Harriers gain medals galore at County Championships whilst Somerset Series awards also finalised
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(Above:u11 Milo running hard at the cross country)
Front page top billing this week goes to those Harriers who competed at this year’s County Championships, as part of the Tri-Counties Cross Country Championships with athletes from Avon and Wiltshire also competing. It’s really good to see so many who are new to these Championships taking part -well done all – but also we can celebrate those who came away with County medals, or in a few instances actually won their races against all comers.
Step forward u15s Jemima Davey & Tom Webb and u17 Sophie Nicholls for your outright wins in your individual races. Of course, you also picked up Somerset Gold for your efforts to add to your trophy shelf/cabinet! Other County Gold medal winners were u11 Kitty Danner, u13 Oskar Beck, u13 Bibi Abernethy, u17 Jack Harvey, u20 Hannah Blundy, SW Lizzie Ingram and, if they were giving veteran medals out, then V45 Sarah Massey was also a Gold medal winner. Read on for a full report and more photos.
Other news this week:
- Somerset Series awards were all sorted at the Brent Knoll race
- Report from across the pond about one of our TeamGB athletes
- A round up of other Cross-Country fixtures on the horizon (dates for your diary – don’t miss entry dates)
- Get ready for the next Street 5k (edition 194) & junior races
- Award yourself a Christmas Pudding at the Harrier supported Baltonsborough 5 mile road race on Sunday 18th December (age 15 upwards)
- Book a place at the Harrier Tuesday eve social Curry evening on 20th December
(Below:Just some of the u13 boys that competed at the Tri-Counties XC)
Blaise Castle XC success for Harriers whilst Jon James competes for England in Dublin international
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Harriers have been out competing hard this past weekend as usual. There was an excellent turn out of 29 members of all ages at the 2nd of this season’s Gwent Cross Country League, running on a course which takes the runners through some lovely hilly woodland as well as having some long straight fast bits on the level. Meanwhile one of our senior coaches and top veterans was winning medals over at the International XC match in Dublin.
Top billing amongst the individuals at the Gwent League should really go to those who competed for the first time for the Club at this event – u11 William McAslan and u13 Grace Baker who are now part of our Monday juniors group. We like to encourage our athletes to have a go as the experience will stand them in good stead for future events!
Of course, we know we’ve also got some athletes who are already excelling in their performances and there is no stopping u15 Tom Webb at present who won his race on Saturday. Grace was 4th in her race and the other top ten finisher for the Club was Oskar Beck who finished 10th in his u13 race. This report is compiled before I could check all the team results but congratulations to the mens team who finished 2nd (in Division 2) and whose points tally was good enough for 6= out of the 90+ teams that competed.
Our attention as a Club with a long history of Cross-country now turns to the Somerset County XC Championships on Sunday 27th November at the University of Bath. This event held as part of the Tri-Counties Championships with Avon & Wiltshire will be a great event. Please make sure you enter asap using the online link off the Team tab.
Jon James continues to defy his age with his performances whether on the road, track or cross-country. He has come away with individual silver and team gold after representing the England V55 team over in Dublin. Read on for the detail.
In other news: last call for Annual Dinner tickets; and for any other Harriers who qualify to be in the draw for the Club’s place for the London Marathon. See previous postings on how to qualify – I’ve just had the 8th senior let me know so Mike Rusca will also now be in the ballot at the Dinner. We also have a little report this week from one of our ultra runners and from the fell running section….
Another good night of racing at the November 2022 Street 5k; World Biathle bronze for Tom!
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There was another great night of racing at the November 2022 edition of the Street 5k races and the accompanying junior races over 1k and 2k. It was the 193rd running of the 5k race and we had 110 finishers which is very good. Times were quicker for many compared to last month as folk get their eye in for the 5 lap course.
In the 5k race, former Wells City Harrier Felix Rusby (Bristol & West) streaked away from 2nd placer Thomas Humphrey (South West Road Runners) to win in a time of 15.51, a little down on his pb. For the women it was a familiar winner at the Street 5k with Gill Pearson picking up the plaudits in 18.30, over a minute ahead of Alexandra Palohai-Avel (Poole AC. The final results are now below.
In the accompanying junior races there were equally competitive races. In the 1k race aimed at School Years 5&6, Ed Salter took the plaudits again winning in 3.46, with junior Harrier Charlie Franchomme not far behind in 3.59. First for the girls was Lyra Leach in 4.11 who is just joining the Harriers, with 2nd girl Janis Laing in 4.24.
The 2k race saw five of our Monday juniors battle it out with Jack Barker first home in 7.51, and Addie Butcher 2nd in 7.56. Well done all. Juniors results below.
In other news we hear that u15 Harrier Tom Webb who ran easy at the 5k on Wednesday is fresh back from claiming individual Bronze at the World Biathle Championships on Madeira - that's a great achievement! Also, news on the forthcoming cross country races for Harriers, and the Annual Dinner.
Juniors off and running on Wednesday:
Reports from the Wessex XC League, Herepath Half, Dorset Three Peaks & OMM. Get ready for 193rd edition of Street 5k!
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(more photos from the XC etc to be added next week - if received)
There was a good turn out of junior Harriers at the 2nd of this season’s Wessex XC League matches. This fixture, held at Bryanston School, saw a number of outright winners from the Harriers: u’11 Kitty Danner; U’13 Oskar Beck (as seen above sprinting for the line) and u17 Iris Courtney. They were backed up by a host of other talented runners.
Meanwhile in the penultimate race in this year’s Somerset Race Series the Harriers had representative running hard at the Herepath ‘Half’ over on the Blackdowns; whilst other Harriers were racing at the Stickler (Dorset Three Peaks) over 10.1 miles; and another band of senior Harriers were competing in this years 2-day OMM up in Langdale. Read on for reports and, where available, photographs of the Harriers in action.
Coming up is the 193rd edition of the Street 5k race (on 9th November). Enter online please by the Monday eve so as to avoid having to queue to enter as only limited entry on the night. Juniors for 1k & 2k enter on the night only. If you raced last month then bring your race number and pay again if you didn’t enter the Series. We are pleased to hear that Charlie Bladon who was taken ill at the last race is now out of hospital and recovering at home.
This report also, amongst other things, (a) reminds Harriers to get ready for the Gwent XC League match at Blaise Castle, Bristol on Saturday 12th November – please advise either Graham (on a Monday) or Jon (on a Tuesday) if you are intending to race as all entries have to be pre-entered; & (b) carries the link to the Tuesday training schedule for the next couple of months.
(Below: Harriers catching the last train out of Shillingstone on Sunday after running in 'The Stickler')
Good pb by Christian at Abingdon Marathon. Make sure you enter XC races on time!
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There was a good run by Deputy Chairman Christian Green at last Sunday’s Abingdon Marathon – a personal best recorded! A number of Harriers are also hearing this week as to whether they have been successful in the ballot for the London Marathon 2023. Read on for how to be in with a chance of a Club place if you were rejected.
This coming weekend sees the 2nd of the Wessex XC League matches – this time at Bryanston School. The deadline passed to enter that race last Saturday. Good luck to those competing there.
The next Gwent XC League match though isn’t far away – Blaise Castle Estate, Bristol – and is being held on Saturday 12th November. Let Jon James know at Tuesday training, or Paul or Graham know at Monday training, if you are intending to run as all entries need to be made in advance. We are uncertain of entry deadline so let them know as soon as you can – no entry on the day.
For the Tri-Counties, Somerset XC Championships, at University of Bath on Sunday 27th November please enter direct using the link off the Team tab – don’t leave it too late!
Read more: Good pb by Christian at Abingdon Marathon. Make sure you enter XC races on time!