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BIG-HEARTED BADGERS DO BATTLE WITH LONDON
On October 2nd, a dozen Badgers will descend upon the capital aiming to take on the epic London marathon. The televised 26.2-mile run is something on most runners’ bucket lists and each year a handful of lucky individuals from the club get the chance to be part of this iconic race. Many are running the event for charity and collectively, Badgers have eight big hearted souls aiming to raise in excess of £17,000 for their individual good causes.
Karen Draper is running for the Royal British Legion. The Mancetter mum would likely have laughed out loud if you told her five years ago that she’d be running a marathon, but such has been her determination and commitment over recent seasons that she has lost no end of weight and gained the same in fitness and as a result is already regularly completing double-digit runs in her training. Years ago, her father Kevin served in the armed forces, so this is a charity with strong personal connections, especially as she has kept the family tradition up by working at the Ministry of Defence.
Men’s captain Carl Savage has been on an incredible journey to get to where he is now in his running career. Again, a significant weight loss has seen his fitness levels soar and this year he was able to run a sub-90-minute half marathon, an achievement beyond his wildest dreams many years ago. He is raising funds for Spinal Research which is a charity almost all the Badger family can warm to, and he is hoping for a time below 3:15.
Crossing the finish line will be an extra special moment for mother and daughter Maggi and Anna Savin-Baden as they will have worked tirelessly raising cash for domestic violence victim charity, Refuge, while Anna is doing her bit for Alzheimer’s Society as Maggi’s mum (Anna’s grandmother) battles dementia. It will be the realisation of a goal held since the University graduate turned 13 many years ago and there will be nobody prouder than her mum who will be right alongside her to see her achieve.
Juliette Trollope is a relative newcomer to the club, which celebrated it’s 11th birthday recently. She will be tackling her first ever marathon in memory of her husband Simon, who passed away last year from bowel cancer. She has already surpassed her fundraising target with at least six weeks to go, which is a superb effort by any measure. The chosen charity is the very worthy Bowel Research UK.
Ivana Babicova has earned a place in the race thanks to her efforts in gaining sponsorship for her selected charity, Epilepsy Action UK. Ivana’s father Viktor began his running journey around the same time as his daughter but has been beset with obstacles as his epilepsy returned two years ago after over a decade free from seizures. The duo have run 5K, and half marathons together in the past and while Ivana runs this race solo, undoubtedly Viktor will be with her in spirit, cheering her on every step of the way.
Ann-Marie Currier has impressed many at the club with her positive can-do attitude and application in getting herself marathon fit for what will be a huge challenge for her. She is raising money for Headway, the charity that helps people with brain injuries, something Ammy has had first hand experience of as she continues to care for her mother who suffered a brain aneurysm many years ago.
Returning Badger Chelsea Miles is running alongside husband Luke, raising cash for WellChild. The couple are relatively recent parents to two young daughters and fully understand how this charity can improve the lives of those in direct need.
100 Marathon Club member Liz Peel is aiming for one last hurrah, finally getting a place at the London marathon after years of trying. With exactly 100 marathons already to her name, completing the distance should not be overly daunting, although it has been a little while since her last attempt as she focusses on the half marathon distance nowadays. With this depth of experience behind her, it makes fundraising all the more difficult, as everyone would reasonably expect her to do something she has done 100 times before. But Liz loves a challenge and will be raising monies for not one but two good causes, Dyslexia Research and Dementia Adventure, the latter in memory of her much-loved late father Mike.
Terry Argyle is also taking part, the well-liked West Brom fan is doing his bit for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Anyone who would like to sponsor a runner here can do so by using the links to their respective online fundraising pages.
There are more Badgers involved however in addition. Dave Hill and Glyn Broadhurst are both in via their Good for Age abilities. In form Dave is aiming for a personal best, which would be some going given his best is already a very high bar set at 2:42 in Paris earlier this year. Wood End man Glyn has a number of sub three times already to his name and is one of the hardest working runners in the club, probably explaining why his performances are still so strong despite being in his mid-forties. Finally, Andy Smith was fortunate enough to secure a place in the general ballot, an impressive enough feat in itself these days. Wife Caroline will be one of many Badgers who will be wishing him, and all of his team-mates the very best of luck on the big day.
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