Happy Birthday from Thursday 22 February to Wednesday 28 February – Esther Akiti, Karl Bulman, Thomas Butler, Jacob Clement, Tia Daly, Vanessa Gavenaite, Barry Haws, Anthony Jackson, Sienna Oakley-Medwinter, David Parker, Ehsan Rahimi, Alana Samji, Ariel Sota and James Todd,

WORLD INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Congratulations to LINA NIELSEN who has been selected for the GB&NI team in Glasgow on 1-3 March. LINA is a member of the 4x400m relay squad.
UK Athletics say they have prioritised medal hopes when picking the team. The squad might grow in size, too, as there is the chance athletes might be added later this week if they place highly enough in the world rankings. Shot putters AMELIA STRICKER and SCOTT LINCOLN fall into this category.

NEW INDOOR CLUB RECORD – Congratulations to EMILY NEWNHAM who lowered her own Under 23 400m club record, with a time of (53.70i) in the UK Championships in Birmingham on 17 February. EMILY’S previous club record was (54.18i) set in Sheffield on 7 February 2024.

NEW INDOOR CLUB RECORD – Congratulations to CHARLES HICKS who in lowered his own 5000m club record, with a time of (13:09.38i) in Boston, USA on 16 February, which is a European qualification time. CHARLES’ previous club record was (13:22.05i) set in Chicago, USA on 10 February 2023.

NEW INDOOR CLUB RECORDS – Congratulations to ROSALIND ZEFFERTT who lowered 2 of her own V60 club records at the British Masters Indoor Masters at Lee Valley on 17-18 February. Firstly in the 200m ROSALIND ran (35.80i), previous record (36.12i) and the Long Jump (3.51mi) previous record (3.43mi)

LONDON INTER CLUB CHALLENGE THROWSFEST WEEK 1 – Takes place on Saturday 30 March at the StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL).
Entry fee is £12 per event for all age-groups, which includes 6 throws. SBH Members qualify for a 50% discount.
Events are Discus, Shot, Hammer & Javelin.
Link to the online entries –  https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/licc-throwsfest-1/
Entries Closing Date Sunday 24 March, No Entries On The Day 

LONDON INTER CLUB CHALLENGE THROWSFEST WEEK 2 – Takes place on Sunday 7 April at the StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL).
Entry fee is £12 per event for all age-groups, which includes 6 throws. SBH Members qualify for a 50% discount.
Events are Discus, Shot, Hammer & Javelin.
Link to the online entries – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/licc-throwsfest-2/
Entries Closing Date Sunday 31 March, No Entries On The Day

2024 TRACK AND FIELD FIXTURES – With the cross country coming to a close in around 3 weeks time, I am already in the process of compiling the 2024 Summer Fixture Card. The season will be hectic from April to July, as this year sees the Olympic Games taking part in Paris, France from 26 July to 11 August, with the athletics starting on 1 August until 11 August.

The following fixtures are the 4 leagues that Shaftesbury compete in, all athletes will be selected by their respective Team Manager. On many of the fixtures there are non-scoring events, therefore please contact your respective Team Manager on what events are available, and whether you will be competing.

Eastern Young Athletes League – For age-groups U13, U15 & U17 Men and Women. There are 4 fixtures, following these there is a league final for the top 6 clubs in the league, and a plate final for clubs finishing 7th to 12th in the league.
Fixtures – Sunday 14 April at Ware, Sunday 5 May at Watford, Sunday 2 June at Colchester, Sunday 21 July at StoneX Stadium, the final is on Sunday 8 September at StoneX Stadium.
Middlesex Young Athletes League – For age-groups U11, U13, U15 & U17 Men and Women. There are 4 fixtures.
Fixtures – Saturday 27 April at Finsbury Park, Sunday 19 May at Perivale, Sunday 16 June at Harrow, Saturday 6 July at Parliament Hill.
UK Youth Development League – For age-groups U17 & U20 Men and Women. There are normally 4 fixtures, but fixture 4 scheduled for Saturday 3 August has been cancelled due to the Olympic Games taking place. Following the 3 fixtures will be the YDL final for the top 2 clubs from each region.
Fixtures – Sunday 28 April at Windsor, Sunday 26 May at Hemel Hempstead, Sunday 30 June at StoneX Stadium, the final is on Saturday 31 August at to be advised.
National Athletic League – For age-groups U17 & U20 athletes can be selected if they have reached the qualifying standard & Senior Men and Women. There are 4 fixtures.
Fixtures – Saturday 1 June at Chelmsford, Saturday 22 June at StoneX Stadium, Sunday 7 July at Stevenage, Saturday 3 August final at Bedford.
SCVAC Veterans League – Still awaiting fixture details.
London Inter Club Challenge – For all age-groups including U11s. Open to all athletes, with 50% discount for SBH athletes.
Fixtures – Saturday 30 March Throwsfest 1 at StoneX Stadium, Sunday 7 April Throwsfest 2 at StoneX Stadium, Saturday 13 July at StoneX Stadium, Saturday 17 August at StoneX Stadium, Sunday 1 September at StoneX Stadium. Note: There will be midweek Hurdles fixtures at StoneX Stadium, dates to be finalised.
Other Major Fixtures – 7-12 June European Championships at Rome, 28-30 June UK Championships at Manchester, 12-13 July English Schools Championships at Birmingham, 18-21 July European Under 18 Championships at Slovakia, 19-21 July England Under 20 and Senior Combined Events, plus Track and Field Championships venue TBC, 26-28 July England Age-Group Combined Events, plus Track and Field Championships venue TBC, 1-11 August Olympic Games taking place in Paris, 27-31 August World U20 Championships at Lima, Peru.

WATFORD OPEN MEETINGS 2024  – Currently take place on Wednesday evenings, these are the 2024 dates – 3 April, 17 April, 1 May, 15 May, 29 May, 12 June, 26 June, 10 July, 24 July, 7 August, 21 August and 4 September.

They take place at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav WD25 7HH).
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Link to all information including link to enter a meeting – https://watfordharriers.org.uk/open-meets
The 3 April meeting will go live on the roster athletics website from 19 March, and thereafter on a 2 week rolling basis.The Watford Harriers website (link above) takes you directly to roster athletics.
Note: There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.

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.

RESULTS
UK ATHLETICS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS INCLUDING EUROPEAN TRIALS – Took place at Birmingham on 17-18 February
60m – SM H1 KRISHAWN AIKEN 8th (6.98i), H2 JOHN OTUGADE (DQ), H3 JORDAN WATSON-BROWNE 3rd (6.86i) in Semi-Final 1 JORDAN finished 7th (6.87i)
200m – SM H4 KRISHAWN AIKEN 2nd (21.69i) in Semi-Final 1 KRISHAWN finished 4th (21.74i)
400m – SM H5 JAMAL RHODEN-STEVENS (DNF)
400m – SW H1 EMILY NEWNHAM U23 2nd (SB 53.70i) taking .48 of a second off her 7 February time, and is ranked UK No.3 U23 in 2024, also a new Club Record, H3 LINA NIELSEN 1st (53.05i), H4 HAYLEY MCLEAN 3rd (SB 55.21i) taking .05 of a second off her 4 February time, in Semi-Final 2 LINA finished 1st (SB 52.06i) taking .75 of a second off her 3 February time, in Semi-Final 3 EMILY finished 3rd (54.21i) in the Final LINA won the Silver Medal (SB 51.95i) taking .11 of a second off her SF2 time, and is ranked UK No.4 in 2024
800m – SM H2 ROBERT SHIPLEY (HCA) 4th (1:52.85i), H3 SAM WIGGINS 5th (SB 1:54.47i)
3000m – SM Straight Final MARK PEARCE 9th (SB 7:56.85i)
60m Hurdles – SM H1 RUBEN HEDMAN U23 2nd (8.02i), H4 CRAIG MONCUR U23 4th (8.45i), in the Final RUBEN finished 8th (8.11i)
60m Hurdles – SW H4 JESSICA HUNTER 1st (8.29i), in the Final JESSICA won the Bronze Medal (8.27i)
High Jump – SM Straight Final AKIN COWARD won the Bronze Medal (SB 2.12mi) equalling his 4 February height, and is ranked UK No.4 in 2024, KIMANI JACK U23 5th equal (2.04mi)
High Jump – SW Straight Final EVELYNE FONTEYNE U23 5th (1.74mi)
Pole Vault – SW Straight Final JADE IVE (HCA) won the Silver Medal (4.31mi)
Triple Jump – SM Straight Final JOSH WOODS U23 6th Medal (SB 14.80mi) adding7cm to his 14 January jump, and is ranked UK No.6 U23 in 2024, DANIEL LEWIS 8th (14.27mi)
Shot 7.26kg – SW Straight Final SCOTT LINCOLN (HCA) won the Gold Medal (20.08mi)

BRITISH MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Lee Valley on 17-18 February
60m Hurdles – M50-55 Straight Final GARY SMITH V50 (2nd Claim) won the Silver Medal (8.57i)
200m – W60 H1 ROSALIND ZEFFERTT V60 4th (SB 35.80i) taking .32 of a second off her 20 January time
400m – M45 H2 KOJO KYEREME V45 won the Bronze Medal (PB 54.10i) and is ranked UK No.3 V35 in 2024. KOJO with his medal.

Pole Vault – W55+ Straight Final ROSALIND ZEFFERTT V60 won the Bronze Medal (SB 2.30mi) adding 6cm to her 20 January height, and is ranked UK No.1 V60 in 2024
Long Jump – W60-65 Straight Final ROSALIND ZEFFERTT V60 5th (SB 3.51mi) and is ranked UK No.5 V60 in 2024
Triple Jump – W55+ Straight Final ROSALIND ZEFFERTT V60 4th (7.37mi)
Shot 4kg – W35-45 Straight Final EMMA BEARDMORE V35 (2nd Claim) won the Bronze Medal (SB 11.76mi) adding 24cm to her 11 February put, and is ranked UK No.3 V35 in 2024

HVEZDY v NEHVIZDECH – Took place at Nehvizdy, Czech Republic on 20 February
Shot 7.26kg – SM SCOTT LINCOLN (HCA) 4th (20.74mi)

WORLD UNIVERSITY CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Muscat, Oman on 17-18 February
10,282m – SM JEREMY DEMPSEY U23 (GB&NI) 24th (31.22)
Team Results – This is only results published, which are the Men/Women teams combined 1st France (40 points), 2nd Spain (53), 3rd GB&NI (80)

UK WINTER THROWS CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Loughborough on 17 February
Discus 2kg – SM GREGORY THOMPSON 1st (SB 55.74m) and is ranked UK No.3 in 2024, GEORGE EVANS 2nd (SB 53.77m) and is ranked UK No.4 in 2024
Javelin 800g – SM DANIEL BAINBRIDGE 1st (SB 71.42m) and is ranked UK No.1 in 2024

BOSTON UNIVERSITY DMR CHALLENGE – Took place at Boston Massachusetts, USA on 16 February
3000m – SM CHARLES HICKS (Stanford University) (SB 7:57.05i) during 5000m race
5000m – SM CHARLES HICKS (Stanford University) 6th (SB 13:09.38i) taking 12.67 seconds off his 2023 time, and is ranked UK No.5 in 2024. This is an European qualification time and a new Club Record.

4J STUDIOS SCOTTISHATHLETICS NATIONAL INDOORCHAMPIONSHIPS FINALS – Took place at Grangemouth on 16-18 February
60m – SW H2 SELINA HENDERSON 1st (SB 7.90i) taking .07 of a second off her 3 February time, in the final SELINA HENDERSON won the Silver Medal (SB 7.79i) taking .11 of a second off her H2 time
Long Jump – SW Straight Final SELINA HENDERSON 2nd (SB 5.38mi) adding 22cm to her 3 February jump
Shot 7.26kg – SM Straight Final ANGUS MCINROY V35 won the Gold Medal (SB 14.31mi) adding 19cm to his 21 January put, and is ranked UK No.1 V35 in 2024

LEE VALLEY MIDDLE DISTANCE OPEN MEETING – Took place at Lee Valley on 14 February
800m – SX 3 THOMAS CADWALLADER U17 6th (2:09.13)
1500m – SX 5 EMMA MCCLUSKEY U20 (2nd Claim) 6th (PB 4:38.01) taking 39.99 seconds of her 2020 indoor best, and is ranked UK No.10 U20 in 2024

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…
1,113 events – 214,480 walkers, joggers, runners and volunteers – 10,009 first timers – 24,857 PBs

COMPLETELY USELESS RANDOM FACT – Did you know … The record number of global parkrun events we’ve had in one week is 3,062! 

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Aldenham on 17 February.
PAUL LEWIS V50 18th (26.06) this was his 205th Parkrun, JOHN KELLY V70 28th (27.49) this was his 25th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Burnham & Highbridge on 17 February.
AIMEE PORTER U13 3rd (18.11) this was her 9th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Bushey on 17 February.
DANIEL NICHOLS V40 33rd (18.13) this was his 53rd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Dulwich on 17 February.
FINN MACCARTHY U23 5th (15.59) this was his 80th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Harrow on 17 February.
DANIYAL JANMOHAMED U11 12th (PB 21.54) this was his 7th Parkrun, LILY JANMOHAMED U11 33rd (PB 23.53) this was her 6th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Jersey on 17 February.
CLIFF GOLDING V65 88th (25.15) this was his 162nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Kesgrave on 17 February.
ROSS HAMMOND U17 1st (18.11) this was his 32nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Lordship Recreational Ground on 17 February.
SAM CLEMENTS U13 13th (19.51) this was his 7th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Oak Hill on 17 February.
BRADLEY SINGER V35 24th (PB 21.32) this was his 258th Parkrun, STUART SINGER V35 47th (23.11) this was his 408th Parkrun, ERIN GIBLIN U15 53rd (23.39) this was her 5th Parkrun, PHOEBE MUSIC U17 65h (24.28) this was her 7th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Panshanger on 17 February.
RUSSELL DEVITT V70 250th (41.57) this was his 292nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Rickmansworth on 17 February.
CALEB HILTON U15 5th (17.10) this was his 17th Parkrun, JESSE ABRAHAMS U15 8th (17.54) this was his 8th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Southampton on 17 February.
ROBBIE LIGHTOWLER 10th (18.20) this was his 5th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at University Parks on 17 February.
JO KENT V55 60th (21.08) this was her 129th Parkrun

UPCOMING ROAD RELAY AND CROSS COUNTRY FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 5 WEEKS, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY UNTIL WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH – The SBH 2023-2024 Winter Fixture Card and Information Sheet are available on the SBH website – http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixture-cards/ 

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 Closed

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.

NORTH WEST LONDON LEAGUE – The fifth fixture of five takes place on Saturday 2 March at Brent Country Park, Hanwell, West London (SatNav W7 3BP).
The course will be on paths within Brent Valley Park, close to Hanwell Zoo.
The first races will be at 12 noon and at the conclusion of the final event the season awards will be presented.
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

UK CAU INTER COUNTIES CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 9 March at Prestwold Hall, Loughborough.
Note: You you will selected by your respective County Team Manager

ENGLISH SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 16 March at Pontefract.
Note: You you will selected by your respective County Team Manager 

WORLD CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 30 March at Belgade, Serbia

UPCOMING INDOOR FIXTURES, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY UNTIL WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH – 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.

BUCS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the English Institute of Sport, Coleridge Road, Sheffield (Satnav S9 5DA) on Friday 23 February to Sunday 25 February.
Entries Closed

ENGLAND MASTERS INDOOR CHALLENGE – Takes place at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Sunday 25 February.
Note: Team selection will be via area clubs

WORLD INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place in Glasgow from Friday 1 March to Sunday 3 March
Note: You will be selected following the UK trials

ESSEX AND EASTERN COUNTIES INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Saturday 2 March and Sunday 3 March. Age-group U13 up to Senior.
Entries Closed

ENGLAND ATHLETICS U15 AND U17 COMBINED EVENTS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the English Institute of Sport, Coleridge Road, Sheffield (Satnav S9 5DA) on Saturday 9 March and Sunday 10 March.
Please use this link to enable you to enter – https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions?c=GBR&page=0&from=2024-03-01&to=2024-03-30
Entries Closing Date Sunday 25 February
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

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

EUROPEAN MASTERS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place in Torun, Poland from Sunday 17 March to Sunday 24 March.

BRITISH FANS ONLY TRAIL THE FRENCH FOR 2024 OLYMPIC TICKETS PURCHASED – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

Not since London 2012 have the Summer Olympic Games come this close to the British Isles, but in 2024, they’ll be taking place just across the Channel. To say that athletics fans backing Team GB are excited about the prospect of going to the Games would be an understatement, as relayed by the mass of tickets purchased by Brits. As it turns out, only the French have purchased more tickets than the British, who have collected over 500,000 tickets so far. A mere 212.98 miles away from London as the plane flies, Paris is that perfect mix of proximity, iconic, and prestige. Everyone wants to see Paris for themselves, and the 2024 Olympics will be the perfect excuse. Not only will it be easy to get there and explore everything, but Great Britain also boasts several athletes worth following to France and back. 

A whole host of medal hopefuls –  Great Britain’s got a fleet of world-class athletes, who’re doing exceptionally well, in line to perform at the 2024 Olympics. One such competitor is MOLLY CAUDERY. The Brit has started her year in great form with 4.83 metres cleared in Val-de-Reuil for Meeting de l’Eure on January 28. Most impressively, that’s an eight-centimetre improvement on what was her personal best. Another athlete raring to gun for the podium across the Channel is EILISH MCCOLGAN. Yet to land an Olympic medal, the Scottish long-distance runner was riding high in her last outings, getting the European 10,000m Cup gold in 2021 and then the Commonwealth Games gold in 2022. She also managed to break the California record for a British runner in the 10,000m race after the Commonwealth Games. In other events, there’s a lot of momentum behind Delicious Orie (super-heavyweight boxing), ANDREA SPENDOLINI-SIRIEIX (diving), JAKE SHARMAN (artistic gymnast), BEN PATTISON (800m runner), EMMA FINUCANE (track cyclist), and TOBY ROBERTS (sport climber). All of them are being earmarked as podium contenders at Paris 2024.

Easy to get to the nearby capital –  While it’s not the closest foreign capital city to the United Kingdom, Paris certainly isn’t far off. In fact, your average flight from London to Paris is only around one hour and 20 minutes. In addition, the journey is far from pricey – cheap flights to Paris are relatively common because almost all major UK airports provide flight paths to the metropolis and popular airlines such as Air France, Delta Air Lines and Lufthansa offer competitive deals. Tourists can get value for money by booking in advance or opportunistically when last-minute bargains pop up. Of course, getting there is one thing, but what about the journey afterwards? The trek from the airport to the city that you want to spend your time in can be tedious, but luckily for fliers to Paris, it’s a breeze. The usual landing place, Charles de Gaulle Airport, is just 15 miles away. So, it takes around 45 minutes to get into the city, or you can get on the 30-minute RER B train line directly to multiple stops in and around the capital. Alternatively, if you want to just get a nice, quiet, and private trip into Paris, a taxi can cost as little as €30 and take up to an hour at the most. Paris is nearby, relatively speaking, easy to fly to for cheap, has great access routes to and around the city, and there’ll be a bunch of Brits out there gunning for medals. Knowing this, it’s easy to see why so many British athletics fans have snapped up tickets to the 2024 Summer Games!

HENRY RONO WORLD RECORD-BREAKING KENYAN TRAILBLAZER, DIES AGES 72 – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently. Photograph of HENRY with NICK ROSE taken by MARK SHEARMAN.

The prodigious talent set four world records in 81 days in 1978 but career was thwarted by alcoholism and Olympic boycotts. Long before KELVIN KIPTUM and ELIUD KIPCHOGE rewrote the distance running record books, HENRY RONO set the athletics world on fire with his exploits. One of the pioneers in Kenyan distance running, RONO set an incredible four world records in the space of 81 days during the summer of 1978. If it wasn’t for an Olympic boycott and an addiction to alcohol, he might have achieved much more, too. His first world record came over 5000m when he took more than four seconds off Dick Quax’s mark with (13:08.4) in Berkeley, California, on April 8, 1978. Just over a month later the 26-year-old sliced more than two seconds off ANDERS GARDERUD’S world 3000m steeplechase record with (8:05.4) in Seattle. The following month he ran (27:22.47) for 10,000m to take eight seconds off SAMSON KIMOBWA’S world record. On June 27 at the Bislett Games in Oslo he notched up his fourth world record with (7:32.1) to beat BRENDAN FOSTER’S mark by three seconds. In 1981 he set another world record of (13:06.20) for 5000m in Knarvik, Norway. At major championships, his finest moment was at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton when he won the 5000m and 3000m steeplechase.

RONO was a popular figure in the UK, too. During his brilliant 1978 season, for example, he won the AAA 5000m title as a guest from WILSON WAIGWA and NICK ROSE, whereas at the end of the season he was out-sprinted by STEVE OVETT in a classic ‘front runner versus the kicker’ duel over two miles where Ovett ran a world record of (8:13.51) to RONO’S (8:14.66). Such achievements led to him gracing the cover of AW and you can only wonder what he might have achieved over the marathon. His career would soon fizzle out, though, due to a drinking problem. After being brought up in the near-pristine environment of the Kenyan countryside and working for the Kenyan Army during his early years, RONO was led astray with drink and junk food while studying at Washington State University and travelling the European track circuit. Olympic boycotts did not help his career either with Kenya not taking part in either the 1976 or 1980 Games. Such is his legacy, though, some of his world records lasted a decade whereas his US collegiate 5000m mark was only broken in 2022 by ABDI NUR.

After putting on weight and losing his form, his jobs after athletics included being a cargo loader and an athletics coach in Albuquerque. Then, in 2019 and known to be suffering from ill health and lack of money, a crowd-funding project began to raise money so he could return from the United States to Kenya to start coaching young athletes.

COULD THE LONG JUMP CHANGE FOREVER? – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently

World Athletics is planning to trial replacing the take-off board with a take-off zone at lower-level competitions this season, The long jump is one of the oldest track and field disciplines and was the only known jumping event to be part of  ancient Greece’s original Olympics pentathlon. Then, athletes used halteres – the equivalent of modern-day dumbbells – to propel themselves forward into a temporary dug up area that would, in theory soften the landing. Each of the five disciplines in the ancient pentathlon – long jump, discus, javelin, stadion (180m sprint) and wrestling – acted as a form of training for warfare. Unsurprisingly, the long jump mirrored the crossing of obstacles such as streams and ravines. The long jump was one of the inaugural events at the 1896 Olympics and in 1948 women competed in it for the first time at the Games. The standing long jump, where athletes didn’t run up and instead stood at the edge of the sandpit, was also an Olympic event between 1900-1912. For generations, athletes have refined their craft on a traditional 40m long track runway which includes a run-up area, take-off board of 20cm in length and sandpit.

The rules are pretty simple. The distance recorded is from the take-off board to the mark in the sand where the athlete initially lands. The person with the furthest jump wins. If an athlete takes off with any part of their foot on or past the foul line then the jump is declared void and no distance is recorded. The foul line used to be made of plasticine, meaning an indentation equalled a no jump. This has now been replaced by laser sensors at elite level competitions. Now, the long jump format all might be about to change.

World Athletics are planning a new trial for measuring long jump take-offs where they’ll replace the take-off board with a take-off zone. This is after data from the World Championships in Budapest highlighted a third of attempts were no-jumps. To mitigate that, jumps would be measured from the front of the athlete’s take-off foot within a zone and not behind a board.

“It will mean that every jump counts and it adds to the jeopardy and drama in the competition,” World Athletics CEO JON RIDGEON told the Anything But Footy podcast. “We’ll measure from where the athlete takes off to where they land in the pit. You cannot make change in a sport that was basically invented 150 years ago without some controversy. “If you have dedicated your life to hitting that take-off board perfectly and then suddenly we replace it with a take-off zone, I totally get that there might be initial resistance. “We will spend this year testing it in real life circumstances with very good athletes. If it doesn’t pass testing, we will never introduce it. We are not going to introduce things on a whim.”

Athletes past and present have not shied away from voicing their opinions on the prospective changes to the long jump. World long jump champion IVANA SPANOVIC posted on Instagram: “W*F? Make it make sense, please.” Meanwhile, 2016 world indoor long champion MARQUIS DENDY also stated: “Is this real?” Over on Twitter, quadruple Olympic long jump champion CARL LEWIS tweeted: “Actually, it wouldn’t change the distances that much. You would just see more bad jumps measured.”

World Athletics are also planning to create a special made for television global three-night event in 2026, when there are no Olympics or World Championships. If the long jump trials are successful, then a take-off zone could be rolled out in elite competitions from 2026 onwards. In theory, it could be used for World Athletics’ new global event and further ahead the LA 2028 Olympics. The landscape of the sport could look quite different in a few years.

HOW A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER CAPTURED THE IMAGINATION AT THE SPANISH INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently

A mother and daughter made history at this past weekend’s Spanish Indoor Championships (February 16-18) after competing against each other in the 1500m. A 31-year gap separates ALEJANDRA GALVEZ (46) and DANIELA SIERRA (15) but they became the first mother/daughter combination to ever run in the same race at the Spanish Indoor Championships. GALVEZ, who last year broke the W45 world indoor 800m record with (2:12.99), was the oldest athlete in the championships. Safe to say, her daughter was the youngest. Incredibly, the pair got the last two places amongst the 36 registered athletes in the 1500m. Sadly, they didn’t qualify for the final. GALVEZ and SIERRA finished 10th and 12th with times of (4:38.59) and (4:49.85). However, they captured the hearts and imagination of the athletics community. AW caught up with GALVEZ and SIERRA about the feeling of competing against each other, the emotions involved and what is next for both of them.

You’ve been all over the media in Spain and had so much attention at the Spanish Indoor Championships, so how do you feel –  ALEJANDRA (Mother): The truth is that it comes to you from everywhere. You don’t even have to look for it. We get news via WhatsApp and Instagram. I’ve even got more followers on Instagram! On the one hand, I’m a bit hooked on social media these days. But on the other hand, I can’t wait to turn it off, to be honest. We’re getting so much exposure. But we love it too. DANIELA (Daughter): My friends write to me asking me what I’m doing appearing on their television. I don’t know! I haven’t even found out what has happened. I haven’t processed it yet. 

You just made it to the Spanish Indoor Championships. You were the last two out of the 36 competitors on the list. How did you receive the news –  ALEJANDRA We had rejected the possibility [of being at the championships]. We had calculated that we had to run around 4:35 to qualify. We went for that time at the Andalusian Championships. We were pushing each other to achieve that time and we were disappointed because at the end we clocked (4:37) and we thought that time would never get us in the list. One day though, I was working an afternoon shift [Digestive Doctor in Almería] and I got a message from the competitions coordinator at the Cueva de Nerja Club [a team from the city of Nerja (Málaga) where ALEJANDRA and DANIELA both run] saying that we had qualified – myself in the 800m and DANIELA for the 1500m. Being honest, at first it didn’t suit us. We had already organised our training for Daniela’s upcoming competitions. But when I got home, my husband and DANIELA told me that I had also qualified for the 1500m. That’s when I thought it would be amazing for the two of us to be in the 1500m. Mother and daughter. It’s a very nice generational relay! It would also be DANIELA’S first national championships. Supported by our team and our coach, we wanted to have this experience and started looking for tickets to travel to the championships. DANIELA: I like to see which athletes go and which athletes don’t go before a competition. When I saw my mum on the list, it was a surprise and a huge motivation. We both said we should go for it. 

At the regional championships in Andalusia, DANIELA beat ALEJANDRA. In the national championships, it was the other way around. Do you want to play the tiebreaker race at the outdoors season –  ALEJANDRA Well, she [DANIELA] is still ahead of me because we ran a meeting before and she surpassed me in the last 30 metres. So, in fact, we’ve had three 1500m races and it’s 2-1 to her! We had thought of another challenge for the outdoors though. As I’m an 800m runner and DANIELA is also starting to train it this year, we want to try to get the standard for the outdoor championships. It’s more difficult than what we’ve done now. 

Talking a bit about your careers as athletes… ALEJANDRA, the first time you competed in a championships was 30 years ago in Seville and you did the pentathlon. Shortly after, you participated in the outdoor national championships in 2002 and ran the 800m. And until 2020, you didn’t return to the track. What happened during all that time –  ALEJANDRA Between the combined events to the 800m, I started studying medicine in Madrid. The first year there involved a lot of practical classes in the afternoon and it all became too much for me. In the end, I focused on my studies because my parents were making the effort to pay for them. That was the decision I made at the time but I never really stopped doing some sport, even if it was just to maintain my own health.

During my fourth year doing medicine, I had more free time in the afternoons. So, I decided to come back and I spoke to GUILLERMO FERRARO, one of the best middle and long distance coaches in Spain. In less than four months I finished second at the Spanish U23 Championships. At some point I considered taking on the sport more professionally but it coincided with the residency programme. So I went back to medicine and did my residency in the gastroenterology department. That’s when I gave athletics up for good for 16 years. 

As well as being a doctor, you also have three girls. How do you manage your professional life, your personal life, and your life as an athlete –  ALEJANDRA: Well, as my husband states, we are a team. We have made our family life around sport, and I think we are all happy with it. Sometimes more, sometimes less. You have to find the right balance to ensure that all the members of the team are happy.

Since you came back, you have competed at the nationals three years in a row, have set the W45 world indoor 800m record and were nominated for Female Master Athlete of 2023. Did you expect all this when you decided to return to athletics –  ALEJANDRA: It wasn’t so much what I achieved last year, but the repercussions it had in Almería. I was chosen as the woman of the year in sport and this gave me the opportunity to go to schools, talk to children and encourage them to participate in athletics. Above all, many female athletes related to me and I helped them to continue in the sport. I love athletics so much and it’s something everyone should have in their lives. 

Daniela, you’ve already managed to compete at a national senior championships. What are your hopes for the future as an athlete? How does your mother inspire you –  DANIELA For this season, my biggest goal is to achieve the qualifying mark for the European U18 Championships.

I’d love to represent Spain at an Olympics, Worlds or European Championships in my career.

I’m lucky to have my mum and she helps me with everything in training. She encourages me when I don’t feel like training, she’s there when my coach isn’t around and supports me in every decision. An athlete around my age told me this past weekend that I was lucky to have such an amazing role model. 

How would you promote athletics to all youngsters of your age –  DANIELA: I would get rid of the idea that athletics is only about running. My classmates ask me a lot if I just go to the track and run and that’s it. Since I was a child, I’ve done many other things. I’ve tried everything. That’s how I fell in love with athletics. I spend a lot of time on the track with my friends. I need it. Even on days when I have to study a lot, I prefer to go for an hour to train, to clear my head, to have fun and then come back with my batteries recharged. It’s so much better than spending the whole afternoon studying. 

Finally, who are your idols in athletics –  DANIELA With DANIELA GARCIA [European U23 800m champion], we had a special connection this weekend. If we had to choose someone, we would choose our close and wonderful person, MARIANO GARCIA. ALEJANDRA In my life as an athlete, athletes like JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE, who was the best heptathlete when I was a teenager, have been great reference points for me. I’m also good friends with MAIITE MARTINEZ and we can relate to each other.

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 are no posts this week.

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 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 10 February Metropolitan League – Mens Cross Country Points Tables 2023-2024 Updated 10-02-24  Womens Cross Country Points Tables 2023-2024 Updated 10-02-24
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 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 £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