More than 200 hardy souls including a Black Country football legend lined up for a gruelling four-mile cross-country event near Wolverhampton.
Former Wolves and Baggies striker Don Goodman fired the starting pistol for the fifth Badger Bite charity race at Badger, between Pattingham and Burnhill Green. And the popular ex-player delighted the 216 competitors by donning his shorts and taking on the course himself.
Wolves & Bilston runner David Evans set the early pace and established a clear lead which he did not relinquish. Almost a minute ahead at the halfway mark, he stormed to victory in 21 minutes 25 seconds – just five seconds adrift of the course record. Dudley Kingswinford’s Ian Mansell just pipped John Sanders of Telford Athletic Club to second spot, the pair coming home in 23 minutes six seconds and 23 minutes 13 seconds respectively. Last year’s winner and course record holder Dave Manbridge fell with a mile to go while lying fourth.
The first woman to cross the line, in 19th place overall, was Telford Athletic Club’s Denise Sanders in a time of 27 minutes dead. Dudley Kingswinford’s Helen Tromans and Catherine Liver completed the top three.
In the veterans categories Dudley Kingswinford runner Kevin Duckworth was top dog in the mens V40, Alan McDonald was first to finish in the V50 and Andy Parker triumphed in the V60.
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