Month: May 2025

A quiet weekend on the racing front meant parkrun was the run of choice for Peel Road Runners.

Kingsbury Water Park drew the biggest Peel attendance. Wayne King was first back for the club, finishing in 4^th place overall and first in his age category with a time of 18:19. Wayne was closely followed by Phil Neale (22:27), Lisa Stretton (24:18), Katie Stretton (25:06), Darren O’Leary (27:40), Tim Mudd (28:11), Claire Guffick (31:08), Lisa Barnes (31:54), Jackie Tierney (32:36), Sarah Boffey (32:52), Jo Insley (32:55), Lee Guffick (35:35), Ann Hill (38:27), Roger Eastaff (38:34) and Stephen Andrews (63:21).

Tamworth Castle Grounds also attracted a decent turnout from Peel. Lee Rickards was first back in 4^th place in a time of 19:08. Hot on his heels was Jamie Abbiss (19:32), Matt Salisbury (23:51), Ben Dorkins (24:04), Sophie Galloway (25:57), Sam Cart (26.05, new PB), Tony Bryan (26:36) and Roger Lloyd (27:48).

In Parkrun tourism, Garth Cox ran 23:18 at Beacon Park, Mike Hughes ran 25:36 at Beeston. Ian Orton ran the new Coronation Park parkrun for their first event in 42:19. At Glossop parkrun in the Peak District, Steph Attenborough ran 52:00 and Jo Sharman 52:02. At Warwick Racecourse Allen King ran 22:17, Chris Bennett 23:02, Darren Truman 26:20 and Michael Stevenson 38:29. At Wepre parkrun in North Wales, Emma Pick ran 38:19.

On the 29^th June 2025 Peel Road Runners will be hosting the annual Gate Gallop 5k and 10k races at Anker Valley Sports Complex, raising money for St Giles hospice. Entries are now open. To enter please visit www.avtiming.com.

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.

With blue skies and sunny weather continuing across most of England, Peel Road Runners were able to take advantage of the sunshine to top up their tans and add to their medal collections at the weekend’s races.

Running at the Chester half marathon (the second race in the ‘triple’ series), Allen King was first home for the club in a time of 1:44:00, closely followed by Lorna Carlin in 1:47:00, Ian Orton in 1:55:00 (course personal best), Mark Boffey in 1:56:00, Darren Truman in 2:06:00, Neal Dempsey in 2:28:50 (course personal best),  Sarah Boffey in 2:32:00 and Helen Dempsey in 2:38:24 (a course personal best and a 30 minute improvement on last year!).

Continuing to build up his endurance over longer distances, Luke Collins took on the Running Monk Bishop’s Castle 50k trail race (which included over 4700 ft of climb and a detour to avoid some cows with calves!) in a time of 5:54:00 finishing in an impressive 5^th place overall.

As usual Saturday’s parkruns were a big draw for the Peelers. Running at Braunstone, Leicester Chris Bennett finished in 23:19 followed by Darren Truman (26:28) and Allen King (26:29).  At Kingsbury Water Park, James Stretton finished in 19:58 followed by Mike Shelton (21:12), Lisa Stretton (23:22), Claire Guffick (30:34), Emma Whorwood (31:38), Lee Guffick (36:50), Alison Dolphin (50:51), Stephen Andrews (1:03:59) and Chris Norris (1:04:05).  Running along the Monsal trail, Mark Boffey finished in 25:33 and Sarah Boffey (1:01:31), whilst at Newborough Forest on Anglesey, Ian Orton crossed the line in 26:45 closely followed by Michael Hughes in 26:49. Meanwhile at Warwick Racecourse, Mick Stevenson clocked 38:28 and at Beacon Park, Lichfield Garth Cox finished in 22:41.  Running at Blaise Castle, Bristol Peel octogenarian Bob Donovan finished in 33:19, whilst closer to home at Tamworth Castle Sophie Galloway was first home for the club in a time of 25:18, followed by George Hope (27:15), Stuart Hatton (28:23), Clara Walton (29:33) and Dave Fern (30:22).  Finally at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Horncastle, Joanne Sharman finished in 32:25 very closely followed by Steph Attenborough in 32:27!

Celebrating the May Day bank holiday weekend with a run, four Peelers popped down the M1 to Milton Keynes. Neal Dempsey achieved ‘legend’ status, completing his 5^th consecutive MK marathon in 4:56:06, way to go Neal, whilst Helen Dempsey took on the half marathon finishing in 2:36:42. Steph Attenborough and Joanne Sharman also undertook the marathon crossing the line in 5:56

Sticking with Steph and Jo who are always looking for a challenge, the ladies travelled this weekend to South Wales where they tackled the LDWA Rhondda Rollercoaster, 16 miles of trails, finishing in 7:26.

27 Peelers were out in force across the country supporting Park Run. In alphabetical order we saw Garth Cox finish Alvaston in 23:22, Allen King (23:24), Chris Bennett (23:35), Billy King (23:52 – a new PB) and Darren Truman (27:36) completed Arrow Valley, Beacon Park hosted Mike Shelton (21:41), Michael Stevenson ventured to Ripon to Fountains Abbey (38:10), Ian Orton remained within the county at Isabel Trail (22:27), whilst closer to home at Kingsbury Water Park, ten Peelers donned their trainers to appreciate our local beauty spot; Tracy Ford (27:13), Claire Guffick (29:26), Sarah Boffey (33:40), Lee Guffick (35:21), Roger Eastaff (36:09), Wendy Bowyer (39:22), Laura Bowyer (39:22), Chris Norris (66:16), Stephen Andrews (66:22) and Phil Neale (66:36). Markshall Estate accommodated Michael Hughes (25:38),  Emma Pick (43:53) ran at Newborough Forest, Jamie Abbiss (21:04), Roger Lloyd (24:30), Ben Dorking (25:06), George Hope (27:14) all stayed home at Tamworth, whilst Y Promenad had a visit from Tim Mudd (27:27).

On the volunteering front, Lisa Ellen took part in her first Junior Park Run at Beacon. Meanwhile, at Newport Junior Park Run, Steph Attenborough celebrated her 50th junior volunteer milestone, while Jo Sharman achieved an impressive total of 200 volunteer events.

Throughout the summer months the club take part in the Burton and District Summer League. The league was created back in 2005 to create friendly rivalry between running clubs in the area. There are 9 races scheduled this summer and Sunday saw the second of those races. Uttoxeter Festival of Running consists of a 10k and a half marathon, runners can sign up to either but only the half marathon is counted towards the summer league. Not only is it the longest distance race in the league, the event if renowned for being a challenging, undulating route. Starting and finishing at the racecourse it takes place on partially closed roads, along lanes and villages in the local area. Throw in some glorious sunshine and all runners were in for a character-building run!

First home for the Peelers was Wayne King, achieving first in his age category and 9^th overall in a time of 01:24:25. Next across the line was Chris Samson in 01:36:25 followed by the first Peel lady, Lorna Carlin, second in her age category in an impressive 1:50:15. A further 9 members completed the half marathon course Simon Gordon (2:01:03), Sam Cart (2:03:24), Chris Bennett (2:04:26), Mark Boffey (2:12:06), Helen Chyla (2:16:54), Natalie Walker (2:16:57), Darren Truman (2:24:20), Helen Manton (2:29:00) and Jacqueline Tierney (2:35:52). Meanwhile Gemma Pritchard represented the club in the equally challenging 10k, finishing fourth in her age category in 59:55.

Following a week that was all about the Marathon, this week the Peel Road runners turned their hand to the Ultra, Half Marathon and 10k distance.

Peeler Luke Collins took part in the Malvern Hills Ultra on Saturday.  The 47 mile race is an out and back starting from Abberley Village Hall, predominantly following the scenic Worcestershire Way, turning at Sally’s Place, British Camp, and back to Abberley Village Hall.  Luke finished in an amazing 17^th place and a time of 10 hours and 13 minutes and 26 seconds.  Fantastic job Luke!

This weekend also saw the return of the local Great Birmingham Half Marathon and Birmingham 10k.  Running through the historic heart of the city and past world-famous heritage sites in Birmingham’s biggest running event. The route starts on Broad Street at Centenary Square and has a grandstand finish at the Smithfield site near the Bullring, home to Commonwealth Games beach volleyball and basketball.

In the Half Marathon Peeler Emma Petricca was first back with a fantastic PB of 2:10:24, followed by Emma Whorwood in a great time of 2:23:27.  Well done Both!

In the 10k Millie Williamson was representing team Peel, where she completed the course with an amazing PB of 45:15.  Fantastic running Millie!

With the sun out the Peelers travelled far and wide to take part in Parkruns.

At Torbay Velopark Sophie Galloway gained a fantastic PB of (24:48)

At the local Tamworth Castle Grounds first Peeler back and in 3^rd place was Jamie Abbiss in an amazing time of (19:00).  Followed by Ben Dorkins (23:30), Samantha Futrill (24:34), Judith Matthews (25:50), Christine Rosser (27:46), Clara Walton (29:13) and Dave Fern (30:45).

The Peelers were out in force at Kingsbury Water Park with James Streeton first back for Team Peel in (19:43) and in 8^th place, followed by Allen King (23:17), Mike Shelton (23:18), Billy King (24:19), Lisa Stretton (24:38), Katie Stretton (24:44), Tracy Ford (27:34), Amy Jones (28:21), Jo Insley (33:57), Lee Guffick (37:40), Roger Eastaff (37:41), Wendy Bowyer (41:09), Christine Norris (1:02:54), Chris Bennett bringing up the rear as tail walker (1:03:07)

Travelling to Shrewsbury were Stella Taylor, who was first back for Peel in (50:47), followed by Chris Taylor in (50:48) and Ian Orton travelled to The Wammy and finished in a great time of (22:40).

At Rother Vally Michael Hughes finished in (46:55) and at Pontefract Mark Boffey finished in (26:02).

Travelling to Birchall Playing Fields Jacqueline Tierney finished in (31:02) whilst at Beeston, Tim Mudd finished in (27:10) and at Beacon Park Garth Cox finished in (23:00).

Peelers walking group Peel Road Runners walking group meets on a Tuesday evening in the carpark by the Tamworth Castle skate park at 6.50pm.  The group walks various routes for around 1 hour each week.  Come along and give it a try, details can be found at www.peelroadrunners.co.uk