Week Ending - 2025/10/19

BADGERS BACK ON THE LEAGUE CAMPAIGN

No sooner had the seven month long road running league come to a conclusion, a week later, the 2025/6 cross country season began with the curtain raiser at Ravenstone. Vests were washed, in the majority of cases, and back on torsos while speedy road shoes were stored away in favour more rugged trail shoes. 

The ladies team made a super start to the season with all four of their scorers making the top 30. Youngster Liberty Underhill led the way with a swift showing earning her a marvelous seventh place overall, closely followed by skipper Megan Griffiths who made a career high 11th. In-form Susie Stringer caried on where she left off on the road with a rapid run to make 19th and crucially tick the box of a veteran finisher, not that it mattered ultimately as fourth scorer Rachael Browne produced another vintage run from a vintage athlete with her 30th place effort. 

There was plenty of capable back up in the form of Jane Barrett who made the top 50. Iconic icon Cheryl Dewis produced a peach of a run ahead of the experienced Stephanie White. Hannah Burgess, Sara Wilson, Sharon Jackson and Erica Bassford all made the top 100 as did the most capped Badger lady of them all Joanne Crow. Megan Church made a welcome return to action while Stevie Lea King made her XC debut alongside the more experienced Sara Hawkins.

The men needed eight to score including two veterans, but they too need not have worried about fulfilling that particular criteria as a ruck of old stagers padded out the points for the team in black and white (brown trim). Danny Warren led the way with a fantastic fourth place finish, the soon-to-be V40 star is in tip top shape as the team go into this six race campaign. Ryan Preece and Adrian Payne were neck and neck for the line in 14th and 15th respectively, Preece’s superior cranium size ultimately determining the outcome on a photo finish. New captain Glyn Broadhurst, former owner of the best man-bun in Badgers history, let loose his long locks to romp home in 37th spot. Cameron Barnes impressed ahead of Chris Tweed with Jim Cottom and Matt Green both running strongly to make up the scoring eight, all well inside the top 100. 

Behind this sterling octet came a slew of seven veterans and four young pups. Debutant Ellis Cahill made a promising start to his Badgers career with a top effort behind vice captain and cake-supplier supreme Dave Jenkinson. Four vets followed in quick succession, each feeling distinctly older than when they started – Michael Garratt, Mark Reynolds, Wayne Fraser and Colin Lees all battling hard. Next it was the turn of youth, as Young by name, young by nature Chris Young, upped the ante with a sparkling show of grit and determination. Marc Corbett ran one of his final races as a forty-something with whippersnappers Rhys Hopwood and Joe Jenkinson both crossing the line ahead of the most experienced cross-country Badger of them all, Eamon Thawley. The road-averse trail-loving Grendon man notched up his 58th consecutive XC appearance for the club, a hugely impressive feat. 

Elsewhere, David Craig was in action in Croatia, specifically in the Porec 70.3 Ironman competition. Veteran Craig completed the course in a creditable 6 hours 48 minutes, an improvement over his previous Ironman attempt back in 2013. Hopping onto his bike after an arduous swim, the 57-year-old made light work of the 55 mile ride before transitioning ahead of his half marathon finale. The first eight miles went well but the final five were a rare old slog, but credit where it is due, the one-time unsung hero of Badgers got the job done in fine style. 

In the Napton 10K Paul Grubb ran a particularly impressive race to finish in 48:51, capping a good weekend after his football team, West Brom, took maximum points the day before. Vicky Brunsdon ran a half marathon PB with her 2:30:47 at Rugby, beating her previous best set in 2016. 

There were plenty of parkrun participants plying their trade. There were top ten finishes for Suzy Farrell, Adrian Payne, Rachael Browne, Hannah Burgess, Mark Repton, Glyn Broadhurst and Rachel Crump. Dave Jackson was the fastest Badger of all with his 19:06 second place at Kingsbury. Megan Griffiths took top spot thanks to her 23:21 at The Plens.