COMPLETELY USELESS RANDOM FACT – Did you know … The upcoming 2023 Ryder Cup will be held in Rome, Italy. There are almost 17,000 registered parkrunners in Italy!

UPCOMING ROAD RELAY AND CROSS COUNTRY FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 5 WEEKS, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER UNTIL WEDNESDAY 1 NOVEMBER – The SBH 2023-2024 Winter Fixture Card and Information Sheet is now available on the SBH website – http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixture-cards/

NORTH WEST LONDON LEAGUE – The first fixture of five takes place on Saturday 30 September at the Tir Chonail Gaelic Sports Club, at the end of Berkeley Avenue, Greenford (Satnav UB6 0NZ).
For age-groups U11, U13, U15 & U17 Boys and Girls.
Directions – turn off Greenford Road (A4127), opposite the entrance to the Glaxo Factory. The playing fields are at the end of Berkeley Avenue.
Car parking – There will be no parking permitted on the grass adjacent to the course. Please make maximum car share use, travel via public transport to Greenford Station (Central Line) or seek parking in nearby roads or on Greenford Road where there should be plenty of space, then make the shor walk to the race HQ.
Timetable – 12.00 U11 Boys & Girls (2000m), 12.15 U13 Boys & Girls (3000m), 12.40 U15 Boys & Girls (4000m), 13.05 U17 Men & Women (5000m).
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run. Will any of our Female athletes please see TY HOLDEN who will give you a race number

NATIONAL ROAD RELAYS – Takes place on Saturday 7 October at Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, Town Gate Entrance, Birmingham (Satnav B73 6BU).
Timetable – 11.00 U13 Boys, 11.05 U13 Girls, 12.00 U15 Boys, 12.05 U15 Girls, 12.50 U17 Men, 12.55 U17 Women. All races are 3 Legs of 3.88km. 14.00 Senior Men 6 Legs of 5.848km. 14.10 Senior Women 4 Legs of 4.33km. To qualify, the Senior Mens team have to finish in the first 25 at the Southern Road Relays on 23 September.
Entries Closing Date Friday 29 September
Note: You will have to be pre-entered by your respective Team Manager

VICTORIA PARK SPORTS MEDICINE METROPOLITAN LEAGUE – The first fixture of five takes place on Saturday 14 October at Claybury, Essex.
The following will be updated once the full information is published on the Metropolitan League website.
Course Location – Claybury Park, Roding Lane North, Woodford Green (Satnav IG8 8NN).
Race HQ – Start/Finish in Claybury Park.
Changing Facilities – Ashton Playing Fields Track, Chigwell Road (Satnav IG8 8AA). 10 minutes walk from course, limited shower facilities. No toilets on course, use Ashton Playing Fields.
Refreshments – Light refreshments throughout the afternoon at the WGEL clubhouse at Ashton Playing Fields. The club bar may be open after the senior men’s race.
Travel – Where possible, please use public transport, walk or cycle. If travelling by car, please car share to reduce the impact and check for restrictions that may be in effect in the area (Ultra Low Emission Zone for example). Please also park with consideration of others, especially if using on-street parking. The league and/or host club(s) do not warrant the accuracy of the information provided so take no responsibility for any fines or charges that may be levied.
Public transport – Woodford Underground Station (Central Line). Take trains with Loughton or Epping destination. 10 minute walk from station along Snakes Lane East to Ashton Playing Fields.
By Car – Use the A406 eastbound /M11 northbound junction and branch left onto A1400 signposted Gants Hill and then A113 at roundabout signposted Chigwell onto Chigwell Road. Ashton Playing Fields IG8 8AA is 800 metres away.
Claybury is outside the Ultra Low Emmission Zone, this is a Link to the map showing the new Ultra Low Emmission Zone, which is in Green – ulez-boundary-map-part-2
Link to check if your car is chargeable for the ULEZ – https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/
Parking – Approximately 150 spaces at Ashton Playing Fields (IG8 8AA). Parking in the vicinity of Claybury Park is impossible or extremely limited. Please look out for any restrictions and do not block access to any properties. There is virtually no parking in the Roding Lane North area because of residential parking. You are advised to park at Ashton Playing Fields and make the 10 minute walk to the course. You MUST NOT park on the grass triangle in Roding Lane North so as to avoid confrontation with residents. Any inconsiderate parking could jeopardise the future of the races.
To walk to the course from Ashton Playing Fields, take Gaynes Hill Road (opposite) to Roding Lane North (10 Minutes).
Course Details – Parkland setting , undulating course, with one steep climb on each large lap on grass and woodland paths. On certain sections the course width is limited.
The timetable is approximate and subject to change without notice where necessary. Please plan to arrive early and listen for any announcements. The timetable is approximate and subject to change without notice where necessary. Please plan to arrive early and listen for any announcements. Care is required particularly in the senior men’s race on the narrow downhill start.
Map of Course – Awaiting to be published.
Timetable – 12.00 Under 11 Boys/Girls (Over 9), 12.10 Under 13 Boys, 12.20 Under 13 Girls, 12.30 Under 15 Boys and Under 17, 12.45 Under 15 Girls and Under 17 Women, 13.00 Under 20, Senior and Veteran Women, 13.45 Under 20, Senior and Veteran Men.
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 or JO KENT
Please go to Start Fitness Metropolitan League web site www.metleague.co.uk for final information.

VICTORIA PARK SPORTS MEDICINE 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.

CROSS COUNTRY POINTS CHAMPIONSHIPS – The Metropolitan League at Claybury is the first race in the SBH Points Championships.

SOUTHERN CROSS COUNTRY RELAYS – Takes place on Saturday 21 October at Wormwood Scrubs, Linford Christie Stadium, Du Cane Road (SatNav W12 0DF). Enter main car park off Du Cane Road (via Artillery Lane), through 6’6” height/width barrier. Extra parking will be available in the enclosed/fenced hospital parking area. Parking is free in all areas at the week-end.
Wormwood Scrubs is within the Ultra Low Emmission Zone, this is a Link to the map showing the new Ultra Low Emmission Zone, which is in Green – ulez-boundary-map-part-2
Link to check if your car is chargeable for the ULEZ – https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/
Timetable – 11.00 U17 & U20 Women (3 x 3km), 11.30 U17 & U20 Men (3 x 3km), 12.10 U13 Girls (3 x 2km), 12.40 U13 Boys (3 x 2km), 13.10 U15 Girls (3 x 2km), 13.35 U15 Boys (3 x 2km), 14.00 Senior Women (3 x 3km), 14.30 Senior Men (4 x 4km).
Entries Closing Date Friday 6 October
Note: You will have to be pre-entered by your respective Team Manager
Awaiting details from the SEAA website, the above information is based on the 2022 fixture

NORTH LONDON CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 28 October at Hackney Marshes, Homerton Road (SatNav E9 5PF).
Age-groups U20, Senior and Masters.
Timetable – 13.30 Senior Women (8000m), 14.15 Senior Men (8000m).
Entries Closing Date Saturday 21 October
Note: You will have to be pre-entered by your respective Team Manager

GEORGE HARRISON MBE MEMORIAL – Many thanks to NADEEM SHAIKH who sent me this article on GEORGE’S memorial..

A memorial event was held to remember coach GEORGE HARRISON MBE on Wednesday 23 August at Woolhams Playing Fields in St Albans. There was a fantastic turnout of around 90 people, which included GEOFF MORPHITIS, DAVE BEDFORD, plus many athletes GEORGE had coached in his 50 years of coaching. The event was organised by St Albans School, with the help of  ROY HEAD, STEPHANIE PAPARIZOS and TOM BEDFORD.

Many people paid their tributes to George, including Dave Bedford, Roy Head and Kenny Everritt from St Albans School, Pat Waterton from the Abbots Langley Tough Ten Race committee (George was a founder member of the event) plus many SBH athletes such as VICTORIA WALKER, EUAN MACKENZIE, WAYNE DUMPLETON, JAMES CLARKE, MARK PEARCE and TOM BEDFORD.  TOM very kindly produced  a video link to the event, so that those who were unable to attend could watch it. Please see https://youtu.be/UyH-lDfw0X0

The Abbots Langley Tough Ten (ALTT) has been renamed the ‘GEORGE HARRISON Abbots Langley Tough Ten’ this year in memory of GEORGE and will take place on Sunday 1st October in Abbots Langley, which was the village where GEORGE lived. The event hosts a 1k, 3k, 5k race, as well as a 10k race. Anyone wishing to enter can do so at either
Abbots Langley George Harrison Tough 10 – Can you handle it? or Nice Work Race Management : Abbots Langley George Harrison Tough 10 (nice-work.org.uk)

The Abbots Langley Tough Ten committee are trying to raise funds (approx £2000) to purchase a bench in memory of GEORGE, which will be placed in the grounds of Manor House Playing Fields in Abbots Langley where the races take place every year. Anyone wishing to make a donation, but does not want to run or is unable to run/take part, can still make a contribution using the following link https://www.gofundme.com/f/abbots-langley-tough-ten-pay-not-to-run

HIGHGATE SOCIAL MEET UP – Will take place on Monday 16th October at the Wrestlers Pub, in Highgate Village at 5.30-6pm. This is where the club runs started in the 1930, and hopefully we can replicate the photo taken in our centenary book.
Unfortunately DAVE and RAY i will be on holiday from the 12 October, but look forward in receiving a report and photographs when i return, for the Newsletter.

BETH POTTER CROWNED WORLD TRIATHLON SERIES CHAMPION – The following article was published on the British Triathlon website recently.

BETH POTTER put in a stunning performance to be crowned world champion as she won the World Triathlon Championship Finals in Pontevedra with teammate KATE WAUGH securing a British 1-2 with an equally impressive race. The quartet of Brits in the race was completed by SOPHIE COLDWELL who secured another top-ten spot as she finished 7th and OLIVIA MATTHIAS returning from injury to finish 32nd.

Out of the swim and onto the bike, MATTHIAS  led a British 1-2 with COLDWELL joining her at the front of the field. POTTER was paried with WAUGH 17 second off their teammates in a chase group.

It did not take long for POTTER and WAUGH to close up however, joining their compatriots by the midway point of lap one of the bike leg. As the 15 strong lead group moved through lap two they built a 30 second gap back to the chase group with BEAUGRAND amongst their group. At the halfway point of the race, POTTER had moved into the top-ten for the first time on the bike leg, riding at the front of the lead group. With the leaders trading positions, the chasing group were closing the gap on the leaders who weren’t pushing ahead. On lap five of eight, POTTER and BEAUGRAND came together on the bike in sixth and seventh with MATHIAS the lead Brit in fifth. COLDWELL, who had led the group for a lot of the opening laps, had settled back into the pack in ninth as did WAUGH in 15th. With one lap left, the chasing group had closed to with 30 seconds of the leaders with the British athletes no longer pulling the group along and opting to settle into the pack ahead of the run.

Heading into T2, MATHIAS led the way with WAUGH in second and COLDWELL third as POTTER led BEAUGRAND in tenth. Out of transition though, French triathlete EMMA LOMBARDI led the way as the Brits all swapped around. POTTER moved up to fourth alongside her teammates and, during the opening lap, WAUGH and POTTER climbed the standings and traded top spot as COLDWELL was fifth. MATHIAS further down the field as she dropped 21 seconds back in 23rd. The lead trio of POTTER, LOMBARDI and WAUGH put a six second gap back to BEAUGRAND as COLDWELL was battling it out with the French star and JEANNA LEHAIR of Luxembourg for fourth place. At the halfway stage, WAUGH’S strong run performance continued as she remained at the front of the race with POTTER, who had one hand on the world title thanks to an 11 second gap back to BEAUGRAND in second. On the third lap LOMBARDI dropped off the pace as WAUGH and POTTER moved seven seconds clear of the French athlete. COLDWELL’S battle with BEAUGRAND had come to an end as well, the French athlete knowing she needed a real charge to catch POTTER. MATHIAS was down the field working hard to climb into the top-30 as she dropped to 33rd. At the start of the last lap, POTTER had dropped her teammate by five seconds and she pushed on to extend that gap throughout the lap to take the win and the world championship crown by 18 seconds. WAUGH was the next over the line to secure the silver medal ahead of BEAUGRAND. COLDWELL earnt a top-ten finish as she crossed the line in seventh with MATHIAS finishing 32nd.

The overall series standings saw POTTER crowned 2023 World Champion, with BEAUGRAND second and LOMBARDI third.

Results – 1st BETH POTTER (1:53.19), 2nd KATE WAUGH (1:53.37), 3rd CASSANDRA BEAUGRAND (1:53.50)

TIGST ASSEFA SMASHES WORLD MARATHON RECORD IN BERLIN – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

TIGST ASSEFA smashes women’s world marathon record in Berlin with (2:11:53). The Ethiopian slices more than two minutes off BRIGID KOSGEI’S mark as ELUID KIPCHOGE wins men’s race in (2:02:42) and CHARLOTTE PURDUE goes No.2 on UK all-time rankings. It is 20 years since PAULA RADCLIFFE smashed the women’s world marathon record with (2:15:25) in London. Described as a “quantum leap” in 2003, it stood the test of time for 16 years before BRIGID KOSGEI eventually improved it to an incredible (2:14:04) in Chicago. KOSGEI’S mark survived four years but on Sunday (Sept 24) it was decimated in Berlin as TIGST ASSEFA of Ethiopia ran more than two minutes quicker with (2:11:53). If RADCLIFFE’S run represented a quantum leap then ASSEFA employed her warp drive boosters to take the marathon mark to the outer reaches of what the athletics universe believes is possible. After passing halfway in (66:20) the 29-year-old simply got faster with a negative split of (65:33) to create history. Never mind the (2:14) and (2:13) barriers, ASSEFA skipped those and went straight for the jugular with a sub-2:12. All of which meant ELIUD KIPCHOGE’S fifth victory in the Berlin Marathon men’s race in a swift (2:02:42) was relegated to the second biggest story of the day.

In 2022 in Berlin, ASSEFA caused a big surprise when she won in 2:15:37 to go No.3 on the world all-time rankings. That run saw her improve her best from a modest (2:34:01) where she had finished seventh in the Riyadh Marathon six months earlier. More remarkable was ASSEFA’S background as she had specialised in 800m before moving on to the roads, representing Ethiopia at the 2016 Rio Olympics on the track (she didn’t make it out of the heats) and with a two-lap best of (1:59.24) set in 2014. Prior to this she was better known as a 400m runner and clocked (54.05) for that distance in 2012. Maybe that basic leg speed helped her handle the vicious pace in Berlin as she ticked off kilometre splits in the (3:10) range as she passed 5km in (15:59), 10km in (31:45) (15:46), 15km (47:26) (15:41), 20km (62:52) (15:26), 25km (78:40) (15:48), 30km (94:12) (15:32), 35km (1:49:41) (15:29) and 40km (2:05:13) (15:32) before running her final 2km at 3:03/km pace. Significantly given her upbringing in Ethiopia, she ran quicker than national hero ABEBE BIKILA, the 1960 and 1964 Olympic champion, who ran a world record of (2:12:11) in 1964.

Berlin is a notoriously fast course featuring a combination of smooth, flat roads and invariably a great climate for marathon running at this time of year. ASSEFA was also wearing adidas super-shoes on her feet and this was also a victory for a sponsor that has its origins in Germany and whose latest road racing shoe – the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 – was released this month costing $500. “I think this is the result of hard working which I have done for the last year,” said ASSEFA. Did she believe she could break (2:12)? “I expected to break the record but not by that much,” she said. On the Paris Olympics next year, she added: “The decision lies in the hands of (Ethiopian federation) committee members but I’ve set a record now which can’t be ignored so I hope to run in Paris.” The race almost failed to get off on time after climate protestors invaded the start area and threw orange paint on the ground. But once the runners were away ASSEFA settled into her stride as she was joined by fellow Ethiopians WORKENESH EDESA, SENBERE TEFERI and ZEINEBA YIMER plus Kenya’s SHEILA CHEPKIRU in the early stages. Accelerating through 17km with a (2:59) kilometre split, ASSEFA dropped her female rivals and just had some male pacemakers for company. Just after halfway she speeded up again with a (2:48) kilometre – the fastest of the race at that point – as she continued at world record pace.

Entering the final couple of kilometres it was clear ASSEFA was going to smash the world record but the big question was whether she could get inside (2:12). With her final pacer peeling away to leave her alone, she stormed home to break the barrier by seven seconds. Behind, many of her rivals had also been operating inside world record pace, despite being dropped, for much of the race but they faded as CHEPKIRUI placed second in (2:17:49), while MAGDALENA SHAURI took third in a Tanzanian record of (2:18:41). “Berlin is very special to me and after my win last year I had big plans for today,” ASSEFA continued. “I trained very hard over the last few months to accomplish the fastest time I have ever run. I’m very thankful for the support of the crowd along the race, but also for my partner adidas equipping me with their lightest racing shoe ever – the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 – which gave me that extra boost today to go and achieve a world record time. I could not be happier.”

On a day of fast times another adidas athlete, CHARLOTTE PURDUE, ran (2:22:17) to go No.2 on the UK all-time lists with a big PB. PURDUE had previously sat fourth on the rankings with (2:23:12) from London 2021 but the 32-year-old overtook MARA YAMAUCHI’S (2:23:12) from London 2009 and JESS PIASECKI’S (2:22:25) from Seville in 2022 to put herself in pole position for Olympic marathon selection.

For much of the morning it looked like there could be two world records as KIPCHOGE passed through halfway in (60:22). He was on pace to break the (2:01:09) record he set in Berlin 12 months ago but he began to drift off the pace from halfway onwards. KIPCHOGE had company as well for much of the race in the shape of the unheralded DERSEH KINDIE of Ethiopia. But KINDIE’S challenge ended at 31km as KIPCHOGE broke clear with the final remaining pacemaker, HILLARY CHEPKWONY. Moments later KINDIE stepped off the road, too, as did CHEPKWONY as KIPCHOGE was left alone for the final 11km. With VINCENT KIPKEMOI of Kenya, AMOS KIPRUTO of Kenya and TADESE TAKELE of Ethiopia seemingly closing on KIPCHOGE, there was a moment when it looked like he might be in trouble. But he continued to cruise along effortlessly and despite a strong late surge from KIPKEMOI, KIPCHOGE held on to win by 31 seconds as KIPKEMOI ran (2:03:13) on his marathon debut. TAKELE clocked (2:03:24) in third with RONALD KORIR of Kenya (2:04:22) in fourth and HAFTU TEKLU of Ethiopia (2:04:42) in fifth. BELAY SHIFERAW of Ethiopia ran (2:04:44) in sixth, KIPRUTO (2:04:49) in seventh and PHILEMON KIPLIMO of Kenya (2:04:56) in eighth with AMANAL PETROS running a German record on home soil of (2:04:58) in ninth.

On struggling to add another world record to his amazing CV, KIPCHOGE said: “I was expecting to do the same but that’s not how it happened and that’s the way sport is. Every race is a learning lesson.” With a number of Brits travelling to Berlin in search of fast times, LOUISE SMALL ran a PB of (2:30:54) as WEYNAY GHEBRESILASIE also clocked a PB of (2:09:50).

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.
To follow our newInstagram 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.

THE FOLLOWING IS CLUB INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TOPICS

SBH 2023-2024 WINTER FIXTURE CARD – The Fixture Card Front Sheet 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 a draft of the Winter Points and Club Championship tables are published on the SBH website.
Link to the draft of the Winter Points tables, which will be updated following the 14 October Metropolitan League – http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/winter-xc-points-tables/
Link to the draft of the Club Championships table, which will be updated following the 2 December Metropolitan League – http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/winter-xc-club-championships/
Please select a document, following this you can print a copy for future reference.

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.