England Athletics Tribute

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A Tribute to Bruce Longden
from England Athletics

England Athletics was greatly saddened by the death of Bruce Longden at the age of 72. Bruce was coach to Sally Gunnell and Daley Thompson, among many others, and his outstanding contribution to our sport was recognised when he was inducted into our Hall of Fame last year. The sport of athletics is the poorer for his passing.

Bruce’s record as a coach speaks for itself. To coach one athlete to an Olympic title and world record is a monumental achievement, but in Bruce’s case he guided two of Britain’s greatest ever athletes to the ultimate distinction in the sport.

A graduate of Loughborough College (now Loughborough University), he was at first a teacher before spending four years as Deputy Director and Recreation Director at the International School in Geneva. He returned to Britain in 1973 to become Recreation Director at Crawley College of Technology.

It was in 1976, a year before being appointed a BAAB National Coach, that he began coaching a precocious all-rounder by the name of Daley Thompson. That year Thompson improved his UK junior decathlon record from 6941 to an astonishing 7748. He made the Olympic team and in Montreal, where he celebrated his 18th birthday, he impressed the American winner and world record breaker Bruce Jenner to such an extent that he nominated Daley as his likely successor. He proved to be correct.
Over those next four years Thompson gradually approached, and then surpassed, Jenner’s score of 8634. In 1977 he set world junior records of 8056 and 8082; in 1978, a few days after his 20th birthday, he scored 8470 (but with a long jump over the permitted wind limit) to lift the Commonwealth title; and in 1980 he set his first world record of 8648 prior to becoming Olympic champion in Moscow. Over a six year period he achieved a momentous decathlon win streak of 12, winning Commonwealth and European titles in 1982, becoming inaugural world champion in 1983, defending his Olympic laurels in 1984 (with a world record 8847) and retaining the Commonwealth and European championships in 1986.

Bruce continued as a BAAB National Coach, as well as being Chief Coach to England teams, until 1984 when he accepted a four-year appointment as Head Coach for the Norwegian Athletic Federation. Meanwhile, he was coaching another athlete who would hit the heights in Sally Gunnell. Initially an English Schools long jump champion, she too developed her all-round ability to set British age-16 and 17 heptathlon bests.

Thereafter she concentrated on the 100m hurdles, to such good effect that in 1986 she won the Commonwealth title. However, although she would eventually succeed Shirley Strong as British record holder with 12.82 Bruce realised Sally would never be a world beater at that event and encouraged her to try the 400m hurdles. In her first serious season, 1988, she set a UK record of 54.03 for fifth in the Olympics and by 1992 she was ready to take on the world, capturing the Olympic title in 53.23, and the following year she won the world title in a world record 52.74.

Bruce had returned to Britain to serve as a BAF National Coach, his specialist areas being the combined events, hurdles and jumps, and he and his wife Julie – herself a coach – divided their time between France and South Africa.

So the 2023 BLCF Hurdles Fest, supported by England Athletics, has come and gone, but what a day it was yesterday at Woodford Green. Despite the windy conditions, two qualifying times were achieved and also some personal bests. Thank you to all the athletes, officials, parents and friends who came to support. All the results are on Open Track, and have already been sent to Power of Ten.Good luck to all hurdles athletes for the rest of the season, we wish you all well, and look forward to seeing you in 2024!#BLCF #hurdlesdevelopment #hurdlescompetition #englandathletics #chelmsfordsportsandathleticscentre #hurdling ...
💥BLCF Hurdles Fest - Monday 29 May - Ashton Playing Fields, Woodford Green 💥We are looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow! The weather forecast looks good, so keep your fingers crossed that it stays that way, so we get lots of good times, and especially qualifying times ⏱We are not charging spectators entry to the Hurdles Fest, as we know how much travel costs are for athletes, and parents, to just get to the competitions, let alone training. But if you would like to make a donation, however small, as we are a registered charity, it would be very gratefully received to help us to continue our support of hurdles development.We will also have the services available of a masseur and a physio, throughout the event, should you require this. Your race number will get you treatment. ...
BLCF Hurdles Fest - Monday 29 May 2023 - Ashton Playing Fields, Woodford GreenRemember entries close at 23h00 tonight!https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2023/GBR/csac-tn12/Here is the provisional timetable:TIME Event M/F10:30 400mH Sen Men10:33 400mH U20 Men10:38 400mH U18 Men10:44 400mH U17 Men10:55 400mH Sen Women11:00 400mH U20 Women11:05 400mH U18 Women11:15 300mH U17 Women 12:00 80mH U17 Women12:20 100mH U18 Women12:30 100mH U20 Women12:45 100mH Sen/U23 Women13:05 100mH U17 Men13:15 110mH U18 Men13:30 110mH U20 Men13:40 110mH Sen/U23 Men 14:00 80mH U17 Women14:20 100mH U18 Women14:30 100mH U20 Women14:45 100mH Sen/U23 Women14:05 100mH U17 Men14:15 110mH U18 Men14:30 110mH U20 Men14:40 110mH Sen/U23 Men ...
With only 12 days to go, there is still time to get your entry in for the BLCF Hurdles Fest, supported by England Athletics, on Monday 29 May at Chelmsford Sports and Athletics Centre.Just click on this link to enter:https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2023/GBR/csac-tn12/For more details go to:https://www.brucelongdenfoundation.com/blcf-hurdles-fest/Come and join us for an excellent day of quality hurdles events. ...
💥 3 weeks today is the next Bank Holiday Monday (29 May) and we hope all hurdlers around the country will be travelling to Chelmsford Sports and Athletics Centre, to compete at the BLCF Hurdles Fest, supported by England Athletics.Check out more details of the Fest here:https://www.brucelongdenfoundation.com/blcf-hurdles-fest/Then just go to this link to enter:https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2023/GBR/csac-tn12/Remember all times achieved are eligible for qualification purposes for all the 2023 Championships 💥 ...
BLCF Hurdles Fest - Monday 29 May - ChelmsfordSome athletes might be experiencing problems on the entry system with the U18 age group, if so please enter as an U17, and then email athleticeventscsac@chelmsford.gov.uk, explaining the situation and your entry will be adjusted to the correct age group. We apologize for any inconvenience.#BLCF#englandathletics#chelmsfordsportsandathleticscentre#hurdlesraces#chancetoqualify ...
The clock is ticking ⏰ 4 weeks today, on Monday 29 May, is the BLCF Hurdles Fest, supported by England Athletics, at Chelmsford Sports and Athletics Centre.Don't miss out on this festival of hurdling, get your entry in now, and let's make Chelmsford the place to be!Enter here:https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2023/GBR/csac-tn12/ ...
Have you entered yet for the BLCF Hurdles Fest? If not, why not?Remember times achieved are eligible for qualification purposes for all the 2023 Championships, so don't wait to enter, and miss out on this great opportunity!Monday 29 May 2023 is the date. Chelmsford is the venue.https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2023/GBR/csac-tn12/ ...
So it's almost time for the final BLCF 300m/400m Hurdles Training Day at Lee Valley for this winter. Book your place for this Saturday, 25 March, from 10h30 until 14h00, on the Better UK app now. Cost still 10.00!!#BLCF#hurdlesdevelopment#hurdlestraining ...
Unfortunately there seem to be issues with the Better UK App booking system for the BLCF 300m/400m Training Day on Sunday, if you are not able to book on the system, please just pay 10.00 pounds when you arrive at Lee Valley. We apologize for any inconvenience but obviously the matter is out of our hands. #BLCF #hurdlestraining #hurdlesdevelopment ...
It's almost time for the next BLCF 300/400m Hurdles Training Day on Sunday 19 March, from 10h30 to 14h00, at Lee Valley Athletics Centre.Athletes can book their spot via the BetterUKapp. On the home page, select Book Athletics, select Hurdles, then select Sunday 19 March.Make sure you don't miss out on these great technical sessions as the outdoor season approaches rapidly.#BLCF #hurdlestraining #hurdlesdevelopment #LeeValleyAthleticsCentre ...
A reminder of the dates of the final BLCF 300m/400m Hurdles Training Days this month at Lee Valley Athletics Centre.Sunday 19 March and Saturday 25 March.Make sure you have the dates in your diary. We will let you know when bookings are open on the Better UK app #BLCF #hurdlesdevelopment ...
Sunday 26 February - 10h30 until 14h00. These are the correct times for the BLCF 300/400m Hurdles Training Day, at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, and not as indicated on your confirmed booking on the Better UK app. We thought we would just clarify this so there is no further confusion. ...
Don’t forget the next BLCF 300/400m Hurdles Training day on Sunday 26 February, at Lee Valley Athletics Centre.Athletes can book their spot from Tuesday 20 February via the BetterUK app. On the home page, select Book Athletics, select Hurdles, select Sunday 26 February.Set a reminder on your phone, don’t miss out on these great training days.#BLCF #hurdlestraining #hurdlesdevelopment #LeeValleyAthleticsCentre ...
💥BLCF/England Athletics Hurdles Fest💥We are delighted to announce the return of the Hurdles Fest!Date - Monday 29 May 2023Location - Chelmsford Sports and Athletics CentreMore details to follow when available 😀SAVE THE DATE now, so it is in your diary! ...
Our next BLCF 300m/400m Training Day is on Saturday, 10.30am until 2pm at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre. We hope you can attend.To pre-book please download the Better UK app and you can then enter on that. The cost is £10.00.If you have problems with the app please pay by bank card at Reception on arrival.Please bring liquid refreshment, a light lunch and clothing suitable for Indoor and Outdoor training.#BLCF #hurdlesdevelopment #hurdlestraining ...
Reminder that our next BLCF 300/400 HURDLES TRAINING DAY is on Sunday 13th November at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 10.30am until 2pm.No pre-booking needed but please pay at Reception on arrival. (£10, card payments only).Expect plenty of hurdles work!! Sprint hurdlers welcome too.Please share this with anyone you think may be interested.#BLCF #hurdlestraining #hurdlesdevelopment ...
EA/BLCF SPRINT HURDLES WORKSHOPSWe are delighted to announce that the Sprint Hurdles Workshops introduced last winter, will be taking place again this winter. Please save these dates:Saturday 29 OctoberSaturday 26 NovemberSaturday 17 DecemberThe Workshops will be available at both Chelmsford and Sutton, as in 2021. The lead coaches will also be the same Julie Pratt-Benterman, at Chelmsford, and Lorna Booth at Sutton.As soon as booking details are available, we will post these links on the group.#BLCF#EnglandAthletics#hurdlesdevelopment ...
SAVE THE DATESWe are delighted to announce the provisional dates for the BLCF 300m/400m Hurdles Training Days for this winter. These will be at Lee Valley. Please get the following dates into your diaries, and look out for further information with regard to booking your place.Sunday 23 October 2022Sunday 13 November 2022Saturday 3 December 2022Sunday 26 February 2023Sunday 19 March 2023Saturday 25 March 2023#BLCF#hurdlesdevelopment#thefutureofhurdling ...
No other words needed, other than amazing!👑 ...
Scintillating, sensational....Sydney McLaughlin everybody! 🤯🤯🤯She just broke her own world 400m hurdles record at the US Champs! 51.41! Can’t wait to see what she can do on the same track at the #worldathleticschamps #USATFOutdoors #nationalchamps #400mhurdles #worldrecord ...
The art of hurdling 🖼#WorldIndoorChamps ...
🔥 It's a very busy weekend at Lee Valley, today see's the BLCF/Lee Valley Sprint Hurdles Open Meeting, so good luck to all those athletes taking part. We hope you are able to run well, and reduce those PBs if you can!Tomorrow, Sunday 20 February, sees the next of our BLCF 300/400m Hurdles Training Days, from 10h30 until 14h00. Thanks to Brian Hopkins, Julie-Pratt Benterman, Dave Rice and Eric Brees, who will all be there assisting the athletes, and of course their own personal coaches.Lastly, please everyone travel safe, as the weather has been terrible over the last few days. #BLCF #LeeValleyAthleticsCentre #hurdles ...
🔥Don't forget the first of the BLCF 300m/400m Hurdles Training Day at Lee Valley on Sunday, 14 November.Brian Hopkins will be joined by Lawrence Lynch for this one. Don't miss out on learning from an athlete who has represented England and Great Britain, in the 400m Hurdles, at numerous Championships during his career.If you want to secure your place for all the Sunday sessions (14 November, 12 December, 20 February, 6 March and 3 April) just call Lee Valley Athletics Centre on 020 8344 7230, and they will assist you. 🔥 ...

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