Details: Written by: Alexander Coombs; Created: 23 February 2026; Last Updated: 26 February 2026; Hits: 618

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The start of the 2026 Babcary Road Race

It has been another outstanding and action-packed fortnight for Wells City Harriers, with athletes delivering impressive performances across regional and national competition. Ruby Shaw secured qualification for April’s London Mini Marathon at the inaugural SWAA Mini Marathon Trials, while Florence Tibbatts claimed victory in her age category. On the national stage, Ruby went on to finish an excellent 20th at the National Cross Country Championships in Sedgefield, as Peter Grist marked his return to the event in the senior men’s race. Closer to home, Alexander Coombs led the way at the Babcary 7.5 Mile, winning race two of the Somerset Series, with strong club representation throughout the field. From marathon preparation at Bramley to the Bath Two Tunnels and even altitude training in Ethiopia, we have got plenty for you to read.

SWAA Mini London Marathon Trials

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Ruby Shaw qualifying for the London Mini Marathon in April

The course consisted of three laps, covering a total distance of 2400m. This event marked the first-ever SWAA Mini London Marathon Trial and was held under the new age group rules, aligning with the Mini London Marathon in April 2026.

The top three finishers in each age group — Under 14, Under 16, and Under 18 — will earn automatic selection to the SW team at the London Mini Marathon.

Congratulations to Florence Tibbatts and Ruby Shaw on winning their respective age categories.

Harrier results:

U16/U18 Boys Race

12th Addie Butcher 7:23 (7th U18)

14th Oskar Beck 7:26 (7th U16)

31st Milo Mead 8:49 (21st U16)

U16/U18 Girls Race

3rd Florence Tibbatts 8:17 (1st U18)

11th Ayla Chard 8:28 (4th U18)

17th Freya Dencher 9:24 (10th U16)

U14 Boys & Girls Race

5th Noah Chapman 8:13 (5th Boy)

7th Ruby Shaw 8:22 (1st Girl)

19th Harriet Scott 9:02 (8th Girl)

34th Emily Dockerty 10:04 (17th Girl)

Nationals XC 2026

Saturday 21st February 2026

The 2026 National Cross Country Championships took place at Sedgefield in County Durham, attracting top athletes from across the country. Two Harriers made the long journey to the North East to compete.

In the Under-13 Girls’ race, Ruby Shaw delivered an outstanding performance, finishing 20th out of a highly competitive field of 217 runners, a superb achievement on the national stage.

In the Senior Men’s race, Peter Grist marked a welcome return to the Championships, having last competed in 2007. He finished 217th in a huge field of 1,046 runners.

Congratulations to both athletes on their excellent efforts representing the club.

You can watch the races back here.

Full results can be found here.

Babcary 7.5 Mile

Sunday 22nd February 2026

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Zak Hurrell and Alexander Coombs running through South Barrow

Race two of the 2026 Somerset Series followed a scenic circular route from Babcary to South Barrow, on to the North Barrow crossroads, and back to Babcary via Foddington. The event was well attended and superbly organised by new race director Damien Pick.

This race stands out for awarding prizes based on age-graded results rather than traditional age categories, giving every runner, regardless of age, a genuine chance of winning.

At the sharp end of the field, the racing was fiercely contested. Harrier Alexander Coombs did enough to hold off the chasing pack, crossing the line first in 41:05. The first female home was Lizzy Ingram of Taunton AC, finishing strongly in 45:44.

Age-graded prizes were then awarded to the top three male and female performances. The highest female age grade, and overall best performance of the day, went to Anne Dockery of Westbury Harriers with an outstanding 93.8%. Lizzy Ingram followed with 80.8%, and Melissa Grafton claimed third with 77.2%.

In the men’s standings, Minehead’s Martin Shoots recorded the highest age grading at 85.7%, with David Hall (84.9%) and Lee McMeekin (84.1%) taking second and third respectively.

Congratulations to everyone who raced.

Full results can be found here.

Harrier Results:

1 – Alexander Coombs – 00:41:05

3 – Zak Hurrell – 00:41:21

9 – Fred Rawbone – 00:44:55

18 – Ray Rawbone – 00:47:16

22 – David Hall – 00:48:29

28 – Jonathan Williams – 00:50:18

34 – Sam Harvey – 00:52:31

36 – Graham Goldsmid – 00:53:10

37 – Mike Bosley – 00:53:11

39 – Zoe Dale – 00:53:23

40 – Andrew Piper – 00:53:31

57 – Melissa Grafton – 00:58:14

69 – Ethan Harvey – 01:02:52

92 – Michael Coombs – 01:08:59

96 – Kim Clark – 01:10:15

119 – Chris Clark – 01:20:25

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Another race ticked off by Graham Goldsmid

Bramley 20/10

Sunday 15th February 2026

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Zak Hurrell racing the Bramley 20

The Bramley 20/10 consists of two races: a 10-mile looped course, which is completed twice by those tackling the 20-mile distance. Harrier Zak Hurrell chose the event as an early-season training run ahead of the London Marathon in April, using it as an opportunity to practise race-day routines, including fuelling and running at his target marathon pace.

The 20-mile distance, stretching beyond the standard half marathon to over 30 kilometres, provided Zak with a valuable and realistic test in preparation for London. He finished in an excellent time of 2:01:44, securing an impressive 6th place.

Zak Bramley

Zak trying to smile through the rain

Full results can be found here.

Bath Two Tunnels

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Stephen Nicholls completed the Bath Two Tunnels Half Marathon

The Bath Two Tunnels, hosted by Relish Running, have races that are held throughout the year, and it boasts the longest underground section of any race in the UK. The first one of 2026 took place on Sunday 22nd February. A handful of Harriers entered across a range of distances.

Full results here.

Half Marathon Results:

55th - Stephen Nicholls - 1:38:22

10K Results:

458th - Sharon Bowles - 1:12:16

5K Results:

58th - Poppy Broughton - 36:44

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Poppy finishing the 5K

Ethiopian Altitude Training Trip

Jon James racing in Ethiopia

From 30 January to 10 February 2026, coach Jon James took part in an altitude training camp in Ethiopia, led by Olympian Richard Nerurkar of the Great Ethiopian Run. Training at 2,300–3,100m in Entoto Forest and Jan Meda Park proved physically demanding and deeply humbling as the group ran alongside elite Ethiopian athletes. Beyond running, the trip included cultural experiences such as a visit to a podoconiosis clinic and local football match. The camp concluded with a half marathon in Hawassa at 1,750m. The experience highlighted Ethiopia’s disciplined, group-focused running culture and the powerful impact of altitude training. Read about Jon’s 10 day training camp experience here.

Research Opportunity

[By Gaby Rowe]

I am a psychology student at The Open University. As part of my degree, I am conducting a research project exploring recreational runners’ experiences of running and wellbeing.

I would be very grateful if you would consider taking part or sharing this survey with club members. I am looking for adult recreational runners (aged 18+) who run for fitness or enjoyment (not elite or professional athletes) to take part in a short online survey. The survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete and asks questions about how often you run, your experiences of running, and some general questions about wellbeing. Participation is voluntary and anonymous.

Here is the link with further information and access to the survey:  https://openss.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5yGtJTvFeengocu

If you have any questions about the study, please feel free to get in touch.

Thank you very much for your time.

Gaby

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

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

Saturday 21st March 2026 - Dartmoor Series Race 1 (Including Devon Champs)

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

Sunday 22nd March 2026 - Wellow Way 10K

Sunday 29th March 2026 - SWAA Spring Open (and officials development day)