Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Weekly Newsletter Thursday 5 October 2023

Happy Birthday from Thursday 5 October to Wednesday 11 October – Timothy Butler, Shereen Charles, Noah Clarke, Thomas Fellows, Abi Greene, Sam Hazell, April Hill, Jude Kanor, Yiannaki Kaponi, Jon Lennard, Lee McConnell, Lenard Michel, Jude Miranda, Jo Newell, Kofi Owusu, Ted Parker, Irene Peaty Miller, Cristina Potter, Elena Roncarati, Tony Smith and Lisa Webb

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

NEWSLETTER HOLIDAY – Advance notice that the SBH Weekly Newsletter will be taking a 10 day break, yes I am going away on Holiday. Following the issue of the Thursday 12 October Newsletter, i will be flying out that evening to Majorca. I return on the 22 October, and the Newsletter will return on Thursday 26 October.

NOTICE OF THE 133RD SBH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGNotice is hereby given of the 133rd Annual General Meeting of Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers to be held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 28 November 2023 at StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon, London, NW4 1RL.
Any proposal for a change of rule or notice of any business as per rule 22 must be submitted in writing to the General Secretary by 31 October 2023.
Link to the full details AGM Notice 2023

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE SBH CONSTITUTION AND RULESNotice will be issued to members of the 133rd SBH Annual General Meeting, at the end of this month.
Prior to this, attached are the proposed changes to the Club’s Constitution and Rules, which has been discussed and agreed by the SBH Council. Also attached are the Club’s Current Constitution and Rules as agreed at the 2022 AGM.
Any proposals for any rule changes, please submit in writing to the General Secretary Philip Cunningham at billylow@ntlworld.com by 31 October 2023.

Link to the new Constitution and Rules – SBH Club Rules July 2023 Rev A (3)
Link to the current Constitution and Rules SBH Constitution and Rules as of the November 2022

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS SUBSCRIPTIONS – Our new Club year started on 1 October 2023. The SBH annual subscription, as from 1 December 2023 as approved at the AGM on Tuesday 29 November is £65 and the current England Athletics annual registration from 1 April 2023 is £17. The current total is £82 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.comwhen payment has been made.

RESULTS
NORTH WEST LONDON LEAGUE – Took place at Greenford on 30 September.
What an excellent start to the cross country season, with an excellent turnout including many of our recent new members. Starting with the team results, the Under 11 Boys and Girls won their respective races, Under 15 Girls were 2nd, Under 13 Girls were 4th, Under 17 Women were 6th and  Under 15 Boys 10th.
Individually DENNYS PASCAL won the Under 11 Boys race, also top 5 finishes from Under 11 Girls GRACE ROONEY 2nd, SIENNA DARCY 3rd, SOPHIA CLOONEY 4th, Under 13 Boys XANDER REESE 4th and Under 15 Girls POSIE SHAW 3rd.

TY HOLDEN told me it was a Lovely day, although a couple of late pull outs in the Under 13 Boys, which was a shame as i think we would have been up on team scores there too. 

Under 11 Boys (2000m) DENNYS PASCAL 1st (7.39), ARI RUBENSTEIN 5th (7.53), HARRISON GEORGE 6th (7.55), PRINCE-MOSES JOHN 9th (8.19), LUCAS XIE 14th (8.31), RIO HAYAWAKA 41st (10.23) 42 runners finished.
Team Result 1st SBH (21 points), 2nd Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (60), 3rd Ealing Eagles (86) 12 teams finished.

Under 11 Girls (2000m) GRACE ROONEY 2nd (8.29), SIENNA DARCY 3rd (8.41), SOPHIA CLOONEY 4th (8.43), KEENYAH ADELISE 15th (9.44), SUNNY SHAW 19th (10.11) the winner was S Davies of Thames Valley Harriers (8.24) 22 runners finished.
Team Result 1st SBH (24 points), 2nd Thames Valley Harriers (32), 3rd London Heathside (63) 10 teams finished.

Under 13 Boys (3000m) XANDER REESE 4th (12.21), TAHA COCKERELL 11th (13.21) the winner was Jack Hayward of Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (11.52) 33 runners finished.
Team Result 1st Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (20 points), 2nd London Heathside (54), 3rd Harrow (69), 5th SBH (83) 11 teams finished.

Under 13 Girls (3000m) LUCIA CASALENUOVO 7th (14.06), OLIVIA ABBOTT 9th (14.23), ELFIE SHAW 23rd (15.58) the winner was B Dalton of Harrow (12.52) 33 runners finished.
Team Result 1st Harrow (31 points), 2nd Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (33), 3rd Ealing, Southall & Middlesex B (69), 4th SBH (73) 10 teams finished.

Under 15 Boys (4000m) LADDIE SHAW 18th (16.23), SAM DARCY 27th (18.44) the winner was Sam Turner of London Heathside (14.36) 28 runners finished.
Team Result 1st London Heathside (47 points), 2nd Thames Valley Harriers (53), 3rd Highgate Harriers (61), 10th SBH (102) 10 teams finished.

Under 15 Girls (4000m) POSIE SHAW 3rd (15.37), ELIZABETH OTHOLU 10th (18.14), MEI HAYAKAWA 13th (18.27), ERIN GIBLIN 15th (18.57) the winner was Jonja March of Barnet (15.03) 21 runners finished.
Team Result 1st London Heathside (37 points), 2nd SBH (41), 3rd Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (50) 8 teams finished.

Under 17 Men (5000m) No SBH runners, the winner was Isaac Mezey of Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (16.05) 22 runners finished.
Team Result 1st Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (33 points), 2nd Highgate Harriers (35), 3rd Harrow (38) 7 teams finished.

Under 17 Women (5000m) ARYA STAPLETON DHILLON 10th (22.57) the winner was M Rosen of Barnet (19.43) 11 runners finished.
Team Result 1st Highgate Harriers (30 points), 2nd Ealing, Southall & Middlesex (32), 3rd Barnet (34), 6th SBH (42) 6 teams finished.

EUROPEAN MASTERS T&F CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Pescara, Italy on 21 September to 1 October. Pescara is on the Adriatic coast and is renowned for its sandy beaches, green pine forests and esplanade overflowing with restaurants and pizzerias.

A succesful end to the Championship, with EMMA BEARDMORE V35 winning 2 Gold in the Discus and Weight and 1 Silver Medal in the Hammer. JOYLYN SAUNDERS-MULLINS V70 won 2 Silver Medals in the 200m and 400m. TIMOTHY SAUNDERS-MULLINS V70 finished 7th in the Weight and 10th in the Hammer.

200m – W70 Heat 2 JOYLYN SAUNDERS-MULLINS V70 2nd (25.42 w-0.2) in the Final JOYLYN won the Silver Medal (33.96 w-1.0)
400m – W70 Heat 2 JOYLYN SAUNDERS-MULLINS V70 3rd (1:23.88) in the Final JOYLYN won the Silver Medal (1:18.37)
Discus 1kg – w35 Straight Final EMMA BEARDMORE V35 (2nd Claim) won the Gold Medal (39.94m)
Hammer 4kg – w35 Straight Final EMMA BEARDMORE V35 (2nd Claim) won the Silver Medal (47.33m)
Hammer 4kg – M70 Straight Final TIMOTHY SAUNDERS-MULLINS V70 10th (32.88m)
Weight 7.26kg – M70 Straight Final TIMOTHY SAUNDERS-MULLINS V70 7th (13.59m)
Weight 9.08kg – w35 Straight Final EMMA BEARDMORE V35 (2nd Claim) won the Gold Medal (15.18m)

ABBOTS LANGLEY GEORGE HARRISON MBE TOUGH 10K – Took place at Abbots Langley on 1 October.
10K  MARK PEARCE 1st (SB 33.08), GLEN WATTS V35 3rd (SB 34.27), RACHEL FELTON V40 4th (37.06 1st Female ), SAM WIGGINS U23 9th (PB 40.25)

The following was posted by NADEEM SHAIKH – A wonderful day at the Abbots Langley GEORGE HARRISON Tough Ten event in Hertfordshire with my lovely wife Chrystal. We were there to support so many of our very good friends and my former training partners from Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, as well as a few friends from Telford Athletic Club.

The event was renamed The GEORGE HARRISON  Abbots Langley Tough Ten 10k race this year to commemorate all the phenomenal work GEORGE had done in the community, along with his 50 years of coaching for Shaftesbury Barnet, Highgate Harriers & St Albans School. GEORGE unfortunately passed away in January this year at the age of 90. GEORGE was a committee member for the ALTT & the key course organiser for this event. He was also a phenomenal coach, mentor & a father figure to so many athletes (including myself) who he helped through his wisdom, insight, knowledge & many years of coaching expertise. GEORGE produced over 100 athletes who went on to represent England or Team GB in different athletics championships, including the World Championships, Commonwealth Games & Olympic Games. Lots of the athletes that GEORGE coached (including a few National & International standard athletes) ran or came to support the event today. It was so lovely to catch up with them all & I was privileged to occasionally share my comments with the incredible REG HUNT on the mic & then help former England & Watford FC superstar footballer LUTHER BLISSETT on the presentations.

A huge thank you to ALISON WARNER, PAT WATERTON & all the committee at ALTT for arranging another great day. Special thanks also to all the volunteers, marshalls, first aid, police, spectators & of course, all the amazing runners who took part in all the races today. Congratulations to you all, with excellent wins by MARK PEARCE & RACHEL FELTON in the 10k (times TBC)

Finally, the ALTT committee are trying to raise money to purchase a bench in memory of GEORGE HARRISON  MBE, which will then be placed in the grounds of Manor House Playing Fields, Abbots Langley where this event is held every year. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the ALTT can do so via the following link https://www.gofundme.com/f/abbots-langley-tough-ten-pay-not-to-run

MIDDLESEX 10K – Took place at London Victoria Park on 1 October.
FINN MACARTHY U23 8th (PB 34.36 1st U23) taking 1 minute 29 seconds off his 2019, DANIEL NICHOLS V40 13th (SB 36.26) taking 47 seconds off his 21 May time, PAUL MACARTHY V55 72nd (SB 42.39) taking 3 seconds off his 21 May time

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

PARKRUNS MILESTONE VESTS – You can purchase these from 50 to 500, this is the link – https://shop.parkrun.com/collections/milestone-run-walk-vests

PARKRUNS IN THE UK – Last Saturday at parkruns in the UK, there were…
1,169 events – 184,228 walkers, joggers and runners – 25,682 volunteers – 9,421 first timers – 30,117 PBs

COMPLETELY USELESS RANDOM FACT – Did you know … More the 745,000 parkrunners were born in October. That’s 8.4% of all registered parkrunners in the world!

PARKRUN 5KTook place at Aldenham on 30 September.
PAUL LEWIS V50 1st (19.42) this was his 184th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at Canons Park on 30 September.
SHONA MICHEL V50 371st (29.21) this was her 99th Parkrun, LENARD MICHEL V50 72nd (29.22) this was his 106th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at Hackney Marshes on 30 September.
BARRY CHISHOLM V60 348th (31.02) this was his 305th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at Oak Hill on 30 September.
STUART SINGER V60 33rd (22.12) this was his 388th Parkrun, BRADLEY SINGER 57th (24.03) this was his 239th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at The Old Showfield on 30 September.
RICHARD SAMUEL V70 26th (22.24) this was his 20th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at Panshanger on 30 September.
RUSSELL DEVITT V70 230th (39.32) this was his 277th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at Perry Lakes, Perth, Australia on 30 September.
STUART MOORE V60 57th (26.33) this was his 208th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5KTook place at Sizewell on 30 September.
PHILIP SHELLEY V60 38th (26.25) this was his 47th Parkrun

UPCOMING ROAD RELAY AND CROSS COUNTRY FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 5 WEEKS, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 5 OCTOBER UNTIL WEDNESDAY 8 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/

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 Closed
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 day in the WGEL clubhouse at Ashton Playing Fields. The club bar will be open after the final 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 (1.5km), 12.10 Under 13 Boys (3km), 12.20 Under 13 Girls (3km), 12.30 Under 15 Boys  and Under 17 Men (4.2km), 12.45 Under 15 Girls and Under 17 Women (4.2km), 13.00 Under 20, Senior and Veteran Women (8.1km), 13.45 Under 20, Senior and Veteran Men (8.1km).
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

Information as published on the Metropolitan League web site – Race 1 – Claybury – 14-10-2023
Please go to Metropolitan League web site www.metleague.co.uk for final information.

Map of the course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 4 November at Berry Hill Park, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire (SatNav NG18 4JR).
Age-Groups U13 to Senior Men & Women
Timetable 10.45 U20 Women (3 x 2.5K), 10.57 U17 Women (3 x 2.5K), 11.26 U13 Boys (3 x 2K), 11.50 U13 Girls (3 x 2K), 12.15 U20 Men (3 x 3K), 12.40 U17 Men (3 x 3K), 13.06 U15 Girls (3 x 2K), 13.30 U15 Boys (3 x 2K), 13.50 Senior Women (3 x 3K), 14.40 Senior Men (4 x 5K).
Entries Close Friday 13 October
Note: You will have to be pre-entered by your respective Team Manager 

NORTH WEST LONDON LEAGUE – The second fixture of five takes place on Saturday 4 November at Fryent Country Park, Kingsbury. Race headquarters is at the Kingsbury Free Church Hall, Slough Lane, Kingsbury (SatNav NW9 8QG). Please park in nearby roads, but not at church Hall. Toilets available at the Church Hall, no showers and very limited changing facilities.Church Hall will not be available until 12 noon. The hall is in use for a fitness class, and is only accessible after 12 noon.
Timetable 13.00 U11 Boys & Girls (2000m), 13.15 U13 Boys & U13 Girls (3000m), 13.45 U15 Boys & Girls (4000m), 13.30 approximately U15 Boys (4000m), 14.15 approximately U17 Men & Women (5000m) inconjunction with the Senior athletes who run (8000m). Numbers will be given out close to the start area. The timetable is as the 2022 fixture.
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

BELGRADE STEPS IN TO HOST 2024 WORLD CROSS  The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

Serbian capital to stage global championships after Medulin and Pula in Croatia were forced to pull out. Ten years after staging the European Cross Country Championships, the Serbian capital of Belgrade will now stage its first World Cross Country Championships next year. A decade ago the city’s Park of Friendship hosted the Euro event, but it will now welcome the world after the original hosts of Medulin and Pula in Croatia was forced to pull out.

Croatian plans have been abandoned after World Athletics earlier this month described their “preparations as not sufficiently advanced”. Belgrade has jumped to the rescue, though, which means a major athletics event will be held on the banks of the River Danube just a few months after Budapest hosted the global governing body’s flagship track and field championships. Whereas the Croatian event was due to place on the weekend of February 10-11, the event in Belgrade will be on March 30, which has thrown new year cross-country fixtures into mild turmoil. The British trials, for example, were due to be held on January 20 at Parliament Hill but this now looks likely to be too far away from the championships itself.

When Belgrade held the European Cross Country Championships in 2013 it was the first big athletics event the city had hosted since the European Indoor Games of 1968. I reported at the time: “The Serbian capital put on a decent show with a record entry of 570 athletes across six races on a spectator-friendly course featuring firm ground, surprisingly mild temperatures (mid-December) and a random log that was barely a foot high designed to break the rhythm of runners on each of the 1500m laps.” The number of spectators was modest, but I added: “There was a reasonable buzz in the Park of Friendship venue, partly due to the large contingent of British spectators, some of whom braved the widely publicised airport signal problems to travel to eastern Europe.”

Britain won twice as many medals at those 2013 championships than their nearest challenger, France, with the star performer being under-20 women’s winner EMELIA GORECKA. Less than half a minute behind her, though, team-mate GEORGIA TAYLOR-BROWN finished a fine fourth despite losing a shoe mid-race. It was the kind of grittiness that would earn TAYLOR-BROWN Olympic medals in triathlon eight years later. Elsewhere a young SIFAN HUSSAIN won the under-23 women’s title less than a month after being cleared to represent the Netherlands, while ALEMAYEHU BEZABEH controversially led Spain to senior men’s team victory amid accusations on social media from Britain’s bronze medallist ANDY VERNON that they cheated by putting their six runners in two separate starting pens. Adding insult to injury, BEZABEH had only just returned from a drugs ban too.

Belgrade was also notable for a big congress over the weekend of the championships aimed at reviving the ailing fortunes of cross-country running. Frustratingly not much came of it, though, apart from a large document which was published several months later full of photographs and a short-list of solutions which could have been written in five minutes flat by anyone who has ever worn 15mm spikes. Maybe lessons were learned, though, because Aarhus in 2019 famously revitalised the sport with what World Athletics president SEB COE called “a watershed moment”. I wrote in AW at the time: “Aarhus lived up to the hype to deliver a devilish course and memorable races in sizzling sunshine.” The course featured a number of obstacles, most notably there was a steep climb and descent on the grassy roof of an eco-friendly museum. Mass races for club runners also helped to draw in the crowds.

Despite wrestling with pandemic-related delays, Bathurst in Australia took up the baton admirably this year. Now, Belgrade has its chance to shine while Croatia presumably licks its wounds and maybe prepares to mount a bid for a future bid following the 2026 event in Tallahassee, Florida. World Athletics President SEBASTIAN COE said: “Belgrade is establishing itself as a reliable host of world class competitions. Following a memorable 2022 World Indoor Championships we are confident that the organisation of our 2024 World Cross Country Championships is in a safe pair of hands.” It is not unprecedented for the venue to change either. In 2001 the World Cross Country Championships was due to be held in Dublin but following an out-break of foot-and-mouth disease it was forced to move to firstly Brussels and eventually Ostend at short notice

BOSTON MARATHON CUT-OFF TIME STRICTER THAN EVER  The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

Runners have had to go (5:29) or faster than the original qualifying time to be accepted in the 2024 race. Applicants for the 2024 Boston Marathon have only had their invitations accepted if they clocked five minutes and 29 seconds quicker than the qualifying standard for their respective age groups. The Boston Marathon Association (B.A.A) announced that out of the 33,058 applications received, 22,019 have been admitted to the race. That means that more than 11,000 runners who ran the qualifying standard in their age groups did not get in. For example, a man and woman between the ages of 18-34 will have had to run (2:54:31) and (3:24:31) respectively. Everyone with a valid time in the 2022 and 2023 editions got accepted. Roughly eight thousand runners will be doing it for charity and that will therefore bring the total up to the 30,000 mark. Before Covid-19 caused the cancellation of the 2020 event, participation numbers for the Boston Marathon were: 30,251 in 2015; 30,741 in 2016; 30,074 in 2017; 30,088 in 2018 and 30,234 in 2019.

The 33,058 applicants for the 2024 Boston Marathon is a race record. The youngest and oldest accepted athletes are 18 and 82 respectively. “Just four years after we adjusted the race’s qualifying standards by five minutes for all ages and divisions, more than 33,000 athletes earned Boston Marathon qualifying times,” said JACK FLEMING, President and CEO of the B.A.A. “While we’re unable to accept all into the field, we applaud and recognize the many athletes who circled the 128th Boston Marathon on their calendar as a goal race to strive towards. Boston Marathon qualifiers are among the most dedicated athletes in sports and are always pushing to achieve their goals and personal bests.”

WORLD RECORDS AT THE BERLIN MARATHON  The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

Following the 49th edition of the event, AW looks back at the 12 world marathon records set in the German capital. The Berlin Marathon approaches its 50th anniversary next year and has established itself as one of the fastest marathon courses in the world. It’s no surprise that the Berlin Marathon has hosted more world records (12) over 26.2 miles than any single marathon course in history. The total elevation gain is just 241 feet (73m) while the elevation loss is 260 feet (79m). Out of those 12 world records set in the German capital, three are held by women and 12 by men.

CHRISTA VAHLENSIECK was the first woman to set a world record in Berlin (2:34:48) in 1977, while ELIUD KIPCHOGE holds the current men’s mark (2:01:09) in 2022. Won an astonishing 21 marathons during her career. In 1973, she became the first ever German to complete the marathon in under three hours (2:59:26) but it was two years later when VAHLENSIECK left her footprint on the global stage. That season she broke Julie Brown’s world 10,000m record with (34:01.4) – a mark that stood until 1977. VAHLENSIECK also shattered compatriot Liane Winter’s world marathon record, clocking 2:40:16 in Dülmen. The world record changed hands twice between American Jacqueline Hansen (2:38:19) and France’s Chantal Langlacé (2:35:15) before VAHLENSIECK regained it in Berlin in 1977. The German became the first female athlete to go sub 2:35 in history after clocking 2:34:48 on home turf. It was the first world record set at the Berlin Marathon at a time when the distance was being pushed to be included in the Olympics. That occurred seven years later at LA 1984. 

Ronaldo da Costa (2:06:05) – 1998 
When Ethiopia’s Belayneh Dinsamo set a world record of 2:06:50 in Rotterdam in 1988, no man could beat the mark for 10 years. That was until Brazilian Ronaldo da Costa ran an incredible 2:06:05 in Berlin in 1998. Not only did Da Costa become the first person to ever cross the 40km mark in under two hours but he was also the first ever South American – male or female – to hold the world marathon record. He still remains the only one today. Da Costa also finished 16th in the 10,000m at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics and his highest other finish in a major marathon was also Berlin, when the Brazilian fifth in 1997. 

Tegla Loroupe (2:20:43) – 1999 
Tegla Loroupe created history in Rotterdam in 1998 when she became the first African woman to hold the world marathon record. The Kenyan’s 2:20:47 in the Dutch city improved Ingrid Kristiansen’s mark of 2:21:06, which had lasted an incredible 13 years. Loroupe wasn’t satisfied with just one world record though. At the Berlin Marathon in 1999 she clocked 2:20:43 and replicated Kristiansen in breaking her own record. It was some career for Loroupe who was also a double world 10,000m bronze medallist, triple individual world half marathon champion and two-time winner of the New York City Marathon. 

Naoko Takahashi (2:19:46) – 2001 
At the turn of the millennium, the world belonged to Naoko Takahashi. The Japanese runner became Olympic marathon champion at Sydney 2000, in an Olympic record time of 2:23:14. Such was the speed, it remained the mark to beat at the Games until London 2012. Then, in 2001, Takahashi ran a world record of 2:19:46 in Berlin. She was the first female athlete in history to go sub 2:20 and beat previous record-holder Tegla Loroupe by more than eight minutes. However, her world record was rather short-lived as Kenyan Catherine Ndereba ran 2:18:47 exactly a week later at the Chicago Marathon. 

Paul Tergat (2:04:55) – 2003 
Paul Tergat was imperious on the track, road and grass. The Kenyan claimed two Olympic 10,000m silver medals in 1996 and 2000, was a triple world 10,000m silver medallist and a five-time world cross country champion. During his track career, Tergat broke the world 10,000m record with 26:27.85 in Brussels in 1997. Tergat was also a world record-holder over the half-marathon but in 2003 he created headlines over the globe when he did that over double the distance. At the Berlin Marathon, Tergat ran 2:04:55, breaking the previous record by 43 seconds. He became the first man to also go below 2:05. Incredibly, he wasn’t the only one in that race who achieved the feat though. Tergat claimed victory in Berlin in 2003 but by just one second to fellow Kenyan Sammy Korir, who was remarkably a pacemaker in the event. 

Haile Gebrselassie (2:04:26/2:03:59) – 2007/2008
Haile Gebrselassie is considered one of the all-time greats in the sport. A double Olympic and quadruple world 10,000m champion, four-time winner at the World Indoors and an individual world half marathon champion, Gebrselassie has a truly inspirational CV. The Ethiopian set a mind-boggling 27 world records during in his career and two were in the marathon. Both of those marks were recorded in Berlin. The first was in 2007 when Gebrselassie ran 2:04:26 and shaved 29 seconds off Paul Tergat’s record. After withdrawing from the marathon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Gebrselassie instead signed up to the Berlin Marathon again and became the first person ever to break the 2:04 barrier over 26.2 miles. 

Patrick Makau (2:03:38) – 2011
Patrick Makau was the person to eventually better Haile Gebrselassie’s world record. The Kenyan – a double individual cross country silver medallist and team champion – clocked 2:03:38 in the German capital in 2011. That year, Makau dominated and beat compatriot Stephen Kwelio by over four minutes. Makau’s world record would last four years and was the first of four Kenyans in the 2010s and beyond to break the mark in Berlin. 

Wilson Kipsang (2:03:23) – 2013 
An Olympic marathon bronze medallist at London 2012, Wilson Kipsang was favourite to win the gold medal but it instead went to Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich. Motivated by that result, Kipsang travelled to Berlin a year later in the form of his life. The Kenyan not only delivered Eliud Kipchoge’s only marathon loss in the German capital but clocked an incredible 2:03:23, shaving 15 seconds off the previous mark from Patrick Makau. Kipsang has five major marathon wins in his career. However, in 2020 Kipsang was banned for four years for doping offences, after an initial provisional suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit for ‘whereabouts failures and tampering or attempted tampering of samples’. 

Dennis Kipruto (2:02:57) – 2014 
After seeing two fellow Kenyans break the world marathon record in Berlin, Dennis Kipruto joined the club in 2014. Kipruto ran a time of 2:02:57 in Berlin and became the first person in history to break the 2:03 barrier. The year before he had set course records in both Tokyo (2:06:50) and Chicago (2:03:45), the latter being the then fastest ever marathon time on US soil. However, those achievements were superseded by his world record in Berlin a year later. His 5km splits were: 14:42, 14:42, 14:46, 14:26, 14:32, 14:30, 14:09, 14:42. He also ran the second half in an astonishing 61:12. 

Eliud Kipchoge (2:01:39/2:01:09) – 2018/2022 
Where do you even begin with Eliud Kipchoge? Still going strong at 38, the Kenyan is aiming to win a record-breaking fifth Berlin crown, with the long-term aim of becoming the first ever person to win three Olympic golds over 26.2 miles. Kipchoge will no doubt of course have the world record at the back of his head, given his last two times were set in Berlin. The first came in 2018 when Kipchoge clocked 2:01:39, bettering Dennis Kipruto Kimetto’s mark by an awe-inspiring one minute and 18 seconds. Last year, Kipchoge created even more history in Berlin when he tantalisingly nearly broke 2:01 and ended up with a time of 2:01:09. That is the current world record and only Kelvin Kiptum has got near it, when the 23-year-old ran 2:01:25 at the London Marathon back in April.

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

7 of our Young Athletes prior to competing in last Saturday’s North West London League at Greenford, from left to right SUNNY SHAW, KEENYAH ADELISE, SOPHIA CLOONEY, SIENNA DARCY, LUCIA CASALANEUVO and ELFIE SHAW.

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 WELLERKAREN HARRISONTIM UNDERHILL, GLEN WATTS, JOANNA WINFIELD, SHAUN CLIFFORD and EUAN MACKENZIEShaftesbury 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 LINKhttp://sbharriers.co.uk/
Section ‘About Us’, includes Annual Reports, Best Performance Trophy Awards, Individual And Relay Best Performances By Year, Club Records and SBH All-Time Top 10 T&F Performances.
Section ‘Team Managers And Competitions’, shows details of Track & Field, Cross Country and Road Relays Team Managers.
Section ‘Future Information/Results’, includes Information On Each Fixture, Summer & Winter Fixture Cards, Winter X/C Points Tables and Winter Club Championships Winners.

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

CLUB HOODIES– With well over eight hundred hoodies already in circulation, this is your opportunity to join the club. The bright red hoody is made to order and has your name embroidered on the front along with the club badge and has the Club name on the back. We now have 2 styles, the original pull over style at £35 + P&P or the new one with a full zip at £40 + P&P.
Here is the link to the Supreme Sports website which if you click on it, will take YOU to the new Club Hoody and allow you to then view the full range of Club kit online – https://www.supreme-sports.co.uk/webshop/schools-and-clubs/shaftesbury-barnet-harriers/

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

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

FACEBOOK – Photographs can be found on the SBH page.

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

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

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

SBH MIDWEEK JUMPS CLUB AT STONEX STADIUM – The current arrangements until further notice are that Pole Vault training is on Monday’s and Wednesday’s from 18.30pm to 21.00pm. High Jump training is on Wednesday’s from 18.45pm to 21.00pm.
Please contact the session administrator CLYDE GORDON at clydeg67@hotmail.co.uk in advance and let him know if you are planning to attend.

SBH FAST FORWARD SCHOOL ATHLETICS CLUB ‘Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers now run the school athletics club on Tuesday and Thursday at 4.30pm and which progresses to a more advanced club at 5.45 as a segue into the club. This is for ages 5 years -10 years of age. Please contact TY HOLDEN on 07737803260 for further information

POLE VAULTERS REQUIRED FOR 2023 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