Ruby Shaw in action at the Somerset Schools XC Championships
Wells City Harriers had a strong showing at the Somerset Schools XC Championships on January 18th, with standout performances from Ruby Shaw and Oskar Beck, who both claimed victory in their respective races. Several other Harriers secured top 10 finishes, boosting their chances of selection for the upcoming SW and English Schools Championships. On January 26th, a group of Harriers braved harsh weather conditions to tackle the Longleat 10K, where Matt Lusby dominated the race, winning in 35:55. Looking ahead, the next Gwent League XC fixture takes place on February 8th, with the final race scheduled for March 2nd in Brecon. Don’t forget to check the club shop for new gear and retailer discounts, stay updated via the WhatsApp group, and we have a new Meet the Harriers interview for you to read.
Somerset Schools XC Championships
Ilton, Saturday 18th January 2025
A good number of the Harrier trained juniors competed at last Saturday's County Schools XC Championships. There were two overall champions - both from our Monday training sessions, with Ruby Shaw winning the U13 girls race (school Year 7) and Oskar Beck winning the junior boys race (school Years 8 and 9). Oskar's victory follows up his win in the same race from last year.
Oskar in action
Also from the Monday sessions, Reuben Frith and Stellan Corp had good runs in the junior boys race with top 12 finishes. Meanwhile at the Avon Schools XC Championships fellow Monday athlete Addie Butcher had a top 10 finish in his Inter boys race (school years 10/11).
Amongst the Tuesday training group, mainly in the older age groups, the Tibbatts sisters ran well as did both of the Walkers and Chatards. Evie Horsfall, Amelie Cook and Evelyn Wigley all finished top 10 in the senior girls race for school years 12/13.
Ruby and Harriet with their certificates
Finishing positions:
U13 girls: 1st Ruby Shaw, 3rd Harriet Scott
Junior girls: 15th Jemima Tibbatts; 18th Leila Chatard
Junior boys: 1st Oskar Beck; 7th Reuben Frith; 12th Stellan Corp; 14th Jamie Dawson; 44th Dominic Cook
Inter girls: 3rd Florence Tibbatts; 10th Vienna Townsend; 21st Darcy Walker
Inter boys: 9th Harry Dawson; 31st Harley Walker
Senior girls: 6th Evie Horsfall; 8th Amelie Cook; 10th Evelyn Wigley
Senior boys: 16th Gabriel Chatard
Those who finished in the top 10 are most likely to be part of their County Schools team at the SW Schools XC Championships to be held at the beginning of February down in Newquay.
After that, selection for the County Schools team to go to the prestigious English Schools Championships in March awaits. This year the national Schools Championships are at Ardingley Showground, Haywards Heath.
Stride for stride.
Longleat 10K
On Sunday, January 26th, a group of Harriers took on the Longleat 10K, a scenic but challenging race. The course began facing the iconic Longleat House before heading towards Horningsham Village. Runners then returned via Lodge Drive to complete the first loop. The second loop took them past the House and caravan park before rejoining the original route. With an undulating to hilly profile, the course featured a demanding climb tackled twice—once early on and again near the end. However, runners were rewarded with a final exhilarating downhill stretch along Lodge Drive, leading back toward Longleat House and the finish line.
The conditions were far from ideal. Despite a temperature of around 8°C, the bitter wind and torrential rain made for a brutally cold and challenging race, feeling almost arctic. This didn’t stop Matt Lusby from taking the victory, in a time of 35:55, well ahead of second place.
A wet Matt Lusby, post race with the top three finishers.
Full results can be found here.
Harrier Results:
1st Matt Lusby - 35:55
39th Phoebe Aspinall - 42:21
140th Amy Reakes - 49:07
291st Melissa Aspinall - 54:37
Gwent League XC
The next Gwent League fixture is fast approaching! Race four will take place at Margam Park, Port Talbot, on Saturday, February 8th. If you’ve already competed this season, there’s no need to register again—just remember to wear the same race number from your previous races.
The final fixture has also been confirmed for Sunday, March 2nd, in Brecon. If you’d like to register for either of the remaining races, please contact team manager Jon James.
Don't forget to join our Wells City Harriers WhatsApp group to coordinate lifts to Wales! This is also the best place to contact other members and hear the latest Harrier news and updates.
Club Shop
Don’t forget to visit our club shop page if you’re in need of any new Wells City Harriers gear. We also have exclusive discount codes from our partners; Kinisi Run Hub, SportsShoes.com, Voom and Proviz. See the page for the codes and what they have to offer.
Meet the Harriers
We have another edition of Meet the Harriers for you to read, this time featuring club founder Bernie Mundy. Read his interview here.
Bernie Mundy
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)
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)
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
Sunday 13th April 2022 - Pen Selwood 10K
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)
July 2025
(SS) Sunday 6th July 2025 - Quantock Beast
(SS) Sunday 13th July 2025 - Piddle Wood Plod
Wednesday 30th July 2025 - Club pub run (venue TBC)
August 2025
(SS) Wednesday 6th August 2025 - Haslebury Trail
(SS) Monday 25th August 2025 - Baltonsborough 5 Mile
Wednesday 27th August 2025 - Club pub run (venue TBC)
September 2025
(SS) Sunday 14th September 2025 - Burnham Half
Wednesday 24th September 2025 - Club pub run (venue TBC)
Sunday 28th September 2025 - Black Nore 10K
October 2025
(SS) Sunday 5th October 2025 - Mother Tucker
Wednesday 8th October 2025 - Street 5K (Race 1)
(SS) Sunday 19th October 2025 - Herepath Half
(SS) Sunday 26th October 2025 - Mendip Muddle
Wednesday 29th October 2025 - Club pub run (venue TBC)
November 2025
Wednesday 12th November 2025 - Street 5K (Race 2)
(SS) Sunday 23rd November 2025 - Brent Knoll
Wednesday 26th November 2025 - Club pub run (venue TBC)
December 2025
Wednesday 10th December 2025 - Street 5K (Race 3)