Westbury Harriers Weekly News
Good evening,
Sorry for the late newsletter this week,
As we head into the long Easter weekend, there’s a real sense of spring finally settling in—lighter evenings, greener trails, and that unmistakable buzz that comes when there are big marathons are on the horizon. Hopefully everyone training for London or Manchester or any other big race in April is looking forward to taper time.
Whether you’re gearing up for a big event, keeping things steady over the holidays, or simply looking forward to a few relaxed miles between chocolate eggs, we’ve got plenty to keep you inspired.
This week’s newsletter is packed with updates from the club, upcoming fixtures, training and a few seasonal surprises (tip – see the race report for a traditional Spring fixture with a brilliant result)
It’s a great moment to take stock, enjoy the progress you’ve made so far this year, and maybe set a fresh goal or two as we move into April.
Here’s to a weekend of good running, good company, and—let’s be honest—a bit of well‑earned indulgence.
In this week’s newsletter:
- Club notices
- Training this week
- Race reports / results
- Upcoming races
1. Club Notices
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
Member of the Month
The committee meets on Friday 10th April. Do you have someone to nominate for April’s member (junior/senior or volunteer) of the month? Please email member.of.the.month@westburyharriers.co.uk by 09/04/26.
Membership start date
We are trying to update our records around some of our longer standing members. Our membership system came in long after some of our members joined. If you know the date you joined Westbury Harriers and have been here over 5 years please contact manager.women@westburyharriers.co.uk and let them know. We can then add this to your membership record. This supports us in some of our award categories (vice presidents and life members).
Bring a friend to intervals – Thursday 30th April
With the lighter evenings and sunshine improving, this is a great time for people to experience what spring/summer training can look like at Westbury Harriers. We are encouraging people to bring a friend to senior intervals on Thursday 30th April. They can book on via RunTogether or just come along (details and emergency contact information will be obtained if not booked on via RunTogether, so please arrive a little bit earlier so we have time to obtain this). Session suitable for all abilities.
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
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
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:
Meet at Coombe dingle 7pm.
4 mins (2 mins recovery)
2 x 3 mins (90 secs recovery)
3 x 2 mins (1 min recovery)
4 x 1 min (1 min recovery)
3. RACE RESULTS/REPORTS
Midland Counties Road Relays Report
by Chris Palmer
Sutton Park, 28th March 2026
Westbury Men had a successful day at the Midland 12 Stage Road Relay Championships finishing 9th from 60 teams. Top 10 had seemed achievable but it’s always a challenge getting 12 guys to the start line, and so thanks to all the athletes that committed this year around family, work, and other training priorities; and thanks to all the coaches and parents’ support behind them. I think this is our first top 10 since 2004 (10th) with our last medal performance 3rd in 1999 and something to strive for in the future.
This year there were 12 stages of 5.47km on a tough undulating course made more difficult with a strong wind and hail showers throughout the day.
Setting us off was youngster Tom Cummins on the competitive first leg, and whilst Tom was disappointed with his run he can be rightly proud of being the 4th quickest Westbury runner on the day, placing us 20th and well in the mix among quality runners.
Next up 14-minute 5km men Greg Hayward and Will Massey showed their class. Greg overtaking 9 teams and moving us to 11th with the 3rd quickest Westbury performance; and Will overtaking 3 teams and moving us up to 8th with the 2nd quickest Westbury performance (and 5th quickest run on leg 3).
Paul Gardiner ran a solid leg 4 just 6 days after the Forest of Dean Half (and gaining England Masters qualification) to only drop one place. Anthony Glover, not just integral to getting the team together (as well as coaching half of them!) showed his running ability too with a competitive run keeping us close to the top 10 in 11th after leg 5.
Josh Adler (leg 6) showed why he was awarded ‘best newcomer’ at the recent Westbury Awards maintaining our position and handing over to the experienced Oli Beale (leg 7) who ran as quickly and reliably as always dropping just one place to 12th.
Alex Wilson (leg 8) drove up from Southampton for the team and proved his importance maintaining our position, as did triathlete Matthew Cant running well on leg 9.
We had strong runners on the last three legs as other teams faded; and moving us up a place each were team motivator Josh Morland, Tom Reed (despite having to work in the morning), and finally Ben Rawlins storming round at sub 5min mile pace with the fastest Westbury run of the day, and bringing us home in 9th.
A big shout out to Alastair Blackwood who committed to the event early on and ended up as our only runner in the B team. Alastair was rewarded with his best run around Sutton Park to date and provided valuable A team back up and support on the day.
Results link: https://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2026/m1226.pdf
1st Western Tempo ‘A’ 3:21:48
2nd Bristol & West Ac ‘A’ 3:24:15
3rd Swindon Harriers ‘A’ 3:26:37
9th Westbury Harriers ‘A’ 3:37:45
1 Thomas Cummins (20) 17:51
2 Greg Hayward (11) 17:12
3 Will Massey (8) 17:03
4 Paul Gardiner (9) 19:10
5 Anthony Glover (11) 18:47
6 Joshua Adler (11) 18:49
7 Oliver Beale (12) 18:27
8 Alexander Wilson (12) 18:09
9 Matthew Cant (12) 18:29
10 Joshua Morland (11) 18:07
11Thomas Reed (10) 18:47
12 Ben Rawlins (9) 16:54
Westbury Harriers ‘B’
1 Alastair Blackwood (47) 20:37
Editors Note: This is an awesome result, congratulations Westbury men’s team!
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/
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: Sophie Westmacott
