Street 5K (Race 5), New Balance Indoor Invitational Grand Prix, South West Schools XC Champs, Gwent League (Race 4), Longleat 10K, Portland Coastal Half Marathon and New Items in the Club Shop!

Details: Written by: Alexander Coombs; Created: 12 February 2026; Last Updated: 13 February 2026; Hits: 599

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Stephen Nicholls and Josh White at Chepstow Racecourse

Wells City Harriers enjoyed a busy and successful few weeks of competition. At the penultimate Street 5K race, Jonah Barrington equalled his 1K course record (3:24) and Ruby Shaw set a new 2K course record of 6:58, while Ben Rawlins (15:31) and Gill Pearson (19:19) took the 5K wins. International athlete Elise Thorner opened her indoor season in Boston with an eight-second PB of 8:39.87 over 3000m, moving to ninth on the UK all-time indoor list. Harrier youngsters impressed at the South West Schools XC Championships with podium finishes for Ruby Shaw and Tom Webb, while in the Gwent League the women remain top of Division 3 despite a reduced lead and the V55 men sit third overall heading into the final fixture. There were also standout performances at the Longleat 10K, where David Hirst was seventh and first V45, and at the Portland Coastal Half Marathon, where Ethan Harvey and Jonathan Wilkinson-Ratcliffe completed their debut half marathons side by side.

Street 5K - Race 5 (February)

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The Start of the February 5K race

The penultimate race in the 2025/26 series took place on Wednesday 11th February. The rain just about held off, setting the stage for some excellent, competitive racing, and a few new records for the history books.

The juniors were out in force. In the 1K, Jonah Barrington equalled his own course record, set in December 2025, crossing the line in 3:24. Sophia Rowe was the first girl home, finishing an impressive fourth overall.

In the 2K, Ruby Shaw became the first junior girl to break the seven-minute barrier, storming to a new course record of 6:58, superb running, Ruby! Close behind, Heath Hughes-Davies finished as first boy in another strong performance.

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New 2K course record holder Ruby Shaw

Full junior results can be found here.

In the 5K, Westbury Harriers’ Ben Rawlins set the pace from the gun, breaking clear early and maintaining his lead throughout to take the win in an impressive 15:31. Gill Pearson delivered another strong performance, claiming first female in 19:19. Thanks to Matt Lusby of MJL Heating and Plumbing (07871530234) for sponsoring the cash prizes.

Don’t forget you must have raced in five out of the six races to complete the series. Please remember to bring your race number to the final fixture.

Full 5K results can be found here.

See a video of the race here.

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5K Race winner Ben Rawlins

Harrier Results:

6 – Oskar Beck – 00:16:49
9 – Jamie Williams – 00:16:58
10 – Casper Rawbone – 00:17:18
15 – Noah Chapman – 00:18:09
16 – Laurence Badman – 00:18:13
17 – Benjamin Thomas – 00:18:20
19 – Dan Bryant – 00:18:27
24 – Ray Rawbone – 00:19:11
27 – Jonathan Williams – 00:19:31
32 – Toby Hirst – 00:20:04
34 – Dan Williams – 00:20:27
36 – Andrew Piper – 00:20:33
37 – James Shaw – 00:20:36
41 – Helen Allen – 00:21:05
42 – Owen Astington – 00:21:07
45 – Amy Reakes – 00:21:15
46 – Mike Bosley – 00:21:30
50 – Eleanor Constable – 00:21:58

57 – Fergus Crawford – 00:23:11
61 – Susan Williams – 00:23:36
63 – Mark Pople – 00:24:00
73 – Robert Moore – 00:25:26
79 – Kim Clark – 00:27:25
80 – Gary Turbridy – 00:28:23
86 – Chris Clark – 00:31:16

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Fergus Crawford

New Balance Indoor Invitational Grand Prix

[Report by Al Thorner]

Wells City Harriers GB International athlete Elise Thorner opened up her indoor track season on Saturday 24th January at the New Balance indoor arena in Boston, Massachusetts. The 24 year old has been on high altitude training camp in Flagstaff, Arizona throughout January in preparation for the 3000m race at the prestigious New Balance Indoor Invitational Grand Prix. Lining up in a star studded field she crossed the line clocking a new 8 second personal best time of 8 mins 39.87 finishing in 7th place out of the 11 starters. This performance takes Thorner to 9th on the UK all time list for the indoor running of the distance. She stays in Boston for another week to compete over the same distance at the John Terrier Classic on 30th January before flying home to run at the UK Indoor Championships in Birmingham on Sunday 15th February.

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Elise racing to another PB

South West Schools XC Champs

[Report by Paul Chadwick]

Exeter Saturday 7th February

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Florence Tibbatts in action

There was some great running by the Harrier coached youngsters at the South West Schools Championships. The course was, of course, a very muddy one!

A number of these Harrier members have come through our Monday junior coaching sessions, and some are now training at the Tuesday sessions.

Many, if not all, will now gain selection to represent their County Schools at the prestigious English Schools XC Championships to be held in Liverpool next month.

Junior Girls (School Years 8&9)

3rd Ruby Shaw

26th Harriet Scott

(Somerset Schools team was 1st)

Inter Girls (School Years 10&11)

57th Rachel Hamblin

Inter Boys

11th Oskar Beck

20th Jamie Williams

32nd Stellan Corp

41st Addie Butcher (running for Avon)

42nd Harry Dawson

56th Casper Rawbone

Senior Girls (Years 12&13)

11th Florence Tibbatts

(Somerset Schools team 1st)

Senior Boys

3rd Tom Webb

(Somerset Schools team 2nd)

Apologies for anyone missed out from the above list

More photos can be found here.

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Inter Boys confirming there was mud on course

Gwent League - Chepstow Racecourse (Race 4)

The fourth race of the 2025/26 Gwent League series took place on Saturday 7th February. The Harriers were slightly depleted in numbers, particularly among the juniors, with many competing at the South West Schools Cross Country Championships.

The only junior representation came in the U15 boys’ race, where Toby Hirst produced another solid run. He was joined by cross-country debutant Milo Mead, who enjoyed his first experience of XC on a very muddy course. Conditions deteriorated further as the day went on, making the later races increasingly challenging.

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Toby Hirst making a splash

Unfortunately, the Harriers were unable to field a full women’s team, despite their excellent performances in previous fixtures which have seen them establish themselves at the top of Division 3. Individually, Louisa White improved on her previous result by one place, finishing a strong 33rd, while Eleanor Constable added valuable team points to ensure the Harriers remain top of the Division 3 table with one fixture remaining. Their lead, however, has been cut to only 65 points, where they had an impressive lead of 638 prior to this fixture. A good turnout for the final fixture is needed to ensure a first place finish at the end of the series.

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Eleanor Constable at the start of the race… before the mud!

In the men’s race, Chris Green delivered a standout performance, finishing inside the top ten for the first time this season. Alex Coombs and Pete Grist continued their consistent form, supported by Tim Ingle and Laurence Badman, whose efforts helped the men complete their A team scoring for the first time this year. The senior team remain 6th in Division 1.

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Alex Coombs and Pete Grist

Steve Masters, Stephen Nicholls and Mark Pople secured a full V55 team finish, earning valuable points. Despite their efforts, the team slipped to third overall, with Chepstow Harriers taking over at the top of the standings. The Harriers now trail the leaders by 77 points and sit just 15 points behind second-placed Lliswerry Runners. With the margins tight, the final fixture promises a decisive battle to determine the top three.

The V35 team have dropped from third to fourth heading into the last race, while the V45 currently occupy seventh place.

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Adam Blencowe

If you are interested in running in the final fixture and have not raced previously in this series, please get in contact so we can register you. The next fixture will take place on Saturday 28th February at Parc Bryn Bach.

Harrier results:

U15 Boys

26th - Milo Mead - 14:57

38th - Toby Hirst - 15:57

Senior Women

33rd - Louisa White - 32:47

71st - Eleanor Constable - 35:43

Senior Men

8th – Chris Green – 00:35:04 (1st V35)

16th – Alex Coombs – 00:35:38

23rd – Pete Grist – 00:35:57

95th – Tim Ingle – 00:39:23

104th – Laurence Badman – 00:39:50

150th – Adam Blencowe – 00:41:44

191st – Stuart Nash – 00:43:21

236th – Steve Masters – 00:45:56

259th – Josh White – 00:47:15

278th – Stephen Nicholls – 00:49:10

330th – Mark Pople – 00:57:53

Watch a reel of the racing action here.

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Laurence Badman

Longleat 10K

On Sunday 25 January, 1,267 runners completed the Longleat 10K, staged at the iconic Longleat Estate in Wiltshire. The race begins on Lodge Drive in front of Longleat House, climbing through Highwood to Horningsham Village before returning downhill along Lodge Drive. Fun Runners finish at the end of this first loop, while 10K runners continue onto a second loop past the House and caravan park, taking in a halfway water station and a short climb, before repeating the opening loop and finishing back on Lodge Drive.

The Hirst family enjoyed a successful day, with David finishing 7th in the 10K and claiming first place in the V45 category, while his son Toby produced a strong performance in the 2-mile race to take second place.

Full results can be found here.

Harrier results:
7th - David Hirst — 00:38:08 (1st V45)
321st - Alex Nash — 00:53:06
353rd - Mark Pople — 00:53:43
487th - Jason Ross — 00:56:32
619th - Megan Benn — 00:59:09
807th - Mike Ommanney — 01:02:44
1184th - Sharon Bowles — 01:16:26

2 Mile Results:

2nd - Toby Hirst — 00:11:59

Portland Coastal Half Marathon

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Ethan and Jonathan crossing the finish line

Youngsters, Ethan Harvey and Jonathan Wilkinson-Ratcliffe took on their first ever half marathon on Sunday 8th February along the Portland coast. The route isn’t easy, with coastal paths and beaches to tackle as well as some self-navigation required. They took on the course together, racing side by side, with Ethan finishing in 2:27:03 in 70th and Jonathan a second behind in 71st. Well done boys!

Full results can be found here.

New Items Available in the Club Shop

New lines added to the club shop.We now have a bucket hat, baseball hat, cashel training bottoms and new junior items. Head over to our O’Neills club shop to buy now!

Bucket Hat

Couch to 5K Group Returns

Sharon Bowles will be running another 8-week Couch to 5K course, starting on Wednesday 1st April. This programme is ideal for runners aiming to complete the course in time for the Wells Festival of Running weekend, or for anyone looking to start running for the first time or return after a long break.

If you’re interested in joining, or know a family member or friend who might be, this is a fantastic place to begin. For more information or to book your place, please email Sharon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The course costs £20, which also includes club membership, and is delivered by UKA-qualified coaches.

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)

February 2026

Thursday 12th February 2026 - Dave Jones Weston Prom Series (Race 6)

Saturday 21st February 2026 - English ‘National’ Cross Country Championships

[SS] Sunday 22nd February 2026 - Babcary Road Race

Saturday 28th February 2026 - Gwent League XC (Fixture 5 - Parc Bryn Bach)

March 2026

Saturday 7th March 2026 - UK CAU Inter-Counties Cross-Country Championships

Saturday 7th March 2026 - Midsomer Norton Town Park Community Run

Wednesday 11th March 2026 - Street 5K (Race 6)

Thursday 12th March 2026 - Dave Jones Weston Prom Series (Race 7)

Sunday 15th March 2026 - Bath Half Marathon

[SS] Sunday 22nd March 2026 - The Humdinger Half (and Hurtle)