Wells City Harriers

(photo above: Ollie competing for Team GB in the European u18 Championships a few years back in Gyor, Hungary)

20 year old Wells City Harrier Ollie Thorner finished 6^th in the senior men’s decathlon at last weekend’s (25^th-27^th June) British Athletics Track & Field Championships held in Manchester. Whilst this last Wednesday (30^th June) Elise Thorner heard that she had been selected to compete for TeamGB in the 3000m Steeplechase at the European U23 Championships to be held in Tallinn, Estonia, commencing at the end of next week. Meanwhile Harriers of all ages have continued to train hard at the Club’s various sessions, with a number of new members joining us this past month. Read on for the Tuesday night training plan where members have a choice of track-based or grass-based sessions.

Ollie Thorner was competing in the Decathlon over two days and he found the competition hard, at least partly because of the poor weather conditions on Day 1 (Friday 25^th June). It was somewhat different by comparison with the warm weather training and competition he was able to do whilst studying in the United States back in April & May.

On Day One, covering the 5 events of 100m, Long Jump, Shot Put, High Jump and 400m, Ollie was fastest in the final event of the day, the 400m, running 50.39, and finished with 3,555points.

100m          11.42 (strong headwind!)

Long Jump    6.52m

Shot Put       11.17m

High Jump    1.92m

400m            50.39

On Day Two, with another 5 events, 110Hurdles, Discus, Pole Vault, Javelin and 1500m, he was again fastest on the final event, covering the 1500m in 4.30 – and finished with an overall total of 7,019points.

110mH          15.68

Discus          36.93m

Pole Vault     4.64m

Javelin          47.23m

1500m          4.30.27

Ollie wasn’t too far behind the winner, the current No1 UK decathlete Tim Duckworth (7,447pts) who has been acting as a mentor to Ollie during his training programme in the USA. Tim was looking to achieve the qualifying standard for selection for the team to compete at the Olympics in Tokyo, but fell short – not helped at all by the conditions.

On Wednesday it was officially announced that Ollie’s twin sister, Elise, had been selected as part of the TeamGB for the u23 European Championships. Elise is currently ranked 5^th u23 in Europe at the 3000m Steeplechase and will compete against 30 other athletes from 15 other nations, with 1 team-mate Sarah Tait for company. Elise will contest Round One next Thursday, July 8^th, and hopefully will be able to progress to the final on the Saturday evening, Good luck to Elise in Estonia!

We are hoping that both Ollie & Elise will be able to come down to our Monday junior sessions soon to talk about their experinences of competing at a high level,

TRAINING SESSIONS

The training plan for the next 2 months using Millfield Track has been set by Jon James and is available here.

TUESDAY TRAINING JULY & AUGUST 2021

We have been seeing a number of newcomers to our Monday & Tuesday night sessions at Millfield – welcome to them. On a Tuesday all members have a choice of either a track or grass-based group.

Please continue to book your training place for Mondays & Tuesdays with Paul (Monday) or Graham (Tuesdays) for Track & Trace purposes & to conform with our hiring of the facility.

Wednesday training groups also continue to grow with the beginners group growing to 12 or so members and up to 20 others in the more experienced group. Both groups start from Wells Rugby Club other than the last Wednesday of the month when there is the Social run from a local pub when some members gather to run a new route. This last Wednesday (30th June) a motley crew of 13 ran from Pilton on tracks around and about before eating in the licenced Village Hall. 

COMPETITION OPPORTUNITIES COMING UP – Road & off-road

We hear that John & Rachel Glaisher competed at the recent Exeter Half Marathon. John was 1stV55 in a time of 82.17, 26th overall whilst Rachel was home in 94.18 for 60th place overall.

2 Harrier teams of 6 have now been entered for a trial/test event from Langport on the 15^th July – the Parrett Trail 10k. Please contact Paul if you want to be first reserve.

We also know that the Haselbury Trail Race is on Wednesday 4^th August and the Baltonsborough 5mile & 1.5 mile road races are on 30^th August. See previous postings.

Good luck to those taking part at the Martock 10k race this Sunday and the squad of Harriers going to the Brecon Fans Fell Races with a 10 mile race this Saturday, and shorter 3 mile race on the Sunday.

Entries are now open for the South of England Fell Running Championships on the Isle of Wight over the weekend of 11^th & 12^th September. Link here for those intrepid enough to do 3 tough races in the weekend. 50% discount on ferry ticket. Ask Paul for more information if interested in going.

Track & Field

Opportunities to compete with the Yeovil team over the next few months – please contact team managers to try and get on the team.

SW Championships at Exeter, this month – don’t miss the deadline for entries

Somerset Championships at Yeovil, August – don’t miss the deadline – competition for u11s as well as all older age groups

Details on the dedicated Team tab here.

HAVE YOU BEEN COMPETING? Please send in a report and any good photos for inclusion on the website.