Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all from Wells City Harriers! Read on for the report on the track parlauf night (19th December); a report from Ollie Thorner's indoor track efforts (9th December); and a look ahead to the forthcoming new year events - cross country and the Somerset Series 2018, sponsored by Cornwall Glass.
Photo from the Tuesday track parlauf evening (by Isaac)
The traditional Christmas parlauf event was held on Tuesday 19th December and attracted the usual bumper turn out of young and old Harriers. The format was again pairs of runners running laps of the track in a 30 minute span. Special dispensation was given once again to the 'three old guys' who take part in the sessions every week to run a combined team (cumulative age approx 200+!), but despite their best efforts they did not win. Well done Terry, Phil and Ian. There was even a father and son team with Rex and Isaac Whitcombe stepping up to the mark. However the pairs finishing in the top three positions, and thus gaining a prize were:
1st: Leo Stockman and Nico Bosley - did 5.65 miles in the 30 mins
2nd: Adrian Davis and Alexander Coombs - 5.57 miles
3rd: Holly Bigger and Mike Bosley - 5.45 miles
16 teams took part.
Congratulation to Leo and Nico who showed great steadiness to win! Our thanks as usual to the parlauf lap counters and Jon James for working it all out so that the prizes could be presented track-side before the Harrier curry evening organised by Rex & Hannah in The Elms. it was nice to see TeamGB athlete & Hon Life Member Luke Prior helping with the lap counting! For those history buffs amongst us, the Harrier Xmas parlauf was started by Clive & Angela Thomas some 25+ years ago - some of us will recall taking part in the event when we used to actually hold it on Christmas day!!
Al reports from the indoors: "Ollie Thorner began his indoor season at the well supported Cardiff Met Open Meeting on Sunday 9th December. In an unorthodox combination of 60m hurdles, shot put, 60m and high jump, Ollie competed up an age group in the U20's but also tested himself against senior multi event athletes. His first attempt at the 60m hurdles and a 3'6" hurdle finished with a respectable 8.87 seconds followed by a first attempt with a 6.0kg shot and again a decent series of throws culminating in a 10.33m mark. His first attempt at a 60m sprint saw him finish in 7.54 seconds with only his strongest event the high jump remaining. A PB equalling 1m 92 was the same height cleared by Curtis Mathews, Welsh Commonwealth Games competitor from the Glasgow games who won the competition with Ollie finishing in 2nd place out of 6 starters." Photos by Al
LOOKING AHEAD
Harrier training sessions
Monday night track sessions for juniors recommence on Monday 8th January 2018
Tuesday night track sessions for ages14-74 recommence on Tuesday 2nd Januray 2018
Wednesday night sessions for seniors on road from Wells from Wednesday 3rd January 2018, although there may be some training as per usual on Wed 27th December 2017.
South West XC Championships to be held at Aldon Hill on Sunday 7th January (entries now closed) - good luck to all Harriers. Details here on official website.
Somerset Race Series 2018 sponsored by Cornwall Glass commences with the Humdinger Half Marathon (hilly) on Sunday 11th February. New Series website here.
National Cross Country Championships to be held on Saturday 24th February at Parliament Hill, London
Note: ENTRIES CLOSE 12th January - Wells City Harriers will pay the entry fee of any Harrier (inc YOAC members) that wishes to run and competes for the Harriers. Either enter direct and reclaim the entry fee back; or ask the Club Secretary, Paul Chadwick, to enter you (ask him no later than 10th January by e-mail). Full details as usual here
NOTE: MORE PHOTOS added to previous report from Somerset County XC Championships - see here