Harriers run in all conditions
Owen Astington racing the Frozen Lake Half
It was a hugely successful and action-packed period for the Harriers, with standout performances across road, trail, and the return of track events. Tom Webb led the charge, achieving a 5K personal best and 3rd place overall at the Topflight 5K before going on to win the Easter Bunny 10K, where Hannah Blundy also secured victory as first female in a dominant club showing. Peter Grist delivered an emphatic win at the Westonbirt House Easter 10K, while strong results continued at the Shapwick Bunny Hop with podium and age-category successes. Internationally, Owen Astington impressed with a second-place finish at the Frozen Lake Half Marathon in Norway. Meanwhile, the Yeovil Spring Open saw a host of personal bests, race wins, and podium finishes across two days of competition, and the Yeovilton 5K series returns. We are also saddened to hear the passing of former member Stuart Palmer.
Topflight 5K
Saturday 4th April 2026
Crossing the line for a new PB
Tom Webb delivered an outstanding performance in Battersea at the Topflight 5K, storming to a 4-second personal best and securing 3rd place overall (1st U18). A superb effort. Well done, Tom!
Westonbirt House Easter 10K
Friday 3rd April 2026
Pete Grist crossing the line.
Peter Grist powered to victory at the Westonbirt House Easter 10K, finishing nearly a full minute clear of second place in a dominant display.
The event, which features both a 10K and Half Marathon, begins at the front of Westonbirt House before heading out towards Westonbirt Village, then loops back through the stunning grounds to finish back at the house.
All finishers are rewarded with a special Easter medal, complete with a unique chocolate surprise hidden inside. Definitely one worth racing for!
Full results here.
Easter Bunny 10K
Monday 6th April 2026
Gary Tubridy
The route follows a flat course through the villages of West Camel, finishing with the familiar Podimore loop used in the Yeovilton 5K series. It was a Harrier clean sweep, with Tom Webb and Hannah Blundy both taking victory, each building on a series of impressive recent performances elsewhere.
Harrier Results:
1st – Tom Webb – 30:53
2nd – Tom Addison Wood – 32:53
12th – Hannah Blundy – 35:52 (1st Female)
14th – Matthew Lusby – 36:06
18th – Bailey Clark – 37:32
65th – Heath Falck – 43:31
67th – Mike Bosley – 43:36
72nd – Lucy Acott – 43:53
77th – Harry Crosse – 44:12
180th – Gary Tubridy – 57:10
Full results here.
More photos here.
Heath Falck
Shapwick Bunny Hop
Monday 6th April 2026
Post-race smiles in sun
Hosted by Shapwick Runners and Street Striders, the Shapwick Bunny Hop is a scenic multi-terrain race of approximately 7.5 miles, weaving through the lanes and footpaths of Shapwick and Shapwick Heath. There was strong Harrier success, with Jonathan Williams and David Hall each securing victories in their respective age categories, while Tim Ingle delivered an impressive performance to finish 3rd overall. Each finisher was rewarded with a lovely bottle of cider, an ideal treat to enjoy in the warm, sunny conditions.
Harrier Results:
3rd – Tim Ingle – 46:23
6th – David Hall – 50:32 (1st MV60)
8th – Jonathan Williams – 52:19 (1st MV50)
77th – Kim Clark – 72:00
111th – Chris Clark – 83:28
Full results here.
More photos can be found here.
Chris Clark
Frozen Lake Half Marathon
Saturday 11th March 2026
A speedy run on ice for Owen
The Frozen Lake Marathon and Half Marathon takes place in Tisleifjorden, 25 km from Gol, Norway. The race consists of one or two 21,1 km laps on a course of 100% ice. A safe course is plotted by an assembled support team. The team monitors the course closely and the final course is laid out just days before the race start. For running on ice, it is recommended to wear ice-running shoes with built-in metal studs for the best grip and stability. Harrier Owen Astington chose the Icebug Phytho6, a shoe that proved more than capable as he powered to a second-place finish and the honour of waving the British flag on the podium.
Tisleifjorden is located 819 meters above sea level in the Norwegian municipalities of Gol and Hemsedal in Buskerud, and the Nord-Aurdal municipality in Oppland. For the most part, the ice on the lake is about 80 cm thick – with a carrying capacity up to 30 tons. Among other things, the lake is used for testing tires and emergency vehicles, and by drivers looking to test their skills in icy conditions.
The 2027 event will take place on Saturday March 20th. Click here for more details.
Full results of the 2026 event can be found here.
Owen finished between two Scandinavian athletes on the podium,
with the winner from Denmark and third place going to Norway.
Yeovil Spring Open
Day 1
Saturday 4th April 2026
Track season is back underway. The cobwebs have been blown off of the spikes with a great bank holiday weekend of fun. Thanks to Yeovil Olympiads for hosting two super meets. Well done to everyone who participated.
Jamie Williams
Harrier/YOAC Track Results:
Mixed 5000m
2nd – Harry Dawson – 17:17.98
3rd – Owen Astington – 17:47.65 (PB)
4th – Cael Salisbury – 17:53.58 (PB)
Women 800m Race A
3rd – Ruby Shaw – 2:26.56 (PB)
4th – Isabelle Natasha Whittle – 2:26.66
9th – Florence Tibbatts – 2:32.51 (PB)
Women 800m Race B
2nd – Olivia Fall – 2:31.4 (PB)
4th – Isla Grace Hayes – 2:33.25 (PB)
7th – Harriet Scott – 2:39.09 (PB)
Women 800m Race C
3rd – Glennie Rose Thorman – 2:44.95 (PB)
5th – Zoe Frost – 2:47.19 (PB)
9th – Elizabeth Doggrell – 2:54.27 (PB)
10th – Alice Green – 3:10.15 (PB)
Men 800m Race A
7th – Oliver Bradford-Peck – 2:00.11
Men 800m Race B
10th – Bailey Clark – 2:12.2 (PB)
Men 800m Race C
4th – Dominic Cook – 2:51.33
6th – Milo Cook – 3:12.79
Mixed 800m
5th – William Jack Packer – 2:17.15 (PB)
7th – Nathan Long – 2:31.93 (PB)
Women 75m Hurdles
3rd – Olivia Fall – 17.22 (PB)
Women 70m Hurdles
2nd – Elizabeth Doggrell – 15.39 (PB)
Oskar Beck
Mixed 1500m Steeplechase
1st – Oskar Adrian Beck – 4:42.85 (PB)
2nd – Jamie Williams – 4:52.37 (PB)
8th – Mia Shore – 6:15.27 (PB)
Mixed 75m
4th – Elizabeth Doggrell – 11.69 (PB)
Men 100m Race B
1st – Ethan Robert Doherty-Bigara – 11.96
Men 100m Race D
1st – Toren Kristofer Radford-Hyland – 14.31
6th – Milo Cook – 16.13
Women 100m Race A
1st – Zoe Rose Huntley – 13.28
Women 100m Race B
3rd – Poppy Shaw – 13.98
4th – Amelia Haines – 14.03
Women 100m Race C
3rd – Ruby Sophia Plumley – 14.47
Men 1500m Steeplechase
4th – Casper Rawbone – 4:49.15
Men 3000m Steeplechase
1st – Christian Green – 10:19.84 (PB)
2nd – Freddie Rawbone – 11:11.55 (PB)
Mixed 400m Hurdles Race B
3rd – Cicely Hunt – 1:13.87 (PB)
Day 2
Monday 6th April 2026
Men’s 1500m
Harrier/YOAC Track Results:
Men 1500m Race A
1st – Alexander Coombs – 4:17.04
2nd – Oskar Beck – 4:21.52
3rd – Addie Butcher – 4:22.73 (PB)
4th – Harry Dawson – 4:22.91 (PB)
5th – Jamie Williams – 4:23.56 (PB)
12th – William Packer – 4:39.22 (PB)
13th – Laurence Badman – 4:45.50
Men 1500m Race B
3rd – Noah Chapman – 4:55.79 (PB)
8th – Nathan Long – 5:28.40 (PB)
10th – Ronnie Legge – 5:37.81
11th – Milo Cook – 6:25
Justine Dumotier Khripounoff
Women 1500m Race A
5th – Isabelle Natasha Whittle – 4:59.89
Women 1500m Race B
1st – Isla Grace Hayes – 5:16.18 (PB)
Women 1500m Race C
3rd – Zoe Frost – 5:37.66 (PB)
6th – Glennie Thorman – 5:43.46 (PB)
7th – Justine Dumotier Khripounoff – 6:12.72 (PB)
8th – Alice Green – 6:16.32 (PB)
Mixed 75m Race A
4th – Jaxon Bovey – 12.32
6th – Edward Bower – 13.48
Men 100m Race A
4th – Alfie Pritchard – 11.78
7th – Andrew Faulkner – 11.99
Men 100m Race C
1st – Cacio Dos Santos – 11.78 (PB)
Men 100m Race D
5th – Barney Haysom – 15.05
Men 100m Race E
5th – Christopher Huntley – 15.05
Women 100m Race A
5th – Michaela A. Ralph – 13.65
Women 100m Race B
6th – Mimi Woodliffe – 13.90 (PB)
Women 100m Race C
5th – Lexie-Mae Faulkner – 14.46
Women 100m Race D
2nd – Gracie Gundry – 14.27 (PB)
3rd – Ruby Sophia Plumley – 14.59
Women 100m Race E
3rd – Annalisa Marie Roper – 14.56 (PB)
6th – Mollie Florence Gulliver – 15.64
Mixed 600m Race A
3rd – Elizabeth Doggrell – 2:00.70
4th – Jaxon Bovey – 2:04.72
8th – Edward Bower – 2:16.03
9th – Zachary Dowden – 2:20.69
Mixed 600m Race B
6th – Ollie Orwell – 2:12.25 (PB)
Mixed 600m Race C
2nd – Finley Seamark – 1:54.57
Women 800m Race A
10th – Eva May Dowden – 2:54.29
Women 800m Race B
2nd – Mia Shore – 2:37.76 (PB)
Men 800m Race A
1st – Oliver Bradford-Peck – 1:59.26
4th – Cael Salisbury – 2:03.59
Men 800m Race B
3rd – Christian Green – 2:12.29
4th – Dan Bryant – 2:14.82 (PB)
5th – Kitt Sullivan – 2:15.41 (PB)
6th – Laurence Badman – 2:18.48
Men 800m Race C
2nd – Aidan Koheeallee – 2:23.56 (PB)
Zach Dowden
Mixed 150m Race A
2nd – Jaxon Bovey – 24.09
4th – Edward Bower – 28.15
5th – Zachary Dowden – 29.02
Mixed 150m Race C
1st – Finley Seamark – 22.66
Women 200m Race A
7th – Michaela A. Ralph – 28.24
Women 200m Race B
1st – Zoe Rose Huntley – 26.87
6th – Amelia Haines – 28.19
7th – Mimi Woodliffe – 29.00
Women 200m Race D
1st – Ruby Sophia Plumley – 28.86
2nd – Olivia Fall – 29.09
3rd – Gracie Gundry – 29.38
5th – Rosie Joynes – 30.18
6th – Lexie-Mae Faulkner – 30.24
Women 200m Race E
6th – Eva May Dowden – 31.21
Women 200m Race F
1st – Annalisa Marie Roper – 29.75 (PB)
Women 200m Race G
6th – Grace Sylvia May Melia – 33.75 (PB)
Men 200m Race A
4th – Ethan Robert Doherty-Bigara – 23.97
5th – Cam McLean – 24.75
Men 200m Race B
1st – Andrew Faulkner – 23.65 (PB)
3rd – Alfie Pritchard – 24.78
Men 200m Race C
2nd – Stanley Thomas Ridout – 24.18 (PB)
4th – Cacio Dos Santos – 24.50
Men 200m Race F
4th – Barney Haysom – 30.64
Men 200m Race G
3rd – Ronnie Christopher Legge – 31.72 (PB)
4th – Milo Cook – 32.03
Men 300m Race A
1st – Ethan Robert Doherty-Bigara – 37.53 (PB)
2nd – Stanley Thomas Ridout – 39.13 (PB)
4th – Toby William Hirst – 43.15 (PB)
Men 400m Race B
3rd – Cam McLean – 57.12
4th – David Jamie Rawle – 58.76 (PB)
U10 Girls Quadrathlon
7th – Serena Cook – 145 Points (50m 9.98 5th, 400m 1:36.70 4th, LJ 1.36 7th, Howler Throw 5.58 7th)
U10 Boys Quadrathlon
3rd – Rufus Green – 398 Points (50m 8.61 4th, 400m 1:23.23 6th, LJ 3.37 1st, Howler Throw 17.65 10th)
4th – Hugo Pearse – 387 Points (50m 8.76 7th, 400m 1:20:59 2nd, LJ 2.92 3rd, Howler Throw 21.94 4th)
18th – Harry Brimble – 224 Points (50m 9.19 16th, 400m 1:37.34 17th, LJ 2.25 18th, Howler Throw 7.98 19th)
More photos here.
Yeovilton 5K (Race 1)
Wednesday 8th April 2026
The summer series returns! And it was beautiful conditions for the first race. There were plenty of Harriers running. Well done to you all!
The next generation of Harriers doing the club proud
Harrier Results:
5 – Christian Green – 16:02 (1st V40)
11 – Addie Butcher – 16:27
12 – Jamie Williams – 16:28
13 – Casper Rawbone – 16:42
18 – Harry Dawson – 17:13
19 – William Pate – 17:14
31 – Laurence Badman – 17:55
36 – Dan Bryant – 18:04
37 – Jeremy Linter – 18:22
41 – Phoebe Aspinall – 18:31
48 – Fred Rawbone – 18:45
54 – Charlie Cowley – 18:58
55 – Owen Astington – 18:58
56 – Ray Rawbone – 18:59
60 – Dan Williams – 19:06
62 – Toby Hirst – 19:23
63 – Victoria Ryan – 19:24 (1st V45)
70 – Louisa White – 19:55
76 – Stephen Nicholls – 20:10
79 – Zoe Dale – 20:21
80 – Andrew Piper – 20:24
82 – Harry Crosse – 20:28
85 – Helen Allen – 20:40
95 – Tim Sanders – 21:08
104 – Jamie Dawson – 21:26
122 – Geoff Cole – 22:19
130 – Susan Williams – 23:22
150 – Mia Pomeroy – 25:09
154 – Indie Pomeroy – 26:05
164 – Gary Tubridy – 27:40
182 – Karen Shears – 30:06
Full results here.
More photos here.
Remembering Stuart Palmer
Stuart Palmer
We are saddened to advise that erstwhile Harrier, Stuart Palmer, passed away on Saturday 4th April 2026, aged 76, after a brief illness.
Senior members, and friends, will recall that Stuart was a member of the Harriers from the mid-1990s for well over a decade.
He was a regular at the Wednesday training group and participant in local events and a loyal supporter of the Baltonsborough and Babcary Road Races as well as the now defunct Butleigh Dash and Butleigh Multi Terrain Race. He played his part in team events too at XC and the Cotswold Way Relay amongst other races.
As a dedicated Wolves supporter, Stuart originally hailed from the West Midlands but moved to Mid-Somerset with his work in Local Government at Mendip District Council. Approximately 15 years ago Stuart and his wife moved to an arable smallholding in Dartmoor as his work took him to a senior position in Plymouth.
Harrier, Paul Knight said "...Stuart and I were training buddies during 2006/7 and ran together in the Snowdon Marathon in 2007. I recall him pacing me to something close to a PB, but I began to run out of steam just after 20 miles as we ascended the Pig Track. I urged Stuart to press on and he proceeded to win his age group in a time of 3:28 10 minutes ahead of me, despite the challenging terrain and being 11 years older..."
Stuart is survived by his wife, Susannah and his three grown up children and four grandchildren.
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:
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
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)
April 2026
Thursday 9th April 2026 - Dave Jones Weston Prom Series (Race 8)
Sunday 12th April 2026 - Exe to Axe
Sunday 12th April 2026 - Dartmoor Marathon
Sunday 12th April 2026 - Pen Selwood 10K (+5K & 2K)
[SS] Sunday 12th April 2026 - The Big Cheese
Saturday 18th April 2026 - Bristol Track Club 5K (& Junior 3K)
[SS] Sunday 19th April 2026 - Ilminster 10K
Sunday 26th April 2026 - TCS London Marathon
May 2026
Saturday 2nd May 2026 - Midsomer Norton Town Park Community Run
Sunday 3rd May 2026 - Senior Inter-Counties Mountain Race
Sunday 3rd May 2026 - Runaway Train
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th May 2026 - Somerset County AA T&F Championship
Sunday 10th May 2026 - Great Bristol Run (Half Marathon and 10K)
Wednesday 13th May 2026 - Yeovilton 5K (Race 2)
Saturday 16th May 2026 - Millfield BMC Classic
Saturday 16th May 2026 - Compton Challenge (Marathon & 16 Mile)
Saturday 16th May 2026 - The Bolt at Badminton (5K & 10K)
[SS] Sunday 17th May 2026 - The Badrat Bolt
Wednesday 20th May 2026 - South West PB 5K Series (Race 1)
Thursday 21st May 2026 - Dave Jones Weston Prom Series (Race 9)
Saturday 23rd May 2026 - National Athletics League Division 1 West (Fixture 1 - Yate)
[SS] [SRC] Sunday 24th May 2026 - Wells Festival of Running
Wednesday 27th May 2026 - Wells City Harriers AGM (19:30 - Wells Rugby Club)
Thursday 28th May - YOAC Evening Open 1
June 2026
Saturday 6th June 2026 - Midsomer Norton Town Park Community Run
Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th June 2026 - U20/Senior Track & Field Outdoor Championships (Bedford)
Wednesday 10th June 2026 - Yeovilton 5K (Race 3)
Wednesday 10th June 2026 - South West PB 5K Series (Race 2)
[SS] Saturday 13th June 2026 - Neroche 10K
[SS] Wednesday 24th June 2026 - The Forde Abbey 10K
Thursday 25th June 2026 - YOAC Evening Open 2
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th June 2026 - U14/U16/U18 Track & Field Outdoor Championships (Chelmsford)
Sunday 28th June 2026 - The Heron Half-Marathon
July 2026
Saturday 4th July 2026 - Midsomer Norton Town Park Community Run
Wednesday 8th July 2026 - Yeovilton 5K (Race 4)
Wednesday 8th July 2026 - South West PB 5K Series (Race 3)
Saturday 11th July 2026 - National Athletics League Division 1 West (Fixture 2 - Bournemouth)
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th July 2026 - Combined Events Track & Field Outdoor Championships (Horspath)
Thursday 30th July 2026 - YOAC Evening Open 3
August 2026
Saturday 1st August 2026 - Midsomer Norton Town Park Community Run
Wednesday 12th August 2026 - Yeovilton 5K (Race 5)
Saturday 22nd August 2026 - National Athletics League Division 1 West (Fixture 3 - Yeovil)
Thursday 27th August 2026 - YOAC Evening Open 4
[SS] [SRC] Monday 31st August 2026 - Baltonsborough 5 Mile
September 2026
Saturday 5th September 2026 - Midsomer Norton Town Park Community Run
Wednesday 9th September 2026 - Yeovilton 5K (Race 6)
Saturday 12th September 2026 - National Athletics League Promotion Playoff (Oxford) TBC
Saturday 12th September 2026 - U20/Senior Inter Counties Track & Field Outdoor Championships (Kingston)
Sunday 13th September 2026 - U16/U18 Inter Counties Track & Field Outdoor Championships
[SS] [SRC] Sunday 13th September 2026 - Burnham Half Marathon
Sunday 20th September 2026 - Swansea Bay 10K
Sunday 27th September 2025 - The Black Nore 10K
October 2026
Saturday 3rd October 2026 - Midsomer Norton Town Park Community Run
Wednesday 14th October 2026 - Street 5K (Race 1)
[SS] Sunday 25th October 2026 - Herepath Half
November 2026
Saturday 7th November 2026 - Midsomer Norton Town Park Community Run
Wednesday 11th November 2026 - Street 5K (Race 2)
[SS] Sunday 22nd November 2026 - Brent Knoll MT
December 2026
Saturday 5th December 2026 - Midsomer Norton Town Park Community Run
Wednesday 9th December 2026 - Street 5K (Race 3)