Westbury Harriers Weekly News
Hello, I hope everyone has had a great bank holiday weekend. The Blaise Blazer, our annual 4-mile race around Blaise Castle estate, is a week today. If you haven’t signed up, here’s a gentle reminder: if you’re not racing, why not volunteer? It’s a fantastic race and on our doorstep. Also, the juniors’ Westbury Wipeout at Blaise, is on July 7th and needs volunteers. So keep those Mondays free!
A few race reports from Harriers up and down the country today, including a fantastic result from the mob match (which I was gutted to miss), and all the usual info…
RACE REPORTS
Montane Ullswater Way 20
by Olivia Zeltner
Olivia Zeltner took gold in a mountainous 20-miler in the Lake District….
Hi folks- thought I’d add my race report from this weekend to the newsletter!
Montane Ullswater Way 20, a 21-mile trail race around Ullswater in the Lake District. This was one of my target races for this year, though at only 7 months postpartum I was very much keeping my expectations in check. However, I did not expect to go out and win the dang thing! With 3,500 feet of elevation gain, it was undulating with a few punchy climbs but nothing too outrageous (compared to what you *could* get in the Lake District!) I’d recommend it if anyone is up that way this time of year!
UTMB Ultra Trail Snowdonia
by Yvette Casallas
It felt great to race again after a knee niggle I had last year. I didn’t have any races booked in the calendar, but as I had free credits to use up from volunteering at the event last year, I decided to put it towards the UTS 100KM and give it another go. My goal was to push harder on the race, move swiftly and be more efficient at aid stations. I was aiming for a time of 25hrs and my LiveTrail app generated a time of 22hr06 according to my UTMB index. I finished in 23hr45, which I was very proud of and didn’t expect a sub 24hr. A big chunk taken off from my time 2 years ago in 2023, when I finished in 27hr55. Finished 5th in my age category, 24th female out of 100 starters. Thankful I didn’t have any issues at all, other than losing a toe nail, I felt strong, however I have some things to work on for my next race.
The race event never disappoints, it’s a fantastic route, brutal but beautiful. Technical and challenging, but manageable. Would 100% recommend if you’re looking for a mountain race. They do various distances. I’ll be back to Wales again, it’s one of my top places to run, but keen to chase some other mountain trails.
GWR Mob match, (Towpath series race no 1).
by Mark Andrews
Towpath 10k and Mob Match
A really enjoyable and successful evening on the Towpath!
An amazing turnout of Westbury Harriers, we never manage to get everyone together for the team photo and there are 36 of us in that!
Well done to race winner Ben Rawlins in an impressive time of 33:01. Will Massey joined him on the podium in third place (Ben has your prize of 4 cans of Cider), Oli Beale was also very well placed in the top 10 and was first MV 40 (I have your prize of 4 cans of Guinness!).The Age Group prizes went a little wrong, those who have recently passed a big birthday were recorded in the wrong age group. We now know that Judy Knights was first FV 60 and John Percival first MV70, we are told prizes will be sorted out! Kate Hoffen was first FV 50 and received her prize on the night! Congratulations to all our winners!
The Mob Match was a tight contest and required a last minute recount, following which we finished in second place, just behind Bristol & West but in front of Southville who had an impressive 72 runners taking part! The trophy was presented to our first male and female finishers Ben and Lorna! Congratulations team Westbury!!
Well done to everyone who represented the club this evening, too many impressive performances to mention them all, thank you to everyone who came along to support us all tonight, and to Paul Turner for bringing the beers!
* URBAN ORIENTEERING – COOMBE DINGLE – Weds 4th June *
It was great to see lots of Westbury Harriers at the recent orienteering event at Blaise Castle and it was brilliant to have use of the WH pavilion for the day. We (Hannah and Iain Large) are now organising an urban orienteering event on Wednesday 4th June at Coombe Dingle. Urban orienteering is much more straightforward in terms of navigation as controls are generally just on things like lampposts, benches, fences etc. You’ll get a map of Coombe Dingle / WoT and then you’ll need to get all the controls as quickly as you can. Entries are now open here: https://pre-entries.co.uk/dl/events/s/b75f6b/r/7bDsIh9JH7DPGafyB7Xy Short, medium and long courses available. Start anytime between 5.30 – 7.30pm. The short course is also open to U16s as it stays entirely within Coombe Dingle Sports Complex and then on paths into Canford Park.
TRAINING THIS WEEK
MONDAY – Bank Holiday
No training session
TUESDAY – Track
Track session at Yate 7pm – Seniors book on via RunTogether.
WEDNESDAY – Hill Session
Adults, all abilities. Meet every Wednesday at 12pm.
Coffee in the Downs Café at 1pm for anyone that wants to come along.
THURSDAY – Interval Session
Coombe dingle sports complex, on grass.
6 x (2mins @5k pace) – 30s rest – (30s @1mile pace) – 60s rest.
Note: You can sign up to all sessions via the RunTogether App.
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. https://westburyharriers.co.uk/events/events-calendar/
Club Championship info and rules on this link: https://westburyharriers.co.uk/events/club-championship/
- Club champs – Sunday 8th June: Cheddar Trail (10k) – https://www.relishrunningraces.com/cheddar-gorge-10km.php
- Clevedon midsummer 10k 10th June – https://clevedonac.co.uk/our-races/midsummer-10k-race/
- Club Champs – Fridy 27th June: Nailsea Beer n banger. (NOW WITH CHIPS!) https://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/3tM
- Tintern trot, 3rd July. https://sites.google.com/site/chepstowharriersrunningclub/open-races/tintern-trot
- Saturday 5th July: Cotswold Way Relay – Eithne has been in touch with those involved/on the waiting list.
- Brecon Beacons fell race. Sat 19th July. https://sites.google.com/site/welshfellrace/individual-races/brecon-beacons
- Magor 10k. Sun 27th July. https://sites.google.com/site/chepstowharriersrunningclub/open-races/magor-10k
- Crooks Peak cake race, Wed 14th Aug. Fellrunner — Wed 14 Aug 2024 — Crook Peak Cake Race
- Severn Bridge 10k. Tue 19th Aug. https://sites.google.com/site/roguerunsevents/home/our-events/sb-10k-half
- Torbay Twilight 10k – 23rd August – Vicky Tester
This event is organised by friends of mine down in Torbay, a flat, fast course around a velopark. Why not combine with a weekend away in the English Riviera!
If there are any races or interesting events that you think should be added, please email: communication@westburyharriers.co.uk
Editor: Ben Wood
