Westbury Harries Weekly News
Good evening,
I hope everyone has had a good weekend. Well done to everyone who ran at the Forest of Dean half marathon, some great running (results in race reports). We had our annual awards on Saturday night. As always Geraint did a fantastic job of presenting, and he was helped by our President Mike Mewse (who was in turn helped by Tamsin after giving out the wrong Trophies). It was a great event, and great to see how well our runners and teams have done this year. Highlights included the senior men coming third in the Gwent League, the Women’s Midland relay team winning silver and the U11 girls XC team again winning silver. A full list of awardees is included in the newsletter. I have also been asked to share the Award intro video that preceded the event. I have included a link to view it below. Before you watch it, I would just like to address something. ..There were some baseless accusations of AI being used in the video… but rest assured that is NOT the case*. Thankyou.
In this week’s newsletter:
- Club notices
- Training this week
- Race reports / results
- Upcoming race
1. Club Notices
WESTBURY HARRIERS AWARDS NIGHT WINNERS.
A great evening hosted by our very own master of ceremonies Geraint Torrington. Well done to everyone who won, and thankyou to everyone who helped put the evening on. Especially Geraint, and to a lesser extent Mike.
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)
Senior training will resume from Blaise castle on the 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
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:
Hill session on road.
Location TBC, meet at Coombe dingle 7pm.
Please remember when out on road sessions to wear light/reflective clothing so you are visible.
3. RACE RESULTS/REPORTS
Westbury Women Win Team Race at Forest Of Dean.
Forest of Dean spring trails half marathon: lovely weather, beautiful forest, steep hills and some great performances from Westbury Harriers. Paul Gardiner, Matt Ellis and Hannah Large were first three over the line in blistering times. Hannah Large (5th Lady overall), Robyn Esther Ellis and Liz Lovelock won the prize for the first female team. (The men’s team came a respectable 4th).
Great work ladies!
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
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, (Use code WESTBURY15 for 15% discount) – 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: Ben Wood
