Week Ending - 2023/09/24

RACHAEL RACES TO 250 PARKRUN MILESTONE 

Speedy Badgers ace Rachael Browne notched up a magnificent milestone at the weekend, completing her 250th parkrun, back where it all began for her at Kingsbury Water Park. She weighed in with her fastest time of the year too with a brisk 25:22 and becomes only the second Badger lady ever to reach the 250 mark, after Sharon Jackson who is currently just ahead with 252 appearances. The Tamworth-based star holds the rare distinction of having occupied every single position in the top 10 at various parkruns at some point over the course of her career to date. Her very first parkrun was over eight years ago at the same location in a rather more modest time of 29:35. Fast forward to 2023 and she now boasts a PB of 22:19 as well as an impressive 50 volunteer credits, not to mention a whole host of new friends and acquaintances forged through the event. This was her 180th time out at Kingsbury where Megan Griffiths made the top ten in 25:17 as well as a resurgent Dave Jackson, knocking on the door of the sub-20 club once again in 7th place with his close friend, confidante and mentor, Ashley Taylor, a spot back in 8th. 

Browne was also back in action the following day along with several other stars of the club at the Stafford 10K, crossing the line in a super time of 51:14. Jim Cottom was first back in a pacy 44:46 with Wayne Repton next through in 45:58. Megan Griffiths helped herself to a big new personal best time of 46:20 showing just how far she has come in a relatively short time while Rick Reilly also earned himself a personal best in 69:35, a tremendous turnaround from a man who a little over a year ago was fighting for his very existence after contracting a near-fatal bout of sepsis. His battling spirit stood him in good stead once again as his 10K times continue to fall month after month. 

There were personal bests aplenty at the Nottingham Robin Hood half marathon too, in-form Suzy Farrell in 1:42:02, the first of a trio of Badgers all scoring bests. The improving Chris Young (1:45:55) and the athletic Beth Woodward (1:46:57) all performing superbly while veterans Stefan Martin (1:37:12) and Colin Lees (1:42:20) put in solid shows themselves. Also in half marathon action was Cameron Barnes running Warrington in 1:32:41 and Averil Caton (2:19:10) who ran with Gemma Spencer (2:54:33) at Tissington. 

Parkrun saw a plethora of great runs from a number of Badgers. At Oaklands parkrun, Mark Repton took the overall win in 18:28, his first for some time. Hannah Mayes finished second female in a massive new personal best time of 23:09 as she continues to improve at real speed. Wayne Repton’s 10th place saw a pair of Badger brothers broach the top ten at the same event for the first time ever. Adrian Payne and Mark Cox took 3rd and 4th respectively at Beacon Hill parkrun, both going well under 20 minutes on the Leicestershire trails there. 

Other highlights included Leon Millership running 24:37 at Babbs Mill, Luke Bennett’s 22:17 at Bedworth alongside Danni Gunn who finished in the top ten ladies that morning also. Jill Miller was 8th female at the inaugural Sence Valley parkrun running 26:24 while Suzy Farrell clocked a creditable 23:05 to finish 5th at the tricky Rosliston course. Olivia Currier made her Badgers debut at Dolgellau parkrun in Wales, hitting the giddy heights of the top 30 under the esteemed tutelage of her marathon running super-mum Ann-Marie Currier.