Sunday 20th March
Westbury Harriers – Weekly News
Editors Piece
Officially, today is the first day of spring (the vernal equinox) and coupled with the clocks ‘springing’ forward next Sunday it means we have better weather and longer days to look forward to.
All those long-sleeved running tops, gloves and hats can be hidden away at the bottom of the wardrobe. Instead, search out the t-shirts, sunglasses and peaked caps!
It won’t be long either before we migrate up to the club house at Blaise Castle for our evening training runs. We’ll then be able to enjoy some trail running around Blaise, watch this space for details!
And of course, running around Blaise will provide us with a competitive advantage in readiness for the Blaise Blazer on Monday 6th June. Details on how to enter are in the link below.
https://westburyharriers.fullonsport.com/event/blaise-blazer-2022/profile
Thursday Club Intervals
Thursday we are on the grass again for 2.30mins (1min recovery) 5mins (90secs recovery) 2mins (1min recovery) 4mins (90secs recovery) 90secs (1min recovery) 3mins (90secs recovery) 1min (1min recovery) 2mins. Prize for guessing the sequence and what would come next if there was more!
I’ve not yet heard from Nicola about Tuesday’s track session at Yate, but I’m sure she’ll post it on Facebook nearer the time.
Pub Post Monday Training
Mark tells me the 6:30pm groups are going to the Black Swan after their runs on Monday. Anyone from any of the Monday groups is welcome to join us, or even those who are injured and not running at the moment! As on previous occasions we will go straight from Coombe Dingle and have a quick drink and catch up before heading home to eat, however the pub does food for anyone that wants to eat there.
AGM and Vacant Post- Social Secretary
The club is also in need of a social secretary and if this role interests you then let us know at the AGM on the 3rd April. I’m also sure Lou Pretty would provide further details. It’s certainly a fun and enjoyable role as it provides the opportunity to reach out to everybody in the club.
Gwent Cross Country League, Swansea
Well done to everybody who made the journey to Singleton Park in Swansea for the final Gwent Cross Country League of the season. All the runners were blessed with glorious sunshine for their laps around the Botanic Park, although I doubt they had the time to take in the delights of the herbaceous borders as the focus was on scoring club points!
Although results are still being compiled I have heard the senior mens team (subject to confirmation) have been promoted to Division 1!
More photos and a full report will follow on Facebook.
Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon
What a day for running around scenic forest trails. It must have been a delight for the five Westbury runners that dashed around the woodland trails, starting and finishing at Speech House Hotel, in the heart of the forest.
Judy Knights took the lead in a time of 1:50 with a 4th place category win. Not far behind was Helen Sawyer in 1:51 and 7th place age category. Michelle Bower came home in an impressive time of 1:53 with Carolyn Dent and Paul Gladding both crossing the line in 2:12.
Well done to you all. If anybody in the club likes the sound of this event then there’s the Autumn Half Marathon on Sunday, 25th September. Details are in the link below.
https://www.forestofdean-halfmarathon.co.uk/autumn/index.php
Fission 20 and Half
Although both routes follow the flat lanes around Berkeley it was surprising windy, and for a circular route it was odd there should be a head wind for most of it! Even so, we had some impressive running in both events.
The first runner home for the club in the half marathon was Lucy Richens (14th overall), taking second place female in an unbelievable time of 1:26. 1st place was taken by Holly Stables, a former international road runner who’s represented Great Britain, so some tough competition there.
Ian Gawinowski was 21st in a time of 1:28. I did keep Lucy company for a short while, although I’ll need more than concentrated beetroot juice to hold her pace!
It was also nice to meet Phillip Brooks on the start line, who crossed the finish line in 1:44 (55th) but also winning 2nd place in his age group. Very impressive running Phillip, I hope to see you on a club run in the future.
The 20 miler is traditionally good race preparation for those with marathons coming up as it provides an indication of what you can achieve on the big day. Chris Driscoll has been putting in a lot of training for the Brighton Marathon and yesterday’s performance bodes well for that event. Chris finished in 2:30 (29th) overall but with a top 10 placing for his age group.
Oulton Park Spring Duathlon
Ben Rawlins was competing at Oulton Park Motor Racing Circuit today in a Sprint Duathlon (4.3km run, 21.6KM cycle, 4.3km run) taking 4th place overall but a first place category win. Well done Ben.
Strava Segment of the Week
Well done to Tim Carr who was running the Big Cheese today, a trail run starting from Cheddar (hence the name!). Tim was supporting VI runners and while doing so achieve a couple of PR’s including Strava Segment, The Big Cheese: Second climb in 17:35 and The Rowberrow Beast in 9:50
Diary Dates
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
Sunday 17th April The Hanham Horror, by Bitton Road Runners.
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
Monday 6th June The Westbury Harriers Blaise Blazer multi-terrain race.
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.
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
