(Above: Elise Thorner in action in the USA)
Wells City Harrier members of all ages have been competing across all formats of the sport this past month and over all distances from 60m on the track to 100+ miles off-road! With an age range in the Club from almost 8 years old to 80+ years, there's something for all members in this report.
We have the round up from Day 2 of the Somerset County AA Track & Field Championships where some of our age 9-19 year old members competed and virtually all of the juniors, mainly from our Monday night training group came away with medals, many of them Gold and/or set new personal bests.
We also feature the real endurance side of the Club which a number of the seniors have traditionally been interested in, with Sam Harvey's report of his 100 mile run along the Thames Towpath, and Oli Frost's recount of the Great Lakeland 3-day event.
Coincidentally, there is also news from one of our Hon Life Members who has recently published his book on his amazing endurance running for Charity. His epic runs were very ably supported by many of the Harriers.
Last call also for entries to this Sunday's Wells Festival of Running with races for all ages. Entry link here and entries can also be made on the day. Suitable for all abilities - enjoy the run and then join the Harriers!
Somerset County AA T&F Championships - Yeovil Sunday 12th May
(Above: 9 year old Rowan Kelly running for Gold at the County Champs)
There were some excellent performances by the Harrier junior section at this year's County Championships held in Yeovil. See previous report for Saturday's times & marks.Our thanks as ever to the County Secretary, David Cooke, and to all the Track & Field officials who help make sure the event runs like clockwork. It's to be noted that for many of our juniors this is the first step along the way to the possibility of them representing TeamGB!
U11s
60m boys 1.Rowan Kelly 9.45; 2 Freddy-George Down 9.47; 3=Alfie Beck 10.56; 3=Milo Cook 10.56
60m girls 5 Florence Perkins 10.33
600m boys 1 Rowan Kelly 1.59; 3 Milo Cook 2.05; 4 Alfie Beck 2.12
600m girls 4 Aneri Tanna 2.08; 5 Florence Perkins 2.14
1500m
U13 girls 2 Ruby Shaw 5.16
U15 boys 1 Oskar Beck 4.28; 3 Addie Butcher 4.58; 6 Dominic Cook 6.01
U17 women 1 Gemma Tolputt 4.57; 2 Jemima Davey 5.01
U20 women 1 Sophie Nicholls 4.37
Steeplechase 1500m U17 women 3 Amelie Cook 6.12
Long Jump U11 girls 2 Aneri Tanna 3.29m; 4 Florence Perkins 3.00m
Shot Put U15 girls 2 Elspeth Perkins 7.84m
The photo at the very top of this report is of 23 year old Harrier Elise Thorner competing 10 days ago in the 3000m Steeplechase in the USA where she is chasing the qualifying time for selection for TeamGB to this year's Olympics. Her best this year of 9.28 is some 5 seconds short of the time needed, but she has a few more fast races in the USA in the next few weeks to try snd achieve the mark. She is currently ranked No1 senior woman athlete in the UK and No6 in Europe at this event.
Interestingly enough - this is the Harrier report from exactly 10 years ago when Elise was a regular at our Monday sessions and was competing at the County Championships in one of her very first competitions. Look where she is now!
Thames Path 100 miler -Saturday 4th May 2024
Sam Harvey still had the energy to smile with his finisher's buckle.
On Saturday 4th May, Harrier Sam Harvey set off on the 100 mile continuous trail race from London to Oxford. Out of 295 starters, only 186 finished, resulting in 109 who did not make it to the end. This shows what a huge accomplishment this was. Read Sam’s report below.
"After completing the South Downs way 100 mile in 26 hours and 46 mins in 2022, my goal going into this event was ultimately to reach the finish line but deep down I really wanted to try to break the 24 hour mark.
The big difference this time round was my training. I tried to keep my weekly mileage higher and also included the Harrier's weekly Tuesday night speed sessions which has really helped me keep a little more pace in my legs. I included a couple of trail and ultra marathons into my training building up to this race which definitely helped both mentally and physically, particularly when doing a muddy 40 mile one through the night which I knew would be helpful coming into the night section of this race.
There has been a lot of talk about the wet and muddiness of this race, especially in the latter stages, and given the wet weather lately I was expecting a lot more mud than there actually was. I think I managed to keep my feet dry until 60 or 70 miles in, which was when we reached a flooded section; but keeping my feet dry this long meant I could stick to the same pair of shoes all race (you have drop bags at two checkpoints along route, where you can pick up anything you have packed that you feel might help you along the way).
The majority of the mud was in the last 10 miles of the race but I’d learnt from past experience it’s best to just go straight through this and the faster the better as it gives you less time to slip around. Amazingly, I made it to the finish without a single blister although I did stop and tape up a hot spot on my heel mid-race to prevent it from causing any problems.
Sam taking on fuel mid race.
My main concern about this race was the amount of flat running. What I hadn’t considered was it was a constant gradual uphill as we followed the river up stream. Most long events I’ve taken part in have consisted of lots of hills, which ultimately break up the pace and give you a good excuse for a walk. I was very aware that on a very flat course the tendency would be to go off too fast and pay for it later.
Most people that I spoke to on route had various strategies in place, for example, run 15 minutes then walk 5 minutes. My strategy was to run to check points, pick up food and then walk and eat so I was including some walking and not wasting too much time at checkpoints. At the drop bag points (mile 53, mile 76) I had planned to take 10 minutes or so to put on some fresh socks and t-shirt etc and just recuperate slightly. These short rests really did make a massive difference.
The night section was a little tough and lonely at times, but wasn’t quite as bad as I expected. I had barely slept the night before due to nerves and a noisy hotel room so I was already tired before a full day of running and with the darkness, came the sleepiness. I could feel my eyes starting to go on a couple of occasions which isn’t a nice feeling whilst running, so I tactically tried to pair up with other runners for these parts when I could; as talking was a good way of tackling it but in the later stages my weapon of choice was caffeine, lots and lots of caffeine!
Ultimately I’m really pleased with how the race went, I had a few twinges in the knees through the event and one that is quite sore now. My quads and the soles of my feet were extremely painful throughout. I had some stomach trouble for the first half but I managed to keep eating at every checkpoint and used gels in between. I started off faster than I had planned, easing off during the middle section very aware there was a long way still to go.
There are a lot of mental games in play during these parts, the last 30 miles or so I realised as long as I keep to a similar pace I was on to break 24 hours. This realisation brought with it a massive 2nd wind (or possibly the excessive caffeine intake) and I ran a hard majority of the last 3rd with hardly any walks, constantly catching other runners which was a real boost and I never reached the dreaded “death march” which I am extremely grateful for.
I finished in 22:37:49 in a position of 42nd out of 186 finishers, so I was over the moon to break my 24 hours target and receive the 100 miles in one day finishers buckle. "
Sam’s reward for completing the route within 24 hours.
Great Lakeland 3 DAY - weekend of 4th May 2024
Harrier members Andrew Tindel and Oli Frost (and dog Lochan) travelled to the Lake District on the weekend of the 4th May to take part in the GL3Day event. This is mountain running at its best where competitors self navigate to set control points on the summits and valleys across the Lake District. Read Oli’s report below.
Plenty of tents, where the 700 participants slept for the weekend.
"Around 700 people entered six different courses varying in length, accent and navigation difficulty. We set off from Ennerdale on day 1 converging on the overnight camps on the shores of Buttermere water and returning to Ennerdale on day 3. This year's conditions were challenging with very poor visibility on the high ground with rain and cold conditions where the ability to navigate and map read accurately made all the difference.
Andrew, an accomplished orienteer and mountain runner, entered the 'Fellrunner' course and came a very decent 9th place out of a field of 130 starters and 59 finishers of all three days. Andrew was also 1st vet 50. Oli completed the 'Extreme' course covering around 100km over the three days. Oli finished 4th overall from 37 starters and 12 finishers. "
A great sociable long weekend with courses for all abilities. If anybody aspires to learn to orienteer or wants to get into mountain running, give Oli a shout who is happy to help. Message
Sam, Oli and Andrew follow in the footsteps of some amazing distance runners from the Harriers over the years. Oli and John Reynolds are two Harriers who have completed the fabled Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc; and Oli and Chris Kelsey are the only two Harriers who have completed the 'Bob Graham Round' within 24 hours, whilst others have competed regularly at the two-day KIMM, or as it is now called the OMM (Original Mountain Marathon).
Angel on my Shoulder
One of the Harrier’s Hon Life Members has now published his account of becoming an Ultramarathon Record-Breaker.
John Reynolds is so modest that a few of us who know of at least some of his exploits over the years have only just cottoned on to the release of the publication.
The book starts from 2004, when John was diagnosed with a severe thyroid condition that left him with seizures and unable to walk. It finishes with him smashing the world record for a non-stop run within 7 days, covering 426miles.
All for a Charity close to his heart: the Children’s Hospice for the South West.
Many of the older Harriers will recall supporting John on his very long training runs in the years leading up to the event in May 2012. His book gently recounts the effort and commitment he put into the years building up to the main event, and gives gracious praise to the support he received from many Wells City Harriers and other members of the community, including those from the Mendip Hills Hash to achieve his record.
I personally recall running between midnight and 4am on the roads over the Blackdowns with him, then going to work, and thinking when I got home from work that evening that he’d still be out there running, which I found difficult to get my head around!
John was particularly supported by one of our former webmasters, Bob Powell, who himself gave up hours (days & weeks !) to assist John with support logistics and arrangements. Terry Kingham and a whole host of the Wednesay night runners helped prepare and accompany John on his various runs. Team GB international Jo Pavey helped make John's sandwiches for one of his endurance training runs, and then ran with him through the night!
The book is a great read - inspiring to all and a great advert for those who follow the mantra of ‘Nothing's Impossible…Just do it’. John was recognised with Hon Life Membership of the Harriers soon after the event. He’s subsequently gone on to motivate lots of others to take up running, and of course has been a great ambassador for Charity.
Copies of ‘Angel on My shoulder’ can be bought online or ordered through Waterstones or other good booksellers price £12.
& Finally, looking back: the Wells Fun Run report of 2014 - which names can you spot?
See previous article for list of other races/events coming up in Summer 2024
NEWS for the website? - Good quality photos and brief reports in Ariel12 point by Monday at 8pm if possible.
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