Saturday 14th October
Westbury Harriers – Weekly News
Editors Piece
Well done to everyone who was racing at Pembrey today for the first Gwent League cross country of the season. I hope you had a good race and enjoyed the experience. Tomorrow is also a big day for a few Westbury club members as it’s the Bath Half Marathon. Again, the weather forecast is looking good so do enjoy your sunny 13 miles.
Tuesday Running Session at Yate Track and Thursday Intervals
Tuesday session at Yate Track will be published on facebook.
On Thursday we will be on the field at Coombe Dingle for the interval session. Details of the efforts will be published on facebook nearer the time.
Blast from the Past
Another ‘Blast from the Past’ from our very own Peter Keogan. We’re going back in time to 1934 and the Bristol Police Sports Sprint Relay of June 30th.
The four young women shown in the photograph below had just won the Bristol Police Sports Sprint Relay title. A big thank you to John Hardwick, the son of Stephanie Barker (third from the left), who yesterday sent Peter what amounts to an e-scrap book of this mother’s athletic career and just about doubles the club’s knowledge of Westbury Harriers in the 1930’s. The other three ladies are “Molly” Malone, Joyce Greenwood and Frances Bush.
Wildstrubel UTBM
I have a rather delayed race report from Olivia Zeltner, but better late then never. Olivia took part in a fantastic but quite challenging Ultra, with an awful lot of altitude. In Olivia’s own words.
‘I am a few weeks late with this one as life has gotten in the way but am proud to report that I successfully completed one of my goal races for 2023, the Wildstrubel by UTMB’s 70k in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. With over 14,500ft of vertical elevation gain, and over 43 miles long, it was certainly a tough choice for my first proper ultra!
I would have liked to finish a bit further up the field on the day, but found the long climbs and long descents that are distinctive to the Alps quite tough. This, paired with the elevation, meant that I made the decision to take my foot off the gas and just get round.
And get round I did! It was an incredible experience, and though I said I would never do anything like this again during the 5500ft climb up to Wildstrubelhütte, I am now planning the next adventure!’
Gwent League Cross Country at Pembrey Park
Well done to everyone that took part in the Gwent League today at Pembrey Country Park. A full race report will come out later but here are a few pictures from the women’s senior race.
The senior women enjoying the sunny and dry conditions at Pembrey.
Blaise Park Run – Saturday 28th October
Once again we will be opening up the club house for the Blaise Parkrun. If available do please turn up in your club kit.
Move up Monday – Monday 6th November
If you fancy moving up a group on a Monday then the 6th November will be the day to do it! The idea being that there should be a few others also trying a different group on this day so you will not be alone.
Ben Wood Running York Marathon
Good luck to Ben Wood who’s running the York Marathon. Ben is also raising money for the York cancer ward as one of his dad’s best pals was treated there. If you would like to donate and be in the chance of winning some 9.5 carbon plated Nike zoom fly 4 running shoes please use the link below. https://tinyurl.com/mr2uz9wt
British Master Cross Country Relays – Saturday 28th October
Last call for runners who wish to take part in the XC relays at West Park Leisure Centre, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 4AA as entries close on 18th Oct
Each leg is 3k on flat parkland.
Male categories and stages:MV35 and MV45 teams of 5, MV55 team of 4, MV65 and MV75 teams of 3
Female categories and stages; FV35, FV45, FV55 and FV65 teams of 3.
If you would like to take part please get in touch either here or manager.vet.women@westburyharriers.co.uk. For more information see the British Masters website: https://tinyurl.com/ybvaymex
Thames Path Run – 28th/29th October
A group plan to run along part of the Thames path from Oxford to Goring. This will be a slow easy social run on both days of approx 15 miles each day. They plan to book rooms for the Saturday night at approximately the half way point. All about enjoying the Oxford countryside and having a few laughs. Post to the facebook posting (dated 13th October) if you fancy joining them or have questions. The ultimate goal is to run the length of the Thames by doing this one weekend per month. Options also to run just a single day.Thames Path.
Club Supper – Thursday 2nd November at 8:15
Next club supper will be Thursday 2 November at 8:15pm at the Black Swan. £9.50 per person. Please confirm using facebook post dated 18th September and pay to secure your place.
Club Championship Results
Below are the latest Club Championship standings. I hope you all have your costumes ready for Nightingale Nightmare which takes place on 29 October.
Strava Segment of the Week
Well done to George Griffiths who achieved a PR of 34 seconds on the strava segment called, ‘segment’, (no, not a type error, that’s what it’s called), while competing in today’s Gwent League.
Diary Dates
Sunday 22nd October Keynsham Dandy Trail race
Saturday 28th October Master Cross Country Relay– Long Eaton.
Sunday 29th October Nightingale Nightmare and Club Championship
Thursday 2nd November Severn Bridge Night Race (Fabian4 website)
Saturday 4th November Sugar Loaf Winter Fell Race (Fabian4 website)
Thursday 9th November Weston Prom and Club Championship.
Saturday 11th November Cardiff Cross and Gwent League Cross Country
Sunday 12th November MoRun 10k at Ashton Court.
Thursday 16th November Severn Bridge Night Race (Fabian4 website)
Sunday 19th November British Masters Road Relays, Mallory Park, Kirby
Sunday 26th November The AVR Wiltshire Half Marathon (Road) on Race Nation
Saturday 2nd December Blaise Castle Gwent League Cross Country.
Friday 8th December Mallards Park Night Race, Fabian4 for details
Saturday 9th December Tri Counties Cross Country Championships. Further info TBC
Sunday 10th December Christmas Cracker and Club Championship
Sunday 7th January 2024 South West Cross Country Championships -at RNAS Merryfield, near Taunton,
Friday 11th January Wye Valley and Piercefield Park Night Race, Fabian 4
Sunday 4th February The Doynton Hard Half Marathon, trail race.
Saturday 10th February 2024 Gwent Cross Country League Margam Country Park
Saturday 2nd or 3rd March 2024 – 5th Gwent League date and venue not finalised (possibly Saturday at Pontypool again).
Saturday 16th March 2024 – Masters Open Cross Country Championships. Corwen, Wales. (Men/Women masters V35, V45, V55, V65 plus)
Editor this Week
Ian Gawinowski is Westbury Harriers Communications Officer and can be contacted via communication@westburyharriers.co.uk
