Apologies for the slight delay in posting this!
100 Years and Still Running!
On the 8th February 1924 saw a group of people running away from the White Lion pub in Westbury – on – Trym. One hundred years later, on the 8th February 2024 a (larger) group of people will be running to the same pub!
To celebrate the Centenary of Westbury Harriers’ founding and to launch a programme of events to commemorate this milestone, a Club Supper will take place. Same date, same venue… one incredible club.
The Next 100 years
As we move into the Club’s second century, there will be a variety of other events for all involved in the club, past, present and future.
London Marathon Draw
Each year, we could be offered Club entries (still paid by the athlete) within the London Marathon. These get raffled out in a draw. With nearly twenty entries, our Club Secretary to a drumroll from the masses (or just to keep warm this cold evening), C.Pemble & P.Troughton were the luck recipients of much sought after places and they will no doubt be finalising those training plans and preparing for the big day. Good luck guys and do keep us updated as to how your training goes.
While we cannot guarantee that the Club will allocated places for members in 2025, to be eligible for the ballot for a space – if one is given – you need to have been rejected from the main ballot (we will need to see proof of rejection) and to have been a club member at the time that you entered the main ballot. If that is you, keep your eyes peeled towards the end of the year!
Wydean Winter Warriors
There
was a great turnout from club members for the Wyedean Night Trail Race which was part of the Club Championships. Our intrepid reporter, Tamsin, described
the race as a well organised event where you basically do what felt like a cross country race in the dark. Equipped with a headtorch, some reflective face paint
and plenty of likeminded runners you set off into the dark forest to test your skills on a variety of terrains, try not to fall over or get lost (in fairness
very well signposted), navigate a freezing pond (more like river crossing), get up some steps, climb a few gates and head back for well earned hot drinks and cakes.
Some were night running enthusiasts, others questioning their sanity and asking why on earth they had entered this race! Great fun was
had by all, everyone made it back smiling (or was that grimacing for the hill finish).
Westbury teams did fantastically with wins for the Men’s A team (Alec, Ian & Jeff) and for the Ladies A (Hannah, Olivia & Tamsin). However, there was more success with 3rd Ladies team (Sophie, Kate & Maggie), 5th (Heidi, Alison, Ali), 9th (Helen, Heather & Carolyn), 4th Men’s team (Alastair, Trevor & Harro) & 10th (Richard, Andrew & Tim).
Rogue Runners wanted to thank the club for including it in their Club Championships.
Congratulations are due to everyone who ran (you’re definitely braver than this week’s editor) but in particular to prize winners Hannah who won the ladies race, Olivia- 3rd Lady, Maggie – 1st V60 & Alec – 1st V40.
Whilst on the subject of trails, S.Srivastava completed yet another epic event over the past weekend, running the Endurance Life North Cornwall, with over 2500ft of elevation. Ouch!
Trail Tuesdays
The more intrepid amongst you may already have joined our new nightime trail running session – if not, why not join. Led by experienced trail and ultra runner, Hannah Large, the group will meet at 6pm at the Clubhouse at Blaise Castle.
The run will be around an hour, covering around 5 miles with a shorter option available depending upon numbers. No booking is needed – just turn up with
trail shoes on and wearing a headtorch / light.
Strava Champion
100km in just 10 days is a feat, especially when you have a month in which to complete the challenge. L.McNair wasn’t afraid of the challenge of 100km in January and struck the centenary distance in just ten days! Congratulations Lucie, my legs hurt just thinking about it!
National Cross Country Championships 2024
The “Nationals” is one of the most important events in the English athletic calendar. If you like a bit of mud, rough and tumble, while competing against some of the best of the best in England; then the National Cross Country may be for you. This year’s event takes place at Weston Park, near Telford on the 24th February.
Suitable for those in Groups 1, 2 & 3; this is the epitome of the athletic calendar. Entries have to be in before 28th January 2024.
Please be in contact with M.Mewse (Men), T.Chick (Women), J.Pemble (Junior Girls) & N.Miller (Junior Boys) if you are keen to compete. It would be amazing to see full teams out from all sections of the Club!
Opportunities to get involved!
Do you love running? Do you like following results? Why not contribute to the Club’s newsletter?
The newsletter is an important and invaluable communication method for the club and it needs your help! If you would be interested in steering the newsletter or contributing to its content as we move forwards, please get in touch with Geraint.
New Events
New events seem to be popping up all over the place. The latest new event is the North Bristol Half Marathon & 10km. Taking place on the 7th April 2024, the half marathon starts at 09:00, with the 10m starting at 09:30.,
To take part in the inaugural event, the link is below:
Diary Dates
Sunday 28th January Chepstow Race Course 10K (Club Championship). https://tinyurl.com/yc6se84z
Sunday 4th February The Doynton Hard Half Marathon, trail race.
Saturday 10th February 2024 Gwent Cross Country League Margam Park
Sunday 18th February Dursley Dozen Trail Race (Club Championship). https://tinyurl.com/2p8sn7eu
Sunday 25th February 2024 Bath Two Tunnels Railway Race
Saturday 2nd March 5th Gwent League Pont-y-pŵl (Club Championship)
Sunday 3rd March Newport Half Marathon fullonsport
Saturday 16th March 2024 – Masters Open Cross Country Championships. Corwen, Wales. (Men/Women masters V35, V45, V55, V65 plus)
Saturday 27th April Butcombe Trail Ultra Marathon 50 or 56 mile options
Editors this week
Lizzy Smith & Mike Hopkins are this week’s editors and there is a rota in place for the next four weeks whilst we wait for other volunteers to come forwards.
