BARR makes the grade
During 2007 and the early part of 2008 there had been much discussion between BARR Officers and UKA/England Athletics to agree on an ongoing relationship of BARR to the Governing Body.
In February 2008, BARR Chairman Roland Gibbard, had a meeting with John Graves, Chairman of England Athletics to discuss and set out the role that BARR would undertake in relation to scrutineering of Licence Standards criteria as applied to races.
In April 2008, Roland also had the opportunity to discuss the role of BARR with England Athletics Chief Executive, Mike Summers.
The result of that discussion was the following confirmation:
We are pleased to confirm that the UKA Road Running Leadership Group and England Athletics wishes BARR to undertake the scrutiny of race licences on our behalf and to continue to administer the BARR Grading Scheme in conjunction with UK Athletics.. It is expected that funding will be made available to enable BARR to carry out these duties and the associated training of scrutineers. A Service Level Agreement between all parties will formalise the relationship.
Mike Summers
Chief Executive
England Athletics
At last BARR can start to feel that they are now being fully engaged within the UKA Structure for the future development of Road Running and Associated Events.
BARR regional representatives sit on the UKA Regional Panels and oversee the issue of Race Licence Standards.
runbritain Technical Group
This Group is one of a number under the runbritain banner who are the endurance running arm of UK Athletics. Chaired by Geoff Wightman the Group include a number of high profile race organisers (in an elected capacity) plus a number of invited personnel. Overall there are representatives from UK Athletics, England Athletics, Virgin London Marathon and BARR.
With the sad passing of Bill Reynolds, Roland Gibbard is now our Representative on this Group. He is ideally placed having been a committee member of BARR for over 20 years and in his previous officer roles of Registrar, Vice Chairman and Chairman he has the knowledge and experience to represent BARR at this level. Working closely with Bill over a number of years he has been aware of the issues affecting our sport and is now ensuring that the voice of BARR is heard at the ‘top table’ of endurance running.
If members have an issue which they feel ought to be raised at this forum then please contact Roland directly.