Tipton Harriers

RIP John Wheway (12/05/2022)

Details

Published: 12 May 2022

Update - 16/05/2022

The funeral is to be on Wednesday 25th May 2022 at Canley Crematorium, Coventry, at 3:45PM. The "wake" will be at The Barn, Berryfields, Meriden.

The club were saddened to hear of the passing of John Wheway on 11/05/2022. John had battled a dreadful brain condition for the past few years.

John was born in Coventry on the 8^th August 1951. The son of a local Doctor he was educated at Bablake Grammar School where he first experienced athletics in the early 1960’s.

He was not the first talent in his family as his brother Robert was the one running for the school, and running well too. It was Robert who suggested to John that he try running for the school. He rocked up at an event with Robert and they let him run in the “C” team with a hastily borrowed vest. Robert won the race but young John was third and the “C” team beat the ”B”!

In these formative years he was coached by Geoff Green. His lack of raw speed caused him to focus on the steeplechase and this proved a great success. In 1968 John ran some very fast times for his age and set AAA Junior Records for the 2000m S/C yet was ranked only 2^nd over the year. He was featured in AW in early 1969 as being one to watch.

Coventry had a strong athletics culture & competitive structure at both school and club level. In time he joined Coventry Godiva Harriers where he was exposed to a great number of experienced and quality “Harrier” runners. These included the likes of Colin Kirkham, Bill Adcocks, Richard & Juan Taylor, Basil Heatley and a young Dave Moorcroft.

John was an exceptional athlete for his age and generation particularly excelling at the steeplechase. He set a world age best for the 3000m S/C at 16 years with 9m 06s. This event was his forte and he gained many records and representative invitations into the early 1970’s. Success came early to this talented lad.

Whilst at school, and representing Warwickshire, he won the English Schools XC Championships in 1970 at Blackburn.

After school he was set on becoming a teacher and headed to Madeley College near Stoke On Trent to qualify. There too he ran for the college.

He continued to represent Godiva through these years and often raced Tipton Harriers in local events and grew to know many of our athletes and friendships were formed.

Upon qualification around December 1974 he began his teaching career in Wolverhampton where he joined the local club, Wolverhampton & Bilston AC. His contribution aided that club through one of their best competitive periods.

He was a regular in their British & Midland League track & field teams. He was also a regular in the Birmingham & District Invitation Cross Country League placing highly in a number of races.

Representative honours over the country continued coming his way with vests for the MCAAA and his new county Staffordshire.

Steeplechasing was a real focus for Tipton Harriers’ athletes around this time with the likes of Andy Holden, Pete Griffiths & John Davies all excelling. John was involved in many races with these runners. His small stature being no handicap.

As the 1970’s evolved John tried other endurance events experimenting with 10Km on the track and also the roads. He was one of the “dark horse” entrants in the first Tipton 10 staged in November 1977.which he won in 47m 09s beating the likes of Ian Stewart; Brian Cole and Andy Holden.

1978 saw an international vest over the country with a race in Belfast. 1978 also saw him place 2^nd in the Midland XC Championships at Great Barr. ECCU representative opportunities continued.

1981 saw him win the Staffordshire XC Championships at West Bromwich. Cross country racing took him to Spain in 1981. It was in this year that John ran his first marathon in the inaugural London Marathon with a time of 2h 21m 00s for 26^th spot.

1982 saw a change in direction for John. One of his philosophies was to refresh his challenges and this he did by beginning to focus more on the roads and in particular the marathon. He also changed clubs and moved to Tipton Harriers in June of 1982. He was still competing in steeplechase events and in May 1982 was in action in one in France.

At this stage in his career he teamed up with Bud Baldaro, the mercurial and successful coach to athletes of all abilities in the Midlands and Nationally. John used Bud as a sounding board and advice was given when necessary. At the time John felt Bud provided “continuity to his training”.

On joining Tipton Harriers he was to become one of their most respected and regular main team members and activists. His name was often one of the first on the team sheet.

The marathon continued to absorb him and gradually he reduced his PB down to 2h 12m 13s in 1988 and 9^th place in London. This was the third time he had set a PB in London. This was an age best for a UK 36 year old. On the way he gained a Great Britain vest over the distance in the 1986 Crete International Marathon winning that event in 2h 22m 53s.

An educated and well spoken man with what many regarded as a quiet disposition which belied a very sociable persona and he was a student of the sport. He was elected team captain of the Tipton Senior Men’s squad in 1987.

Not a big athlete in physical stature, standing at 5’ 5”, but he was one of the most balanced and determined to witness with a super style. His “old school” racing & training attitude was admired by old and young.

His training was typical of many running to and from work at school and getting a base mileage in adding specialist sessions on and around that core.

An example of John the “thinker” can be illustrated in March 1987 when, after the National XC at Luton, he penned a detailed letter with his thoughts on the start of the event and the allocation of peg/pens to clubs and the effect on the race result. He came up with some interesting proposals.

As the 1980’s progressed so too did John’s enthusiasm for the sport. In April 1989 he was quoted as saying “coolness under stress is very important. Age presents interesting factors, including the ability to use your head. I was pleased with my 25m 53s for a 5.4 mile leg of the road relay championship last weekend. It was a respectable time in difficult conditions, run solo.”

In 1991 another change was to occur with John, now 40, becoming a “veteran”. This aspect of the sport was really taking off in a big way and John enjoyed success. In many ways it recharged his energy for the sport.

Outside of athletics around this time John was working in Moseley Park School, Bilston as a "special needs" teacher.

He won the veteran category of the London Marathon in 1992 with 2h 18m 47s. 1992 saw him also help Tipton to their greatest championship season ever.

During that season they won an unprecedented 8 National titles and John played a key part in that achievement being part of the Marathon, Half Marathon & 12 Stage teams.

He lead the team home in the AAA’s Half & Marathon Championships held in Bath & London. 13 days later John ran in the National 12 Stage exemplifying his dedication.

He inspired many people young and old and brought joy to many with his performances. Mike Hager was one to really appreciate John’s supreme racing craft in the 1994 National Veterans Road Relay Championship staged in May in Aldershot where John took over 66 seconds down on Swansea and turned in a race winning performance. “To see John Wheway take the lead in the last 400m really made the day special.”

His last recorded major performance for Tipton Harriers was in 1998 where he was 3^rd in the Staffordshire XC Championships held at Roe Lane, Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire.

Sadly a rare brain condition (Frontal Lobe Dementia) was to cause John long term problems beginning far too early in his life which dogged him throughout the rest of his life. He moved back to the Coventry area where he saw out his final years with care & support. Occasional visits to the Godiva Headquarters were an attempt to stimulate mental connections to his former activities and glories.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

Membership 2022/23

Details

Published: 17 Apr 2022

Membership rates for the coming year are published below.  Payment can be made by bank transfer, or by cash or cheque on club nights.

Exisiting members - Please complete your details on the on-line form when submitting payment  HERE

New members - Please complete your details on the on-line form when submitting payment  HERE

Membership Rate

Senior (18+) including track fees £115

Senior (18+) Non-track  £80 (£4 per week for ad-hoc track use)

Under 18 £105

Under 11 £95

Family (2 adults plus and under 18s at the same address) £230

2nd Claim £35 (£4 per week for ad-hoc track use)

Competing Coaches £20

Life Member / Non-Competing Coach £0

For enquiries please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By becoming a member of Tipton Harriers you agree to abide by the rules of the club and the club's codes of conduct.

Club Rules

Code of Conduct for Juniors / Parents

Code of Conduct for Senior Athletes

Staffordshire Championships

Details

Published: 25 Apr 2022

Entries are open for the Staffordshire Championships on Saturday 14 May at Northwood Stadium, Stoke.

ENTRIES

Rhayader Round the Lakes (05/03/2022)

Details

Published: 8 Mar 2022

In Mid Wales a party of Tipton Harriers ventured to race last weekend at Rhayader. In the 10Km Amie Williams was third overall and leading woman with a time of 39m 09s. In the 30Km held at the same venue we had a posse of seven. The Williams' (Martin & Ian) were 2nd & 3rd overall. Dean Bate was 6th and 1st M35; Steve Brookes 10th and 3rd M35. Sally Ann Walker was 46th overall and 2nd W50. Myles Wilson 122nd and Penny Barbour 126th completed the Tipton contingent. Penny was 1st W60.

Eligibility 03/2022 (08/03/2022)

Details

Published: 5 May 2021

Here are this months' decisions March and for the previous two months January & February

National XC Championships, Parliament Hill, London (26/02/2022)

Details

Published: 27 Feb 2022

At the traditional home of the National XC Championships this years event took place at Parliament Hill Fields in London. The weather was superb from the spectators and participant's view. The tough course was made even tougher by the mud and surface water that lingered and impeded runners as the day unfolded.

It was great to see Tipton Harriers represented in a large number of age groups. In the U17 Women Jade Charlton was 38th; Jessie Walker 171st & Rosa Shadforth-Groucutt 190th. In the U17 Men sole finisher Seth Avery was 245th.

In the U13 Girls Layla Williams was 90th and Mia Fantom 263rd. In the U13 Boys Jake Harding was 245th. We had two in the Junior Women with Holly Graham 105th & Bella Fantom 120th. Tom Bentley was a very creditable 41st in the Junior Men.

U15 Boys were 27th team on the day. Led home by Tom Lucas in 92nd spot with Will Evans (165th); Flay Fellows (240th); Luke Bailey (274th); and Tyler Kendrick (369th) being other members of the squad.

In the Senior ranks the women placed 44th and the men 26th. Amie Williams was first of the female brigade with 109th; Bethany Walker 210th; Kate Williams 532nd; Lisa Kendrick 533rd; Cheryl Graham 544th; Penny Barber 594th; Sharon Bailey 784th & completing the turnout.

In the men's race Martin Williams was 181st; Joe Read 195th; Karl Quiney 321st; Alvin Karangizi 330th; Luke Vine 512nd; Todd Quiney 548th; Tom Acha 730th; Steve Brookes 784th and Krisztian Karasz 1197th. The scoring six gave the team 26th place on the day.

It was good to see some old members of Tipton around the course who had travelled from around the country to the event. Tony Milovsorov, Mike Hager, Kevin Lamb were among those there who have performed at the very highest level for the club at this event over the years along with Ian Williams, Tom Holden Mike Holden & Chris Holloway who were also to be heard cheering the runners on.

Thanks to all the Tipton families, supporters and those who arranged the weekend and shouted encouragment throughout the day.

One nice tradition witnessed during the afternoon was the welcome return of the "harriers humbug" courtesy of Kate Williams. Many years ago a benefactor of the club and President, the late Stuart Eaton began bringing green and white boiled sweets to events rewarding each runner with a gift of one after a race. Well done Kate, nice touch.

Final league race WMYACCL – Pingles Stadium, Nuneaton

Details

Published: 22 Feb 2022

It was the final race of the West Midlands Young Athletes Cross Country League on Sunday, Kate Williams reports.

Some great team and individual performances from the Tipton Harriers Juniors in the final race of the WMYACCL.  

In the under 11 girls race, Layla Williams stormed home to her 5th victory making her the overall U11 girls league champion.  This is the first time a Tipton athlete has won all five league races since 1999 when Phil Nicholls ran as an under 15.

Also in the under 11 girl’s race were Aimee Whitehouse finishing in 35th, Keirie Fellows 43rd, Lily Allen 86th, Harriet Thompson 89th, Mya Beardsworth 90th and Grace Scott in 94th place.  This is the first competitive season for these young runners so the future is looking good for these young whippets.

In the under 17 women’s race Jade Charlton led the team home in 3rd position, which was enough to secure Jade 2nd individual overall.   Amelia Harrison finished 13th and Evie Tromans finished in 15th position, enabling the team to achieve an amazing 2nd place overall in the league series.  Also racing in the U17 women were Mya Woodward in 19th place, Jessie Walker in 20th place and Rosa Shadforth-Groucutt in 32nd place.

The under 15 boys came a fantastic 3rd team overall in the series.  Tom Lucas was the first athlete back in the under 15 boys in 8th position.  Klay Fellows finished 15th, Will Evans 35th, Luke Bailey 36th, Kane Salmon-Hodges 44th, Tyler Kendrick 48th,  Zak Lindop 51st, Thomas Hynes-Oughton 52nd, Elliott Boden 53rd, Harrison Postles 62nd and Ben Marsh 63rd.

Abbie Harris finished 12th place in the under 13 girls, which is her highest position of the series. Mia Fanton finally rediscovered her running mojo and finished a superb 25th place. Olivia Emms and Olivia Postles finished 50th and 61st respectively.

In the under 13 boys Jake Harding finished 27th and Jack Beardsworth finished 53rd , which was the highest position of the series for them both.

Cerys Brook ran a superb race in the under 15 girls to finish in 11th place, supported by Sophie Brookes in 65th place.

In the under 11 boys race Jay Lindop and Evan Carvill, finished 23rd and 31st respectively.  Well done to them both for turning out to compete in all five races of the league.

The under 17 men’s team was led home by Cameron Lomax in 10th place, securing him 9th overall in the league series.  Seth Avery finished 27th in his first race back after injury and Korey Hazelwood finished in 35th position.

Results

Senior Men Season Roundup (20/02/2022)

Details

Published: 20 Feb 2022

Results Roundup (30/12/2021)

Details

Published: 30 Dec 2021

Just one out at Monday's Wheaton Aston 10K, Rob Meredith clocking 33:17 for 6th place

RESULTS

Results Roundup (21/12/2021)

Details

Published: 21 Dec 2021

Just the one race to report this week, which shows the return to action for Phil Nicholls, winning the Wolves and Bilston Winter Warmer 5.

RESULTS

RIP Dave Bagshaw (15/12/2021)

Details

Published: 15 Dec 2021

Tipton Harriers are saddend to learn of the death of Dave Bagshaw, synonymous with the history of Tipton Harriers at the Comrades Marathon

From his partner Mair,

"Dave Bagshaw died on 30th November. As you may know he won the Comrades Marathon in 1969, 1970 in 1971 (before I knew him) and he flew back from the UK in 1972 to compete again only to be beaten into second place by Mick Orton from Tipton Harriers. I wonder if Mick Orton or any other runners of his era are still active in the club and perhaps you could direct them towards the Comrades Marathon Association website or Facebook page where there are very moving tributes to Dave. The funeral will take place at Grenoside crematorium Sheffield at 3 pm Thursday 16th December. We have been in touch with  the Comrades Marathon Association and they have sent a written tribute from the chairperson of the Comrades Marathon Association as well as a video tribute from Bruce Fordyce."

Comrades Obituary

Results Roundup (12/12/2021)

Details

Published: 12 Dec 2021

Telford 10K

Sneyd Pudding Run 5 Mile  10 Mile

parkrun Roundup

Boxing Day Handicap

Details

Published: 13 Dec 2021

Details for Boxing Day Handicap are as follows,

Register at Jubilee Park from 10-15am.  First runners off at 11am prompt.  Entry fee is £3.  Awards to first in handicap plus fastest times (Male / Female).  The course will be a mixture of tarmac paths and grassland and NOT suitable for spikes.  If you intend to run please email Bryan Mills with your name, age group and an approximate time for 5k.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or post in our Facebook group.

Results Roundup (05/12/2021)

Details

Published: 5 Dec 2021

Senior Men's League

Senior Women's League

Young Athlete's League

Away from the cross country, Jonathan Carter and Dan Lewis were competing over 5k in Leicester.

RESULTS

YDL Upper League - Results (25/07/2021)

Details

Published: 24 Jul 2021

These are the provisional results for yesterday's meeting at Stourport.

RESULTS

Midland Selections (26/07/2021)

Details

Published: 26 Jul 2021

Congratulations to Tom Bentley, Joe Smith & Jon Carter on their selection for Midland Counties (MCAA) teams in up and coming fixtures.

Tom has been selected for the MCAA "Junior" 5Km squad for a road race in Cardiff we believe to be staged on 29th August.

Joe & Jon are to represent a MCAA team in a representative road relay to be staged in Leeds on 15th August 2021.

According to the EA website this event, organised by Northern Athletics, will see the Midland team team compete against others squads including Northern Ireland, Wales, Armed Forces, an area team from the North as well as a combined Leeds University team. Each athlete will race over a road two mile leg on a closed road circuit at the Brownlee Centre. A live stream will be available.

MMAC Relays (26/07/2021)

Details

Published: 26 Jul 2021

The MMAC are organising a relay on Friday 6th August 2021 at National Forest YHA, Bath Lane, Swadlincote, DE12 6BD. Details, as taken from the MMAC website, are as follows:-

"The Midland Masters open relays are back! The event will be held over a 2.61 mile off road loop around the Conkers Trail which ordinarily hosts the weekly park run. The surface comprises a short section of tarmac with the rest being compressed stone.

The event is open to master athletes of both genders over the age of 35 from clubs within the Midland Masters catchment area. Teams will be from the following age groups 35-44, 45-54, 55-64 and 65+. Athletes eligible to compete will have birthdays on or prior to the evening of the race. For age groups 35-44 and 45-54 teams will comprise of 4 athletes with the older age groups comprising of 3 eligible athletes. Medals will be awarded to the first 3 teams in each age category with prizes awarded to the athlete recording the fastest time in each age category.

Cost will be £4 per athlete for teams submitted in advance of the evening and £5 for entries on the night. If practical athletes in incomplete teams will be allocated to composite teams on evening of the event."

MMAC Website

Park Hall 5Km (23/07/2021)

Details

Published: 26 Jul 2021

A couple of Harriers ventured to Oswestry in the Marches for a Friday night fling on 23/07/2021. Dominic Gardiner was 5th in 16m 17s and Gareth Griffiths was 11th in 16m 49s.

Holden Helps Set British M35 Record

Details

Published: 26 Jul 2021

Tom Holden was a member of a MVAC/MMAC team that targeted the M35 4 x 800m record at a meeting staged at Birmingham University on 18th July 2021. The time the quartet set was 8m 03.62s smashing the previous time, set in August 2018 of 9m 10.47s by a GBR squad at Lee Valley, London.

Split times,

James Marshall (BRAT) 1:58.2

Chris Lamb (Rugby & Northampton) 2:03.0

Tom Holden (Tipton) 2:00.0

Phil Gould (Leamington) 2:02.5

Pictured, left to right - Matt Long (MMAC Team Manager), Chris Lamb, Phil Gould, James Marshall, Tom Holden

ParkRun (25/07/2021)

Details

Published: 25 Jul 2021

At last it is back and here is a summary of where various Harriers turned out.

ParkRun (24/07/2021)

Coventry 5Km (21/07/2021)

Details

Published: 26 Jul 2021

Tom Brown (U23) headed to Coventry for the Chase The Sun 5Km on 21/07/2021. He placed 5th in 18m 45s.

YDL 2021 Fixtures (27/04/2021)

Details

Published: 27 Apr 2021

The 2021 YDL fixtures have recently been released and the details are currently as follows:-

UAG - Tipton Harriers are in Midland North/East "D" Division along with Bromsgrove & Redditch; Dudley & Stourbridge Harriers; Halesowen A & CC and Kidderminster & Stourport AC. The dates for the four fixtures are 30/05/2021 (@ Stourport); 27/06/2021 (@ Stourport); 25/07/2021 (@ Tipton); 05/09/2021 (@ Tipton).

LAG - Tipton Harriers are in Midland North/East "C" Division along with Birchfield Harriers; Coventry Godiva Harriers; Halesowen A & CC; Leamington C & AAC and Royal Sutton Coldfield AC. The dates for the three fixtures are 05/06/2021 (@ Sutton Coldfield); 17/07/2021 (@ Sutton Coldfield); 04/09/2021 (@ Coventry).

The full calendar for the year is HERE

English Schools Athletic Association Handbooks (27/04/2021)

Details

Published: 27 Apr 2021

A member of the club would like to get hold of old printed copies of ESAA (English Schools Athletic Association) annual handbooks to build up a collection for reference. If you can help and want to get rid of some to a good home then please contact us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and daytime telephone number.

Membership 2021/22 (28/03/2021)

Details

Published: 28 Mar 2021

Membership rates for the coming year are published below.  The "Part Rate" is for members who paid membership fees last year.  Members who did not renew their membership last year, or new members need to pay the full rate.  Payment can be made by bank transfer, or by cash or cheque on club nights.

Please complete your details on the on-line form below, but if your details have not changed from last year just drop us an email confirming payment, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

On-line Membership form

Membership Rates

 For enquiries please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

On-line Membership form

By becoming a member of Tipton Harriers you agree to abide by the rules of the club and the club's codes of conduct.

Club Rules

Code of Conduct for Juniors / Parents

Code of Conduct for Senior Athletes