Westbury Harriers Weekly News
Evening All,
Wasn’t expecting to wear waterproofs everyday since my return from the Alps, I was hoping for Summer to linger a little bit longer. It’s certainly blowing a gale out there, so please be safe. It’s getting darker now, so as a reminder, we encourage you to wear brighter clothing or high-viz, and also carrying a head/body torch just in case. We have our Members of the Month to annouce and a few reminders of key race dates to add to the diary.
In this week’s newsletter:
- Club notices
- Training this week
- Race reports / results
- Upcoming races
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CLUB NOTICES
MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to our September Member of the Month winners. An Up & Running voucher is on its way to you.
Chris McCabe – Senior
Chris has been a member of the club for some time. Regularly attends club training sessions on Mondays and track on Tuesdays. Really supportive and friendly with new starters, particularly at the track. Recently after some ‘gentle’ encouragement took part in the Avon County Road relays championships and was part of the successful V40 men’s team which won a gold medal.
Sam Huckett – Junior
Won Avon County 800m Championships and part of the successful winning under 20 team at the Avon County 5km Relays Championships.
If you have a nomination for MoTM please email member.of.the.month@westburyharriers.co.uk
REMINDER OF GWENT LEAGUE DATES
This is our main cross-country team event. Suitable for all club members, all ages, all abilities. We have people running from groups 2-6 regularly. We do well as we turn out on mass. Everyone scores for the team, individually and for their age group. We want FULL teams in each age group. Cost is £5 + admin fee per race, payable via RunTogether. If you think running around a field in a slightly soggy part of Wales is not fun, think again! It is fabulous fun! Running can be quite an individual sport, but this is really where it comes together as a team and a club with a great atmosphere. The first event usually eases us in gently as the weather is usually kind. Do come and give a Gwent League a go, whether you can do one race in the season, or all five, whatever your contribution it really does help.
Gwent League dates 2025/2026 season
Saturday, October 11th 2025 Margam Park
Saturday, November 8th 2025 Cardiff in conjunction with Cross Challenge
Saturday, December 6th 2025 Blaise Castle
Saturday, February 7th 2026 Chepstow Race Course
Saturday, February 28th 2026 Parc Bryn Bach
REMINDER: Junior Training Subs
As the new term starts, there remain a number of athletes whose training subs for this term remain outstanding. Every junior member has been sent an email requesting payment. Subs are payable via the online store (https://membermojo.co.uk/westburyharriers/store). You should select Autumn Term 1 2025/26 Junior member training fees. The subs remain £20 for the whole term, and covers all sessions (Mondays/Thursdays) at Coombe Dingle. Yate track sessions are payable separately as this is a fee charged by Yate and District AC. We will be monitoring attendance and confirming that subs have been paid. Thanks everyone!
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TRAINING THIS WEEK
MONDAY – Tempo Session
Group runs from Coombe Dingle sports complex 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.
TUESDAY – Track Session
Track session at Yate 7pm – Seniors book on via RunTogether App.
WEDNESDAY – Hill Session
Adults, all abilities. Meet every Wednesday at 12pm, corner of Saville Road by the Downs. Sign up on RunTogether App.
THURSDAY – Interval Session
Coombe dingle sports complex, on grass at 7pm.
4x 30secs – 60secs – 90secs – 60secs – 30secs
(30secs recovery between intervals, 2mins between sets)
Aim to keep moving between each interval within a set, get used to changing pace (intervals aren’t ‘flat out’)
*Option drop to 3 sets for those racing Midland Road Relays
- RACE REPORTS
UTMB Mont Blanc
by Yvette Casallas
The UTMB Mont Blanc event takes place in Chamonix and is one of the biggest competitive races in the world. Considered by many to be the most prestigious trail running event, it’s a bucket list race for most trail runners. Held in a stunning alpine setting, the UTMB main race is a 170KM+ circular loop with 10,000m elevation gain and passes through France, Italy and Switzerland. It’s basically a week-long festival of events, different races, brands coming together, and a massive trail running community soaking up the vibes. It’s also the World Series Finals, therefore you see all the elite runners taking part. In order to take part in the World Series Finals, you will need to complete one of the other UTMB races in the World Series or World Major events. You have to have a valid index and accumilate stones to enter the lottery for UTMB Mont Blanc.
I had entered the ballot some time earlier this year and didn’t get in, and then looked to doing other races instead. However, 6 weeks before the race, I received an email from the UTMB team, saying they had offered a few race entries (still had to pay) to women as part of the Women In Trail programme. I initially thought it was a scam, but after some digging around, I found out it was legit. I was very shocked and uncertain about what to do, and only had a few days to make a decision. I discussed this opportunity with a few people, and the general feel was just to go for it! It’s not cheap, but I felt relatively fit to give it go. It just meant I had 5 weeks to ramp up my training and plan the logistics. Stressful! Fast forward to race day, and the cold weather kit was already activated. The start line was crowded and they played the iconic ‘Conquest of Paradise’ – Vangelis song, cue the tears and goosebumps. I’ve never been so nervous, it felt surreal standing there about to take on the UTMB. The moment we set off it began to rain and basically didn’t stop. Beyond 30km the weather got worse, and we had to deal with sleet/snow, mud and cold temperatures. It was grim, even with 2 gloves and hand warmers, my hands were in pain from the cold. Fuelling was hard, aid stations were chaotic and busy. They had changed one section of the course during the race as the weather had worsened. All I wanted, was to reach the 80km point/bag drop where Ben was meeting me (he was my crew support, and did a great job supporting me emotionally and making sure my kit and fuelling was sorted). It was 10-11am by the time I met him, the weather improved and warmed up. I changed into fresh clothes, changed trainers and ate hot pasta. I was familiar with the next 80km+ of the route, so my main focus was to keep moving swiftly and not delay too much at aid stations.
Another night was approaching, and I had no intention of sleeping. This time the night was clear, stars were twinlking, I would feel sleepy, sometimes my eyes played tricks on me, but I had no specific hallucinations. I saw runners sleeping on the side of the trails, I just looked forward to seeing daylight again. Ben met me at a few other crew sections using the race shuttle buses (he didn’t sleep either), I was feeling good overall, feet were sore, slightly dehydrated, but I was in a positive mood. Getting to the final 30km of the route, I could feel the finish line getting closer and closer. I was ahead of cut offs by around 1.5-2hrs, but it didn’t mean I could take it easy, I still had a few climbs to go. Getting to the last aid station at the top of La Flegere was a relief, the people cheering really perked you up and motivated you to keep moving. I finally reached the streets of Chamonix after a slow descent with only a few kms to go. The atmosphere was electric, I shuffled and didn’t want to stop. I just couldn’t believe I completed the loop and made it to the famous UTMB arch. Waving at people, hiding my tears behind the sunglasses, I somehow did a jump and crossed the line. It was over. I think I’m still digesting all of it, extremely happy to be a finisher, irrelevant of the time, very proud of my 45hrs 22 time.
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UPCOMING RACES / CLUB CHAMPS
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/
Thanks to all those who have signed up for the Midland Road Relays on 20th September. Other upcoming county, regional and national events are listed below. Please remember the club pays the entry fee for these events and supports with transport costs. If you are ever wondering, would this event be suitable for me? Please ask your team manager.
Avon Cross Country Championships
Sunday 14th December 2025 Bath University
Held in conjunction with the Gloucestershire Cross Country league fixture. Suitable for all. Has age category prizes.
South West Cross Country Championships
Date not yet available – usually first weekend in January (2026)
More suitable for those who run in groups 1-3.
English National Cross Country Championships
Saturday 21st February 206 – East Park, Segefield, County Durham.
Suitable for all ages and abilities. It is an en mass celebration of running – fantastic fun and always a true cross-country course (slightly challenging but totally doable!).
Midland 6/12 stage Spring Road relays
March 2026 date not yet available
Masters Road Relays
Saturday 25th October 2025 – British Master Cross Country Relays
2026 British Masters Road Relay championships – date not yet confirmed
Other local races
Saturday 20th September – Maverick Trail Race X Series Afan Forest South Wales: https://www.maverick-race.com/products/the-maverick-x-series-afan-forest-2025
Saturday 27th September – Beat the Beacons, Beat the Beacons – Beat the Beacons
Saturday 27th September – Maverick Original Mendips: https://www.maverick-race.com/products/the-maverick-original-mendips-2025
Sunday 28th September – Forest of Dean Autumn Half marathon: https://www.forestofdean-halfmarathon.co.uk/autumn/
Sunday 26th October – Mendip Muddle (Club Champs race)
Thursday 6th November – Severn Bridge night run. RogueRuns – Severn Bridge 5 Night Race
Saturday 29th November – Machen 21km & 42km trail races Machen Trail Races | Ridge Runners
If there are any races or interesting events that you think should be added, please email: communication@westburyharriers.co.uk
Editor: Yvette Casallas
