Brent Knoll MT, Somerset Series Concludes, British and Irish XC Champs, Drogo 10, Wilmslow 10K, West Prom 5 Mile and enter Street 5K, Baltonsborough Christmas Pudding and Babcary Road Race.

Details: Written by: Alexander Coombs; Created: 29 November 2025; Last Updated: 29 November 2025; Hits: 426

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Jon James raced at the British and Irish Masters XC Champs

Wells City Harriers enjoyed a standout fortnight of racing at home and further afield, highlighted by Jon James’s impressive run at the British and Irish Masters Cross Country Championships in Leeds. We also saw the conclusion of the Somerset Series which saw Harriers excel in the final race at Brent Knoll and collect a host of awards across multiple age groups. The Weston Prom 5 Mile was also a great opportunity for our Thursday improvers to test themselves, whilst a group of Harriers completed the Drogo 10 fell race in Devon. With the next Street 5K on the horizon, entries are also now open for the Baltonsborough 5 Mile and the Babcary Road Race.

Brent Knoll MT & Somerset Series Report

[Report by Paul Chadwick]

Brent Knoll mt race Sunday 23rd November

The Brent Knoll multi-terrain race was the final race in the 2025 Somerset Race Series. As a consequence not only was it a complete sell out with all 250 places taken some 3 weeks before race day, but there was some competitive tussling for positions amongst the runners on the day.

Wells City Harriers came away with a number of race awards and then also collected a good number of Series awards for their efforts across the year.

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Finishing the Brent Knoll ensured Evelyn claimed 1st junior for the series.

Conditions were a bit muddy but it was dry though with a cold wind during the race over the 6 mile course. Some runners took the steep ascent and descent to and from the top of the Knoll gingerly whilst others demonstrated greater nimbleness. The event was as usual well organised by Burnham on Sea Harriers.

See more photos of the Brent Knoll MT here.

Harrier results:

30th Eleanor Constable F40. 50.46 - 2nd female finisher

70th Evelyn Wigley JF 58.31 - 1st junior female

77th Matt Wigley v40 58.31

100th Paul Chadwick v60 61.26

114th Kim Clark F65 65.28 - 1st F65

173rd Chris Clark v70 79.04 - 2nd v70

197th Karen Shears F65 87.19 - 2nd F65

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Another series completed by Kim Clark

In the final Somerset Series standings, ably calculated by the Series coordinator Matt Powell of the host Club, the top awards went this year to Karen Ayers F45 of Axe Valley Runners and William Pannell of Chard Road runners.

Harrier Series winners were:

1st Junior Female Evelyn Wigley

2nd F35 Eleanor Constable

2nd F65 Kim Clark

2nd overall male Tim Ingle

3rd V70 Chris Clark

Full series results can be found here.

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Harriers with their 2025 series awards

The 2026 Series is likely to include 2 or 3 new races but will start as usual on New Year’s Day with the Chard Road Runners Chard Flyer 10km.

Information about the 2026 Series with links to all races can be found here: http://www.somersetseries.com

The Series was established in the mid-1990s to encourage co-operation amongst the running Clubs in Somerset and to provide a programme of well organised local races over different surfaces and distances. The Harriers first Club supported race in the 2026 Series will be the Babcary Road Race in February. Entries are now open (details below).

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Tim Ingle came second to Will Pannell in the 2025 series

British and Irish Masters XC Champs

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Jon James representing England

There was plenty of mud at the British and Irish Masters XC Champs, held at Roundhay Park, Leeds on 15th November. Unfortunately, after a tough selection process and only just returning to racing from a long term injury, club stalwart Jon James missed out on selection for the V60 three man team. However, Jon still made the trip up north to represent England in the open race.

Jon finished 9th (1st V60) in a time of 33:02 in the final race of the day - on a course that had become heavily churned up by the previous races. If racing in the V60 Masters race, this time would have placed Jon third, behind Irish winner Pauric McKinney and England’s Andrew Leach. Jon’s performance strongly validated his claim for a team spot. I imagine the selectors will have second thoughts about leaving him out next time!

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Mud aplenty at Roundhay Park

Drogo 10

[Report by Paul Chadwick]

Drogo 10 mile Fell Race Sunday 16th November

There were three Harriers competing at this well organised fell race which starts and finishes at the National Trust Castle Drogo in Devon.

The course has some spectacular views and takes competitors up and down and up a few times through woodland displaying excellent autumn colours.

The course with 1759 feet of climb is inevitably very muddy but draws in over 500 runners from across the SW region for the challenge.

Harrier results

88th David Hall v60 84.54

338th Kim Clark F65 1.55.37

435th Chris Clark v70 2.26.01

Wilmslow Festive 10K

Sunday, November 23

Harrier Victoria Ryan reported that the Wimslow Festive 10K was a “great race - well organized, on a mostly flat and fast course and plenty of quick runners. It was almost ideal conditions: a bit cold at the start but we avoided the incoming rain.”

Victoria Ryan: 39:33, (1st W45, 29th overall female)

Full results:

https://run-northwest.niftyentries.com/Results/Wilmslow-Festive-10K-2025

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Victoria Ryan with her finisher’s medal.

Weston Prom 5 Mile

[Report by Jonathan Williams]

As part of the Thursday Night Improver’s sessions, this block we scheduled a visit to the Weston Prom 5 Mile race on 27th November. It was a great chance to test fitness and to give some of our newcomers their first taste of racing. As we arrived at Race HQ the heavens opened and the winds swirled along the open promenade of Weston Sea front, somewhat dampening race vibes. However, by the time we had collected our race numbers and were heading back out to start our warmup the rain had thankfully passed, with just the wind left to contend with.

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Harriers braving the conditions

The race was superbly organized by Weston AC, and a stacked field ensured a great atmosphere. Some great performances from our Thursday Nighters, and some well-deserved results from the hard work that has gone into training over the past few months.

Harriers Results:

Jonathan Williams (V50) 33:13

Andrew Piper (V50) 33:39

Sean Honan (V40) 36:51

George Nicholls (V40) 37:43

Dave Cary (V60) 38:20

Mark Pople (V50) 39:26

Mike Rusca (V60) 40:37

Nick Southwell (V50) 40:47

Sue Pople (VF50) 45:15

Kathryn Williams (VF50) 47:17

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Much warmer inside!

In the junior race, Heath Hughes-Davies made it three wins out of three, completing the mile course in 5:49. Well done Heath!

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Another podium for Heath

WCH Supported Races

We have three Wells City Harrier organised and supported racing fast approaching.

Street 5K

First is the 3rd race in the Street 5K series on Wednesday 10th December. You can enter online here. Don’t forget to bring your race bib if you have already raced in the 2025/26 series. (Race 4 - Wednesday 4th January, Race 5 - Wednesday 11th February, Race 6 - Wednesday 11th March).

Baltonsborough Christmas Pudding

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.

Babcary Road Race

The Babcary Road race will be the second race in the 2026 Somerset Series. The course follows a circular route from Babcary to South Barrow along to the North Barrow cross roads and returning to Babcary via Foddington. Entries for the 2026 event are now open! Click here to enter. The 2026 race will take place on Sunday 22nd February, 11:00am.

Club Welfare

Wells City Harriers has two club welfare officers, Sarah Massey and Jon James. They are available to support any concerns athletes, parents or coaches raise or would like to discuss in relation to safety and wellbeing, and to help the club implement welfare policies and procedures. All officials and coaches have DBS clearance and have received training related to safeguarding and health and safety.

Further details can be found on the WCH website safeguarding page: Safeguarding: including links to forms where incidents and concerns can be logged.

Please do contact us if you have questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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

Sunday 30th November 2025 - Wessex League XC (Race 3 - Kings Park)

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)

Sunday 7th December 2025 - The Full Montycute 10

Sunday 7th December 2025 - Welsh Athletics Junior Open Meeting 1 (Indoor)

Wednesday 10th December 2025 - Street 5K (Race 3)

Thursday 11th December 2025 - Dave Jones Weston Prom Series (Race 4)

Saturday 13th December 2025 - Southern Athletics Indoor Combined Events and Middle Distance Championships

Sunday 14th December 2025 - Southern Athletics Indoor Combined Events and Middle Distance Championships

Sunday 14th December 2025 - Wessex League XC (Race 4 - Canford School)