Wells City Harriers

Butleigh Race Results are here

The race, supported by Wells City Harriers, was number 5 in the Somerset Race Series 2015, sponsored by Yeovil Glass, and saw the Harriers provide both the male and female winners. Read on for the Race Director's report. Photos by Pete Edmondson.

Pete Wright reports: "Blessed with sunshine yet again! the 34^th Butleigh MT race took place on Sunday 22^nd March and brought together a wide range of runners from across the South West who gathered at the Butleigh village playing field for the 7+ mile race, along with a group of children enjoying the challenge of the running around the field in pursuit of Easter eggs as organised by Richard Hughes.  

Hosted and organised by the Butleigh Playing Field Association and supported by Wells City Harriers the varied terrain race attracted over 90 entrants with the event also featuring as part of the 2015 Somerset Series of races which this year is celebrating its 20^th year.

With the huge army of almost 40 volunteer marshals in position ensuring safe passage and guiding runners through the many twists and turns along with St.John’s Ambulance on standby, the race started on time at 11.30am with runners heading off towards the Cedars via Moorhouse to wind their way across roads, fields, woodland tracks before eventually returning to cross the finish line back at the playing field, elated if not slightly muddied to enjoy the splendid spread of sandwiches, fabulous cakes, and drinks in the sports pavilion.

Running clubs were well represented, Wells Harriers featuring strongly along with Langport, Yeovil, Weston, Minehead, Chard and Crewkerne.

Keiran Young was the clear winner clocking an impressive 42mins 50s, with under 18’s Luke Prior taking second place and the Joanne Batty Shield for the second year in succession just a minute separating 1^st and 2^nd places. Wells leading lady runner Clare Prosser in outstanding form was 1^st lady and 1^st FV35." (note: Clare recently won outright - ie beat all the men too! -the Green Man Ultra and set a new course record of 6 hours 25 minutes for the 45 mile course)

"As in previous years there were a large number of veterans competing across all age groups winners were; Chris Chambers from (Eastleigh RC)1^st MV40 ; Steve Masters (Wells) 1^st MV50; Martin Lascelles ( Maiden Newton) 1^st MV60.Linda Lascelles ( Maiden Newton)1^st lady FV45 ; Lesley Nesbitt (Yeovil) 1^st FV55.

Butleigh Resident winner yet again was Rick Dukes in 20^th place who collected the village trophy award.Proceeds from the race go towards the upkeep of the Butleigh Playing Field facilities.

The next race, number 6 in the 2015 Somerset Series is the Easter Bunny 10k road race as organised by Yeovil Town Road Running Club on the 6^th April for further details visit www.yeoviltown.com. and the Somerset Series details on www.somersetseries.co.uk ."

The next Harrier supported local race will be the Wells Fun Run over 10k, 5k and shorter distances for juniors to be held on Sunday May 24th. The 10k race is also in the Somerset Race Series and runners should note that entries close before the day if the limits are reached. As will happen with the Yeovilton Easter Bunny race where runners were turned away last year when they expected to be able to enter on the day.