Great running at the Babcary Road race & Hannah has a good day out at the Nationals - top ten finish!
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- Written by: Paul Chadwick
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(Above: on the start line at Babcary - this photo & all others from Babcary by Alice)
There was some good running in lovely sunny conditions at the Babcary 7.5 mile road race this past Sunday, 27th February. The race was Number 2 in this year’s Somerset Race Series and Michael Parrott & Gill Pearson, both of the Running For Time club, won the race and the accolades with their nippy times.
Meanwhile, also in action this past weekend, on the Saturday, at the National Cross Country Championships held at the classic venue of Parliament Hill, was u17 Hannah Blundy for the Harriers - finishing in a top ten position - 7th in 19.57. Hannah's great run was also backed up by two other Harriers who made the journey and also ran well - in the Junior women's race was Emily Murray finishing 89th and in the Senior women Laura James was home in 171st position in the huge field.
(Below: Hannah in action at Parliament Hill)
The Wells City Harrier supported Babcary race event has been held for well over two decades, race directed by Harrier Gary Tubridy. Due to problems on the day, the age graded results couldn’t be computed but are also now available for those of us who, whilst we might be getting older, still like to see where we’d stand when compared to younger runners! Gill Pearson topped the age graded standings.
Read on for links to the Babcary 2022 results, links to the Somerset Series and other local races, and for Harriers who train on a Tuesday at Millfield track the latest training programme for the weeks ahead. Also, news on the Club's London Marathon places....
(Below - Harriers after the race)
Great running at Blaise Castle Cross Country; news from the Indoors; & updates on Wells & Street races
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- Written by: Paul Chadwick
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(Above - u11 girls on the start line at Blaise Castle)
There was some excellent running by the Harriers from both the Millfield and Yeovil training groups at the 4th fixture in the Gwent XC League held at Blaise Castle, north Bristol this past Saturday (19th February). A number of Harriers made their debut for the Club whilst there was also plenty of experienced Harriers taking part in what is a tough League to compete in.
The course was the usual interesting circuit including a stretch through the woods which was incredibly muddy. With the addition of the Gale force winds it made for tough running and the Harrier tent was made good use of – even though at times someone had to hold on to it to make sure it didn’t blow away!
Well done especially to u13 Will Birchall for his winning run, and to Daisy Davies 2nd in the u15 girls. Read on for full report & more photos
Meanwhile news also from Harriers competing at Indoor events; on the Wells Fun Run/10k; and the call for Harriers to step up to Race Direct the next Street 5k Series. This report also summarises the standings in the 2021/22 Street Series as we go into the final fixture on 9th March.
(Below - the u17 mens race gets underway - photo by Fiona)
Harrison wins Street 5k edition number 190 whilst Kirstie wins for the women & Jon lowers the V55 course record (again)
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- Written by: Paul Chadwick
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(above - juniors after the 1k race - photo by Alice)
U17 Wells City Harrier Harrison Williams ran a nippy 16.08 to take his first victory at this classic race. He even trained hard the night before at the Harrier’s Tuesday session! Team-mate Matt Lusby did his best to chase him down but was 2nd a step or two behind. Meanwhile V55 Harrier Jon James again lowered the Street 5k V55 age category record when he finished 4th in 16.18. He will further extend his lead in the national V55 rankings for the distance this year.
Kirstie Booth of Taunton AC was 1st for the women in a good 18.13, with 1st F45 Gill Pearson (Running For Time) next home in 18.36. Amongst the juniors there was a strong showing by all that took part with some making their debut here. Maybe next month we can see one of the long standing junior 1k or 2k records go?
Read on also for an update on how some of the Harrier’s junior Team GB athletes are progressing with their indoor training and the latest on local races, the next Gwent League XC fixture, and a call for Harriers to volunteer a bit.
(Above - Elise Thorner in action for her New Mexico University stateside)
Harrier juniors out in force at County Schools XC Championships whilst senior squad run well at Chepstow
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- Written by: Paul Chadwick
- Hits: 1912
(above - Junior Girls off & running at County Schools Championships - this and other School photos by Gary)
Wells City Harriers were out competing at a few events this past weekend 22nd & 23rd January. On the Saturday a large contingent of the juniors were competing at the Somerset Schools Cross Country Championships, held at South Petherton. On the Sunday a number of the senior Harriers were posting fast times at the Speedway 10k Road race at Chepstow.
As a consequence of their performances at the Schools Championships, many of the Harrier trained juniors have now been selected to compete for Somerset Schools County team at the forthcoming prestigious South West Schools Championships.
Pick of the performances at the Schools event were by: Daisy Abernethy who won the Junior Girls event (School Years 8&9), with fellow Harrier Daisy Davies in 2nd place in the same race; Harrison Williams who won the Inter Boys race (School Years 10&11) with team mate Finlay Downes a stride or two behind in 2nd place; and by Harrier Tuesday training group members Sophie Nicholls and Iris Courtney who were 1st & 2nd in the Inter Girls Race; Dan Maydew was 3rd in the Senior Boys race (School/College Years 12&13).
At the Speedway event, leading the Harrier squad home was Deputy Chairman Chris Green in 32.22, with Zak Hurrell, Matt Lusby and Alex Coombs all posting personal bests in 32.32, 33.04 and 35.00 respectively. Senior Club coach v50 Jon James also had an excellent run with 32.57 to win his age category.
The next competitive fixtures for many Harriers will be the Street road race on the evening of February 9th (enter online in advance) and the Gwent Cross Country League match (free entry for all Harriers inc Yeovil partners) at Bristol on Saturday February 19th
Read on for the full report with more photos.
(Below - Deputy Chairman Chris Green sprinting for the finish line at Chepstow)
New womens course record, age category records, & the best Age-related percentage ever achieved at the January 2022 Street 5k
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- Written by: Paul Chadwick
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A great night of racing in almost perfect conditions with runners working hard in small groups or chasing one another on the 5 lap course resulted in some excellent times and a number of personal bests for those taking part.
U23 Ellie Wallace of North Somerset AC smashed the womens course record which has stood for some 30 years when she ran 16.16 for the 5k to finish in overall 6th place. The womens F45 course record went as well when Gill Pearson of Running for Time ran 18.33. Remarkably 1st F55 Jo Thompson of City of Bath AC ran not only a new F55 course record but a very fast 20.14 to record an amazing 99% age related percentage (F60 category).
For the men, it was great to see the race unfold as Matt Lusby of the Wells Harriers finally overhauled the leaders to win in 15.57 (pb) with another of the talented North Somerset AC athletes, William Cheek, on his heels at the very end for 15.59. The junior 1k and 2k race were just as eagerly contested as always. Read on for full report, results and more photos. (below - Junior Race start - photo here & elsewhere in this report by Alice)
- Over 50 Harriers of all ages race at the South West XC Championships to start 2022 off on a bright note!
- Harrier training sessions resume this week (Tuesday) & great running by Jon at Boxing Day Race
- Running through the mist at County Cross Country Championships
- Christmas Pudding running at Baltonsborough & last call for entries to the XC Championships
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