Harriers almost sweep the board at edition number 160 of the Street 5k races whilst new course record for F65 by Lesley Nesbitt
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- Written by: Paul Chadwick
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The Clive & Angela Thomas Street 5k Series on Wednesday (13th January) reached edition number 160 and Wells City Harrier members excelled in achieving almost a clean sweep of winning performances. Pete Grist celebrated his return to the Harrier club with his winning time of 17.02 in the main event with fellow club member Tom Dukes breathing down his neck on the line in 17.03. For the women, Helern Southcott of Maiden Newton Runners gained victory in 19.39, and again was just 1 second ahead of 2nd placed Shapwick's Bethan Everson. In the accompanying junior races all of the winners were from the Harriers: James Carr and Maisie Loader won the 1km race; and Tom Loader and Kai Snell the 2km race.
1st V40 on the night in the 5k was Keith Littlewood visiting from Bransley AC in a time of 18.12 in 8th place. 1st V50 was Fez Parker of Yeovil Town RR in 20.22. 1st V60 was Maiden Newton's David Butt in 19.15; and 1st V70 was the evergreen Brai Cl;ark of Langport in 25.15. For the women, 3rd runner in was Helen Southcott, Maiden Netwon, in 19.35 (awarded 1st F35); then 1st junior was Holly Bigger of Langport in 21.01; 1st F45 was Rachel Hayton of YTRR in 23.03; 1st F55 was Joan Allen of Langport in 23.55; and the biggest cheer of the evening was for Lesley Nesbitt of Yeovil Town RR when she broke the course record for F65 with a time of 26.02, almost 90 seconds inside the old record!
Other Harrier positions and times: 5th Felix Rusby 17.27 (in spite of racing at the Mendip area schools XC Championships that afternoon!); 9th Dylan Dukes in 18.16; 12th Justin Thomas 19.00; 13th Andrew Tindal 19.01; 19th Andy Piper in 19.47; 24th Mike Rusca 20.32; 28th Mike Bosley 20.44; 34th new member Roger Marrage in 21.37; 38th Paul Chadwick in 21.51; 47th Mel Aspinall in 23.10; 49th Ellie Mallinson in 23.14; 58th Alice Knight in 24.32; 67th Jodie Mitchell 26.09; 69th Karen Shears 26.24; 73rd John Sutton 27.28; 77th Sharon Bowles in 29.33; 84th Bianca Pridham 32.47; 86th Kate Gascott 34.03; Well done all!
All are reminded that the entry forms for the Harrier supported Babcary Road race and the Butleigh multi-terrain race (*) are now available. See box in right hand column. Online entries for the Wells Fun Run are also available - note that the 10km race at Wells, along with the Babcary and Butleigh races are part of the Somerset Race Series sponsored by Yeovil Glass.
(*) and Butleigh playing fields assocn website is here http://www.butleighpfa.co.uk/
New Year racing gets underway at Chard Flyer - first of the Somerset Race Series for 2016 - and Philip Bridge wins for the Harriers
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- Written by: Paul Chadwick
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There were 8 Harriers out racing on New Years Day at the first of this year's Somerset Race Series. Philip Bridge was back from his Exeter University studies to win for the second year in succession with a nippy time of 35.40 for the 10km course. His winning time was over a minute quicker than last year, and he was over a minute ahead of his nearest rival, Bryn Phillips of Yeovil Town RR.There were 189 competitors in all and they headed out along the old railway line to the east of Chard before leaving the old track bed for a steady climb to the half-way mark; and then looping back into town via the very pretty Chard Reservoir tracks.
Next in for the Harriers on Friday was Justin Thomas in 9th position overall with 40.04 with Justin again setting out with the target of a top ten finish in the Series 2016. New member Nick Weaving was 36th in 45.33, showing no ill effects or tiredness from a recent marathon just two weeks earlier; then came Mike Rusca who had almost come straight from the New Year eve celebrations at the Swan Hotel for his 38th place in 45.39. Paul Chadwick was 42nd in 46.12; with Craig Foley 53rd in 47.45; then Simon Carr in 65th, 48.39; and finally Philip's dad, Adrian Bridge in 81st with 51.22.
The next race in the Somerset Race Series 2016 will be the Humdinger Half-marathon which takes in the infamous steep Hestercombe Hill! Then following in quick succession are the first two of the three races that the Harriers nominate to the Series - the Babcary road race and the Butleigh multi-terrian race. The full listing is available below the line, with details as they become available on the Harrier calendar.
John Brown
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- Written by: Rod Little
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it is with regret that we report death of John Brown, stalwart supporter of Wednesday nights, from heart trouble two weeks ago. I found out on Thursday morning and was able to attend his funeral at noon that day.
In his eulogy, John’s son Patrick, mentioned how important running was to John – including running in London Marathon (for Combat Stress) and the Cape Wrath Challenge – to which he introduced me.
A thoroughly nice guy who it was a pleasure to run with, and to share a pint with after pub runs.
John had time for everyone, and to get to know all those in the group. Our thoughts are with his wife, Shona, and the family.
Oliver gains bronze for Team GB whilst over 40 other Harriers compete at County Champs
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- Written by: Paul Chadwick
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This past Sunday, (13th December) 19 year old Wells city Harrier Oliver Fox was part of the bronze medal winning Team GB u20 mens squad when competing at the European XC Championships. Meanwhile over 40 Harriers of all ages were competing at either the Somerset XC Championships at the University of Bath, or at the Dorset XC Championships. Over a dozen of the Harriers gained County medals .
> The European XC Championship races took place in Hyeres near Toulon in France and saw the cream of the European runners come together. Running on a relatively dry and fast circuit with some short sharp hills, Oliver was running for TeamGB for the 2nd time in his career. Oliver finished in 31st place out of 90 in a time of 18.30 for the 5.95km circuit. He was only 50 seconds behind the European Champion which indicates how tight and fast, racing is at this level of the sport. Oliver is now combining full time studies at Cambridge with his running, and started training with the Harriers when aged 8.
Read more: Oliver gains bronze for Team GB whilst over 40 other Harriers compete at County Champs
Tom & Nicola win the 159th edition of the Street 5k
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- Written by: Paul Chadwick
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Last Wednesday (9th December) saw the 159th edition of the Street 5k races with Tom Dukes gaining overall victory for the men when pulling away from a five man group that had broken away early on. Nicola Roder won for the women with a clean sweep for Harrier juniors in the shorter distances. Tom Loader and Kai Snell won the juniors 2k race, and James Carr and Maisie Loader won the 1k race. Harriers are encouraged to check the Club website for details of training sessions over the Christmas period.
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