Voller wins at the Bridge!

Sophie Voller showed that her outstanding run at the Midland 4 stage relays was no fluke, as she came from behind to end up a convincing winner at the first Bridge Inn this week. Voller ran 18.00 to beat Bristol and West's Hannah Alderson by over 15 seconds. Alderson who started strongly, faded badly during the second half, enabling Voller to overtake. New signing Vicky Tester took up the challenge of representing Bristol's best running club by finishing 3rd in the ladies race.

For the men, Anthony Glover put in a strong showing to finish 3rd in a time of 16.21, just 10 seconds behind the winner - Bristol and West's Matt Crane. Simon Everington, still recovering from illness, posted 16.56 in finishing 5th.

There was plenty of other Westbury runners in action: Stephen Cripps ran 17.51, Robin Phillips 17.52, Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr 17.57, Alex Massey 18.14, Colin Johnson 18.30, Terry Jewell-Davies 18.33, Lizzy Smith 19.00, Tim Westmacot 19.24, Keith Hill 19.30, Richard Hughes 19.38 and Chris Palmer 19.44 all clocking under 20 minutes!

Then we had Tony Jefferies 20.14, Evita Gonzales-Szamocki 20.36, James Noott 21.17, Mike Harris 22.08, Tim Carr 23.23, Julian Wilson 24.08, Caroline Potter 24.01, Valerie Hughes 25.02, Laura Tanna 25.31 and Jane Thornton 25.32.

Great running from you lot - what a turnout!!!

Ellis double up at Swansea Bay

Matt Ellis made it two sensational runs in two days as he finished 17th in the Swansea Bay 10k in a "UKA" PB of 31.47 and puts himself into contention to finish in the top 10 of the RunBritain Grand Prix. Likewise Emma D'Alton put herself into contention too with a great 8th place (7th Brit) in a time of 35.50. Also doubling up, Debbie Marsden ran 37.47 to finish 12th lady (11th Brit).

Meanwhile down in Windsor, another Harrier on the double up was Robin Phillips who was busy preparing himself for the Amsterdam Marathon in 3 weeks time, and clocked 85 minutes for the half marathon there, the day after taking a PB at the road relays!

Well done to all of them!!!

McGrath 10th in home countries international

Congratulations to Felix McGrath who finished 10th in the home countries international, which was held in conjunction with the Commonwealth Mountain Running championships. Felix, who despite being a year young for his age group and suffering from a cold all week, came through strongly to take 10th place, just behind his England rival Dominic Mahoney, who completed the England team - whose first three made a clean sweep of the medal positions!

Felix is now taking a well earned breather, having run some excellent races over the summer!

Awesome Harriers so close to glory!

A huge congratulations to the 4 ladies and 23 men who turned up to Sutton Park to make it one of the best days in Westbury Harriers' recent history. The ladies team finish 4th, whilst the men's A team finished 9th, the B team 33rd, the C team 62nd and our D team were battling hard in 77th, when they had to call it a day after 5 legs!

For the ladies Debbie Marsden started the race and came home a strong 5th in a time of 15.34, before Sophie Voller ran a great leg to take the team up to 3rd, having briefly led the race outright along the top stretch of the course. Then Robyn Golding took over and overhauled Notts AC into 2nd, before Annabel Gummow from Bristol and West came storming through into the lead with the quickest time of the day (14.23), Robyn put in a great effort up the final hill to finish in a time of 16.18. On the last leg Lizzy Smith put in another great performance knocking over a minute off her previous best time over the undulating 4.3km course finishing in a time of 16.40 for 4th place - which gave the ladies their best finish for many years, behind winners Bristol and West, Birchfield Harriers and Notts AC.

The men produced an equally amazing performance. First off Dan Studley ran the leg of his life to finish 5th in a top quality field with a time of 18.08, handing over to Matt Ellis. Matt then put in the leg of his life as he overturned the 26s advantage of Bristol & West and was within 2s of the lead as the finish of the leg arrived. Matt running 18.17. A third incredible leg, this time from John Collier - who knocked nearly a minute off his previous best time in 18.49, to hold on to 3rd place (in fact he too briefly led the race!), as Notts AC's Tim Hartley raced through the field with a time of 18.11. Then Will Massey took over and ran 20.09, handing over to Sam Dalgleish in 5th, who then ran 20.01. Si Everington then ran the final leg to close the side out in 1.55.39 for 9th place - the best performance for the mens team since 2004! The race itself was won by our neighbours Bristol and West in a time of 1.49.06, to complete what must be a very rare mens and ladies double! Well done to them. 2nd were Notts AC - just 4 seconds behind - and 3rd were Coventry Godiva.

The B team were an outside bet to reach the top 25 and qualify as of right for the Nationals and were given a perfect start as Anthony Glover ran 20.05 and Rich Collinson 19.53 to haul them into 29th place. Robin Phillips then run 21.17 for 28th place, Colin Johnson ran 21.51 for 36th place, Gregg Ward held position running 21.11, before John Terry closed the team out with 20.44 for a time of 2.05.01 for 33rd place - inside the top 25 A teams, but not the top 25 itself - still only 2 minutes away, a definite target for next year!!!

There was more to come from the Harriers as the C team of Karl Dunn (22.01), Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr (22.29), Matt Lavis (25.02), Malc White (23.03), Bob Pringle (24.19) and Warren Pickles (20.40) ran home in 2.17.34 and 62nd place.

Our D team of Chris Palmer (23.42), Tony Jefferies (24.41), Geraint Torrington (25.00), Tim Westmacot (23.40) and Alex Miller (24.42) were in 77th place, when they had to bow out of the action. Such was the strength in depth of the club, only 2 sides had complete D teams out, and ours was the next biggest contingent - awesome!!!

A massive thanks to all you guys and girls for taking the trouble to represent and support the club on its travels - you were all great and gave us all some real excitement. It can only be a matter of time before the club rightly retakes its place amongst the medals!!!

Westbury aiming for success in the Midland Relays

Westbury Harriers will be looking to both their mens and womens teams to make an impact in this weekend's 6 stage relays, to be held at Sutton Park in Birmingham. The womens team consisting of Debbie Marsden, Robyn Golding, Sophie Voller and Lizzy Smith (still celebrating a 9 minute PB at the recent Bristol half) look to be capable of a top 5 spot, which would emulate the squad of 2010. For the men 4 teams have been entered, all of which are set to be complete. The A team of Dan Studley, Matt Ellis, John Collier, Sam Dalgleish, Will Massey and Simon Everington, are arguably the strongest squad the club have sent out since 2004 and must surely be capable of a top 10 spot. The B team of Anthony Glover, Rich Collinson, Robin Phillips, Colin Johnson, Gregg Ward and John Terry are also looking strong and could give several A teams a run for their money! The C team of Karl Dunn (fresh from the Nottingham marathon), Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr, Matt Lavis (making his comeback), Malc White, Bob Pringle and Warren Pickles are looking to stake their claims for high positions next time and our D team of Chris Palmer, Tony Jefferies, Geraint Torrington, Tim Westmacot, Alex Miller and hopefully Graham Bazley will also be seeking to push themselves over the undulating 5.85km. It's great to see so many member committed to representing the club in the relays - the first event that will count towards the Peter Griffin memorial trophy - a trophy in memory of Peter, which will be awarded on a points system, based upon representing the club at regional and national events over the course of the season.

Good luck to you all!

Westbury secure 2nd place in Avon Relays

Confusion reigned supreme at the end of the Clevedon Relays as Bristol and West won the race outright, but somehow Team Bath finished 1st Avon team and Westbury took the silver medals, despite finishing 6th on the day! The team consisting of Steve Adams, Robin Phillips, Tony Jefferies, Gregg Ward and Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr did the club proud, as the quicker guys opted to keep their powder dry for this weekend's Road Relays, which could throw up a few suprises in the mens and womens races!

More later!

Westbury's Matt Ellis lead the British team to an easy victory at the inaugural Airbus "Olympics" held in the south of France this weekend. Ellis, better known for his antics over the road, first took to the track to run 7:10 for a 2.4k leg of a "pyramid relay" event, before dominating the afternoon XC, claiming victory in the 8.8km event in a time of 28.39. The time was nearly 3 minutes ahead of second place. A champagne with one or two canapes awaited Ellis during the evening - in what was being billed as an opportunity for the French team to redeem themselves.

Meanwhile over in London, John Terry and Debbie Marsden were both in action at the Bromley "10k", sponsored by Nuffield Health. Marsden easily won the ladies race, clocking a time of 36.55, whilst Terry finished runner up in a time of 34.36. Despite claims by the organizers of the race being a "gold standard" event, I am highly suspicious about the measuring employed!!!

Marsden wins in Weston return

Debbie Marsden made a successful return to racing with a comfortable victory in last night's Weston Prom 5m - the first race of the 2011/12 series. Despite the usual blowy conditions on the sea-front, Marsden clocked 29.42 to see off Bitton's Michelle Kerfoot. In the men's race our top finisher was Robin Phillips who finished 10th in 29.14. The race itself was won by Clevedon's Ian Smith in 26.43.

Our other runners in action were: Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr 31.01, Graham Clark 31.39, Keith Hill 32.21, Richard Hughes 33.33,  Nick Hounsfield 33.36, Michael Hagan 33.44, Jullian Bailey-Gard Snr 34.42, Rebecca Lee 35.13, James Cant 36.19, Zoe Wildgoose 36.44, David Baber 39.07, Caroline Potter 39.42, Anneke Bull 39.47, Roger Long 40,11, Marilyn Palmer 40.36, Bridget Percival 40.53, Myriam Camboulives 40.58, Valerie Hughes 41.18, Gill Anagnostakis 42.24, John Percival 44.33, Kay Ridgwell 46.02, Sharon Eynon 51.50 and Sandra Bailey-Gard 53.01.

Great running from everyone there guys!!!

Weekend Roundup!

It seems not every member of Westbury was running in the Bristol Half today! Karl Dunn completed his debut Marathon in Nottingham, finishing the tough (and lonely in the 2nd half) course in a time of 3:33. Bob Pringle headed down to Somerset yesterday to compete in the Somerset Moors and Levels Half marathon. On a challenging off-road course Bob did well to finish in 1:59:11 for 20th place! Across in Wales Rich Collinson and Hayley Johnson took part in the Lake Vrnwy Half Marathon. Rich finished 27th in 1:18:26 and Hayley in 1:44:33 for 69th place in the ladies event. In the Chippenham Half Marathon Simon Knight clocked 1:31:42 and Kin Cheung 1:55:48. Meanwhile over the shorter distances, Anthony Glover clocked 4:29 for the 1500m, in the final Avon League race of the season representing Yate AC!

Great effort from all!

Times for the Half

Well done to all of the Harriers who took part today - complete results as follows:


2110977Matt EllisM01:10:18
7710025Emma D'altonF01:19:11
11810611Robin PhillipsM01:22:30
13910603Colin JohnsonM01:23:41
1451008Steve HawesM01:24:11
1471017Elizabeth SmithF01:24:13
16110269Sophie VollerF01:25:00
20310975Robyn GoldingF01:26:26
31910984Keith HillM01:29:14
35610834Andrew SwannM01:29:52
43910416Clive AttwoodM01:31:29
44813000Graham BazleyM01:31:36
46210258David GeorgeM01:31:48
47510711Adam Kula-PrzezwanskiM01:31:58
64010955Timothy SyngeM01:34:25
66810994Andrew YuillM01:34:38
69610981Richard HughesM01:34:54
69912973Michael HaganM01:34:56
8441007Ewan KilgourM01:36:36
95310829Vicky ShufflebottomF01:37:36
111810329Nick TaylorM01:39:03
111910676Philip Gary PrescottM01:39:03
114110607Mike HopkinsM01:39:15
116810247Andy MarshallM01:39:27
120310260Nick MarshallM01:39:51
129013017Brian EdgarM01:40:35
174815661Robert WallisM01:44:11
243610874Vicky JonesF01:48:34
36861225Rob EmonyM01:55:50
380720355Matt JacksonM01:56:33
384821397Michael CullumM01:56:47
387813124Myriam CamboulivesF01:56:56
407013071Sue WoodF01:57:54
437715877Tim CarrM01:59:23
443912320David BaberM01:59:42
448121382Victoria HowlettF01:59:58
465012978Nicholas HounsfieldM02:01:00
615421390Eithne NoonanF02:11:12
753915009Hazel RenoufF02:25:09
775127139Tacey Margverits BainF02:28:05
796426029Helen Kula-PrzezwanskiF02:31:58

PBs for Harriers in the Bristol Half

Matt Ellis managed to knock 9s off his PB, as warm and windy conditions meant times weren't perhaps as quick as they might be. Ellis looked relaxed as he went through 7 miles in 36.30, and ended up with 70.15, which was enough for 21st place and first local man.

For the ladies Emma D'Alton ran a solid time of 79.05, which helped her to 9th place (8th Brit TBC) behind overall winner Charnwood's Gemma Steel, who ran 73.32. Lizzy Smith was the surprise package of the day, as she ran an amazing 83.55 knocking nearly 9 minutes off her previous personal best! Sophie Voller was next home for the ladies, with Robyn Golding in close pursuit, meaning the ladies are a great shout for the overall team prize (or 2nd place for sure), depending on the countback for Bristol & West, who had Lucy McAllister, Annabel Grainger and Grace Crane up there.

Other mens times included Robin Phillips 82.27, Colin Johnson 83.40, Steve Hawes 83.53 and Mike Hopkins 99.01.

Full results once available will be on the blog!

Well done all!

Terry surprise 3rd in Street Mile

Westbury's John Terry finished in a surprise 3rd place in the senior men's race of this afternoon's Bristol Street Mile. A shocking turnout of just 6 senior men and 3 senior ladies meant that times were well down on previous years, not that Terry will be complaining having picked up £50 for just over 5 minutes exertion. The race itself was won by Cardiff's Ieuan Thomas, who eased to victory in around 4:40, with B&Ws Phil Parry running 4:52. Terry clocked a rather pedestrian 5:07, having set off rather too enthusiastically in pursuit of Thomas during lap 1. The ladies race was won by Miranda Sadler of Bristol and West, with Diana Kennedy of Woodford Green 2nd and Michelle Kerfoot of Bitton taking 3rd.

There was other Westbury successes in the Junior Races, which I'll update you on once the results are in.

Marsden claims hat trick in Alderney 10k

Debbie Marsden claimed her 3rd win in as many years in this past weekend's Alderney 10k, whilst John Terry finished 2nd behind friend and rival Gerry Hogg of Trull Troggers. In the 22nd running of the event, temperatures hit 26 in the sun and with a strong breeze off the coast combined with the notorious Tourgis Hill, fast times were not likely to be in e offing. That said nothing could stop Hogg, who powered away from Terry up the hill at 8 miles and extended his lead in the final 3 as the early effort and heat both took their toll. Hogg finished with a new course record of 79.36, with Terry nearly 3 minutes further back in 82.28. Meanwhile Marsden was just 30 seconds off winning the 10k outright, as Guernsey's Steve Bienvenu tired in the final 3k,but held on to win in 38.01 with Marsden clocking 38.30.

Back home Robyn Golding wonthe Ilfracombe triathlon on Sunday, finishing 23 rd overall!!!

Well done all!!!