WESTBURY HARRIERS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER – 10/06/2024
Hello,
Apologies for the 2 week delay in your weekly round-up. It was a perfect storm of a camping trip to the Lakes, followed by a technological breakdown in the email software (definitely not human error). But anyway…. at least we have lots to talk about this week. Race reports, volunteering opportunities at the Westbury Wipeout and new Championship dates!
Ben.
RACE REPORTS
ROSE INN 4 MILER
The Rose Inn race series takes place throughout summer just across the bridge in Chepstow. Well done to everyone who raced, especially to Sandra Sforza (2nd in age category) and to Sandy Masters who came first in her age category.
THE CLEVEDON 10K
A flat 10km through country lanes around Clevedon. Last year we had a big turnout for this as it was club championship race, but we still had a strong showing from Westbury this year, and slightly cooler conditions. Well done to everyone who ran.
EUROPEAN TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS (Coimbra part one)
by Tamsin Chick
Dawn Stygall and I qualified to wear the GB kit and thoroughly enjoyed the experience at the sprint distance duathlon (5km run, 20km bike, 2.5km run) at the Europe Triathlon Multisport Championships in Coimbra, Portugal. Dawn (8th V40-44) 1.12.56, Tamsin (7th V45-49) 1.15.
A big thanks to all the inspirational master ladies at WH who keep showing there are always new challenges.
Coimbra part two:
following Saturday’s achievements in Portugal by Dawn and Tamsin, the formidable Anne Dockery made gold in the FV75s at the Standard Duathlon on Sunday. Well done her!
Coimbra part 3!
By Vicky Tester;
I also made it to Portugal for the European Multisport Championships, but taking part in the Aquathlon (1k swim followed by a 5k run). For a running club we’ve been well represented in a multisport champs……or should say it’s our masters ladies that have been flying the flag !
Pleased to finish 10th in my age category (40-44) and not to be last in the swim! Thanks to Chris Palmer for being my official bag carrier and for the support, time to enjoy a holiday now!
TOWPATH SERIES, RACE 2
Well done to everyone who ran the towpath 10k tonight, and a big hurrah for Heidi Andrews winning an age group prize. Fantastic work.
OFFAS DYKE 15KM TRAIL RACE
By Olivia Zeltner
On Saturday I ran the Offa’s Dyke 15, a 15 mile trail race along the picturesque Offa’s Dyke path, starting in Hay-on Wye and finishing in Kington.
It was a friendly and picturesque race, well marked with lovely marshals. Definitely an event I’d recommend for anyone that likes trail running. Though be warned, there’s over 2,400 feet of vertical gain over the 15 miles, so it’s not for the faint hearted!
In normal circumstances I would have gone off like a freight train, but at 23 weeks pregnant with my second child, the goal was to take it easy, enjoy the day and listen to my body. And that I did! I had my cheer squad to spur me on at mile 6, 8 and the finish, which is always a huge help! I finished in 2:45:40 37th female out of 107, so was very pleased to make in the top third considering I’m 5 and a half months pregnant!
A special well done to MELINDA SAVVA, who came first in her category in both the Clevedon 10k and the Chew valley 10k. Great to see Westbury on the podium. Well done Melinda!
And finally a big bravo to Katie Hughes who won first female at the Chippenham longest day 10km! Huge achievement! Apologies, I have no picture, perhaps we can track one down for next week along with a proper report.
CLUB NOTICES…
WE NEED YOUR HELP…
Westbury Harriers hosts its’ yearly Westbury Wipeout event, this year, on Monday 1st July. Some of you may have children who are participating.
The event has already sold out (350 entrants!) and we will most certainly need a large number of volunteers out and about on the course.
I would like to invite you to volunteer at the event, out marshalling on or around the course.
Volunteers will need to meet outside the clubhouse at 18:15, before moving to your marshalling position by 19:15. I can only apologies for the short wait at your position before the first runners; but we must ensure that everybody is in place before the first runners begin.
I will be sending an email closer to the time with final details to those who have volunteered.
The course is split into three sections, so you would be assigned to here and be dropped off out and around the course by your section lead, and volunteers will need to meet and wait at their allocated Marshal Point after signing in with me.
Further information on the route / marshalling positions can be found here:
Westbury Wipeout Volunteering – Westbury Harriers
Kind Regards,
Alastair Blackwood
MONDAY TRAINING
The Club has now been able to make a decision on the structure of our Monday Evening sessions.
We want to have a complete set of pace based groups running at the same time and have decided that all groups will run at 6:30pm.
We are aware that there are some members who cannot run at this time, and that some members may not always want a pace based training run.
There will therefore also be an option of a mixed pace Wellbeing Run starting at 7:15pm. This will predominantly be organised by some of our Group 5 leaders which should give members a guide as to the likely pace of that run.
We have tried to take into account the views expressed by members both in the survey and at the meeting last month and thank everyone for their contributions.
We hope the members will understand that there are a number of factors that we have to take into account when deciding what sessions we can offer. We have to try and ensure that all groups work well, not just the group that you usually run with. We also have to consider the availability of our volunteer Run Leaders and the way in which our activities affect the Junior section of the club who also train on Monday evenings.
These changed arrangements will start from Monday 17th June 2024.
COTSWOLD WAY RELAY 2024
Just two places now remaining for the Cotswold Way relay on Sat 6th July.
The relay consists of 10 sections varying in distance from 7 to 12 miles, along the route of the Cotswold Way from Chipping Camden to Bath and all with spectacular views. If you are interested in taking part, then please contact Eithne Noonan.
Would you like to volunteer at the Cotswold Way Relay?
The organisers would like two volunteers to help at a stage 9 road crossing which is on the A46 close to Dodington Park. This section of road is wide with good visibility. It is close to Bristol and time involved is approx. 2 hours in the afternoon. Volunteers don’t have to be club members. Please get in touch if you can help.
For more information: www.cotswoldwayrelay.co.uk
ACADEMY TRAINING
Just a reminder that Gold and Silver groups will return to Blaise for 10th/17th/24th June and 8th July. On these dates the children will have the chance to run in the river – and so will return wet – you may want to think about a change of clothes/towel. If you do not want your child to get wet – please let them and me know – they do not have to do this. Thanks
Monday 15th July will be our last session and will be at Stoke Lodge from 6.30-8pm for all groups. (If you can’t get there for 6.30 – come when you can)
Monday 1st July there will be no training. It’s the Westbury wipeout – a running race for children in Blaise organised by Westbury Harriers. A lot of the children enter this event. Sign up details to follow. Thanks, Carrie
WELSH MASTERS – LADIES NEEDED
Pat Gallagher received a request from Welsh Masters for Ladies 35+. They are looking for more ladies to compete for them.
You do NOT need to be Welsh, it is the same as any other masters club.
There are plenty of races, to name a few:
1.Welsh Masters Champs
2.Inter area
3.BMAF champs
4.Europeans
5.Worlds
If you have any questions you can contact Pat.
Or otherwise please contact Eleri Jones directly who can provide more info
CLUB TRAINING THIS WEEK
MONDAY TEMPO
NO MONDAY TRAINING DUE TO WESTBURY WIPEOUT, WHY NOT RUN DOWN AND VOLUNTEER?
TUESDAY TRACK SESSION
Speed work ran on Yate track, a friendly well structured session for all abilities.
1km @5/10k pace, 200m recovery
8 x 300m @3k pace, 100m recovery
1km to finish
If you run regularly at Yate or plan to give track races a go this season. Do make sure you have taken advantage of our partnership with Yate AC and join Yate for free as an associate Westbury Harriers member: https://westburyharriers.co.uk/membership/yate-partnership/
WEDNESDAY HILLS SESSIONS
Meet every Wednesday at 12pm at the traffic lights by Saville Road on the Downs. Book on via RunTogether.
THURSDAY INTERVALS
Meet at 7pm at Coombe Dingle
Speed work run on well maintained grass playing fields at Coombe dingle sports complex. Intervals are ran on time rather than distance and we have groups to suit every level of runner.
EVENTS CALENDER / UPCOMING RACES
2 NEW CHAMPIONSHIP RACES;
We have added two new races:
The Westonbirt House Summer 10k – Westonbirt House Summer 10k, 4th August 2024 — icompete
Sunday 4th August 2024.
The Crook Peak Cake Race – Fellrunner — Wed 14 Aug 2024 — Crook Peak Cake Race
Wednesday 14th August 2024.
Back by popular demand, this Fell Race has been selected for the Club Championship season!
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/
Friday 28th June – Beer n Banger 10k Club Championship #6
Wednesday 3rd July – Bitton 5k Series (On the night registration, Bitton Railway Station BS30 6HD at 6:30pm
Thursday 4th July – Tintern Trot Club Championship #7
Saturday 6th July – Cotswold way relay (Eithne Noonan)
Saturday 13th July – Maverick/Adidas Cotswolds 7/15/23km
Thursday 18th July – Purdown Pursuit Club Championship #8
Friday 26th July – Towpath Series 10k Race 3 Club Championship #9
Sunday 4th August – The Westonbirt House Summer 10k Club Championship #10
Wednesday 7th August – Bitton 5k Series
Wednesday 14th August – Crook peak fell race, Club Championship #11
TRACK RACES:
June 22nd
National Athletics League (Regional West Division) Yate
Yate National League Facebook page & National League website
June 25th
Avon AA Open Meeting Filton
Avon AA Open Meetings
If we have missed any race events that you think should be listed or would like to send a race update that you partcipated in, please contact – communication@westburyharriers.co.uk
