Harriers ladies stun rivals with victory in Midlands 6 stage!

Westbury Harriers ladies pulled a stunning performance out of the bag to win the Midland 6 stage relays with the 6th fastest winning time ever! Team manager Tamsin Chick took a leaf out of Alex Ferguson's book and kept both the team and the opposition guessing, refusing to announce her team until 48 hours before the race!

On the day itself, Debbie Marsden gave the team a great start, as she put a period of injuries and illness behind her to run 17.33 to place the team 3rd after leg 1 behind Birchfield and Notts. Sophie Voller then put in a time of 17.55 to place the Harriers 2nd, but over two minutes behind Birchfield. Vicky Tester took over and managed to close the gap by 50 seconds, running a time of 18.15. Leg 3 was also the turn of Annabel Gummow to run the fast time ever at the midland 6 stage clocking a stunning time of 15.50 - one that would have been highly respectable in the men's race - as Bristol & West came in 3rd, just 20s behind Westbury. Robyn Golding then clocked the 2nd fastest leg 4 time of 18.19, as the lead at the front was closed to 48s.

Luckily the Harriers had two of their big guns in reserve, as Emma D'Alton ran the fastest time for the Harriers of 17.16 to close the gap to just 16s. It was then left to Lucy Richens, who ran a stormer of a leg in 17.17 to overtake Birchfield come the top of the hill and cruised away to a 35s victory with a time of 1.46.35. She not only surprised herself but also the organizers, who didn't have the tape ready in time, but so ecstatic was Lucy she didn't notice that and wanted to go and run the course again!

We also had a complete B team, which finished a highly respectable 14th (and top B team), thanks to Lizzy Smith (18.51), Tamsin Chick (20.53), Sarah Thorne (21.10), Victoria Howlett (22.38), Evita Gonzalez (20.41) and Kelly Winstone (19.30).

Meanwhile the men improved on previous years with a 17th place showing. John Collier got them off to a solid start with 29.12 for 18th place, Will Massey then pulled them into 16th with 16.15, before Felix McGrath took the Harriers to their highest spot of the day 12th place, with a 9th quickest on the leg time of 16.48. Charlie Jones then ran the 2nd long leg in a time of 32.41, handing over to Chris Palmer in 19th place. Chris then pulled out a cracker of a time of 16.38, 10th fastest leg 5 and the Harriers up to 18th. Gregg Ward then managed 16.50 (a great effort having been working until 2am) and the club were in 16th. Robin Phillips then ran another great leg with 31.59 and the club in 17th.  Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr then took the club into 15th with a time of 17.31, before Rick Wallis, in his first race for nearly 3 years, clocked a time of 18.05 for 16th. John Terry then took on the challenge of the final long leg and a time of 31.00 dead saw the club in 17th, before Malc White in 18.35 and Matt Lavis in 19.28 closed the team out in 17th.

A corker of a day, and a ladies team performance that was hard to beat with all 6 counters in the fastest 27 of the day! The beginning of a new era of ladies athletics in the SW - bring it on!

Victories galore for long distance Harriers!

Our distance training group enjoyed a weekend of unparalleled success, as Dan Summers, Emma D'Alton and Lucy Richens all scored victories! For Summers, a first ever competitive win was secured with a run away victory in yesterday's Hogweed Hilly Half, as he raced to victory in 1.21.17. Not to be outdone, Emma D'Alton finished 2nd overall and smashed the ladies course record in a time of 1.22.32!

Meanwhile over in Wales at the San Domenico 20m, Lucy Richens scorched to victory in a time of 2.17.32. Hot on her heels was Sophie Voller who made it a 1-2 for the ladies with a time of 2.21.20. Also running a great race, Victoria Tester, who clocked 2.33.35, to ensure the team prize would be returning to Bristol!

Also in action at San Dom, Richard Hughes, Tim Synge, Trish Robson and Graham Bazley, whilst flying the flag over the hills of Hogweed were Paul and Debbie Fletcher, Aidan Naughton, Andrew Gibbons and Emma Powell.

Great running from everyone!

Richens leads the way at the Bath Half

Westbury's Lucy Richens was the top finisher for the club, as she broke the 80 minute barrier for the first time in today's running of the Bath Half. Richens who finished 12th lady, was well supported in the race as Sophie Voller ran 1.22.05 to finish 21st, Lizzy Smith 1.26.07 for 34th and Vicky Tester 1.28.25 for 43rd, as we had four ladies break 90 minutes. On the current results, they look strong contenders for the overall team prize!

For the men, leading the way was Andrew Yuill in 1.32.35 and Aidan Naughton in 1.42.28. I suspect we had others running too, but at the moment this is all Harriers listed on the official results.

Await a further update later! Well done all!

Voller stars as ladies look set to seal second.

Sophie Voller led the way for the Westbury ladies in today's Gwent, finishing in a cracking 5th place as they look set to secure at least silver going into the final race of the season. Backed up by the returning Vicky Tester in 14th, Kelly Winstone 35th, Sarah Thorne 59th and Jenni Cummins 64th the A team were hoping to limit the lead of Les Croupiers. Next home we had Hayley Johnson in 70th, Victoria Howlett in 77th, team manager Tamsin Chick making a welcome return in 78th and Lindsay Hall in 129th.

Well done ladies!

Harriers seek to strengthen grip on title

Westbury Harriers senior men's team will be looking to increase their lead at the top of the Gwent League as the 4th round takes place in Brecon this weekend. Following on from securing top spot in the 3rd round at Singleton Park, Swansea in December, the Harriers look set to field a strong squad that on paper will be tough to overcome. They will be led by Matt Ellis and John Collier, with Anthony Glover, John Terry, Charlie Jones, Karl Dunn, Gregg Ward and Chris Palmer all looking to make up the A team. With new boys Scott Campbell and Ed Boyles set to make their Harriers debut and Robin Phillips, Ken Ham, Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr and Bob Pringle competing as well, it would be a strong side indeed that was able to put much of a dent into the Harriers 50+ point lead.

The ladies will be seeking to close the gap on the leaders Les Croupiers and hope to field Sophie Voller and Vicky Tester to strengthen the side that finished 3rd in the race at Swansea last year.

Good luck everyone!

Victorious Vicky escorted to the Prom!

Westbury's Vicky Tester enjoyed her first win at tonight's Weston Prom, clocking an excellent time of 30.37, with club mate Sophie Voller 2nd. Meanwhile in the men's race Matt Ellis was a comfortable winner in 25.58 from Wells City Harriers' Matthew Dickinson. Anthony Glover was 4th in 27.16 and John Terry 7th in 28.41, with club mate Dan Summers just behind in 28.46.

Also competing were Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr 30.07, Ken Ham 30.30, Robin Phillips 30.35, Chris Palmer 30.40, Sophie Voller 31.24, Kevin Knights 31.39, Alex Miller 32.16, Richard Hughes 32.27, David George 33.14, Tim Synge 34.47, James Cant 34.50, Jullian Bailey-Gard Snr 34.54, Rebecca Lee 35.43, Zoe Wildgoose 35.54, Trish Robson 36.04, Hayley Johnson 36.20, Valerie Hughes 36.25, Jane Goodwin 37.27, Kim Ingleby 38.28, Sarah Tucker 39.23, Anneke Bull 39.59, Jane Thornton 41.05, Gill Anagnostakis 41.28, Roger Long 41.28, Kay Ridgwell 43.02, Eithne Noonan 43.32, John Percival 45.16, Sandra Bailey-Gard 53.51.

Well done to you all!!!!

Outstanding performance from the Harriers' men, as they dominate the Gwent League

An awesome display from Westbury's senior men, saw them not only top the field on the day, but take a 50 plus point lead in Division 1, as Swansea was turned White and Blue by a Westbury army! The team made light work of missing a number of key members, as they were led home by Matt Ellis in 12th place, with John Collier hot on his heels in 13th. Anthony Glover put in an excellent display to finish 16th, whilst John Terry returned following illness to finish 29th. Completing the A team was Karl Dunn, who produced his best ever performance in the Gwent League to finish 43rd.

Leading the way home for the B team was new boy Charlie Jones, who finished 53rd, Ken Ham finished 71st, Chris Palmer (rapidly returning to form) in 81st, Robin Phillips in 87th, with the team completed by Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr in 121st.

We also had a complete C team, consisting of Tony Jefferies in 156th, Dean Gardner in 166th, Mike Hopkins in 179th, Jullian Bailey-Gard Snr 180th and James Cant in 204th. Our final representative being Andrew Lomvardos in 228th.

A brilliant performance from all our men.

Despite missing several runners, our ladies also put in a solid display, as they finished 3rd on the day, to keep hold of 2nd place in Division 1. Leading the way was Lizzy Smith, with a best ever finish of 13th place. Next home was Vicky Tester, who paid the price for a hard start up the hill, and finished 19th. Then we had Kelly Winstone in 44th, Hayley Johnson in 59th and Zoe Wildgoose in 62nd.

The B team consisted of Vicky Jones 71st, Sarah Tucker 95th, Victoria Howlett 103rd, Eithne Noonan 133rd and Kay Ridgewell 136th. Completing the squad was Caroline Bannister in 153rd.

A great showing from both our guys and girls at a mud bath of a course, over 80 miles from home. With Brecon in February and the home fixture at Blaise in March, a coordinated effort from our men and ladies could see a double gold for the Harriers!

Men and Women in 2nd place!

With the results in from Round 2 at Bath, Westbury Harriers men's team have moved into second place, whilst the ladies have moved from 1st to 2nd, despite fielding a weakened team.

In the men's league, Cardiff strengthened their lead at the top with a strong showing of 1214 points, but Westbury's 1116 was enough to finish 4th on the day and to move into 2nd place, as Swansea Harriers fielded an incomplete team.

For the ladies Lizzy Smith finished 16th, Vicky Tester 21st, Kelly Winstone 41st, Kirsty Robertson 50th and Jennifer Cummins 72nd completed the A team. Leading the way for the B team was Hayley Johnson in 73rd, with Vicky Jones in 74th, Anneke Bull in 90th, Eithne Noonan in 126th and Kay Ridgewell in 139th. Then we had  Caroline Bannister in 150th and Sandra Bailey-Gard in 156th.

The ladies finished 2nd on the day and now lie 2nd overall, following a strong showing from Les Croupiers...

Harriers ladies secure Stroud Team success

Westbury Harriers were the winning ladies team at the Stroud Half Marathon this morning. A howling head wind blowing slap bang up the A419, meant that fast times were out of the window, as the race became more a battle of attrition in the final four miles back into Stroud. Leading the way in 5th spot overall was Sophie Voller in a time of 1.23.19, 3 places ahead of Debbie Marsden in 1.24.09. Completing the team was Vicky Tester, who finished 17th lady in 1.28.59 and between them they shared the £150 prize!

Leading the way for the men was John Terry who ran 1.20.41 for 29th place, some way off his PB of 1.17.40 set at Reading earlier in the year, but having raced at Weston only 3 days previously, Terry didn't appear to be taking the race that seriously. Next home was Steve Adams, who found the conditions at the end tough and finished 64th in 1.24.35. Then Robert Williams ran 1.29.49, Richard Hughes 1.31.33, Michael Hagan 1.34.43, Mike Hopkins 1.38.07, Nick Marshall 1.38.54, Ian Louden 1.39.20 and Rebecca Lee 1.39.59.

Then after a little gap came James Cant in 1.46.01, Graham Bazley 1.46.29, Jane Goodwin 1.51.22, Zoe Wildgoose 1.56.20 and Jane Thornton 2.01.50. Well done to you all!!!

Westbury repeat 14th in the National Road Relays

Westbury's ladies put in a solid performance to finish 14th in today's 4-stage relays at Sutton Park. The B team put in a good showing too to finish 62nd overall.

For the A team Debbie Marsden led them off with a time of 15.23, handing on to Sophie Voller who clocked 15.43, Lizzy Smith with 16.20 and then Vicky Tester in 15.53. It was great to see all of the girls who ran last month improving on their times! For the B team, Kelly Winstone led off with 18.08, Hayley Johnson 19.17, Vicky Shufflebotham in 18.22 and Sarah Thorne 20.53. Great running girls!

At the business end, it was once again Aldershot, Farnham and District won, led home by Charlie Purdue in 13.48. 2nd were Charnwood who were anchored by Gemma Steel, who ran 13.45 - the fastest leg of the day, and 2nd fastest leg of the past 10 years - only Steph Twell having running quicker since 2000. In third were Bristol and West, who couldn't have done anymore given the strength in depth of the two teams ahead of them. For B&W Kate Goodhead and Annabel Gummow both shone running times of 14.20 and 14.15 respectively...

* UPDATE: Bristol and West's mens team finished 6th, which was also as good as they could hope for, with several of their runners: Jon Wills, Charlie MacLean, Steve Mitchell and Tom Russell all knocking several seconds off their Midland Relays times!

Westbury flying high in the mens and womens Gwent League

In the opening round of this season's Gwent League, Westbury put in a strong showing across both the men's and women's league. For the ladies Debbie Marsden finished a strong 4th place, behind winner Rebekah Randall of Bristol and West. Vicky Tester put in an outstanding run to finish 10th, one place ahead of team mate Sophie Voller. Lizzy Smith completed the ladies A team in 27th.

For the men, Matt Ellis ran a steady pace throughout to finish 18th, John Collier 27th, Simon Everington 40th, Anthony Glover 48th and John Terry completed the A team in 52nd. For the B team, Gregg Ward was 65th, Colin Johnson 101st, Robin Phillips 102nd, Ken Ham 119th and Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr 134th.

Then we had a guest - Andy Buck - finishing 174th, just ahead of Tim Westmacott in 178th, Mike Hokins was 196th, Tony Jefferies 208th, Jullian Bailey-Gard Snr 216th and Mike Harris 273rd.

We also had two other guests Andreas Lomvardos and Dean Gardner turn out for the club in a strong first showing.

In the U.20s former Harrier Dan Studley, now running as an individual for B&W, finished 2nd behind Blair Brown of Taunton!

I'll put a more detailed report, completing the ladies squad and details of the juniors as we have them!

Harriers ladies dominate at Oldbury

Westbury Harries ladies team were in dominant form as they finished 1st, 3rd and 4th to easily take the team prize. Fresh from her recent win at the Bridge Inn 5k, Sophie Voller eased round the course on a hot and humid October's day to win in 63 minutes. Marking her formal debut for the club Vicky Tester ran 66 minutes for third place, whilst Lizzy Smith continued her recent good form to finish 4th.

In the men's race, Colin Johnson ran 62 minutes, which secured 2nd place in his age category in the Avon Championships.

More details when the full results are in!

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!!!

Bristol runners dominate in Bramley

Some great performances from Bristol runners in the Bramley 10 & 20 mile races today. In the men's 20 mile race Matt Ellis finished 4th in a time of 1.53.04, ensuring his target of 2.25 in London still looks set. Another Harrier John Collier also broke the 2 hour barrier, running 1.58.25 for 13th place. In the Ladies 20m race, Robyn Golding finished 8th lady in 2.19.40, with Sophie Voller finishing 3 places further back on gun time, but with the same chip time as Golding. Keith Hill completed the Harriers team with an excellent time of 2.23!

Meanwhile it went even better in the ladies 10m race, as Bristol & West's Vicky Tester won the ladies race in 1.02.40.

Great effort everybody!!!