Almost 40 years of racing in Wells – a look back at the Wells Fund Runs; Gerry Murray Races; Wells Fun Runs…
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Above: just some of the Harrier team at the 2018 version of the Wells Fun Runs (photo by Paul)
Wells City has been the backdrop for a variety of editions of road races over the years since the first one held in October 1981. We’ve had some talented athletes come and run, up to and including international standard runners, and had races of varying distances for all ages, raising good money for some great local causes. We will sadly miss it this year but hope to be back in some form or other next year, post Covid-19. Read on for the history and to see how many names and faces you recognise.
No photo finish this year at the County Track & Field Championships; Looking back at previous years ; plus When will we be competing again? and video of the week
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As the 2020 event is cancelled it means that there’ll be no photo-finishing at the County Track & Field Championships this year! We look back at the Somerset AA Championships of previous years and some of the records; and also at previous BMC Meets. Plus, we look forward to what, if anything, of the season might be salvaged, considering the latest guidance from England Athletics and some thinking from elsewhere as to whether Athletics might be back later this summer. Please note that until the Club receives written permission from any School or Sports Centre allowing us to resume or start using their facilities, that we should continue to train safe outdoors only in public spaces.
Oliwia Cwienczek wins the u15 girls 100m final at the Somerset County Championships last year (2019) in 13.32
(photofinish photo courtesy of David Cooke, County AA)
Brian Beale - a lifetime of voluntary activity for athletics
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Burnham Harrier Brian Beale, one of the County’s stalwarts in terms of service to athletics, has died at the age of 84 from the Covid-19 virus following heart problems. Brian is very well known to many Wells City Harrier members of different eras, and our connections with him stretch back 40 years. Perhaps most in the current era will know him from his Race Directing role with the Burnham Half or Brent Knoll Fell Race, or as scorer for the Somerset Series, or as the perennial Race adjudicator for the Street 5k Series, but naturally enough as a genial character he had a very long back story of voluntary activity not only for his Club but for athletics in general.
Brian with Paul after being presented with engraved glasses after 20 years of the Somerset Race Series in 2015
Read more: Brian Beale - a lifetime of voluntary activity for athletics
Harriers to the fore at Glastonbury Road Run; How fit are you really?; & video of the week
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The early May weekend has traditionally seen the staging of the Glastonbury Road Run. The race was first held back in 1981, organised by the Town Council, to raise funds for local causes and tapped into the running boom that was then sweeping the UK. The first London Marathon had just taken place at the end of March that year (see previous Harrier web article) and no doubt lots of people were inspired by that to come and try what was then a 5.69 mile circuit on road around the town and the Tor. The Harriers were heavily involved throughout the 1980s and 1990s in assisting with this race and have continued to enjoy racing there, providing the winners of the main race, and the shorter races, on numerous occasions. We look back at early Glastonbury Road Runs and also offer another little bit of distraction to help cope with coronavirus lockdown. How fit are you really?
Photo of Terry KIngham and Arthur Vernoum soon after the start of a Glastonbury Road Run from the early 1990s. Fellow Harrier Phil Marsh chasing them.
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Memories of London Marathon - where the Club started from; plus tips on training whilst in lockdown
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It’s probably fair to say that Wells City Harriers came into being as a consequence of the first London Marathon in 1981. Sunday’s cancelled race would have been the 40th edition of the classic 26.2 mile race around the Capital City and we feel for those who had been in training for the main event. Also our sympathies to those juniors who have missed out on running in the Mini-Marathon. This week’s round up looks back on how the Club came about and previous London Marathons including a shout out for who we think is the fastest Harrier at London ever. Plus links to some great tips on how to keep motivated and training during lock down from Athletics Weekly. Anyone for lifting 65kg weights?
Richard Angel, the late Arthur Vernoum & Berni Mundy after one of the early 1980's London Marathons