TRACK & FIELD

Thames Valley Harriers  has one of UK’s best Track & Field sections with a proud record of achievements dating back to 1887.

TRAINING

TVH provides every one of its members with the opportunity to train across all Track & Field disciplines in a professional and welcoming environment. Training sessions take place at the Linford Christie Stadium.

Young athletes are encouraged to try an array of events, with training sessions taking place from 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Training sessions are also run at the weekends.

Sprinting and field training typically commences from  6pm onwards on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and at 10.00am on Saturdays.

Middle-distance training sessions start at 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

COMPETITION

TVH provides comprehensive Track & Field competition for all of its athletes and for all age groups. The club competes in national and regional leagues and championships. In addition to this, the club holds its own Open Meetings each year at the Linford Christie Stadium.

Leagues

Teams are selected by team managers and participation is free to registered club members. Subsidised transport is provided for all non-local league meetings.

Quad Kids: Competition for U11 to U15 age groups.

Youth Development League (YDL): Competition for U13 to U20 age groups, whereby U13s & U15s are categorised as lower age groups, and U17s & U20s are categorised as upper age groups. Tends to be a higher level of competition than the Quad Kids.
http://www.ukydl.org.uk/index.html

Southern Athletics League (SAL): Regional senior league for both men and women. U17s and U20s can compete, but only senior weights (throws) and heights (hurdles) are used .
http://www.southernathletics.org.uk/

National Athletics League (NAL): National league for men and women at U20 and senior levels. U17s can compete subject to the rules of the NAL. Senior weights (throws) and heights (hurdles) are used. Tends to be a higher standard of competition than the SAL and selection is based on performance.
https://www.nationalathleticsleague.org.uk

Championships*Additional Team Managers are needed for the Youth Development League teams – please contact Manuel da Silva for more information.

Championships are held at local, county, region and national level. Some may lead to team selections and further competitions (e.g. Inter-counties), some will have entry criteria but it is up to the individual to enter and pay entry fees. Championships are held for both individual events and combined/multi-event, and are held in the winter for their indoor and summer for their outdoors championships.

Middlesex Championships
South of England Championships
England Championships
British Championships

Athletes are encouraged to discuss their plans with their coaches, who will advise whether an athlete is ready to compete in these. This is particularly important if the athlete is new to athletics and there are no published entry standards.

English Schools/University Championships

Entry and initial selection is through the school or university where athletes will usually be required to meet a required standard.

Open Meetings

Open meetings, competitions organised by clubs, entry fees apply and individual entry only, some have closing dates and no late or entry on the day.

Open meetings are a good introduction to competition for new athletes. They also provide an opportunity for athletes to get an official performance (time, distance, height) for events if they want to be selected for the league teams.