WESTBURY HARRIERS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER 29/09/24
Hello,
Welcome to this week’s WH news, a couple of great race reports this week, just to note that if we’ve missed something this week then we will make sure to include it next week – keep the race reports coming!
RACE AND EVENT REPORTS
Worcester 10k and Half Marathon
by Ian Gawinowski
It was an extra special day for Worcester City Runs as they celebrated their 10th anniversary last weekend. There were races over the whole weekend with kids events on the Saturday and the Worcester City 10k and Half Marathon taking place on the Sunday. We were even treated to Paula Radcliffe as a special guest, starting the runners off and welcoming them all back again as they crossed the finish line.
There were about 5,000 runners in total across both races. In the half the men’s winner was Max Parker (Halesowen AC) in 01:09:10 and first woman was Nynke Kuiper (CDF Runners) in 1:23:56. Plus Ian Wild broke the Guinness World Record for breaking the half marathon record dressed as a lumberjack!
It may seem a bit of a trek to get to Worcester but it was actually really easy, just sit on the M5, head north for about an hour and you’re there! I recommend planning your route to the race course (for the free parking) carefully, don’t just blindly follow Google maps as you need to come in from the north to avoid the road closures.
Both events were on fully closed roads although there were a few twists and turns and the course can be a little disorienting if you don’t study the route beforehand. Basically for the half you start off from the edge of Worcester Racecourse, cross the river and head around the University, then a big lap around the Racecourse. Then into Worcester City itself and a lot of wiggling about the streets before heading out to the docks with a final dash back along the riverside path. As a bonus it’s dead flat and there’s plenty of support from the crowds in the city centre. It was well organised, with plenty of drink stops and they also gave out gels and energy drink too. The goody bag was not bad either, including a T-shirt, medal, mars bar, sweets and various sample products.
I entered the half, using it as a shake-out run for the Cardiff Half Marathon in early October. With no real plan I went by feel and was therefore a bit surprised at the 10 mile point to see I was not far off my 10K pace. I only started to slow with a couple of kilometres left but still achieved a massive PB. Hopefully I can go even quicker at Cardiff.
Photo credit to Worcester City Runs.
Forest of Dean Autumn Half
Well done Westbury at Forest of Dean today.
Judy Knights and Sandra Williams winning age categories and Westbury ladies winning the team prize – Emma, Judy and Sandra
Pic below of some of the ladies
Well done to the Westbury men, Ben Rawlins only went and won the thing, with Mathew Cant and myself (bringing up the rear) securing the mens team trophy. Also well done to Colin Pemble who won his age category as well!
Yate Avon League Track
Hats off to Geraint who ran both the 100m and 1500m, and Emma-Jane running the 3,000m and 200m. I ran only the 3,000m. Photo of Emma-Jane (in the 3,000m) and Geraint in action in the 1,500m . I’m afraid I don’t know the official results yet – more details to follow!
CLUB NOTICES
TIME TO BE SEEN…IT’S GETTING DARKER
As the evenings draw in and it starts to get dark much earlier, please remember to bring a headtorch/light and/or wear bright/hi vis clothing to training sessions from now on.
WESTBURY CENTENARY MUGS
If you haven’t already received your centenary mug, please collect one from Mark and Sarah Andrews. All club members get one so don’t miss out!
GWENT LEAGUE FIXTURES 2024-25
Fixtures confirmed for this season are:
Sat 12th Oct: Pembrey Country Park (entries now open on RunTogether so do sign up. The details still show last year’s race times as they have not yet been confirmed for 2024. We will confirm ASAP. Please sign up the Friday before the race)
Sat 9th Nov: Llandaff Fields, Cardiff
Sat 30th Nov: Blaise Castle (date provisional)
Sat 8th Feb: Margam Park, Port Talbot
Sat 1st March (or Sun 2nd): Venue TBD
THIS WEEK’S TRAINING
MONDAY: Group tempo runs
from Coombe Dingle at 6.30pm, with Wellbeing run at 7.15pm
TUESDAY: Track session at Yate 7pm
Seniors book on via RunTogether. Check the FB page for session details. WEDNESDAY: Hill Session
Adults, all abilities. Meet every Wednesday at 12pm at the traffic lights by Saville Road on the Downs. Book on via RunTogether. Coffee in the Downs Café at 1pm for anyone that wants to come along.
THURSDAY 26TH: Intervals
Coombe Dingle at 7pm.
Warm up & running drills.
1x 4 mins, 45 secs recovery, 1×4 mins , 90 secs recovery
1 x 3 mins, 45 secs recovery, 1 x 3 mins, 90 secs recovery
1 x 2 mins, 45 secs recovery, 1 x 2 mins, 90 secs recovery
1 x 1 min, 45 recovery, 1 x 1min
Maintain consistent pace for each interval length – only a short recovery between each of the 2 intervals of equal length, aim is to practise pace judgement. Aim to increase pace as the intervals become shorter
option to drop 4 mins to 3 mins, 3 mins to 2 mins, 2 mins to 90 secs
UPCOMING RACES
A reminder that we have an events calendar on our website where you can keep track of dates for training, events and races. (Thanks, Vicky, for keeping this updated). https://westburyharriers.co.uk/events/events-calendar/
Club Championship info and rules on this link: https://westburyharriers.co.uk/events/club-championship/
Saturday 12th October: Pembrey Park, Gwent League XC https://groups.runtogether.co.uk/WestburyHarriersRunningClub/Runs
Sunday 20th October: Keynsham Dandy – Club Championship
Saturday 9th November: Cardiff Cross Challenge, including second Gwent League fixture
Thursday 7th November: Severn Bridge 5 Night Race #1 – Club Championship
Sunday 24th November: Brent Knoll Race – Club Championship
Saturday 30th November: Blaise Castle, Gwent League XC
Saturday 14th December: The 12ks of Xmas – Club Championship
Sunday 15th December – Weston Christmas cracker 10k
Thursday 19th December: Weston Prom Race #4 – Club Championship
Saturday 8th or Sunday 9th February: Margam Park (TBC), Gwent League XC
Saturday 1st March: Venue TBC, Gwent League XC
Have a great week everyone. This weeks editor is –
Sophie Voller
