Race dedicated to founder raises £2,000 for Scouts
Summer, smiles and tears filled the air as a South Staffordshire running race dedicated its 10th anniversary event to one of its founders.
More than 100 runners from teens to late 60s pounded the leafy lanes in the 10th annual Brewood Woggle 10k, raising around £2,000 for the 2nd Brewood Scouts.
Co-race director Beccy Jones-Reading, 57, has organised the event since it started in 2013 with Brian ‘Bod’ Atkins, the late John Nightingale and the Brewood Scout Fundraisers.
‘Bod’ suffered a mini stroke earlier this year which was followed by another similar event more recently.
The former marathon organiser is currently in New Cross Hospital and has stepped away from the role.
He was given a round of applause by the runners before the start of the race.
“I wanted to dedicate the race to Bod because he helped continue it with me after the COVID-19 pandemic when another organiser, John Nightingale, passed away,” said Beccy.
“We were getting ready for this year’s race but decided that as we had done 10 years of the event that it was time for us hand it over.
“Then unfortunately I got a call from his son to say his dad had had a stroke so he would be unable to help any more.
“Without Bod and John the event would not be what it is now.
“We had 50 runners in 2013 so it’s more than doubled in size, despite falling on the same day as the Stafford 10k.
“Bod and John taught me everything about setting a race up safely.
“A big thank you to all the lovely runners and your positive comments – I actually had tears in my eyes.”
The event will remain connected to Bod’s family as his son Mark Atkins was at the start and marshalled.
Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletic Club’s Luke Maskew won the 6.22-mile race in a time of 34 minutes, 22 seconds.
Speedy Luke, 37, finished more than two minutes ahead of second-placed Richard Wortley (36.33), who also won the male 45-49 years category.
Remarkably, Luke completed his first Brewood Woggle just two hours after running 10k in 35.30, as part of his training for the New York Marathon, where he is hoping to run sub two and a half hours.
And he was keeping it in the family after his cousin Danny Maskew won last year’s race –14 seconds slower.
“Don’t worry, I’ve already told him about that!” said Luke. “I was trying to get him to defend his crown but he wasn’t keen.”
Luke added: “It’s a really testing course, very friendly, and it really helped having a lead car – it gave me something to chase and I felt like a professional.
“I’ve messaged people at our club because more runners should run it.”
Third spot went to Matt Pilkington, who clocked 37.16.
Lindsay McCallum, 41, won the ladies race in a time of 41.19, despite finishing third overall in the Hartley Hare 10k less than 24 hours earlier.
She finished some 21 seconds ahead of second-placed woman Chantal Longdon (41.40 and 11th overall), who also topped the 35-39 category.
Another 40-44 years runner, Cannock and Stafford AC’s Lisa Dillon, was third lady in 44.51.
All 110 finishers received a medal, customary cupcake from The Village Bakery and goody bag with discounts from Hush Boutique and The Curry Inn.
Help is at hand to support Beccy – a torchbearer for the 2012 London Olympics and 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games as reward for raising more than £10,000 for the PSPA, which supports a brain-degenerating disease close to her heart.
She has been joined by fellow race directors Mark Foster and Mandy Haynes for 2026. Both helped with this event.
Since starting in 2013, the event has raised more than £10,000 towards the refurbishment of the village scout huts.
Photos courtesy of bryan@racephotos.org
