Week Ending - 2019/05/05

BADGERS OUT IN FORCE AT LIVINGSTONE RELAYS

Badgers made their first bona-fide appearance at the popular Livingstone Relays event in Leicester at the weekend, fielding several teams in both men’s and ladies’ competitions. The senior ladies side consisting of the speedy Charlene Dunn, Emma Vardy and multi club record holder Monika Lampart ran particularly well as they finished a superb 14^th place in the overall standings. The B side of ladies’ vice-captain Ann-Marie Currier and Lil Souter were boosted by the return of Emma Masser just one week after her London Marathon heroics and they completed the competition in a respectable 26^th. The veteran ladies enjoyed a third-place finish in their category thanks to club stalwart Esther Holyoak getting her trio of women off to a flying start. In form Nivette Chester ran a brisk leg before handing over to the rapid Cheryl Dewis who ran her heart out to enable her side to take the highest finish of any Badgers team on the day. Pip Weston, Mandi Stain and Sharon Jackson made up the veteran ladies B team and rolled home in a creditable 14^th position.

The Badgers men were also present, Jon Vardy leading his team of Graham Engley, youngster Matt Jackson and heavy legged marathon star Dave McGowan to a 16^th place ranking. The B team of Rob Boland, Chris Upton, Simon Currier and Justin Haywood weren’t far behind in 27^th spot while the experienced veteran’s side of Jimmy Dewis, Gavin Crockwell, Ian Jackson and the in-form John Hanson gave an excellent account of themselves to wind up a fine 18^th in the overall category standings.

Simon Gilbert was out in force at the St Illtyds 50K ultra marathon, running 6:15 for 48^th spot, a big improvement on his performance in the same event last year. Gavin Crockwell bossed the Badger show at the Milton Keynes half marathon on Monday with his time of 1:55:57, an excellent showing from the irrepressible Sky-Blues loving veteran. At the Red Kite Challenge half marathon, Holly Matts and Andy Smith trudged home wearily after a demanding day.

There were plenty of Badger parkrunners out in force with Danny Warren giving everyone else the slip as he stormed to a comprehensive first place over the new summer course at Kingsbury Water Park. The silver haired speed-smith clocked 17:29 to take victory, over a minute clear of second place. Neil Clemons and Sam Starkey both made the top ten with their times of 19:11 (PB) and 19:12 respectively. Cameron Barnes is getting quicker all the time as he raced to an impressive 20:23. Other runners included Matt Green, David Craig, Keir Hardy, Matt Jackson and John Hanson. Rob Crow battled hard to earn a new PB of 21:49 over the distance while Matt Heap (24:16), Michael Bailey (23:27) and David Dugmore (27:25) all scored new bests.

Once again, Rachael Shelton was first back for the ladies and in the top ten overall in 23:58. Sharon Jackson went well in 24:56 while Gavin Crockwell, Adam McElhone, Paul Restall, John Restall and Fiona Meldrum all got round safely. Mark Robinson ran 29:23 ahead of Monika Lampart, no doubt saving herself for the upcoming Livingstone Relays. Karen Missen, Lisa Barnes, Wayne Repton, Yvonne Faulkner, John Dulson, Esther Holyoak, Dave Bailey, Teresa Satchell, Liz Peel, Mandy Hanson and Tracy Piper all featured as did Eileen McElhone, Paul Wallace, birthday girl Karen Draper, Lucy McElhone and Helen Jenkinson.

Chris Baxter was the quickest on the day, his 16:28 was a course best for him at Conkers but it could only earn him second spot. Chris Upton, Paul Grubb and Katrina Dawson also ran. At Bedworth, Glyn Broadhurst ran 19:39 to finish fourth, the Badgers key-man steadfastly refusing all interviews post-race once again. Colin Lees was back in form at the Miners Welfare Park and the inspirational Karen Thompson powered home as first Badger lady back in the sett. Jenna Davies, Serena Baker, Gail Gunn and Mark Cox all ran as indeed did Anne-Marie Matthews, Ann-Marie Currier and Bernie Bowman.

Elsewhere, Lesley Palmer travelled to Lanhydrock in Cornwall, Richard Hill was in action at Conwy, north Wales and Stuart Walton flew the flag at pretty Rosliston. Charlotte Phillips ran Leamington while Holly Matts and Andy Smith rounded up the action at Henley Wood near Oswestry.