Happy Birthday from Thursday 24 April to Wednesday 30 April – Kachi Akpakwu, Anna Anene, Anton Cohen, Tyler Holden-Aikhomu, Naomi Ogunniyi, Jamal-Marcus Rhoden-Stevens, Leo Roncarati, Mekhi Spence-Forde, Mark Taylor and Ben Winfield

HELP WANTED – PARENTS – we need your help to ensure your child can compete at all their events this season!
Volunteering to help on the track or field at just a couple of our home and away fixtures in 2025, will give us certainty early on that the meetings can go ahead. It’s a fun way to be involved on the day, you will still be free to watch your child’s events, lunches and refreshments are always provided at our home fixtures and at most away ones too.

Please contact either GERALD ALTERMAN or ROSALIND ZEFFERTT for further information or complete this form SBH 2025 Summer Availability.
GERALD: (SBH Officials Secretary; athletics@marksman.plus.com: 07956 825781)
ROSALIND: (SBH Officials Co-ordinator: anglo.japan@outlook.com: 07973 822874)

RECENT NEW MEMBER – We wish you a very warm welcome, and a happy, healthy and successful time with Shaftesbury to AYOTUNDE ALFONSO

TCS LONDON MINI MARATHON – The following SBH athletes will be representing The London Borough of Barnet this Saturday.
Under 13 Boys – JENSON DAY, HARRISON HENDERSON, BEN KASPAR, DENNYS PASCAL and LEWIS WARD
Under 13 Girls – LUCIA CASELENUOVA, SIENNA DARCY and GRACE ROONEY
Under 15 Boys – JESSE ABRAHAMS, SAM CLEMENTS, SAM DARCY, CALEB HILTON, EDWARD PASCAL and LADDIE SHAW
Under 15 Girls – OLIVIA ABBOTT, AMBER JACKSON, AIMEE PORTER and GEORGIA SUMMER
Under 17 Men – JOHN-MICHAEL DIRACLES, ARTHUR PHILLIPS, EUAN PHILLIPS and AIDAN MACAVOY
Under 17 Women – ERIN GIBLIN, ADANNA MAZINWOSU, POSIE SHAW, DINA SILVERMAN and EDIE WOODINGS

THE ARTHUR KENDALL MEMORIAL TRUST – Apologies for the lateness, which has just been received. All applications close 28 April.

LEE VALLEY OPEN MEETINGS – They have not published their fixtures yet.

WATFORD OPEN MEETINGS – To avoid disappointment, please remember the each meeting opens on the lunchtime of the preceding meeting and other than sprints are normally full within about 48 hours. Therefore the 14 May fixture will be open from the 29 April on the ‘Roster’ site.

UPCOMING FIXTURES – I have now shown as 2 sections – The first section covers the fixtures that SBH compete in and other major fixtures – The second section covers the Open Meeting fixtures, that you have to enter yourselves.

SUMMER OPEN MEETINGS – These are the BFTTA, Lee Valley and Watford fixtures, dates highlighted in RED are open to enter – all information those fixtures that are open to enter, can be found in the ‘Open Meeting Upcoming Fixtures‘ section, which follows the ‘SBH Upcoming Fixtures For The Next 6 Weeks‘ section.

BFTTA OPEN MEETINGS – Takes place at Lee Valley – April 21, May 18, June 1, July 20, August 30.
LEE VALLEY OPEN MEETINGS – Takes place at Lee Valley – Fixtures still to be published.
WATFORD OPEN MEETINGS – Takes place at Watford – April 30, May 14 and 28, June 11 and 25, July 9 and 23, August 6 and 20, September 3.

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS SUBSCRIPTIONS – Our new Club year started on 1 October 2024. The current SBH annual subscription is £85 (following the recent 2024 SBH AGM) and the current England Athletics annual registration from 1 April 2025 is £20. The current total is £105 and should be paid NOW to; ACCOUNT NAME: SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS, BANK: HSBC, ACCOUNT NUMBER: 41308378, SORT CODE: 400426 – Please advise GEOFF MORPHITIS by email (geoffrey.morphitis@capeandd.com) when payment has been made.

RESULTS
Just to clarify, that the results I publish can be different to those that are shown on the Power of 10. The differences relate to seasons and personal best performances. For example in the recent EYAL results, an athlete in the 200m ran (24.1), and on his profile his season’s best was shown as (23.88) indoors. As the 200m indoors and outdoors are totally different type of events, I had shown the (24.1) as a season’s best. Regarding Master athletes any personal best performances relate to their current age-groups, as Club Records for Masters age-groups are in 5 year periods.

BFTTA OPEN MEETING – Took place at Lee Valley on 21 April
100m – M Round 1 H2 EYTAN POSNER U17 4th (PB 13.15 w0.1) taking .04 of a second off his 5 April time, H9 SAVAN MALLIK U20 5th (PB 11.79 w-0.7) taking .14 of a second off his 2024 time, H11 TYLER HOLDEN-AIKHOMU U17 6th (11.93 w-1.0), Round 2 H11 SAVAN finished 4th (PB 11.73 w0.5) taking .06 of a second off his H9 time, H12 TYLER finished 1st (11.65 w0.4)
200m – SX H10 SETH SAUNDERS U13 4th (PB 27.95 w0.9) taking 1.56 seconds off his 2024 time, H15 TYLER HOLDEN-AIKHOMU U17 5th (23.98 w0.0), H16 NATHAN HOWELL U20 2nd (24.01 w0.2), H21 MALACHI AMADI U23 3rd (SB 22.22 w0.8)
300m – SX H1 JEREMIAH ELLIOTT U17 5th (PB 41.48), H3 VANESSA ANSUAA U23 1st (SB 42.56), H7 BEN ROCHFORD 1st (PB 33.75) and is ranked UK No.10 in 2025, JAY PALMER 4th (PB 35.24)
400m – SM COLUMBA BLANGO T20/F20 4th (SB 49.60) taking 1.44 seconds off his 5 April time
600m – SX H2 LARISSA WILSON U20 2nd (PB 1:36.84)
800m – SX H1 PHOEBE MUSIC U20 6th (SB 2:52.93), H2 HAYLEY MCLEAN 2nd (SB 2:11.96), H4 LADDIE SHAW U17 3rd (PB 2:16.64) taking 3.84 seconds off his 2024 time

VELOCITY FEST 17 – Took place at Kingston, Jamaica on 19 April
100m – SW H3 PARIS KING U23 5th (SB 12.10 w2.7) taking .07 of a second off her 8 March time, B PARIS finished 5th (12.14 w0.0)

MARK YOUNG INVITATIONAL – Took place at West Haven, Connecticut, USA on 19 April
100m – SW 1 LARISSA GILES U23 (Yale University) 6th (12.31 w0.8)
200m – SW 3 LARISSA GILES U23 (Yale University) 3rd (PB 25.68 w2.8) taking .12 of a second off her 4 April time

JACK KEE MEMORIAL THROWS MEETING – Took place at Milton Keynes on 19 April
Shot 3kg – W50 STACEY GONZALEZ V50 1st (PB 8.40m) adding 26cm to her 29 March put, and is ranked UK No.1 V50 in 2025
Discus 1kg – SW EMMA BEARDMORE V35 (2nd Claim) 1st (36.10m), STACEY GONZALEZ V50 4th (22.45m)
Hammer 3kg – W50 B STACEY GONZALEZ V50 1st (35.63m)
Hammer 4kg – SW A EMMA BEARDMORE V35 (2nd Claim) 4th (SB 40.23m) and is ranked UK No.9 V35 in 2025

MT SAC RELAYS – Took place at Walnut, California, USA on 16-19 April
200m – SM E3 MICHAEL OHIOZE 4th (SB 21.33 w-0.8)
400m – SM I3 JADEN SMITH U23 (Arkansas University) 6th (SB 45.71) taking .11 of a second off his 31 January time, and is ranked UK No.2 U23 in 2025
Decathlon – SM JAMI SCHLUETER (University of Washington) 8th (SB 7562 points) and is ranked UK No.1 in 2025 – 100m (SB 10.78 w1.9), 400m (PB 49.10) equalling his 2024 time, 1500m (SB 4:46.71), 110m Hurdles (14.64 w1.6), High Jump (1.92m), Pole Vault (4.50m), Long Jump (6.94m w2.8/6.58m w1.8), Shot 7.26kg (14.38m), Discus 2kg (SB 40.92m) taking .29 of a second off his 4 April throw, Javelin 800g (SB 46.51)

BEACH INVITATIONAL – Took place at Long Beach, California, USA on 18-19 April
Pole Vault – SM B GLEN QUAYLE (Long Beach State University) 7th (4.84m)

PACIFIC COAST INVITATIONAL – Took place at Long Beach, California, USA on 17 April
Pole Vault – SM B GLEN QUAYLE (Long Beach State University) 3rd (4.83m)

BRYAN CLAY INVITATIONAL – Took place at West Haven, Connecticut, USA on 16-18 April
1500m – SM 18 THOMAS PATRICK (Boise State University) 4th (3:46.14)

WATFORD OPEN MEETING – Took place at Watford on 16 April
400m – SX 2 THOMAS CADWALLADER U20 1st (PB 52.92)
800m – SX 1 JESSE ABRAHAMS U17 4th (PB 2:10.05) taking 5.03 seconds off his 2024 time, NOAH CLARKE U23 (2nd Claim) 7th (SB 2:12.50) taking 2.93 seconds off his 23 March, MATTHEW MAY U17 9th (PB 2:13.49) taking .23 of a second off his 2024 time, 3 CALEB HILTON U17 1st (PB 2:05.41) taking 5.25 seconds off his 2024 time, AMITAI BLOOM U17 4th (SB 2:07.81), MYA MAIRS-INGRAM U20 7th (SB 2:08.78) and is ranked UK No.6 U20 in 2025, YEDIDYA MAXWELL U17 12th (SB 2:13.24), 4 ADAM O’GORMAN U20 3rd (SB 2:02.62), 5 JACOB CLEMENT U20 4th (SB 1:59.24), 5 SIENNA DARCY U13 5th (2:32.30), 9 SAM DARCY U17 1st (PB 2:15.30) taking 6.12 seconds off his 2024 time – There 2 SX 5 races shown.
3000m – SX 1 JAI DARYANANI U20 1st (SB 9:48.40), 3 GIANLEO STUBBS U20 6th (8:33.32), RAFI GAYER U20 7th (PB 8:33.49) taking 1.48 seconds off his 2024 time

TOM JONES MEMORIAL – Took place at Gainesville, Florida, USA on 18-19 April
200m – Sw 4 RENEE REGIS U23 6th (SB 23.70 w-1.3) taking .38 of a second off her 4 April time, and is ranked UK No.7 U23 in 2025

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.

LINK TO PARKRUN RESULTS – This is the Link I use to obtain the current week’s Parkrun results, if you go to the bottom of the results, you can obtain the previous weeks results – parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=1018.
The results shown are for those SBH athletes that added SBH when they registered for Parkrun.

How to use results – Scroll down to the first Parkrun, Which will show you how many SBH runners had competed. To get all the runners details, click on “View Full Results” which will show all runners that had competed at that event. Scroll down to the first SBH athlete, which will his or her age, also if they have a OB, by clicking on the athletes name, this will show you how many Parkruns they have competed in sinc registering.

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…
1,280 events – 273,763 walkers, joggers, runners and volunteers – 14,078 first timers – 35,974 PBs

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Aldenham on 19 April
ETHAN SLUTZKIN U11 14th (23.15) this was his 125th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Battersea on 19 April
DANIEL NICHOLS V40 18th (16.56) this was his 63rd Parkrun, DANIYAL JANMOHAMED U11 74th (19.01) this was his 33rd Parkrun, LILY JANMOHAMED U11 145th (20.37) this was her 35th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Canons Park on 19 April
LENARD MICHEL V55 29th (22.47) this was his 142nd Parkrun, SHONA MICHEL V50 132nd (28.33) this was her 145th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Cassiobury on 19 April
CHRIS PURDUE V35 86th (23.13) this was his 22nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Felixstowe on 19 April
ROSS HAMMOND U20 92nd (23.07) this was his 77th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Guernsey on 19 April
STUART SINGER V60 41st (24.35) this was his 466th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Gunpowder on 19 April
SCARLETT KENT U23 34th (21.04) this was her 85th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Hoblngwell on 19 April
LYDIA HERRIDGE 90th (53.10) this was her 21st Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Nobles on 19 April
ROBBIE LIGHTOWLER 211th (53.23) this was his 18th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Panshanger on 19 April
RUSSELL DEVITT V75 324th (59.59) this was his 343rd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Priebnitzgrund on 19 April
AMY REBECCA FRY V40 13th (25.10) this was her 22nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Pymmes on 19 April
BARRY HAWS V50 24th (PB 21.13) this was his 52nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Sandhurst Memorial on 19 April
JAMES DAVIS 37th (23.45) this was his 84th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Sandringham on 19 April
TIM PARKIN V45 64th (23.54) this was his 5th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Oak Hill on 19 April
FINN MACCARTHY U23 4th (18.02) this was his 83rd Parkrun, PAUL MACCARTHY V55 44th (22.22) this was his 231st Parkrun, BRADLEY SINGER V35 61st (23.09) this was his 319th Parkrun

SBH UPCOMING FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 6 WEEKS, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 24 APRIL UNTIL WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE – The SBH 2024-2025 Winter Fixture Card can be found on the SBH website, in which you can Access/Print a copy for future reference. Also the majority of fixtures Information can be found on the SBH Website under the ‘Upcoming Fixtures’ section.

UK YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH – The first fixture of three takes place on Sunday 27 April at the Norman Park Community Sports Centre, Norman Park, Hayes Lane, Bromley (Satnav BR2 9EJ).
Age-Groups Under 17 & U20 Men/Women.
Link to the timetable – YDL UAG Timetables 2025
Note: You will have to be selected by your respective Team Manager

MIDDLESEX YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE – The first fixture of four takes place on Saturday 3 May at the Perival Park Athletics Track, Stockdove Way, Perivale, Greenford (Satnav UP6 8TJ).
Age-Groups Under 13, 15 & 17 Men/Women.
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager.
Those athletes who wish to compete as a non-scorer, please contact your Team Manager no later than Thursday 1 May as the declarations have to be in on Friday 2 May. 

BUCS CHAMPIONSHIPS  – Takes place from Saturday 3 May to Monday 5 May at the Manchester Regional Arena, Gate 13, Ethiad Campus, Rowsley Street, Manchester (M11 3FF)
Entries Closed

HERTFORDSHIRE AND BEDFORDSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 10 May and Sunday 11 May at the Bedford International Athletic Stadium, Barkers Lane, Bedford (Satnav MK41 9SB).
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women
Link to enter on Opentrack – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/bedstfc/
Entries Closing Date Friday 25 April
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 10 May and Sunday 11 May at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women
Link to enter on Opentrack – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/middxtfo/
Entries Closing Date Sunday 27 April
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.

SCVAC VETERANS LEAGUE – Takes place on Monday 12 May at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups 35 and above Men/Women
Note: You will have to be a 2nd claim member of Barnet & District AC. Just turn up and you may be selected (dependant on you current performances), otherwise you can compete as a guest

EASTERN YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE  – The second of four fixtures takes place on Sunday 18 May at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav WD25 7HH).
Age-Groups Under U13, U15 & U17 Men/Women.
Link to the timetable – EYAL-Timetable-2025-matches-2-and-4-v1 (1)
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager, Those athletes who wish to compete as a non-scorer, please contact your Team Manager no later than Thursday 15 May as the declarations have to be in on Friday 16 May 

LOUGHBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL – Takes place on Sunday 18 May at the Loughborough University Track, Ashby Road, Loughborough (Satnav LE11 3TU).
Age-Groups Under U20 & Senior Men/Women.
Note: There are Guest Entries, but limited, this is the link https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/sports/athletics/loughborough-international-athletics/
Note: You will selected by your respective team – Loughborough athletes will compete against teams representing England, Wales, Scotland, GB&NI Under-20s and the National Athletics League

UK YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH – The second fixture of three takes place on Sunday 25 May at the Thames Valley Athletics Track, Pococks Lane, Eton, Windsor (Satnav SL4 6HN).
Age-Groups Under 17 & U20 Men/Women.
Link to the timetable – YDL UAG Timetables 2025
Note: You will have to be selected by your respective Team Manager

BIGISH JUMPS AND THROWS FESTIVAL – Takes place on Monday 26 May at the Chelmsford Athletics Stadium, 84-64 Salermo Way, Chelmsford. (Satnav CM1 2EH)
Age-Groups Under U20 & Senior Men/Women.
Events – High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, Shot, Discus, Javelin and Hammer
Link for entries – www.bedfordgames.co.uk
Entries Open Monday 14 April, Entries Closing Date Monday 19 May
Note: You will have to enter yourselves and pay the appropriate fee

OPEN MEETING UPCOMING FIXTURES, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 24 APRIL UNTIL WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE, THEN THOSE THAT ARE OPEN TO ENTER FOLLOWING THE 3 JUNE.

WATFORD OPEN MEETING  – Takes place on Wednesday 30 April at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav WD25 7HH).
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Timetable – 7.00pm 100m, 7.15pm 1500m no times over 5 minutes 30 seconds, 9.00pm 3000m no times over 11 minutes, no under 13s
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a probability that the limits for some or all events will be taken up well before the closing date

WATFORD OPEN MEETING  – Takes place on Wednesday 14 May at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav WD25 7HH).
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Timetable – 7.00pm 400m no under 13s, 7.15pm BMCs, 7.50pm 800m no times over 2 minutes 45 seconds, 9.10pm 3000m no times over 11 minutes, no under 13s
To avoid disappointment, please remember the each meeting opens on the lunchtime of the preceding meeting and other than sprints are normally full within about 48 hours. Therefore the 14 May fixture will be open from the 29 April on the ‘Roster’ site.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a probability that the limits for some or all events will be taken up well before the closing date

BFTTA OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Sunday 18 May at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Events – 75m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, 800m, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump
Entry is now open via Open Track – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/bft111118/
Entries Closing Date Saturday 10 May
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a probability that the limits for some or all events will be taken up well before the closing date

BFTTA OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Sunday 1 June at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Events – 75m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, 800m, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump
Entry is now open via Open Track – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/bft111119/
Entries Closing Date Friday 23 April
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a probability that the limits for some or all events will be taken up well before the closing date

BFTTA OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Sunday 20 July at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Events – 75m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, 800m, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump
Entry is now open via Open Track – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/bft111120/
Entries Closing Date Friday 11 July
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a probability that the limits for some or all events will be taken up well before the closing date

MINI MARATHON, MAXIMUM IMPACT – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

As London’s younger sibling prepares to celebrate its 40th edition, organisers are aiming to grow it to help not just unearth and nurture the next generation of athletics talent but create a healthier future. Think of the London Marathon and it’s likely that one of the first images to pop into your head will be one of a stream of runners pouring down The Mall towards the hallowed finish line, with Buckingham Palace providing a spectacular backdrop. Covering those closing yards – the end of the route was moved from Westminster Bridge in 1994 – is an unforgettable moment for anyone who has been lucky enough to experience it and it has inspired countless people down the years to lace up their shoes. The same could be said for the event’s younger sibling, the Mini London Marathon, which has borne witness to the early stages of some of the finest careers in recent British athletics history. This year marks its 40th edition and organisers are marking the special occasion by inviting previous championship athletes back to take part in a “40th wave” around the 2.6km course, as well as celebrating the achievements of the youngsters involved.

The list of former competitors at the event reads like a who’s who of British middle and long distance running, including athletes such as KEELY HODGKINSON, MO FARAH, JOSH KERR, JAKE WIGHTMAN, LAURA MUIR, DAVID WEIR, HANNAH COCKCROFT, ALEX YEE and ALISTAIR BROWNLEE, to name just a few. “You’ve got an unbelievable alumni that includes previous winners and participants,” says HUGH BRASHER, CEO of London Marathon Events. “Some of the athletes that didn’t even win the Mini London Marathon went on to secure Olympic gold medals. “There are so many names to choose from but more recently I think of an athlete like INNES FITZGERALD. She was crowned a Mini Marathon champion [in 2022] and has gone on to represent Great Britain at the 2025 European Indoor Championships and win international medals at junior level as well.” The Mini Marathon began in 1986, and in its original guise it took place on the morning of marathon race day, covering the closing three miles of the marathon route and with the action very much focused on the elite competition between junior athletes.

Much has changed about it in recent years, however. Mirroring the main event, there is still that elite element to proceedings at the head of the fields, but now it is open to all and, since 2022 it has been given more room to breathe, taking place the day before the 26.2-mile extravaganza. The Mini Marathon provides thousands of youngsters with the opportunity to experience the feeling of running, walking or wheeling themselves along those famous roads. Whether they complete one mile (for children in reception to year seven) or 2.6km (for those in years four to 12), participants set off from Horse Guards Parade and finish on The Mall. Mass participation figures have sky-rocketed and the figure of 8257 finishers from 2023 rose to over 13,000 last year. Not only is it free for schools to enter but title sponsor TCS donates £10 – which can contribute towards things like computer or sports equipment – for each pupil that finishes. Such is the event’s growing popularity that numbers have had to be restricted to 40 pupils per school for this year’s edition, with the aim to give more schools across the UK an opportunity to get involved. Organisers are expecting over 18,000 finishers this month.

“Evolving the Mini London Marathon was very much something we started looking at around 2018,” adds Brasher. “It was a semblance of an idea of: ‘Why can’t we make the Mini London Marathon something bigger and better?’ “We wanted to keep the essence of elite competition but what else could we do? How could we do it? That’s when we had conversations with TCS as a sponsor and they just loved the whole idea of kids getting rewards, whether that be computer or sports equipment. “We then started looking at schools in more underserved communities and those where sport wasn’t intrinsically part of a typical day. The first year we put this new event on was 2022 but that was in the midst of the Tube strike, which rather affected the numbers!” Mini London Marathon organisers are now targeting 50,000 finishers by 2030, which wouldn’t be far off the estimated figure for the full London Marathon itself this year.

“Given we’re a few years into this new format, schools are starting to see the Mini London Marathon as a real fixture in the calendar,” says BEN COOPER, Event Lead at the Mini London Marathon. “They will have these dates in the diary now. Schools are coming back to the mass event year-on-year and they’re bringing different groups of children. “It’s a pretty unique experience, especially for kids who haven’t been involved in a mass participation event as well. They may have never been on a start line and they almost certainly haven’t run in front of Buckingham Palace on closed streets.” Both BRASHER and COOPER also stress the importance of making sure that the positive impacts of the Mini London Marathon aren’t just felt on the day itself but across the year. The ambition is for this to be a catalyst that helps more children to be active and, given some alarming recent statistics, there is a pressing need for that aspiration to become a reality.

In December, Sport England stated that, for the 2023-2024 academic year, just 47.8 per cent of children met guidelines of taking part in an average of 60 minutes or more of sport/physical activity every day. “We want to build this out so there’s year-round activity because of the chronic inactivity of kids in schools,” says COOPER. “It has to make a difference in the longer-term. “They’re getting their £10 per finisher and they’re starting to put that back into PE equipment, so kids can see the impact on what they do at school. “There’s a buzz of participation around it and I know, when we go into schools and meet both pupils and teachers, they are hugely excited about the event.”

Two years ago, the London Marathon Foundation also gave £1.19m to junior parkrun – a weekly event in which children aged four to 14 tackle a 2km course – to support its growth. In the first year of the partnership, 51 new junior parkruns across the UK opened and a total of more than one million children took part. “The singular purpose of London Marathon Events and the London Marathon Foundation is to inspire activity,” says Brasher. “We believe there’s a real ecosystem of: ‘Start with the Daily Mile, do junior parkrun, then do the Mini Marathon and after that the English Schools Championships’. “The more we can build that base pyramid, then the more people we can inspire into road running and athletics, creating a better sport for everyone. We’re trying to create a virtuous circle to get kids active.”

The other initiative that both BRASHER and COOPER point to is the Mini London Marathon in Schools. Born out of the pandemic, participants are invited to run, jog, walk, wheel or be guided around a two-mile course within their school setting (this year’s timeframe is from April 22 to May 2). Since launching in 2020, more than one million children have finished the event, with each pupil receiving a certificate and every school receiving a trophy for being involved. The expectation this year is that, on top of the 18,000 people running in the heart of London, more than 400,000 will take part in physical activity locally.“There’s something that’s almost unquantifiable about seeing the faces of kids when they cross the finish line, whether that be on The Mall or at their school,” says Cooper. “There is such absolute elation when they finish because it is a huge achievement. It’s priceless. You never quite know what’s going to stay with a child when they grow up. “You do think: ‘This is going to stay with them forever’ and with a bit of luck it will have a really positive impact on their future.”

BOSTON MARATHON TITLES FOR SHARON LOKEDI AND JOHN KORIR – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

 LOKEDI runs course record of (2:17:22) to deny HELLEN OBIRI her third win in historic event, as KORIR recovers from fall to take men’s race in (2:04:45). SHARON LOKEDI and JOHN KORIR of Kenya were crowned 2025 Boston Marathon champions on Sunday (April 21) with LOKEDI surging clear of defending women’s champion HELLEN OBIRI in the final kilometre whereas KORIR dramatically recovered from a fall at the start of the race to take the men’s victory. Once he got back into his stride, KORIR was a class apart, making a strong move at 32km to establish a sizeable lead within a matter of seconds. Cruising home, he clocked (2:04:45) as American CONNER MANTZ was just run out of the podium places with ALPHONCE SIMBU of Tanzania edging out CYPRIAN KOTUT of Kenya for second and third places – with both runners clocking (2:05:04) – as MANTZ clocked (2:05:08). MUKTAR EDRIS, the 2017 and 2019 world 5000m champion, was fifth in (2:05:59) as RORY LINKLETTER of Canada was sixth in (2:07:02) and CLAYTON YOUNG of the United States seventh in (2:07:04).

In contrast to KORIR’S runaway win, LOKEDI went into the closing stages locked in battle with two-time Boston winner and fellow Kenyan OBIRI. But as LOKEDI entered the final kilometre, she drew clear of OBIRI to come home in (2:17:22) to slice well over two minutes off BUZUNESH DEBRA’S course record. OBIRI was rewarded with a PB of (2:17:41) as YALEMZERF YEHUALAW of Ethiopia ran (2:18:06) in third. Britain’s CALLI HAUGER-THACKERY, meanwhile, finished a fine sixth in (2:22:38). HAUGER-THACKERY ran (2:21:24) in Berlin last year to go No.2 on the all-time UK all-time rankings but Boston is a more challenging and hilly course. PAULA RADCLIFFE, who still holds the UK record with (2:15:25), clocked (2:53:44) at the age of 51.

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.

Group from left to right LOUIS XUN, ZAYNE SERVIS-HOBSON, KAYIKUNMI OMIDIJI, ANU JAIYEOLA, ANASHE MAZANPURE, PRECIOUS EBOH, BENBAMISAIYE and PRINCE-MOSES JOHN

Photograph of KYRA WILLIAMS who won the Under 15 Girls 75m Hurdles A string with a time of (12.1 nwr)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photograph of SURAYA FROST who won the Under 17 Women’s 80m Hurdles A string with a time of (12.4 nwr)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photograph features HOLLY RYAN who won the Under 17 Women’s 300m A string with a time of (40.1) ranking her UK No.2 U17 in 2025.

THE FOLLOWING IS CLUB INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TOPICS

SBH 2025 SUMMER FIXTURE CARD – The SBH 2025 Summer Fixture Card has now been published on the SBH Website on 20 March 2025. This is the link to the fixture card, which you can access and print for future reference – https://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixture-cards/
Information on each fixture will be published in the SBH Weekly Newsletter as and when available, this is the link to the current and previous SBH Weekly Newsletters – https://sbharriers.co.uk/news/

STONEX STADIUM MEMBERSHIP – To use the StoneX Stadium facilities for training, SBH members are required to pay a fee. You can register as a member (which is free) which then entitles you to a discount. This is the link to the form to apply for membership – SBH StoneX Membership 2024-2025  The entrance fee on the membership form, cover the period 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2025.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FACEBOOK – Photographs can be found on the SBH page.

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

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

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

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

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

SBH TRAINING AND COACHING – Please see the 2024-2025 Winter Fixture Card, which gives details of Training and Coaching – A SBH Winter 2024-2025 Fixture Card Front Sheet Issued 02-09-24

POLE VAULTERS REQUIRED FOR 2025 – 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 – alanweller111@gmail.com