This Wednesday brings a spectacular solar eclipse, with the UK seeing a partial eclipse. An interesting fact, eclipses have played a fascinating role in science — a solar eclipse in 1868 led to the discovery of helium, while the 1919 eclipse helped provide evidence for Einstein’s theory of relativity.
News
SBH Showcase
This weekend we hosted our SBH Showcase, which saw some stand out performances which I have noted below
Quad Kids – Q1 Quad Kids 75m – Michael Kelleher U12B 11.47 (1), Jack Andreas Kapetanios U10B 12.06 (2), Arlo Bleu Wilkies-Turpie U8B 14.87 (2), Q2 Quad Kids Vortex – Leo Walker U10B 28.80 (2), Reyan Surendran U12B 26.40 (3), Q3 Quad Kids Long Jump – Ariel Cedar U14B 3.55 (2), Q4 Quad Kids 600m – Rafi Rubenstein U12B 2:04.44 (2), Reyan Surendran U12B 2:13.27 (3), Michael Kelleher U12B 2:13.30
Open – T02 Junior 600m – Rian Varia U12B 1:51.28 (1) PB, Alexandra Horobets U12B 1:54.35 (3), Ruby Konviser U12G 1:56.83 (4), F01 Mens Discus – Chukwuma Ononogbu U18M 56.58 (2), Greg Thompson SM 55.43 (4) T03 2×100 – Delphine Diers W55 15.10 (2), Georgina Warmate U14G 14.18 (3), Jacob Lim U16B 12.23(2), Seth Saunders U14B 12.28 (3), Eugene Riza 11.69 (2) PB, Micah Forbes SM 11.48 (1) SB, Chinwe Iwunze SW 12.53 (2), Dami Adekunle U14G 13.09 (3) F02 Long Jump – Dami Adekunle U14G 4.80 (1), F03 Mens High Jump – Akin Coward 2.10 (1), T10 Mens 100 – Zachary Bindon-Goss U8 (2), Naylah Adeeko U14G 28.21 (3), Tatsu Owen Sm 23.70 (1) PB, Micah Forbes SM 23.15 (3), T11 Womens 100m – Tami George U20 11.69 (1), Makayla Brai-Aloye 11.85 (2) PB, T12 Open 400m – Adanna Mazinwosu u20 59.67 (3), Mens 400m – Jubril Adeniji SM 49.05 (1) SB, Jay Palmer SM 50.03 (3), T15 800 – George Cooke U16B 2:29.79 (2), Daniel Murray U14B 2:30.10 (3), Taha Cockerell 2:15.00 (2), T18 200m – Ella Appiah-Spick 29.56 (1) PB, Ayotunde Alfonso 29.61 (2), Riley McNally U16G 28.86 (1), Dami Adekunle U14G 27.78 (2), Naylah Adeeko U14G 28.21 (3), Tatsu Owens SM 23.70 (1), Micah Forbes SM 23.15 (3), F05 womens High Jump – Lily Holt SW 1.70 (1), Rebecca Wheeler-Henry U23W 1.65 (3).
Holly Ryan also ran 11.88 U18 Club Record in round 1 of our showcase 100s.
*Highlights are based on top 3 finishers – full results will feature in next week’s results section once published on power of 10.
In addition, this was big effort for all those involved in the organisation and run up to the event, so a huge thanks to all those who gave up many hours for the smooth running of this event.
Photography by Liviu Enache
Birmingham European Championships
For Athletic fans, this week has seen the kick off of the European Championships in Birmingham. So far we have seen some exciting fixtures including the mens 5000m which saw Jakob Ingebrigtsen display his return to fitness with his first race, and win, after struggling with an achilles injury over the past 17months.
The athletics continues throughout the week with some of our own Shaftesbury Athletes including Kimani Jack, Zharnel Hughes, Kristian Imroth, Emily Newnham, Lina Nielsen and Ebuka Nwokeji – we wish you all a great championship.
SBH Open & Club Championship
Details and entry can be found below for the next fixture at the end of the month –
Monday 31 August (Bank Holiday) – SBH Open & Club Championships @ StoneX (entry via open track here)
Including: Quadkids 75m, Quadkids Vortex, Quadkids Long Jump, Open High Jump (U12+ Club Champs), Open Pole Vault (U14+ Club Champs), Quadkids 600m, Open 2x100m (U14+ Club Champs), U12 2x75m (Club Champs), Open 2 x 100m (U14+ Club Champs), Open Long Jump (U14+ Club Champs), Open U12 2x75m (Club Champs), Open 800m (U14+ Club Champs), Open U12 600m (Club Champs), Open 200m (U14+ Club Champs), Open U12 150m (Club Champs), U12 Long Jump (U12 Club Champs), Open 70H (Club Champs), Open 75mH (Club Champs), Open 80mH (Club Champs), Open 100mH (Club Champs), Open 110mH (Club Champ), Open 400m (U18+ Club Champs), Open 300m (U16 Club Champs), Open 1500m, Open Shot Put (U12+ Club Champs)
A note from John Kelly on the retirement of Geoff Morphitis
After close on 60 years dedicated service, Geoff is now retiring from all his Club roles. Throughout this long period, Geoff has been central to SBH as we transitioned from a minor Southern Counties outfit into one of the UK’s most prominent Clubs. Geoff has undertaken any number of key administrative positions, has served as team manager in the NAL and other leagues, and still found time to act as a coach. It is safe to say, that without Geoff, we would not be the Club we are today. At some point in the near future, we will arrange an event to celebrate Geoff’s immense contribution.
Over the last few months, Geoff has been gradually handing over his roles to the other members of the Club. Finally, he is relinquishing his position as Club Treasurer and passing on his duties to Richard Samuel. During this transition, there may be a slight lag period as we go through the process of changing the name(s) on the Club Bank accounts etc. We expect any delays to be short-lived, but if you have any queries, you can contact:
Club Treasurer: Richard Samuel (richard.samuel1@btinternet.com) (Tel: 07837583610),
Club Secretary: Philip Cunningham (billylow@ntlworld.com)
Best Regards, John Kelly, Chair SBH (john.kelly@lshtm.ac.uk)
Volunteers’ appeal
Finally, we are once again appealing for more licensed officials and volunteers to support our StoneX fixtures.
If you are interested in getting involved and would like to find out more, please speak to James or Helen, or contact us at info@shaftesburybarnet.co.uk. Your support makes a huge difference in helping us continue to deliver successful events.
Shaftesbury Alumni
A tribute to Andy King
This week we received some sad news of the passing of Andrew (Andy) King, who died on 23 June 2026, aged 66.
Andrew King, who competed for Shaftesbury in the 1970s and 1980s, died on 23 June at the age of 66, having being diagnosed with a brain tumour in April. His best performance in a Shaftesbury vest was probably 59th in the English National Cross-Country of 1987 – in the days when the senior men’s race was still run over nine miles. Growing up in Queensbury, he had started running for Shaftesbury while still at school at Haberdashers, as did Roger Simons, Julian Goater, Stuart Moore and many others. On the track he ran 3000m steeplechase in the British Athletics League – when Shaftesbury took a depleted team to Edinburgh he was also induced by Geoff Morphitis to do the high jump “for the points”. Over the years he also ran for Oxford University and Tipton Harriers. After a doctorate in medieval history, he trained in Birmingham as a physiotherapist, specialising in neurology, and worked for the NHS in Leicestershire. He taught at Coventry University, and three years ago became a lecturer at Liverpool University – he was still doing park runs in Birkenhead Park earlier this year. The funeral is at Landican Crematorium, Wirral, on 17 August.
Words by Tim King, Andy’s brother
🎉 This Week’s Birthday Celebrations
Happy Birthday to those celebrating this week: Lucia Casalenuovo (10 Aug), Holly Light and Lily Beckford (11 Aug), Laddie Shaw (13 Aug), Daniel Dubras (14 Aug), Jaian Saunders and James Lancaster (15 Aug), We hope you all have a fantastic birthday and a wonderful year ahead! 🎂
Hugh Richards 80th Birthday
In some celebratory news, I am happy to share the below extremely impressive Shaftesbury Barnet Harrier theme Birthday cake in celebration of Hugh Richards 80th Birthday, party held on 8th August in Dorset.
The SBH team L-R Richard Samuel, Julie Samuel, Dave Bedford, Phyllis Starkey, Ann Dryden, John Dryden, Hugh Starkey, Hugh Richards.
Calendar
Here’s what’s happening over the next few weeks other than your usual coached training sessions.
August
16/08/26 EYAL – StoneX Stadium (Juniors) T&F
22/08/26 NAL Championship – StoneX Stadium (Seniors – Team Selection) T&F
23/08/26 North London 10km – StoneX (Open) R
31/08/26 SBH Open & Club Champs – StoneX Stadium (Open) T&F
September
06/09/26 EYAL Final – TBC (Juniors) T&F
12/09/26 NAL Championship final – Oxford [TBC] (Seniors – Team Selection) T&F
Further ahead..
10/10/26 Met League – Claybury (open) XC
14/11/26 Met League – Trent Park (open) XC *note the venue has recently been updated
05/11/26 Met League – Uxbridge (open) XC
16/01/27 Met League – Welwyn Garden City (open) XC
13/02/27 Met League – Horsenden Hill (open) XC
*Where possible club events should be prioritised, however I have included other local events which may be of interest.
Key: T&F = Track, R= Road XC = Cross Country
Full Results
*All results featured in the newsletter are taken from Power of 10. Occasionally, there may be a slight delay between a competition taking place and the official results being published. If you think I’ve missed your result or achievement, please do let me know and I’ll make sure it’s included in the next newsletter.
Latest Results
Saturday 8 August
Fastest Parkrun of the week:
Mens: Aidan McAvoy U20 16:21 (1) Oak Hill Park
Womens: Chloe Wilkinson SEN 20:39 (22) – Ally Pally
Parkrun Highlights:
Andrew Wallace V35 18:13 (2) SB – Inch Beach parkrun
Euan MacKenzie SEN 19:21 (4) SB – Wallaceneuk parkrun
Stuart Singer V65 23:04 (41) SB – Oak Hill parkrun
Wednesday 5 August
Watford Harriers Open Graded Meetings
Mens 3000m: Adam O’Gorman, 8:45.45 (2) SB
Mens 800m: Aaron Hidalgo-Hudi, 2:04.79 (14)
Womens 800m: Emilia Economu, 2:26.98 (10), Helena Agholor, 2:32 (7)
Sunday 2 August
Don Turner U14s Inter-County Match, Walton
Womens 100m: Naylah Adeeko, U12, 13.00 (1), Dami Adekunle, U14, 13.17 (3). Mens 100m: Zachary Ononye, U14, 11.34 (1), Nathan Alfred, U14, 11.96 (3) PB. Mens 1500m: Lewis Ward, U14, 4:49.91 (9). Mens 200m: Zachary Ononye, U14, 23.15 (1) PB, Nathan Alfred, U14, 26.05 (5). Womens 200m: Sienna Darcy, U14, 27.19 (2). Womens 75m Hurdles: Sienna Darcy, U14, 11.96 (3). Mens 80m Hurdles: Daniel Murray, U14, 12.48 (1) PB. Mens 800m: Harrison Henderson, U14, 2:14.85 (5). Mens High Jump: James Tsui, U14, 1.73m (2) PB. Mens JT500: James Tsui, U14, 32.49 (3). Womens Long Jump: Dami Adekunle, U14, 4.92m (1) PB, Naylah Adeeko, U12, 3.98m (13). Mens Long Jump:James Tsui, U14, 5.52m (2). Womens Shot Put 2.72kg: Dami Adekunle, U14, 7.96m (6) PB.
UK Youth Development League Upper – Southern 1A, Finsbury Park
Womens 100m: Tami George, U18, 12.12 (1), Makayla Brai-Aloye, U18, 12.26 (1), Holly Ryan, U18, 12.31 (1), Shenel Okrah, U18, 13.91 (2). Mens 100m: Khyan Markland, U20, 11.10 (1), Zachary Bindon-Goss, U20, 11.22 (1), Modebayo Akin-Agunbiade, U18, 11.45 (1), Joshua Amponsah, U18, 11.93 (3). Womens 200m: Tami George, U18, 24.49 (1), Holly Ryan, U18, 24.98 (1), Makayla Brai-Aloye, U18, 25.21 (1). Mens 200m: Khyan Markland, U20, 22.51 (1), Zachary Bindon-Goss, U20, 22.73 (1), Modebayo Akin-Agunbiade, U18, 22.81 (1), Kacei Griffith, U16, 22.71 (1), Jahzel Morgan, U18, 27.88 (1) PB. Womens 400m: Zuleikha Collins, U20, 60.52 (2) PB. Mens 400m: Kacei Griffith, U16, 52.81 (2), Joshua Nyman, U18, 58.65 (2). Womens 800m: Posie Shaw, U18, 2:12.75 (1), Akhaila Collins, U20, 2:23.07 (1) PB. Mens 1500m: Sam Turner, U18, 4:19.9 (2). Womens 1500m: Amber Jackson, U18, 5:38.8 (3) SB. Mens 4x100m: Shaftesbury Barnet U18 Team, 44.00 (1). Womens 4x100m: Shaftesbury Barnet U20 Team, 49.21 (1) SB. Mens 4x100m: Shaftesbury Barnet U20 Team, 43.48 (1) SB. Womens Long Jump: Makayla Brai-Aloye, U18, 5.28m (1) PB, Zuleikha Collins, U20, 5.10m (1) PB. Mens Long Jump: Jahzel Morgan, U18, 4.99m (2) PB. Mens Triple Jump: Harley Henry, U18, 13.09m (1), Keyllan Gentet, U18, 11.26m (3), Jahzel Morgan, U18, 10.41m (1) PB. Womens High Jump: Bridget Tawana Nhandara, U18, 1.40m (1), Amy Hallett, U18, 1.40m (1), Akhaila Collins, U20, 1.50m (2) SB. Mens High Jump: Joshua Amponsah, U18, 1.60m (2), Harley Henry, U18, 1.50m (4) PB, Keyllan Gentet, U18, 1.35m (3) PB.Womens Pole Vault: Amy Hallett, U18, 2.45m (1). Mens Pole Vault: Isaac van den Bergh, U18, 4.19m (1), Thomas Robertson, U18, 4.05m (1), Ramsey Gill, U18, 3.90m (1). Womens Shot Put 4kg: Akhaila Collins, U20, 9.59m (1) PB, Zuleikha Collins, U20, 8.51m (1) SB. Mens Shot Put 5kg:Chu Ononogbu, U18, 11.34m (2), Modebayo Akin-Agunbiade, U18, 6.05m (2).Womens Discus 1kg: Makayla Brai-Aloye, U18, 14.58m (1), Shenel Okrah, U18, 17.87m (3). Mens Discus 1.5kg: Chu Ononogbu, U18, 58.41m (1) PB, Sam Turner, U18, 19.12m (2) PB. Mens Hammer 5kg: Chu Ononogbu, U18, 24.66m (2) PB. Womens Javelin 500g: Amy Hallett, U18, 17.62m (3) PB, Bridget Tawana Nhandara, U18, 14.31m (2). Womens Javelin 600g: Akhaila Collins, U20, 26.10m (2) SB. Mens Javelin 700g: Alon Taylor, U18, 45.43m (1), Kacei Griffith, U16, 17.83m (1) PB. Mens Javelin 800g: Harley Henry, U18, 7.47m (3) PB.
Saturday 1 August
IFAM Outdoor, Oordegem, BEL
Womens 400 Hurdles, Hayley McLean, 58.00 (5)
Monday 27 July
Southern Counties Veterans AC League – Hertfordshire & North Middlesex Division, Harrow
Mens 200m: Sean Sutherland, V55, 26.72 (1), Nii Barnor, V45, 26.03 (2) PB.
Womens 200m: Rosalind Zeffertt, V60, 35.86 (3).
Womens Hammer 3kg: Rosalind Zeffertt, V60, 3.63m (3).
Mens Javelin 800g: Clyde Gordon, V55, 17.90m (5) SB.
Womens Long Jump: Rosalind Zeffertt, V60, 3.56m (2).