Month: June 2025

This week not only bought the sunshine, but also the return on Sunday of the annual Peel Road Runners event, the ‘Gate Gallop’.  The event helps raise much needed funds for the local St Giles Hospice and this year was again supported by the fantastic ‘Simon’s Heroes’ charity and all their amazing volunteers.  The ‘Gate Gallop’ has been running for over 25 years and over that period has raised an amazing £100,000. 

The race starts and finishes at Anker Valley Sports Complex in Tamworth and takes runners onto the fields and footpaths around the beautiful River Anker and the Warwickshire Moor.  The route consists of both track, grass fields and concrete paths to give runners a bit of everything.  The runners were also welcomed back to Anker Valley to the sound of live music and there were many stalls set up, with the cake stand being a firm favourite. 

Ian Orton was the first Peeler home in (50:19) followed by Kirsty Welsh (51:44), Carloyne Browne (1:0017), Lydia Trenfield (1:03:32), Emma Petricca (1:05:31) and Emma Livingstone (1:06:15).

This weekend also saw the return of the Derby Half Marathon, also know as Ramathon which is one of the oldest and biggest event of its kind in Derbyshire. The route starts and finishes at Silk Mill Park close to Derby Cathedral and takes in Pride Park Stadium, Alvaston Park and the stunning scenery of Elvaston Castle Country Park. The course is fast and flat.

Peeler Wayne King finished in a fantastic time of (1:23) followed by Jacob Thorold in (1:43:48), well done both.

A little further afield Peelers Joanne Sharman and Stephanie Attenborough took on the LDWA Coast to Coast Challenge, which is 36 miles across Scotland from Ullapool to Ardgay, which they both finished in a fantastic 11 hours and 51 minutes.  As if that wasn’t enough, they followed this by a trip further north to Thurso to volunteer at Millbank Boating Pond Junior Parkrun.

Parkrun events

The Peelers also took full advantage of the lovely weather, attending many of the local Parkrun events too.  Many runners attended the local Tamworth Castle Grounds Parkrun.  Trevor Thompson was the first Peeler back in an impressive (22:55) followed by Sophie Galloway (25:21), Tim Mudd (26:48) and Christie Rosser (27:12).

There was also a strong attendance at Kingsbury Waterpark Parkrun too.  With Mike Shelton the first Peeler to cross the line in a fantastic (21:55); followed by Darren Truman (27:44) and Emma Whorwood (35:41). Many Peelers travelled further afield too with Chris Taylor (33:47) and Stella Taylor (40:21) finishing at Alvaston, and at Beacon Park Lee Rickards came in at (18:34) followed by Jamie Abbiss (19:40) and Garth Cox (23:19).  Darren O’Leary ventured to Centennial and finished in (27:11), Charlotte Fielding ventured to Clapham Common and finished in (29:28). Ben Dorkins attended Coronation Park and finished in an (24:42).  Mark Boffey finished Crosby in (26:10) followed by Lisa Barnes (31:58), Sarah Boffey (32:47 – Which was also Sarah’s 100^th Park Run location, which is known as the Cowell Club) and Jacqueline Tierney (32:50). Ian Orton attended Medina IOW and finished in (23:42) and finally Michael Stevenson attended Warwick Racecourse and came in at (41:50).

The heatwave over the weekend didn’t put off the Peelers from donning their trail running shoes, with four Peelers undertaking the Carsington Water Trail Half Marathon in Ashbourne, Derbyshire on Saturday. This race consisted of an undulating route on trail paths around Carsington Water. The half marathon route is and out and back followed by 1 full loop of the reservoir whilst soaking up the epic views of the surrounding countryside. Lee and Claire Guffick completed in 3:13:53 and 2:35:10 respectively, with Steph Attenborough and Jo Sharma both crossing the line in 2:51:17.

Many Peel Road Runners were also braving the high temperature at parkrun this weekend, with 23 club members participating in 9 different events. At Kingsbury Water parkrun, Mike Shelton completed the 5k in 22m 10s, followed by Katie Stretton in 27m 11s, Lisa Stretton in 27m 12s, Jo Insley in 34m 10s, Alison Upton in 34m 13s, Roger Eastaff in 35m 10s, and Stephen Andrews in 58m 17s.

At Tamworth Castle Grounds, Matt Salisbury finished in 20m 27s, Jamie Abbiss in 20m 28s, Chris Bennett in 24m 54s, Tim Mudd in 27m 45s, Darren Truman in 28m 07s, Allen King in 28m 09s, and Christie Rosser in 28m 22s. Mark Boffey, Run Director at the event reached a significant milestone with his 100^th volunteer with Sandra Ingram also achieving her 50^th volunteer, mostly done at this parkrun, congratulations to them both.

Further afield, at Llanerchaeron, Ian Orton completed the course in 24m 06s. Jacqueline Tierney ran the Poolsbrook parkrun in 31m 46s and Michael Hughes completed the Porthcawl parkrun in 22m 14s whilst Emma Pick recorded a time of 20m 02s at Sence Valley Forest Park. Roger Lloyd finished the Battlestead Croft parkrun in 24m 46s, Charlotte Fielding completed Chasewater parkrun in 27m 49s, and Garth Cox completed the Coronation Park parkrun in 25m 44s.

The Peelers support St Giles Hospice by organising the Gate gallop running event, which this year is being held on Sunday 29th June. There’s still chance to sign up to either the 5km fun run or 10km trail race starting and ending at Anker Valley Sports Complex in Tamworth. This community event is a great day out for all the family, with funds being raised for St Giles Hospice and support once again from Simon’s Heroes.

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.

mpeting between the mixed and Ladies’ events. In 19^th position were Peel Before Zod in 53:17, in 42nd were Peel O Green in 01:02, 49th Shut up and Peel 01:05, 51st You’ve lost that loving Peeling closely followed in 52nd by Achilles Peel in 01:06. In the Ladies event, in 24^th were Peels on Wheels (56:31) 20 seconds ahead of Can’t stop that Peeling (56:51) in 25th.  

A few highlights from the event included fast times from Wayne King (12:08), Lee Rickards (12:40),  Mike Shelton (13:54) and Allen King (14:02), fastest ladies being Sami Futrill (15:19) and Sam Cart (15:59). A closely matched team was picked for Peel O Green,  where all the runners ran between 15 and 16 minutes including the first three runners who were within 3 seconds of each other! 

In this week’s Parkruns, Kingsbury Water Park was the most popular location. Mike Shelton was first back in 22:56, followed by Ben Dorkins (25:17), Ashley Goodman (26:51), Claire Guffick (27:58), Amy Jones (29:24), Jo Insley (33:23), Roger Eastaff (38:04), Lee Guffick (38:46), Nicola Bannister (42:25) and Ann Hill (42:25).

At Tamworth Castle Grounds, Tim Mudd finished in 27:35 followed by Carolyne Browne (27:56), Amy Davis (30:42), Dave Fern (31:20) and George Hope (63:30). Other locations visited were Bestwood Village – Allen King (24:27), Chris Bennett (27:05) and Darren Truman (28:26) – Beacon Lichfield Charlotte Fielding (27:58) – Coronation Park, Joanne Sharman (29:31) and Steph Attenborough (33:22) – Fountains Abbey, Michael Stevenson (38:53) – Gedling, Ian Orton (25:12) – Knowsley, Michael Hughes (23:26), Mark Boffey (26:06), Sarah Boffey (30:28), Jackie Tierney (31:07) – Walsall Arboretum, Garth Cox (23:22) and Wyre Forest, Emma Pick 24:38).

If you’d like to join us for a run, we meet every Tuesday and Thursday at the skate park (6.45 for 7) – more details can be found at www.peelroadrunners.co.uk

Despite a weekend of mixed weather, it was a busy running calendar for the Peelers ,

Chris Bennett ventured to Warwickshire to take on 2 Castles 10k which showcased beautiful scenery on the course from the grounds of Warwick castle to Kenilworth castle. Despite the hills and warm weather Chris completed the course in and impressive  50:54

Helen Dempsey made the trip to Wales for the Swansea half marathon which boasts beautiful coastal scenery. It was a course PB for Helen and her fastest half marathon since 2020 completing the course in 2:32:52. Well done Helen !

Joanne Sharman and Steph Attenborough completed the Show me the Monet Milton Keynes marathon which is set around the beautiful Caldecotte Lake. Both finished in an amazing 6:16:49

Park runs as always were well attended . Specific results below –

Gorleston Cliffs parkrun

Ben DORKINS   23:32

Highbury Fields parkrun

Lee RICKARDS 19:33

Rosliston parkrun

Emma PICK 59:46

Bournemouth parkrun

Mike SHELTON 21:39

Kingsbury Water parkrun

Katie STRETTON 26:06, Lisa STRETTON 26:07, Tracy FORD 26:08, Jacqueline TIERNEY 30:24, Claire GUFFICK 31:08, Jo INSLEY 31:44, Emma WHORWOOD 32:42, Alison UPTON 32:54, Lee GUFFICK 35:08, Ann HILL 41:26, Nicola BANNISTER 41:27, Stephen ANDREWS 56:34, Alison DOLPHIN 56:52

Rogiet parkrun

Chris TAYLOR    29:56

Severn Valley Country parkrun

Ian ORTON 24:26

King George V Playing Field parkrun, Cheltenham.

Joanne SHARMAN 30:11,Stephanie ATTENBOROUGH 33:38 ( this was 4^th completion of the Alphabet challenge for Steph )

Warwick Racecourse parkrun

Michael STEVENSON 38:26

Irchester Country parkrun

Allen KING 23:28, Chris BENNETT 25:07, Garth COX 25:28, Darren TRUMAN 27:48

Zielony Jar

Michael HUGHES 25:13

Tamworth Castle grounds

Matt SALISBURY 21:55 Sophie GALLOWAY 24:57, Tim MUDD 27:08, Amy JONES 28:05, Carolyne BROWNE 28:10, Christie ROSSER 28:13, Dave FERN 31:01

Coronation Park parkrun

Roger LLOYD 24:22

Mike Shelton achieved his 200^th Volunteer at a Park run this weekend too.

Gate Gallop is fast approaching on the 29^th June, funds raised go to St Giles Hospice. If you wish to enter please click the link below

Gate Gallop | AV Timing

The weather was perfect this weekend for runners – the sun was shining with a breeze to keep you cool.  Members of the club were out tackling a variety of distances and terrains.

The local Royal Sutton Fun Run was a popular choice on Sunday.  The run is staged over an 8.5 mile all-tarmac route.  The start is in Sutton Coldfield town centre leading into the park itself.  The route includes the infamous ‘Cardiac Hill’ before returning to the town centre for well-deserved refreshments.  Samie Futrill led the pack completing the course with a pb of 1:10:06, Garth Cox 1:10:18  Chris Bennett 1:10:17 and Ian Orton 1:10:25 pb came in seconds later, followed by Ben Dorkins 1:14:00; Simon Gordon 1:15:43; Carolyne Browne 1:24:16; Claire Guffick 1:25:36pb; Jackie Sheasby 1:29:00; Liam Pring 1:30:32; Sandra Ingram 1:31:38; Emma Livingstone 1:40:00; Jo Insley 1:40:00; Alison Upton 1:41:54; Lee Guffick and Roger Eastaff 1:54:16.  The Peel Walking group was represented by Ann Hill and Nicola Peace who set a great pace and finished in 2:10:52/58 respectively. 

Allen King took on the 9 Locks 10k Challenge – a 10k canal side based challenge, which encompasses the nine locks heading from Stourbridge to Merry Hill.  In the mid section of the event the nine locks climb certainly provides the challenge of the event.  Allen completed the course in an incredible 49:28 mins. 

Elizabeth Young took on a 10k race starting in St. Agnes, Cornwall.  This is a unique trail race experience taking in breathtaking coastal trails.  Elizabeth completed the course in an impressive 1:36:56. 

The Stockholm Marathon was the running choice for Steph Attenborough and Joanne Sharman  this weekend.  The course takes participants through the capital built on fourteen islands.  It includes varied scenery and a preserved medieval city centre.  The race finishes at the 1912 Olympic Stadium, the home of 83 officially recognised world records in athletics.  Steph and Jo completed the marathon in 5:57:13. 

Martin Hollamby commenced a post – I’m doing a silly thing this weekend – The Hardmoors 110 mile Ultramarathon!  Commencing at 8:00 am in Filey, competitors have a time limit of 36 hours to complete the 110 mile single stage trail race, following the stunning Cleveland Heritage coastline visiting seaside towns, passing through beautiful Cleveland Hills and the North York Moors before finishing in the market town of Helmsley.  A very tired but amazing Martin completed the course in 26 hr 55min, the 4th male in. 

Parkrun on a Saturday morning remains a popular way to start the weekend for many Peelers.  Parkruns are held world-wide and the list of locations seems to get longer each week!          Mike Shelton ran on his home turf, Lichfield and completed the 5k in 21:08.  Edgbaston Reservoir, Birmingham saw Stella and Chris Taylor finish in 33:44.  Ian Orton ran at Fire Service College in 38:42 followed by Michael Hughes in 41:37.  Garth Cox completed Holbrooks course in 26:36; Mark Boffey ran Hyde in 26:26 followed by Sarah Boffey in 52:24.  Kingsbury Water Park was a popular choice for many – Phil Neale 22:43; Ben Dorkins 25:34; Darren O’Leary 27:55; Claire Guffick 29:14; Lee Guffick 35:08; Roger Eastaff 35:17 and Ann Hill 35:18.  Lee Rickards ran at Lowestoft and completed his 5k in 18:55.  Roger Lloyd ran at Sence Valley in 25:01; Shane Lewis completed St Mary’s in 27:11.  Wayne King was at the front of the pack and completed Tamworth Parkrun in 18:13; Jamie Abbiss in 19:04; Matt Salisbury in 21:34; Sammie  Futrill in 23:12; Trevor Thompson in 23:16; Sophie Galloway in 26:04 and Tim Mudd in 28:43.  Wollaton Hall was the choice of Allen King who ran the course in 23:00; Chris Bennett in 26:05 and Darren Truman in 28:12.  Pymmes, London saw Jacquie Sheasby complete in 30:10.  Emma Pick ventured to Alstervorland, Hamburg and ran the course in 37:04.  Haga, Sweden, was a warm-up prior to a marathon for Steph Attenborough, 33:37 and Joanne Sharman, 33:38.    

The Peel Running Club is a club for people of all abilities.  Runs are held every Tuesday and Thursday, usually commencing from the Castle Grounds skate park car-park at 6:45 for 7:00pm start.  The Walking Group also meets on a Tuesday, same time and same place.  New members are always welcome.