Week Ending - 2019/11/10

BADGERS MEN TAKE TOP SPOT AT STARLIGHT TRAILS HEADTORCH RELAYS EVENT

Badgers sent four teams over to compete in the midweek Starlight Trails Headtorch Relays at Markeaton Park, Derbyshire where teams of four runners each took turns to gallop around an off road two mile circuit before handing over to their team-mate. The all male quartet of Adrian Payne, Dave McGowan, Danny Warren and Aaron Chetwynd laid down a significant marker in race one of the series with Payne setting a furious tempo at the start. He handed over to fellow Baddesley man McGowan who sped round in good time before handing over to dad to be Warren who once again delivered the goods allowing anchorman Chetwynd an armchair ride to the finish which saw the Baddesley lads win by well over a minute.

The women’s side fared well, coming home in a plucky fourth spot thanks to some sterling work by top Stockingford based barbers Esther Holyoak and Cheryl Dewis. Their super runs were complimented by the pace of Nivette Chester and the determination of Steph White in an all veteran outfit, punching well above their weight in the overall standings. The mens veteran quartet of Eamon Thawley, Dave Grant, Gavin Crockwell and Richard Chester battled on through the night to finish in 26th position overall in their gender while the mixed team of Bob & Anna Dawe, the fresh faced Cameron Barnes and pacy Pip Weston bagged a fine sixth place with a quality team run.

When it comes to hard hitting floor fitters at Badgers, you have to go a long way to find better than Mark Cox. The dad of two was in action once again in the Leicestershire Round Ultra Series, tackling a gruelling 35 mile course with no shortage of elevation along the way. Cox loves a challenge however and stepped up to the mark yet again (pun most definitely intended) as he belligerently found his way back in 5 hours 40 to take a superb 3rd place.

In the Draycote Water 10 mile race Wayne Repton ran a gutsy 79:11 while veteran kit legend Dave Bailey clocked 64:24 at a wet Coalville 10K. Holly McClay and Andy Smith were the beneficiaries of a paucity of race entrants in the lightly contested half marathon events at days six and seven of the COD November Nightmare in Leegomery. The duo took third and fourth places on both days, recording times of 2:41 and 2:56.

Parkrun saw a phalanx of protagonists peppering their way through the paths and trails of Kingsbury Water Park once again. Men’s vice captain Mark Repton led the way in 10th place overall thanks to his brisk 19:49 with a resurgent Sam Starkey making more good progress after injury. Matt Green, Carl Holyoak and Tim Gould soldiered on like true veterans and Paul Wallace, Lee Millership, Bill Gutheridge and Colin Lees also managed to get round safely inside the 24 minute mark. Wayne Repton, Jake Bradford and Matt Jackson went well while Sharon Jackson tore it up in 25:26 to finish 7th lady in the field. Youngster Evie Whitehead enjoyed a top ten finish too as she hared round in a splendid 25:33 to take 9th spot. Lil Souter followed through soon after with the experienced quartet of Rachael Shelton, Darryl Johnson, John Hanson and Liz Peel all bossing it like the dons they most certainly are, quite literally in Peel’s case. Other runners included newcomer Gervase Lancaster, Amanda Gould and Vicky Jennings.

Chris Baxter was in action at Warrington parkrun and made a real name for himself as he stormed to first place with a dazzling time of 17:09 there, his first attempt at the 5K course in Cheshire. Stuart Youngs ran a creditable 25:45 at Braunstone Park while Jenna Davies and Zoe Cope were in action at Oaklands and Stratford upon Avon respectively, Davies managing to finish 6th female thanks to her rip-snorting performance.

The Reynolds family of Mark, Sarah and Jack descended upon Rosliston parkrun with the youngster Jack emerging in serious credit with his terrific run of 22:37 (12th place) at the scenic yet tricky woodland course. Simon Gilbert was first Badger back at Bedworth, clocking 21:43 in his run, ahead of notable luminaries such as Gail Gunn, Stefan Martin, David Simpson and Sarah Simpson. Adam McElhone was first Badger back at Babbs Mill parkrun while Graham Engley breached the top ten at Chasewater with a riveting ride of 20:13 to grab 9th place overall. Brothers John and Paul Restall also featured alongside Katy Clemons who ran a steady 26:11 to bag 6th lady overall.

Intrepid explorers Richard Hill and Jared Karim were joined by local nobleman Eamon Thawley for their weekly parkrun pilgrimage this week. The adventurous trio took in the delights of Irchester Country parkrun to add to their bulging collection of different courses visited. Nearby Conkers saw a wealth of action as Nicola Stanley looked in fine fettle once more alongside Dug /7 Alex Ladkin, Terry & Alan Argyle, Karen Missen and Dave Bailey. London marathon bound Sarah Vine was also impressing with her speed.

Finally, at Alderford Lake parkrun, Badgers key man and chip-swaying mobile bodywork repairing ace Glyn Broadhurst was rueing his luck as he was once again just one place away from a superb away win, the 43 year old having to settle for second overall in a time of 20:55. His partner Nicki Bowman was grateful to have got round safely in a more modest 38:24 as the club not only reflected on another busy late autumnal week but look forward to the commencement of the much loved cross country season where the men will seek to defend their crown from last season at Holly Hayes on a course that looks set to be muddier than the payroll department over the last three years at Saracens RFC.