Brian Beale - a lifetime of voluntary activity for athletics
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Burnham Harrier Brian Beale, one of the County’s stalwarts in terms of service to athletics, has died at the age of 84 from the Covid-19 virus following heart problems. Brian is very well known to many Wells City Harrier members of different eras, and our connections with him stretch back 40 years. Perhaps most in the current era will know him from his Race Directing role with the Burnham Half or Brent Knoll Fell Race, or as scorer for the Somerset Series, or as the perennial Race adjudicator for the Street 5k Series, but naturally enough as a genial character he had a very long back story of voluntary activity not only for his Club but for athletics in general.
Brian with Paul after being presented with engraved glasses after 20 years of the Somerset Race Series in 2015
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Harriers to the fore at Glastonbury Road Run; How fit are you really?; & video of the week
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The early May weekend has traditionally seen the staging of the Glastonbury Road Run. The race was first held back in 1981, organised by the Town Council, to raise funds for local causes and tapped into the running boom that was then sweeping the UK. The first London Marathon had just taken place at the end of March that year (see previous Harrier web article) and no doubt lots of people were inspired by that to come and try what was then a 5.69 mile circuit on road around the town and the Tor. The Harriers were heavily involved throughout the 1980s and 1990s in assisting with this race and have continued to enjoy racing there, providing the winners of the main race, and the shorter races, on numerous occasions. We look back at early Glastonbury Road Runs and also offer another little bit of distraction to help cope with coronavirus lockdown. How fit are you really?
Photo of Terry KIngham and Arthur Vernoum soon after the start of a Glastonbury Road Run from the early 1990s. Fellow Harrier Phil Marsh chasing them.
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Memories of London Marathon - where the Club started from; plus tips on training whilst in lockdown
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It’s probably fair to say that Wells City Harriers came into being as a consequence of the first London Marathon in 1981. Sunday’s cancelled race would have been the 40th edition of the classic 26.2 mile race around the Capital City and we feel for those who had been in training for the main event. Also our sympathies to those juniors who have missed out on running in the Mini-Marathon. This week’s round up looks back on how the Club came about and previous London Marathons including a shout out for who we think is the fastest Harrier at London ever. Plus links to some great tips on how to keep motivated and training during lock down from Athletics Weekly. Anyone for lifting 65kg weights?
Richard Angel, the late Arthur Vernoum & Berni Mundy after one of the early 1980's London Marathons
Butleigh race – another one bites the dust! Lost photos from National XC Championships 2020 and item from the Harrier vaults from the early 1980s
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Hopefully everyone is staying safe and healthy during the lockdown due to coronavirus? There’s been lots more people out walking, running and cycling of late – helped by the better weather over the last few weeks. Sunday (19th April) would have been the Harrier supported Butleigh 10k multi-terrain race – one that many of us enjoy because of the varied and interesting course or because of the cakes afterwards. Like other events, it’s one that raises good money for a local cause – in this instance the village Playing Fields & Pavilion – and the Harriers are always pleased to help out the village organisers. Now includes Pete Wright looking back at his first running of the race in the 1980s. We look back also at some mislaid photos from the National XC Championships at Nottingham just 2 months ago – can you believe that mud?! And discover another item from the dusty vaults of the Club from the early 1980s.
Harrier stalwart Steve Masters powers home first for the Harriers at the 2008 edition of the Butleigh race
All our yesterdays! Easter Bunny 10k and other items from the Harrier archives; plus ...Rethinking your breathing.....
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During this current period of enforced lockdown of everyday activity and our favourite sport, we take a look at Harrier history and also come up with some other websites and links which might be of interest. Back on the 9th April 2007 there was a healthy squad of senior Harriers competing at the Yeovil Easter Bunny 10k, run as ever from the Yeovilton air base on a circuit that took in all of the usual 5k loop plus an extra ‘first half’. How many can you recognise in this team photo taken afterwards?
