Week Ending - 2022/01/02

PB GLEE FOR TEE

Parkrun provided the lion’s share of Badger activity at the start of 2022, and it was a wonderful show of speed from the animalistic Ashley “T-Dogg” Taylor who stole the show at Coventry parkrun with a magnificent personal best attempt at the 5K distance in his 172^nd go at the distance. Badgers key man and legendary chip swayer Glyn Broadhurst selflessly helped to pace the self-proclaimed “Wonder of Warton” to glory. Finishing in 20:10 and just inside the top twenty, Broadhurst was able to shout encouragement to his younger teammate as he crossed the line in under 21 minutes for the very first time. Months of hard training over the last few months have no doubt helped Taylor reach this PB of 20:19 and there is hope of more to follow if his excellent form continues. Persistent Taylor, wearing a combination of shorts and club vest for the occasion, has patiently bided his time in recent years to become the undisputed fastest athlete in his village, albeit helped by GB star Ellis Cross heading off to university while the family moved to Ashby.

In other parkruns, Chris Horton led a throng of Badgers home in a slippy and slidy Kingsbury Water Park. However, he was unable to add to his record twenty-four victories, being comprehensively beaten off by British Army man Daniel Titcomb. Both men were two minutes off their course bests, giving you an idea as to just how uncompromising the conditions were on the day, making Martin Graham’s achievement further down the field all the more remarkable. The Transplant Sport athlete who also runs for Badgers ran a personal best time of 23:30 to make the top twenty men on the day, a sterling effort. Mark Repton ran 20:53 in sixth place, with Matt Green (22:53) going well in 14^th. David Craig, Wayne Repton, Tim Gould, Neil Thorne and Matt Smith all ran as did Sharon Jackson who was first Badger female home in 29:45. Jill Miller, Amanda Gould, Stephanie Attenborough and Steve Perry all took part.

There was a good turnout at Conkers with Leon Millership leading the way. The Wood End ace and Baggies fan clocked a respectable 24:54 on another course holding plenty of water from an inclement few days prior. Paul Wallace, Glen Thomas, Paul Grubb, Vicki Smith and Terry Argyle also starred. Paul Cooper, Teresa Satchell and Sarah O’Donovan all got round without incident.

Men’s captain Carl Savage made the top ten at Edgbaston Reservoir with his brisk run of 20:23. David Grant (22:37) and Yvonne Faulkner (28:57) both featuring. Mick Bailey was an impressive 12^th overall at Oaklands parkrun in 23:24 while Adrian Parkes ran a spirited 25:03 at the tricky Rosliston circuit. Elsewhere, Lee Talbot (Cannock Chase) Holly and Andy Smith (Graves, Sheffield) and Anne-Marie Matthews (Queen Elizabeth) all appeared leaving Babbs Mill as the only other place with Badger representation.

It was yet again the in-form Colin Lees who led the way, the Atherstone Town season ticket holder careering along to finish in a superb 6^th place overall in 21:51. Ian Orton (24:40) and Rob Crow (24:53) were next back while Pip Weston finished in a magnificent 26:52 to take 6^th spot overall in the female side of things and Clare Whetton showing her pace nine seconds later to secure a super 7^th place. Merv Jones and Leesa Dennis were both in action as were the Restall brothers John and Paul, Adam & Eileen McElhone, Nicola Orton and Jo Hardy as were Lisa & Cameron Barnes, Vicky Cawley and Karen Draper.