Week Ending - 2024/02/11

GLEE FOR GEE AND A PB FOR LEE T

It was a parkrun-only weekend at Badgers this week ahead of their crucial and penultimate cross-country league race next week, but there was no shortage of top performances from a host of big Badger names. While many in the club will be hitting the trails in a week’s time, Glyn Broadhurst has already been hitting the comeback trail with a vengeance and on Saturday, he made the trip to the tricky South Manchester parkrun, a venue where no Badger has ever won previously in over 600 meetings. However, the veteran chip-swayer made history by storming to a stunning first-place finish in 18:15 and with it a wava rating just shy of 80%.

Lee Talbot rattled off a magnificent new personal best as he romped home in a time of 22:15 at the Riverfront event near Newport, a terrific effort from the veteran run-leader. There was more personal success for Dave Hill who bagged the quickest time of the weekend running 16:50 to take first place at Oaklands, a full minute clear of the rest of the field. Danny Warren also claimed top spot at a muddy Market Bosworth, taking the win in a superb 18:45. Colin Lees was also in action a little further back. 

At Beacon Hill, Ivana Babicova was first Badger back while at Beacon (not the hill but Beacon Park in Lichfield), the Restall brothers duked it out for bragging rights in their family. Dave Purvis put in a good show at Edgbaston Reservoir with old stagers Nivette Chester and Eamon Thawley flying the flag at Conkers parkrun. 

Over in Braunstone, Janet Crumpton lead the way with Eileen McElhone and Leesa Dennis in hot pursuit. Jo Hardy ran at Northampton with Paul Cooper just down the road as the sole representative at Northampton University. David Grant and Yvonne Faulkner-Grant were both in action at Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester with fellow husband and wife duo Sam and Laura Starkey both running well at Forest Rec, Laura even reaching the giddy heights of 5th placed female. 

Furthest flung Badger was the indefatigable professor of pace Maggi Savin-Baden who scored an age category win in Blenheim, New Zealand with her time of 28:24. Lisa Barnes ran at Bedworth with Sharon Jackson taking 4th place at a damp Perry Hall. 

In the Republic of Ireland, Holly and Andy Smith attempted the Bere Island parkrun, which is quirky enough in that you need ferry access to reach the start point. They made the most of their opportunity too with Andy (4th) and Holly (8th) achieving their highest-ever finishes in a parkrun event, and they have done one or two believe me. 

Victoria Park in Leicester saw a good turnout with Pete Mann leading way ahead of Fiona Reidy, Ross Kilburn, Juliette Trolllope, Claire Bradford, Sara Hawkins, Kate Rathbone and Vicky Brunsdon. Babbs Mill saw the likes of David Craig, Adam McElhone, Adi Payne, Jane Barrett, Matt Green and Alice Belcher all tearing it up. Last but not least, there was a speed trio at the rapid Walsall Arborectum three lapper, Mark Repton heading the group home with a top class 18:43. Dave Jackson went sub-20 yet again with his brisk 19:30 and Wayne Repton rounded up the action in 24:07.