Westbury Harriers Weekly News
Apologies for the lack of newsletter last weekend, but hope that this edition finds everyone surviving the heat! It’s been a bit toasty since the last newsletter!
Lots of race reports below but do check out the WH Facebook page for more great photos from each race!
RACE REPORTS
Towpath Series Race 2 20th June
It was a very warm conditions for the 2nd race in the series last night, but some great category results from the club runners. Kate Hoffen (1st VW50), Ian Gawinowski (2nd VM40), Heidi Andrews (2nd VW50) and Helen Sawyer (3rd VW50).
And well done to everyone who ran!
Brean Banger
by Becky Lee
Yesterday evening I took a trip down to sunny Brean Down for the inaugural Brean Banger multiterrain 10k, organised by Burnham-On-Sea Harriers. It was a beautiful evening, with enough breeze to make the hot weather manageable, and a really stunning route.
We started on the beach and headed South away from Brean Down for a mile on the sand, which was fairly firm, so didn’t take as much out of the legs as I feared. We then headed back towards Brean Down along a grassy path beside the really pretty River Axe. The views across the river and out to Uphill were really spectacular in the evening sun. A big climb up a shady, narrow, single-file, rocky path followed, heading up to the Down which we then ran a loop of. The path was undulating and gravelly with lovely sea views. The course is slightly longer than 10k, with a steep downhill tarmac section down to a flat 100m gravelly sprint finish.
The race was well organised, with great communication, and plenty of parking (pay to park unless a Nation Trust member). The café stayed open late for runners.
We were rewarded at the finish with a bottle of local cider each, and a great bespoke medal. The event is one of the North Somerset Series (to include Burnham Half, and Brent knoll-both club champ races last year, I enjoyed both), and the three medals are designed so they will slot together. I plan to complete the series.
I came in 3rd lady, and Kate Hoffen, picked up the trophy for 1st V55. I have Kate’s trophy. Perhaps a future Westbury club champ race?, Kate and I both recommended it. Thanks to Mike Clarke for photos.
Clevedon 10K
Really lovely evening in the tranquil surroundings of south Clevedon. Good class racing up front with Jamie Williamson of Bristol & West winning in a quick 31.23 ahead of our own Ben Rawlins in 32.27 with Tom Dunford (B&W 32.38) in 3rd. Judy Knights picked up another FV60 prize with a fine 47.48 and the run of the evening was probably Westbury’s great new Scottish / Welsh star Shetland Jones in 51.57 !! There were good runs from the other Westbury runners with a 33.48 PB for Matt Cant and Ben Wood in 37.34.
CLUB NEWS AND UPDATES
ACADEMY NEWS
Please ensure your child arrives at training next week well-hydrated and brings a water bottle.
Training Schedule for the Remainder of Term:
Monday 23rd June: Coombe Dingle / Blaise groups
Monday 30th June: Coombe Dingle / Blaise groups
Monday 7th July: Westbury Wipeout – no training
Monday 14th July: End-of-term Sports Day – all groups Y3-6 welcome at Coombe Dingle, 6pm.
Play Park Etiquette – Blaise group
If your child trains at Blaise, we kindly ask that they do not play in the park once signed in. Similarly, children must wait until a parent signs them out before heading to the park after training. With 20+ children, we’re unable to supervise them outside of the session. Please help us by explaining this to your child in advance. Thank you!
Y6 Junior Girls training
Jason will be running Monday sessions throughout the summer . Y6 girls transitioning to Junior Girls in September are welcome to attend – invites will go out on Spond.
Upcoming Races:
Sri Chinmoy Race – 24th June
A 1-mile loop in Eastville Park – a fun evening and a great opportunity for parents and family to join in too!
Sri Chinmoy Ice Cream Relay – 8th July
3×1 mile relay format – everyone gets an ice cream! 🍦
NO TRAINING ON MONDAY 7th JULY
Advance warning that there will be no training sessions for any Academy, Junior or Seniors on Monday 7th July 2025 as the Westbury Wipeout will be taking place. The event needs volunteers and all help is welcome. See Alastair’s message above.
CLUB CHAMPS RACES
The races for July and August have been selected. They are:
Hazelberry Hurrah, Friday 11th July, 19:15. https://corshamrunningclub.co.uk/hazelbury-hurrah/
The Towpath 10k. Friday 25th July, 19:30. https://www.greatwesternrunners.org.uk/towpath-series/
Crook Peak Cake Race, Wednesday 13th August, 19:00. https://www.fellrunner.org.uk/races/5856fd20-4006-49fa-89a2-ee243f26d2d5
Severn Bridge 10k, Tuesday 19th August, 19:30. https://sites.google.com/site/roguerunsevents/home/our-events/sb-10k-half
We hope you enjoy the selection,
The Club Championship Committee
CLUB VESTS
We are currently out of stock of some vest sizes on the membermojo store. An order is in and will take 4-6 weeks to arrive.
TRAINING THIS WEEK
MONDAY – Tempo Runs
Blaise Castle at 6.30pm. These are perfect sessions for a Tempo pace run. Equally there are plenty of groups available if you want a recovery or social run. Book via RunTogether.
TUESDAY – Track Session
Track session at Yate 7pm – Seniors book on via RunTogether.
WEDNESDAY – Hill Session
Adults, all abilities. Meet every Wednesday at 12pm. Coffee at the Downs Café at 1pm for anyone that wants to come along.
THURSDAY – Interval Session
Coombe dingle sports complex, on grass.
5 x 2 mins (1 min recovery)
5 x 1 min (1 min recovery)
5 x 30 secs (30 secs recovery)
Option to do 4 of each
Note 1: You can sign up to all sessions via the RunTogether App.
Note 2: There is no longer a separate booking for Group 1 on a Thursday. There is still the same focus as originally outlined, but as the weather and field are in good conditions over the summer, Group 1 can be accommodated into the existing session.
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/
Club Championship info and rules on this link: https://westburyharriers.co.uk/events/club-championship/
- Friday 27th June: Nailsea Beer n Banger (Club Champs): (NOW WITH CHIPS!) https://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/3tM
- Thursday 3rd July – Tintern Trot: https://sites.google.com/site/chepstowharriersrunningclub/open-races/tintern-trot
- Saturday 5th July – Cotswold Way Relay: – Eithne has been in touch with those involved/on the waiting list.
- Saturday 5th July – first running of the Fan y Big y Pen y Fan y Big race https://www.breconfans.org.uk/fan-y-big-y-pen-y-fan-y-big-race 18miles and 6000+ft of ascent. They are keen to get good entry numbers as it’s a new race. A few WH have already entered.
- Friday 11th July – Hazelberry Hurrah (Club Champs): https://corshamrunningclub.co.uk/hazelbury-hurrah/
- Saturday 19th July – Brecon Beacons Fell Race: https://sites.google.com/site/welshfellrace/individual-races/brecon-beacons
- Friday 25th July – The Towpath 10k (Club Champ): https://www.greatwesternrunners.org.uk/towpath-series
- Sunday 27th July – Magor 10k: https://sites.google.com/site/chepstowharriersrunningclub/open-races/magor-10k
- Wednesday 14th August – Crooks Peak Cake Race (Club Champs): https://www.fellrunner.org.uk/races/5856fd20-4006-49fa-89a2-ee243f26d2d5
- Saturday 16th August – Limitless Trails Beast of Llangattock: https://www.limitlesstrails.co.uk/beast-of-llangattock
- Tuesday 19th August – Severn Bridge 10k (Club Champs): https://sites.google.com/site/roguerunsevents/home/our-events/sb-10k-half
- Saturday 23rd August – Torbay Twilight 10k: https://torbaytwilight10k.godaddysites.com Use the discount code Westbury3 for a £3 discount on the entry fee
- Saturday 23rd August – The Green Man / The Green Boy: https://www.greenmanultra.co.uk/the-summer-green-man-ultra/
- Saturday 30th August – Mendip Marauder: https://www.albionrunning.org/mendip-marauder
- Sunday 31st August – Wyedean Ultra https://sites.google.com/site/roguerunsevents/home/our-events/wyedean-ultra
If there are any races or interesting events that you think should be added, please email: communication@westburyharriers.co.uk
Editor: Sophie Voller
