Week Ending - 2025/10/25

BADGERS IN THE ZONE AT RAVENSTONE

On a rather blustery Sunday, when Storm Boelo wreaked havoc with many races across the land, Badgers faced their first test of the Cross Country Season over at Coalville. The Course takes in a swift downhill start with a mixture of paths and woodland; the conditions, albeit being free from rain, were extremely windy. The races, as always, are separate for the Men's & Ladies in the Derby Runner League. Experienced cross-country specialist Danny Warren came back first for the club on the podium in 3rd place; the legendary Badgers star has been in fine form, and his preparation coming into this opener was showcased by his displays here. A quality time of 32:16 on a very up-and-down course was the perfect start on what looks like another strong season for him this winter. Next back was Club Captain Glyn Broadhurst who ran well enough to earn a place in the top 30 with 35:40, Adrian Payne was next home for the club earning a top 40 place in 36:35, whilst Mark Cox started his winter season off with the club in solid time of 39:38. Ellis Cahill is relatively new to the team and it was good to see him begin his cross country season off with a fantastic opener of 40:58. Dave Jenkinson was next home for the men in 41:06, the inspirational run leader has had a very succesful season thus far on the road, and is looking to continue that fine form onto the country. It was a celebratory milestone for young talent Dan Ash as he competed in his first Cross Country for the club on Sunday, not only running a stunning time of 42:10, but also scoring his first points for the Men's team on his debut race. Celebrations continued on the day as our next athlete back, Matt Green, made his 75th appearance for the club by running 42:59. Michael Garrett arrived back next for the club, and Mark Reynolds was shortly after, celebrating a milestone of his own by making his 25th team Appearance here. Despite making an unfortunate funnel faux pas, Mark Brown made his cross-country debut for the club, running a solid race. Martin Graham and Marc Corbett were next home for the club in 49:20 & 49:28, respectively. Dave Ash was our last man home to complete a good first outing of the 2026 season. 

Over to the Ladies, where Megan Griffiths was first back in 20th Place in 41:41, a good commanding race by the PB Chasing Club Captain who is looking to continue her strong road season into the winter here. The tenacious Emma Masser was next home for the ladies on her course debut at Ravenstone, earning her a top 30 placing. An even more super result after only recently coming back from a storming PB at Chester Marathon two weeks ago. Erica Bassford is another lady who has PB'd across many distances this season, and she ran solidly here to grab a top 50 position and run seven minutes faster than last year's attempt in 47:06. Lucy Marchi was back running with the club and she ran very well to come in the top 60 of the race, whilst Janey Barrett hit a milestone with the club, hitting her 50th club career appearance. The fun and ever popular Sharon Jackson was next back, and Krystal Knight made her debut in the mud for the club, running a solid first race in 55:55. The next race now is Bagworth Heath, where the club will look to carry on their good vein of form from the first one here. 

Over at Parkrun, we had action aplenty. At Holme Pierrepont, we had another V40 club record scooped up by Megan Griffiths, as she ran 20:04 to improve her PB by over a minute set in 2024, also earning her first lady back on the day. Glyn Broadhurst also ran on pacing duties in 20:02. Vicki Brunsdon was next in 32:18, whilst Megan's mum Jayne Griffiths ran solidly in 33:28. 

Over at Green Park Parkrun in Berkshire, Janey Barrett set a new PB 10 years in the making, by running 23:18, earning her a top 50 placing. Matt Green paced her expertly by running 23:19 himself. 

Closer to home at Kingsbury, we had fourteen Badgers in action. Michael Garrett was first back for the club in a magnificent time of 24:31 to come 14th. Running virtually together were David Craig & Adrian Payne, who ran 24:32 & 24:33 respectively. Leon Millership was next home in 26:09, and not far behind was Dan Ash & Stefan Martin in 27:07 & 27:13. Jill Miller ran well in 27:24, whilst another one of our young contingent Thomas Ash ran 27:40. Liz Peel made the top 100 by running 32:00 & David Ash and Grace Barsby ran 32:33 & 32:38. Megan Church & Krystal Knight were our final Badgers back in 33:23 & 33:24. Seven Badgers made the short trip to Tamworth, expreienced marathon man Mark Repton was first back in 21:44 finishing in the top 20. Bill Gutheridge continued his good vein of form by running 22:18, and it was a PB for Paul Wallace as he ran 24:15. Wayne Repton came through next in 24:42, whilst Chris Young was in next in 25:56. Maggi Savin-Baden ran 31:29, pacing her daughter Anna Savin-Baden, earning herself a PB in 31:30.