Welcome to a rather chilly and icy new year! Sadly the weather has decimated the new year's racing programme, with all of this weekend's races cancelled :-(. Fortunately there was quite a bit of racing action over the Christmas period - with races in Burnham, Clevedon and Kewstoke to report on!

There are a number of other things to report on:

First off, a blind lady has made enquiries about joining the club. In order for us to facilitate this, we would need volunteers who would be willing to act as 'guides'. As far as I am aware, this is relatively easy, involving running alongside and I presume providing a running commentary on any glaring hazards, otherwise just keep them on the 'straight and narrow' so to speak. If anyone is interested in volunteering, could they contact Tamsin. She would apparently be based in Rob Hawkins group, as her current PB for 10k is around 1hr.

Second, CLUB SUBS are now due. These are £25 for seniors, £10 for juniors and £40 for family membership.

Third, Club Supper, is on the 18th of January, with the choices Veggie pasta bake, fish and chips or the perennial favourite Chicken curry and rice. Please contact Sandra Bailey-Gard to order (either at the club or on sandrabg10@yahoo.co.uk)

Fourth, the ever popular summer towpath series entries are now open: Online entry, plus previous results and maps etc. can be found at: www.greatwesternrunners.org.uk

Fifth - you may be aware that last year a number of Harriers made the trip over to Llanwrtyd Wells in June to take part in the Annual Man v. Horse Marathon - a 22 mile slog not only against some of the finest hills Wales can offer, but also against 50 horses! Last year, the club won the overall mens team prize for the first 3 men in the main race (Anthony Glover, Rich Collinson and John Terry), as well as the ladies relay prize (Robyn Golding (x2) and Debbie Marsden). We are hoping to go even better this year and looking to win the mens relay prize as well! If anyone is interested in this event, please get in touch with me or check out www.green-events.co.uk. Camping is very cheap (£5 per night - but usually free as they forget to charge you) or there is pub accommodation for £35 per night. A great weekend event!

New members

 I would like to take this opportunity to welcome some new members to the club! So in no particular order (well actually the order their emails were given to me!) Hello to Isabella Naughton, Josie Sparks, Sam & Joe Little, Stephen Woodward and Anders Larsen. I hope you are able to achieve all of your running goals with the club!

Club Kit

Up and Running will now be stocking club kit for us! If you need to stock up on any items of "Westbury" kit, or anything else for that matter, do get down there! Remember as a club member you will get a 10% discount.

Race Results

Three races to report on here! The Burnham on Sea beach run, the annual Clevedon Boxing Day 4m and the Weston Hangover 10k (or the Weston Open 10k, as the Sunday Times (no less) described it!)

Burnham on Sea Beach run

Our two quality Jullian's (Senior and Junior) were both out in this pre-Christmas burn up on Burnham on Sea beach. Jullian Jnr ran excellently to finish 2nd and Jullian Snr also made the top 10! Well done guys!

Clevedon Boxing Day 4m

A big turn out from the Westbury guys and girls at the traditional Boxing Day 4m! Leading the way was Julian Hatcher, who finished 2nd in a brilliant time of 20.03, just 40 seconds behind B&Ws Tom Merson. Next home was Dan Studley in 21.52, closely followed by Chris Palmer in 22.20. Jullian BG Jnr managed 23.37, just holding off Rick Wallis who was awarded the same time. First lady for us was Sophie Voller, who ran 24.11, beating Terry Jewell-Davies by some 20 seconds! Clive Attwood in 25.40, Jullian Snr in 26.49, Chris Studley in 27.44, Trish Robson in 28.40, Gill Jones in 29.06, Sarah Tucker in 30.08, Marilyn Palmer in 31.59 and Alison Hatcher in 32.15. Then it was Roger Long in 32.23, Richard Adams 32.37, Viv Gard 32.41, Rob Hawkins 33.29, Gill Anagnostakis 33.57, Rula Anagnostakis 33.58 and James Fox 35.50. Then William Hurley 37.47, Samantha Pooley 38.01, Matthew Hall 40.30, Sandra Bailey-Gard 40.50 and Susan Roughley 48.40.

Weston Hangover 10km

A perfect way to start the new year - temperature 1c, northerly wind blowing and quite a number of (possibly mad) Westbury Harriers out there to see the new year in in style! Making a welcome return for the club was John Collier, who spent the first 5k with the lead group, before the eventual race winner Mark Hopkinson gradually wound up the pace, but John was still happy to score a PB and a time of 34.47 for 4th place. In the ladies race, Debbie Marsden made a welcome return to form, winning the ladies race in 37.19 to finish over 3 minutes clear of second place. John Terry finished 8th in a time of 36.27, Jullian Jnr 20th in 38.07, Graham Clark 34th in 39.03, Adam Kula-Przezwanski 26th in 39.18. Neil Scholes ran 39.38, Alex Miller in 42.49. Then it was Debbie Cleary 45.57, Sandra Price 48.0,9, Andrew Gibbons, 51.32, Linda O'Shaughnessy 51.52, Emma Powell 53.47 and Richard Hughes 53.49 - well done all!