NAL, European Athletics u23 Championships, South West Athletics Championships and Piddlewood Plod

Details: Written by: Alexander Coombs; Created: 26 July 2025; Last Updated: 26 July 2025; Hits: 489

Phoebe Mel

Daughter (Phoebe) passing the baton to mother (Melissa) in the women’s 400m relay at the NAL.

Yeovil Olympiads made history at the final National Athletics League West fixture on 19th July, earning a first-ever spot in the promotion playoffs. The day featured standout performances across the board, including a win for Matt Lusby in the 3000m steeplechase, and strong runs from Peter Grist in the 1500m and 3000m. PBs were achieved by Jack French (400m) and Alexander Coombs (800m), while Phoebe Aspinall also won the 3000m and placed second in the 1500m. Beyond the league meet, Harriers excelled at the South West Championships in Exeter, where Ruby Shaw, Izzy Kettle, and Oskar Beck were among the medallists. Meanwhile, Harry Barton represented Team GB at the European U23 Championships in the 400m hurdles, and Harriers also supported the Piddlewood Plod trail race, raising funds for local causes.

National Athletics League Championship West - Meet 3

Pete 1500m

Pete Grist in the 1500m

The final fixture of the National Athletics League took place on Saturday, 19th July. Yeovil Olympiads were aiming for a strong performance, knowing that if results went their way, a top-two finish overall was within reach — securing a place in the playoff fixture for promotion to the National Athletics League Premiership.

With Swansea all but guaranteed one of the top two spots, it was a close contest between Cardiff AAC, Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC, and Yeovil Olympiads for the remaining playoff place.

Positions shifted constantly throughout the day, making for a tense and exciting finish. Even the final two events, yet to be submitted at the time, had the potential to change the outcome. Ultimately, the Olympiads finished third on the day, just 4.5 points ahead of Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC — enough to secure second place overall across the three fixtures, and with it, a historic first-ever qualification for the playoff.

Congratulations to all the athletes who contributed to this achievement — including many regulars from our Tuesday evening Harrier sessions.

The playoff fixture will take place on Saturday, 16th August. If you're available to compete, please get in touch, as many athletes may be away during the summer holidays.

The other seven clubs joining Yeovil Olympiads in the playoffs are:

Swansea (West Division)
City of York and Sale Harriers (North Division)
Crawley and Tonbridge (South Division)
Chelmsford and Herts Phoenix (East Division)

Read about the playoffs here.

Combined Points:
Swansea Harriers - 608

Cardiff Athletics - 559

Yeovil Olympiads - 421.5

Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC - 417

Winchester & District AC - 345.5

Yate & District - 241

Womens:

Swansea Harriers - 291

Cardiff Athletics - 239

Yeovil Olympiads - 175.5

Winchester & District AC - 171.5

Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC - 134

Yate & District - 84

Mens:
Cardiff Athletics - 270

Swansea Harriers - 267

Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC - 233

Yeovil Olympiads - 196

Yate & District - 127

Winchester & District AC - 124

Matt 3000msc

Matt Lusby on his way to winning the 3000m Steeplechase

Harrier Results:

400m SM 1

Jack French – 55.97 – 5th (PB)

800m SM 1

Alexander Coombs – 1:59.09 – 5th (PB)

800m SM 2

Matthew Lusby – 2:03.59 – 3rd

1500m SM

Peter Grist – 4:16.29 – 7th
Alexander Coombs – 4:30.88 – 10th

3000m SM

Peter Grist – 9:24.74 – 5th
Matthew Lusby – 9:33.49 – 6th

3000m Steeplechase SM

Matthew Lusby – 10:11.79 – 1st
Alexander Coombs – 10:55.84 – 2nd

1500m SW

Phoebe Aspinall – 5:04.38 – 2nd (PB)

3000m SW

Phoebe Aspinall – 10:47.71 – 1st
Melissa Aspinall – 13:19.86 – 4th

Alex3000msc

Alex Coombs taking the water jump in the 3000m Steeplechase

European Athletics u23 Championships

Thursday & Friday 27th & 18th July - Bergen, Norway

Wells City Harrier Harry Barton was once again in action for Team GB.

400m Hurdles

Thursday 3rd in his heat 50.97 & Friday 6th in his semi final 50.60

Harry didn’t qualify for the final and is next scheduled to run at the British Athletics Championships at the beginning of August.

South West Athletics Championships

Exeter, Sunday July 20th

RubyH

Ruby Shaw and Harriet Scott on the podium after the 1500m

A number of Harriers and partner Club YOAC members were competing for Somerset County AA at the SW regional championships. We had a few outright winners.

U13 girls

800m Izzy Kettle 1st 2.24

1500m Ruby Shaw 1st 5.12pm

1500m Harriet Scott 2nd 5.23

U15 boys

800m Oskar Beck 2nd 2.05

TJ Toby Hirst 3rd 10.72m

3000m Jamie Williams 4th 9.50

U17 men

3000m Addie Butcher 7th 9.40

800m Matt Lusby 6th 2.05

2000m Steeplechase Matt Lusby 1st 6.34

Piddlewood Plod - Sunday 13th July

Piddlewood

Kim, Chris and Paul post race.

The latest race in the Somerset Series saw a good turn out at this 10k multi-terrain course on the Blackdowns. Using part of the ancient Herepath, the race started and finished at Thurlbear Primary School. The race raised £3,000 which was split equally between the school and the local hospice.

The race is well organised with one long steep climb through the woods on each of the two laps. A live band provides music in the middle of the woods to enhance the great atmosphere.

Harrier Results:

Paul Chadwick 74th 60.18

Kim Clark 84th 63.07

Chris. Clark 121st 76.55

(138 runners)

Next race in the Somerset Series is the Haselbury 10k trail race on Wednesday 6th August.

Athletics Weekly Interview

Elise Thorner has been speaking to Athletics Weekly about her steeplechase training routine. Read it here.

Elise AW

Athletics Weekly interviewed Harrier and New Balance athlete Elise

Wednesday Update

Don’t forget, next Wednesday will be our final Wednesday training session before moving to a Thursday. Read more on our homepage.

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

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

(SS) Wednesday 6th August 2025 - Haslebury Trail

Wednesday 6th August 2025 - The Hilly Helmet Challenge

Thursday 7th August 2025 - Wells group run moving to a Thursday evening

Tuesday August 12th 2025 - Westbury 5K

Wednesday 13th August 2025 - Crook Peak Cake Race

Wednesday 13th August 2025 - Yeovilton 5K (Race 5)

(SS) Monday 25th August 2025 - Baltonsborough 5 Mile