Sunday 9th April
Westbury Harriers – News
Editors Piece
The Club Championship series concluded at the end of March with the Severn Bridge Twilight Run, it was then just a case of totting up all the scores.
This years winners are Judy Knights and Alastair Blackwood. Their success was down to dedication, consistency, some speedy running and bagging high scores in club championship races. I’m looking forward to seeing them both collect their trophies at our Club Awards Night on Saturday 20th May.
And don’t forget the new club championship season has started with the first event on Sunday 16th April, the Frenchay 10k.
Easter Social Run Monday 1oth April
Don’t forget the Easter social run tomorrow 9.30am from the Blaise pavilion (approx 45mins-1hr run) (although I can’t promise there will be any Easter bunnies). Book on via RunTogether, no cost. We have people booked on already from all groups 1-6 so everyone will have someone to run with. Thank you to Alison Rogers for picking up the refreshments. Anyone welcome to stop by 10.30am for a cuppa if not running. I know a few people are bringing kids up to the park. https://tinyurl.com/2ux95zwk
Tuesday Running Session at Yate Track and Thursday Intervals
I’m afraid I don’t know the session for Thursday but I can give you Tuesday’s session at Yate track. There’s a shorter intervals option of 3 x 400m, followed by 3 x 1200m or a long interval session of 6 x 800, then 2 x 400m.
Please book using runtogether so numbers are safely facilitated. https://tinyurl.com/2p9a7tj6
The Great Welsh Marathon by Kento Taoka
It’s great to receive another race review for the newsletter and this week we have Kento’s evaluation of the Great Welsh Marathon. A few Westbury members have ran this event over the years, including myself. Anyway over to Kento…..
I ran the Great Welsh Marathon last weekend (2nd April), starting and finishing at Pembrey Country Park in Carmarthenshire with an out-and-back route along the coastal path. What it takes in terms of exposure to the elements it gives back in sweeping views across the sea to the Gower, and it made for a lovely weekend away. Fortunately, the weather was kind on the day so despite some struggles towards the end, I got round in 2:59:56 (with Tamsin’s words about watching your form at the end of a race ringing in my ears!).
Running a sub-3 hour marathon was my main aim when joining the club so I’m delighted with the time, and since the club’s really helped me to push on I wanted to shout out a massive thanks to everyone for the supportive atmosphere and additional motivation!
Sorry to say that I don’t have many useful tips for running routes as my training mostly involved running round and round the Downs countless times, with a few jaunts up the Portway – great for a flat(ish) route with few stoppages if you time it right, but probably a bit monotonous for most. One thing I would say is, don’t underestimate chewable salt tablets! They’ve worked for me in the past, but I forgot about them here and it made the last few miles more painful than necessary. Still, with that finishing time I can’t say that it bothers me too much.
Thanks, and I’ll see you all at training once my legs have started working properly again!
Renewal Reminder and Yate and District Membership
Just another reminder we’re now in the new membership year. If you’ve not yet renewed please do so at the earliest opportunity. If you wish to compete on the track please complete the other discipline form and send it to, membership@westburyharriers.co.uk. Many thanks.
Alec Simpson and the Berlin Half Marathon
Mike Mewse tells me Alec Sampson had a terrific run in the Berlin Half Marathon on Sunday 2nd April. He ran 1.16.22 to beat his 2009 PB by 22 seconds. Superb performance.
He’s been a great runner for the club this year doing 6 stage and National cross country champs (and driving us in his people carrier / “Westbury Team Bus” !).
Ann Lovell at the Forest of Dean Trail Half Marathon
1285 entrants for last week’s Forest of Dean Trail Half Marathon which also incorporated the Trail Running Association Championships. The weather was anything but Spring like, with a cooling sprinkling of showers.
There was a small contingent of 6 Westbury Harriers running and also local runners from TACH & Long Ashton Running Group (LARG).
Despite a recent lack of training, Ann Lovell ran well enough to take home the gold medal for the first FV70.
Bristol Track Club South West 5k PB Series at Odd Down, Bath. 7th April
A great atmosphere with music, live commentaries, fast racing, and prize money.
There was a small (but high quality) turnout of Westbury Harriers racers all keen to get that PB next to their name – with a fair bit of success. Akira Bees ( U17 16.20) led the way with Elliott Chard (SM 16.37) and Jay Hunt (U17 17.15) not far behind.
Tilly Spinney returned from injury to pick up a sub 18 clocking – 17.54 for 1st U20 Woman whilst Debbie Hunt ran 21.33 for 4th FV45. Ian Gawinowski (V45) continued his good form in 18.23 with Jon Riley (V40) finishing in 18.52. Dominic Hurford (V45) had a strong debut in 19.37. Alex Miller (V50) recorded 19.42, Matt Stevenson (V40) 21.00 and Minkee Kim (time tbc).
Henry Watson (U15) clocked a 3000m in 10.15 for a new PB while Lola Simpson finished 3rd in the U13 girls with a PB of 11:33.
The main race was a spectacular exhibition of international pace running with Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe Harriers) taking the win in 13.49 ahead of Zakariya Mahamed (Southampton) 13.37 with Devon’s Will Battersill (Erme Valley Harriers) third in 14.05.
Top ladies were Ciara Mageean 15.24 Ellie Wallace 15.50 and Phillipa Bowden 16.03
There was also an appearance from Westbury legend Simon Mugglestone (V55) who turned in a very respectable 18.11 as he raced for Bideford AC.
Race report by Mike Mewse.
Midland Counties AA 12 Stage Relays at Sutton Park, 1st April. Report by Mike Mewse
Congratulations to our Senior Men’s team for an impressive performance in the Midland Counties 12 stage relays. A brilliant day out with some terrific performances and a great team spirit. Our team was a combination of youth and experience for the four long stages of 8.5K and eight stages of 5.1K.
Well done to Chris Palmer who put the team together and a Big Thank You to everyone for getting to the venue – especially Ewan who had a tough journey up from London.
Plenty of highlights from the day but a brilliant team effort to get 30th place and 26th A Team – just one place away from qualifying for the National Finals. The top three teams were in outstanding form with international runners blasting out great times on a tough, hilly course.
Birchfield Harriers were the well deserved winners.
Full race report to come in but here are the Westbury results.
Westbury Harriers 4:40:55 30th Place – 26th A Team
Stage – Name – race team position – time
- Daniel Ewing (44th position) Long Leg 31:39
- Sean Lee (41) 32:48
- Chris Palmer (37) 31:28
- Scott Campbell (39) 33:27
- Alexander Wilson (37) 18:09
- Seamus Robinson (30) 16:19
- Jack Derrick (29) 17:54
- Elliott Chard (29) 18:04
- Ben Wood (29) 18:41
- Alastair Blackwood (30) 20:30
- Ewan Paton (30) 19:11 12
- Geraint Torrington (30) 22:45
Club Championship 2023/24
Here are the races for the first three months of this year’s Club Championship.
- Sun 16th April Frenchay 10k
- Sun 23rd April Horton Bull
- Sun 14th May Bristol Half
- Fri 19th May GWR Towpath mobmatch
- Tue 13th June Clevedon Midsummer 10k
- Tue 27th June Sri Chimnoy 2 mile
Strava Segment of the Week
Well done to Clive Attwood on his 14k loop around Portishead today. It couldn’t have been that much of a crawl Clive because you achieved a personal record on Strava segment Cliff path in a time of 22:23.
Diary Dates
Sunday 16th April Frenchay 10k, (club championship) it’s hilly!
Monday 17th April Seniors back to Blaise estate for training
Sunday 23rd April Horton Bull Run (Club Championship)
Thursday 27th April Weston Prom
Saturday 29th April Butcombe Trail Ultramarathon 50 or 56 miler
Tuesday 9th May Race 1 Rose Inn Series, Chepstow Harriers
Sunday 14th May AJ Bell Great Bristol Run 10k and HM (Club Championship)
Friday 19th May GWR Towpath Race 1 (incl. Mob Match) (Club Championship)
Saturday 20th May Club Awards Evening at Shirehampton Golf Club
Monday 22nd May 10k Hogweed Trot and Avon County Championships
Thursday 25th May Weston Prom
Monday 5th June Blaise Blazer Trail Race
Saturday 10th June Man V Horse
Tuesday 13th June Race 2 Rose Inn Series, Chepstow Harriers
Tuesday 13th June Clevedon Mid summer 10k (Club Championship)
Tuesday 13th June Clevedon AC Midsummer 10k
Friday 16th June GWR Towpath Race 2
Tuesday 27th June Sri Chimnoy 2 mile (Club Championship)
Thursday 29th June 19:30 Thornbury 10k Road Race, Thornbury Running Club
Thursday 6th July Tintern Trot Trail Race, Chepstow Harriers
Saturday 8th to Sunday 9th July Brecon Fans Race Weekend. Horseshoe 10 miler and Pen y Fan
Tuesday 11th July Race 3 Rose Inn Series, Chepstow Harriers
Friday 14th July GWR Towpath Race 3
Saturday 29th July Magor 10k Road Race massive PB potential on a mega flat route
Tuesday 8th August Race 4 Rose Inn Series, Chepstow Harriers
Friday 18th August GWR towpath race 4
Saturday 19th August Race the Train, trail event and you chase the choo choo
Sunday 27th August Severn Bridge Half Marathon and 10k
Friday 29th September – Sunday 1st October. Trail running weekend, Peak District.
Saturday 30 September – Sunday 1st October World Athletics Road Running Champs Riga 1 mile, 5km and half marathon
Sunday 17th September Copenhagen Half Marathon (part of the Super Half Series)
Sunday 17th September Oldbury 10 miler Thornbury Running Club
Sunday 24th September Forest of Dean Autumn Half Marathon
Sunday 1st October Cardiff Half Marathon (part of the Super Half Series)
Editor this Week
Ian Gawinowski is Westbury Harriers Communications Officer and can be contacted via communication@westburyharriers.co.uk