Week Ending - 2024/03/17

PAYNE GETS COX AT LONG LAST

Two twenty-mile events saw the bulk of the Badger action at the weekend with the ever-popular Devon-based multi-terrain Grizzly race taking place on the same day as the Aldi Ashby 20. Both races are often used by runners looking to target a spring marathon and a number of club hopefuls certainly fulfilled that criteria. 

At Seaton in Devon, it was club stalwart Adrian Payne who led the club home in a fabulous time of 2:56:09, even pipping his teammate Mark Cox who finished in 2:59:33. Cox, 39, is widely regarded to be the finest ultra runner in the club and for Payne, 39, to have turned the tables for once on his good friend indicates that he is well and truly in tip-top marathon shape, if only he had bothered to enter one, like Manchester for example, where he set his PB of 2:54 two years ago. 

The next runner home in the top 100 men was Chris Tweed, currently deep into a huge marathon block. His 3:18:11 was another quality show from an athlete who just keeps improving. Dave Jenkinson followed soon after in 3:37:57, the V50 club record holder for the marathon loves this event and was in his element up the hills and along the shingle beaches. Stefan Martin, Jimmy Dewis, Colin Lees and Carl Savage all put in solid runs with Cameron Barnes also making a good attempt. Suzy Farrell was the first female home in 4:43:56 and veterans Peter Mann, Rob Crow, Paul Grubb in his ninth Grizzly, and Eamon Thawley all completed the arduous task in front of them. Joanne Crow and Paul Cooper also travelled down to run in the 10-mile Grizzly Cub event, coming back in 2:09.

At Ashby, it was rising star Luke Neal who led the way for the club, the Aldi man manager clocking an impressive 2:18:20. The Warton Whippet, Ashley “T-Dogg” Taylor was next through in a brisk 2:37:20 with veteran aces Matt Green and Wayne Repton both travelling well ahead of their upcoming marathons. Chris Young ran his longest race to date and just dipped under three hours in a great morning for him. Amber Nickless was the first female back in a superb 3:18:37 with Jill Miller close behind in 3:30:28 and the experienced Paul Restall, due back at London this year for the marathon, rounding up the day with a gutsy effort of his own. 

Vicky Brunsdon ran a 10K personal best at Fradley in 69:03 with fellow Badger Bill Gutheridge going strongly in 44 minutes. Dave Purvis clocked 1:56:40 at Stafford for the half marathon as the sole Badger representative.

At parkrun, Dave Hill continued to add to his ever-growing list of venues where he has won by taking the spoils at Brueton Park in a swift 16:31. Sam Starkey finished 8th at Market Harborough in 20:31 and Ryan Preece showed a glimpse of his old form with a teasingly quick 16:48 to bag fourth at a fast Walsall, the venue where Megan Griffiths finished second lady overall in a PB time of 21:33, a serious case of the runs. In-form Glyn Broadhurst produced the standout performance of the morning, his time of 17:27 not only equalled Dave Jackson’s very best time at the age of 48 but earned him a wava rating of 82.52%, one of the highest in club history. Danny Warren was first at Kingsbury where Matt Green, Rachael Browne and Jill Miller were all in the top ten. 

Mark Cox took first place at Sharpham Estate parkrun, the first-ever success for any Badger at that venue. His winning time of 19:22 gave him win number two of his steady parkrun career. Stephanie White was fourth at Market Bosworth and new signings Eric and Eleanor Fowler both made a great impression at Tamworth Castle as Eric finished ninth in 19:55 and Eleanor was first female in a rapid 21:34.