Belgrave Harriers
Belgrave Harriers, founded in 1887, is one of the leading athletics clubs in Britain, with headquarters located in Wimbledon, close to Wimbledon Common. As of February 2013, they had the most successful record in the history of the British Athletics League, with 11 titles.[1]
In the early days, Belgrave's headquarters were in Belgravia, and races were held along the Embankment of the River Thames and over the common lands south of London. Nowadays, Belgrave's home track is located at the Millennium Arena, Battersea Park, and 'Belgravians' train there on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Belgrave Harriers compete in track and field (in the National 1 Division of the British Athletics League), road running, racewalking and cross country, and have traditionally drawn their members from South London and Surrey, but in recent decades have attracted athletes from counties all over England, the Home Nations and overseas.
Belgrave Harriers' most successful period lasted from the 1920s to 1950s, but the 21st century saw a resurgence, and they have won 29 national championships in this period, on the road, cross-country and track. In 2013, they announced their withdrawal from the British Athletics League due to a shortage of volunteer officials.[1]
The club's membership contains several of Britain's leading athletes, including Olympic silver medallist and World Champion Phillips Idowu, Goldie Sayers, Dwain Chambers and Chicago Marathon winner Paul Evans as well as GB & NI 110m Hurdler William Sharman.
Team honours
Track and field
Men
- European Champion Clubs Relays: 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m and 4x800m 1999
- British Athletics League Division One (Premier Division): 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
- British Athletics League Gold Cup: 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
- British Athletics League Golden Jubilee Cup: 2002, 2003
Women
- British Athletics League Golden Jubilee Cup: 2002, 2003
Cross Country
Men
- National Cross Country Championship: 1935, 1939, 1946, 1948, 2004.
- National Cross Country Relay Championship: 2003, 2007
Road racing
Men
- AAA National 6-Stage Road Relay: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008
- AAA National 12-Stage Road Relay (London to Brighton 1924-1965): 1934, 1935, 1936, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2009
- AAA 5 km: 2006
- AAA 10 km: 2003
- AAA Half-Marathon: 2002, 2004, 2007
- AAA Marathon: 1996
Women
- AAA 10 km: 2006
- AAA Marathon: 2004
Racewalking
Men
- RWA 20 miles: 1924, 1925, 1928, 1929, 1938, 1939, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1960, 1970
- RWA 50 km: 1934, 1935, 1936, 1938, 1951, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970
- RWA 20 km: 1968, 1969, 1973, 1979
- RWA 10 miles: 1947, 1948, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1982, 1984
Notable athletes
Olympians
| Athlete | Country | Events | Olympics | Medals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tommy Green |  | 50km walk | 1932 | .svg.png){kind=icon} |
| Harry Churcher | | 10km walk | 1948 | |
| Bill Lucas | | 5000 metres | 1948 | |
| Eric Hall | | 20km walk,50km walk | 1956, 1960 | |
| John Bicourt | | 3000 metres steeplechase | 1972, 1976 | |
| Paul Evans | | 10000 metres | 1992, 1996 | |
| Brendan Reilly | ,  | high jump | 1992, 2000 | |
| Nick Sweeney | | discus throw | 1992, 1996, 2000 | |
| Paskar Owor |  | 800 metres | 2000, 2004 | |
| Dwain Chambers | | 100 metres, 4x100 metres relay | 2000, 2012 | |
| Phillips Idowu | | triple jump | 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 | .svg.png){kind=icon} |
| Chris Lambert | | 200 metres | 2004 | |
| Goldie Sayers | | javelin throw | 2004, 2008, 2012 |
External links
References
- 1 2 Hart, Simon (4 February 2013). "Belgrave Harriers' men's team to bow out of British Athletics League due to lack of volunteers". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 October 2013.