Westbury Harriers Weekly News
Evening everyone,
A very delayed newsletter, apologies! Let’s get stuck in…..
Thanks to those that have confirmed their attendance for the Club Awards Night this Saturday 21st March, 6pm at St Peter’s Church. We have lots of race reports from; the final Gwent League fixture in Parc Bryn Bach, Bath Half and more. Plus, we need volunteers to help at the annual Bristol Running Show on Sunday 29th March. Please get in touch with Mark Andrews, details below. If you haven’t been able to join in social events lately, well now is your chance! There are still spaces to sign up to the boat trip on Saturday 20th June, details can be found below on the newsletter. Curious about trying a backyard ultra? Gravel & Grits are hosting an event at Blaise Castle on 2nd May, and they have kindly given us a 15% discount code to sign up to the event. It’ll be a fun experience to try, find out more below. Lastly, there’s an important Juniors event (for Girls and Boys) this week on Thursday 19th March at The Pavillion, Coombe Dingle with Claire Callaghan (chartered physiotherapist and expert in health, wellbeing and performance) at 16:45.
In this week’s newsletter:
- Club notices
- Training this week
- Race reports / results
- Upcoming races
1. Club Notices
REMINDER – BRISTOL RUNNING SHOW, 29th MARCH (Volunteers needed)
The annual Bristol Running Show takes place at the BAWA club on Southmead Road Bristol between 9am and 3pm on Sunday 29th March. We are looking for volunteers to help us cover the Club Stand at the show. As in previous years we hope to be able to produce a rota breaking the day down into 3 or 4 sessions.
This is an opportunity for everyone to be able to help the club. You may have been a member for years and be able to explain most things about the club, or have joined more recently and able to share your experiences of joining the club. In previous years we have had a good range of volunteers and been able to produce a rota that ensures a nice balance of knowledge and experiences.
Enquiries in previous years have included those from parents and Juniors so it would be great to have a presence from that part of the club this year.
The show itself is always worth a visit so why not link helping the Club with a visit to the show.
Please speak to Mark Andrews or email him on mark.andrews65@me.com if you can help this year along with an indication of what time would suit you.
Easter Holiday Athletics Camps
Yate Academy will once again be running their holiday camps this Easter. The camps are open to anyone from school Year 3 up until Year 9. If you are interested in Athletics, and would like to experience all things track and field, then book your place now. YateACacademy@gmail.com
Monday Senior Training – Location to change soon (Blaise Castle)
As advance warning, Monday night Senior training will move back to Blaise Castle on Monday 20th April.
All secondary age junior boys will also train at Blaise from Monday 20th April.
BOAT TRIP – ALL ABOARD!
We are trying to organise an upriver boat trip on Saturday 20th June 19:00 – 22:00 on Bristol Packets ‘The Bagheera. We need to pay the deposit to secure the boat asap. We are asking for a non-refundable deposit of £10 per head. We need at least 22 people to make this work, but can go up to 50.
The approximate cost of the trip is about £24 ph + about £13:75 for onboard fish & chip. This cost of the trip will depend on numbers, could be under £20 + F&C if we get 50 people!
Please do think about signing up as we need more people and it’s great that there will be a club social event.
RENEWAL OF SENIOR, JUNIOR, STUDENT, AND VOLUNTEER MEMBERSHIPS
(ACADEMY MEMBERSHIPS DO NOT REQUIRE RENEWAL)
Our membership year ends on 31st March and you are now able to renew for 2026/27. You should have all received an email – please read it carefully. Any problems please let Lizzy Smith the Club membership secretary know
REMINDER – DATES FOR THE DIARY
AWARDS NIGHT: Saturday 21st March at St Peter’s Church, Henleaze, at 6pm for 6:30pm start.
AGM: Thursday 23rd April at 6:30pm for 7pm start at Coombe Dingle.
Club Kit
Membermojo store is now updated with new vest stock. Junior sizes now available.
Westbury Harriers at membermojo (XL club hoodies at discounted rate. £13)
Club training kit available via our online store:
Westbury Harriers RC
Blaise Blazer
Entries are now open for this year’s Blaise Blazer. Entry only £10/£12. Monday 1st June 2026.
Scenic/hilly 6k through Blaise Estate. Friendly event, all abilities are welcome. Plenty of individual, team & spot prizes and lots of free cake after.
https://westburyharriers.co.uk/events/blaise-blazer/
2. 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.
WELLBEING RUN:
7.15pm at Coombe Dingle – a slower pace, sociable run – open to all.
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:
1min (1min recovery), 2min (1min recovery), 3min (1min recovery), 4min (90 sec recovery), 4min, 3min, 2min, 1min
Aim to maintain 5k effort throughout. Option to drop the 4min down to 3min.
Please remember when out on road sessions to wear light/reflective clothing so you are visible.
3. RACE RESULTS/REPORTS
Primary Intercounty Cross Country Success from the Academy,
by Rachel Liston
Last weekend saw the Primary School Intercounty Cross Country event take place at Ashton Park School, after being rearranged from November due to very wet conditions.
Runners had to qualify through their school and area events, and the North Bristol team was largely made up of our Academy athletes.
Year 5 Girls
North Bristol had a fabulous race, with Inga leading from the start and finishing with a convincing win. Chloe finished in an excellent 3rd place, making it a strong Westbury performance.
Year 5 Boys
The boys also had a fantastic run. Alex finished 1st overall, Max placed 3rd, and Jack J and Rufus were the 3rd and 4th North Bristol finishers from the Academy.
The North Bristol team finished 2nd overall in the Year 5 boys’ race — a brilliant team achievement. Well done to all the boys who contributed to this impressive result!
Year 6 Girls
In the Year 6 girls’ race, Ellie was the first North Bristol runner home, finishing 7th overall. The leading runners from North Somerset continued a strong season, having placed 1st and 2nd in every Gwent League fixture.
Year 6 Boys
Our Year 6 boys — Owen, Riccardo, and Jonah — all ran well, finishing their races in great form and with smiles on their faces.
Well done to all the Westbury runners!
Bath Half Marathon 2026 – Sunday 15th March
by Mike Mewse
Cool, breezy and sunny for the Bath Half this year … well until the rain came in later !
Again the race was the official Great Britain trial for the World Road Race Championships. There were big crowds in the city and big names and a very fast pace at the front of the race. With nearly 13,000 runners, the Westbury Harriers challenge was led by Ben Rawlins, just two weeks after his emphatic win in the Gwent Cross Country at Parc Bryn Bach, and Greg Hayward who was looking for a fast time as he returns to track and road racing. These two are so evenly matched but it was Greg (1.09.06 – 30th ) who edged it this time by just 6 seconds from Ben (1.09.12 – 33rd). Matt Cant enjoyed the switch to the roads and recorded a very good 1.16.10 PB. In the women’s race Sophie W (1.29.38) used her experience and top-quality pacing for 107th overall and an excellent 7th in the FV45 category. Rachel Liston (1.33.53) also paced well for 12th in the FV40 category.
There were more more good-class performances from our Westbury runners with Jon Riley (1.23.23 – 33rd V40) ) Barry Crabb (1.34.34) Katie Baghdadi (1.43.58) Debbie Hunt (1.50.10) Suzie Marshall-Smith (1.58.58) and Jennie McPhail (2.12.14)
Joe Wigfield of Tyne Bridge Harriers was the winner, picking up £3,000 prize money and GB selection in a time of 1.02.07. Olympian Alex Bell won the same in the women’s race in 1.09.15.
Well done to all our Westbury Harriers runners and a special prize for Run of the Day goes to Rachel Liston – who wins a nice pair of race gloves ! (will get them to you soon!).
Bristol Half Marathon
by Rachel Liston
The weather forecast wasn’t great, but we ended up with fabulous race conditions this morning, with Bath looking beautiful in the spring sunshine.
I didn’t manage to get a photo with any other Westbury team mates, but was pleased to spot Hannah Batchelor mid race, I met Barry at the finish line and my journey home made all the more enjoyable in Sophie Westmacott’s company!
A special thank you to Mike for catching my gloves mid race! My first race in my fancy pants new shoes, which helped me shave (cut a whopping 5min chunk!) off my pb…utterly delighted to run 1.33!
I know I wasn’t the only one to get a pb today (well done Hannah), well done everyone who ran (sorry I know I’ve missed people!!), thankyou for the Westbury support from the side of the road!
Gwent League Parc Bryn Bach – Senior and Masters Men
by Geraint Torrington
Parc Bryn Bach was already a legendary venue before this year’s final fixture and now adds to that legacy with one of the toughest courses we’ve had for a long while; it was mud from start to finish.
The men started the day with our sole masters 65 representative Phil Hayward taking on the muddy challenge. Phil started the season in the senior men’s race in Margam before a big birthday meant that he was able to compete in the combined senior women and masters 65 men’s race. He’s done so well throughout the season and ended the race in Parc Bryn Bach by overtaking a rival on the final bend to finish the season on a high.
Phil has had company in the masters 65 races throughout the season with Phil Brooks and William Baker taking part in some races. If we can consistently get two men out in this age group over the season we can definitely finish higher than our 16th place.
On to the senior men and going into the final fixture we were in third place in Division 1 but needed all of our faster runners to ensure we stayed there and we stood an outside chance of taking second. And boy did the team try to make that second place a reality!
Ben Rawlins took on the hilly challenge and for the first time in many, many years Westbury tasted victory in the senior men’s race. We’ve had quite a few podiums, but the top step has been elusive. The senior men’s race is tough with some very good athletes and in Ben we had toughest and best on the day. Not far behind in seventh was Greg Hayward on a course that’s not really suited to him. Greg also had to make the journey home trouserless as his had been picked up by Oli Beale by mistake! Josh Morland powered home in 16th with a charging Matthew Cant close behind in 20th. Completing the A team was Oli Beale in 28th.
The team finished third on the day and third overall. The last time we achieved this was in 2014 so it’s been a long but very worthwhile wait. It really shows how having our faster runners out over the season makes a big difference. Over the season the A team has been made up of 9 scoring athletes: Ben Rawlins, Greg Hayward, Josh Morland, Matthew Cant, Oli Beale, Tom Reed, Piers de Voil, Paul Gardiner and Thomas Darton. It’s been so good seeing them lap me all season!
Our B team was led home by Northern Irish International Anthony Glover in 46th followed by Paul Gardiner in 51st, Olly Sheppard cheered on by his family in 53rd, Jack Derrick in 81st and Alastair Blackwood breaking the top 100 in 95th place.
Our C team had Chris Treble (who also had great vocal family support on the course) leading them home in 149th place. Second home was Josh McCauley in 161st, Paul Stuart in 191st, Paul Turner in 220th and George Pickering in 234th. Paul Stuart has had another brilliant season in the Gwents and finished 5th masters 55 overall – what a performance!
We didn’t have a complete D team but Rich Finch came home in 245th, myself in 249th and deciding that this race was the one to return to action following a long injury layoff was male club captain George Griffiths in 260th – not the ideal course to test the Achilles out on George!!
The course was one of the muddiest and softest that I can remember racing on so of course when I fell for the third time this season it had to be on the one part of the course that was solid underfoot – the road crossing! I went down with a big thud onto my right knee and immediately looked for Mark Andrews. He was nowhere to be seen, but Rich Finch and George Griffiths were very close behind at that point so it could have been one of them as I’m not clumsy enough to fall three times in a season!!!
The Gwent League has team awards from masters 35 upwards and whilst the men didn’t secure any awards we were 11th masters 35 (out of 118), 11th masters 45 (out of 98), 6th masters 55 (out of 59) and 16th masters 65 (out of 55) which shows how well we’ve done over the age groups throughout the season.
It’s been so good seeing the performances of all 54 runners who turned out for us during the season and outnumbering the women for the final two fixtures – that Blaise Cup will be ours next year!
There was only one way to finish the season and that was with a beer to celebrate and I was handed mine on the final bend by my daughter to cross the line with a swig from the bottle! I just need to remember the bottle opener next time!
See you all in October for the 2026-2027 season.
Gwent League Senior Women and Master’s report – Parc Bryn Bach. The season finale
by Tamsin Chick
Wow! What a finish for the final Gwent League fixture of the 2025/2026 season. For those that competed when the event was last held at Parc Bryn Bach in 2018 you will recall this was a rather epic event, course and weatherwise! With a new course in a different part of the country park, the weather was kinder, a random hailstorm for the junior boy’s race, which passed over and the ladies ran in fine weather. The course though was equally tough as previously. Uphill, downhill and very muddy underfoot. A true testing cross country course. The ladies were meant to do 3 laps which was reduced to 2 on the day. No one complained! Not sure if this was due to the conditions or that 3 laps would have been too far distance wise.
As a team manager I was rather despondent going into this fixture, as we were low on numbers team wise. We were having a fantastic season up to this point with high turnouts and great individual and team performances. But this is a 5 fixture league and you can’t afford team wise to have 1 fixture when you let things slip and don’t have full and competitive teams out. However, I shouldn’t have worried. Everyone there knew what they had to do, they rose to the challenge and ran superbly. Westbury women seem to excel on the tough courses. Maybe where we train from helps, as every direction is a hill!
Olivia brought the team home in her Gwent run of the season, after her 50 mile Cornish coastal race earlier in the year, she strode ran the 5km plus course with strength and determination. Robyn, worried about the team manager’s proximity to her on the 1st lap, shifted on in the 2nd lap to finish strongly in the top 30. Rachel who has come into her own this season in her cross-county running worked hard and was rewarded with that top 10% Gwent T-Shirt, well done to you. Sophie.W, who does not enjoy a course of this nature, showed why she was needed by completing the A team and ensuring the A team finished the league in a fantastic 3rd place, moving up from 4th. This also supported our V45 team who stayed in 1st place to take the V45 team title. Sophie, I noted you said you ‘may’ do some next season, and yes I take that as a definite yes!
Hannah brought the B team home after a consistent season, completing all 5 fixtures, with Laura hot on her tail inside the top 60. Laura’s run supported the V35 team who finished 2nd overall in the league. Monica was close behind and finished a fantastic 4th v55 individually, only 4 points of 3rd, Kez came in next having her race of the year, having steadily improved as the season has gone on. Thanks to Antonia who had thrown her number away after Chepstow fixture as she could not make this fixture, Antonia kindly negotiated her weekend plans to fit in whizzing up to Parc Bryn Bach to ensure we had a complete V55 team. Thank-you, this was so worth it, as the V55’s kept that gold medal. Katie.R led the C team in, in her 2nd year of racing senior Gwents, she has judged the races well this year and consistently improved throughout the season. Supporting the U23 team to gain their first medal position (3rd ) for many years. Helen ran well as she has done all season and having completed all 5 fixtures finished a fabulous 6th V55 overall in the league. What I didn’t know was Helen was just on her warmup, the next day she ran the Brecon to Cardiff classic a 43 mile ultra finishing 66th overall of a field of nearly 300 and 12th lady. Thank-you Helen for thinking running the Gwent the day before was a good idea! Sophie.R nearly gave up after the first fixture this season and I am really glad she didn’t. Having persevered and finishing the season with a brilliant performance. As a team we reward you for doing all 5 fixtures by saying yes, you deserve to invest in a pair of spikes so you are ready for October! Lyn, who can take on anything from an 800m to a challenging cross country did the V65 team proud and made sure they finished at the top of table in 1st place retaining this title they have won consecutively since 2017.
A team (Olivia Zeltner 11th, Robyn Ellis 29th, Rachel Liston 33rd, Tamsin Chick 35th, Sophie Westmacott 37th). B team (Hannah Batchelor 55th, Laura Smith 58th, Monica Warnock 69th, Kez Sheppard 70th, Antonia Gooder 81st). C team (Katie Ramsden 84th, Helen Sawyer 107th, Sophie Rimmell 157th, Lyn Jenkins 162nd).
Well done to Olivia, Robyn, Rachel, Tamsin, Sophie.W for coming in the top 10% of their age group. I know some of you have worked really hard for this, congratulations. See the * next to your name in the results. You can pick up your complimentary T-Shirt at the first fixture of the 2026/2027 season. Yes, it means you have to do XC again!
On the day at Parc Bryn Bach the Senior team came 3rd, B Team 11th and C team 26th out of 61 teams.
Final Team Standings 2025/26
Congratulations a fabulous set of team results.
All A teams in the league compete in 3 divisions. Very proud that the A team finished in a medal position as the quality of teams is very high.
🥉Division 1 – A team 3rd (moving up from 4th, yay!)
All B-H teams compete in the reserve division. The results speak for themselves. 3 of our teams in the top 10 and the highest placing E, F and H team.
Reserve Division – 🥈B team 2nd, C team 6th, D team 10th, E team 19th, F team 26th, G team 43rd, H team 53rd 65 teams in the reserve division.
Age group teams
🥉U23 Team – 3rd
🥈V35 Team – 2nd
🥇V45 Team – 1st
🥇 V55 Team – 1st
🥇 V65 Team – 1st
Individual standings after 5 fixtures:
Hannah Large 7th V35, Rachel Liston 10th V35, Monica Warnock 4th V55, Helen Sawyer 6th V55, Rosie Hamilton-James 6th U23
A particular mention to Rosie for her 2 Gwent wins and to Rhiannon and Freya for their 2nd place positions. Fantastic. Also a big well done to those that ran all 5 fixtures, Hannah Bachelor, Monica Warnock, Helen Sawyer and Sophie Rimmell.
A huge thank-you to the 59 ladies in total who ran over the season. Yes 59! That is the highest turnout since 2023. We can’t do it without each and every one of you. Every person contributes, every person counts to a team. I am, as always, extremely grateful to you for giving up part of your weekend to represent Westbury Harriers. Have a rest, enjoy the spring/summer and we look forward to doing it all again starting October 2026.
FCCE Frampton Globe Trot – Saturday 14th March
by Judy Knights
It was a glorious day for the FCCE Frampton Globe Trot, the last Club Championship race of the season. The race briefing was enough to strike fear into the hearts of roadrunners like me with mention of ‘very slippery’, ‘water over the top of wellies’, and even ‘ice’! The first mile was fine but then there seemed to be an excess of gravity and I failed to remain upright in a muddy section. Things improved as the route continued through lovely countryside and although the puddles were very deep it didn’t seem to matter too much in the sunshine. After finishing the course of under 8 miles we were presented with a generous goody bag containing a T-shirt and some consumables. What could be better than a bottle of beer with your name on it (except perhaps a bottle of wine with your name on it)? Congratulations to Monica for her Vets 50+ prize.
Lea Valley England Masters Indoor Track & Field Inter Area Challenge – 14th March
by Lyn Jenkins
Congrats to Lyn Jenkins who came 2nd in both the 800m and 1500m with a PB in the latter race, with a time of 6.51.10 (over 5 seconds better than previous). Long day but worthwhile.
4. 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/
And club champ races here: Club Championship – Westbury Harriers
Gravel & Grit Backyard Ultra Blaise Castle, Saturday 2nd May 2026
Set in the historic parkland and woodland trails of Blaise Castle Estate in Bristol. There is no finish line to chase, no target time, and no fixed distance. Just a loop, a bell, and one question asked again every hour: can you go again?
What is a Backyard?
The event follows the classic Backyard Ultra (Last One Standing) format. Runners complete a 4.167-mile (6.7 km) trail loop every hour, on the hour. You have 60 minutes to complete each loop. Finish early and you rest. Finish late, or fail to make the start line when the bell rings, and your race is over.
This repeats. Hour after hour. The event continues until only one runner remains. That final runner must complete one last solo loop to be crowned Last One Standing. This is not a race about speed. It is about pacing, recovery, decision-making, and managing the mental challenge of repetition.
An event with community vibe (many other run clubs taking part), a chance to test your endurance, or just experience your first backyard event whether you do 1 loop, 3 loops or more.
Up & Running have partnered up with Gravel & Grit, and are offering 15% off registration entry fee for Westbury Harrier runners.
Participants will also have a 15% discount when purchasing kit for the event in store (excludes nutrition and electronics). There will also be support from brands on the day, ranging from footwear and nutrition.
SIGN UP HERE: https://www.gravelandgritevents.com/
Follow Gravel & Grit Instagram for updates here: https://www.instagram.com/gravelandgritevents?igsh=cHNtcjRqcDc4ZXpm
It’ll be great to see some Westbury Harriers taking part 🙂
Other club races:
Monday 1st June – Blaise Blazer
Other local races:
Sunday 12th April: 5 miler, Penallta Pony Trek – Penallta Pony Trek 2026 – CAERPHILLY RUNNERS
Saturday 18th April: Beast of the Beacons 10, 20, 40mile – https://www.limitlesstrails.co.uk/beast-of-the-beacons
Saturday 25th April: Butcombe Trail Ultra (50 mile and 50k options) Highly recommended local races – TACH BTU
Saturday 2nd May: Gravel & Grit Bristol Backyard event – https://www.gravelandgritevents.com/
Tuesday 9th June: Clevedon Midsummer 10k – https://clevedonac.co.uk/our-races/midsummer-10k-race/
Friday 26th June: Beer and Banger 10k – https://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/3yS
Please send anything you might want to see in the newsletter to: communication@westburyharriers.co.uk
Editor: Yvette Casallas
