Saturday 26th November
Westbury Harriers – Weekly News
Editors Piece
Only 21 sleeps to the big day! Are you all becoming a little excited? I’m looking forward to a week off work and having the time to get some long trail runs in, and if the weathers dry perhaps a few sessions on the bike.
You know Christmas is only around the corner when the Christmas themed runs take place. Tomorrow we have a double bill of festive themed races. The Shire Santa Dash is a family friendly 5km run in Shirehampton and you even get a Santa outfit to wear. A little further from home we have the Christmas Cracker taking place along the Weston Super Mare sea front. A 10k dash this time and many will be wearing their Christmas outfits.
On Monday 12th December we have out traditional club run to the Brailsford lights and no doubt some of you will use this as an excuse to wear fancy dress again.
Only a few days later it’s the Weston Prom and some of us will be enjoying a Christmas meal afterwards, having burnt off quite a few calories so we will need feeding!
Tuesday Track and Thursday Intervals
Details will be provided on facebook nearer the time. Don’t forget track fees for the month of November are also due, £2 for Yate AC and Westbury Harriers. Payments to Yate and District AC via bank transfer please.
Club Championship Results
Things are really heating up in the club championships. The Chepstow Racecourse Half Marathon took place last week, an important event because club champ points were up for grabs. A special mention must go to Kento who ran the event dressed in his Panda outfit, and at a swift pace too!
But what you’re all keen to see are the results. In first place, and with quite a lead, we have Judy Knights. For the men Richard Hughes takes top place, but Ben Wood is only a few points behind!
- Judy Knights 220
- Kay Ridgwell 159
- Sophie Voller 148
- Sandra Williams 129
- Eithne Noonan 129
- Carolyn Dent 106
- Helen Sawyer 99
- Kate Hoffen 84
- Debbie Hunt 56
- Robyn Ellis 54
And for the gents we have:
- Richard Hughes 200
- Ben Wood 192
- Alastair Blackwood182
- Trevor Fitsall 161
- Alex Hamblin 148
- Robin Phillips 123
- Ian Gawinowski 100
- Daniel Ewing 89
- Richard Noble 75
- Stuart Bennett 60
The next event in the club championship series is the Christmas Cracker at Weston supper Mare and it’s tomorrow. Watch out for a championship update once the race results have been published.
Centenary Sub Committee
We are looking for two members to join the Centenary Sub Committee to help decided how we celebrate this important milestone. Meetings will initially be by Zoom.
If you’re interested let me know and I’ll pass your details onto Jim Murphy.
South West PB Series
This super fast 5k series commences once again in the spring. The first event takes place on Good Friday (7th April 2023) at the Odd Down Cycle Circuit, Bath. All entries made before the end of this year are £10 and you can apply using the Open Track website, details below. https://tinyurl.com/ykpedx23
The Bristol Running Show
The organiser of last week’s running show at Ashton Court House would like to thank Westbury Harriers for supporting the show. Over 400 people came and they are thinking about next year, maybe earlier in the summer when its warmer and lighter.
To build on the momentum they have started a new group, #BristolRunning to have a more interactive space to share news and events about the Bristol area running scene and to build connections for the future. Details are in the link below. https://www.facebook.com/groups/796940921376643
Tri Counties Cross Country Championships, Bath University – Sunday 27th November
“Medals for Musselwhite, Beale and Torrington!”
This was the combined cross country championships for Somerset, Avon and Wiltshire, with high quality fields in all the races and some great results for Westbury runners.
The individual counties also include junior and veteran / masters categories.
The Senior Men had a good turn out with twelve men racing in the Open Championship – a testing 10.3K – which was won by the outstanding Simon Byrne from Swindon Harriers. With six to count it was a tight battle for the team championship (6 to count) with a strong Team Bath squad just edging our Westbury Men into 2nd place. Our top six runners were Ben Rawlins (12th – 35.40) 15 Oli Beale (Gold medal for 1st V40 in Avon) 15th 35.50 Will Massey 18th – 36.06 Greg Hayward 26th – 37.01 Paul Gardiner (V40) 28th – 37.24 Anthony Glover (V40) 36th – 38.10 Jack Derrick 38th 38.48 Ben Stone 51st 40.51 Jerry Musselwhite (1st V60 and Somerset champion) 58th – 43.28, Tom Peaston 59th – 43.56 Geraint Torrington (Avon County bronze medal in the V50 Men) 69th – 49.42.
Seamus Robinson showed his international class to win the U17/U20 race and become Avon County champion with Akira Bees picking up silver in the U17 Men.
The Senior Women’s Race (6K) was won by Amber Gascoigne (Team Bath) in 24.03. Our Westbury ladies had very good runs with Bridget Belfourd (8th place 26.00) again in top form and Tamsin Chick (27.53) picking up the Avon FV35 silver medal backed up by another good run from Lorna Miller 24th (30.02).
Race report by Mike Mewse.
Gwent League Fixtures Update
I’m able to confirm the next fixtures in the Gwent League. Race 4 will take place on Saturday 11th February 2023 at Margam Park, Port Talbot (it’s also part of the club championship series).
The final event in the series (race 5) takes place on Saturday 4th March 2023 at Pont-y-Pwl Park, Pontypool.
Strava Segment of the Week
Well done Paul Stuart on his Gwent League run at Pembrey today. Paul achieved a 3rd fastest time on Strava segment Apres Ski Sandy XC on a time of 1:17
Diary Dates
Sunday 4th December Weston Christmas Cracker (and Club Championship event)
Sunday 4th December Shirehampton Santa Dash
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
Saturday 17th December Skirrid Fell Race, via Fabian 4 site
Thursday 22nd December Last formal training session.
Thursday 5th January Formal training resumes
Thursday 12th January Night Race 2 Wye Valley and Piercefield Park
Sunday 15th January Riverbank Rollick (Club Championship event)
Saturday 21st January Kymin Winter Race, see Fabian4 for details.
Sunday 5th February Doynton Hard Half, a horrible cross country hosted by Emersons Green Running Club
Saturday 11th February Margam Park Gwent League (Club Championship event)
Saturday 4th March Pont-y-pŵl Park Gwent League
Sunday 12th March Lisbon Half Marathon, part of the Super Half Series
Saturday 18th March 20 and 1/2 Fission. Road event, good tester for an upcoming marathon
Friday 31st March Severn Bridge Twilight 5 (and Club Championship event)
Sunday 16th April Frenchay 10k, it’s hilly!
Saturday 8th to Sunday 9th July Brecon Fans Race Weekend. Horseshoe 10 miler and Pen y Fan
Saturday 19th August Race the Train, trail event and you chase the choo choo
Editor this Week
Ian Gawinowski is Westbury Harriers Communications Officer and can be contacted via communication@westburyharriers.co.uk
