Month: August 2025

On what turned out to be an unusually toasty Bank Holiday, Val Lawson set off to Staffordshire totake on the Denstone 10 miler. The route starts at Denstone College opening with a downhill start to lure the runners into a false sense of comfort. The out and back route tracks along the Churnet Valley trail before rewarding participants with an uphill finish. Val achieved a time of 1:50:29 finishing 3^rd in her age category.

Taking the opportunity of the long weekend to squeeze in not one but two events Joanne Sharman and Steph Attenborough were in action at two back to back half marathons. First up on Sunday they completed Derby Running Festival half marathon in 2:39:00 before heading to Walton on Thames on Monday to take part in the ‘2 Weird 2 Run’ half marathon hosted by Phoenix Running. A scenic run along the River Thames the event is known for its aid stations featuring unusual baked goods. The pair took advantage of the sociable atmosphere and the feed stations completing in 3:21:00.

29 Peel members kept the Peel flag flying at Park Runs across the country.  Worcester Pitchcroft hosted Wendy Bowyer who finished in 39:27, Garth Cox ticked off an incredible 250^th park run at East Park in Wolverhampton (22:59), Chelmsford Central saw a visit from Michael Hughes who achieved a PB of 21:22, whilst at Newent Mark Boffey and Sarah Boffey finished in 25:41 and 29:47 respectively. Closer to home Kingsbury remained ever popular with Phil Neale crossing the line first in 22:45. Ash Goodman was next home in 25:07 followed by Darren O’Leary (25:57), Roger Eastaff (33:11), Alison Upton (33:19) Ann Hill (35:45), Stephen Andrews (59:10), Alison Dolphin (59:12), Sarah French (59:21) and tail walkers Steph Attenborough and Joanne Sharman brought the run to a close in 01:01:05 and 01:01:06. Also staying local Mike Shelton ran Beacon Park in 21:25, Jackie Tierney visited Battlestead Croft (29:27), Simon Gordon finished Conkers in 25:57 and Roger Lloyd took on Market Bosworth (24:30). Meanwhile at Tamworth Chris Samson brought the team home in 18:49, chased down by Matt Salisbury in 20:04, Ben Dorkins (23:45), Sophie Galloway (24:10), Richard Satchwell (25:29), Sam Cart (25:35), Lydia Knight who achieved both 1^st in her age category and a PB of 27:39, Tim Mudd (27:44), Billy King (28:56), Allen King (28:57) and Lisa Vickery (30:46). Ian Orton added Wyre Forest to his collection of locations, in a time of 24:45 and Chris Bennett triumphed at Groe Builth Wells in 23:48.

A Sunday social for the Peel walking group saw members head out on a 6.5 mile hike around Shustoke and Nether Whitacre, enjoying the beautiful countryside and sampling the delights of the local pub as a well deserved reward. What better way to spend a Bank Holiday!

The stunning Lake Orta in Piedmont, Northern Italy, was the setting for an extraordinary test of endurance as Peel Road Runners Steph Attenborough and Jo Sharman took part in the Orta 10 in 10 event.

Between Friday 8th and Saturday 17th, the pair completed an incredible sequence of five marathons with each followed by five half marathons. The demanding road course—closer to trail conditions by UK standards—featured more than 400 metres of elevation on the full marathon route.

Adding to the challenge were extreme conditions, with heat warnings in place and daily temperatures approaching 40°C. Despite this, both runners excelled, finishing joint third overall in the half marathon standings.

The famous Blackpool Illuminations provided a dazzling backdrop for this year’s Run the Lights 10k, as hundreds of runners took to the Promenade for one of the North West’s most vibrant races.

Starting in the heart of Blackpool, the route took participants past iconic landmarks including the Blackpool Tower and the Pleasure Beach, before finishing under the glow of the world-renowned light displays. Every finisher received a bespoke glow-in-the-dark medal to mark the occasion.

Peel Road Runners were well represented on the night, with strong performances across the field. Allen King finished in 46:23, followed by Mark Boffey in 48:31. Samantha Futrill crossed in 49:02, with Chris Bennett close behind in 51:07. Lisa Barnes rounded off the club’s entries, finishing in 59:31.

The Belper Rover in Derbyshire once again lived up to its reputation as a tough but scenic challenge, with competitors tackling a 30 km circular fell race across footpaths, bridleways and public roads. The course took runners over the Chevin ridge, along stretches of ancient Roman road once frequented by highwaymen, and through farmland, woodland and sections of the Midshires Way.

This year’s event was made even tougher by hot conditions, with the 2000 ft of elevation gain across the course proving particularly demanding. Finishers were rewarded in true Rover tradition with a cheese cob and a can of coke. Among the entrants was Peel Road Runners’ Sarah Boffey, who put in a strong performance to complete the race in 3:38:12.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Blithfield Reservoir in Staffordshire, the Blithfield Triathlon once again attracted athletes to one of the region’s most scenic multi-sport events. Based at the Sailing Club, the race offered both Sprint and Olympic distances, with competitors tackling a reservoir swim, a fast rolling bike leg and a trail/tarmac run to finish.

Peel Road Runners’ Matt Salisbury took on the Olympic distance, beginning with a 1.5 km open water swim in 37:33. He then completed the 39 km bike section in 1:05:53 before finishing strongly on the 10 km run with a time of 49:30. Matt finished in a fantastic 47^th place out of a field of 129 competitors with an overall time of 2:38:41.

Meanwhile, it was another busy weekend for Peel Road Runners, with members taking part in events across the country. A large group of Peelers headed to Kingsbury Water, where Katie Stretton finished in 25:13, followed by Ashley Goodman in 26:42. Roger Eastaff recorded a time of 31:43, just ahead of Claire Guffick who finished in 31:44. Jo Insley crossed the line in 33:06, with Emma Whorwood close behind in 33:54. Lee Guffick ran well to finish in 34:45, while Ann Hill and Wendy Bowyer completed their runs together in 38:34 and 38:35 respectively. Rounding off the Peel contingent, Alison Dolphin finished in 57:14 and Stephen Andrews in 57:17.

At Rotherham, Michael Hughes completed his run in 49:33. At Isabel Trail, Roger Lloyd produced a strong run to gain a PB in 23:10. Meanwhile, at Dunstable Downs, Ben Dorkins completed his outing in 24:17. In Ross-on-Wye, Jacqueline Tierney ran well to record a time of 31:39. At Woodgate Valley Country Park, Garth Cox completed the course in 23:30. In Sence Valley Forest Park, Tim Mudd finished his run in 27:22. Finally, at Tamworth Castle Grounds, Sophie Galloway finished in 24:29, followed by Judith Matthews in 25:45. Lydia Trenfield achieved a PB and first in her age category in 27:39, Charlotte Fielding completed her run in 28:27, while Dave Fern finished in 31:36.

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.

Last Sunday saw an excellent turnout for the Burton 10k. In very warm temperatures, 16 Peelers turned out for the annual race. First back for the club was Chris Samson in 41st place (40:28). He was followed by Matt Salisbury (41:47) and Ian Orton (47:09). Sami Futril was the first female back in 127^th place overall (49:16). The remaining times were Mark Boffey (49:25), Lisa Stretton (49:54), Garth Cox (50:48), Roger Lloyd (51:18), Katie Stretton (52:30), Chris Bennett (53:48), Simon Gordon (54:07), Gemma Pritchard (57:21), Carolyne Browne (1:01), Sarah Boffey (1:02), Val Lawson (1:07) and Dave Fern (1:10).

Neal Dempsey completed something a bit longer, with the 56k Outer Edge events “The Crossing” from Belstone to Ivybridge straight across Dartmoor. It was a mix of peat and rocky paths in very tough hot and windy conditions.

In the local parkruns -Kingsbury was most popular – Garth Cox was first back in 51st (25:36) then Darren O’Leary (26:00), Roger Eastaff (32:00), Claire Guffick (32:01), Lee Guffick (34:46) and Wendy Bowyer (41:19).  Tamworth Castle Grounds saw Jamie Abbiss finish 4^th in 18:35. He was followed by Matt Salisbury (23:10), Judith Matthews (25:38), Darren Truman (27:42), Sophie Galloway (28:25) and Roger Lloyd (46:38).  Mike Shelton at Beacon Lichfield (21:16). 

Uckfield had Michael Hughes in 16th (22:58), Mark Boffey (26:22), Jackie Tierney (34:01) and Sarah Boffey (36:09). Other events were Ian Orton at Alderford Lake (23:20), Tracy Ford at Brueton (26:41), Lisa Barnes at Cheltenham (57:12), Allen King at Pavillion Gardens (24:12), Tim Mudd at Vicar Water (28:33), Mike Stevenson at Warwick Racecourse (38:56) and Ben Dorkins at Y Promenad (27:16).

And last but certainly not least, Emma Pick at Wimpole Estate (18:28) finishing in 1^st Place! 

Peel Road Runners meet each Tuesday and Thursday at Tamworth Castle Grounds  – see www. peelroadrunners.co.uk for more details

was near perfect weather conditions for running this weekend and Park runs far and wide were well attended.  A couple of specific mentions to Emma Pick and her dog Lola who ran Clumber Park Parkrun in an incredible time of 18:50 and finishing as 1^st female ( 3^rd place overall) and Lisa Barnes picked up her Park run PB at Tamworth Castle grounds in a time of 28:40 thanks to the support of Chris Bennett and Allen King . All Park run results are below

Worcester Pitchcroft parkrun

Ian Orton 22:14

Sandwell Valley parkrun

Joanne Sharman 40:57,Stephanie Attenborough 40:57

Kingsbury Water parkrun

Philip Neale 23:00, Ashley Goodman 24:42, Katie Stretton 25:21, Lisa Stretton 25:23, Simon Gordon 25:34, Sarah Boffey 32:36, Jacqueline Tierney 36:13

Clumber Park parkrun

Emma Pick 18:50

Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun

Sophie Galloway 24:27

Sutton Park parkrun

Roger Lloyd 24:01

Chasewater parkrun

Roger Eastaff 34:04, Claire Guffick 34:05, Lee Guffick 35:36, Wendy Bowyer 41:09, Ann Hill,41:10, Sarah French51:35, Stephen Andrews 58:21

Warwick Racecourse parkrun

Michael Stevenson 39:39

Beacon parkrun

Jamie Abbiss 18:33

Frogmary Green Farm parkrun

Tim Mudd 29:07

Tamworth Castle Grounds parkrun

Lee Rickards 18:33, Matt Salisbury 20:05, Charlotte Fielding 28:23, Lisa BARNES 28:40, Allen King 28:41, Chris Bennett 28:41

Oaklands College parkrun

Michael Hughes 44:25

Jubilee parkrun, Bedford

Garth Cox 22:59

Aside of Park run it was a quiet week on the race calendar for the Peelers this week . 

Joanne Sharman and Steph Attenborough took on the half marathon at Nottingham running festival held at the iconic Nottingham Racecourse. The course takes you along Colwick country park and the views of the stunning lakes. Both completed the course in an amazing time of 2 hours 53 minutes. Well done ladies