AARON CAPS MAGNIFICENT YEAR AT BADGERS AWARDS EVENING

Badgers held their annual presentation evening at Grendon WMC on Saturday to recognise some exceptional individual and team performances over the course of the 2017/8 season. The Badgers men’s side took top spot in the Leicestershire Road Running League in their first season in the top division, completing a stupendous rise to prominence in such a short space of time. The league was secured on a thrilling last race shoot out at the John Fraser 10 race in Countesthorpe. In 2014, Jason Husselbee-Orwin was the club’s sole representative at this long-standing league fixture and just four years later, over 50 Badgers were in attendance as the Atherstone based club swept to victory in the most dramatic of fashions. A key player in the league winning campaign was 31-year-old Aaron Chetwynd who enjoyed a stellar year, setting personal bests for fun and demolishing the club 5K record. In the year he became a dad to his son Finn, his running has gone from strength to strength and was deservedly voted 2018 Badger of the Year, Runners Badger and most improved male runner, capping a magnificent twelve months for the Baddesley man. In addition, he finished fifth senior runner in the county where he was honoured alongside Chris Horton who was third fastest veteran, at the LRRL presentation ceremony at Grace Road, home of Leicestershire cricket.

Cheryl Dewis won most improved female as well as the outstanding cross-country runner after a superb year which saw Esther Holyoak, Nicki Bowman and Dewis dominate the ladies division despite all being key members of the vet’s side that took third place in the LRRL. The men’s vets team also picked up third place in the league as did the club’s mixed team and the Badgers men’s B team also stormed to victory in their division. Ryan Bennett picked up the Captains award for outstanding performance at cross country (men’s).

Helena Rean and Colin Lees won awards for their outstanding road league campaigns – other winners are listed below.

BADGER of the Year - Aaron Chetwynd

Most Committed BADGER - Danny Warren

Most Improved Male - Aaron Chetwynd

Most Improved Female - Cheryl Dewis

Runners BADGER of the Year - Aaron Chetwynd

Newcomer BADGER - Norman Cook

Run Leader of the Year - Mark Williams

BADGERS Role Model - Alan Argyle

Junior BADGER of the Year - Emma Thawley

Mile Master - Damo Taylor

Mile Mistress - Karen Thompson

Spirit of the BADGER - Alan Argyle

Beginner BADGER of the Year - Paul Cooper

Parkrunner of the Year - Richard Hill

Supporter of the Year - Ted Franklin

Best Legs - Martyn Barrett

Chatterbox BADGER - Clare Whetton

Humorous BADGER - Rachel Crump

Chairpersons Special Recognition Award - Judy Parkes & Alan Argyle

There was still a smattering of race action over the week, most notably at the Midland Counties Cross Country Relays at Sutton Park. Lottie Farmer, Charlene Dunn and Emma Vardy finished 44^th in the senior ladies while Paul Bruce, Stefan Martin, Gavin Crockwell and Dave Jenkinson took 17^th in the veteran men category. Damo Taylor, Danny Warren, Neil Russell and Captain Charisma Adi Payne finished 20^th in the senior men event but the stars of the weekend were Badgers veteran ladies which saw league stalwarts Esther Holyoak (26:57) and Cheryl Dewis (27:24) put in terrific runs, augmented by a gutsy display from club coach Nivette Chester (28:01) to claim a fantastic 8^th place against clubs from all over the Midlands.

Chris Baxter finished a superb 5^th place in the Derby Midweek 5K thanks to his time of 17:05 while at the Seven Pools 10K trail run, Jon Vardy bagged a top ten finish with a great run of 41:57. John Hanson rolled back the years in 56:20, with Eamon Thawley (58:49) and Paul Restall (60:01) also going well. For the ladies it was Emma Vardy who was first back in a respectable 55:50 closely followed by the improving Charlene Dunn (58:58).

As usual, parkrun saw plenty of Badgers in action most notably at Kingsbury Water Park where Chris Horton was second once again, this time to an assisted runner in 18:03. Neil Clemons (19:35) – 7^th place and Mark Repton (20:03) – 10^th both made the top ten with Tim Gould picking up the pace in 20:45. Tobey Brain went well in 21:27 while Colin Lees celebrated his 100^th parkrun by clocking 21:31 for the 5K. Cameron Barnes, David Craig, the resurgent John Hanson, John Restall and Gavin Crockwell all ran while Rachael Shelton finished 9^th lady in 24:45. Becky Kinson is well and truly on the comeback trail thanks to her impressive 26:59 and Paul Restall, Leesa Dennis and Gail Gunn all performed. Paul Grubb notched up his 150^th appearance at parkrun as he makes the top ten most capped Badgers of all time. Other runners included David Bailey, Mandy Restall (29:57 – PB), Nicola Stanley, Alan Argyle, Amanda Gould, Leanne Baker, Tracy Piper, Lisa Barnes, Sam Klucis, Yvonne Feasey, Lesley Palmer, Terry Argyle, Mandy Hanson and Judith Haley.

Elsewhere, Richard Hamblett led the way at Bedworth followed by Anna Savin-Baden, Pam Bridgwood, Karen Draper and Zoe Cope. Teresa Buck ran 47:57 with David Buck alongside. Ann-Marie Matthews ran 38:59 at Coventry while the up and coming Dean Bowd achieved a time of 23:59 at Brueton Park. Parkrunner of the Year Richard Hill ran the Valentines parkrun near Ilford in 25:14 while Jon Davies successfully negotiated Worcester and Graham Engley went well at Walsall running 20:32. Darryl Johnson and Karen Missen both flew the flag at Conkers while last but not least, Nicki Bowman was 7^th female at Markeaton parkrun in 23:57 and key-man Glyn Broadhurst 5^th male in 18:59 as the club head into their opening cross country league fixture next week, with the men’s team hoping to defend their title.