Top teams in the South West & Another good Street racing night
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- Written by Paul Chadwick
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(Above u13 Oskar Beck, part of our Gold Medal winning team at the SW XC- photo by Matt B)
It’s been another busy week for Wells City Harrier members: Sunday saw a huge turn out at the South West Cross Country Championships held at Ilton, whilst on Wednesday we were organising the 195th edition of our monthly Street 5k races, with accompanying 1k and 2k races for juniors. STREET 5k race results now added!
Plaudits at the Cross Country goes to the Gold medal winning Harrier teams of u13 girls, u13 boys, u15 girls, u15 boys and senior women who swept all before them – beating the bigger city Clubs from the likes of Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Plymouth and anywhere else in the region. We’ve always punched above our weight. Congratulations too to the two individual SW Champions – Dan Maydew for the u20s and Jon James for the v50s. Our thanks to the organisers of the Championships.
Meanwhile at the latest edition of the Street races there was an excellent turn out. Some new faces – new year resolutions? – but many old and familiar runners not letting the recent wet weather put a halt to their running.
Congratulations to Street 5k race winner, Wells Harrier Christian Green, running 15.50, who gradually reeled in David Awde who led the way over the first three laps. Running For Time’s Gill Pearson was (yet again!) race winner for the women in 19.01. In the accompanying junior races, Toby Hirst for the boys and Harriet Creed for the girls won in the 1k race, and Oliver Finch for the boys and Elspeth Perkins for the girls in the 2k race. Great effort by all!
Read on for more reporting detail from the SW XC Championships and for the Street races, with link to Street race results now available..
(Below; Juniors on the start line at Street 1k&2k races - photo by Paul)
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Wells City Harriers back running, and winning, in the new year. Come and join us!
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- Written by Paul Chadwick
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HAPPY NEW YEAR to all
Another year begins and no doubt there’s plenty of folks with New Year resolutions to get fitter and to get faster when running. Undoubtedly some will also be planning how to run a half or full marathon; some even to prepare for their first ever race. Others will be targeting the tough cross-country races. Harrier training sessions now resume, but for some Wells City Harrier members they’ve already been out racing.
A small group ventured across to Chard for the first race in the 2023 Somerset Race Series on New Years Day and junior Finlay Downes had a great run for 12th over the undulating road10k, with Club Chairman Graham Goldsmid picking up 1st V60. Meanwhile we hear that Jon James won outright the veterans only race over in Cardiff over 5 miles on the same day in 26.55.
Read on for details of the races, the training sessions resuming and last call for entries to the next edition of the Street 5k races. Entry link here.
Read more: Wells City Harriers back running, and winning, in the new year. Come and join us!
Excellent running in tough conditions: Final Wessex XC League fixture report and Baltonsborough win for Alex!
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Harriers of all ages were competing this past weekend. In the cold and the wet. Whilst a small group of seniors went and ran at the Baltonsborough Christmas Pudding 5 mile road race and helped raise good money for charity, another group of mainly junior Harriers tackled the final race in the Wessex Cross Country League at Canford School in Dorset. Above shows u13 Oskar Beck running hard for the line at the XC.
Baltonsborough resident Alex Coombs won his 2nd race in 4 days when crossing the finish line at his local village race and it was his 1st outright success after finishing 4th, 4th and 3rd on the three previous occasions. All that training is paying off! Gill Pearson of Running For Time was 1st woman home, following on from her 2nd place from the previous Wednesday's Street 5k. Harrier Kay Franklin was pleased with the money raised for charity and everyone went home with a Christmas Pudding. Read on for the report and link to results.
Meanwhile, we’ve got some dedicated juniors training with the Club either at our Monday night sessions at Millfield, or down at the Yeovil track with our Olympiad partners and they don’t hold back from competing.
Headlines were written at the final Wessex fixture by u11 girl Kitty Danner who was 2nd on the day but was the outright winner of the League, following on wins at the two previous fixtures. U15 Charlie Brand was 2nd on the day, U13 Oskar Beck and u15 Daisy Abernethy were 3rd on the day. Oskar 2nd overall after the three fixtures and u15 Amelie Cook was also 3rd overall after three, Well done all – read on for positions and the results link.
Don't miss the entry deadline for entries to the SW XC Championships (8th January at Ilton, near Langport) - entry link here: Sign up for the SW XC Championships 40+ Harriers already signed up!
Below: Harriers before the Baltonsborough race
December 2022 Street 5k (edition 194) & England Road Running 10k Championships - great running by all
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- Written by Paul Chadwick
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(Above: Race Director Stephen Nicholls gives final instructions to the runners)
There was another good turn out of runners for the 194th edition of the Street 5k races. This was in spite of the cold conditions of late and the other distractions in the run up to Christmas.
First home out of the 72 finishers in the 5k race was the Harrier’s Alex Coombs in a nippy 16.30 with Sophie Nicholls first home for the females in 17.08 & 1st junior. New age group course records by Sophie (u18 record) & Len Horlock (V80 record).
In the accompanying 1k and 2k races for juniors, we had winners Ed Salter & Eva Wait in the 1k and Oskar Beck & Elspeth Perkins in the 2k race.
It was great to see a healthy contingent of runners from Avon Valley Runners, a group from Cardiff (first-timers all) and a useful looking squad from North Somerset AC alongside many who we see on a regular basis.
Meanwhile last Sunday a useful squad of senior Harriers raced at one of the fastest 10k races on the circuit when it was the England 10k Road Running Championships at Telford and personal bests were achieved even though conditions were tough (Below ; Chris Green & Zak Hurrell lead out on wave 2 on the Telford 10k - both achieved pbs). Well done to our very own Jon James for being crowned England 10k v55 champion.
Read on for fuller reports, more photos and the Street race results, plus a final call for entries to this Sunday’s Harrier supported Baltonsborough 5 mile Christmas Pudding road race, and to the South West XC Championships (entry deadline coming up).
Another good racing day at Gwent XC League; Fun & games at Harrier Annual Dinner
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At the Gwent Cross Country League, there was some good running by the Senior men's team once again and we can celebrate outright victories by u15 Tom Webb and u17 Sophie Nicholls, with Jon James continuing to lead the way in the V55 age category. The seniors finishing positions and times are now confirmed and a detailed report follows. Above shows the 6 senior men who competed.
Other Harriers have been in action at the Midlands League, and the Schools Cup, as well as one of our Hon Life Members, Luke Prior, competing in Germany. Read on for details.
At the Annual Club Dinner a well attended gathering enjoyed celebrating a few successes. Matt Lusby picked up his 2nd place award from the Somerset Series 2022 as well as the much coveted ‘Bog Seat’ award. Whilst the Club’s two London Marathon places went to Natalie Winstone and Shobee Chant. Our thanks to partners Yeovil Olympiads for the 2nd place.
Last call to for members to:
- Sign up for the SW XC Championships (deadline December 22nd) and be mindful of other deadlines – see team tab
- Pre-enter the Street 5k at least 48 hours before the race next Wednesday (14th) to help Race Organisers; Juniors can enter on the night for the 1k & 2k races. Bring previous race number if you've raced here this Series.
- Support Harrier Kay Franklin raise good money for charity by entering the Baltonsborough Christmas Pudding 5 mile road race due to take place on 18th December – enter on line following the link here - all entrants receive a Xmas Pudding.
Read more: Another good racing day at Gwent XC League; Fun & games at Harrier Annual Dinner