Marine Corps Marathon, The Stickler, Herepath Half, Cross Country Update, Christmas Meal information and a new Meet the Harriers.

Details: Written by: Alexander Coombs; Created: 05 November 2024; Last Updated: 05 November 2024; Hits: 636

Matt Rawlingson-Plant tackling ‘The Stickler’

It has been another busy few weeks for the Harriers. We have an international race report from the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C., The Stickler fell race, trail running in the Somerset Series’ Herepath Half, information about our Annual Christmas Dinner, and a new Meet the Harrier interview. Read on to find out more…

Marine Corps Marathon

[Report by Mark Duffet]

Warriors Across the Sea Challenge Cup, Marine Corps Marathon “The People's Marathon” Washington D.C. Sunday 27th October.

Runners preparing for the start of the race.

Launched in 1976, the Marine Corps Marathon was setup to showcase the organisational skills of the U.S Marine Corps, it has now grown into one of the largest marathons in the United States; the MCM is one of the largest marathons in the world that doesn’t offer prize money, purely a celebration of every finishers commitment to train and complete the marathon. Thousands of veterans, service family members and serving personnel take part every year.

The conditions on the day were spectacular for marathon running, low wind and a chill in the air meant that there was surely going to be some quick times laid down. The first few miles of the course was spent climbing, but the hard-work was soon rewarded with some steep fast downhills, before flattening as it takes you through the centre of D.C. where the support is deafening; once through Mile 20 though the support disappears, it’s then a mental battle with long sweeping freeways back towards the finish at the Iwo Jima Monument; the final hurdle is the gruelling and frustratingly slow 0.2 mile climb up the hill to the finish at the base of the Iwo Jima Monument.

Mark running alongside fellow Somerset resident William Pannell.

Incorporated into the MCM, is the Warriors Across the Sea Challenge Cup – The Challenge Cup is a competition dating back to 1978, where the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Running team compete against the U.S Marine Corps, All-Marine Marathon Team, across the marathon distance. The Challenge Cup is undoubtedly the highlight fixture of the year for endurance athletes within the Royal Navy & Royal Marines, and Wells City Harrier Mark Duffett was fortunate enough to be selected for the RNRM Marathon Team; placing in 13th Overall, 2nd RNRM runner in a time of 2:32:21. The race also incorporates the U.S Armed Forces Marathon, so it's an excellent opportunity to test yourself against the very best of the U.S Armed Forces.

The competition between the two teams was fierce, with one of their athletes Marine Major Kyle King coming out overall winner in a time of 2:25:06, ultimately on the day the U.S Marine Corps team were too strong across the board, and they came out victorious in both the men’s & women’s competition.

The Men’s record now stands at 28 Royal Navy versus 17 U.S. Marines. Since 1998, the Women’s record is 17 U.S. Marines versus 4 Royal Navy.

A happy Mark with his finishers medal after achieving a PB time of 2:32:21

The Stickler

[Report by Paul Chadwick]

Sunday 27th October - ’The Stickler’, Shillingstone

Matt finishing in a time of 1:33:48

This classic Dorset race is a 10.1 mile multi terrain race covering the Dorset Three Peaks. It involves over 1500ft of gruelling climbing, beginning with the infamous ‘Stickle Path’ out of Shillingstone to the top of Okeford Beacon, then Hod Hill and finishing with the steepest climb up Hambledon Hill.

The race finishes on the platform of the old Somerset & Dorset railway station back in Shillingstone, with tea and cakes in the station refreshment room and an old railway carriage.

Two Harriers competed this year:

134th Matt Rawlingson-Plant 1.33.48

351st *Andrew Pate 1.53.15

There was 510 finishers

*Andrew ran with his dog Gwen as they were allowed at this race - starting some minutes after the rest of the field.

Andrew Pate and Gwen crossing the finish line.

Andrew is now in training for his second road marathon on 1st December at Valencia, Spain.

Herepath Half

The penultimate race in the Somerset Series took place on Sunday 3rd November 2024. The Herepath Half is a challenging trail race organised by Taunton's Running Forever Running Club. The course roughly follows the Staple Fitzpaine Herepath Trail in the scenic Blackdown Hills and covers approximately 13.7 miles. Along the route, runners reach the highest point in the Blackdowns, enjoying spectacular views. Herepaths were historically vital trade and communication routes between settlements in the ninth century and are often called "people’s paths."

The event was exceptionally well organised, and despite the demanding course, participants seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience. Race-day conditions were nearly ideal, with a light drizzle throughout, though much of the trail was muddy or boggy—a natural challenge for this time of year.

The Harriers enjoyed a strong showing, with Alexander Coombs claiming first place, narrowly missing the course record by just 14 seconds. Matt Lusby secured a clear second, comfortably ahead of the chasing pack. Phoebe Aspinall delivered another solid performance, finishing as the second female on the day.

Rosie Park making a splash in the final kilometre.

Harrier Results:

1st Alexander Coombs - 1:27:50

2nd Matthew Lusby - 1:28:55

14th Phoebe Aspinall - 1:45:04 (2nd Female)

31st Andrew Piper - 1:55:06

49th Rosie Park - 2:03:34

66th Robert Moore - 2:07:52

90th Melissa Aspinall - 2:17:33

The full results can be found here.

Phoebe Aspinall and Alexander Coombs collecting their awards.

Annual Christmas Meal
Friday 6th December, Wells Golf Club

Including London Marathon ballot draw, ceilidh and the presentation of the Bog Seat Award. Have you witnessed anything worthy of a mention or nomination? If you have any nominations for this year’s award, please email them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Below is the menu choice for our Annual Christmas Meal, at Wells Golf Club, held on Friday 6th December. The subsidised cost is £20 (£15 for juniors). Non-member partners welcome (+£5).

Buy your tickets here.

Please pay your £20 prior to the evening.

Alternatively, you can pay using the card machine on a training evening or with cash, emailing the secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with menu choices.

Mains:

Roast turkey with stuffing & pigs in blankets

Rare topside of beef with Yorkshire pudding

Smoked haddock risotto with prawn

Gnocchi ricotta with pea puree & baby gem

Desserts:
Christmas pudding with a cream rum sauce

Rich chocolate mousse

Traditional trifle

South West Cross Country Championships

Entries are now open for the 2025 South West Cross Country Championships, held on Saturday 4th January at RNAS Merryfield, Ilton. Strictly no entries on the day. The last day for entry is Friday 27th December 2024. All entrants must have a South West qualification by birth or residence. The South West Region consists of the following counties Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Athletes must have either birth or residence qualification in one of these counties to qualify for medals. To enter click here.

Gwent League - Cardiff

This weekend is the second fixture in the Gwent League (including Cross Challenge). If you are already registered from the first race, you must use the same race number. If you are not yet registered, contact Jon James. If you’re looking to share lifts, you can use the WhatsApp group to organise.

Meet the Harriers

A new meet the Harriers article is available to read. This time we hear about Robert Moore’s running experience. Click here to read.

Robert Moore

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)

November 2024

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)

December 2024

Friday 6th December 2024 - Wells City Harriers Annual Christmas Meal (Wells Golf Club)

Sunday 8th December 2024 - Tri County XC Championships [Gloucestershire XC League Race 3] (Bath University)

Wednesday 11th December 2024 - Street 5K (Race 3)

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December 2024 - Indoor Combined Events Championships