Wells City Harriers were out in force again at various events this past weekend. Harriers of all ages were competing at the first of the Wessex Cross-country League matches, held at Canford Heath in Dorset, whilst another squad of senior runners went to the Burnham-on-Sea half marathon, Philip Bridge was 3rd at the Cheltenham half, and a few others competed at the Cardiff half Marathon or the Salisbury half Marathon. Read on also for details of the Street 5k Series starting next Wednesday, 11th October; the Harrier's autumn training groups; and of the Club's pre-Christmas Annual Dinner (especially important if you have been rejected in the ballot for a London marathon place!). (photo below of  u15 Matthew Quarterman running at the Wessex XC match)

At the Cross-country, the best result from all of the different age group races was by Matthew Quarterman who was 2^nd in the u15 boy’s race, with team-mate Will Carr in 5^th place. In the u15 girls race Abbie White was 8^th.  Amongst the younger runners, Ollie Bishop ran well for 6^th at u13 level, with Mackenzie O’Dea 5^th in the equivalent girl’s race, and team-mate Aime Backwell 31^st in the same race. Hattie Byrne was 6^th for the u11 girls, and Ed Sherman 24^th for the u11 boys.

For the senior men, over an 8.5km course, Matthew Cole was an excellent 5^th, with Tom Thick 9^th, Neil Biss 18^th and Andrew Bishop 36^th in his first ever senior cross country race. The next Wessex League fixture is on Sunday 22^nd October. The Club's thanks to Neil Biss for once again masterminding the team entry into the Wessex Xc League. Please make sure you let Neil know if you intend to compete on Sunday 22nd by contacting him 2 weeks before the fixture. All fixture details as usual on the calendar entry with background information on Harrier team events here . (Photo below of Matthew Cole and Tom Thick well up in the senior mens race)

Philip Bridge had the best Harrier half marathon performance of the weekend when he ran a nippy 70.59 for 3rd place at the Cheltenham Half marathon. He was less than 30 seconds behind the winner. At Burnham-on-Sea, the half marathon race attracted 8 members of the Harriers. The course is a flat one which starts in Burnham and goes out into surrounding countryside through Brent Knoll before looping back to the start. First home for Wells in 17th place was Justin Thomas in a time of 89.14, next was Graham Goldsmid 18th in 89.48, and then Andrew Piper, 39th in 1.37, followed by Chris Searle 40^th, 1.37; Craig Foley, 43rd 1.38; Ali Blaney, 67th and first female Harrier home in 1.45, with Cath Goldsmid 102^nd , 1.52 and Karen Shears 156^th, 2.13. The Burnham Half was race 16 in the Somerset Race Series with the Exmoor Stagger on October 22^nd  to be the next race in the Series. (photo below of some of the Harriers at the Burnham Half)

Meanwhile at the Cardiff Half Marathon in the huge field of 19,000 finishers, Pete Darton was home in 1.37 with father and daughter Mike and Megan Rusca back in 1.49. Whilst at the Salisbury Half marathon John Glaisher was 8^th overall, 1st V50,in 82.16 with Rachel Glaisher was 73^rd, 1^st F45, in 95.15.

This coming Wednesday 11th November at Street sees the 169^th running of the Harrier’s Street 5k races. These races have been held for the past 29 years on the 2^nd Wednesday of every month between October and March. There are races over 1k and 2k for junior runners too, and entry can be made on the night at the United Reform Church, opposite Living Homes store before race start at 7.30pm. More details and entry form here. Harriers not competing, or parents of junior members, can assist by being marshals on the night - report to Ian Eddy by 7pm in race HQ.

Athletes of all ages are invited to join the large training groups organised and coached by the Wells City Harriers over the autumn and winter months. Full details of session times and venues here.

SOCIAL DATES FOR THE DIARY

Friday 24^th November – book no later than 10^th November

Harriers Annual pre-Christmas Club Dinner

Suitable for all Harriers of all ages and their partners/families

Swan Hotel, Wells 7pm for 7.30pm

Adults £15; Juniors £10 choice of menu

Please advise menu choice and make payment to Andy Piper or Mike Rusca; or Graham Goldsmid or Paul Chadwick by the closing date . Updates & menu choice here.

Evening includes:

(1) Draw for the Harrier places for the London Marathon. This ballot is open to Harriers who can satisyfy the usual criteria:

1. Had paid their Harrier membership, inc EA registration, by 1st May 2017
2. Had applied to enter the London Marathon through the usual ballot process
3. & can now provide evidence of having been rejected through the main ballot (let Graham or Paul know)

We are allocated 1 London Marathon place if we have fewer than 100 senior members (age 18 and above) who have paid their EA registraion fee; 2 places if we have more than 100 senior members. In addition, our partners Yeovil Olympiads often provide us with the 1 place they secure through the same system. Being a fully paid up member of the Harriers provides a number of benefits - check out joining/renewing here. For those that have recently renewed/joined, remember it takes England Athletics some time to confirm that your registration is valid.

(2) Bog Seat award - please notify Graham or Paul in advance - if you have some suggestiions for a member who has done something outlandishly fooolish this past year

(3) Richard Morgan's Quiz - start training now!

The Venue this year is the Swan Hotel, Wells Mraket Place. We are going back to our roots - the first Club training nights used to start from by the fountain in the market place in Wells back in 1981! (photo below of the Swan, Wells)

Tuesday 19th December - book no later than 12th December

Track night parlauf run commencing at 6.30pm at Millfield track - teams of two to be organised at random on the night - all abilities and ages  invited - followed by Curry evening at the local pub (8.00pm). 

Choice of meat or vegetarian curry. £7.50 per head to include 1 drink.  Hannah & Rex Whitcombe have made arrangements - please add your name to the list at Tuesday night training or by contacting Jon James, Simon Prior or Paul Chadwick by the closing date.