Westbury Harriers Weekly News
Good evening everyone,
First off – a HUGE thanks to all the club volunteers who made yesterday’s Gwent League fixture at Blaise such a success, and also well done to all the runners (over 100 of us!) who braved the mud and the fierce headwinds. It was so brilliant to see so many Westbury Harriers taking part in every race. Race reports to follow but do check out the Facebook page for various photos from the event. Provisional results can also be found here: https://www.triandenter.com/results/2025-2026-gxcl-match-3-blaise-castle
In this week’s newsletter:
- Club notices
- Training this week
- Race reports / results
- Upcoming races
1.CLUB NOTICES
MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Seniors – Emma Raven: For taking the plunge and moving up from Group 4 to Group 3. Initially, she was nervous about stepping up, but with hard work has become fitter and faster, and is now well within the pace of the group. She’s glad to have made the move…. but only ask her that at the end of the night!
Juniors – Stanley Cannings Banks: For his support and help with the Academy each week.
Well done Emma and Stanley!
CHRISTMAS TRAINING SCHEDULE & BRAILSFORD LIGHTS RUN
There will no formal training in the weeks commencing 22 and 29 December 2025.
Our last Monday session of the year on 15 December will be the annual Brailsford Lights run. We encourage runners to turn up in festive fancy dress. We will run in our groups as usual but everyone will head to the Brailsford lights display in Brentry as part of the run. It really is a sight worth seeing and it is all in aid of a great charity, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Grand Appeal. You can make a donation in cash on the night, by credit card or online.
With a Club Supper afterwards for those that have booked a place, it promises to be an enjoyable evening!
Please book using Run Together in the usual way!
CLUB SUPPER – MONDAY 15th DECEMBER 7.45PM AT COOMBE DINGLE
After a successful first club supper back at Coombe Dingle for many years. Another club supper has been arranged for Monday 15th December after the annual Christmas lights run. This is our last week of formal club training before the Christmas break.
December’s meal is curry, rice and poppadom’s (veggie option available) at only £6:60 per head. The bar will be open until 10pm too. We do have a minimum spend at the bar to hit, so please do buy a drink.
CLUB KIT
Membermojo store is now updated with new vest stock. Junior sizes now available.
Westbury Harriers at membermojo
2. TRAINING THIS WEEK
MONDAY – TEMPO:
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:
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:
Coombe Dingle Sports Complex, meet at 7pm.
5 mins (90s sec rec) – 4 mins (1min rec) – 3 mins (1min rec) – 3 mins (1min rec) – 4 mins (1min rec) – 5 mins
4/5mins @ 10k effort
3 mins @ 5k effort
Option to drop the 5 mins to 4 mins, and the 4 mins to 3 mins.
Please think of night running safety. Wear bright/reflective clothing and bring head torches etc.
3. RACE REPORTS/RESULTS
BMAF 5k CHAMPIONSHIP – Battersea.
by Anne Dockery
On Sunday morning I rose at 5am and walked to Bristol Coach station to get the bus to Victoria , London. So many people about at that hour of the day! By the time I arrived at Battersea Park the sun was shining but it was definitely pretty chilly. Joy of joys, we were allowed to use the Millennium gym right by the start..toilets/changing room/lockers…Bliss.
The course was 2 laps and very flat but full of people running, walking dogs and enjoying the winter sunshine. I ran one lap as my warm up just before the men’s race . My they hit some amazing times.
Ladies gathered and there was the usual joy of meeting friends from all over UK. Top lady and dear friend Sarah in my age group was not attending ( Sarah Roberts who , on the same day at Hatfield 5 improved her W75 5 mile record to 37:19 !!!) so I enjoyed a very relaxed race and won my age group 75 -9 with a gun time of 24:23 and chip time of 24:14 which was my PB for this year and it was a negative split ….I am one very happy bunny!! Next year perhaps a few others will join me?? There is a team prize!!
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
See race listings at the bottom of the newsletter for a new Club championship race 🙂
REMINDER OF GWENT LEAGUE DATES
This is our main cross-country team event. Suitable for all club members, all ages, all abilities. 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. 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. 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.
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
More suitable for those who run in groups 1-3.
Saturday 3rd January RNAS Merryfield, Ilton, Taunton.
** Please Note the early deadline and arrangements for coaches and spectators **
Teams : 6 Senior Men / 4 Senior Women (Under 20s run same race and count for Seniors)
Masters Categories : Men M40, M50, M60. Women : FM35, FM45, FM55
Teams : Senior Men – 5 to score Women – 4 to score.
Entry : Please enter yourself. South-West Cross-Country Championships** Deadline 14th December.
ENGLISH NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday 21st February 206 – East Park, Sedgefield, County Durham.
Suitable for all ages and abilities. It is a mass celebration of running – fantastic fun and always a true cross-country course (slightly challenging but totally doable!) The Club has in previous years organised coach transport for runners taking part but the distances involved means coach travel on the day is not a realistic option this time. This remains a prestigious National event and whilst recognising that the length of the journey and the lack of an organised travel option will put off some runners, we still hope that some of you will take part. The club will contribute towards the travel expenses of runners in accordance with our Expenses policy as set out on the Website.
MIDLAND 6/12 STAGE SPRING ROAD RELAYS
28th March 2026, Nationals 11th April 2026
2026 British Masters Road Relay Championships
date not yet confirmed
Other local races;
Saturday 13th December: The 12k’s of Xmas at 9:30am (Club Champs Race) – https://www.gertlushevents.co.uk/12ks-of-christmas
Sunday 14th December: Weston AC Christmas Cracker – https://westonac.co.uk/races-2/christmas-cracker/
Friday 26th December: Clevedon Boxing Day Races https://clevedonac.co.uk/our-races/boxing-day-race/
Thursday 8th January: Rogue Runs night run at Piercefield Park, Chepstow https://sites.google.com/site/roguerunsevents/home/our-events/night-runs
Sunday 18th January 2026: Riverbank Rollick (Club Champs race) – Riverbank Rollick – Thornbury Running Club
If there are any races or interesting events that you think should be added, please email: communication@westburyharriers.co.uk
Editor: Hannah Large
