Week Ending - 2024/07/07

BADGERS AT THE DOUBLE

There was plenty of terrific running at parkrun over the weekend which saw not just one case of a Badger being first in both male and female categories at the same event, but two – a double double if you like! With parkrun UK controversially deciding to remove many of the statistics surrounding the event these days, it is hard to say whether this is the first time it has happened at Badgers but one thing’s for sure, it certainly isn’t something that happens regularly, let that be known. 

Firstly, at Brixworth in Northamptonshire, Glyn Broadhurst and ladies captain Megan Griffiths each took first places in 19:03 and 23:01 respectively, the latter coming 12th overall irrespective of gender. Griffiths has been part of a Badgers double on three occasions at Kingsbury Water Park which is the home parkrun for the club and where the second double of the weekend occurred. For the men, Chris Horton sped to the 34th first-place finish of his Water Park career, eclipsing Canicross legend Elaine Sherwin’s record as the winning-most runner of all time. His 17:56 time was his first win this year. He, for one, was followed over the line by new recruit Sara Wilson who clocked a handy 23:21 in an impressive display. The pace-packed duo were part of a wider group on hand to celebrate the achievements of Paul Grubb and Kate Rathbone who each reached milestone marks of 250 and 50 parkruns raced respectively, another Badgers double! Grubb was fifth Badger back in a relatively comfortable (for him at least) 27:00. A late starter to running, he debuted over ten years ago and has since taken over 12 minutes off his 5K best, culminating in a PB last year of 22:08 at the age of 46! Rathbone is another late starter in the world of running and her getting to 50 appearances in double quick time is certainly not to be sniffed at. 

Other runners included a resurgent Dave Jackson in third overall, with a hard-fought time of 19:15. Like a dog in heat, the muscular RNLI enthusiast powered his way home with splits of 6:05, 6:13 and 6:23 before finishing with a mild sprint at 5:12 pace and with it second in his age category. Dave Jenkinson was in good form too in 24:07 with Mick Bailey, Eamon Thawley (on his 10 year parkrun anniversary), Jill Miller, Sharon Jackson and Liz Peel all going well. 

In addition, there were good runs from the likes of Paul Restall, Alice Belcher and Danni Gunn, while Ivana Babicova, Sara Hawkins, Claire Bradford, Vicki Brunsdon and Juliette Trollope were all on hand to ensure a great Badger turnout for the celebrants. 

Elsewhere, Maggi and Anna Savin-Baden made a pilgrimage to Bushy where parkrun began, Charlene McGowan ran a fine 26:40 at Leamington Spa with Holly and Andy Smith each running 31:19 at Hampstead Heath. Merv Jones was in action at Lydiard parkrun and the legendary Alan Argyle turned out at Conkers again, one of the most popular Badgers of all time. 

In addition, Zoe Yeatman notched up yet another location on her parkrun CV by running at Stonehouse, Jim Cottom made the top ten at Perry Hall with his rapid 22:16. Yvonne Faulkner-Grant finished 6th lady at Ludlow with hubby David five minutes upfield, Gail Gunn ran 34:33 at Bedworth and Adam McElhone 24:47 at his beloved Babbs Mill. 

Suzy Farrell made the top ten at Chasewater with her brisk 24:58 whereas Colin Lees was running solidly in 23:45. Matt Green (21:07) and Jane Barrett (25:09) both hit the heights of the top ten at East Park, Wolverhampton in 4th and 9th respectively and Mark Cox had to settle for second at Market Bosworth behind regular winner Joe Edge, in 19:48.

It was very much a case of Edgbaston Reservoir or bust as they say as five keen Badger tourists enjoyed their morning out, lakeside so to speak. Nicki Bowman, Clare Whetton, Karen Draper, Janet Crumpton and Eileen McElhone flew the flag fabulously and finally, at Tamworth Castle Grounds, Mark Repton in 8th place led home a sextet of Badgers including brother Wayne, Adrian Parkes, Paul Cooper, Chris Tweed and Joanne Crow. 

New signing Esther Parr ran the only non-parkrun race of the weekend, finishing the Sherwood Pines half marathon in a time of 2:45:23.