Week Ending - 2025/07/13

EPIC EFFORTS FROM VET LADIES TRIO

The renowned Chilterns based 100K ultra marathon, Race To The Stones, was the event taken on by the intrepid trio of Karen Thompson, Serena Baker and Liz Peel at the weekend. Staged to incorporate Britain’s oldest road, the Ridgeway, the race follows the same route over high ground used by herdsmen and travellers since prehistoric times. With a marathon total of more than 225 between them, the self-styled Dolls of Durability had the toughest possible conditions with thirty degree heat over the course of the hottest weekend of the year. Competitors were given two full days to complete the 62 mile trek, which the industrious trio managed in around 24 hours. Joined by former Badger Olivia Stacey, now based in the USA, they emerged at base camp around 9am on Sunday morning, exhausted but elated. Peel raised some charity funds along the way and managed a whopping 84K of the route before succumbing to excessive wear and tear, still a magnificent effort by any measure.

They were not the only Badgers in action on a scorcher of a weekend. Ryan Preece enjoyed possibly the most comprehensive win of all time, in the Maverick Sprint Route in Shropshire, taking first place in 28:56, some thirteen and a half minutes ahead of second place! Anne-Marie Matthews made her 300th parkrun appearance with her run at the Fire Service College and there were top ten finishes for Hannah Burgess at Linford Wood (8th) and Yvonne Faulkner-Grant (a career best 2nd) at Vermuylen Way near Scunthorpe.

Glyn Broadhurst had to settle for second place by just one second at Puolarmaari parkrun in Finland where Megan Griffiths was second lady. Youngster Lily Wilson made the top ten at Bedworth in 27:20 while Matt Green took third place and Jane Barrett a brilliant second lady at Darndale parkrun in Dublin, seventh overall. Mia Cox at Beacon Hill, Mark Repton at Tamworth and the quartet of Dave Jackson, Chris Tweed, Rachael Browne and Sara Wilson (all at Kingsbury) also managed the top ten.

In midweek races, David Grant continued his super season with a PB in the Rugby 6 with his time of 41:16. The Windmill Fell Race in Leicestershire saw a big Badger turnout with Danny Warren leading the way with a quality 34:16 for fourth position. Adi Payne was close behind in 6th with Mark Cox going well in 8th. Chris Tweed and Cameron Barnes both made the top thirty while Jimmy Dewis, Stefan Martin and Chris Young performed well in midfield. Colin Lees and Suzy Farrell completed their second of three midweek events each and gutsy Megan Church also ran well in just over the hour mark.

The Worthington 6 saw a handful of Badgers giving it their all along the Cloud Trail on Tuesday night. Wayne Fraser ran a super PB of 42:15 and Maggi Savin-Baden managed to scoop an age category win with her battling run of 58:46. Colin Lees (44:18) and Suzy Farrell (50:17) both went well on a humid evening with Andy & Holly Smith both finishing well in a shade over the hour.

Lees and Farrell also starred in the pacy Tara Kinder Memorial 10K at Elvaston Castle, Derby, again with effort heavy runs on a hot and sweaty three lapper. Lees managed 49:04 and Farrell 53:48. Paul Grubb was one of the Badgers stars doing his bit in fancy dress at the Office Abbott Run, helping raise money in the fight against cancer.