Alex Coombs running in the sun in Leuven, Belgium.
Wells City Harriers have been busy across a range of events this month. At the Newport Marathon on 13th April, Henry Sage, Stephen Nicholls and Louisa Saunders represented the club. That same day, Harriers also tackled the hilly Pen Selwood 10K, with Graham Goldsmid leading the team home. Over in Belgium, Alexander Coombs raced the European Half Marathon Championships in Leuven, finishing 5th Brit. At the AOC College Championships in Nottingham, Evelyn Wigley and Amelie Cook helped the Southwest secure team gold. Fell runners were also active, with Paul Chadwick and Andrew Pate competing in challenging Dartmoor and Peak District races. Meanwhile, the Couch to 5K group led by Sharon Bowles continues to thrive, showing great spirit and progress into their third week. Finally, the club invites all members to complete a short survey to help improve the club experience—every response counts!
Newport Marathon
Tattoos at the ready.
[Report by Louisa Saunders]
Newport Marathon claims to be one of the flattest and fastest marathons in the world, good PB territory and only 90 minutes from home. With this in mind, on Sunday 13th April, Wells City Harriers Henry Sage, Stephen Nicholls and Louisa Saunders were at the start line, roadrunner tattoos applied and ready to take on the challenge after four months of hard training. Nerves were high but the excitement was greater and in the words of Henry “we are going to kill it today”.
The route weaved through the city centre, over the Transport bridge then out to the Gwent levels, which were a home from home for our runners, before heading back into the city to finish.
With a rural mid-section, there were some lonelier moments but suddenly out of nowhere pops up Dan Williams, with endless positive energy to give us a boost. Not forgetting other family members, Clare, Kathryn, Josh, James and Lottie, turning up when least expected and most needed around the course - thank you!
First to finish was Henry Sage on his road marathon debut with a fantastic finish time of 2:52:30 and 154th male in a field of 2098. Within moments of finishing Henry had already set a ‘sub-2:50’ goal for the next one – watch this space!
Next home was Stephen Nicholls in 3:12:56, 500th male, and just outside of his PB from London Marathon 2024. For Stephen there were several obstacles to overcome just to be there and some tough moments to deal with during the race that required so much mental discipline to keep going. The support from the familiar voices formed essential motivation to survive the last five miles.
Louisa Saunders was the final finisher in 3:30:17 but her chip stopped working so she doesn’t have an official position yet. At approximately 24 miles she said she was never doing this again but upon crossing the finish line a few minutes later, had completely changed her tune.
The race was a celebration of all the training and there was a strong sense of pride and achievement for each other as well as gratitude to all the WCH support team and our head coach Jon James.
Still smiling after 26 miles.
Our thoughts now turn to the ten Harriers preparing to take on next week’s London Marathon. Wishing each of them the very best of luck as they head to the capital—go smash it!
Couch to 5K
The couch to 5K group before setting out on their Week 3 session.
This year’s Couch to 5K group is well underway and making fantastic progress. Led by run coach Sharon Bowles, the group has just completed Week Three of the program and is already showing great determination and team spirit. Participants are steadily building their endurance with a mix of running and walking intervals, and many are surprised at how quickly their fitness and confidence are growing. The positive energy and support among the group is inspiring.
Pen Selwood 10K
Pen Selwood 10K
A number of Harriers ran the hilly 10k road circuit at Pen Selwood on Sunday 13th April. The route takes them onto the Stourhead estate near Alfred’s Tower.
Results
15th Graham Goldsmid 43.10
56th Alice Knight 56.11
58th Paul Chadwick 56.54
59th Andrew Pate 56.59
67th Kim Clark 58.53
In addition, former Harrier Will Pate, now living and studying in Paris finished 5th in 40.27
AOC College Championships
Evelyn and Amelie with their gold medals.
Harriers Evelyn Wigley and Amelie Cook were in action at the AOC College Championships in Nottingham, where both delivered strong performances. Their efforts contributed to securing a team gold medal for the Southwest region.
European Running Championships
[Report by Alexander Coombs]
Alex crossing the finish line.
The weekend of April 12th and 13th saw the inaugural European Running Championships take place in Belgium, following the success of the 2023 World Athletics Road Running Championships. Saturday featured the half marathon, while Sunday hosted both the 10K and marathon events. The half marathon and 10K were run on looped courses through the city of Leuven, while the marathon was a point-to-point race starting in Brussels and finishing in Leuven. One of the unique aspects of the event was the integration of elite and open runners, with the top 25 finishers from each country—including elites—scoring points for their nation.
I took part in the half marathon on Saturday. With no male representative from GB in the elite field—after Ben Connor declined his invitation due to having to self-fund—it was exciting to be in the sub-elite wave, starting close behind the top athletes from across Europe.
The forecast had predicted hot conditions, but the first third of the race was pleasantly shaded by Leuven’s buildings, with great crowd support along the route. However, as the race progressed, the temperature rose into the high teens, and the course opened up along a flat, exposed stretch by the canal—where a headwind and the heat began to take their toll, particularly as my body isn’t yet conditioned to running in warmer temperatures. Unfortunately, this section had a big impact on me, and my pace dropped significantly.
The route eventually returned into Leuven, passing the Stella Artois HQ before finishing in the city centre. I crossed the line in 76:16, placing 181st out of 10,595 runners, and 5th British finisher—contributing points towards a GB team result of 6th out of 12 finishing nations.
The next European Running Championships will take place in Belgrade, Serbia, in 2027.
Fell Racing
Sunday 30th March - Belstone Loop fell race on Dartmoor.
Category BM fell race with 14.5km of distance and 503m of ascent.
This was the opening race in the Southwestern fell running Series which comprises a set of races over the year on Dartmoor. The race started and finished from Belstone village, just to the east of Okehampton.
Classic race where prior or local knowledge of the course would be an advantage and use of map and compass would be helpful. Fortunately it was a relatively dry course and clear visibility.
Harrier results:
45th Paul Chadwick 1.45.07
54th Andrew Pate 1.53.51
Paul Chadwick racing the Lads Leap
Sunday 6th April - Alan Kirk Memorial Lads Leap Fell Race in the Peak District. Category AS race with 9.5km distance and 518m of ascent. Race started and finished at Crowden, near Woodhead.
A flagged (marked) course more technical than the Dartmoor one - ie more rocks/steeper sections etc. Dry conditions.
Harrier result
43rd Paul Chadwick 80.08
See Harrier website for more fell races coming up https://www.wellscityharriers.org.uk/index.php/team-events/trail-and-fell
Membership Survey
We're always looking for ways to make your experience at the club even better. To help us reflect on what we're doing well and where we can improve, we've launched a short membership survey. Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and the more responses we receive, the clearer our understanding will be. It only takes a few minutes to complete, and we truly appreciate your input!
Complete the survey here.
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)
April 2025
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
Wednesday 14th May 2025 - Yeovilton 5K (Race 2)
(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
Wednesday 4th June - Club AGM (Venue TBC)
Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June 2025 - U13/15/17 SEAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships (Venue TBC)
Sunday 8th June 2025 - Oke Croak!
Wednesday 11th June 2025 - - Yeovilton 5K (Race 3)
(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
Wednesday 9th July 2025 - - Yeovilton 5K (Race 4)
(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
Wednesday 13th August 2025 - - Yeovilton 5K (Race 5)
(SS) Monday 25th August 2025 - Baltonsborough 5 Mile
Wednesday 27th August 2025 - Club pub run (venue TBC)
September 2025
Wednesday 10th September 2025 - - Yeovilton 5K (Race 6)
(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)