Week Ending - 2020/11/08
RETURN OF THE MAC – ADAM LEADS FROM THE FRONT
The Badgers Super League 2020 reached the halfway stage last week and most of the 100 or so people involved tackled a polarising one-mile race. An iconic distance in the world of athletics, yet one seldom raced by many road runners, certainly within Badgers, the recent LRRL Lockdown League gave members a chance to showcase their mile skills and many relished the chance to go eyeballs out for five to ten minutes.
It was veteran pace ace Adam McElhone who emerged victorious overall with a captain’s performance as he helped haul his side Peaky Grinders out of the murky depths of the lower reaches of the eight-team league. His time of 6:52 was not the quickest overall but relative to his handicap, it was the best performance of the week and enabled his team to take maximum points as they climb their way towards mid table security. This means that Gavin Crockwell’s injury plagued Team Sky Blue occupy the basement, but they have had at least one shining star in the shape of Charlene Dunn. Her run of 7:06 was fifth best overall and the third fastest absolute time (female), a tremendous effort from her as she continues to improve following the birth of her daughter Gracie during the summer. Fellow new mum Sarah Jane Chetwynd is another hitting some great form right now as she was the top female in the event and third overall with another impressive run.
Chris Davies has been running 5K a day since January 1st this year and he managed to add in an extra mile, his run was second only to race winner McElhone, proving that his hard work over 2020 has paid off with markedly increased fitness levels. His team-mate Becky Harris produced the quickest time of all the ladies with a superb 6:35 and alongside the indestructible Cheryl Dewis who ran 6:50, the duo both eclipsed the current club record set in Tewkesbury by Rachael Warren in 7:01 four years ago.
The fastest man overall was the in-form Aaron Chetwynd. Once again, he stormed home before anyone else, this time in a superb time of 4:50, two seconds inside the men’s club record and perhaps even more impressive given he was effectively time-trialling rather than running shoulder to shoulder in genuine race conditions. The quality displays did not end here however as vital cog Glyn Broadhurst, another of the speedy Dave Jackson’s pedigree stable, continued his recent heroics with a time of 4:57, only the fourth Badger to break five minutes for the distance. With it he also became just the fourth member of the club to achieve a wava rating in excess of 80% with a fantastic 81.74%. Chris Horton managed 5:04 to give him a rating of 80.47%, the key men showing the way like the classy vintage machines that they are. Dave McGowan and Dave Jackson also produced some real speed, the upshot of which meant that league leaders Cool Runnings, led by the dependable Hannah Craig, continued their stay at the top of the table, now with a nine point cushion over the chasing pack.
In the bid for individual honours, Hannah Merry moved to the top of the charts with yet another consistent display. This week sees runners attempt the 10K distance which might well favour those blessed with endurance over speed. As ever time will tell but as last week’s winner Ashley Taylor remarked “One thing is for sure, it should be fascinating to see how it all unfolds one way or another. Probably.” Other runners to have done particularly well included Cameron Barnes, Dave Bailey and the legendary Martyn Barrett.
Away from the league, Liz Peel clocked up yet another marathon, this time in the November Nightmare event near Coalport, Shropshire. She returned in a time of 5:10:38 in a field of 17 hardy souls to put herself on 86 in total to date.
Badgers World Cup Winner and club glamour girl, Clare Whetton, selflessly stepped aside from an active part in the Super League in order to give others a chance. The big hearted hair stylist hasn’t stopped running altogether though as along with Karen Draper, Leesa Dennis and Vicky Cawley, they all took part in an 11K remembrance run on Sunday, fuelling the idea for more of the same on Remembrance Day itself on the 11th. Sarah Vine and Kerry Clover did a similar thing in Polesworth to show their gratitude and respect for those who fell protecting our freedom.