Wells City Harrier members, including committee members, were out competing at the latest round of the Somerset Race Series on a recent Wednesday evening (17th July) when they were among 150 runners at the Pawlett Plod 10k multi terrain race which featured a lengthy stretch running along the bank of the River Parrett. Deputy Chairman Christian Green won the race whilst Wednesday rep Andy Piper was 1st V50. In other races, Club Treasurer Sharon Bowles successfully completed a tough 100km race across the South Downs whilst Club Secretary Paul Chadwick made a return to the Snowdon Fell Race and had his usual rapid descent to gain numerous places.
Paul on his way down Snowdon
Winning the Pawlett Plod race in a quick time of 35.47 was Harrier Deputy Chairman Christian Green who ran away from the rest of the field early on. Also having an excellent race and 1st V50, in 7th place overall, was Andrew Piper in 41.17. Other Wells Harrier positions and times: 15 Justin Thomas 43.56; 28 Andrew Robinson 46.52; 35 Paul Chadwick 48.08; 68 Karen Shears 55.59; 131 Jenny Adams 78.31.
Last Saturday, 20th July, Harrier Club Secretary Paul Chadwick returned to Llanberis in North Wales to take on the Snowdon Fell Race over a distance of 10 miles with almost 3,000ft of ascent. The race features international teams from across Europe amongst the 700 competitors with a particularly strong contingent from Italy. The event has a big race feel and is televised on SC4. Paul met up with a number of runners who he sees regularly at the annual Isle of Wight Fell Races, and other Fell races.
Paul on the way up
Paul finished in a time of 1hr 53mins, taking just over 75 minutes for the 5 mile run up the Llanberis path and 37.30 for the descent. He overtook 40 runners between the summit and the finish to move up to 376th place overall. The race is held over the rocky path and whilst one hazard is the steep terrain , over 30% gradient in parts, another is avoiding the myriad number of walkers who walk up and down to the summit using this route – some of them are oblivious to the fact that there is a race taking place!
Meanwhile, Harrier Treasurer Sharon Bowles and team-mate Kim Parish ran the Race to the Stones race over 100km finishing at Avebury Stone Circle on the weekend of 12th/13th July. The race starting at Lewknor in Oxfordshire follows the ancient North Wessex Downs Trail and passes the Uffington White horse, carved into the chalklands. The race includes a total climb of 3,700 feet of ascent.
Kim & Sharon at the Stones
COMMITTEE UPDATE - STREET 5k
The Wells Harriers committee met recently to start making the arrangements for the next seasons Street 5k Race Series. The Series, held on the 2nd Wednesday evening if every month between October and March, will be the 31st year that the Harriers have organised the monthly time trial. The October edition will, therefore, be number 181 in the sequence/ Entry forms and details will be available soon on the Harrier website. Harriers should either compete or help out at the Series. It would help the Club for volunteers to sign up to help at specific races contact the new Race Director, Lynne Elstob, or Ian Eddy, in charge of marshals, at Tuesday training.
COMING UP
The next race in the Somerset Race Series, sponsored by Cornwall Glass, is Wednesday 7th August when the Haselbury Trail race 10k is held. Other Series races to plan for are the Batlee of Sedgemoor 10k and the Ash Excellent 8 – see calendar entry for details and relevant links.
Fell races – the Crook Peak race is on Wednesday 21st August. Entry on the night before 7pm. See calendar for link.
Relays – see Team News tab for information on the Relays coming up – road relays and multi-terrain varieties.
Cotswold Way -Kings
The Plaques celebrating the successful completion of all 10 legs of the Cotswold Way Relay for Paul Chadwick & Andrew Deamer have finally turned up. Paul completed his first circuit back in 2006, and Andrew a few years ago. Paul is now on his 3rd circuit of the 103 mile Way.