Mendip Muddle and latest on the Somerset Race Series

Details: Written by: Paul Chadwick; Created: 23 October 2024; Last Updated: 24 October 2024; Hits: 615

aaaaChristian Green Muddle

When the going gets tough, the tough get going! Whilst many sports, parkruns and the Great South Run in Portsmouth might have been cancelled this past weekend, the intrepid were out running through the mud and wading the streams on the Mendips in a lovely Fell Race.

Plaudits were gained by many Harriers with Deputy Chair Christian Green (see above) smiling on his way to victory whilst Phoebe Aspinall was also 1st woman home on the day. Not to be discounted, however, is the amazing efforts by the host Club, Weston AC, and the sterling work of their marshalls who stood out on the hill whilst being battered by the torrential ran and high winds. In some respects the runners had it easy as they kept moving....

Mendip Muddle - Charterhouse, Sunday 20th October

This fell race, covering 20km with 420m of ascent, was first run back in 1995 so it has a long pedigree. Those who have run it numerous times can't recall it having such bad conditions as happened this past Sunday. The downhill and uphill paths were effectively turned into streams and the section across the top of the Mendips from the Beacon trig point was just a mud slog.

There was, understandably, a bit of a drop out from those who'd entered not turning up on the day and not making the start line. All of the runners were just pleased to finish, in some cases taking over 3 hours because of the conditions, and in a sense the last runner home deserves more of a plaudit than the first guy who ran it in less than half the time. Well done Karen Shears for her great run.

Chris Green's time in winning is pretty amazing given the conditions. He managed to shake off fellow Harrier Matt Lusby (see below) at the half way point as they came over the remnants of the Iron Age fort, and with former Harrier Tom Bush coming home in 3rd. Phoebe Aspinall goes from strength to strength and was never headed amongst the women. This sets her up quite nicely for the Somerset Series final standings.

aaaaMatt Lusby Muddle

Harrier Positions and times:

1st Christian Green 1.22.58
2nd Matt Lusby 1.25.50
11th Phoebe Aspinall 1.41.22 (1st female)
101st Evelyn Wigley 2.23.56 (2nd claim)
104th Melissa Aspinall 2.25.12
111th Paul Chadwick 2.28.11
123rd Kim Clark 2.31.09
136th Chris Clark 3.11.04

137th Karen Shears 3.24.22

The next fell race in the wider area is the Drogo 10, from the National Trust site at Castle Drogo (Devon) early next month. The next race in the Somerset Series is the Herepath Half.

Somerset Series Standings

The Mendip Muddle race joined the Series for the first time this year, and there are now just 2 races to go in the year-long series. With the Muddle results yet to be factored in, here are the Harrier Series standings (after the recent Burnham Half marathon). The best 8 results will count in the total shown here, even if they've done more than 8.

Harrier Men in the standings

1st Alexander Coombs 9 races SM 12 points
2nd Matt Lusby 8 races SM 17 points
4th Andrew Piper 8 races V50 151 points
Chris Clark 7 races V70 668 points (now completed 8 after the Muddle)

Women

1st Phoebe Aspinall 8 races SF 15 points
2nd Melissa Aspinall 9 races F45 80 points
6th Carol Buckland 8 races F55 157 points
Evelyn Wigley (2nd Claim)7 races JF 36 points (now completed 8 after the Muddle)
Kim Clark 7 races F65 226 points (now completed 8 after the Muddle)
Karen Shears 7 races F65 337 points (now completed 8 after the Muddle
Rosie Park 6 races F35 29 points (needs 2 more races to count)

The presentations at the end of the Series will, as per usual, take place immediately after the final race at Brent Knoll at the end of November. Somerset Series website here

Races coming up

Please ensure you enter races in advance to avoid disappointment.

Entries for the Wessex Cross Country League and the Gwent Cross Country League via the links below. If any problems please contact Alexander Coombs , the Harrier Secretary. Entries to these League matches are free to paid up Harriers.

Entries for the Somerset County AA XC Championships to be held on Sunday 8th December as part of the Tr-County Championships, will open on 5th November, and will be promoted on this website - races for all age groups from u11s to seniors.

News Reports

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this week’s report. If you’ve raced recently, please remember that we can only include your results if you send us a race report or photos to let us know about it. Send your race details and photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be featured in the next report.

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)

October 2024

Sunday 27th October 2024 - The Stickler

Wednesday 30th October 2024 - Club pub run: Fosso Lounge, Wells

November 2024

Sunday 3rd November 2024 - Wessex XC League (Race 2 - Bryanston School)

(SS) Sunday 3rd November 2024 - Herepath Half

Saturday 9th November 2024 - Gwent League XC (Race 2 - Llandaff Fields, Cardiff)

Sunday 10th November 2024 - The Drogo 10

Wednesday 13th November 2024 - Street 5K (Race 2)

(SS) Sunday 24th November 2024 - Brent Knoll MT

Wednesday 27th November 2024- Club pub run (venue TBC)

Saturday 30th November 2024 - Gwent League XC (Race 3 - Blaise Castle, Bristol)