Westbury Harriers Weekly News
Hello,
The summer is almost over and the nights are drawing in, Autumn is on it’s way but still lots to report on and look forward to – welcome to this weeks newsletter. Please note the change of venue for Mondays run – we’re back to Coombe Dingle!
RACE REPORTS
Yvette Casallas has been over in Chamonix this weekend competing in the epic UTMB. For anyone not familiar with this race –
Yvette finished in 45 hours and 22 mins, I can’t even imagine being out there for 1 night let alone 2 – what an amazing achievement, congratulations Yvette and I’m looking forward to reading a race report.
.
CLUB NOTICES
MONDAY TRAINING GROUPS
ALL GROUPS ARE BACK AT COOMBE DINGLE TOMORROW (MONDAY 1ST SEPT)
We have made a slight change to the structure of our Monday Groups.
Group 3A has not been operating as a separate group for some time. The availability of Leaders and numbers of runners meaning we have been combining that group with Group 2 or shuffling runners up to Group 2 or down to 3B. To simplify things we will no longer be posting a 3A run and the options on Run Together will be Group 2 or Group 3. For those runners who have been booking on to 3B, you will now book on to Group 3. There may be some additional runners towards the front of the group but no change to the group overall.
For those who have been running with 3A the position is a bit more complicated. You will now need to book on Group 2 or Group 3. This might be a tricky decision for some runners, particularly as Run Together doesn’t allow you to see who is booked on and whether or not there will be others towards the back of Group 2 that you can run with.
Our suggestion is that you book on to the Group you intend to run with. When you arrive at training you can speak to the Leaders, see who else is running and change group if necessary. All we ask is that you make sure that the Leaders of both the group you originally booked on and the group you are now running with know what is happening.
This also applies to anyone across the other groups who may be unsure about whether or not they could move up to the group above.
TRAINING THIS WEEK
The nights are beginning to draw in, we are back training at Coombe Dingle from 1st September (get your high-viz and head/body torches ready) and yes this can only mean that the winter season will kick off soon.
MONDAY – Tempo Session
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 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 – 3 sets of –
3 mins (90 secs recovery) – 2 mins (1min recovery) – 1 mins (1 min recovery)
3 mins @5k pace, 2 mins and 1 min quicker than 5k pace
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/
ADD TO THE CALENDAR:
Just want to draw your attention to the main fixture dates so you can get them in your diary. Please remember the club pays the entry fee for county, regional and national championship events and supports with transport costs.
If you ever wondering, would this event be suitable for me? Please ask your team manager.
Midland Autumn Road Relays – target team race
Time: 14.00 Men – 6 x 5.33km stages men. 14.10 Women 4 x 4.33km stages
Date: Saturday 20th September 2025
Venue: Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield (Town Gate Entrance)
With the excitement of the Avon Road Relays, we look forward to our next relay championships. The Midland Road Relays. This is teams of 6 for men and 4 for women. There is also a masters age group team for men/women. This is one masters age group of anyone over the age of 35 and does not have separate age group teams. U20s can run as seniors in this event.
Midland entries need to be completed by 9th Sep – so if you are available to take part please sign up on RunTogether ASAP so the team manager knows (Tamsin – ladies, Mike Mewse men). Remember if you cancel your booking please message us as we don’t see cancellations.
The club pays the entry fees and supports towards travel expenses (see our travel expense policy). There is senior and master event. The vets team is anyone over aged 35 (not individual vet age groups teams). This event is most suitable for people who run in groups 1-4.
Ladies – 4 stage
Men – 6 stage
Please also start getting the Gwent dates in your diary. We need consistently good numbers throughout the season across all our age and ability groups. So if you can make 1 fixture or all 5 we want you along. A great way to get to know people in the club better, support your team and strengthen your running. Suitable for all club members. Each race is £5, lift shares available. Signup will go up on RunTogether nearer the time.
Gwent League
This is our main cross-country team event. Suitable for all club members, all ages, all abilities. We have people running from groups 2-6 regularly. We do well as we turn out on mass. Everyone scores for the team, individually and for their age group. We want FULL teams in each age group. Cost is £5 + admin fee per race, payable via RunTogether. If you think running around a field in a slightly soggy part of Wales is not fun, think again! It is fabulous fun! Running can be quite an individual sport, but this is really where it comes together as a team and a club with a great atmosphere. The first event usually eases us in gently as the weather is usually kind. Do come and give a Gwent League a go, whether you can do one race in the season, or all five, whatever your contribution it really does help.
Gwent League dates 2025/2026 season
Saturday, October 11th 2025 Margam Park
Saturday, November 8th 2025 Cardiff in conjunction with Cross Challenge
Saturday, December 6th 2025 Blaise Castle
Saturday, February 7th 2026 Chepstow Race Course
Saturday, February 28th 2026 Parc Bryn Bach
Avon Cross Country Championships
Sunday 14th December 2025 Bath University
Held in conjunction with the Gloucestershire Cross Country league fixture. Suitable for all. Has age category prizes.
South West Cross Country Championships
Date not yet available – usually first weekend in January (2026)
More suitable for those who run in groups 1-3.
English National Cross Country Championships
Saturday 21st February 2026 – East Park, Segefield, County Durham.
Suitable for all ages and abilities. It is an en mass celebration of running – fantastic fun and always a true cross-country course (slightly challenging but totally doable!).
Midland 6/12 stage Spring Road relays
March 2026 date not yet available
Masters Road Relays
Saturday 25th October 2025 – British Master Cross Country Relays
2026 British Masters Road Relay championships – date not yet confirmed
Sat/Sun 06th & 07th Sep. Fell race and 5 miler. Blaenavon RunFest25 | Pont-y-pwl
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 Septmeber – Beat the Beacons, Beat the Beacons – Beat the Beacons
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: https://www.forestofdean-halfmarathon.co.uk/autumn/
Sunday 26th October – Mendip Muddle (Club Champs race)
Thursday 6th November – Severn Bridge night run. RogueRuns – Severn Bridge 5 Night Race
Saturday 29th November – Machen 21km & 42km trail races Machen Trail Races | Ridge Runners
If there are any races or interesting events that you think should be added, please email: communication@westburyharriers.co.uk
Editor: Sophie Westmacott
