(more photos from the XC etc to be added next week - if received)

There was a good turn out of junior Harriers at the 2^nd of this season’s Wessex XC League matches. This fixture, held at Bryanston School, saw a number of outright winners from the Harriers: u’11 Kitty Danner; U’13 Oskar Beck (as seen above sprinting for the line) and u17 Iris Courtney. They were backed up by a host of other talented runners.

 

Meanwhile in the penultimate race in this year’s Somerset Race Series the Harriers had representative running hard at the Herepath ‘Half’ over on the Blackdowns; whilst other Harriers were racing at the Stickler (Dorset Three Peaks) over 10.1 miles; and another band of senior Harriers were competing in this years 2-day OMM up in Langdale. Read on for reports and, where available, photographs of the Harriers in action.

 

Coming up is the 193rd edition of the Street 5k race (on 9^th November). Enter online please by the Monday eve so as to avoid having to queue to enter as only limited entry on the night.  Juniors for 1k & 2k enter on the night only. If you raced last month then bring your race number and pay again if you didn’t enter the Series. We are pleased to hear that Charlie Bladon who was taken ill at the last race is now out of hospital and recovering at home.

 

This report also, amongst other things, (a) reminds Harriers to get ready for the Gwent XC League match at Blaise Castle, Bristol on Saturday 12^th November – please advise either Graham (on a Monday) or Jon (on a Tuesday) if you are intending to race as all entries have to be pre-entered; & (b) carries the link to the Tuesday training schedule for the next couple of months.

(Below: Harriers catching the last train out of Shillingstone on Sunday after running in 'The Stickler')

 

Wessex XC League – Bryanston School – Sunday 30^th October

Kitty Danner, Oskar Beck and Iris Courtney take the plaudits for their outright wins on Sunday but there was good running by all the Harriers that took part. With the bulk of the entry into this Dorset League coming from our Yeovil partners both sections of the Club were well represented. Our thanks as usual to the organisers and hosts for this fixture and to the Race marshals and officials.

 

U11s – approx. 1.9km

Freddie Williams, Milo Cook and Alfie Beck were our representatives and finished in 21^st, 30^th and 33^rd positions despite in most cases giving away a year or so to the other competitors as they are at the younger end of the age group. For the u11 girls Kitty Danner was our sole representative and won the race – well done!

U13s – approx. 2.9km

Oskar Beck ran away with the boy’s race, finishing 15 seconds clear of the 2^nd placed runner. Dominic Cook provided good back up with a 12^th place finish. Oskar is now 2^nd overall after two fixtures with one to go. New member Grace Baker finished 4^th for the girls, with Ellie Denner 8^th, Imali Ware 10^th, Mya Ware 17^th, Xavia Bennett 19^th and Rosie Joynes 20^th. That’s a great band of u13 girls!

U15 – approx. 3.9km

For the boys, Charlie Brand was 5^th, Elliot Ware 8^th and Jay Carey 12^th for good packing. Whilst for the girls, Daisy Davies had a great run for 3^rd, chasing down the front two. With Amelie Cook, 5^th, and Daisy Abernethy, 6^th, that was some good packing at the front end! Daisy is now joint 1^st in this age group after two fixtures, with Amelie 5^th after two.

U 17 – approx. 4.5km

Iris Courtney had a storming run to win the girls race in 16.44, over 30 seconds ahead of the 2^nd placed runner.

Seniors – approx. 8km

Geoff Cole & Andrew Armstrong both had good runs to finish 37^th & 41^st overall

 

NEXT CLUB FIXTURE is at Blaise Castle Bristol on Saturday 12^th November. This is a great course to run on – a few more hills and hopefully the wooded section is still included! This is the 2^nd fixture in the Gwent League and is FREE for all Harriers (&YOAC members). See Harrier team tab on this website for the usual information and links.

 

Please advise Jon James on a Tuesday at training & Graham Goldsmid on a Monday at training, or by e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are wanting to run at this Gwent League fixture. Please don’t leave it to the last minute, and for now to be on safe side (we haven’t seen an actual cut off date for entries!) please let them know no later than Tuesday 8^th November: Athlete name & date of birth.

 

The Wessex League fixture and the Blaise Castle fixture are both great warm up races before the Tri-Counties XC races on Sunday 27^th November at the University of Bath. If you are qualified for Somerset by virtue of being born in the County or resided here for the past 9 months then please enter paying the fee online using the link off the team tab. Make sure you enter in time! (& also ensure that you have requested a Harrier vest well in advance to compete in, if you don’t have one)

 

 

We anticipate the Harrier tent will be at both the Blaise Castle & Uni of Bath XC races – parents of junior Harriers should plan on helping putting up the Club tent (arrive well before the u11s race to assist - and taking down - as well as helping with team managing on the day)

 

‘The Stickler’ – Dorset Three Peaks – Sunday 30^th October

Last year’s race was a tough one as many competitors couldn’t get to the start line due to flooding, and for those who did the race course conditions included wading through water up to the waist. No such problems this year, so accordingly times were quicker and the fields were stronger.

V60 Graham Goldsmid led the way over the 10.1 mile hilly course for the Harriers with his 61^st position in 1.24, and then v50 Craig Foley, 99^th in 1.29, v60 Paul Chadwick 187^th in 1.39 and F50 Cath Goldsmid 210^th in1.41. There were 417 finishers.

 

Herepath ‘Half’ – Sunday 30^th October

This race, included in the Somerset Race Series, always feels a tad long and of course it’s more than a Half Marathon distance by at least half a mile or so. It’s a glorious route though, through the Blackdowns, especially at this time of the year with the Neroche Woodland showing trees in all shades of glorious colour.

Well done to F65 Karen Shears with her 164^th position in 2.59 and to F75 Jenny Adams, 168^th in 3.43. It's great to see Jenny still racing well, and this finish by Karen may see her in line for a category award at the Series presentations due to take place after the final race at Brent Knoll on 27^th November.

 

Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) – Langdale – Saturday & Sunday

The Harriers have a very long tradition of entrants to this 2 day endurance event which entail teams of two carrying all their needs (tent; sleeping bags; food; waterproof gear etc) over tough terrain, self-navigating (ie there are no way-markers between checkpoints!) either along a 'fixed best' route or based on what distances they think they can achieve in a set time (Score Classes). In essence an Orienteering event that lends itself to the athlete with stamina!

 

This year we had a few taking part. From what I can gather the conditions in the Langdales area of the Lake District were reasonable (ie not as bad as some years!). Father & son Chris & Ben Kelsey had a good weekend in the Long Score Class – entailing picking up as many high value checkpoints as possible over 7 hours on Day 1 and 6 hours on Day 2. Finishing in 22^nd place overall and 3^rd in the family category.

 

 

Likewise in the Medium Score Class (6 hours day 1; and 5 hours Day 2) Andrew & Gill Tindal had another good couple of days, also finishing 22^nd in their Class and 3^rd overall based on their veteran status! If I get any good photos I will add them to this webpage at a later date.

 

TRAINING UPDATE

Mondays – We are full on Mondays and have a waiting list in operation for youngsters aged 8-15 to come and be coached. We have a preference for youngsters that compete at least once a month for the Club. We’d encourage the current crop of youngsters to make sure they enter and run at any of the Club promoted XC fixtures or the monthly Street road races to be sure of keeping their place. (as well as attending training every week!).

 

Half-term training fees are now due – please pay by card to Graham at Monday training. Any parent keen to help with coaching by becoming qualified should speak to Paul. That way we can maintain junior numbers on a Monday at around 40 with proper ratios.

 

Tuesdays – The session plan for November & December is here. Training fees as previously announced are £2.50 a week by cash/cheque but we prefer virtually everyone who is a regular to be paying £20 Quarterly by card when the next Quarter starts in January 2023. All to register in announcers hut before the start of a session.

 

All should be registered members to attend the Monday or Tuesday coached sessions. See Joining tab if after trying one session you'd like to attend regularly on a Tuesday. Enquiries about Monday training to Paul and await confirmation that your youngster can come and try out This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

LONDON MARATHON UPDATE

The Harriers will be allocated 1 place in the 2023 race, and we may also gain another place through our partners at Yeovil Olympiads. We will hold a ballot to awrd the place(s).

To qualify to be in the ballot, you need to have:

1. Been a member of the Harriers when you entered the main Marathon ballot
2. Been rejected in the main ballot for the 2023 event, and forwarded your rejection e-mail to the Club Secretary (that’s me This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
   
3. Not received a place through the Club Ballot in the previous 3 years

So far the following Harriers are lined up for the ballot, which we anticipate will take place at the Annual Dinner on Friday 2^nd December:

Emma Woodcock

Jason Woodcock

Adam Sutton

James Fisher

Shoba Chant

Let me know if I've missed anyone!

 

STREET 5k - 193rd edition coming up on 9th November - please enter in advance.

Please make sure you have entered the 5k race in advance - preferably by the Monday. Follow the information and link off the dedicated webpage to enter. Juniors - School Year 5 & 6 - 1k race; and School Year 7 & 8 - 2k race : enter on the night only.

It's still not too late to enter the Series (5 fixtures to go) and receive a Sports Towel (value £10) if you complete 5 fixtures. Senior Harriers or parents of juniors need to volunteer to help marshal etc - if you haven't yet volunteered for anything this year please contact the Street Race Director & you will be allocated to one of the remaining races in the Series to help.

 

 

Harrier supported community races coming up - Sunday 18th December sees the Baltonsborough 5 mile Xmas Pudding Race & in 2023 it will be the Babcary 7.5 mile road race in February. See dedicated webpage for information & links inc online entry for Baltonsborough race.

 

 

ANNUAL CLUB DINNER – Friday 2^nd December

Please book your place & choose from the Menu choice for this Club subsidised evening to be held at Wells Golf Club. £20 for seniors (& partners) and £15 for juniors/unwaged. 2 course festive meal with tea/coffee. See Graham on a Monday/Tuesday and Andrew Piper/Sharon Bowles/Lynne Elstob on Wednesdays to book your place(s).

Make sure your Club Membership is up to date to be able to attend. 

 

 

Items you may have missed from recent postings (follow the links):

Good run by Christian at Abingdon Marathon 

Gwent XC at Cardiff & Bath Half  

Street 5k  192nd edition October 2022