BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 45

BMC
NEWS
Official Journal of the
British Milers Club
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 7
SPRING 1999 10.00

Paula Radcliffe
breaks
Commonwealth
10,000m record

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:06 pm

Page 2

The British Milers Club

Contents ....

sponsored by NIKE
Founded 1963
BMC VISION 2000
to strive to win all four middle distance gold medals for Britain in the 2000
Olympics and at each successive games

OFFICERS
President
Chairman
Vice Chairmen
National Secretary
Treasurer
Membership Secretary
National Committee

Honorary Auditor

Lt Col Glen Grant

Dr Norman Poole
Maureen Smith
Matthew Fraser Moat
Peter Thompson,
PO Box 34, Tewkesbury, GL20 5YF
Pat Fitzgerald, 47 Station Road,
Cowley, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3AB
William Anderson, 49 Paulsgrove Road,
North End, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO2 7HP
Frank Horwill, BMC Founder 1963,
Tim Brennan, Val Brandon, Liam Cain,
Ian Chalk, Peter Coe, Mike Down,
David Iszatt, Steve Mosley, Philip ODell,
and all Race Organisers.
Mike Rezin

TRAINING

Page

Dave Moorcroft - analysis of a champion Norman Poole

6 - 12

The Evolution of Women s 800m

Frank Horwill

24 - 25

Horses for Courses

Mike Gratton

27

Running with Steve - a retrospective

Matt Patterson

The Dunn Test

Lindsay Dunn

33

Pulse Rates related to VO2max

Frank Horwill

33

30 - 31

RACE ORGANISERS
1999 BMC NIKE GRAND PRIX
BMC Directors
Tim Brennan
Steve Mosley
1999 BA ENDURANCE INITIATIVE
BMC Director
Mike Down
1999 GOLD STANDARD MEETINGS
Stretford
Mike Harris
Watford
Tim Brennan (Men)
Pat Fitzgerald (Women)
Loughborough
George Gandy
1999 REGIONAL SECRETARIES
Scotland
Brian McAusland
Wales
Steve Mosley
Northern Ireland
Malcolm McCausland
East
Philip ODell
Midlands
Maurice Millington
Steve Edmonds
North East
Phil Hayes
North West
Mike Harris
South West
Mike Down
Chris Coleman (Cornwall)
Southern Counties
Ray Thompson (Rosenheim)
John Sullivan (Finsbury Pk)
Dave Arnold
(Tonbridge)
Chris Carter
(Brighton)

01628 415748
01222 306733
0117 973 3407
0161 499 1901
01628 415748
01895 234211
01509 230176
01567 830331
01222 306733
01504 349212
01234 852038
0121 353 8273
0121 561 4399
01207 570161
0161 775 0719
0117 973 3407
01736 740616
01737 554450
0171 790 1961
01732 355539
01273 503446

JOURNAL
BMC News is published twice yearly in April and November by the British
Milers Club. BMC News is distributed free to all members. Non-members can
subscribe for 20 per annum.
BMC News Editor
Matthew Fraser Moat,
Ripple Court, Ripple, Deal, Kent, CT14 8HX.
Technical Editors
Peter Thompson and Frank Horwill
All material published in BMC News is copyright of the British Milers Club
except where articles have been reproduced from other sources and a credit has
been given. We request an acknowledgement for any material reproduced from
this journal.
The training articles expressed in this journal do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of the National Committee. They are published as part of the BMCs
policy of a liberal approach to diverse training theories.

SPECIAL FEATURES
IAAF Code of Ethics for Coaches
1998 Sub 4 Register
Focus on the Future
All Time Women s Statistics
Sub 4 Best Marks by Venue
IAAF Standard format for training
1998 Endurance Initiative Report
BMC Constitution

Peter Thompson
Bob Sparks
Tony Ward
Matthew Fraser Moat
Bob Sparks
Peter Thompson
Mike Down
1998 AGM

16 - 18
19
20 - 21
26
28 - 29
32
34 - 35
42 - 43

REGULAR FEATURES
Chairman s Notes
BMC National News
BMC Senior Records
1998 UK Merit Rankings
BMC Junior Records
Your Letters
BMC All-Time Rankings
1999 BMC Fixtures

3
3-5
5
13 - 15
20
22 - 23
36 - 40
41

Cover picture by Allsport

BMC QUALIFYING TIMES

(from 1st January 1999)

MEMBERSHIP
Membership is limited to athletes who have achieved the required qualifying
times, and to Coaches. Associate membership is granted to those possessing
special qualifications likely to benefit the club.
Members receive the BMC News twice a year. They are eligible for reduced
entry fees to BMC races and courses, preference in BMC race-seeding and travel
expenses to certain BMC races. Members are eligible to wear the BMC White
Vest. Members with the BMC Gold Standard are eligible to wear the BMC
Gold Vest.
All applications to join the BMC should be sent to the Membership Secretary
with a cheque for 25 (30 overseas) stating vest size and enclosing an A4 SAE.
Annual subscriptions of 15 (overseas 20) are due 1st January each year and
should be sent to the Treasurer.

MEMBERSHIP Entry Standard

Senior Men
Under 17
Veterans

800m
1:56.0
2:10.0
2:10.0

1,500m
3:56.0
4:30.0
4:30.0

3,000m
8:30.0
n/a
n/a

5,000m
14:45.0
n/a
n/a

Senior Women
Under 17
Veterans

2:20.0
2:25.0
2:25.0

4:45.0
5:00.0
5:00.0

10:15.0
n/a
n/a

18:00.0
n/a
n/a

GOLD Standard

MERCHANDISE
BMC vests (gold/white - S/M/L/XL - 10), BMC T-shirts (S/M/L/XL - 10) and
BMC ties (5) are available from the membership secretary. William Anderson.
Back issues of BMC News (2.50 each) are available from the Treasurer, Pat
Fitzgerald. Please make all cheques payable to The British Milers Club and
enclose an A4 SAE.

Men
Women

1:52.0
3:49.0
n/a
n/a
2:12.0
4:30.0
n/a
n/a
(the Gold Standard times were the BMC membership times prior to 1995)

INTERNET

Men
Women

1:49.0
3:43.0
n/a
n/a
2:05.0
4:20.0
n/a
n/a
(the Elite Standard times are how we judge the success of Vision 2000).

BMC Web Site

BMC E-mail

http://www.british-athletics.co.uk/bmc/
[email protected]

ELITE Standard

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:06 pm

Page 3

BMC News....News....News....
CHAIRMANS NOTES
by Dr Norman Poole
We have witnessed a number of fine British endurance performances
this winter both indoors and particularly over the country.
Congratulations to Jon Brown and Paula Radcliffe for further consolidating their world class status and also to those athletes who have made a
major breakthrough this winter, athletes such as Eddie King, Amy
Waterlow, Sam Haughian and David Heath. It is such breakthroughs which
we all hope will be reflected in performances on the track this summer.
As we are all aware, the BMC has continued to develop its
relationship with PAS whilst maintaining its strong identity. For
example, although we strive to aid the athletic journey of our top
athletes, the BMC remains committed to all athlete and coach
members. As such we continue to organise training and educational
events throughout the UK and the most recent, a training day
organised by Chris Coleman and Frank Horwill in Redruth,
Cornwall, was particularly well rewarded by the attendance of 40
BMC NIKE GRAND PRIX
The 1999 BMC NIKE Grand Prix will once
again be run on similar lines to previous years.
The Grand Prix meetings are:
Wed 9th June
Wed 23rd June
Wed 14th July
Wed 4th Aug
Sat 21st Aug

Wythenshawe GP
Watford GP
Solihull GP
Cardiff GP
Glasgow Final

There are three Grand Prix categories, Men,

Women and overall, covering 800m, 1,500m and
1 Mile.
There will be four Grand Prix meetings and a
Grand Prix Final.
At each GP meeting there will be four events,
M800, W800, M1500, W1500. At the Grand
Prix Final, the 1,500m will be replaced by a Mile.
The overall prizes in the combined mens and
womens Grand Prix are: first 1,000, second
600, third 400, fourth 200, and fifth 100.
There will be total prize money of 250 for
each event at each meeting - first prize being
100, second 75, third 50 and 4th 25. An
athlete that wins events at all five rounds of the
Grand Prix could therefore win 1,500.
In addition, a bonus of 100 will be paid to any
BMC member who breaks and still holds the
BMC members record at the end of the season,
with a winning performance at a BMC NIKE
Grand Prix Meeting.
GRAND PRIX SCORING
Points can be scored at any distance in the four
BMC NIKE Grand Prix meetings and the final,
the best four meeting scores counting towards
the overall mens and womens Grand Prix. An
athlete may also include one score from a BA
Endurance Initiative race that takes place at a
BMC NIKE Grand Prix meeting.

BMC News : Spring 1999

enthusiastic athletes and coaches.

Although new training ideas are always welcome it is the tried and
tested methods that will always prove to be more popular with our
members. Consequently a number of articles on our former greats and
their training will be appearing in this and in future issues of the BMC
News. We start in this issue with Ovett and Moorcroft. Their pbs are still
world class today and Dave Moorcroft remains the UK record holder at
5,000m.
These athletes, and indeed most of our greats developed their careers
with a commitment to a long term relationship with their coaches. The
article in this issue on the Code of Ethics for Athletes and Coaches is
concerned with an ingredient for athlete success which is rarely discussed.
This is the mutual respect and responsibility which must be equally shared
between athlete and coach.
To all of our member athletes and coaches I wish you success
this summer and look forward to meeting up with you at our BMC
competitions.

The points system will be the same as last year.

Equal points will be available for time and
position, 21pts being the notional maximum
for each category.
First place will count 20 points, 2nd place 19
points, 3rd place 18 points down to 1 point for
20th place. Positions will be decided on time,
taking all races in account, but the winner of any
race, A, B, C etc., will get a 1 point bonus.
Time points will be awarded as follows:
M800
W800
M1500
W1500
M Mile
W Mile

21pts
1:46.0
2:00.0
3:36.0
4:05.0
3:54.0
4:25.0

step
1
/2 sec
1 sec
1 sec
2 secs
1 sec
2 secs

1pt
1:56.0
2:20.0
3:56.0
4:45.0
4:14.0
5:05.0

The 21 points level is approx. world Top 50

standard and the 1 point level is our BMC
entry standard. Times will be rounded down
to the step below that time, thus an 800m in
1:47.7 would score 17 points and 1:55.7 would
score 1 pt.
GRAND PRIX ENTRIES
All BMC Members are eligible and encouraged
to enter the BMC NIKE Grand Prix, and are
encouraged to vary their events. Athletes are
asked to register with the meeting organiser 8
days before the event. As start-lists and seeding
will be done 72 hours before the meeting, Grand
Prix entries will not be accepted on the day.
Entry fees for members are 2 per race. Nonmembers and members behind with their
subscriptions will be allowed to run but their
entry fee will be 7 per race. Non-members are
not eligible to win a prize in any of the overall
Grand Prix categories.
Limited overseas athletes are encouraged to

run - care will be exercised to ensure that they

enhance rather than distort the meeting.
Overseas athletes are eligible to join the BMC as
Associate Members.
GRAND PRIX SEEDING
Race seeding will be done by the meeting
organiser in conjunction with the BMC
Committee. In case of dispute, current BMC
merit rankings will be used.
Promising U23 athletes will be given priority
in the seeding and any athlete that wins the B
race in a BMC NIKE Grand Prix meeting will be
given the option to run in the A race in the next
round.
Members who are behind with their subscriptions are unlikely to get priority in the seeding!
LONDON MARATHON ENDURANCE
INITIATIVE
Norman Brook has asked Mike Down to coordinate the race programme for the Endurance
Initiative, working mainly within our BMC race
programme.
The LMEI Grand Prix will therefore be held
during the following meetings:
Wed 9th June
Wed 23rd June
Wed 14th July
Wed 4th Aug

Wythenshawe GP
Watford GP
Solihull GP
Cardiff GP

Points will be scored on the same basis as the

BMC National Grand Prix. as follows:
M3000
W3000
M5000
W5000
M10000
W10000

21pts
7:40.0
8:50.0
13:20.0
15:00.0
27:40.0
31:40.0

step
21/2 secs
5 secs
5 secs
10 secs
10 secs
20 secs

1pt
8:30.0
10:30.0
15:00.0
18:20.0
31:00.0
38:20.0

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:06 pm

Page 4

NIKE to sponsor the BMC ...

GRAND PRIX FINAL
The BMC NIKE Grand Prix Final will be held at
Glasgow on Saturday 21st August. Events will
be 800m and one Mile and points can be scored
towards the overall BMC NIKE Grand Prix in
the same way as other rounds. To qualify for the
A race in your chosen event, you should be:
i
in the Top 10 of the overall Grand Prix
standings after the 4th meeting, or
ii
have won an A race at any of the previous
Grand Prix meetings.or
iii have run a BMC Elite (see page 2)
standard in that event at any of the previous
Grand Prix meetings
Remaining places in the A races will be
decided on the current national rankings. It is
highly likely that, like last year, the Grand Prix
Final will incorporate the BMC Championships.

Woodford Green John Sullivan

0171 790 1961
Sutcliffe Park
Ron Allison
0181 858 9380
Midlands
Steve Edmonds 0121 561 4399
North East
Phil Hayes
01207 570161
East
Philip O Dell
01234 852038
Cornwall
Chris Coleman 01736 740616
Wales
Steve Mosley 01222 306733
Scotland
Brian McAusland01567 830331
N Ireland
Malcolm McCausland 01504 349212

OVERALL RACE PROGRAMME

Our 1999 Race Programme is designed to build
on the successes of last year and will be once
again in three tiers:
i
BMC NIKE Grand Prix;
ii
BMC Gold Standard Meetings;
iii BMC Regional Races
Following on from their successful launch in
1997, in addition to the above the BMC are
continuing their two series of invitation races:
i
BMC Mile of Miles;
ii
BMC Record Breakers.
For further details see below.

The BMC will put up further prize money of

100 for U23s and juniors, male and female, for
the most wins (in their own age group)
throughout the summer.

GOLD STANDARD MEETINGS

Put on in conjunction with the promoting clubs,
these meetings take place every two or three
weeks to provide high class races in preparation
for championships and the BMC NIKE Grand
Prix. These meetings are open to all members but
BMC Gold Standard members, i.e. sub
1:52/3:49/ 2:12/4:30, will find the A races paced
appropriately.
Mike Harris
Tim Brennan
Pat Fitzgerald
Loughborough George Gandy
Stretford
Watford

0161 775 0719

01628 415748
01895 234211
01509 230176

These meetings will always include high

quality 3k races. The Stretford races will also
include 1,500m and 2,000m steeplechases.
REGIONAL RACES
For BMC members, i.e. sub 1:56/3:56/2:20/4:45
(M800/M1500/W800/W1500) athletes, paced
BMC races will take place at the following
venues:
Rosenheim Lg. Ray Thompson 01737 554450
Finsbury Park John Sullivan
0171 790 1961

BMC MILE OF MILES

Local sponsors have provided prize money for
Mile races in the Mile of Miles including
bonuses for performances under 4:00 (men) and
4:40 (women).
15th August
28th August
29th August
30th August

Mile
Mile
Mile
Mile

Carn Brea
South West
South West
South West

BMC RECORD BREAKERS

The Record Breakers series will attempt to set
new BMC Records as follows:
4th April
8th August

2,000m
800m

Carn Brea
Brighton

Other events may be added at short notice

within the Watford and Stretford meetings if
athletes so request. Prize money of 100 will be
awarded for each race where a new BMC
members record is set, provided that the record
still stands at the end of the season.
Mens records are currently:
M600
M1000
M1200
M2000
M4000

1:17.8
2:19.4
2:57.0
5:11.0
11:03.2

Andrew Hart 1998

Andrew Hart 1997
Paul Williams 1978
Walter Wilkinson 1972
Rob Whalley 1998

Womens records are:

W600
W1000
W1200
W2000

1:29.4
2:44.9
3:23.4
6:12.4mx

Linda Staines 1997

Jo White 1980
Christine Ward 1977
Dianne Henaghan 1998

It is recognised that some of these records are

soft and therefore the 100 will be split
between all athletes that record a time inside the
mark listed above. To enter, please register with
Matthew Fraser Moat on 01304 379777 or the
local race organiser.
BMC CHAMPIONSHIPS
As in 1998 it has regrettably not yet proved
possible to find a suitable weekend date to hold
the BMC Championships in a heats and finals

format in 1999. If a suitable date emerges,

members will be informed by letter, but at the
moment BMC Champions for 1999 will be the
athletes who set the fastest times in the 800m and
Mile races at the Grand Prix Final in Glasgow.
1999 NATIONAL TRAINING DAY
It is intended to hold this in October 1999. For
further details please contact Frank Horwill on
0171 515 3472.
NATIONAL ENDURANCE WEEKEND
The seventh National Endurance Weekend will
take place in November, venue TBA. For
further details please contact Normal Poole on
0161 980 8358.
1999 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
& CONGRESS
This will be held in the autumn, probably in
conjunction with one of the above events. For
further details please contact Peter Thompson on
0131 317 7320.
BMC E-MAILING LIST
To receive news of BMC events and full BMC
results as they happen throughout the summer,
BMC members on E-mail can join the BMC
Mailing List. To subscribe to this free of charge
service please send an e-mail to Matthew Fraser
Moat at [email protected].
1999 SUBSCRIPTIONS
The 1999 AGM increased subscriptions by 5
from the 1999 season to ensure financial stability
of the clubs administrative operations.
Subscriptions at the increased rate were due
on 1st January 1999. If you have not already
paid by standing order or direct debit, please
could you send your cheque for 15 (20
overseas) made payable to the BMC, together
with any change of address, to the BMC
Treasurer Pat Fitzgerald.
RECOMMENDED INTERNET SITES
i.

ii.
iii.

iv.

v.

http://www.british-athletics.co.uk/bmc/ - our own

BMC site which now gets about 2,000 hits a
month.
http://www.ukathletics.org/ - the new official web
site for UK Athletics.
http://www.british-athletics.co.uk/ - the unofficial
web site for British Athletics, hosted by C.
Zacharides.
http://tilastopaja.vservers.com/ - Mirko Jalava s
site - the best site for ranking lists as the season
progresses.
http://www.hkkk.fi/~niininen/athl.html - Petri

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:06 pm

Page 5

into the new millennium

vi.

vii.

viii.

ix.
x.
xi.
xii.

xiii.

Niininen s site lists world junior records and

national records.
http://personal.computrain.nl/eric/m800/ - Eric
Roosendaal s site which lists men s 800m
statistics.
http://usuarios.iponet.es/acarras/athletics/
1500.html - Antonio Carrasco s site which lists
men s 1,500m statistics
http://www.algonet.se/~pela2/index.html - Peter
Larsson s site which lists all-time track and field
performances.
http://members.aol.com/trackceo/index.html Ken Stone s Masters Track & Field site.
http://wso.williams.edu/listserv/tfselect/ - holds
the archives from the track & field mailing list.
http://members.aol.com/WelshAths/ - the
unofficial site for Welsh Athletics
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/
jhscholes/ - the site for Trafford AC and our races
at Stretford
http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~rsparks/ - Bob
Spark s Web Site contains all British Records
and houses the Association of Track and Field

Statisticians (ATFS) home-page.

xiv. http://public.logica.com/~grosetim/runtrack.htm Tim Grose s UK Running Track Directory.
xv. http://www.2000athletics.penrith.net.au - Sydney
2000 Track & Field Training Site

RECOMMENDED SERVICES
i.
ii.

iii.

iv.

v.

Leisure Pursuits Group, for warm-weather

training trips. Telephone 01256 471016.
Body Language II, custom competition and
training apparel for clubs and individuals.
Contact Lesley Graysmark on 01452 619486.
Athletics International, for the best coverage of
international results. Write to Mel Watman, 13
Garden Court, Marsh Lane, Stanmore,
Middlesex HA7 4TE.
Peak Performance, a technical athletics journal.
Write to Peak Performance, 1st Floor, 5
Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London
EC1B 1HH.
Ultrafit Magazine, a bi-monthly journal on all
aspects of fitness. Write to Simone Kiburn,
Ultrafit Magazine, Champions House, 5 Princes

Street, Penzance TR18 2NL, phone 0l736

50204.
vi. Sports Tours International, for warm-weather
training trips. Write to Vince Regan, Sports Tours
International, 91 Walkden Road, Walkden,
Worsley, M28 5DQ or phone 0161 703 8161.
vii. Len Lewis, for an excellent second-hand, noobligation, book-search service. Please ring
any evening 01938 552023 or write to Len
Lewis, 3 Aubet Drive, Guilsfield, Welshpool,
Powys, SY21 9LX.
viii. Phil Young, Sports and Clinical Massage
Therapist. Massage threrapist who attended the
BMC Warm Weather Training camp in Portugal.
Highly recommended by the athletes he treated.
Based in the Oxfordshire area. Contact: 01235
832663, mobile 07775 944726

NEXT ISSUE
The next issue of the BMC News will be published
in November 1999. Please send all articles to
Matthew Fraser Moat, Ripple Court, Ripple, Deal,
Kent CT14 8HX by 31st August 1999.

British Milers Club Records (as at 1st May 1999)

BMC Members Record

BMC Record

BMC Club Record

by a paid-up BMC member

in a BMC race

by anyone
in a BMC race

by a paid-up BMC member

in any race world-wide

Men
M600
M800
M1000
M1500
M Mile
M2000
M3000
M 2 Mile
M4000
M5000
M10000
M3000SC

1:17.8 Andrew Hart 1998

1:46.7 James McIlroy IRE 1998
2:19.4 Andrew Hart 1997
3:37.5 Anthony Whiteman 1997
3:56.35 Anthony Whiteman 1996
5:11.0 Walter Wilkinson 1972
7:51.4 Rob Whalley 1997
8:34.5 Ian Gillespie 1997
11:03.2 Rob Whalley 1998
13:41.08 Rob Whalley 1997
29:49.2 John Lisiewicz 1994
8:43.36 Craig Wheeler 1998

1:17.8 Andrew Hart 1998

1:45.2 * Patrick Ndururi KEN 1997
2:19.4 Andrew Hart 1997
3:37.5 Anthony Whiteman 1997
3:56.35 Anthony Whiteman 1996
5:11.0 Walter Wilkinson 1972
7:51.4 Rob Whalley 1997
8:34.5 Ian Gillespie 1997
11:03.2 Rob Whalley 1998
13:28.6 * Mizan Mehare U20 ETH 1998
29:32.8 * David Taylor 1997
8:38.5 Sammy Nyamongo KEN 1998

1:15.0+ Seb Coe 1981

1:41.73 Seb Coe 1981
2:12.18 Seb Coe 1981
3:29.77 Seb Coe 1986
3:47.33 Seb Coe 1981
4:53.06 Jack Buckner 1987
7:32.79 David Moorcroft 1982
8:13.51 Steve Ovett 1978
10:28.7+ David Moorcroft 1982
13:00.41 David Moorcroft 1982
27:30.3 Brendan Foster 1978
8:18.91 Roger Hackney 1988

Women
W600
W800
W1000
W1500
W Mile
W2000
W3000
W5000
W10000

1:29.4 Linda Staines 1997

2:01.93 Diane Modahl 1998
2:44.9 Jo White 1980
4:10.7mx Sonya Bowyer 1996
4:30.77 Joanne Pavey 1997
6:12.4mx Dianne Henaghan 1998
8:58.2x Joanne Pavey 1998
15:50.59 Angela Davies 1998
34:44.9 Heather Heasman 1997

1:29.4 Linda Staines 1997

2:00.7 * Shireen Bailey 1985
2:44.9 Jo White 1980
4:10.7mx Sonya Bowyer 1996
4:30.77 Joanne Pavey 1997
6:12.4mx Dianne Henaghan 1998
8:58.2x Joanne Pavey 1998
15:47.9 * Andrea Wallace 1990
33:33.7 * Theresa Duffy IRE 1997
* denotes non-member

1:26.5 Kirsty Wade 1985

1:57.14 Kelly Holmes 1997
2:32.55 Kelly Holmes 1997
3:58.07 Kelly Holmes 1997
4:19.41 Kirsty Wade 1985
5:37.00 Christine Benning 1984
8:37.06 Wendy Sly 1983
14:51.27 Paula Radcliffe 1998
30:40.70 Paula Radcliffe 1999

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:06 pm

Page 6

Dave Moorcroft - analysis of a champion

An analysis of his training by Norman Poole
Introduction
David Moorcroft was a consistent world class
athlete over 1500m and 5000m during the
mid-1970s and 80s. During this time he won a
number of medals at major games on the track
and was equally proficient with his performances over the roads, country and indoors. In
this sense he was an all-round performer and
one of the few to successfully bridge the
transition from world class 1500m to world
class 5000m performances.
At the peak of his athletic powers, in 1982,
David broke the world 5000m record in Oslo
with a time of 13:00.41 and set his best ever
times for 800m, one mile, 1500m and 3000m.
As is the case for a number of his contemporaries, he would surely have offered the sport
even more great performances but for injuries.
David has always remained an active athlete
and retained his renowned enthusiasm for
athletic challenge. This was highlighted in
1993 when he set a vets world record of 4:02
for one mile.
During April of 1994 I first began to discuss
his career and training methods with him and
then studied his training diaries in which he
meticulously recorded all of the training he
performed. Although his diaries start in 1966,
when he was aged 13, and continue to the
present day, I concentrated on the period 1966
to 1982 when David broke the world 5000m
record. For me this was a fascinating opportunity to gain a detailed insight into the development of an inexperienced young athlete
through to world class 1500m performer and
on to a world record-holder over 5000m. I

then went on to study Davids training during

his build-up to the vets world one mile record.
Since May 1969, when he was 16 years of
age, David has been coached and advised by
John Anderson who has planned and devised
all of his training. On a number of occasions
during 1994-5 I met with John to discuss
Davids career and training, to more
accurately interpret his methods and present a
summary of his approach and philosophy to
training/ coaching world class middle distance
athletes.

The early years

David first started to run competitively at
school in 1964 and joined Coventry Godiva
Harriers later the same year. His club were
very orientated towards road and cross country
and were very much endurance based. Such
notable distance stars as Basil Heatley, Bill
Adcocks, Juan and Dick Taylor were
competing for Coventry Godiva at this time
and a particularly inspiring moment for the
young David Moorcroft was the silver medal
performance won by Basil Heatley in the 1964
Tokyo Olympic Games marathon.
Understandably
at this stage of his
career Davids ambitions were to follow in the footsteps
of Heatley and be a
marathoner. The
early years of Davids competitive
experience were at

cross country with the track season viewed

almost as an incidental of minor importance
between cross country seasons.
Coached by Reg Payne from 1964-66 and
Mick Crossfield from 1967-69, Dave ran only
4-5 days per week and rarely above 25
miles/week until 1968. Most of these training
sessions were steady runs or fartlek and the
occasional hill session; with very little
experience, either in training or competition,
on the track. During these early years the
major aim for his cross country season was the
English National Schools Championships,
where he finished 86th in 1966 and a highly
creditable fifth in 1967, both at junior level.
During 1968, weekly training was consistently
above 25 miles/week but no particular consistency or great improvement in race performance was forthcoming.
During these embryonic stages of his
athletics career David, as previously
mentioned, rarely ventured on to the track.
During 1968 and the early stages of 1969,
David realised that he had to increase considerably the volume of his training if he were to
improve and realise his athletic ambitions.

Table 1
Sunday (1/11/70)
Monday
am
pm
Tuesday
am
pm

Wednesday

am
pm

Thursday

am
pm

Friday
Saturday

Rest
Race

12 miles steady
51/2 miles easy
31/2 miles steady
30 mins fartlek
3x220yds + 2x330yds + 660yds +
2x330yds
3x220yds
(recoveries not recorded)
5 miles easy
4x660yds + 6x150yds
(recoveries not recorded)
30 mins fartlek
30x220yds
(recoveries not recorded)
Birmingham League Cross Country
3 miles, Youths. Position 1st.

Weekly mileage 48 approx.

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:06 pm

Page 7

Dave Moorcroft - analysis of a champion

Mick Crossfield, knowing that a greater
coaching
experience
was
required,
approached John Anderson, the National
Athletics Coach for Scotland and coach to the
Coventry based middle distance international
Sheila Carey, to help David.
John, initially reluctant to coach a young
athlete who lived geographically remote from
him, started to advise David by correspondence in May 1969. He immediately introduced an increase in weekly training mileage
to 32 miles, interval training at a higher
intensity level than David had previously
experienced, speed work and a clearer
structure to the monthly development of
training. It is interesting to note that in May
1969, aged 16 years, David had written in his
training diary that he was 5ft 6 5/8 tall and
weighed 81/2 stone.
In fig 1 I have plotted the average weekly
training mileages performed by David during
each winter season November-March from
1965/6 to 1981/2. I have also shown the
average value for the most critical period, as far
as a forthcoming track season is involved, from
January-March inclusive. Johns impact on
training mileages is demonstrated by the
dramatic increase from 25-30 miles/week
during the winter of 1969-70 to that of close to
50 miles/week the following year when David
was aged 17 years. David was obviously
capable of handling this increase and demonstrated a greater consistency in his racing
performances for the first time. A typical weeks
training in this period is given in table 1.
David was introduced to training twice per
day for the first time during the winter of
1970-71. Although training at this time
emphasises the endurance elements of basic
winter work, it also reflects one of John
Andersons key practices of including
practical elements of running at various speeds
in an individual week regardless of the season.
In the given example from November 1970 we
can see interval sessions in the 1500-3000m
pace range built upon an endurance base.
In Fig 2 I have plotted the annual progress in
Davids personal best performances from 1965
to 1982. It is interesting to note the large
improvement in 800m and 1500m personal
best in 1971 which followed the first major
increase in winter training mileages. Other
features of these curves will be examined later.
It was during the early part of the summer of
1971 that John first began to lay down the
foundations of track training which David
would establish over the coming years.

BMC News : Spring 1999

Overleaf I have
given a typical two
week period of
training
during
April/ May (see
table 2).
As can be seen
from this training
David continued to
carry
certain
endurance elements
of training into the
early stages of the
summer season.
This was coupled
with a greater range
of pace work
particularly in the
range 400-1500m.
It was also apparent
and confirmed for
the first time in his
early career that
David had international
potential
over 5000m from
his excellent result
in the National
Road Relay after
just passing his
18th birthday.
In Figs 3 and 4 I
have plotted the
number of competi-

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:06 pm

Page 8

Dave Moorcroft - analysis of a champion

tions which David experienced during 196682 and the corresponding number of days in
which no training was performed during the
major seasons January-mid April, and mid
April-mid September and mid September to
end December. It is interesting to note that
David experienced an average of 46 competitions per year, or almost one per week, during
the years 1966-73 when he was aged 13-20
years. It was this relatively high number of
competitions which enabled David to learn the
craft of racing and to develop and focus his
competitive mind when it mattered. From the
age of 15 years onward, approximately 50 per
cent of these competitions were run during
summer months mid April-mid September.
Many of these low key local meetings and
league matches or school competitions, which
were utilised as competitive training sessions,
were won by David.
In terms of the number of days with no
training, Fig 4 exhibits a number of interesting
features. During the period 1966-69 inclusive,
most of these lost days were deliberately
designed into the training schedule of the
young Moorcroft. From 1970 onward the
greater number of training days proposed by

John Anderson are immediately obvious.

Similarly, serious losses of training due to
injury and illness, as in 1977, are also
apparent.

Periodisation
During the period 1964-May 69 as has been
previously mentioned Davids main focus of
attention was the major Area and National
schools/clubs cross0country Championships.
From may 1969 John reorientated Davids
major aims towards the national Schools and
Clubs track Championships held during the
Summer months. Winter cross-country
Championships were viewed more as a guide
to Winter endurance progress than as a major
aim. Since John Andersons training methods
also involved elements of quality work
during these Winter months David also often
competed indoors and outdoors in Australia
and New Zealand, once again the indoor
season was never seen as a major aim.
As a senior athlete therefore David
Moorcroft could be seen in principle to adopt
a single periodised year with his main aim to
be at a peak of fitness for the National and any
other major Summer track Championships

which may occur. Each year, apart from those

where a Commonwealth Championship
occurred during a British Winter, could be split
into 5 major periods. These are given below in
approximate terms and would be adjusted to
take account of previous injuries, and
associated training loss, and the dates of major
Championships.

Period 1
November-December (8 weeks) Endurance
Development
Each year after a rest and recovery period
during late September and October David
would gradually increase weekly training
mileages from early November to a maximum
of 70-80mls by late December. This would
usually consist of steady running, 1 or 2 fartlek
sessions per week and between 2 and 3 low
key races during this 8 week period. David
was at no stage approaching maximum weekly
mileages during this period and consequently
very few rest days were required.

Period 2
January-March (13 weeks)
Consolidation

Endurance

During this period of Winter

training
maximum
weekly
mileages would be increased to the
range of 90-100mls. This level of
training was usually maintained
for blocks of 3-5 weeks before
taking a 1 week recovery/rejuvenation break. During this easier
week training mileages would be
reduced to the range of 50-70mls
to meet Davids specific recovery
requirements at that time. A typical
training week for this period of
approx. 100mls is given in table 3.
It is immediately obvious from the
table that Davids training during
Jan-March is highly orientated
towards the development of a
sound aerobic/endurance base
with the bulk of his mileage
covered at sub-maximal aerobic
pace. Over the years David and
John experimented with the pace
of the evening steady runs.
increasing the pace and therefore
the fatigue levels meant reducing
the distance run. Reducing the
pace did allow greater mileages to

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:06 pm

Page 9

Dave Moorcroft - analysis of a champion

season and his transition from 1,500m to
5,000m outdoors when he travelled overseas.
be run but for David there was also a dimin5,000m racing can be seen as a gradual develEach year from 1977-1982 David spent several
ished training effect. When coupled with the
opment over a number of years and seasons.
weeks in Australia/New Zealand during the
two quality track sessions shown both David
As previously mentioned Davids training
endurance consolidation period Januaryand John determined that the optimum pace
was adapted in principle to a single periodised
March. Although the main aim was to train in
for the steady runs was as shown. David
year but the competitions in Australasia during
the much warmer climate as previously
actually stated that he avoided performing
January-March would suggest that it could be
mentioned he did compete in the Australian
steady training runs with certain athletes
viewed as a double periodised system in
summer track meetings. These warm weather
simply because they ran much more quickly.
trips of up to eight weeks
What worked for them did not necessarily
in duration would incorwork for me and vice-versa.
Table 2
porate as many as six track
As previously mentioned one of the unusual
competitions. Although
features of Davids training st this time of the
Sunday (25/4/71)
11 miles steady
principally 1,500m/1ml in
year was 100mpw coupled with two speed
Monday
am
30 mins fartlek
distance
David
did
endurance track sessions at a speed slightly
pm
5x500m hill climbs
occasionally compete over
slower and slightly faster than 1500m r race
Tuesday
am
5 miles steady
pm
4x600m (recoveries not recorded)
the 800m and 3,000m
pace. At this time occasional sessions of 8 x
in 87.7, 87.5, 89.5, 92.5 + 6x150m
distances during the years
300m (3 mins recovery) in 38.5/42.5 were also
Wednesday
am
20 mins fartlek
1977-1979. During the
performed. The two track sessions shown, ie.
pm
6 miles fast
UK track seasons 19804-5 x 1000m (7 mins recover) and 4 x 600m (3
Thursday
am
50 mins steady
1982 David began to
mins recovery) + 6 x 150. (90 seconds
Friday
Rest
prepare and compete more
recovery) are termed as key sessions by David
Saturday
Ran short leg of National Road
seriously over 5,000m. It
and John. The standards of these sessions
Relay (3.1 miles) in 14:27 (the day s
fastest time) and brought team from
is important to note that he
would also give them an excellent guide to
9th to 1st
had previously been
Davids potential capabilities in various types
Sunday
20 mins fartlek
successful in his ventures
of middle distance competitions.
Monday
am
5 miles steady
at this distance during his
Both athlete and coach found this level of
pm
6x6x110m on road
winter visits to Australasia
quality work overriding a significant
(recoveries not recorded)
of 1980-82, 3rd in 13:29.4
foundation of endurance as essential for an
Tuesday
pm
1st in 800m race in 1:53.1
and 1st in 13:29.1 and one
athlete who wishes to compete at international
Wednesday
am
45 mins fartlek
pm
4x600m + 6x150m
competition in 1981 with a
level in track endurance and middle distance
(times and recoveries not recorded)
1st place in 13:36 and two
events. John believed that his athletes were
Thursday
am
4 miles fast
winning outings during
better prepared for change of pace, or compepm
8x300m (recoveries not recorded)
1982 in 13:36 and 13:37.
titions which were fast in their early stages, by
Friday
am
3 miles easy
David obviously did not
incorporating this mixture of 1500m pace
Saturday
1st in 800m race in 1:55.9
just develop his 5,000m
work during the endurance consolidation stage
racing ability during the
of training ie. January-March, rather than
Weekly training mileage: Week one: 50,
Week two: 37.
relatively short British
introduce this element of quality work at a
later pre-competition stage of the
training cycle.
Table 3
During the 1970s John developed
the view that athletes who run
Distance Pace
Distance
Pace
Type of session
slowly for long periods of time in
Sunday
14mls
6mins+/ml
3mls
6mins+/1ml
loosener
the absence of speed would
Monday
7mls
5m 50sec-6m/ml 4*600
1500 or faster
speed endurance
ultimately have a greater capacity
(5 min recovery)
86/88 sec
for running quickly if they practiced
800m jog
change of pace
speed under conditions
elements of speed training
(90 sec recovery) or aceleration
of fatigue
throughout the year. Today John still
Tuesday
7mls
6 mins+/ml
8mls
22 in 33 sec
fartlek
maintains this view and has
200 in 45 sec
extended his belief that all elements
Wednesday 11mls
6-61/4 mins/ml
5mls
5 3/4 min/ml
sub maximal aerobic
continuous run
of training should be incorporated
Thursday 7mls
6 mins+/ml
5-6*1000
slower than
endurance
into a training schedule to a greater
(7 mins recovery) 1500 pace
or lesser extent throughout the year.
2:30/2:35
David also preferred not to stray
Friday
10mls
6-6 mins+/ml
6mls
5-51/2 min/ml
sub maximal aerobic
far from such speed elements of his
continous run
training during the winter months
Saturday 4mls
6 mins+/ml
8mls
200 in 33 secs
fartlek
since he regularly competed over
200 in 45 secs
1,500m indoors and over 1,500-

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:06 pm

Page 10

Dave Moorcroft - analysis of a champion

practice. Both David and John
Pre-1981: Preparing principally for 1500m competitions, April-May
pointed out that although he was
Table
4
competing in track competitions
during January-March the training,
Distance Pace
Distance
Pace
Type of session
aimed at a peak for a UK summer
Sunday
10-12mls 6mins+/ml
season, was never compromised.
Monday
5mls
6mins+/ml
5 mls
22 in 33 sec
fartlek
If not competing overseas during
200
in
45
sec
the period January-March David
Tuesday
6mls
6 mins+/ml
8mls4*600
1500 pace
speed endurance
preferred to compete in cross(5 mins recovery) 84-86 secs
country or indoor events every two
Wednesday 6mls
6 mins/ml
5mls
5 3/4 -6 min/ml
sub maximal aerobic
weeks. Cross-country competitions
continuous run
were never viewed as a major aim
Thursday 6mls
6 mins+/ml
600
800 pace
endurance
(10 mins recovery) 78.5
800m maintenance
by David or John but were used as
300
400 pace
more of a useful measure of Davids
36.1
400m maintenance
endurance capability and the most
Friday
6mls
6 mins+/ml
5mls
6 min/ml
endurance
strenuous form of competitive
maintenance
endurance training. In March 1981
Saturday
9 mls
6 mins/ml
endurance
David finished an outstanding 4th in
maintenance
the National having arrived back
from New Zealand only one week
Table 5
before. As these results and the consistently
identical but the following page illushigh average training mileages performed
trates what could be considered as
Sunday
am
7mls steady
during January-March 1981-82 of Fig 1 show,
typical when he was principally a
(11/4/82)
pm
1) 4 x 600 (5 mins recovery)
David had developed his best ever consistent
1,500m runner.
in 85, 83.8, 84, 83.8
2) 5mls steady
pre-season endurance training at this stage of
As can be seen from table 4 of
Monday
am
10mls steady
his career. This is further confirmed by the
training the 1,500m speed endurance
pm
5mls quite fast
corresponding low number of training days
sessions have now progressed in
Tuesday
am
7mls steady (a bit tired)
lost during this period as shown in Fig 4.
terms of speed and 800/400m
pm
6 x 1000 (7 mins recovery)
David only significantly eased off his
sessions have been introduced. Since
relaxed times not recorded
training during January-March for such major
the 800m and 400m training volumes
Wednesday am
5mls steady
distance races as the English national crossare not very high I have referred to
pm
8mls fast (legs are heavy)
Thursday am
5mls fast
country champs in which his highest placing
them as maintenance sessions.
pm
8 x 300 in 42.40 and then inside
was 2nd in 1976. This does suggest that he did
During this period David also
40 2mls warm down (reocveries
recover from his high training loads relatively
regularly included another key
not recorded)
quickly although he does admit that occasional
session of 3-4x 1,000m (7mins
Friday
am
7mls steady (feel weak)
poor competition performances also infer that
recovery). the times performed for
pm
9mls steady (still quite tired)
he pushed too close to the limits of his capabilthese will also have progressed to
Staurday
am
8mls steady
ities at times.
2:26-2:28.
pm
5mls steady (pretty tired)
It is significant and interesting to
Weekly mileage: 100 mls
note that if David was performing his
Period 3
major quality training sessions particApril - May (9 weeks) Pre-Competition
Sunday
am
15mls steady (feel ok)
ularly quickly John would occasionpm
1000 (2:28:6), 600 (85.4)
ally plan the following weeks training
Training during this nine week pre-compe1000 (2:27:7), 600 (83.9)
without track work. This he felt was
tition period would normally consist of two
(recoveries not recorded)
of importance if David was to
major four week blocks of work separated by
Monday
am
7mls steady
pm
8mls steady
maintain his level of fitness throughone week of easier running as similarly
Tuesday
am
5mls steady
out the forthcoming season.
described for period two. Mileage was
pm
5
x 1000 in 2:29, 2:28, 2:28, 2:27,
Although particularly stressful
reduced to a maximum of 90mls/week and
2:28
track work may have been removed
low key competitions such as road relays and
Wednesday am
7mls steady (a bit stiff)
from such "easier" weeks, the total
local club track races would be used every 1-2
pm
7mls steady
distance run would still be mainweeks. John Andersons approach to training
Thursday am
5mls steady
tained at 80-90mls when preparing
during this period was for the quality or speed
pm
7mls steady
Friday
am
5mls steady
for 1,500m, i.e. pre 1980/81 and 80of the major track sessions during each four
Saturday
National road relay, long stage run
100mls thereafter.
week block to show an improvement, i.e. they
in a record of 24:27 (5 1/2 mls)
From 1980/81 onwards when
were to be progressive.
David was preparing for both 1,500m
Due to the nature of these competitions it is
Weekly mileage: 100 mls
and 5,000m races, as opposed to
incorrect to describe each week of training as

10

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:06 pm

Page 11

Dave Moorcroft - analysis of a champion

Table 6
Sunday (25/7/82)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
am
pm
Friday
running
Saturday

am
pm

5th in AAA 800m Final in 1:46:64

travelled to Hengelo
1st in 1500m 3:33:69
15mls steady
5mls steady
4 x 600 (feeling tired) run 87 secs
(recoveries not recorded)
5mls steady (not feeling good)
7mls steady with al bit of hard

am
pm

6mls steady
7nls steady (feeling weak)
1982

Weekly training mileage: 60mls

Sunday (25/7/82)am
pm

Monday
Tuesday

am
pm
am
pm

Wednesday

am
pm

Thursday

am
pm

Friday

am
pm

Saturday

14 mls steady with laat 3-4mls hard

4 x 600 in 85.3, 84.8, 84.8, 84.0
followed by 6 accelerations (recoveries not recorded)
7mls steady
5mls steady (feeling pretty weak)
6mls steady
600 in 87.0, 1000 in 2:26:3
600 in 85.3, 1000 in 2:24:8
600 in 83.7, plus some accelerations
(recoveries not recorded)
7mls steady
10mls steady (feeling tired towards
the end)
7mls steady
5mls fartlek (ran hard in places, bit
tired towards the end)
5mls steady (ran hard in places)
5mls steady
1st in Empire British Games 2000m
in 5:02 (fast last lap)

Weekly mileage: 88mls

1,500m only, the training did change during

period three, April-May.
These modifications to training included an
increase in weekly training mileages of 510mls and a general increase in both the
volume and regularity of the longest track
sessions, i.e. the 1,000m reps.
In table 5 I have shown the training noted by
David during the two weeks prior to his record
breaking national road relay run. I have also
included his written comments.
There also were occasions when David and
John had to plan for a late season peak or the
need to maintain good form through to
September/October. This was the case during
1982 when David had to prepare for the
European championships 5,000m in Athens
final on September 11th and the Brisbane
Commonwealth games final on October 7th.
For such late season events period three would

BMC News : Spring 1999

be extended for another 24 weeks to mid or late

June. In 1982 this was
certainly the case when
David achieved weekly
mileages of 83, 90, 90 and
83 miles during June.

Period 4

June -Mid Sept (16 weeks)

competition
During this phase David
would average almost a
competition per week.
A number of these competitions inevitably required a lot of travelling
and apart form the few competitions he
viewed as serious his training was a fine
balance between a) achieving his immediate
competitive aim and b) maintaining his level
of fitness.
This inevitably meant that the training was
seriously altered from that previously
described. Rarely did he perform more than
one track session per week during this period
and in the week prior to a major race he may
not perform a single track type session at all.
In order to maintain his aerobic fitness levels
weekly mileages may still reach 85-90mls if
he either did not race or competed in what he
and John considered a non serious competition. It is interesting to note that he ran 83
miles and ran one speed track session of 8 x
300 during the week prior to his pb mile of

3:49:3 in Oslo in 1982.

To further illustrate this point table 6 details
the training which David performed during the
week of and the week following the AAA
800m and the Hengelo 1500m which he won
in 3:33:69 also in 1982.

Period 5
Mid-Sept-End Oct (6 weeks) Recovery

The Later years

As previously mentioned David remained an
active athlete for many years after his record
breaking feats focussing on the road and the
relays in particular. Although as he admits the
lack of a clear competitive aim in these later
years did cause his enthusiasm to wain at
times. Approaching his 40th year on 1993
David was spurred on by the challenge of
achieving a fast mile time as a vet. During the
weeks prior to the start of the 1993 Summer
track season David did not allow himself to
become too serious about the possibility of
achieving the vets world 1 mile record since he
had experienced a number of illnesses which
had reduced his training. As we know the final
weeks of training prior to the Les Jones
Memorial mile race in Belfast on 19/6/93 did
progress extremely well and resulted in a Vets
World record of 4:02:53 and a fitting reward
for the many years of hard dedicated work
which David had given to his training.
I thought it would be of great interest to note
the training David could achieve in his 40th
year and to determine how this had been

11

BMC

April 1999

7/6/99 9:15 am

Page 12

Dave Moorcroft - analysis of a champion

modified from that previously charted during
his peak years. Below I have listed a number
of the more important features of his training
from the beginning of 1993 through to the
4:02:53 mile.

6.

7.
1.

Training mileages were reduced by an

average of 20 mls per week during the
whole of 1993.
Maximum mileage achieved was 80mls
per week
The average Jan-March weekly mileage
was only 54 miles due to a number of bad
colds causing training to be missed.
When occasionally feeling very tired
David would miss a training session or
even a particular day of training instead
of training through it as he had in the past.
Due to the reduced training mileages the
number of days/week with 2 runs would

2.
3.

4.

5.

8.

9.
a)
b)

typically be 3 with a maximum of 5.

A typical training week would still
consist of 3 repetition sessions but 1 or
even 2 of them would not be performed
on the tack.
Throughout 1993 David very rarely ran
the 3-5 x 1000m (7 mins recovery)
session.
David still maintained the sessions of 4-6
x 600m (5 mins recovery) and 4 x 6 x 300
fast with several mins recovery.
The following 2 sessions were regularly
introduced:
10 x 400 (60 secs recovery) and
2-3 x 1 mile (3-5 mins recovery).

As previously mentioned Davids training

really began to improve in both standard and
consistency form the middle of May 93 as the
progress of the 4 x 600m session, in Fig. 5

shows. When this improvement was coupled

with an average weekly training mileage of
64.5mls during the 6 weeks prior to the
4:02:53 it was obvious that David was in
excellent shape. The continued improvement
in Davids form during the week following
this fast mile does suggest that he was ready to
run much faster. Unfortunately illness
prevented him from achieving this.
Fig. 5 also indicates the times which David ran
for the 4 x 600m training session during his
peak year of 1982. The contrast between the 2
curves is quite striking. Davids excellent
times during his stay in Australasia in Feb 82
are obvious as is the time gap of only 4 secs
between the best and the worst times achieved
throughout the year. As David pointed out to
me at 40 years of age it is harder to train for
a peak of performance and you also lose the
training effect more quickly.

John Anderson the Coach

Additional facts and items of information
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

10.
11.

12.

12

Date of birth: 28.11.31

Since his early years, John Anderson has been a highly competitive individual who represented Scotland at
football as a schoolboy and went on to play at the highest amateur level until 1962.
Was a keen ball games player throughout his early life and also represented Scotland at tennis.
Only involved in athletics periodically during his school days and occasionally trained for the sprint events
with Victoria Park Harriers aged 15-17 yrs.
Was a school physical education teacher until 1964 and it was through this profession that he started to
coach athletics in all events in 1959.
Was a founder member of Maryhill Ladies AC
Became a full time AAA National Coach in all events in 1964 and in 1965 was appointed as the first ever full
times Scottish AAA National Coach.
Has coached athletes to International level in all track and field events but has focussed particularly on the
middle and longer distances since the mid 1960 s.
Prior to meeting David Moorcroft in 1966 John had been sending basic middle distance training schedules
to youth coach and physiotherapist Mick Crossfield at Coventry Godiva Harriers who had requested assistance in this area. At the same time John was also coaching Shelia Carey of Coventry who went on to finish
5th in the 1972 Olympic 1500m final and break the UK record.
John has always based his training methods on a sound physiological foundation and has continued over
the years to maintain his knowledge of the latest developments in sports physiology.
In the early years as a coach John came to the view that athletes who run slowly for long periods of time in
the absence of speed would ultimately have a greater capability for running quickly if they practiced
elements of speed training throughout the year.
John still believes the above to be true and has extended this view to his belief that in essence all elements
of training should be incorporated to a greater or lesser degree throughout an athlete s annual training
cycle.

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

7/6/99 9:15 am

Page 13

1998 UK Merit Rankings

by Peter Matthews
This is the 31st successive year that I have compiled annual merit rankings of
British athletes. As usual these are an assessment of form during the outdoor
season. The major factors by which the rankings are determined are win-loss
record, performances in the major meetings, and sequence of marks.
I endeavour to be as objective as possible, but form can often provide
conflicting evidence, or perhaps an athlete may not have shown good enough
results against leading rivals, or in very important competition, to justify a
ranking which his or her ability might otherwise warrant.
I can only rank athletes on what they have actually achieved. Much depends
on having appropriate opportunities and perhaps getting invitations for the
prestige meetings.
Difficulties also arise when athletes reach peak form at different parts of the
season or through injury miss significant competition. Increasingly, also, many of
our top athletes are competing overseas instead of in domestic meetings, which
makes comparisons of form difficult.

1:46.87; 2 Dublin, 1 BMCWyth, 2 BMCBattPk,

1 Tallinn, 4 Nice, 1 GhG, 4 ECh, 6 Brussels

MEN 800M
1

Andy Hart 13.9.69 (3y, 4) 1:46.36 1997 1:45.71, 1:46.19,

1:46.77, 1:47.0, 1:47.0, 1:47.13; 3 BMCBattPk, 3 ECp, 5
GhG, 7 BGP, 1 Tooting, 4h ECh, 1 BMCSolihull, 6 WCp,
5 CG
2
Bradley Donkin 6.12.71 (2y, -) 1:48.25 1996
1:46.86, 1:47.5, 1:47.65, 1:48.32, 1:48.3, 1:49.01;
3 AAA v LC, 4 CAU, 4 Ljubljana, 3 Leeds,
2 North, 5 Cork, 7 AAA, 1 BMCWatford,
3 Tooting, 6 CG
3
Jason Lobo 18.9.69 (3y,11) 1:47.29 1997
1:47.48, 1:47.74, 1:47.96, 1:48.21, 1:48.23,
1:48.41; 2 AAA v LC, 4 Leeds, 2 Istanbul,
2 BL1 (3), 4 GhG, 1 AAA, 8 BGP, 6s2 CG
4
Grant Graham 27.12.72 (2y, -) 1:49.2 1996
1:47.85, 1:48.13, 1:48.94, 1:49.25, 1:49.60,
1:49.73; 1 CAU, 6 Ljubljana, 1 Scot, 2 AAA,
10 BGP, 5h CG
5
Paul Walker 2.12.73 (4y, 3) 1:46.4 1997
1:47.91, 1:48.53, 1:48.68, 1:48.82, 1:48.85,
1:49.1; 5 Ljubljana, 2 Stockholm, 2 Scot, 3 Celle,
1 BL1 (3), dnf AAA
6
Eddie King 26.11.75 (2y, 7) 1:48.22 1997
1:48.51, 1:48.95, 1:49.01, 1:49.38, 1:49.71,
1:49.74; 4 BMCWyth, 2 Leeds, 1 Tonsberg,
3 BMCCardiff, 3 AAA, 3h3 CG, BL1: 1,-,-,1
7
Phillip Tulba 20.9.73 (1y, -) 1:49.88 1997
1:48.31, 1:48.43, 1:48.71, 1:49.2, 1:49.38,
1:50.07; 1 BMCSwindon, 6B Oslo,
2 BMCCardiff, 4 AAA, 4 BMCWatford
8
Matt Shone 10.7.75 (1y, -) 1:50.2 1997
1:48.33, 1:48.39, 1:48.6, 1:49.21, 1:49.63, 1:49.8;
2B BMCWyth, 5 Leeds, 7B BMCSwindon,
1 Welsh, 4 BMCCardiff, 1 IR, 6 AAA,
2 BMCWatford, 3 BMCSolihull, BL3: 3,2,1,9
Chris Moss 17.6.79 (1y, -) 1:49.98 1997
1:48.43, 1:48.77, 1:49.78, 1:49.92, 1:50.09,
1:50.3; 1D BMCWyth, 2B BMCSwindon,
1 AAA-J, 3 JIvFS, 6 WJ, 4 BMCSolihull
10 Simon Lees 19.11.79 (1y, -) 1:50.5 1997
1:47.69, 1:48.03, 1:48.88, 1:50.82, 1:51.68
1 Mid-J, 3 BMCWyth, 2 AAA-J, 6h6 WJ,
2 BMCSolihull
11? Anthony Whiteman 13.11.71 (3y, 5) 1:47.16 97
1:47.5, 1:48.4; 1 BL2 (2), 4 BMCBattPk
12 Alasdair Donaldson 21.6.77 (1y, -) 1:49.05 1997
1:48.6, 1:49.18, 1:49.49, 1:49.58, 1:50.0, 1:50.01;
1 B.Univs, 1 AAA v LC, 1 BL1 (2), 1 Leeds,
1 U23H, 8 Istanbul, 4 Cork, 3 Scot, 2h4 AAA,
1 U23D, 1 Cup, 1B BMCSolihull
nr James McIlroy IRE 30.12.76 1:51.8 1997
1:45.32, 1:45.46, 1:45.83, 1:46.7, 1:46.81,

BMC News : Spring 1999

Once again it should be pointed out that the rankings are by no means necessarily the order in which I think the athletes would have finished in an idealised
contest, but simply my attempt to assess what has actually happened in 1998.
I hope that I have not missed many performances, but I would be very pleased
to receive any missing results at 10 Madgeways Close, Great Amwell, Herts
SG12 9RU.
For each event the top 12 are ranked. On the first line is shown the athletes
name, then their date of birth followed, in brackets, by the number of years
ranked in the top 12 (including 1998) and their ranking last year (1997), and
finally, their best mark prior to 1998.
The following lines include their best six performances of the year (followed,
for completeness, by significant indoor marks indicated by i (although indoor
performances are not considered for the rankings). Then follow placings at major
meetings, providing a summary of the athletes year at the event.

Hart had a fine year to retain top ranking, and both he

and Donkin broke through with pbs at the
Commonwealth Games. The overall standard is
depressingly low compared to past glories, but an
encouraging feature was the progress of two juniors.
Moss beat Lees at the AAA and fared far better at the
World Juniors, but Lees had better form at the start and
end of the season, with pbs for both in the BMC finals
at Solihull. Whiteman could well be higher, but is
difficult to rank - he had two good times, but did not
contest the major races at this distance. One great new
talent emerged - the most exciting British middledistance runner since Curtis Robb, but James McIlroy
was snapped up by Ireland, so although he has a British
passport, he is not ranked.
The 10th best of 1:48.31 is better than 1994
(1:48.38) but otherwise the worst since 1980.

MEN 1,500M / 1 MILE

1

John Mayock 26.10.70 (8y, 1)

3:31.86 1997 / 3:50.32M 1996
3:32.82, 3:33.90, 3:34.60, 3:34.71, 3:51.99M,
3:53.72M, 3:53.81M, 3:36.74; 1 Hexham,
7 St Denis, 2 Bratislava, 3 ECp, 6 Oslo, 10 Rome,
2 GhG, 1 AAA, 7 Paris, 2 E.Carr, 10 Monaco,
5 ECh, 6 Brussels, 9 GPF, 2 CG
Anthony Whiteman 13.11.71 (3y, 2)
3:32.34 / 3:54.59M 1997
3:32.69, 3:51.90M, 3:52.09M, 3:35.30, 3:36.78,
3:39.52; 4 Bellinzona, 4 Nuremberg, 3 Nice,
2 AAA, 3 E.Carr, 7 Zurich, 4 ECh, 3 WCp, 3 CG
Matthew Yates 4.2.69 (7y, 4)
3:34.00 1991 / 3:52.75M 1993
3:37.04, 3:38.36, 3:38.97, 3:39.5, 3:40.38,
3:40.78; 5 Barakaldo, 11 Nice, dnf GhG, 3 AAA,
7 Hechtel, 2 BMCWatford, 6 ECh, 2 v USA,
12 Berlin
Kevin McKay 9.2.69 (10y, 3)
3:34.59 1997 / 3:53.64M 1994
3:37.22, 3:40.78, 3:58.52M, 3:43.22, 3:44.42,
3:46.18; 4 Hengelo, 5 GhG, 4 AAA, 18 Hechtel,
1 Cup, 3 v USA, 5 CG, BL1: 1,-,1,Michael Openshaw 8.4.72 (2y, 6)
3:41.38 / 4:03.7M 1997
3:39.7, 3:57.2M, 3:40.19, 3:43.50, 3:43.60,
4:08.33M; 1 CAU, 2 Hexham, 3 BMCBattPk,
3 Rhede, 5 AAA
Neil Caddy 18.3.75 (4y, 8)
3:39.1 / 3:55.84M 1996

3:39.89, 3:58.49M, 3:58.5M, 3:40.9, 3:42.34,

3:42.66; 1 BMCWyth, 5 BMCBattPk,
2 BMCExeter, 2 Rhede, 4 GhG, 3 WG,
3 BMCBath
7
Gary Lough 6.7.70 (5y, -)
3:34.76 1995 / 3:55.91M 1995
3:57.58M, 3:40.8, 3:43.33, 3:44.55, 3:44.99,
3:46.1; 2B BL1 (2), 2 Lough, dnf BMCSwindon,
12 Cork, 8 AAA, 9 E.Carr, 5 WG,
3 BMCWatford, 6 v USA
8
Spencer Barden 31.3.73 (2y, 9)
3:40.10 1997 / 4:02.1M 1996
3:39.64, 3:58.5M, 3:59.86M, 4:00,73M, 3:44.8,
3:46.85; 3 Hexham, 2 Barcelona, 8 GhG, 9 WG,
2 BL2 (4), 3 Meilen, 5 BMCSolihull
9
Ian Gillespie 18.5.70 (3y, 5)
3:39.8 / 3:58.4M 1997
3:57.6M, 4:01.84M, 3:46.11
1B BL1 (2), 1 BMCExeter
10 Tom Mayo 2.5.77 (1y, -) 3:43.4 1996
3:41.2, 3:42.33, 4:00.02M, 3:43.98, 3:46.81
10 AAA, 4 BMCWatford, 16 Rieti, 4 BMCSolihull
11 Phillip Tulba 20.9.73 (1y, -) 3:44.5 1997
3:59.7M, 3:42.3, 3:42.96, 3:45.0, 3:45.19,
4:06.20M; 1 B.Univs, 1 AAA v LC, 8 BMCBattPk,
8 Cork, 1 BMCTooting, 11 BMCSolihull
12 Christian Stephenson 22.7.74 (1y, -)
3:49.90 / 4:02.9M 1997
4:01.7M, 3:43.85, 4:02.2M, 3:44.82, 3:45.75,
3:46.2;
3 BMCExeter, 1 Welsh, 2 BMCCardiff, 1 IR,
7 BMCBath, 9 CG
nr Grant Graham 27.12.72 (0y, -) 3:43.2 1995
3:41.5, 3:44.09; 6 BMCBattPk, 11 Cork
nr James McIlroy IRE 30.12.76
3:59.48M, 3:46.00, 3:49.83
2 Dublin, 1 ECp 2A, 1 Irish, 2 BMCSolihull
M = 1 mile time (1500m times in brackets).

Mayock and Whiteman remain 1-2 for the third

successive year, but it was close with Mayock just
having the edge, 3-1 on win-loss. Yates and McKay
swap places. Openshaw, Caddy and Barden moved up
slightly from 1997, but maintained their positions
against each other, with Lough returning to split them.
The 10th best was 3:41.5 - in 1991 it was 3:41.52, but
otherwise this was the worst since 1979.

MEN 3,000M (NOT RANKED)

Anthony Whiteman 13.11.71
7:57.59i 95 / 7:57.65 1997
7:43.61, 8:03.3; 3 ECp

13

BMC

April 1999

7/6/99 9:15 am

Page 14

1998 UK Merit Rankings

Jon Brown 27.2.71 7:51.72 1993
7:45.41; 5 Hechtel
Neil Caddy 18.3.75 7:58.14i / 8:03.9 1996
7:48.76, 8:54.43M , 8:16.8
6 BGP, 2 v USA, 7 WCp
Karl Keska 7.5.72 7:56.74 1997
7:50.04, 8:01.2; 7 BGP, 5 v USA
Ian Gillespie 18.5.70 7:48.28 1997
7:51.34; 7:52.61i, 7:53.79i, 8:03.28i
6 Caorle
Spencer Barden 31.3.73 7:53.2 1997
7:55.50; 8 BGP
Kris Bowditch 14.1.75 7:57.7 1997
7:56.12; 2 BMCCardiff
John Mayock 26.10.70
7:43.31i 1997, 7:47.28 1995
8:54.16M; 7:47.43i, 7:48.80i, 7:50.10i, 7:55.09i,
7:58.57i; 1 v USA

MEN 5,000M
1

4
5

10

11

12

Karl Keska 7.5.72 (2y, 10) 13:37.54 1997

13:26.37, 13:33.67, 13:40.24, 13:41.61, 13:42.58,
13:59.30;
1 Walnut, 9 Eugene, 6 ECp, 1 AAA, 9 ECh, 4 CG
Jon Brown 27.12.71 (7y, -) 13:19.78 93
13:19.03, 13:41.72, 13:+?
2 AAA, 12 Stockholm
Keith Cullen 13.6.72 (3y, 1) 13:17.21 1997
13:22.31, 13:31.07, 13:33.89, 13:43.15, 13:44.69,
14:13.32; 10 Nuremberg, 3 AAA, 9 Hechtel,
8 Brussels, 5 WCp, 5 CG
Dermot Donnelly 23.9.70 (3y, 12) 13:45.97 1997
13:27.63, 13:35.3; 2 BMCBattPk, 13 Hechtel
Rod Finch 5.8.67 (1y, -) 13:50.6 1997
13:27.75, 13:41.44, 13:49.46, 13:52.94, 14:09.87;
1 AAA v LC, 6 Cork, 5 AAA, 14 Hechtel,
17 ECh
Kris Bowditch 14.1.75 (3y, 6) 13:42.00 1997
13:36.24, 13:43.68, 13:50.91, 13:51.8, 14:01.9,
14:02.36; 8 Walnut, 12 Cork, 4 AAA, 21 Hechtel,
3 BMCWatford, 7 CG
Ian Gillespie 18.5.70 (3y, 2) 13:18.06 1997
13:28.57, 13:44.08, 13:51.24; dnf Eugene,
9 Lisbon, 19 Rome, 6 AAA, 8h CG
Spencer Barden 31.3.73 (3y, 7) 13:43.84 1997
13:45.31, 13:54.13, 13:54.39, 14:04.6
2 AAA v LC, 8 Cork, 1 Lough, 9 AAA
Rob Denmark 23.11.68 (8y, 4) 13:10.24 1992
13:48.48, 13:53.86, 13:54.4
4 BMCBattPk, 9 Cork, 8 AAA
Julian Moorhouse 13.11.71 (1y, -)
13:48.5, 14:03.01, 14:12.59
2 North, 12 AAA, 2 BMCWatford
Matthew Clarkson 25.1.66 (1y, -) 13:57.91 1997
13:52.4, 13:56.15, 14:05.86, 14:16.9
4 AAA v LC, 10 AAA, 4 BMCWatford,
BL1: -,1,-,1
Glynn Tromans 17.3.69 (2y, -) 13:48.0 1997
13:53.59, 14:21.54; 15 Cork, 7 AAA
Nick Comerford 23.4.66 (0y, -) 14:11.63 1997
13:52.7, 14:01.19, 14:04.47
3 BMCBattPk, 11 AAA, 3 BMCSolihull

Keska leaps up from 10th to 1st; he did not have a

sensational season, but a good, solid one. Brown ran
the fastest time, but was beaten by Keska at the AAAs,
Cullen was next best ahead of Donnelly, who made big
improvements on the Northern Irish record in each of
his two 5000m races and was unfortunate not to get a
championship race at this distance. The standard in

14

depth is again way below what it was in previous

decades. The 10th best standard, under 13:40 each year
1977-92, was 13:48.5, and only 15 men broke 14
minutes - compared to a peak of 49 in 1988.

MEN 10,000M
1
2
3

4
5
6
7

8
9
10
11
12

Jon Brown 27.2.71 (6y, 1) 27:27.47 1997

27:18.14, 28:02.33; 4 ECh, 4 Brussels
Keith Cullen 13.6.72 (1y, -) 0
27:53.52, 28:34.34; 10 Eur Chall., 11 ECh
Dermot Donnelly 23.9.70 (3y, 6) 28:38.56 1997
28:43.17, 29:05.96, 29:27.40
25 Eur Challenge, 1 AAA, 5 CG
Glynn Tromans 17.3.69 (2y, 5) 28:35.32 1997
28:31.71, 30:04.95; 20 Eur Challenge, 9 CG
Carl Thackery 14.10.62 (6y, -) 27:59.24 1987
28:52.71; 2 AAA
Andrew Pearson 14.9.71 (4y, -) 28:32.0 1996
29:01.05; 22 Eur Challenge
Robert Quinn 10.12.65 (2y, -) 29:14.23 1995
29:20.72, 29:25.55, 29:36.54, 29:43.88;
11r2 Eur Challenge, 12 Prague, 6 AAA, 1 Scot
Rob Denmark 23.11.68 (4y, 3) 28:03.34 1994
29:17.72; 3 AAA
Mark Hudspith 19.1.69 (2y, -) 29:02.38 1992
29:22.88; 4 AAA
David Taylor 9.1.64 (2y , 9) 29:11.79 1997
29:24.15; 5 AAA
David Tune 29.10.70 (1y, -) 29:41.54 1997
29:39.23; 7 AAA
Adrian Mussett 14.4.72 (1y, -) 29:54.49 1997
29:40.96; 8 AAA

Brown is top for the third successive year. After 4th

in the Europeans, he beat the easy winner there, Antnio Pinto, in Brussels, when he took Eamonn
Martin19s UK record. Cullen broke 28 minutes on his
debut at the event and Donnelly ran well to win the
AAA title and place an unnoticed (by BBC TV) 5th at
the Commonwealth Games. Making a welcome return
is Carl Thackery, last ranked in this event in 1991. For
the third successive year the 10th best was the worst
since 1965 (allowing for 6 miles conversions in the
1960s). 29:08.66 in 1996, 29:17.65 in 1997 and
29:24.15 in 1998. In 1986 it was 28:11.07.

10

11

12
nr

Sadly, last years no. one, Robert Hough, missed the

whole season through injury. But, in a unique situation
all of the top three ranked for the first time at the event.
These three, Stephenson, Whitby and Wheeler, made
notable advances, but as they now rank 33, 72 and 74
on the UK all-time list, and many of those ranked ran
much slower, it can be seen that the overall picture
remains bleak. The 10th best standard declined again
to 8:55.74, the worst since 1965; the best was 8:37.59
in 1989, and it was under 8:50 each year 1970-96
(apart from 8:50.2 in 1976).

WOMEN 800M
1

MEN 3,000M STEEPLECHASE

1

Christian Stephenson 22.7.74 (1y, -)

8:54.8 1996
8:32.76, 8:41.76, 8:42.95, 8:44.34, 8:46.44,
8:55.67A; 1 BMCWyth, 1 AAA, 15 Stockholm,
5 WCp, 6 CG
Ben Whitby 6.1.77 (1y, -) 8:59.09 1996
8:41.79, 8:42.12, 8:44.24, 8:47.69, 8:49.80,
8:51.5; 1 CAU, 1 U23H, 6 ECp, 4 AAA, 7 CG
Craig Wheeler 14.8.76 (1y, -) 8:55.44 1997
8:42.83, 8:43.36, 8:45.90, 8:49.47, 8:52.29,
8:56.4; 4 AAA v LC, 2 CAU, 2 BMCWyth,
4 U23H, 3 AAA, 4 U23D, 8 CG
Spencer Duval 5.1.70 (8y, 2) 8:24.64 1995
8:36.37, 8:49.6, 8:58.34, 9:09.76
1 IR, 2 AAA, 3 BMCWatford, dnf CG
Brian Montgomery 19.7.74 (1y, -) 8:54.1 1996
8:43.71, 8:44.01, 8:46.18, 9:02.46; 1 Seattle,
13 Portland, 7 Dedham, dnf AAA
Lee Hurst 29.7.72 (3y, 5) 8:48.34 1996
8:49.63, 8:53.90, 8:55.04, 8:55.62, 8:56.56,
8:58.38; 1 AAA v LC, 3 E.Clubs, 1 North,
6 AAA, 3 Cup, BL1: 1,-,2,1
Andy Coleman 29.9.74 (2y, 12) 8:55.95 1997

8:52.35, 8:52.7, 8:53.27, 9:00.88

1 South, 7 AAA, 4 BMCWatford
Stuart Stokes 15.12.76 (2y, 11) 8:55.64 1997
8:56.39, 8:56.92, 8:57.15, 8:58.59, 9:00.44,
9:01.16; 1 B.Univs, 3 BMCWyth, 5 U23H,
9 AAA, 6 U23D, 1 Cup
Andy Morgan-Lee 1.3.69 (2y, 7) 8:50.40 1996
8:53.81, 8:55.0, 8:56.91, 8:57.56, 9:00.3, 9:06.36;
5 BMCWyth, 1 sf Enf, 8 AAA, 4 Cup,
BL2: 1,-,1,John Brown ?? (1y, -) 9:26.1 1997
8:55.6, 8:57.87, 9:04.55
11 AAA, 5 BMCWatford
Martin Yelling 7.2.72 (2y, 10) 8:54.63 1997
8:57.03, 8:59.9, 9:22.73
3 CAU, 4 BMCWyth, 7 South, dnf h1 AAA
Mike Jubb 20.6.70 (2y, 9) 8:50.37 1996
8:58.00, 9:03.1; 2 AAA v LC, 4 CAU
Andrew Colvin AUS 23.8.72 9:21.75 1997
8:48.23, 8:53.97, 8:58.36, 8:59.22, 9:01.59, 9:02.8; 5 AAA,
2 Cup, BL1: 2,1,1,2

Diane Modahl 17.6.66 (14y, 3) 1:58.65 1990

1:58.81, 1:59.77, 2:00.08, 2:00.17, 2:00.52,
2:00.97
8 Hengelo, 2 Milan, 4 Helsinki, 6 Athens,
5 Goodwill, 1 AAA, 5 Stockholm, 6 Monaco,
5s1 ECh, 1 BMCSolihull, 3 CG
Tanya Blake 16.1.71 (2y, 4) 2:01.9 1997
2:00.10, 2:02.06, 2:02.15, 2:02.72, 2:02.83, 2:03.83
2 Eugene, 6 ECp, 4 Linz, 2 AAA, dnf Malms
Amanda Crowe 21.10.73 (2y, 6) 2:04.2 1997
2:01.83, 2:02.7, 2:04.31, 2:04.98, 2:05.40, 2:06.64;
1 CAU, 1 Leeds, 6 Lucerne, 3 Belfast, 3 AAA,
5s1 CG
Emma Davies 9.10.78 (1y, -) 2:06.50
2:02.39, 2:04.88, 2:05.03, 2:06.23, 2:06.52, 2:06.63
1 AAA v LC, 2 Leeds, 2 U23H, 2 Welsh,
3 Budapest, 1 Jona, 6 AAA, 3 U23D, 7s2 CG
Lynn Gibson 6.7.69 (6y, 7) 2:02.34 1992
2:04.61, 2:04.9, 2:05.08, 2:05.1, 2:05.8, 2:06.10;
3 BMCBattPk, 3 Tallinn, 1 BMCSwindon,
4 BMCCardiff, 2 BMCWatford
Joanne Fenn 19.10.74 (2y, 8) 2:05.63 1997
2:05.2, 2:05.88, 2:06.10, 2:06.12, 2:06.7, 2:06.77;
1 South, 2 BMCSwindon, 2 Jona, 4 AAA, 3 WG,
3 BMCWatford, 3 Namur, BL2: 2,2,1
Rachel Newcombe 25.2.67 (1y, -) 2:07.3 1997
2:03.28, 2:03.58, 2:04.75, 2:06.89, 2:07.03, 2:07.6;
4 BMCWyth, 1 Welsh, 1 BMCCardiff, 2 IR,

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

7/6/99 9:15 am

Page 15

1998 UK Merit Rankings

8

10

11

12

7 AAA, 7s1 CG, BL2: 1,1,2

Bev Blakeman 4.4.74 (1y, -) c. 2:18 1997
2:05.33, 2:06.48, 2:06.5, 2:06.65, 2:07.1, 2:07.65;
2 N.East, 4 CAU, 2 BMCWyth, 1 North, 3 IR,
5 AAA, 6 BMCWatford, 2 BMCSolihull
Angela Davies 21.10.70 (3y, -) 2:2:03.67 1994
2:04.6, 2:05.30, 2:07.3, 2:07.41, 2:07.6
3 BMCCardiff, 1 BMCWatford, 4 BMCSolihull
Vicky Sterne 12.10.68 (4y, 10) 2:04.63 1996
2:04.81, 2:06.38, 2:07.44, 2:07.9, 2:07.94, 2:08.03;
6 Leeds, 3 BMCSwindon, 2 BMCCardiff, 1 IR,
3h2 AAA, 7 BMCWatford, BL1: 2,-,1
Hayley Parry 17.2.73 (3y, 2) 2:02.18 1997
2:03.46, 2:06.76, 2:09.07; 2:01.52i, 2:02.91i,
2:04.37i
3 Walnut, 1 Berne, 4 IR, 5 BL4 (3)
Claire Raven 15.6.72 (2y, 5) 2:03.15 1997
2:04.98, 2:07.78, 2:08.36, 2:08.78, 2:09.3, 2:12.37;
3 AAA v LC, 1 BMCWyth, 6 Cork,
4 BMCSwindon, 7h3 (fell) AAA, 1B Hechtel,
dnf BMCWatford, 3 BL2 (3)

Injury meant that Kelly Holmes did not contest an

800m race, and clear No.1 was Modahl, on top for a
record seventh time and first since 1993. Blake
returned from America to claim 2nd ranking before
injury ended her season and Crowes Northern Ireland
record in Kuala Lumpur ensured her the third ranking.
4th to 7th are very close, with the top newcomers to the
rankings, the Welsh women Davies and Newcombe,
helped by their fast pbs at the Commonwealth Games.
Gibson had the best competitive record of this group,
2-0 v Fenn, but contested no 800m championships.

WOMEN 1,500M
1
2

Kelly Holmes 19.4.70 (5y, 1) 3:58.07 1997

4:06.10, 4:28.10M; 1 v USA, 2 CG
Paula Radcliffe 17.12.73 (5y, 2)
4:06.84 1995 / 4:24.94M 1996
4:05.81, 4:05.92, 4:31.72M
3 Hengelo, 2 ECp, 2 v USA
Amanda Crowe 21.10.73 (1y, -) 4:28.03 1997
4:10.68, 4:12.11, 4:32.99M, 4:32.71
2 GhG, 9h2 AAA, dnf Hechtel, 3 v USA, 6 CG
Helen Pattinson 2.1.74 (1y, -)
4:16.84 1996 / 4:41.65M 1997
4:12.61, 4:12.87, 4:14.53, 4:14.84, 4:15.0, 4:17.05;
1 BMCWyth, 3 Rhede, 1 BMCSwindon, 3 Budapest,
5 GhG, 2 AAA, 5 Hechtel, 1 BMCStretford 1/9,
2 BMCSolihull, 9 CG
Lynn Gibson 6.7.69 (5y, 6)
4:05.75 / 4:31.17M 1994
4:12.73, 4:13.35, 4:14.72, 4:14.84, 4:18.17,
4:22.46; 2 BMCWyth, 6 GhG, 1 AAA,
1 BMCSolihull, 10 CG
Angela Davies 21.10.70 (6y, 5) 4:09.29 1994
4:13.55, 4:14.10, 4:14.36, 4:16.1, 4:16.37,
4:16.84; 1 Rhede, 1 Jona, 4 GhG, 3 AAA, 3 Hechtel
Amanda Parkinson 21.7.71 (2y, 12) 4:18.6 1997
4:14.19, 4:16.60, 4:19.96, 4:20.1, 4:20.5, 4:21.34; 8 GhG,
4 AAA, 4 BMCStretford 1/9, 4 BMCSolihull
Debbie Gunning 31.8.65 (7y, -)
4:12.69 1990 / 4:32.32M 1991
4:16.75, 4:19.21, 4:19.49, 4:21.71, 4:25.5,
4:27.51; 1 BL2 (1), 2 South, 2 Jona, 5 AAA
Kerry Smithson 13.9.76 (1y, -) 4:31.3 97
4:17.6, 4:18.2, 4:20.2, 4:20.25, 4:21.10, 4:21.54;
6 BMCWyth, 1 North, 4 BMCSwindon,
2 BMCCardiff, 1 IR, 6 AAA, 1 BMCWatford,
1 U23D, 1 Cup, 2 Stret 1/9, 5 BMCSolihull,

BMC News : Spring 1999

10

11

12

BL1: 1,1,1
Joanne Colleran 1.9.72 (2y, 11) 4:20.03 1997
4:18.17, 4:19.0, 4:19.4, 4:19.59, 4:21.8, 4:23.97;
7h2 AAA, 3 BMCStretford 1/9, 3 BMCSolihull
Andrea Whitcombe 8.6.71 (1y, -) 4:14.56 1990
4:18.24, 4:20.7, 4:27.6, 4:29.03;
1 South, dnf BMCWatford
Shirley Griffiths 23.6.72 (2y, -)
4:15.68 / 4:44.60M 1996
4:20.3, 4:20.62, 4:21.74, 4:23.50, 4:24.17, 4:27.3;
4:44.16Mi, 4:23.56i;
5 AAA v LC, 3 BMCWyth, 1 BL3 (1), 2 BMCSwindon,
3 BMCCardiff, dnf ht AAA, 3 BMCWatford

Holmes returned in time to rank top for the fifth

successive year. She beat Radcliffe, who had the two
fastest times of the year, in Glasgow and went on to
Commonwealth silver. Crowe had a fine first season at
the event to rank third and Pattinson progressed very
well, setting a 1500m pb three times. Neither of 1997s
3-4, Jo Pavey and Hayley Parry, raced at the distance
in 1998. The 10th best declined yet again - to the worst
since 1976 - 4:18.24. That was run by Whitcombe, but
she had not been near ranking when she ran four
seconds faster than that in 1990.

WOMEN 3,000M (NOT RANKED)

Paula Radcliffe 17.12.73 8:35.28 1997
8:38.84, 9:08.83+, 9:12.54; 1 BGP
Joanne Pavey 20.9.73 9:05.87 1997
8:58.2, 9:12.10; 1 Millfield, 10 Hengelo
Sarah Young 2.1.70 9:25.1 1997
9:04.27, 9:08.6mx, 9:49.62M, 9:10.7, 9:20.2mx,
9:35.2+; 2 Millfield, 8 Cork, 7 BGP,
1 BMCStretford 18/8
Kelly Holmes 19.4.70 9:08.7 95
9:10.23; 1 Bedford
Andrea Whitcombe 8.6.71 8:58.59 1991
9:10.7mx, 9:14.9, 9:26.9mx, 9:35.8+;
1 Watford
Liz Talbot 5.12.74 9:29.8 1995
9:15.25, 9:31.2, 9:35.6+, 9:43.3; 1 BMCSwindon
Lucy Wright 17.11.69 9:17.3 1997
9:16.1mx, 9:16.93, 9:58.92M, 9:28.2, 9:34.30,
9:35.7+; 5 Millfield, 12 Cork, 2 IR, 8 BGP,
2 BMCStretford 18/8
Heather Heasman 27.9.63 9:22.1mx 91
9:16.5mx, 9:28.1mx, 9:28.2mx, 9:35.4+
Debbie Gunning 31.8.65 9:12.12 94
9:16.6, 9:17.39, 9:29.9;
3 Millfield, 2 BMCSwindon, 2 BL2 (2)
Angela Davies 21.10.70 9:14.1 1994
9:17.03, 9:25.0; 7 ECp
No longer a championship event. M = 2 Miles.

WOMEN 5,000M
(Previously ranked 1982-90, 1992, 1995-7)
1
Paula Radcliffe 17.12.73 (4y, 1) 14:45.51 1997
14:51.27, 15:06.87, 15:06.96, 15:22.76+
4 St Denis, 1 ECp, 2 Stockholm
2
Andrea Whitcombe 8.6.71 (4y, 6) 16:00.0 1996
15:43.03, 15:53.43, 15:56.85; 3 BMCWyth, 1 AAA, 2 CG
3
Sarah Young 2.1.70 (2y, 7) 16:10.15 1997
15:45.08, 15:53.81, 15:59.79, 16:29.89
4 BMCWyth, 1 North, 2 AAA, 5 CG
4
Tara Krzywicki 9.3.74 (1y,-) 0
15:48.1mx, 15:53.28, 16:00.1, 16:00.84, 16:12.2,
16:21.26; 1 B.Univs, 6 BMCWyth,
1 BMCBattPk, 3 AAA, 1 BMCWatford,
1 BMCBirmingham

5
6

10

11

12

Angela Davies 21.10.70 (1y, -) 0

15:50.59; 1 BMCWyth
Liz Talbot 5.12.74 (2y, -) 16:24.86 1995
15:50.85, 15:52.61, 16:06.88; 2 BMCWyth, 8 AAA,
7 Hechtel
Birhane Dagne ex ETH 7.10.77 (1y, -)
16:17.5mx 1995
15:55.81, 16:22.8; 1 CP, 4 AAA
Vikki McPherson 1.6.71 (3y, 5) 15:56.8mx 1997
15:56.04, 16:07.7, 16:30.8; 1 BMCSoton, 5 AAA,
3 BMCBirmingham
Amy Waterlow 29.7.78 (1y, -) 0
15:57.45, 16:19.72, 16:27.47; 3 B.Univs, 10 BMCWyth,
6 AAA
Lucy Wright 17.11.69 (2y, 12) 16:25.72 1997
15:59.51, 16:03.30, 16:20.5; 7 BMCWyth, 7 AAA,
2 Birmingham
Heather Heasman 27.9.63 (4y, 10)
15:53.84 1996
15:57.24, 16:08.32, 16:42.23
5 BMCWyth, 3 North, 9 AAA
Lynne MacDougall 18.2.65 (2y, 4)
15:45.03 1997
16:01.41, 16:04.10, 16:21.8
4 Prague, 7 Turku, 1 Glasgow

Radcliffe is top for the fourth time, and was again a

class apart from the rest. However, there was an
encouraging improvement in standards overall.
Whitcombe and Young ran consistently well, excelling
at the Commonwealth Games and they are followed
by Krzywicki, desperately unfortunate not to be
selected for Kuala Lumpur, where she could well have
picked up a medal. Eleven women under 16 minutes is
a new record, compared to 5 in 1997, 6 in 1996 and 8
in 1995.

WOMEN 10,000M
1
2
3

4
5
6

7
8
9
10
11
12

Paula Radcliffe 17.12.73 (1y, -) 0

30:48.58, 31:36.51; 2 Eur Challenge, 5 ECh
Vikki McPherson 1.6.71 (6y, 1) 32:32.42 1993
32:38.48, 34:05.11; 8 Eur Challenge, 4 CG
Angela Joiner 14.2.69 (1y, -) 0
33:30.27, 34:47.41, 35:22.80; 15 Eur Challenge, 3 AAA,
8 CG
Sarah Bentley 21.5.67 (2y, 4) 34:06.29 1997
33:59.69, 34:40.65; 17 Eur Challenge, 6 CG
Tara Krzywicki 9.3.74 (1y, -) 0
34:37.04; 1 AAA
Hayley Nash 30.5.63 (2y, -) 34:07.24 1992
34:28.8, 34:45.57, 35:20.14
1 Welsh, 2 AAA, 7 CG
Sally Goldsmith 18.1.61 (2y, -) 34:28.13 1996
34:16.89, 36:02.11; 3 Italian, 9 CG
Bev Hartigan 10.6.67 (1y, -) 0
34:21.91; 18 Eur Challenge
Tanya Povey 13.4.79 (1y, -) 0
34:31.41, 35:07.62; 1 SEC, 7 NCAA
Sheila Fairweather 24.11.77 (1y, -) 0
34:39.98; 1 B.Univs
Birhane Dagne 7.10.77 ex ETH (1y, -)
34:38.11; 1 Palafrugell
Katie Skorupska 3.11.78 (1y, -) 0
34:40.00; 2 B.Univs

Although she was disappointed by her performance

at the Europeans, Radcliffe had a most distinguished
first season at the event, running a British record on her
debut. The most difficult problem is whether to rank
Joiner 3rd (clear on time) or 6th. There are eight
newcomers to the rankings.

15

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 16

I.A.A.F. Code of Ethics for Coaches

by Peter Thompson
Work commenced on the IAAF Code of Ethics for Coaches in February 1996 as part of a larger
project, the global IAAF Coaches Education & Certification System. This code of ethics was approved
by the IAAF Council in March 1997 and given out to the world in a press conference at the World Indoor
Championships in Paris. Subsequently it was translated by the IAAF into French, Portuguese, Spanish,
Arabic and Chinese. The code has now been adopted in its entirety by many National Federations
including, in the English speaking countries, Athletics Canada, Athletics Australia and Athletics New
Zealand.
Although this article is directed primarily at coaches it is printed here because it should be of interest
to all athletes, permitting them to realise what they should reasonably expect from a coaching
relationship. This includes the responsibilities of the coach to the athlete and the complimentary
responsibilities of the athlete to the coach. Relationships built on mutual respect of each individual hold
the promise for best outcomes.
As a coach, you have many roles to play and
have numerous practical tasks to perform. Each
of these roles and every task involves you in
making decisions about your actions before you
act, even though many times you may not be
actively aware of your decision making. One of
the most important challenges facing coaches is
to make these decisions. Your philosophy of life
guides everyday decisions, while your personal
coaching philosophy guides all decisions you
make as a coach. In addition, as a coach you have
an important responsibility to provide your
athletes with values of sportsmanship and fair
play which will last them throughout their lives.
Ethics as part of a Coaching Philosophy
As you gain experience as a coach and have the
opportunity to observe other coaches you begin to
notice that the coaching roles they take on may be
the same as yourself but the way in which they
carry out the roles, the way they conduct
themselves, may be quite different. Coaching is
about conduct. It is about how you do your
coaching. This reflects what you believe to be
right or wrong, which is decided by your morals
and ethics, a part of your coaching philosophy.
"Why should ethics be important in sport? In
every human activity, there must be consideration
of its effect on the participants and on society in
general. Sport must involve others, some as fellow
contestants, others vicariously as spectators and
educators. Sport touches every segment of society
and is a powerful social force, for good or evil. It
cannot therefore, exist outside ethical considerations."
Dubin Enquiry, Canada 1989
Personal ethics simply tells you what is right
and what is wrong and this will tend to
determine your conduct or behaviour. Your
ethical values do not remain necessarily the same
or constant throughout your life but may develop
or mature. If we think about the conduct or
behaviour of children, then we can observe that,
generally, they are less ethically mature than

16

adults. When you work with athletes you not

only have to be aware of your own ethical values
but also the ethical values of the athletes
themselves.
A Code of Ethics for Coaches
There is sufficient evidence for us to accept that
the relationship between the athlete and coach has
a fundamental influence on the moral development of the athlete. The coach must act in a
way that provides a suitable role model under all
circumstances. For this reason, many coaches
have formulated a personal code of ethics to guide
their decisions and actions. An increasing number
of Member Federations of the I.A.A.F. have
developed, or are in the process of developing, a
national code of ethics for their coaches. In identifying, and in response to, this need the I.A.A.F. is
asserting an active leadership role in producing the
I.A.A.F. Code of Ethics for Coaches, the first such

There is sufficient evidence for us to

accept that the relationship between the
athlete and coach has a fundamental
influence on the moral development of the
athlete
code of any International Governing body of an
Olympic Sport. This world wide code to provide
guidance for all coaches contributing to athletics is
reproduced in its entirety on the adjacent pages.
You are encouraged to read the contents carefully
and to apply the code within your own coaching
situations.
Ethics and Doping
Why do athletes use prohibited substances and
practices? If you examine the doping issue in
Athletics you find that the use of prohibited
substances may in most instances be ascribed to
one or more of the following reasons:
A belief by athletes and coaches that all
successful athletes are using illegal methods.
The athlete and coach believe that the athlete

has reached his/her potential and natural limit of

performance.
The athlete believes that the coach does not
have the knowledge to further assist in improving
their performance.
The coach has reached the limit of his/her
knowledge and believes that doping will be the
key to further improvements in performance.
External pressures on the coach and/or athlete
to produce performances without appropriate
regard to the potential of the athlete, or
knowledge of the lengthy time scales to achieve
that potential using natural methods.
The I.A.A.F. is taking the most active steps of
any International Federation to eradicate illegal
doping practices from the sport. These steps have
traditionally been directed most noticeably at the
individual athlete and have comprised the three
complementary elements of education, testing
and punishment, with education the most poorly
applied. It is now time to direct more attention
specifically to the activities of coaches, as they are
intimately involved in the preparation of athletes

Ethical considerations leading to fair

play are integral, and not optional,
elements of all sports activity
and themselves handle several generations of
athletes during a coaching career. One corrupt
athlete principally impacts the self, a corrupt
coach, however, has the position to corruptly
impact all the athletes in his/her squad and all
subsequent squads in their coaching career, in
addition to influencing other coaches to whom
he/she is a mentor. To use an African analogy: "If
you educate the mother, you educate the family."
Now we can substitute: "If you educate the coach
(ethically), you educate the athletes." . In essence
the Code reflects much that is contained within
the Council of Europes Code of Sports Ethics.
I.A.A.F. Code of Ethics for Coaches
Introduction
The basic principle of the I.A.A.F. Code of
Ethics for Coaches is that ethical considerations
leading to fair play are integral, and not optional,
elements of all sports activity. These ethical
considerations apply to all levels of ability and
commitment. They include recreational as well
as competitive Athletics.
The Code provides a sound ethical framework
to combat the pressures in modern day society.
Many of these pressures appear to be undermining the traditional foundation of sport foundations built on fair play and sportsmanship
and, in many instances, on the voluntary

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 17

I.A.A.F. Code of Ethics for Coaches

movement.
Fair play is defined as much more than playing
within the rules. Fair play is a way of thinking,
not just a way of behaving. Fair play can be
expressed as a philosophy of coaching and incorporates the concepts of friendship, respect for
others and always playing in the right spirit. This
philosophy also integrates issues concerned with
the elimination of cheating, doping, gamesmanship, physical and verbal violence,
exploitation, unequal opportunities, excessive
commercialisation and corruption.
Sport is a cultural activity which, practised
fairly, offers the individual the opportunity of
personal development through self knowledge,
self determination, self expression and self
fulfilment. This individual development leads to
personal achievement, skill acquisition and
demonstration of ability; social interaction, moral
maturation, enjoyment, good health and wellbeing. Sport promotes an active involvement and
responsibility of the individual within society.
It has been said that Athletics has a place above
all other sports. Its component skills are fundamental to most other sports and modern training
theory originated and developed in Athletics. It is
the most international of all sports and is the
central focus of the Olympic Games. Coaches in
Athletics are in a privileged position in preparing
several generations of athletes for their contribution to Athletics. With this privilege comes a
certain responsibility. This responsibility is that
through the work of the individual coach, and
how it is carried out, an image of coaching is
projected to athletes, to other coaches and to those
not involved in coaching. Whether these coaches
in Athletics are in paid employment or working as
volunteers they enjoy a high profile as representatives of the sport.
The development of fair play or sportsmanlike
behaviours and attitudes is not an automatic
consequence of participating in Athletics. These
fair play behaviours can be learned from the
coach who provides a positive role model and
applies consistent, clear reinforcement for what
are desirable and undesirable actions. The role of
the coach is, therefore, crucial as an ambassador,
educator and guardian of the ethical values of fair
play within Athletics.
The Code of Ethics
The coachs primary role is to facilitate the
process of individual development through
achievement of Athletic potential. This role
accepts the athletes long term interests as of
greater importance than short term athletic
considerations. The ethical considerations of the
coach must apply to all levels of ability and

BMC News : Spring 1999

commitment, and include recreational as well as

competitive Athletics. To fulfil this role the coach
must behave in an ethical manner reflecting the
following points:
Respect of Human Rights
Coaches must respect the basic human rights,
that is the equal rights, of each athlete with no
discrimination on the grounds of gender, race,
colour, language, religion, political or other
opinion, national or social origin, association with
a national minority, birth or other status. This
respect must extend to maintaining the dignity
and recognising the contribution of every
individual within Athletics and society as a
whole.

The coach must acknowledge that all

coaches have an equal right to desire the
success of the athletes they coach
In addition, coaches must respect the basic
human right of each athlete to participate in
Athletics with freedom from physical or sexual
harassment and freedom from inappropriate
physical or sexual advances or behaviour.
Respect of Rules
Coaches must acknowledge and respect that
Track and Field Athletics is governed by the rules
of the International Amateur Athletic Federation,
their National Federation or other appropriately
recognised governing body. This respect should
extend to the spirit as well as to the letter of the
rules, in both training and competition, to ensure
fairness of competitive opportunity between all
athletes. Respect for officials should be active, by
accepting the role of the officials in providing
judgement to ensure that competitions are
conducted fairly and according to the established
rules.
Coaches must accept that they have a responsibility to encourage the athletes they coach to have
a similar respect for the spirit of the rules. This
includes the spirit and manner of behaviour
towards opponents, other coaches and officials.
Coaches have a responsibility to influence the
performance and conduct of the athletes they
coach, while at the same time encouraging the
independence and self determination of each
athlete by their acceptance of responsibility for
their own decisions, conduct and performance.
Coaches must assert a positive and active
leadership role to prevent any use of prohibited
drugs or other disallowed performance enhancing
substances or practices. This leadership from
coaches should include education of the athletes

of the harmful effects, both ethically and

medically, of prohibited substances and practices.
Respect of other Coaches
The coach must acknowledge that all coaches
have an equal right to desire the success of the
athletes they coach - competing within the rules.
Coaches should strive to deal with other coaches
in the way they would wish to be dealt with
themselves, with courtesy due to a colleague and
the respect due to a fellow man or woman.
Observations, recommendations and criticism
should be directed to the appropriate person or
persons using professionally accepted procedures
outside the view or hearing of the public domain.
Coaches should never solicit, either overtly or
covertly, athletes who are receiving coaching to
join their squad. If, however, an athlete initiates
discussion with a coach in connection with
commencing a coaching relationship, while the
athlete is already being coached by another coach,
then the present coach must be informed by the
coach and/or athlete as soon as is practical. The
present coach who is advised of an athletes desire
to be coached by another individual must bear in
mind that all coaches should place the athletes
interest first. If the situation is such that the
athlete wishes to change coaches it is apparent
that this previous relationship has broken down.
In such cases, coaches should work together to
ensure a smooth transfer of relationship.
Respect of Proficiency
Although there is no substitute for practical
coaching experience, coaches should hold recognised coaching qualifications. Coaches should
respect that the gaining of coaching qualifications
is an ongoing commitment, achieved through the
upgrading of their knowledge by attendance of
accredited courses and through practical coaching
experience.
Coaches must ensure that the practical environments they create and the physical and psychological challenges they set for each athlete are
appropriate. This appropriateness must take into
consideration the age, maturity and skill level of
the athlete and provide for all necessary safety
aspects. This is particularly important in the case
of younger or less developed athletes.
Respect of the Coaches Image
Coaches must respect the image and role of the
coach. There is a responsibility that through the
work of the individual coach, and how it is carried
out, an image of coaching is projected to athletes,
to other coaches and to those not involved in
Continued on page 38

17

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 18

IAAF Code of Ethics for Coaches

The coachs primary role is to facilitate the process of individual development
through achievement of Athletic potential. This role accepts the athletes long
term interests as of greater importance than short term athletic considerations.
To fulfil this role the coach must behave in an ethical manner respecting the
following points:
must respect the basic
Coaches
human rights, that is the equal

have a responsibility to
Coaches
influence the performance and

rights, of each athlete with no

discrimination on the grounds of gender,
race, colour, language, religion, political
or other opinion, national or social origin,
association with a national minority, birth
or other status.

conduct of the athletes they coach, while at

the same time encouraging the
independence and self determination of
each athlete by their acceptance of
responsibility for their own decisions,
conduct and performance.

must respect the dignity and

Coaches
recognise the contribution of each

must assert a positive and

Coaches
active leadership role to prevent any

individual. This includes respecting the

right for freedom from physical or sexual
harassment and advances.

use of prohibited drugs or other

disallowed performance enhancing
substances or practices. This leadership
by coaches includes education of the
athletes of the harmful effects of prohibited
substances and practices.

Coaches must ensure that the

practical environments are safe and
appropriate. This appropriateness must
take into consideration the age, maturity
and skill level of the athlete. This is
particularly important in the case of
younger or less developed athletes.

Coaches must acknowledge and

respect the Rules of Competition.
This respect should extend to the spirit as
well as to the letter of the rules, in both
training and competition, to ensure
fairness of competitive opportunity
between all athletes.

must exhibit an active

Coaches
respect for officials, by accepting the
role of the officials in providing judgement
to ensure that competitions are conducted
fairly and according to the established
rules.

coach must acknowledge that all

The
coaches have an equal right to
desire the success of the athletes they
coach - competing within the rules.
Observations, recommendations and
criticism should be directed to the
appropriate person outside the view or
hearing of the public domain.

Coaches should never solicit, either

overtly or covertly, athletes who are
receiving coaching to join their squad.

should hold recognised

Coaches
coaching qualifications. Coaches
should respect that the gaining of coaching
qualifications is an ongoing commitment,
achieved through the upgrading of their
knowledge by attendance of accredited
courses and through practical coaching
experience. Coaches also have a
responsibility to share the knowledge and
practical experience they gain.
must respect the image of
Coaches
the coach and continuously maintain
the highest standards of personal conduct,
reflected in both the manner of appearance
and behaviour.
should never smoke while
Coaches
coaching, nor consume alcoholic
beverages so soon before coaching that it
affects their competence or that the smell
of alcohol is on their breath.
should enter into full
Coaches
cooperation with all individuals and
agencies that could play a role in the
development of the athletes they coach.
This includes working openly with other
coaches, using the expertise of sports
scientists and sports physicians and
displaying an active support of their
National Federation and the I.A.A.F..

18

I.A.A.F. 1996

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 19

1998 World Sub 4 Register

Compiled by Bob Sparks
17 Jan

Wanganui

25 Jan
25 Jan
6 Feb

Karlsruhe (i) [3km]

Haverford (i)
Budapest (i) [3km]

7 Feb

Gainesville (i)

7 Feb

South Bend (i)

7 Feb
7 Feb
13 Feb

Ames (i)
Los Angeles (i)
New York (i)

14 Feb

Boston (i)

15 Feb
20 Feb
25 Feb

Birmingham (i) [2km]

Roxbury (i)
Melbourne

28 Feb

Atlanta (i)

19 Apr

Walnut

25 Apr

Des Moines

16 May

Portland

27 May
29 May

Cottbus
Hexham

31 May

Eugene

5 Jun

Milano [2km]

9 Jun

Bratislava

9 Jun

Bratislava [2km]

16 Jun

Exeter

4 Jul

Brunswick

7 Jul

9 Jul

Zagreb

Oslo [3km]

Hamish Christensen
Chris Bowden
Haile Gebrselassie
Marcus OSullivan
Laban Rotich
Daniel Komen
Mark Carroll
David Krummenacker
Kevin Sullivan
Paul McMullen
Ryan Travis
Richie Boulet
Rotich
McMullen
OSullivan
Seneca Lassiter
Andy Keith
Brian Gallagher
Gebrselassie
Ibrahim Aden
Komen
Noah Ngeny
OSullivan
Holt Hardy
Martin Keino
Graham Hood
McMullen
Boulet 3:56.85 i
Steve Holman
Terrance Herrington
Boulet
Hctor Torres
Gabe Jennings
Martin Johns
McMullen
Herrington
Noureddine Morceli
McMullen
Ahmed Krama
Boulet
Jason Pyrah
Rdiger Stenzel
John Mayock
Michael Openshaw
Spencer Barden
Komen
Ngeny
Boulet
Holman
Vnuste Niyongabo
Hudson de Souza
Keino
Aden
Johns
Karl Paranya
Pyrah
Komen
Luke Kipkosgei
John Kibowen
Mayock
William Tanui
Ali Sadi-Sief
Elijah Maru
Keino
Andrey Zadarozhny
Balzs Tlgyesi
Peter Philipp
Komen
Kipkosgei
Julius Kiptoo
Tom Nyariki
Ian Gillespie
Neil Caddy
Pyrah
Daniel Hill
Brian Baker
Allan Klassen
Michael Stember
Darin Shearer
Scott Anderson
Morceli
Jonah Birir
Paul Mwangi
Branko Zorko
Jamey Harris
Tlgyesi
Krummenacker
Boulet
Paranya
Zadorozhny
Robert Stefko
Kamel Boulahfane
Gebrselassie

BMC News : Spring 1999

3:58.68
3:59.23
31:59.0 ei
3:58.6 mi
3:59.7 ei
3:59.9 ei
3:57.78 i
3:58.62 i
3:56.08 i
3:56.63 i
3:59.69 i
3:58.80 i
3:55.69 i
3:57.46 i
3:58.10 i
3:59.60 i
3:58.80 i
3:59.91 i
3:55.0 ei
3:59.02 i
3:53.63
3:56.06
3:56.35
3:57.12
3:58.05
3:58.77
3:55.84 i
3:59.27 i
3:59.78 i
3:58.63
3:59.03
3:59.32
3:59.54
3:59.12
3:59.35
3:54.09
3:58.19
3:58.43
3:58.47
3:59.34
3:56.15
3:54.8 m
3:57.2 m
3:58.5 m
3:50.95
3:52.38
3:53.25
3:53.63
3:55.24
3:55.63
3:55.98
3:56.13
3:56.32
3:56.77
3:57.12
3:54.5 e
3:55.0 e
3:53.43
3:53.81
3:54.18
3:54.40
3:54.55
3:54.91
3:55.66
3:57.06
3:59.74
3:54.2 c
3:56.4 c
3:59.1 c
3:59.8 c
3:57.6 m
3:58.5 m
3:56.82
3:58.57
3:58.80
3:59.22
3:59.31
3:59.73
3:59.80
3:50.68
3:54.15
3:54.81
3:55.36
3:55.51
3:55.56
3:55.73
3:56.24
3:56.75
3:57.25
3:58.20
3:59.30
3:57.1 c

16 Jul

Nice

(808/USA)
(809/USA)
19 Jul

Gateshead

(810/USA)
(811/USA)
19 Jul
21 Jul

Gateshead [2km]
Uniondale

25 Jul

Edwardsville

29 Jul

Paris (Ch)

(812/MEX)
(813/USA)

(814/GBR)
(815/GBR)

(816/BRA)
1 Aug

Hechtel [2km]

2 Aug

Sheffield

(817/KEN)

(818/RUS)

5 Aug

Stockholm

(819/SWI)

(820/USA)
(821/USA)
12 Aug

Bath

15 Aug

Falmouth, Mass.

19 Aug
28 Aug

London (TB)
Brussels [3km]

5 Sep

Solihull

(822/USA)
(823/USA)
(824/KEN)

(825/SVK)
(826/ALG)

Kipkosgei
Kiptanui
Kibowen
Hicham El Guerrouj
Rotich
Anthony Whiteman
Zorko
Vyacheslav Shabunin
David Lelei
Adil El Kaouch
Boujamaa Stouti
Kader Chkhmani
Andres Daz
Mayock
Manuel Pancorbo
Caddy
Kevin McKay
Alberto Garca
Aden
Barden
El Guerrouj
Morceli
Tanui
Komen
Harris
Zadorozhny
McMullen
Krama
Pyrah
Tanui
Krummenacker
Holman
Alan Culpepper
Harris
McMullen
Pyrah
Paranya
Edgar de Oliveira
El Guerrouj
Kibowen
Tanui
Holman
Shabunin
Sammy Rono
Mayock
Rotich
Zorko
Sullivan
Nadir Bosch
Chkhmani
Sadi-Sief
Marko Koers
Tanui
Kibowen
Rotich
Mayock
Whiteman
Driss Maazouzi
Frederick Cheruiyot
Lelei
Krummenacker
Julius Achon
Gary Lough
Pyrah
Kibowen
Morceli
Tanui
Zorko
Cheruiyot
Holman
Salah El Ghazi
Harris
Lelei
Mwangi
Rono
McMullen
Edwin Maranga
David Kisang
Pyrah
Culpepper
Brian Baker
Phillip Tulba
Whiteman
Gebrselassie
Maranga
James McIlroy
Darius Burrows

3:57.3 c
3:57.8 c
3:58.4 c
3:44.60
3:51.02
3:51.90
3:53.62
3:53.77
3:54.98
3:57.40
3:58.44
3:59.22
3:56.19
3:56.88
3:57.96
3:58.49
3:58.52
3:58.81
3:58.96
3:59.86
3:53.3 c
3:53.39
3:54.05
3:54.78
3:55.39
3:56.44
3:56.60
3:57.27
3:59.37
3:54.11
3:54.23
3:54.74
3:55.12
3:55.13
3:56.14
3:56.18
3:56.21
3:56.31
3:49.01
3:51.96
3:52.31
3:52.73
3:53.30
3:53.63
3:53.72
3:54.15
3:54.27
3:54.31
3:54.33
3:55.57
3:57.09
3:58.48
3:52.2 e
3:52.5 e
3:51.74
3:51.99
3:52.09
3:52.62
3:52.92
3:54.08
3:55.37
3:55.99
3:57.58
3:59.18
3:51.32
3:52.08
3:52.20
3:52.64
3:52.98
3:53.02
3:53.85
3:54.90
3:55.89
3:57.70
3:58.31
3:59.07
3:58.3 m
3:59.5 m
3:58.22
3:58.47
3:58.91
3:59.7 m
3:57.8 c
3:58.0 c
3:58.11
3:59.48
3:59.91

(827/KEN)
(828/MAR)
(829/MAR)
(830/FRA)
(831/SPA)

(832/SPA)

(833/KEN)

(834/FRA)
(835/KEN)

(836/MAR)

(837/Ken)
(838/Ken)

(839/GBR)

(840/Ire)
(841/GBR)

Numbers in parentheses indicate new entries to the Sub-4 Register

c = calculated from video analysis
e = estimated from 1600m time
m = manual time
BMC races in bold

19

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 20

Focus on the Future

by Tony Ward
The future of British middle-distance running
lies with the young men and women who were
born sometime during the great distance
running epoch of Coe, Cram and Ovett. The
dawn of that era of record-breaking, balmy
nights on tracks across Europe is now over
twenty years ago when raw ambition drove the
three miling musketeers nearer and nearer to
the ultimate (wherever that might be!).
BMC races, almost the raison d'tre of the
club, have figured in the careers of all three,
most notably that of Seb Coe; for him the BMC
races were an important, almost vital, part of
his development and so it is proving yet again
as the profiles of the most promising young
BMC runners of 1998 show.
Interestingly, three of the top juniors are all
at Seb's alumni, Loughborough.
It is
important to rekindle that flame of ambition in
the promising talent that we have. It is
important not to be satisfied with mediocrity,
to just wanting to don a British vest and then
not to care what one does in it. It is important
to nurture the talent that exists and for that
talent to receive the very best coaching and the
very best management that we have.
Mediocrity breeds mediocrity, as developments in other events have shown, but now
with more professionalism and more funding
the time has come to grasp this nettle and root
it out of that part of our sport that carries the
proudest tradition.

CHARLOTTE MOORE (14)

Charlotte has another year in the Under 15s.
She's got bests of 2:14.5 and 4:37.0. Last year,
in the English Schools, she ran fourth in the
Junior 1,500 metres. She was particularly
pleased because she ended the 1998 season
with the best performances of her career, in
races at Bournemouth and Reading.
She is a member of Bournemouth AC and
she's been coached by Keith New and Tom
Cochrane for around two years. In 1999 she
wants to do well at the English Schools (her
main target) and to set new personal bests at
both 800m and 1,500m. Long term? "I want to
make a successful transition to the senior
ranks," Charlotte said, "and then go on to
perform really well."
She joined the BMC about two years ago to
get quality racing and the club has served her
well in this regard (she made a big breakthrough at one of the Millfield races) because
lack of competition was holding her back. The
BMC, Charlotte said, "has been really good."
What would help her in the future would be
more races like the Millfield School races and,
in particular, for the BMC to stage races for her
age group at weekends. "A lot of the races are
on weekday evenings," she said, "and if you're
at school this makes life difficult."
LISA DOBRISKEY (15)
Lisa is a member of Ashford AC and has

been coached by Stella Bandu for 3 years. She

has personal bests (set in 1998) of 2:11.21 and
4:38.1. She won the English Schools Junior 800
metres title last year and went on to capture the
AAA Under 15 title at Sheffield. In February
this year she won the Schools Indoor
International Under 15 800m by almost four
seconds in 2:14.54. Her main aim for 1999 is to
run a sub-2:10 800 metres and her long term
aim is to represent Great Britain. "That's my
dream," she said, "to follow in the footsteps of
Kelly Holmes."
She was looking for competitive 1,500
metres races and there were none in Kent but
then her coach discovered the BMC races at
Watford and she travelled there and took part in
a mixed age group race. "My big problem,"
Lisa said, "is lack of concentration but in that
race I really had to concentrate hard and it
brought me through to an excellent time. I
signed up for the BMC on the spot!"
More competition for her age group is
something that Lisa requires. "What more can
the BMC do for me?" she said. "I think
providing more age category races would be
very useful"
ANDREW FULFORD (16)
Andrew gravitates to the Under 20 ranks this
year. He's a member of Swindon AC and has
been coached by Rod Vickers for six years. He
has set all his pbs in BMC races, including his

British Milers Club Junior Records (as at 1st May 1999)

BMC Junior Members Record

BMC Junior Record

BMC Junior Club Record

by a paid-up BMC junior member

in a BMC race

by any junior
in a BMC race

by a paid-up BMC junior member

in any race world-wide

Junior Men
M800
M1000
M1500
M Mile
M3000
M5000

1:47.69 Simon Lees 1998

2:23.4 Justin Swift-Smith 1993
3:42.2 Paul Wynn 1983
3:59.4 Steven Ovett 1974
no mark under 8:05.0
14:17.2 Samuel Haughian 1998

1:47.69 Simon Lees 1998

2:23.4 Justin Swift-Smith 1993
3:42.2 Paul Wynn 1983
3:59.4 Steven Ovett 1974
7:53.40 * Mizan Mehare U20 ETH 1998
13:28.6 * Mizan Mehare U20 ETH 1998

1:45.77 Steve Ovett 1974

2:20.0 Steve Ovett 1973
3:40.90 David Robertson 1992
3:59.4 Steven Ovett 1974
no mark under 8:05.0
no mark under 14:00

Junior Women
W800
W1000
W1500
W3000
W5000

2:06.5 Rachel Hughes 1982

no mark under 2:50.0
4:20.0 Bev Hartigan 1986
9:25.95 Amber Gascoigne 1998
no mark under 16:30.0

2:04.6 * Janet Lawrence 1977

no mark under 2:50.0
4:16.4 * Julie Holland 1984
9:25.95 Amber Gascoigne 1998
16:30.38 * Louise Kelly 1998
* denotes non-member

2:02.0 Jo White 1977

2:38.58 Jo White 1977
4:13.40 Wendy Sly 1976
9:09.14 Lisa York 1989
no mark under 15:00.0

20

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 21

Focus on the Future

best ever of 1:53.9 in 1998. He ran fifth in the
English Schools Intermediate 800 metres. He
will be targeting the European Youth Olympics
and the inaugural World Under 18
Championships in 1999 and hopes to make it as
a "professional" athlete in the senior ranks. He
joined the BMC to get "fast pace races" and the
club has certainly fulfilled his expectations in
that regard.
He believes (as does his coach) that British
athletes do not aim high enough and seem to
lack the necessary speed to sustain a fast pace.
"In the BMC races," he said, "you get really fast
pacemaking; it's important to go with it, hang
on and then pick people off." His own target is
high: breaking 1:50 in 1999.
CATHERINE RILEY (16)
Catherine was the fastest Under 17 800
metres runner in Britain last year, with 2:09.9.
She won the English Schools Intermediate title
at Exeter and before that the 1998 AAA Under
17 indoor title. Her best is 2:10.1 indoors.
She's a member of Park High School AC in
Burnley and is coached by Mike Kindle.
Catherine has had a very successful (and
slightly heady!) 1999 indoor season, representing Great Britain Juniors against France and
Germany in an indoor meeting in Paris, running
third behind two German competitors. She
went warm weather training with a BOA
European Youth Olympics squad.
About two years ago Catherine followed a
number of friends, who had competed regularly
at Stretford, into the BMC and has been
delighted with the result. "I've set a number of
pbs in BMC races" she says. "Running with
older athletes gives you the opportunity to run
faster times. I don't think there is much more
that the club can do for me - except to keep on
staging the races!"
She's pacing her career at the present time.
In 1999 she'll be concentrating on the European
Youth Olympics and possibly the European
Junior Championships. "I just want to keep on
improving," she said. "I'll take each race as it
comes."
ALEXANDRA CARTER (19)
Alex Carter is a member of Vale Royal and is
now at Loughborough. She was top ranked
Under 20 runner at 800 metres with 2:08.2,
convincingly won the English Schools 1,500m
title in 4:32.41 and is second ranked at that
event with 4:25.3. "I've had a good winter's
training at Loughborough," Alex said. It has
showed with her winning indoors against
France and Germany in Paris and making the

BMC News : Spring 1999

Great Britain Under 20 team for the World

Cross-Country Championships in Belfast (not
bad for someone who is, essentially, a track
runner!). Coached by John Davies, she is the
daughter of Andy Carter, former European
bronze medallist, who set the first ever BMC
800m record, (whose best time, incidentally, of
1:45.13, a UK record set in 1973, has not been
bettered by a British athlete for the last five
years).
Like her father she used the BMC races to
good effect with her 800 metres pb coming in
the Stretford race in August and the 1,500m
time at the same venue in June. She had three
runs below 4:27. "You get good pacing in the
races," Alex, who joined the BMC two years
ago, said, "and so you get quality times." She
would like to see the BMC arrange races prior
to selection dates (she missed out on the World
Junior because she ran out of races).
In 1999 her main target is the European
Junior Championships. She also intends to mix
her races more between 800 and 1,500m. Later
she hopes to gravitate to senior international
status.
CHRIS MOSS (19)
Chris Moss is at Loughborough University.
At home (Chislehurst) he represents Blackheath
Harriers. Chris was sixth in last year's World
Junior Championships in Annecy, after winning

Photo by: Shearman

Simon Lees (7) and Chris Moss (8) both

setting lifetime bests behind British number 1
Andy Hart at last years BMC Grand Prix final
at Solihull.

his heat and semi-final. His time of 1:48.77 was

a pb at the time. Earlier in the year he won the
Under 20 800 metres title. He's coached by
George Gandy and has bests of 1:48.43 and
3:48.3 both of which he set in BMC races, the
800m in last year's Grand Prix final where he
was the highest placed junior and the 1,500m at
Watford. His main short-term aim is to make
the Great Britain Under 23 team for the
European Championships. Longer term? "Run
quicker," he said, "and if that brings honours
and championships with it, well and good."
He's been a member of the BMC for three or
four years. He joined because, as a top junior,
he was looking for top quality races. "When
you're running as a good junior," he said, "it's
difficult to get motivated in many races.
Getting into the BMC was great because you
know you can get good quality competition."
He feels that BMC don't need to change but to
just carry on providing the high quality competition that it does now.
He thinks that British middle-distance
running is suffering at the moment because of a
general lack of ambition. "People aren't aiming
high enough," he said, "they're setting their
targets too low. 1:43 is world class; our people
seem to be content with 1:45."
SIMON LEES (19)
Simon Lees is also at Loughborough
University where he will resume rivalry with
Chris Moss (to whom he ran second to in the
AAA Under 20s). "We're good friends," he
said, "and bring out the best in each other."
Simon was the fastest junior 800 metres runner
in Britain last year with 1:47.69, a time he set in
the BMC race in Solihull in September. It
compensated for his World Junior
Championships run in Annecy when he had
contracted an ear infection, was full of antibiotics and did not do himself justice in his heat.
When at home he is a member of Solihull and
Small Heath and is coached by Paul Wallace.
He has a 1,500m best of 3:47.8. He enters the
Under 23 ranks this year and is aiming at the
European Under 23 Championships and the
World Student Games. Longer term he has his
eye on the Sydney Olympics.
Simon joined the BMC basically to "get fast
races". "You know," he said, "that if you run in
a BMC race it will be of a good quality, with
good pacemaking. That has given me the
motivation that I require because often locally I
didn't get the competition that I needed. I think
that the Grand Prix series has been really
excellent. I don't think that the BMC need do
more - just keep churning out the fast races!"

21

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 22

Your Letters
Compiled by Matthew Fraser Moat
FROM TIM HUTCHINGS
Im intrigued by Norman Pooles Chairmans
Notes at the front of the latest BMC News.
He states that BMC races are primarily to
enable to athletes to run fast times, but also says
- and this is what concerns me slightly- that the
place to learn the art of racing is in
Championships! Does he really mean this? I
would have thought it is a bit late to be learning
how to race, when youre actually in an
important race!
For many years I benefited from the BMC
philosophy of running as fast as possible at
almost every opportunity. I well remember the
thrill of breaking 3:12 and then 3:00 for 1,200m
in those BMC races at Crystal Palace in the
70s; I remember running very close to a 4
minute mile in various BMC races back in 1978
before that breakthrough race, again at Crystal
Palace. But at the same time, I was getting in
enough races elsewhere to learn the art of
racing, so that when I came to the important
Championship races - even domestic championships - running tactically well, and getting the
best result out of my race, was almost second
nature. I believe that I became a good tactical
runner, from 800m right up to 10,000m, in large
part because I was able to race so much in so
many different racing situations.
So I suppose what I am saying is, does the
BMC need to reassess its raison detre now
that the youngsters
(the 16-20 age
group) dont have
the same number
of racing opportunities at a good
level to learn
from? Im talking
for example, about
all those SEAA
meets that Andy
used to organise
and
which,
combined with the
BMC races, meant
that our generation
were able to learn
to run very fast (in
the BMC events),
and get good teethsharpening tactical
Photo by: Horwill
experience before
Tim Hutchings, BMC Vice President, twice silver medallist in the World getting to the
Cross-Country Championships, and 4th in the 1984 Olympic 5,000m, with
Championship
BMC Founder, Frank Horwill, after attending the funeral of Ray Williams,
BMC Vice President, in Kent in 1997. Ray was the BMC Membership events. Does the
BMC need to
Secretary for 10 years.
FROM DAVE COCKSEDGE
I have two points regarding the most recent
European Championships in Budapest.
Firstly, for the first time since 1946, there
were no heats scheduled for the mens 5,000m
championship. I find this vaguely disturbing when the championships were last held in
Budapest back in 1966, three heats were held.
Does this mean that numbers of participants are
down all over Europe, and not just in the UK?
Or are there far fewer athletes in Europe able to
meet the qualifying standard?
We have all witnessed the steadily declining
numbers in track distance events through the
years. Back in 1968, we have 68 entries for the
Surrey county 3 miles heats, scheduled for a
Tuesday evening on a cinder track at Motspur
Park. In 1998, just seven athletes reported for
the 5,000m final on an all weather track at
Kingston.
Secondly, to date, no positive drug test results
have been announced from the 1998 European
Championships. This can only mean one of
three things: a) all participants were clean; b)
doped athletes have become ultra-efficient in
cycling their drugs to avoid detection; or (c)
the organisers have decided to jettison any
positive samples for expedient political reasons.
The latter is not unprecedented. There is
evidence that (c) took place in Moscow (1980)
and Helsinki (1983). Take your pick.

22

acknowledge in deeds (and words) that tactical

knowledge, not tactical naivete, is what is
required in Championship races.
How could this be achieved practically?
Perhaps by allocating some races during the
year, when the athletes were told that, for that
day, the races were just that, real races, not just
glorified time trials. I dont mean this to sound
critical, but what we do not need is another
generation of runners who end up like Mayock
and Whiteman, having to spend most of their
time in processional Grand Prix races (because
the Africans are blazing away at the front), but
are relatively tactically naive when it comes to
major championships. Witness the way they
both got outsmarted in Budapest last summer,
for example, and neither of them, with all due
respect to the pair, made any attempt at all to
win at the Commonwealth Games. Look at the
tapes.
Hope this can be regarded as constructive
criticism. It all started by my having been
surprised at Normans comment, but actually
makes me thing that maybe the BMC could be
helping athletes to learn to race, as well as
achieve personal bests.
FROM JOANNE PAVEY
I am writing to clarify a couple of points
following my interview in the last BMC News.
Regrettably some people thought I was criticising my former coach Mike Down. There is
absolutely no way I would want to do this - on
the contrary I have much to thank him for. I
have been coached by Mike for many years and
value his friendship.
As i said on the previous article, Mike is a
great bloke and puts in a lot of effort with a
large group of athletes and with the BMC. He is
also very knowledgable coach and whilst with
him I achieved a lot of success.
When I read the article, I felt that my grateful
sentiments had been reflected, so I certainly did
not anticipate any negative reaction. I now
appreciate that some of the wording could have
caused misunderstanding.
At present I am trying to overcome a knee
injury and I would like to thank all the people
that have given me support during this time. I
would particularly like to thank PAS whose
medical support has been outstanding. I am
very grateful.
I can only apologise again to Mike for any
embarrassment caused by misinterpretations. I
wish Mike all the best for the future and hope
he continues to get the recognition that he
deserves.

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 23

Your Letters

BMC Members James McIlroy (left) with Tom

warm weather training in 1999.

FROM PAUL STOCKBURN

Leeds based middle distance runner Michelle
Faherty has quit top class athletics due to
mounting work pressure. International Faherty,
who is a self-employed fitness instructor, has
reluctantly decided to hang up her spikes at the
age of 30.
She said Im really busy now with work and
Im feeling tired all the time. It makes me sad
to have to finish, because Ive had some great
times in the sport since the age of 13. My aim
this year was to make the Commonwealth
Games team. I realised that when I didnt make
it I would have to think seriously about where I
was going in athletics.
Faherty, a member of Leeds based Skyrac
AC, regards competing over 800m in the world
indoor championships in Paris last year as one
of the highlights of her career. And two years
ago she was third in the Olympic trials, but was
deprived of a trip to Atlanta after missing the
qualifying time.
During a career in which she narrowly failed
to break through to major championship level
outdoors, she nevertheless represented Britain
or England more than a dozen times, and she
won medals from county to national level
throughout the age-groups.
As a pupil of Leeds Notre Dame high
school, she gained a silver 800m medal at
senior level in the English Schools
Championship. In adult competition she
captured 800m silver in the national indoor
championships after being a gold medallist at
junior and intermediate levels.
Winning Northern and Yorkshire titles were
almost routine for the tall long-striding Faherty,
who retires as a current county champion on the

BMC News : Spring 1999

track and with bests

of 2:03 (800m) and
4:13 (1,500m) to her
credit.
She is quick to pay
tribute to Leeds
coach Gordon Agar
and to Peter Watson,
who has recently
guided Faherty and
Barnsleys
John
Mayock, Britains
top male miler.
Coaching support
from her stepfather,
John Radcliffe, and
Photo by: McIlroy
Mayo (right) pictured whilst cash
aid from
Yorkshire
and
Humberside Sports
Aid Foundation and Leeds accountancy firm
Bartfield and Co. also helped to push her to
international level
Her talent on the track earned her an athletics
scholarship at the University of North Carolina
and she also possesses a degree in drama and
Physical Education.
Through athletics Ive seen some fantastic,
interesting places, such as Hong Kong Ukraine,
Estonia and Latvia, she said. Ill always run
for enjoyment, but now I wont compete.
With my job I can now put something back
by giving people instruction and advice on
fitness.
FROM DAVE COCKSEDGE
Congratulations on the last issue of the BMC
News. You have certainly done a fine job on
the statistics, though I would query the need for
quite so much on Kenyan distance runners much of it conjecture as to whether they are
doping (EPO) or not. Innocent until proven
guilty is surely only natural justice. That is the
rule that Track and Field News applies - unless
you are discussing Chinese female middledistance runners: then of course they are all
guilty as hell, and damn the lack of evidence!
When Frank and I edited the magazine in the
past, we felt it was important to keep it as a
forum for discussion among the membership.
Obviously this no longer applies, for in the rush
of Forward and United (with a journal edited
by committee) discussion is taken as dissent,
and is thus suppressed. To me that is a
dangerous trend - a frank exchange of views in
print is surely a healthy process, and censorship
is not.
Frank and I edited a magazine that was often

anarchic in content, and were sometimes

wrong, but we were never afraid to have a view,
and invite discussion, even if that amounted to
argument. And often, I would venture to think,
we were right on the money.
I was also somewhat miffed to note that in
the BMC News Index 1972 - 1990 by Brendon
Byrne, my name does not appear alongside any
of my articles, even though I was Editor from
1979 to 1990! Several articles written by me
have been left out entirely (example: profile of
Billy Mills), and those that have been included
do not carry my byline. Everyone else who has
ever written for BMC News gets a byline!
What is this - some kind of selective memory
process - can someone please enlighten me as to
what is going on?
Finally, in the quiz, Frank names Jack
Lovelock and Herb Elliott as two men who
have set world records in the Olympic 1,500m.
As he did not specify gender in his question, I
would respectfully submit that Lyudmila
Bragina (Soviet Union) also did so in 1972 - in
fact she broke the 1,500m world record in her
heat, semi-final and final!
FROM MELONIE BURROWS
I am currently researching female endurance
runners at Canterbury Christ Church University
College specifically looking at bone density and
the effects of endurance training loads. Due to
females participating in high volumes of
endurance running they run the risk of disturbances to their menstrual cycle, decreasing
bone mineral density and making the bone
susceptible to osteoporosis in later life. The aim
of the research is to identify a training level
which is advantageous to increasing bone
strength to prevent female runners fom
becoming osteoporotic and suffering the health
consequences. Indeed females involved within
the study will get full reports on their health
status.
I aim to recruit female subjects between the
age range of 20-40 yrs from as wide a
population as possible. I have spoken to Chris
Newman who suggested that I contact you with
reference to the possibility of advertising this
study in the British Milers Club newsletter.
Your help would be very much appreciated, and
you can contact me on the numbers below.
Tel: 01227 767 700, fax: 01227 470 442, email:
[email protected].

23

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 24

The Evolution of the Womens 800 Metres

by Frank Horwill
The first unofficial world record for the women's
800 metres was established in Sweden in 1914.
Elsa Sundberg ran 3:04.9. This time, a year later,
was shattered by another Swede, Elsa Dahl, who
recorded 2:50.8. In the first ever Women's
International Games held in 1921 in Monte
Carlo, Lucie Breard of France, caused a major
sensation by covering the distance in 2:30.2. Her
achievement was short lived - ten days later Mary
Lines of Great Britain ran 2:26.6, and also 440
yds in 62.4. Both times made the I.A.A.F. first
official record list. In 1925 Edith Trickey not
only lowered the record to 2:24.0, but ran 3:08.8
for the unheard of distance of one kilometre.
At last, women were permitted to run the 800
metres for the first time in the Amsterdam
Olympic Games of 1928. However, from the
sublime to the ridiculous. The organisers held
heats, semi-finals and final, on consecutive days.
Some of the finalists had taken part in other
events beforehand and were clearly tired. The
final was an epic battle between RadkeBatschauer of Germany, and Kinue Hitomi of
Japan. The German woman won in 2:l6.8.
Hitomi ran 2:l7.6. Half of the field collapsed on
the line and this led to a protest to the I.O.C. and
the I.A.A.F. for the event to be ousted from
future Games. Meanwhile, women's athletics
governing bodies were defiant, and they included
the two lap event in all major meetings. At one
of these Gladys Lunn of England ran 2:18.2 for
the half-mile, which converted well to the metric
time of the German woman.
As the Second Great War drew near, two 800
metre pioneers came to the fore. Zdenka
Koubkova (Czechoslovakia) ran a world record
of 2:12.4. However, there were some doubts as
to her sexuality. Yevdokiya Vasilyeva (USSR),
became the first Russian woman to break 2:20,
and later ran 2:15.3. In 1940 the U.S.S.R. had all
the first ten places in the World List.
Very little is known about the training methods
practised by the world record breakers listed.
But, two important findings occurred during this
period, which influenced the training of both men
and women. The first of these occurred in 1932,
when Nobel Prize winning A.V. Hill published
his now famous aerobic/anaerobic table. He
stated that the 800 metres event was two thirds
anaerobic and one third aerobic. The race
required a total of 27 litres of oxygen, the athlete
could only breathe in a total of 9 litres. This
information was largely ignored or misunderstood for many years until Professor Nocker
(Germany) stated that it told the athlete precisely
how to train. Given six training sessions in a
week, four (two thirds) would be anaerobic.

24

Again, there was a controversy as to what these

terms actually meant in practical sessions. The
answer was to be found in Hills original table.
He listed the following as predominantly
anaerobic:- 200 metres maximum speed 95 %
anaerobic. 400 metres maximum speed 83 %.
800 metres maximum speed 67 %. 1500
metres at maximum speed 50 %. The following
are predominantly aerobic:- Marathon pace 99
% aerobic. Half marathon pace 94 %. 10k pace
90 %. 5k pace 80 %. 3k pace 60 %.

Hill, in 1932, stated that the 800 metres

was two thirds anaerobic and one third
aerobic
Although the marathon pace might be 7:00/mile,
the half marathon speed will be about 6:45/mile,
the 10k speed about 6:30/mile, the 5k speed
around 6:15/mile, 3k speed about 6:00/mile and
the 1500m speed 5:45/mile. The longer distances
may be called slow aerobic, while the shorter
distances can be called fast aerobic.
The second advance occurred after the second
Great War when attention was focused on Dr.
Woldemar Gerschlers interval training method.
Gerschlers athlete, Rudolph Harbig, held the
800 metres world record with 1:46.6 and held it
for 16 years. Gerschler stated that steady
running was "wasteful and inefficient". He
claimed that in 6 weeks of his interval training, a
runner would be fitter than one who ran steady
for an hour a day for 12 weeks! He selected
three distances 100, 200 and 600 metres. They
were to be run 3, 6 and 18 seconds slower
respectively than for ones best times for the
distances. If an athlete has a best of 28 seconds
for the 200 metres, the 200 metres is run in 34
seconds. After each run, the recovery is the time
it takes the pulse to return to 120 beats a minute
(20 beats in 10 seconds), provided it did not
exceed 90 seconds to do so. If it did, the session
stops. He claimed that the training effect
occurred during the recovery time! How can
that be? Its all to do with the stroke volume of
the heart, the amount of blood pumped out by
one beat per minute. During a run the pulse may
rise to 180 bpm and the stroke volume may be 90
mls a beat. But during the recovery period, the
pulse rate will rapidly decline but the stroke
volume may rise to as much as 110 mls a beat. It
is this, that Greschler asserted, strengthened the
heart muscle. Interval training had arrived and is
now often referred to as repetition running. One
of the first successful British females to use it
was Diane Leather. Born in 1933, she was 5 feet

91/2 inches tall, weighing 130 lbs, and recorded

2:09.6/800m, 56.3/400m 26.8/220 yards,
12.0/100m. But she was better known for being
the first British woman to break 5 minutes for the
mile, her best being 4:45. Some of her routines
are quite unique, for example, she warmed up 75
minutes before a race, jogging a mile. Then
came 4 x 80 yards fast strides. She then rested
for about 20 minutes, but sometimes got up to do
some jogging and walking.
Her total winter mileage never exceeded 20
miles a week. She rested every Monday and
Friday, but raced cross-country on Saturday or
did either 8 x 440 yards (68"-75") [440 yards
jog], or 12 x 220 yards (30"-35") [220 yards jog].
On Sundays she did a 40 minutes fartlek (Speed
play).
In the track season fartlek on Sundays
continued but she now trained daily. Her speed
sessions included:a) 4 x 440 yards (60"-62") [jog 7-10]
b) 12 x 110 yards (sprint) [330 yards fast jogging]
c) 8 x 150 yards (sprints)
d) 1 x 660 yards (time trial in 1:34)
e) 3 x 3 x 200 (fast) [220 yards jog, 440 yards jog]

In 1958 Diane was 2nd in the European

Championships 800 metres. She nearly always
ran from the front.
Women were finally permitted to run 800
metres in the 1960 Rome Olympics. Ludmila
Shevtsova (U.S.S.R.) won in 2:04.3, breaking the
old 1928 record by 12 seconds. She was 5 foot 41/2
inches tall and weighed 117 lbs. Her winning
Olympic time matched the world record she set a
few weeks beforehand. She was officially ranked
No. 1 in the world from 1956 to 1963. It
appeared that the Russians were becoming the
dominant two lappers, for before Shevtsovas
gold medal win and world record, Nina
Otkalenko, lowered the world record to 2:05.0 in
1955.
But the 1964 Tokyo Olympic 800 metres was
to bring some surprises. And, it came from a 5
foot 61/2 inch tall English woman weighing 134
lbs, Ann Packer. Earlier in the Games she had
won a silver medal in the 400m, her primary
target, and in doing so had created a European
record of 52.2 seconds. She had no great hopes
in the 800 metres, after all, it was only her
seventh ever race over the distance. The first lap
felt comfortable at 58.5 seconds. As she entered
the final straight she became aware that she was
passing the field and won in 2:01.1, an Olympic
and world record. It is interesting to note her
conversion from 400 metres time, i.e. 52.2 + 8.3

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 25

The Evolution of the Womens 800 Metres

But the 1964 Tokyo Olympic 800 metres
was to bring some surprises.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

seconds = 60.5 x 2 = 2:01.1. This is a common

conversion time for 800 metre runners who
possess outstanding 400 metre speed.
Talk was now about breaking the 2 minute
barrier. Rumours that Shin Geum Dan (North
Korea) had run 1:58.0 in 1964, were not
accepted. North Korea did not belong to the
I.A.A.F., and her performances came in non
I.A.A.F. sanctioned meets. But in 1962 her
51.4/400 metres was accepted as a world record.
There is little doubt that she was truly the first
woman to run sub 2 minutes for 800 metres. The
official honour for this, however, went to
Hildegard Falck (West Germany), who ran
1:58.4 in 1971. The following year, she won the
Munich Olympic title with 1:58.55. She was 5
foot 8 inches tall and weighed 126 lbs. A year
later Svetla Zlateva shaved a second off the
record to record 1:57.5. This was to last until
1973 when Valentina Gerasimova (U.S.S.R)
took it down to 1:56.0. However, several years
were to pass before a British runner ducked
under 2 minutes. This was eventually achieved
by Christina Boxer in 1979. She slightly
improved her time the same year to 1:59.05, a
time which still ranks her in the U.K. All Time
list. Christina was the beginning of a new breed
of two lappers. Devoid of Packers 400 metres
speed, Christina relied on her 1,500 metres
endurance to run two laps together in the 800
metres, each 4-5 seconds slower than her best
time for 400 metres. This is in contrast to
Packer, who ran two laps together 8 seconds
slower. Christina was to run 4:00.57 for 1,500
metres in 1984. This time ranks her third on the
U.K. All Time list. At this point in time the introduction of the womens 1,500 metres event in the
Olympic Games of 1972 saw many women
regard the 800 metres as a secondary event, only
to be run as a speed aid to the longer distance. It
was rare for a female to hold both the 800 and
1,500 metres records, but common for a man to
do so. Most of the female world record breakers
were 400/800 types. This was to change, but
slowly.
In 1976, the physiologists Donald Matthews
and Edward Fox put forward a different analysis
of the 800 metre event. They described it as being
65 per cent LAO2, 30 per cent ATP-PC and LA,
and 5 per cent O2. A specimen schedule below
shows how their allocations would appear in a
weeks work, and also the type of work for each
energy pathway:-

BMC News : Spring 1999

Day 4

Day 5
Day 6
Day 7

O2 Run for 1 hour steady

LAO2 5 x 600 (1,500m speed) [twice time
of rep]
LAO2 2 x 2 x 800 (1,500m speed) [same
time as rep]
ATP-PC/LA 4 x 4 x 200 (800m speed)
[three times the time of the rep., good rest].
This session can also be done at 400m
speed (maximum).
LAO2 Repeat day 2
ATP-PC/LA 2 x 4 x 400 (800m speed)
[double the time of rep., good rest]
Rest

Fox and Matthews do not appear to like work

that is not totally measurable. For example, for O2
work they recommend 1,000m and 1,200m reps,
with half the time of the repetition as recovery.
They also list other types of training which fall
into their energy pathway categories. Repetition
running, fartlek and sprint training, in that order
of preference. For instance, three sessions of the
first, two of the second and one of the third.
Before Fox and Matthews, Astrand stated that
as the 800 metres race accumulated more lactic
acid than any other middle distance event, this
must be replicated in training. He advised
running for 75 seconds and 60 seconds duration
at maximum speed many times in one session.
From 1976 onwards Communist runners
dominated the 800 metres. Tatyana Kazankina
ran 1:54.9 in 1976. Nadezhda Olizarenko twice
lowered the world record in 1980, 1:54.85 and
1:53.43. In 1983 Jarmila Kratochvilova, reduced

Astrand stated that as the 800 metres race

accumulated more lactic acid than any
other middle distance event, this must be
replicated in training.
it to 1:53.28. Englands Kelly Holmes holds the
Commonwealth record with 1:56.21 set in 1995,
and also the 1,500 metres record with 3:58.07
done in 1997.
With Kelly Holmes largely sidelined with
injury for the last two years, the current world
spotlight is on Svetlana Masterkova who, at 30
years of age, seems able to win from the front or
come from behind with a sprint. Masterkova is
coached by Svetlana Styrkina, who was 5th in the
1976 Olympics in 1:56.44. However, Maria
Mutola, now aged 26, is a good second faster
than Masterkova over two laps. In 1994 she
established a new African record of 1:55.19 and
in 1998, a world indoor record of 1:56.36.
Capable of 51.37 for 400 metres, her conversion

time is 51.37 + 6 seconds x 2. Ana Quirot at 36

years of age is perhaps past her best, but in 1997
she nearly equalled her personal best of 1:54.44
set in 1989, running 1:54.82. In a 400m relay
race in 1991 she was timed at 48.9.
Unfortunately, Ann Packers time of 2:01.1 set
in 1964 has only been broken by 14 British women
in the intervening 34 years. Much as we admire
the likes of Kelly Holmes, Kirtsy Wade and Diane
Modahl, we have little reason to be complacent
Summary
There are some statistics which demand
attention: On average, the peak age for a female 800
metre runner is 26 years.
How a female converts her best 400 metres
time in an 800 metre race will reveal her strengths
and weaknesses.
Here is an example:Best 400m time = 60.0.
60.0 + 4 secs = 64.0 x 2 = 2:08.
Good endurance but poor basic speed.
60.0 + 6 secs = 66.0 x 2 = 2:12.
Moderate endurance and poor basic speed.
60.0 + 8 secs = 68.0 x 2 = 2:16.
Bad endurance and poor basic speed.

However, if we take a female with a best time

of 52 secs we get some hair raising possibilities:52.0 + 4 = 56.0 x 2 = 1:52.
A World Record.
52.0 + 6 = 58.0 x 2 = 1:56.
A Commonwealth Record.
52.0 + 8 = 60.0 x 2 = 2:00.
A time which would have won the 1964 Olympics

Quite clearly it is decision time for many two

lappers. What is your strength and weakness? A
woman with a time of 60 seconds for 400 metres
is not going to run for Great Britain. One with 56
seconds might just squeeze in. An athlete with a
400m time of 54 seconds minus has a good
chance of getting well under 2 minutes. Your
decision is: are you willing to make drastic
changes to your training and/or consider
changing your racing distance?
How does your 1,500m time compare to your
800 metre time? If you have an 800m time of
2:12 (66/400), you need to run not more than 6
seconds a lap slower, i.e. 4:30. If you cannot do
this, your endurance is poor!
The writer believes that the formula for 800
metres success is two sessions a week at 400m
speed, two at 800m speed and two at 1,500m
speed. Half can be done on measured grass.

25

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 26

Womens All-Time Statistics

Compiled by Matthew Fraser Moat

Womens 800m (qualification - five performances inside 1:58)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

1.55.04
1.55.24
1:55.40
1.55.45
1:55.61
1:55.88
1:56.13
1:56.19
1:56.20
1:56.23
1:56.45
1:56.45
1:56.51
1:56.70
1:56.73
1:56.89
1:56.98
1:56.99
1:57.01
1:57.03
1:57.05
1:57.05
1:57.10
1:57.14
1:57.14
1:57.14

Jarmila Kratochilova
Nadezhda Olizarenko
Ana Fidelia Quirot
Maria Mutola
Olga Minyeva
Sigrun Wodars
Christine Wachtel
Tatyana Prorochenko
Lyubov Gurina
Doina Melinte
Tatyana Kazankina
Anita Weiss
Ella Kovacs
Lyudmila Veselkova
Nikolina Shtereva
Yekaterina Podkopayeva
Slobodanka Colovic
Lilia Nurutdinova
Totka Petrova
Yelena Afanaseyeva
Svetlana Masterkova
Jearl Miles-Clark
Fita Lovin
Irina Podyalovskaya
Svetlana Styrkina
Kelly Holmes

(CZE)
(UKR)
(CUB)
(MOZ)
(RUS)
(DDR)
(GER)
(UKR)
(RUS)
(ROM)
(RUS)
(DDR)
(ROM)
(RUS)
(BUL)
(RUS)
(YUG)
(RUS)
(BUL)
(RUS)
(RUS)
(USA)
(ROM)
(RUS)
(RUS)
(GBR)

1:53.28
1:53.43
1:54.44
1:55.19
1:54.81
1:55.26
1:55.32
1:55.46
1:55.56
1:55.05
1:54.94
1:55.74
1:55.68
1:55.96
1:55.42
1:55.96
1:56.51
1:55.99
1:56.2
1:56.61
1:56.04
1:56.43
1:56.67
1:55.69
1:56.44
1:56.21

1:54.68
1:54.85
1:54.82
1:55.29
1:55.1
1:55.70
1:55.86
1:55.80
1:56.11
1:56.2
1:56.5
1:56.2
1:56.58
1:56.4
1:56.29
1:56.65
1:56.88
1:56.83
1:56.59
1:56.63
1:56.76
1:56.78
1:56.71
1:57.24
1:56.7
1:56.95

1:55.04
1:55.82
1:55.78
1:55.43
1:55.41
1:55.87
1:56.11
1:55.9
1:56.26
1:56.53
1:56.6
1:56.53
1:56.61
1:56.98
1:57.2
1:57.07
1:56.8
1:57.25
1:57.0
1:57.04
1:57.23
1:56.93
1:57.32
1:57.31
1:57.28
1:57.14

1:55.91
1:56.03
1:55.84
1:55.62
1:55.5
1:56.10
1:56.64
1:56.81
1:56.53
1:56.55
1:57.0
1:56.81
1:56.76
1:56.9
1:57.35
1:57.2
1:57.29
1:57.39
1:57.64
1:57.38
1:57.58
1:57.15
1:57.42
1:57.6
1:57.4
1:57.56

1:56.27
1:56.09
1:56.11
1:55.72
1:57.22
1:56.47
1:56.71
1:57.0
1:56.56
1:56.81
1:57.20
1:56.98
1:56.92
1:57.25
1:57.4
1:57.57
1:57.42
1:57.50
1:57.6
1:57.51
1:57.63
1:57.98
1:57.4
1:57.84
1:57.87
1:57.84

3:56.0
3:57.08
3:57.80
3:58.80
3:57.73
3:58.5
3:58.26
3:58.92
3:58.3
3:58.9
3:58.95
3:58.71
3:59.10
3:59.45
3:59.60
3:59.3
3:59.82
4:00.57
4:00.08
4:01.05
4:00.67
4:00.53
4:01.0
4:00.86
4:00.62
4:00.81

3:56.56
3:57.83
3:58.60
3:59.17
3:57.82
3:58.7
3:58.69
3:59.19
3:59.78
3:59.83
3:59.30
3:59.0
3:59.31
4:00.30
3:59.91
4:00.6
4:00.30
4:01.67
4:00.60
4:01.85
4:00.68
4:01.54
4:01.25
4:01.00
4:00.78
4:01.88

3:58.63
3:59.38
3:59.31
4:00.14
3:58.29
3:58.82
3:59.25
3:59.43
4:00.3
3:59.84
3:59.83
3:59.77
3:59.84
4:01.17
4:00.06
4:00.7
4:01.25
4:02.35
4:01.86
4:02.21
4:00.75
4:02.91
4:01.6
4:01.71
4:01.2
4:02.27

Womens 1,500m (qualification - five performances inside 4:03)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

26

3:55:73
3:56.03
3:57.54
3:57.66
3:57.71
3:57.81
3:58.20
3:58.38
3:58.49
3:58.55
3:58.72
3:58.78
3:59.09
3:59.48
3:59.50
3:59.75
3:59.81
3:59.88
4:00.03
4:00.08
4:00.11
4:00.24
4:00.27
4:00.49
4:00.54
4:00.61

Tatyana Kazankina
Qu Yunxia
Olga Dvirna
Paula Ivan
Maricica Puica
Zamira Zaytseva
Doina Melinte
Mary Slaney
Yekaterina Podkopayeva
Tatyana Pozdnyakova
Svetlana Masterkova
Natalia Marasescu
Raviliya Agletdinova
Tatyana Dorovskikh
Sonia OSullivan
Tamara Sorokina
Gabriella Dorio
Nadezhda Ralldugina
Carla Sacramento
Hassiba Boulmerka
Natalya Artyomova
Gabriela Szabo
Lyubov Smolka
Kutre Dulecha
Ulrike Bruns
Jackline Maranga

(RUS)
(CHN)
(RUS)
(ROM)
(ROM)
(UZB)
(ROM)
(USA)
(RUS)
(UKR)
(RUS)
(ROM)
(BLR)
(UKR)
(IRL)
(RUS)
(ITA)
(RUS)
(POR)
(ALG)
(RUS)
(ROM)
(UKR)
(ETH)
(DDR)
(KEN)

3:52.47
3:50.46
3:54.23
3:53.96
3:57.22
3:56.14
3:56.7
3:57.12
3:56.65
3:56.50
3:57.11
3:58.2
3:58.49
3:57.92
3:58.85
3:58.89
3:58.65
3:56.63
3:57.71
3:55.30
3:59.16
3:56.97
3:56.7
3:58.43
3:59.9
3:57.41

3:55.0
3:55.38
3:57.78
3:56.22
3:57.48
3:56.9
3:58.1
3:57.24
3:57.4
3:57.70
3:58.42
3:58.2
3:58.70
3:58.86
3:59.10
3:59.24
3:59.02
3:58.17
3:59.89
4:00.00
3:59.28
3:59.25
4:00.8
4:00.47
4:00.20
4:00.66

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 27

Horses for Courses

by Mike Gratton
I'm going to start this piece with a bit of
audience participation by asking you to examine
a weeks training. I'm going to throw you off the
scent by telling you I'm best known as a
marathon runner, and I'm going to leave out the
distance of the race in the following example.
A further clue is that the athlete in question
Question 1:
What event was the person training for?

Question 2:
What time of year was it done?
Sunday:

20 miles steady running

Monday:

a.m.
p.m.

10 miles steady to work

8 miles steady

Tuesday:

a.m.
p.m.
p.m.

5 miles steady
5 miles steady
3 x 800 (average 2.01.3) [approx 4]
[rest] 4 x 100m.

Wednesday: a.m.
p.m.

9 miles steady to work

2 x 8 x 200 (fast) [20"] [rest] 4 x 100.

Thursday:

a.m.
p.m.
p.m.

6 miles steady
5 miles steady
5 miles steady

Friday:

a.m.
p.m.

6 miles steady to work

Race

Saturday:

15 miles quiet fast.

Total mileage

110.

was Brendan Foster, and it was in 1974. If you

are under 40 years of age get your parents in
from watching football on the telly to lend a
hand.
So, the answers to the questions are:
1. 5,000m
2. July.
Pretty hefty mileage for 5,000m, particularly
in July!
You may argue that Foster was not really a
miler, but I'd argue otherwise. For a start the
race in question at the end of the above weeks
training was a 1,500m in a GB v
Czechoslovakia match, which he won ahead of
Frank Clement in 3.41.2 and, in any case, he
was also an Olympic 1,500m finalist - and that
makes him a miler in my book.
The reason for flagging Foster up is to
broaden the quality vs mileage debate. There
is little doubt that if you want to run faster than
3.30 for 1,500m you have to train faster than that

BMC News : Spring 1999

pace to achieve it. But you can't do all that

training at that pace, and I worry about the implication of the words 'Junk Mileage', as I don't
believe there is any such thing.
As a young athlete in the 70's I was very
much influenced by the legendary training of
Dave Bedford and read a book released about
him which outlined the same sort of training
used by Foster as shown above. This is perhaps
no surprise, since they were both at college in
Brighton. At the same time I was a 14 year old
English Schools 1,500m finalist and a new
BMC member. Searching for help I asked
Frank Horwill to send me some training info,
and he sent me the schedule of Jim Douglas who
had just become UK 1,500m record holder.
The upshot was that I set off on a pattern of
training that suited me; 1 hour fartleks on grass,
30 x 200 (27") [200 jog], 11/2 hr. Sunday runs,
etc., by the time I was 15. It had great results.
Previously, at the beginning of each season I'd
run a PB, win the Kent A.A.A. Juniors & Kent
Schools 1,500m, before switching to 'Speed
Work' - then start racing slower. This happened
pretty well every season until I twigged, kept the
mileage up during the summer, and then, low
and behold, I ended up winning the English
Schools 5,000m (now run as 3,000m) by the
length of the straight.
This is a story that I've witnessed so often in
other athletes, their best races come at the start
of the season, the decline coming as they switch
to really fast training and cut out steady runs.
Not pretending to have a grasp of running
theory, I took much from the books by Lydiard
and Cerruty, and have since been fortunate
enough to go places like Davros. Turning up at
the end of July for the Swiss Alpine Marathon
each year, I have customarily met Morcelli, and
a host of other North African and Kenyan
athletes out for a run literally miles from town,
maintaining a base with long runs.
The significant thing about these guys is that
they are not running the miles slowly. Back in
Davros another year, one of the party with me
for the mildly insane 75km Alpine Marathon
clocked Ondieki doing his morning run around
the lake. The lake has a good, reasonably flat
surface and is exactly 4km (2 miles around), but
at an altitude of 1,570m. We timed two laps (5
miles) in 25 minutes - and he was wearing a
tracksuit.
Any coach that thinks his athletes are doing
junk miles when they go for a run should join
any average club night bash around the town.
Winter runs in Canterbury in the early 80's
consisted of myself (2.09 marathon), Ian

Stewart (3.53 mile), James Webster (3.42

1,500m), and occasionally Nick Brawn (2.21
marathon), plus others of some calibre. Most
event directors would be in a hurry to phone
through the results to AW if our Monday night
run had taken place on a Sunday morning in
their local race - and I know that the story would
be recognised by many who have trained with a
strong club.
Good athletes find it tough to run slow, try
warming up with some of them. There is a
cadence that each individual is most
comfortable with, which is not just dictated by
fitness, and they feel awkward running below
that pace. It means of course, not many senior
BMC members will be doing long runs slowly,
some may be quicker than 5 mins. miling hardly junk miles.
Whether the mileage dents your 400m speed
is another question. I'm no great example, but as

Searching for help I asked Frank Horwill

to send me some training info
a 19-year-old I had PB's at 400/800/1,500 of
50.1/1.53/3.50. My career on the track was cut
short by an accident during a building site
vacation job (foot crushed by a forklift truck).
But some 10 years later, I turned up to a
Southern League match at Maidenhead (on
cinders) and ran 51/1.55/3.55 just 3 weeks after
running 2.14 for 11th in the London Marathon.
I never trained for leg speed once I'd become
a marathoner, yet I felt that my sprinting speed,
such as it was, was little affected by great
mileage.
(continued on page 29)

Mike Gratton Endurance and Speed

Photo by: Brawn

27

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 28

Sub 4 - Best Marks by venue

Compiled by Bob Sparks
Adelaide
3:52.58
John Walker
Aichach
3:49.93
Sydney Maree
Albany
3:57.74
Steve Holman
Albuquerque (i) 3:59.4?
Wilson Waigwa
Albury
3:56.9m Graham Williamson
Aldershot
3:56.6m Tim Hutchings
Allston(i)
3:56.77
Sydney Maree
Ames (i)
3:59.06
Eric Henry
Annapolis(i)
3:59.37
Dan Browne
AnnArbor(i)
3:59.1m Greg Meyer
Arkadelphia
3:57.8m Tommy Fulton
Athna
3:53.28
Noureddine Morceli
Atlanta
(Georgia Tech.) 3:57.43
Abdi Bile
(Olympic Stad.) 3:50.86
Noureddine Morceli
(i) 3:55.84
Paul McMullen
Auckland
3:50.58
John Walker
(East Coast Bays - see North Shore)
Austin
3:59.5?
Niall OShaughnessy
Azusa
3:57.66
Edgar de Oliveira
Bakersfield
Baldwinsville
Barcelona
Bath
Baton Rouge
(i)
Belfast
Bendigo
Berea
Berkeley
Berlin
(i)
Bern
Birmingham
(i)
Blackburn
Bloemfontein
Bloomington
(i)
Bordeaux
Boston
(i)
Bowling Green
Bratislava
Brighton
Brisbane
Bristol
Bromley
Brunswick
Bruxelles
Bucuresti
Budapest

3:51.1m
3:59.2m
3:54.62
3:58.3m
3:57.1m
3:59.4m
3:55.17
3:59.7m
3:58.4?
3:51.3 m
3:45.64
3:58.2m
3:56.34
3:55.38
3:50.70
3:59.2 m
3:57.4 m
3:59.0 m
3:56.17
3:59.5 #
3:56.9 *
3:55.43
3:59.0 m
3:53.43
3:58.8 m
3:58.9 m
3:59.1 m
3:55.5 m
3:56.82
3:47.30
3:58.18
3:55.4 #

(i) 3:59.7e
Burnaby
Byrkjelo

3:52.34
3:59.55

Jim Ryun
Ross Donoghue
Jos Luis Gonzlez
Edwin Maranga
Dave Wottle
Steve Bolt
Peter Elliott
Harry Downes
SteveHeidenreich
Jim Ryun
Hicham ElGuerrouj
Jrgen May
Mike Boit
Steve Crabb
Noureddine Morceli
Andy Green
Johan Fourie
Dave Wottle
Jim Spivey
Sebastian Coe
[in 2km]
Charlie McMullen
David Strang
Nick Rose
John Kibowen
Alan Simpson
Herb Elliott
Tim Hutchings
Nigel Horsfield
Jason Pyrah
Noureddine Morceli
Ovidiu Olteanu
Steve Cram
[in 2km]
Laban Rotich
[in 3km]
Mike Hillardt
Robert Andersen

Cambrai
3:58.2 m Michel Bernard
Cambridge,MS(i) 3:59.02
Erik Nedeau
Canberra
3:59.8 m Shaun Creighton
Cannock
3:54.0 m Steve Cram
Cape Town
3:56.7 m Danie Malan
Carbondale
3:58.8 m Lee LaBadie
Cardiff
3:56.03
Peter Elliott .
Carlisle
3:59.4 m John Gladwin
Champaign
3:58.5 m Rick Wohlhuter
(i) 3:59.3m Rick Wohlhuter
Chapel Hill
3:59.8 m Tony Waldrop
(i) 3:58.84 Marcus OSullivan
Charleston
3:58.3 m Wilson Waigwa
Cheltenham
3:59.1 m Ian Hamer
Chicago
(i) 3:56.4 m Tom OHara
Christchurch
3:56.02
John Walker
Cleveland
(i) 3:57.23
Eamonn Coghlan
College Park (i) 3:54.93
Dick Buerkle
Columbia
(i) 3:55.4 m Niall OShaughnessy
Columbus
3:57.15
Tom Byers
Compton
3:55.0 m Peter Snell
Corby
3:56.08
David Kibet
Cork
3:49.42
Sydney Maree

28

13 Ma r82
16 Sep 81
24 Jul 93
3 Feb 79
16 Oct 82
19 Jul 82
28 Jan 90
9 Feb 91
1 Feb 97
28 Jan 78
25 May 73
7 Sep 90
21 Jul 84
18 May 96
28 Feb 98
19 Mar 81
14 May 77
23 Apr 94
23 Jun 67
16 May 82
15 Jul 87
12 Aug 98
9 Jun 73
28 Feb 76
21 Jun 91
9 Mar 63
23 Jul 75
17 Jul 66
26 Aug 97
20 Feb 66
16 Aug 85
17 Jul 87
20 Feb 93
25 Aug 64
20 Feb 81
6 Jun 70
4 Feb 84
6 Jun 82
20 Jul 74
22 Jan 94
10 May 75
9 Jun 98
21 Aug 66
13 Mar 59
14 Sep 88
23 Aug 89
4 Jul 98
3 Sep 93
29 May 94
4 Aug 85
6 Feb 98
16 Jul 84
8 Aug 93
8 Jul 63
21 Jan 95
24 Nov 90
20 Sep 86
17 Feb 75
11 May 71
17 Sep 89
4 May 87
4 Jul 73
2 Mar 74
14 May 74
22 Jan 83
12 Jun 76
8 Sep 89
6 Mar 64
15 Dec 84
19 Feb 83
13 Jan 78
28 Jan 77
8 May 83
7 Jun 63
21 Jun 92
13 Jul 82

Corvallis
Cosford
Cottbus
Coventry
Cradock
Croydon
Cwmbrn

3:58.1 m
(i) 3:57.29
3:56.15
3:54.5 m
3:59.7 m
3:58.83
3:55.8 m

Hailu Ebba
Jim Spivey
Rdiger Stenzel
Sebastian Coe
Johan Fourie
John Nuttall
Geoff Smith

Dallas
(i) 3:55.55
Eamonn Coghlan
Daly City
(i) 3:55.3 m Steve Scott
Dedham
3:58.1 m John Gregorek
Derby
3:58.6 m Tim Hutchings
Des Moines
3:55.26
Steve Scott
Detroit
(i) 3:57.89
Suleiman Nyambui
Dublin
3:52.0 m John Walker
Dunedin
3:58.6 m Peter Snell
Durban
3:53.45
Johan Fourie
Durham,NC
3:57.3 m Ken Popejoy
Duston
3:58.1 m Alan Simpson

5 May 73
9 Mar 85
27 May 98
16 Jun 85
9 Oct 82
14 Aug 91
15 Aug 81
31 Jan 81
21 Feb 81
9 Jun 91
6 Sep 83
27 Apr 79
10 Mar 79
11 Jul 77
15 Feb 63
15 Dec 84
12 May 73
26 Aug 67

E.Rutherford (i) 3:49.78

East Lansing
3:57.0 m
Edinburgh
3:51.48
Edmonton
3:57.8 ?
(i) 3:58.2m
Edwardsville
3:54.11
El Paso
3:59.9 m
Erfurt
3:59.1 m
Eschweiler
3:58.6m
Eugene
3:50.95
Exeter
3:57.6 m

Eamonn Coghlan
27 Feb 83
Ken Popejoy
5 May 73
Sydney Maree
26 Jun 83
Thomas Wessinghage 16 Jul 78
Wilson Waigwa
21 Feb 81
William Tanui
25 Jul 98
Ben Jipcho
10 May 75
Siegfried Herrmann 24 Sep 63
Walter Wilkinson
4 Jun 71
Daniel Komen
31 May 98
Ian Gillespie
16 Jun 98

Fairfax
(i) 3:54.41
Falmouth,MS
3:58.22
Fargo
(i) 3:59.7 m
Fayetteville
3:58.1 m
(i) 3:52.30
Formia
3:56.03
Fort Worth (i) 3:57.9m
Frankfurt
3:55.34
Fresno
3:59.04

Noureddine Morceli
Jason Pyrah
Mike Slack
Niall OShaughnessy
Frank OMara
Sad Aouita
Tom Von Ruden
David Moorcroft
Ernie Freer

9 Feb 92
15 Aug 98
26 Jan 74
1 May 76
25 Jan 86
16 Jun 85
4 Feb 72
5 Sep 78
4 Apr 92

Gainesville

Dick Buerkle
Mark Carroll
Steve Cram
Hicham El Guerrouj
Derek Ibbotson
John Walker
Tim Hutchings
Mike Edwards
Steve Halliday
Harald Norpoth
David Moorcroft
Marcus OSullivan
Peter Elliott
Alan Simpson
John Walker
Marcus OSullivan
Marcus OSullivan
William Tanui
[in 2km]
Sad Aouita
John Mayock
John Walker
Jim Norris
Anthony Whiteman
Tim Hutchings
Graham Hood
Len Hilton
Steve Scott
Pat Scammell

4 Jun 73
7 Feb 98
27 Jun 86
12 Feb 97
15 Jun 57
12 Aug 75
9 Sep 88
20 Sep 87
24 Sep 89
19 May 66
21 Jan 81
15 Jan 93
20 Aug 89
17 Jun 67
13 Jan 85
4 Jun 97
25 Jan 97
1 Aug 98

3:58.0 m
(i) 3:57.78
Gateshead
3:51.43
Gent
(i) 3:48.45
Glasgow (Ibrox) 3:58.4 m
Gteborg
3:49.4 m
Grays
3:58.4 m
Grve dAzette,CI 3:57.8 m
Grimsby
3:59.5 m
Hamburg
3:58.8 m
Hamilton,NZ
3:54.37
Hamilton,Ont. (i) 3:59.30
Harlow
3:53.4 m
Hartlepool
3:58.4 m
Hastings,NZ
3:56.8 m
Haverford
3:57.4 m
(i) 3:58.6m
Hechtel
3:52.2 #
Helsinki
Hexham
Hobart
Holmdel
Hong Kong
Hornchurch
Hot Springs
Houston
Hull
Imatra
Indianapolis

3:46.76
3:54.8 m
3:56.7 m
3:59.5 m
3:59.44
3:57.6 m
3:56.53
3:59.3 m
(i) 3:54.20
3:59.9 m

Ingelheim

3:57.3 m
3:54.48
(i) 3:55.33
3:57.5 #

Inglewood
Irvine

(i) 3:54.9m
3:53.92

Jakarta
Jarrow
Jerez de la Fr.

3:52.11
3:57.75
3:51.80

2 Jul 87
29 May 98
7 Mar 83
23 Jun 90
15 Oct 95
7 Sep 88
1 Apr 95
12 Jun 75
16 Feb 80
15 Jun 82

Ari Paunonen
3 Jul 77
Marcus OSullivan 25 Jun 93
Kevin Sullivan
11 Mar 95
Thomas Wessinghage 31 Aug 82
[in 2km]
Ray Flynn
13 Feb 81
Steve Scott
25 Mar 78
Steve Cram
Steve Cram
David Kibet

3 Oct 91
9 Sep 84
17 Sep 91

Johnson City (i)

Kalamazoo
Kansas City (i)
Karlovac
Karlskrona
Karlsruhe
(i)
Kemi
Kingston,Jam.
Kisumu
Kitchener
Knoxville
Kbenhaven
Koblenz
Kln

Sydney Maree
Tom OHara
Jim Ryun
Dragan Zdravkovic
Bodo Tmmler
Jens-Peter Herold
Jukka Savonheimo
Filbert Bayi1
Kip Keino
Kevin Sullivan
Marty Liquori
Noureddine Morceli
Steve Ovett
Tom Byers

17 Jan 86
1 Jun 63
4 Mar 67
4 Jun 81
22 Aug 68
1 Mar 94
3 Jul 90
7 May 75
10 Sep 67
19 Jun 93
21 Jun 69
25 Aug 92
26 Aug 81
22 Aug 82

Philemon Hanneck
Noureddine Morceli
Jim Ryun
Walter Wilkinson
Klaas Lok
David Moorcroft
Vnuste Niyongabo
[in 2km]
Lille
3:59.8 m Michel Jazy
(see also Villeneuve dAscq)
Limerick
3:59.8 m Eamonn Coghlan
Linz
3:57.58
Branko Zorko
London
(Battersea Park) 3:51.80
Peter Elliott
(Crystal Palace) 3:49.49
Steve Cram
(Chiswick)
3:59.5 m Mike Wiggs
(Haringey)
3:54.6 m Sebastian Coe
(Hendon)
3:56.35
Anthony Whiteman
(Southwark Park) 3:54.46
Peter Elliott
(Southgate)
3:57.0 m Dick Quax
(Tooting Bec) 3:59.7 m Phillip Tulba
(White City)
3:53.42
Kip Keino
Los Angeles
(Coliseum)
3:53.7 m Jim Ryun
(i) 3:52.9 ? Eamonn Coghlan
(Westwood)
3:52.50
Steve Scott
Los Gatos
3:59.2 m Tom Smith
Loughborough 3:59.41+ Geoff Turnbull
Louisvill
(i) 3:57.2 m Filbert Bayi
Luxembourg
3:57.74
Peter Wirz
Lyngby
3:57.6 m Tom Hansen

27 Jun 93
10 Jul 91
22 Apr 67
31 May 71
22 May 81
28 Jun 81
18 Feb 96

Lapinlahti
Lausanne
Lawrence
Leicester
Leiden
Leuven
Livin

3:53.79
3:58.8 m
3:58.8m
3:57.80
3:53.8 m
3:53.74
3:56.37
3:51.0 m
3:53.1 m
3:59.29
3:57.7 m
3:51.96
3:48.40
3:55.83

3:58.92
3:49.12
3:54.7 m
3:56.6 m
3:57.69
3:54.93
(i) 3:58.8 e

Madrid
Malm
Manchester,CT
Manchester,UK
Manhattan,Ka.
Mansfield
Manurewa
Melbourne
Metz
Miami
Middlesbrough
Milan
Minneapolis
Modesto
Monte Carlo
Montreal
(i)
Moscow,Id (i)
Moskva
(i)
Mosselbaai
Motspur Park
Murfreesboro (i)

3:55.94
3:58.0 m
3:59.36
3:52.91
3:59.6 m
3:59.6 m
3:57.8 m
3:51.54
3:59.18
3:59.5 m
3:59.4 m
3:51.96
3:55.52
3:54.9 m
3:56.75
3:56.8 ?
3:59.87
3:57.76
3:59.9 m
3:58.0 m
3:59.58

Jos Luis Carreira

Herb Elliott
Gerry OReilly
Peter Elliott
Steve Heidenreich
Craig Mochrie
John Walker
Simon Doyle
Bruno Levant
Marty Liquori
Walter Wilkinson
Genny DiNapoli
Ray Flynn
Peter Snell
John Ngugi
John Walker
Jacinto Navarette
Vyacheslav Shabunin
Marius Schlechter
John Kirkbride
Colin Hume

Naantali
3:58.7 m Derek Ibbotson
Nairobi
3:59.5 m Kip Keino
Napier
3:56.9 m Kip Keino
Nashville
3:59.9 m Bob Whelan
Nelson
3:59.1 m Dick Tayler
New York City 3:52.74
Jim Spivey
(i) 3:52.99
Noureddine Morceli
Nice
3:44.60
Hicham El Guerrouj
Ninove
3:57.5 m Vincent Rousseau
Norman
3:59.9 m Johnny Halberstadt
North Shore
3:54.4 m John Walker
Notre Dame - see South Bend
Nottingham
3:59.8 m Steve James
Nuoro
3:58.96
Michal Bartoszak

3 Oct 62
2 Jun 77
25 Aug 93
27 May 90
12 Sep 86
12 Jun 65
4 Jul 84
31 Aug 96
1 Oct 89
18 Jul 73
19 Aug 98
20 Aug 66
4 Jun 66
15 Feb 80
10 May 81
1 Aug 85
12 Jun 83
12 Feb 77
20 Jul 83
8 Jul 74
4 Jun 87
29 Aug 58
20 Jun 87
9 Sep 90
24 May 75
28 Aug 89
4 Jan 76
7 Feb 91
13 Sep 87
29 Jun 69
11 Sep 67
30 May 92
10 Aug 85
25 May 63
12 Aug 90
11 Feb 79
13 Feb 87
14 Feb 96
28 Dec 89
23 Jul 69
5 Mar 83
7 Aug 57
2 Sep 67
4 Dec 65
11 Jul 92
17 Feb 71
21 Jul 91
22 Feb 91
16 Jul 98
28 Jul 87
4 May 74
30 Jun 84
9 Jun 84
10 Sep 93

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 29

Sub 4 - Best Marks by venue

Nyeri

3:55.0 m Kip Keino

24 Jun 67

Oklahoma City (i)3:57.0m

Osaka
3:51.30
Oslo
3:46.32
Ottawa
(i) 3:57.9m
Oulu
3:59.3 m
Oxford
3:58.9 m

Wilson Waigwa
Noureddine Morceli
Steve Cram
Eamonn Coghlan
Antti Loikkanen
Simon Mugglestone

15 Feb 75
11 May 96
27 Jul 85
14 Feb 81
5 Jul 79
19 May 90

Paarl
3:56.0 m
Palmerston North 3:54.6 m
Palo Alto
(Angell Field) 3:59.19
(Stanford Stad.) 3:57.84
Papendal
3:59.3 m
Paris
(Charlty)
3:49.01
(Jean Bouin)
3:57.5 #

Johan Fourie
John Walker

26 Dec 85
11 Mar 81

Jamey Harris
Samuel Kibiri
Haico Scharn

27 May 97
30 Mar 91
4 Sep 73

Hicham El Guerrouj
Sad Aouita
[in 2km]
Joe Dunbar
Mike Hillardt
Steve Scott
Marty Liquori
Don Paige
Eamonn Coghlan
Dyrol Burleson
Kip Keino
Jim Spivey
Johan Fourie
Noureddine Morceli
Tom Byers
Gary Staines
Matthews Temane
Siegfried Valentin
Ahmed Warsama
Johan Fourie
Frank OMara
Doug Padilla
Henry Rono

29 Jul 98
16 Jul 87

Perivale
Perth
Philadelphia
Piscataway
Pittsburg
Pleasant Hill
Pointe--Pierre
Pontiac
(i)
Port Elizabeth
Portland
(i)
Portsmouth
Potchefstroom
Potsdam
Prague
Pretoria
Providence (i)
Provo
Pullman
(i)

3:59.9 m
3:58.35
3:52.26
3:55.8m
3:54.60
3:56.2 m
3:59.1 m
3:58.3 m
3:59.95
3:50.82
3:54.09
3:56.7m
3:53.82
3:55.4 m
3:56.5 m
3:59.74
3:56.65
3:53.42
3:57.23
3:59.2 m

Quantico

3:59.2 m Cary Weisiger

4 May 63

Raleigh
Reading
Rennes

3:58.4 m Tony Waldrop

3:56.8 m Ian McCafferty
3:53.6 m Michel Jazy

21 Apr 73
11 Jun 69
9 Jun 65

(i)

18 Sep 91
24 Jan 87
30 May 81
7 Feb 75
23 Jun 79
10 May 75
9 Apr 66
3 Apr 71
12 Mar 83
11 Mar 87
16 May 98
30 Jan 82
12 Aug 90
9 Mar 83
28 May 59
31 Aug 91
20 Feb 85
1 Feb 87
21 May 83
20 Mar 77

Horses for Courses

(continued from page 27)
I had the good fortune to train with Steve
Ovett while I was in Sussex on a teacher training
course. He'd frequently be at Withdean when
we did heavy repetition sessions on the track. I
remember him joining a session of 3 x 5 x 300
(39"/40") [100m jog, 500m jog], yet when we
took the 500m jog, he carried on with the efforts,
probably achieving 6 more than us in the
session. He'd also run with the lads on a Sunday
over the Downs, had great cross country ability,
and won a half marathon in under 65 mins while
training for 800m.
Though I never witnessed the sessions, Ovett
did some training very fast - but the point is that
all the bulk training and steady mileage never
took the edge from probably the best kicker in
the business - someone who could also knock
out a sub 47 sec 4 x 400m relay leg.
I started life as an athlete at Folkestone AC, as
did Steve Heard, who once lost a 400m race to
me (as I kept reminding him). We frequently
ran heavy hill sessions on Remembrance Hill up

BMC News : Spring 1999

Richfield
Richmond
Rieti
Roma
Rosemont
Rotherham
Roxbury

(i) 3:56.56
(i) 3:59.5m
3:44.39
3:50.28
(i) 3:57.25
3:54.65
(i) 3:59.02

Jos Abascal
Tony Waldrop
Noureddine Morceli
Steve Scott
Eamonn Coghlan
Peter Elliott
Ibrahim Aden

19 Feb 84
19 Jan 74
5 Sep 93
10 Sep 86
27 Jan 85
12 Jun 92
20 Feb 98

Tauranga
Tempe
Tillsonburg
Tokoroa
Tokyo
Torino
Toronto

3:58.8 m
3:56.7 m
3:55.5 m
3:57.5 m
3:59.3 m
3:55.3 m
(i) 3:50.6m
San Francisco
3:55.63
San Jose
3:55.37
San Sebastin (i) 3:55.51
Sankt-Peterburg 3:48.67
Santander
3:57.5 #

Tom Smith
Dyrol Burleson
Michel Jazy
Dyrol Burleson
Ian Gillespie
Jim Ryun
Eamonn Coghlan
Matt Giusto
Steve Scott
Noureddine Morceli
Noureddine Morceli
Jos Abascal
[in 2km]
Sosthenes Bitok
Marty Liquori
Vnuste Niyongabo
Mrio Silva
Laban Rotich
Rob Druppers
Willy Polleunis
Edwin Maranga
Kevin Sullivan
Brendan Foster
Len Hilton

20 Jul 85
22 Jun 63
2 Jun 65
2 Apr 66
4 Sep 93
27 Jun 65
20 Feb 81
15 May 93
28 May 83
4 Mar 92
26 Jul 94
7 Sep 86

Tullyleash
Turku

Sydney Maree
Johan Fourie
John Kibowen
Don Bowden
Steve Ovett
David Moorcroft
Neil Horsfield
Neil Horsfield
Ian Hamer
Mike Hillardt

5 Aug 78
25 Mar 83
5 Aug 98
1 Jun 57
20 Sep 78
30 Aug 75
1 Jul 90
13 Jul 86
16 Jul 88
24 Mar 85

Jeff Atkinson

29 Apr 89

Sacramento
St.Louis
Saint-Maur
Salem
Salisbury
San Diego

Scarborough,Ont. 3:57.6 m
Seattle
3:57.6 m
Selargius
3:58.0 #
Seville
3:58.66
Sheffield
3:51.74
Sindelfingen (i) 3:58.40
Sittard
3:57.9 ?
Solihull
3:58.11
South Bend (i) 3:55.90
South Shields
3:59.2 m
Spring,Tx
3:57.6 m
Stanford - see Palo Alto
State College
3:59.2 m
Stellenbosch
3:52.31
Stockholm
3:51.32
Stockton
3:58.7 m
Stovner
3:52.8 m
Stretford
3:58.8 m
Sutton Coldfield 3:57.82
Swansea
3:57.03
Swindon
3:59.9 m
Sydney
3:55.56
Tampa

3:59.98

8 Aug 82
19 Jun 71
20 Sep 95
30 May 90
2 Aug 98
5 Feb 88
9 Sep 78
5 Sep 98
4 Feb 95
30 Jun 73
3 Jun 72

from Folkestone Docks. But more interestingly,

Steve would turn out for the Canterbury 10 mile
race and Kent cross country leagues - he ran
decent times, around 52 mins for 10 miles,
however never got revenge for the 400m defeat!
I draw my final example from distance
running in the 60's and 70's. There were 10km
runners on very high mileage la Dave Bedford,
then marathoners on (reputed) low mileage like
Alberto Salazar. Us trainee athletes would be
advised to go one way, then back, with the
fashion - we'd all change when the training
secrets of the next World Record holder were
revealed.
In the end, most of us found a blend, which
suited us as an individual. It's important to find
that blend for yourself, and I'd guess that for
most athletes the sessions they enjoy the most
will be the ones that work the best (that's why
we like them) - what I'm saying here is that there
are many ways to become a fast miler - there are
horses for courses. And, critically not every 14year-old BMC member will end up as a miler although I'd admit moving to the marathon was
extreme!

3:58.8 m
3:56.4 m
3:55.25
3:56.9 m
3:55.5 ?
3:59.5 #
3:52.8 m
(i) 3:55.63
3:57.8 m
3:57.9 m

John Walker
Paul Cummings
Jim Spivey
Kip Keino
Steve Ovett
Genny DiNapoli
Jim Ryun
Eamonn Coghlan
Eamonn Coghlan
John Landy

29 Dec 84
16 Mar 74
7 Jul 84
6 Dec 65
25 Sep 78
26 May 91
29 Jul 72
13 Feb 81
17 Aug 81
21 Jun 54

Uniondale
3:53.39
Noureddine Morceli 21 Jul 98
University Park 3:58.4 m Larry Mangan
16 May 80
Valencia
(i) 3:57.07
Vancouver
3:55.4 m
Vsters
3:58.7 m
Vxj
3:57.4 m
Verona
3:53.73
Viareggio
3:58.65
Victoria,BC
3:57.9 m
Villanova
3:52.64
Villeneuve dAscq3:53.53

Frank OMara
Jim Grelle
Josef Odlozil
Mike Durkin
Sad Aouita
Stefano Mei
Rod Dixon
Sydney Maree
Hauke Fuhlbrgge

12 Mar 87
15 Jun 65
8 Aug 65
18 Aug 76
11 Jun 87
6 Aug 86
7 Jul 73
9 Jun 85
1 Jul 91

Walnut
3:55.9 m Jim Ryun
Wanganui
3:53.8 m Jrgen May
Wellington
3:54.65 John Walker
Westwood - see Los Angeles
Wichita
3:53.3 m Rick Wohlhuter
Wien
3:55.7 ? Suleiman Nyambui
Williamsburg
3:56.4 m Howell Michael
Winnipeg
(i) 3:58.6 ? Filbert Bayi
Woodland Hills 3:58.8 m Richard Romo
Worcester,SAf. 3:58.4 m Whaddon Niewoudt

10 Aug 68
11 Dec 65
26 Feb 83
31 May 75
13 Jun 79
11 May 74
9 Feb 80
10 Aug 66
17 Mar 97

Ypsilanti

(i) 3:58.61

Paul McMullen

14 Feb 97

Zaragoza
Zagreb
Zrich

(i) 3:58.45
3:50.68
3:45.19

Peter Elliott
26 Feb 88
Noureddine Morceli 7 Jul 98
Noureddine Morceli 16 Aug 95

? = Meeting with auto-timing, hundredths not known

* = Adjusted time (1757 yards + 0.5 sec.)
# = En route to 2km or 3km

Harry Wilson 1926 - 1999

a Tribute
Frank Horwill, a long-time friend who
worked with Harry on the book The
Complete Distance Runner, said:
Harry was a very close friend for
more than 20 years. We had differences
of opinion on coaching ideas but he
could convince athletes that they could
do better than they thought. I well
remember him telling Tony Simmons:
Youve been good for along time. When
are you going to be great? Simmons
responded by winning a European
Championship silver medal. Harry was
fearless, a great character with
enormous knowledge. He was a great
friend.
More tributes next issue

29

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 30

Running with Steve...

by Matt Patterson
My relationship with Steve Ovett goes back to
1973/74 when Steve had just won the European
Junior 800m title from Willi Wuelbeck and Ivo
Van Damme. I was one of the top distance
runners in Sussex and had known this young
'star' for the past four
or five years as we
were both members
of the same club,
Brighton and Hove
A.C. We raced each
other at the annual
Boxing Day race in
1973 and Steve
easily outsprinted me
over 4 miles when he
was just 18 years of
age. What impressed
me immediately with
this young man was
the ease with which
he ran and the
economy of effort
when he was running
beside you.
Photo by: Shearman
From then, till I left
to work in Norway in 1984, we ran 'Stride for
Stride' practically every day at our home in
Brighton, in the south of England and in many
other parts of the World. It was a wonderful
experience - not only training with an athletic
genius but the exuberant and complex character
of Steve Ovett.
Steve, although he may deny it, loved to run.
I also suspect that he enjoyed the rigorous
training we used to do around the streets of
Brighton and in a very short period of time
emerged a very tough but fair competitor.
When I listen to Steve talking now about his
career he tends to trivialise the hard training he
underwent during his formative years. I know
that his father read a copy of 'The Jim Ryun
Story' when Steve was 14/15 years old and had
him running sessions of 20 x 400m on grass this was when Steve was running sprint
distances!
CONDITIONING WORK 1979/1980
Winter Months
Base Work and General Build Up
The winter prior to the Moscow Olympics
(1980) we ran an average of 100 miles/week
(160km) for over 20 weeks, with some weeks at
110-120 miles/week. Steve wanted this winter
to be the best possible he could manage - he
wanted "to frighten the life out of people" with
his fitness level. Brighton is a very hilly town
and this made our training even harder as most

30

of our runs included some very tough hill

climbs. The winters in the south of England can
be tough and occasionally we had snowfalls but
usually they were cold and damp. As we
trained together nearly every day (twice a day)
it was easy to adjust the training as we felt fit.
Two or three times a month Steve would travel
up to London to do a session with Bob Benn
(800m runner) and to see Harry Wilson. We ran
most of our winter sessions on the road because
the grass in many of the parklands would be too
wet or muddy to run at a decent pace. At that
period in my career, I was running 49 mins for
10 miles and 23/24 mins for 5 miles, so I was
able to run 10 miles in training at a comfortable
pace of 53/55 minutes.
Our hill sessions were very intensive but
Steve revelled in this type of work. The long

STEVE OVETTS BEST TIMES:400m

800m
1,000m
1,500m
Mile
2,000m
3,000m
2 miles
5,000m

47.5
1:44.09 (1978)
2:15.91 (1979)
3:30.77 (1983)
3:48.40 (1981)
4:57.71 (1982)
7:41.3 (1977)
8:13.51 (1978)
13:20.06 (1986)

interval session in the park was rotated each

week from the fairly flat course to the hilly
course. Some weeks we would run 8 x 1000m
but usually it was 6 reps. Our recovery ranged
from 30 secs to 60 secs but there was no set rule
- if we felt good we shortened the recovery. It
was a fast jog recovery. If I felt good I'd shorten
the recovery even more, to make sure that Steve
was working his body to its extremes. We
never worried about training too hard! My only
concern was that I might not be training hard
enough for him and therefore holding him back.
We talked about this on a few occasions but
Steve did not want it any other way.
There was another long interval session we
also ran in the park, close to the athletic
stadium. They were about 4 minutes in duration
and very hilly. We always ran this session in
spikes as the grass was always lush. Our
recovery was between 15 - 30 secs! We ran this
session at least once a week for close to 10
years and when I travel back to Brighton and
run this course, I find it very tough. The steep
hills on this course made you work hard even

when you felt strong.

Variety was very important in our training.
As we trained so often each week and running to
and from our homes, Steve lived either 5 mins
jog or 100m jog from my home throughout our
years of training together, we tended to look for
different places to train each year but still
holding on to the areas which we knew were
ideal training venues. It was funny to see Steve
racing in some foreign country on the TV in the
evening after he was seen training in Brighton
that morning and then returning the following
day to do that evening session. We trained many
times abroad but found it hard to beat Brighton
as far as training venues go.
For the first five years we very rarely used a
stop watch - track sessions were of course the
exception. I loved to push my body to the limit
on many of the sessions and Steve would be
operating on about 80% of his maximum. We
would do these road runs and knew roughly
how long in distance they were but never
became obsessed about putting a watch on
them. Steve never timed the sessions - he
knew his body exceptionally well and that was
his measurement of how he was going. He
could do hard sessions (intensive) and was
totally recovered by the next day. The sessions
in themselves were a maximum of 20 mins maybe that was the secret of his successes!
When you observed Steve running at
maximum speed he looked so relaxed and that
was his great asset - to run fast and keep
relaxed!
Also, in all the years I have known Steve, he
has never recorded his training and I was the
only person who knew intimately what he was
doing on a day to day basis. I realise now that
it was part of Steve's
make up - he did not
want to dwell too
much on training and
we spent much of
our time running together and talking on
issues other than
running. The training
would be done and
little time would be
spent on reflecting
on what we were
doing. Only now do
I have the time to
look back and realise
how long and hard
we were training. It
produced the results
Photo by: Shearman
he wanted!

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 31

...a Retrospective
A TYPICAL WINTER WEEKS TRAINING
NOV-MAR 1979/80

Day

Time

Session

Effort

Sun

a.m.
p.m.
a.m.
p.m.
a.m.

10 miles road
10 miles road
5 miles road
10 miles road
10 miles road

a.m.
p.m.
a.m.
p.m.
a.m.
p.m.
a.m.
p.m.

10 miles road
10 miles
5 miles road
10 miles road
5 miles road
5 miles road
5 miles road
6 x 1000m park

57/60 mins
54/55 mins
Easy 35 mins
Fast/steady 52/53 mins
Hard on road 4 x 300m approx with fast jog rec then across another very steep hill, 4 x 400m approx
jog rec.
58/60 mins
Plus technique work at Crystal Palace
Easy 35 mins
Steady 55/58 mins continuous
Easy 35 mins
Easy 35 mins
Easy 35 mins
Hard with 30 secs 1 min rec (in spikes)

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

A TYPICAL SPRING WEEKS TRAINING

APR-JUN 1980
Sun

a.m.
p.m.
a.m.
p.m.
a.m.
p.m.
a.m.
p.m.

10 miles road
4 miles
5 miles road
Track session
5 miles
6 x 700m in park
5 miles road
Track session

Thu

a.m.
p.m.

Rest
Hills park

Fri

a.m.
p.m.
a.m.
p.m.

5 miles road
5 miles
6 x 1000m in park
5 miles

Mon
Tue
Wed

Sat

Easy 60/65 mins

Easy + 5 x 3 x 200m (27"/28") [30", 3 ]
Easy 35 mins
5 x 300m (37.4" av.) [2 ]
Easy 35 mins
Very hilly at start, long downhill to finish (90% effort) [2] (in spikes) + 10 x 100m strides at end
Easy 35 mins
Technique work high knees etc, 5 x 150m (16"/17") [walk] +10 x 100m (change of pace 11"/13")
[walk] + 4 x 60m (standing start) [3]
Weights in morning.
6 x 30 secs (in spikes 90% effort) [jog], 10 mins jog, then 8 x 15 secs [walk]. Aim at good knee lift
and technique.
Easy 35 mins
Plus 4 x 5 x 100m (14"/15") [starting at 30 secs on the first set to 5 secs rec on the last set].
(in spikes) [30"/60"]
Easy - + 6 x 100m strides on grass
A TYPICAL SUMMER WEEKS TRAINING
JUN-SEPT 1981

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

a.m.
p.m.
a.m.
p.m.
a.m.
p.m.

10 miles road
Strides grass
Rest
Track session
Easy run
Strides
Rest day

p.m.
p.m.

Easy run
Race 1 mile

BMC News : Spring 1999

Easy 65 mins
10 x 100m (13"/14" accelerations, change of pace).
Change of pace 4 x 400m (first 200m 28"/29", last 200m 23"/24")) [5].
35 mins
6 x 100m Relaxed
Travel to London, then to Oslo
30 mins + strides
Bislett Games equalled World Record for Mile

31

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 32

A Standard Format for Training

From 1990 to 1997 Peter Thompson was Project Director of the world wide I.A.A.F Coaches Education and
Certification System. In writing and delivering the material for this global programme he was in a privileged
position to consult with experts from all 208 IAAF Member Federations and to identify and influence common best
practice. in all track and field disciplines. An example of this can be seen in the area of endurance coaching.
One of the factors that has hindered the communication between middle and long distance running and race
walk coaches, and their subsequent communication with athletes, has been a lack of a standardised way to
represent training sessions. Recognising the variety which existed the I.A.A.F introduced in 1997 a standardised
representation of endurance training for its coach education courses and published this in New Studies in Athletics,
the technical coaching journal of the I.A.A.F. The BMC News has now adopted the I.A.A.F standard and reprints
it here.

Examples of a standard form:

10 x 400 (72") [2]
this means: 10 repetitions of 400m , with each repetition run at 72 seconds and 2 minutes recovery between the repetitions.
3 x 4 x 300 (51") [1 & 5]
this means: 3 sets of 4 repetitions of 300m, with each repetition run at 51 seconds, I minute recovery between the repetitions
and 5 minutes between the sets.
For more complex sets it may be written, for example:

SUMMARY
Sets x repetitions x distance (intensity/pace) [recovery between reps, then recovery between sets]

2 x 500 (300/48", 200/max) [8] [15] 8 x 200 (35") [1]

this means: 2 repetitions of 500m, with the first 300m being run at a target pace of 48 seconds and the final 200m being run at
maximal effort. The recovery between the repetitions is 8 minutes. Then there is recovery of 15 minutes, probably easy running,
before 8 repetitions of 200m in 35 seconds with one minute recovery.
2 x {1 x 500 (80") [2] 1 x 700 (152") [30"] 1 x 300 (max)} [12]
this means: that the athlete will run two sets. Each set will consist of: 1 repetition of 500m in 80 seconds, a recovery of 2
minutes, 1 repetition of 700m in 1minute 52 seconds, 30 seconds recovery and then 1 repetition of 300m at maximum effort.
There is 12 minutes recovery between the sets.
Finally, both the warm up and cool down distances can be included as follows:

BMC

2 Session Details 2
For most British coaches this would mean 2 miles warm up and 2 miles cool down but whether these are miles or kilometres
will depend on the understood preference of the coach and athlete.

The above material has been reproduced with the permission of the IAAF and may be photocopied for use in non-profit coaching and
educational settings.
IAAF 1997

32

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 33

The Dunn Test

by Lindsay Dunn
PREDICTING LACTATE THRESHOLD
HEART RATE
Something which may be of interest to athletes
and coaches is a simple practical test I devised for
measuring an athletes lactate threshold pace
without the use of physiological testing facilities
but using a heart rate monitor. The test simply
involves two test runs each of 20 minutes
conducted in successive weeks.
I use a flat, extensive grass area with a good
running surface, which has a track in the middle.
A road surface, however, with a measured 400m
included would suffice, provided the area is flat
and of an even surface.
The athlete does a normal warm up then
commences the 20 minute test run at a pace
he/she believes represents a pace that could be
maintained throughout a half marathon race. He
or she then runs onto the track after 8 minutes of
running, at which point the pulse rate should have
stabilised and levelled out. The lap time is
recorded along with the pulse reading. The
athlete then returns to running on the grass area.
A similar measurement is taken on the track
after 18 minutes of running. It is emphasised to
the athlete that he/she must endeavour to keep the
same pace and not to run quicker on the track
since it is not a time trial. Scrutiny of the pulse

readings at other parts of the run can ensure that

the pace is even throughout.
By analysis of the 400m times and pulse
readings I have found that a very accurate interpretation can be made. For example, if the first
400m is 75 seconds and the pulse rate is 170
beats per minute (bpm), then the second 400m is
77 seconds and pulse 175 bpm you can interpret
that the first 400m was too fast and you now
know that the lactate threshold is below 170 bpm.
On the second test run a week later you set the
heart rate monitor alarm to go off if the runner
exceeds 167 bpm. Let us say that this produces
400m laps at 8 and 18 minutes of 78 and 79
seconds, then 167 is the correct lactate threshold
pulse rate. If it produces 78 seconds on both
400m sections then 168 bpm is probably correct.
I have found it relatively simple to interpret the
readings allowing an increase in heart rate of 2-3
bpm for the second 400m, provided the time is
the same as the first 400m. Armed with this
information the athlete can simply do threshold
runs with the alarm set according, without the
need for training partners and regardless of
terrain, conditions, etc.. This is very useful when
the coach is not present and is of great benefit at
appropriate times.
Five years ago, the BAF sent a mobile blood

testing team around the country and I was asked

if I wished any of my runners to be tested. Half
of my athletes were tested using increasing pace
runs on the track while ear lobe blood samples
were taken. In three cases, my own calculations
using the above simple field methods were
exact to the same bpm, and for the other two
athletes were 1 bpm out!
I find that a lot of runners perceived lactate
threshold effort differs greatly from what it
actually is. One case I had was particularly interesting. One of the runners I coached was always
suffering from colds and injuries, and I was

My own calculations using the above

simple fieldmethods were exact to the
same bpm
always in dispute with him that his easy runs
were too quick. I calculated his lactate threshold
at 168 bpm but he insisted it was nearer 175, as
168 felt too easy and some of his supposedly easy
runs were 170 bpm or more. The BAF test came
up with 168 bpm!
I think that this field test is much easier than
others I have read about including the Conconi
one. Perhaps it might be of interest to BMC
members. I would be happy to have it as the
"Dunn Test"!!

Pulse rates related to VO2 max percentages

by Frank Horwill
The oxygen uptake by the tissues of the body
will increase as running speed increases to a
maximum value. This value is known as the
maximal oxygen uptake, or VO2 max. The
maximal oxygen uptake is defined as: "the
highest oxygen uptake an individual can attain
during physical work and breathing air at sea
level" and is one of the key determinants of
running performance. Pulse rates can be a
guide to the percentage of VO2 max being used
when expressed as a percentage of your
maximal pulse rate (MHR). One way of
discovering your maximum pulse reading is to
run for 3 minutes at maximum effort. Thus, a
good class male athlete might attempt running
1,200m or more in that time. A female runner
should attempt 1,100m in 3 minutes.

The VO2 max is greatly enhanced by

training between 80% and 100% of the
VO2 max.
The VO2 max is greatly enhanced by training
between 80% and 100% of the VO2 max. The

BMC News : Spring 1999

Pulse Rate Related to VO2 max percentages

% of
MHR

% of VO2
max

Description

65
73
80
88
90
93
96
100

50
60
70
80
90
95
100
110-130

Very slow running

Slow running
Steady running
Half marathon speed
10k speed
5k speed
3k speed
1,500/800 speed

lower the VO2 max percentage work done, the

longer the repetition. For example, work at 90
per cent (90% MHR), should last for 10
minutes repeated many times with very short
recovery. The higher the VO2 max work
percentage, the lower the distance of the repetitions, but not too short! For example, 100%
VO2 max (96% MHR), 2 to 3 minutes duration,
repeated many times in one session with
moderate recovery time. The higher the VO2
max an athlete has, the higher the lactate

threshold, because the latter is a percentage of

the former.
Athletes are warned that heart rates used in
training at race pace, are frequently higher in
actual competition from the outset. Strict
adherence to training pulse rates in races has led
to athletes being well below their time schedules
for specific parts of the distance. Compete for
time and place in races. If the aim for a female is
a 4:22.5 1,500m, the first lap must not be slower
than 70 seconds. If the aim is for a 2:00 800m,
the first lap must not be more than 60 seconds.
Getting the first part of a race right is important.
This may involve having to take the lead if the
pace is too slow, or even being at the back of the
field if it is too fast. Keep to your time schedule.
Astudy of any prevailing wind just before a track
race is important. It may be necessary to hold
back or shelter behind others in a stiff breeze, and
to accelerate when the wind is behind you.
Athletes should be aware at all times of the
percentage of the VO2 max they are running at.
this involves a conmbination of knowing the
percentage of the maximum heart rate used and
the race or training times per 400m.

33

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 34

The British Athletics Endurance Initiative 1998

by Mike Down
The original objectives of the Endurance
Initiative, which was again supported by the
London Marathon and Foundation for Sport and
Art, were fourfold:
To attract more runners to compete on the
track, particularly over 5,000m and 10,000m
To provide the competitive racing opportunities over 3,000m, 5,000m and 10,000m that all
but the very best of our distance runners are
denied on the European circuit.
To promote fast races through the provision of
appropriate pacemakers with a view to having a
major impact on the annual ranking lists for
3,000m, 5,000m and 10,000m.
To develop a more positive attitude amongst
British distance runners by encouraging them to
compete against each other more often.
An encouraging start was made on all four
aspects in the first year of the Initiative, which
was built on this year, with particular
improvement on the womens side, though once
again the constraints of the a congested fixture
calendar mean that we are not able to start with
a blank sheet of paper in planning the competition programme.
THE RACE PROGRAMME
As in 1997 the race programme was organised
on a two tier structure, National and Regional,
though the Grand Prix element was dispensed
with as a result of the feedback from last years
end of season questionnaire.
This indicated that a large majority of the
runners would prefer more individual prizes for
each race rather than an overall Grand Prix.
Because of their own competitive plans, they
were not keen to commit themselves to the four
or five set dates that would be needed to score in
the Grand Prix. Interestingly, the BMC NIKE
800m/1,500m Grand Prix seems to have
suffered this way, particularly on the mens side
this year.
In all, twenty races were originally scheduled
for both men and women: 9 at National level
(1 @ 10,000m, 4 @ 5,000m, and 4 @ 3,000m)
and a further 11, all over 5,000m, in the Regional
series.
All the races planned were held with the
exception of the Regional event at Nuneaton,
which had to be cancelled due to the new track
there not being ready to use on the agreed date.
In addition, the mens race at the beginning of
the season was an experimental one over
4,000m, which produced an unofficial UK best
time and is considered worth repeating. It seams
an ideal stepping stone between the 3,000m, that
1,500m runners can usually cope with, and the
5,000m that demands more specialised training.

34

pace to be competitive.
The one major disappointment has been the
My aim has always been to make the Initiative
failure of the Regional events to stimulate the
meet the athlete's needs as far as possible. One
interest hoped for. This is partly due to the
example of this already referred to was arranging
necessity of having to rely on the local organfor Sam Haughian to be paced in the Regional
isers to assemble the fields, with much
race at Southampton, while later in the season
depending on the publicity they were able to
the final women's 5,000m race was moved from
give the events, but also I suggest to the general
Solihull in order to give our Commonwealth
apathy to track racing shown by the large
Games hopes a preparatory race before they left
majority of British distance runners, who in most
places have a regular
figure 1
supply of local road races.
Many of the current
Analysis of Mens Initiative Performances 1998 (1997)
crop of senior runners
have come into the sport
3,000m Sub: 8:00
5 (10)
8:10 21 (16)
8:20 39 (26)
through road racing, so
8:30
61 (40)
8:40 93 ( - )
there's an educational task
5,000m Sub: 13:50 5 (8)
14:00 12 (16)
14:10 28 (19)
involved here, since most
14:20 44 (26)
14:30 61 (30)
14:40 79 (40)
of our more successful
15:00 115 (75)
distance runners have had
10,000m Sub: 30:00 0 (9)
31:00 4 (15)
32:00 10 (22)
a track background.
for Kuala Lumpur. For this we were indebted to
Changing the prevalent attitude is one of the
the Midland Counties AA, who allowed us to put
major tasks to be confronted if we are to change
on a race in conjunction with their champithe face of endurance running in this country.
onships in Birmingham.
On a more positive note the National women's
races were much better supported this year. I
like to think this was a direct result of the
RACE STATISTICS AND NATIONAL
previous year's series, which many of the
RANKINGS
women I subsequently spoke to regretted having
Like last year the race programme has
not supported.
certainly made a major impact on the National
At the same time it must be recognised that
ranking lists:
there are relatively very few women distance
No less than 19 (76%) of the top 25 times
runners with any interest, let alone aspirations on
recorded by men over 3,000m were done in
the track. This again is possibly because so
Endurance Initiative races - most of the others
many of the older senior women (over 30's) who
being done in the Sheffield Grand Prix - and 14
are playing a major role at the moment came into
(56%) of the top 25 5,000m times, with the other
the sport through road racing and know no
11 being done at the A.A.A. Championships.
better. There is clearly an important educational
A similar analysis of the best 25 women's
task here for coaches.
times again confirms the influence of the
Encouragingly, the races were better
Like last year the race programme has
supported by juniors this year, particularly the
certainly made a major impact on the
top U20's, and the Initiative events provided the
opportunity for Louise Kelly, Amber Gascoigne
National ranking lists
and Sam Haughian in Southampton to beat the
selection deadline, and Sam did this despite poor
Initiative. At 3,000m 13 (52%) of the top 25
weather conditions. Even so, it is still worth
times were done in Endurance Initiative races,
persuading more of our juniors, as well as their
and as many as 17 (68%) in the 5,000m, with the
coaches, to take advantage of the race opportuother 8, like the men, all being recorded at the
nities offered by the Endurance Initiative.
A.A.A. Championships.
Incidentally, one of my most memorable
Figures 1 & 2 show a further breakdown in
moments this year was the look of total disbelief
the number of performances achieved in various
on young David Hibbert's face when I told him
time intervals, with last years figures appended
he had just knocked half a minute off his 5,000m
in brackets for comparison.
best at Watford. The fact that this just
"happened" is testimony to the growing crediMEN
bility and success of our race programme, as it's
This breakdown shows that a dramatic
just the sort of breakthrough that several of our
improvement has been made in the quantity of
top seniors have made in recent years on the
top class performances, if not quite in the quality
European circuit when impelled to run at a faster
one would have liked to see at the sharp end.

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 35

The British Athletics Endurance Initiative 1998

This years programme has substantially
widened the base of sub 8:10 and 14:10 performances. The reason why the same has not
happened at the top end is principally because
half of the top ten ranked distanced runners, Jon
Brown, Karl Keska, Ian Gillespie, Keith Cullen,
and Neil Caddy, did not compete in any of the
Initiative races due to their own international
race agendas.
The biggest disappointment has been the
inability to find a suitable date for a competitive
10,000m race. The only conclusion is that it is
not a practical proposition with the calendar as
congested as it is at present, though there also
seems to be a fear of running 25 laps on a track
among many of our better runners, despite the
fact that they think nothing of racing the distance
on the road.
There may be a case for putting on an intermediate distance race, say over 8,000m, as we
did with the 4,000m event in Millfield, and enlist
the support of coaches to encourage those with
aspirations over the longer distance to use it as a
stepping stone. This may be a radical
suggestion, but as a coach I am still firmly of the

compete at international level if they never race

the distances in meaningful competition.

WOMEN
As hoped, with the credibility of the
Initiative races proven last year, our leading
women distance runners and their coaches
presumably realised what they had missed and
supported the programme enthusiastically this
year (see figure 2).
The results were particularly encouraging, as
there were around twice as many marks
throughout the performance range at both
3,000m and 5,000m. In contrast to the men
virtually all our top women, with the understandable exception of Paula Radcliffe,
competed at least once, and most of them several
times. This of course is partly due to the fact that
they are unable to get into any races on the
European circuit.
Significantly five of the top ten ranked juniors
over 3,000m achieved their times in the
Endurance Initiative races, with Amber
Gascoigne notably providing two of the fastest
junior times this year.
As for the 5,000m, the
same remarks apply to the
figure 2
women as the men, but
Analysis of Womens Initiative Performances 1998 (1997)
even more so, as five of
the only six juniors
3,000m Sub: 9:30
19 (3)
9:40 29 (10) 10:00 43 (22)
ranked did their perfor5,000m Sub: 16:00
6 (3)
16:30 15 (8)
17:00 43 (22)
mances in Endurance
18:00
43 (28)
Initiative races, including
Louise Kelly, who ran
faster than her time at Wythenshawe subsebelief that an athlete will never learn how to race
quently in the World Championships. There
a distance on the track without experience of
must surely be something wrong with the
what is involved! Yet that is precisely what most
competitive structure for this age group if there
of our 10,000m runners do, on the assumption
are only six sub 18 minute performances!
presumably that racing on the road is an
adequate substitute. Anyone who saw the
10,000m trial would have to agree, for as many
RAISING THE GAME
runners dropped out as finished. This is
The significant improvement in what I term
definitely a topic that needs urgent discussion.
the engine room of the ranking lists this year is a
Another problem I highlighted in last years
clear indication of the growing credibility of the
report was the relatively small number of our top
Endurance Initiative. Yet while this represents
juniors who took part. Although this year was
positive progress, the increased participation of
better in this respect, there were still only four
our leading women runners for instance
junior marks in the 5,000m and eight in the
produced comparable gains to the men last year,
3,000m Of these, significantly, two of the
I still feel that not enough of our top runners
5,000m marks were the top two U20 performade full use of the opportunities offered by the
mances of the year, while the best six ranked
Initiative races, especially when compared to the
runners in the 3,000m all competed in
support given by Ireland's leading runners!
Endurance Initiative races, with Chris
The fact that several of them were won by
Thompson's 8:16.9 at Swindon the fastest in the
Africans in isolation is an indictment of some of
country.
our top runners, who for one reason or another
The conclusion is surely obvious. So there is
chose not to take part in races that were every bit
a message here for all coaches of promising
as good as many on the IAAF permit circuit.
juniors, because they cannot be expected to
Even so, there is no doubt that all who have

BMC News : Spring 1999

taken part have testified that the Endurance

Initiative races have filled a void in the domestic
calendar. To ensure further progress strategies
must be developed to make the races even more
competitive. This could be done by using the
races as a passport to international competition
for those successful, or by funding other
European athletes to take part. This would seem
particularly appropriate for any 10,000m races.
It would also be a more economic and practical
alternative to sending runners overseas all the
time.

Even so, there is no doubt that all who

have taken part have testified that the
Endurance Initiative races have filled a
void in the domestic calendar.
LOOKING AHEAD
As last year, a questionnaire is being circulated to many of those who took part in order to
see how the athletes themselves would like to
see the Initiative progress.
Although the results are not yet available, any
sensible suggestions will be taken into account
in planning next years programme.
Personal Recommendations
That the Regional Grand Prix be scrapped,
with perhaps the exception of the races in
Scotland and Northern Ireland, and any
resources saved used to further improve the
National series.
That the National race series be repeated on
similar lines to 1998, i.e. four 3,000m and
5,000m races, plus perhaps another 4,000m
event as I think it has much to offer as a stepping
stone to 5,000m, especially for juniors.
That broadly speaking a similar prize
structure be adopted as in 1998, with more, if
smaller prizes, for each race, i.e. the first six as
tried this year.
That the Grand Prix element be reintroduced
in order to maintain the quality of the fields at the
front right to the end of the season. This should
also be done to come in line with the
800m/1,500m BMC NIKE Grand Prix, under
which format it is proposed to organise the
Initiative this year, though the overall prizes
need not I think be that large.
That consideration be given to equalising the
prize money for men and women, but that more
prizes be retained for the men's races due to the
extra number involved. e.g. six for men and four
for women.
(continued on page 43)

35

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 36

All-Time BMC Mens Rankings

Compiled by Matthew Fraser Moat
These statistics have been compiled from Athletics Weekly 1963 - 1991, and the
BMC News from 1992 - 1998. Unfortunately results of the Stretford meetings were
often incomplete when published in AW. Where it is known from the NUTS rankings
that a fast race took place at Stretford but the result has either not been found in
AW or is listed as "Invitation" but makes no mention of the BMC, those performances have been listed in italics with a 'q' as questionable. We would welcome
independent confirmation as to whether these were in fact BMC races.
Performances set whilst the athlete was a junior are also marked with a J.
* denotes athlete was a non-member at the time of the performance.
Men's 600m
1:17.8
1:18.5
1:18.5
1:18.6
1:18.7
1:19.0
1:19.0

Andrew Hart
Steven Ovett
Andrew Knight
Gary Brown II
* Pete Lewis
Clive Gilby
Rupert Waters

1
Watford
1
Crystal Palace
1
Highgate
1
Grangemouth
2
Crystal Palace
1
Sutcliffe Park
2
Sutcliffe Park
7 performances to 1:19.0 by 7 athletes

10 Jun 98
12 May 76
7 Aug 96
3 Aug 94
12 May 76
5 Jul 97
5 Jul 97

1:46.2
1:46.4
1:46.4
1:46.67
1:46.7
1:46.8

1:46.83
1:46.87

1:47.2

1:47.3
1:47.5
1:47.52
1:47.6
1:47.6
1:47.69J
1:47.7
1:47.7
1:47.8
1:47.8
1:47.81
1:47.9
1:47.9
1:47.9
1:47.9
1:48.0
1:48.0
1:48.2

36

* Patrick Ndururi KEN

1:46.6
* Robert Kibet KEN
* Paul McMullen USA
1:48.1
* Paul Walker
* Bernard Kisilu KEN
1:46.8
James McIlroy IRE
(Northern Irish Record)
1:47.41
Andrew Hart
1:47.0
1:47.13
1:47.4
1:48.0
1:48.2
1:48.5
1:48.5
1:48.7
1:48.8
1:49.0
* Benson Koech KEN
Kevin McKay
1:47.2
1:48.0
1:48.2
1:48.5
1:48.5
1:48.7
1:48.86
1:48.9
Grant Cuddy
1:48.2
1:48.7
(10)
* Gary Cook
Anthony Whiteman
1:47.7
* Andrew Lill
* Neil Horsfield
* Craig Winrow
1:48.3
Simon Lees
1:48.88J
Sebastian Coe
Robin Hooton
1:49.0
Lee Cadwallader
1:48.5
1:49.0
John Mayock
(20)
* Joseph Mutua KEN
* David Warren
Rupert Waters
1:48.7
1:49.0
Justin Swift-Smith
1:48.4
1:48.9
* Martin Keino KEN
* Colin Campbell
* Francis Kemboi KEN
James Mayo
1:48.7

1:48.3
1:48.3
1:48.39
1:48.4
1:48.4
1:48.43
1:48.43J
1:48.5
1:48.5
1:48.7
1:48.7
1:48.7

Men's 800m
1:45.2

1:48.3

1
1
2
1
1r2
1
1
3
2

Battersea Park
Battersea Park
Battersea Park
Stretford
Stretford
Stretford
Bristol
Battersea Park
Battersea Park

15 Jun 97
14 Jun 98
15 Jun 97
1 Aug 95
18 Jul 95
22 Jul 97
30 Aug 97
15 Jun 97
14 Jun 98

1
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
5
3
1
2
8
2
2
2
2
2
8

Wythenshawe
Battersea Park
Battersea Park
Solihull
Tooting
Watford
Birmingham
Solihull
Wythenshawe
Stretford
Cheltenham
Loughborough
Crawley
Bristol
Battersea Park
Stretford
Watford
Stretford
Battersea Park
Wythenshawe
Wythenshawe
Wythenshawe
Stretford
Swindon
Battersea Park

3 Jun 98
15 Jun 97
14 Jun 98
5 Sep 98
20 Aug 97
5 Jun 96
20 Aug 95
29 Jul 92
14 May 97
25 Jun 96
21 Jul 93
18 May 96
28 May 94
30 Aug 97
15 Jun 97
1 Aug 95
25 Jun 97
16 Jul 96
14 Jun 98
14 May 97
3 Jun 98
17 May 93
22 Jul 97
7 Aug 97
15 Jun 97

1
4
6
2
1
2
1
2
3
1
1
3
1
2
1
5

Stretford
Battersea Park
Battersea Park
Crawley
Cwmbran
Stretford
Wythenshawe
Solihull
Wythenshawe
Stretford
Wythenshawe
Watford
Stretford
Wythenshawe
Stretford
Battersea Park

3 Jun 80
14 Jun 98
15 Jun 97
28 May 94
16 Aug 89
1 Aug 95
15 May 96
5 Sep 98
3 Jun 98
8 Aug 76
30 Jul 96
5 Jun 96
22 Aug 95
15 May 96
27 Jun 95
14 Jun 98

1
1
2
1
4
1
7
2
6
1r2
7
3
1

Cardiff
Crystal Palace
Wythenshawe
Battersea
Watford
Swindon
Battersea Park
Watford
Battersea Park
Crystal Palace
Battersea Park
Wythenshawe
Stretford

15 Jul 98
12 May 80
30 Jul 96
14 Jul 96
5 Jun 96
7 Aug 97
15 Jun 97
5 Jun 96
14 Jun 98
12 Jun 72
14 Jun 98
30 Jul 96
3 Sep 96

1:48.7
1:48.8
1:48.8J
1:48.9
1:48.95
1:49.0
1:49.0
1:49.0
1:49.0
1:49.0
1:49.0

* Gary Lough
1
Milton Keynes
1:48.7
7
Wythenshawe
Tom Lerwill
3
Swindon
Bradley Donkin
1
Watford
1:48.4
4
Wythenshawe
(30)
Matthew Shone
3
Solihull
1:48.6
2
Watford
Tony Johnston
1
Stretford
Bradley Donkin
4
Wythenshawe
Phillip Tulba
2
Cardiff
1:48.71
1
Swindon
Chris Moss
4
Solihull
* Jason Lobo
2
Stretford
1:48.8
3
Wythenshawe
Eddie King
5
Wythenshawe
1:48.51
3
Cardiff
1:48.9
4
Wythenshawe
Andrew Carter
1
Blackburn
Desmond English IRE
1
Wythenshawe
1:48.8
1
Watford
Anthony Morrell
3
Stretford
(40)
Andrew Knight
6
Wythenshawe
1:48.9
4
Swindon
James Espir
2
Crystal Palace
Adam Duke
2
Solihull
* Stephen Green
4
Stretford
* Michael Guegan
3
Crawley
* F MacSweeney IRE
1
Crystal Palace
Hamish McInnes
1
Stretford
* Martin Steele
1
Leeds
Matthew Yates
2
Watford
Mark Griffin
1r2
Battersea Park
(50)
* Lucky Hadebe RSA
3
Watford
95 performances to 1:49.0 by 51 athletes

24 Jul 96
30 Jul 96
7 Aug 97
5 Aug 98
30 Jul 96
5 Sep 98
5 Aug 98
16 Jul 96
30 Jul 96
15 Jul 98
24 Jun 98
5 Sep 98
22 Aug 95
15 May 96
30 Jul 96
15 Jul 98
15 May 96
9 May 70
17 May 93
28 Aug 96
22 Aug 95
30 Jul 96
7 Aug 97
12 May 80
29 Jul 92
22 Aug 95
28 May 94
22 May 76
17 May 83
1 Jul 86
25 Jun 97
14 Jun 98
5 Aug 98

Men's 1,000m
2:19.4
2:20.9
2:21.7
2:22.0
2:22.0
2:22.2
2:22.2
2:22.4
2:22.6
2:22.7
2:22.7
2:22.91

Andrew Hart
1
Stretford
* Jason Lobo
1
Stretford
Kevin McKay
1
Stretford
2:21.8
2
Stretford
Richard Lynch
1
West London
Stephen Green
1
Stretford
2:22.0
2
Stretford
Walter Wilkinson
1
Cleckheaton
* Neil Horsfield
1
Cheltenham
Bradley Donkin
3
Stretford
* Craig Winrow
2
Stretford
* Matthew Hibberd
2
Stretford
(10)
* Matthew Dixon
4
Stretford
Grant Cuddy
1
Loughborough
14 performances to 2:23.0 by 12 athletes

22 Jul 97
18 Aug 98
30 Apr 96
18 Aug 98
3 Jun 92
18 Jul 95
22 Jul 97
30 Jun 76
2 Aug 89
18 Aug 98
30 Apr 96
18 Jul 95
18 Aug 98
18 May 97

Men's 1,200m
2:57.0
2:57.6
2:57.8
2:58.2

Paul Williams
1
Crystal Palace
Timothy Hutchings
2
Crystal Palace
2:58.9
1
Aldershot
James Douglas
1
Crystal Palace
Glen Grant
2
Crystal Palace
5 performances to 3:00.0 by 4 athletes

13 Dec 78
13 Dec 78
25 May 77
16 Apr 75
16 Apr 75

Men's 1,500m
3:37.5
3:39.0
3:39.0
3:39.1

3:39.1
3:39.4
3:39.5
3:39.6
3:39.7
3:39.8

Anthony Whiteman
* David Lewis
3:42.7
3:42.8
* Laban Rotich KEN
Neil Caddy
3:40.9
3:41.6
3:42.1
3:42.2
3:42.3
3:42.66
Robert Hough
3:41.5
* Samir Benfares FRA
Matthew Yates
* Paul Bitok KEN
Michael Openshaw
Ian Gillespie
3:41.1
3:41.2
3:41.65
3:42.4
3:42.7

1
1
2
2
1
1
5
4
1
1
1
1
1
1r2
1
2
2
3
2
4
3
4
2
5

Swindon
Stretford
Stretford
Stretford
Battersea Park
Swindon
Battersea Park
Wythenshawe
Southampton
Wythenshawe
Cardiff
Wythenshawe
Wythenshawe
Wythenshawe
Watford
Watford
Battersea Park
Battersea Park
Swindon
Swindon
Wythenshawe
Solihull
Stretford
Wythenshawe

7 Aug 97
9 Aug 83
20 May 86
30 Aug 86
14 Jun 98
14 Aug 96
14 Jun 98
14 May 97
3 Sep 95
17 May 95
7 Aug 96
3 Jun 98
14 May 97
30 Jul 96
5 Aug 98
5 Aug 98
14 Jun 98
14 Jun 98
7 Aug 97
14 Aug 96
14 May 97
21 Aug 94
16 Jul 96
30 Jul 96

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 37

All-Time BMC Mens Rankings

3:40.1
3:40.3
3:40.7
3:40.78
3:40.8
3:40.8
3:41.02
3:41.2

3:41.2
3:41.28
3:41.3
3:41.5
3:41.5
3:41.5
3:41.6+
3:41.63
3:41.73
3:41.9
3:42.0
3:42.0
3:42.1
3:42.1
3:42.2
3:42.2J
3:42.3
3:42.3
3:42.4
3:42.4
3:42.5J
3:42.5
3:42.5
3:42.58
3:42.6+
3:42.6
3:42.6
3:42.6
3:42.7+
3:42.7
3:42.7
3:42.8
3:42.8
3:42.8
3:42.8
3:42.8
3:42.8J
3:42.9
3:43.0
3:43.0
3:43.0

(10)
Ian Grime
2
Swindon
3:40.35
1
Solihull
Andrew Pearson
2
Wythenshawe
Rob Whalley
3
Swindon
* Niall Bruton IRE
1
Cardiff
* Elijah Maru KEN
4
Battersea Park
* Gary Lough
3
Watford
3:42.7
1
Wythenshawe
Steffan White
2
Solihull
Richard Ashe
1
Wythenshawe
3:42.5
1
Watford
3:42.8
4
Swindon
3:42.9
1
Watford
Thomas Mayo
4
Watford
* David Wilson
1
Belfast
(20)
Robert Scanlon
5
Swindon
* Ken Newton
2
Stretford
Grant Graham
6
Battersea Park
* John Koskei KEN
7
Battersea Park
Nick Rose
1+
Motspur Park
Philip Mowbray
3
Solihull
* Matthew Hibberd
5
Solihull
3:42.5
1
Loughborough
Brad Glenton
5
Watford
Andrew Hart
1
Stretford
3:42.55
1
Swindon
3:42.7
3
Wythenshawe
Rod Finch
2
Wythenshawe
(30)
Martin Forder
3
Wythenshawe
* Stephen Green
5
Wythenshawe
3:42.4
2
Wythenshawe
* Timothy Redman
3
Stretford
Paul Wynn
4
Stretford
3:42.3
1
Stretford
* Geoffrey Turnbull
1
Stretford
Phillip Tulba
8
Battersea Park
* Neil Horsfield
1
Swindon
3:42.8
2
Stretford
Stuart Margiotta
4
Wythenshawe
* Colin Reitz
1
Crystal Palace
Adam Duke
6
Swindon
(40)
* Andrew Walker IRE
6
Watford
Steve Agar CAN
2
Swindon
* John Cadman
2+
Motspur Park
* Adrian Passey
1
Stretford
* Andrew Green II
2
Stretford
Paul Taylor
3
Stretford
Phillip Banning
3+
Motspur Park
Matthew Barker
2
Swindon
Matthew de Freitas
1
Swindon
* Lloyd Tredell
5
Stretford
(50)
Alan Mottershead
1
Stretford
* Steve Cram
2
Wythenshawe
Cormac Finnerty IRE
7
Swindon
Matt Skelton
6
Wythenshawe
3:43.0
6
Wythenshawe
Gareth Turnbull IRE
3
Swindon
* Neil Rimmer
3
Stretford
David Moorcroft
1
Loughborough
Gary Brown II
4
Wythenshawe
Stuart Poore
8
Swindon
85 performances to 3:43.0 by 59 athletes

3:58.6
14 Aug 96
21 Aug 94
14 May 97
14 Aug 96
15 Jul 98
14 Jun 98
5 Aug 98
18 May 94
21 Aug 94
30 Jul 96
10 Jul 96
7 Aug 97
9 Aug 95
5 Aug 98
4 Jun 94
14 Aug 96
9 Aug 83
14 Jun 98
14 Jun 98
25 Jul 73
21 Aug 94
21 Aug 94
7 Sep 94
5 Aug 98
16 Jul 96
24 Jun 98
17 May 95
30 Jul 96
30 Jul 96
14 May 97
17 May 95
9 Aug 83
9 Aug 83
24 Jun 86
20 May 86
14 Jun 98
4 Sep 91
10 Jun 86
30 Jul 96
8 Aug 79
14 Aug 96
5 Aug 98
24 Jun 98
25 Jul 73
10 Jun 86
24 Jun 86
24 Jun 86
25 Jul 73
4 Sep 91
9 Sep 92
9 Aug 83
30 Aug 86
18 May 94
14 Aug 96
14 May 97
30 Jul 96
7 Aug 97
30 Aug 86
5 Jun 75
17 May 95
14 Aug 96

Men's Mile
3:56.35
3:56.6
3:57.0
3:57.4
3:57.6
3:58.0
3:58.11
3:58.4
3:58.4
3:58.5
3:58.5

Anthony Whiteman
Timothy Hutchings
3:58.6
3:59.1
* Dick Quax NZ
* Tony Polhill NZ
Ian Gillespie
3:58.4
3:59.3
John Kirkbride
* Edwin Maranga KEN
3:58.3
Alan Simpson
Nick Rose
4:00.0
James Douglas
(10)
Neil Caddy
3:58.59
3:59.3
3:59.6

BMC News : Spring 1999

1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2

Barnet Copthall
Aldershot
Derby
Bristol
Southgate
Southgate
Exeter
Exeter
Salisbury
Motspur Park
Solihull
Bath
Hartlepool
Motspur Park
West London
Motspur Park

31 Aug 96
19 Jul 82
6 Sep 83
14 Sep 88
18 Jul 73
18 Jul 73
16 Jun 98
29 Jul 97
4 Sep 93
23 Jul 69
5 Sep 98
12 Aug 98
17 Jun 67
25 Jul 73
16 Jul 75
23 Jul 69

2
2
1
1

Exeter
Barnet Copthall
Cheltenham
Cheltenham

16 Jun 98
31 Aug 96
4 Aug 96
6 Aug 95

3:58.8q
3:58.9q
3:58.9
3:59.1
3:59.2
3:59.2q
3:59.3
3:59.4
3:59.4J

3:59.4q
3:59.4
3:59.48
3:59.5
3:59.5
3:59.6
3:59.7q
3:59.7q
3:59.7
3:59.7
3:59.8
3:59.8
3:59.9
3:59.91
3:59.98
4:00.0
4:00.0
4:00.0

John Boulter
1
Motspur Park
3:59.2
3
Motspur Park
David Moorcroft
1
Stretford
* Frank Clement
2
Stretford
* Steve Emsom
1
Stretford
Ian Hamer
1
Cheltenham
3:59.9
1
Swindon
Walter Wilkinson
1
Stretford
3:59.4
1
Middlesborough
3:59.6
1
Hartlepool
James McGuinness
3
Stretford
* Pat Scammell AUS
2
Cheltenham
* Roy Young
1
Motspur Park
(20)
Steven Ovett
1
Haringey
(European Junior Record)
4:00.0J
2
Motspur Park
(European Junior Record)
Anthony Settle
4
Stretford
John Gladwin
1
Carlisle
James McIlroy IRE
2
Solihull
John Whetton
2
Motspur Park
* David Kisang
2
Bath
* David Lewis
1
Stretford
* David McMeekin
5
Stretford
* Ron McDonald
6
Stretford
Matthew de Freitas
2
Salisbury
(30)
Philip Tulba
1
Tooting
Ray Roseman
4
Motspur Park
* Steve James
1
Nottingham
* Joe Dunbar
1
Ealing
* Darius Burrows
3
Solihull
Richard Ashe
3
Barnet Copthall
* Neil Horsfield
2
Bristol
Rod Finch
1
Exeter
* Gary Lough
2
Cheltenham
53 performances to 4:00.0 by 39 athletes

24 Jul 68
23 Jul 69
30 Aug 75
30 Aug 75
31 Jul 79
8 Sep 89
16 Jul 88
28 May 68
11 Sep 67
7 Jun 69
30 Aug 75
8 Sep 89
14 Jul 71
17 Jul 74
25 Jul 73
30 Aug 75
4 May 87
5 Sep 98
24 Jul 68
12 Aug 98
27 Jul 82
30 Aug 75
30 Aug 75
4 Sep 93
19 Aug 98
23 Jul 69
9 Jun 84
18 Sep 91
5 Sep 98
31 Aug 96
14 Sep 88
22 Aug 93
4 Aug 96

Men's 2,000m
5:11.0
5:11.8
5:15.0
5:15.0

Walter Wilkinson
1
Crystal Palace
* Ian Wheeler
1
Hayes
* Christopher Ward
2
Hayes
* Charlie Spedding
2
Crystal Palace
4 performances to 5:15.0 by 4 athletes

7:51.4

Rob Whalley
1
Swindon
7:52.6
1
Stretford
7:57.1
1
Wythenshawe
Robert Hough
2
Stretford
Spencer Barden
2
Swindon
7:58.4
4
Stretford
* Mizan Mehare ETH
1
Cardiff
* Barry Smith
1
Cwmbran
* Christian Stephenson
3
Swindon
Cormac Finnerty IRE
4
Swindon
Ian Grime
3
Stretford
7:57.9
1
Loughborough
* Geoffrey Turnbull
1
Stretford
Matthew O'Dowd
5
Swindon
(10)
* Kris Bowditch
2
Cardiff
7:57.7
2
Wythenshawe
Bobby Farren
1
Solihull
* Chris Robison
1
Swindon
* Darius Burrows
5
Stretford
7:59.9
7
Swindon
* Chris Buckley
2
Swindon
Michael Openshaw
1
Wythenshawe
James Espir
2
Cwmbran
* Geoff Wightman
3
Swindon
* Paul Magner
4
Swindon
Philip Mowbray
3
Wythenshawe
7:59.97
2
Wythenshawe
(20)
* Seamus Power IRE
6
Swindon
* David Clarke
3
Cwmbran
* John Wild
3
Cardiff
Matthew Clarkson
1
Stretford
31 performances to 8:00.0 by 24 athletes

16 Aug 72
15 May 66
15 May 66
16 Aug 72

Men's 3,000m

7:52.9
7:53.2
7:53.40J
7:54.10
7:54.5
7:55.0
7:55.4
7:55.6
7:55.9
7:56.12
7:56.24
7:58.6
7:58.7
7:58.9
7:58.92
7:59.22
7:59.3
7:59.5
7:59.5
7:59.5
7:59.56
7:59.59
7:59.6

7 Aug 97
16 Jul 96
14 May 97
16 Jul 96
7 Aug 97
16 Jul 96
15 Jul 98
17 May 81
7 Aug 97
7 Aug 97
16 Jul 96
21 May 97
15 May 84
7 Aug 97
15 Jul 98
14 May 97
21 Aug 94
10 Jul 86
16 Jul 96
7 Aug 97
10 Jul 86
3 Jun 98
17 May 81
10 Jul 86
10 Jul 86
14 May 97
3 Jun 98
7 Aug 97
17 May 81
15 Jul 98
14 Jul 98

Men's 2 Miles
8:34.5
8:44.6

Ian Gillespie
Alan Blinston

1
Millfield
1
Stretford
2 performances to 8:45.0 by 2 athletes

11:03.2

Rob Whalley

1
Millfield
1 performance to 11:05.0 by 1 athlete

5 May 97
19 May 70

Men's 4,000m
4 May 98

37

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 38

All-Time Mens Rankings

Men's 5,000m
13:28.6J
13:33.3
13:35.3
13:40.5
13:41.08
13:42.00

13:42.02
13:42.2
13:44.83
13:45.6
13:46.4
13:48.5
13:48.9
13:49.5
13:51.5
13:52.4
13:52.7
13:52.8
13:52.94
13:54.4
13:55.7
13:56.6
13:56.6
13:57.8
13:58.0
13:59.8

* Mizan Mehare ETH

1
Watford
* Hendrick Raamala RSA
1
Battersea Park
* Dermot Donnelly
2
Battersea Park
(Northern Irish Record)
13:47.0
2
Crawley
* Seamus Power IRE
1
Watford
Rob Whalley
1
Bristol
13:54.2
2
Stretford
* Kris Bowditch
2
Bristol
13:44.5
2
Loughborough
13:47.7
1
Stretford
13:51.8
3
Watford
* Ben Maiyo KEN
1
Solihull
Andrew Pearson
1
Loughborough
Matthew O'Dowd
3
Bristol
Cormac Finnerty IRE
2
Watford
(10)
* John Sherban
1
Crawley
Julian Moorhouse
2
Watford
* James Campbell IRE
3
Crawley
13:57.1
5
Battersea Park
Glyn Tromans
3
Loughborough
Spencer Barden
4
Loughborough
13:54.39
2
Loughborough
Matt Clarkson
4
Watford
Nicholas Comerford
3
Battersea Park
* Ian Hudspith
5
Loughborough
Rod Finch
1
Loughborough
13:59.6
8
Loughborough
Robert Denmark
4
Battersea Park
(20)
* Chris Robison
1
Grangemouth
Ian Gillespie
1
Millfield
* Matthew Barnes
6
Loughborough
* Dominic Bannister
7
Loughborough
* Carl Udall
1
Loughborough
Paul Taylor
3
Stretford
34 performances to 14:00.0 by 26 athletes

5 Aug 98
14 Jun 98
14 Jun 98
28 May 94
3 0 Jul 97
30 Aug 97
22 Jul 97
30 Aug 97
18 May 97
22 Jul 97
5 Aug 98
5 Sep 98
18 May 97
30 Aug 97
30 Jul 97
28 May 94
5 Aug 98
28 May 94
14 Jun 98
18 May 97
18 May 97
17 May 98
5 Aug 98
14 Jun 98
18 May 97
17 May 98
18 May 97
14 Jun 98
3 Aug 94
6 May 96
18 May 97
18 May 97
11 Jun 97
22 Jul 97

Men's 10,000m
29:32.8
29:32.8
29:34.4
29:49.2

* David Taylor
1
Watford
* John Downes
2
Watford
* Simon Cotton
3
Watford
John Lisiewicz AUS
1
Oxford
4 performance to 30:00.0 by 4 athletes

30 Apr 97
30 Apr 97
30 Apr 97
17 Sep 94

3:16.0

Borough Road College

1
Crystal Palace
(UK Junior Club Record)
1 performance to 3:20.0

7:23.1

BMC National Squad

(UK Club Record)
BMC Junior Squad
(World Junior Record)
Sale Harriers
BMC Wales
(Welsh Record)
BMC North
BMC England

Men's 4 x 400m Relay

12 Oct 77

Men's 4 x 800m Relay

7:26.2
7:26.2
7:32.0
7:37.1
7:37.5

Watford

17 Jul 96

Oxford

2 Sep 95

2
3

Oxford
Oxford

2 Sep 95
2 Sep 95

4
1

Oxford
Oxford

2 Sep 95
17 Sep 94

I.A.A.F. Code of Ethics

for Coaches
Continued from page 17
coaching. The coach should also recognise that
their role includes an athletes education for life
though Athletics, and not simply an athletes
education of Athletics.
To transmit a positive image, the coach must
continuously maintain the highest standards of
personal conduct, reflected in both the manner of
appearance and behaviour. This conduct must
conform to the standards of their National
Federation and the I.A.A.F.. In particular,
coaches should never smoke while coaching, nor
consume alcoholic beverages so soon before
coaching that it affects their competence or that
the smell of alcohol is on their breath.

38

7:37.7
7:39.6
7:41.3
7:44.7

BMC Junior Squad

BMC South West
Ron Allison's Squad
BMC Wales
(Welsh Record)

2
5
2
3

Oxford
Oxford
Watford
Oxford

10 performances to 7:45.0
Additional Age Group
7:46.9
BMC Wales Juniors
6
Oxford
(Welsh Junior Record)
7:51.5
BMC National U17s
1r2
Watford
(UK National U17 Record)
8:01.2
Winchester Coll. U20
2r2
Watford
8:07.1
Vets AC
3r2
Watford
(National Veterans Record)
8:20.8
BMC Veterans Squad
5r2
Watford

17 Sep 94
2 Sep 95
17 Jul 96
17 Sep 94

2 Sep 95
17 Jul 96
17 Jul 96
17 Jul 96
17 Jul 96

Men's 4 x 1,500m Relay

15:23.6

British Milers' Club

1
Crystal Palace
(UK All-Comers Record)
?
West Germany
2
Crystal Palace
15:32.6
BMC National Squad
1
Stretford
15:37.2
BMC National Squad
1
Watford
15:37.4
SCAAA
3
Crystal Palace
15:52.0
BMC Junior Squad
1r2
Watford
(British and Commonwealth Junior Record)
15:59.2
Ron Allison's Squad
2
Watford
7 performances to 16:00.0
Additional Age Group
16:03.2
BMC Junior Squad
2
Stretford
(British Junior Record)
16:09.7
Solihull & SH U20
2r2
Watford
16:32.3
BMC Junior Squad 'B'
4r2
Watford
16:34.1
Milton Keynes U20
5r2
Watford
16:38.1
BMC U18 Squad
6r2
Watford
16:41.1
BMC Veteran Squad
3
Watford
(World Veteran Record)
17:21.0
BMC Veteran Squad
3
Stretford
(World Veteran Record)
17:30.4
RAF Veteran Squad
4
Watford
(British Vets Club Record)

12 Aug 73
12 Aug 73
30 Apr 96
30 Apr 97
12 Aug 73
30 Apr 97
30 Apr 97
30 Apr 96
30 Apr 97
30 Apr 97
30 Apr 97
30 Apr 97
30 Apr 97
30 Apr 96
30 Apr 97

Men's 4 x 1 Mile Relay

16:21.1

BMC National Squad

1
Oxford
(UK All-Comers Record)
16:27.8
BMC International
2
Oxford
16:28.9
BMC National Squad
1
Oxford
16:37.1
BMC National Squad
1
Oxford
16:40.0
BMC International
2
Oxford
16:44.2
BMC 'A'
1
Billingham
16:49.3
BMC South West
3
Oxford
16:51.8
BMC 'B'
2
Billingham
16:53.7
BMC North
4
Oxford
16:56.8
BMC Junior Squad
5
Oxford
(World Junior Record)
10 performances to 17:00.0
Additional Age Group
17:13.9
BMC Junior Squad
1
Watford
18:08.5
BMC Veteran Squad
2
Watford
(World Veteran Record)
18:11.9
BMC Veteran Squad
5
Oxford
(World Veteran Record)

Respect for the Esprit de Corps

Coaches should enter into full cooperation with
all individuals and agencies that could play a role
in the development of the athletes they coach.
Coaches should strive to deal with these
individuals in the way they would wish to be dealt
with themselves, with courtesy due to a colleague
and the respect due to a fellow man or woman.
Observations, recommendations and criticism
should be directed to the appropriate person or
persons using professionally accepted procedures
outside the view or hearing of the public domain.
Coaches should also share the knowledge and
practical experience they gain and be available as
a resource, contributing to the promotion and
development of Athletics. This includes working
openly with other coaches, using the expertise of
sports scientists and sports physicians, through to

10 Jul 93
10 Jul 93
2 Sep 95
17 Sep 94
2 Sep 95
12 Jul 65
10 Jul 93
12 Jul 65
10 Jul 93
10 Jul 93

11 Jun 97
11 Jun 97
2 Sep 95

displaying an active support of their National

Federation and the I.A.A.F.
Summary
Fair play behaviours can be learned from the
coach who provides a positive role model and
applies consistent, clear reinforcement for what
are desirable and undesirable actions. The role of
the coach is, therefore, crucial and must be
respected, as an ambassador, educator and
guardian of the ethical values of fair play within
Athletics.
On page 26 you will find a poster summary of
the I.A.A.F. Code of Ethics for Coaches which
emphasises the key points of conduct. Take the
time to photocopy this poster and keep it in a
visible place to serve as an active reminder of
your responsibilities.

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 39

All-Time BMC Womens Rankings

4:12.6mx

Womens 600m
1:29.4
1:31.1
1:31.2
1:31.6
1:31.8+

Linda Staines
1
Battersea Park
* Gowry Retchakan
1
Highgate
Rachel Jordan
2
Battersea Park
1:31.3
2
Highgate
Cathy Dawson
3
Highgate
Michelle Faherty
1+
Wythenshawe
6 performances to 1:32.0 by 5 athletes

19 Apr 97
7 Aug 96
19 Apr 97
7 Aug 96
7 Aug 96
30 Jul 96

Womens 800m
2:00.7
2:01.3
2:01.5
2:01.93

2:02.0
2:02.6
2:03.0
2:03.0
2:03.1
2:03.3mx

2:03.6
2:03.67
2:03.7
2:03.8
2:03.8
2:03.9
2:03.9
2:04.0
2:04.1mx
2:04.1mx

2:04.2
2:04.23
2:04.3
2:04.3mx

2:04.3R
2:04.3
2:04.4
2:04.4
2:04.6J
2:04.6
2:04.6mx
2:04.7mx
2:04.75
2:04.8
2:04.81
2:04.9mx
2:05.0

* Shireen Bailey
1
Ipswich
2:01.7
2
Stretford
2:02.0
1
Aldershot
* Ann Purvis
1
Stretford
2:03.2
2
Ipswich
* Janet Bell
1
Stretford
2:03.0
1
Carlisle
2:05.0
3
Blackpool
Diane Modahl
1
Solihull
2:03.4
1
Swindon
2:03.7
1
Wythenshawe
2:03.9
1
Wythenshawe
* Jane Finch
3
Stretford
2:02.6
1
Loughborough
2:04.4
1
Loughborough
* Jackline Maranga KEN
1
Battersea Park
Kirsty Wade
2
Aldershot
2:03.2
1
Aldershot
* Christina Cahill
4
Stretford
Dianne Henaghan
1mx
Jarrow
Ann Griffiths
1mx
Stretford
2:04.3
2
Blackpool
2:04.9mx
1mx
Stretford
(10)
Debra Russell
3
Ipswich
Angela Davies
1
Solihull
2:04.6
1
Watford
Claire Raven
2
Swindon
* Lorraine Baker
4
Ipswich
Beverley Hartigan
1
Blackpool
* Janet Marlow
1
Stretford
* Paula Newnham
1
West London
Teena Colebrook
5
Stretford
Sonya Bowyer
1mx
Stretford
2:04.75
1
Crawley
* Victoria Lawrence
1mx
Stretford
2:04.1mx
1mx
Stretford
2:04.8mx
2mx
Stretford
2:04.8mx
2mx
Stretford
2:04.9mx
1mx
Stretford
2:05.0mx
1mx
Stretford
(20)
* Amanda Crowe IRE
3
Swindon
* Carmen Wustenhagen GER
1
Crawley
Angela Creamer
2
Stretford
Lynn Gibson
1mx
Watford
2:04.61
1
Swindon
2:04.8
1
Swindon
2:04.9
2
Watford
Michelle Faherty
1re4
Watford
2:04.4mx
1mx
Stretford
* Gladys Wamuyu KEN
2
Battersea Park
Thelwyn Bateman
1
Crystal Palace
Suzanne Morley
3
Aldershot
2:05.0
7
Stretford
* Janet Lawrence
1
Stretford
* M Corcoran AUS
6
Stretford
(30)
Cathy Dawson
1mx
Ealing
Lynne Robinson
1mx
Solihull
Rachel Newcombe
1
Cardiff
* Penny Yule
2
West London
Victoria Sterne
2
Cardiff
Susan Parker
2mx
Stretford
* Sinead Delahunty IRE
1
Stretford
62 performances to 2:05.0 by 37 athletes

19 Jun 85
24 Jul 83
19 Jul 82
24 Jul 83
19 Jun 85
23 Jun 85
4 May 87
2 May 88
5 Sep 98
7 Aug 97
18 May 94
17 May 93
24 Jul 83
1 Jun 78
31 May 79
14 Jun 98
19 Jul 82
25 Jul 83
24 Jul 83
23 Jul 97
1 Aug 95
2 May 88
18 Jul 95
19 Jun 85
21 Aug 94
5 Aug 98
7 Aug 97
19 Jun 85
2 May 88
19 Jun 79
3 May 78
24 Jul 83
6 Aug 96
28 May 94
12 Aug 97
26 Aug 97
1 Aug 95
20 Aug 96
4 Jun 96
22 Jul 97
7 Aug 97
27 May 95
19 Jun 79
5 Jun 96
24 Jun 98
5 Aug 92
5 Aug 98
17 Jul 96
20 Aug 96
14 Jun 98
24 Jul 71
19 Jul 82
24 Jul 83
26 Jul 77
24 Jul 83
13 Jul 94
6 Jul 94
15 Jul 98
3 May 78
15 Jul 98
4 Jun 96
26 Aug 97

Jo White
1
West London
Michelle Faherty
1
Loughborough
Margaret Coomber
1
Crystal Palace
Margaret Beacham
2
Crystal Palace
4 performances by 4 athletes to 2:50.0

3:23.4
3:26.2

* Christine Ward
Sharon Harvey

4:10.7mx

Sonya Bowyer
4:17.4

5 Mar 80
18 May 97
10 Jul 74
10 Jul 74

3 Aug 77
3 Aug 77

Womens 1,500m

BMC News : Spring 1999

1mx
3

Stretford
Wythenshawe

4:14.1
4:14.3
4:14.6
4:14.62
4:14.80
4:14.84x

4:15.0

4:15.2q
4:15.3
4:15.4
4:15.7
4:15.8
4:16.3
4:16.4J
4:16.50

4:16.9
4:17.0q
4:17.0
4:17.4q
4:17.4mx
4:17.6
4:18.2q
4:18.3+
4:18.5
4:18.6

4:18.61
4:18.7
4:19.0
4:19.0
4:19.2
4:19.2
4:19.3
4:19.6
4:19.8
4:19.9

4:30.77

Womens 1,200m
1
West London
2
West London
2 performances by 2 athletes to 3:30.0

4:13.6
4:13.8

27 Aug 97
3 Jun 97
14 May 97
9 Aug 95
18 May 94
30 Jul 96
7 Aug 97
20 Jul 94
19 Jun 85
15 May 84
25 Jun 85
18 Aug 81
19 Jun 85
18 May 94
5 Aug 86
28 May 94
28 May 94
5 Sep 98
18 May 94
30 Jul 96
15 May 96
10 Sep 97
3 Jun 98
30 Jul 97
1 Sep 98
5 Sep 98
24 Jun 98
3 Jun 98
14 Jul 79
15 May 96
23 Aug 95
25 Jun 85
7 Sep 88
3 Jun 97
28 May 94
15 May 84
19 Jun 85
15 May 84
28 May 94
18 May 94
30 Jul 96
15 May 96
30 Jul 96
19 Jul 87
9 Aug 83
4 Aug 81
15 May 84
19 Apr 86
11 Apr 87
16 Jul 96
1 Sep 98
5 Aug 98
20 Jun 81
14 Jun 69
18 May 94
3 Jun 97
15 May 96
21 Jun 94
5 Sep 98
21 Aug 94
2 Aug 78
15 May 84
18 Aug 98
1 Sep 98
5 Sep 98
1 Aug 79
7 Aug 97
19 Jun 85
6 Sep 89
30 Jul 96
5 Aug 98

Womens Mile

Womens 1,000m
2:44.9
2:45.22
2:47.3
2:49.6

4:12.8mx

Joanne Pavey
1mx
Barry
4:15.2
1
Loughborough
4:18.7
1
Wythenshawe
Angela Davies
1mx
Watford
4:15.1
3
Wythenshawe
4:17.1
2
Wythenshawe
4:18.5
1
Swindon
Lynne Robinson
1
Cheltenham
* Carole Bradford
1
Ipswich
4:18.7
4
Stretford
Julie-Ann Laughton
1
Stretford
4:19.3q
1
Stretford
Angela Tooby
2
Ipswich
Beverley Hartigan
1
Wythenshawe
4:20.0J
1
Stretford
* Alison Wyeth
1
Crawley
Sonia McGeorge
2
Crawley
(10)
Lynn Gibson
1x
Solihull
4:14.9
2
Wythenshawe
4:15.8
1
Wythenshawe
4:16.4
2
Wythenshawe
4:17.7mx
1mx
Watford
4:18.17
2
Wythenshawe
4:19.5mx
1mx
Watford
Helen Pattinson
1
Stretford
4:17.05x
2x
Solihull
4:17.51
1
Swindon
4:17.85
1
Wythenshawe
* Janet Marlow
1
Stretford
* Nnenna Lynch USA
1
Wythenshawe
4:19.3mx
1mx
Ealing
Wendy Wright
2
Stretford
Nicola Morris
1
West London
Michelle Faherty
2
Loughborough
4:16.90
4
Crawley
Susan Tooby
1
Stretford
4:18.6
3
Ipswich
* Julie Holland
2
Stretford
Debbie Gunning
3
Crawley
4:17.3
4
Wythenshawe
4:17.4
4
Wythenshawe
(20)
* Hayley Parry
3
Wythenshawe
4:17.9
5
Wythenshawe
Kathryn Carter
1
Stretford
4:17.6
1
Stretford
4:18.0q
1
Stretford
Louise McGrillen IRE
3
Stretford
* Diane Modahl
1
Stretford
4:18.7q
1
Stretford
Susan Parker
2mx
Stretford
Kerry Smithson
2
Stretford
4:18.3
1
Watford
Julie Asgill
1
Stretford
* Mia Gommers HOL
1+
Leicester
* Maxine Newman
5
Wythenshawe
Amanda Parkinson
3
Loughborough
4:19.0
4
Wythenshawe
4:19.7mx
1mx
Stretford
4:19.96x
4x
Solihull
Caroline Slimin
1
Solihull
(30)
Wendy Sly
1
West London
Janet Holt
5
Stretford
Joanne Colleran
1
Stretford
4:19.4
3
Stretford
4:19.59x
3x
Solihull
* Alison Wright NZL
1
West London
Jillian Jones
2
Swindon
* Wendy Lodge
4
Ipswich
Laura Adam
1
West London
* Jeina Mitchell
6
Wythenshawe
* Selina Kosgei KEN
2
Watford
71 performances to 4:20.0 by 39 athletes

16 Jul 96
30 Jul 96

4:36.8
4:37.4
4:37.7
4:38.0
4:38.1
4:38.3
4:38.9
4:38.93
4:39.0

Joanne Pavey
4:41.20
* Mia Gommers HOL
(World Record)
Rita Ridley
4:39.5
4:42.5
Kim Lock
(Welsh Record)
* Marcella Robertson
* R Odem
Christine Price
* Andrea Wallace
Lynn Gibson
Jacqueline Beasley
(10)

1
6
1

Bristol
Barnet Copthall
Leicester

30 Aug 97
31 Aug 96
14 Jun 69

1
1
1
1

Edinburgh
Cardiff
Crystal Palace
Hendon

3 Jul 71
11 Sep 71
16 Aug 72
11 Aug 82

1
1
2
1
1
2

Scotland
Stretford
Scotland
Coventry
Barnet Copthall
Stretford

14 Jul 85
6 Aug 85
14 Jul 85
5 May 90
31 Aug 96
6 Aug 85

39

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 40

All-Time BMC Womens Rankings

4:39.44
4:39.90
4:40.74
4:40.93
4:41.2
4:41.4
4:41.65
4:41.8
4:42.1
4:42.43
4:42.5
4:42.6
4:43.2
4:44.5
4:44.79

Michelle Faherty
2
Barnet Copthall
4:44.6R
1re3
Oxford
Sonya Bowyer
3
Barnet Copthall
* M Aboulahcen BEL
4
Barnet Copthall
Liz Francis-Thomas
5
Barnet Copthall
* Alison Jenkins
3
Stretford
Karen Hargrave
1
Swindon
Helen Pattinson
2
Bristol
* Carole Bradford
2
Hendon
Melissa Watson
2
Swindon
4:44.1
1
Bristol
Beatrice Roh GER
7
Barnet Copthall
(20)
* Jo Dering
1
Bristol
Lynne Harvey
3
Hendon
* Andrea Everett
3
Scotland
Susan Tooby
2
Bristol
Sarah Salmon
8
Barnet Copthall
31 performances to 4:45.0 by 25 athletes

31 Aug 96
10 Jul 93
31 Aug 96
31 Aug 96
31 Aug 96
6 Aug 85
16 Jul 88
30 Aug 97
11 Aug 82
16 Jul 88
10 Sep 86
31 Aug 96
13 Sep 89
11 Aug 82
14 Jul 85
10 Sep 86
31 Aug 96

Womens 2,000m
6:12.4mx
6:22.2

Dianne Henaghan
Paula Yeoman

1mx
Jarrow
1
Crystal Palace
2 performances to 6:25.0 by 2 athletes

20 Apr 98
20 Oct 71

Womens 3,000m
8:58.2x

Joanne Pavey
1x
Millfield
9:16.3x
1x
Millfield
9:06.2mx * Sinead Delahunty IRE
1mx
Stretford
9:08.6
* Sarah Young
1
Stretford
9:10.7x
2x
Millfield
9:25.1mx
2mx
Stretford
9:08.8mx Sarah Bentley
1mx
Stretford
9:10.9mx
1mx
Stretford
9:21.0mx
1mx
Stretford
9:22.2
1
Oxford (Hor)
9:23.1mx
1mx
Stretford
9:23.1
1
Swindon
9:23.4mx
1mx
Stretford
9:25.93x
1
Solihull
9:26.5
4
Stretford
9:11.2mx * Rhona Makepeace
1mx
Watford
9:14.7
Sharon Harvey
1
West London
9:29.0
2
West London
9:15.25
Liz Talbot
1
Swindon
9:16.1
* Lucy Wright
2
Stretford
9:28.2x
5x
Millfield
9:16.6x
Debbie Gunning
3x
Millfield
9:17.39
2
Swindon
9:16.9mx * Andrea Whitcombe
1mx
Watford
(10)
9:17.19
Beverley Hartigan
1
Loughborough
9:18.1mx * Louise Watson
2mx
Watford
9:25.90
2
Loughborough
9:29.5mx
2mx
Watford
9:18.5mx * Nnenna Lynch USA
1mx
Millfield
9:19.0mx * Alison Wyeth
1mx
Watford
9:19.1
Melissa Watson
1
Swindon
9:19.2x
* Lucy Elliott
2x
Millfield
9:19.3mx Amanda Parkinson
1mx
Stretford
9:19.8mx * Edwige Pitel FRA
1mx
Watford
9:21.2
Vicki McPherson
3
Stretford
9:21.54
* Tara Krzywicki
1
Loughborough
(20)
9:21.9
* Deansie Phillips
1
West London
9:22.3
* Alison Barnes
1
Cheltenham
9:22.8mx Caroline Pimblett
2mx
Stretford
9:22.87
Helen Pattinson
2
Loughborough
9:23.38
Shiela Farweather
3
Loughborough
9:24.60
Lynn Gibson
4
Loughborough
9:25.5
* Lesley Morton NZ
1
Yate
9:25.95J
Amber Gascoigne
5
Loughborough
9:28.9xJ
6x
Millfield
9:26.4J
Jo White
1
West London
9:26.4
Sarah Ing
2
Swindon
(30)
9:26.6
Lynne Harvey
1
West London
9:27.2
* Angela Mason
1
West London
9:29.8
1
West London
9:27.8x
Michelle Wannell
4x
Millfield
9:29.0
Kerry Smithson
5
Stretford
9:29.1
* Rebecca Spies USA
2
Oxford (Hor)
9:29.47mx * Hayley Nash
1mx
Cardiff
9:29.6
* Penny Yule
2
West London
9:29.95
* Jill Hunter
3
Loughborough
56 performances to 9:30.0 by 38 athletes

4 May 98
5 May 97
1 Aug 95
18 Aug 98
4 May 98
1 Jul 97
17 Jun 97
27 Jun 95
30 Apr 96
22 Jun 97
1 Jul 97
7 Aug 97
25 Jun 96
21 Aug 94
18 Aug 98
31 Jul 96
1 Sep 82
3 Sep 80
24 Jun 98
18 Aug 98
4 May 98
4 May 98
24 Jun 98
9 Aug 95

40

* Andrea Wallace
* Tara Krzywicki
16:00.1
16:00.84

1
1
1
6

Crystal Palace
Watford
Battersea Park
Wythenshawe

15:55.83
15:56.8

15:57.24
15:58.7
16:03.30
16:05.6
16:07.34
16:10.08
16:12.1
16:13.43
16:14.55
16:19.72
16:25.2
16:25.22
16:25.4
16:25.7
16:28.0
16:29.57

11 Jun 95
9 Aug 95
11 Jun 95
5 Jun 96
8 May 95
5 Jun 96
14 Sep 86
5 May 97
29 Apr 97
10 Jul 96
18 Aug 98
17 May 98
3 Sep 80
21 Jul 93
29 Apr 97
17 May 98
17 May 98
17 May 98
18 Jul 90
17 May 98
4 May 98
7 Dec 77
14 Sep 86
6 Sep 78
7 Jun 78
6 Mar 79
4 May 98
18 Aug 98
22 Jun 97
15 Jul 98
7 Dec 77
11 Jun 95

34:25.1
34:44.9
35:00.4
35:22.8
36:00.0

23 Aug 98
3 Jun 98
18 Jun 97
21 Jul 93
3 Jun 98
3 Jun 98
3 Jun 98
11 Jun 97
18 May 97
11 Jun 97
1 Jun 96
11 Jul 98
18 May 97
3 Jun 98
18 May 97
14 Aug 94
3 Jun 98
23 Aug 98
25 Apr 90
3 Jun 98
3 Jun 98
14 Aug 94
28 May 94
18 May 97
3 Jun 98
25 Apr 90
18 May 97
10 Sep 89
29 May 94
16 May 95
3 Jun 98

* Theresa Duffy IRE

1
Loughborough
* Jo Thompson
2
Loughborough
35:45.5
3
Coventry
* Carol Galea MAL
1mx
Watford
(Maltese Record)
Heather Heasman
3
Loughborough
* Mary Donoghue IRE
1
Coventry
Ceri Pritchard
2
Coventry
* Tracy Swindell
4
Loughborough
8 performances to 36:00.0 by 7 athletes

3 Jun 97
3 Jun 97
5 May 90
30 Apr 97
3 Jun 97
5 May 90
5 May 90
3 Jun 97

Womens 4 x 800m Relay

8:39.6

BMC Junior Squad

1
Watford
(British and European Junior Record)
BMC National Squad
2
Watford
2 performances to 8:50.0

17 Jul 96
17 Jul 96

Womens 3 x 1,500m Relay

13:38.0
13:44.2
13:47.0
13:47.6

Southern BMC
(World Best)
Northern BMC
Scottish BMC
English BMC

Crystal Palace

20 Aug 69

2
Crystal Palace
1
Harlow
2
Harlow
4 performances to 14:00.0

20 Aug 69
4 Jul 70
4 Jul 70

Womens 4 x 1,500m Relay

17:41.0

BMC National Squad

1
Watford
(British, Commonwealth and All-Comers Record)
18:12.1
BMC National Squad
1
Stretford
(British and All-Comers Record)
18:38.0
BMC Junior Squad
2
Watford
(British and European Junior Record)
3 performances to 19:00.0
Additional Age Group
19:06.7
BMC Junior Squad
2
Stretford
(British Junior Record)
19:12.9
BMC U17 Squad
3
Watford
(British U17 Record)
19:35.1
Bristol AC U20
4
Watford
(British U20 Club Record)
20:13.0
BMC Veterans Squad
5
Watford
(World Veterans Record)

30 Apr 97
30 Apr 96
30 Apr 97

30 Apr 96
30 Apr 97
30 Apr 97
30 Apr 97

Womens 4 x 1 Mile Relay

19:17.3
20:07.5
20:08.3
20:16.2
20:22.9

25 Apr 90
5 Aug 98
14 Jun 98
3 Jun 98

16:12.2
1
Birmingham
Angela Davies
1
Wythenshawe
* Lynne MacDougall
1
Glasgow
* Lesley Morton NZ
1
Cheltenham
* Liz Talbot
2
Wythenshawe
* Andrea Whitcombe
3
Wythenshawe
* Sarah Young
4
Wythenshawe
16:28.5
2mx
Loughborough
* Lucy Elliott
1
Loughborough
Vicki McPherson
1mx
Loughborough
16:06.2
1mx
Loughborough
16:07.7
1
Southampton
16:09.23
2
Loughborough
(10)
Heather Heasman
5
Wythenshawe
16:20.58
4
Loughborough
* Suzanne Rigg
1
Stretford
* Lucy Wright
7
Wythenshawe
16:20.5
2
Birmingham
Laura Adam
2
Crystal Palace
Shiela Fairweather
8
Wythenshawe
Debbie Gunning
9
Wythenshawe
Jayne Spark
2
Stretford
* Jo Thompson
1
Crawley
Sarah Bentley
3
Loughborough
Amy Waterlow
10
Wythenshawe
(20)
* Lucy Martin
3
Crystal Palace
Angela Joiner
5
Loughborough
Ceri Pritchard
1
Tooting
* Angie Hulley
1
Stretford
* Nnenna Lynch USA
1mx
Stretford
Penny Thackray
11
Wythenshawe
34 performances to 16:30.0 by 26 athletes

Womens 10,000m
33:33.7
33:49.1

8:41.1

Womens 5,000m
15:47.9
15:48.1x

15:50.59
15:51.7
15:52.4
15:52.61
15:53.43
15:53.81

BMC National Squad

(World Record)
BMC Midlands
BMC North
BMC Junior Squad
(World Junior Record)
BMC South West

Additional Age Group

21:13.3
BMC Veteran Squad
(World Veterans Record)

Oxford

10 Jul 93

2
3
1

Oxford
Oxford
Watford

10 Jul 93
10 Jul 93
11 Jun 97

4
Oxford
5 performances to 20:30.0
6

Oxford

10 Jul 93
10 Jul 93

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 41

British Milers Club - 1999 Fixtures

The British Milers Club is sponsored by NIKE - all races will be paced and are for members only

BMC NIKE GRAND PRIX

Overall Grand Prix Directors - Steve Mosley 01222 306733 and Tim Brennan 01628 415748
9th June

GP1

Wythenshawe

M800, W800
M1500, W1500

Norman Poole

0161 980 8358

23rd June

GP2

Watford

M800, W800
M1500, W1500

Tim Brennan (Men)

Pat Fitzgerald (Women)

01628 415748
01895 234211

14th July

GP3

Solihull

M800, W800
M1500, W1500

Maurice Millington

0121 353 8273

4th Aug

GP4

Cardiff

M800, W800
M1500, W1500

Steve Mosley

01222 306733

21st Aug

GPF

Glasgow

M800, W800
M Mile, W Mile
M5000, W5000

Keith Redpath (Men)

John Montgomery (Women)
Mike Johnston

01501 823 816

01560 483 225
0141 634 9966

(BMC championships)

Please register 8 days before each meeting : Athletes best 4 out of the 5 meetings count towards the BMC NIKE Grand Prix
BMC Web Site: http://www.british-athletics.co.uk/bmc/

London Marathon Endurance Initiative

Mike Down 0117 973 3407
Please register 8 days before each meeting
9th June
Wythenshawe GP
M3000, W5000
23rd June Watford GP
M5000, W5000
14th July
Solihull GP
M3000, W3000
4th Aug
Cardiff GP
M3000, W3000

BMC Mile of Miles

May
15th Aug
28th Aug
29th Aug
30th Aug
26th Sept

Mike Down 0117 973 3407

Cambridge
M Mile, W Mile
Carn Brea
M Mile, W Mile
South West
M Mile, W Mile
South West
M Mile, W Mile
South West
M Mile, W Mile
Erith
M Mile, W Mile

BMC Gold Standard Meetings

North of England
Mike Harris 0161 775 0719
These meetings will always include 3k races
They will also include short steeplechases
27th Apr
Stretford
M800, W800
18th May Stretford
M800, W800
1st June
Stretford
M800, W800
22nd June Stretford
M1500, W1500
6th July
Stretford
M800, W800
20th July Stretford
M800, W800
3rd Aug
Stretford
M1500, W1500
17th Aug Stretford
M800, W800
31st Aug Stretford
M1500, W1500
Midlands
George Gandy 01509 230176
28th Apr
Loughborough
TBA
13th May Loughborough
TBA
20th May Loughborough
TBA
27th May Loughborough
TBA
2nd June Loughborough
TBA

South of England
Tim Brennan 01628 415748
Pat Fitzgerald 01895 234211
These meetings will always include 3k races
12th May Watford
M800, W800
26th May Watford
M1500, W1500
M5000, W5000
28th July
Watford
M800, W800
11th Aug
Watford
M800, W800
M1500, W1500
8th Sept
Watford
M1500, W1500
Chris Carter 01273 503446
18th Aug
Brighton
M800, W800

BMC North East

Phil Hayes 01207 570161
24th May Jarrow
M800, W800
14th June Jarrow
M1500, W1500
5th July
Jarrow
M800, W800

BMC Young Athletes Races

BMC South
Ray Thompson 01737 554450
2nd June
Tooting
M1500, W1500
16th June Tooting
M800, W800
7th July
Tooting
M1500, W1500
18th Aug
Tooting
M Mile, W Mile
John Sullivan 0171 790 1961
23rd May Finsbury Park
M800, W800
16th June Woodford Green
M800, W800
21st July
Woodford Green
M800, W800
22nd Aug Finsbury Park
M800, W800
Dave Arnold 01732 355539
11th May
Tonbridge
M1500, W1500
6th July
Tonbridge
M800, W800
Tim Brennan 01628 415748
26th Sept
Sutton
M800, W800

Mike Down 0117 973 3407

Millfield
JM & JW800
JM & JW1500
Ray Thompson 01737 554450
18th Aug
Tooting
JM & JW Mile
3rd May

BMC Regional Races

BMC Northern Ireland
Malcolm McCausland 01504 349212
22nd April Londonderry
M800, W800
6th May
Londonderry
M1500, W1500
20th May Londonderry
M3000, W3000
3rd June
Londonderry
M800, W800
17th June Londonderry
M1500, W1500
15th July
Londonderry
M3000, W3000
BMC Scotland
Mike Johnston 0141 634 9966
21st Aug
Glasgow
M5000, W5000
BMC East
Philip ODell 01234 852038
1st June
Colchester
M Mile, W Mile

BMC Midlands
Steve Edmonds 0121 561 4399
28th Apr
Alexander Stad.
M1500, W1500
19th May Coventry
M800, W800
16th June Redditch
M1500, W1500
21st July
Solihull
M800, W800

BMC South West

Mike Down 0117 973 3407
3rd May
Millfield
M3000, W3000
Chris Coleman 01736 740616
5th May
Carn Brea
M800,W800
12th June Carn Brea
M1500, W1500
12th July
Carn Brea
M800, W800
1st Aug
Carn Brea
M1500, W1500

The dates and venues of the races must be regarded as provisional, so you are advised to register with the race organiser at least eight days beforehand.
BMC Membership is limited to those athletes who have achieved the required qualifying times, and to qualified Coaches and Associate Members.
BMC qualifying times for senior men are M800 1:56.0, M1500 3:56.0, M3000, 8:30.0, M5000, 14:45.0
BMC qualifying times for senior women are W800 2:20.0, W1500 4:45.0, W3000 10:15.0, W5000 18:00.0.
BMC qualifying times for U17 athletes and Veterans are M800 2:10.0, M1500 4:30.0, W800 2:25.0, W1500 5:00.0.
All applications to join the BMC should be sent to the Membership Secretary, Andy Anderson, 49 Paulsgrove Road, North End, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO2 7HP, enclosing an A4 SAE.
Annual subscriptions are 15, and there is a 10 joining fee which includes a free BMC vest (athletes) or T-shirt (coaches / associate members).

BMC News : Spring 1999

41

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 42

The BMC Constitution

The inaugural and successful British Milers Club AGM and Congress was held in Stafford on Saturday
27th October 1998. One of the important items on the AGM Agenda was a proposal for a new constitution,
prepared by Frank Horwill and Peter Thompson under the auspices of the committee, to reflect the current
and projected needs of the Club administration. The principal changes include the re-defining of Membership
categories, the recognition of Regional Committees and the formation of National Sub-Committees to carry
out much of the day to day running of the Clubs activities.
1. Name and Objects
The name of the organisation shall be the British
Milers Club, hereinafter referred to as the Club,
or BMC. The Club shall abide by the Rules and
Regulations of the National Governing Body for
Athletics. The objects of the organisation shall
be : to raise the standard of British mens and
womens middle distance running to world
supremacy.
to increase the knowledge of coaches and
others interested in these events.
to increase participation in and gain wider
recognition of the middle distance events.
2. Membership
a Full Membership shall be open to athletes
eligible to represent Great Britain and Northern
Ireland who achieve the Clubs qualifying
standards, and to qualified coaches.
b Associate Membership shall be granted to
others, including athletes excluded in 2a),
deemed to have qualities to promote the objectives of the Club. The National Committee shall
use its discretion in granting Associate Members
the privileges of Membership.
c The qualifying standards for Membership
shall be decided by the National Committee and
approved by the members at the Annual General
Meeting.
d Life Membership may be awarded for
outstanding performances or services to the
Club. Members to be elected to Life
Membership shall be nominated by the National
Committee and approved by the members at the
Annual General Meeting.
e All desirous of becoming members shall
complete an application form approved by the
National Committee.
The Membership
Secretary shall have the authority to admit to
Membership those who submit a satisfactory
application form and make payment of the
required joining fee and first annual
subscription.
3. Subscriptions
a The annual subscription rate and joining fee
shall be set at the Annual General Meeting.
b Any alteration to the subscription rate shall be
approved by a simple majority of members at a

42

General Meeting.
c Any member more than 6 (six) months in
arrears shall be, at the discretion of the National
Committee, deemed to have forfeited
membership and its benefits, and may not be
reinstated until all arrears have been paid up.
4. National Committee
a The Clubs business shall be managed by a
National Committee, hereinafter referred to as
the Committee.
b The Committee shall be elected at the Annual
General Meeting and shall consist of:Chairman, Vice-Chairman, National Secretary,
Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Regional
Secretaries and up to 8 (eight) members.
c The Committee shall have the power to coopt up to 3 (three) additional members or to
replace any of its members.
d Committee meetings shall be as and when the
Committee thinks necessary but there shall be
not less than 3 (three) such meetings in any one
year.
e A quorum for the meeting of the Committee
shall consist of 5 (five) members.
f If a quorum is not present within 15 (fifteen)
minutes of the specified commencement time,
the meeting shall be adjourned.
g Any proposal which is called to vote shall
have the votes cast and the declared result
recorded in the minutes.
h The Chairman shall be entitled to a casting
vote in the event of a deadlock.
i The Vice-Chairman shall be entitled to act as
Chairman in the Chairmans absence. If neither
are present at a meeting, the members shall elect
an acting Chairman from those members
present.
j Regional secretaries may appoint a deputy
from their Regional Committee to act in their
absence. Such deputies shall be entitled to vote.
k Minutes of all Committee meetings shall be
circulated, then approved and signed by the
Chairman at the following Committee meeting
and entered into a Minutes Book.
5. National Executive Committee
a The National Committee may delegate to a
National Executive Committee, comprising the
Chairman, Treasurer, National Secretary and

one other elected officer or Committee member

for the day-to-day running of the Club.
b The National Executive Committee shall
report fully to the next meeting of the
Committee all actions it has taken.
6. National Sub-Committees
a The National Committee may also delegate
to National Sub-Committees, hereinafter
referred to as the Sub-Committees, for the dayto-day running of the Club in relation to: Organisation of Races
Publications
Education and Training
Finance and Administration
Publicity, Sponsorship and Fund Raising
b The Chairman and members of each SubCommittee shall be subject to the prior approval
of the Committee.
c Each Sub-Committee shall have at least one
individual who is a member of the Committee.
d Sub-Committee meetings shall be as and
when the Sub-Committee thinks necessary but
there shall be not less than 2 (two) such
meetings in any one year.
e A representative of each Sub-Committee
shall report fully to the next meeting of the
Committee all actions they have taken.
7. Regional Secretaries
These positions shall be elected at the Annual
General Meeting.
a Regional Secretaries may form Regional
Committees for the day-to-day running of the
Clubs business within that Region.
b Regional Committee meetings shall be as and
when the Regional Committee thinks necessary.
c Regional Secretaries shall report fully to the
next meeting of the Committee all actions they
have taken.
d All activities within a region shall be coordinated through the National Committee and,
where possible, not conflict with national activities.
8. President and Vice-Presidents
These positions shall be elected at the AGM
from the current membership. Individuals so
elected may attend committee meetings and
vote only at the Chairmans discretion They will
not be liable to pay the annual subscription.
9. General Meetings
a The Club shall in each year hold a General
Meeting as its Annual General Meeting
(AGM), in addition to any other General
Meetings in the year.

BMC News : Spring 1999

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 43

The BMC Constitution

b The AGM shall be held not later than 31st
October in any year, in any appropriate place as
approved by the Committee.
c All General Meetings other than the AGM
shall be called Extraordinary General Meetings.
d Members shall be given at least 28 (twenty
eight) days notice of the AGM via the athletic
press, and at least 14 (fourteen) days notice of
Extraordinary General Meetings.
e All matters for inclusion in the AGM shall be
received by the National Secretary at least 21
(twenty one) days before the meeting.
f An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be
called by the National Secretary within 21
(twenty one) days of the receipt by him of a
requisition signed by at least 50 (fifty) members, stating the business to be brought forward
before such a meeting.
g A quorum for a General Meeting shall consist
of 10 (ten) members.
10. Proceedings at the Annual General
Meeting
The business at the meeting shall be:
a To receive and consider the Annual Report of
the Treasurer (to include the Income and
Expenditure Account and the Balance Sheet)
and the Annual Reports of the National
Secretary, the Chairs of the National SubCommittees and the Regional Secretaries.
b The election of the Officers, the President,
Vice-President and Committee members for the
ensuing year.
c To transact any other business.
All resolutions put to the vote must be
approved by a majority of members entitled to
vote. The Chairman shall decide the manner of
voting.
11. Proceedings at Extraordinary General
Meetings
The business of the meeting shall be conducted
as directed by the Chairman.
12. Alterations to the Constitution
The Constitution shall be altered only at a
General Meeting by a two-thirds majority of
members present and voting; proxy votes shall
not be allowed. A quorum for such a General
Meeting shall not be less than 20 (twenty)
members. Any alteration made shall take effect
immediately.
13. Publications
The term publication shall refer to any and all
material published in any medium which is
available within the public or private domain

BMC News : Spring 1999

and purports to represent the BMC. Such publications shall specifically include the Club
Membership Application Form, the Club
Magazine, the Club Internet Web site, and Press
Releases. All publications must receive prior
approval from the Committee, the Chairman or
National Secretary.
a The Committee shall publish a club
magazine, with the title of BMC News, at least
twice a year, comprising a Spring issue and an
Autumn issue.
b The Committee shall oversee the operation of
the BMC Web site on the Internet. At each
Committee meeting a report shall be presented
on the activity of this site, with proposed
changes and updates.
14. Advertising, Sponsorship and Fund
Raising
All advertising, sponsorship and fund raising
activities shall be co-ordinated by the
Committee.
a No member, or their agents, shall make representation in the name of the BMC without the
prior approval of the Committee.
b Any unauthorised activities in this area shall
make the member, or members, liable to
expulsion from the Club.
c A person so expelled shall have the right of
appeal to the Committee and may have an
The British Athletics Endurance Initiative 1998
(continued from page 35)

That a definite policy be adopted on

travelling expenses and athletes made accordingly aware.
That further debate is needed concerning
10,000m races.
Although the athletes
questioned have indicated a preference for one
race early in the season and one late, the
support given so far does not warrant the effort
involved in putting the races on. The experiment of combining the Initiative with the CAU
Championships has only been a partial success.
For any event to be well supported, there must
be a "quality" pacemaker e.g. a Kenyan and,
perhaps, the incentive provided by competitors
from other European countries. This should be
the model for any 10,000m race we stage.
That consideration be given to putting on any
races outside the BMC NIKE Grand Prix at
weekends, and preferably on Saturday evenings
when the weather conditions are likely to be
better (i.e. wind) due to the problem many
working athletes have in travelling midweek.
This is essential for any 10,000m race staged.

independent representative present at any

hearing.
15. Accounts
a The Treasurer shall keep an account showing
details of all sums of money received and sent.
This account shall be available at each meeting
of the Committee.
b All outgoing cheques shall be signed by the
Treasurer, the Chairman, or other Officer as
authorised by the Committee.
c All accounts containing Club funds shall be
under the direct control of the Treasurer, who
shall have the sole right to establish new
accounts, as deemed necessary for the financial
well being of the organisation.
16. Audit
A statement of audited accounts shall be
presented annually.
17. Interpretation of the Rules
The interpretation of the rules shall be the
prerogative of the Committee.
18. Dissolution
In the event of the Clubs dissolution its net
assets shall be realised and donated to a charity
nominated by a majority of the members at an
Extraordinary General Meeting.
That consideration be given again to staging
at least one race in conjunction with the UK
womens League to bolster both the size and
standard of the field. We already have an
undertaking from the League officials that they
would give it serious consideration for next
year. This could even be a direct replacement
for the Regional events, e.g. staging races with
each of the four Divisions, and is worth considering too for the men.
That sponsorship permitting the Initiative
race programme be upgraded to include more
European/African guest runners as a more
economic and practical alternative to sending
our leading runners overseas all the time.
That as the Initiative is now totally under the
auspices of PAS, athletes funded through PAS
be urged to compete in the Initiative as a priority
rather than always seeking races overseas.
That there should be some definite competitive reward for success in the Initiative races,
such as international opportunities.
That more juniors be formally encouraged to
participate in races through PAS and/or the
Junior Commission.

43

BMC

April 1999

6/6/99 9:07 pm

Page 44

A sunday morning training run and

things

are

getting

hot.

You

push

the pace. You are suffering like hell.

But

you

wear

NIKEs

DRI-F.I.T. Tee

to make sure the other guys really sweat.