Month: April 2025

Following many weeks of early morning long runs since Christmas, an incredible day of endurance saw many Peelers take part in marathons in both London and Manchester. Some were running for the personal challenge whilst many were running for charities close to their hearts, all showing the grit and determination it takes to complete the 26.2 miles. Battling the heat in London, Wayne King achieved a sub 3 hour finish to complete  in 2:55:54, with Emma Pick also getting under 3 hours, despite her preparation being affected by injury, to finish her first marathon in 2:57:42. Lee Rickards who also completed the Boston Marathon in the USA the previous week in 3:16, ran the London Marathon in support of St Giles Hospice, completing in 3:25:49. Danny Beardmore achieved a PB of 3:42:27 fundraising for The Institute of Cancer Research, George Hope completed his 4^th World Marathon Major whilst fundraising for The National Autistic Society in 4:31:43, Chris Bennett who won the club’s place in the ballot was supporting Mary Ann Evans Hospice achieving a 2 minute PB with a time of 4:45:44, Lizzy Young running her debut marathon for Alzheimer’s Research UK finished in 5:01:14. Kirsty Brown also running her first marathon for Asthma + Lung UK finished in 5:23:26, with the charity also supported by husband and wife team Claire and Lee Guffick, with Claire completing in 5:38:06 and Lee with a PB in 6:05:11. Jo Sharman completed her 3rd World Major Marathon fundraising for BackCare in 5:40:45.

The sun was also shining in Manchester, making the conditions difficult in the heat, with Shane Lewis first Peeler to finish in a time of 4:07:13, closely followed by Georgie Mead raising funds for Brain Research UK and completing her first marathon in a time of 4:07:46. Mark Boffey finished in 4:46:52 and Judith Matthews completed in 4:51:33. Mike Shelton completed in 4:58:05 with “Trev” the oversized teddy bear once again on his back to complete his 30th marathon (and Trev’s 11^th!). Tony Bryan finished in 5:09:58, and supporting Myeloma UK were both Lisa Barnes completing in 5:26:26 with a 15 minute PB and Darren Truman completing in 6:01:29.

Meanwhile, Phil Neale tackled the half marathon in Stratford-upon-Avon, taking in the town and surrounding countryside and completed in 1:43:50.

Although many were resting legs ahead of Sunday’s marathons, many Peel Road Runners were still out in force on Saturday, participating in 8 different parkrun events. At Babbs Mill, Garth Cox completed the 5k in 24:56. At Kingsbury Water parkrun, Simon Gordon finished in 26:59, Alison Upton in 32:53, Jackie Tierney in 35:14, Sarah Boffey in 35:50, Emma Whorwood in 36:26, Roger Eastaff in 37:36 and Sarah French in 51:01.At Mile End, Jo Sharman completed the course in 46:02, followed closely by Steph Attenborough in 46:03. Mike Hughes ran the Northwich parkrun in 27:20. Emma Pick recorded a time of 21:58 at Rosliston. At Tamworth Castle Grounds, Tim Mudd finished in 27:24 and Tracy Ford in 28:05. Michael Stevenson completed the Warwick Racecourse parkrun in 38:07. Whilst Ian Orton finished the Watermead Country Park parkrun in 23:46.

The Peelers meet every Tuesday evening at the skate park car park at 6.45pm for a 7pm start with a choice of different paced running groups and a walking group. They are also launching their Bridge to 5K course starting on 29^th April at 6pm – details on the Peel Road Runners Public Page on Facebook.

With Tamworth parkrun not taking place due to St George day celebrations, Kingsbury was the most popular event.

Phil Neale was first home in 23:28, followed by Samantha Futrill (24:19), Sophie Galloway (25:50), Ben Dorkins (27:57), Amy Jones (28:09), Claire Guffick (32:34), Emma Whorwood (35:21), Lee Guffick (42:41), Sarah French (51:07), Ann Hill (51:08), Christine Norris (63:36), Stephen Andrews (63:39), Wendy Bowyer (64:58) and Alison Dolphin (65:01).

Also popular was Vicar Water Country Park where Emma Pick finished in 2nd position and 1^st female in an impressive 19:40. She was followed by Allen King (25:52), Chris Bennett (25:56), Mark Boffey (26:01), Michael Hughes (29:07) and Sarah Boffey (37:46). 

Elsewhere Garth Cox finished in 23 minutes at Beacon, Lichfield. Tim Mudd completed Brixworth Country in 27:42. Michael Stevenson at Fountains Abbey in 37:04. Simon Gordon at Huddersfield in 26:21. Up in Scotland, Steph Attenborough (33:20) and Joanne Sharman (33:21) took part at Oriam. Ian Cooper finished Stratford upon Avon in 31:12. Jackie Tierney was at The Plens with a time of 30:21 and Ian Orton was at Torbay Velopark, finishing in 23:44.

And furthest afield in USA, Lee Rickards, ahead of his Boston marathon on Monday also completed Jamica Pond parkrun in 22:24.

It was also the end of the 24/25 season weekend in Canicross at Catton Hall. Heading into the weekend Rob Mace was in 2^nd overall position and Neal Dempsey in 3^rd in the two dog long course class. Neal was also in 3^rd in the two dog short course. Helen Dempsey completed both the two dog long course and veteran female. During the weekend, Neal had two 2^nd places in the long and short two dog classes.

Good luck to all those competing in marathons next weekend, with London & Manchester both taking place next Sunday.

Should you wish to join us, please visit www.peelroadrunners.co.uk for details. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday at the Castle Grounds Skate Park at 645 for a 7pm start. We also have a walking group that meets on Tuesdays at the same time.

Saturday was a beautiful day, and Park runs were well attended. Big thanks to Park run /Junior Park run volunteers /tail walkers Mark and Sarah Boffey , Allen King and  Billy King ,Jo Sharman ,Stephanie Attenborough , Ian Orton and Michael Hughes.

Beacon Park – Garth Cox 22:59

Chasewater -Amy Jones 28:59

Chipping Norton School -Jackie Tierney 29:04

Grangemoor – Stella Taylor 32:02, Chris Taylor 32:03

Kingsbury Water Park- Michael Shelton 26:31, Darren O Leary 28:01, Claire Guffick 29:47, Eastaff 37:09, Lee Guffick 37:10, Jo Insley 37:10, Katie Stretton 38:45, Stephen Andrews 43:05, Alison Dolphin 43:15, Sarah French 48:52, Christine Norris 66:33, Wendy Bowyer 67:12

Pontypridd -Mark Boffey 24:45, Sarah Boffey 48:00

Queen Elizabeths Grammar school – Ian Orton 24:51, Michael Hughes 28:08

Rosliston – Emma Pick 23:12

Tamworth Castle Grounds – Chris Bennett 23:17, George Hope 27:57, Tracey Ford 28:22, Lisa Barnes 29:31(New PB), Joanne Harvey 29:55, Billy King 57:50, Allen King 57:50

Walsall Arboretum -Lee Rickards 17:43 (New PB)

Warwick Racecourse – Michael Stevenson 39:50

Worden -Joanne Sharman 54:27, Stephanie Attenborough 54:28

This weekend was the first race of the season for the BDSL at Conkers for Run in the Forest. The course is an almost entirely off road 5-mile course which saw an incredible number of Peelers in attendance.

Some even took the opportunity to incorporate a run to Conkers as part of their Marathon training – amazing effort.

 Results below

Michael Shelton 34:18

Chris Bennett 38:16 PB

Lorna Carlin 39:04

Roger Lloyd 39:07

Ian Orton 40:05

Simon Gordon 40:47

Samie Futrill 41:31

Tony Bryan 42:29

Sophie Galloway 43:36 PB

Jackie Tierney 48:58

Helen Manton 49:23

Mark Boffey 50:24

Amy Davis 51:46

Dave Fern 51:47

Emma Livingstone 51:48

Emma Whorwood 53:02

Caroline Evans 53:14

Alison Upton 56:29

A big shout out to Amy Davis and Samie Futrill for their first BDSL races.

Summer routes for Club are well underway and the lighter nights are very much welcomed. If you are interested in joining the club drop a message to the Peel Road runners beginners page on Facebook .

With spring upon us and near perfect weather conditions the first weekend in April proved to be a busy one on the racing front for Peel Road Runners.

On Saturday, Martin Hollamby took part in the Shropshire Way 80k race. A circular route with stunning scenery running alongside parts of Offa’s dyke and taking in various peaks (Ragleth, Pole Bank, Striperstones) with around 3000m of ascents and descents including steep technical trails/fells. Martin completed the race to finish 5^th overall in a time of 8 hours 57 minutes, which is a 53 minute PB for this distance.

Also taking part in ultra-marathon racing this weekend, Mike Shelton, Luke Collins, Jo Sharman and Steph Attenborough took part in the ‘A Coventry Way’ challenge. A 40-mile self-navigated loop around Coventry, starting and finishing in Meriden and being 95% on trail paths. With the recent good weather there was a lot less mud on the course then previous years making it ideal for running. Mike and Luke completed the race in 8 hours 23 minutes, 70 minutes quicker than last year. Steph and Jo completed the race in 11.29.54.

A couple of peelers took part in the Brighton Marathon on Sunday. Rachel Naylor made her marathon debut and ran a great time of 04.29.26. Ash Baldwin, no stranger to the marathon distance, ran a very impressive race to finish in 6^th place in an amazing time of 02.39.02. Ash also took 6 minutes off the Peel club record for the marathon distance with this result which has stood in place since 1999.

Sunday saw the ever-popular Cathedral to Castle race take place. Starting at Lichfield Beacon Park and finishing at Tamworth Castle grounds, the 10-mile multi-terrain race takes in road, trail and towpaths. This race always attracts a lot of runners and this year was no exception with a big turnout from Peel Road Runners with some peelers also taking the opportunity to include this as part of their marathon training long runs by making an early start and running from Tamworth to Lichfield before heading back in the race. First back for the club was Chris Samson in 01.05.30. Followed by Phil Neale 01.19.23, Allen King 01.22.15, Richard Satchwell 01.22.26, Samie Futrill 01.22.31, Lorna Carlin 01.23.34, Lisa Stretton 01.24.09, Katie Stretton 01.24.09, Simon Gordon 01.29.34, Billy King 01.30.06, Helen Chyla 01.30.28, Sam Cart 01.30.39, Ian Orton 01.32.33, Tony Bryan 01.32.41, Gemma Pritchard 01.32.54, Chris Bennett 01.34.08, Andy Gilman 01.36.51, Stuart Hatton 01.37.33, Liam Pring 01.40.11, Claire Guffick 01.42.01, Emma La Planche 01.44.56, Lisa Barnes 01.48.22, Neal Dempsey 01.49.38, Emma Whorwood 01.54.14, Emma Livingstone 01.55.05, Jo Insley 01.55.05, Ann Hill 02.04.53, Helen Dempsey 02.09.07, Roger Eastaff 02.13.53, Lee Guffick 02.13.55, Nicola Bannister 02.27.06 and Alice Bannister 02.27.06.

Also on Sunday a couple Peelers attended 10k races. Matt Salisbury took part in the Drayton Manor 10k, with course running through the theme park. Matt finished in 30^th place with a new PB time of 41.44.

Roger Lloyd ventured to the Peak District to race in the Monsal Trail 10k. The route goes along the old railway line through tunnels, over the spectacular Monsal viaduct and all the while surrounded by the beautiful Derbyshire scenery. Roger finished in 11^th place out of 118 runners in a time of 49.37.

In parkrun news, as always these were well attended by the Peel Road Runners. Tamworth Castle Grounds and Kingsbury Waterpark had the biggest Peeler attendance.

At Tamworth, Lee Rickards was first back in 18.24, closely followed by Samie Futrill who was 1^st lady with a new PB time of 23.34. Following Samie was Simon Gordon 24.51, Tony Bryan 24.52, Tracy Ford 28.04 and Sandra Ingram 33.52.

At Kingsbury Water park the peelers were led in by Katie Stretton 26.03, Claire Guffick 30.04, Roger Eastaff 35.12, Lee Guffick 35.13, Ann Hill 46.55 and Nicola Bannister also 46.55.

With Parkrun tourism Tim Mudd ran Battlestead Croft 28.29. Jackie Tierney ran 28.57 at Belton House. Ian Orton 26.13 and Mike Hughes 31.26 at Gloucester City. Allen King 22.05 and Chris Bennett 23.08 at Holbrooks. Garth Cox 23.57 at Markeaton. Amy Jones 29.07 at Wolverhampton. Jo Sharman 58.26 and Steph Attenborough 58.28 filled the tail walker role at Perry Hall.

International tourism, Ben Dorkins travelled to Hasenheide in Berlin, Germany and ran a time of 25.42. Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at the Castle Grounds Skate Park car park at 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start. We also have our walking group meeting on Tuesdays, same time and same meeting place. New members always welcome

What a perfect way to start a weekend – running the Coniston 14.  This race is a hilly route which follows the miles of roads that circle Coniston water and there are stunning views of the surrounding mountains.  Carolyne Browne travelled up to the Lake District and completed the course in 2:24:30, a great time. 

As usual there was a great turnout for parkruns across the country.  Michael Hughes headed up to Ashbourne, completing the 5k in 44:51. It was the first time for Wayne King at Beacon Park, Lichfield, and he gained 2nd place completing the course in 18:04.  Tony Bryan travelled to Exmouth, running the 5k in 27.01.  Hillsborough was the chosen venue for Ian Orton, finishing in 24:26. Kingsbury was once again a popular venue, Katie Stretton leading the pack in 24:43.  Katie was followed by Lisa Stretton in 25:00, Ben Dorkins in 25:21, Jacqueline Tierney in 29:56, Darren Truman in 30:35, Roger Eastaff in 36:42 and Wendy Bowyer in 43:04. 

Chris Taylor travelled to Penallta, Caerphilly, completing the course in 32:23.  Rothay Park was the choice of Tim Mudd, finishing in 27:57.  Tracy Ford ventured to Stratford-Upon-Avon finishing in 27:38.

As usual Tamworth Castle Grounds was the choice of many Peelers.  Chris Bennett lead the pack here in 24:05, Samantha Futrill in 24:17, Lorna Carlin in 26:14, Sophie Galloway in 26:54, George Hope in 28:25, Helen Manton in 29:59.  Garth Cox ran at Vicar Water Country Park finishing in 26:23.  Walsall Arboretum was the choice of Roger Lloyd, completing the course in 23:22.  Michael Stevenson ran at Warwick Racecourse, finishing in 37:08 and Sarah Boffey completed Woodgate Valley Country Park in 36:58.  Millie Williamson travelled to Doncaster and finished her 5k with a PB of 21:42. 

Steph Attenborough and Josey Jo took on an Ultra event this weekend.  The Ultra was a 32-mile loop around the historic Black Country.  The route is set among some great urban escapes – old railway lines, canal towpaths, tunnels and other exciting things that you do not get to see from the roads.  This was a great training opportunity for Josey Jo who is preparing to take on the London Marathon. 

The Peel Road Runners is an affiliated member of England Athletics.  As a club we have trained Coaches and Leaders who are able to lead and support our members.   Martin Hollamby has been successful in gaining the Coaching in Running Fitness Award which is the cornerstone of the off-track pathway.  It is designed for those who want to get involved in coaching runners who take part in non-track-based activities eg. road, fell, cross-country or multi terrain events, and who wish to improve their fitness. 

And finally, a tale of resilience, determination and a very welcome cheese and tomato cob!   The following was written by Lee Guffick, following his completion of the Ashby 20 last weekend.

“On Sunday, I had the privilege of running the Ashby 20, a 20-mile road race with more than its fair share of rolling hills. 

Now, I’m not the fastest runner out there.  In past races, I’ve been overtaken by a snowman, a caterpillar, and even a mobile hot tub.  This time, I can add to the list someone dressed as a carrot!  But what mattered most wasn’t my speed – it was showing up, facing the challenge, and pushing through.

A new cut off was introduced this year: runners needed to hit 15 miles within 3:30. In training I’d only just scraped through this with 90 seconds to spare…so I was feeling the pressure.  But I made it – with over 8 minutes in hand.  Reaching that point was emotional – not just for me, but for many others who had worked hard to get me there.  We cheered, we cried, we kept going.

I was the final runner to cross the finish line, proudly brought in by the local Scout group, what a way to finish! I received my coveted Ashby 20 hoody and the legendary post-race cheese and tomato cob.

I couldn’t be prouder.  Not just of my own journey – but of every single person who laced up, showed up, and gave it their all.

Sometimes, success isn’t about being the fastest.  It’s about having the courage to start, the grit to keep going and the heart to finish”.     The Peelers are proud to be a running club catering for all abilities and celebrate everyone’s achievements.  We meet every Tuesday night, at 6:45pm for a 7:00pm start – the skate park car park in the Castle Grounds.  We have groups for all abilities together with a walking group.  The club is very friendly and always welcomes new members