Wells City Harriers

Elise & Ollie compete at NCAA Champs (USA) whilst host of Harriers succeed at County Schools T&F

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Written by: Paul Chadwick

Created: 14 June 2022

Last Updated: 14 June 2022

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(Above: Elise in the New Mexico State pale blue vest coming out of the water jump at NCAA Steeplechase; photo credit James Schwaberow, Getty)

 

Another good week on the track, road and fells this past week by Wells City Harrier members:

National Collegiate Championships (USA); Somerset Schools County Championships; fast 5k; and Dartmoor fell-running. Plus news of prizes for breaking course records at the Wells Festival of Running races in September .....

U23 year old twins Elise & Ollie Thorner competed out of their skins at the US NCAA Championships. Elise finished 5^th in the 3000m Steeplechase in a time just 1 second outside of her personal best (pb) but she had such a gutsy run against the cream of the US+ Steeplechasers – the winner of this race may well be competing for TeamUSA at the forthcoming World Championships. Ollie achieved 2 personal bests in the Decathlon -and again a couple of the US Athletes in the event will, for sure, be at an Olympics soon.

Meanwhile, closer to home there were a number of junior Harriers out competing for their Area Schools teams at the Somerset Schools T&F Championships and a good number either won or achieved personal bests on the day. Some have now been selected for the Somerset Schools team to compete this coming Saturday at the SW Schools Championships, another stepping-stone to the prestigious English Schools Championships.

Read on also for some great times at a recent 5k road race by a squad of senior Harrier; another fell running report; the return of the Yeovilton 5k race – in July; and an update on the Wells Festival of Running (11^th September) where prize money is on offer to any that break the course records.

(Below: Ollie Thorner, 3rd from camera, in his Washington State vest, fast out of the blocks...)

 

Read more: Elise & Ollie compete at NCAA Champs (USA) whilst host of Harriers succeed at County Schools T&F

Excellent running on the track, road and at ultras - reports from first of the SW League matches, BMC & others

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Written by: Paul Chadwick

Created: 07 June 2022

Last Updated: 08 June 2022

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(Above: Leyton on left & Oskar in the middle at the BMC 800m race - photo by Stuart)

 

There's been a hive of activity on the Track, on the road and at ultra trail races by Harriers of late. This report kicks off with the achievements of Harriers at this past Sunday's SW League fixture alongside our partners from Yeovil Olympiads. There has been some great performances, especially by youngsters from our Monday group competing in the team for the first time. (Below: Eva Dowden running a pb at the BMC meet - photo by Stuart)

 

A few were doubling up, having run the evening before at the BMC meeting at Millfield, whilst one of the Senior athletes competed at three different fixtures over the weekend - the National League fixture in Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon and the SW League fixture in Exeter on Sunday afternoon, with the Crewkerne 10k road race sandwiched in between on Sunday morning! Well done Matt Lusby.

 

We also carry reports of some of the Harriers who just love to run in fairly remote places over long distances involving lots of hills, but getting great views along the way - anyone for the Skye Ultra Trail race or a 3 day Lakeland Mountain Marathon? (Below: The view from the top in the Gt Lakes race - photo by Max)

 

Read more: Excellent running on the track, road and at ultras - reports from first of the SW League matches,...

Cader Idris Fell Race & Harrier Annual Award winners celebrated

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Written by: Paul Chadwick

Created: 25 May 2022

Last Updated: 27 May 2022

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(Above- Matt Lusby nearing the top of Cader Idris)

 

A trio of Harriers tested their hill running skills when they went and raced at the Cader Idris fell race in North Wales this past weekend. 10.9 miles and 3,000 foot of ascent in the southern Snowdonia range isn’t to everyone’s liking but a good time was had by all.

Matt Lusby led the way for the Harriers with a 15^th place finish. Not bad given that most of the runners in front of him will be running the fells in training and racing on a much more regular basis.

Meanwhile, we celebrated the achievements of some of our talented members at the recent Club AGM with Annual awards and this report carries some of the photos. Read on for fixture information - Track & Field; Somerset Series; and more Fell races.

 

(Below - Harry Barton is the 9th Wells City Harrier to represent Team GB and accordingly was made a Life Member at the AGM - here with an engraved glass presented by Chairman Graham Goldsmid - photo by Paul)

 

 

 

Read more: Cader Idris Fell Race & Harrier Annual Award winners celebrated

Great athletic performances by Harriers at the Somerset County Championships & AGM report

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Written by: Paul Chadwick

Created: 18 May 2022

Last Updated: 18 May 2022

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 (Above - two of our regular Monday training group - Elspeth & Ferne with their medals - photo by Paul)

 

Harriers were out in force at this year’s County Athletic Association’s Championships, once again held at the Bill Whistlecroft Arena in Yeovil. May 14th & 15th 2022.

 

For some it was their first taste of County Championships and especially for those juniors training with us on a Monday evening they may well have been a bit nervous before competing, but all acquitted themselves well and set new marks or times and mostly personal bests.

 

Saturday at the Championships was really sunny and bright whilst on Sunday by mid-afternoon the rain moved in and some competed in the downpour. All part of gaining valuable experience in all conditions. This report is brief and may well miss out some names/performances. If you are a senior Harrier or parent of a junior you can help future reporting by writing up some words about Harriers in a particular event/age group or sending in some good photos – the more action in the photo the better!

 

Our thanks as ever to the Championship Secretary, David Cooke, who still found time to compete in the 400m in spite of his busy weekend (& the preceding weeks!) and to all of the officials who give up their time to enable these events run like clockwork. Again, senior Harriers and parents of juniors that like competing at Track & Field should consider becoming qualified as an official to ensure these Championships continue into the future….

 

(Below: The latest Harrier to be awarded Hon Life Membership,for selection for TeamGB,  Harry Barton, had a blast at the 110m Hurdles at the County Championships. Next stop - running again this weekend for TeamGB - photo by Paul)

 

Read more: Great athletic performances by Harriers at the Somerset County Championships & AGM report