Week Ending - 2021/03/21

BRAVE BADGERS GIVING IT PLENTY IN THE VIRTUAL ASHBY 20

The 2021 version of the Ashby 20 was held in a virtual format at the weekend, with runners plotting their own routes in order to avoid a mass gathering of people and crowds. Badgers very often have a strong level of participation in this race, the post-race hoodie of a hitherto unknown colour proving a very popular addition to the runner’s post-race goody bag, and this year was no different as dozens entered on line to take on the iconic 20 mile race.

The first Badger back was veteran ace Bill Gutheridge who returned in a time of 2:50:05, a minute and a half in front of V50 star Tim Gould who has battled his way back to fitness. Bill’s time was all the more impressive given that he attempted the race twice. Unhappy with his first attempt, the following day he went back out to go faster, a mission he most certainly accomplished. Solid operator Wayne Repton ran an unofficial personal best time in 2:54:30 and Dave Jenkinson went well in 2:56. Carl Savage clocked 2:57:45 to become just the sixth runner from the club to break three hours as his friend Harvey Allen ran alongside him to record the same time.

First female back was Grendon based veteran Serena Baker. Supermarket chain Aldi have generously sponsored this event many times over the years but there were no special favours granted here for one of their star employees, as Baker grafted her way to a time of 3:11:18, pipping brave team mate Karen Thompson in a sprint finish by just 13 seconds. Hannah Craig was next home in an impressive 3:16:35 with fellow V40 star Mike Wyant clocking 3:19:05, another excellent effort. Sharon Jackson, brave to a fault, accompanied by the super strong Emma Masser stormed home in 3:27:00 and the hardworking Vikki Smith sneaked in fractionally under three and a half hours, a great reward following some consistent training. Ladies skipper Lil Souter was close behind in 3:31:47 with multi-time age group club record holder Alan Argyle, a stalwart of many a local long distance run, managing 3:43:22. The much improved Karen Draper finished two minutes later, which is something you would never have expected to hear twelve months ago, full credit to Karen for her sterling achievements this year.

The hits just kept on coming as Christine Morris chalked up a time of 3:50:24, a brave effort for the v60 runner. Glamourous Clare Whetton’s race day did not go as hoped but to her immense credit, the bubbly salon owner got her head down and managed a hard fought 3:56 on the Sunday. Averil Caton ran a marathon in 2020 and not one to put her feet up, dipped under four hours for the event here in another solid show.

The knowledgeable Paul Cooper bravely battled his way back after suffering some light headedness three hours in. The Nuneaton based star, who runs for Badgers and Northbrook RC, clocked 4:49:15, just ahead of Fiona Reidy, newcomer Pete Mann and the inspirational Gail Gunn who slowed down in support of ailing colleagues. Brave Vicky Jennings completed her race in 5:03:26 and the gutsy Anne-Marie Matthews dug deep to make it back in 5:55.