It was another good day of performances by Harriers of all ages as part of the Yeovil Olympiad team at the latest of the South West League matches at Exeter on Sunday (2nd July). Meanwhile a useful group of senior Harriers were out competing at the tough Charmouth Challenge Fell race on the Saturday, whilst another squad went to the latest in the Somerset Series races at the Quantock Beast on the Sunday. A good representation of just part of the full range of the Club’s activities in one weekend!
(Harriers at the Quantock Beast on Sunday)
At the track & field fixture the Yeovil team were once again very competitive. This report concentrates on Harrier members but we will add detail from our YOAC partners as and when received, On the track u13 Ollie Bishop had a useful day when running the 100m/200m combo in 14.64/29.66 before also gaining team points with his Long Jump of 3.89m. Bradley Glover had a competitive outing with 5.14 in the track 1500m.
For the u15s, Holly Bigger continues to demonstrate good potential with her 200m/300m combination of 27.58/43.32. In the same age group Anya Snowball ran 5.25 for the 1500m. For the u15 boys Toby Watson ran 5.02 for 1500m and had LJ/Discus marks of 3.93m/9.13m; whilst Bernard Mealing looked comfortable with a 200m/300m combination of 28.46/43.53. Dan Maydew weighed in with a 1500m of 5.12.
(Photos of Bernard Mealing & Toby watson in action by Al)
In the u17 women’s competition Elise Thorner continued her good form with a pb in the Shot with 9.40m, and also ran 300m in 43.76 and launched the javelin out to 27.24m. For the seniors Sam Harding ran a useful 4.09 for 1500m whilst Zoe Kurle achieved a pb of 4.55 for the same distance.
This was match three (of four) in the SW League, with 11 teams taking part. The Harrier trained youngsters & seniors are part of the Yeovil Olympiad squad, and finished 4th team at this match. This leaves the team in 5th position taking account of all three fixtures but with all to play for in the final fixture in early September. Before then is the SW League Cup match on 30th July. Interested in competing at track & field? Take at look at our partner club, Yeovil Olympiad, website - checking fixtures and team manager contacts.
Overall | |||
Pos | Club | Mch Pts | Lge Pts |
1 | Taunton | 5255.5 | 31 |
2 | Wimborne | 5468.5 | 30 |
3 | Newquay & Par | 4876.5 | 25 |
4 | Poole AC | 4466.5 | 21 |
5 | Yeovil | 4440.5 | 21 |
6 | Cornwall AC | 4346 | 19 |
7 | Exeter H | 4187.5 | 17 |
8 | Armada | 3833 | 13 |
9 | Newton Abbot | 3918.5 | 12 |
10 | Dorchester | 1490 | 6 |
11 | Mendip | 752 | 3 |
Wells City Harriers had a useful squad of multi-terrain and fell runners out this past weekend. In spite of the heat, off-road and hill seems to suit some of our members. On the Saturday at the Charmouth Challenge Fell Race there was a record entry and 337 finishers of the 7.8mile, 2000foot ascent, race which took competitors from the village to the top of Golden Cap – the highest point on the south coast. First home for the Harriers, and 1st V60 overall, was Chris Kelsey in 52nd place with a time of 69.03. Next in was Paul Chadwick in 104th with 77.08; and then Helen Kelsey in 241st for 91.42. Also spotted racing at Charmouth was former member Dickie Wythe – still going strong.
To put their achievements into an ‘age-graded’ context they were 21st, 59th and 64th respectively using that formula! For those who don’t know Chris – he was the first Harrier to complete the tough Bob Graham round some many years ago (subsequently matched by Oli Frost) and this year in his first V60 year is having a go at the English Fell Running Championships – next weekend he takes on the tough Wasdale Fell Race over 24 miles.
On the Sunday the ‘Race Full’ signs were up at the Quantock Beast multi-terrain race, although a few drop outs on the day meant that those who arrived without a guaranteed entry were accommodated. This is the first time the race has been full but it is no doubt due to it using an on line entry platform which brought it to the attention of many who had never tackled it before. First home for the Harriers was Club Chairman Graham Goldsmid in 15th place in a time of 40.15. Next in was Nick Weaving,30th 45.55 ; then Craig Foley,41st 48.23 ; new member Ali Blaney 45th, 48.47; Paul Chadwick,51st 49.50 ; new member Andy Robinson, 63rd 52.28; Colin Williams,65th 53.20 ; and finally Cath Goldsmid 72nd 53.51.
Paul’s 2nd race of the weekend was all part of his usual build up for the South of England Fell Running Championships in mid-September where competitors have to tackle 3 tough fell races in the weekend. Please take a look at the Calendar entry if you fancy that challenge or contact Paul for information. We also hear that last Thursday eve John Glaisher followed up his recent good run as part of the Cotswold Way relay teams with another 8th place finish - this time at the Forde Abbey multi-terrain 10k In 43.50. There were just over 200 finishers.
(Paul, Nick & Graham after the Quantock race)
LOOKING AHEAD: (see respective Harrier website calendar entries for all details including closing dates etc)
- SOUTH WEST TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS – Sun Aug 20th
- SOUTH OF ENGLAND FELL RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS – Sept 16th /17th
- SOUTH OF ENGLAND ROAD RELAYS – Sunday Sept 24th
& finally NEWS FROM DOWN UNDER from one of our former members Bob Martin who continues to excel at his ‘relatively’ new discipline of Ironman Triathlons where he has just been crowned the Oceania age group Champion after competing in his latest Ironman competition, after.turning age 70. Well done Bob! (He has completed many Ironman distances since moving out there – he always was competitive!)
TRAINING UPDATE
PARKING – Whilst the Swimming pool/Track car park is closed – please park across the road by the all-weather hockey pitches and follow signs to access the track. Junior coaching on a Monday continues throughout July but the volunteer coaches have a holiday in August. Tuesday coaching continues as per usual on every Tuesday evening throughout the summer – see the latest training programme on the calendar entry
GOOD LUCK TO ALL HARRIERS/YEOVIL ATHLETES COMPETING THIS COMING WEEKEND AT THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS AT ALEXANDER STADIUM, BIRMINGHAM !