Week Ending - 2023/11/12

BADGERS READY THEMSELVES FOR UPCOMING CROSS-COUNTRY DOUBLE

Badgers have back-to-back cross-country league events beginning next weekend, so activity was a little more limited this week, although there were still plenty of noteworthy achievements. At Tamworth parkrun, Dave Hill (16:48) became the second Badger to win in only the third event held at the Castle Grounds. Megan Griffiths was fourth female in a superb new personal best time of 22:11, a sub-22 time almost now guaranteed on a quicker course, while there were other good performances from Aaron Chetwynd (19:12), Mark Repton and Mark Coggan (both sub-20) not to mention Bill Gutheridge, Neil Thorne, Wayne Repton, Adrian Parkes, Alice Belcher, Lee Talbot, Jamie Lawrence, Rick Reilly (28:37 – PB), Kieran Coopey (28:50 – PB) and Judy Parkes. Other runners included the likes of Maggi Savin-Baden, John & Anne Devenney, Susan Bradley, Sara Hawkins and Vicki Brunsdon. 

Paul Grubb is enjoying a new lease of life in his late forties. One of the best dart players in Badgers history, the likeable Warton landlord and quizmaster reached the giddy heights of sixth place overall with an epic run at Market Bosworth parkrun, in testing conditions. His time of 23:20 was 38 seconds ahead of teammate Colin Lees who also landed a spot in the top ten. Adrian Payne took second place chivalrously at Kingsbury Water Park with Jill Miller finishing third lady in 25:09. 

There was no stopping Liberty Underhill who romped home at Babbs Mill in 21:13, blowing the others away to take the win in fine fashion. Dave Jackson almost made it a Badgers double only to be pipped into second place, his time of 19:56, like Underhill’s on the same course, was not to be sniffed at. 

Clare Whetton ran well at Sandwell Valley where she appeared alongside fellow tourists Leesa Dennis, Merv Jones, Janet Crumpton, Paul Restall and Karen Draper. Holly and Andy Smith featured at Hanley parkrun in Stoke with Jim Cottom putting in a tidy run at Sutton Park (21:48) ahead of Rachael Browne. David Grant (Conkers), Sharon Jackson (Pontefract) and Adam McElhone (Babbs Mill) were all in action. Jo Hardy, Joanne Crow and Kerry Clover ran at Watermead Park where Alaistair Watson gave a running masterclass. Pete Mann, Fiona Reidy and Gail Gunn travelled to Dallas Burston Polo Club with Sam & Laura Starkey going well at Stratford on Avon along with Kate Rathbone, Janey Barrett and Matt Green. 

Holly Smith chalked up the 50th half marathon of her career alongside husband Andy at the Telford-based Unicorn Half, a torrid affair taking a smidgeon under three hours to complete. Dave Purvis ran a PB at the Alton Towers 10K with his time of 48:24 and Eamon Thawley battled on bravely through the pain barrier to finish the KickAss 10K at Weston Park in 1:02:00.