Month: July 2022

On Wednesday evening, Peel Road Runners were out supporting the Commonwealth Games Baton Relay in the Castle Grounds. Along with many other local clubs setting challenges for children, the Peelers put on a mini hurdles relay so that children could collect a sticker on their challenge cards which, once the card was filled, they could exchange for a lovely medal to show for their achievements. The challenge proved very popular and lots of children took part over the evening, whilst also giving the club an opportunity to showcase what they do. 

At the weekend many Peelers were looking forward to taking on the challenge of the Conti 24 hour Thunder Run trail race based at Catton Hall, Walton on Trent. With runners coming from all over the country to take part in this race, for the Peelers to have such a major annual event on their doorstep just made for a perfect weekend of racing and socialising! Four mixed teams from the club took part in the 10k trail race, with the aim being to cover as many laps as possible of the challenging and technical course over 24 hours whilst running through the day and night.

‘Andy’s Angels’ comprising Sandra Ingram, Andy Pickard, Kathryn Adams, Darren O’Leary and Phil Neale managed to complete 22 laps in the time available (a distance of 220 km/137 miles) finishing 18^th out of 65 mixed teams. ‘Jo’s Jetts’ comprising Jo Insley, Emma Livingstone, Donna Lancaster, Mike Shelton and Sophie Galloway completed 21 laps in the time available (a distance of 210 km/130 miles) finishing 24^th out of 65 mixed teams. ‘Pips Team 1’ comprising Alison Dolphin, Stephen Andrews, Moira Bucknell, Alison Perry and Roger Eastaff completed 13 laps in the time available (a distance of 130 km/81 miles) and ‘Pips Team 2’ comprising Sarah French, Chris Bennett, Wendy Bowyer, Claire Guffick and Chris Norris completed 14 laps in the time available (140 km/87 miles).

At this weekend’s parkruns, Kingsbury drew the most Peelers with James Stretton the first across the line in a time of 21:17 and 16^th place overall. Rachael Rickards was next home in a time of 23:10 followed by Lisa Stretton (24:07); Dave Fern (25:13); Mark Boffey (26:17); Tim Mudd (27:43); Richard Satchwell (27:58); Darren Truman (28:02); Jackie Tierney (31:45) and Alison Upton (32:11). 

Parkrun tourists included: Garth Cox at Chester (24:34); Rob Mace at Sandwell Valley (21:36); Joy Sykes at Chasewater (30:42); Ian Orton at Babb’s Mill (23:45); Mick Stevenson at Warwick Racecourse (32:52) and Simon Gordon at Whitby (24:05). Not to be outdone by their parents, mini Peelers James and Sally ran the Junior parkrun at Swadlincote.

Despite the predicted warm temperatures, four Peel Road Runners took on the challenge of the Brooksie’s Bash 10 mile trail race in South Derbyshire on Sunday. The race covered a very scenic route starting at Foremarke Hall before running out through fields to Ticknall, skirting the edge of Calke Abbey and returning through several sections of woodland at Robin Wood and Heath Wood. In view of the predicted weather conditions, the race organisers brought the start time forward by an hour to 9.00 am which made for slightly cooler running conditions. Martin Hollamby, running the race on his birthday, was first home for the club finishing in 1:10:58 and 9th place overall (5th in MSEN age group). Club Chairman, Lee Rickards, crossed the line next in a time of 1:15:08 and 14th place overall (2nd in M40 age group) followed by Emma Pick in 1:26:37 and Rachael Rickards in 1:27:48. Altogether 220 runners completed the course with their entry fees helping to support the work of Derbyshire MIND.

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The parkrunning Peelers were once again out early on Saturday morning to take on the region’s parkruns. At Kingsbury parkrun, Wayne King was first across the line in a time of 18:50 and 2nd place overall. He was followed by James Stretton (19:42); Mike Shelton (21:47); Ben Dorkins (22:33); Phil Neale (23:30); Chris Bennett (23:42); Darren O’Leary (23:50); Lisa Stretton (24:07); Simon Gordon (24:30); Dave Fern (25:18); Joanne Harvey (25:44); Stella Taylor (28:32); Chris Taylor (31:31); Emma Whorwood (32:26); Alison Perry (32:28); Roger Eastaff (36:17); Alison Dolphin (39:09) and Chris Norris (47:43). Representing the Peelers away from home, Jackie Tierney ran the Oswestry parkrun in a time of 30:26; Mick Stevenson ran the Warwick racecourse parkrun in 33:18, Garth Cox ran at Walsall Arboretum in 23:10 and Mark Boffey ran at Edgbaston reservoir in 22:47.

Peel Road Runners welcome new members of all abilities.

On a perfect evening for running, the Peel Road Runners competed in the Worthington 6 mile road race on Tuesday, 5^th July. The race, which forms part of the Burton & District Summer Race League, was promoted by Ivanhoe Runners and followed an out and back route along the Cloud Trail at Worthington, near Ashby de la Zouch. With strong competition from other local clubs, the race was competitive from the outset. First Peeler home was Wayne King in 37:46 finishing 8^th in the hotly contested VM40 category. Next across the line was Michael Shelton (40:33), with Emma Pick mere seconds behind finishing 1^st in the Senior Female category in a time of 40:38. Zac Gibbons was the next Peeler home in 40:47, followed by James Stretton (41:30); Rachael Rickards (43:38); Allen King (44:00); Ben Dorkins (45:47); Lorna D’Silva (46:02); Mark Boffey (46:06); Lisa Stretton (46:36); Chris Bennett (47:17); George Hope (48:14); Darren O’Leary (48:15); Simon Gordon (49:06); Dave Fern (50:25); Roger Lloyd (51:39); Carolyne Browne (52:49); Ash Goodman (53:14); Sophie Galloway (53:51) and Val Lawson (59:46). 

On Sunday Garth Cox ran the scenic and undulating course of the Coventry Northbrook 10k, although the heat took its toll on his finish time of 52:35. Cox said, “I was disappointed with my time, but it was a hilly course and the heat got to me. It’s a scenic course, but it felt like 7k of it was uphill!”

The predicted hot weather on Saturday did nothing to deter the Peel parkrunners with Kingsbury being the biggest draw for the club. Continuing his current good run of form, Wayne King was first across the line for the club finishing in 2^nd place in a time of 18:42. Next to finish was James Stretton in a time of 22:13 and 15^th place overall, followed by: Chris Bennett (23:28); Mark Boffey (24:04); Lisa Stretton (24:09); Garth Cox on his 100^th parkrun (26:52); Jo Insley (28:42); Jackie Tierney (30:27); Claire Guffick (30:31); Sophie Galloway (31:07); Lee Guffick (36:31); Alison Dolphin (38:32); Stephen Andrews (41:25) and Chris Norris (47:28). 

Parkrun tourists this week included: Roger Lloyd at Conkers (26:06); Mick Stevenson at Northallerton (32:32); Ian Orton at Leicester Victoria (23:48); Joy Sykes at Tyne Green (31:42) and Tim Mudd at Beacon Park (25:22). Taking tourism to new levels, however, were Carolyne Browne and Caroline Evans. Carolyne Browne ran the Killarney House parkrun in Ireland in 25:14 and Caroline Evans the Tampere parkrun in Finland in 27:48! Meanwhile Sarah French and Ann Hill volunteered at Kingsbury parkrun.

After a very busy weekend for the club last week, this weekend was a little quieter although that did not stop three Peelers from running the Birmingham and Black Country half marathon. The race is a unique point to point run along the canal towpaths between Wolverhampton City Centre and Brindley Place in Birmingham. The race format is based on people’s predicted running time (seeded) in a time trial format with runners starting in waves between 8.00 am and 12.00 pm on a mixed terrain course. The route is largely flat with locks and bridges the only inclines and is unusual in that includes the famous ‘Coseley Tunnel’, a 350 metre tunnel and floating drink stations on canal barges! Running as a team, Lorna Carlin, Darren Truman and Mark Boffey crossed the finish line in 1:54:00.

Further north, veteran triathlete Joy Sykes took part in the Windermere Sprint Triathlon which included a 750 m open water swim, 21.6 km bike ride and 5 km run. She completed the course in a time of 2:02:19, placing 5^th in the Vet 50 category.

At the weekend’s parkruns, Kingsbury drew the largest number of Peelers on its scenic 5k trail course. First across the line was Chris Bennett in 23:11, followed by Simon Gordon (24:30); Dave Fern (24:45); Allen King (25:08); Ash Goodman (25:57); Garth Cox (26:08); Claire Guffick (29:05); Jackie Tierney (29:20); Sarah French (34:56); Stella Taylor (36:22); Lee Guffick (37:05) and Stephen Andrews (39:42). Parkrun tourists included: Ian Orton at Babb’s Mill (25:00) and Mick Stevenson at Warwick racecourse (32:19).