Amy Reakes being cheered on at the Wiltshire 10 Miler.
The fourth Gwent League cross-country race at Margam Park provided a tough yet enjoyable course, with notable performances from the Harriers despite missing some key runners. The women's team, though one short of the required four for scoring, finished 19th out of 60, led by Phoebe Aspinall in 14th place. The men’s team placed 8th in Division 1, maintaining 5th overall in the league, with Chris Green finishing 9th. Other recent highlights include strong indoor track performances from Tom Webb and Harrison Skuse, Somerset Schools XC results, and success at the Wiltshire 10 Miler, where Peter Grist claimed victory. The club is now looking ahead to the final Gwent League fixture in Brecon on March 2nd, hoping for a strong turnout.
Gwent League - Margam Park (Race 4)
[Report by Jon James]
The fourth fixture of the 2024-25 Gwent cross-country league was held last Saturday in Margam Park near Port Talbot. The course had been tinkered with yet again, but that was well worth doing as it resulted in a true cross-country test – hilly, technical in part, and muddy (but not the ridiculous muddiness of last year), but also very runnable! The day though was rather marred for us by the serious injury incurred by cross-country stalwart, Andrew Deamer, and we wish him a speedy recovery.
It was good yet again to have three athletes running in the women’s race, two of them being debutants, though we still fell short of the magic number of four that is required for a team to score. Nevertheless, even with three runners, the team came 19th out of the sixty teams taking part! 198 runners finished the race and the WCH team was led home by Phoebe Aspinall, making her Gwent League debut and running really strongly to finish 14th out of a field of 198 runners, in a time of 27.02 for the 6.2K course, and impressively coming 2nd in the U23 age group. Also making her first appearance was Rosie Park, and this was another great run – 43rd position. Louisa Saunders is now a seasoned Gwent League participant, so was a bit disappointed with her 53rd, but she came 83rd last year in the same fixture, which just shows the extent of her improvement.
It was always going to be a tough day when this was the best photo the men’s team could produce.
We lacked a few key players in the men’s race, but still performed creditably, finishing 8th team in Division 1 (out of 12) and maintaining our 5th position in the league. Although the M55+ team is not replicating their form of last year (champions!), they finished 8th in that competition on Saturday. 288 athletes finished the race and it was good to have a top ten finisher, with Chris Green battling well to finish in 9th (a time of 31.42 for the 8.8K course). He was then closely followed by Matt Lusby, back to form, in 18th position, and Alex Coombs, another 30 seconds behind in 26th. Stuart Nash came 133rd last year, but his 83rd place on Saturday (albeit in a slightly smaller field) reflected the improvement he has made – a really good run. Laurence Badman was the all-important 5th scorer for us coming 113th and showed what a consistent performer he is. Then came the trio of runners in the M55 age group, Steve Nicholls running much better than last year to finish in 168th position, followed by Graham Goldsmid in 203rd position, and then Mark Pople in 265th position – Mark was another who ran much better that last year, aided by not losing both shoes in the mud this year!
Mark Pople improving on last year’s race at Margam Park.
The final fixture is at Brecon on March 2nd – we need a good turn out in the men’s event to consolidate our position and an even better one in the women’s race so that we finally get four finishers!
To see more photos from the day, click here to visit our Instagram page.
Full results can be found here.
Indoor Track and Field
U20 Harrier Tom Webb has been lowering his season’s indoor times as he competes for the first time at this age group:
1st February at the Cardiff Arena for the Welsh/SW Championships
1500m 1st in 4.03.40
8th February at the Sheffield Arena for the England Athletics Championships
1500m 6th in 4.01.03
Meanwhile over in the States, one of the Harriers studying on an Athletics scholarship there, Hon Life Member u23 Harry Barton has set a good mark in his first time out at an indoor 400m race:
7th February at Virginia Beach for the East Coast Invitational
400m 3rd in 47.89 (currently 6th fastest u23 UK time)
One of our Monday sprinters, Harrison Skuse was back for his second year of indoor action last month:
(U13)
5th January at the Cardiff Arena
60m 4th in 8.95
Somerset Schools South West Cross Country
Most of those below were representing Somerset Schools at the event in Newquay. The juniors had to tackle a hill steeper than the one at RNAS Merryfield where county schools cross country championships were held. Note: this list may be incomplete.
Minor Girls (Year 7)
3rd Ruby Shaw
8th Izzy Kettle (running for Dorset schools)
9th Harriet Scott
Junior Boys (Year 8 & 9)
3rd Oskar Beck
45th Reuben Frith
Inter Girls (Year 10 & 11)
44th Florence Tibbatts
60th Vienna Townsend
Inter Boys (Year 10 & 11)
51st Harry Dawson
Senior Girls (Year 12 & 13)
25th Evie Horsfall
46th Amelie Cook
57th Evelyn Wigley
Senior Boys (Year 12 & 13)
31st Freddie Rawbone
Ruby and Harriet racing in Newquay.
Wiltshire 10 Miler
Mike Rusca pushing to the end.
A few Harriers raced the Wiltshire 10 Miler on Sunday 9th February on a cold morning in Melksham. Returning Harrier, Peter Grist stormed to victory in a time of 54:56. Victoria Ryan came 60th in 1:07:28 (1st Female V40), Amy Reakes finished 123rd in 1:18:32, and Michael Rusca came 167th in 1:25:19. There were 294 finishers.
Full results can be found here.
Amy, Mike and Victoria with their finishers medals.
British Universities Club Sports Annual XC Championships
Saturday 1st February 2025
Hannah Blundy - 3rd at short race as part of winning Birmingham Uni team
Iris Courtney - 18th representing Cardiff Uni
Wells Festival of Running
Early Bird Entries have opened for the Wells Festival Of Running. Both the 5K and 10K have discounted prices for a short time only, so grab yourselves a bargain. The races start in the beautiful Market Place under the gaze of two medieval gateways - the Penniless Porch and the Bishop’s Eye, and a fast and furious grandstand finish is guaranteed alongside the Bishop’s Palace moat. Don’t forget, the 10K race is also part of the 2025 Somerset Series.
For more information, visit the Wells Festival of Running webpage.
Click here to enter.
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
Wednesday 12th February 2025 - Street 5K (Race 5)
(SS) Sunday 23rd February 2025 - Babcary
Wednesday 26th February 2025 - Wookey Hole Inn
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
Sunday 13th April 2025 - Pen Selwood 10K
Saturday 19th April 2025 - Yeovil Spring Open (Day 1)
Monday 21st April 2025 - Yeovil Spring Open (Day 2)
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
Saturday 10th May 2025 - Somerset AA Track & Field Championships (Day 1)
Sunday 11th May 2025 - Somerset AA Track & Field Championships (Day 2)
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)