Welcome to the latest issue of e-news! We have quite a few races to report on, plus a few announcements too!

A gentle reminder that CLUB SUBS are now due. These are £25 for seniors, £10 for juniors and £40 for family membership.

Secondly, Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr is once again organizing a Bristol-Bath run along the cycle path. He would like you to be aware of the details:

Date – Sat 6 Feb 2010
Time - 11am
Meeting Point - Under the St James Barton Roundabout, Bristol (end of Stokes Croft and behind Debenhams in town)
Route - Through Fishponds, Past Bitton, through Bitton Train Station, follow the river into Bath and finish at Bath Train Station.  
Distance - About 16 Miles. 
What You Will Need - A small backpack to carry a change of clothes (in past years people have taken a tracksuit, t-shirt/thin long sleeved running top), any fluids you might need and any food, and money for food and drinks/train after the run.  But remember you will have to carry anything you take with you, so only essentials needed.

Thirdly, some important safety information for running on our dark and (sometimes) icy streets. We touched on these a few issues back, but a reminder and please note the new rules regarding the wearing of hi-vis tops:

Clothing

 

There are another few months of winter nights remaining and therefore more months of training in the dark. Safety must come first when running in the dark, whether that be as a group or as individuals.

 

It is essential that hi-visibility, reflective, bibs, jackets or tops are worn to all club training sessions (until further notice). For insurance reasons, as from this week (commencing Monday 25th January) any member who does not wear a hi-vis top will not be permitted to join group training that evening. This rule is for your benefit and to ensure your safety.

 

Any members who do not have a bib can purchase one either from Sandra Bailey-Gard or a specialist running shop.

 

Weather

 

The snow has now disappeared, bringing great relief to most runners. However, in the event of any further extreme weather, it may be that training will be cancelled. If this is the case, an email will be sent prior to midday notifying all members of the cancellation.

 

Emergency Contacts

 

All members will shortly be asked to provide emergency contact details. Forms will be distributed at training for completion, so please be ready!

Fourth, the TACH summer series of pub races are now open for entry. They are limited to 100 and sell out very quickly! Check out http://www.tach.org.uk/races.php - please try and enter if you can and help Westbury defend their record of winning individual and team prizes at every race! With several prizes spanning many categories, these are a great evening out!

Fifth - if anyone fancies joining forces to have a crack at the Blackmore Vale 1/2 marathon, we have JT and Graham Clark running in the mens race, and with teams of three needed - at least one more would be good!

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

Six races to report on here! The Riverbank Rollick, the Weston Prom, the Avon Schools XC Champs, the Morland 10k, the Gloucester marathon and the Braunton 10m! Plus an update to Burnahm on Sea Beach run, which saw all three of the Bailey-Gard clan competing, so big shout to Sandra for getting round before Christmas!

Riverbank Rollick

A relatively calm day greeted a number of hardy Harriers who braved the trip up to the Mundy playing fields, for the annual Rollick along the Severn riverbank. Anthony Glover made a welcome return to racing and finished 7th in just over the hour. Hot on his heels was David Hobbs who finished 9th place just a few seconds behind! Terry Jewell-Davies was next home in 1.02.51 for 18th place and completing the 2nd placed mens team was Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr in 32nd place. Making up the mens 2nd team were Clive Attwood, Mike Harris, Jullian Bailey-Gard Snr and Mike Harris. Next home, we had Paul Smith and Andrew Gibbons. Our first lady was Jane Goodwin, closely followed by Laura Tanna and Emma Powell. Then we had Richard Hughes, Eirian Thornton and Jane Thornton! Big respect guys and gals!

Weston Prom 5m

The monthly race once more took place on the new 3 mini loop course, as the restoration works on the prom continue unabated! Despite horrendous conditions of strong winds and driving rain, Debbie Marsden triumphed in the ladies race in a time of 29.21, seconds off of a PB! In the mens race, John Terry finished 7th in 28.58, just holding off new guy Matt Ellis, a highly respectable debut: 9th in 29.09. Next home was Gregg Ward in 30.15, Graham Clark in 31.03, Neil Scholes in 31.33 and completing the men's team, Alex Miller in 32.18. Next home was Phil Court in 33.24, Jullian Bailey-Gard Snr in 34.26, followed by our next lady Sianna Jones in 37.50, Beth Scholes in 38.42, Andrew Gibbons in 39.14 and Richard Hughes in 39.48. Then we had another 3 of our regulars: Jane Thornton 43.21, Gill Anagonstakis 43.57 and Sandra Bailey-Gard in 54.43 - well done all!

Avon Schools XC

I haven't been able to see the full results, but I've heard of some good performances from Westbury runners (in school colours!) - including a 1-2 in the senior boys race for brothers Brett and Gregg Halliwell!

Braunton 10m

Undeterred by a wet and windy debut, Matt Ellis joined forces with John Terry to take part in the 'undulating' Braunton 10m. To an inhabitant of the Himalayas, this course might have been undulating, but to the rest of us, this was a very hilly race! In particular 'two hills' were spoken about beforehand, one a 100m climb during mile 4 and another an 80m climb during mile 6! Fortunately, our Harriers are made of stern stuff and another to and fro battle between Matt and John ensued, with Matt leading through 3 miles, John taking over on the hills, Matt powering back past at 8 miles and John finished strongly to just edge it, finishing 6th in 1.01.13, with Matt in 8th in 1.01.27. 

Morland 10k

A new local race took place yesterday, organized by TACH - the Morland 10k! I believe there were quite a few Harriers taking part in a race that was won by the host Club's Robert Hicks. Unfortunately I haven't seen a full set of results, so we'll have to wait until next time for the full details!.

Gloucester Marathon

The earliest road marathon in the year, saw Tim Synge representing the Harriers! Timothy (to give him his full title from the results!) ran a great race to finish 37th in 3.23.08! The weather was very kind to the runners, who run a 3 lap route, based around the Gloucester 10 course. Tim also commented on the quality of the after race refreshments!