No.666 / Vol.126 Reports & News Summer 2016

Dina Asher Smith celebrating her 4x100m relay Bronze Medal at the Rio Olympics A club well worth backing From the Editor Thanks to our sponsors: As we are only just going into print in the Biggin Hill Airport late summer of this year (2017) the events Jack Petchey Foundation described in this issue are no longer instant So Clean news but nevertheless fall into the period and to many other generous covered by the issue e.g. the summer season individuals who offered backing 2016. Prominent amongst these are the and assistance. impressive performances of Dina Asher Smith who won a bronze in the relay team, and Adam Gemini who so narrowly missed out on a medal in the Final of the Men’s . CONTENTS In most issues of the Gazette it is unfortunate that we have to report the passing of those members who have made invaluable Athletics Reports contributions to the club over many years. As we are going to press the passing of Club secretary Hannah Cordell has 1 Senior Men been announced. A full obituary will be published in the next 5 Senior Ladies issue. However in this one we have detailed obituaries of two 8 Vets and Masters distinguished elder members, Jack Braughton, who ran in the 1948 Olympics and Gordon Hickey the high jumper who gained a 9 U13 Boys UK UDL new identity as a championship winning shot putter. 15 U13 Boys Inter Counties As I mentioned before we shall be requiring new personnel on the 16 U13 and U15 girls editorial team and this will be the last issue in which Peter Rogers will be contributing his talents both as a graphic designer and also 18 Kent YAL selector of pictures, a role in which he has given me invaluable 24 Girls YDL contribution since 2010. I would like to express my heartfelt 28 Girls YDL Final appreciation and thanks for all he has done on the magazine, for taking on the layout of this issue at short notice and hope that we 31 Rio Olympics can find as committed and talented a designer to take over from 33 Rio Recolections him in the near future. 36 Paris Handicap Before signing off I wish to offer grateful thanks to the following for willingly providing articles for this issue: Features 2016/7 President Bill Foster, Paul Astride VP, PP Dick Griffin, PP 38 Dorando Pietri John Baldwin, John Wakeman VP, Kate Desborough, PP Mike Martineau, PP Tim Souter, Hugh Stanbury, PP Alison Brand, PP 41 The club in the 1930's Brian Stone. Obituaries The next issue covering the winter 2016-17 is now in preparation and the deadline for submission of reports is November 2017. 44 Jack Broughton 47 Gordon Hickey Athletics Report 1 The Senior Men in the British League 2016

Match One – Watford metres. Not only this, he also The British League Mens’ 7th May came 6th in the B string hammer. team continues to improve, with He travelled down from Leeds We started the season with a the squad increasing in quality with training partner James reasonable fourth place having led and depth, writes Pat Calnan. Habergham, another new HCA, in the early stages. Ten members We finished the season in third who showed what an important of the team were making their place in Division One. Going member of both Senior and debuts for the British League into the last match we could Junior teams he would be as he have got promoted whereas the team and pleasingly they all performed admirably. won the B string 800 metres and previous two seasons at the last gained 2nd in the B string 1500. Highlight of the afternoon match there had been a chance Another HCA and Junior Joe we could have been relegated. was the performances of our horizontal jumpers. Tom French, Fuggle took third place in the on his Club debut, won the long 400 hurdles with 53.65 and Jack jump with a personal best of Messenger won the B string in 7.60, no doubt encouraged by a new personal best of 54.01. John Wakeman’s promise of Both 400 metre runners made a meal if he achieved the feat. their League debuts with Elliott Mark Cryer took runner up spot Holland running a useful 49.35 in the B string and then Jonathan in the A string 400m for 6th Ilori (15.30) and Rob Sutherland place, and Ocean Schwartz (14.57) won both strings of timing a pb of 48.71 in winning triple jump. It was a welcome the B string. Both steeplechasers return for Jonathan who has Dan Kennedy and Charlie been studying in America for the Davis also ran pbs. previous four years. Toby Olubi and new boys Also returning to the team was Shamar Thomas Campbell and pole vaulter Scott Huggins but Alex Skipp picked up some good things didn’t go to plan as he points in the sprints as did Alex pulled up injured on his first Bruce Littlewood in the 3000 attempt. This meant B stringer metres, despite being under Lewis Church who cleared 4 the weather. Work and family metres moved up to the A string. commitments meant he would Lewis, who competes for us as a have to rein in his Athletics for Higher Competition athlete had a the rest of the year and we badly busy debut as he was also second missed him. We hope he will be in the B string 110 hurdles, cleared back in action for us in the not 1.95 in the high jump, took third too distant future. in the B shot and ran a leg of the So not a bad day. We had some 4x400. As well as his long jump gaps at the start of the day but exploits Mark Cryer was also in everyone mucked in to ensure action in the discus and javelin every string of every event was while Alex Pope scored steadily in filled and numerous personal all four throws. bests were achieved. We would On the track Phil Sesemann ran have preferred a top three place. a new best of 1.52.69 to finish Thames Valley won the match 2nd in the 800 and he also took with Southampton runners up the runner up spot in the 3000 and Enfield & Haringey third. 2

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Match Two - Stadium, West London 4th June It’s a long time since we’ve had a match at this venue and it didn’t look like the grass had been cut in the meantime. To spectate at the pole vault the supporter had to wade through grass well above their knees and various plants and weeds hung over lane 8 on the first bend. Again our best events were the horizontal jumps, this time with maximum points scored. therefore to Richard Webb, point in the B strings. Kieran There were no long distances Duayne Bovell, Marco Arcuri Daly scored a good victory in recorded, possibly due to the (on his debut for the team in the the 100 with Toby Olubi runner state of the runway and pits. 5000) and James Habergham. up in the B. Ocean Schwartz Tom French and Mark Cryer When the dust had settled set a new best of 48.67 in the won both strings of the long after a tough afternoon we had 400 and Mark Cryer made jump and Jonathan Ilori and finished 6th on the day and due an impressive return to 400 Rob Sutherland the triple. to a shuffling of placings from hurdling picking up runner up Lewis Church, Steve Timmins the first fixture we remained spot with the ever reliable Jack and Alex Pope all had a busy fourth. We were the third best Messenger fifth in the A string. day in the field and there field event team on the day but Mark was also part of our was also a debut for under 17 seventh on the track. We would highly successful jumps squad. need to improve on the track as George Pope in the pole vault. He and Jonathan Ilori picked just one league point separated He equalled his best of 3.20 up good points in the long 3rd and 7th in the table. and this proved a springboard before Jonathan was pipped on to further improvement the countback in the A string triple Match Three - Norman Park following weekend. and Rob Sutherland cleaned up On the track Graham Rush 2nd July in the B. This second place in front ran the to Now this was more like it. We the A triple was to prove the take victory by the length of the took second place on the day only points we dropped in the straight in 14.35.74 and James to give ourselves an outside event all season. Alaka won the 200 having been chance of promotion and little Lewis Ely picked up a useful B pipped in the 100. Will Fuller possibility of relegation. We had string victory in the high jump couldn’t have come much closer already scored more League with Jake Field gong over 1.90 to winning as he was outdipped points than the whole of the in the A string. We provided on the line in the 1500. previous season. youth and experience in the Debutant Joss Barber picked up Our track performances useful points in the B string. pole vault as for the second improved significantly with Phil year running the evergreen This wasn’t an easy match and Sesemann winning both the Allan Williams competed with we were reliant on a number 800 and 1500 metre A strings a B string, on this occasion of athletes covering more than and James Habergham and Will George Pope, who was less their normal events. Thanks Fuller picking up maximum than a quarter of his age! Steve Athletics Report 3

Timmins and Alex Pope had Match Four - Basingstoke was an example of the high busy afternoons in the throws 6th August standard of the match. with Alex Pope winning the B Hmmm. Well it was an A big shout to the magnificent 7 shot and Lewis Church scored who did all four matches, Toby useful points in the javelin, a interesting match. It was a great example of what a club can do Olubi, James Habergham, Mark foot injury prevented him from Cryer, Lewis Ely, Jonathan Ilori, jumping and hurdling. when it gets its best athletes out. Basingstoke & Mid Hants Rob Sutherland and Alex Pope. Hosting these matches is always were bottom of the table after Jonathan’s 15.76 won the triple a major exercise and so thanks three matches. On home ground jump by an astonishing margin and congratulations are due to they won the fourth fixture of over two metres and he was all those who contributed to the and avoided relegation. It was second in the long jump with organisation of such a successful Enfield & Haringey and Herne 6.96. Rob won every B triple fixture. Hill who ended up relegated jump at the four matches. They while we were seventh on the scored 110 out of a possible 112 Match result. day but finished the season in the triple over the season. 1 Thames Valley 348 third overall. Toby probably had his best ever 2 Blackheath & Bromley 298 It could have been a good day day for the team taking third 3 City Of Glasgow 286 for us but we had too many in the A string 100 and fourth 4 Southampton 276 athletes injured and ill. Having in the A 200. In both he beat 5 Herne Hill 264 said that there were great athletes who have run faster 6 Harrow 256 performances in what was a than him over the season. 7 Basingstoke & Mid Hants 235 high standard fixture with James made the long trek down 8 Enfield & Haringey 209 positions changing throughout from Leeds to compete in a the afternoon. loaded 800. With the heat and We scored 125 points in the strong winds it was not a great field events a little bit down on day for doubling at. We had four the 134 we scored at the match middle distance runners on the at Norman Park. Yet in 8 of the day, three of them under 20s, to strings we were better than the cover eight strings, that was a NP fixture, in 4 we were not so tough tough ask. good and in 4 the performances Mark had a busy day as he were the same. tried to finish as our top points Our high jump performances scorer of the season but Alex were the same at each match just held on to his lead. Alex but the points scored were was omnipresent in the throws. hugely different. The weather Sometime we must have a contest to guess how many Overall. did have some influence. At Norman Park, Jake Field was points he has scored in the 1 Thames Valley 24 (1032) 3rd equal in the A string with League over the years. Steve 2 Southampton 19 (888) 1.90 and Lewis Ely won the B Timmins did three throws. It’s 3 Blackheath & Bromley 15 (831) string with 1.80. At Basingstoke, a strange year when Duayne 4 City Of Glasgow 13 (763) Lewis cleared an equal season’s Bovell isn’t at all the matches 5 Herne Hill 11 (793.3) best of 1.90 and was last in the but he was injured early season. 6 Harrow 10 (744.5) A string while Mark Cryer was Ever dependable he picked up 7 Enfield & Haringey 9 (742.3) 6th in the B string with 1.80. So some useful B 100 points. 8 Basingstoke & Mid Hants 7 at Norman Park we scored 23 Elsewhere Scott Huggins (709.8) points, at Basingstoke 7. This produced a classy 4.80 vault; 4 Athletics Report

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Luke Smallwood was third in back after injury. At the start of 13 Lewis Ely (31) the 400; and Jack Messenger had the week he was in the B 800 14 James Alaka (30) a good win the B 400 hurdles. subject to availability of other 15 Joe Fuggle (26.5) Joe Fuggle had the misfortune middle distance runners. He 16 Richard Webb (20) to have his blocks slip at the ended up in the chase and also 17 Shamar Thomas Campbell (16.5) start A 400 hurdles while fellow volunteered for the 3000. This 18= Graham Rush, Kieran Daly, first year under 20 Josh Barber was partly due to Alex Gibbins Ocean Schwartz (16), had a very decent race in the being involved in a car accident. 21 Luke Smallwood (15.25), 1500. Will Fuller broke two Thanks to John Wakeman for all 22 Dan Kennedy (15) of the under 20 club records his help over the season to all the 23 Georges Vacharopoulos (14), previously held by Olympian supporters and to Jane Bradshaw 24 Jake Field (11) Mark Steinle over the course of who provided physio. 25 Shaun Cooke (9.25) the season. He doubled up with 26 Josh Barber (9) thirds in the B 800 and A 3000. So the final League table is 27 Duayne Bovell (7.75) We had two under 17s making 1 Thames Valley 31 (1322) 28 Eliott Holland (7.5) their debuts and they did fine. 2 Southampton 25 (1177) 29 George Pope (7) Femi Sofolarin threw the javelin 3 Blackheath & Bromley 17 (1086) 30=. Peter Tucker, Alex Bruce the equal furthest by a Club 4 City Of Glasgow 17 (1036) Littlewood, Alex Gibbins (6) member in the League this year. 5 Harrow 15 (1029.5) 33 Femi Sofolarin (5) Frankie Scrivener equalled our 6 Basingstoke & Mid Hants 15 34= Frankie Scrivener, Allan best position this season in the (1023.8) Williams, Charlie Davis, Alex B string pole vault. He would 7 Enfield & Haringey 12 (1009.3) Skipp, Marco Arcuri (4) have needed to clear over a 8 Herne Hill 12 (996.3) 39= Tom Desborough, Richard metre higher to move up a place! Third place in a tough division Holt (3) It was good to have Shaun is pretty good for the season. It Cooke in the team as he returns equals our position of two years What were our best events? from injury. Finally Dan ago which was out best placing in The maximum for an Kennedy, who is on his way the League for over a decade. We individual event is 112, and for are improving too. Match points relays 64. in 2014 were 1019.5, and in 2015 1 Triple Jump (110) 1044.5, but I’m sure we can do 2 Long Jump (100) better than this years 1086! 3= 100 and 800 (78) 5 1500 (70) Who were our top points 6 Hammer (69) scorers this year? 7 400 Hurdles (68) 1 Alex Pope (97) 8 3000/5000 (67) 2 Mark Cryer (94.25) 9 Shot (56) 3 Jonathan Ilori (88.75) 10 High Jump (55) 4 Phil Sesemann (63) 11 3000 steeplechase (52) 12= 200 and 110 hurdles (51) 5 Toby Olubi (61.25) 14 400 and pole vault (45) 6 Steve Timmins (61) 16 Discus (34) 7 Lewis Church (57) 17 Javelin (29) 8 James Habergham (53) 18 9 Rob Sutherland (48) = 4x100 and 4x400 (17) 10 Jack Messenger (46.75) 11 Will Fuller (46) Bill Foster 12 Tom French (32) Athletics Report 5 You can’t keep a good team down Senior Ladies bounce straight back into the Premiership

Bristol from Niamh and a B string On paper, few would disagree 5th June 2016 win for HCA Caroline Ford on her return from injury. that we have one of the best Our bid for promotion back The 400s and sprint hurdles senior women’s track & field to the Premiership needs to secure valuable points. (No teams in the country. (Which start with the first match, but a barrier phobia here, thank host of athletes are unavailable. is hardly surprising when one goodness, and thanks to On arrival at the Kip Keino considers, by any measure, Juniors, Issie Hilditch and, B Stadium, on what is already we’ve been by far and away string winner, Annie Davies). a bright sunny day, a dark We’re still being written off the best Junior women’s team metaphorical cloud appears: in the team standings, but an in the country for more than a we’re informed that one of our exemplary 3000m from Jackie decade.) Yet we were relegated senior international athletes is Montgomery (fresh from her from the Premiership last ineligible. No valid explanation win in the B PV) in support is provided – as there is none: year. How could that be? of Clare Elms, and a double she has been properly registered The answer is remarkably win in the TJ from Chioma - but it is agreed she can simple: we don’t compete on and Annie, see us eating into compete, on the understanding the points deficit. A double paper and, like fine wine, we that she may be subsequently winning double in discus and don’t travel well. The goals disqualified. Knowing the rules shot, from Divine and Team this season were, therefore, better than the League officials, Captain Shaunagh, underlines to regularly turn out teams we decide to take the risk and our throwing strength and she duly wins her event. Several representing our real strength gives us further hope, as do days after the match, the and thus ensure a return to the our 200m pairing of Maya and League purport to disqualify top division. Rachel (another B win). Not to her. It takes several weeks, and be outdone, our 1500m ladies the intervention of also perform well, despite the Athletics, to have her reinstated. heat, with Kelly Grant passing All’s well that ends well? her Woodford opponent We appear to have a mental after an epic battle down the barrier with barriers and have home straight. (Little do we been unable to field a single know how important that will 400m hurdler or steeplechaser. be!) Not to be outdone, our Thus we give all the other sprint relay team then eases teams a head start by having no- to a comfortable win before one in the first track event. In our momentum comes to a addition, although our throws shuddering halt as we have to squad is the strongest in living watch a steeplechase devoid of memory, one of our hammer any Club competitor. throwers is missing, presumed lost - as a number of the team Despite a good 3rd in the have had problems locating Javelin from HCA Ellie the stadium. Subsequently, it Jamieson, on debut, the match is discovered that she had sent draws to a close with us feeling a message informing of injury. ‘if only’. There are problems Not the best of starts. with the software and no results are available by the time we The 800s see us beginning the have to leave for our train. We fight back, with a season’s best receive them on our way home 6

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and, remarkably, they show that we’ve climbed to 2nd. (No-one can recall playing our ‘get-out- of-jail-free card’, but it clearly worked.) It’s not ’til the next day that we’re informed there has been an adjustment and we have actually finished level on points with Woodford. For some reason, they are still held to have won the match and, despite much correspondence, it is not until half-an-hour before the final match that it is acknowledged that we finished 1st equal and a share of the points. (And during the interim, as a result of the unfounded disqualification, we had been relegated to 4th place - you really couldn’t make this up!) a steeplechaser and, as a result gets us off to a much stronger Lee Valley of European selection and the start, with Divine, on her 3rd July 2016 need to rest niggles in advance debut at the event, providing This is the nearest we get to of the following week’s English Shaunagh with solid support. It a home match and we have Schools, we have no sprint proves merely to be a warm up a slightly stronger team as a hurdlers. We do, however, have for the shot and discus where result – that fine wine again. a brace of long hurdlers – Becky our dynamic duo once again Our barrier phobia continues: and Sarah (returning after some ensure maximum points in both despite an extensive search, time away from the sport!) - and events. We’re not quite as strong no-one from the Club’s distance they get us off to a sunny start. in the javelin, but another sorority is prepared to become In the field, the hammer also debutante, Maite, ensures we come away with solid points. It’s a bit tougher in the jumps, though Chioma and Zara continue our dominance in the triple jump. Back on the track, the sprinters, Maya, Viv and Rachel, are putting in some solid performances. We’re struggling a bit in the 400s, but Sonia and Sarah, fresh (?) from her hurdles, agree to fill in and salvage some good points. Highlight of the middle distances is a new Club M50 record for Clare, ably supported Athletics Report 7

by a rare appearance from Kate, in too many events and we do us no harm at all. Despite with Niamh also impressing may well need that cushion. turning her foot coming out of over 1500m in her warm up Most of us travel the afternoon the blocks, Maya places well in for her final English Schools. before and are treated that the 200 with Issie producing a With Kelly also running well evening by Chris Hilditch to fine 2nd in the B. The sprint in the 1500 and Jess and Leah an all-you-can-eat buffet. The relay team, minus Maya, maintaining the momentum in Team Manager tries to dispel finishes out of the medals, the 800s, it’s the steeplechase thoughts that he may be playing but Amber ensures we’re no-show, that has us heading the condemned man! represented in the steeplechase into the relays with work still And so to Sports City and and the 4x400 squad, anchored to do. a positive start to the day. by Niamh, claim 3rd to ensure The 4x100m doesn’t let us Not only do we have a full we finish on a positive note. down, with Maya, Rachel, complement of hurdlers – and Rapid calculations suggest we’re Modupe and Viv leaving the Becky and Sarah get us off probably safe for promotion other teams trailing in their to another excellent start – but may not go up as Division wake. The meeting is then but we might even have the Champions as we finish behind brought to a successful close steeplechase covered. We also Woodford. But do us by the 4x400 team, who secure have our former UK record a favour by pipping Woodford a fine 3rd place, thanks, in no holder with us and Montell and 3rd place is indeed good small part to an impressive doesn’t let us down, cruising enough to win the League. Our debut by Maya, which is good to victory in the 100m, ably major goal has been achieved, enough to ensure we return supported by Modupe. With but we still need to work on home as match winners. a solid run from Kelly in the fielding stronger teams if 800 and help from Amber in we’re to do well back in the the B string, the opening track Premiership. However, that’s events are going well, a trend for next year. For now, we which continues, through deserve to savour the moment. Issie and Annie, in the sprint Thanks to all concerned, hurdles and Niamh and Clare in including our dedicated band the 3000m. The same cannot, of officials and travelling sadly, be said of the field. We’re supporters and Grace for missing our Captain and both her healing hands. Thanks our international triple jumpers. also to John Hubbard for his Divine produces another shot work in ensuring travel and and discus double and Annie accommodation worked as and Anna pick up good 3rd smoothly as they might. And places in the TJ and discus, thanks to the squad, who respectively, but most of the did the hard work: Yimika other events are make do and Adewakun, Zara Asante, 7th August 2016 mend. Grace even abandons Anna Barnett, Niamh Bridson her physio’s couch in order to Hubbard, Shaunagh Brown, We head North for the last ensure we have a B string high Maya Bruney, Kate Curran, match sitting atop the League jumper. Kerri Davidson, Annie Davies, knowing that a top 3 finish will Fortunately, the track continues Rachel Dickens, Montell get the job done. Injuries and to deliver: we do much better Douglas, Clare Elms, Leah holidays have conspired against this match in the 400s and a Everson, Caroline Ford, Krystal us: despite unstinting efforts, 2nd from Kelly and B string Galley, Kelly Grant, Isabella we’re still under-represented win from Niamh in the 1500s Hilditch, Ellie Jamieson, Jess 8 Athletics Report Athletics Report Continued Vets and Masters Summer 2016

It was a year of highs and lows. was difficult to get the younger The women’s team, using 15 men to attend. This meant athletes, came 2nd in the league that much of the time over 50s after 6 events and made the and over 60s were attempting final yet again. Unfortunately, to win points in the vet 35 on the day, only 6 of the team age group. This they did with managed to attend. However all their might but they were they covered nearly every very weak at 2 of the meetings Keene, Imogen Levy, Sarah event (over 40 in total) and and were unable to recover, McLellan, Beckie McLinden, did not finish last team. It was resulting in the men’s team Debbie Martin, Chioma a truly fantastic achievement! being relegated to division Matthews, Jackie Montgomery, Christina Moore, Divine Clare Elms covered 10 events, 2. They have the ability to Oladipo, Viv Olatunji, Amber including walk and javelin, compete well and we’re sure Reed, Jamiyla Robinson-Pascal, Helen Godsell and Maz Turner the 2017 season will prove it. Grace Sheppard, Modupe 8 events, Jackie Montgomery The atmosphere and Shokunbi, Maite Vanucci and 6, Maureen Miller 5 and competition is superb at these Sonia Woolhouse. Barbara Terry, over 70, covered meetings so if anyone aged 4 throwing events including 35 years plus has not tried it Tim Soutar over 50 Hammer and over 35 before give it a go. You may Javelin. be a great hammer thrower or Sadly the men’s team did not sprinter!! fare so well despite fielding 24 athletes during the season. It Maz and John Turner

(l-r) Maureen Miller, Helen Godsell, Barbara Terry, Maz Turner, Clare Elms and Jackie Montgomery. Athletics Report 9 U13 Boys UK Youth Development League 2016

Match 1 start to his BBHAC career personal best time. Alex also Palmer Park, Reading 23 April getting involved on the track stepped up to the mark when The Blackheath and Bromley and in the field. Matthew asked to have a go at the javelin U13 boys' squad kicked off began his day winning valuable despite never having thrown in their summer track and field points in the then competition before. season at a cold and windy the high jump having never Brandon Back had a strong Palmer Park, Reading in the competed in either of these run in the 800m knocking first round of the UK youth events before. Next up was the over 6 seconds off his PB and development league (UKYDL). 1500m and Matthew ran with then made his debut in the maturity, pacing himself well javelin throwing nearly 16m. and knocking over 15 seconds Ben Campbell made an impact off his PB. A fantastic debut. on his club debut running an Sam Reardon took it easy, impressive 2:35.4 in the 800m resting up for the next day's and running a quick 100m London mini marathon 3 mile despite running against a huge race but was still able to put the boy, at least a foot taller, in the shot 6.00m, place 2nd running adjacent lane. Ben finished a quick 28.2 in the 200m and his day leading home the relay running a great leg down the team to a classy second behind Jacob Byfield hurdling to a new personal back straight in the successful a strong Reading four. best. 4 x100m relay team. Sam’s Oliver Robertson, another dad John also had a busy day making his debut, jumped just Ten boys covered all events out in the field catching, sorry short of 4m in the long jump with four of them making their collecting the javelins, as part and this was good enough for BBHAC debuts and one his of our field officials team. second place. Oliver also ran track debut. Another debutant Callum well and earned himself a new The day started well with a Carlton had a busy day taking PB in the 800m finishing with victory for Jacob Byfield in the on the seemingly bigger great speed. Eddie Sellar has hurdles in a new personal best sprinters from the five other competed this winter over the time of 12.8, knocking over clubs. Callum ran well in the country but this was the first a second of his previous best. 200m and the 100m Jacob also jumped a big 4.42 scoring more needed to come second in the long points for the club jump and was part of the relay before leading off the team that finished in a great nippy relay team on 2nd place. Barnaby Corry ran the first leg. his first complete three stride Good to have hurdle race and also knocked a Alex Sibley back second off his old personal best competing again (PB), timing 14.9. Barnaby also after an enforced equalled his best in the high break from running jump clearing 1.25. and he did well, Matthew Smith made a great running near to his 10

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time on the track and a well paced race saw him finish just outside 5 minutes, in a tough 1500m race, for a great new PB. The U13 boys’ efforts, along with the U13 girls and U15 boys & girls collectively saw us finish in third spot on the day.

Match 2 Southampton 21 May Difficult weather conditions had little effect on the Blackheath and Bromley young athletes as they ran, jumped and threw their way to a strong 2nd position in the UK Youth Development (27.9) despite there being Jacob Byfield started his day in League, just behind the a strong head wind in the victorious form, comfortably equally strong home club home straight. Robert had winning the hurdles, in Southampton AC. to settle for 2nd in the 100m unfavourable conditions, not This great result left us in 2nd but more than made for any far outside his best. This bodes place in the league and with disappointment by bringing well for Jacob and the rest of the next fixture being at our the relay team home to a the season. Jacob’s versatility home venue of Norman Park, brilliant but soggy victory. helped at his next event, the we hope to build on this, to Revenge is best served wet. high jump. With the high jump hopefully finish in the top landing mat now soaking wet Multi eventing Sam Reardon two at the end of the season, the athletes doing the Fosbury started his day coming 3rd in thereby qualifying for the flop landed in puddles fully the shot put and then showed National final in September. on their backs. Being wise to he has speed and strength this Jacob opted for the scissor The U13 boys had a very as he eased past his rivals in style jump, landing upright on successful day with eleven the last 50m of the 200m, his feet! Remarkably Jacob was boys braving the elements finishing a pleasing 2nd. Sam’s able to add 10cm to his best and all producing some real strength showed as he and stay relatively dry! outstanding performances. dominated the 1500m leading This prepared Jacob well as he First to compete was Robert from the front and controlling soared to a big new personal Murray, making his UKYDL the race, crossing the line just best and a win in the long debut and he started his day outside his best. An impressive jump before teaming up with putting the shot a massive performance considering the the relay boys to post another 9.43 to win the competition wind and rain. Then, with victory. by nearly 3m. Robert then little time to recover, Sam sped powered his way to a new down the back straight as part Barnaby Corry had another personal best in 200m of the winning relay team. great day of athletics coming Athletics Report 11

2nd in the 75m hurdles Nick Paddington added over Norman Park is one of the best showing great technique two meters to his javelin tracks in Kent if not Nationally against the wind. Bob (as many personal best getting closer to and was enhanced by some call him), then equalled his the elusive 20m mark collecting glorious weather and witnessed best in the damp high jump, more important points for the great competition of a high Fosbury style, placing second BB team. standard. BBHAC club records are all quality performances again and then tasted winning Oliver Robertson had and to break one requires ways in setting the relay team a difficult journey to excellence, so particularly off to a great start. Southampton getting caught pleasing to see two club records Alex Sibley wiped a big chunk up in a huge tail back on the broken and one equalled. off his best in the 800m motorway but unlike the Ellie Dolby led from the front running 4 seconds quicker than weather this didn’t dampen his in the U13 girls 1200m and ever before, in not the best spirits as he ran a quick 100m comfortably broke Naomi as a warm up for the long jump, conditions, winning valuable Kingston’s strong 2012 record where he leaped to a fantastic points for the team. Alex also by nearly three seconds and the new best, over 4m for the first did some speed work in his U15 boys’ quartet of Peter Guy, time and in doing so securing first club 100m race. Ben Bennett, Pedro Gleadall all important team points. and Robert Suckling sliced two Brandon Back knocked nearly It was also great to have seconds from last years record 2 seconds off his best in the Thomas Penlington back in the breaking 4 x 300 m relay time, 800m as he took two scalps up team for his first competitive an impressive relay team. Ellie the home straight to finish an race of the summer season and Barratt jumped brilliantly in impressive 2nd and again more he did well in a tough 1500m the pole vault equaling the valuable points towards the running close to his PB with a 3.0m U15 club record. overall team score. time of 5:11.8. The U13 boys excelled and Matthew Smith looked probably produced their best dominant in his first 800m for Match 3 set of results so far this season. Norman Park 19th June the club and was pleased with Multi talented Sam Reardon his 2:38.6 time. It was then a Blackheath and Bromley had a bumper personal best quick turn around and change HAC young athletes took day running and throwing of number, with hardly enough full advantage of their home bests in all four of his events. time for a packet of crisps, fixture, in the third round Sam started the day winning before sprinting against the UKYDL National match, the B string 200m in a quick wind and the rain in the 100m. producing some fantastic 27.7 then had a couple of results to comfortably win hours rest before the javelin, Josh Buddle Smith also ran on the day. Many of BBHAC where he threw a long 25.60m his first 800m for the club and stalwarts had set the scene again winning the B string. recorded a new best of 2:48.2 early, putting up team tents, Changing his focus Sam and this was a great warm up stocking the beer tent and then lined up for the 1500m, for his javelin competition refreshment stall, lighting the possibly his strongest event. where he threw just a few cms BBQ and laying out all the Having already reduced his short of his best but finished in generously donated second best time by thirteen and half a strong second place. hand clothes and shoes. seconds this year another PB 12

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looked hard to achieve but an inspired decision that was himself off and completed the with great competition from as Charlie Adams excelled on race. Bitterly disappointed, the Southampton athlete Sam his Blackheath and Bromley Jacob was met with loads of kept pushing on from the debut. Charlie had a great encouraging words from team front and was delighted to series of throws but saved the mates, parents and complete cross the line in first place, best until last as he launch strangers but was reassured in a winning time of 4:32.2, the spear out to massive that if he runs at that pace next hacking another five seconds 26.19m, not bad in his first time the club record will surely off his best, a truly stunning club competition. Charlie also go. Not letting disappointment performance. scored valuable points in the get in the way Jacob then Without time to think about shot, putting just short of 6m. produced three lifetime best tired lactic filled legs Sam was I’m sure Charlie’s parents and performances, first in the high then called upon to sprint the grand parents, there watching, jump clearing 1.40m. A great series of jumps in the long jump, just shy of the elusive 5m for his second PB and being part of the winning relay team his third PB. Well done to Jacob who didn’t let his disappointment affect the rest of his day. Robert Murray also had a PB bonanza as he recorded three new bests and one equal best. Robert started his day putting the shot out to a huge 10.88m and was rewarded with a fantastic fourth place in the National rankings. Two quick sprints from Robert up against second leg of the 4 x 100m were as impressed as the BB a lightning fast Reading lad relay. Three very efficient contingent were. resulted in an equal best in baton hand overs, practiced in Jacob Byfield had another the 100m of 13.3 and a great training, saw the boys run a busy day and is full of new best of 27.2 in the 200m. seasons best and win by over running. First up was the Robert capped his day leading two seconds, a performance hurdles and Jacob soon had the relay team home in a that may well earn them a a massive lead on the field as seasons best time. Kent relay call up. he effortlessly glided over the Connor Sutton making his Sports teacher Steve Timmins hurdles at break neck speed, National team debut showed encouraged one of his pupils possibly a bit too fast as Jacob he has the potential to become to come to the track after caught the sixth hurdle and his a class athlete as he cruised seeing him “naturally” momentum took him crashing to a new best 100m time of throwing the javelin a fair through the seventh but such 13.7 placing second in the B distance during PE and what is his maturity Jacob dusted string against boys a year older Athletics Report 13

than him. Connor then led the victorious relay team off with a fast first leg run. Barnaby Corry had a great start to the day with a personal best in the hurdles and finished his day performing in “Werther” at the Royal Opera House! In- between times Barnaby scored more valuable points for the club coming second in the B string high jump just short of his best height. Alex Sibley ran a positive, Eddie Sellar in only his With a place in the National determined 800m race and second National league fixture finals at stake, competition was scored a fabulous victory, for the club ran brilliantly fierce and BBHAC’s U13 boys winning the A string, slicing placing third in the 1500m excelled once again, recording more than three seconds off but as importantly smashing over a dozen personal bests, his previous best. through the 5 minute barrier numerous individual wins and for the first time with a very a stunning relay victory to end Max Gregson also ran creditable 4:57.7. the day on a high note. superbly in the B string 800m, also slicing off more than A fantastic set of results Jacob Byfield’s season three seconds from his PB, saw us winning comfortably continues in winning ways as coming a great second earning on the day and now placed he equalled his hurdles best valuable team points and was second in the league table as he comfortably won the soon tucking into a burger, to behind Southampton but 75m hurdles. Jacob then won aid recovery. just in front of Windsor the B string high jump before Oliver Robertson, having just SEH who will host the final smashing the elusive five meter got back from a holiday in league match on Saturday mark in winning the long jump France with his school, ran a 16th July. We want to get the in a new best distance. Jacob’s great 800m finishing strongly best possible result from this day was rounded off superbly and knocking over seven fixture and hope to finish in as part of the impressive 4 x seconds off his best time. the top two and this would be 100m relay team. Oliver then used the 100m to enough to make the National Barnaby Corry had a bumper warm up for the long jump final in September. PB day starting in the hurdles where he had a good collection shaving another 0.2secs off his of jumps all just under 4m, Match 4 best. This obviously inspired fractional below his best. Eton, 16th July Barnaby as he soared over a Adam Parkinson looked Summer finally arrived just in new best height in the high strong in the 800m and was time for the final fixture of the jump placing a great 2nd in the pleased to have taken two and 2016 UK youth development A string. Bob, as he’s known half seconds off his pervious league, held at the beautiful to his Dad then braved an best. athletics track in Eton. 800m and was rewarded with 14

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yet another PB knocking a Connor Sutton ran a superb Robert Murray’s shot-put lifted him to massive 14 secs off his previous 100m race, running a new 3rd in the country. best. Barnaby then had to dash PB time and placing a great steel in the javelin after a rare to London for his evening second. Connor was also the double no throw in his first performance at the Royal lead off leg in the relay and two throws. With only one Albert Hall. (Presumably he his great start made the task throw left to record a mark had time to change outfits?) of winning a lot easier for the Sam let loose and safely made other three boys. Robert Murray had another a mark not too far off his best Charlie Adams seems to solid day’s athletics, winning and good enough to win the improve every time he B string. If Sam was feeling all four of his events, starting competes and this week was nervous he didn’t show it, in the shot put circle. Here he no different with a great new unlike his mum! With little launched the 3.25kg put to a best in the javelin followed by time to recover Sam helped the massive 11.16, leap-frogging a good put in the shot earning relay boys to victory. him up to 3rd in the country. more valuable points towards Alex Sibley had a fantastic day Next up the 200m victory in a the team total. new PB and a little while later picking up two new personal winning the 100m, just shy of Sam Reardon again showed bests. Firstly he ran hard in his versatility running a the 800m getting a PB and his best. There was no holding new best in the 200m, ran a essential team points then Robert back as he powered masterful 1500m dominating launched himself over the down the home straight well and dictating his way to a 4m mark for the first time in clear of all the opposition in comfortable victory before the long jump again winning the victorious relay race. showing he has nerves of valuable points for the team. Athletics Report Athletics Report 15 Under 13 Inter-Counties

First year in the U13 age Kingsmeadow Stadium Connor Sutton, in his first year group Max Gregson seems to Sunday 31st July 2016 in the age group, represented improve every time he steps Kent in the 100m just outside on the track and today was Six U13 Blackheath and his best ever time. Bromley boys made their Kent no exception as he ran a gutsy This quartet of Connor, Sam, 800m placing a great second track debuts last week at the Jacob and Robert then made and was delighted to have run U13 Inter Counties match at up the sprint relay team and another new personal best Kingston Surrey. were proud to be running time. Robert Murray had a great in their Kent colours. They Eddie Sellar ran another day running a fast 13.68 in the recorded one of their fastest mature 1500m race in the 100m and putting the shot times ever but not quite as blistering summer sun (lovely well over 10m. fast as the previous weeks best for spectators, not so kind when representing BBHAC at Sam Reardon threw a big PB for the athletes and placed the Olympic park in the Club well up the field recording in the javelin with 31.53 and connect relays, where they a fantastic second in the B ran well in the quick tactical ran themselves high up the string. 1500m. rankings with a rapid 51.87. All these brilliant results Jacob Byfield was the quickest Alex Sibley won his first Kent along with a host of other of the day over the 75m vest and ran well in the 800m, great times, height and hurdles, running a fantastic as did first year in the age distances recorded by the new personal best into a head group Max Gregson who was U13 girls and U15 boys and wind and just six hundredths girls left BBHAC firmly rewarded with his Kent vest short of the club record. Jacob on top of the leader board for his fantastic season also and were well worthy of the produced another personal over 800m. day’s victory. Add this to our best, this time jumping 5.05m home victory, 2nd place at in the long jump. Paul Austridge Southampton and 3rd at the opening fixture in Reading has us in second place, just behind Southampton but with the same number of league points. Southampton’s first ever league victory and our solid second are good enough to secure automatic qualification to the Bedford September final where we will take on the best teams from the Midlands, North and .

Paul Austridge The quartet of Connor, Sam, Jacob and Robert are proud to be running in Kent colours. 16 Under 13 and Under 15 Girls 2016

On the 23rd April, we went On 19th June, we went to Another fantastic season for to Reading for the first Youth Eton for the 3rd Youth the Young Athletes which Development League match Development League started on 2nd April with of the season, with several of match. With all our athletes the Alpha Beta Trophy our distance athletes missing competing well and filling in Match. The Under 15 Girls as they were taking part in the for new events where we had came first which was a great Mini London Marathon the gaps. We came 2nd overall start to the season. next day we still managed to Our 3rd Youth Development come 3rd. League fixture was on the The next event was the first 19th of June at Norman Park, Kent League at Norman Park with a home fixture we were on 7th May. We had a large looking for great things and number of athletes taking were not disappointed. We part. The Under 15 and Under came first by just over 40 13 girls came first. points. There were many PBs Our next Youth Development as well as a Club Record from League fixture was at Ellie Dolby in the 1200m with Southampton on 21st May a time of 3.48.6. This puts us and we came second putting 2nd in the table with one more us second in the league. All fixture to go. athletes competed to the best On 3rd July, we had our of their ability with many pbs third Kent League match at on the day. Ashford and again we had On 5th of June we went to many athletes competing in a Dartford for our second Kent few different events, some of League fixture where everyone which they hadn’t tried before. competed to the best of their Eleanor Barrett got the club ability and more and we came record in the Pole Vault with a first overall. height of 3.10m. We came first Athletics Report 17

Meeka Duhaney-Pinnock, Grace Fullerton, Alexandra Kelsey, Lia Radus, Rosanna Allan, Rashidah Ayinbode, Abigail Leeves,, Achieng Oneka, Morgan Squibb, Eva Stephanue, Hannah MacAulay, Daisy Dowling, Kareena Galley, Sky Cook, Gracie Horton, Holly Mpassi, Isabelle Bridge, Lily Tappenden, Imogen Meers, Rahmat Ottun, Esther Oniwinde, Zsiriah Thomas, Ella Brown, with one more Kent fixture Bedford Stadium where Emily Purser, Rochelle Taylor, to go. we were competing in the Kendaa Cameron-Chavannes, Our last YDL fixture was YDL final. Each athlete Amy Miller, Emily Davis, at Eton on 16th July and we competed well with several Isabelle Mitchell, Sanmi, needed to finish second in the good performances, notably Odiase. table to guarantee us going to Akeiyla Robinson-Pascal who the Final in Bedford. Every broke her own Club Record Under 13 Girls in the high jump with a jump athlete pulled out all the stops Amerisa Sibley, Lily Meers, of 1.54m. The lead changed with the lead changing all Rose Meers, Sofia Elliott, a number of times during the day and only several points Renee Bel-Momodu, Akeiyla day, but when all the results between first and third. We Robinson Pascal, Freya were counted at the end of the came second on the day, 7 Marsden, Olivia Howlett, competition we came 3rd just points off the lead. We were Olivia English, Shakanya 11 points off the lead a great going to Bedford for the final Osahon, Maayan Radus, result well done to all who on 3rd September. Kelsey Pullin, Ellie Dolby, competed. Our last Kent League fixture Daniella Harper, Abigail was at Medway Park and Under 15 Girls Smith, Georgina Sullivan, Eve Ward, Tianna Lewis, Achieng again we had many athletes Zoe Austridge, Eleanor attending, all be it some Oneka, Daiza Foster, Chloe Barrett, Lani Bakewell, Skipp, Alexandra Sewell, athletes were away on holiday. Isabelle Bridge, Katia It was an excellent fixture Rianna Rennie, Heidi Forsyth, Cienciala, Greta Elliott, Parris French, Holly Sutton- with several PBs and we came Grace Goddard, Lauren first overall winning the Kent Trott, Ella Smith, Hannah Goddard, Sophie Hoare, Clark, Ruth Chappell. League for the season. Yasmin Marghini, Zoe Martial, Imogen Meers, On 2nd September, we met Karen Desborough at The Clubhouse to travel up Niamh Milmo, Holly Mpassy, to Bedford for the final, we Jessica Neal, Alice Prentice, stayed at Bedford University Kamiyla Robinson-Pascal, Campus and after a good Imogen Sears, Morgan Sears, night sleep we travelled to Elise Swatton, Zoe White, 18 Kent Young Athletes League 2016

Norman Park coming out on top of the table personal best and came 2nd in 8th May with the first team and a great a tough 1500m knocking 10 5th place for the second team. seconds off his previous best. The Kent Young Athletes Alex also placed second in the League kicked off its season The thirteen U13 boys competing, included five B long jump in his first long in glorious weather at our jump competition and was home fixture at Norman Park. boys making their club debut, and all made a great show of also part of the DQed relay Ken Daniel (track manager), team. Sam Reardon showed Dave Cordell (Immediate Past themselves, earning many points towards the teams total. his range of talent once again, President) and their team did leading a high class field in the a wonderful job preparing Jacob Byfield began his day with a convincing win in the 1500m from start to finish, both the track and the field hurdles, recording a quick knocking 5 seconds off an for a busy program of events. time, despite the strong head already classy personal best, Great to see amongst these wind down the home straight, placing him an impressive 4th so many of the older BBHAC proving why he is currently in the country. Sam was then athletes (U17-U20) there ranked 3rd in the country. just short of his best in the supporting the youngsters and Jacob continued his day with windy 200m placing 3rd in special thanks go to Marco further wins in the long jump the A string and equaled that Arcuri and Lewis Stickings and B string high jump. Jacob with another 3rd place in the who helped out on the day in was also part of the 4 x 100m shot. Sam was also part of the many ways making the day run relay team that crossed the doomed relay team! smoothly for all concerned. line in first but were deemed Barnaby Corry continues to Blackheath and Bromley to have made an illegal hand improve week on week with HAC U13 and U15 boys and over and were subsequently three fantastic new personal girls are so strong, with great disqualified. Something for us bests. Most satisfying was his depth, that we are able to field to work on. high jump PB of 1.30, closely two teams in the same league. Alex Sibley had a great day followed by a hurdles best and We took full home advantage winning the B 200m in a new shaving half a second off his Athletics Report 19

100m time. Most disappointing the B string and being part for him was being part of the of the surprise package that DQed relay team but this didn’t was the winning relay team. have an adverse affect on the Young Max Gregson made his final result. BBHAC debut in great form in First year in the age group the tough 1500m to record a new personal best time. Matthew Smith showed maturity beyond his years Callum Carlton dashed Oliver was also part of the with four great performances straight to the track after a triumphant relay team and throughout the afternoon. morning football match in managed to come 2nd in the A Starting with his first race time to cruise around the string long jump rounding off over 100m and his first javelin blustery 200m and was part of a successful days athletics. the second team relay squad competition winning valuable Tom Brash made his who safely got the baton round points for the club, followed BBHAC debut in some style scoring more valuable team by a great 200m against the competing in four events points. Josh Buddle Smith, wind but still knocking two starting with 2nd place in A making his BBHAC debut also and a half seconds off his PB. string discus, a PB 5:23 in the had a morning football match Matthew was then part of a 1500m, a long 16.51 in the non scoring relay team put but had enough energy left to javelin and then running a leg together to gain experience, throw the javelin just short in the relay team that got the who collectively ran superbly, of 16m and was part of the baton home safley. unexpectedly crossing the line successful relay team. Nick Paddington was another as winners in front of all the Another year young athlete other clubs relay teams. competing for us for the first to have a busy day was Oliver time and also had a busy Brandon Back had a busy day Robertson running the 100m debut running in the 200m, running his first 1500m in a sprint and then the middle throwing the javelin just short good 5:25 before throwing distance 1500m clocking of 16m and helping the relay the javelin and coming 3rd in up more points for the club. team complete their lap of the 4 x100m race, securing loads more points for the team. Robert Murray only joined us this week and on the back of only two training session made his mark on the team and in the league. Robert began his day putting the shot an impressive 9.85 which currently puts him 4th in the country. A strong display in the 100m and 200m look promising for the rest of the season but more importantly earned the club more team points. 20

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team home on the fourth leg, all having only just recovered from a broken collar bone! Oliver Robertson had a great day, running a new best in the 100m, coming first in the B string long jump with a plus 4m jump and leading the relay team off on leg one. Ben Campbell has recovered from his ankle injury well and had a busy day sprinting the 100m, throwing the javelin for the first time and running a great 2nd leg in the 4 x 100 relay. Brandon Back showed he can sprint as well do middle distance with a personal best Dartford ground running as Jacob in the 100m and running a leg 5th June Byfield ran a brilliant new in the relay. personal best in the first event The superb weather at of the day and was delighted to Alex Sibley showed his Dartford on Sunday was be told that he had also broken versatility with two new bests matched by many superb in the long jump and the 200m the Kent league record with performances at the 2nd sprint and then ran the anchor a fast (and the fastest ever in Kent Young Athletes League leg in the sprint relay. Nick the KYAL) 12.3 in the 75m fixture of the season. Paddington started his day hurdles. The personal bests Blackheath and Bromley with a PB in the 200m and continued as Jacob knocked U13 and U15 boys and girls was cms away from his best nearly a second off his 100m once again came out on top winning the B string javelin. time and was a fraction under in a very competitive match. Connor Sutton made his his best in the long jump to Brilliant sunshine and hot Blackheath and Bromley debut place 2nd in both events. conditions were as unusual in some style easily winning as the colour of Dartford Jacob was presented with his the B string 200m and in a running track, royal blue! handsome medal in front of time faster than older brother a busy crowd before taking Ben, at the same age!! Connor At the first KYAL fixture at part in the successful winning Norman Park, U13 Akeiyla showed his natural talent as 4 x100m relay team. A great he strode out effortlessly on Robinson-Pascal broke the day’s athletics. long jump Kent league record the last leg of the relay team. with a huge 4.65m and she Barnaby Corry was up next A great debut performance. was suitably rewarded at and comfortably won the Callum Carlton equalled his 200m best with a strong Dartford collecting a fabulous B string 75m hurdles, scored determined run and was lead looking medal. valuable points putting the shot and high jumping and off leg in one of the U13 boys The U13 boys squad hit the brought the victorious relay relay teams. Athletics Report 21

Matthew Smith continues to recording 2:34.9 and Max also improve weekly and with a ran a leg in one of the relays. determined run in the 800m Adam Parkinson made his full was rewarded with a big 5 BBHAC debut running his first second PB. Another personal ever 800m and also took part best in the long jump followed in the sprint relays. by a leg in the relay completed Many thanks go to young a great day athletics for athlete Marco Arcuri who Matthew. Sam Reardon ran spent the whole day with the himself into the top 20 in the U13 boys squad, checking country with a strong 2:20 in numbers, making sure the 800m, coming first, ran athletes were in the right a fast 200m and threw the place at the right time and javelin over 20m in his first even controversially helped javelin competition for the out the U13 girls team club, also coming first. Sam see Thomas Penlington run manager, after she was held wrapped up his day as part of his first 800m of the season up in a very long tuck shop the winning relay team. and he did brilliantly to finish queue!! Eddie Sellar, running in only in such a good time despite his 2nd track event for the pulling a muscle and limping Julie Rose Stadium club, ran his first 800 and was across the finish lime. Let's Ashford 3rd July rewarded with a quick 2:32.9 hope Thomas recovers quickly. Blackheath and Bromley’s and a second place, earning Another personal best in the young athletes showed great loads of team points. Great to 800m was run by Max Gregson strength in depth at the latest 22

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Kent league fixture despite club did well in all throws relay race and helping towards the clash of fixtures with the starting with a 3rd in the the final result. Robert was London Youth Games. Our discus, 1st in the B string shot very pleased. U13 and U15 boys and girls and then saving his best for Oliver Robertson continued are talented and flexible and last, won the javelin B string his fine season with a good this combination was enough with a great new personal best. showing in the 100m and long to win the third fixture at a Middle distance runner Eddie jump, just short of his best and sunny Julie Rose stadium in Sellar showed he has more then led the winning team off Ashford. strings to his bow as he won on leg one of the relay. Ellie Dolby ran a very well valuable points for the team in Alex Sibley tried his hand at a paced 1200m and was the first event of the day, the field event and did well in the rewarded with a new Kent discus and followed this up discus and then ran in the 3 league record while Ellie with a solid performance in & 3/4 lap 1500m race scoring Barrett cleared 3.10m in the the 1500m again securing vital valuable points, he also gained pole vault, a new personal best team points. some great experience running and new club record out right, Robert Murray had a difficult a leg in the relay team. having equalled the old mark and busy day starting with the previous week. the shot put and 100m both Brandon Back came second in the shot put and had a great The U13 boys were once again scheduled for the same time. leg in the sprint relay team. out in large numbers with 14 A big 10m plus put in the first competing in all track and round was ultimately enough Nick Paddington had a busy field events. Barnaby Corry for victory but a rapid footwear day starting with the shot put, led the charge with some change with the whole sprint scoring good points, followed inspired performances starting field waiting and watching by the 100m sprint and then with a win in the A string wasn’t ideal preparation. gaining a big 1cm personal 75m hurdles in a personal However, Robert fought hard best in the javelin, they all best time. This was followed down the straight but couldn’t count! Nick then ran a great by another personal best and quite catch the Medway and bend in the relay team. A string victory, winning a Maidstone athlete. Robert then Another busy athlete was close high jump competition. had the 200m and a chance Callum Carlton who started Barnaby was also part of the to reverse the result but the his day long jumping, before victorious relay team. Medway lad was very strong running near to his best in the and just managed to hold on Sam Reardon also finished the 1500m and with little time to leaving Robert frustrated in day with three wins under his recover straight over to the second. The relay presented belt, with a quick 200m victory, 200m start for the long sprint. one last chance for Robert a huge new 4m personal best Callum finished his day off to equal the score but he in the javelin and a leg in the 4 as part of the relay team. Max had loads to do as we were x 100m relay. Not wanting to Gregson had a strong run in a couple of meters down on waste his time Sam also opted the 1500m timing a fraction the Medway team coming to have a go at the hurdles and outside his best he also ran the off the final bend. This must did well finishing 3rd. anchor leg in the sprint relay. have spurred Robert on as he Charlie Adams in only his powered past the red vest of Matthew Smith is always second competition for the Medway to win a magnificent willing to give events a go and Athletics Report 23

Sunday was no different when his day with a rapid leg in the 4 was part of the sprint relay he was asked if he could do the x 100m relay. team. high jump for a point, along Barnaby Corry showed why he Ben Campbell did his first with his three other events. is such an important part of ever long jump competition Without hesitation Matthew the boys' team with great runs and scored valuable points agreed and was pleased to in the 75m hurdles, a PB jump coming 3rd in the B string equal his best. Matt also long then ran hard in the 800m jumped and ran the 200m and in the long jump, just short of his best in the high jump and very close to his PB and then took the top bend in the relay led the relay team off on the race. contributing to the winning sprint relay team. all important first leg. Ben Campbell ran his first Josh Buddle Smith had a 1500m for the club and will Sam Reardon used his wide range of skills to good effect bumper PB day posting new be pleased with his 5:20.4 best in both the 200m and time and strong finish. Ben winning the B string 200m, just shy of his best time, 800m and was also the led of also led the 4 x 100m relay leg in one of the sprint relay team out. ran a PB in the hurdles and then went to the top of the teams. Josh Buddle Smith enjoyed club rankings throwing the Thomas Penlington showed a great day's athletics with a hammer 14.99. Sam's final he has fully recovered from quick sprint over 200m, nearly effort of the day was running a recent injury with a strong a 3m improvement in the the 3rd leg in the victorious personal best run in the 800m. javelin with a great new PB relay. Brandon Back had a good day and running a leg in the relay. knocking 2 and half seconds Robert Murray seems to Medway Park off his best in the 800m and improve every time he sets was part of the sprint relay 7th August foot on the track and his team. We became official champions blistering win in the 200m of Kent after winning our saw him carve over half a These collective results along final Kent league fixture at a second off his best along with with the U13 girls and U15 sunny Medway Park. Despite a more modest two tenths boys and girls were good all clubs fielding depleted improvement in the 100m. Just enough for us to win the numbers due to holidays, short of his best in the shot match and the overall league title. Well done to all involved. standards were still high and still had Robert a clear winner the Blackheath U13 boys once by nearly 4m! Robert also led again produced personal bests the relay team with another Paul Austridge by the bucket loads. impressive win. Tom Brash had a busy but Matthew Smith is always successful day's athletics willing to try new events and getting new personal bests did well in the competitive in the discus and shot and hurdles race, firmly placing then breaking the elusive 2:30 himself in the club rankings barrier in the 800m, wiping 4 before recording a new PB in seconds off his previous best, the long jump. Matt also came wearing trainers! Tom finished third in the B string 800m and 24 National Champions again – Our Girls just get better and better

Match 1: Windsor It’s tough at the top, beginning 1st May 2016 with the constant battle to defy gravity! But it’s still better than We should have been in all the other options! And so Reading, but a last minute we start another season in the change of venue has been YDL. Surely we can never tire enforced by a tottering light of being National Champions? pylon at Palmers Park. The first match of a new season Or of the annual opportunity is always a bit of a step into to represent GB in foreign the unknown, with new team parts? So we long ago added members and little indication complacency to gravity on our of how well everyone has list of potential foes. We have an wintered. And there is even influx of new athletes – most of less to go on in respect of the them ‘home grown’ and moving strength of the other teams. It up an age group - and renewed soon becomes apparent that enthusiasm and thus embark we’ve wintered pretty well, on Aliu and Magda Cienciala, upon the path to our usual goals the whole, but especially: new with their clean sweep in for the season: to qualify for, member, Sophie Dowson, who the U17 sprints; and, Eloise and win, the National Finals sets a Junior Club record of Locke with a double victory in the U17 shot and javelin. and do well in Europe. 3.75m in the pole vault; Holly Mills, who posts a new U17 In addition to winning both League record of 6.17m in the U20 1500ms (Niamh Bridson long jump, which also equals Hubbard and Jess Keene) and her Club record; Victoria U17 steeplechases (Yasmin Wiltshire, who breaks the Austridge and Amy Leach), Club U17 hammer record, for Stephanie Taylor (B 800m), the first, but not the last, time Genni Allan (B 1500m) and this season, with 52.99m and, Millie Smith (B 3000m) together with Carys Marsden, all win their events and, achieves a perfect score in between them, with further the event; Divine Oladipo, help from Grace Scopes, with a PB of 47.86m in the they cover almost all the discus (ably supported in the gaps in the middle distance B string by Anna Barnett) and programme resulting from who is also only cms behind an early start to the revision her shot PB; Annie Davies, season. With a regenerated with three wins (in the A boys’ team producing some TJ – Mary Adeniji also wins great results, we win the the B on debut - and B sprint match comprehensively by and long hurdles); the relay just shy of 100 points from teams, winning three out of Reading, who demote stand- four; Charmont Webster-Tape, in hosts Windsor to 3rd and Katie Woolcott, Immanuela SBH to 4th. Athletics Report 25 Part 1 The Southern Premiership title

Match 2: Norman Park 2nd and 3rd in the 300mH winners in the 800m and 29th May 2016 and Annie has a Groundhog Yasmin wins the 1500m (as Day, of the welcome sort, well as the B 300m) with It would be extremely difficult not only winning the B Stephanie Taylor 3rd (as she to improve upon our result 400mH but again taking is in the B 3000m). We also in the first match, but we the TJ and B 100mH. In the win 3 out of the 4 sprint always aim to improve and U20 sprints, Viv Olatunji, hurdles, courtesy of Isabella this is, after all, our home Modupe Shokunbi and Parris Hilditch, Annie and Holly, match and we need to keep the Johnson between them win with Kate 2nd. fans happy! Even with home three of the four races and advantage, we have exam Meanwhile, the throwers really take second in the other. In revision absentees again, but are having a field day! Divine turn, Charmont and Katie win all but two of the events are and Anna win the U20 discus both U17 100ms and Magda covered. with Eve Keith 2nd in the and Olivia Richer place 2nd U17 and Divine, Eloise and The first event, the pole vault, and 3rd in the 200ms. This Eve achieve a clean sweep in sets the tone: we have a full only encourages the middle the shot. Eloise also wins the complement of vaulters and distance squad: in the U20s, U17 javelin with Ellie Moore Sophie wins the U20 and Jess and Leah Everson are 2nd 2nd, only to be bettered by Shaye Emmett and Caitlin in both 800ms and Niamh Victoria (who improves her Chick both finish 2nd in and Jess go one better in the PB to 54.08m) and Carys, their respective U17 strings. 1500m, with Georgina Taylor who gain maximum points in On the track, the long and Mary Guy providing two the hammer. We also bank a hurdlers put in another solid more 2nds in the steeplechase. brace of 2nds in the U20 HJ performance. Kate Purser In the U17s, Katy-Ann (Jamiyla Robinson-Pascal and and Catrin Murphy finish in McDonald and Grace are Isobel Reeves) and Tabitha Lisciotto repeats the position in the U17. Holly and Nicole Farmer win the U17 LJ and TJ respectively. With wins in the U20 4x100m and U17 4x300m, a 2nd in the U17 4x100m and a 3rd in the 4x400m, we end the meeting on a high and we don’t just improve on the first match but, with the boys continuing their new-found form, we increase the winning margin to 172 points from Windsor! SBH can do no better than 4th again. With only 2 matches gone, if not quite a foot, we certainly already have a toe or Our shot putters achieved a clean sweep in their event. two in the final! 26 Athletics Report

Continued

Match 3: Allianz Park Match 4: Eton 26th June 2016 24th July 2016 Now we’re approaching Déjà vu all over again, as what is known in common the man said. But first we parlance as the ‘business end’ should note the success of of the season. We’ve got off our U20 sprint relay team at to a great start, but it’s time the Anniversary Games Club to consolidate and not give Connect competition the anything away. It’s also that previous Friday evening - well time of year when other events done Parris, Maya, Modupe begin to syphon off some of and Viv – and an honourable the more successful athletes Despite Divine’s absence, we mention too for our U17 and we have a number of still put on a great show in the team who were just edged girls at the British (Senior) throws. In the U20s, Carys into 2nd place – well done, Championships. Just as well takes 2nd in the discus, Emma also, to Mhairi, Magda, Katie that we have a great squad! James 3rd in the hammer and and Immanuela. But back to new member, Maite Vanucci, Sophie (1st) and Shaye (2nd) Windsor… 2nd and 3rd in the javelin and get us off to another good start With exams and most of the shot. We’re even better in the (though we’re a vaulter short clashing competitions behind U17s: Victoria and Carys are again). We’re missing a long us, holidays are commonly the both 1st in the hammer and hurdler as well, through injury, main cause of absences for the Eloise wins the javelin and but we soon put that behind last match. Nevertheless, we’ve shot (where Emma also wins) us, with wins for Modupe and still got a respectable team and and finishes 3rd in the discus Isio Orogun in the U20 100m we’ll no doubt want to finish (with Emma 2nd). Good and a 2nd from Magda in the the ‘regular season’ in style. results also in the jumps with U17, as well as 1st for Niamh And we welcome back our Jamiyla and Toyin Orelaja both in the U20 1500m and two recently crowned European 2nd in the U20 LJ, Annie (also 2nds in the U17 for Millie and Youths long jump champion, 1st in the 100mH) and Toyin Genni. The remaining middle Holly, who, although taking winning the TJ and Maite and distance events also pick up a well-deserved rest from her Jamiyla 2nd and 1st in the HJ. good points: 2nd for Jess and Karina Harris adds a win in Stephanie and a 3rd for Sam the U17 TJ and is 3rd in the LJ. Leighton in the 800ms, 2nds also for Jess, Jo Clowes and In the relays, we win both Millie in the 3000m and a 1st, 4x100ms with scratch teams 2nd and 3rd in the steeplechase and finish 2nd in both the from Yasmin, Lottie Weitzel 4x300m and 4x400m. Thus, and Georgina. Pride of despite the absences and a place on the track, though, few resulting vacancies, we goes to the 200m runners win again, if ‘only’ by 87 with Immanuella and Parris points from Windsor. As SBH winning the U20s and Magda manage to beat Reading, we and Mhairi Brooks taking 2nd really do now have that foot in and 3rd in the U17. the final. Athletics Report 27

specialist event, celebrates by winning both the sprint and long hurdles. However, to begin at the beginning, as Dylan Thomas would have it: we are down to one pole vaulter, though Shaye finishes her season with a solid 2nd place. Having lulled the opposition, albeit briefly, into a false sense of security, we bring out our big guns for the long hurdles: Yasmin, making her League debut at the event, finishes a fine 2nd and Catrin wins the B, before Holly and Kate take maximum points in the 300mH. With in the U20 and Yasmin and team, the jumpers also make three wins out of four also Eloise O’Shaughnessy, making a healthy contribution by in the 100ms, thanks to Isio, her YDL debut, win both U17 leading in all three triple jump Charmont and Katie (and races. Not to be outdone, we competitions (Annie, Karina a 3rd from Modupe), and a then take 2nd in both strings and Nicole Farmer) and taking clean sweep of the 1500ms of the U17 steeplechase, two 2nd places in the long (Katy-Ann, Jess, Kelsi Cornish courtesy of Millie and Grace jump (Jamiyla and Karina) and Millie), we lay down a (matching her earlier run in and two 1sts and a 3rd in the fairly fearsome statement of the 400m). high jump (Jamiyla, Antonia intent… and then reinforce it: While all this has been going Alapafuja and Maite). we again win three out of four on, out in the field points It may come as no surprise of the sprint hurdles (Isabella, are being grabbed by the that we carry this form to the Annie and Holly, with Kate handful. In the U20 throws, tape by winning both sprint 3rd) and three out of four of Divine again wins both the relays and the 4x400, with a the 200s (Maya, in a PB, Isio, shot (with Maite taking the B, 3rd for the 4x300 team, but again, and Immanuela) and as well as 2nd in the javelin) even so our winning margin both the U17 3000ms (Kelsi and discus (where Anna is of 150 points from Windsor is and Amy Leach), with Niamh runner-up) and Emma is 3rd quite remarkable. For the first taking 2nd in the U20. Add to in the hammer. It’s the same time in the League’s history that a 1st and 3rd in the 300m glad story in the U17s: Eloise (ok, it’s only been going 4 from Megan Walsh, returning wins shot and javelin, where years, but still) we win the successfully from injury, and Carys is 2nd, as she is in the Southern Premiership title. Olivia and we’ve got real hammer, and 3rd in the discus. That’s the preparation done. momentum as we head in to Another newcomer, Yinka We’re in good shape. Now for the final track events. The Shokunbi takes silver in the B the Big One at Bedford! 800ms don’t disappoint: Jess string hammer. And as we are and Amy place 2nd and 3rd a well-balanced and rounded Tim Soutar 28 National Champions again – Our Girls just get better and better

Against all the odds, we B with Annie a close 4th Well, having achieved the start with a full complement in the A) – and shot, where first of our goals, we arrive of vaulters: not the ones Annie again fills in for at Bedford – a sink hole has we’d planned to have, a late illness withdrawal, saved us from the cavernous but Pippa emerges from allowing us to pick up 3rd delights of Alexander Stadium retirement, Yasmin provides and 1st in the U17, courtesy – to nail the second. Despite, another cameo and Grace of Eloise and Emma. And undoubtedly, given our demonstrates her newly then it’s sprint time, where domination of the Southern acquired skills. Although we we really make a statement Premiership, starting as may not win any medals, they of intent as Charmont, Viv, favourites, not just for the provide a huge psychological women’s match but for the boost for the team. In the overall title, we’re taking hammer, on the other hand, nothing for granted: this has Victoria wins the U17 with been the year of the sporting Carys 3rd in the B. (Emma finishes just out of the underdog (just think Leicester medals competing up an City or Iceland) and no age group in the U20). On doubt Shaftesbury, scraping the track, the 400mH has through via the paper match, turned into something of a will call up the cavalry from problem event this season somewhere. We’re missing our but, although we can’t raise a junior international thrower: B string (neither can 4 other in these days of improved clubs), Yasmin abandons the equality, the advice has become pole to finish a fine 2nd and ‘go west young woman’ and she Catrin wins the B 300mH, Immanuela and Magda sweep has, to university in the States. with Kate just pushed into all four 100m races. We can’t It’s been a long season and 4th in the A. That’s actually quite manage that in the there are a few broken bodies, a very respectable start in 400ms, though silvers from especially among our pole this company and we’ll only Isabella and Megan are great vaulters, so there’s been some get stronger… as we quickly performances, only to be last minute work for John demonstrate in the U20 bettered by Holly and Olivia who win both 300s. Hardly Wakeman to ensure we can 1500m where Katy-Ann has Holly got her breath back plug gaps. But we have a great McDonald runs a tactically than she’s leading the rest of squad and we’re a great team: astute race to sprint to victory the field home in the 80mH bring it on! and Jess Keene begins an afternoon of Zatopekian and Kate grabs silver in the proportions by winning the B B with a dip finish of which string. With solid points from anyone would have been Kelsi and Millie in the U17 proud. Annie and Isabella go race, we’re progressing nicely. one better, with both winning in the 100mH. We’ve really Next in the field is LJ – cranked up the momentum Holly duly delivers the U17 and it’s an absolute joy to gold and Jamiyla the U20 watch. Athletics Report 29 Part 2 YDL Final – Bedford 4th September 2016

Javelin and HJ haven’t traditionally been among our strongest events, but Eloise wins the U17 spear and Jamiyla and Antonia both make the podium in the HJ. Time now to bring out our captain, Niamh, to hit the track and she runs the legs off the field to win the 3000m with another fine B string win from Jess. Amy (4th) and Kelsi (2nd) provide great support in the U17. Absences from the discus mean we’re Niamh Bridson Hubbard playing a captain’s innings with great runs, not on the pitch not as strong as usual, but but on the track on the 3000m Carys and Emma pick up 3rd the 100m? How could there provide, as far as the team and 4th to ensure we maintain have been any doubt? Maya, manager is concerned, having the pressure. It takes a league Parris, Immanuela and Magda run the odd 'chase himself record to beat Annie in the dismantle the opposition and in a former life, the highlight TJ, but Karina and Nicole again produce maximum of the afternoon. Both age win both U17 events to finish points. Which raises another groups run together and, our day in the field on a high. question: how do you possibly only two days after her win However, we’re far from follow that? The answer is in the School Games, Yasmin finished on the track. As the that you unleash the captain leads the field home. Jess, girls walk out from the call again, who duly delivers a win on debut at the event and in room for the 200m, there’s in the 800m together with her 3rd race of the day, also only one question: can Team Grace, who runs a blinder wins the U20 race with Lottie Blackie produce as dominant – as much a reference to her (thankfully avoiding her a performance as they did in dayglow spikes and socks water-jumping mishap of last combo as her leg speed – to year) and Millie also winning finish 2nd. But that’s just the their races within a race. Not warm-up act for Katy-Ann in only have we fielded a full the U17, where she continues complement of chasers but her rich vein of form with they’re all winners! a dominant, front-running And so to the relays – where performance, which sees her has the day gone? Only a win by almost 10 seconds in lack of baton care is going a new League Record. We’re to stop our sprint squad still recovering from that as completing a perfect day. Eloise posts a solid 4th in the Swift and clinical propulsion B string. of the baton round the track It’s relentless. We’re straight by both teams despatches into the steeplechases, which the opposition, with the U17 30 Athletics Report

Continued

2016 Squad: Mary Adeniji, Antonia Alapafuja, Immanuela Aliu, Genni Allan, Yasmin Austridge, Anna Barnett, Niamh Bridson Hubbard, Mhairi Brooks, Maya Bruney, Magda Cienciala, Jo Clowes, Kelsi Cornish, Pippa Croft, Annie Davies, Sophie Dowson, Shaye Emmett, Leah Everson, Nicole Farmer, Kelsey Fuss, Mary Guy, Isabella Hilditch, Lizzie Ibdunni, Emma James, Parris Johnson, Jess Keene, Eve Keith, Chloe Kibblewhite, team of Charmont, Magda, to be added up to know that Amy Leach, Sam Leighton, Tabitha Lisciotto, Katy-Ann Katie and Immanuela just we’ve had a fantastic time McDonald, Carys Marsden, shading the bragging rights and it’s been incident free – Holly Mills, Catrin Murphy, by 0.20 secs over Parris, no DQs, no no-heights and Divine Oladipo, Viv Olatunji, Maya, Modupe and Viv. Take no no-throws. Even so, our Isio Orogun, Toyin Orelaja, a bow ladies: what a shame winning margin of 96 points Eloise O’Shaughnessy, Kate you couldn’t have raced each from Team (a Purser, Isobel Reeves, Olivia other! The 4x300m relay composite team) is nothing Richer, Jamiyla Robinson- proves to be one of the most short of astonishing and a Pascal, Grace Scopes, competitive races of the day trip to Europe again in 2017 Modupe Shokunbi, Yinka and the squad of Kate, Catrin, will be just reward for those efforts. Shokunbi, Georgina Taylor, Olivia and Holly just miss Maite Vanucci, Megan Walsh, out on a podium placing. There’s more good news: Charmont Webster-Tape, All season we’ve struggled the boys have had a great Lottie Weitzel, Victoria with the 4x400m, frequently afternoon too. Sadly not good Wiltshire, Katie Woolcott. having to ask tired middle enough to withstand the distance legs to manage one anticipated SBH onslaught, Tim Soutar last lap. Not so today. With but easily sufficient to ensure what will turn out to be our we win the overall match European team, Isabella, for the first time and with Katy-Ann, Megan and Maya another enormous margin dominate the race. Only of 111 points. What more Glasgow can stay with them, can one say (except, as ever, but they have no answer to thanks to everyone who Maya’s finish and we end on contributed to our success just the right note with a final this summer)? Two down, one win. We don’t need the scores to go: Spain here we come! Rio Olympics 2016 31 Disappointment and encouragement in Rio

In the Olympics in Rio Blackheath and British fans finally had their chance to witness two of the Nation’s rising track stars make their mark on the greatest sporting stage of all. Dina Asher Smith in her first Olympics at age 20; and in the mens 200 final and up against Usain Bolt, Captain of the Team GB athletics squad, and already a veteran of the 2012 Olympics. Unfortunately he was edged Adam Gemili planned to start conservatively and then rely on a fast finish. out into fourth place by a margin of 3/1000s of a Going into that final he had 20.12, only for the Frenchman second by France’s Christophe sat down with coach Steve to claim the bronze medal in a Lemaitre as Andre De Grasse Fudge and planned to start photo finish. finished second behind the conservatively and then rely Reflecting on his desperate unassailable Bolt. Gemili on a fast finish. dip for the line, Gemili said: confessed: “I am heartbroken. Gemili trailed in seventh “I thought it was close. I knew I put so much into that run place as he came off the bend I was in the mix but it is hard and getting so close at the in his tight inside lane, but to tell. Lemaitre was on the end I am absolutely gutted. I finished strongly and then other side of the track so I was on the inside, I knew Bolt dipped for the line in textbook couldn’t tell what happened. would go and a lot of others fashion, along with France’s It is probably the worst way would try and go with him.” and to go out when you finish in Churandy fourth. When it’s down to Martina of the thousandths of a second it is Netherlands. hard to take.” Martina was At his post race interview an clocked at emotional Gemili said “I knew 20.13, but it was me but I saw his name Gemili and come up and I just fell to the Lemaitre floor. I gave it so much and recorded the I know I can run faster but same time of today is not about the times, it is about medals.” Adam Gemili... out of the medals However he recovered and by 3/1000s of a running last in the final of the second. 4x100m relay Adam anchored 32 Rio Olympics 2016

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Dina’s calves were loose but her third leg was tight enough to ensure the GB sprint relay team won the bronze medal.

the GB team to 5th place in that, considering my rounds UK record in the womens’ the final, again behind Bolt’s didn’t go exactly as my coach 4x100m relay. Jamaica team, and I had planned. I pulled a These two outstanding Meanwhile Dina Asher fifth back and was mixing it performances exceeded all Smith, never one to be under until near the end. I was really expectations and although any illusions about meteoric happy and I’ll take that. they may not have won success, had already made For her the Olympic individual medals they have clear her attitude towards experience was as yet a age on their side and finding herself on the big stage learning curve as she grows in 2020 will be a very exciting so early in her senior career. maturity, in fact displaying a prospect. “I’m a really naturally positive much more mature approach person and we’re getting there. to relative success than those Wilf Orton And as a competitor I love to who have flattered to deceive run, I absolutely love running. despite premature glory. “This What attracted me to the sport year I’ve learned not to freak is the adrenaline rush you get out when I see other people do when you compete and that’s what they’re going to do.” always gonna be there for me.” Nevertheless there would Dina missed out on a medal be for her a medal later after after finishing fifth in the final she ran the tight third leg to of the 200m sprint. But she ensure that GB came home said: “I was quite happy with with a bronze medal and new Rio Olympics 2016 33 2016 Olympics… The President’s personal recollections

Unlike the London Olympics Appreciating Brazil holder at 800m and 1500m), of 2012 when many club When I look back, I realise and his wife Sonia, stayed in Air B&B accommodation members were able to that I was very lucky to visit Rio de Janeiro, who put on which worked out really well experience the thrills and an excellent Olympic Games. and was a lot cheaper, so atmosphere of the competition It was a fantastic show maybe they were the sensible and allowed the World to ones! It was great to do near to hand the 2016 some sightseeing with them, Olympics were an experience appreciate this wonderful city, the Brazilian people and their including visits to “Christ the reserved for relatively few. way of life. There were the Redeemer” and “Sugarloaf One of those was our club usual negative press comments Mountain” which have spectacular views of the City. president Bill Foster for before the Games started but the worries about security and whom the time spent in Rio the Zika virus disappeared, as and other places was also a everything ran smoothly and time to re-new old friendships there weren’t any mosquitoes. and associations with athletes I had never been to South against whom he competed America before, so took the opportunity to have a week’s against, and those he has holiday before heading to the influenced in coaching. Here Games. Two of the highlights Watching the competition are his memories of those were the visits to the 15th Century Inka city ruins at For the first time in the games. Macchu Pichu, in Peru, and Olympics, some of the the amazing Iguazu Falls on finals were held during the the Argentina/Brazil border. morning sessions and the women’s 10000m produced a I then arrived in Rio on 11th fantastic race on my first visit August in time for the start to the stadium. The weather of the Athletics programme, conditions were very good for staying in a small hotel that distance running, being cool was a short train journey from and not humid. The 10000m the Athletics stadium. The US is usually a slow tactical race Volleyball teams also stayed at major championships but President Bill Foster with friend in the hotel, to avoid the long Chris McGeorge on the beach. in Rio the Kenyan athlete journey from the Olympic Alice Aprot Nawowuna led Village, and their players made through the first 5000m in me feel very small at Breakfast, 14.46, and then Almaz Ayana with their women and men from Ethiopia took it on and towering over me! ran an amazing 29:17 World It was quite expensive, as not Record! The atmosphere built surprisingly the hotels were up as the race progressed and making the most of hosting people realised the record was the Olympics. My friends Chris possible - it was a great start to McGeorge (B&B Club record the Athletics. 34

Continued

Usain Bolt was definitely the cheer them on. I have been to star of the Games, winning watch seven Olympics, starting both the 100m and 200m with in 1988, and Rio has for the third consecutive definitely been the highlight Olympics. The stadium from a Blackheath and Bromley was always full when Bolt perspective! was competing and the Other Athletics highlights atmosphere was fantastic, he included the 5000/10000 double With Olympian Adam Gemili. always seems to be enjoying from and the amazing the experience and having I was pleased to be able to 400m World Record from a great time. I’m so lucky to Wayde Van Niekerk, in 43.03, I have been in the stadiums for chat with Adam after his heat and then, a few days later, to wasn’t expecting that! The 800m his three Olympic 100m Gold win by Kenya’s David Rudisha medal winning races. meet his parents and Elliya, his sister, for a couple of hours was another great performance, Supporting our stars in the executive lounge at the by an all-time great athlete. Adam Gemili ran brilliantly airport before our flight home! Many wonderful memories Jack Buckner invited me in to finish 4th in the 200m in I went to watch both Marathon as a guest, and it was quite an the same time as Lemaitre races which were held on a loop experience with Usain Bolt, from France, the bronze course along the roads close to the BBC commentary team medallist, losing out by three the beaches. The quiet roads and many other well known one thousands of a second provided a welcome change from athletes also on our flight. after the officials spent a the usual hustle and bustle of Rio long time studying the photo Dina Asher-Smith also had a life. Callum Hawkins has become finish. How unlucky was fantastic Olympics, coming a top class athlete, finishing in 9th that! It was great to see Adam 5th in the 200m and winning place, whilst in the women’s race doing so well although he a bronze medal in the 4x400m I was supporting Loughborough’s was understandably very relay, with the team setting a Sonia Samuels who also ran very disappointed to just miss new British record. These are well. a medal. Adam is still very incredible achievements for young and it is exciting to such a young athlete and it was think about what he could go great that John Blackie, her on to achieve in future Games. coach since she was 10 years old, was in Rio to witness these brilliant performances. I was so pleased to be in Rio to see Dina and Adam doing so well during my reign as Mr Douglas Wakihuri (above), the President! They both come over 1987 World marathon Champion so well in all their interviews and also the winner of the and press conferences. We are World Cup marathon which I very fortunate to have them as ran in in 1995, was in the members of Blackheath and stadium for some days and I had Bromley and I was able to get a good chat with him which I tickets for all of their races to really enjoyed. Rio Olympics 2016 Rio Olympics 2016 35

Roll of honour for Blackheath Harriers selected to compete in the summer olympics

Olympiad Name of athlete Event Performance 1908 TE Hammond 10 mile walk 6th Q/heat round 1 (1hr23) 1908 AH Healey 110m H SF, finished 2nd in heat 1908 SC Schofield 10 mile walk 6th Q/heat 2 (1hr21) 1912 CN Seedhouse 200/400m 3rd 200m SF, DNF 400m SF 1600 med relay Bronze medal in relay 1912 JT Soutter 400/800m Withdrew 800m for personal reasons Although I spent most of my 1600m med relay Bronze medal in relay time at the athletics, meeting 1912 FT Browne 200m up with various friends in 1912 RG Rice 100/200m 3rd SF 100m, DNF SF 200m the stadium each day, I did 1920 RA Lindsay 4x400m relay Gold medal also manage to get to see 1924 HB Stallard 800/1500m 4th 800m final Gymnastics, Volleyball and Bronze medal 1500m Triathlon. The Brownlee 1928 RD Bell 1 mile brothers took gold and silver 1928 H Dauban De Silhouette Javelin DNQ for final round medals in the Triathlon and 1932 EL Page 100m QF 100m it was brilliant to witness 4x100m relay Gold medal relay Yorkshire’s finest showing 1936 CA Wiard 4x100m relay Team 4th heat 2 the way home! Jack Buckner 1936 SC Wooderson 1500m DNF qualifying heats is the CEO of British 1948 J Braughton 5000m 8th in qualifying heat Triathlon and he invited 1964 JB "Kipper" Herring 5000m 6th qualifying heat 1 (14.07m) me to their “after party” at 1968 S Lightman 50k walk 18th in 4h.59m Copacabana beach, it was a 1968 DA Harris (Mantoura) Breast Stroke 1972 MT Coomber (Baldwin) 800m 6th in qualifying heat 2 very enjoyable evening. 1972 J Watts Discus 24th in final pool (b.53.86m) The Brazilian people really 1980 B McStravick Decathlon 15th with 7,616 points came to life when they won 1984 L "Buster" Watson 200m 7th in QF the football gold, that was 1988 MS Augee (MBE) Shot putt 17th qualifying round (17.31m) definitely the highlight 1992 MS Augee (MBE) Shot putt 14th qualifying round (17.80m) for the home nation. The 1988 J Stoute 200m Brazilians are not generally 1988 S Bailey 800m big track and field supporters 1992 DJ Marti High Jump 9th in final (1.91m) but there was an excellent 1996 DJ Marti High Jump 18th but didn't qualify for final atmosphere in the stadium, 1996 Tawanda Chiwira* 400m Reached QF even on the occasions when it 2000 J Golding 4x400m relay Selected but didn't run in heats wasn’t completely full. 2000 MR Steinle Marathon 56th in 2hr 54.42 2000 S Brice Womens Tri Did not finish I shall look back on my visit 2004 D Grant 4x100m relay to Rio with many wonderful 2008 M Douglas 100m QF in 100m memories - it was a great 4x100m relay Team DQ in final experience and a fantastic 2012 S Overall Marathon 61st in 2h 22.37 Olympic Games. 2012 A Gemili 4x100m relay Team DQ in round 1 2016 A Gemili 200m/4x100m 4th 200m F, Team 5th Final Bill Foster 2016 GR (Dina) Asher-Smith 200m/4x100 (B) 5th 200m F, Bronze medal relay * Representing Zimbabwe 36 The Parris Handicap 2016

times and actually won the handicap race in May in which the narrowest winning margin of one second was incurred The April race was won by Gerry Alger followed over the next 5 months by wins for Heath Griffin, Dave Leal, Ozzie Adams, John Leeson and Marc Knowles. The fastest man over the course was Angus Harrington in a time of 16:35 and the fastest lady was Amy Leach in 19:50. The monthly handicap race several regular juniors taking The course record remains at series started in 1993. It place and it's always great 15:13, which was set by Barry was renamed in 1998 after to see them turning up and Stephenson in June 2004. Roy Parris who sadly died running the fastest leg. The At the end of a great series of after an heroic fight against fastest race of the series was events the overall winner for cancer. This event is an apt won by Angus Harrington in 2016 was Ozzie Adams who tribute to Roy. Full details a time of 16:35. The fastest had improved considerably of Roy’s story can be read ladies time was run by another during the season, so very well in the Summer 2007 gazette. junior runner, Amy Leach, done. who finished in 19:50. This The event is a series of 5km year seven year old Heath Where would we be with without the handicap races, which take Griffin ran the race three organisers and time keepers? place every month between April and September. James Ingram won the very first race in a time of 18:45 and Graham Fee was the overall winner for that year. It is a testament to the success of this race that in 1993 the maximum number of runners in any race was 19 whilst 34 different runners took part in the series. We now regularly have over 30 runners turning out and 64 different runners made at least one appearance during the 2016 series. We had Athletics Report 37

Ozzie Adams taking time off his that Deniz Mehmed and Keepers Mike and Terri, rigorous editorial duties to complete a Gareth Griffin arranged for Recorders Steve Hollingdale, memorable winning of the Parris shield. every Wednesday night of The Denise King and Peter Lovell Parris Handicap. These BBQs and of course my wonderful His performances steadily proved to be enormously wife Sheila who takes the improved over the course of successful and attracted not entries and helps calculate the season and ranged from only the runners but also non- the winners at the end of the 17th to 1st with times ranging runners and guests alike. The evening. from 23.31 to 21.47. BBQ numbers increase every The first race of the 2017 Second, only three points time we hold them which series will be on Wednesday behind, was Adrian Stocks indicates how popular they 12th April at 7.15pm. with a dead heat for third are with everyone. They have place between Dave Leal and already indicated that they will Richard Griffin Paul Sharpe. run these events again for the The event generated over 2017 event so many thanks £450.00 profit and all the as not only is the catering proceeds were donated to The first class but our bar profits House and Social Committee increase considerably on these to be used for the benefit of nights! us all. These events could not take One of the big highlights of place without volunteers so the 2016 series were the BBQs many thanks to our Time 38 Dorando Pietri A modern Roman Olympic hero

Good heavens, he has fainted: is it possible that even at this last moment the prize may slip through his fingers? …. Then a great sigh of relief goes up....Thank God, he is on his feet again....There is a groan as he falls once more and a cheer as he staggers again to his feet....Again, for a hundred yards, he ran in the same furious and yet Pietri being helped over the finishing line at the 1908 Olympic Marathon. uncertain gait. Then again he Pagliani. A few days later disqualified after being collapsed, kind hands saving Pietri débuted in a distance helped over the finishing him from a heavy fall. race, finishing second in the line at the end of the 1908 3,000 meters of Bologna. The Olympic Marathon in following year he achieved London. The event was held Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle, the his first international success, on a hot summer day in the creator of Sherlock Holmes, winning the 30 km in Paris afternoon with temperatures writing for the Daily Mail and attaining the credentials reaching 91˚ Fahrenheit, had expressed it thus about needed to become a genuine enough to produce a the dramatic events of 24 July Olympic competitor. high level of fatigue and 1908 when an Italian distance On 2 April 1906 Pietri won dehydration later on. runner had entered the White the qualifying marathon Pietri began his race at a City Stadium aiming to win for the unofficial Olympic rather slow pace, but in the the Olympic Marathon. His Games to be held in Athens second half of the course name was Dorando Pietri. that same year. In the accelerated to move into Gaining a reputation Olympic race he retired due second position after 20 to intestinal illness when he miles, 4 minutes behind He had for four years been was leading by 5 minutes. gaining a reputation as a South African Charles In 1907 he won the Italian Hefferon. When he sensed highly promising distance championships, and was by runner. In September 1904, that Hefferon was struggling, then the undisputed leader Pietri further increased his whilst working as a shop of Italian long distance assistant, Pietri was attracted pace, overtaking him at the races from 5000 meters to 24 mile mark. to an event in Carpi in which marathon distance. the most famous Italian The effort took its toll and runner of the time, Pericle Going in the wrong direction with only two kilometers to Pagliani, was due to compete. He went on to compete on go, Pietri began to feel the Still wearing his work clothes, the official games in London effects of extreme fatigue and he ran to finish ahead of in 1908 and be famously dehydration. When he entered Feature 39

the stadium, he turned in protested and this was upheld this professional race. The the wrong direction to the with the gold medal going to first was Pietri, The other finish line and when umpires Hayes. However as a mark of competitor in the 1909 race redirected him, he fell down recognition for having been at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time. the would be winner, Queen He got up with their help, in Alexandria subsequently front of 75,000 spectators. presented Pietri with a special He was by now seriously gilded Cup. dehydrated and took 10 Turning professional minutes to finish the last 350 Following these games Pietri meters before being helped raced as a professional for over the line by two officials three years. His first income in first place. came from a collection Conan-Doyle continued… proposed by the Daily Mail He has gone to the extreme and organized in 1908 by of human endurance. No Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle Roman of the prime ever bore which raised the equivalent himself better than Dorando of £28,248 today to help of the Olympics of 1908. The Pietri set up in business Gardiner and Pietri line up at the start great breed is not yet extinct. as a baker. Pietri suddenly of the race. The runner-up was the became an international was C W Gardiner from American Johnny Hayes, less celebrity. Composer Irving London who won the race than a minute behind Pietri Berlin dedicated a song to in 2 hours 37 minutes. Pietri who had crossed the line him entitled “Dorando” and did not finish, dropping out in 2.54.46. The Americans he embarked on a tour of in his 24th mile. He had exhibition races in the United problems, having run in States, in a busy program of new shoes a mistake many 22 races of which he won people still make competing 17, including a race between in marathons today! The lap Hayes and himself on was boarded, with the boards 25 November 1908, in covered in coconut matting. Madison Square Garden, There were doubts expressed New York. Pietri won the race and many believed the as well as a second similar course was short. In fact the race on 15 March 1909. marathon distance had not properly been standardized A two horse race and would not be so until Another such event was a 1924, although the course for Marathon race that December the recent Olympic Marathon 1909 at the Royal Albert Hall. had effectively set the Loss of the gold medal was compensated There were just two runners distance of the marathon at by the award of a special gilded cup. at the Royal Albert Hall in 26 miles, 385 yards. 40 Feature Feature Continued The Intercalated Games

He continued racing and last of these was held in professionally in his native Mention having been made of 1906 and was subsequently country and abroad for two an unofficial Olympic Games renamed the ‘Intercalated’ more years and earned over held in 1906 it is worth Games. 200, 000 lira, a considerable mentioning what this was. The 1906 games would in sum in those days. He ran The Olympic Games are held hindsight be considered to be his final marathon in Buenos every four years in a leap year far better than the 1900, 1904 Aires, on 24 May 1910, where but in the early years of the and 1908 Games that were all he achieved his personal modern era it was envisaged spread over several months best of 2 hours 38minute that they should take place and linked to an International 48:2seconds. His final race every two years. Baron Pierre Exhibition. By contrast the was in Sweden and he then De Coubertin, the founder of format in 1906 was crisp and retired from Running in 1911 the modern games, apparently took just 10 days. For the at the age of 26 wanted the first Olympics first time teams paraded at an The anti climax to be in Paris but as is well Opening Ceremony and also, for the first time, flags were Pietri embarked upon a new known, they were first held in flown at medal presentations. career as an entrepreneur Athens in 1896. Other firsts were the Olympic and invested his earnings Village and march past during in a hotel which he opened That city wanted to be the parade. Although the in collaboration with his the permanent host of status of the intermediate brother. He was not as the Olympics, and having games was eventually successful an entrepreneur as successfully staged the games downgraded it has been he was athlete, and the hotel in 1896 they considered accepted that because of the went bankrupt. He moved to that, after the disappointing success of those games, the Sanremo, where he directed a hosting of the second Olympic movement was kept car workshop. Pietri lived in Olympiad by Paris in 1900, going at a time when it could Sanremo until his death, of a they should retain the have easily been abandoned heart attack, at the age of 56 honour. As a compromise it and discontinued. Many of It was a ignominious end to was agreed in 1901 that in the innovations introduced in a life of significant athletic the intervening years Athens Athens in 1906 were adopted achievement. Fortunately should host an intermediate into the official games. for those who love stories Olympics Games and so in Unfortunately the of unlikely heroes, such 1906 an Olympiad was staged intermediate Olympics had a achievements have not been there. short lifespan. There was no forgotten. At the time, the 1906 Games event in 1910 due to problems were approved by the IOC but in the Balkans and when the Hugh Stanbury they are not now considered outbreak of the First World to be part of ‘official’ War intervened the concept Olympic history. They had went into abeyance. 200 more competitors than St Louis in 1904 from 8 more Hugh Stanbury competing Nations. The first Feature 41 Blackheath Harriers in the 1930s

I Came across an interesting Sydney missed the 1938 Looking through old issues 1936 letter from Sydney who Empire games which were in of the Gazette a past wrote to the Club members Australia. You had to sail there president has discovered thanking them for paying for and back in those days which some interesting little gems his coach Albert Hill (himself took about 6 weeks each way. of club history. The 1930s a top International Athlete Why did he miss them? He and double Olympic Gold had his Law finals to sit. At was a promising decade Medallist) to go to Berlin that time he was anticipating for a club which seemed where he managed to stay in doing the 800/1500 double at destined to fade away only the Athletes Village and was the 1940 Olympics in Tokyo. ten years before. It was the “very useful”. Sydney referred His World Mile Record at time for emerging taltents to this as a great oversight by Motspur Park was on the first the AAA. Also stated what day of the Football season. such as Ernie Page and a wonderful experience the who A lot of money had been Berlin Olympics were. put into staging this meeting came to dominate that era. Albert Hill used to write in the and there was nervousness There were however other Gazette on training. The bit that about the size of the crowd lesser lights such as Ronald stood out was as follows: “One that would turn up. It all Philo who became Club run a week, which is the amount worked out OK with, at that Captain in 1937 and undertaken by a big majority of time, the best ever attendance the members, is hopeless and for a meeting at that venue. John Poole who was also will get you nowhere”. In 1930, Legendary Past President, a steeplechaser and Cross track training for the Club under Tom Crafter, was there. He Country man, scoring twice Albert took place at Battersea had also witnessed W G in the National team and Park! George’s World mile record achieving a best of 58th place. There was also L D Butler who was in the London Empire Games of 1934 (BH President at the time was Chair of the Entertainments Committee for those Games). But what else do the 1930 Gazettes contain?

Sydney Wooderson (raised centre) after setting the World Mile Record at Motspur Park gust 1937. 42

Continued

in August 1886 and led the buy three different brands of Indoor Athletics surprisingly Club Cry after Sidney had cigarettes at the Club. Annual featured in the 1930s and there broken the record with the Dinners were held at the is a record of the AAA Indoor words: “Gentlemen, this is an Waldorf Hotel and in 1929 a Championships in 1936. And occasion…” Tom was founder Diamond Jubilee Dinner was Veteran Athletics also gets of Kent County AAA and its held there. Marriages and a mention. A newspaper in first President, was also VP births were announced in India had a photo of a 70 year of Surrey Walking Club and the Gazette, the bride’s first old Marathon runner from kept the Club going during the name was always Blackheath Harriers. First World War given but never the The Walter Cups (presumably groom’s. Usually after Walter George) get a some humour few mentions. Wonder where was included at

The Swan, in West Wickham, hiding behind the Old Stocks Tree (above). The clubhouse buildings were derelict when discovered by the President as a potential HQ (left).

they are today. Another the expense of the Club In 1934 ‘Pole Jumping’ is distinguished member was the member, ie the groom (we referred to. League Athletics Earl of Dartmouth who was were all male then!). had started and we needed one of the oldest members. The AGM in 1933 was competitors for all events. He played Cricket for Eton attended by just 40 members. This event’s inclusion was and was President of the The editor was obviously considered most unfair but it MCC. disgusted and pointed out was hoped that the BH spirit There was also a meeting quite forcefully that the Club would prevail and that there on Coronation Day in 1937 had 753 members. Nothing would be plenty of volunteers and a moving poem was seems to have changed much to take part in this novelty and written on the death of the in 80 years although at recent somewhat precarious event. King in the previous year. AGMs with the all pervading Regular requests are made issue of the club’s intended There was also concern in for ‘artistes’ to perform at move to Norman Park the the 1930s that taking part ‘smoking concerts’, and, attendance has exceeded 50 in Athletics would shorten would you believe, you could members! your life! Much discussion in Feature 43

the 1930s about amateurism George Brooks, features quite the Bromley and District and professionalism and also prominently as does another Hospital was emptied and the use of psychologists. BH PP, Don Gillate. it contained £1.1/11d. The was considered to be one of The Club had moved to Hayes recipe for Punch for Punch the Clubs that had money in 1927 from the Swan at West Bowl evening is in the and could fund development Wickham. The Club address March 1933 edition. In 1932, of Athletics by a more was originally Station Road, congratulations were given to someone who escaped danger professional approach and the Hayes, then Station Road, on the water. W W Davis was establishment of Centres of Hayes, Bromley. Then Station on board a pleasure steamer Excellence. Road was changed to Bourne off Weymouth when it was Way and finally number 56 was The South London Harriers rammed by a submarine! A given to the Club. Incendaries HQ was bought and opened Rugby match against Park landed in the Club Car Park in the 1930s and there is House and Cricket against mention of a visit to Hayes during the 2nd World War. Addington. Encouragement by Gordon’s Mum, Mrs Pirie. Outside the Swan used to from a young spectator: Two of the mob matches from be a large tree. It was called “Daddy, they’re just starting that era against SLH had fields the ‘Old Stocks Tree’ and the low jump”. A Reference of 208 and 225. There were had been there for over 100 in a 1939 issue mentions many passionate entreaties in years. The Village Stocks were a “horrible blot on the the Gazette for people to turn beneath it. Sadly, it was cut landscape, the new Addington out for mob matches and a down in the 1930s so that road Building Estate” which note to members informing improvements could be made. was described as a “most them that it was “their duty” Hard to visualize this at such a distressing sight”. to support the Club at The busy junction in 2017! National Cross Country Other odds and ends include Mike Martineau Championships. Past President The collection box for

A club photo from the 1930s 44 Jack Broughton 1921-2016

After the race he changed and His first trophy was as Juvenile then caught the bus home Champion in 1935. When the for tea with his wife who club closed down he joined had not gone to watch him Grimsby Harriers for whom at Wembley as she was not he won the Eastern Counties particularly interested, but Junior Cross Country title in asked if he had enjoyed it. 1939. His mother even refused an He did some competition offer from a local newspaper during his army service in in Grimsby to take her down World War Two as a warrant to London. His games were Officer in India but hadn’t over. done any serious running for Despite this Jack remains some time when encouraged philosophical about his by Jacob his bearer he took performance. “I did not get it up again. After the war he “If I die tomorrow I have much out of it. I was just not went down to the Tooting had a good time. That’s fit enough. I ran much slower track in South London. than I did normally”. As he Having met some Blackheath what life is all about. Not latter commented “We didn’t Harriers including Charles to have won but taken really prepare ourselves for Wiand, he was persuaded the Olympics. We were beaten to join the club in 1947. He part”. by the teams who didn’t go to then met Sydney Wooderson war”. who was nearing the end As the story goes on July 31st Nor was he ostracised by of his athletic career. After 1948 Jack Braughton took his club. The Gazette for training against him at the the morning off work and September 1948 adjudged that Ladywell track at Catford he caught a No 12 Bus from the fact that even if “he did was noticed by Jack Crump Peckham Rye and then a tube not come through his heat the British team manager who to Wembley. He was going to reflects no discredit: he ran ranked him fifth best on merit race in heat one of the 5000 very well but like the other in Britain. He then competed metres for Great Britain at the English runners found himself against Wooderson in the 1948 Olympic Games. Although unable to sustain a pace such National XC championships this would be the greatest as he had never encountered. finishing 28th in a race which track event he would take part Let him rest assured that the Wooderson won as his swan in, all he can remember was club thinks very highly of song on the competitive stage. “I just went in to register and him.” But of course Jack will be did my race and went. It was The long journey to his 14 best remembered for the just another athletics meeting minutes of fame commenced 5,000 metre heat at the 1948 to me”. He came eighth in as a junior for Cleethorpes Olympics in which he had his heat and ran the 3 miles Harriers in the 1930s. He difficulties obtaining leave in under 14 minutes, but chose running over a possible from work in which to failed to qualify for the final. career with Grimsby Town FC compete. At the time of the Olympiad he was working as a building site manager and the fact that he had been selected for the Great Britain team did not universally attract much support. As he recalled to the Gazette in 2012 “I had no time off work so was not able to attend pre-games training”. those who came His boss in the building firm after him. would not even give him time He gained his selection for off for the games. Telling the Olympic team by finishing his story to Athletics Weekly in the top three in the Open in 2011 he said “The team Championships at the White manager got in touch with City Stadium. His training for him and was told that ‘if he the games varied, consisting wants to run, he runs in his of distance for stamina own time not mine’. I asked or repetitions of routes at him and he said the same”. various speeds with emphasis In the end he took two days on stride patterns. He asked off unpaid. There was no the B.A.A.B for a coach help with training or food but they couldn’t supply parcels and no special diets him one so he would rely on were available; this was just advice from such athletes as after the War and austerity Sydney Wooderson although defined these games, especially he did not agree with all of “His 14 minutes of fame.” for countries such as Great his recommendations for a his previous) and finished Britain struggling to recover training program prior to fourth behind Dutchman from the loss and damage the games. Training time was Wil Sliijkhuis. Other personal of six years of war. In issue when not at work such as bests included 2:36.44 for the 658 of the Gazette covering weekends and evenings, Poly Marathon in which he the Summer of 2012 I ran After the 1948 Olympics finished 6th and 13:51.10 for a feature article called ‘The he was to compile many the Southern 3 miles, both of Games they are a-changing’ achievements. He won the which were held within a week which compared the various Surrey 3 miles title and held it of each other in 1955. By now Olympic experiences of four until 1952 being succeeded by he was being trained by Franz athletes at different eras of Gordon Pirie. At the AAAs Stampfl the famous Austrian Olympic competition after the 3 miles championships he athletics coach who also War. Jack’s own experience ran a lifetime best of 14:24.4, trained Roger Bannister and was certainly in contrast to (20 seconds better than pioneered interval training. 46 Obituary

Continued

But there would be club, and he was described He remained fit, keeping up disappointments too: he did as having the kind of action his training by racing between not run in the Inter-Counties normally associated with lamp posts or jogging around for his then county, Surrey Finnish track runners. He his local park, although rather and was never picked for also became well known for amusingly a neighbour seeing them. The team manager his distinctive trademark him out one day remarked “he George Pallett doubted bobble hats. doesn’t seem to be getting any his fitness despite the He remained a senior figure faster”! If he wasn’t going out overwhelming evidence in in the club and continued sprinting or jogging he could his current form. There running actively until he was keep fit by going ballroom were offers for him to step 80 when, as he said, he ‘ran dancing four times a week. up his training program and out of opponents’, competing In 1980 he was made a vice particularly an offer from the in vets championships and president and became active in AAA to go to New Zealand was an ever present in the the management of the club for six months but he had to London marathon during its being a director of BHHQ refuse it “I could not afford to first years. He could still be a Management and Norman take six months off. You had winner in his age group for Park track management. to be able to afford it”. instance in March 1991 when His has been a long life His best years came in the he was first V70 in the 5km where he seems to have early 1950s when he was at the BVAF National Vets been prepared to face its end rated as the most outstanding championships at Ampthill with equanimity. “If I die distance track runner for the when he was aged 70. tomorrow” he said at 90, “I have had a good time. That’s what life is all about. Not to have won but taken part”. He survived his wife Marjorie and perhaps a fitting final word are those which were read out at his memorial service in December last year.

Our love is anchored in my heart which means we’ll never be apart In time the sun will shine once more and all the pain that’s gone before will surely then subside and leave a warming glow inside.

Club Post-Olympic dinner 2012. Jack, the standard bearer of a long gone age passing the torch to a new generation. Obituary 47 Gordon Hickey 1932-2016

As there were many other didn't seem to get bombed was sources of information about his hotel. Therefore despite Gordon Hickey which are yet being one of the top jumpers to be tapped the following in the country he never gained is a brief resume of his an International vest. The achievements . A full obituary only times he competed will appear in the next gazette. abroad were with the Club Gordon Hickey will always be on tours to Switzerland and remembered as the veteran Northern Italy. shot putter who dominated Hickey had always put the shot his event over many years, at in Club matches but in his 40’s, different levels apart though as his spring deserted him, he from international, gaining a began to take the event more host of titles including British seriously. “I cleared 1.81 as an Record holder for the M70’s over 40, 1.75 as an over 45 and shot, and setting plenty of 1.70 as an over 50 but then my records in the process. hips just went” He won his first National Shot What he enjoyed was the wide Put title when he was an over variety of throws competition 50 and has set British Records available. He has set a in all age groups up from British record for the throws there. Since turning 40 it’s decathlon and was a dab hand something like “10 high jump at the Greek discus which titles and 14 for the shot.” is basically doing a standing Before his 40th birthday throw with an overweight however he was better implement. “If I do a spin known as an accomplished in the Southern League with high jumper. The Highlight the 2kg” he remarked “it goes of this career was winning about 25.10. When I do the the Southern title. He standing throw it goes about constantly cleared 6 feet 2 25.00 which shows how good inches, although perhaps it my turn is!” was unfortunate that work Even to the end he was commitments prevented bluntly philosophical about him from going higher or his achievements. “ It’s not training specifically for the a case of how good you are event, partly due to his job it’s more a matter of whether as a film and tape editor you are still alive. You may be with ITN. Nightshifts every the most talented athlete in other weekend and travel the world but it’s no good if could intrude. He recalled an you’re pushing up daisies” assignment in Belfast in 1970 where the only thing that Mike Martineau 48

Executive Committee 2016/17 Past Presidents

President: Existing Past Presidents of Blackheath Harriers AC: Bill Foster Alan J Brent (1966/7), Peter J G Baigent (1971/2), John R Baldwin (1975/6), Immediate Past President: Colin M Brand (1978/9), Brian G Stone (1979/80), Ian C Wilson (1981/2), David Cordell IPP Derek L Gregory (1986/7), Alan M Pickering (1992/3), Steve H Cluney (1994/5), Chairman of Committee: David White (1995/6), Mike J Mahoney (1997/8), Chris R Haines (1998/9), John Baldwin PP Richard J Coles (1999/2000), Mike Davies (2000/1), Mike Peel (2001/2), Pat Calnan (2002/3). Hon Secretary: Existing Past Presidents of Bromley AC: (to 2003) Hanna Cordell VP Daphne Reed, Joyce Hepher, Junior Field, Paul Jearum, Maureen Miller. Hon Treasurer: Past Presidents of Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC: John Robinson David Appleton VP (2003/4), Margaret Baldwin (2004/5), Anne Cilia (2005/6), Ken Daniel Chairmen of Active Athletics: (2006/7), Les Roberts (2007/8), Tim Soutar (2008/9), Alison Brand Summer – Tim Soutar PP (2009/10), Richard Coe (2010/11), Denis Lawrie (2011/12), Steve Hollingdale Winter – Robert Cliff PP (2012/13), Robert Cliff (2013/14), Dick Griffin (2014/15). Chair of Finance: David Cordell (2015/16) Stephen Hollingdale PP Vice Presidents Chair of Communications: Wilf Orton VP Existing Vice Presidents of Blackheath Harriers AC: 3 ordinary members: George H Smith (1960), John E Lindblom (1962), Derek F E Hogg (1964), Tony Adrian Stocks VP V Hayday (1968), Richard J Edmonds (1969), Robert Richardson (1969), John Daniel Ryan Lissaman (1972), Barry M Shapcott (1973), Geoff R Last (1974), Frank C Rogers Maz Turner VP (1976), Frank J Dyter (1977), Jerry C W Friend (1977), Andy W Frankish (1979), Chair of Development: Peter E Shepheard (1979), Peter C Hannell (1980), Mike A Winch (1981), Ian Paul Byfield VP K Young (1982), Gordon Brooks (1986), Simon Parsons (1990), Jim Phelan Sponsorship/Fund Raising: (1990), Nigel Keogh (1991), Trevor Llewelyn (1991), Nick Brooks (1992), Mark Vacant I L Watling (1993), Steve J Freemantle (1995), R Colin Poole (1995), Alan R House and Social: Stevens (1995), Peter A Long (1996), Nick Nuttall (1997), John E Turner (1997), David Cordell Peter Lester (1998), Garry F P Spencer (1998), Bill Clapham (1999-2013), Mike Membership Secretary: J Cronin (1999), David Liston (2000), Roger A Michell (2000), Brenda Brent Rob Brown VP (2001), Paul Byfield (2001), Roger Counter (2002), Len Dalmon (2002), Roy Smith (2002). Track & Field Secretary: Wendy Daniels Existing Vice President of Bromley AC: Cross Country Secretary: David Green. Vacant Vice Presidents of Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC: Editor: Wilf Orton John Blackie (2003 ex BAC), Willem Buttinger (2003 ex BH), Ian Dibbens 020 8771 1128 (2003 ex BAC), Hilary Gibbs (2003 ex BAC), David Taylor (2003 ex BH), Simon Tolson (2003 ex BH), Myrtle Augee (2004), Julian Golding (2004), Helen [email protected] Godsell (2004), Simon Lloyd (2004), Anthony Pontifex (2004), Brian Power Assistant Editor: Ozzie Adams (2004), Nick Gasson (2005), Brendan McShane (2005), Brian Hartley (2006), 01689 835392 Paul Patten (2006), Kate Pratten (2006), Michael Skinner (2006), Ray Gibson [email protected] (2007), Richard Holt (2007), Mark Purser (2007), Rob Brown (2007), Bob Layout & production: Peter Rogers Minting (2007), Costas Karageorghis (2008), Tom Phillips (2008), Terri Shotton 020 7635 9035 (2008), Andy Tucker (2009), Roy Watkins (2009), Allan Williams (2009), David [email protected] Appleton (2010), Peter Lovell (2010), Steve Pairman (2010), Colin Rowe (2010), Paul Austridge (2011), Con Griffin (2011), Deniz Mehmed (2011), Wilf Orton Club Headquarters (2012), Hanna Cordell (2013), Mick Jones (2013), Mike Sheppard (2013), Dave McKinlay (2014), Alex Gibbins (2014), Richard Hall (2014), Jane Bradshaw Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC (2014), Julie Asher-Smith (2014), Marion (Maz) Turner (2015), Sheila Griffin The Sydney Wooderson Centre (2015), Jackie Montgomery (2015), Adrian Stocks (2015), Tim Ayres (2015). 56 Bourne Way, Hayes Claire Austridge (2016), Shaunagh Brown (2016), Andy Rayner (2016), Steve Bromley, Kent BR2 7EY Timmins (2016). Photographs John Baldwin: p4 Bill Foster: p1-3, 5-7, 33-35 Jay Galley: p9-10, 12-14, 16-21, 24-30 Mike Peel: p36-37, 44, 46-47 Marilyn Reardon: p15 Peter Rogers: p45 John E Turner: p8 (bottom right)

The editing team wish to express their thanks for all those who contributed articles and photographs for this issue. The editorial team make every effort to correctly identify and credit all the photographers but occasionally this is not possible. If you took a photograph but haven’t been credited please let us know and we will publish the details in the next Gazette.