There was yet another great weekend of running by Harriers of all ages this past weekend. On the Saturday we had three crack teams of u15 juniors out competing at the prestigious UK Road relays. This keeps up a tradition going back over 15 years or so of the Club sending teams. Meanwhile Tim Hawkins went sub-3 again when running for a select V45 England team at the Chester Marathon; and Chris Green was in the top 3 at the tough Mendip Muddle. Also: Think about how you can help the Harriers with the current call for volunteers - Read on. (photo below of Paul, Chris & Nick after the Muddle)
Wells City Harriers were once again the only Club in Somerset and from the South west region to send teams to the National road relays this past weekend. Three teams of u15 athletes went to Sutton Park in Birmingham to compete against the top clubs from all over the UK, and each of the teams ran well. From the 94 teams in the u15 boys race over three legs of 3.88km on a hilly circuit, the Harrier A team was 26th with the B team in 48th. Individual times: A -Matthew Quarterman 13.06; Dan Maydew 14.02; Toby Watson 14.32; B- James White 14.13; Leo Stockman14.35; Bernard Mealing 14.48.
In the u15 girls race, out of the 80 teams entered the Harrier girls team of Lizzie Ingram, Olivia Earthy and Jessica Hudson were 31st, despite Lizzie falling over in the mass fast start of the first leg. Their times were 15.29, 16.26 and 15.54 respectively. That’s some great running by all three teams. The Club's thanks to Simon Prior for team managing on the day.
Meanwhile a number of the Club’s senior runners have been out competing in various long road races. Tim Hawkins ran for Team England in a representative match as V45 athlete over the marathon distance at Chester and finished in exactly 2hours 59 minutes. At the Bournemouth Marathon, Martin Bailey was back in 4.05, suffering a little bit in the 2nd half of the race, whilst Gaby Rowe was a good solid 4.06. In the accompanying half marathon John Reynolds ran 2.06; and in the 10k Sam Pollard was 59.11 and Janet Pollard 59.57.
Closer to home a squad of the Harrier’s fell runners went to Charterhouse to compete in the 20km Mendip Muddle, with 1600 feet of climb. Chris Green was 3rd overall in 1.25; with Chris Kelsey, 2nd V60, in 1.44; Nick Weaving 2.00 and Paul Chadwick 2.02. Conditions were a little muddy underfoot, slower than last year. Chris Green’s sequence at the race is now 3rd, 2nd, 3rd, which is some consistent running. Chris Kelsey and Paul pointed out to Chris how 20 years earlier they too were running in the 1.20 times at this race and to enjoy being so fast, and high up whilst he can!
It's also now confirmed that Chris Kelsey finished 15th overall in the V60 category for the English Fell Running Championships this year after completing 4 tough races. Anyone else fancy having a go next year?
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE HARRIERS –click on link for current vacancies and ask Paul or Graham for information asap.
DON’T FORGET – STREET 5k on Wednesday 11th - if not running then come and marshal;
Make sure you notify Neil Biss if intending to run at next Wessex XC fixture;
Book your Annual Dinner tickets now – see calendar entry
Gwent XC this Saturday for any interested - see calendar entry