Weekly News – Saturday 9th September

Saturday 9th September 

Westbury Harriers – Weekly News

Editors Piece

I’m back, after all my endless gallivanting! Although to be fair, Tamsin did an exceedingly good job in my absence. 

There is  an old saying I learnt from work. If you have to step-in and do something out of the ordinary, then do it really badly. That way you’ll never be asked to do it again! Obviously not the case for Tamsin! In fact she did it too well and I may be calling on her services again the next time I decide to have a weekend off. 

Tomorrow it’s the Great North Run, and it’s one of the biggest half-marathons in the world with around 60,000 runners taking part on the iconic route from Newcastle city centre to South Shields. 

It will be an extra special race for Mo Farah as it’s the last race of his professional career. The 40-year-old has won the Great North Run an impressive six times, and this year his aim is a top 3 placing.

Mo will be joined on the start line with a few runners from the club. I know Connor Doak, Clare Jordan and Alex Hamblin will also be enjoying the event. In fact Alex was lucky enough to meet Mo and wish him all the best on his final race of his career.

Tuesday Running Session at Yate Track and Thursday Intervals

Tuesday session at Yate Track will be published on facebook.

On Thursday we’re on the road for a change and will be undertaking a hill session. Location TBC depending on numbers and availability of leaders 

Women’s Plantar Fascia Pain Masterclass – Friday 15th September

Titled: Solving heel pain – 5 strategies to help your plantar fascia, it’s designed to support women who want to resolve their pain, but is also useful for coaches and therapists who work with women who have these issues. There will be some running specific content too.  Presented by Claire Callaghan, Chartered Physiotherapist. 

Next Club Championship Events

We have a number of Club Championship races coming up in the next few weeks. The first is the Forest Of Dean Autumn Trail Half Marathon, on Sunday 24th September. Next up is the Black Note (Portishead) 10k on Sunday 8th October. Then it’s everybody’s favourite, a fancy dress extravaganza in the form of the Nightingale Nightmare on Sunday 29th October. As we get into winter we have the Weston Prom on Thursday 9th November and on Sunday 10th December the Christmas Cracker. 

Member of the Month Winners

Our junior MoTM winner for September was Daniel Kelly. Daniel stepped in to run of the U20 relay team at Cleve to ensure we had two complete teams and had an impressive run too, crossing the line in 21:17.

Senior winner was the one and only Sarah Andrews. No, not for being Selfie Queen of the year (perhaps that could be a new award in its own right) but for some very competitive running. Fastest V55 time of the day at the Avon Road Relays and part of winning V55 team. Also, Welsh Master 1500m champion at Yate Masters track meeting in 5.59.29 (pictured below, No. 97).

Sarah has also been regularly helping set up interval training on a Thursday night, putting the cones out. We can’t under estimate how much this helps the coaches/leaders – giving them time to talk with new members and plan adaptations to the session with people injured/coming back from illness.

Club Training

In case you didn’t see it before in ‘Not the Weekly News’ club training on a Monday has returned to Coombe Dingle (including junior) but except group 3 at 6pm.

Blaise Parkrun

Mark Andrews reports that it was great to see so many of you amongst the 326 finishers at Blaise this morning! A beautiful morning to be out but a bit too warm for running quickly! Thank you to our fantastic group of helpers this week.

Looking to do it all again on 21 October, look forward to seeing you all then.

Strava Segment of the Week

Well done to Sandra Williams on a long and very hot Riga training run today. On route Sandra achieved Local Legend status on the imaginatively titled Strava Segment #4162.  

Diary Dates

Saturday 16th September Relish Running Cheddar Road Race

Sunday 17th September Copenhagen Half Marathon (part of the Super Half Series)

Sunday 17th September Oldbury 10 miler Thornbury Running Club

Saturday 23rd September Uphill to Wells Relay

Saturday 23rd September –Midland 6 and 4 stage Road Relays – Sutton Park

Sunday 24th September Forest of Dean Autumn Half Marathon and Club Championship

Friday 29th September – Sunday 1st October. Trail running weekend, Peak District.

Saturday 30 September – Sunday 1st October World Athletics Road Running Champs Riga 1 mile, 5km and half marathon

Sunday 1st October Cardiff Half Marathon (part of the Super Half Series)

Sunday 8th October ‘Black Nore’ 10k Portishead and club championship

Saturday 14th October Pembrey Park Gwent Gwent League Cross Country

Saturday 28th October Master Cross Country Relay– Long Eaton.

Sunday 29th October Nightingale Nightmare and Club Championship

Thursday 9th November Weston Prom and Club Championship. 

Saturday 11th November Cardiff Cross and Gwent League Cross Country

Sunday 19th November British Masters Road Relays, Mallory Park, Kirby

Saturday 2nd December Blaise Castle Gwent League Cross Country.

Saturday 9th December Tri Counties Cross Country Championships. Further info TBC

Sunday 10th December Christmas Cracker and Club Championship

Saturday 6th January 2024 South West Cross Country Championships – Yeovil

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

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