HORTON BEATS OFF MAGNIFICENT JOHNSON TO COME SECOND WHILE TONKS HANDLES IMPRESSIVE COX WELL IN BED - WORTH PARKRUN

Badgers star Chris Horton enjoyed the highest parkrun finish of the week going into Christmas as he denied Hinckley RC a 1-2-3 at Bedworth parkrun. The blue and white vested outfit from along the A5 had wheeled out some of their big guns for the event and it was their course record holder, the speedy Simon Birch who dominated proceedings in typical fashion. Veteran runner Horton, who became a father for the first time a week before, was able to thwart a spirited run from the high class Matthew Johnson at a wet Miners Welfare Park as he held onto second place in a time of 18:03. Marathon man Matt Tonks was back in action too as he used all his experience to see off a determined Mark Cox who is making waves once again after a short absence. Tonks clocked 21:27 with his floor-fitting team mate just two places behind in an epic battle. Also in action were Gail Gunn who registered 30:05 for the 5k event, popular club chairperson Karen Thompson, Jane Walford and Paul Cooper (37:02).

Three Badgers featured at the famously fast Long Eaton parkrun and in ideal conditions, good times were had by all, not least the shaven headed Chris Baxter who in finishing fifth, managed to lower his own club record by one second to a staggering 16:44. The Ashby based fenestration hygienist backed up his impressive Derby Midweek 5K performance where he ran a quality 16:54 to bag 9^th in a stellar field shows he can go into 2019 confident of being in the best form of his career to date. Another who can go into the new year full of excitement is Holly Matts who took two minutes off her PB with an effort-laden 24:38. Andy Smith also featured.

Kingsbury Water Park saw a bumper turnout as Badgers star Dawn Cross watched proudly as her son Ellis set a new course record of 15:01 despite less than favourable underfoot conditions. Dave McGowan provided the Badgers magic in second place with a best ever time of 17:51 – surely one to watch on 2019. The reliable Sam Starkey was third male finisher in 18:48 as he celebrated his 40^th birthday in style. Neil Clemons almost boarded the PB train too with his 19:30, missing out by just a single second in 5^th spot. Big Matt Green recorded a season’s best 20:17 as a sub 20 is surely on the cards given a dry course. Graham Engley slugged it out with Tim Gould as the plucky duo finished a second apart in 21:10 and 21:11 respectively. Colin Lees (22:05) and Jake Bradford (22:10 – PB) ran tremendously well with David Earp, Lee Millership and David Craig all going well. Rachael Shelton was first back for the ladies in 23:13, 7^th lady overall while the popular John Devenney helped himself to a PB as his recent committed training starts to bear fruit. Next home was the eminent professor of pace, Liz Peel closely followed by Emma Vardy and husband Jon. John Hanson, Fiona Meldrum, Evie Whitehead, Judy Parkes, Paul Restall, Lesley Palmer, Pip Weston, Sharon Jackson, Dave Bailey and Leesa Dennis all featured as did Nicola Stanley, Amy Wakelin, Glen Thomas, Yvonne Feasey, Jo Hardy, Peter Black and former skipper Carl Holyoak, making a tentative return after a serious injury. Other runners included Ben Satchell, Keir Hardy, Sarah Vine, Lisa Barnes, Sam Klucis, Vikki Smith, Andy Venney, Mandy Hanson and Helen Morgan.

Elsewhere, Alan Argyle ran 27:02 at Fell Foot, Cumbria, Jon Davies turned out at Worcester and Stuart Walton flew the flag at Rosliston. Eamon Thawley bossed the show at Coventry parkrun in 25:11 while Adie Kirkham ran 22:31 at Conkers ahead of team mates Katrina Dawson and Karen Missen. Finally, the intrepid Richard Hill tackled the fledgling Isabel Trail parkrun in Staffordshire alongside Jared Karim and Yvonne Faulkner. With some parkruns going ahead on Christmas morning and the chance of an annual double on New Year’s Day, the opportunity to chalk up several appearances in a short period of time is right on the immediate horizon.