Week Ending - 2025/11/08

BIG SALUTE TO BADGERS ON MAVERICK WEEKEND

On this Special Remembrance Weekend, when the country stood silent to honour all who fell in conflict, a group of Badgers made the Journey to Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, home to one of the many Maverick Runs staged around the country. The Club have had many athletes, past and present, run these events over the last few years, and are very popular amongst the club, boasting many winners of these past and present, let it be known. This event was held at the wonderfully picturesque Stonor Park, where the course takes in some of the most beautiful countryside the area has to offer. In the Short race of just over 7km, we had our very own Adrian Payne finish in 2nd place in 30:20. The Badgers talisman has had another solid campaign, and was only a minute off winning overall here. In the Medium distance of 12km, we had five of the club take part. Ellis Cahill is a recent recruit and he ran very well here in 76:23. David Craig was next in over the line in 82:03, and Chris Young was next back in 86:57. Jill Miller battled well in the run to grab a superb time of 89:26. Joe Jenkinson completed the Middle Distance roster with 1:43:04. In the Half Marathon distance we had Ryan Preece first back in 5th Place with a commanding time of 1:35:26, showing a strong sign of things to come in the winter for the Badgers man. Another trail specialist, Mark Cox was the next man home in 1:44:59. Second in his Age Category here as well in a field of over 400. Luke Neal was next over the line for the club in the top 30 with a time of 1:50:26. Dave Jenkinson ran superbly once again in 2:02:01. Erica Bassford was here running, and she ran very bravely in 2:21:39, as did Benji Shaw in 2:28:05. 

Over in Holland at Jagersplas Parkrun, we had our two club captains in action as Glyn Broadhurst won overall in 18:28, and Megan Griffiths finished a superb 4th in 21:23, these results being even more incredible as the duo set Age category records at this event. 

Closer to home at Kingsbury, we had one of our up-and-coming talents, Dan Ash, finish in 8th Place with a time of 21:21, a good indication that the young athlete is getting stronger and stronger the more he runs. Bill Gutheridge ran solidly in 23:08 to edge into the top 20 here. Thomas Ash set a new superb Parkrun PB of 24:07, showing great signs for him also. Paul Wallace was only just behind in 24:14, and Rachael Browne was first lady back for the club in 25:34. David Ash came back next for the club in 32:03. The last two back for the club were Sara Hawkins and Alice Belcher in 37:35 and 37:36 respectively.

Over at Tamworth Castle Grounds Parkrun, we had Mark Repton first back for the club, placing in the top 20 with a time of 19:50. Michael Garrett was next home with a new course best time of 23:24. Neil Rose came back next in 24:06, and Wayne Repton was next through in 24:50. Leon Millership came in next for the club in 26:05. Paul Restall celebrated being on top just like Birmingham City by running 30:13. Anna Savin-Baden ran a superb PB of 30:53 to complete the round up here. Finally, at Walsall Arboretum Parkrun, we had Nicky Bassford, a new recruit to the team, run a stunning 28:36 for a new PB. A sign of good times to come, and another addition to the ever-powerful progression of the ladies' team.