Junior training update, National Athletics League, Quantock Beast, Yeovilton 5K, Wednesday training update + more

Details: Written by: Alexander Coombs; Created: 13 July 2025; Last Updated: 13 July 2025; Hits: 483

July Yeovilton

Harriers post race at July’s Yeovilton 5K

It’s been a packed start to July for the Harriers, with standout performances on the track, trail, and roads. The Yeovilton 5K saw a scorching evening of racing with a strong turnout and top-ten finishes from Peter Grist and Addie Butcher, while the Quantock Beast offered a rugged off-road challenge for our hardy runners. Meanwhile, in the National Athletics League Championship West, Yeovil Olympiads continued to impress, securing third overall, with strong contributions from several Harriers. Our junior section also continues to thrive, drawing praise from Richard Ayling of England Athletics during a recent visit and preparing to take a well-earned summer break. And with Harry Barton selected to represent Team GB at the U23 European Championships, there's much to celebrate across all levels of the club. Please note there is also an important update regarding our Wednesday evening group run.

Junior Training Update

Juniors

Our juniors train on a Monday evening at Millfield Athletics Track

Our Monday evening junior training sessions continue to go from strength to strength! We’ve been incredibly impressed by the progress the children are making, consistently showing enthusiasm, commitment, and a real love for athletics.

As we approach the end of the academic year, our juniors will soon take a well-earned break over the summer to enjoy their holidays. Our final session of the term will be on Monday 21st July, and we’ll return for the new term on Monday 8th September.

This is also the time of year when some of our juniors graduate to the Tuesday evening senior sessions—keeping our older athletes on their toes! It's fantastic to see so many rising to the challenge and taking that next step in their development. See more photos and videos of our juniors training this summer here.

Junior 3

Juniors running on the track

Due to the continued popularity of our junior sessions, we do currently operate a waiting list. To help us accommodate more children on Mondays, we are looking for additional coaches. If you're interested in getting involved and supporting our juniors, please get in touch—the club will cover all coaching course costs.

On Monday 7th July, we were delighted to welcome Richard Ayling, Club Support Manager for England Athletics in the South West, to our junior session. Richard was thoroughly impressed by the setup, energy, and engagement of the children. He described it as:

“Lots of young people having a fantastic time. The coaching is really inspiring, welcoming, and friendly. Parents spoke glowingly about the club.”

Click here to watch a short video of Richard’s visit.

If your child is interested in joining us, please complete our online enquiry form or visit our Monday training page for more information.

Junior 2

Our juniors having fun, whilst learning fundamental athletic skills

National Athletics League Championship West - Meet 2

The second fixture of the National Athletics League took place on Saturday, 5th July. Yeovil Olympiads, competing in the Championship West division, continued with their success after the first fixture. The team secured third place overall, with big points scored from the men’s team. The next and final fixture is on Saturday 23rd July at Cardiff. It would be great to get a few more female athletes competing to help get those vital extra points. Get in touch if you’re keen to participate.

Chris Green Steeple

Chris Green making his Steeplechase debut.

Combined Points:

Swansea Harriers - 541

Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC - 455

Yeovil Olympiads - 379

Cardiff Athletics - 355

Yate & District - 308

Winchester & District AC - 285

Women:

Swansea Harriers - 229

Cardiff Athletics - 184

Winchester & District AC - 184

Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC - 175

Yate & District - 131

Yeovil Olympiads - 116

Men:

Swansea Harriers - 292

Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC - 260

Yeovil Olympiads - 243

Yate & District - 171

Cardiff Athletics - 164

Winchester & District AC - 101

Harrier Results (Representing YOAC)

SM 800m 1

4 - Alexander Coombs 2:02.30

SM 800m 2

2 - Matthew Lusby 2:03:.84

SM 1500m

6 - Alexander Coombs 4:18.60

8 - Peter Grist 4:20.32

Pete and Alex

Pete Grist and Alex Coombs in the 1500m

SM 2000m S/C

3 - Matthew Lusby 6:30.47

4 - Christian Green 6:42.47

SM 3000m

5 - Christian Green 9:28.22

6 - Peter Grist 9:29.52

SM 100m

1 - Harry Barton 10.74

SM 200m

2 - Harry Barton 22.13

SW 1500m

3 - Amelie Cook 5:16.11

6 - Melissa Aspinall 6:18.31

SW 5000m

1 - Phoebe Aspinall 18:46.65

MelA

Melissa Aspinall, part of the relay team.

Quantock Beast

Quantock Beast MT - 6.2miles - Sunday July 6th

[Report by Paul Chadwick]

Race 11 in the Somerset Series, this classic off-road race saw 79 finishers tackle the ups and downs of the Quantock Hills, from the start and finish at Fyne Court.

There was a hardy bunch of Harriers, and long lost Harriers taking part, as well as the Harriers’ very own Race Adjudicator, Kay Franklin, who was there only in an official capacity and Rich Horsfall who was also on volunteering duties.

First home for the current crop of Harriers was new member David Hall (V50). There were no prize winners this year from the Harriers.

Former member Laura Jones (nee Parker) won the women’s race in 45.43 and together with her sister Natalie they might come and try a Tuesday night training session with us soon.

Harrier results

13th David Hall 44.55

28th Eleanor Constable 54.52

49th Paul Chadwick 62.33

62nd Kim Clark 66.20

76th Chris Clark 79.23

WhatsApp Image 2025 07 06 at 19.28.29

A group of Harriers post race

The next race in the Somerset Series is the Piddle Wood Plod on Sunday 13th July 2025 and then the Haselbury Trail Race on Wednesday 6th August. To see the current standings click here.

Yeovilton 5K (Race 4)

Jack French

Jack French running Yeovilton 5K

It was a scorcher of an evening at this month’s Yeovilton 5K, with another huge turnout of Harriers.

More photos from the evening can be found on our Instagram page.

Harrier Results:

3rd Peter Grist 16:12

8th Addie Butcher 16:59 (1st Junior Male)

11th Jamie Williams 17:07

14th Tim Ingle 17:17

17th Jeremy Linter 17:31

18th David Hirst 17:33

25th Jack French 18:11

29th Matthew Lusby 18:17

30th Phoebe Aspinall 18:18 (2nd Female)

31st Benjamin Thomas 18:20

34th Dan Williams 18:29

41st Stuart Nash 19:00

42nd James Hodges 19:12

44th Joseph Nelson 19:15

45th Toby Hirst 19:16

46th Stephen Nichols 19:19

62nd Andrew Piper 20:00

74th Florence Tibbatts 20:46

76th Louisa Saunders 20:47

77th Harriet Scott 20:54

80th Evie Horsfall 21:22

87th Matt Rawlingson-Plan 21:46

98th Joanne Tibbatts 22:23

99th Jill Harrison 22:23 (1st FV65)

100th Melissa Aspinall 22:34

103rd Robert Moore 23:00

104th Emma Woodcock 23:13

130th Karen Shears 29:56

135th Jason Woodcock 31:56

Full results can be found here.

YAward 1 YAward 2 YAward3

Harrier award winners

South West Track and Field League (Fixture 2)

Exeter 6th July

The conditions were warm and very windy. Some good PBs nevertheless.

Harriers representing YOAC:

U13 girls

800m Ruby Shaw 1st 2.36

U13 boys

200m Milo Cook 5th 32.60

U15 boys

800m Oskar Beck 1st 2.05

3000m Dominic Cook 11th 12.53

TJ Toby Hirst 3rd 10.58m PB

U17 men

800m Addie Butcher 6th 2.13 PB

U20 Women

200m Lara Cook 4th 28.57

800m Amelie Cook 2nd 2.36

Senior Men

100m Jack French 7th 12.75

200m Jack French 4th 25.60

400m Jack French 4th 57.17

5000m Matt Lusby 4th 16.36

Javelin Matt Lusby 8th 27.66m PB

Team GB Selection

NOVUNA GB & NI TEAM CONFIRMED FOR EUROPEAN ATHLETICS U23 CHAMPIONSHIPS

Congratulations to Harrier Harry Barton who has been selected to represent Team GB at the European Athletics U23 Championships in the 400m hurdle. The competition takes place in Bergen, Norway between the 17th and 20th July. Read about it here.

Wednesday Training Update

Based on feedback from our members, the overwhelming majority have expressed a preference to move the Wells training run from Wednesday to Thursday evenings.

As a result, we will implement this change starting Thursday, 7th August. The meeting time and venue will remain the same. Please note that from August onwards, the club will no longer have any official group meetings on Wednesday evenings.

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be featured in the next report.

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)

July 2025

(SS) Sunday 13th July 2025 - Piddle Wood Plod

Sunday 13th July 2025 - Blackmore Vale Half Marathon

Wednesday 16th July 2025 - Shepton Mallet Lido Aquathlon (Event 2)

Monday 21st July 2025 - Final junior training session before summer break

Wednesday 23rd July 2025 - Shepton Mallet Lido Aquathlon (Event 3)

Saturday 19th July 2025 - NAL Championship West (Meet 3 - Cardiff)

Sunday 20th July 2025 - South West Championships and Inter Counties

Wednesday 30th July 2025 - Shepton Mallet Lido Aquathlon (Event 4)

Wednesday 30th July 2025 - Final Wednesday club run

Thursday 31st July 2025 - YOAC Evening Open (Meet 3)

August 2025