The Kula-Przezwanskis Battle in Sedgmoor

Adam and Helen Kula-Przezwanski were the club sole representatives at Langport Runners annual Battle of Sedgmoor 10k. The fast flat course is billed as ideal for PBs and there was certainly some speed at the top end, as former Bristol & West runner Kevin Heywood, now back with Bideford, winning in a time of 31.28 - nearly a minute clear! Meanwhile for the Harriers Adam ran 38.14 and Helen 64.01! Well done guys!

Howard foiled in UTMB attempt

The organizers of the 100m Ultra-Tour du Mont Blanc were forced to cancel the main event after just 3 hours, as torrential weather conditions resulted in mud slides and near zero visibility in the 8th running of the event. Westbury's Gareth Howard was one of the competitors affected by the conditions, but fortunately he is safe and well. This is the 2nd time Gareth has been unable to complete the event, as last year he was on paternity leave! 3rd time lucky perhaps?

D'Alton cleans up at final Towpath

The final race of the GWR Towpath series - a 5k version instead of 10k - saw victory for Emma D'Alton who came home in a time of 17.36, ahead of team mate Robyn Golding in 18.19, with the host club's Aileen Brown 3rd in 19.08. Also running for the Harriers we had Alex Miller in 18.33, Graham Clark in 18.46, Sophie Voller in 19.10 and Siana Jones in 21.10. After that came James Bardwell 22.54, Roger Long in 23.52, David Taylor 24.29, Michael Cullum 25.43 and Tracey Bain 29.02. Well done everyone!

The men's race was won by the host club's Ben Morley in a time of 15.36.

Ellis puts in 1st class performance to beat the train!

Westbury Harrier's Matt Ellis finished an outstanding 6th place in the 27th annual Race the Train event, held in Tywyn this past weekend. Ellis finished in 1.26.26, just six minutes adrift of race winner, British mountain runner Gareth Raven. Ellis' time was all the more impressive as he only owns one pair of trainers, and they are more at home in a 10k or a half marathon, rather than the 14 mile off road course he was faced with on Saturday. Unfortunately for Matt he narrowly missed out on two prizes, with individual prizes to the first five men only and then in the team event Westbury missed out by two points to Kenilworth runners. Matt in 6th, John Terry 17th in 1.32.22 and Gregg Ward 23rd in 1.33.34 completed the team. Chris Palmer was not far behind, 29th in 1.34.53 and with Ian Ruck, 1.45.32 also beating the train it was a great day for the Westbury men's team. Although we should pass on our commiserations to Phil Court, who narrowly missed beating the train, running 1.53.51. Our ladies were also well represented with Laura Tanna running 2.10.55, Jane Goodwin 2.17.25 and Jane Thornton 2.32.46.

In the morning 10k, Debbie Marsden came out on top, winning the ladies title and a cheque for £70 in a time of 46.02.

Full results should be available here.

Another 1-2-3 for Westbury!

The final race of the summer TACH series, saw a new course running out of the Bungalow Inn near Bristol Airport. The 9k course was more mildly undulating, rather than the outright hilly that is the usual TACH fare, but the outcome of the race was the same! Matt Ellis stormed to victory in a time of 32.50 - a time that will be difficult to beat in future I reckon! Runner up, nearly two minutes adrift, was Anthony Glover who ran 34.34, finishing 9 seconds ahead of John Terry in 34.43. Colin Johnson finished 5th and 1st V.40 in 36.30. Steve Adams finished 7th and Gareth Howard 17th. In the ladies race Sophie Voller finished 2nd and Jane Thornton and Jane Goodwin were also out there for the Harriers!

Full results should appear here.

Westbury retain Blaise Blazer cup

Westbury Harriers retained the Blaise Blazer Team Challenge Cup in convincing style, holding off GWR, Southville and Gloucester AC. Thanks to a strong run from Matt Ellis to finish 2nd, John Terry 5th and Chris Palmer 7th, combined with Robyn Golding winning the ladies race, the Harriers ended up comfortable winners.

Full results to follow!

Ellis wins Magor Marsh 10k

Westbury's Matt Ellis was the runaway winner of the 3rd Magor Marsh 10k, as he defied humid conditions to post a time of 34.08, nearly a minute ahead of 2nd place. Ellis ran a controlled race, working his way through the field, before taking the lead close to the 4k mark and never looked likely to relinquish it. John Terry finished 8th in a time of 36.18, with Colin Johnson 18th in 38.02. Roger Long, whose knees were grateful for the flat course, clocked 49.09.

Full results are available here.