Wessex League Returns, Mendip Muddle, Valencia Half and Enter the Baltonsborough Christmas Pudding Race

Details: Written by: Alexander Coombs; Created: 30 October 2025; Last Updated: 31 October 2025; Hits: 427

Geoff C Wessex

Geoff Cole racing at the Wessex XC League’s first fixture

It was a busy weekend of running for Wells City Harriers on Sunday 26th October, with strong performances across a range of events. The first Wessex XC League fixture at Learoyd Road, Canford Heath saw junior and senior Harriers compete with distinction, highlighted by Ayla Chard’s U17W victory, Ruby Shaw’s second place in the U13G, and multiple top-10 finishes from Heath Hughes-Davies (U11B), Elizabeth Doggrell (U11G), William Packer (U15B), and others.

Meanwhile, the penultimate Somerset Series race, the Mendip Muddle, challenged Harriers over 20km of rugged terrain, with Matthew Lusby taking victory in 1:24:52, and strong club performances from David Hall (33rd, 2nd V60), Eleanor Constable (61st, 1st V40), and others. On the roads, Sharon Bowles and Lynne Elstob completed the Valencia Half Marathon, securing their third ‘super half marathon’ medals, finishing in 2:34:10 and 2:55:25 respectively.

You can now enter the Baltonsborough Christmas Pudding Race. Read on to find out more details.

Wessex League

U13GirlsWessex

The start of the U13 girls race

The first of four fixtures of the Wessex XC League took place on Sunday 26th October at Learoyd Road, Canford Heath. There was a good turnout of junior Harriers as well as a few seniors.

Oli Rob

Oliver Frost and Robbie Hawkins

U11B results:

3rd — Heath Hughes-Davies, 7.21
16th — Hugo Pearse, 8.27

U11G result:

6th — Elizabeth Doggrell, 8.32

U13B result:

11th — Ronnie Legge, 14.09

U13G results:

2nd — Ruby Shaw, 12.16

4th — Harriet Scott, 12.47

7th — Zoe Frost, 13.55

15th — Glennie Thorman, 15.21

U15B Results:

U15B: 6th — William Packer, 14.31

U15G results:

7th — Freya Dencher, 16.12

9th — Sadie Littlechild, 16.27

U17M result:

5th — Harry Dawson, 14.45

U17W results:

1st — Ayla Chard, 15.44

2nd — Florence Tibbatt, 16.16

3rd — Isabelle Whittle, 16.19

U20M / Senior Men (SM, M40, M45, M50, M60) results:

12th — Robbie Hawkins (SM), 31.40

20th — Oliver Frost (M45), 33.08

26th — Neil Biss (M50), 35.59

34th — Geoff Cole (M50), 40.01

Women (U20W, SW, W40, W45, W50, W60) results:

4th — Abbie White (SW), 24.34

20th — Aime Biss (W45), 33.37

AmieBiss

Aime Biss competing in XC for the first time.

See a reel of the race day action here.

The second race will take place at Bryanston School on 2nd November.

Mendip Muddle

The penultimate race in the Somerset Series took place on Sunday 26th October. The Mendip Muddle is a 20km multi-terrain race. The route is tough (there is 420m of climb), but very interesting, set in some of the finest scenery in the West Country. There are Roman lead mines, underground rivers, a nature reserve, open moorland, potholes, an ancient rabbit warren, an Iron Age fort, deciduous and conifer forest, and prehistoric tumuli.

Matthew Lusby made it two victories in a row (following his win at the Herepath Half last week) finishing in a time of 1:24:52, nearly a minute ahead of second place.

Harrier Results:

1st Matthew Lusby - 1:24:52

33rd David Hall - 1:46:48 (2nd V60)

61st Eleanor Constable - 1:56:51 (1st V40)

122nd Evelyn Wigley - 2:24:38

123rd Matthew Wigley - 2:24:41

Full results can be found here.

Valencia Half Marathon

Sharon Valencia

Sharon Bowles running Valencia Half

On Sunday 26th October, Harriers Sharon Bowles and Lynne Elstob ran the Valencia Half Marathon. Valencia is one of the six ‘super half marathons’ and they have now completed their third, the others so far being Cardiff in October 2024, and Berlin in April 25. They already have Prague booked in for next March, leaving Copenhagen and Lisbon left to complete them all.

Sharon finished 24943rd in a time of 2:34:10, and Lynne completed the course in 2:55:25 finishing 25936th (35th V70).

Medals Valencia

Lynne and Sharon with their 3rd ‘Super Half’s’ medal

Enter Baltonsborough Christmas Pudding Race

The Baltonsborough Christmas Pudding Race returns on the 21st December 2025. The race will start at 11.00 a.m. The Baltonsborough "Christmas Pudding" 5 mile race is held on a measured 5 mile road race on slightly undulating country lanes. Feel free to wear fancy dress if you wish. All finishers will receive a Christmas Pudding, and all profits will go to charity.

Enter here.

Tuesday Training

The November and December training schedule is now available to view here.

Thursday Training

The November, December and January 2026 training schedule is now available to view here.

Christmas Meal

Don’t forget to book your Christmas Meal ticket. You can find details 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 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, SRC = Somerset Road Championships)

November 2025

Saturday 1st November 2025 - English ‘National’ Cross Country Relay Championships

Sunday 2nd November 2025 - Wessex League XC (Race 2 - Bryanston School)

Saturday 8th November 2025 - Gwent League XC (Fixture 2 - Llandaff Fields, Cardiff)

Saturday 8th November 2025 - YOAC Awards Evening

Wednesday 12th November 2025 - Street 5K (Race 2)

Sunday 16th November 2025 - The Drogo 10

(SS) Sunday 23rd November 2025 - Brent Knoll

Thursday 27th November 2025 - Dave Jones Weston Prom Series (Race 3)

December 2025

Saturday 6th December 2025 - Gwent League XC (Fixture 3 - Blaise Castle, Bristol)

Saturday 6th December 2025 - Well City Harriers’ Annual Christmas Meal (Wells Golf Club)