Westbury Harriers Weekly News
Evening everyone.
Hope this weeks newsletter finds you well.
It’s finally December! I don’t know about you but it feels like we have been on advent count down for a while in our house! Lots of exciting things to look forward to so lets get started.
In this week’s newsletter:
- Club notices
- Training this week
- Race reports / results
- Upcoming races
1.CLUB NOTICES
Sign up for the next Gwent League at Blaise Castle, Saturday 6th December 2025 is now on RunTogether. Please sign up by 3rd December.
You enter via RunTogether using the following links:
Senior Women & V65 Men– 12.40 6.7km
Senior Men– 14.40 8.8km
Both men and women’s teams are doing brilliantly so far this season. Lets keep the momentum going. We are on home ground, so let us use this advantage and the get the BIG turnout we hope for. So whatever group you train with in the club, do come along and support.
Don’t forget this fixture hosts the ‘prestigious’ inter team competition of men vs women – who has the biggest team turnout. The women are current reigning champions, but is 2025 the year the men’s team take the trophy? Can you spot the trophy in the picture below?! And no, its not the round plates.
Westbury do a grand job of hosting this fixture. If you are free to volunteer around your event or if you are not running currently, Alastair Blackwood (volunteers@westburyharriers.co.uk) would be grateful to hear from you.
Your team managers for the Gwent League are Geraint Torrington (manager.men@westburyharriers.co.uk) for the men and Tamsin Chick (manager.women@westburyharriers.co.uk) for the women.
Geraint & Tamsin
Gwent XC League Team Managers
Contact details
Please ensure your membermojo and RunTogether profiles are up to date. Especially with emergency contact information. Hopefully we will never need your emergency contact information but it is important for us to have this. You can update these at anytime by logging into your profile.
CHRISTMAS TRAINING SCHEDULE
There will no formal training in the weeks commencing 22 and 29 December 2025.
Our last Monday session of the year on 15 December will be the annual Brailsford Lights run. Meeting and running in our usual groups the route will take in the lights display in Brentry. Fancy dress is encouraged but optional.
CLUB SUPPER –
After a successful first club supper back at Coombe Dingle for many years. Another club supper has been arranged, after the annual Christmas lights run. This is our last week of formal club training before the Christmas break.
December’s meal is curry, rice and poppadom’s (veggie option available) at only £6:60 per head. The bar will be open until 10pm too. We do have a minimum spend at the bar to hit, so please do buy a drink.
Please pay £6.60 into Sarah’s Monzo account. Either reply to the post on Facebook to say you are coming and have paid (it is pinned to featured). Let her know if veggie or any dietary requirements.
Club Kit
Membermojo store is now updated with new vest stock. Junior sizes now available.
Westbury Harriers at membermojo
2. TRAINING THIS WEEK
MONDAY – TEMPO:
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:
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:
Coombe Dingle Sports Complex, meet at 7pm.
On the grass (weather dependent – look out for Facebook anouncements)
Please think of night running safety. Wear bright/reflective clothing and bring head torches etc.
3. RACE REPORTS/RESULTS
More to come next week 🙂
4. UPCOMING RACES / CLUB CHAMPS
REMINDER OF GWENT LEAGUE DATES
This is our main cross-country team event. Suitable for all club members, all ages, all abilities. 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. 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. 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.
Saturday, December 6th 2025 Blaise Castle
Saturday, February 7th 2026 Chepstow Race Course
Saturday, February 28th 2026 Parc Bryn Bach
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
More suitable for those who run in groups 1-3.
Saturday 3rd January RNAS Merryfield, Ilton, Taunton.
** Please Note the early deadline and arrangements for coaches and spectators **
Teams : 6 Senior Men / 4 Senior Women (Under 20s run same race and count for Seniors)
Masters Categories : Men M40, M50, M60. Women : FM35, FM45, FM55
Teams : Senior Men – 5 to score Women – 4 to score.
Entry : Please enter yourself. South-West Cross-Country Championships** Deadline 14th December.
English National Cross Country Championships
Saturday 21st February 206 – East Park, Sedgefield, County Durham.
Suitable for all ages and abilities. It is a mass celebration of running – fantastic fun and always a true cross-country course (slightly challenging but totally doable!) The Club has in previous years organised coach transport for runners taking part but the distances involved means coach travel on the day is not a realistic option this time. This remains a prestigious National event and whilst recognising that the length of the journey and the lack of an organised travel option will put off some runners, we still hope that some of you will take part. The club will contribute towards the travel expenses of runners in accordance with our Expenses policy as set out on the Website.
Midland 6/12 Stage Spring Road Relays
28th March 2026, Nationals 11th April 2026
2026 British Masters Road Relay championships
date not yet confirmed
Other local races;
Saturday 29th November: Machen 21km & 42km trail races, Ridge Runners – https://www.ridgerunners.co.uk/machen-races
Saturday 6th December: Limitless Trails, Secret Santa Series – https://www.limitlesstrails.co.uk/secret-santa-12k-half
Saturday 13th December: The 12k’s of Xmas at 9:30am (Club Champs Race) – https://www.gertlushevents.co.uk/12ks-of-christmas
Sunday 14th December: Weston AC Christmas Cracker – https://westonac.co.uk/races-2/christmas-cracker/
Sunday 18th January 2026: Riverbank Rollick (Club Champs race) – Riverbank Rollick – Thornbury Running Club
If there are any races or interesting events that you think should be added, please email: communication@westburyharriers.co.uk
Editor: Sophie Westmacott
