Blaise Gwent League Volunteers Needed! On Saturday 7th December we have our home event at Blaise. To make this event a success we need lots of volunteers, either club members, friends, or family, they can all help. You may be able to help all day, or perhaps for just an hour. Any volunteering time will be greatly appreciated by the club.
I can now provide you with some specifics. The first job will involve marking the course, from 8am at the club house. Don’t worry if you don’t know the route, there will be somebody on hand to advise where to place tape and markers.
Volunteers to assist with car parking will also be needed. They will be needed from approximately 9:45 at a couple of different locations.
We then have marshals. They will be needed throughout the day but the plan is to split this into two shifts, the first from around 10:45, the second shift from 13:45. Again, you will be instructed where to stand and what to do and if numbers are available we will try and put you in pairs so you don’t get lonely!
The final job will involve clearing the course away. The last runner will probably finish around 15:30 so this is when you will be needed to help with removing markers, tape and clearing away any rubbish.
For officials and volunteers there will be refreshments available. Plus you also get club championship points for helping out.
The first race is the U11 girls at 11:30 with youngsters running until 12:40. Then the senior women at 13:00 followed by the younger men and women and finally the senior men at 14:30.
Robyn Ellis has posted an announcement on facebook and if you could could contact her and let her know when you would be available and your volunteering preference that would be appreciated. She can be contacted either using the Facebook posting or via e-mail to robyn.golding@gmail.com
Blaise Gwent Parking Parking can be an issue so if you can walk, cycle or get dropped off at Blaise that would help those who are driving from further afield. If you do need to drive the club have arranged parking for Westbury Harriers ONLY at the Avon Riding Centre (BS10 7QT) car park, just off Kings Weston Road. Please do park sensibly, we would like to develop a good relationship with this organisation as we hope to use them again in the future.
Members of the Month. The adult winner this month is Mike Clark. He was nominated because of his determination and commitment in making the Couch to 5k course a success. In fact many of the runners from the programme have gone on to become regulars who train and race for the club. Well done.
The junior winner is Finn Goodhew. Finn trains regularly with the club and is getting quicker and quicker every week. He also enjoys competing, some of his highlights include 5th in the Bristol Schools XC plus some very fast parkruns. He also enjoys collecting Strava Crowns, just keep you hands off mine!
Expense Claims. Judy has reminded me that if you have any valid expenses then please make a claim within the next couple of weeks. A link is provided below that will take you to the claims form. Please submit this to treasurer@westburyharriers.co.uk and the link Expenses
London Marathon Ballot. The draw for the London marathon club places will take place on Monday 9th Dec and we have 3 club places, one of which was kindly donated by Yate. The draw we be for club members who have been rejected from the ballot for the 2020 marathon and priority in the draw will go to those members who have been unsuccessful in the 2 previous club draws.
The eligibility and rules for the draw are as follows:
– only fully paid-up members of Westbury Harriers and Yate AC are eligible.
– priority will go members who didn’t get a club place in the last two years (2018 & 2019 London Marathon) and can prove that they applied again unsuccessfully this year.
– priority will then go members who didn’t get a club place last year (2019 London Marathon) and can prove that they applied again unsuccessfully this year.
– otherwise, priority goes to members who didn’t get a place this year.
Can those who wish to be considered please send their 2020 ballot rejections to secretary@westburyharriers.co.uk or see Mike Hopkins at training on Monday or Thursday night.
The committee reserves the right to review the eligibility and rules for future London Marathon club places.
English National Cross Country Championship. The club will arrange a coach for runners and families heading to Nottingham for the Nationals on 22nd February. A small contribution will be required.
Membership Data. We will shortly be migrating club membership data across to a new system. This new system will be more user friendly and be an improvement for both members and the club administrators. For the data transfer to be a success can I please ask you go into the website and check the details in the User Profile area. If they are incorrect please update them this week. http://westburyharriers.co.uk/wp-login.php
Club Supper. The next club supper night is Monday 16th December (after the Brailsford Lights run) and this time we have a veggie or meat curry, plus the pub have promised it will be hot (by which I mean in temperature, not on the Scoville scale!) £6 to be payable to Louise, and by the 11th December.
Festive Run. A few of you have been asking about the Christmas social run on Saturday 14th December. This run starts from the Water Tower on the Downs at 11:00am. It’s a very relaxed, easy run with a few pub stop. Not obligatory to dress up in festive garb, but it is encouraged. Details of the route will be available nearer the time.
Training Dates Reminder The last training session this year will be Thursday 19th December. This will be an efforts session lead by Jayne. We will then commence training again on Monday 6th January
Congratulations.
Well done to everybody running the Tri-counties Avon Cross Country at Bath University. In the past the club have taken away medals at this event. Let’s hope it happens again this year!
Well done to Mike Lewis and his wife who both ran the Dorset Trail 10K. Mike’s better half was 9th female, Mike came somewhat further down the field, exact position TBC. Mike and his wife pictured below:
A slight error in last month’s news as I think I may have reported the results from last years Gloucester 10K, oops! Alison Rogers (who was running it) tells me we had some very impressive results by WH members. Samantha Munday had a fantastic result by going sub 40 for the first time. I’m not envious of her at all! Her dad, Mark Munday, was also running well and this was his first time in a Westbury vest. The event included the SW 10k road championships so the standard was very high, with a winning time of 29:20. It sounds a good course to run being pancake flat through country roads.
Interesting Running Fact of the Week. Running works out 26 bones, 33 joints, 112 ligaments and a whole network of tendons, nerves and blood vessels. Source: Sworkit website
Diary Dates
Sunday 8th December Weston Christmas Cracker. RACE FULL
Saturday 14th December. Social Christmas Run. 11:00am. The Water Tower, Downs. Route details to be published nearer the time.
Monday 16th December. Brailsford Christmas Lights run
Monday 16th December. Pub supper in the Black Swan (aka Mucky Duck). On the menu we have curry (veggie and meat options). All for the bargain price of £6. Louise will be asking for confirmation and payment before hand.
Sunday 5th January 2020 South West Cross Country Championships, Aldon Hill Yeovil (juniors/seniors)
Saturday 25th January 2020 Midland Cross Country Championships (the club has in the last few years focused on the South West XC, rather than the Midlands)
Saturday 22nd February English National Cross Country Championships, Nottingham (juniors/seniors)
Saturday 21st March 2020 Midland 6/12 Stage Road Relays– Sutton Park
Saturday 4th April 20202 National 6/12 Stage, Sutton Park
Saturday 16th May 2020- Masters Road Relays, Sutton Park (Over 35’s)
Club Championship Events
Saturday 7th December. Gwent League Event: Blaise Castle, Bristol. As a club we host this event and it’s on familiar territory so you have no excuse for not attending.
Thursday 19th December. Western Prom. A 5 mile race, up and down the promenade front. Affiliated only £6. A post race Christmas meal is organised as well, check above for details. Weston Prom Link
Thursday 26th December Clevedon Boxing Day Race. I can tell you it’s a 4 mile race and a good excuse to burn off those excess calories from Christmas day lunch. Last year the first three Westbury finishers were Joe Conners, Ben Rawlins and Robin Phillips.http://www.clevedonac.co.uk/races
Sunday 29th December The Wye Wander, starting from Chepstow Leisure Centre. Wye Wander Link (replaces Hangover 10k)
Sunday 12th January 2020. The Riverbank Rollick, by Thornbury Running Club. The course offers different terrains, different places, different views… and is probably different to anything you’ve tried before. Challenging too, but very rewarding. Just under 10 miles in length. Riverbank Rollick Link RACE FULL – check for waiting list
Saturday 8th February 2020. Gwent League Event: Chepstow Race Course
Sunday 23rd February. River Avon Trail 10k A stunning off-road, multi terrain course which will incorporate thrilling trails, open countryside and woodlands. River Avon 10k Link
Sunday 1st March 2020 Gwent League Event: Singleton Park, Swansea
Sunday 15th March San Domenico 20 miler. https://my1.raceresult.com/139085/registration?lang=en
