Sunday 4rd October
Westbury Harriers – Weekly News
Editor’s Piece
For some of our members running the London Marathon will be just that little bit different this year. Due to the impact of Covid-19 it was unrealistic to expect over 40,000 runners to run along the London streets together. The elite runners will be in London, but even they cannot race the historic route, running circuits of St James’s Park instead.
Those in the club taking part in the event will be logging their miles using the App with some very interesting and diverse route options. Some will be running laps of the Downs, others will be including the Portway, or running time trails. I’ve even heard a few are going for trail versions.
If you wish to support our runners then take a look at facebook. In various postings you will find out who’s running where and their race number. You can even follow them ‘virtually’ using the App from the comfort of your own home.
Good luck to everybody running the 26 miles. Do let me know how you got on and I’ll be sure to include it in next week’s news.
Member of the Month
The committee are always keen to have junior and senior nominations for member of the month. It does not have to be just for winning races of achieving personal bests. Perhaps you know somebody who has come back from a difficult injury or got back into regular running. Whatever the achievement , do let us know by e-mailing member.of.the.month@westburyharriers.co.uk.
Anyway, getting back to this month’s winners and I’ll start with the juniors. A massive handclap please for Estelle Lowe who’s been running extremely well. At a recent even at Yeovil she achieved a PB on the track.
We have two senior winners this month, jointly to husband and wife team Sandra and Jullian Bailey-Gard. This is a well deserved award for these two long serving members who contribute to all aspects of club life. In particular the award acknowledges the hours of unpaid work on the Pavilion refurbishment – clearing, cleaning, painting, making teas, etc.
Picture from the Past
Photographed below we have the Dunford Dairies Business House Race, circa 1990’s. A 5k event which took place in the grounds of Fry’s. Below we have Bill Valentine ahead of legend, George Blackburn, just as they approach the finishing line. Thanks to John Canning’s archive.
Treasure Hunt
It’s with great sadness that I have to report this will be the last weekly Treasure Hunt. With the introduction of formal training and club runs, plus winter weather /dark evenings it’s been decided to have a break from a weekly treasure hunt.
Do not fear though, it will back back, like an old sit-com with seasonal specials! You therefore have plenty of time to start thinking about some festive treasure hunting, perhaps even do it in fancy dress! We will expect to see a few selfies!
Many thanks to Sarah who’s been very creative in her ‘somethings’ and keeping us all motivated with her comments. This week’s, and final weekly treasure hunt items, will be on facebook later (if Sarah survives her marathon!)
Treatment Collective
Stef Louvain Pasco is offering a discounted recovery sports massage (which may be needed after those marathons today) to members of the club. A 60 minute treatment for only £35. If interested visit her site or message her to make a booking
Thursday Club Intervals
Unfortunately those long summer evenings are over so please do wear something brightly coloured or reflective so you can be seen. If you have a running light then even better.
This Thursday the session will involve a 2 x 4, 3, 2, 1 – with recovery of 90secs after the 4min, 1 min after the 3 & 2, then 2mins between sets.
Runtogther
The club is embracing new technology meaning many of the formal training sessions and club runs will now require your to register and book using the runtogther app or website. The link to the website is below but for the App search ‘Runtogether Runner’. Do not download the Group Leader version as this is for coaches and run leaders.
Monday night club runs for adults will no longer be setting off from outside the Coombe Dingle cricket pavilion. Instead we are offering small group runs of limited numbers from different locations, times and days. These vary on leader/coach availability so please check out our current run listings.
Thursday evening intervals take place at 6:45 at Coombe Dingle Sports Complex. You will run in ‘pods’ to ensure social distancing and the session will include a warm up, drills, the session itself, then warm down and stretches. These too can be booked using runtogether and cost a pound which can be paid online during the booking.
There will still be informal social runs and these will continue to be advertised on facebook. Although informal in nature the structure of these runs will follow the latest government Covid-19 guidelines. https://runtogether.co.uk
Congratulations
Nightingale Valley Time Trail
Well done to both Vicky Tester and Chris Palmer who competed this Saturday in the Nightingale Valley Time Trail. Chris and Vicky both went storming up the valley, which must have been quite treacherous with wet and slippy conditions under foot. Vicky finished the climb in 5 minutes and 2 seconds and Chris in 4 minutes 11 seconds.
Dawlish Sprint Triathlon
Well done to Ben Rawlins and David George who both competed in the Dawlish Sprint Triathlon. Ben (pictured) came home in 2nd place overall. George also had a fantastic race coming third overall. Well done.
Yeovil Track
Pat Gallagher reports the following. ‘Westbury girls did really well at Yeovil today, the weather was warm and the event was well organised. Elen Ruck smashed her personal best by 8secs to run 5.10.54. Laura Chance was next, she ran a brilliant 800m to bring her personal best down 2.19. Next up was Felicity Lowe, she also ran a personal best for the 800m in 2.44. Next was sister Estelle who gave all the older girls in her race a fright, only being overtaken in the 100m to run a PB of 2.31.
A good day for Westbury.’
Strava Results of the Week…
Well done to Valeries Hughes for her run in the rain this Saturday. She achieved a Personal Record on Strava segment ‘Past the Park’ (Canford Park) in a time of 1:44. The Crowns are held by Westbury runners, Oli Beale in 58 seconds and Katie Hughes in 1:18
Diary Dates
Friday 9th October 3k Track Race with Bristol and West AC 18:15 £3
https://groups.runtogether.co.uk/SpeedwellRunners/Runs/Summary/5e990064-1204-4e48-88b9-faf23266ad3a
Saturday 24th October 5k Track Race with Bristol and West AC
Editor this Week
Ian Gawinowski is Westbury Harriers Communications Officer and can be contacted via communciation@westburyharriers.co.uk
