English National XC, Up and Running Couch to 5K, SEAA Road Relays and Yeovilton 5K

Details: Written by Alexander Coombs; Created: 22 September 2024; Last Updated: 23 September 2024; Hits: 304

It’s all smiles from our Wednesday evening social and couch to 5k groups.

This week’s report includes Oskar Beck’s top performance in the English National Cross Country Championships, a review of this year’s ‘Up and Running’ couch to 5k group, a summary of the senior men’s team performance at the SEAA 6 Stage Road Relays, and the results from the final Yeovilton 5K race of the series. There is also a reminder to enter the upcoming cross country leagues and see our latest photos and videos on our social media pages.

English National Cross Country Championships

A strong race from Oskar.

[Report by Matt Beck]

On Saturday 14th September, Oskar Beck competed at the delayed English National cross-country championships. The weather was unusually warm and sunny for a xc race but no one was complaining; the weather and a flat (ish) course promised a fast 3k race and the 227 boys toeing the start line didn’t disappoint, with the winner crossing the line in 10:41. Despite being winded at the start, Oskar managed to stay with the main lead group, overcome a stumble in the final straight and finish in 5th place only 16 seconds behind 1st place- a great improvement on his 55th place at the nationals the year before.

Oskar finished in 5th position.

Up And Running

The ‘Up and Running’ couch to 5k group completing their final week.

[Report by Sharon Bowles]

The Wells City Harriers ‘Up and Running’ couch to 5k course ran again on Wednesday evenings this year for the 8 weeks leading up to the Wells Festival of Running on 26th May.

Another successful course saw beginner runners and those coming back to running for various reasons.

We built up the time running gradually over the weeks, also introducing different running information from paces/direction changes, running through obstacles/hills, nutrition/hydration, stretches and strength training with a few fun activities thrown in.

Other Wells City Harrier runners came along to support the new runners ensuring small groups could develop to support all paces along with Lynne, our first aider, always there to help and advise.

Week 8 saw the runners successfully complete a 5k loop from the Wells Leisure Centre around to Wookey Hole and back. Some of the runners then celebrated their achievements by running the 5k at the Wells Festival of Running on the following Sunday.

Many of our couch to 5k runners have now joined (along with others from previous years) our usual Wednesday night social club run. These start from Wells Leisure Centre at 6.30 pm for a 6.40pm start. These runs are relaxed, chatty and fun and always inclusive of everyone's running ability/pace so no one ever gets left behind. We tend to run 3-4 miles and each week varying the route out into the countryside or through the roads around Wells

If you are interested in joining our Wednesday ‘Up and Running’ group please contact Sharon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

There are plans for another couch to 5k group in April 2025.

Could you be part of the group next time?

SEAA 6 Stage Road Relays

Adam Gibson negotiating the muddy section of the course.

The Wells City Harrier senior men competed at the SEAA 6 Stage Road Relays in Aldershot, facing off against some of the strongest teams in the South. The top 25 teams earned a spot in the Nationals.

Harriers runners Mark, Dan, Chris, Adam, Alex, and Matt delivered a solid performance, finishing 42nd out of 103 teams. Each runner tackled a two-lap course, covering just over 6K per leg, with the team completing the entire course in a time of 2:00:36.

Unfortunately, we were unable to field additional teams this year. However, we’d love to see more participation in 2025, so please consider competing next time! There are female, vet and junior races. Keep in mind that all team event fees are covered by the club.

The mud didn’t slow Christian Green down.

Harrier Results:

Leg 1 - Mark Duffett 18:53 (Team Position 30th)

Leg 2 - Dan Maydew 21:31 (Team Position 59th)

Leg 3 - Christian Green 19:56 (Team Position 50th)

Leg 4 - Adam Gibson 19:47 (Team Position 45th)

Leg 5 - Alexander Coombs 20:19 (Team Position 43rd)

Leg 6 - Matthew Lusby 20:12 (Team Position 42nd)

Check out our Instagram page to see a video of the race.

Mark Duffett ran the quickest leg of the day for the Harriers.

Yeovilton 5K Race 6

Henry Sage managed sub 17:00 for the first time.

It was the final race in the Yeovilton 5K race series. There was another big Wells City Harrier turnout racing in perfect conditions. There were a few PBs out there…

Harrier Results:

1st Luke Prior - 15:13

3rd Christian Green - 15:46

4th Adam Gibson - 15:47

6th Alexander Coombs - 15:56

7th Matthew Lusby - 16:05

15th Henry Sage - 16:38 (PB)

34th Harry Dawson - 17:53 (PB)

40th Laurence Badman - 18:05

62nd Joseph Nelson - 18:58 (PB)

67th Evie Horsfall - 19:18

78th Toby Hirst - 19:41 (PB)

79th David Hirst - 19:41

85th Andrew Piper - 19:52

86th Jamie Dawson - 19:54

99th Ethan Harvey - 20:31

109th Rosie Park - 20:49 (PB)

110th Paul Knight - 20:49

111th John Ratcliffe - 20:50

115th Mike Bosley - 20:54

118th Robert Moore - 21:02 (PB)

142nd Colin Wood - 22:04

190th Karen Shears - 27:45

Full results can be found here.

The winter series in Street will commence on the 9th October 2024. More details to follow soon. See below for the series dates.

Joe Nelson running to a PB.

Cross Country Registration Reminder

Entry registration will be shut this Thursday at 5pm for the Wessex Cross Country League. Late entries are not accepted. Free entry for all competitive club members.

Enter here

More details for the Wessex League can be found here.

This is a great introductory league to cross country running.

If you would like to be registered for the Gwent Cross Country League, email your name and EA number to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will register you.

Gwent League details can be found here.

Social Media

Are you on social media? Make sure you are following Wells City Harriers on Instagram, Facebook and X to see videos, photographs and to find out when the latest news report is available to read on the website. We also have a WhatsApp community, which is the fastest way to stay updated on the latest club news and announcements and allows you to connect with other Wells City Harrier members. Click here to join and choose the groups that interest you!

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)

October 2024

(SS) Sunday 6th October 2024 - BHAM Trail 10K

Sunday 6th October 2024 - Mother Tuckers 10K

Sunday 6th October - Wessex XC League (Race 1 - Learoyd Road)

Wednesday 9th October 2024 - Street 5K (Race 1)

(SS) Sunday 13th October 2024 - Burnham Half Marathon

(SS) Sunday 20th October 2024 - The Mendip Muddle

November 2024

Sunday 3rd November 2024 - Wessex XC League (Race 2 - Bryanston School)

(SS) Sunday 3rd November 2024 - Herepath Half

Wednesday 13th November 2024 - Street 5K (Race 2)

(SS) Sunday 24th November 2024 - Brent Knoll MT