There was a good run by Deputy Chairman Christian Green at last Sunday’s Abingdon Marathon – a personal best recorded! A number of Harriers are also hearing this week as to whether they have been successful in the ballot for the London Marathon 2023. Read on for how to be in with a chance of a Club place if you were rejected.
This coming weekend sees the 2nd of the Wessex XC League matches – this time at Bryanston School. The deadline passed to enter that race last Saturday. Good luck to those competing there.
The next Gwent XC League match though isn’t far away – Blaise Castle Estate, Bristol – and is being held on Saturday 12th November. Let Jon James know at Tuesday training, or Paul or Graham know at Monday training, if you are intending to run as all entries need to be made in advance. We are uncertain of entry deadline so let them know as soon as you can – no entry on the day.
For the Tri-Counties, Somerset XC Championships, at University of Bath on Sunday 27th November please enter direct using the link off the Team tab – don’t leave it too late!
Abingdon Marathon
Christian reports:
The rain was torrential at the start of the race, far from ideal conditions! The organisers did a fantastic job making sure things could still go ahead. There was a lot of standing water on the route which starts on the athletics track at Tilsley park and then takes you through Abingdon along the Thames and on for a couple of loops around the surrounding villages.
The race developed well with a good strong pack towards the front which began to split up at around 15 miles as the sun broke through. As we came back through Abingdon town centre at 24 miles I had worked my way up to 3rd place but some late race hamstring cramping lost me two places on the final stretch finishing in 5th place with a new pb 2:36:07. The race finishes back in the athletics arena with a final lap of the track with some fantastic support.
A great event with fabulous atmosphere and facilities. Highly recommended!"
London Marathon 2023
The Club anticipates being in receipt of 1 or 2 Marathon places due to us being affiliated to England Athletics and having so many senior members who are EA registered. In most years we have also been able to use the place that our partner Club, Yeovil Olympiads, have received.We expect to hold a ballot for the Club place(s) at the Annual Dinner on Friday 2nd December. To be in the Club ballot you need to have:
- Been a paid up member of Wells City Harriers when you entered the race;
- entered the main ballot and have been rejected (send the rejection email to Paul); &
- not have received a Club place in the past three years.
Annual Dinner Friday 2nd December
Please book your tickets for the Annual Dinner by giving your name and making a menu choice. Contact Graham at Monday or Tuesday training or Andrew Piper/Lynne Elstob/Sharon Bowles at Wednesday training. This is a Club subsidised social event. £20 for adults; £15 for juniors & unwaged and is being held at the Wells Golf Club. Please make sure your Club Membership is up to date.
Street 5k & junior 1k & 2k races coming up
Don’t leave your online entry for the November 5k race too late. We have limited scope for on the night entry on Wednesday 9th November.
Accompanying 1k race (School Year 5&6) & 2k race (School Year 7&8) entry on the night only by 7pm.
All details & the online entry link for the 5k on the dedicated webpage.
If you are a senior Harrier or parent of a junior Harrier who hasn't yet volunteered this year please contact the Race Director to be allocated a role during the Series.
Somerset Series 2023 Update
The Harriers have a few runners who are looking good for picking up a Series award this year. Latest standings are here.
The next race in the Series is the Herepath 'Half' this Sunday, and then the final race will be the annual Brent Knoll Fell Race on Sunday 27th November- entries now open.
& Finally, good luck to those competing this coming weekend – at the Wessex League, Herepath ‘Half, or the Dorset Three Peaks or further afield. Please send us a report with photos by next Monday and it’ll be reported on the website.
News items you may have missed: