Harrow Secures Historic Victory in National Athletics League

Harrow has clinched its first-ever National Athletics League title, marking a significant milestone in the club’s history. The team triumphed during the final weekend of the Premiership, held at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on August 16, 2023. This victory not only highlights Harrow’s rise but also sees Shaftesbury Barnet and City of Sheffield relegated from the top flight, with Tonbridge and Swansea moving up to take their places.

The Premiership’s third round showcased a dramatic showdown, where Harrow and Thames Valley entered the event tied on 15 match points. A previous match between the two had seen an adjustment in scores due to athlete eligibility issues, leading to Thames Valley initially being declared the winner. However, the final fixture was a decisive contest.

After a slow start, Harrow quickly established dominance, leaving Thames Valley, the four-time champions, trailing. The competition kicked off with Samuel Clarke of Thames Valley winning the men’s 400m hurdles in a time of 51.01 seconds, closely followed by Jubril Adeniji from Shaftesbury Barnet, who achieved a personal best of 51.36 seconds.

As the events progressed, Harrow began to gain momentum. Luke Dorrell secured victory in the men’s 100m with a time of 10.41 seconds, and Nia Wedderburn-Goodison followed suit in the women’s event, clocking in at 11.53 seconds. Notably, her performance ranked as the best among female competitors in age gradings, while 18-year-old Matthew Ajayi’s time of 10.57 seconds stood out in the men’s category.

By the time the athletes had completed eight events, Harrow had moved up to second place, trailing Thames Valley. However, Harrow soon took the lead, amassing points through consistent performances across various events. Their advantage only grew as the competition continued, thanks to impressive showings in both A and B string events.

Charlotte Payne from Windsor made headlines with a season-best throw of 70.03 meters in the women’s hammer, ensuring her club’s safety from relegation. Meanwhile, Harrow maintained its momentum, leading by over 50 points halfway through the competition.

As the final events unfolded, Harrow continued to pile up points, with Sophie Hamilton achieving a personal best of 53.76 meters in the women’s javelin. Sheffield’s Lee Thompson managed to win the men’s 200m, but it was Harrow’s Shiloh Wright-Taipow who triumphed in the women’s 200m with a time of 24.04 seconds.

In a thrilling finish, Harrow dominated the relay events, widening their lead to nearly 100 points. Their final score of **639.5** points solidified their championship status, with Thames Valley trailing at **542.5** points. The final standings reflected Harrow’s remarkable performance throughout the season, culminating in a historic victory.

Promotion for Tonbridge and Swansea

In the qualifying match held at Horspath Arena in Oxford on the same day, Tonbridge and Swansea emerged victorious, earning their promotion to the Premiership. The event saw Herts Phoenix starting strong with Edward Laws winning the men’s 400m hurdles, but Tonbridge quickly made its mark with Ted Higgins claiming victory in the men’s 800m.

As the competition progressed, Swansea established an early lead, with Michael Jenkins winning the discus throw. Despite strong performances from Sale and Chelmsford, it was Tonbridge who held their ground, eventually finishing with **583** points, just ahead of Swansea’s **555.5** points.

Both teams demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the competition, showcasing their readiness to compete at the highest level next season.

This season of the National Athletics League has not only been a platform for emerging talent but has also set the stage for future rivalries and unforgettable moments in athletics.