When the heavy rain was pouring down first thing in the morning, the organisers, athletes and spectators couldn’t help but be apprehensive as to what was in store for the Wells Fun Runs. In fact by the time the first race got underway, the eagerly contested junior race for Under8s, the sun was starting to shine and everything and everyone was nicely warmed up. By the time of the final race, the Wells Fun Run 10k, spirits were even higher and everyone worked up a real thirst! What a great day of racing in the splendid surrounds of Wells City – with most races starting in the Market Place and finishing alongside the Palatial moat it was easy for spectators to see lots of action. Read on for a report and the race results.
Start of the 3k race
There were five races in all catering for all ages and abilities. Competition and endeavour were on show in all the events and all were smiling at the end, satisfied with their efforts. Individual category and team awards, including a corporate prize were awarded as usual, with the awards for the 3k, 5k and 10k races presided over by the Lord Mayor of Wells, Celia Wride, in the Town Hall.
Former Harrier Jack Bancroft, now running for the Bristol & West AC club, won the 10km race in a nippy 33.03 with first woman home being Ruby Orchard (Cornwall AC) in 39.25. In the 5km race, u15 Wells City Harrier Toby Watson won in 18.27, with team-mate u15 Jasmine Caley winning for the girls in 22.58. In the 3km race, u13 Harrier Jack Harvey won in 11.51, with Phoebe Evans 1st for the girls in 13.03. In the 1.2km race, Freddie Godden won in 4.28 just ahead of Gertie Blewitt (Somer AC) for the girls. There are still some checks on the 3km race results. Full results below on link.
First three home in the 3km race
10km Race category winners
1st Jack Bancroft (Bristol & West AC) 33.03
2nd Nathan Young 33.32
3rd Daniel Cahill (Minster Milers) 33.47
1st V50 Jon James (Wells City Harriers) 36.57
1st u19 Dylan Dukes (Wells City Harriers) 36.13
1st V40 Adam Cox 38.56
1st V60 Nick Brooke (Dorset Doddlers) 41.36
1st V70 Peter Sterling 58.52
1st Female Ruby Orchard (Cornwall AC) 39.25
2nd Ali Blaney (Wells City Harriers) 44.48
3rd Elizabeth Smith (Westbury Harriers) 45.13
1st F35 Karen Shapland (Bideford AC) 45.55
1st F45 Carol Buckland (Wells City Harriers) 50.23
1st F65 Lesley Nesbitt (Yeovil Town RR) 52.32
1st F55 Jean Bailey 55.07
There were 332 finishers in the 10km race
The Wells Fun Run 10km Race is part of the Somerset Race Series 2018, where competitors have to complete 8 races out of 19 over the year to count. Next Sunday is the Crewkerne 10k road race and that's the next race in that Series. Full Details here.
5km Race category winners
1st Toby Watson (Wells City Harriers)
18.27 1st V40/2nd Andrew Darton (Thornbury RC)18.33
3rd Chris Walker (Wells City Harriers) 18.40
1st u19 Bernard Mealing (Wells City Harriers)
1st V50 Peter Green (Somer AC) 19.04
1st V60 John Shapland 19.52
1st V70 Anthony Hickson (Avon Valley Runners) 38.08
1st Female Jasmine Caley (Wells City Harriers) 22.58
2nd Alicia Warman 23.28
3rd Lucy Jackson (Somer AC) 23.32
1st F45 Karen Wall 24.56
1st F55 Liz McConnell 26.31
1st F65 Lynne Elstob (Wells City Harriers) 33.00
There were 146 finishers in the 5km race
3km race
1st Jack Harvey (Wells City Harriers) 11.52
2nd Oscar Blewitt (Somer AC) 12.09
3rd Ollie Bishop (Wells City Harriers) 12.16
1st girl Phoebe Evans 13.03
2nd girl Isabelle Walker (Wells City Harriers) 13.42
3rd girl Samantha Hurd 13.44
There were 34 finishers in the 3km race
(Race chip timing supplied by Tempo events; some times in the 3k race being checked)
Generous sponsorship from Glastonbury Spring Water, Morrisons, Waitrose and Tesco ensured that there was plenty of hydration & re-fuelling available during and after the race. Other sponsors included Bowleys Garage, Old Mill, Tincknell Fuels, Bishop Electricals (Castle Cary). The organisers are grateful for this continued local support.
Jack, Ollie, Hannah and Izzie - 4 of the junior Harriers from our Monday training group
The races couldn’t have been organised without a whole band of volunteers – many, but not all, of whom are current or past members of Wells City Harriers. If you’d like to join them to help organise next year’s event then please do volunteer your time before or after the day, or on the day itself. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Particular thanks to Julia Dukes who stepped up to the mark as Race Director; and to Lynne Elstob, Sharon Bowles, Duncan Verel, Andrew & Alison Deamer, Tom Dukes, Kaye & Karl Watts, Kay Franklin, the finish line crew, the numerous marshals, the lead bike riders and the sweepers.
The next local race supported by Wells City Harriers is the Baltonsborough 5 mile road race held on Bank Holiday Monday 27th August, with accompanying short 1.5mile fun run/junior run. The event is held as part of the Baltonsborough show so a good day out to be had. Then in October, the Harriers commence the 30th year of the Street 5km Series, with accompanying 1k and 2k races for juniors. Come and join us if you like competing at friendly events and testing your speed.
TRAINING WITH THE HARRIERS
So, you did the Wells Fun Run, and you are aged between 8 and 80? (or even older?). Come and join us for training at one of the Harrier’s coached sessions every week – great company to train with and fun whilst you improve. More details here of all training sessions.
Just some of the Harriers who were competing at the Wells Fun Runs.....
