Author: PeelRR

  • Weekly Round up – 2nd December 2024

    Weekly Round up – 2nd December 2024

    Stuck for something to do on an overcast and damp Sunday morning? Why not run 5.5 miles around a shoe-sucking muddy cross country course complete with log jumps and water hazards!!  This is exactly the challenge that an enthusiastic group of Peel Road Runners took on at the Poplars Farm Equestrian Cross Country course near Burton Upon Trent in the second race of this winter’s Burton & Derby Cross Country League.  First home for the club in fourth place overall was Wayne King, closely followed by Martin Hollamby in 11th place, Lee Rickards in 12th place, Chris Samson in 16th place, Luke Collins in 21st place, Mark Boffey in 89th place, Simon Gordon in 97th place and Lee Guffick in 128th place.  In the ladies’ race, Sam Cart (in her first cross country race) was first home for the club in 58th place, followed by Gemma Pritchard in 59th place, Claire Guffick in 68th place, Val Lawson in 74th place, Emma Petricca (also running her first cross country race) in 75th place and Sara Boffey in 89th place.  Supporting the club by covering essential volunteering roles were Lisa Fletcher, Chris Bennett, Tracy Ford, Elizabeth Young and Sandra Ingram.  The next cross country race will be held at Sinai Park, Burton Upon Trent in January.

    In their quest to run as many marathons in as many different locations as possible, Steph Attenborough and Joanne Sharman completed the world’s first marathon run completely underground!  This required runners to complete 91 laps of a cold, twisty and surprisingly wet course wearing head protection and head torches at the UCAP Bunker in Portsmouth (a former underground headquarters for the Royal Navy to plot the progress of the allied troops during the invasion of Normandy on D-Day).  Steph and Jo completed the course in 6:17:00.

    Running in the canicross event at Trail Betws in Eryri, north Wales Helen Dempsey (running with Sydney) and Neal Dempsey (running with Banana and Elvis) completed the 10k course in a time of 1:20:15.

    At the weekend’s parkruns, Emma Pick broke her own club record by running a time of 17:48 over 5k at Long Eaton parkrun!  Other Peel parkrunners this weekend included:  Michael Hughes running at Upton Country Park in Dorset in a time of 49:10 whilst at Kingsbury water park, Darren Truman finished in a time of 28:48 followed by Ann Hill (49:44), Sarah French (52:29) and Stephen Andrews (60:25).  Running at Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire, Mick Stevenson finished in 37:38; at Melton Mowbray Ian Orton finished in 24:42 and at Babb’s Mill, Garth Cox finished in 25:57.  Running closer to home at Tamworth Castle parkrun, Luke Collins and Jamie Abbiss were first back for the club in a time of 22:46, followed by Roger Lloyd (25:19); Chris Bennett (25:43); Simon Gordon (26:51); Tim Clark (28:30); Joanne Harvey (28:50); Stuart Hatton (28:53); Dave Fern (30:20); Jacqui Tierney (33:38) and Sarah Boffey (48:20).

    A happy group of Peelers and their families also supported Santa on his Round Table charity sleigh run through Wilnecote and Hockley on Sunday evening. 

  • Weekly Round up – 25th November 2024

    Weekly Round up – 25th November 2024

    The arrival of Storm Bert on Saturday did nothing to dampen the celebrations at Kingsbury Waterpark parkrun as the location achieved its 500th milestone. Twelve Peelers were there to join the merriment and  recognise the hard working volunteers without whom parkruns wouldn’t be possible. Phil Neale led the pack, celebrating his own 100th parkrun with a time of 22:27. Coming in next were Mike Shelton (24:24), Allen King (24:28), Ben Dorkins (24:44), Billy King (24:46) and Garth Cox (26:14). Mother and daughter duo Lisa and Katie Stretton finished in 27:45 followed by Claire Guffick (33:44), Chris Taylor (33:51), Dave Fern (34:07) and Lee Guffick (38:47).

    Mark and Sarah Boffey travelled to Oxford to take part there, completing the course in 23:54 and 36:15, Aylesbury hosted Michael Hughes (45:30), Jamie Abbiss ventured south to Panshanger, Hertford (41:06) whilst Jackie Tierney travelled north to Bury finishing in 33:04.

    Local parkruns hosted Emma Pick at Rosliston (20:20) and Luke Collins (20:13), Sophie Galloway (25:35), Chris Bennett (26:22) at Tamworth.

    Selecting to visit our European neighbours Ian Orton journeyed to Zielony Jar in Krakow, Poland and achieved a time of 24:57. At the same time Joanne Sharman and Steph Attenborough were taking in the sights at Judarskogen, Sweden finishing in 35:54 and 35:56.

    Ever the hardy bunch, as Bert continued to linger into Sunday, 13 members showed true Peeler grit travelling 60 miles to the start line of the much-loved Clowne Half Marathon. An undulating course involving 656ft of ascent, the route starts and finishes in the centre of Clowne town taking in the surrounding villages of Whaley, Elmton, Creswell and Whitwell. Facing into the less than ideal conditions Phil Busby brought a wet and windswept team Peel home in 1:45:03, followed by Phil Neale (1:45:14), Allen King (1:50:29), Lorna Carlin (1:53:49), Simon Gordon (1:55:45), Mark Boffey (1:59:00), Sarah Boffey (1:59:01), Billy King (1:59:46), Ian Orton (1:59:50), Richard Satchwell (2:03:50), Tony Bryan (2:03:53), Helen Chyla (2:04:22) and Michael Hughes (2:13:19). A fantastic turn out to represent the club, well done to everyone who took part.

  • Weekly Round up – 11th November 2024

    Weekly Round up – 11th November 2024

    Michael Hughes completed the New York marathon recently, it was his fourth major, following on from completing  London, Chicago and Berlin. He finished in a time of 4:46, over a hard course particularly the tough New York bridges. 

    Sarah and Mark Boffey paid tribute at the Windmill Remembrance Day 10k in Lytham St Anne’s in times of 1:08 and 50 minutes respectively.

    As usual, many members took part in Parkrun, to brighten up a gloomy Saturday morning. 

    Starting closest to home with Tamworth Castle Grounds, an excellent first place position for Lee Rickards in 18:41, then Matt Salisbury (21:01), Roger Lloyd (24:41), Sophie Galloway with a new PB in 25:07, George Hope (27:46), Stuart Hatton (27:59), Marcus Fairburn (28:28) and Dave Fern (29L00).

    The busiest location for Peelers this weekend was at Kingsbury Water Park, Phil Neale was first of the 13 finishers (22:34), followed by Ben Dorkins (23:05), Lisa Stretton (25:02), Kaite Stretton (25:39), Emma Whorwood (33:28), Claire Guffick (35:00), Roger Eastaff (36:14), Ann Hill (36:21), Lee Guffick (36:42), Darren O’ Leary (37:02), Sarah French (49:13), Alison Dolphin (54:58) and Chris Norris with a top age position  (64:13) .

    Other locations attended were Emma Pick at Rosliston in 4th position (19:56), Chris Taylor at Penalta (28:17), Oxford Joanne Sharman (33:45) and Steph Attenborough (33:49), Llangollen Ian Orton (23:44) and Michael Hughes (43:13). Up in Northwich Jackie Tearney (30:51), Sarah Boffey (34:20) and Mark Boffey (44:28). Michael Stevenson was at Hove Promenade (36:37), Gath Cox at Clifton (25:35) whilst at Conkers Allen King (22:47) and Chris Bennett (61:47) and finally at Babbs Mill Ian Cooper in 27:11.

     If you would like to join us with social running, structured run sessions and a walking group, then please visit www.peelroadrunners.co.uk

  • Weekly Round up – 4th November 2024

    This week saw the return of the winter track sessions at Tamworth Athletics Club. A large contingent of Peelers took part in a structured session with vigorous warm-up drills followed by a pyramid session, expertly coached by Derek Bolton from Tamworth AC.

    Cross country also made a return this week with the first race of the season at Shipley Park in Derby hosted by Smalley Road Runners. A loud cheer greeted the announcement that the course had been reduced slightly to 4.5 miles, but there were still plenty of challenges across the grassy, undulating course with some testing muddy sections. 18 courageous Peelers earned their post-race cake, with five Peelers making their cross-country debuts.

    For the women’s team, Lorna Carlin was the first Peeler to complete in 28th place, followed by Sophie Galloway (47th), debutant Gemma Pritchard (60th), another debutant Tracy Ford (80th), Jackie Tierney (90th), also making her debut Lisa Barnes (97th), Val Lawson (94th) and Sarah Boffey (106th).

    In the men’s team,  Wayne King returned refreshed from his holiday to finish as the first Peeler back in 9th position, followed by debutant Chris Samsom (19th), also making his debut was Jamie Abbiss finishing in 23rd place, with Lee Rickards (26th), Luke Collins (28th), Martin Hollamby (35th), Mike Shelton (74th), Mark Boffey (113th), Simon Gordon (127th) and Lee Guffick completed in 155th place. The 2nd cross-country race of the season takes place on 1st December at Anslow, Burton-on-Trent.

    It was Peeler Cell Block H for Steph Attenborough and Jo Sharma, who ran round former jail HMP Dorchester, completing 55 laps over four floors and covering around 8800 steps both up and down. The following day, the pair also completed a junior parkrun alphabet challenge by tail walking at Yeovil Rec.

    Peel Road Runners were out in force across various parkrun events this weekend, showing dedication and impressive times. At Leamington parkrun, Ian Orton represented the club with a time of 24:38. In Delamere, Emma Pick completed the course in 21:02. The Kingsbury Water parkrun saw many Peel Road Runners on the course. Allen King finished in 22:34, followed by Billy King at 24:12. Neal Dempsey completed in 29:18, Helen Dempsey in 35:58, and Claire Guffick in 36:24. Lee Guffick crossed the line in 36:44, Darren O’Leary in 39:31, with Christine Norris at 1:05:22, Stephen Andrews at 1:05:23, Sarah French at 1:05:47, and Alison Dolphin at 1:05:50.

    At Watermeadows parkrun, Jacqueline Tierney ran 29:20, whilst in Babbs Mill, Garth Cox finished in 23:58, while Simon Gordon clocked in at 25:05. At Warwick Racecourse parkrun, Michael Stevenson completed the course in 37:24. In Beacon parkrun, Mike Shelton ran with a time of 21:36, Roger Lloyd finished at 24:33, and Dave Fern completed his run in 30:08.

    At parkrun Zielony Jar in Krakow, Poland, Ben Dorkins gained a Z for the alphabet challenge with a time of 23:19. Holbrooks parkrun saw Mark Boffey clock in at 24:11, while Sarah Boffey finished in 33:15. In Battlestead Croft parkrun, Tim Mudd made a return to parkrun after 9 weeks out injured, crossing the line in 28:21. Finally, at Veterans Park parkrun, Michael Hughes represented the club with a finish time of 41:15 as a warm up for the New York Marathon the following day.

    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.

  • Weekly Round up – 28th October 2024

    Some great events and some great results this week from the best club in the Midlands!!

    Several Peelers represented the club at the Eryri Marathon. It’s a demanding and breathtaking course taking in the stunning views of Snowdonia.

    Ian Orton ran his course PB of 5:08.31 – smashing his previous course time by a whopping 33 minutes. What an incredible achievement. Joanne Sharman and Stephanie Attenborough both came in at an amazing 6:26.33.

    Much more local to home, this weekend saw the return of the Tamworth 10K. Luke Collins (Pictured) came in 15th place with an impressive time of 38:49 and this also secured him 1st in his age category. Roger Lloyd smashed the course in 52:21 and Sophie Galloway was not far behind him coming in at an amazing 52:29.

    It’s safe to say we’re a club that keeps our activities varied. This weekend marked the return of the Canicross season with the Canicross Midlands Alcester Race. Rob Mace took 2nd place with Drama and Glory and Neal Dempsey took 3rd place with Banana and Elvis on the longer course.  Neal was on a roll and also took 3rd place on the short course with Paddington and Minstrel. Helen Dempsey also took part on both the long course with Pine and Sydney and the short course with Hugo, Well done everyone.

    9 Park runs were in attendance this weekend,

    Beacon Park  Garth Cox 23:34

    Cannock Chase Ben Dorkins 23:19

    Chasewater Lee Guffick 36:54, Roger Eastaff 37:02, Claire Guffick 39:47, Stephen Andrews 53:52, Alison Dolphin 53:52, Sarah French 54:11, Chris Norris 1:06.14 ( A big congratulations to Chris who walked the course and came in 1st in her age category )

    Kingsbury Water Park

    Emma Pick 19:53, Mike Shelton 21:42, Allen King 24:26, Phil Neale 24:27, Chris Bennett 57:03

    Llanishen Park Chris Taylor 30:59

    Marine Parade Mark Boffey 24:33, Sarah Boffey 40:52

    Pavillion Gardens Micheal Hughes 41:48

    Stratford upon Avon Simon Gordon 24:08

    Tamworth Castle Grounds Matt Salisbury 21:26 , Marcus Fairburn 28:37, Jackie Tierney 30:42

    The upcoming weekend will see the first Cross country race of the season with a team taking on the course in Shipley Country park Derby.

    Dont forget we also now have a walking group every Tuesday evening, meeting at the skate park at 6.45pm for a 7pm start. The group will walk for approximately one hour. Feel free to pop along for a taster session. Hope to see you there.

  • Weekly Round up – 20th October 2024

    Sunday mornings normally mean lie ins and lazy mornings, especially on mornings with terrible weather conditions of strong winds and rain. However, some Peel Road Runners were brave enough to venture out.

    Wayne King represented the club at Abingdon Marathon, a race where he felt he had unfinished business. This year he ran an incredible race over the 26.2 miles to achieve a new marathon PB of 02:46:58. Getting ever closer to beating the current club marathon record of 02:45:54, unbroken since 1999.

    More Peelers braved the weather to take part in the Cannock Chase 10k and Half marathon races, ran over a tough undulating trail course. In the 10K race Tim Clark finished in a time of 01:04:12. In the Half Marathon the club was represented by six runners. First back was Allen King in a great time over a tough course of 02:05:41. Closely followed by Natalie Walker 02:12:27, Lorna Carlin 02:12:28, Mike Shelton 02:12:29, Joanne Sharmen 03:12:52 and Steph Attenborough 03:12:53.

    On Saturday, as usual, Peel Road Runners were well represented at various Parkrun’s, including some international tourism.

    Wearing the Peel colours in Poland, 4 club members took part at the Zalew Wrzesiński parkrun, situated not far from Poznań. First back was Ian Orton in a fast time of 22:31. Followed by Mark Boffey 24:16, Chris Bennett 25:47 and Mike Hughes 35:14.

    Within the Parkrun community, there are numerous challenges ranging from attending Parkrun’s to spell your name, achieving various time targets and hitting certain attendance numbers at a single parkrun to name a few. One of the challenges that takes quite a bit of commitment and travelling on Saturday mornings is completing the Alphabet (attending Parkrun’s that begin with each letter). Completing one alphabet is quite an achievement, but at Zalew Wrzesiński parkrun Ian Orton also completed his third alphabet.

    In closer to home Parkrun news, a muddy wet Kingsbury Waterpark drew was the biggest attraction for club Peel. First back was Mike Shelton in a fast time of 22:31. Hot on his heels was Lisa Stretton 25:49, Katie Stretton 26:25, Darren O’Leary 28:30, Sarah Boffey 39:13, Roger Eastaff 39:31, Wendy Bowyer 39:40, Lee Guffick 39:54, Claire Guffick 41:29 and Alison Dolphin 47:48.

    Peel Road Runners was also well represented at Tamworth Castle Grounds. Jamie Abbiss was first back in an incredible time of 19:26. Next up for the club was Roger Lloyd 25:44, Tim Clark 27:40 and Wendy Roe 32:43.

    In home Parkrun tourism, Emma Pick attended Abbey Park and ran a fantastic time of 19:47. At Wolverhampton Parkrun, Garth Cox ran 23:59, Joanne Sharmen 53:38 and Steph Attenborough 53:40.

    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 new walking group meeting on Tuesdays, same time and same meeting place. New members always welcome so pop down.

  • Weekly Round up – 14th October 2024

    The nights are getting darker and so we leave our runs along the meadows and canals behind and take to the pavements.  During the summer months many of our members enjoy running with other members of the Burton and District Summer League.  The league was established in 2005 to encourage friendly rivalry between running clubs in the Burton Upon Trent area.  The league comprises nine clubs who race over a variety of distances and terrains.  The season ends with a Presentation Evening, celebrating both individuals and teams. The Peel Running Club is proud to report that Emma Pick who ran in all nine races, was the Overall and Age Group winner.  Emma received a trophy together with an engraved glass.  Emma has had another great year also winning the  Best Female Runner at the Peel Presentation Evening earlier in the year. 

    Matt Salisbury enjoyed the autumn sunshine at the weekend and achieved a new pb.  He ran the Cannock Chase half-marathon in 1:45:38.  Participants navigate the picturesque trails,racing through the dappled sunlight filtering through the vibrant autumn leaves, free from any vehicle traffic.  Natural obstacles keep runners on their toes, like tree roots and slippery surfaces.  All runners received a bespoke medal. 

    World Marathon Major No3 was completed by George Hope this weekend.  Running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is the pinnacle of achievement for elite athletes and everyday runners alike.  On race day, runners set out to accomplish a personal dream by reaching the finish line in Grant Park.  This year’s race was a record-breaking event, with 50,000 people entering.  The route is flat and fast, with just one sneaky hill to ascend right before the finish line, and nicknamed “Mount Roosevelt”.  Overcoming the crest of the hill is your cue to give it everything you’ve got all the way to the finish line just a few hundred metres away.  Despite having a chesty cough, George completed the course in 4:32:31. 

    Parkrun was once again a very popular choice for Peelers this weekend.  Ian Cooper completed the course in 26:21 at Babbs Mill; Garth Cox ran Brunswick Park in 25:25; Epworth Equestrian was the choice of Michael Hughes (27:28), Joanne Sharman and Stephanie Attenborough (64:26); Mark Boffey (24:57), Jacqueline Tierney (29:44) and Sarah Boffey (35:46) ran at Ferry Meadows.  Nine members chose Kingsbury Parkrun – Billy King (24:37), Allen King (24:42), Chris Benett (25:35), Katie Stretton (25:58), Claire Guffick (48:08), Lee Guffick (48:11), Alison Dolphin (51:11), Ann Hill (51:13) and Sarah French (51:14).  Emma Pick achieved 20:50 at Markeaton; Stella Taylor (30:05) at Sutton Park; Jamie Abbiss (20:21), Sophie Gsalloway (25:47), Roger Lloyd (26:02), Matt Salisbury (27:03), Lisa Vickery (29:45), Marcus Fairburn (29:50) and Lisa Barnes (31:39) all ran at Tamworth Castle Grounds.  Michael Stevenson (37:49) ran at Warwick Racecourse and finally Ian Orton achieved 23:31 at Wolverhampton. 

    Finally, the club has introduced a walking group.  If you are interested we meet at the skatepark car-park in the Castle Grounds, Tuesday evening at 6:45 for a 7:00pm walk.  The walk will take approximately one hour.  More details can be found on our Facebook page – Peel Road Runners Public page or from our website. 

  • Weekly Round up – 7th October 2024

    When not training for races or racing, if you asked the average Peeler what their favourite running event was, many would say parkrun and judging by the number of Peelers running parkrun every week at locations all across the country and beyond you would have to agree.  This week, as seen on the national news, was the 20th anniversary of parkrun which began in Bushy Park, London on 2nd October 2004 with only 13 runners.  This weekend worldwide there were 2047 parkruns plus 469 junior parkruns drawing in 336,000 parkrunners, 28,000 junior parkrunners and 46,000 volunteers.  Suffice to say that for a voluntary organisation, this is an incredible achievement!

    Celebrating this auspicious milestone, 20 Peelers ran at parkruns at the weekend including Emma Pick (24:05) at Rosliston; Ben Dorkins (25:18) and Jackie Tierney (30:01) at Kingsbury Water Park; Ian Orton (24:00) at Kew Woods, Southport; Michael Woods (26:43) at Penistone, Sheffield; Mike Shelton (47:34), Lee Guffick (50:42) and Claire Guffick (50:44) at Beacon Park, Lichfield; Simon Gordon (26:40) at Roberts Park, Baildon; Joanne Sharman (50:55) and Steph Attenborough (50:55) at Zielony Jar, Slovakia and Matt Salisbury (20:48), Allen King (23:49), Chris Bennett (24:04), Lisa Stretton (24:53), Roger Lloyd (25:28), Katie Stretton (26:04), Sophie Galloway (26:34) and Lisa Fletcher (48:01) at Tamworth Castle Grounds.

    Now that the dark nights are with us, the challenge of running a head torch trail race on Cannock Chase proved too much to resist for Allen King and Chris Bennett who took on the Petzl Night Runner 10k at Birches Valley on Tuesday evening.  King was first to finish the challenging and undulating course in a time of 54:50 with Bennett not too far behind crossing the line on 62:43.

    Further afield, Steph Attenborough and Joanne Sharman ran the Kosice Peace Marathon in Slovakia on Sunday. This marathon is the oldest marathon in Europe and this year saw its 100th anniversary, with Sharman finishing in 5:29:22 and Attenborough finishing in 5:29:25.

    Closer to home, Neal Dempsey ran the Chester marathon in a time of 4:57:01, whilst Helen Dempsey completed the Chester Metric marathon (26.2 km/16.3 miles) in 3:21:59 to achieve the Chester Triple (10k, half and full marathon).  Also running the Chester Metric marathon was second claim Mark Harriott completing his first race since breaking a bone in his foot in May.  He crossed the line in an impressive 2:08:55 and second in M55 age category.

    Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday at 6.45 pm in the Skate Park car park in the Castle Grounds and welcome runners and walkers of all abilities.  See website www.peelroadrunners.co.uk for further information.

  • Weekly Round up – 30th September 2024

    A quieter week this week on the running front but one which still saw some impressive achievements and adventures from the Peel members.

    The weekend was the 50th anniversary of the Berlin Marathon. The marathon is one of just 6 in the world that have the honour of inclusion in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the others being Tokyo, Boston, London, Chicago and New York. Notoriously difficult to gain entry, achievement of all six marathons gives the athlete the opportunity to claim the greatest prize, the Six Star Medal.

    Two members lucky enough to take part in Berlin this year, on their journey to attaining the six, were Jo Sharman and Steph Attenborough, Steph completing Berlin for the second time and already having 4 stars in the bag in Berlin, London, Tokyo and New York and Jo achieving star 2 with New York under her belt. In fine weather and enjoying the party atmosphere the pair achieved their fastest joint finishing time, 5:18:55 for Jo and Steph pipping her by the finest of margins in 5:18:54.

    Back on home soil Martyn Hollamby embarked on the Salmon Run Ultra. The 50 mile event celebrates the epic journey of the migratory salmon as it struggles to reach its destination and survive in a changing climate. The route follows the River Ex from Exmoor to Tarr Steps on the edge of Exmoor. With a weather warning in place the athletes faced some very real struggles and the organisers took a late decision to reduce the distance to 40 miles. Martin completed the event in an impressive third place in just under 6 hrs 30 mins.

    In nearby Nottingham Shane Lewis completed the 43rd Robin Hood half marathon, a hugely popular event with some 10,000 participants. Blessed with fair weather conditions Shane finished in 1:39:26.

    Despite local cancellations at Kingsbury and Tamworth due to flooding, Park Run continued to attract runners both at home and away.

    Conkers was the choice for Allen King (24:02), Sarah French (53:08) and Ann Hill (53:09) whilst Mike Shelton (20:48) and Simon Gordon (24:38) opted to run at Beacon Park Lichfield. Jackie Tierney headed over to Chasewater running a time of 29:00, Babbs Mill attracted Ben Dorkins (25:10) and Garth Cox (26:02) and Ian Orton (22:52) plumped for north Wales Nova Prestatyn.

    Across the pond and successfully dodging Hurricane Helene, the sunny climes of Clermont Waterfront Florida was the choice of Mark and Sarah Boffey who completed the course in 25:59 and 35:34 respectively. In Milan, Italy, Michael Hughes ran Milano Nord in 28:42 and as a warm up to their marathon Steph and Jo took the opportunity whilst in Germany to run Allrepark, Wolfsburg, finishing in 33:21 and 33:22

  • Weekly Round up – 24th September 2024

    Over a weekend, when the weather was more suited to canoeing, the Peel Road Runners were out in force both locally and much further afield, despite the rain.

    This weekend saw the return of Equinox 24, which is a 24-hour running event held in the beautiful grounds of Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire.  The 10k course through the castle grounds, which is both picturesque and challenging, can be run solely or as a relay team.  Runners’ complete laps of the course either through the day, or if brave enough through the night too.  Despite the torrential rain, 14 Peelers took part with Sophie Galloway completing the most laps, with an impressive 8 laps completed.  Ben Dorkins and Jo Insley completed 7, Stuart Hatton and Neal Dempsey completed 6, Helen Dempsey completed 5, with Wendy Bowyer, Alison Dolphin, Roger Eastaff, Ann Hill, Stephen Andrews, and Kelly Potter all completed 10k during the day and 10k during the night.  Joy Sykes and Sarah French helped volunteer during the day and then incredibly completed 10k during the night session.   

    Meanwhile, the annual Stafford 10k also took place this weekend, with the start and finish being in the beautiful Victoria Park and taking runners through the town of Stafford.  Peeler Stuart Baker ran the course in a fantastic PB of (51:55).

    Parkrun events

    Going on holiday doesn’t stop the Peelers from lacing their trainers or volunteering, with husband and wife, Mark and Sarah Boffey proving just that by completing the Depot Park, Gainesville Park Run while on holiday in America.  Mark completed the course in (25:24) and Sarah in (37:27).  Steph Attenborough and Joanne Sharman also volunteered as park walkers at Zalew Wrzensinski Park Run in Polland.  Well done to all of you! 

    The Peelers also took full advantage of the local Parkrun events too.  Runners attended the local Tamworth Castle Grounds Parkrun with Tracy Ford the first Peeler back in an impressive (28:27) followed by George Hope (28.51), and Lisa Barnes (30.43).

    There was also a strong attendance at Kingsbury Waterpark Parkrun too.  With Mike Shelton the first Peeler to cross the line in a fantastic (21:10); followed by Phil Neale (21:26), Allen King (22:11), Darren Truman (26:50) and Jackie Tierney (30:23).

    Many Peelers travelled further afield too with Roger Lloyd finishing in (24:36) at Sence Valley Forest, and at Leamington Michael Stevenson came in at (37:24).  Garth Cox ventured to Babs Mill and finished in (26.59), Ian Cooper ventured to Fleetwood Promenade and finished in (26:16).  Michael Hughes attended Conkers and finished in (45:19).  Ian Orton attended Epworth Equestrian and finished in (24:26) and Martin Hemming attended Dolgellau and came in at (31:19).     

    Peelers walking group Peel Road Runners are also launching a new walking group from the 1st October.  Meeting on a Tuesday evening in the carpark by the Tamworth Castle skate park at 6.50pm, the group will walk various routes for around 1 hour each week.  Come along and give it a try, details can be found at www.peelroadrunners.co.uk