Westbury Harriers Weekly News
Hello, I hope everyone is well.
Kudos to anyone who ran today, the weather was horrendous. I’m sure some of you with spring marathons and half marathons coming up were lacing up today for your long runs. But as they say… no such thing as bad weather, just bad kit. (Talking of kit Tamsin is putting an order in for club vests and T shirts. So if you need any please give her a shout, and I’ll put all the relevant details in the newsletter). Some exciting news for XC runners hoping to race at the nationals in Feb, we now have a coach taking us, and the club will be subsidizing your travel. SO GET SIGNED UP! There has not been a lot of racing the last few weeks, although our resident mountain goat Dan Summers had a great time at the UTMB Arc of Attrition along the Cornish Coastline. If you would like to learn some trail racing tips and tricks from Dan, then he is organising a Brecon training weekend in September, details below.
All the best,
Ben.
RACE REPORTS
Dan Summers grabbed first V40 and 13th overall at the UTMB Arc of Attrition marathon distance event in Cornwall. This saw Dan running some technical trails along the Cornish coast line racking up 900m of elevation and finished in 3hrs 20! Hopefully, we can get a full report from the man himself for next week’s letter.
CLUB NOTICES
COACH BOOKED FOR THE NATIONALS!
We are booking a coach to take us to Parliament hill for the most iconic race in British XC. From the London skyline backdrop to ‘that hill’ and the mass start line, Parliament hill never fails to wow.
We are getting picked up from Coombe dingle, and will be picking up/dropping off from Yate as well. The club will be subsidizing the travel (there may be a very small fee to pay) and your race fee. This means the only thing you need to worry about is what size spikes to wear!
We already have runners signed up but we ALWAYS want as many as we can field. So click on the link below and add your name! (You have one week left). Please email Mike or Tamsin so we can add your name to the coach.
PLEASE NOTE THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENTIRES IS 31ST JANUARY 2025
Entry – https://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2025/natxc25e.php
You can claim back the race entry fee after the competition following Westbury expenses procedure. The club also contributes towards travel costs.
Tamsin – Manager.women@westburyharriers.co.uk
Mike – Mike_Mewse@hotmail.com
Gwent league fixtures confirmed.
4th Gwent League Fixture – SATURDAY – 8th February at Margam Park
5th Gwent League Fixture – SUNDAY 2nd March at Brecon (Penlan)
https://www.gwent-league.org.uk/fixtures.html
Tamsin will be putting in a kit order next week.
Club vests are usually in stock and can be purchased via our membermojo store.
If you would like to order a WH T-Shirt (White with blue hoop, which can be using for racing) – please contact Tamsin on manager.women@westburyharriers.co.uk or via FB messenger, WhatsApp/Text or respond to the post on FB. T-Shirts costs £18 juniors/£22 seniors. Also crop tops £20 as only currently have sizes 4,6,8 in stock. Sizing information can be found here. Please let Tamsin know by 31/01/25
Please see our website for kit information.
Brecon training weekend
Hi all
Dean and I are looking at organising another Westbury Harriers weekend away on 26-28 September 2025. This time to keep travel easy, we’ll be going back to the Brecon Beacons. We’re hoping to be able to keep the cost to around £250-265. That will include food, guiding, accommodation and yoga on Saturday afternoon.
Please could you either comment below or send me a message to let me know if you are interested. We will then sort out the accommodation (no one will be in bunk beds) and confirm the price.
Any questions, just let me know.
Dan Summers.
THIS WEEK’S TRAINING
MONDAY – Tempo Run:
Group runs from Coombe Dingle 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. There is also a Wellbeing run at 7:15pm. Bring running lights and reflective clothing if you have them.
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 – INTERVALS:
Coombe Dingle at 7pm.
Hill session on road. Locations TBC on night.
Bring Road shoes.
Bring running lights and reflective clothing if you have them.
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/
Sunday 26th Jan: Chepstow Festival of running – https://www.runthrough.co.uk/event/chepstow-running-festival-5k-10k-half-marathon-january-2025
Saturday 8th February: Margam Park, Gwent League XC
Saturday 22nd February: Saucony English National Cross Country Championships
Sunday 23rd February. Ironwood Challenge: https://nailsea.fullonsport.com/…/ironwood…/profile
Sunday 2nd March: Brecon, Gwent League XC
Sunday 6th April: The big Cheese race. 15-mile fell race in Cheddar.
Sunday 11th May: The Bristol 10km and half marathon.
Editor: Ben Wood.
