Week Ending - 2020/11/01

ASHLEY IS TOP DOGG IN SUPER LEAGUE 5 MILER

The Badgers Super League welcomed a five mile challenge this week and once again it brought out the very best from a huge number of runners, proving that the initiative is one of the best things to have happened in the absence of formalised training. Ironically, training was scheduled to start back again on Tuesday in adherence with the Covid-19 guidelines, however, it is likely that this may have to put on hold as an ongoing arrangement until the latest set of lockdown restrictions are eased.

The league is set to continue and Taylor, who has endured a tough time of late, powered home in 36:35, the best time relative to handicap across some 90 runners. The Warton Wonder, known locally as T-Dogg, has battled back to form after a freak neck break two years ago and his win here is rich reward for his tenacity in recovering after so long out. Mick Bailey was a close second as he too put in a sensational display of running, covering five miles at an even quicker pace than his brisk 5K the week before. Kerry Clover was top lady as she ran a PB time of 41:32, really benefitting under the coaching of team captain David Jackson. She wasn’t the only runner in Jackson’s team to impress as Aaron Chetwynd flew to a time of 27:41, the fastest absolute time of all and not just a PB for the Baddesley man but a time one second inside Ryan Bennett’s impressive club record set in Huncote 2019. Graham Engley also ran well leading Jackson to comment “We spoke during the week about how we wanted to maximise our opportunities in the five miler and while collectively, we still sit mid table, we have a lot of take-aways to go and work on and focus on many of the positives ahead of the one mile distance next week.” Before adding “We’re not getting carried away and we are taking each race as it comes. Youth.” In an uncharacteristically banal, yet thankfully printable rent-a-sports-quote fashion.

Early pace setters Cool Runnings, led by Hannah Craig, had their lead cut at the top of the table despite some excellent showings from Dave Buck (42:32 – PB) and Dave Jenkinson. The brilliant baking boffin that is Maggi Savin-Baden produced a superb run of her own as she along with former ladies captain, SJ Chetwynd, returning after the birth of her second child, weighed in with monumental efforts. There were personal best times for Jason Clover (37:37), men’s skipper Simon Currier (37:11) as well as Mark Cox (31:24) yet another runner from the phenomenal Jackson stable.

PB queen Karen Draper had another great race and Nicola Stanley showed again why she is one to watch right now as she sped home in 43:43, a best ever time for her over the distance. Vicki Smith (49:40) and Dave Grant (33:40) also bagged PB’s in their runs and captain Rob Boland led from the front as he strode majestically to a PB of his own as did his team mate Averil Williams. Joanne Hardy entered this tournament in excellent form and she was rewarded here with a PB of 43:20.

The top team on the week was Stephanie White’s outfit who to a person produced a great display of consistent hard running. Vicki Jennings and Vicki London were both prominent as was the reliable Judy Parkes. Overseas stars Justin Haywood and Angela Stallings clocked good runs as did the returning Anne-Marie Matthews. Nicki Bowman’s team were a close second, boosted by some star turns from Dave McGowan, Vicki Smith and Merv Jones.

This week sees the iconic yet challenging one mile distance being tackled. Wind watching could play its part here as the back end of Storm Aiden may assist runners heading in the right direction. One thing is for certain, those that are able to give 100% will have the best chance of being successful, both individually and for their team.

Away from the Super League, Robert Boland, running under one of his numerous alter egos Roland Bulgington, took on the Coventry Half marathon from home and clocked a very healthy 97:50, confirming his status as one of the most momentum gathering finishers in club history.