Graham Goldsmid eyeing up the finish line at the Fleet Half Marathon
Harriers athletes delivered strong performances across multiple events. In the Fleet, Bath, and Weymouth Half Marathons, several runners achieved personal bests, including Mark Duffett (1:08:37, Fleet) and Mark Pople (Bath). At the English and Somerset Schools XC Championships, junior athletes impressed, with Oskar Beck finishing 43rd and Ruby Shaw winning the Year 7 girls' race. Bella Gurung secured a bronze at the British Schools National Biathlon Final, while Harry Barton set a 400m PB. Heath Hughes Davies triumphed at the Weston Prom Junior Run. The Harriers are also recruiting for the Cotswold Way Relay in July.
Fleet Half Marathon
Zak Hurrell racing towards a new PB
Seven Harriers took on the Fleet Half Marathon on Sunday, March 16, 2025, in near-perfect racing conditions, with only a short section of the course affected by strong winds. The event proved to be a fruitful outing, as four Harriers secured personal bests, making the trip to Hampshire well worthwhile.
Leading the charge was Mark Duffett, who narrowly missed out on a podium finish, crossing the line in fourth place with a PB time of 1:08:37, only four seconds behind second place. Zak Hurrell and Alexander Coombs returned to Fleet following personal bests at last year’s event and managed to surpass their previous performances once again. Hurrell finished 14th in 1:11:17, while Coombs broke the 73-minute barrier for the first time, finishing 24th in 1:12:37.Victoria Ryan was the fourth Harrier to achieve a PB, securing 30th place among the women’s field and 327th overall with a time of 1:26:06. Peter Grist and Graham Goldsmid also delivered strong performances, finishing 49th (1:14:03) and 523rd (1:31:18), respectively. Zak, Alex and Peter also collected the prize for third in the team event (Mark was representing the Navy for this race).
Pete and Alex side by side
However, it was a challenging day for Chris Green, who was forced to withdraw from the race after experiencing discomfort in his hamstring. With his sights set on a PB at the London Marathon in six weeks, Green made the wise decision to step aside and focus on recovery to ensure he is fit for the start line in April.
Post race smiles.
Bath Half Marathon
Nine members of the Harriers took on the Bath Half Marathon on Sunday, March 16th, delivering strong performances on the historic course. Nick Stevens led the club’s charge with a standout run, securing an impressive fourth place in his age category. Meanwhile, Mark Pople achieved a personal milestone, setting a new PB by shaving more than three minutes off his previous half marathon record, which he set in Bristol.
Harrier Results:
191st David Hirst - 1:19:51 (7th V45-V49)
557th Nicolas Stevens - 1:27:37 (4th V60-V64)
569th Phoebe Aspinall - 1:27:46
725th Jeremy Linter - 1:29:25
1122th Phil Paddick - 1:34:33
1570th Tim Sanders - 1:38:32
3401st Melissa Aspinall - 1:50:20
3491st Mark Pople - 1:50:52
9369th Patrick Matthews - 2:27:52
Melissa and Phoebe at Bath
Weymouth Half Marathon
Julian Mclean ran the Weymouth Half Marathon on Sunday 16th March. He completed the course in a time of 1:33:21 finishing 92nd.
English Schools XC Championships Ardingley, Sussex Saturday 15th March
The Harriers had a number of its junior members competing at the prestigious Schools national championships.
From our Monday group, Oskar Beck and Reuben Frith both had solid runs, with Reuben competing at this level for the first time. Oskar finished in 43rd place in the Junior boys and just some 30 seconds down on the winner which just illustrates how competitive the field was. Another 30 seconds back was Reuben in 156th position.
From amongst our Tuesday training group, Florence Tibbatts was 247th (1st Somerset) in the Intermediate Girls, whilst Evie Horsfall was 186th with Amelie Cook finishing 228th in the Senior Girls.
From the Yeovil side of our Club Harry Dawson was 258th in the inter boys.
Somerset Schools XC Championships held- Taunton
At the start
At the Somerset Schools Year 7 and Year 8 XC Championships held on 10th March one of the Harrier’s Monday group, Ruby Shaw, won the Year 7 girls race running well clear.
In 2nd place was fellow team-mate from the Yeovil side of our Club, Harriet Scott. Ruby goes to school at Ansford and Harriet at Westfield and both are now looking forward to the Track season with our YOAC team.
A great run by both given that just 2 days earlier they’d both run for the Avon & Somerset team at the Inter-Counties XC fixture up in Nottingham. Ruby finishing 89th and Harriet 152nd at that event.
Harriet and Ruby
British Schools National Biathlon Final
Bath, March 23, 2025
A team of four young athletes from the Harriers club delivered impressive performances at the Great British Schools National Biathlon Finals this weekend. The prestigious Pentathlon GB event, held at Bath University’s track and swimming pool on March 22nd and 23rd, saw fierce competition from over 800 competitors representing schools across the country.
The Harriers put in strong efforts, with Year 5 athlete Bella Gurung securing a podium finish, earning a bronze medal in her category. She clocked 2:40.6 in the 800m run and an impressive 34.2 seconds in the 50m swim.
Sharron Davies was at the event to meet the young athletes.
Harriers Results:
Year 5 - Maison Jennings Orr
800m Run: 3:11.6
50m Swim: 41.5
Year 5 - Bella Gurung (Bronze Medalist)
800m Run: 2:40.6
50m Swim: 34.2
Year 4 - Zachary Dowden
400m Run: 1:26.3
25m Swim: 23.1
Year 9 - Eva Dowden
1600m Run: 6:17.3
100m Swim: 1:15.7
Adding to the excitement, Eva Dowden had the opportunity to meet Olympian Sharron Davies MBE, who was in attendance at the event.
The Harriers’ participation in the national final is a testament to their hard work and dedication. Anyone interested in pentathlon-related events and training can contact Stuart Dowden at
Cotswold Way Relay
The Harriers are looking to enter a team at this year’s Cotswold Way Relay taking place on Saturday 5th July. However, entries for the event close this Tuesday (25th March)! If you are interested in being part of the team, please contact
Indoor Round-Up
U23 Harry Barton ran a new personal best for 400m in a time of 46.84 at the SEC Indoor Championships meet at College Station, Texas, USA, on 23rd February. This augurs well for his outdoor season which starts next month. Harry is now competing for Tennessee University in the States on an Athletic Scholarship.
Weston Prom
On the evening of Thursday 20th March, in a thrilling display of speed and determination, young athlete Heath Hughes Davies delivered an outstanding performance in the latest round of the Weston Junior Prom Run for primary school students (Year 6 and under).
Despite being two years younger than some of his competitors, Heath stormed to victory in the one-mile race, setting a new personal best of 5 minutes and 49 seconds. Well done Heath!
Heath at Weston securing a new Mile PB
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)
March 2025
Wednesday 26th March 2025 - Club Pub Run- The Bear Inn, Street
Wednesday 26th March 2025 - Couch to 5K group starts
Sunday 30th March 2025 - Yeovil Half Marathon
Sunday 30th March 2025 - Belstone Loop
April 2025
(SS) Sunday 6th April 2025 - Big Cheese
(SS) Sunday 6th April 2025 - Minster Miler Mash
Sunday 6th April 2025 - Bristol Track Club 5K [PROD25 discount code]
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)
Monday 21st April 2025 - Shapwick Bunny Hop
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)
Sunday 8th June 2025 - Oke Croak!
(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
Saturday 5th July 2025 - Cotswold Way Relay
(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)