Month: April 2024

There are marathons (and they’re all 26.2 miles long!) and then there is the iconic TCS London marathon, which draws runners from across the world every April to pound the streets of the capital city.  For many Peel Road Runners this is the dream race to win a place in (over 500,000 people applied for one of the 50,000 places this year) and Emma Whorwood was lucky enough to win the coveted Peel Club place this year.  Despite the pressure of getting the miles in while training for the marathon, she also selflessly used her place to raise over £1000 in sponsorship for the Rainbow Children’s Hospice and was rewarded by completing the marathon in a personal best time of 5:14:11. 

First home for the club in London was Wayne King, who ran a strong and well paced race until he suffered with cramp at mile 17 and then struggled to get back his form.  However, finishing in a sub-3 hour time of 2:54:50 and in the top 2,500 of 50,000 runners is an achievement that most of us could only dream of!  Next home for the club and finishing in a time of 3:33:11, Phil Busby (V55-59) ran a strong race to finish in the top 20% of runners.  Another Peeler using the marathon as an opportunity to raise money for charity was Tony Bryan, who collected over £2700 in sponsorship for the Stroke Association and finished in 4:38:07.  He was closely followed by Donna Reid who finished in 4:39:03 and Clara Walton in 4:41:06.  Roger Eastaff was the final Peeler to cross the line in a time of 6:24:54 making the most of the party atmosphere out on the course!

Although Peel Road Runners by name enjoy the lure of tarmac, many Peelers also love trail running and the training and mental health benefits that this type of running can bring.  To this end, a group of four Peelers took on the Malvern Hills trail half marathon on Saturday running in unusually warm, sunny and dry conditions which provided the bonus of far-reaching views across Worcestershire and Herefordshire.  Mark Boffey was first to finish for the club in 2:36:15, followed by Chris Bennett in 2:47:20, Simon Gordon in 2:49:36 and Sarah Boffey in 3:11:04.

At the weekend’s parkrun events with Tamworth parkrun cancelled, Peelers travelled far and wide for their Saturday morning 5k parkrun. Running at Oakhill, London Michael Hughes finished in 31:02 whilst Roger Lloyd ran at Conkers (24:51); Allen King (25:49) ran at Kingsbury accompanied by Mike Shelton (25:51); Garth Cox (26:17); Alison Perry (35:44); Nicola Bannister (44:39); Sarah French (60:34) and Alison Dolphin (60:47).  Ian Orton ran at Exmouth (23:42); Darren Truman at Pont y Bala (25:41); Joanne Sharman (35:49) and Steph Attenborough (35:56) at Jubilee, Spennymoor whilst Stuart Hatton (25:00); Tim Mudd (25:34); Marcus Fairburn (28:20) and Wendy Roe (30:33) ran at Beacon, Lichfield.

It’s the time of year when the focus turns to marathons and last weekend saw five Peelers in action at the Adidas Manchester Marathon, the second largest marathon in the UK. Having tackled numerous storms and lots of wet weather to get those much needed long training runs in over the winter months, those taking part were rewarded with a surprisingly dry Manchester and great conditions on the day. The hard work paid off with PB’s and milestones for all who ran.

First to cross the line was Lee Rickards achieving an incredible sub 3 hour PB time of 2:57:27. Next through for the Peelers was Allen King, smashing an hour off his previous marathon PB, crossing the line in 3:42:34. Mike Shelton and Trev the Bear came in at 4:17:48, completing their 10^th marathon together and continuing to raise awareness for the amazing work of St Giles Hospice, whilst husband and wife team Claire and Lee Guffick both PB’d with fantastic times of 5:01:24 and 6:07:53 respectively. A huge Peeler well done to all involved, we’re very proud of you.

Meanwhile Saturday saw a stalwart and much admired member of the club, Dave Fern, complete his 200^th Park Run at Kingsbury Water Park. Dave was first home in his age category in a time of 30:24.

Also competing at Kingsbury were Ben Dorkins (21:53), Darren O’Leary (23:17), Tim Clark (25:06), Lisa Stretton (25:45), Simon Gordon (26:13), Stuart Hatton (27:22), Marcus Fairburn (28:38), Laura Bowyer (31:02), Sarah Boffey (33:50), Alison Perry (37:39), Wendy Bowyer (43:31) and Stephen Andrews (47:10).

Wayne King led the pack at Tamworth Park Run, crossing the finish first and securing a PB at the same time in 18:12. He was followed by one of the newer club members Jamie Abiss in a time of 20:14 with Chris Bennett (22:46), Time Mudd (24:04), Roger Lloyd (24:26), Tony Bryan (24:30), Judith Matthews (25:38) and Sophie Galloway (25:57) all hot on one another’s heels. Wendy Roe represented the club at Lichfield Beacon Park with a time of 30:51.

Park Run touring Peelers included Jackie Tierney (27:25) at Northampton, Garth Cox (23:29) at Walsall and Ian Orton (24:17) and Michael Hughes (34:45) at Hanley. Emma Pick visited Rother Valley and secured the position of 3^rd female (20:45) whilst over at Babbs Mill Roger Eastaff secured a time of 33:05 chased down by Ann Hill (45:29), Alison Dolphin (45:30) and Sarah French (45:34). Finally over at Irchester Steph Attenborough finished in 35:56 with Joanne Sharman, another new Peeler, closing in on her in a time of 36:20. Next week will see many of the Peelers head down to London to participate or support fellow members in the iconic London Marathon. We’d like to wish the best of luck to all taking part; may all your efforts and training pay off but most of all have an incredible time and enjoy the experience.

Storm Kathleen certainly didn’t deter and damper the Peel Road Runners spirits this week with many of the club attending races, despite the weekends very blustery conditions. 

At the first BDSL race of the season the club were out in force at the ‘Run in the Forest’ held at Conkers Waterside Centre in Derbyshire. Held over a 5-mile course almost entirely off road, compromising of some hard packed trails and canal tow paths, the route takes in some of the fine scenery the National Forest has to offer.

Wayne King was first home in a fantastic time of (30:57); followed by Martin Hollamby (31:49); Emma Pick (34:23); James Stretton (36:23); Phil Neale (37:17); Darren O’Leary (39:25); Mark Boffey (39:39) (PB); Tim Mudd (40:49); Ian Orton (41:17); Chris Bennett (41:18); Lisa Stretton (41:29); Kirsty Welsh (42:35); Simon Gordon (44:06); Billy King (45:36); Darren Truman (45:55); Michael Hughes (48:04); Joanne Sharman (48:55); Sarah Boffey (50:30); David Fern (51:16).

Whilst Luke Collins and Michael Shelton tackled a very muddy Challenge Event ‘A Coventry Way’.  The Challenge is a 40-mile circular long-distance trail with the route starting and finishing at the Heart of England Social Club in Meriden.  The majority of the route is off-road and passes through mainly agricultural land in Warwickshire and Solihull.  The Challenge is held annually, with Luke and Michael finishing in a very impressive 9 hours 30.

With a city centre start and finish, Jacqueline Sheasby completed the Sheffield Half Marathon in a very impressive 2:15.  The event boasts a stunningly scenic route with views of the Peak District on some very challenging hills.

Also finishing in an impressive time of 2:15, Lisa Ellen took to the streets of London to see all the sites in the London Landmarks Half Marathon. Through the City of London and the City of Westminster, passing St Pauls Cathedral, Guildhall, Tower of London and along the Thames to Big Ben, the route was also filled with musical performances, DJ’s dancers and much more.  

Cathedral to Castle

With the return of the 7^th local Lichfield Cathedral to Tamworth Castle run, the Peelers were out again for this much loved event. Covering a 10-mile multi-terrain course from Lichfield Cathedral, passing through Hopwas Woods and finishing at Tamworth Castle.  First Peeler back was Allen King with a fantastic PB time of (1:16:08); followed by Helen Chyla (1:34:08); Andrew Gillman (1:34:26); Natalie Walker (1:34:42); Stuart Hatton (1:35:14); Sophie Galloway (1:36:19); Emma Petricca (1:43:34) (PB); Val Lawson (1:50:31); Laura Bowyer (1:51:35) (Frist 10 mile event and PB); Wendy Roe (1:59:19) (First 10 mile event and PB); Claire Guffick (1:59:20); Michael Ball (1:59:38) (First 10 mile event and PB); Helen Dempsey (2:06:19) and Neal Dempsey (2:06:19); Roger Eaststaff (2:07:48); Lee Guffick (2:07:49)

Parkrun events

The busy weekend didn’t put the Peelers off attending many of the local Parkrun events too.  Many runners attended the local Tamworth Castle Grounds Parkrun.  Allen King was the first Peeler back in an impressive (21:56) followed by Phil Neale (22:09); Garth Cox (25:08); Roger Lloyd (25:20); Simon Gordon (26:05); Judith Matthews (26:25); Joanne Harvey (29:33); Sophie Galloway (33:48); Emma Whorwood (36:01).

There was also a strong attendance at Kingsbury Waterpark Parkrun too.  With Claire Guffick the first Peeler to cross the line in (28:27); Jacqueline Tierney (28;50); Lee Guffick (37:03); Nicola Bannister (43:04); Alison Dolphin (43:18); Wendy Bowyer (46:02); Vickie Bowyer (46:03)

At Cannock Chase Parkrun Emma Pick ran (24:13), whilst at Warwick Racecourse Parkrun Michael Stevenson ran (37:05)

Further afield at Blyth Links Parkrun Joe Sykes ran (31:47), whilst at Wollaton Hall Parkrun Ian Orton run (25:33), with Michael Hughes coming in at (48:39); whilst at Battlestead Croft Parkrun Tim Mudd crossed the line at (26:17).

The Easter break has been a quiet time for races with many Peelers completing long runs for marathon training or on holiday before over-indulging in chocolate! However, Stewart Baker earned his chocolate egg, quite literally, by taking part in the Chasewater Easter Egg 10k. The race followed 2 laps of the reservoir along undulating paths and trails which he completed in a PB time of 54:37 rewarded with a medal and a creme egg!

The Peel Canicross teams were out at a very muddy Catton Hall for the weekend with Rob Mace (running with Drama and Glory) placing 1st and Neal Dempsey (running with Banana and Elvis) placing 3rd in the weekend and the overall season for the series, with Helen Dempsey also competing.

It was a particularly busy weekend for Parkruns with plenty of Peelers in action at Tamworth Castle Grounds Parkrun. Chris Bennett was the first Peeler to cross the line in 23:34 followed by Tim Clark (25:59), Natalie Walker (26:25), Zoe Schnepp (26:40), Sophie Galloway (27:06), Helen Chyla (28:36), Owen Slater (28:44), Dave Fern (29:39), And Wendy Roe (31:53).

At Kingsbury Water Parkrun a good contingent of Peelers saw Darren O’Leary finish in 24:20, Simon Gordon (28:11), Claire Guffick (32:28), Roger Eastaff (35:53), Lee Guffick (35:59), Ann Hill (36:31), Nicola Bannister (43:28), Alison Dolphin (44:19), Wendy Bowyer (44:38), Alison Perry completed her 50th parkrun in 55:10 followed by Stephen Andrews (56:42).

The Easter weekend presented an opportunity for some Parkrun tourism. At the seaside, four Peelers tackled the incredibly challenging Great Yarmouth North Beach Parkrun, considered the hardest Parkrun in the UK, which is ran entirely on energy sapping soft sand. First Peeler to cross the line was Mark Boffey in 27:06, followed by Ian Orton (29:30), Sarah Boffey (41:48) and Michael Hughes (54:25). Also, beside the seaside Mike Shelton completed Bournemouth Parkrun in (21:38). Up in the Lakes Ben Dorkins ran Keswick Parkrun in 22:13, whilst at Victoria Dock in London Jackie Tierney ran 27:11. Lee Rickards ran an impressive 17:47 and bagged a 30 second PB at Long Eaton Parkrun. At Beacon Parkrun Tim Mudd ran 24:33 and Ian Cooper completed Edgbaston Reservoir in 26:56. Garth Cox ran University of Northampton Parkrun in 24:26 whilst at Conkers Emma Pick ran in 22:12 and Marcus Fairburn 30:03.

Wednesday evening saw the club attend the final coached track session of the season at Tamworth Athletics Club, running 8 x 2-minute hard efforts. Many thanks to Derek Bolton for delivering the sessions and we look forward to returning in the Winter.