Week Ending - 2019/04/21

KAY FLYING HIGH AT BOURNEMOUTH PARKRUN

Badgers ace Kay Whitehead was in excellent form as she continues her comeback in 2019. The former marathon runner sped round the Bournemouth parkrun on the south coast in a rapid 23:47 as she builds on her great start to the year. With over 700 participants, the popular nurse had her work cut out but fought determinedly to finish high up the field. Her daughter Evie was hot on her heels as she got round in a very respectable 27:11. Also on their travels over the Easter period was John Hanson who made the trip to Millom parkrun in Cumbria. The veteran of over 250 events posted his highest placed finish to date with a superb 5th place thanks to his time of 23:59 on the challenging course. Ian Orton was in action at the South Manchester parkrun clocking 22:39 while Rachael Shelton finished fifth lady at Clermont Waterfront in Florida, USA, her time 23:04. Michael Bailey was running at Burnham and Highbridge managing an impressive 23:59 and Dave Jenkinson earned himself a long overdue PB with his 22:46. At sunny Fareham, Nivette Chester narrowly missed out on top spot, having to settle for second female in 22:10, husband Richard faithfully trundling home behind in 26:50.

The rest of the parkrun action was concentrated more locally. At Bedworth, Anna Dawe was in red-hot form as she stormed to a PB of 27:46, with Charlotte Phillips and top local brickie Bob Dawe also in attendance. Lesley Palmer flew the flag at Markeaton and Mr Parkrun himself Richard Hill was back where it all began for him at Brueton Park. Seasoned campaigner Alan Argyle was the sole Badger at Conkers this week while Adam McElhone was first Badger back at Perry Hall in a relatively modest 29:38. At Sutton Park, Debbie Wilson was first back for the club in 33:25 with Holly Matts and Andy Smith crossing the line another 25 minutes later in 58:24.

Kingsbury Water Park saw a staggering turnout from the club with Danny Warren beating Adi Payne in a straight shoot out in 18:18 to bag 8th place. Key man Glyn Broadhurst is back on the Carling after his recent marathon heroics and he rolled in soon afterwards with a course best 18:21 to also make the top ten. The pacy Sam Starkey sped through next in 19:43 and Graham Engley impressing with a rapid 20:06. Cameron Barnes, for one, was able to run a PB, this time in 20:20 with former men’s captain Carl Holyoak rolling back the years in a brisk 20:21. Matt Green followed through alongside Bill Gutheridge and the born-again Lee Millership hitting another PB of 22:16. Matt Jackson, Paul Grubb, Gavin Crockwell and John Restall flew home with the power-packed Monika Lampart taking the spoils as first lady Badger back in 23:34. Lil Souter ran a PB in 24:21 while Sharon Jackson, Tim Gould, Darryl Johnson and Stuart Batchelor all went well. Other runners included Rachael Warren, Paul Restall, Sam Klucis, Amy Wakelin, Becky Kinson, Esther Holyoak, Lisa Barnes, Paul Cooper, Terry Argyle and Dave Bailey. Mark Robinson clocked 32:57 with Teresa Satchell bagging a time of 33:01. Paul Wallace, Wayne Repton, Helen Smith, Nicki Bowman, Vicki Fowler and Gill Holmes all got back safely despite the early morning heat.

Away from the cut and thrust of the Saturday morning 5K’s, four Badgers showed up at the annual Chasewater Egg 10K with Chris Baxter putting in an Egg-cellent performance to take 2nd place. He almost cracked 35 minutes, finally crossing the line well clear of third in a quality 35:05. Eamon Thawley battled the searing heat to finish in 55:55 with club stalwart Richard Hill running a resolute 57:05, six seconds ahead of Lil Souter who is doing particularly well in her debut season. At the Cakeathon lapped event in Northampton, Jo Hardy recorded her longest run to date managing three laps (15 miles) while Jo Davies and veteran Yvonne Faulkner also performed well.