Coach and event organiser to face disciplinary hearing after a number of allegations made concerning his behaviour

UK Athletics has announced that coach and event organiser Chris Barnes has been charged “with a number of breaches of UKA’s Code of Conduct for Coaches”.

Barnes founded the popular Podium 5k event series in 2014 and it has featured a number of record-breaking performances from high-profile athletes over the years.

The UKA statement, released on Monday (April 14), read: “The allegations concern inappropriate relationships with athletes, the sending of explicit images to athletes and a number of other behaviours which, if proven, separately and together amount to abuses of the athlete/coach relationship.

“He is also charged with bringing the sport of athletics into disrepute and failing to act with dignity, courtesy and good manners towards other members of the athletics family.

“The matter will now proceed to a disciplinary hearing before the appropriate UKA Panel.”

Barnes declined to comment.