Saturday 2nd March saw the last of the League Cross-country fixtures for this season and 11 Harriers toed the start line in the different age group races with top positions going to u20 Elise Thorner, who finished with a 100% record by winning this final fixture to accompany her 4 other League victories; and to Hannah Blundy who followed up her overall League win of last year with a 7th place finish this year in her first year in the u15 age group. Meanwhile a number of Harriers have continued to perform well with excellent performances at the National Indoor Championships by Ollie, Harry and Jamie.
Photos (by Al) show Elise running to victory; and Harry achieving an Indoor Hurdles pb
GWENT LEAGUE CROSS COUNTRY MATCH
Al reports:
“Dry, mild and windy conditions greeted a number of Wells City Harriers who made the journey to Blaise Castle, Bristol for the final Gwent League Cross Country match of the 2018/2019 season. Dry conditions underfoot made for some excellent running performances from the athletes who competed in a number of the age groups on the day. The League attracts the best runners from across a wide region from South Wales and throughout the Bristol and Bath area.
Notably, for the Wells Harriers, Elise Thorner made it 5 wins out of 5 across the League season in the U20 girls race to take the overall title for the first time and Hannah Blundy finished in 2nd place in the U15 girls race and alongside her 4th, 2nd and 1st place finishes in 3 of the previous league races, this meant that she finished 7th overall this year. This is an excellent return after winning outright the u13 age group last year and this is her first year as an u15.
Complete finishing positions of Wells Harrier junior athletes at Blaise Castle:
Elise Thorner - 1st U20 girls
Hannah Blundy - 2nd U15 girls
Holly Bigger - 13th overall as an U17 girl in the combined U17/U20 race
Dan Maydew - 3rd U15 boys
Bradley Glover - 6th U15 boys
Tommy Hummel 8th U15 boys
Matthew Quarterman - 15th overall as an U17 boy in the combined U17/U20 race
Leo Stockman - 23rd overall as an U17 boy in the combined U17/U20 race
In addition there were a number of good runs by u20 and senior Harriers: Will Pate; Zak Hurrel; Alexander Combs; Dave Kitcher.”
ENGLAND ATHLETICS NATIONAL INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Al reports:
"Three Wells City Harriers/Yeovil Olympiads took to the indoor boards at Sheffield on the 23rd & 24th February to compete in the England Athletics U20/U17/U15 National Indoor Athletics Championships. Millfield School pupils and multi event athletes Ollie Thorner, Harry Barton and Jamie Schlueter competed in events where they had set the necessary qualifying standards which enabled them to compete at these prestigious national championships.
Ollie Thorner, who achieved the qualifying standards in 6 different events in the U20 age group, chose to compete in the 60m sprint where he set a new PB in 7.48 seconds and finished in 11th position the following day clearing a height of 4m 20cm in the Pole Vault. Harry Barton also hit PB form in the 60m hurdles to record 8.56 seconds and reach the semi-finals in the U17 age group. U17 athlete Jamie Schlueter, who had set the qualifying standards for 4 events, chose to compete in the 60m hurdles and set a new PB of 8.16 seconds, went on to finish in an excellent 4th place in the final, ranking him 5th on the current 2019 UK indoor rankings.”
Ollie in Pole vault action:
STREET 5k – EDITION number 180
On Wednesday March 13th the Harriers are organising the 180th edition of the Street 5k races. Started some 30 years ago by Clive & Angela Thomas with 6 editions each year over the Autumn/winter period as a time trial and speed fitness boost for its members, the race has continued to attract a wide range of runners, many from other Clubs in the Somerset area, and a number of non-Club runners wanting a sharpener on the 5-lap road circuit.
The race HQ is at the United Reform Church Hall, opposite Living Homes store, and opens from 6.30pm for entries on the night and race start is at 7.30pm on the corner of Farm Road, outside the Royal British Legion Club. There are also races for juniors over 1k and 2k.
For those who have run previously at the Street 5k this season, there is the incentive, again, of being rewarded with a bottle of Bullbeggar Cider, from Lamyatt, for any that achieve a season’s best!
OTHER RACES COMING UP
Sunday March 24th 12 Stage Road Relays (Milton Keynes) - u20 athletes upwards. Contact Jon James/Simon Prior or Graham Goldsmid for details if you want to be considered for the team
Sunday April 7th BHAM 10k multi-terrain race (somerset series) from Martock & Penselwood 10k road race (& junior race)
Sunday April 14th Harrier supported Butleigh 10k multi-terrain. Check the link here
TRAINING WITH THE HARRIERS - new Tuesday training schedule now online
The Club’s training sessions continue to attract good numbers – the Tuesday evening session is aimed at (a) those looking to compete at middle-distance on the track this coming season; and/or (b) those looking to achieve improvements on the road or off-road over 5k/10k or more. Training sessions are open to ages 14 upwards and participants are encouraged to join the Club to benefit from discounted training fees and contribute to the costs of the Club’s coaching programmes.
The Monday junior training sessions will see junior athletes being prepared to compete at the Yeovil Spring open and the Somerset County Track & Field Championships. Note the deadline for entering the County championships – make a note in your diary now! Monday sessions are for ages 8-16 covering most of the track & field disciplines.Get Ready for Track 2019
For the latest Tuesday training programme - check the dedicated page here (bottom of page – updated every 2 months)
MEMBERSHIP – (Re)-JOIN THE HARRIERS!
The new Membership year commences on April 1st and existing members should get a PayZip request on that date or soon after. New Members should download a copy of the new Membership Form for 2019/20 and send it in to Alice, the Membership Secretary. More detail here.