Peelers Launch Beginners 5k Running Group - October 2012

The Peel Road Runners are pleased to announce the start of a six week beginners running course. The course will commence on Thursday 4th October at 6.15pm from Tamworth Snowdome.

The course is aimed at runners with little or no experience of running with the aim of completing a 5km race at the end of the course.

For further information, call Lee Rickards on 07866 552924.

 

Real Relay hits the West Midlands

 

On Thursday 5th July, two local runners took part in the Real Relay, a relay following the route of the
Olympic Torch around the UK on foot raising money for CHICKS charity. Runners were asked to sign
up to a stage of the relay for the chance to carry the baton and make a donation to the charity.

Andrew Greaves and Vici Richardson, both members of local running club the Peel Road Runners in
Tamworth bagged two stages of the relay. Andrew ran his leg from Hopwas Hill through the Castle
Grounds as the Olympic Torch had done just days earlier to Sutton Coldfield, whilst Vici travelled to
the Cotswolds to run a 13 mile leg between Broadway to Newbold on Stour.

Andrew said 'When I heard about the Real Relay, I knew I had to get involved. I really enjoyed the
experience and the feeling of running with purpose, knowing where that baton had been or was due
to go.'

Vici added 'To be a small part of something so huge which has involved so many fellow runners from
all over the country was an amazing experience. My leg was through the night which made it all the
more surreal, my way lit by a head torch through the Cotswolds countryside. I loved every minute.'

The baton had already covered over 5,000 miles when it reached the Midlands and Andrew and Vici
took their turn with it. The sports company who have organised the relay are currently appealing
to Seb Coe to allow it to finish in the Olympic Stadium when it reaches London ahead of the actual
Olympic Torch Relay on 22nd July.

For more information about the Real Relay, visit https://www.endurancelife.com/realrelay/.

 

Peel Road Runners continue their assault on races across the UK - July 2012

 

The Peel Road Runner have had another busy few months, travelling the length and breadthof the UK to take part in races of all distances and achieving some great personal best timesin the process.

Runners attended local race the Kingsbury Classic 10k which is also supported with marshals from the club. Mark Harriott was our first man home in 44.46, followed by Craig Smith in 46.10. Angela Mensing finished in 46.39 followed by John Kasperczyk in 48.58 and Shelley Reynolds in 49.46. Martyn Candy, Scott Walker, Lisa Fletcher, Chris Norris and Mandy Hanson also enjoyed this 2-lap course round the water park.

There have been a couple of impressive distance debuts in the past months. Marcus Fairburn made his marathon debut on a warm day completing the Halstead and EssexMarathon is a great time of 4.33 whilst Steven Adams completed his first half marathon in Sheffield in an impressive 1.38.

Andrew Greaves turned his hand to fell racing in the north of the country, spreading the Peel name. Last month he raced in the Bingley Grand Prix 5m, finishing in a time or 55.17, the Pudsey 5m in 44.58 and the Otley 10m in 1.29.51.

12 in 12 marathon runners continued their challenge with Trish Bunn taking on thechallenging Malvern Marathon accompanied by Paul Scholte both finishing in a fantastictime of 5.27. Rich Bunn, Rachael Thompson and Lee Rickards completed the Cheltenham Circular Marathon in very muddy conditions. Rich and Rachael completed the course in 5.24 while Lee made a great comeback after a knee injury left him unable to train, finishing in 6.11. Mark Harriott travelled to Wales for the inaugural Welsh Trail Marathon completingthe course in another impressive time of 5.09. Val Lawson and Carl Brittain accompanied Mark, taking part in the half marathon and achieving brilliant times of 2.46 and 2.11 respectively.

John Hanson achieved a new PB at Wythall & Hollywood 5k running a fast time of 21.58.

Local race the Great Midlands Fun Run saw a good turnout of Peelers. Rich Finnigan finished in 1.07 a big PB on his last attempt, whilst Shelley Reynolds, Tracey Cox and Ian Grigg also took part.

18 Peelers attended Ashby race the Worthington 5 miles in warm conditions. Paul Davey andJason Church made their Peel debuts. Paul was first Peeler home clocking 33.04, followed byMark Harriott in 37.12 and Rich Finnigan in 37.18. Tracey Cox was first lady Peeler home in 36.41. Amanda Hanson achieved a brilliant new PB on this very tough course with a time of 49.42.

The Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at the Snowdome,Tamworth at 7pm, setting off at 7.15pm. The club welcomes new members. 

 

Tamworth Olympic Festival - Saturday 30th June 2012

As you may be aware the Olympic torch passes through Tamworth on Saturday 30 June 2012. To celebrate this the council are hosting an Olympic festival in the Castle Grounds on the same day. As a club, Peel Road Runners have applied and have been invited to take part. This is a great chance to promote the club and celebrate sport in Tamworth.

Our involvement will consist of:

1. Having a stand / area in the Castle Grounds. 

2. It is intended that we run a continuous relay, with 2 people minimum running at anyone time around a course of approx 1/2 mile around the perimeter of the castle grounds with the aim of running a marathon over the course of the day. About 4 1/2 hours equates to approx 10m 30s per mile - we will need people to take turns in this. Complete with our own Olympic torch and also inviting anyone who wants to take part.

If anyone has further thoughts or ideas along these lines could you please mail me along with offers to help / loan of items required.

For those of you who attended the similar fitness festival last year, this is not only a great informal and social day but one of the few chances to promote the club within the town.

Timetable for the day:-

• 10:20 Opening Ceremony
• 10:28 Olympic Torch arrives at the bandstand
• 10:38 Torch leaves castle grounds
• 10:50 Opening Ceremony finishes
• 11:00 Festival Opens
• 15:30 Activities finish & Closing ceremony begins
• 16:00 Event closes

Hope to see you on the day if you are free, all offers of help appreciated.

 

Peelers Awards Night - Friday 22nd June 2012

If you're not already aware the Peeler Presentation Night is taking place on Friday 22nd June 2012. It will be held at Samuel Barlow, Alvecote (famed for its excellent beers!), from 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm start!

The evening is FREE to attend by all Peeler members and a mere £7.00 per person for all the family and friends you'd like to bring along!!!!

Included in the entry is a buffet provided by the venue who's food is outstanding if you have not already dined there! Along with a disco.

To enable me and Sue Fairburn to ensure the event runs as smoothly as possible could I ask two things of every peeler:

1 Let me or Sue know if you are attending and how many tickets you would like to buy. I will then ensure there is a ticket available for you at the next club run you are due to attend!

2 Let me know of any song requests you have to ensure the music suits all of us attending otherwise you have been warned I love a bit of cheesy pop and will submit plenty of requests myself!

All details can be sent to me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Sue at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Just in case you are not aware the awards are as follows:

• Best Male Runner
• Best Female Runner
• Best Male Veteran Runner (40 - 50)
• Best Female Veteran Runner (35 - 45)
• Best Male Veteran Runner (over 50)
• Best Female Veteran Runner (over 45)
• Most Improved Male Runner
• Most Improved Female Runner
• Most Promising Male Newcomer
• Most Promising Female Newcomer
• Marathon Award
• President's Award
• Club Member of the Year

The majority of awards are decided by the Committee after studying WAVA results etc over the past year's races. The President's Award is decided by Ray Rogers (our Club President) and the Club Member of the Year Award is voted for by Club members at the Presentation Evening

I hope to hear from you soon and that you have your dancing shoes at the ready!!!!

 

Peel Road Runners run strong into spring - May 2012

Peel Road Runners continue the year competing in races up and down the country with many taking on a spring marathon. 

Andrew Greaves ran his first marathon in Brighton and achieved an impressive time of 4:13 whilst Craig Smith and Chris Algar ran closer to home in the Leamington Regency 10k. Both ran well, clocking times of times of 47:08 and 50:31 respectively.

Ashley Baldwin covered the distances, completing the Worcester Half Marathon in a fast time of 1:27 followed by the Nuneaton and Bedworth 5k Fun Run in 18:19.

Next on the agenda for a number of Peelers was London Marathon - one of the running events of the year. Peelers Carl Baker was first man home in a fantastic time of 3:10, followed by Paul Scholte in 3:35. Tricia Bunn was first Peel lady home, closely followed by Tracey Cox in 3:37:24 and 3:37:47 respectively. Mark Harriott came home in 3:42 and Rich Bunn in 3:45. Lee Rickards and Rachael Thompson, Melanie Buxton, Sue Grice and Ray Rogers also ran, with Ray donning his infamous toolbox for the race.

Stratford was the scheduled marathon for a number of Peelers but due to the adverse weather conditions across the country on the last Sunday in April, the marathon was called off and only the half marathon distance was run. Ashley Baldwin clocked another fantastic time of 1:28. Marcus and Sue Fairburn completed the race in a great time of 2:04, Bob Donovan finished in 2:21 and John and Amanda Hanson completed the event in another great time of 2:24.

Vici Richardson completed the Manchester Marathon in a personal best time of 3:54 on another very wet and windy course whilst Peter Telford completed the Milton Keynes Marathon in a superb time of 4:00.

Carl Baker and Clive Robinson completed The Fellsman; over 60 miles over very hard rugged moorland in the Yorkshire Dales. The race had to be abandoned in the interest of safety due to extreme cold and wind however the pair still finished in less than 20 hours. Martyn Candy also took part but wisely opted not to continue at 38 miles when the event was abandoned.

To finish of the month of April, Peelers took part in the Rosliston 10k. Dave Fern was the first Peeler home in 45.02 followed by Nigel Milner, making his running comeback in 45.23. Shelley Reynolds was first Peel lady home in 45.44 with Claire Wood and Val Lawson finishing in 48.21 and 50.22 respectively.

The Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at the Snowdome, Tamworth at 7pm, setting off at 7.15pm. The club welcomes new members. Visit www.peelroadrunners.co.uk for more information.

 

 

Great start to the year for Peel Road Runners!

It's been a great start to the year for the Peel Road Runners. With new members joining the club on regular club night runs and lots getting out and about to local races and those further afield, the club is going from strength to strength.

Peel Road Runners at Fradley 10k in March. L-R: Mark Harriott, Craig Smith, Sue Fairburn, Ian Grigg, Claire Wood, John Hanson, Amanda Hanson and Brett Moss.

A number of committed Peelers are running 12 marathons in 2012. February brought their second marathon of the year with Richard and Tricia Bunn running their 26.2 miles in the Cotswolds. Mark Harriott, Rachael Thompson and Lee Rickards ran the off-road Belvoir Challenge whilst Andy Greaves completed the 15 mile off-road Belvoir Challenge event in a time of 2.38 with John and Chris Norris completing it in 4.29.

 

Tricia and Richard Bunn continued their race season at the Great North West Half Marathon finishing in times of 1.36 and 1.41 respectively.

 

The Run Breeze 10k and Half Marathon in Stratford Upon Avon saw a good turnout of Peelers. Ian Grigg and Mandy Hanson ran in the 10k finishing in times of 58.29 and 1.04 respectively. Ashley Baldwin led the Peelers in the half marathon finishing in a time 1.35. John Hanson ran a personal best time of 1.48 whilst Andy Greaves, Chris Algar, Scott Walker, Marcus Fairburn also took part.

 

Fradley 10k is always a popular event for the Peelers with 13 members running this local, flat race. Personal best times were clocked by John Hanson (45.54), Craig Smith (46.43), Brett Moss (48.51), Claire Wood (53.08) and Sue Fairburn (55.38).

 

The Grizzly, a 20 mile race including mud, hills, bogs and beach in Devon and is frequented by at least of couple of the more extreme Peelers each year. Jordan Maddocks, Paul Scholte, Carl Baker, Clive Robinson and Martyn Candy completed it this year.

 

The third marathon of year attended by four of the 12 in 2012ers was an off-road 26.2 mile event in the New Forest. The hardy team, consisting of Tricia and Richard Bunn, Rachael Thompson and Lee Rickards, finished in just over 7 hours, having cover far more than the unmarked marathon distance.

 

Meanwhile, Mark Harriott travelled to Cambridge for another off-road event The Daffodil Dawdle for his third marathon of the year. He and Vici Richardson ran the self-navigated marathon in a time of 5.18.

 

Back in the Midlands, the Ashby 20 was next for many of those runners training for spring marathons. Rachael Thompson ran a great time of 2.40, whilst John Hanson, Marcus Fairburn and Martyn Candy also completed the race.

 

Tricia Bunn and Mark Harriott travelled to Windsor for another half marathon. Tricia ran a fantastic personal best time of 1.36 and Mark ran 1.41.

 

Stafford Half Marathon saw another great turnout of runners. Adrian Gale ran a fast time of 1.28 on this undulating course. Richard Bunn achieved a brilliant personal best of 1.30, as did Rachael Thompson in a time of 1.39. Other personal best performances came from Vici Richardson, Tracey Elsdon, Sue Fairburn and Ian Grigg.

 

Another off-road event beckoned for four Peelers. The Cleevewold 14 mile race in Cheltenham welcomed Carl Baker and Clive Robinson finishing in times of 2.08 and 2.18 on this tough, hilly course. Val Lawson and Martyn Candy completed the course in 2.54.

 

Val Lawson followed her off-road debut for 2012 with another off-road event; the Baildon Boundary Way Half Marathon. Val finished in a great time of 2.20.

 

Ashley Baldwin took part in the Derby 10k, finishing in a fast time of 38.45 on an undulating course whilst Vici Richardson ran a personal best time of 1.44 at Reading Half Marathon, finishing off a great few months of racing for the club.

 

The Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at the Snowdome, Tamworth at 7pm, setting off at 7.15pm. The club welcomes new members. Visit www.peelroadrunners.co.uk for more information.