Month: April 2022

At the Malvern trail half marathon on Saturday, five Peelers tackled the hilly course taking in over 2500 ft of climb on the iconic Malvern hills. The dry and sunny, but very windy weather made for good running conditions with far reaching views across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. First to cross the finish line for the club in a time of 2:25:58 and in 66^th place was Mark Boffey. He was followed by Darren Truman in 2:39:12 and 108^th place; Simon Gordon in 2:39:15 and 109^th place and Lorna Carlin in 2:39:18 and 110^th place. Unfortunately, following a harsh fall on the course, Phil Neale was forced to withdraw from the race. Luckily his injuries were only minor, but sadly the same could not be said for his wrecked phone!

On Sunday, the irrepressible V75+ distance runner Bob Donovan was out on the trails again! This week he was taking part in the Tissington trail marathon, an out and back race along the Tissington trail at Ashbourne. The course is quite deceptive in that the first 13.1 miles are a steady uphill drag, which can drain the legs before the turnaround and run back to Ashbourne. Bob completed the course in a time of 5:57:40 and achieved first (and last!) in age group and was awarded a special plaque for his achievement!

At the weekend’s parkruns, Kingsbury once again saw the largest turnout of Peelers. First to finish the 5k course in 5^th place and a time of 20:09 was Rob Mace. He was closely followed by Rachael Rickards, who finished as 3^rd female in 18^th place overall in a time of 22:15. Other runners included: Ben Dorkins (22:46); Jackie Tierney (28:37); Clara Walton (29:51); Roger Eastaff (30:19 – personal best); Emma Whorwood (30:28 – personal best); Alison Perry (31:52); Ann Hill (40:03); Stephen Andrews (40:15) and Chris Norris (45:46).

Parkrun tourists included: Claire Guffick (29:47) and Lee Guffick (38:44) at Sutton Park; Michael Stevenson (31:23) at Warwick Racecourse; Tim Mudd (25:41) at East Park, Wolverhampton and Garth Cox (23:43) at Beacon Park, Lichfield. Omitted from last week’s report: Emma Pick finished as 1^st lady in a time of 20:01 and 8^th place overall at the Conkers parkrun on Saturday, 16^th April.

With fewer races being held over the Easter weekend, it was the Peel poochies who were making all the headlines for the club at the Canicross Midlands series final at Catton Park. Rob Mace (running with Axis) finished a brilliant season of racing by winning the senior men’s long course canicross series. Not content with winning the long course series, Rob also came second in the senior men’s short course series running with Molly or Base. Also celebrating success was Neal Dempsey, who finished second in the vet male long course canicross running with Banana and second in the two dog short course series of races running with either Banana, Hugo, Paddington or Sydney over the season. 

On Monday Rachael Rickards competed in the fast and flat Boston half marathon, a course renowned for its personal best potential. She ran a very strong race to finish in a time of 1:40:18 just slightly over her personal best time, but still making her 9th female and first in age category in a field of 512! A great result!

Further to last week’s individual successes at the South Derbyshire Road Runners Conkers 5 mile race, the Peel ladies’ team currently stand second in the Burton & District Summer League whilst the men’s team are in third place. The next League race will be the Uttoxeter half marathon on Sunday, 1^st May.

At the weekend’s parkruns, Kingsbury once again proved the most popular venue for Peel Road Runners. First to finish this week was Luke Collins in a personal best time of 21:00, followed by Allen King also in a personal best time of 22:27. Next to cross the line was Ben Dorkins (23:18); Darren O’Leary (25:20); Stella Taylor (26:48); Caroline Evans (29:19); Claire Guffick (29:22); Joy Sykes (32:05); Alison Perry (32:49); Emma Whorwood (32:49); Roger Eastaff (32:56); Alison Upton (34:09); Ann Hill (34:09); Lee Guffick (39:04); Stephen Andrews (40:34); Wendy Bowyer (43:41) and Chris Norris (46:33).

Parkrun tourists this week included: Garth Cox (23:44) at Walsall Arboretum; Dave Fern (24:44) and Roger Lloyd (45:58) at Conkers; Zoe Schnepp (25:03) at Exeter Riverside; Ian Cooper (28:26) and Tanya Murphy (35:18); Tim Mudd (25:50) at Woodgate Valley Country Park, Birmingham; Jackie Tierney (29:22) at Trentham Gardens, Stoke and Mark Boffey (30:23) at Hastings High School, Burbage.

Peel Road Runners welcome new members of all abilities and are now enjoying summer club runs on trails and paths around Tamworth. 

Taking on the challenge of a first marathon is a ‘rite of passage’ for many runners and the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, 10^th April proved to be just that for Peeler Emma Whorwood. Emma completed her first marathon supported by Matthew Harris at the iconic seaside course in a very creditable time of 5:18:06.

Also on Sunday, the Run in the Forest 5 mile race took place at the Conkers Discovery Centre in Moira. The race, promoted by South Derbyshire Road Runners, is the second race in the Burton & District Summer Race League series and attracted a large turnout of runners from local running clubs. First home for the Peelers in a very competitive field was Martin Hollamby in a time of 30:58 and 10^th place overall. He was followed by Rob Mace (32:58); Lee Rickards (33:34); Emma Pick (33:44) making her first in age category and second female finisher; Mike Shelton (33:50); Zac Gibbons (35:19); Rachael Rickards (35:57); Lisa Stretton (38:43); Darren Truman (38:56); Mark Boffey (39:35 personal best); George Hope (39:38); Tony Bryan (40:27); Simon Gordon (40:29); Garth Cox (40:36); Dave Fern (41:39); Judith Matthews (42:26); Stuart Hatton (42:27); Caroline Evans (48:07); Helen Manton (48:36); Emma Livingstone (48:51); Jackie Tierney (49:01) and Joanne Harvey (50:38). In the children’s 1 mile race, mini Peeler Sally Schnepp crossed the line in a speedy 11:51. 

In a landmark weekend for Peel parkrunners, records were being created at events across the country. Jackie Tierney celebrated running her 200^thparkrun at Hastings High School parkrun in Burbage finishing in a time of 29:51. She was supported by Peelers Mark Boffey (24:08) and Tim Mudd (26:12). Meanwhile at Kingsbury parkrun, Chris Norris celebrated her 100^th parkrun, whilst Lee Guffick celebrated his 50^th parkrun. Celebrating in style and supported by others from the club, they ran the course dressed as unicorns and fairies! At Kingsbury, Zoe Schnepp was the first Peeler home in a time of (23:34), followed by Allen King (24:46); Mike Shelton (25:19); Garth Cox (26:04); Joy Sykes (32:32); Stella Taylor (32:52); Chris Norris (51:15); Lee Guffick (51:18); Claire Guffick (51:19); Ann Hill (51:20); Alison Perry (51:21); Sarah French (51:22); Kelly Porter (51:23); Wendy Bowyer (51:25); Roger Eastaff (51:27) and Nicola Bannister (52:49). Other parkrunning Peelers this weekend included: Carolyne Browne (27:15 and first in age category) at Banstead Woods, Coulsdon; Kathryn Adams (23:30) at Coventry; Clara Walton (29:54) at Didcot; Ben Dorkins (23:03) at Chasewater; Michael Stevenson (30:45) at Warwick Racecourse and Rob Mace (20:52) at Woodgate Valley, Birmingham.

With the spring marathon season in full swing, six Peelers headed north to take on the fast and flat course of the Therme Manchester marathon. With almost perfect weather conditions, the race started at Old Trafford before heading into the city centre, then wound its way out to Salford Quays, Stretford, Sale, Altrincham, Baguley and Sale Moor before finishing back near Old Trafford. Martin Hollamby continued his recent run of great results by finishing in a sub-3 time of 2:50:26, a personal best of over 8 minutes! Not to be outdone Kathryn Adams (running her first marathon in a Northbrook AC vest, though registered with Peel RR for the race) was first Peel lady to cross the line after the 26.2 miles in a time of 3:38:05 and also ran a personal best time of over 17 minutes! Michael Shelton also ran well to finish in a time of 3:45:24. On a day of personal bests, George Hope continued the theme knocking an astonishing 27 minutes of his previous marathon best to finish in 3:49:25. Finally, Donna Lancaster ran a strong and well paced race to cross the finish line in 4:19:33, followed by Allen King (running his first marathon in a Peel vest) in a time of 4:42:54. 

At the Cathedral to Castle 10 mile multi terrain race, 30 Peelers ran the scenic course from Lichfield to Tamworth. The race started in Beacon Park, Lichfield before passing Lichfield Cathedral and weaving its way through town and out along lanes and trails to Whittington village, crossing the Whittington Firing Ranges, passing through Hopwas Woods, Wigginton Park and finishing with a (rather cruel!) loop of the Castle Grounds. First Peeler home was Wayne King in a time of 1:02:46, 3^rd in age category and 9^th overall. He was followed by Rob Mace in 1:06:00, 9^th in age category and 20^th overall and Phil Neale in 1:12:50. Rachael Rickards was first female back for the club in a time of 1:13:29, 3rd in age category and 7^th female finisher equalling husband Lee’s time. Other Peelers included Luke Collins (1:13:33); Lisa Stretton (1:18:32 personal best); Darren Truman (1:19:26 personal best); Lorna Carlin (1:20:13); Simon Gordon (1:21:07); Dave Fern (1:25:31); Carolyne Browne (1:25:48 personal best); Donna Reid (1:26:05); Judith Matthews (1:26:08); Helen Chyla (1:26:31); Chris Bennett (1:26:47); Joanne Harvey (1:26:50); Rachel Browne (1:27:20); Tim Mudd (1:29:23); Stuart Hatton (1:30:37); Jo Insley (1:31:28); Stella Taylor (1:33:19); Tony Bryan (1:38:26); Claire Guffick (1:40:45 personal best); Sarah Boffey (1:42:04); Jackie Tierney (1:43:07); Neal Dempsey (1:43:09 personal best); Emma La Planche (1:44:39); Helen Dempsey (1:52:17 personal best); Roger Eastaff (1:54:54); Sam Harris (1:58:39); Lee Guffick (2:07:09); Nicola Bannister (2:07:09) and Ann Hill (2:07:11). 

At Saturday’s parkruns, Kingsbury once again proved the most popular with the Peelers. First to finish for the club was Rob Mace in a time of 20:25. He was followed by Garth Cox (24:24); Jason Church (26:19); Mark Boffey (28:25); Darren Truman (28:25); Jackie Tierney (28:54); Stella Taylor (32:57); Sarah French (34:19); Alison Dolphin (36:29) and Chris Norris (46:21). 

Parkrun tourists included Michael Stevenson at Leamington (32:17); Tim Mudd at Arrow Valley, Redditch (26:11); Tanya Murphy at Brueton (34:15); Ben Dorkins (22:27) at Walsall and Joy Sykes (29:38) at Blyth Links, Northumberland.