All hail the English Schools Champion, Wells City Harrier: Elise Thorner! Elise has once again won the English Schools Championships - this past weekend with a great front-running display in the Senior Girls 1500m Steeplechase event, where she ran away from the other talented athletes after 200m to steadily build up an impressive lead by the end of the race. You can watch that race using a link below otherwise read on for more track and field news and the latest results from the Yeovilton 5k, including Zoe Kurle's victory, and some Harriers out competing on the Fells. Also a link to the Baltonsborough Road Race, and a request for volunteers - can you answer the call?
Elise, showing good form over the water jump - at Alexander Stadium it is on the outisde of the track (photo by Al)
Proud dad, and Harrier coach, Al Thorner reports:
"Wells City Harrier honorary life member, Elise Thorner returned to the Birmingham Alexander Stadium on Saturday 13th July for the prestigious English Schools National Championships to gain victory again for the second time in three years, this time in the Senior Girls 1500m steeplechase. The competition, which is the fourth largest annual athletics event in the world, culminates after athletes have contested three regional qualifying rounds and showcases the countries' best young athletes all competing for their respective English county.
Elise who was competing for Somerset in her fifth consecutive national English Schools finals, first won the Intermediate Girls 1500m steeplechase two years ago. She put in another dominant front running performance in a field of 10 competitors and when she crossed the finish line had opened up a substantial lead to win by 16 seconds from her nearest rival. Ex Millfield student Elise, who had recently completed her A levels, now looks forward to a life in America for the next four years after accepting an athletics scholarship offer by the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, travelling out for the first time in mid-August"
Elise and her twin brother Ollie were made Hon Life Members of the Harriers after their selection for Team GB - they increase to 9 the number of Harriers that have represented TeamGB over the past 20 years.
Also competing well at track and field recently were a number of other junior Harriers – see last week’s report – including Jack Harvey in the u15 boys 3,000m where he came 2nd in a new personal best of 10.18 - gaining valuable points for our combined team as Yeovil Olympiads. Georgina Burrows also continues to set pbs and is here seen in action in the team relays:
JULY YEOVILTON 5k RACE
At the latest Yeovilton 5k race held last Wednesday (10th July) there was some good running by the 13 Wells City Harrier members amongst the 160 runners. First woman overall in the race was Zoe Kurle with a good personal best of 18.36. First home for the Harrier men was Deputy Chairman Christian Green in 6th place in a nippy 16.38, with V40 Chris Walker in 8th in 17.32, and team-mate Tom Dukes 10th in 17.42.
Other Harrier times at Yeovilton were: 26th Andy Piper in 19.46; 27th Alex Meadows 19.47; 32nd David Snelling in 20.08; 39th Will Scrowston in 20.37; 41st David Kitcher in 20.41; 57th Mike Bosley in 21.33; 83rd Carol Buckland in 23.24; 117th Karen Shears in 25.43; 151st Jenny Adams in 36.51.
FELL RUNNING round up
Membership Secretary Alice Knight and husband Andrew Pate made a good weekend of it when competing in two lovely, but tough, fell races in South Wales this past weekend. Saturday saw them take on the 10.3 mile with 2,198ft of ascent challenge of the Fan-y-Big Horseshoe race in the Brecons. They completed the race in 110th & 111th places in a time of 2hours 13mins. Following the post-race meal and beer and an overnight camping stay they were then ready for the much shorter, 3.5 miles, with 2,000ft of climb (virtually a sprint, then) Pen-y-Fan race on the Sunday. They finished together in 1hr 8 mins, 78th & 79th places. A very enjoyable weekend.
For those looking for more fell running, see the Harrier Calendar for details of the Crook Peak Race on 21st August; and the South of England Fell Running Championships on the Isle of Wight on 14th & 15th September (discounted ferry tickets available). Paul has just taken delivery of the Southern medals!
BALTONSBOROUGH ROAD RACE & JUNIOR RACES
The Harriers are once again supporting the promotion of the annual Baltonsborough 5 mile road race and accompanying junior races. These races will be held in conjunction with the village fete on the late August Bank Holiday Monday 26th August, and entries can be made in advance using the link
TRAINING UPDATE
Training provided by Harrier coaches for juniors continues in July, on Mondays 22nd & 29th July, before the annual summer break through August and then recommences on the first Monday in September (*).Training for seniors and older juniors continues at Millfield Track and adjacent field on a Tuesday throughout the summer, as per usual. The Clubs traditional Wednesday night training for beginners and senior runners also continues as usual in Wells from the Rugby Club. More information about training sessions can be seen on the dedicated website page.
(*)(Juniors aged 11 and upwards that intend to compete for the Club at the Southern Road Relays on 22nd September at Crystal Palace are invited to attend Tuesday sessions in August – these sessions start at 6.30pm)
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - speak to Paul or Graham about any of these opportunities!
Parents - For Team managing age groups at the Road Relays in September and subsequently at the Cross Country League fixtures from October onwards – monthly commitment. (separate age groups, 1 or 2 managers per age group – u11; u13; u15; u17)
Website Technical Management – Any Harrier Member/parent of member who can sort out the back-end tech stuff for our Joomla platform as we look to improve the current website
Website contributors – Any parent/senior member who can write a report or take a photo of Harrier members in action to submit them to Paul or another for inclusion on the website (following a set template)
Coaching staff – Any keen parent/senior member who would like to acquire some new skills and give some time to the coaching sessions, especially those with the Monday juniors. We are particularly keen to recruit 1 or 2 women coaches, but the more coaches we have the better the coaching can be. (smaller specialised groups)