Week Ending - 2021/03/28

BIG BADGERS 5K BLAST OUT

The third round of the West End Runners led 5K Series took place at the weekend with Badgers fielding their biggest team of the tournament so far. The scoring system rewards turn out as much as speed meaning that every runner that participates has a big role to play. Ladies skipper Lil Souter assembled the reins for the challenge and was able to inspire some 49 members out in the shortest weekend of the year given the clocks went forward depriving people of an hour in which to record their time. Over 25% of the club’s membership were out in force as they say for this race, a super showing.

First back and by some margin was the in-form speedster Matt Scarsbrook. The Baddesley man has been a revelation since joining Badgers on a Bosman from the local working men’s club. He blasted his way around his chosen 5K course in double quick time, 17:19 no less a terrific effort. On a windy weekend, it was almost two minutes quicker than the next fastest Badger, the indomitable Dave Jackson who turned himself inside out to produce a PB of 19:10. Key-man Glyn Broadhurst has been clocking the miles up of late and he ran a brisk 19:15 before celebrating with a dozen pints of Carling. New dad Dave McGowan nipped round in 19:33 before Carl Savage emerged in a marvellous 20:07, the fastest he has ever gone over the distance. Savage was deservedly voted most improved male Badger at the 2020 awards ceremony and the scale of his improvement is nothing short of breath-taking, credit to all the hard work he puts in to make it happen.

Harvey Allen is new to the club, but he has made a positive impact so far and he ran a PB of 20:53 and giant-striding dad of two and local pensions advisor extraordinaire, Rob Boland produced a sparkling 20:24. A fistful of veteran stars then followed in, Matt Green leading the way for Bill Gutheridge, David Grant, Chris Horton, Jimmy Dewis and Stefan Martin to pile back en masse. Ashley Taylor clocked 23:23, the Warton Wonder aiming to become the eighth wonder of the world by 2027.

Former club secretary David Craig broke 24 minutes as he finished just ahead of contemporaries Michael Wyant, Lee Millership and Jason Clover while Adrian Parkes, devoted husband of current club secretary Judy, ran an excellent 24:16. Merv Jones ran a determined 25:59 with Chris Davies, Paul Grubb, Richard Boyd and Peter Mann all going well. Andy Smith and Neil Thorne both broke 30 minutes as did the learned Paul Cooper who helped himself to a PB of 28:43.

The ladies had a fair turnout too without managing to outnumber the men. New signing Laura Bingham justified her £4 million price tag by storming home first of all in a swift 23:18, a great effort as she continues her comeback following a bad injury. Cheryl Dewis was next back just seven seconds later, a terrific effort from the industrious athlete, who is perhaps better suited to the longer distances.

The third runner back came as a surprise to many, but not to those who have been tracking her progress in the last 12 months. Veteran ace Janet Crumpton hared home in a PB time of 25:25 proving that you get out what you put in, regardless of age. Jo Hardy was seconds behind her as the fourth female with the stunning hairdresser Clare Whetton putting in a real shift in 25:35. Pinkz salon is something of a breeding ground for local athletic talent as next back was top local chiropodist Leesa Dennis, another who plies her trade from the Long Street premises synonymous with social Badger activity.

Pound for pound, Pip Weston is one of the most impressive Badgers in the club in terms of absolute performance and she was next back ahead of the massively improved Karen Draper who clocked 27:03, a time far beyond her capabilities this time last year. The steady Judy Parkes led home a raft of teammates including captain Souter, Emma Masser, Kerry Clover, Fiona Reidy and newcomer Caroline Smith. Holly McClay just managed to duck under 30 minutes with teammate Katrina Dawson missing out by a solitary second in a brave attempt. Gail Gunn ran well with former ladies vice-captain and steady banter merchant Ann-Marie Currier rolling back the years in fine style ahead of yet another hairstylist, this time Icon’s Vicky Cawley. Anne-Marie Matthews got around safely in 39:07 with Steph Attenborough rounding up proceedings in a time of 41:18.