Mike Coombs being chased down by an elf at the Baltonsborough Christmas Pudding Race.
The 2024 Baltonsborough Christmas Pudding Race, held on December 22nd, welcomed 91 runners who braved cold, blustery weather, many dressed in festive costumes. The 5-mile race, starting and finishing at Baltonsborough Village Hall, was won by Kurtis Gibson in 26:21. Charlotte Preece was the first female finisher in 31:48. The event, which featured participants from a wide range of ages, raised funds for the Rowan Romania Charity, supporting psychiatric patients in Romania.
In other race news, Tom Webb ran the fastest 10K of the year for an Under-17 athlete at the Telford 10K, finishing in 30:22 and at the Wessex League Cross Country at Canford School, notable performances included Ruby Shaw’s 2nd place finish in the U13 girls and Zoe Frost's 5th place in the U11 girls. The event also marked the end of this year's league fixtures.
Baltonsborough Christmas Pudding Race
[Report by Pete Darton]
The start of the 2024 Christmas Pudding Race.
The annual Christmas Pud race was held on December 22th Dec 2024 starting and finishing from the Baltonsborough Village hall and school. A cold blustery day weather greeted the 91 runners with many festively dressed runners completing the course routed around the outskirts of Baltonsborough, passing through Southwood and Lottisham before dropping back down to the school finish line.
Rapid times were recorded by the leading three runners for the 5 mile race, winner was Kurtis Gibson from London in a time of 26 minutes 21 seconds chased by Wells City Harrier Alex Coombs 2nd in 27:05, Chard Road Runner Wayne Loveridge 40 seconds adrift in 3rd place.
Top three finishers.
The first lady was Charlotte Preece from Calne Road running club in an impressive 31.48 with Laura Jones 2nd from Taunton A.C. and Wells City Harrier Louisa Saunders in 3rd place.
A wide range of ages completed which included many 60, 70 and even 80 year olds, all received a Christmas pudding for their efforts. Amongst the leading veteran runners were Jonathan Williams V50, Paul Knight V60, from Wells City Harriers who had a large turnout of members along with Street Striders, Yeovil R C.
This charity fundraising event supports the Rowan Romania Charity based in Zarnesti fundamentally to support Psychiatric patients by financing local carers and a Manager to help the hospital patients, it relies totally on donations. Superbly organised as ever by Kay Franklin and her team, with special thanks going to all the helpers, marshalls, time-keepers along with support from Wells City Harriers.
A group of Harriers post race
Full results can be found here. More photos of the day can be seen on our Instagram page.
Telford 10K
Tom Webb delivered an outstanding performance at the Telford 10K, recording the fastest 10K time of the year for an Under-17 athlete (and the quickest in over 15 years!) with an impressive 30:22. Despite this remarkable achievement, Tom finished 81st, highlighting the exceptional standard of competition at the event. Mark Duffett also made the trip to Telford, completing the race in a respectable 32:14, just slightly behind his time from last year, and finishing in 208th place.
Wessex League XC - Canford School
[Report by James Shaw]
A group of junior girls prerace.
A number of Harriers made it down to Canford school last Sunday 15th December, which concluded this year's Wessex XC League Fixtures. In comparison to last weekend’s Tri County event at Bath University, the wind level was perfect for athletes and supporters.
Well done to Zoe Frost coming 5th in the U11 girls.
In the U13 girls, Ruby Shaw finished strongly in 2nd place on the day and secured 3rd place overall in the series.
There was also some great running in the U17 women including; Isabelle Whittle ran home in 3rd place, followed by Ayla Chard in 4th and Amelie Cook coming home in 7th.
Other good performances from Juniors were;
Milo Cook - U11 Boys finishing 20th
Isla Hayes - U13 Girls finishing 12th
Mia Shore - U13 Girls finishing 27th
Will Packer -U15 Boys finishing 8th
Dominic Cook - U15 Boys finishing 12th
Ruby Shaw in action
Tri Counties Results
Part of the Gloucestershire Cross Country League, the Tri County event took place at the University of Bath on Sunday 8th December. Many Harriers took part and received medals for their performances. Their performances also qualify them to represent Somerset at the South West Cross Country Championships (see below).
Medal winners (From Somerset finishers):
U11 Girls - Zoe Frost (Silver)
U11 Boys - Rowan Kelly (Gold)
U11 Boys - Jonah Barrington (Silver)
U11 Boys - Milo Cook (Bronze)
U13 Girls - Ruby Shaw (Gold)
U13 Girls - Harriet Scott (Bronze)
U15 Girls - (Phoebe Phillips)
U15 Boys - Oskar Beck (Silver)
U15 Boys - Jamie Dawson (Bronze)
U17 Girls - Isabelle Whittle (Gold)
U17 Girls - Evie Horsfall (Silver)
U17 Girls - Isobel Stacey (Bronze)
U17 Boys - Tom Webb (Gold)
SW - Evelyn Wigley (Silver)
SM - Laurence Badman (Gold)
M45 - Oli Frost (Gold)
Full results can be found here.
South West Cross Country Championships
The deadline to enter the South West Cross Country Championships has now passed. Many Harriers will be racing. Click here to see who has made the team to represent Somerset.
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
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)
January 2025
(SS) Wednesday 1st January 2025 - Chard Flyer
Saturday 4th January 2025 - South West Cross Country Championships
Wednesday 8th January 2025 - Street 5K (Race 4)
Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th January 2025 - U13/U15 & U17 Individual Championships
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th January 2025 - The National Running Show (NEC Birmingham)
Wednesday 29th January 2025 - Club pub run (venue TBC)
February 2025
Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd February 2025 - Individual Indoor Championships
Saturday 8th February 2025 - Gwent League XC (Race 4 - Margam Park, Port Talbot)
Wednesday 12th February 2025 - Street 5K (Race 5)
(SS) Sunday 23rd February 2025 - Babcary
Wednesday 26th February 2025 - Club pub run (venue TBC)
March 2025
Sunday 2nd March 2025 - Gwent League XC (Race 5 - Brecon TBC)
Wednesday 12th March 2025 - Street 5K (Race 6)
(SS) Sunday 16th March 2025 - Humdinger Half
Sunday 16th March 2025 - Fleet Half Marathon
Sunday 16th March 2025 - Bath Half Marathon
Sunday March 23rd - The Bristol Running Show
Wednesday 26th March 2025 - Club pub run (venue TBC)
Sunday 30th March 2025 - Yeovil Half Marathon
April 2025
(SS) Sunday 6th April 2025 - Big Cheese
(SS) Sunday 6th April 2025 - Minster Miler Mash
Saturday 26th April 2025 - TCS Mini London Marathon
Sunday 27th April 2025 - TCS London Marathon
Wednesday 30th April 2025 - Club pub run (venue TBC)
May 2025
Sunday 4th May 2025 - Runaway Train Trail Race
Sunday 11th May 2025 - Great Bristol Half Marathon and 10K
(SS) Wednesday 21st May 2025 - Town Tree Trail
(SS) Sunday 25th May - Wells Festival of Running (5K / (SS)10K)
Sunday 25th May 2025 - Halstead and Essex Marathon
Wednesday 28th May 2025 - Club pub run (venue TBC)
June 2025
(SS) Sunday 1st June 2025 - Crewkerne 10K
Sunday 1st June 2025 - Tarrant Valley 10K
Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June 2025 - U13/15/17 SEAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships (Venue TBC)
(SS) Wednesday 18th June 2025 - Brean Down Race
Sunday 22nd June 2025 - Longest Day 10K, Run the Ruins (Glastonbury Abbey)
(SS) Wednesday 25th June - Forde Abbey
Wednesday 25th June 2025 - Club pub run (venue TBC)
Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June 2025 - U20/Senior SEAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships (Venue TBC)