Silver for Elise at the UK Champs
This week Elise Thorner was racing at the UK National Athletics Championships, chasing Olympic qualification. We also have a round up of her final races in her collegiate athletics career, a report from the Forde Abbey 10K and a new Meet the Harrier interview.
UK National Athletics Championships
NCAA finals (Eugene, Oregon)
Wells City Harriers' senior GB international, Elise Thorner, concluded her collegiate athletics career on June 8th at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, known as Tracktown USA. The 23-year-old, competing for the University of Florida, secured an impressive 6th place in the final of the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9 minutes and 37 seconds. This performance followed her 5th place finishes in the previous two years and earned her a prestigious sixth All-America award across cross country, indoor, and outdoor disciplines.
A week later, Elise competed in her first professional race, the 3000m steeplechase in Vancouver, Canada, and clinched victory with a time of 9 minutes and 40 seconds. The following day, she flew back to England to prepare for the UK National Athletics Championships in Manchester, which also served as the qualifiers for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris. While the top two finishers would automatically qualify for Paris, meeting the Olympic qualifying standard was still necessary, a challenging feat given Manchester's unpredictable weather.
Elise finished in the silver medal position with a time of 9 minutes and 33 seconds, her best performance at the National Championships. However, running in cold, wet conditions, she fell short of the Olympic standard. Next, she will compete in her second professional race in Hungary in a couple of weeks.
Elise getting ready to race at Manchester
Forde Abbey 10K
Harriers in the sun at the Forde Abbey 10K
New to the Somerset series, race 9 this year was the Forde Abbey 10K. Set in the heart of West Dorset, the Forde Abbey 10K Cross Country race winds through woodlands, meadows, and rivers on the stunning Forde Abbey Estate.
The 10K route featured mud, rocky tracks, hills, breathtaking views, more hills, and two river crossings near the end, followed by a few more hills. Few race routes can rival this one for its spectacular rural scenery. The Harriers were especially grateful for the opportunity to cool off in the river amidst the hot race conditions.
Andrew Piper making a splash
Harriers results:
13th - Nick Stevens V60 - 50.47 (1st V60)
15th - Phoebe Aspinall Sen fem - 51.11 (2nd Female)
21st - Andrew Piper V55 - 52.36
32nd - Graham Goldsmid V60 - 54.54
53rd - Paul Knight V60 - 58.16
83rd - Melissa Aspinall V45 - 1.02.52
126th - Carol Buckland F55 - 1.12.17
127th - Cath Goldsmid F55 - 1.12.19
(196 ran)
Full results here.
The current Somerset Series standings can be found here.
Meet the Harrier
Our latest edition of Meet the Harrier features club vice chairman, Christian Green. Click here to read his interview.
Christian Green after completing the London Marathon, 2024
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 Alexander Coombs if there is an event you would like adding. (SS = Somerset Series race)
July 2024
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
Sunday 7th July 2024 - The National Athletics League (Match 3 - Yeovil) Contact
Wednesday 10th July 2024 - Yeovilton 5K (Race 4)
(SS) Wednesday 17th July 2024 - The Pawlett Plod 10K MT
Wednesday 17th July 2024 - South West PB Series (Race 2)
Thursday 25th July 2024 - Yeovil Evening Open 3
Sunday 28th July 2024 - South West Inter Counties Championships
August 2024
Friday 2nd August 2024 - Wessex 10K
(SS) Wednesday 7th August 2024 - Haselbury Trail Race
Wednesday 14th August 2024 - Yeovilton 5K (Race 5)
Wednesday 14th August 2024 - South West PB Series (Race 3)
Sunday 18th August 2024 - Frome Running Festival (5K, 10K, HM)
(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 15th December 2024 - Telford 10K
Sunday TBC - Baltonsborough Christmas Pudding Race