We have received from Belgrave Harriers the following:

Yesterday we heard with dismay that one of our members, Alberto Lozano de Pedro, had been tested positive for the banned substance EPO. We understand that the test was carried out by the Spanish Agency of Protection of Health and Fight against Doping (AEPSAD) at the Spanish Athletics Championships which were held in July 2013 in Alcobendas, Madrid. Belgrave Harriers abhor the use of any illegal performance enhancing drugs or procedures.

Later in their statement about this test, and in relation to the English Cross Country Relays where they won the Senior Men’s team race and included Alberto Lozano de Pedro in their quartet they say:

Rather than let things drag on, our teams and our club offer to relinquish all titles to the three championships won last Winter and have the governing bodies that organise these championships remove Belgrave Harriers from the results. This action is taken at the behest of the other Belgrave team members involved in the races and the Team Manager.

With regard the English Cross Country Relays, the ECCA will accept Belgrave’s offer and will promote Leeds City AC to the gold medals, Stockport Harriers & AC silver and Morpeth Harriers & AC will be awarded the bronze medals.