Week Ending - 2018/09/02

BADGERS of the WEEK

Together - 21/08/18

David Craig, Jenna Shaw, Debbie Wilson

Danny Warren - BADGERS Running Club

DANNY WARREN WINS THE 2018 BADGERS ATHERSTONE 10K

It was the fifth and biggest TNT BADGERS Atherstone 10K yet on Sunday and for the first time in the sell-out event’s short history, a home club winner was crowned as Danny Warren celebrated his birthday week in fitting style with a classy run to take the glory. As the club continues to grow, it was perhaps not altogether surprising to see four of the top five all donning home club colours as BADGERS made it a real day to remember despite heavy rain in the latter part of the race.

The conditions were totally out of kilter from the hot summer experienced so far and while runners would have been grateful for the cooler temperatures, full credit must go to the numerous volunteers, support teams and watching public as the good people of Atherstone and beyond turned out in their droves to get behind this excellent annual event when the alternative of staying at home in the warm and dry would have been quite appealing.

Regarded as one of the toughest 10K’s on the circuit, all 700 places sold out well before the start. It was BADGERS star Chris Horton who led the field out of town and through into the Merevale Estate. By now, there was a lead group of just four runners and it was on the notorious second climb on Merevale Road when Warren hit the front to assert his authority on the race. Pushing on through Twenty One Oaks, the 32 year old established a commanding lead over his BADGERS team mates Horton and Aaron Chetwynd as well as the speedy Jamie Paterson from the Leicester based Squirrels outfit. The descent back into town served only for Warren to extend his lead and the race was now on for who would finish in second place. The final stretch of the race took in a supporter lined Long Street in the town centre and watchers including Danny’s biggest fan, his mum Maggie were able to watch as BADGERS claimed their first ever winner in the race, his time a magnificent 35:32. Jamie Paterson was able to pull clear of Aaron Chetwynd in the final kilometre as he finished twenty seconds back in 35:52 with the BADGERS man third in 36:10. For the second year in succession, Chris Horton missed the podium by just one place but his course best of 36:31 enabled him to pick up the coveted V40 award for the third time in the race. Neil Russell had the wherewithal to outkick his rivals in the second lead group to take fifth place in a superb 37:17, meaning that BADGERS held four of the top five finish positions.

In the ladies event, Nuneaton Harriers star Eleanor Fowler continued her dominance of the event taking her 4th consecutive win in a course PB of her own 39:21, the only time she has failed to triumph was when she finished 2nd in 2014, a tremendous individual record. She was a resounding winner yet again as second place was South Derbyshire ace Ellie Evans in (42:36) with Katherine Smith from Pershore Plum Plodders in third running 43:15.

BADGERS perhaps unsurprisingly took the team award while 3M, led by BADGERS own Adi Payne successfully defended their Garner Canning Corporate Shield prize for the fastest works team in the race. Other winners included Tom Corby (U20) in 37:22, Oliver Flippance (U17) 38:44, Richard Dixon (V50) 39:05, Nuneaton Harriers legend Garry Payne (V60) in a quite phenomenal 39:22 and Andrew Jeyes from Ivanhoe Runners (V70) in 46:19. Ladies winners saw South Derbyshire’s Tracy Glover take the V40 prize in 48:07 and Jo Johnson bag the V50 award in 45:26. Sally Jeyes from Ivanhoe ran 56:35 in the V60 category with Brenda Tarbuck the quickest V70 in 81:08. BADGERS’ Izzie Bradford won the U17 prize in 84:55 and Daventry Road Runners were the best represented club.

Other BADGERS results included Adi Payne 11th in 38:51, Jonathan Vardy in 40:01, David McGowan (40:52), Mark Cox (41:23), Keir Hardy (41:40), Matt Green (44:00), Cameron Barnes (45:56 – PB), the rapidly improving Bob Dawe (46:21 – PB), Colin Lees (46:38), David Earp (47:11), Ian Orton (47:29 – PB), Dave Jenkinson (47:24), Gavin Crockwell (48:18), Rob Crow (49:51), David Craig (50:44), Pete Coogan (51:31), Dave Jarvis (52:51) and Leon Millership (53:02).

Simon Currier produced the goods yet again in 53:46 with veteran ace Eamon Thawley running a fine 54:38 and Paul Bruce a quality 54:17. Adam McElhone clocked 55:14 with fellow vets Richard Hill (55:25) in his 100th race for the club, Paul Restall (56:02), David Bailey (59:42 – PB), brothers Terry and Alan Argyle (both 63:44) and top football selector Barrie Davies in his first race managing a very respectable 76:40 all got round as did Paul Cooper (75:07) and Jacob Brotherhood (94:28).

In the ladies side of the draw, it was pocket rocket Monika Lampart who led the way for the club, sixth overall in an impressive 45:30 with the up and coming Rachael Shelton finishing 10th female with a PB of 48:04. Rachel Crump showed real guts to get home in 51:26 while Emma Masser strode across the line in a fine 51:39 (PB). Globe-trotting Abbie Liddle turned out a little closer to home to run a very respectable 51:25 with the pretty princess of pace Karen Thompson just behind in 51:50. Serena Baker fought hard for her time of 52:28 while Lorna Jackson showed just why she is one to watch in 2018 recording a mesmeric 53:28. Emma Vardy (53:46) pipped fellow intellectual Liz Peel (53:48) to the line before Sharon Jackson (55:53), Yvonne Faulkner (56:46), Anna Dawe (56:51 – PB), Leesa Dennis (57:45 – PB), Charlotte Phillips (58:31), Charlotte Oliver (58:57), Jo Hardy (59:22) and PB machine Sam Klucis (60:41 – PB) all finished well.

Jo Davies is battling back from injury but still managed 64:35 with newlywed Rachael Warren finishing some thirty minutes behind her fast finishing husband in 65:19 alongside long-serving Becce Clarke (same time). Dawn Cross ran superbly in 64:56 with Pauline Morris (66:28), Gail Gunn (same time), Nicola Stanley (67:31 – PB) who only began running this year, Tracy Piper (72:21 – PB), Anne-Marie Dittman (75:12), Anne Devenney (75:20), Sasha Wickham (75:25) and Leanne Farrington-Deeley (76:00) all conquering the tough 10K course. Mandy Hanson (76:44), Clare Thomas (76:55), Karen Draper (80:07), Eileen McElhone (82:42) and Sheena Khan (84:29) all ran as did Clare Whetton, complete in BADGER outfit escorted all the way round by mum Michelle Carter and friend Vicky Cawley.

In other events, Monika Lampart secured a hard fought second place at the Complete Warrior OCR event and Simon Gilbert managed 14th spot in the Coalville Triathlon. There was plenty of parkrun action too with BADGERS featuring at no fewer than 10 different events. At Sutton Park, club stalwart and founder of Kingsbury parkrun Richard Hill ran his 250th event, the first club member to achieve the feat which is even more impressive given how many times he has also volunteered too. Danny Warren was first BADGER back in 4th place (18:14) with the inspirational Matt Tonks (9th) breaking 20 minutes for the first time since the reoccurrence of the calf injury that has plagued him over the last 12 months. Jared Karim, David Craig, Ashley Taylor, Judy Parkes and Sue Wilson all ran as did Pete Wells, Karen Missen and Serena Baker. Rapid Rachael Shelton was first lady BADGER home and third overall in a great time of 24:39. Popular club chairperson Karen Thompson, Emily Karim, Sharron Fisher and Adrian Payne all made sure the esteemed Hill was well supported while the BADGERS version of the Ingebrigtsen brothers, Alan and Terry Argyle, also ensured there was a well deserved celebration of running on Saturday morning.

On the road, Holly Matts and Claire Bradford ran at Brueton Park where it all began for Hill back in 2011. Jonathan Davies turned out at Worcester with former 10 mile club record holder Jason Husselbee-Orwin and his son Luke both doing well at Sheringham in Norfolk. Andy Smith was in action at Longrun Meadow near Taunton and new boy David Dugmore got the gig at Wyre Forest. Richard Hamblett and Charlotte Phillips represented the club at Bedworth with Lesley Palmer giving it a go at Burnham on Sea.

Chris Baxter bagged yet another first place finish at Conkers in 17:16, his 13th success at the south Derbyshire course. Adie Kirkham (22:43) and Katrina Dawson (28:00) also ran. Finally at Kingsbury Water Park, Mark Repton led the club home in a fine 19:52 and with it 7th place. Rob Boland surged home in 20:28 for 11th place with Gavin Crockwell (21:38 - PB) and Tobey Brain (21:48) both impressing all with their levels of improvement over recent weeks. Colin Lees, John Restall, Paul Grubb and Eamon Thawley all gave good accounts with the athletic Clare Whetton being the first lady back for the club with a brisk 25:48 time. Charlene Dunn was hot on her heels in 25:56 with the experienced Liz Peel following through ahead of Dave Buck, John Hanson and the gutsy Mandy Hanson.