With many of the club’s members taking part in events last weekend, most got back to enjoying the local Parkruns this week.
The majority were at Kingsbury waterpark where Emma Pick finished in 8th position and was first female home in 21:09. Next was Phil Neale (22:10), Darren O’Leary (23:14), Ben Dorkins (24:40), Chris Bennett (25:19), Simon Gordon (26:14), Claire Guffick (30:22), Stella Taylor (32:02), Chris Taylor (32:03), Lee Guffick (34:55), Emma Whorwood (35:26), Ann Hill (42:20), Nicola Bannister (42:50), Wendy Bowyer (43:24), Stephen Andrews (46:10) and Alison Perry (46:11).
At Tamworth Castle Grounds Roger Lloyd was first in with a time of 25:52, followed by Wendy Roe (31:52), Sandra Ingram (33:33) and Sophie Galloway (35:20).
We were well represented at many other Parkruns near and far with Steph Attenborough at Aston Hall (34:50), Mike Shelton at Lichfield (20:37), Ian Cooper at Burnham & Highbridge (29:44), Marcus Fairburn at Conkers (30:32), Ian Orton (24:03), Jacky Tierney (27:38) and Michael Hughes (37:07) at Newtown, Joy Sykes (35:39) at Roberts Park West Yorkshire, Tim Mudd (24:51) at Worcester Pitchcroft and finally Sarah Boffey (28:00) at Yarborough Leisure Centre in Lincoln.
As a club, we continue to see many new members, so if you would like to join us, we meet next to the Skate Park in Castle Grounds at 6.45 for a 7pm start. Tuesdays are a social run and on Thursdays we have sessions covering different areas of running. Last Thursday, one of our club coaches Mark, led a session focusing on hills which, as you can see from the smiles, was enjoyed by all!
With impeccable organisation from Ivanhoe Runners, the Aldi Ashby 20-mile race is seen as a local “must do” race for runners preparing for spring marathons such as London and Manchester. The race is always well supported by the Peel Road Runners and this year was no exception with 16 members running the undulating two lap course. First home for the club and 17th lady (168th out of a field of 1296 runners) was Emma Pick crossing the finish line in a time of 2:32:54. Next to finish was Mike Shelton (aided and abetted by Ted the bear who he carried for the race!) in a time of 2:51:22; Tim Mudd (3:09:37 – personal best); Donna Reid (3:18:22); Judith Matthews (3:18:22); George Hope (3:31:15); Carolyne Browne (3:35:38) Sophie Galloway (3:38:09); Stuart Hatton (3:38:10); Claire Guffick (3:43:32 – personal best); Emma Whorwood (3:48:17); Helen Manton (3:57:29); Lee Guffick (4:25:09 – personal best); Helen Dempsey (4:36:31 – personal best); Neal Dempsey (4:36:31) and Roger Eastaff (4:59:27).
Running at the Stafford half marathon on Sunday and, though more used to ultra running in the mountains, Martin Hollamby took to the tarmac in great style running a personal best time of 1:21:16 and finishing in 27th place out of 1800+ runners! An impressive result!
For runners wanting a fast and flat course with personal best potential, the two lap Florette Fradley 10k doesn’t get much better. Taking advantage of this, Luke Collins achieved a personal best time crossing the line in 38:24 and 5th in age category. He was followed by Chris Bennett (50:32); Garth Cox (51:34); Clara Walton (57:15); Helen Chyla (57:17) and Jackie Tierney (58:40).
Running on very muddy and rocky terrain, Val Lawson took on the challenge of the scenic Pennine Trails Leighton Hall trail half marathon near Carnforth, Lancashire finishing in a time of 3:13:13. Despite all the weekend’s races, parkruns both local and further afield drew a good number of Peelers to get their Saturday 5k fix. Running at Tamworth Castle parkrun, Lee Rickards was first to cross the finish line in 18:17, followed by Rob Mace (21:21); Tim Mudd (24:51) and Roger Lloyd (26:27). Further afield at Market Harborough, Steph Attenborough finished in 33:46 whilst at Kingsbury, Mike Shelton finished in 23:34 followed by Ben Dorkins (23:44); Darren O’Leary (24:32); Tim Clark (25:38); Lisa Stretton (26:08); Lee Guffick (57:53) and Claire Guffick (58:05). At the Queen Elizabeth parkrun in Portsmouth, Mark Boffey celebrated his birthday with a 25:00 minute run, followed by Sarah Boffey in 32:38. Running at Evesham, Ian Orton finished in 25:02 followed Jackie Tierney (28:39) and Michael Hughes (41:23). Joy Sykes (33:59) ran at Bramley, Leeds parkrun; Wendy Roe (30:31) ran at Beacon, Lichfield and Alison Perry (44:05), Ann Hill (44:44), Sarah French (50:41), Alison Dolphin (50:42) and Stephen Andrews (50:50) took on the muddy and challenging course at Sense Valley, Ibstock
This weekend saw the last Cross Country race of the season take place on Sunday 10th March at Sinai Park, Burton on Trent, hosted by Hatton Darts running club. The day started off well with no rain but halfway through the race the heavens opened to add extra mud to a tough hilly 5.5 mile course. The course started on a steep uphill and finished on a slippery steep downhill. First home for the Peel Road Runners men was Lee Rickards in 10th place, followed by Ben Dorkins (48th), Tim Mudd (64th), Mark Boffey (74th), Billy King (91st), Allen King (92nd), Darren Truman (95th), Ian Orton (96th), Michael Hughes (99th) and Lee Guffick (146th). For the Peel women, Jackie Tierney was first home in 47th place, followed by Sarah Boffey (58th) and Claire Guffick (78th).
The 2023/24 category report for the end of the Cross Country season, which takes into account the first 5 races, saw Billy King finish in 2nd place in the U20 category. For the senior men category Michael Hughes finished the season in 12th place. In the VM40 category Lee Rickards finished in 2nd place, with Luke Collins 3rd, Allen King 7th and Ian Orton in 8th place. In the VM45 category Wayne King finished in 2nd place, with Michael Shelton in 8th and Ben Dorkins in 9th place. In the VM50 category, Mark Boffey finished in 6th place, with Tim Mudd in 7th and Lee Guffick in 11th place. For the ladies, Sarah Boffey and Claire Guffick both finished in 6th place in the VL45 and VL50 categories respectively and Jackie Tierney finished 5th place in the VL55 category.
In other races on Sunday, on a hilly, cold, wet and windy course, Wayne King continued his current good running form setting a new PB at the Oundle 20 mile road race with a impressive time of 2 hours and 6 mins.
A few peelers travelled to Chester for the 10k race. Caroline Evans finished the race in 1 hour dead whilst Helen and Neal Dempsey, who have this race as the first leg of the Chester triple, finished close behind, both finishing in 01.12.25.
Parkrun on Saturday saw a large number peelers at Kingsbury Water Park. First back for the club was Phil Neale in 22.45. Followed by Chris Bennett 23.38, Roger Eastaff 34.32, Ann Hill 36.13, Stella Taylor 36.29, Claire Guffick 36.51, Lee Guffick 36.57, Emma Whorwood 38.10, Nicola Bannister 53.19, Wendy Bowyer 58.27, Alison Perry 58.32, Alison Dolphin 58.37 and Sarah French 58.38.
Parkrun tourists saw a group of peelers head to Wotton (just North of Bristol) to celebrate Jackie Tierney’s 300th parkrun, coinciding with Wotton’s 300th event. Mark Boffey was first home with 26.03, followed by Micheal Hughes 30.02, Jackie Tierney 31.17 and Sarah Boffey 32.08.
Other parkrun tourists included, Garth Cox at Beacon parkrun 23.55, Rob Mace at Bedworth 22.03, Ian Orton at Holbrooks 25.35, Tim Mudd at Market Harborough 24.07, Joy Sykes at Roberts Park 35.12, Emma Pick at Rosliston 22.03, Allen King 24.21 and Wendy Roe 32.08 at Tamworth Castle Grounds and Steph Attenborough at University of Northampton 47.42.
“A few peelers took the opportunity to volunteer at Beacon Junior parkrun Sunday morning before taking part in the Cross Country race with Mark Boffey achieving his 25th Parkrun Volunteer.”
Peel Road Runners Couch to 5K sessions are into the third week and take place on Tuesdays at 6.15pm. If you’re interested please contact a member of the club via the beginners Facebook page. Search Peel Road Runners beginners.
