Westbury Harriers Weekly News

Firstly well done to all the Westbury Harriers who ran the Bristol 10k or Half today (and also to all the WH supporters who were cheering them on). There were some amazing performances all round and WH earned three podium spots (more on that below). In other racing news, lots of Harriers zoomed round Eastville Park on Tuesday night for the first of the Sri Chinmoy Summer Series, with a smaller crew also running the Bitton 5k on Wednesday.

Now that we’re in the spring/summer season, we’re spoilt for choice with lots of midweek races as well as weekend options. Coming up this week, there’s the Rose Inn 4 miler which is the next Club Championship race.

Have a great week everyone!

RACE REPORTS

Bristol 10k and Half – Sunday 11th May

What a turnout with 50 Westbury Harriers taking part in our big local races!

Huge congratulations go to Rosie Hamilton-Jones for winning the half marathon in a time of 1:15:58 and to Freya Bradley for her third place finish in a time of 1:20:05. Two WH women on the podium in such a competitive race is amazing! In the 10k, WH was also represented on the men’s podium, with Greg Hayward finishing third in 31:44.

There are lots of brilliant photos on the WH Facebook page and a short video from Yvette so do have a look there too. Brilliant running everyone!

AJ Bell junior race (2.5k). Saturday 10th May.

Race report from Ellie Liston, aged 10

“The sun was bright in the sky and the crowds were bursting with excitement. I wasn’t really nervous, I was just excited for the race to begin. Most of the way was flat and smooth, except for the finish, which was a savage slope.

It was clear that the race was meant for fun and I loved every minute of it. The most exciting bit was the gladiators, Steel and Phantom, who started the races and were there for pictures at the end.”

Well done Ellie and to all the WH juniors who ran on Saturday. We were also very well-represented on the podium here too with WH taking 1st U13 boys, 3rd U11 boys, 1st and 2nd U13 girls and 1st U11 girls.

Sri Chinmoy 2 miler – Tuesday 6th May

Club Championship Round 3

by Mark Andrews. 

It was great to see so many Westbury Harriers enjoying the evening sunshine for two laps around the deceptively hilly Eastville Park this evening.

Everyone ran well but special mention for our medal winners:

The Men

5th: Jon Riley.
7th: Ian Gawinnowski
1st MV 50: Jeff Tozer
3rd MV 50: Alex Miller

The Ladies

1st: Olivia Zeltner (only 6 months after having a baby!)
2nd FV 50: Kate Hoffen
1st FV 60: Kay Ridgewell

I really enjoy the summer evening races, always a competitive yet friendly atmosphere, no real pressure and a mix of ages and abilities making them suitable for everyone who wants to race. Club Championship races are always worth looking out for as you will be sure to find lots of Westbury runners taking part.

The first Bitton 5k event of this year’s series is tomorrow (Wednesday) and the next Club Championship race is the Rose Inn 4 miler next Tuesday!

Thanks to Sarah for supporting and taking photos this evening.

Anglo Celtic Plate 100k

by Dan Summers

A few people have asked about the road 100k and what it was like. Here are some interesting things about the 100k….

• It was 20.7 laps of a 3 mile circuit.
• During the race I ate about 900g of sugar – that’s about 3,600kcal!
• I picked up a bottle and gel every lap.
• The race this year had around 1000m of climbing in it – very little of the course was actually flat!
• The splits for this race were around: first marathon: 2:59; second marathon: 3:32; 10 mile to finish: 86mins.  This is compared to my time that I qualified for the team with: 7:06 (with splits of: 2:51; 2:57; 78mins).  My qualifying time puts me 55 on the all time list of 100ks by British runners (although it is a pretty niche event!).
• The winner of the race ran 6:37 – that is just under 20 minute 5ks, 20 times (his splits were very consistent as well!).
• The road 100k is notorious for people “blowing up”.  It’s a very hard race to get right.  The winner DNF’d in the same race last year.  I’ve run four 100ks, I DNF’d one, two I finished but really struggled and one I nearly got “right”.
• I’m already plotting when I can go back to try again!!

Bitton 5k – Wednesday 7th May

by Geraint Torrington

The first Bitton 5K Summer Series race took place last night and it was two races in two nights for myself and Trevor Fitsall and a 5K debut for my daughter Megan.

It was second claim Jon Goodland who led us home in 17th (20:55) followed by Trevor in 25th (22:08), myself in 31st (23:16) and Megan in 33rd (25:23).

It was a lovely night for running but was hard work, but Haribo’s at the end made the effort worth it.

The next race is on Wednesday, June 4th.

WH Annual Bluebell run – Monday 5th May

Thanks to Richard Hughes for organising the annual bluebell run in Prior’s Wood. He writes “Had a lovely bluebell run this morning with the harriers in Prior’s Wood and beyond. The bluebells were just about hanging on in there – looks like the best displays were early this year. The driest conditions in recent years made it a faster run, all back before noon.”

CLUB NEWS AND REMINDERS

* CHARITY RUN AND CAKE SALE – UPDATE *

We are moving the charity run & cake sale from bank holiday Monday 5th May to Monday 19th May, so there is no clash with the Bluebell Run to ensure we get good numbers to be able to fundraise successfully.

A full email has been sent out to all club members with information. The charity run is for all sections of the club academy, junior and seniors.

It will not be a hash run and all groups will be training at their usual times. Please wear club kit and come prepared with donations of cake (baked or bought). The cake sale will be afterwards. Please book on or register for your session in the usual way.

We are this year raising money for St Peter’s Hospice – Donations can be made in cash or card on the night or at anytime via our justgiving page – https://www.justgiving.com/page/westburyharriers?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=016

* MEMBER DATA *

We have become aware of some missing data on the runtogether app, such as contact numbers, emergency contact details, date of birth etc. This may be due to syncing issues on the app, but details can be updated on the main website below. You may want to review these details to be sure they are up to date and review any medical information to ensure that is also up to date.  In the meantime, we will shortly be emailing individual members  (emails from runtogeter.co.uk)  that have specific items that are missing.

My Details: https://groups.runtogether.co.uk/My/Details

Emergency Information and Medical information: https://groups.runtogether.co.uk/My/GroupRunDetails

* VOLUNTEERS FOR BLAISE BLAZER – HELP NEEDED *
The Blaise Blazer is on Monday 2nd June 2025.

The first of three events put on by Westbury Harriers each year is next month!

In order to put this event on, we need nearly 50 volunteers spread across marshalling the course, registration, setup etc to put on this fantastic event. Lots of people have volunteered so far but Alastair is still looking for another 20 helpers. 

Marshalls will be need to arrive at 18:30, and people on setup / registration 17:30.

All information regarding volunteer positions, timings and the information pack will be sent the week before the event.

This year sees the return of 10 Club Championship Points to all volunteers at each of the three events that we host each year! If you are able to volunteer, please let me know at volunteers@westburyharriers.co.uk

If you have a specific place that you want to Marshal, do let Alastair know.

More information can be found at the volunteering page (only found through this link) Blaise Blazer Volunteering – Westbury Harriers (www.westburyharriers.co.uk/blaise-blazer-volunteering)

* CLAIRE CALLAGHAN – CHARTERED PHYSIO * 

Claire Callaghan specialises in women’s physical health, wellbeing and sports performance, she did a couple of talks for Westbury Harriers during the Covid lockdown period, and treats some of our club members.

Message from Claire: I do regular Masterclasses for active women and I’m doing one on Friday 16th May at 1pm. It’s online and recorded, so those who register can catch up or view it again afterwards. The topic is Perimenopause and Running – what women need to know. The link for it is here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/perimenopause-and-running-what-women-need-to-know-tickets-1333089559759

To make this more accessible for Westbury Harriers Runners, I’m happy to offer a 20% off code. I’ll be discussing how perimenopause affects joints, muscles, bones and running performance, and offering top practical tips around female specific, running specific strengthening at this stage of life, managing fatigue and injury.

* URBAN ORIENTEERING – COOMBE DINGLE – Weds 4th June *

It was great to see lots of Westbury Harriers at the recent orienteering event at Blaise Castle and it was brilliant to have use of the WH pavilion for the day. We (Hannah and Iain Large) are now organising an urban orienteering event on Wednesday 4th June at Coombe Dingle. Urban orienteering is much more straightforward in terms of navigation as controls are generally just on things like lampposts, benches, fences etc. You’ll get a map of Coombe Dingle / WoT and then you’ll need to get all the controls as quickly as you can. Entries are now open here: https://pre-entries.co.uk/dl/events/s/b75f6b/r/7bDsIh9JH7DPGafyB7Xy  Short, medium and long courses available. Start anytime between 5.30 – 7.30pm. The short course is also open to U16s as it stays entirely within Coombe Dingle Sports Complex and then on paths into Canford Park.

TRAINING THIS WEEK

MONDAY – Tempo Runs

Group runs from Blaise Castle at 6.30pm. These are perfect sessions for a Tempo pace run. Equally there are plenty of groups available if you want a recovery or social run. Book via RunTogether.

TUESDAY – Track

Track session at Yate 7pm – Seniors book on via RunTogether.

WEDNESDAY – Hill Session

Adults, all abilities. Meet every Wednesday at 12pm in front of the Downs Cafe, NOT at the Saville Road junction. Book on via RunTogether. Coffee in the Downs Café at 1pm for anyone that wants to come along.

THURSDAY –  Interval Session

5 x 3 mins (90 secs recovery)

Aim for slightly quicker than 5k pace

5 x 20 secs fast (20 secs recovery)

Note: You can sign up to all sessions via the RunTogether App.

UPCOMING RACES / EVENTS

A reminder that we have an events calendar on our website where you can keep track of dates for training, events and races. https://westburyharriers.co.uk/events/events-calendar/

Club Championship info and rules on this link: https://westburyharriers.co.uk/events/club-championship/

• Club champs – Tuesday 13th May: Rose Inn 4 miles – https://sites.google.com/…/cheps…/open-races/rose-inn…
• Club champs – Friday 23rd May: Towpath 10k (MOB MATCH) – https://www.greatwesternrunners.org.uk/towpath-series/
• Club champs – Sunday 8th June: Cheddar Trail (10k) –  https://www.relishrunningraces.com/cheddar-gorge-10km.php
• Club Champs – Fridy 27th June: Nailsea Beer n banger. (NOW WITH CHIPS!) https://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/3tM
• Saturday 5th July: Cotswold Way Relay – Eithne has been in touch with those involved/on the waiting list.

If there are any races or interesting events that you think should be added, please email: communication@westburyharriers.co.uk

Editor: Hannah Large