Campbell 4th in Bitton 5k

Scott Campbell continued his comeback from injury with a solid 4th place and a time of 17.08 in last night's Bitton 5k. Campbell made a fast start in an attempt to stick with the leaders, but it cost him valuable time on the way back. That said a time close to 17 minutes is not to be sniffed at and I'm sure it will be a good platform moving forwards!

More results when we have them!

Terry and Palmer survive the National

A glorious day for racing at London's Parliament Hill, for the 125th running of the Senior Mens National XC Championships. The jinx that had cost the club so many runners in the build up to the race, struck during the race as Scott Campbell suffered a recurrence of an ankle problem and was forced to drop out shortly after 2miles. Fortunately for the club - with the deciding Gwent League rapidly approaching - John Terry showed a return to form to finish 320th in a time of 43.16 for the challenging 12km course, whilst Chris Palmer finished in 44.52 for 451st place.

It seems that Westbury were not the only club affected by the jinx as our colleagues over the way, B&W also suffered, losing Robbie Bugden to an injury suffered during the race and Mike Jacobs collapsed just before the finish, but in a herculean effort, picked himself up and struggled across the line. Earlier on in the day Nathan Young also pulled out, which cost the Junior men a chance of a medal!

Let's hope we can get a much better turn out next year at what has to be the ultimate racing experience. Anyone who has stood at the side of, or better still stood in the middle of, can attest to the truly awing experience of having 1500+ feet simultaneously pounding off up a hill at the start of a race. The ground shakes, yet it's eerily quiet. The National. There's nothing quite like it!

Harriers dominate the prom

Westbury Harriers continued their domination of the local race scene as Matt Ellis won the January Prom in a time of 26.32, with new recruit Scott Campbell finishing 2nd in 28.02. John Terry also made the top 5 in 28.44, as gale force conditions prevented quick times in this month's race. Hot on his heels, Charlie Jones finished in 6th place and just behind was Lucy Richens who finished 2nd lady in 29.21, with Sophie Voller a minute further back in 3rd. Only Steph Barnes managed to spoil the Westbury party as she ran a great race to finish 1st lady and 4th overall in 28.41!

Also in action we had Robin Phillips running 30:35 for 24th, Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr 31:11 for 30th, Alex Miller 31:59 for 42nd, Richard Hughes 33:49 for 72nd, Jullian Bailey-Gard Snr 34:44 for 92 and also making the top, 100 Zoe Dixon who finished 95th in 34:58.

Then we had Rebecca Lee 122nd in 36:28, James Cant 135th in 37:10, Jane Goodwin 143rd in 37:44, Zoe Wildgoose 146th in 37:51 and Valerie Hughes 148th in 37:55. Then we had David Baber 165th in 39:20, Anneke Bull 184th in 40:29, Jane Thornton 206th in 42:30, closely followed by Roger Long in 42:40 for 207th.

And still they come! Myriam Camboulives 213th in 43:08, Eithne Noonan 219th in 43:53, Diane Heys 220th in 44:04, Kay Ridgwell 227th in 44:27 and Sandra Bailey-Gard 256th in 54:33.

Great running from so many Harriers in testing conditions!

Harriers Rollick along the Riverbank!

Congratulations to Lucy Richens, Anthony Glover, Sophie Voller and Scott Campbell who finished 1st lady, 2nd man, 3rd lady and 4th man respectively in this year's riverbank rollick organized by Thornbury Running Club. For Glover that makes it three times he has finished 2nd in the 9 mile off-road event. Luckily for the runners, the wind was blowing in the opposite direction to normal, making the charge alongside the river Severn much more enjoyable than usual!

Also in action we had Ken Ham 17th in 1.02.22, Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr 25th in 1.04.03, Terry Jewell-Davies 32nd in 1.04.51, Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr (again!!!) in 44th in 1.06.17, Ian Ruck 45th in 1.06.21, Jullian Bailey-Gard Snr 73rd in 1.09.34. Then we had Richard Hughes 144th in 1.15.51, Ian Louden 161st in 1.18.35, Jane Goodwin 200th in 1.22.21, Andrew Gibbons 204th in 1.23.05, Victoria Howlett 216th in 1.24.12, Roger Long 233rd in 1.26.27, Jane Thornton 270th in 1.32.57 and Sandra Bailey-Gard 301st in 1.53.42!

Well done to you all!!!

Harriers turn up for Parkrun training session!

Westbury Harriers ended the year with a training session at the Parkrun in Ashton Court with 11 members running. Top of the shop was Anthony Glover who won the event in a time of 17.34, which was very competitive considering the massive hill and gale force winds which combined to make running more like walking towards the top of the hill! Then John Collier ran 17.53 for 2nd and new boy Scott Campbell who recently joined the club from Southville Runners was 3rd in 18.15. John Terry was 5th in 18.48, Chris Palmer 6th in 19.14 and then another new girl, also from Southville, Lucy Richens won the ladies race in 19.21 and finished 8th overall!

Next home in 10th was Kane Lee, from our partner club Yate and District in 19.34 for 10th, Robin Phillips was 12th in 19.40, Debbie Marsden 22nd in 20.54, Vicky Tester 32nd in 22.17 and Tim Synge 34th in 22.24.

For those runners still with any energy left, the run was followed up with 8x40s strides and then coffee and cake (which seemed to attract more runners than the efforts for some reason). Well done all!!!