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Blaise Castle XC success for Harriers whilst Jon James competes for England in Dublin international

Details: Written by: Paul Chadwick; Created: 16 November 2022; Last Updated: 16 November 2022; Hits: 1739

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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 2^nd 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 4^th in her race and the other top ten finisher for the Club was Oskar Beck who finished 10^th in his u13 race. This report is compiled before I could check all the team results but congratulations to the mens team who finished 2^nd (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 27^th 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 8^th 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….

aaaaU15 GIRLS AT START FINAL

Another good night of racing at the November 2022 Street 5k; World Biathle bronze for Tom!

Details: Written by: Paul Chadwick; Created: 11 November 2022; Last Updated: 14 November 2022; Hits: 2938

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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 193^rd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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:

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Reports from the Wessex XC League, Herepath Half, Dorset Three Peaks & OMM. Get ready for 193rd edition of Street 5k!

Details: Written by: Paul Chadwick; Created: 31 October 2022; Last Updated: 01 November 2022; Hits: 2312

aaaOskar Wessex XCOct22

(more photos from the XC etc to be added next week - if received)

There was a good turn out of junior Harriers at the 2^nd 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 9^th 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 12^th 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')

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Good pb by Christian at Abingdon Marathon. Make sure you enter XC races on time!

Details: Written by: Paul Chadwick; Created: 26 October 2022; Last Updated: 26 October 2022; Hits: 1831

aaaChristian at Abingdon

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 2^nd 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 12^th 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 27^th November please enter direct using the link off the Team tab – don’t leave it too late!

Harriers have great runs at first of the Gwent XC League matches & at the Bath Half

Details: Written by: Paul Chadwick; Created: 19 October 2022; Last Updated: 22 October 2022; Hits: 1945

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(above: u17 & u20 women at the first of the Gwent League fixtures on Saturday)

There's been some excellent running at this past weekend's Cross Country fixture up in Cardiff --the first of the Gwent League fixtures, and this follows on from the performances at the Wessex League held earlier in the month. The Gwent League fixture also featured the UK Cross Challenge fixture, and not all Harriers entered for that particular seperate event. Top billing goes to the individuals who were first in the Gwent League on Saturday: u15 Tom Webb; u17 Sophie NIcholls; u20 Dan Maydew

Wells City Harriers has always been a strong Club for cross-country running ever since its founding some 40'odd years ago. Individuals and teams have competed at the very highest of regional and national level (*), and we continue to develop and deliver our coaching over the autumn and winter seasons to enable this to continue. Reminder: Entries for the next Wessex XC League fixture are needed by Saturday 5pm- see below.

Meanwhile some Club members have been in action on the road and this past Sunday saw the Bath Half Marathon finally take place, after being postponed several times. That man Matt Lusby can't be denied - after racing at Gwent League on the Saturday you can guess where he was on the Sunday!

Read on also to make sure you know the dates of various XC races, and the Championship races coming up - don't miss the entry deadlines. Remember to check the Team tab on a regular basis as more information gets posted.

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