WESTBURY HARRIERS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER 15/12/24
Things are starting to wind down a bit as we head into the Christmas break. Only a few events left to take part in and then it’s time to recharge the batteries and welcome the new year feeling energised and raring to go again with new intentions and goals. It’s been great seeing our members getting in to the festive spirit on the weekend kitted out in Christmas outfits and spreading some cheer. Speaking of fancy dress, don’t forget its the Brailsford Lights run tomorrow, who will be the best dressed group? Then it’s onto the Black Swan for a bit of a post-run social. There’ll be a surprise visit from Westbury Santa too, HO HO HO! See you there!
RACE REPORTS
12K’s OF CHRISTMAS –
BY ALASTAIR BLACKWOOD
This morning, in what turned out to be an un-seasonally warm atmosphere, an intrepid group of WHs prepared for the 12ks of Xmas race. The terrain was undulating, with steep ascents (what were they thinking, making us run up a hill in the first km?) as well as steep descents around Stinchcombe Hill, including a festive water stop providing the legal maximum volume of Mulled Wine for participants as well as mince pies for sustenance. Many, varied fancy dress / festive attire were worn, with a few who may or may not have gotten the memo (Oops…) with some reindeers supporting Santa and vice – versa. We had a runner garbed as a brussel sprout, and others with presents for shoes (how they managed this course in flats is impressive!). A festive finishing line awaited our triumphant return with a mini snow canon (bubbles), inflatable sculptures and Mr & Mrs Claus handing out our medals. Rachel Liston was our first WH lady back, also winning the trophy for first lady overall – another category podium place to add to her collection (if I recollect correctly). Unbelievably, another podium place was obtained by a WH (yours truly), finishing in 3rd position overall (surprisingly also getting maximum Club Championship points [first time for everything!]).
WESTBURY HARRIERS CRACK THE JUNIOR CHRISTMAS CRACKER! –
BY RACHEL LISTON
Great work today to all our Academy members who completed this mornings Christmas Cracker! The wind was fierce, and there was a strong chill but we saw some epic running and fabulous costumes (and face paints) from our youngest members.
Westbury members featured high in the prizes, (taking home half the silverware and chocolates on offer in the primary race!).
Special mention to Rufus Postans (2nd primary boy), and Seb Edwards (3rd Primary boy), and Ellie Liston (3rd primary girl). Well done to Penny who also ran an excellent race!
(Also big well done to Junior Maddie Postans for coming 3rd in the secondary race. An admin error meant Maddie sadly missed out on her trophy and chocolates (perhaps her brother will share!)
AVON COUNTY CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT
Our ladies team at the 4 counties Cross Country Championship at Bath on 8th December held in conjunction with the Gloucestershire Cross Country league did really well on what was a rather windy day. A team of young and evergreens they all came away with an Avon County medal.
Well done all.
1st U20 Elen Ruck, 3rd U20 Katie Ramsden, 3rd V45 Katie Hughes, 2nd V35 Catherine Treble
CHRISTMAS CHILLY 10KM – BY LYNN JENKINS
I ran the Christmas Chilly 10k at Castle Combe racing circuit yesterday with my son. The race was challenging on a quite exposed circuit in 45mph gusts of wind, and certainly lived up to its Chilly name, but my son and I were both pleased to finish in only 3 seconds slower than our Brighton 10k times (52.54 for me, and I came 1st in my age group).
Other WH runners that took part – Debbie Hunt 2nd V45 46.32, Suzi Marshall-Smith 53.16 and Lyn was 1st V70
CLUB NOTICES
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS RUN – MONDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2024
The annual run to the Brailsford Christmas Lights will take place on Monday 16 December.
For those that haven’t taken part before the lights are well worth a visit!
Runners are encouraged to wear Christmas fancy dress. We run in our Groups as usual from Coombe Dingle at 6:30pm, taking in the lights as part of our Monday run.
As well as enjoying the lights there is the photo opportunity, who will be the best dressed group this year?!
Booking in the usual way through Run Together.
This will be the last formal Monday run of 2024, so let’s celebrate the end of another great year of running with a drink at the Black Swan, Stoke Lane BS9 3SP after the run!
For more information on the lights or to make a charity donation please see the link below
https://www.brailsfordlights.co.uk/
A SPECIAL THANK YOU MESSAGE
BY MARK ANDREWS
Next week is the final week of Formal Club Runs for 2024!
So this is the ideal time to thank our team of Coaches and Leaders for all their efforts this year. Westbury Harriers is so fortunate to have such an amazing team of volunteers allowing us to put on the variety of sessions that we do every week.
DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A RUN LEADER? We are always looking to recruit new Leaders to our team. You don’t need to be quick or enormously experienced, you just need an enthusiasm and love of your running and a desire to help others enjoy their running experience. If you are interested in adding a new dimension to your running in 2025 please speak to Mark Andrews or have a chat with any of our Leaders who can give you more information about what is involved.
DO YOU HAVE EXPENSES TO SUBMIT?
BY JUDY KNIGHTS
Please can you submit any expense claims as soon as possible so that they can get processed before the year end. Your new treasurer from 1 January 2025 will be Mark Canwell. All claims from this date should be sent to treasurer@westburyharriers.co.uk
UPCOMING CENTENARY EVENTS – SAVE THE DATES & BOOK NOW!!
As we move towards the last few months of our Centenary Year, the club has organised one final event, which we hope all club members will support and enjoy. Full details have been emailed out to members, but here are the details:
WHERE: BAWA Club, Filton for The Westbury Harriers Centenary Lunch
Please book now and join us for a wonderful club celebration. Don’t miss it .…. the next one isn’t for 100 years !
Programme for the Day
– Welcome Hour. Guests are welcome from 12pm and will be met by our reception team.
– 12pm to 1pm: Social time to mingle with friends old and new.The bar will be open and nibbles provided.
– 1pm to 2pm: Welcome & Buffet Lunch
– 2pm to 4pm: Video / photo displays * Free Draw* Social Time
Including : Display of club memorabilia, Short videos of Mountain and Trail Running, Triathlon, Visually Impaired running, Video of Centenary Challenge.
Cost (inc buffet lunch) £5 per adult. Children £3 (4 to 16 yrs)
To book just follow the booking stages:
Email: centenary@westburyharriers.co.uk with your name and telephone number.
(Add the names of any additional members of your group – with ages for under 16 year olds)
Confirmation: You will then get a reply confirming your booking with details of how to pay.
This informal social event will bring together current and former members, partners, families and friends to celebrate 100 years of Westbury Harriers.
Our brilliant Communications Team will be updating with further information via email and Facebook posts.
REMINDER ABOUT LONDON MARATHON RACE SPOTS
We have 2 club places allocated for the TCS London Marathon on Sunday 27th April 2025 and they need to be registered by the deadline of 16:00 on Thursday 27th February 2025.
In line with the committee, this year current Members must show that they had entered the ballot and they must also have been a member at the time that they were rejected. If you are a primary yate member, then you should apply through Yate as they will also have club TCS London Marathon places.
Please register your interest in entering the Draw by e-mailing secretary@westburyharriers.co.uk with the proof you have entered and been rejected from the ballot, and confirmation that you were a member at the time (which will be checked) by Midnight Tuesday 31 December 2024.
CHRISTMAS TRAINING DATES
- Monday 16th December– Brailsford Lights Run. Tuesday track and weds hills as usual.
- Thursday 19th December – Weston Prom Race / Meal (no training 19th December due to the Weston prom)
- W/C 23rd and 30th December – Coombe Dingle closed no formal training
- Monday 23rd December – Potential social run (see Facebook for further details if this goes ahead)
- Sunday 29th December – Potential social run from club house (will be put on RunTogether)
- Week commencing Monday 6th January – All training sessions resumes
THIS WEEK’S TRAINING
MONDAY – BRAILSFORD LIGHTS:
Coombe Dingle at 6.30pm
TUESDAY – TRACK:
Track session at Yate 7pm – Seniors book on via RunTogether.
WEDNESDAY – HILL SESSION:
Adults, all abilities. Meet every Wednesday at 12pm at the traffic lights by Saville Road on the Downs. Book on via RunTogether. Coffee in the Downs Café at 1pm for anyone that wants to come along.
THURSDAY
NO TRAINING DUE TO WESTON PROM RACE / MEAL
UPCOMING RACES
A reminder that we have an events calendar on our website where you can keep track of dates for training, events and races. (Thanks, Vicky, for keeping this updated). https://westburyharriers.co.uk/events/events-calendar/
Club Championship info and rules on this link: https://westburyharriers.co.uk/events/club-championship/
Thursday 19th December: Weston Prom Race #4 – Club Championship Race #17
Saturday 4th January: South West XC http://www.avon-aa.org.uk/
Thursday 9th January: Wydean Night Race #2 – Club Championship Race #18
Sunday 19th January 2025: Kymin Winter Fell Race – Entry price of £8 includes sausage and chips in the pub afterwards! Plenty of parking at the Monmouth Prep School. A few Westbury Harriers have already signed up. https://sites.google.com/site/welshfellrace/individual-races/kymin-winter-race
Saturday 8th or Sunday 9th February: Margam Park (TBC), Gwent League XC
Sunday 23rd February 2025: Ironwood Challenge – Club Championship Race #19
Saturday 1st March: Venue TBC, Gwent League XC – also Club Championship Race #20
Have a great week everyone
Editor: Yvette Casallas
