Month: April 2023

With the TCS London marathon back to its normal April date after several years of disruption due to Covid restrictions, Peel Road Runners had two representatives at this year’s over-subscribed race. Having trained together Mike Shelton was accompanied by the irrepressible Trev the Bear, and was running to raise awareness and funds for St Giles Hospice. Despite carrying the extra weight of Trev, Mike still managed to finish in 4:06:29 (a pb for Trev at the distance!) and took time out from his race to be interviewed by TV presenter, J J Chalmers! 

Ticking off yet another marathon in her ever-increasing collection, Steph Attenborough ran an 11 minute personal best at London, finishing in 4:38:41!

Closer to home, Caroline Evans took part in the scenic and testing Malvern Hills trail half marathon which included 2600 ft of elevation, finishing in 3:23:00. 

At the weekend’s parkruns, Ben Dorkins ran just short of his best time this year at Kingsbury to finish in 22:10, followed by Darren O’Leary (23:40); Sophie Galloway (27:13); Roger Eastaff (31:39); Martyn Candy (35:45); Stephen Andrews (40:55); Chris Norris (62:37 – 1st FV70+); Lee Guffick (62:38); Alison Dolphin (63:29) and Wendy Bowyer (63:30). Parkrun tourists included: Jackie Tierney (29:45) at Richmond; Ian Grigg (37:30) at Torbay Velopark; Ian Orton (24:50) at Dudley; Garth Cox (23:50) at Brueton; Dave Fern (27:55) and Marcus Fairburn (27:59) at Conkers; Emma Pick (25:59) at Lyme Park; Steph Attenborough (30:43) at Victoria Dock, London; Tim Mudd (25:28) at Cheltenham; Mick Stevenson (33:04) at Warwick Racecourse; Mark Boffey (25:06) and Michael Hughes (35:48) at Beacon Hill.

Entries are now open for the Peel RR Gate Gallop 10k race and 5k Fun Run to be held on Sunday, 25^th June with all proceeds going to St Giles Hospice. See https://www.avtiming.com/gategallop for more details.

At Sunday’s Manchester marathon, following a period of solid and consistent training, Wayne King was rewarded with an amazing personal best time of 2:49:44! Furthermore, seven Peelers chose the Manchester marathon as their first at the marathon distance and all finished with impressive results, including Simon Gordon (4:10:46 – first marathon); Lorna D’Silva (4:10:46 – first marathon); Mark Boffey (4:11:52 – a 9 minute personal best); Gemma Pritchard (4:22:30 – first marathon); Michael Hughes (4:27:15); Chris Bennett (4:47:57 – first marathon); Sarah Boffey (5:08:00 – first marathon); Emma Whorwood (5:16:00); Claire Guffick (5:18:26 – first marathon); Lee Guffick (6:11:56 – first marathon). Meanwhile at the Newport marathon in Wales, Steph Attenborough ran her 61^st marathon crossing the line in 5:36:13.

Closer to home at the Cathedral to Castle 10 mile race, Phil Neale was first home for the club in a time of 1:15:46 and 10^th in age category. He was followed by Allen King (1:16:41); Ben Dorkins (1:19:52); Tim Clark (1:22:23); Rachael Rickards (1:23:34); Donna Reid (1:24:16); Natalie Walker (1:26:06); Ian Orton (1:26:15) (who then finished, drove to Conkers and ran in the Run in the Forest 5!); Judith Matthews (1:27:12); Tim Mudd (1:27:34); Jenna Colin (1:27:48); Darren Truman (1:29:16); Tony Bryan (1:30:26); Andrew Gillman (1:30:00); Helen Chyla (1:30:49); Carolyne Browne (1:31:28); Stuart Hatton (1:35:53); Sophie Galloway (1:37:49); Maisie Griffiths (1:38:00); Emma Barley (1:42:28); Clara Walton (1:46:54); Emma La Planche (1:48:54); Neal Dempsey (1:50:29); Joy Sykes (1:52:15); Roger Eastaff (2:05:12); Wendy Bowyer (2:06:09); Alison Upton (2:09:26); Helen Dempsey (2:09:27) and Nicola Bannister (2:13:07).

Stew Baker was the sole club representative at the Cannock Chase trail half marathon, finishing his first half marathon on a decidedly ‘lumpy’ course in 2:11:49.

As the first race in the Burton & District Summer League, The Run in the Forest 5 mile race hosted by South Derbyshire Road Runners is always a popular race with the Peelers. Unfortunately this year the race clashed with the ever-popular Cathedral to Castle race, but that didn’t deter a good turnout of Peelers from running the race. First back for the club in an impressive time of 32:50 and 4^th lady runner was Emma Pick, followed by James Stretton (33:44); Luke Collins (34:34); Scott Chapman (34:36); Mike Shelton (37:26); Lisa Stretton (38:54); Catherine Tieley (39:43); Darren O’Leary (40:18); George Hope (42:00); Emma Livingstone (47:45); Val Lawson (47:49); Dave Fern (48:04); Ian Orton (48:29); Caroline Evans (49:18); Jackie Tierney (50:01); Helen Manton (50:09) and Sandra Ingram (50:09).

Finally, a quick ‘shout out’ to a few of our parkrunners especially Jackie Tierney, Mark Boffey and Michael Hughes who ran at the Peel parkrun in Salford(it had to be done!) and F70+ Chris Norris, returning from a period of illness, who ran at Kingsbury parkrun improving on last week’s finish time.

Peel Road Runners are starting a new Couch to 5k course from 18^th April for anyone who would like to start running to improve their fitness. See Peel RR Beginners Facebook page for further details or contact via club website. 

Serial distance runner Steph Attenborough took advantage of better weather this weekend to run the Phoenix Running Fortitude Ring half marathon at Walton on Thames on Saturday, which she completed in 3:22:14. She then followed this by running the very popular Brighton marathon on Sunday in a time of 5:44:05.

Closer to home, Val Lawson took part in the 6 mile 7 Pools Run in Sutton Park crossing the finish line in 1:06:52. 

At the weekend’s parkruns, Jackie Tierney travelled to Wrexham to run her 250^th parkrun at Erddig’s 250^th event! She finished in 31:54, supported by Mark Boffey (26:03) and Michael Hughes (42:06). Now living down south, Ian Grigg ran at his new local parkrun finishing in 48:29. Closer to home, Emma Pick ran at Rosliston in a time of 22:28, whilst Marcus Fairburn (28:51) and Dave Fern (29:50) travelled to Conkers for their parkruns. Tim Mudd (25:14) travelled to Telford, whilst Garth Cox (24:17) ran at Perry Hall. At Kingsbury, Ben Dorkins was first over the line for the club in a time of 22:06, followed by Tim Clark (24:09); Beth Woodward (26:24); Darren O’Leary (26:55); Mike Shelton (26:55); Claire Guffick (31:56); Alison Dolphin (43:10); Lee Guffick (43:11); Joy Sykes (1:04:23) and Sarah French (1:04:26). Finally, Rob Windridge (27:49) ran at Burnham and Highbridge; Steph Attenborough (32:10) at Brooklands; Michael Stevenson (33:32) at Warwick Racecourse and Ian Orton (26:47) at Beacon Hill Country Park. Sarah French, Joy Sykes and Chris Norris volunteered at tail walkers at Kingsbury parkrun.