Weekly News- Saturday 22nd October

Saturday 2nd October

Westbury Harriers – Weekly News

Editors Piece

Good luck to Anne and Ken who are running the Beachy Head Marathon today.  It will be the 4th time Anne has run it and the 5th for Ken so at least they know what to expect. Have a great day and do let us all know how you got on.

Technique can make a massive difference to a runners performance. This is especially true in cross country where being able to negotiate the terrain in an efficient manner is key to achieving a top placing. Some runners are just naturally talented in this respect, and Westbury are very lucky to have Sandra, frequently described as ‘The Eagle’ for her ability float over the terrain. 

If there was an award for the runner who most enjoyed the experience of running last weekend’s Gwent League then Sandra would easily take first place.  Well done Sandra, and I hope to see you at Blaise. 

Just some of the log leaping techniques demonstrated at Cardiff are shown below. 

Thursday Intervals 
  • 1 x 4mins (45secs recovery) 1 x 4mins (90secs recovery) 
  • 1 x 3mins (45 secs recovery), 1 x 3mins (90secs recovery)
  • 1 x 2mins (30 secs recovery) 1 x 2mins (1min recovery)
  • 1 x 1min (30secs recovery) 1 x 1min
  • Option to drop 4mins to 3mins, 3mins to 2mins, 2mins to 90secs 

Maintain consistent pace for each interval length (there is only short recovery between each of the 2 intervals that are equal length, aim is to practice pace judgement). Aim to increase pace as the intervals become shorter. 

Amsterdam Marathon

Congratulations to Ewan Paton on a very impressive 2:56:21 at the Amsterdam Marathon, even more special when you consider this was Ewan’s very first marathon. Ewan goes on to say, ‘Super happy, sub-3 was the aim, and made it with room to spare (despite running nearly 500m extra on Garmin). Race strategy of imagining 8 consecutive parkruns paid off. Great race in a beautiful city, highly recommended.’

Bath Half Marathon Sunday 16th October, race report by Mike Mewse

Great weather for the Bath Half Marathon and super running at the front of the race. Oli Beale (1.13.16) and Matt Ellis (1.13.23) had top class runs for 6th and 7th in the V40 category. Many congratulations to Lucy Richens (pictured below) who had a super race for a FV40 category win in 1.22.22.

Mark Tooski (V55) with a 1.29.39 was our next Westbury runner just ahead of Tim Clothier (V40) 1.33.39. Judy Knights (1.47.29) made the top ten in the FV55 category and Helen Kershaw was 9th FV65 in 2.10.56. Well done to Alastair Blackwood – one of our Senior Men at the Cardiff Gwent League on Saturday and running 1.34.31 on Sunday. More good running from Paul Turner (V40) 1.43.21, Abigail Oliver (pictured)  (FV40)) 1.44.11, Debbie Hunt FV45) 1.44.38, India Arikan (SL) 1.44.55, Sarah Slade FV40) 1.48.59 and Ka Lun Lee (MV40) in 1.57.07.

The race was won by Kadar Omar of Birchfield Harriers in 1.05.03 with Jonathan Cornish of Hercules Wimbledon in 2nd 1.05.35.

The top South West runner was Tom Merson of Exmouth Harriers, 6th in 1.07.53.

Our runners were cheered on by Westbury legends Maurice Cowman and Chris Buckley with old rival John Kerley (all sub 70 Half Marathon runners).

British Master Cross Country Relays 

The BMAF XC relays will take place at Long Eaton, Nottingham on Saturday 29th October. Still looking for one more V55 lady. If interested please get in touch and I’ll pass on your details to Eithne. https://tinyurl.com/bp7hy453

Cardiff Gwent League Women’s Report by Mike Mewse

Well done to all the Senior Men & U20 Men for a really good turn out and some fine running in Cardiff , in a field of over 500 with international runners at the head of the field. A magnificent run from triathlete Will Massey was the highlight of the day – 49th place in a high quality field. Next in was Ben Rawlins in 81st place with Tom Reed our 3rd finisher on 120th place. Chris Palmer was just behind in 135th place with Dan Summers our 5th scorer in 163rd place with Jack Derrick also making the top 200 in 185th.

Full results will be on the Gwent League website but provisional results include: Ben Wood V40 226, Steve Clayson V45 259, Robin Phillips V45 280, Chris Treble V40 324, Mike Clarke V50 (making a fine debut) 340, Alastair Blackwood SM 346, Paul Stuart V50 376, Trevor Fitsall, V50 415, Mark Andrews V55 421, Geraint Torrington V50 459, Harro Veldman V45 477, Ian Derrick V55 494 and Mark Munday V55 512.

Well done to everyone – including Ben Wood who travelled from London and Tom Reed who came up from Exeter.

In the U20 Men’s race Finn Goodhew and Artie Savage Swaine (battling a cold but still keen to race) had good runs despite being young in the age group. Both have made their debuts for the Senior Men in the Midlands and National 6 stage relays and are on course for a good season.

Mendip Muddle Results

The Mendip Muddle is a 20km multi-terrain race and it’s tough. With over 420m of climbing and some very technical terrain to negotiate not only is it physically hard work but mentally challenging. Just a moment of inattention (which is all too easy when tired) can have serious consequences. 

In previous races the weather has been atrocious, wet, cold, windy and you wouldn’t believe the mud! This year we were all spoilt with gloriously warm and sunny weather and it was dry underfoot. 

Alex Smith was the first Westbury to cross the finishing line in 8th place with Ben Wood not too far behind in 17th (noting he’d run the Gwent the previous day). Ian Gawinowski was 26th, with Steve Emery was hot on his heels. In 49th place was Chris Driscoll, Yvette Casallas (pictured above) 59th (with a 1st place senior category win), Liz Lovelock 75th, Richard Hughes 89th, Carolyn Dent 110th (2nd place category win), Eithne Noonan 115th (3rd place category win) and Kay Ridgwell in 116th (and 4th place category win). Kate Hoffen, after a nasty fall,  still managed to take an age group category win.

Club Championship Standings

The latest Club Championship standings following the Mendip Muddle are shown below, all of which have been independently adjudicated and verified. Prizes will be awarded to the top ten after the end of the championship year and there is still plenty of opportunity to rise in the rankings. 

  1. Ben Wood 192
  2. Richard Hughes 172
  3. Trevor Fitsall 161
  4. Alastair Blackwood 153
  5. Robin Phillips 125
  6. Alex Hamblin 118
  7. Ian Gawinowski 100
  8. Dan Ewing 89
  9. Richard Noble 75
  10. Stuart Bennett 60

And for the women,

  1. Judy Knights 191
  2. Kay Ridgwell 131
  3. Sandra Williams 129
  4. Eithne Noonan 129
  5. Sophie Voller 118
  6. Carolyn Dent 106
  7. Helen Sawyer 99
  8. Kate Hoffen 84
  9. Debbie Hunt 56
  10. Robyn Ellis 54

The next Club Championship event is the Chepstow Racecourse half marathon on 27 November

Cardiff Gwent League Women’s Report by Tamsin Elson Chick

It’s a great event -Well done to our senior ladies’ team at the Cardiff Gwent League on Saturday. I had started to get a bit worried for the first time in many years as to how many we would have out on Saturday as everyone seemed unavailable. But in the end, we had 21 take part, which was a good amount and some quality performances. Everyone packed in really well making sure we have started off well in the team competition and age groups. 

It was exciting having the event live streamed and cameras announcing athletes before we started. The course had been well tended to for this race so was good going underfoot. The log jump provided an opportunity to try different techniques which have been well captured in photos! 

It was a joy to welcome Rosie Hamilton-James into the senior ranks, who came a fantastic 2nd place (19th in the Cardiff Cross Challenge). Bridget Belfourd (SL) 18th, Catherine Treble (V35) 22nd, Katie Hughes (V45) 32nd, Vicky Tester (V35) 39th, Stephanie Cummins (U23) 47th, Tamsin Chick (V35) 57th, Becky Lee (V35) 66th, Sarah Andrews (V45) 98th, Elaine Hughes (V35) 115th, Jayne Pemble (V45) 122nd, Lorna Miller (SL) 129th, Kate Hoffen (V55) 131st, Helen Sawyer (V55) 178th, Sandra Sofaza (V55) 193rd, Sharon Sayle (V45)    267th, Catherine Andrews (U23) 273rd Carolyn Dent (V55) 277th, Marilyn Palmer (V65) 287th, Eithne Noonan    (V65) 281st, Kay Ridgwell (V55) 297th.

Senior team 4th on the day, B Team 9th, C team 28th, D team 60th, E team 79th out of 80 teams on the day. 

  • 1st Division – A team 4th. Reserve Divison – B team 3rd, C team 9th, D team 22nd, E team 35th  
  • Age groups teams: U23 – 4th  V35 – 2nd  
  • V45 – 4th  V55 – 3rd  V65 – joint 1st 

A special mention to Bridget back to her first cross country after having her son earlier in the year and having a fantastic run even after arriving a bit at the last minute. Steph having returned to Bristol from uni, again lovely to have you as part of the senior squad. To Elaine, Lorna, Kate and Carolyn(!) out in their Westbury vests for the first time at a Gwent League.  

A big thanks to those that came and ran who knew they weren’t 100% having recovered from injuries, illnesses or having not just been doing much running lately. What I always love about the Gwent is that people will come and run for the team and it makes such a difference. Look forward to the next one Saturday 12th November at Blaise.

Halloween Night Trail Run, Wednesday 26th Oct 6pm

It’s that time of year again for the Westbury Harriers Halloween night trail run through Leigh Woods.

This is an easy paced run (c.10 min/mile) over 4.5 miles on the Leigh Woods trails, finishing with a lovely climb up Nightingale Valley. Head/or chest torches are mandatory for this run. Halloween attire is encouraged

We meet at the North Road entrance of Leigh Woods, and it looks like car park charges apply (£1 for the hour), so please consider car sharing. Booking via link below. https://tinyurl.com/4tmtx5u3

Club Christmas Meal and Weston Prom

Sandra Bailey-Gard is kindly organising the Christmas meal after the Weston Prom 5 mile race on Thursday 15th Dec. The Weston prom is suitable for all abilities. A fun and relaxed event. A great way to finish for the Christmas break and put that training to use, with a reward at the end! 

Please get money and menu choices to Sandra by 24th Nov. All welcome. 

We would like to encourage all the regular Thursday interval attendees to come and give this a go if they can. Details of the Weston prom. https://westonac.co.uk/weston-prom-run/

Strava Segment of the Week

Well done to James Eke on his run near Eastville. James achieved a 11 second PR on Strava segment Ev Steps.

Diary Dates

Saturday 29th October British Masters Cross Country Relays  (V35, 45, 55, 65) in Nottingham.

Sunday 30th October Nightingale Nightmare by Southville Running Club

Saturday 5th November Battle at Blaise an obstacle race at Blaise estate.

Sunday 27th November Chepstow Racecourse Half Marathon (Club Championship) 

Saturday 12th November Gwent League Cross Country Blaise Castle

Sunday 13th November Sodbury Slog (10 miler trail event)

Thursday 17th November Weston Prom Race 3 by Weston AC

Saturday 26th November Run Fest at Ashton Court

Sunday 27 November AVR Wiltshire Half Marathon (10 year Anniversary Special!) BA13 4NT. http://www.avrwiltshirehalfmarathon.org

Saturday 3rd December Gwent League Pembrey

Sunday 4th December Weston Christmas Cracker (and Club Championship event)

Monday 12th December Brailsford Christmas Lights Run

Thursday 15th December Weston Prom Race 4 by Weston AC

Friday 16th December Night Race 1, Beechenhurst Lodge, by Rogue Runs

Thursday 12th January Night Race 2 Wye Valley and Piercefield Park

Sunday 5th February Doynton Hard Half, a horrible cross country hosted by Emersons Green Running Club

Saturday 11th or Sunday 12th February Gwent League TBD

Saturday 4th or Sunday 4th March Gwent League TBD

Sunday 12th March Lisbon Half Marathon, part of the Super Half Series

Editor this Week

Ian Gawinowski is Westbury Harriers Communications Officer and can be contacted via communication@westburyharriers.co.uk

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