Westbury Harriers Weekly News
Evening Westbury Harriers,
Keeping this intro short. Tonight’s newsletter focuses on certain events coming up, such as the final Gwent League XC at Brecon on 2nd March and the Midland Stage Road Relays on 29th March in Sutton. We would love to see as many of you as possible attending these races, so sign up now. Plus, we’re calling out for volunteers to help us at The Bristol Running Show on Sunday 23rd March. You can find out more by heading to the Club Notices below, which also includes a few reminders worth checking out.
Have a cracking start to the week and look forward to seeing some of you at the Ironwood Challenge…..time to dig out my club vest, it’s been a while.
Yvette
RACE REPORTS
GWENT LEAGUE MARGAM PARK, SATURDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 2025
By Tamsin Chick
The ladies team had a fantastic day at Margam Park last weekend. Everyone was slightly relieved not to see a repeat of the conditions of the previous year. With a revised course it was undulating, hilly and muddy in parts, but a great cross country course. One where all the Westbury ladies excelled showing their strength and endurance. Training in Bristol with hills in most directions sets people up well for course like this. The weather was good, no wind and not as chilly and damp as it was in Bristol.
The ladies packed in so well, which really reflects in our team standings. Without exception everyone ran well equalling or bettering their results from the previous years. Special mentions to Catherine and Bridget for getting into the top ten, Hannah.B and Katie.R who ran their best ever Gwent race. Hannah coming in 40 places higher than last year and scoring for the A team for the first time and Katie coming in 118 places higher than last year and running a strong consistent race. Our supermums Hannah.L and Olivia who it was great to have back racing after having their 3rd and 2nd child respectively. Olivia was a bit put out at the beginning of the season when I hadn’t assigned her a Gwent number, saying I’ll be back for the last fixture. I thought she was being a bit over optimistic but she certainly proved me wrong! Lyn for being the 1st V70 home. Sandy and Sandra sporting their new spikes. Sandra’s disintegrated on this course last year! Does this mean we have finally converted Sandy to XC, as not only did she come in as the first V65 runner but came in 5th in the V55s! Such a talent. Many thanks to you all for coming and supporting the team. We can’t do it without each and every one of you.
A team (Catherine Treble 7th, Bridget Belfourd 8th, Katie Hughes 16th, Hannah Batchelor 44th, Hannah Large 45th), B team (Rachel Liston 54th, 42nd, Olivia Zeltner 64th, Sandy Masters 65th, Rosie Daly 66th, Katie Ramsden 74th), C team (Monica Warnock 81st, Antonia Gooder 82nd, Helen Sawyer 95th, Felicity Russell 116th, Sandra Sforza 125th), D team (Anneke Bull 136th, Lyn Jenkins 146th).
Senior team 4th on the day, B Team 7th, C team 17th, D team 44th, 60 teams in total. We were the first B, C and D teams home.
The A team have moved up to 4th place overall in the 1st division.
Reserve Division – B team have stayed in 2nd overall. All our other teams have moved up in the team standings, C team 8th, D team 11th
Current Age groups team standings
U23 – 6th (moving up 2 places)
V35 – 1st (staying the same) B team 8th
V45 – 2nd (staying the same) B team 5th
V55 – 2nd (staying the same) B team
V65 – 1st (staying the same)
Individual standings after 3 fixtures
Seniors Catherine Treble 3rd, Katie Hughes joint 6th. V35s – Catherine 2nd, V45s – Katie Hughes joint 1st, V55s – Monica Warnock 5th V65s – Sandy Masters 3rd
Last fixture Sunday 2nd March Penlan, Brecon. SEE DETAILS BELOW
ENGLAND MASTERS TRAINING DAY WITH CHRIS HOLLINSHAED AND RUDY FARQUHARSO
BY LYN JENKINS
On Saturday 1st February I attended an England Masters Training Day at Brunel University. I was offered the chance to attend this after qualifying to represent England in the 2025 International Representative Masters 10k in Newcastle in July. The training day was a mix of practical and classroom sessions and was an opportunity for me, as a relatively new runner, to get coaching from GB trainers. The classroom sessions covered an update on Masters’ opportunities, specificity of training (5k and 10k) and considerations for training with the aging body!! The latter felt very relevant to me as I am in my 70s. Apparently less is more and rest and strength and conditioning are more important than miles.
We also learned that strengthening the muscles around the pelvis will help protect the back and the legs, and that conditioning muscles helps decrease the load on the tendons, minimising the risk of injury. In middle age there is a 2:1 ratio for the time it takes to come back from injury (8 weeks if out for 4 weeks), but this ratio increases as we get older. The sports hall session focused on functional strength and conditioning in exercises that can be done at home with exercise bands and a step. After a few reps we all knew we were not strengthening the small muscles around the hip and Hamstrings enough – new exercises to add to my 3 x weekly routine. The track training session covered warm up and interval and speed sessions, focusing specifically on feeling the difference between running at half marathon, 10k, 5k and sprint speed (so much easier to concentrate on this on a track than road or grass). Another benefit of the day was meeting other Masters athletes of all ages, quite a few of whom had qualified in the Brighton 10k like me, and learning from the coaches the challenges we face in the representational race in July. I would encourage any athletes who get the opportunity, to attend an England Masters training day.
ARMAGH INTERNATION 5K RACE
BY ANTHONY GLOVER
A few of us from the endurance group training at Yate took a trip to Armagh for the road races. PBs and Prizes.
Will Massey was the outstanding performer with 148th in the world famous 5k in a stunning 14:54 chip time!!!
Paul Gardiner 6th MV40 9:51
Oli Beale 3rd MV 45 9:31
Anthony Glover 3rd MV 50 in 9:45
CLUB NOTICES
CALLING ALL WESTBUTY HARRIERS, JOIN US AT THE FINAL GWENT XC!
Sign up for the final Gwent League is now on RunTogether – a nice short one this time. Please note this is Penlan in Brecon, not in Swansea and it is not the course we have recently run in Brecon in 2021, but the one we used to do many years ago at Brecon Leisure Centre. For those that have not run this one before, there are no major hills and a bit of mud, but nothing too excessive.
Ladies and V65 men – 13.00 5.5km
Men – 14.30 7.4km
Please read the fixture and travel information: https://www.gwent-league.org.uk/fixtures.html
Our men’s and women’s teams are doing really well. We need one final BIG turnout from everyone. All abilities welcome, everyone helps score for the teams and age groups teams. If you have not done a Gwent before, do get involved. Lift shares available.
Spikes or trail shoes needed and you must wear your club vest. Don’t forget your number from previous fixtures.
Any questions please get in touch with your relevant team manager.
THE MIDLAND 6 (ladies) AND 12 (men) STAGE ROAD RELAYS, SATURDAY 29th MARCH 2025, SUTTON PARK, COLDFIELD
Men’s race – midday 12 legs
Book on via RunTogether: https://groups.runtogether.co.uk/WestburyHarriersRunningClub/BookClass/93703bcf-a928-4079-a6df-afa15667e54c
Ladies race 12.10pm 6 legs
Book on via RunTogether: https://groups.runtogether.co.uk/WestburyHarriersRunningClub/BookClass/db3623cb-80ae-4075-b7ba-eda12f0abd67
Each leg is 3.16 miles. No long legs this year! 🙂 Which should make for a very exciting race.
The road relays is always a great day and it is fun being part of a relay team. All welcome to compete. The club pays the entry fees and contributes towards travel costs. Please get signed up as soon as you know you are available. Sorting teams is always a challenge, especially 12 in a team! If anyone is happy to be a reserve this is always useful to know.
ANNUAL BRISTOL RUNNING SHOW, SUNDAY 23 MARCH 2025, 9-3pm (VOLUNTEERS NEEDED)
This year’s show will again be at the BAWA club on Southmead Road. This is a great event where you’ll get to meet a range of running clubs, race organisers, sports specialists and other local businesses. If you haven’t been before, it’s worth the visit!
I will be there at the Up & Running stand, and looking to team up with a few brands to join us and host footwear try-ons.
Westbury Harriers will have a stand and we are looking for volunteers to help us cover it throughout the day.
In previous years we have have a lovely mix of helpers from those who have been involved with the club for many years to those who have more recently joined. This really is something everyone can help with. It would also be great to have some people from the Junior section of the club this year too.
The show is open from 9:00am until 3:00pm. Mark will be drafting a rota dividing the day into 3 or 4 sessions.
Please contact Mark if you would like to help
SAVE THE DATE – Club AGM, Thursday 24th April, 6:30pm (Buffet provided. No club training)
SAVE THE DATE – Westbury Harriers Awards Night, Sunday 23rd March. Details to follows soon.
HAVE YOU SIGNED UP – BLAISE BLAZER ENTRIES OPEN
Entries are now open for this year’s Blaise Blazer on Monday 2nd June! Entry only £8/£10. Scenic/hilly 4 mile course through Blaise Estate. Friendly event, all abilities are welcome. Plenty of individual, team & spot prizes and lots of free cake after. https://race-nation.co.uk/…/westbury…/blaise-blazer-2025
FINAL CALL FOR COACH RIDE – COACH BOOKED FOR THE NATIONALS!
We’ve booked a coach to take us to Parliament Hill for the most iconic race in British XC on Saturday 22nd February. We are getting picked up from Coombe Dingle, and will be picking up/dropping off from Yate as well. Entries for the XC have now closed but if you still need a place on the coach, do email Mike or Tamsin.
THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING – BRECON TRAINING WEEKEND, 26-28 September
Just a reminder that Dan Summers is organising another Westbury Harriers weekend away on 26-28 September 2025 in the Brecon Beacons. We’re hoping to be able to keep the cost to around £250-265. That will include food, guiding, accommodation and yoga on Saturday afternoon. If you’re interested, please comment on Dan’s Facebook post from 21st Jan and he will be in touch with more information.
FANCY THIS? – SNEYD PARK ORIENTEERING – 22nd February
If you fancy a run with a bit of a difference, Bristol Orienteering Klub are organising a night event in Sneyd Park on Saturday 22nd February. Essentially you get a map with lots of controls on and you have 1 hour to visit as many as you can, and get back to the start! You get points for each control visited. The start is up on the Downs at Sea Walls and then some controls are likely to be in the roads around Sneyd Park, with others in Bishops Knoll, Old Sneed Park Nature reserve etc. Headtorch and compass required. Full details here. Start window between 6.15-7.15pm. If you’re keen to give it a try but haven’t done an orienteering event before, or would like to borrow a compass, just email me (Hannah) on htwalsh17@gmail.com and I’d be happy to help answer any questions/source a compass!
THIS WEEK’S TRAINING
MONDAY – TEMPO RUNS
Group runs from Coombe Dingle at 6.30pm. These are perfect sessions for a Tempo pace run. Equally there are plenty of groups available if you want a recovery or social run. Book via RunTogether. There is also a Wellbeing run at 7:15pm. Bring running lights and reflective clothing if you have them.
TUESDAY – TRACK:
Track session at Yate 7pm – Seniors book on via RunTogether.
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 – ROAD SESSION.
Location TBC. Reduced effort for those doing Nationals.
Bring running lights and reflective clothing if you have them.
UPCOMING RACES / EVENTS
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 22nd February: Saucony English National Cross Country Championships
Sunday 23rd February: Ironwood Challenge: https://nailsea.fullonsport.com/…/ironwood…/profile (Club championship)
Sunday 2nd March: 5th and final Gwent League fixture at Brecon (Penlan) – (Club championship)
Sunday 6th April: The Big Cheese race. 15-mile fell race in Cheddar. https://www.cheddarrunningclub.co.uk/big-cheese
Sunday 13th April: The Frenchay 10km. https://race-nation.co.uk/register/frenchay-10k/frenchay-10k-2025
Sunday 26th April: Butcombe Ultra (50km and 50mile option). https://butcombetrailultra.com/
Sunday 11th May: The Bristol 10km and half marathon.
If there are any races or interesting events that you think should be added, please email: communication@westburyharriers.co.uk
Editor: Yvette Casallas
