Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers' trio of Zharnel Hughes, Emily Newnham, and Kristian Imroth are all set to feature in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games and European Championships after winning their respective events at the 2026 Novuna UK Athletics Championships last weekend in Birmingham.
Hughes retained his men’s 200m title after producing a commanding 20.04sec run.
Three-time champion Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake from Newham & Essex Beagles claimed silver in 20.35 while Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets' Ebuka Nwokeji clocked 20.55 for bronze.
"I’ve achieved what I wanted to get done in the 200m," said the 30-year-old who on Saturday came second (10.01) behind Croydon Harriers' Romeo Glave (9.97) in the men’s 100m final.
"I’m just grateful to have finished as my body is obviously tired after the 100m so I just wanted to come back into this strongly.
"I’ve got the gold medal so I’m grateful for that."
There was a 1-2 finish for the Hendon StoneX Stadium-based club in the women’s 400m hurdles as Emily Newnham was a clear 54.50sec winner ahead of Hayley McLean (56.90).
Arabella Wilson of Thames Valley Harriers got bronze with a 58.28 post.
"I’ve ticked off one of the big goals for this year," said 22-year-old Newnham after bagging her maiden domestic outdoor title.
"The British Champs bring a different type of pressure because it is the expectations you have on yourself."
The 2026 Commonwealth Games athletics competition takes place in Glasgow, Scotland from July 27 to August 1, while the European Athletics Championships is held at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium between August 10 and 16.
"I am really looking forward to the Europeans here (in Birmingham) and Commonwealth Games," Newnham added.
"I’m super happy that everything this year is at home.
"It’s just always really exciting to compete in front of a home crowd."
Kristian Imroth lowered the men’s 3000m steeplechase championship record by over a minute clocking 8:18.97, well inside the 8:20.00 European Championships qualifying mark.
Will Battershill (Bristol & West AC) came second in 8:22.97 while Zak Seddon (Bracknell AC) was third in 8:23.99.
"It is a home Euros," 24-year-old Imroth said.
"I went to University in Birmingham so it feels even more at home to me.
"The job isn’t just to make it to the Championships, it is to try and make that final and get a medal.
"That’s exactly what I plan on doing."
Other Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers medallists from this year's Championships saw Jack Kimani (silver, men’s high jump), Daniel Bainbridge (bronze, men’s javelin) and Chris Bennett (bronze, men’s hammer throw).
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