Westbury Harriers Weekly News
Evening all,
Lots of racing going on this weekend so whether you were doing the Black Nore 10k, the Forest of Dean half, the Berlin marathon or something even further, hope you had a great time.
In this week’s newsletter:
- Club notices
- Training this week
- Race reports / results
- Upcoming races
1. CLUB NOTICES
REMINDER – DATE FOR THE DIARY – SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER 2026 at Horspath Athletics Stadium, Horspath Rd, Oxford, OX4 2RR
Just want to draw your attention to the British Masters Cross Country Relays so you make a note of it.
https://bmaf.opentrack.run/ro/x/2026/GBR/bmaf-xcr/
Women: It is 4 in a team for V35, V45, V55 and 3 in a team for V65, V75 each running 3km. Race at midday.
Men: It is 5 in a team for for V35, V45, V55 and 3 in a team for V65 & V75 each running 3km. Race at 13.45 V35/45/55 and midday for V65/V75
Team managers will be in touch nearer the time to see if there is any interest. Entries close 10/10/26. This event used to be held up north, where as this venue is much easier for us to get to. Entries close 10/10/26 – so will check in with people nearer the time who is interested.
REMINDER – GWENT LEAGUE DATES TO ADD TO THE CALENDAR
Provisional dates for the first three fixtures for the Gwent XC League are now available, others are TBC.
See below for the dates in “Upcoming Races” section.
Please save the dates, dust off your spikes, ready for a fun season of running loops around muddy fields! More details to follow, but XC is a fantastic experience and it’s great if the club can get as many runners out as possible.
The first Gwent League of the season is at Pembrey Country Park on Saturday October 10th.
Can senior and masters men and women sign-up using the following links please? Remember there is no charge to enter the Gwent League this year.
Senior Women – https://clubspark.englandathletics.org/…/8b55f241-622c…
Senior Men – https://clubspark.englandathletics.org/…/2ad9c8a1-6810…
Masters 65 Men – https://clubspark.englandathletics.org/…/97fae70e-fc49…
The Senior Women and Masters 65 Men run in the same race, but we’ve got separate sign-ups this year.
BLACK TO THE TRAILS – Sunday 11th October at Blaise Castle Estate – FINAL CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP
We are looking for another volunteer to cover the 2-4pm slot please.
This is to help the event team to safely use the space in the club house, whilst they are moving items in out/filling water. This will also be an opportunity to encourage participants of the race to try out Westbury Harriers.
If you are able to volunteer between 2-4pm, please contact Seema Srivastava (WH Committee Joint EDI officer)
We would also encourage WH members to sign up to the BTTT event – under 16s are free. SIGN UP HERE: https://www.blacktothetrails.co.uk/bristol
RUNANDTALK WEEK
Join us on 5th October after Adult, Junior and Academy runs, to support #RunAndTalk Week and have a chat with a cuppa, cold drink and snack. We’ll hopefully be outside if the weather allows but will have a space inside if the weather is poor. It would be great to see as many of you as possible after your run and if you’re not running, please come along anyway. It’s good to talk 🙂
2. TRAINING THIS WEEK
MONDAY – Tempo Sessions:
Group runs from Coombe Dingle Sports Complex 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.
TUESDAY – Track Session:
Track at Yate
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:
7pm at Coombe Dingle Sports Complex.
3. RACE RESULTS/REPORTS
Congratulations Club Chair
Lovely to see Geraint Torrington recognised at this years England Athletics South West Volunteer Awards 2026 for all his wonderful input into Westbury Harriers Running Club. Thank you for all you do.
FOREST OF DEAN HALF MARATHON
by Judy Knights
Last night I dreamed that I forgot my running shoes for the Forest of Dean Half Marathon. Luckily that didn’t happen in reality and I turned up at today’s Club Championship race fully attired. Apart from a shower just before we set off and again at mile 2 the weather was kind to us. The course is scenic but hilly and I found myself struggling after last week’s 10 miler. The event was the autumn masters representative trail race between England and Wales so the competition was stiff. However, there were some good runs from Westbury Harriers. Congratulations to Hannah Large on being first FV35. Sorry no photos – not even of cake.
Black Nore 10K
Well done to the WH runners in Portishead today. A challenging and technical course, with some super steep slopes to enjoy.
Rebecca Lee finished 5th female, and strong performances by Martin Fielding, Alex Miller, Heidi Andrews, Sandra Sforza
A friendly event in aid of Weston Hospice care, well marked and marshalled. Good value at £14 including a medal!
parkrun
Well done to Kay Ridgwell for completing 250 parkruns at Blaise and Jane Nash for 100 – that’s parkrun commitment!
4. 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/
And club champ races here: Club Championship – Westbury Harriers
Upcoming club relays
Saturday 24th October – British Masters Cross Country Relays – Oxford
Provisional Gwent League Dates 2026/27 season
Saturday October 10th Pembrey County Park
Sunday November 8th Cardiff (rugby fixture on the 7th)
Saturday December 5th Blaise Castle
Saturday/Sunday February 13th/14th (date and venue TBC)
Saturday/Sunday March 6th /7th (date and venue TBC)
Other local races:
Sunday 25th October 2026: The Clock Change Challenge (CLUB CHAMPS) – AUTUMN – Clock Change Challenge – Course Maps
Sunday 1st November 2026: Nightingale Nightmare (CLUB CHAMPS) – Nightingale Nightmare 2026 (This sells out quickly!!)
Thursday 19th November 2026: Weston Prom #3 – (CLUB CHAMPS)
Thursday 17th December 2026: Severn Bridge Night Race – (CLUB CHAMPS) RogueRuns – Severn Bridge 5 Night Race (This also sells out quickly)
Please send anything you might want to see in the newsletter to: communication@westburyharriers.co.uk
SOCIAL MEDIA
WESTBURY HARRIERS FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/groups/westburyharriers/
WESTBURY HARRIERS INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/westbury_harriers/
If anyone is on Instagram, we would love for you to tag us, so we can share your posts/stories taking part in club events or other races!
Editor: Sophie Westmacott
