Week Ending - 2019/07/07

BADGERS OUT IN FORCE AT WHISSENDINE 6IX RACE

A barmy Friday night in Rutland was the setting for 18 Badgers last week as they played their part in the 34th running of the popular Whissendine 6ix, six mile race. There were a number of personal bests too despite the undulating nature of the scenic course as well as the high temperatures for the time of year with the hard-hitting, floor-fitting king of grit, Mark Cox breaking 40 minutes for the very first time in his career. The 34 year old dad of two powered home in an impressive 39:01 to take 13th overall. The rapidly improving Cameron Barnes clocked 41:54 as he set himself a new best while old soldier Rob Oliver rolled back the years in a fabulous 44:14 (PB). Men’s captain Simon Currier has been a revelation this season and gave a great account of himself, under the watchful tutelage of Nuneaton based veteran Stefan Martin, producing a strong finish to claim a well deserved personal best of 46:56. Wayne Repton (50:48) scored a new PB while the in-form ladies captain Sarah Jane Chetwynd was first back, achieving her target time by the slender margin of just one second in 51:18 – another PB. Earlier Chris Horton sought to take his fourth V40 award in the event but had to settle for second this time clocking a respectable 36:27 in sixth position overall in the race. The industrious Dave Jenkinson battled hard in the heat to earn his time of 47:08 and Stuart Youngs ran a measured 51:39 with Richard Hill delivering the goods yet again in 53:35. Charlotte Oliver ran a PB in 55:34 and Lorna Jackson showed why she is one to watch as she stormed home in 56:00. Prosecco loving Celine Dion fan John Dulson and forgetful newcomer Brett Daley both ran 59:20 with Ann-Marie Currier (64:40) following in behind after an injury hit June. Judy Parkes and Lisa Barnes finished the race which seems to grow in popularity each year.

The Leamington Half Marathon saw great displays from two of the clubs newer members. Bill Gutheridge ran a fine 1:44:40 to record a distance PB but the run of the day, if not weekend belonged to Mick Bailey who managed a PB too in 1:47:10. This also saw him take a V65 age category win, a terrific effort from him which would also have been a V60 club record were it not for relative youngster Martyn Barrett’s magnificent run at Bosworth in May this year. The steady Karen Thompson and her speedy sidekick, the Professor of Pace Liz Peel, teamed up with the Godfather of Graft, Alan Argyle, as they each notched up yet another marathon, this time at the Rocky Marathon in Milton Keynes in just over five hours and Stuart Walton tackled the somewhat shorter, inaugural Gunby Gallop 10K near Overseal, breaking the hour mark comfortably.

Richard Hill ran a gutsy 54:14 in the Evesham Town 10K on Sunday while Jo James continued her comeback with a tidy 57:53 in the Lutterworth 5 which saw Yvonne Faulkner (43:17) and Wayne Repton (41:00) also featuring. At Draycote Water, the annual 7 at Severn (7K) race took place with Yvonne Faulkner (36:48), Carl Savage (same time) and Michael Ball (41:30) all going well. Holly Matts and Andy Smith completed the Ashbourne half marathon in 2:18:20. And finally, in the Rat Race Man Vs Coast adventure event in Cornwall, Adrian Payne finished first overall in 4:19 with team-mate David Grant in 16th place clocking 5:07.

Kingsbury Parkrun enjoyed a royal visit of sorts as parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE turned out alongside a host of big names from the world of athletics including Jo Pavey and David Moorcroft. None of these were a match for Badgers flier Dave McGowan though as he gave the Olympians a lesson in 5K running, winding up 4th overall in a quality time of 17:14 (PB). Veteran ace Sam Starkey nipped round in a rapid 18:19 while Badgers performance director Dave Jackson (18:23) selflessly paced four time Ironman Triathlon World Champion, Chrissie Wellington to an outright ladies win in her very first visit to the water park. Hard-drinking Scot Jackson was quick to extol the virtues of his sports nutrition drink provider, which, he says effectively drip feeds his muscles during the day in order to produce top level performances like this one. Robert Boland was back in the van running 19:53, the long-striding pensions advisor excelling once again in his fourth sport with the Sultan of Suave Martyn Barrett taking a minute off his own V60 club record with yet another outstanding performance, this time in 20:08. Carl Holyoak showed a great turn of speed as the Cliff Lakes OCR skipper and long time Badger flew round in 20:33. Ben Satchell stunned onlookers with a rousing 21:15 while multiple club record holder Monika Lampart finished 4th lady thanks to her brilliantly brisk 21:35. Colin Lees, Pete Coogan (PB), Matt Green, Jake Bradford, Bill Gutheridge and David “DC” Craig all did their bit, backed up by Darryl Johnson, the improving Lil Souter, John Restall, Mick Bailey, Nicola Stanley and Vikki Smith (28:59 –PB). Gavin Crockwell, Serena Baker and her son Luke, Paul Restall, Michael Ball, Teresa Satchell and Evie Whitehead did well while young Ellie Mulheron helped herself to a new PB in 32:57. Iwona Jedro and Helen Tibby rounded up the Badgers action on the day.

Badgers key-man Neil Russell was the best placed finisher of the day as he took first place at Bedworth parkrun, extending his record of never having finished outside of the top two at parkrun even further. His wonderful time of 17:45 was just enough to hold off strong challenges from Coventry’s Jason Brotherhood and Matt Johnson of Hinckley in a tough battle. Newcomer Ryan Handley also impressed, running 19:56 to make the top ten on a course not renowned as lightning quick. Chris Baxter bagged the fastest time of the day, running a superb 16:35 at the quick Cleethorpes circuit, only good enough for second spot on the day however.

Elsewhere, John and Mandy Hanson featured at Rosliston as did the genial Stuart Walton, Lesley Palmer ran at Minehead and Chris Upton flew the flag at Conkers. Karen Missen was in action at Isabel Trail parkrun and Anne-Marie Matthews went to Chasewater. Richard Hill travelled to Graves parkrun in Sheffield while Graham Engley enjoyed a top ten finish at Greenock with his 20:27. Fruit-picking key-man Glyn Broadhurst finished 7th male at Sewerby parkrun in 19:22 while the versatile Nicki Bowman finished 8th female at the same event in 25:47. Leesa Dennis (26:39) and top local hair-stylist Rachel Hudspith (30:44) showed great pace at Long Eaton parkrun as they endeavoured to achieve their club standard times for the season.