It is with great sadness that Eng;and Athletics share the news that one of Barton And District AC founder members Edwin Bellamy has passed away. Edwin was one of the hard working athletics officials who has been actively associated with athletics, Barton and District AC, Humber Athletics and National Athletics for over 60 years.

As we look towards 2024, we would first like to pause and say huge thank you to everyone in the athletics and running family who make our sport fantastic. Whether you are a coach, volunteer, official, athlete, organiser, committee member, runner or leader, we couldn’t do it without you and thank you for your vital contributions throughout the year.

UK javelin champion Bekah Walton joins the England Athletics Podcast to talk about her dream of becoming both an Olympian and an engineer. The 24-year-old, who threw within touching distance of 60 metres during the 2023 season, explains about the role of her mum, her dog and netball in propelling her athletics career.

England Athletics is sad to pass on the news from his daughter that Alan Johnson passed away after a short illness. 

England Athletics is pleased to support Planet Earth Games’ launch of four pilot plogging programmes which kick-off off this weekend. Plogging is an eco-friendly activity combining running and picking up litter. This weekend, four new monthly plogging groups are being launched by the award-winning Planet Earth Games in Newham, Wembley (both London), Bristol and Exeter this month.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas for many without the enjoyment of gift buying and sharing. Today’s Christmas Acrostic (letter) ‘S’ is for Stocking Fillers, and we have the following great ideas/offers from our partners. We are also pleased to share with you some ‘inspiration’ and a ‘warm glow’ moment with a gifting idea from Freddie, who is the first and youngest fundraiser for the Personal Best Founda

The AAA has a fund which is able to support English Athletes under the age of 23 who are in full time education and active in athletics. Registered charity Athletics for the Young are particularly interested in helping genuine hardship cases for promising young athletes. Over recent years, it has been the policy of the Charity to award small grants of the order of £50 to £200. It is possible to apply for funds for costs including equipment and travel.

In 2023 we joined thousands of runners at the TCS London Marathon Expo, ahead of the TCS London Marathon in April. Our message was all about the England Athletics Running Family; and how we support runners whatever their running interest.

England Athletics is pleased to share our partner Kukri Sports’ new Youth Talent Programme Ambassadors for 2024. Each Ambassador has been carefully selected from the England Athletics Youth Talent Programme (YTP), which is the first step on the Talent Pathway designed to meet the needs of identified, English athletes/para-athletes between 16 and 18 years of age.

In May 2021, England Athletics launched a 12-year strategic plan following extensive consultation with multiple stakeholders from across the sport. Putting athletes and runners at the heart, the strategic plan focuses on creating opportunities, enhancing experiences and powering potential. The overarching purpose of the strategic plan is to inspire more athletes and runners of all abilities and backgrounds to fulfil their potential and to have a lifelong love for the sport, with a clear vision for athletics to become a more inclusive sport where everyone belongs and can flourish. Two and a half years on, we are pleased to present a snapshot of progress within our key focus areas.