Westbury Harriers Weekly News

RACE REPORTS

70.3 Cotswold Classic at Lake 32

by Anne Dockery

Sunday July 13th

Last weekend my tension mounted along with the heat! So many warnings, mainly aimed at older people, about the dangers !! ..so I did get very nervous on Saturday. But a chat with my coach, Andy Wadsworth, and it was all  put in perspective…PHEW!

The lake was so warm we were not allowed to wear wetsuits. Yikes. I have to say I did not enjoy the swim which is the weakest element of my triathlon, but I was never in fear of drowning as there were canoes and boats all around us. Towards the end of the 1.9 k (I was last) I was surrounded by cheerful canoeists who made me laugh and encouraged me to the end. Boy was I glad to get on dry land!! 1 hour 20 mins of swimming can addle your brain!

The bike was 56 fairly flat and uneventful miles and took me 4:19:30… Was very glad to get to the end and there were my friends at transition cheering me on. What a lift they gave me. Followed by a hug from my grandson and daughter and I was on my way. Hurrah!

I can honestly say that I enjoyed the half marathon. I poured cold water over myself at every aid station and made sure I stayed hydrated. Fortunately the run was 3 laps with a good bit along shady woodland paths and I managed to avoid tripping on tree roots. Andy suddenly appeared during my first lap and ran a little with me and he made sure to see me on each lap which was so motivating. By the third lap all the volunteers at the water stations knew me and had water and cola  ready, and they cheered me on as if I were the winner. Utterly amazing and such  great fun.

As I came to the end I found my 10 year old grandson positioned ready to run down the red carpet with me. WOW! It really doesn’t get any better than this! (2:37:41)

And I am still on cloud Nine. My final time 8:32:44 and I would happily do it again. Alex, my grandson says he will do it with me when he is 18… I will be 85 so watch this space……..

English Schools Track & Field Championships

Freya Bradley 2nd place in the senior girls 3000m with a new personal best of 9.30.

This matched her 2nd place from last years championships.

It was a fantastic effort, even more so when you think she raced to 3rd place in the Bristol Half only weeks ago.

Westbury Harriers Academy Sports Day: Sun, Sprints, and Splashes!

A Glorious Finale to an Action-Packed Year

The summer sun was shining, spirits were high, and the buzzed with energy as our much-anticipated Sports Day arrived! This year’s event was a spectacular showcase of speed, teamwork, laughter, and just a touch of mayhem—a perfect recipe for unforgettable memories and a fitting celebration before the summer break.

First on the agenda: the classic 200-meter race, split into age groups to ensure every child had their moment to shine. The starting line buzzed with anticipation as the youngest runners took their marks, little legs quivering with excitement.

At the sound of the horn, a blur of colour erupted across the field. Some sprinted with the determined focus of future Olympians, others with arms and legs pumping in gleeful abandon, all to the enthusiastic cheers of their teammates and  supporters.

With the sprints concluded, it was time for the relays—a true test of teamwork and coordination. The children dashed the batons sometimes wobbling perilously but always making it to the next hand. There were moments of comic calamity—

batons dropped, impromptu dances mid-race, and some highly creative handovers—but all added to the infectious sense of fun. Ultimately, it wasn’t just about winning; it was about trying your best, supporting your friends, and laughing along the way.

Then came the grand finale: the chaotic wacky relay. The rules? Well there were some, but the race quickly descended into chaos. What am I meant to be doing? Bear crawl? Side step, sprint? Who knows! Teamwork became a blend of giggles and  improvisation, with the only goal being to have as much fun as possible. By the end, the field was a patchwork of panting, smiling faces—every child a victor in the great game of silliness.

With races run and relays relayed, it was time for a well-earned breather. The club chair, Geraint Torrington, offered a huge thank you to the academy leaders and helpers, whose dedication and encouragement had made not just Sports Day, but  the whole year, a roaring success.

But Sports Day at Westbury Harriers wouldn’t be complete without a little surprise—and Geraint, ever the good sport, found himself at the centre of Buckets of water were produced, filled to the brim, and a select few children gleefully doused their club chair.

No celebration is complete without a treat and before they headed off every child received a lolly to finish the evening on a sweet high. From all of us at the Westbury Harriers Academy: have a fantastic summer break, and see you in the new  term, faster, stronger, and ready for more fun!

The Gwent Cross Country League

The fixtures for next season are:

1. Saturday, October 11th 2025 Margam Park (Swansea Harriers)
2. Saturday, November 8th 2025 Cardiff in conjunction with Cross Challenge
3. Saturday, December 6th 2025 Blaise Castle (Westbury Harriers)
4. Saturday, February 7th 2026 Chepstow Race Course (Bristol & West AC)
5. Saturday, February 28th 2026 Parc Bryn Bach (Parc Bryn Bach RC)

TRAINING THIS WEEK

MONDAY – Tempo Session

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.

Senior Training at Blaise: Monday 21 July 2025

Runners may be aware that there is a group of Travellers currently on the field at Blaise Castle and that this resulted in the cancellation of the Parkrun on Saturday.

The Club has assessed the situation and training will go ahead on Monday as usual, meeting at the Club Pavilion.

Leaders are aware of the situation and routes will be planned accordingly.

Sent on behalf of the Committee

Westbury Harriers

TUESDAY – Track Session

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

WEDNESDAY – Hill Session

Adults, all abilities. Meet every Wednesday at 12pm, corner of Saville Road by the Downs. Sign up on RunTogether App.

THURSDAY – Interval Session

Coombe dingle sports complex, on grass.

10×90 secs, (1 min recovery), 6 x 20 secs (20 secs recovery) * Option to do 8 or 9

Note 1: You can sign up to all sessions via the RunTogether App.

Note 2: There is no longer a separate booking for Group 1 on a Thursday. There is still the same focus as originally outlined, but as the weather and field are in good conditions over the summer, Group 1 can be accommodated into the existing session.

UPCOMING RACES / CLUB CHAMPS

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/

• Friday 25th July – The Towpath 10k (Club Champ): https://www.greatwesternrunners.org.uk/towpath-series
• Sunday 27th July – Magor 10k:  https://sites.google.com/site/chepstowharriersrunningclub/open-races/magor-10k
• Saturday 9th August – RunThrough Trails Brecon Beacon: https://www.runthroughtrails.com/brecon-beacons/
• Wednesday 14th August – Crooks Peak Cake Race (Club Champs): https://www.fellrunner.org.uk/races/5856fd20-4006-49fa-89a2-ee243f26d2d5
• Friday 15th August – GWR Towpath 5k: Towpath Series – Great Western Runners
• Saturday 16th August – Limitless Trails Beast of Llangattock: https://www.limitlesstrails.co.uk/beast-of-llangattock
• Tuesday 19th August – Severn Bridge 10k (Club Champs): https://sites.google.com/site/roguerunsevents/home/our-events/sb-10k-half
• Saturday 23rd August – Torbay Twilight 10k: https://torbaytwilight10k.godaddysites.com Use the discount code Westbury3 for a £3 discount on the entry fee
• Saturday 23rd August – The Green Man / The Green Boy: https://www.greenmanultra.co.uk/the-summer-green-man-ultra/
• Saturday 30th August – Mendip Marauder: https://www.albionrunning.org/mendip-marauder
• Sunday 31st August – Wyedean Ultra: https://www.rogueruns.co.uk/home/our-events/wyedean-ultra
• Saturday 20th September – Maverick Trail Race X Series Afan Forest South Wales: https://www.maverick-race.com/products/the-maverick-x-series-afan-forest-2025
• Saturday 27th September – Maverick Original Mendips: https://www.maverick-race.com/products/the-maverick-original-mendips-2025
• Sunday 28th September – Forest of Dean Autumn Half marathon: Forest of Dean Autumn Half Marathon

Avon 5km Road Relays Championships

Date: Sunday 24th August, 11am start (Bank holiday Sunday)

Location: Cleeve, Bristol BS49 4PP

3 person teams: U20 men/women (must be 16 or over), senior women, V35/V45/V55/V65 women, V50/V60/V70 men

4 person teams: senior men & V40 men

Championship event so no charge, club pays the entry.

People will try to be accommodated into their age appropriate team but with relays we may need to move people about to ensure we have complete teams.

Westbury always have loads of teams at this event, so do come along and get involved. Always a great event local event, fun, enjoyable, suitable for everyone, competitive for those that want and a great starting point for those who may not have run in a relay before. Don’t worry if you will have just come off holiday or won’t have done much over the summer.

Reserves always welcome.

Suitable for all abilities groups 1-6. Talk to Tamsin or Mike.M/Mark.A for more information.

Sign up on RunTogether

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

Editor: Sophie Voller

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