Author: PeelRR

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Peel Road Runners took on challenges (ULTRA) Big & Small last weekend up and down the country and overseas.

For his introduction to Ultra Running, Martin Hollamby took on the mother of all ULTRA Trail Runs as he faced ‘The Oner’ – an 82mile ultra trail run held along the Jurassic coastline in Portland, Dorset. The seriously tough race has over ten thousand feet of ascent and a strict 24hr time limit with only 50% of the participants normally making it to the finish line. Martin has been putting in some serious training for the challenge which he ran to raise money for the charity ‘MIND’. Taking time out at each checkpoint to post updates to followers on social media as well as take on much needed food for energy, Martin managed to reach the last checkpoint at Lulworth Cove with a full 11hrs left to complete the closing section of the race which he managed with time to spare. In the end it took Martin 22hrs 15mins to complete the full 82-mile route.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”885″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][vc_column_text]Michael Shelton was another Peel Road Runner to take on an Ultra Race at the weekend as he took on the Coventry Way Ultra Race. The Coventry Way is a 40-mile circular footpath route around the Warwickshire countryside with lots of mud, stiles and kissing gates to pass over or through. Troubled slightly with an ankle injury during the run, Michael went on to complete the 40 miles in a time of 9hrs 58mins.

Also running down in Dorset was Paul Scholte as he ran the Exe to Axe Fell Race, a grade B fell run along a 22-mile route taking in the gorgeous Jurassic coastline, starting at Exmouth seafront and finishing at the Esplanade at Seaton. Paul’s time for the 22 miles was 4hr 13mins.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”884″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][vc_column_text]Lee Rickards was overseas in Majorca to run in the Pollenca half marathon. The warmer weather certainly suited him as he ran a new H/M personal best time of 1:25:35hrs for the 13.1miles.

Val Lawson was in the Peak District running in the Meerbrook Trail Race with over 1,100ft of ascent and 16.8km around the Tittesworth Reservoir and a steady climb up to the crags of ‘The Roaches’ for an awesome view of the surrounding area before descending back down towards Roche Grange and the finish at the Village Hall for tea & cake.

Staying with the ‘off road’ theme, Peeler Emma Livingstone was at the Warwickshire Wolf Run held at Welsh Road Farm, the home of the notorious and rather chilly ‘Alpha Lake’, where competitors take on manmade obstacles through some of the county’s best landscape over a 10k distance. Emma managed to complete the route in a time of 2hrs 5mins.

Laura Cox was in Sutton Park for the Birmingham Run. With many distances on offer on the day, Laura ran the 10k race with the route around the heathland and ancient woodland and finished with a time of 55:25mins.

Robert BOB Donovan ran the Runnymede Magna Carta Marathon on Saturday and finished in 69th position with his time of 5:45:40hrs for the 26.2miles.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”883″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][vc_column_text]However, it was the Cathedral to Castle 10 mile run that attracted the most Peel Road Runners at the weekend with over 20 Peelers entering and volunteering as Marshals along the route (Lisa Fletcher & Raymond Rogers).[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”886″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][vc_column_text]Garth Cox was the first Peel Road Runner to cross the finish line with a superb time of 1:12:31hrs for his 10 miles just pipping Darren O’Leary with his 1:12:35hrs with Malcom Bembridge, Craig Smith and Phil Neale not too far behind with their times of 1:15:27hrs, 1:15:44hrs & 1:15:55hrs respectively. Simon Smith was next to finish with his time of 1:18:53hrs.

Lisa Jones Bignell was the first Peel Road Runner female finisher as she ran a superb time of 1:23:35hrs and finished just ahead of Dave Fern with his time of 1:23:44hrs. Behind Dave was Owen J Slater with 1:26:04hrs, Natalie Walker 1:26:52hrs, Jenna Wilson 1:26:54hrs, Marcus Fairburn 1:27:35hrs, Helen Chyla 1:29:33hrs and Sandra Ingram with 1:29:43hrs. Carolyne Browne crossed the line in 1:30:00hrs followed home by Jo Insley 1:30:40hrs, Christie Rosser 1:30:57hrs and Richard Finnigan with his 1:30:59hrs. Joanne Harvey crossed the line in a time of 1:32:35hrs ahead of Darren Cotton 1:32:40hrs, Sophie Galloway 1:38:03hrs, Helen Manton 1:38:26hrs, Stella Martin 1:39:21hrs, Annie Wilson 1:42:44hrs, Moira Twiggs Bucknall 2:00:01hrs, Vickie (Gilks) Bowyer 2:03:50hrs and Alison Dolphin 2:03:56hrs.

With all the different weekend races lined up it was a quieter day for the Peelers at the weekends Parkrun events with only half a dozen runners running at Kingsbury Water Park.

George Hope made the most of the lighter attendance and finished as the first Peel Road Runner to cross the finish line with his time of 24:46mins. Behind George was Tim Mudd with his time of 26:39mins for his 5k. Joanne Harvey finished as the first Peel Road Runner female to cross the line with her time of 26:58mins ahead of Michael Stevenson 28:59mins, Lisa Fletcher 29:14mins and Darren O’Leary out for a gentle jog with his 35:57mins.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at the Snowdome in Tamworth.

New members are always welcome.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]PEEL ROAD RUNNER Val Lawson turned back the clocks last weekend as she returned to the venue of her very first race – The Chasewater 10k.

Whilst not having the best of weeks leading up to this years race the venue certainly made Val feel very nostalgic on the day as she battled around the course in a time of 59:19mins. The time earned her 2nd best in her age category and brought all those old memories flooding back.

Peelers own “Marathon Man” Robert Donovan spent Good Friday running the Enigma Easter Marathon down at Caldecote Lakes and clocked up a time of 5:29:23hrs for his 26.2mile run.

Saturday brought the Peelers out for their weekly Parkrun 5k and Debra Prime made the weekend even better with a new PB of 38:08mins for her first Parkrun at Cannock Chase, her 7th Parkrun overall.

Kingsbury Water Park attracted the most Peel Road Runner’s as usual but the weeks weather leading up to the weekend made the conditions under foot for this weeks run very wet indeed – indeed wellington boots would have been the best choice of footwear on the day!!
Still the conditions didn’t slow the runners down too much as Darren O’Leary was the first Peeler through the finish tunnel with his time of 21:24mins. Not far behind Darren was Michael Shelton with his 22:11mins. George Hope was next to finish with a time of 24:55mins ahead of Darren Truman 25:48mins, Tim Mudd 26:36mins & Jason Church with his 28:06mins.

Jo Insley was the first Peel Road Runner female finisher with her 5k time of 27:32mins, now just 2 Parkrun away from the 50 milestone. Behind Jo was Lisa Fletcher 31:04mins, Caroline Evans completed her 50th Parkrun at Kingsbury with all the 3’s (33:33mins) followed home by Wendy Bowyer with her time of 37:26mins

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at the Snowdome in Tamworth.

New members are always welcome.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Peel Road Runners braved the biting winter weather at this years Grizzly (reduced from 20 miles to 10 because of the snow) which took place on Sunday 18th. Paul Scholte was the first Peeler to finish in 1:37:57 with Nick Neale and Mike Shelton completing the course in 1:44:54 and 1:44:56 respectively.[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”853,854,855,856,857,858,859,860,861,862,863,864″ img_size=”full” onclick=””][vc_column_text]Peel Road Runners were in attendance for the inaugural London Landmarks Half Marathon held on closed roads in the capital last weekend.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”849″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][vc_column_text]The course snaked through the streets of London taking in major and minor landmarks that the city holds, starting on Pall Mall and finishing along Downing St. amidst the thousands of runners taking part it was Ashley Giles who was the first Peeler to cross the finish line with a time of 2:05:58hrs after battling most of the race with a sore foot blister and a knee problem that developed in the last few miles.

Darren Cotton was the other Peel Road Runner to take on the streets of gold and ran a steady 2:38:17hrs for his 13.1miles.

At the more local Ashbourne10 event were Malcolm Bembridge and Simon Smith. Malcolm had an excellent run and finished 2nd in his age group with his time of 1:19:05hrs with Simon not too far behind with his finishing time of 1:14:00hrs.

At Kingsbury Water Parkrun it was Phil Neale who finished as the first Peel Road Runner with his time of 22:22mins for his 5k – which was a new Personal Best time by over 20 seconds. Darren O’Leary was next to finish with his time of 23:32mins just ahead of Dave Fern who ran a 23:44min race and Robert Hirst with his 23:57mins. George Hope notched up 24:04mins for his 89th Parkrun followed by Darren Truman 24:32mins, Darren Cotton with 26:38mins, Tim Mudd with 27:11mins & Michael Stevenson with 28:36mins.

Jo Insley finished as the first female Peel Road Runner with her time of 29:16mins ahead of Stella Martin with 29:18mins.

Liz Morgan had a ride out to Conkers as the sole representative of the Peelers and ran 29:11mins for her 5k.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at the Snowdome in Tamworth.

New members are always welcome.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Peel Road Runners very own Marathon Man Robert Donovan notched up another couple of 26.2mile runs to add to his growing list marathons completed and edges ever closer to his 100 Marathon target.

On Monday 12th March, Bob was at Willen Lake down in Milton Keynes for Day 1 of the ‘Week at the Knees’ running event where Bob’s finishing time was 6:00:14hrs and he returned to the same venue for Day 7 on Sunday 18th March to run his second marathon run at the week-long event and this time finishing a very cold 26.2 mile run with a time of 5:10:44hrs.

Last weekend’s weather took its toll on many of the other organised runs up and down the country with most being cancelled for safety reasons, but the local Parkrun at Kingsbury Water Park survived the wintry conditions and went ahead as normal. It was also a milestone event for the latest participants of the clubs ‘Couch to 5k’ members as their recent training efforts culminated in their first ever Parkrun 5k.

Leading the Peel Road Runners through the finish funnel on the day was Darren O’Leary who finished in 8th place on the day with his time of 21:13mins followed by Garth Cox with his time of 23:52mins. Robert Hirst was next to finish in 25:42mins. Caroline Trotman was the first Peel Road Runner lady to finish as she crossed the line in a time of 29:02mins just 6 secs ahead of Owen Slater & Adam Chyla (first of the couch to 5k first timers to finish) who both ran a 29:08min for their 5k. Next through the finish line was Caroline Evans with her time of 31:42mins with Lisa Cotterill finishing her first Parkrun with a time of 32:14mins & Lisa Fletcher finished with a time of 32:41mins.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”841″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Darren Truman was also supporting the CT5k runners on their debut and he finished with a time of 35:36mins ahead of Wendy Bowyer & Stella Martin with their matching times of 36:14mins. Debra Prime ran a 36:50min 5k with Vickie Gilks finishing on her shoulder with her time of 36:51mins.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at the Snowdome in Tamworth.

New members are always welcome.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Everybody connected with the Peel Road Runners would like to congratulate Michael Shelton for recently passing his Coach in Running Fitness course.

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”836″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Peel Road Runners were amongst the many hundreds of runners that descended upon the quaint Fradley Village on Sunday morning for the annual Florette 10k road race.

On a dry but chilly day it was Darren Truman who was the first Peel Road Runner across the finish line with his time of 48:57mins. Lisa Jones Bignall was the first female Peeler to finish with a tremendous time of 50:07mins. Garth Cox followed Lisa home with his time of 51:10mins and Darren Cotton finished with a time of 54:45mins.

Scott Frederick was a little further afield running in the Milton Keynes Half Marathon and Scott’s finishing time for the 13.1miles was 2:23:00hrs.

Peel Road Runners also attended various Parkrun events near and far last week. The furthest traveller was Laura McGrath who ran out with the small field of runners at the Newcastle West Parkrun event and finished her first ever Parkrun with an excellent time of 32:06mins.

Michael Stevenson was the sole Peel Road Runner down at Stratford Upon Avon and ran 29:07mins for his 5k. Another soloist runner was Liz Morgan at Rosliston Parkrun where Liz ran a 32:18min time.

Perry Hall had 2 Peelers in attendance last week – Robert Hirst ran a 27:01min 5k with Christine Norris finishing with her time of 38:38mins.

As always it was Kingsbury Water Park which had the greatest number of Peel Road Runner members in attendance. George Hope ran a great race and finished as the first Peeler through the time tunnel with his time of 24:46mins. Michael Shelton finished behind George with his time of 26:59mins just ahead of Martin Hollamby with his time of 27:00mins. Owen Slater was the final male finisher with his time of 33:15mins. For the Peel Road Runner ladies at Kingsbury it was Stella Martin who was first to finish with her time of 27:01mins just ahead of Jo Insley on her return from the other side of the world with her time of 27:19mins. Wendy Bowyer and Vickie Gilks finished together and were given the same finishing time of 38:57mins for their 5k run.

Everybody connected with the Peel Road Runners would like to congratulate Michael Shelton for recently passing his Coach in Running Fitness course.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at the Snowdome in Tamworth.

New members are always welcome.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Peel Road Runners Mens & Womens Cross Country Teams both had a successful end to their first season in the Derby Staffs Winter League 1.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”826″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][vc_column_text]The Womens XC Team finished in 2nd place overall, just 2pts behind the winners Lichfield whilst the Mens XC Team finished in 3rd place overall. The combined team results show Peel Road Runners finishing in 2nd place.

The final race in the season was held at Sinai Park, Burton On Trent on the 25th February and the weather conditions on the day were ideal for cross country running – cold but dry.

In the mens race it was Robbie Baden who came out tops for the Peelers finishing in 2nd place overall with his superb time of 34:18mins. Martin Hollamby came home in 9th place overall with his time of 37:32mins ahead of Simon Smith (20th position) with his time of 41:24mins. Also running for the Peelers men were Darren O’Leary (26th) with his time of 42:26mins, Trevor Thompson (30th) with 43:53mins, Malcolm Bembridge (31st) with 44:11mins, Darren Truman (36th) with 45:38mins, Stuart Hatton (39th) with 47:38mins, Craig Strong (40th) with 48:04mins and George Hope (44th) with 51:35mins.

For the Peel Women it was Emma Pick once again who dominated the field with a fantastic 1st place finish with her time of 40:50mins – a good 3 ½ minutes ahead of the second place finisher. The second female Peeler home was Team Captain Sandra Ingram with her time of 56:51mins (29th place), just ahead of Val Lawson (30th) with her time of 57:24mins. Helen Manton was the next finisher with 1:02:44hrs (33rd).[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”829″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”830″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]The team results for the day had Peel Men in 3rd place and Peel Women in 5th place with the Combined Team in 2nd place overall.

Congratulations to all those members who participated in the seasons races whether as runners, volunteer Marshalls or cake bakers.

Robert Donovan & Michael Shelton were enjoying the winter sunshine whilst running the Belvoir Challenge on Saturday 24th February. Michael completed his 26.2miles in a time of 4:46:19hrs whilst Bob’s finishing time on the day was 7:27:08hrs. The following weekend Bob travelled down to London to run in the Dorney Lake Marathon in Windsor. In similar running conditions to the previous week Bob’s finishing time was 5:23:40hrs.

The recent winter weather has played havoc with the weekly Parkrun events over the last few weeks but that hasn’t stopped the hardy Peelers venturing out for their weekly 5k runs over the last few weeks.

On Saturday 24th February Tricia & Richie Bunn ran at the Moors Valley Parkrun down in Dorset and finished with times of 24:04mins & 24:49mins respectively.

Robert Hirst & Michael Stevenson travelled to Bedworth for their Parkrun and finished the 5k route in times of 26:40mins & 28:34mins respectively.

At Kingsbury it was Darren O’Leary who lead the Peelers home with his time of 21:28mins ahead of George Hope 24:09mins, Martin Hollamby 24:25mins, Stella Martin 26:30mins and Tim Mudd 27:16mins.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Jo Insley was enduring much warmer running conditions at the Cottesloe Parkrun in Western Australia when she ran a 30:57mins 5k only hours after flying halfway around the globe. And on Saturday 3rd March Jo was out running at the Carine Glades Parkrun, Australia and improved her southern hemisphere 5k time to 28:33mins.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at the Snowdome in Tamworth.

New members are always welcome.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Peel Road Runner Bob Donovan once again laced up his Marathon trainers and hit the wet and muddy towpaths around Walton On Thames to run in the Pheonix Breakfast Run last week. Although the ground conditions were heavy and made the going very tough for the 26.2 miles the sun did manage to break through for most of the race with just a heavy 20min shower part way round. Bob’s time of 6:03:12hrs earned him a medal and a nice hot cup of tea.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”821″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]For many Peelers it was the weekend to stretch those legs in preparation for the final race in this seasons Cross Country Leagues with most making the best use of local Parkruns for practice. Emma Pick showed what excellent form she’s in by finishing as the first female finisher at Kingsbury Water Parkrun and 19th place overall with her splendid time of 20:50mins. Trevor Thompson was the first male Peeler to finish in 34th position with his time of 21:55mins – his first ever Parkrun outing.

Garth Cox was next through the finishers tunnel with his time of 23:36mins ahead of Martin Hollamby, who used the parkrun route as part of his long distance training run for the day, with his time of 24:40mins. Michael Shelton was right on Martin’s tail with his time of 24:41mins with George Hope another 5 secs back with 24:46mins.

Richie Bunn was back to running Parkrun as opposed to his normal marshalling duties and ran a relaxed 25:43mins. Darren O’Leary was next home with his 26:53mins ahead of Marcus Fairburn 29:33mins. Then a trio of female Peelers passed through the finish posts – Lisa Fletcher with her time of 29:48mins, Vickie Gilks with 39:50mins and Wendy Bowyer completed her 6th Parkrun with a time of 40:06mins.

Over at Brueton, Solihull it was Robert Hirst who was the first Peeler back across the finish with his time of 27:38mins ahead of Michael Stevenson with his time of 28:49mins.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at the Snowdome in Tamworth.

New members are always welcome.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Peel Road Runner Ashley Baldwin ran a terrific race at the Leicestershire Half Marathon last weekend to finish in 6th place with a superb time of 1:17:18hrs for the 13.1 miles.

The race held at Prestwold Hall caught the eye of another Peel Road Runner, Helen Manton, who also had an impressive run finishing ahead of her projected time by a clear 5 mins as Helen finished with her time at 2:10:05hrs in the cold and windy conditions.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”811″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][vc_column_text]Omitted from the previous weeks results, Club Chairman Lee Rickards kicked off his New Year with a new PB when he ran the Centurion 5 mile race in a blistering time of 30:38mins and crossed the finish line in 7th place overall.

Last weeks Parkrun tourist was Michael Stevenson who travelled the short distance down the M40 to Stratford Upon Avon for his weekly 5k outing. Michaels finishing time was 29:04mins.

Meanwhile at Kingsbury Water Parkrun there were seven Peelers in attendance with Garth Cox the quickest on the day with his time for the 5k route at 24:04mins. George Hope was not too far behind with his 24:45mins. Behind George was Michael Shelton with his time of 25:16mins.

The Peel Road Runner women also braved the wet & chilly conditions with Sophie Galloway leading home a quartet of runners on the day with her time of 26:14mins. Stella Martin was next home with her time of 30:02mins, just ahead of Lisa Fletcher who ran a 30:29mins for her 5k and Caroline Evans with her time of 31:47mins.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at the Snowdome in Tamworth.

New members are always welcome.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Peel Road Runner Malcolm Bembridge held on to his title of Goa Half Marathon Masters Champion last week in India.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”803″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]The event, which Malcolm also won in 2017, started almost in the dark at 6am on a hot and sticky morning with the day light just starting to break through. Holding 2nd place at the halfway point, Malcolm trusted his pacing to see him through and it paid off finishing in first place with his time of 1:45hrs. Will it be 3 out of 3 in 2019 for Malcolm??

Robert Donovan almost got blown away down at Caldecote Lakes running in day 2 of the Enigma Quadzilla Marathon on Friday 2nd Feb. In unexpectedly windy conditions which made the going very tough for all competitors, Bob finished his 26.2 miles in a time of 5:31:11hrs.

Lee Rickards ran an impressive race at the Centurion 5 mile, finishing in 7th position with a new PB of 30:38.

Peel Road Runners were out braving the cold conditions on Saturday morning for their weekly Parkrun 5k. At Conkers it was Ashley Perks who led the Peelers home and continued to improve his recent 5k times with his 23:16mins last week. The only female Peeler running at Conkers was Marie Llewellyn who ran a 25:02mins 5k to finish as the 11th placed female runner.

At Kingsbury it was Michael Shelton who was the first Peeler to cross the finish line with his time of 24:26mins. Michael Stevenson was next through the finish tunnel to mark up a time of 29:10mins for his 5k with Darren O’Leary the third Peeler to finish with his time of 30:23mins.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at the Snowdome in Tamworth.

New members are always welcome.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Peel Road Runners were participating and volunteer marshalling at Parkrun events across the local area at the weekend.

At Conkers, running his local parkrun, Ashley Perks ran his best time since September last year with his time of 23:23mins for his 5k.

As usual, most of the Peel Road Runners out for their weekly 5k fix descended upon Kingsbury Water Park and it was Martin Hollamby on his 49th Parkrun who led the way back to the finish gates with his time of 23:41mins closely followed by Michael Shelton with his 23:49mins. Stuart Hatton was next to finish with his time of 25:00mins, just 10 places ahead of George Hope with his time of 25:27mins. Dave Fern was behind George and clocked up as time of 26:05mins. Then it was Stella Martin finishing as the first Peel lady whose time of 28:29mins was just ahead of Jo Insley’s 30:43mins who was closely followed to the finish by the Keenan pair of Darren & Christine with their times of 30:48mins & 31:40mins respectively. Darren finishing strong to clock up a new personal best 5k time.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at the Snowdome in Tamworth.

New members are always welcome.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]