It has been a busy couple of weeks with Harriers racing across the country. This article includes race reports from the Cardiff Race for Victory 5K, The Runaway Train, South West Athletics League Match 1 and the first day of the Somerset Track and Field County Championships. Member Adam Sutton is also fundraising for the BHF, and there is a reminder of our AGM date on Wednesday 15th May at 19:45 in the Kings Head, Wells.
The Runaway Train finishers
Cardiff Race For Victory 5K
Tom Webb
On the evening of Sunday 5th May, a group of Harriers ventured to Wales to run the Race For Victory Cardiff 5K. Hosting both the Welsh 5K Road Racing Championships and Inter Area Match, it always brings together a first class field of athletes keen to sample the electric atmosphere and take on this fast, spectator lined route.
Luke Prior
The Harriers were part of the Somerset/South West team participating in the Inter Area Match.
Harrier results:
14th Luck Prior 14:54 (PB)
15th Tom Webb 14:55
57th Daniel Maydew 15:38
62nd Alexander Coombs 15:41 (PB)
74th Matthew Lusby 15:55
143rd Hannah Blundy 17:00 (PB)
419th Emily Murray 19:51
463rd Lucy Acott 20:29
546th Louisa Saunders 21:19
Full results can be found here.
Louisa Saunders
The Runaway Train
It’s a hilly start to the race!
Paul Chadwick reports:
This was the 2nd year of the Mendip Hash Harrier organised Runaway Train run from Shepton Mallet. A choice of 3.5 miles or 8.5 miles multi-terrain was available with the longer distance offering two start times: social joggers going off half an hour before those who were racers.
All of the 10 or so Harriers taking part in the sell out event were tackling the longer distance at a jogging pace, but a few were racing. The course included three steep hills and some gentler descents.
First home for the Harriers in 2nd place overall was new member Harry Allen, beaten only by former junior member Curtis Stevens who has recently returned to the area and may re-join us. Curtis still holds our Street 1k course record from when he was age 10 back in October 2006!
Also racing well were V50 Andrew Piper and V60 Nick Stevens (2nd V60), whilst Tom Kenrick helped out by being the ‘sweeper’ on the day.
Positions and Times (merging together both starts - joggers and racers)
1 Curtis Stevens 59.46 old member
2 Harry Allen 60.45 new member
28 Andrew Piper 68.59
33 Nick Stevens 70.07
Social jogger starters:
115 Amy Reakes 83.36
166 Andrew Pate 91.40
177 Gary Tubridy 92.47
182 Paul Chadwick 93.20
183 Kim Clark 93.51
200 Lisa Hayne 98.07
201 Tracey Bryant 98.08
231 Chris Clark 105.39
262 Sharon Bowles 129.26
Post race celebrations
All finishers were treated to some good food at the end of the event and the market square in Shepton Mallet was buzzing. The event was co-ordinated and sponsored by Martin Berkeley of Pilton Cider.
South West League 1
The first fixture of the South West Athletics league occurred on 5th May at Exeter. There were a handful of Harriers running representing our sister club ‘Yeovil Olympiads’. There were some great PB performances by Ruby, Harrison and Oskar from our Monday group.
Here are some of the Harrier results:
U13s
Ruby Shaw
100m 4th 14.72
1500m 5th 5.39
Long jump 7th 3.56m
Harrison Skuse
100m 6th 14.57
Long jump 11th 3.47m
U15s
Oskar Beck
1500m 2nd 4.27
U17s
Gemma Tolputt
1500m 2nd 4.52
SM
Laurence Badman
1500m 15th. 5.00
Overall
YOAC 8th out of the 12 Clubs
If you are interested in competing in the next South West Athletics League fixture on Sunday 2nd June, contact YOAC chairman, Geoff Cole (
For further information visit www.southwestathleticsleague.com.
Somerset Track and Field County Championships
Saturday 11th May (Day 1)
Paul Chadwick reports:
Amelie with her 800m bronze medal
Day One of the annual Somerset County T&F Championships saw many young Harriers come away with personal bests.
The majority of Harriers are from the Monday training group, with a smattering of Tuesday group athletes too. There were no senior Harriers taking part which is disappointing.
County Championship titles were gained by Bea Soper, Oskar Beck, Jemima Davey, and Elspeth Perkins. Elspeth demonstrated her all round ability by competing at two sprint events and one field event.
Harrison Skuse
Positions and times/marks:
800m U13 boys
4 Toby Hirst 2.36
800m U15 girls
1 Bea Soper 2.19 (PB) (2nd Claim)
800m U15 boys
1 Oskar Beck 2.12
8 Dominic Cook 2.54
800m U17s women
1 Jemima Davey 2.16 (PB)
2 Gemma Tolputt 2.16 (PB)
3 Amelie Cook. 2.37
800m U20s women
Melissa McCusker 2.37 (PB)
800m U20s men
3 Jack Harvey 2.10
Shot Put U15s girls
2 Elspeth Perkins 7.84 (PB)
Long Jump U13s boys
3 Harrison Skuse 3.77m (PB)
Long Jump U15s girls
6 Eva Dowden 3.89m (PB)
100m U13s boys
Harrison Skuse
14.40(PB) in Semi Final
3rd in Final 14.36 (PB)
200m U15s girls
Semi Final
2 Elspeth Perkins 29.06 (PB)
4 Eva Dowden 30.10 (PB)
Final
3 Elspeth Perkins 28.89 (PB)
7 Eva Dowden 29.77 (PB)
300m U15s girls
1 Elspeth Perkins 45.30 (PB)
3000m U20s women
2 Sophie Nicholls 9.52
For young Middle distance athletes, entries are now open for the annual British Milers Club (BMC) meet at Millfield on 1st June. Click here to enter.
Toby, Dominic and Oskar
Adam’s Marathon and Golf Day Fundraiser
Member Adam Sutton is preparing for an epic day of fundraising in memory of his dad as he is looking to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. Read his story below.
Donate here
I'm raising money for the British Heart Foundation and I'd be grateful for your support. Coronary heart disease is responsible for around 68,000 deaths in the UK each year and is the most common cause of premature death. In November 2022 we unexpectedly lost Dad to the condition and have experienced the devastating consequences the disease has first hand. On 20th June 2024, alongside Dad’s family and friends, I am hosting the second memorial golf day to remember him as this was one of his favourite pastimes. I wanted to build on the money we raised for the British Heart Foundation last year and go that extra mile…or 26! On the same morning as the golf day, I will be running a marathon. The route will pass meaningful locations in the local area and will finish at Ogbourne Downs Golf Club. I will then play the round of golf whilst carrying my clubs. I am hoping any money raised will support the valuable research the British Heart Foundation does, to create new treatments and discover new cures. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated by us all.
An impressive feat. All the best Adam! To donate, click here.
London Reports
Zak Hurrell raced to a PB
Nine Harriers ran at this year’s TCS London Marathon. Read about their training and race day experience here.
AGM
Don’t forget, this year’s AGM will take place on Wednesday 15th June at the Kings Head pub in Wells. Arrive for 19:45. The annual club awards will follow the AGM.
Dates For Your Diary
Here is a list of upcoming races, including WCH supported races, Somerset Series races, road relays, athletics league fixtures and other notable events. Contact club secretary Alex Coombs if there is an event you would like adding. (SS = Somerset Series race)
May 2024
Wednesday 15th May 2024 - Club AGM, The Kings Head, Wells. 19:45
Sunday 19th May 2024 - AJ Bell Great Bristol Run (Half Marathon and 10K)
(SS) Wednesday 22nd May 2024 - Town Tree Trail 10K
(SS) Sunday 26th May 2024 - Wells Festival of Running (10K, 5K, 1.2K)
Thursday 30th May 2024 - Yeovil Evening Open 1
June 2024
Saturday 1st June 2024 - BMC PB Classic (Millfield School)
Sunday 2nd June 2024 - Oke Croak!
Sunday 2nd June 2024 - South West Athletics League (Match 2) Contact
(SS) Sunday 9th June 2024 - Crewkerne 10K
Sunday 9th June 2024 - Poole Festival of Running Relays (x4 in a team)
Wednesday 12th June 2024 - Yeovilton 5K (Race 3)
(SS) Wednesday 26th June 2024 - Forde Abbey 10K
Thursday 27th June 2024 - Yeovil Evening Open 2
Sunday 30th June 2024 - The Heron Half
Sunday 30th June 2024 - South West Athletics League (Match 2) Contact
July 2024
Saturday 6th July 2024 - Charmouth Challenge
Saturday 6th July 2024 - Brecon Fans Races (Pen y Fan)
Sunday 7th July 2024 - Brecon Fans Races (Fan y Big)
(SS) Sunday 7th July 2024 - The Quantock Beast
Wednesday 10th July 2024 - Yeovilton 5K (Race 4)
(SS) Wednesday 17th July 2024 - The Pawlett Plod 10K MT
Thursday 25th July 2024 - Yeovil Evening Open 3
Sunday 28th July 2024 - South West Inter Counties Championships
August 2024
(SS) Wednesday 7th August 2024 - Haselbury Trail Race
Wednesday 14th August 2024 - Yeovilton 5K (Race 5)
(SS) Monday 26th August 2024 - Baltonsborough 5 Mile
Thursday 29th August 2024 - Yeovil Evening Open 4
September 2024
Sunday 1st September 2024 - South West Athletics League (Match 2) Contact
Wednesday 11th September 2024 - Yeovilton 5K (Race 6)
(SS) Sunday 22nd September 2024 - Glastonbury Levels 10 Mile
October 2024
(SS) Sunday 6th October 2024 - BHAM Trail 10K
Wednesday 9th October 2024 - Street 5K (Race 1)
(SS) Sunday 13th October 2024 - Mells Scenic
(SS) Sunday 13th October 2024 - Burnham Half Marathon
(SS) Sunday 20th October 2024 - The Mendip Muddle
November 2024
Wednesday 13th November 2024 - Street 5K (Race 2)
(SS) Sunday 3rd November 2024 - Herepath Half
(SS) Sunday 24th November 2024 - Brent Knoll MT
December 2024
Wednesday 11th December 2024 - Street 5K (Race 3)
Sunday TBC - Baltonsborough Christmas Pudding Race