Saturday 5th February
Westbury Harriers – Weekly News
Editors Piece
Another enjoyable Sunday morning run with the Water Tower crew. We were all very fortunate to enjoy a little sunshine with a gently run over the Clifton Suspension Bridge into Leigh Woods. Once again, we had Finn the dog to keep us company (who should perhaps become an honorary club member) while Chris (pictured below) demonstrates how to leap a log.
Nicola Derrick tells us it was an extra special parkrun at Wotton today for achieving 200+ runners on their 200th event. A good turn out of Westbury runners who all got to enjoy delicious cake at the end.
Yate Track Sessions and Thursday Intervals
Nicola’s going to flip the session so it starts with the longer intervals this week.
Walking dynamic stretches, then 3 x social laps. Session itself involves 4 x 600m (100m jog recoveries) 400m float then into 7x300m (100m jog recoveries). Finish with 2 x cool down laps and stretches.
For the Thursday session at Coombe Dingle bring your road shoes and fluorescent gear because we will be doing a local road circuit.
Blaise Blazer Sub Committee, Sunday 6th February 7:30pm
There will be a Zoom meeting on Sunday evening for individuals that would like to become part of the race sub committee. The club is looking for volunteers to help organise this event that has been put on hold over recent years due to Covid-19. Although there has been a short hiatus the event is well established and anyone new coming onboard would be guided in what to do. We are looking for somebody willing to take over the Bristol City licence application which is an online form and for someone to manage race entries.
If you would like to join the virtual meeting, send me an e-mail and I’ll pass on the zoom meeting joining instructions.
South West Schools
Well done to all our athletes that participated in the South West Schools today. Finn (pictured below) described the conditions as very windy, but still a fun experience.
Runtogether Website and App
Can I ask if people are unable to make their sessions for whatever reason they can please cancel their booking, even at the last minute. This is easy to do via the app or logged into RunTogether. Please ask if you don’t know how to do it.
With some of our sessions getting to capacity, if you can’t make it someone else might as there is a waiting list system. When you cancel the leaders app gets updated so we know not to expect you.
Hopefully you don’t need to cancel and you get to your session, but we understand that sometimes you need to. Many thanks.
Volunteers for Gwent Cross-Country
Please make a note that the Gwent Cross-Country will be hosted by Westbury Harriers and held at Blaise Castle on Saturday 19th February. Not only will the club be looking forward to seeing many of you competing but we will also need willing volunteers to help manage the event. Volunteers can be friends, family, parents, etc, the more helpers we have the better.
The course map and race timetable is now available on the Gwent League website but to summarise the youngsters start from 11:30 and the seniors and U17/U20 run from 13:00. Full details on the link below. https://www.gwent-league.org.uk/2021/fix214c.pdf
If you could inform Kay Ridgwell (kay.ridgwell@btinternet.com) of your interest to volunteer, that would be very helpful.
Blaise Gwent Cross-Country, Saturday 19th February
We have a great turn out so far, but on home ground this is really our chance to push ourselves forward in all our team points. Everyone scores for the Westbury Harriers team, so we need as many people as we can get.
It is suitable for all ages and abilities. Whatever group you run with the club you will be fine at the Gwent League. You will need to wear your Westbury vest and spikes/trail shoes are advisable.
And the best bit, no more scrabbling around, raiding the kids money boxes or down the sofa to try and find £4. To sign up and pay for the race please do so via RunTogether. https://groups.runtogether.co.uk/WestburyHarriersRunningClub
Blast from the Past
Pictured below we have Roy Turner (F) at the start of the Bristol to Weston and back Relay, around 1966. Race was started by elite athlete Mike Rawson, the Great Britain 800 metre runner.
Run Leaders
Many thanks to those that have volunteered to become run leaders for group 2. We could also do with a few more leaders in groups 4 and 5 so if you’re interested please e-mail me and I’ll forward on the relevant details. The club will pay for the cost of the course so nobody will be out of pocket!
Cotswold Way Relay – Saturday 2nd July
The Cotswold Way Relay is a 10 stage, 103 mile off-road relay though the Cotswolds from Chipping Campden to Bath. The race date is Saturday 2nd July and applications are now open for teams, with the closing date being Tuesday 5th April.
Team categories are Open (Anyone 18+) Women (18+), Mixed (18+ team contains 4 women) and Vets (Anyone 40+). If you are interested in taking part, please e-mail me your details, including age group and I’ll pass on to Eithne who will collate the entry on behalf of the club.
Member of the Month
A big round of applause to Tilley Spinney who has had a great year of running. The 17 year old was fourth in the U20 age group at the South West Championships with another well earned 4th place in the senior women’s race as part of the Gloucestershire League. Tilley is based out at Wotton-under-Edge and is a regular at Yate Track, and coached by Mike Mewse.
Our senior winner this month is Catherine Treble. Not only did she do extremely well at the South West Cross Country Championships, helping to secure gold for the Avon County team and silver for the club, but recently she stormed around the Speedway 10k circuit in a time of 37:51, securing a third place age group win.
Well done to you both, running vouchers will be with you soon.
Strava Segment of the Week
Well done to Tim Synge who achieved 32 Strava achievements today during the Icing on the Cake trail marathon. Tim describes the conditions as ‘full on proper winter weather’ but apparently that did not deter him as it was all about the cake!
Diary Dates
11th February 7:30pm Beechenhurst Lodge FoD Night Race. A beginners course totally on forest trails with no mud. Road shoes may be suitable (depending on weather conditions in the days leading up to the event). This is a fast course with a ‘hard- pack’ gravel surface throughout.
Saturday 19th February Gwent League Cross Country, Blaise Castle.
Sunday 20th February Castle Coombe Chilly 10k and Chilly Spring Duathlon. DB Max Events.
Sunday 20th February Ironwood Challenge 2022 Off road 10k trail race. https://tinyurl.com/2p8atcez
Saturday 26th February. Cross Country Nationals Parliament Hill, London
Saturday 19th March Gwent League Cross Country, Singleton Park, Swansea
Saturday 19th March 20 & 1/2 Fission ,fast flat 20 miler starting at Berkeley Power Station. Half marathon option too. Now in its 7th year, this event has sold out every year.
Sunday 20th March Forest of Dean Spring Half Marathon. https://www.rotary-rfod.org.uk/events.php
Sunday 3rd April at 6:45pm Annual General Meeting via Zoom
Saturday 9th April Family festival of running. Active soul are holding at Pomphrey hill- It would be awesome to see some members of the club and their families at this event. https://wishy.org.uk/runforfun
Saturday 23rd April Bristol Track Club 5k Odd Down Cycle Circuit, Bath
Sunday 24th April Frenchay 10k. This race starts and finishes on the UWE Glenside Campus (Top left photo), Blackberry Hill, Fishponds, Bristol
The course is scenic and undulating and comprises of a circuit of the grounds followed by the exit onto Blackberry Hill. http://frenchay10k.co.uk/index.htm
Saturday 7th May. Provisional date for Annual Awards Night. Venue TBC
Friday 20th May Race 1 Towpath Series (including Mob Match)
Sunday 29th May Bath Half Marathon
Monday 30th May Hogweed Trot 10k 19:00 Yate. https://tinyurl.com/yckkn3wu
Saturday and Sunday 11 and 12 June. Cheddar Challenge by Relish Running
Friday 17th June Race 2 Towpath Series
Sunday 26th June. Lacock Road Races, Half and 10k by Relish Running.
Saturday 2nd July Cotswold Way relay. 10 stage trail relay event.
Thursday 7th July Tintern Trot, 10k trail run along the Wye Valley. Group discount if we have more than 10 interested.
Friday 22nd July Race 3 Towpath Series
Saturday 30th July Magor 10K, fast, flat and furious. Fabian 4 website
Friday 19th August Race 4 (5K) Towpath Series
Saturday 17th September Relish Running Cheddar Gorge Downhill 10K. https://tinyurl.com/2p9yrsvk
Saturday 24th September, Uphill to Wells Relay. An off-road relay race starting at Uphill beach and finishing at Wells Cathedral. The route is 90% off-road and follows the West Mendip Way along footpaths and bridleways. The race is a ‘hand-over’ relay, run without marshals, water stations or other assistance. Teams are responsible for their own safety and for researching the route although their progress will be monitored at check-points at the end of every leg. https://www.uphilltowells.com/default.aspx
Sunday 25th September Great Bristol Run 10k and Half. https://www.greatrun.org/events/great-bristol-run/
Sunday 25th September Forest of Dean Autumn Half Marathon. https://www.rotary-rfod.org.uk/events.php
Editor this Week
Ian Gawinowski is Westbury Harriers Communications Officer and can be contacted via communication@westburyharriers.co.uk
