Coventry Godiva Harriers


Coventry Godiva Harriers is an athletics club based in Coventry, West Midlands, England. The club name refers to the notable Lady Godiva of Coventry and the sport of "hare and hounds" cross country running. The club uses the University of Warwick athletics track.

History

The club was established in 1879. The first Olympian was Charlie Davenport but he did not start the marathon.
During the 1960s the club produced three Olympic marathon runners Basil Heatley, Brian Kilby and Bill Adcocks.
In 1978 David Moorcroft won Commonwealth Games gold and he repeated the feat four years later.
More recently the club has had several athletes compete in World Masters Athletics competitions, notable sprinters Brian Darby and Stewart Marshall have both won World Relay Titles representing GB as Masters athletes, at the recent World Masters Athletics Championships.

Olympians

AthleteEventsOlympicsPositions
Charlie Davenportmarathon1912
Stan Ashby1500 metres1928
Paddy Mulvihillmarathon1948
Joe Westmarathon1952
Basil Heatleymarathon1964
Brian Kilbymarathon1964
John Edgington20 km walk1964
Bill Adcocksmarathon1968
Sheila Taylor-Carey800 metres, 1500 metres1968, 1972
Dick Taylor5,000 metres1968
Colin Kirkhammarathon1972
Dave Moorcroft1500 metres, 5000 metres1976, 1980, 1984
Ian Richards50 km walk1980
Lorraine Baker800 metres1984, 1992
Andy Penn20 km walk1992
Joanne Wiselong jump1992, 2000
Andy Hart800 metres2000
Marlon Devonish200 metres, 4x100 relay2000, 2004, 2008

Competitions

The club currently competes in various league competitions, ranging from the senior age group down to under 11s. These leagues and the club's most recent 2018/19 performance are listed below:
League NameDivisionAge Group2018/2019 RankNotes
Midland Track & Field League2Senior2nd of 6 Promoted to Division 2 - August 2018
Birmingham & District Invitational Cross Country League1Senior Men6th of 16
Midland Women's Cross Country League2Senior Women22nd of 29
Youth Development League Upper Age GroupNorth / East 1AU20 & U171st of 6DNS North / East Promotion Match
Youth Development League Lower Age GroupNorth / East 1AU15 & U136th of 6 Relegated from Premier North / East
Heart of England League1U17, U15, U13, U11 3rd of 8
Midland Veterans Track & Field LeagueN/AVeteranN/AWithdrew after 2017 season