Weekly News – Sunday 31st May 2026

Westbury Harriers Weekly News

I hope everyone’s managing to survive the heat and find creative ways to stay cool. I’m convinced I’m getting accidental heat‑training just by trying to sleep — the upstairs of our house seems determined to hoard every degree of warmth no matter how many windows I open.

Running is pretty limited for me at the moment thanks to Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy, which in plain English is quite literally a pain in the bum. Even everyday chores like washing up or hoovering seem to aggravate it, so I’m having to take things easy on that front too 😄

Given the circumstances, I’m starting to think that reclining on a sun lounger with a medicinal Aperol Spritz might actually be the most sensible course of action 😎

 

In this week’s newsletter:

  1. Club notices
  2. Training this week
  3. Race reports / results
  4. Upcoming races

1. Club Notices

1 DAY TO GO – BLAISE BLAZER – FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES 

Entry only £10/£12. Event is on Monday 1st June 2026.

Scenic/hilly 6k through Blaise Estate. Friendly event, all abilities are welcome. Plenty of individual, team & spot prizes and lots of free cake after.

https://westburyharriers.co.uk/events/blaise-blazer/

 

GET BAKING! WE NEED YOU TO MAKE CAKES FOR BLAISE BLAZER – 1ST JUNE – LAST MINUTE REMINDER! 

Cupcakes, cookies, sponge cakes, vegan, gluten free, brownies….get baking. All the sweet delights you can think of, please bring to the race.

If you don’t have time to bake, or your baking skills aren’t up to scratch, then you can always pop to your local shop.

I’ll be quickly doing some chocolate banana bread tomorrow morning!

 

SOCIAL MEET UP – BOAT TRIP (WITH FISH N CHIPS)

We are trying to organise an upriver boat trip on Saturday 20th June 19:00 – 22:00 on Bristol Packets ‘The Bagheera. We need to pay the deposit to secure the boat asap. We are asking for a non-refundable deposit of £10 per head. We need at least 22 people to make this work, but can go up to 50.

The approximate cost of the trip is about £24 ph + about £13.75 for onboard fish & chip. This cost of the trip will depend on numbers, could be under £20 + F&C if we get 50 people!

Please do think about signing up as we need more people and it’s great that there will be a club social event.

 

YATE AC – TRACK RACING

As the sun comes out and we move into the spring/summer you may fancy giving the track a go. As a Westbury Harrier member you can join our sister club Yate AC for free. As Westbury is registered for road and cross country disciplines only, for track we compete for Yate AC who are only registered for the track discipline.

  • To do this join Yate as Westbury associate member.
  • Complete the other discipline form. Attached to this email. This needs to be signed by a WH committee member/team manager and then sent to both Westbury and Yate membership secretaires (membership@westburyharriers.co.uk and yatemembership@outlook.com). You only need to complete this form once.
  • Once registered you may want to check your power of 10 profile updates to show Westbury and Yate so your results show. Any issues email power of 10

 

MAKING TRACKS TRAIL COMMMUNITY LAUNCH EVENT – SUNDAY 7TH JUNE (FREE EVENT)

Three members (Olivia, Yvette and Hannah) are officially launching Making Tracks on Sunday 7th June.

Making Tracks is an initiative with a view to break down barriers, increase representation and encourage participation in off-road running.

Sign up on thelink: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/making-tracks-trail-community-launch-event-tickets-1990045906878?

***

WHERE?
📍 Blaise Castle Estate, BS10 7QT (Meet at the green pavilion next to the children’s play area)
📌 what3words: ///lions.solve.gravy

 

WHEN?
🗓 Sunday 7th June
⏰ 10:00–12:00pm

 

WHAT TO EXPECT?
👋 Group introductions before heading out for a relaxed 5km trail run. All abilities and paces are welcome — whether you’re brand new to trails or an experienced trail runner.

After the run, we’ll head back to the clubhouse for refreshments and plenty of time to chat, connect, and be part of shaping the future of Making Tracks. Your thoughts and ideas will be valuable in how we can grow this community. Come solo or bring a friend — we’d love to see you there!

NOTE: There will be a bag drop. Bring trail shoes, or sturdy road trainers. Dress appropriately for the weather.

***

Are aim is to create an informal Bristol-based mentoring community that aims to empower women and other marginalised genders to run more off-road – we’re really hoping to bring together experienced trail, fell and ultra runners of all ages and abilities with those who are keen to try trail running for the first time or who would like to develop their confidence. We’re hoping to build a specific trail community where people can share ideas, experiences and learn new skills.

Our rough plan is to organise monthly or bi-monthly workshops/sessions that focus on different topics – e.g. finding local routes, navigation, kit, juggling training for longer races with families/work/life commitments, intro to fell races etc.

 

If any WH members are interested in getting involved or know of anyone that would find this useful, please share this.

We’re also on @makingtracksbristol on Instagram, and you can email us on makingtracksbristol@gmail.com.

 

ACADEMY NEWS

The 1st winner of the new Academy award is Rufus P

Rufus has shown real commitment to his running – he had an outstanding run at the Great Bristol Junior Run,

Finishing as the first U11 Westbury Harrier across the line, making him a very deserving winner of our first award.

Well Done Rufus!!!

 

2. TRAINING THIS WEEK

 

MONDAY – Tempo Session:

Cancelled due to the Blaise Blazer

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.

Pyramid session

45 secs
1 min
90 secs
2 mins
3 mins
3 mins
2 mins
90 secs
1 min
45 secs

1 min recoveries, aim for 5k pace/effort on the 3 mins and quicker as the intervals get shorter

Option: miss one of the 3 min intervals or reduce 3 mins to 2 mins

 

3. RACE RESULTS/REPORTS

We’re a bit short on race reports this week but well done to everyone who ran in the Mob match on Friday – 3rd place behind strong B&W and Southville teams is a fantastic result
Here’s a great picture of the Mob match team

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

 

Other club races:

Monday 1st June – Blaise Blazer

Other local races:

Wednesday 3rd June: Bitton 5k – Club Champs – Bitton Road Runners – RaceNation
Tuesday 9th June: Clevedon Midsummer 10k – Club Champs – https://clevedonac.co.uk/our-races/midsummer-10k-race/
Thursday 18th June: Thornbury 10k – Clubb Champs Thornbury Running Club
Friday 26th June: Beer and Banger 10k – https://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/3yS
Wednesday 8th July: Brean Banger – Club Champs Brean Banger | Burnham on Sea Harriers
Thursday 16th July: Purdown Pursuit (TACH) – Club Champs https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=17733

 

15% discount for Westbury Harriers at the Gravel & Grit Backyard Ultra May 1st 2027 .

We have a few WH runners signed up for this race, let’s get a group of us for some loop fun and support.
If you’re up for the challenge and fancy trying a backyard event, then G&G have kindly offered us 15% off the entry ticket
https://www.gravelandgritevents.com/

We would also love to see more female representation too.

 

Please send anything you might want to see in the newsletter to: communication@westburyharriers.co.uk

Editor: Sophie Westmacott

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email