The Washlands Relays is an inter-club relay race held on a Wednesday evening in June in Burton Upon Trent. Peel Road Runners have always supported the race enthusiastically and enjoy the challenge of running the two-mile laps in the shortest possible time. As ever, although individual results were important, having inclusive and fun mixed teams was also a priority for the Peelers, especially as there were many runners taking on the challenge for the first time.
In the individual women’s results, Emma Pick was first lady home, completing the two-mile course in a time of 11:44, just two seconds in front of her local rival, Abbey Van Dijk! Next Peeler lady to finish was Lorna Al-Ani in 14:13 followed by Katherine Bradley (15:22), Katie Stretton (15:27), Lorna Carlin (15:49), Lisa Stretton (15:54), Sam Cart (16:05), Sophie Galloway (16:07), Jo Bovington (16:38), Gemma Pritchard (16:45), Carolyne Browne (17:36), Lisa Barnes (19:03) and Helen Manton (20:55).
In the men’s results, Danny Beardmore was first back for the club in a time of 12:30, followed by Matt Salisbury (13:11), Luke Collins (13:23), Adrian Jelley (13:48), Mike Shelton (13:55), Ian Orton (14:16), Wayne Richardson (14:27), Tom King (14:30), Phil Neale (14:35), Billy King (14:49), Ben Dorkins (14:50), Chris Bennett (14:59), Mark Boffey (15:39), Roger Lloyd (15:51), Simon Gordon (16:08), George Hope (16:22), Tim Mudd (16:32), Graham Lane (16:43), Tony Bryan (17:08) and Dave Fern (20:11).
Another local favourite, the Aldridge 10k race, was held on Sunday, but only two Peelers were able to make the start line this year. Roger Lloyd finished first in a time of 50:37, followed by Stewart Baker in 58:21. Meanwhile, at the Two Castles 10k (starting at Warwick Castle and finishing at Kenilworth Castle), Neal Dempsey and Helen Dempsey crossed the line together in a time of 1:14:32 and commented on the ‘hilliness’ of the course! (The lack of hilly terrain in Tamworth can cause problems for Peelers used to flat training runs!).
Saturday parkruns, as ever, proved a huge draw for the Peelers, with Kingsbury pulling in the largest number from the club. First back was Club Chairman, Mike Shelton, in a time of 21:52 followed by Ash Goodman (22:57), Ben Dorkins (26:00), Darren O’Leary (27:30), Lorna Al-Ani (28:10), Roger Eastaff (33:40), Jo Insley (34:15), Claire Guffick (34:41), Lee Guffick (35:39), Ann Hill (35:50), Stephen Andrews (35:53), Wendy Bowyer (37:42), Nicola Bannister (44:47) and Lisa Barnes (1:04:17).
Owen Slater ran at Beacon Parkrun (29:40), whilst at Tamworth Castle Grounds, Wayne Richardson (21:58), Chris Bennett (22:38), Jo Bovington (25:09), Sophie Galloway (25:16), Graham Lane (27:45), Jonathan Allen (28:18), Dan Bird (29:59), and Cheryl Flint (43:03) represented the club. Further afield, Emma Pick (21:21) ran at Congleton, Tim Mudd (27:15) took on Brueton parkrun, whilst Mark Boffey (26:54) and Sarah Boffey (38:09) ran at Nobles parkrun in Peel on the Isle of Man. Finally, Steph Attenborough (52:08) and Jo Sharman (59:31) ran at Orangefield, Belfast, and Jacqui Tierney (1:05:04) took part in the Lyme Park, Disley parkrun.
