WINNERS WINNERS…TURKEY DINNERS!

With seasonal festivities well under way, 3 Badgers runners headed up the M6 to take part in the Wolves and Bilston AC Turkey Trot. Holly Matts was first back for the club over the 5 mile distance, in a new PB time of 43:13. Andy Smith (43:14) followed next, before experienced campaigner Maggi Saven-Baden wrapped up proceedings, as she finished 2^nd lady home in her age category with a time of 45:09.

Husband and wife Sharon and Ian Jackson ventured further afield, as they tackled the Elsecar 5 mile Santa dash in their native Barnsley. Sporting Santa outfits, Sharon completed the course in 44:49, before husband Ian crossed the finish line in an equally impressive 47:00.

Closer to home, another husband and wife duo dressed up for the occasion, as they tackled the Draycote Water Santa dash. Weekend warriors John and Mandy Hanson got into the festive spirit, with John clocking a watch time of 34:45. Wife Mandy braved the cold and windy conditions finishing in 54:00.

Several other Badgers runners also took part, with the focus on enjoyment in what has been a successful year for the North Warwickshire based club.

Also featuring were Eileen and Adam Mcelhone, John and Anne Devenney, Helen Morgan and Sasha Wickham.

The majority of runners featured at Saturday’s home parkrun at Kingsbury Water Park. 25 members ran in what can only be described as artic temperatures. Chris Baxter was again the man everyone was talking about, as not only was he first back for the club, he also finished in 1^st place. Indeed a fantastic year for the Ashby express, as he finished in a quality 17:06. It’s been a really impressive year for the hard working Sam Starkey, and he was rewarded with a 3^rd place position finishing in 18:44. Regular volunteer Matt Green has built momentum and is finishing the year in fine form. He was 3^rd Badger back on the day, finishing in 12^th position with a top time of 20:31. Newcomer Graham Engley pushed hard finishing just 1 second behind his team mate in 20:32.

Young Matt Jackson again finished in the top 20. He demonstrated what a top acquisition he is to the club, as he ran a quality 21:14.

Tim Gould continued his good form (21:31) before the experienced John Hanson sped around like a finely tuned Austin Maestro Vanden plas, to record a superb 21:41.

Leon Millership ran close to a new PB in 23:00, before Rachael Shelton finished 1^st lady home in a hard earned 23:33.

Stephanie White is certainly in great form, as she finished 1^st in her age category. (24:04)

Peter Boardman was another close to a new PB time (24:07) before another relatively newcomer Pip Weston tore up the form book, to also finish 1^st in her age category. (25:07 New PB)

Yvonne Feasey (27:37), Sharon Jackson (28:27), David Bailey (29:16) and Liz Peel (29:44) all ran.

Young Nathan Smith enjoyed a new PB time of 30:10, closely followed by Andy Smith as they crossed the line together.

Lesley Palmer ran 31:14 and was followed soon after by Mandy Hanson, who ran her quickest parkrun in over 3 years. (32:06)

Regular Peter Black again featured (36:26) as did volunteer Amy Wakelin.

The Mcelhone family ran in unison, in what was Adam Mcelhones 50^th parkrun. Wife Eileen and daughter Lucy joined him to celebrate the occasion, as all ran and finished together.

8 runners opted to run at Bedworth parkrun. The returning Mark Cox was first back for the club, finishing 4^th in 20:57. David Guetta lookalike Bob Dawe, left with a course PB finishing in 6^th (21:23) ahead of the consistent Colin Lees (22:59).

Karen “Louie” Thompson had all the appeal of an X Factor judge, as she braved the chill factor to finish 1^st lady back in 24:29. (1^st in age category)

Rebecca “the rocket” Kinson made it look easy, as she incredibly took over 2 minutes off for a course PB. (26:04)

Young Norville Rogers was in hot pursuit (26:05).

Judith Haley (37:51) and Zoe Cope also starred.

More runners featured at Conkers parkrun during a weekend Badger invasion.

Jared Karim had the distinction of being first Badger back in 23:51. Experienced park running colleague and statistician Richard Hill ran 25:54.

Katrina Dawson went strong (28:46) followed by Terry Argyle who is going from strength to strength, as he registered another new PB (28:52)

Alan Argyle (28:56) and first timer Glen Thomas (30:30) also safely navigated the course.

Paul “the mechanic” Cooper arrived equipped with all the right tools, as he also left with a new course PB. (33:31)

Jenna Davies enjoyed her first time in the woods at Rosliston parkrun. (27:51)

Leesa Dennis appeared at Markeaton parkrun. (27:33)

Another husband and wife duo ran Bakewell parkrun. Jimmy Dewis produced a fantastic time of 20:10, but wife Cheryl Dewis stole the show as she celebrated her birthday weekend, leaving with a quality 22:34.

Finally many club members featured in a charity treasure hunt on Sunday. Forever promoting themselves in the wider community, the club continued their quest to raise funds for the Mary Ann Evans hospice.

London Marathon runner Alan Argyle organised the event, which saw members hunt for hidden treasure around several local villages including Witherley and Appleby Parva. A fantastic way to end not only the year, but another successful weekend for the club.