BENNETT BREAKS CLUB RECORD AND SNATCHES SECOND PLACE AT STAVERTON 10 MILE RACE

Badgers flier Ryan Bennett reaped the rewards of his recent improved training schedule with a superb display at the Staverton 10-mile race near Gloucester at the weekend. On a flat and fast course, hopes were high of a quick time but strong winds looked to scupper the athlete’s hopes of a PB. However, with less than 400 metres to go, the 27-year-old found himself lying in third place and summoning all of his remaining strength, was bravely able to outsprint rival Robert Farley to take second position by just two seconds in a thrilling finale. His finish time was a remarkable 56:54, enough to earn him a new PB and club record for the distance. Bennett wasn’t the only Badger in action as the lightly raced Damo Taylor featured prominently too, coming home in a superb fifth spot with a PB of 58:01. It would be easy to overlook the significance of this run after Bennett’s heroics, yet Taylor’s time was itself eleven seconds inside Danny Warren’s old club best and the hinderance of the wind cannot be underestimated. Key man Glyn Broadhurst took three minutes off his PB in 63:38 as he continues to improve even into his 40’s while Holly Matts 88:07 and Andy Smith (same time) both recorded PB’s to make a clean sweep from all five club participants.

At the Big Bear Gayo 10K event, the Steed of Speed Gavin Crockwell finished in 55:03, two seconds behind team mate Yvonne Faulkner while later in the week at the Gayton 10K run, Faulkner was back in action clocking 58:18 behind club stalwart Eamon Thawley who ran an impressive 55:10.

The rest of the action revolved around parkrun where David Bailey marked the 100^th parkrun of his career at Kingsbury Water Park, which saw a host of excellent performances, notably from one of the club’s youngest members, Evie Whitehead, who helped herself to a remarkable new PB of 27:11 despite the underfoot conditions being far from conducive to a quick time. This meant she came 20^th female overall which was a terrific effort given the 537 runners in action on the day! Chris Horton led the way back for the club, taking his 16^th first place finish at the water park in 17:28, almost a minute clear of second, with Sam Starkey also making the podium with his gutsy 18:34 in third. Matt Jackson rolled in next in 9^th position (20:03) with veteran team-mate Matt Green (20:08) making it an incredible four Badgers in the top ten. With a dry course, these two runners can almost certainly look forward to sub-20-minute times. Dug Ladkin ran well in 21:13, with Graham Engley, Cameron Barnes and Darryl Johnson also featuring. Rachael Shelton missed out on the ladies’ crown by just one place finishing a superb second overall in 23:31. Sharon Jackson was 8^th female in 25:33 with Leesa Dennis, Yvonne Feasey and Vikki Smith (PB) also going well. Other runners included Paul Restall, Keir Hardy, Teresa Satchell, Peter Black and Helen Smith. PB machine Lisa Barnes did it again, her tenth PB in 13 outings, this time in 31:02 while the comeback king Dan Welch returned to action once again in 35:46.

Elsewhere, Chris Baxter produced the quickest time of the weekend as he ran a classy 17:11 to finish 4^th at the fast and furious Long Eaton parkrun. Coventry saw Rich Hill and Anne-Marie Matthews take to the paths while Stuart Walton was the sole Badger at Rosliston. Eamon Thawley was first Badger back at Brueton park in 24:51 while Jonathan Davies turned out at Worcester and Dawn Cross at the Gladstone parkrun in London. Nicola Orton ran a PB at Walsall Arboretum with Colin Lees (21:30) and Ian Orton (21:40) both going strongly. The Fire Service parkrun attracted Glyn Broadhurst and Nicki Bowman who both ran steady times while the Argyle brothers Terry and Alan both attended the Dishley event.

Bedworth parkrun saw some quick efforts, notably from one of the clubs best and most consistent performers in the last five years, Esther Holyoak, as she finished 4^th female and first Badger back in 22:37. Husband Carl continues his comeback running 22:51 alongside Stefan Martin with Gail Gunn, Dave Buck, Matt Bradford, Lesley Palmer, Jane Walford and Claire Bradford all getting round safely. At nearby Conkers in south Derbyshire, Adie Kirkham led the way in 23:47 with Chris Upton clocking 24:28 and Adam McElhone 25:58. Eileen McElhone was first female Badger back following through soon afterwards. Last and certainly by no means least, John Hanson has been cashing in on his new-found form by attempting new course bests around the Midlands. This Saturday saw the veteran of 261 parkrun events return to Perry Hall in Birmingham and his stunning time of 21:30 was not only good enough for him to succeed in his ambitions but elevated him once again to a top ten finish, 9^th place for the V55 star on the day, a truly exceptional effort. His devoted wife Mandy was there too, clocking 33:01 as she continues with her latest round of marathon training.