Week Ending - 2023/08/13

MATT'S PROVIDE A GLOSS FINISH

As is becoming the norm, another race another win. Second claim Badger Matt Scarsbrook stormed to victory at the Solihull Half Mararthon in an impressive time of 1:11:16, however, it was another Matt, Matt Green, one of the unsung, unassuming members of the Badger family who continues to show what is achievable if you are prepared to put in the training and commitment. Matt who can be regularly be found at Kingsbury parkrun either running, where he has completed over 200 runs or more often than not volunteering with over 100 volunteer credits to his name. His performance and time 1:34:52 and a PB showed us all what hard work can produce.

Other great performances at Solihull included Neil Russell who made the top twenty and finished 1st V45 in 1:20:37 and Beth Woodward who managed to take over 12mins off her best time in 1:48:56. Dave Purvis 1:58:00 had a steady run using this event as preparation for his latter goal the Great North Run. Badgers were also represented over the 10k distance with Anna Savin-Baden coming home in just over the hour.

Elsewhere Dave Hill continued his blistering form over all distances, this time taking on and conquering all comers at the Cotswold Challenge 24k, 1st place 1:51:43 and perfect preparation for his next big challenge, the Adidas Terrex trails race in Austria, and not to be outdone fellow Badger Ryan Preece stormed to victory at the 12k distance.

parkrun once again provided pb's for the Badger Ladies with Alice Belcher managing 26:03 at Kingsbury and Suzy Farrell travelled up to Isabel trail in Stafford, a fast flat, if at times a little congested, out and back course where she managed to duck under 23:00 for the first time 22:57 and a pb by 50 seconds.