’S record as the Kenyan clocked (28:57) to become the second woman to break the 29min barrier. LILIAN RENGERUK of Kenya was third in (29:32) as Britain’s JESS WARNER-JUDD  clocked (30:41) to take 25 seconds off her best as she moved to No.4 on the UK all-time rankings. With (31:22), MEGAN KEITH also ran a PB to go No.7 on the UK all-time rankings.

“I was not expecting a world record,” said NGETICH. “I was only coming here to improve my time. But I am now so happy. I didn’t expect this.” Once again the self-styled “ciudad del running” delivered as NGETICH ran faster on the roads for 10km than the great EMIL ZATOPEK managed for the distance on the track. In fact NGETICH is now more than a minute quicker than another male distance running legend, PAAVO NURMI. NGETICH finished sixth in the world 10,000m final in Budapest last year and took bronze in the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst. She plans to run this year’s World Cross in Belgrade in March before aiming for the Paris Olympics. Her best time for 10km on the roads prior to her record-breaking run was (29:26), set in Lille in November, whereas her PB of (31:34.83) on the track was set in Budapest last August. Her best 5000m is (14:36.70) but she has clearly improved a lot this winter as she won the race in Valencia by 11 seconds.

Improvements in women’s world records in distance running have been huge in recent years. In the early 1970s the top women ran just 37 minutes for 10km on the roads although GRETE WAITZ of Norway took the world best down to (31:32) in 1983. LIZ MCCOLGAN was the first woman to break 31 minutes on the roads with (30:39) in 1989. Fellow Brit PAULA RADCLIFFE ran (30:21) in 2003 before JOYCLINE JEPKOSGEI of Kenyan clocked (29:43) in 2017, KALKIDAN GEZAHEGNE of Bahrain (29:38) in 2021 and YEHUALAW (29:14) two years ago.

ATHLETES UNAWARE UK COMBINED EVENTS CHAMPIONSHIPS TITLE WAS AT STAKE AT SHEFFIELD – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

HARRY KENDALL, who finished sixth for England in the decathlon at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, says “it was disappointing to have zero clarity on the standard of competition” GABBY PIERACCINI reports from Sheffield. 

Several athletes have commented they didn’t realise the recent UK Combined Events Championships title was at stake until they got to the actual podium and saw the medals. Some of the UK’s top combined eventers arrived at the English Institute of Sport last weekend (January 6- 7) for what they thought was primarily the England Athletics Combined Events Championships. The event is open to athletes outwith England and the distribution of English and regional medals always requires much shuffling on and off the podium, particularly when international athletes are in attendance. However, on this occasion there was an additional twist. As the pentathlon ceremony drew to a close, the stadium announcers called up the athletes to receive their final medals – for the UK titles. A murmur of surprise spread through the group of coaches, friends and families assembled on the track, many of whom were clearly not aware the UK title was being handed out.

A short while later, the equivalent ceremony for the heptathlon followed. Again, an air of surprise and confusion, as UK championship medals were hung around the necks of the top three. “We didn’t know about this,” one coach said in surprise. Many were frustrated at the confusion, including HARRY KENDALL, who finished sixth for England and lit up the Alexander Stadium in the decathlon at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. After the event, he said: “It was disappointing to have zero clarity on the standard of the competition last weekend, as it could have encouraged a larger turnout of athletes or inspired better performances. “For all of us athletes it feels like another slight towards combined events, in an attempt to continually sideline us from the main events. We’re just asking for equal treatment, not special treatment.”

OLYMPIC GAMES 2024 – Take place in Paris from the 26 July until the 11 August. The Athletics take place from the 1 August until the 11 August.
Link to the Olympic Games website for the schedule for all events – https://www.paris2024.org/en/competition-schedule-olympic-games/
Detailed schedule for events will be issued later this year
Link to the Olympic Games website to register for tickets – https://tickets.paris2024.org/en/

PARALYMPIC GAMES 2024 – Take place in Paris, from the 28 August until the 8 September.
Link to the Paralympic Games website for the schedule for all events – https://www.paris2024.org/en/competition-schedule-paralympic-games/
Link to the Paralympic Games website to register for tickets – https://tickets.paris2024.org/en/

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS ON INSTAGRAM– Since the account was setup towards the end of last year, there has been an amazing amount of Videos and Photographs contributed with many comments. There is 1 post this week.

Photograph taken at the Be Fit Indoor Meeting at Lee Valley on 7 January, with our 4 athletes relaxing before the start of their 400m races.

From left to right SEAN SUTHERLAND V50 who ran (58.96), JADEN AULIS U20 ran (55.05), BEN ROCHFORD ran (49.52) and KEENAN STEPHENS U23 ran (51.71).

THE FOLLOWING IS CLUB INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TOPICS

SBH 2023-2024 WINTER FIXTURE CARD – The 2023-2024 Winter Fixture Card and Information Sheet can be found on the SBH website. Link to the Winter Fixture Card and Information Sheet – http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixture-cards/
Please select a document, following this you can print a copy for future reference.

SBH 2023-2024 WINTER POINTS AND CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP TABLES – Currently the updated Winter Points and Club Championship tables are published on the SBH website.
Link to the updated Winter Points tables, following the 13 January Metropolitan League – Mens Cross Country Points Tables 2023-2024 Updated 13-01-24    Womens Cross Country Points Tables 2023-2024 Updated 13-01-24
Link to the updated Club Championships table, following the 13 January Metropolitan League – SBH Cross Country Club Championship Winners 2023-2024 Updated 13-01-24
Please select a document, following this you can print a copy for future reference.

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 – StoneX Membership (1) as of 30 October 2023

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 592961. 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 £35 + 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 JUMPS 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. High Jump training is on Wednesday’s from 18.45pm 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 FAST FORWARD SCHOOL ATHLETICS CLUB – ‘Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers now run the school athletics club on Tuesday and Thursday at 4.30pm and which progresses to a more advanced club at 5.45 as a segue into the club. This is for ages 5 years -10 years of age. Please contact TY HOLDEN on 07737803260 for further information

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