Trailffest half marathon is described as “one of the most scenic you could hope to run, with dramatic changes of scenery and terrain the whole way to the finish line.” A ride on a steam train takes you to the start at Blaenau in the mountains, 710tf of elevation, with the finish down by the sea in Porthmadog with plenty of steep and challenging climbs along the way. Lisa Stretton and Katie Stretton took on the challenge with Lisa describing it as “the hardest run I’ve ever done”. Both completed the race in 2 hours 33 minutes.
This weekend also saw the start of the canicross season with Rob Mace competing at the Midlands season opener where he took part in two races. The first race was the male 2 dog long course. Racing with Helix and Neb they secured 1st place. The second race was with Murphy (in his first canicross race) in the odds & bods class and they finished fastest overall, completing the 1.2km course 4:33 and 4:26 over the two-day event.
Away from racing, Lydia Knight set a new PB over the half marathon distance during a training run, knocking 13 minutes off her previous best time and getting under 2 hours with a time of 01:58:10.
On Sunday, Lisa Barnes and Allen King hiked to the B29 crash site in the peak district. Following an approx. 9-mile loop they took in some amazing views that the peak district has to offer before visiting the crash site itself.
In Parkrun news, Emma Pick is continuing her fantastic form with another 1st place at Black Rocks parkrun, setting a new female course record (and the 5th fastest female at parkrun this weekend) in the process with a extremely fast time of 17:42. Also at Black Rocks parkrun was Jackie Tierney with a time of 30:43.
In other Parkrun tourism, Alison Perry ran Conkers in 42:15. Garth Cox ran 25:09 at Dishley in Loughborough. Haughmond Hill parkrun Mike Hughes (23:15) and Ian Orton (23:16). Ben Dorkins ran at Leazes parkrun in 24:48 and finally Steph Attenborough and Jo Sharmen at Alderford Lake, both with 57:27.
As the norm, Kingsbury Water Park and Tamworth Castle grounds were both well attended. At Kingsbury, Tracy Ford was first home in 24:29. Followed by Sarah Boffey (28:52), Emma Whorwood (30:34), Sophie Galloway (31:57), Alison Upton (32:18), Claire Guffick (32:21), Helen Dempsey (34:49), Neal Dempsey (34:49) and Ash Goodman (56:54).
At Tamworth, Mark Boffey was first home in 24:46. Followed by Allen King (26:11), Chris Bennett (26:23), Tim Mudd (27:53), Billy King (28:46), Andy Gilman (29:04) and Stuart Hatton (29:30).
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.