Background
Oakes was born in Hackney, London.
Oakes was born in Hackney, London.
In 1977, as Heather Hunte, she finished fourth in the 100 m final at the European Junior Championships in Donetsk, being edged out of a medal by teammate Kathy Smallwood (1171 - 1172).
On 21 May 1980, at a meeting at the Crystal Palace, she ran the 100 metres in a wind-assisted 11.01 secs (+40). They ran a United Kingdom record of 42.43, which (as of 2013) still stands. She also placed eighth in the 100 m final in 11.34 secretaries
In 1983, at the World Championships in Helsinki, she reached the semi-finals of the 100 metres, running 11.50.
In the 100 m final, she finished seventh in 11.43. Oakes had a fine indoor season in 1985, winning medals at both the World Indoor Games and the European Indoor Championships.
In an incredibly close race, she edged ahead of teammate Paula Dunn (1121) and Canada"s Angella Issajenko (also 1121). Oakes anchored the England quartet to victory in 43.39.
Later in 1986, she reached the semi-finals of both the 100 and 200 metres at the European Championships in Stuttgart.
In the 200 m, an event that she rarely contested. she ran a lifetime best of 22.92 secretaries As of 2013, her legal 100 m best (1120) ranks her equal tenth on the United Kingdom all-time list, her 200 m best (2292) ranks her 19th, while her 60 m best (721) ranks her seventh. While Heather Oakes competed at the highest level for her country, she also held down a full-time job.
This is in contrast to today"s athletes, who through lottery funding and sponsorship are able to train and compete without distraction.
60 m 7.21 Paris (Bercy) 19/01/1985 100 m 11.20 Beijing, CHN 20/09/1980 - ran 11.01 wind-assisted (+40) London 21/05/1980 200 m 22.92 Stuttgart, GER 28/08/1986 4 × 100 m relay 42.43 Moscow, RUS 1/08/80 United Kingdom Record.
She was a member of the Haringey Athletic Club.