Week Ending - 2019/04/14

JENNA’S JOY AT NEW PERSONAL BEST

Badgers star Jenna Davies was one of several athletes in action for her club at the Draycote Water 10 mile race on Sunday and she stormed to a terrific new personal best time of 89:02. Runners had to complete two laps of the picturesque Warwickshire reservoir and Davies was in fine fettle as she continues her wonderful form in the early part of 2019. Veteran Colin Lees also set a new PB as he clocked 73:58 having recovered from his Lanzarote marathon a few weeks prior while young Cameron Barnes continues to improve, the 20 year old running 71:47 (PB) as the hits keep on coming as they say in the rock and roll game. Ian Orton battled his way to a PB of 76:53 and ladies captain Sarah Jane Chetwynd also joined in the fun with a stunning 84:37 (PB). Wayne Repton (86:34) and Robert Boland (73:30) also enjoyed excellent runs. In the 10K event there, Holly Matts ran 53:14 (PB) and Andy Smith the same time.

Richard Hill was in action in Northern Ireland running the Belfast 10K in 57:30, new boy Matt Heap ran just over 2 hours in the Sheffield Half Marathon while Tim Gould went well in the Cannock Chase half marathon despite a number of logistical setbacks. The City of Birmingham 10K saw Lil Souter run 56:57 while Lesley Palmer made her 10K debut in style running 67:23. John Hanson ran a brisk 21:39 in the Bedworth 5K fun run and marathoners Serena Baker, Karen Thompson and Liz Peel joined forces with former Badger and now 100 marathon club member Olivia Stacey for a bash at the Waendel Walkers Club Valley and Views marathon in Northamptonshire. Carl Holyoak and Stefan Martin both featured in the challenging Fan Dance race in north Wales managing 3:28:45 carrying a weighted back pack over some difficult terrain for a half marathon distance.

At parkrun, there was plenty of action as per usual. Chris Baxter was in scintillating form at Kingsbury as he ran a superb 16:29, the second fastest 5K in club history as he finished first yet again. Dave McGowan and Danny Warren finished 7th and 8th respectively in 18:08 apiece with Matt Jackson, John Hanson, Bill Gutheridge and Colin Lees all putting in tidy performances. Lee Millership tore round in a tremendous 22:20, a massive personal best for the popular Baggies fan, Jake Bradford, David Craig, Michael Bailey and John Restall all got round soon after. Kay Whitehead was first back for the ladies in a speedy 23:48 while youngsters Adam Baker and Harry Chesters ran a shade over 25 minutes as they successfully completed their Beginner’s graduation 5K. Proud mum Serena Baker followed in behind with Evie Whitehead also showing a clean pair of heels. Other runners included Richard Chester, Lil Souter, Fiona Meldrum, Leesa Dennis, Paul Restall, Stuart Batchelor, Glen Thomas, Vikki Smith, Sharon Jackson, Terry Argyle, Helen Morgan, Liz Peel, Mandy Hanson, Teresa Satchell, Jenna Davies, Zoe Cope, Judith Haley, Kathryn Hobster, Martin Povey and Helen Smith.

The well-liked Jo James was in action up in Fell Foot parkrun in Cumbria and Alan Argyle headed over to Castle Demense in Ireland for his early morning 5k fix. Richard Hill was north of the Irish border trying out the Queens parkrun in Belfast and Andy Smith showed his face at Sutton Park. Karen Missen ran the new Isabel Trail parkrun, Gail Gunn shot round in good time at Bedworth ahead of Ann-Marie Currier and Anne-Marie Matthews. Graham Engley ran a spirited 20:14 at Arrow Valley while Holly Matts completed the Rugby course. Rosliston saw a Vardy invasion as husband Jonathan finished 6th in 19:49 and wife Emma 27:19. Nivette Chester ran 23:04 to finish third lady at Banbury while over at Leamington Spa, John Dulson led home a quintet of Badgers featuring Yvonne Faulkner, Jo Davies, Jo Hardy and Charlotte Phillips.