Happy Birthday from this Thursday 24 November to Wednesday 30 November – Clifford Barley, Amy Bream, Ariel Carmel, Seyi Fari, Oliver Greenstein, Tosin Jokosenumi, Brandon Kufazyinei, Rory Muir, Lydia Rogers, Rian Shah, Gianleo Stubbs, Milan Trajkovic, Fergus Watson and Katie Webb

SBH 132ND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – Takes place on Tuesday 29 November in the 100 Club, East Stand, StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon, London (SatNav NW4 1RL), The AGM commences at 19.30, followed at approximately 20.00 with the Presentation of Awards for the 2022 Track & Field season, and 2021-2022 Cross Country season for both Men and Women. All are welcome especially the award winners.

Link to SBH Best Performance Awards for 2022 – SBH Best Performance Awards 2022

CHRISTOPHER KIRWIN 200TH PARKRUN – Congratulations to CHRISTOPHER who completed his 200th Parkrun as Timekeeper at the Tamar Trials Parkrun last Saturday. Tamar is located in Gulsworthy, Near Tavistock in Devon. The Tamar Trails course is a hilly single lap, through woodland on well established paths in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and part of the Cornwall & West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.

SBH SPECIAL AWARDS DINNER – “Response to the Special Awards Dinner at StoneX Stadium on Saturday 17 December has been excellent with 150 seats already taken up. We have just 11 left available for sale. Please let Geoff Morphitis know ASAP as detailed in the invitation below.

The Special Awards Dinner takes place in the Fez Club, from 6.15 pm – 11.30 pm (to be seated by 7.15 pm).
Menu: Roast Turkey Carvery with Traditional Christmas Festive Trimmings OR
Pesto Roast Salmon with Sautéed Potatoes, Green Beans and Oven Dried Tomatoes OR
Vegetarian Wellington with choice of Vegetables – Festive Desserts – Tea/Coffee

Awards: 8.30 pm – 9.30 pm, Bar: Open 6.15 pm – 11.30 pm (Credit card payment only), Dress Code: Smart casual
Tickets: £32 per person – all payments to be made online to:

Payment:                         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 giving the following details:
The name of each person attending for table plan purposes.
Together with the menu preferences for yourself and your guests.

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS SUBSCRIPTIONS – SBH Treasurer GEOFF MORPHITIS has sent me the following request.
Our new Club year started on 1 October 2021. The SBH annual subscriptions is £50 and the current England Athletics annual registration is £16 from 1 April 2022. The total is £66 and should now be paid NOW to; ACCOUNT NAME: SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS, BANK: 41308378, SORT CODE: 400426 – Please let me know when payment is made. Thanks GEOFF

RESULTS
LONDON CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place last Saturday 19 November at Parliament Hill Fields.
Senior Men – THOMAS BUTLER 20th (36.50), SAMUEL GREENSTEIN U20 37th (38.01), LEO RONCARATI U20 54th (38.55), JONATHAN BOARDMAN U20 173rd (43.17), PAUL MACCARTHY V55 309th (49.10), BARRY HAWS V50 322nd (50.05), TIM UNDERHILL U50 368th (52.37) the winner was Ahmed Abdulle of Ilford (34.15) 426 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Hercules Wimbledon (40 points), 2nd London Heathside (49), 3rd Thames Hare & Hounds (50), 11th SBH (284) 39 teams finished

Senior Women – ELANA DIMMER 37th (24.36), SCARLETT KENT U23 59th (25.27) the winner was Hannah Viner of Highgate Harriers (21.27) 252 runners finished
Team Result – 1st London Heathside (39 points), 2nd Belgrave Harriers (94), 3rd Thames Hare & Hounds (104) 25 teams finished 

LONDON YOUTH GAMES – Took place last Saturday 19 November at Parliament Hill Fields.
Under 11 Boys – DENNYS PASCAL (Barnet) 10th (4.28), THOMAS FELLOWS (Barnet) 44th (4.53), ROAN PARKES (Barnet) 55th (4.58), LEWIS WARD (Barnet) 65th (5.00) the winner was Laurie Dutton of Southwark (4.12) 210 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Croydon (26 points), 2nd Richmond (29), 3rd Wandsworth (40), 6th Barnet (78) 25 teams finished

Under 11 Girls – LUCIA CASALENUOVO (Barnet) 42nd (5.21), SIENNA DARCY (Barnet) 77th (5.35), ELFIE SHAW (Barnet) 113th (5.47) the winner was Elsie Fitzgerald of Hillingdon (4.38) 197 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Kingston (25 points), 2nd Wandsworth (38), 3rd Haringey (41), 7th Barnet (94) 27 teams finished

Under 13 Boys – CALEB HILTON (Barnet) 18th (7.55), JESSE ABRAHAMS (Barnet) 33rd (8.08), EDDIE PASCAL (Barnet) 39th (8.16), MAX PANWAR (Barnet) 47th (8.21),  XANDER REESE (Barnet) 70th (8.33), SAMUEL DARCY (Barnet) 139th (9.01), ETHAN MOSS (Barnet) 154th (9.11) the winner was Caspian Holmes of Southwark (7.12) 230 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Wandsworth (23 points), 2nd Southwark (23), 3rd Bromley (33), 7th Barnet (90) 30 teams finished

Under 13 Girls – MEI HAYAKAWA (Barnet) 38th (8.57), JUI HAYAKAWA (Barnet) 87th (9.28) the winner was Jorjia March of Enfield (7.37) 213 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Bromley (22 points), 2nd Sutton (30), 3rd Richmond (43), 17th Barnet (231) 29 teams finished

Under 15 Boys – ARTHUR PHILLIPS (Barnet) 21st (11.05), EUAN PHILLIPS (Barnet) 31st (11.15), JARED MORRIS (Barnet) 38th (11.19), AUSTIN WARD (Barnet) 75th (11.51) the winner was Alex Lennon of Sutton (9.57) 184 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Sutton (15 points), 2nd Bromley (23), 3rd Havering (56), 7th Barnet (84) 27 teams finished

Under 15 Girls – POSIE SHAW (Barnet) 11th (8.07), EDIE WOODINGS (Barnet) 54th (8.54), DINA SILVERMAN (Barnet) 77th (9.07), ERIN GIBLIN (Barnet) 87th (9.14), PHOEBE MUSIC (Barnet) 119th (9.34) the winner was Megan Barlow of Bromley (7.33) 189 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Lambeth (25 points), 2nd Greenwich (29), 3rd Bromley (39), 13th Barnet (142) 27 teams finished

Under 17 Men – JONAH MARKS (Barnet) 22nd (17.56), PETER BAYVEL-ZAYATS (Barnet) 39th (18.35), DANIEL BANYARD (Barnet) 64th (19.19), JACOB CLEMENT (Barnet) 74th (19.33), TOMMY NARVAEZ-WHITE (Barnet) 81st (19.41) the winner was Conrad Norman of Croydon (16.30) 127 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Redbridge (26 points), 2nd Bromley (37), 3rd Richmond (56), 6th Barnet (73) 21 teams finished

Under 17 Women – MYA MAIRS-INGRAM (Barnet) 18th (12.52), LILI FOWKES-GAJAN (Enfield) 84th (16.58) the winner was Lauren Russell of Haringey (11.47) 90 runners finished
Team Result – 1st Bromley (26 points), 2nd Haringey (34), 3rd Barnet (36) 18 teams finished

Men’s Team Result Overall – 1st Bromley, 2nd Wandsworth, 3rd Richmond, 9th Barnet
Women’s Team Result Overall – 1st Bromley, 2nd Wandsworth, 3rd Richmond, 8th Barnet

BERKS, BUCKS AND OXON CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Henley on 19 November.
Senior Women – SW AMELIA WILLS U23 (HCA) won the Bronze Medal (35.29)

NCAA D1 CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA on 19 November.
10000m XC – SM CHARLES HICKS U23 (Stanford University) 1st (28.44)

The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently. Photographs below were taken by DAVID HICKS.
CHARLES HICKS became the fourth British man to win America’s premier cross-country race and the first for over 30 years. Representing Stanford University, the 21-year-old won an exciting race on a tough circuit, smashing the course record in the process. NICK ROSE, later a world cross-country bronze medallist, won it in 1974 during a golden era in the 1970s that also saw victories from Americans STEVE PREFONTAINE and CRAIG VIRGIN and Kenya’s HENRY RONO. The other British male winners include MARK SCRUTTON, who won in 1982, plus JOHN NUTTALL in 1989, whereas Brits to win the women’s title include KATE AVERY and KATHY BUTLER. HICKS, the European under-23 champion 12 months ago in Dublin, had only been third in the NCAA regional race but by 2km he was clear with only the Northern Arizona pairing NICO YOUNG and DREW BOSLEY for company.

CHARLES in his final straight with NICO YOUNG

Last year he finished 14th in the delayed previous season race held in March and then finished a competitive fourth last November before his excellent European victory. Early in 2022 he looked in great form and his (27:40.16) smashed DAVE BEDFORD’S UK under-23 10,000m record but he could only finish a close sixth in the NCAA final having been seventh in 2021.

Here in Stillwater he was willing to bide his time but he was up against YOUNG and the American who ran (13:11.30) last summer for 5000m while still a teenager and came third in both the NCAA indoor and outdoor 5000m finals last summer, may have had the faster speed on paper but it was the US-based Briton who had the strongest kick. In winning HICKS became the first ever Stanford champion and previous students have included the likes of RYAN HALL and current US 5000m and 10,000m record-holder GRANT FISHER. Only 21, he still has two more years of eligibility left. “I didn’t know I was the first winner until the announcer said,” HICKS said. “Given our history, I would have assumed someone had done it. That’s incredible.”

HICKS had finished his track season early and focussed on 100-mile plus training weeks which meant a few disappointments in early season races. “I just had to stay with the belief that when we started coming down my legs were going to feel fresher and when I ran the Pac-12s last month my legs felt lighter and weren’t burning as much and that’s good training. “In the race the NAU guys did 99 per cent of the work and I sat in and conserved energy.” He stretched out on the hills with just a kilometre to go which YOUNG covered and then the American kicked 200m out but the Britain responded for an official winning margin of 0.9 of a second. “It was exactly the race I hoped for,” he said. “I prefer to run strong and aggressive and keep a high intensity and YOUNG and BOSLEY allowed me to run the race I love finding out who has more fitness and who wants it more.”

CHARLES sitting in on the hilly section

PARKRUN – Can you make sure that you are registered as ‘Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers’, as the link I use to select all results only shows SBH athletes. If anyone is also officiating can you please contact me and advise me where and when.

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Canons Park on 19 November.
LENARD MICHEL V50 18th (23.46) this was his 83rd Parkrun, SHONA MICHEL V50 103rd (37.12) this was her 28th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Dulwich on 19 November.
ZAC RANDALL 7th (16.21) this was his 14th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Hackney Marshes on 19 November.
BARRY CHISHOLM V60 202nd (29.12) this was his 270th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Jersey Farm on 19 November.
JAMES DAVIS U23 101st (27.28) this was his 33rd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Maidstone on 19 November.
CLIFF GOLDING V65 69th (24.48) this was his 127th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Oak Hill on 19 November.
STUART SINGER V60 20th (21.56) this was his 349th Parkrun, BRADLEY SINGER 29th (22.36) this was his 203rd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Panshanger on 19 November.
RUSSELL DEVITT V70 165th (36.18) this was his 243rd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Woking on 19 November.
REBEKAH HOUNSELL 9th (19.59) this was her 76th Parkrun

UPCOMING CROSS COUNTRY AND ROAD RELAY FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS, FOR THE PERIOD THURSDAY 24 NOVEMBER UNTIL WEDNESDAY 21 DECEMBER – The updated 2022-2023 Winter Fixture Card and Information Sheet, are available further down the Newsletter.

FRATERNITY AND SORORITY CUPS – Takes place on Saturday 26 November at Trent Park, Cockfosters Road, Middlesex (SatNav EN4 0PS). The start is close to the car park which is accessible from the western gate of Trent Park, found on the left-side before reaching Cockfosters underground station (Piccadilly line).
Timetable – 14.30 for Men/Women – Junior, Senior and Veteran. Numbers will be given out close to the start area.
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run
Awaiting final race information 

NORTH WEST LONDON LEAGUE – The third fixture of five takes place on Saturday 26 November at Trent Park, Cockfosters Road, Middlesex (SatNav EN4 0PS). The start is close to the car park which is accessible from the western gate of Trent Park, found on the left-side before reaching Cockfosters underground station (Piccadilly line).
Timetable – 12.45 Under 11 Boys and Girls (2400m), 13.00 Under 13 Boys and Girls (3000m), 13.20 Under 15 Boys and Girls (4000m), 13.40 Under 17 Men and Women (5000m) distances are approximate. Numbers will be given out close to the start area.
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run. Will any of our Female athletes please see JEREMY SOTHCOTT who will give you a race number
Awaiting final race information

UK CROSS CHALLENGE INCLUDING EUROPEAN TRIALS FOR U20, U23 & SENIOR – Takes place on Saturday 26 November at Sefton Park, Croxteth Drive, Liverpool (SatNav L17 3AA).
Timetable – 10.45 Under 11 Boys (2000m), 10.55 Under 11 Girls (2000m), 11.05 Under 13 Girls (3000m), 11.20 Under 13 Boys (3000m), 11.35 Under 15 Girls (3000m), 11.50 Under 15 Boys (3000m), 12.05, Under 17 and 20 Women (4400m), 12.25, Under 17 Men (5500m), 12.45, Under 20 Men (6700m), 13.05, Senior Women (8100m), 14.05, Senior Men (9800m).
Link for all Information, includes on how to enter – https://www.uka.org.uk/competition/running/cross-challenge-series/the-british-athletics-cross-challenge/liverpool/
Entries Closed
Note: You need to enter yourselves

START FITNESS METROPOLITAN LEAGUE – The third fixture of five takes place on Saturday 3 December, course is at Hillingdon Sports Centre, Hillingdon House Farm, Park Road, Uxbridge (Satnav UB10 0RQ).
Race headquarters – Hillingdon Athletics Stadium, Gatting Way, Uxbridge (Satnav UB8 1ES). HQ to course walk time: 2 minutes.
Changing facilities – Men’s & Women’s changing rooms and toilets within athletic stadium and football pavillion. Please do not use the facilities within the main sports centre.
Course Description – Parkland setting, undulating course, with one steep climb per large lap, on grass and woodland paths. Option of small river crossing if conditions on the day allow – Course Map
Public Transport – Hillingdon & Uxbridge Metropolitan and Picadilly lines 10-15 minute walk from course. U1 and U2 buses stop within 3 minutes’ walk of Sports Centre.
Directions from major roads – Next to A40 Swakeleys Roundabout Junction, then follow signs for Hillingdon Sports and Leisure centre.
Parking – Limited free parking within Uxbridge College car park on the right of Gatting Way before the sports centre carpark. Parking in the sports centre requires buying a ticket at the meter. Please car share if driving, as the car park can be very busy with places at a premium.
Timetable – 12.25 U11 (Over 9) Boys (up to 2km), 12.30 U11 (Over 9) Girls (up to 2km), 12.40 U13 Boys (3km), 12.45 U13 Girls (3km), not before 13.00 U17 Men and U15 Boys (4km), not before 13.05 U17 Women and U15 Girls (4km), not before 13.30 U20, Senior and Veteran Women (7-8km), not before 14.35 U20, Senior and Veteran Men (7-8km).
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.
Awaiting final race information, the above details is when the race was last held.

START FITNESS METROPOLITAN LEAGUE RACE NUMBERS – I have been asked to remind you that your race number must be kept by yourselves, and is to be used for all 5 fixtures.

START FITNESS METROPOLITAN LEAGUE 3 DECEMBER – This is the Third race in the SBH Winter Points Championships. Also this is the Club Championship race for the Under 20 Men, 5 Miles Senior Men and Masters Men 40+

SOUTHERN INTER COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 10 December at Horspath Sports Ground, Oxford (SatNav OX4 2RR).
Timetable – 11.00 U13 Girls (Approximately 3k), 11.20 U13 Boys (Approximately 3k), 11.40 U15 Girls (Approximately 4k), 12.25 U15 Boys (Approximately 4k), 12.50 U17 Men (Approximately 5k), 13.15 U17 Women (Approximately 5k), 13.40 U20 Women and Senior Women (Approximately 6k)
Note: You will have to be pre-entered by your County Team Manager
Awaiting final race information, the above details is when the race was last held. 

SOUTHERN MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 10 December at Horspath Sports Ground, Oxford (SatNav OX4 2RR).
Timetable – 11.45 Women 40+ 50+, 60+, M70+ (Approximately 6k), 14.10 Men 40+, 50+, 60+ (Approximately 10k)
Entries Closing Date TBC
Note: If you wish to be entered please contact your Team Manager
Awaiting final race information, the above details is when the race was last held. 

UPCOMING INDOOR FIXTURES – The following fixtures are now open for entries, therefore please enter yourselves and pay the appropriate fee, but be aware that fixtures could close before the closing date, due to events being full.

LEE VALLEY INDOOR OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Sunday 4 December, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
Events are Track 60m, 300m, 600m and 60m Hurdles, Field Shot and High Jump, Long Jump and Pole Vault sold out. For all age-groups including U13s.
To enter please use this link – https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/athletics-centre/athletics-competitions
Entries Close Sunday 27 November – Please be advised that events may be full before the closing date.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

BE FIT TODAY INDOOR SERIES – Takes place on Sunday 11 December, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
Events are Track 60m, 200m, 300m, 600m, 800m and 60m Hurdles, Field Long Jump. For all age-groups including U11s.
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 Close Monday 5 December – Please be advised that events may be full before the closing date.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

LEE VALLEY NEW YEARS INDOOR OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Sunday 2 January, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
Events are Track 60m, 200m 300m, 400m and 800m. For all age-groups including U13s.
To enter please use this link – https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/athletics-centre/athletics-competitions
Entries Close Wednesday 28 December – Please be advised that events may be full before the closing date.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

ENGLAND ATHLETICS U20 AND SENIOR INDOOR COMBINED EVENTS CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the English Institute of Sport, Coleridge Road, Sheffield (Satnav S9 5DA) on Saturday 7 January and Sunday 8 January.
To enter please use this link – https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/england-competitions/national-championships/2023-championships-calendar-and-results/
Entries Close Friday 16 December
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

BE FIT TODAY INDOOR SERIES – Takes place on Sunday 8 January, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
Events are Track 60m, 200m, 300m, 600m, 800m and 60m Hurdles, Field Long Jump. For all age-groups including U11s.
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 Close Monday 2 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 U20 AND SENIOR INDOOR GAMES – Takes place on Saturday 21 January and Sunday 22 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://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/athletics-centre/athletics-competitions
Entries Closing Date Wednesday 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 

LEE VALLEY LONDON U13, U15 & U17 INDOOR GAMES – Takes place on Saturday 28 January and Sunday 29 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://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/athletics-centre/athletics-competitions
Entries Closing Date Wednesday 25 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 AYO FALOLA DREAM MILE – Takes place at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Wednesday 8 February.
Age-groups U15 and above.
Entries now open, please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/?o=&page=4&date__gte=&date__lte=&type=&q=&country_id=&uses_ot=on
Entries Closing Date To Be Confirmed – 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 15 February,
Events are 800m U13 and Above, 1500m U15 and above.
Entries now open, please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/?o=&page=4&date__gte=&date__lte=&type=&q=&country_id=&uses_ot=on
Entries Closing Date To Be Confirmed – 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

LONDON LOOK-BACK: LEADING RESULTS, MASTER RECORDS AND START LINE MIX-UP – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

There were veteran marathon records for KENENISA BEKELE, KRISHNA STANTON, SUE MCDONALD and MARY SLOCUM but problems for prospective sub-3hr runners on an eventful day in the British capital. Obviously the wins of AMOS KIPRUTO and YALEMZERF YEHUALAW took the honours at the 2022 TCS London Marathon on October 2 but there were some notable masters athletes results which have been updated after Power of 10 finally processed on October 17. KENENISA BEKELE, many experts’ choice as the greatest all-round distance runner in history, is now 40 years old and he set a world M40 record of (2:05:53). KRISHNA STANTON, the former Australian international running in London for Blackheath & Bromley Harriers, set a world W55 record of( 2:48:06). Racing as KRISHNA WOOD in 1987 she finished fourth in the world indoor 3000m – five hundredths of a second ahead of 1993 winner YVONNE MURRAY and also ahead of 1989 winner ELLY VAN HULST – before going on to win silver in the 2002 Commonwealth Games marathon. In London she blasted the first 10km in (37:08) and despite slowing she was past halfway in (80:46), not far short of the actual world half-marathon record for that event. The second half took seven minutes longer but she held on sufficiently to beat JENNY HITCHINGS’ (2:50:40) from New York in 2019, although she has run quicker than STANTON managed on a point to point course.

In second, SUE MCDONALD, who set a British W50 record last year, this time set a W55 record, despite not being at full  fitness. She too went off quick with a halfway time of (85:47) and though slowing in the second half, she held together well with (21:07), (21:16) and (21:15) for her last three 5km splits. Her chip time of (2:54:39) just about got the better of ANGHARAD MAIR’S (2:54:49) from 2017. That was not the only British record though as W60 winner MARY SLOCUM also set an age group mark. Listed as running for Ireland in the results, she has dual nationality and intends to run for Northern Ireland in the Masters International this autumn. Through halfway in (1:35:40), she only lost a few minutes on the second half and her time of (3:13:26) beat the previous mark of (3:14:37) by LYNDA HEMBURY.

The biggest name in the women’s masters event though was the 1984 Olympic champion JOAN BENOIT SAMUELSON and she won the W65 event in (3:20:20), 38 years after she won in Los Angeles. Another runner from that LA Olympics race, YUKO GORDON, who then ran for Hong Kong (34th in 2:46:12), was a lot closer here and she won the W70 race in (3:31:54) but Canadian DOREEN QUAPP with a two-minute negative split closed on the British age-group record-holder to just over half a minute by the finish.

Other British age-group winners among the women were W40 HELEN GAUNT (2:39:10), W50 JACQUELINE ROCKLIFFE (2:54:08), W75 SUE NICHOLLS (4:34:31) and W80 EILEEN HIERON. British men found it harder as the non-elite race winners were M40 GARY LAYBOURNE (2:21:07), M45 STEWART HAYNES (2:24:57) and M80 BEVIS GILLETT (4:39:17) as the vast majority of men’s titles went overseas. The Wanda World Age Group Championship was the reason for the quality of overseas competitors which was especially good in some of the mid-masters categories. The M60 for example just had two Britons in the top 13.

The third Briton in the age group was London Marathon ever-present CHRIS FINILL. In his 42nd London Marathon, he ran a startling (3:01:18) as he just missed out on setting a world record for the longest span of sub- three-hour marathon (43 years plus) and becoming the first Briton to run a sub-three marathon in six different decades. He does have an excellent chance of setting that record in April though he can already lay claim to be being the most consistent three-hour runner in history having set 33 successive sub-three-hour London Marathons from 1981 to 2013 even if a sub-three has eluded him since 2019. His near miss that time did allow myself to temporarily retain the European and British three-hour span best of 40 years which I won’t be extending. It was my 41st London Marathon, having missed the 1983 event which a well-known course measurer has insisted was slightly short but naturally the many thousands of athletes who set PBs that day which they never went on to better, insist it was fine and there is no Strava data to prove otherwise! This year I ran just over four hours which, after Achilles problems, was done on minimal training with eight miles being the furthest I had run since the 2021 race. For the first London Marathon I averaged 100 miles a week in the build up but here I ran less than a total of 100 miles in the three months leading up to the marathon. It’s not a schedule I would recommend but at least it meant only one very painful long run (the race itself) instead of the 10 or so uncomfortable long runs I normally do! The only reason I did run was purely to keep my run going of completing my 47th year of marathoning – having run at least one marathon since 1976, after finding an alternative marathon to run in 1983. Not confident of finishing with so little training and so many niggles, I actually ran in cycling gear so I could carry stuff and not get stuck trying to get home in running gear. Despite that I enjoyed it (maybe less so, the final 10km!) and it mostly reminded me that in most respects the current London Marathon is undoubtedly the world’s best though it does help that one of the starts is 400m from my door. Every year there seem to be more modern technologies coming in. I was mightily impressed with the photos this year. I sent a selfie and seconds later I got 100 photos back and most were of me though I got a few others of different old men wearing glasses. Yes, Berlin may be a little faster but London has the best prize money, raises the most charity money and has the best elite field in depth, fantastic crowds, a stunning course in the world’s greatest city and fantastic infra-structure and it provides the best race for a elite runner, the British Championships competitors and the fun and charity runner.

However, maybe arguably not a British international runner which were in short supply in 2022 after the withdrawals of MO FARAH, CHRIS THOMPSON, EILISH MCCOLGAN and CHARLOTTE PURDUE. The gaps behind the best elites does mean many of the leading Brits often have a lonely run. ROSE HARVEY, the top British runner was the only women’s finisher between (2:21:42) and (2:37:56) (note, the masses started 40min behind the elite women) though she was paced for some of the race. The men was busier but only 10 men finished between (2:09:52) and (2:20:33) compared to 40 at Berlin. I was marvelling at the efficiency of the organisation as I queued for the toilets (so many, on first look it appeared we had one each) and the speed I got into the pen and across the start and in the early miles I enjoyed the efficiency of the water stations and even the many people to warn of upcoming speed bumps. The only time I did notice something was not quite right was around five miles when suddenly huge groups of fast club runners started overtaking the three-and-a-half-hour pace runners I was with and there were many collisions and I got baulked a number of times. I seem to recall one of the three-hour pacers passed me around halfway. I actually paced sub-three myself for many years at London back and remember thinking it was so simple back then when there were no waves and everything was done by gun time.

It later transpired that there had been a major error on the red start and a lot of angry good club runners. One of them, GRAHAM MERFIELD, said: “On Red start wave one, the runners were all sub-three hours and many like me were also in the age-group world championship. We watched in horror as waves from the yellow start went off in front of us with many in fancy dress and we only left about 18 minutes after the elite runners started. Normally, I would have been right behind them. “It made for a very frustrating and dangerous race for both fast and slower runners,” he added. “I was passing slower runners who had clearly started ahead of me right to the finish. In the early miles and after the starts came together, the runners were so dense that it was difficult to overtake without sometimes bumping runners or we had to run on the curb and off the course. I rolled my ankle on a bottle in the middle of the course adding to the frustration and although I finished, I also have a very swollen ankle.” While there initially huge negativity about the lack of respect given to good UK club runners, London have now acknowledged that it was an unfortunate error that won’t be repeated.

Race director HUGH BRASHER said: “Our sincere apologies to the club runners who were placed in the wrong start wave on the Red Start which meant they started behind slower runners. This was due to human error in the seeding process. We have reviewed what happened and we’re putting in place a process which means this should never happen again.”

CRYSTAL PALACE CLOSED DUE TO PARTS OF THE STADIUM BEING UNSAFE – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently. Photograph of Crystal Palace in 2022 by MARK SHEARMAN.

Spiritual home of British athletics temporarily shut down following safety fears relating to concrete pillars supporting floodlights. Athletes and coaches who use Crystal Palace for winter training have been left frustrated after the stadium was closed this month due to safety concerns. Concrete pillars supporting the floodlights in the arena have been deemed “unsafe” with the operators of the sports centre announcing the emergency closure last Friday (Nov 18). Since then parts of the park have been reopened with an “exclusion zone” in another area.

A spokesperson for the Greater London Authority (GLA), said: “The GLA has temporarily closed all of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre after discovering that the pillars supporting the floodlights at the stadium are not safe. “Due to this urgent safety issue, and the requirement to maintain exclusion zones around each of the floodlights, Bromley Council has also needed to close some sections of Crystal Palace Park. “The GLA recognises that this is very frustrating for all users of the site. We apologise for this disruption and are urgently working with the centre operator and Bromley Council on minimising the impacts of the closures.” However the GLA spokesman added: “We are committed to the comprehensive renovation of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre so that it can deliver positive sporting, community, health and wellbeing outcomes for Londoners. “That is why we have allocated a significant capital budget for the renovation of the centre and appointed contractors to help develop a detailed plan for the works. “It is anticipated that a construction schedule will be announced in the early months of 2023. The GLA is keeping in close contact with local stakeholders and centre users as plans are developed.” Meanwhile Better Leisure, who operate the gym at Crystal Palace, said on Monday (Nov 21) that their facilities would likely remain closed during the early part of this week and that members can temporarily use other Better-owned gyms in the area. 

DONOVAN REID, the former international sprinter, told BBC: “To categorise it as a bit of a mess, is like saying the pandemic was a cold. It’s more than a bit of a mess. “We would love it if work to make it safe can be done and then they can start its development. What we don’t want is for someone to shut it down completely. “I have young athletes who I believe can make the Commonwealth, Olympic and World teams and their training is being stifled.”

JOHN POWELL, chair of Crystal Palace Sports Partnership, said the move was the “latest shambolic act in a pathetic, managed decline”. He added: “It was an iconic sporting venue but now it’s being abandoned and left to rot. Nothing solid has been done to resolve the issues.” He added: “It’s a disgrace! Hundreds of thousands of pounds spent on wasted “consultation” exercises and plans leading to nothing. It’s a crime at Crystal Palace which is suddenly closed due to a dodgy floodlight pylon.”

Crystal Palace held many international meetings and national championships during the 1970s and 1980s and until 2012 but has increasingly fallen into disrepair and major events gravitated to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford and, more recently, the newly developed Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. Still, the iconic south-east London venue continues to hold events – such as last month’s South of England Road Relays – and is a training base in one of the most heavily populated areas in the country.

Many have written off Crystal Palace as a decrepit, run-down stadium. It is a reminder of a golden era of athletics but a relic from the past and seemingly beyond repair. There have been moments of hope for it in recent years but this latest shutdown will heighten concerns that it will be demolished.

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 1 post this week.

Photograph of  LONDON X/C CHAMPIONSHIPS – Taken at Parliament Hill Fields on 19 November, featuring SAMUEL GREENSEIN left and  LEO RONCARATI right, on one of those notorius climbs that make the course one of the most challenging in the UK.

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.
To follow our new Instagram account, from your own account, by searching for ‘shaftesbury_barnet’ or by clicking https://www.instagram.com/shaftesbury_barnet/ 
To Members and Parents, if you wish for any photographs to be posted on Instagram, please email them to sbh.instagram@outlook.com  If you can at the same time give details on when and where the photographs was taken, plus any other comments.
Please feel free to post photographs of any special occasion, for example, your wedding day, an addition to the family.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023 – Takes place in Budapest, Hungary from 19-27 August 2023.
This is the link to the qualiication standards – https://olympics.com/en/news/world-athletics-championships-2023-qualifying-standards-entry-budapest
Currently we have 4 athletes who have achieved qualification standards – ZHARNEL HUGHES 200m (20.07 w-0.3), ELLIE BAKER 800m (1:59.52), KYLE LANGFORD 800m (1:44.49) and LIZZIE BIRD 3000m Steeplechase (9:07.07)

THE FOLLOWING IS CLUB INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TOPICS

SBH 2022-2023 WINTER FIXTURE CARD – Was updated and issued on the 4 November 2022.
The Updated 2022-2023 Winter Fixture Card is now available on the SBH Website – http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixture-cards/  Fixture Card Updated 04-11-22 UK Indoor & Hertfordshire X/C Dates Confirmed.
The 2022-2023 Winter Information Sheet is now available on the SBH Website, which shows which races you can compete in, for the Cross Country Points Championships and the Cross Country Individual Club Championships. Also the Metropolitan League timetable and contact details for the SBH Cross Country and Road Relay Team Managers – http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixture-information/

SBH 2022-2023 WINTER CROSS COUNTRY POINTS AND CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURE – The CROSS COUNTRY POINTS TABLE is now available on the SBH Website, and has been updated following the Metropolitan League fixture on the 12 November – http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/winter-xc-points-tables/
The Initial Draft of the CROSS COUNTRY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP LIST is now available on the SBH Website, and will be updated following the Metropolitan League fixture on the 3 December – http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/winter-xc-club-championships/

START FITNESS METROPOLITAN LEAGUE 2021-2022 SEASON – The following link shows the following – Final league positions, Points and club championship winners, SBH athletes consecutive races, SBH athletes races completed to date – Start Fitness Metropolitan League Statistics For 2021-2022 Season

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.