Author: PeelRR

Friday saw the annual Peel Road Runners presentation evening where runners get awarded for their running achievements over the past 12 months, voted for by committee members and club members. Categories and awardees were as follows:

Best male: Wayne King, Best female: Emma Pick, Best over 35 female: Lorna Carlin, Best over 40 male: Lee Rickards, Best over 45 female: Lisa Stretton, Best over 50 male: Bob Donovan, Best potential male: Billy King, Best potential female: Emma Petricca, Most improved male: Tim Mudd, Most improved female: Claire Guffick, Marathon award: Steph Attenborough, Club runner of the year: Mike Shelton, Club runner of the year female: Natalie Walker and the Presidents award going to Alison Dolphin.

On Sunday three peelers took on the Derby half marathon, also known as the Ramathon. First home was Wayne King with a very impressive 1:19:17. Hot on his heels was Emma Pick who finished third lady home with a PB time of 1:25:21 which also earns her a championship place to the London Marathon next year. Shane Lewis completed the trio with a time of 1:38:11.

Parkrun on Saturday was as popular as ever with Kingsbury Water Park drawing the biggest number of peelers. Continuing his run of good form, Jamie Abbiss was first back for the club in third place with another impressive time of 18:39, closely followed by Luke Collins in 20:38 and Mike Shelton in 20:52. Other peelers at Kingsbury were Phil Neale 22:44, Ben Dorkins 24:06, Sarah Boffey 31:17, Wendy Bowyer 37:39, Claire Guffick 37:54 and Caroline Evans 38:44.

At Tamworth Castle Grounds Mark Boffey ran 22:54, Sophie Galloway 34:39 and Michael Stevenson 36:17.

Parkrun tourists this week included Roger Lloyd at Chasewater 24:14, Ian Orton 22:30 & Mike Hughes 38:38 at Doddington Hall, Jackie Tierney 27;50 at Holbrooks, Garth Cox 25:54 at Market Bosworth Country Park, Tim Mudd 24:10 & Carolyne Browne 29:38 at Tewkesbury. Further afield, Steph Attenborough and Jo Sharman travelled to Zamek w Malborku in Poland to complete Jo’s first parkrun volunteer alphabet and Steph’s second. Filling the volunteer tailwalker roles and with finishing times of, Steph 53:38 and Jo 53:39.

Another busy week for the club with the 4^th race of the Burton and District Summer League series taking place on Tuesday evening. The ‘Worthington 6’, hosted by Ivanhoe Runners is a one lap rural six mile trail route in Worthington Leicester. A much loved run, this year attracting over 230 runners, 29 of which were Peelers.

Emma Pick was the first member of the club to cross the finish line in a time of 36:41. Emma also achieved the status of first lady back having overtaken the leading lady with a mile to go and then held her own to finish 30 seconds ahead of her closest female competitor. Hot on her heels Jamie Abbiss finished in (36:46) with Luke Collins the third club member home (38:51) followed by Mike Shelton (40:22), Shane Lewis (40:56), Scott Chapman (41:15), Allen King (44:56), Ben Dorkins (45:14), Mark Boffey (45:26), Ian Orton (46:16), Lorna Carlin (46:21) and Georgie Mead who was second in her age category with a time of 46:21. Next came Tim Mudd (48:38), Roger Lloyd (48:45), Tony Bryan (49:08), Simon Gordon (49:30), Chris Bennett (50:14), Stewart Baker (50:49) and Sophie Galloway (51:39) before Billy King crossed the line in 51:44, again third in his age category. George Hope finished next (52:01) then Jackie Tierney (55:57), Michael Hughes (56:22), Joanne Sharman (56:48), Steph Attenborough (58:01), Carolyne Brown (58:55), Sarah Boffey (1:00:23), Sandra Ingram (1:01:55) and Caroline Evans (1:02:43). An incredible turn out for this great event.

Friday evening saw Neal and Helen Dempsey join Poplar Running Clubs ‘Rise of the Phoenix’, a 5 mile trail run at Beacon Hill Leicestershire. The duo completed the course in 1:03

On Saturday Sarah French swapped her trainers for goggles and undertook a 5.25 mile swim of Coniston Water in the Lake District. An incredible achievement but soon to be topped when Sarah takes on the 7.5 miles of Ullswater next month – good luck Sarah, we’re all behind you.

Wendy Bowyer supported a cause close to many of our hearts taking part in the St Giles Summer Solstice Walk, completing the event in 1:50 and the Sunday sunshine saw Nathan Cox take on the rolling Warwickshire countryside in the Leamington Spa half marathon, where despite the temperatures he achieved a 1:29 PB!

Weekend Park Runs were well attended as always. Fountains Abbey hosted Ian Orton (23:29) and Michael Stevenson (36:59), Stephanie Attenborough (37:17) and Joanne Sharman (37:38) took on Holbrooks (Cov) whilst the Boffey duo, Mark and Sarah, headed north to Jesmond Dene where Mark completed his second Park Run alphabet. They finished in 23:58 and 32:55 respectively.

Solo Park Run venturers included Michael Hughes at Chipping Norton (45:18), Allen King at Long Eaton (22:51), Jamie Abiss at Canon Hill (18:37), Tim Mudd at Sence Valley (25:18), Jackie Tierney at Brunswick (27:35)  and Emma Pick at Rosliston who was the second runner home and first lady with a time of 19:22.

The more local runs saw Wayne King finish in 1^st place at Kingsbury with a personal course PB of 18:18. He was accompanied at Kingsbury by Chris Bennett (24:55), Simon Gordon hitting his 100^th Park Run milestone with a time of  (25:03), Roger Eastaff (30:43), Alison Perry (35:08), Caroline Evans (39:08) and Wendy Bowyer (39:37)

At Beacon Park Garth Cox finished in 23:33, next came Roger Lloyd achieving a Park Run PB of 23:52, followed by Dave Fern (30:37).

Finally Tamworth was the preferred choice of Phil Neale (23:30), Tim Clark (25:08) and Wendy Roe (32:25).

One of the highlights of the Peel Road Runners summer racing programme is the Washlands Women Runners relays, the third race in the Burton & District Summer League series.  The races, held on the scenic Washlands at Burton Upon Trent, consist of teams of three or four completing laps of a two mile course in the shortest possible time.  Although highly competitive between the participating clubs, they are also accessible and supportive to runners of all abilities. Thirty one Peelers represented the club with the following ladies’ results: Emma Pick (11:06 – 1^st SL), Lorna Carlin (13:43), Lisa Stretton (14:36), Joanne Sharman (16:02), Carolyne Browne (16:32), Sarah Boffey (16:59), Steph Attenborough (17:24), Caroline Evans (17:45) and Sandra Ingram (17:46). 

Representing the men, Wayne King finished first for the club in 10:40 (3^rd M45), Jamie Abbiss (10:56), Martin Hollamby (11:01), Luke Collins (11:05), Lee Rickards (11:05), James Stretton (11:13), Shane Lewis (12:23), Michael Shelton (12:23), Phil Neale (12:43), Ben Dorkins (13:09), Allen King (13:14), Mark Boffey (13:15), Billy King (13:36), Tom King (13:37), Chris Bennett (13:39), Ian Orton (13:47), Tim Mudd (13:57), Roger Lloyd (14:23), Stew Baker (14:40), Simon Gordon (14:44), George Hope (15:06) and Michael Hughes (15:43).

At the weekend’s parkruns, a group of Peelers took on the scenic two lap course at Chasewater with Claire Guffick first home in a time of 31:17, followed by Roger Eastaff (31:19), Alison Perry (35:49), Wendy Bowyer (39:53), Lee Guffick (39:54), Alison Dolphin (49:31), Sarah French (49:41) and Stephen Andrews (49:42).  Other parkrun tourists included Ian Orton at Market Harborough (23:06); Emma Pick at Conkers (19:37); Darren O’Leary (25:01), Ashley Goodman (33:30), Sarah Boffey (33:57) and Martyn Candy (36:55) at Kingsbury Water Park; Michael Stevenson (36:41) at Northallerton; Joanne Sharman (32:39) and Steph Attenborough (32:40) at Nova Prestatyn; Chris Taylor (31:31) and Stella Taylor (31:32) at Muncaster Castle; Ben Dorkins (23:35) and Tim Mudd (24:54) at Battlestead Croft, Tatenhill and Michael Hughes (39:13) at Y Promenad, Brecon.  Much closer to home at Tamworth Castle parkrun, Jamie Abbiss was first Peeler home in 18:43 followed by Chris Bennett (23:19), Lorna Carlin (23:47), Billy King (24:01), Roger Lloyd (24:07), Judith Matthews (25:16) and George Hope (28:12). Meanwhile Sandra Ingram celebrated her 25^th stint as a parkrun volunteer, a great achievement as without volunteers there are no parkruns!

Last weekend turned out to be something very rare – most Peelers were taking a well-earned rest in between races.  But not for Steph Attenborough and Joanne Sharman who helped to make Sherwood Pines (Mansfield) shine so bright it was hoped it could be seen in space!  Rasselbock joined forces with ‘We are Fearless’ to host the Rasselbock Rainbow Run.  The event allows runners to run for 6 hrs and complete as many 5.79km laps  (4 laps completed makes it equivalent to a half-marathon) through the beautiful forest as possible.  Steph and Joanne both completed four laps in 3:31:20. Marathon running is nothing new to this pair. Steph has completed 114 marathons (including ultras), 66 half-marathons.  Joanne, 58 marathons and 155 half-marathons.  That’s an awful lot of miles.  This run was on top of running Leicester Victoria parkrun on Saturday and volunteering at Rushcliffe Junior Parkrun as tail walkers prior to their race.  They both deserved their momento at the end!

Helen Dempsey returned to her University home to complete her fourth run in Swansea.  It was the 10th anniversary of the Swansea half-marathon which attracted elite runners, wheelchair athletes as well as club and charity runners.  Participants enjoy an iconic route that is arguably one of the most scenic coastal half-marathons there is.  Helen smashed the course in 2:45:15, her best time this season. 

Not all Peelers put their feet up for the weekend however; Peelers once again kicked off Saturday morning at a parkrun.  Aston Hall welcomed Allen King 24:13 and Chris Bennett 24:23.  Dolgellau, North Wales, saw Jamie Abbiss  finish in 19:10.   Mark Boffey 23:28, Sarah Boffey 32:56 and Michael Hughes 34:45 ventured to  King George V Playing Field, the home of  Cheltenham parkrun.  A popular venue on Saturday was Kingsbury Water Park.  James Stretton achieved 3rd with a time of 19:46, followed by Peel Chairperson Mike Shelton 21:44, Phil Neale 22:50, Simon Gordon 24:14, Katie Stretton 25:04, Lisa Stretton 25:10. Jacquie Tierney 27:10, Roger Eastaff 31:35, Martyn Candy 37:56, Claire Guffick 43:12, Alison Dolphin 43:18 and Lee Guffick 43:21.  Tim Mudd attacked Sence Valley Forest Park in a time of 24:47.  Emma Pick ran at Sherwood Pines in 20:48; Ben Dorkins further afield at South Shields in 23:14.  Tamworth Castle Grounds was also a popular choice.  Roger Lloyd 24:28, Wendy Roe 33:16, Stella Taylor 37:44 and Vicky Bowyer 37:58.  Michael Stevenson ran at Warwick Racecourse, 36:43 and finally Ian Orton completed Y Promenad, Brecon,  in 23:59.

Behind the scenes members are busy preparing for the Peel event of the year – the Gate Gallop.  This event has been run for over 25 yrs raising over £110,000 for St. Giles Hospice.  This year’s event will take place on Sunday, 28th July at the Anker Valley Sports Complex in Amington, Tamworth.  It is an off road, traffic free event and is part of the Burton and District Summer League.  The event includes a 600m Children’s race, a 4.4k Fun Run (ages 9 and above) and a 10k (ages 15 and over) race.  Online entries are now open so book your place. 

The first weekend of June did not disappoint, with the Peelers taking full advantage of the lovely sunny weather on both Saturday and Sunday.

On Sunday it was the annual Royal Sutton Fun Run 2024, as almost 5000 runners took part in the glorious sunshine.  The route takes runners on an 8.5 miles hilly course including the infamous ‘Cardiac Hill’, finishing with a nice down hill run back into Sutton town Centre.  As always, the spectators were out in force along the course route with many cheering on friends and family in the beautiful Sutton Park.

Luke Collins was the first Peeler home in an amazing PB time of (57:48) followed by Ian Orton (1:12:57), George Hope (1:19:15) and Lisa Barnes (1:42:48).  Wendy Bowyer, Ann Hill and Nicola Pearce all crossed the line together in true Peeler’s fashion in (1:59:00).

Earlier in the week Peeler Wayne King took part in the ‘Trent 5’ on Wednesday 29^th May.  Taking a scenic route along Beeston Canal and the banks of the river Trent, the course is a fast and flat surface for runners.  Wayne did not fail to impress with a fantastic 9^th place finish and a time of 29:56.

Parkrun events

The Peelers took full advantage of the lovely weather, attending many of the local Parkrun events too.  Many runners attended the local Tamworth Castle Grounds Parkrun.  Chris Bennett was the first Peeler back in an impressive (22:51) followed by Lorna Carlin (24:00); Roger Lloyd (24:25); Helen Chyla (26:40); Sophie Galloway (28:51); Wendy Roe (31:41); and Dave Fern (31:42).

There was also a strong attendance at Kingsbury Waterpark Parkrun too.  With Ashley Goodman the first Peeler to cross the line in a fantastic (24:12); followed by Darren O’Leary (25:48); Sarah Boffey (34:04); Alison Perry (34:37), Chris Taylor (34:37); Ann Hill (35:16); Vickie Bowyer (37:03); Stella Taylor (37:43); Caroline Evans (38:30),

Many Peelers travelled further afield too with Ian Cooper finishing in (23:22) at Babbs Mill, and at Beacon Park Mike Shelton came in at (21:01).  Tim Mudd ventured to Brunswick Park and finished in (25:31), Garth Hughes ventured to Hastings High School and finished in (25:28).  Emma Pick attended Monsal Trail and finished in an amazing (19:16) and was the first female back.  Ian Orton attended Oxford and finished in (24:24) and Ben Dorkins attended Sence Valley Forest Park and came in at (22:11). 

Hadrians Wall

When he isn’t running Peeler Simon Gordon is taking on some amazing trekking challenges.  On Sunday Simon completed the Hadrians’s Way long distance path.  Last year Simon completed the Western Half over 3 days.  This year Simon completed the Eastern Half over 4 days walking from Bowness on Solway near Carlisle, covering 84 miles in total, and finishing in Wallsend in Newcastle on Sunday.  Stretching from coast to coast across Northern England, the trail takes in some stunning scenery.  What a fantastic achievement.

It was a quiet week for running races; however, many Peelers also enjoy cycling with Jacqui Tierney and Mike Hughes jumping on the saddle for the London Marathon Events Ride London; a 100-mile challenge giving cyclists the opportunity to cycle on traffic-free roads through some of the most famous streets of London and the picturesque villages and countryside of neighbouring Essex. Jacqui completed the ride in 7:38:25 with Mike finishing in 9:21:12, adding to his London Marathon in 2017 and his Swim Serpentine last year, so completing the London Classics series.

A busy Saturday for parkrun saw 12 different courses covered by Peelers. Closest to home, at Tamworth Castle Grounds, Tim Clark was first Peeler finisher in 24:27, followed by Roger Lloyd (25:06), Judith Matthews (25:08), Tim Mudd (25:45), Laura Bowyer (30:54), and Garth Cox (59:51).

At Kingsbury Water Park, Phil Neale ran 22:26, Katie Stretton (25:09), Lisa Stretton (25:20) and Caroline Evans (38:27). In Aldenham, ahead of their 100 mile Ride London, Jacqui Tierney completed in 28:26 and Mike Hughes in 29:46, and at Beacon Park Mike Shelton ran 23:32. A large contingent of Peelers travelled to Cannock Chase parkrun with Roger Eastaff running 33:11, Alison Perry (34:45), Wendy Bowyer (39:36), Vickie Bowyer (39:37), Alison Dolphin (59:52), Stephen Andrews (59:54), and Sarah French (60:01).

Michael Stevenson ran 35:32 at Fountains Abbey, and at Leicester Victoria Allen King and Chris Bennet completed in 23:05 and 23:25 respectively. At Oaklands, Ben Dorkins ran a 7 second PB in an impressive 21:21, whilst at Osterley parkrun Jo Sharman ran 33:40 and Steph Attenborough 33:42. At Poolsbrook in Chesterfield, Ian Orton achieved a fantastic milestone by completing his 150^th parkrun in 24:27. Emma Pick finished in 19:59 at Rosliston, whilst in North London, husband and wife Mark and Sarah Boffey got romantic at the Valentines parkrun, completing in 22:57 and 32:49 respectively.

Last week saw the start of the Bridge to 10K course, led by Dave Fern and Mark Boffey. Over 12 runners took part aiming to increase their distance with the potential goal of competing in the St Giles Hospice Gate Gallop race in July. Six of the participants had previously graduated from the club’s Couch to 5K course, and the Peelers wish all the participants well over the next 10 weeks.

Whilst many others were enjoying relaxing in the hot sunny weather over the past two weekends, Peelers were out undertaking lengthy distance runs.

Last weekend, Carolyne Brown completed the Bosworth Half marathon in 2:18:11 and Helen & Neal Dempsey took on the Chester Half with times of 3:07 and 2:35 respectively. 

The previous weekend, there were more fantastic achievements. Luke Collins (pictured) undertook the mighty challenge of “The Lap” ultra marathon. Held in the Lake District, the course is a 47 mile / 75k trail route around Lake Windermere.  Luke completed it in a very impressive time of 10:26:39 and finished 25th. 

Tim Mudd took part in the Rob Burrows Leeds marathon, the event which supports the fundraising and awareness of the former Leeds Rhino player who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Tim completed the hilly course which included over 3,000 feet of elevation in a time of 4:38:22. 

Last weekend also saw many take part in the weekly parkruns before heading out to the beer gardens! 

At Tamworth Castle Grounds, Jamie Abbiss, who joined the club in March, came in 1^st with a time of 18:46, followed by Mark Boffey (22:16), Allen King (23:06), Chris Bennett (24:14), Simon Gordon (25:02), Roger Lloyd (25:07), George Hope (26:50), Tim Mudd (27:21), Joanne Harvey (29:26), Tony Bryan (29:26) and Natalie Walker (29:54). 

Another large turnout was at Kingsbury Water park where first Peeler home was Ben Dorkins in 7^th (21:42)  followed by Phil Neale (21:53), Mike Shelton (23:55), Lisa Stretton (24:15), Darren O’Leary (24:32), Emma Whorwood (33:08), Sarah Boffey (33:31), Roger Eastaff (34:32), Alison Perry (35:06), Caroline Evans (37:02), Martyn Candy (38:27), Wendy Bowyer (39:10), Ann Hill (39:11), Chris Taylor (39:12) and Stella Taylor (48:29).

Other events attended: Ian Cooper (31:47) at Brueton, Stephanie Attenborough (56:53) and Joanne Sharman (57:04) at Knowsley, Emma Pick in 7th (20:26) at Rosliston, Garth Cox (25:50) at Rugby, Ian Orton (25:14) and Michael Hughes (36:52) at Rushcliffe, Ian Grigg (49:23) at Torbay Velopark and Michael Stevenson (35:35) at Warwick Racecourse. 

With the weather finally turning for the better a couple of peelers turned out for the Birmingham half and 10k races on Sunday. Emma Petricca took part in the 10k race, running for the Birmingham City Foundation, and ran a new PB of 01.01.29. New member Mike Ball took part in the half marathon, the first time he’s ever run this distance, and completed it in a time of 02.52.37.

With the good weather continuing into the Bank Holiday Monday Peel Road Runners were represented at the Milton Keynes full and half marathon. Helen Dempsey ran the half marathon in 03.04.34 and Neal Dempsey ran the full marathon in 04.49.58. Steph Attenborough and Joanne Sharman also took part in the marathon with both finishing in 05.40.59. This was Steph’s 114^th marathon and Jo’s 58^th.

On Tuesday the C25K group successfully completed the course and in celebration four of the group took part in their first parkrun at Tamworth Castle Grounds on Saturday. All four ran the parkrun really well with good consistent pacing and all finishing in under 40mins. They all really enjoyed their running journey over the past 10 weeks and we look forward to welcoming them all back for the Bridge to 10k course.

With the good weather and the lure of the food festival, Tamworth Castle Grounds drew a large group of peelers. First back for the group in third place overall was Jamie Abbiss in an impressive 19.08. Next back for the club was Natalie Walker in 24.25, followed by Roger Lloyd 24.33, Tim Mudd 27.39, Jackie Tierney 27.42, Joanne Harvey 28.58, Helen Chyla 29.02, Emma Whorwood 30.34, Dave Fern 39.28 and Chris Bennett 39.28.

Kingsbury Water park in the sun also attracted a large number of Peel Road Runners. First back for the club was Allen King in 21.28, followed by Phil Neale 23.49, Ben Dorkins 24.19, Mike Shelton 24.31, Stella Taylor 29.58, Darren O’Leary 32.51, Chris Taylor 33.28, Roger Eastaff 34.12, Claire Guffick 35.31, Ann Hill 36.48, Lee Guffick 40.06, Sarah French 56.48, Nicola Bannister 56.48, Christine Norris 01.06.44, Alison Dolphin 01.07.02 and Wendy Bowyer 01.07.03. Parkrun tourists included, Garth Cox at Beacon parkrun 23.23, Shane Lewis at St Mary’s parkrun, Dorset 21.08, Step Attenborough 36.15 and Jo Sharman 36.16 at Graves, Emma Pick 21.21 at Rosliston, Ian Orton 24.48 and Mike Hughes 37.43 at Worcester.

Does rain stop play?  Not when you are a Peeler.  What should be the start of running with the warmth of sun on your back continues to be dodging the puddles of water from the never ending rain.  However, that has not stopped a good few Peelers from achieving new pbs over the weekend. 

‘Grin and bare it’ conditions did not deter Martin Hollamby from achieving an excellent time of 2:57:24 at the Boston UK Marathon on Sunday.  The route allows runners to experience the big open skies of coastal Lincolnshire but that unfortunately also allows strong headwinds to hinder your pace. Typical Martin, he oddly enjoyed it. 

The Uttoxeter Festival of Running, which includes a scenic but tough half-marathon, was the running choice of several Peelers on Sunday.  First Peeler to sprint home was Emma Pick (1:30:58), a new course pb by over 4 minutes and the third female. Mark Boffey followed with an impressive pb of 1:47:06.  Allen King (01:47:35) came in next, followed by Billy King (2:00:04), with Chris Bennett (2:00:06) hot on his heels – both achieving pbs. Tim Mudd (2:02:05) swiftly followed a great run in preparation for the Leeds marathon in two weeks time.  Sarah Boffey (2:26:42) completed the lineup of Peel runners. 

Team Dempsey, Helen and Neil, ran the final Longhorn Canicross race at Thoresby Hall, Newark.  Both finished in 1:16:00 racing in incredibly wet conditions.  Neil’s running partners were Banana and Elvis; Helen ran with Minstrel and Sydney. A plethora of parkruns was the 5k running choice for a whole host of Peelers on Saturday.  Running at Tamworth, Lee Rickards finished in 21:36; Chris Bennett (22:49); Ian Cooper (25:22); Stuart Hatton (25:35); Marcus Fairburn (28:27).  Wendy Roe (30:20) at Lichfield; Lisa Stretton (24:56); Darren O’Leary (25:30); Claire Guffick (27:34); Lee Guffick (34:07); Alison Perry (35:20); Vickie Bowyer (38:52); Laura Bowyer (38:53) and Nicola Bannister (44:43) all ran at Kingsbury Water Park.  Tim Mudd (27:34) ran at Newark; Garth Cox (26:50) ran at Gedling; Jacqueline Tierney (29:38) at Clifton; Ian Orton (23:56) at Warwick; Emma Pick (20:27) at Trentham Gardens; Mark Boffey (23:22) and Sarah Boffey (33:31) visited Llangollen to run on the Old Railway Trail.  Further afield, Steph Attenborough (33:10) and Joanne Sharm (33:09) included a parkrun whilst visiting Zuiderpark, The Hague, Netherlands.  And last but certainly not least, Michael Hughes (29:33) enjoyed his run in Jablonna, Poland.

There are marathons (and they’re all 26.2 miles long!) and then there is the iconic TCS London marathon, which draws runners from across the world every April to pound the streets of the capital city.  For many Peel Road Runners this is the dream race to win a place in (over 500,000 people applied for one of the 50,000 places this year) and Emma Whorwood was lucky enough to win the coveted Peel Club place this year.  Despite the pressure of getting the miles in while training for the marathon, she also selflessly used her place to raise over £1000 in sponsorship for the Rainbow Children’s Hospice and was rewarded by completing the marathon in a personal best time of 5:14:11. 

First home for the club in London was Wayne King, who ran a strong and well paced race until he suffered with cramp at mile 17 and then struggled to get back his form.  However, finishing in a sub-3 hour time of 2:54:50 and in the top 2,500 of 50,000 runners is an achievement that most of us could only dream of!  Next home for the club and finishing in a time of 3:33:11, Phil Busby (V55-59) ran a strong race to finish in the top 20% of runners.  Another Peeler using the marathon as an opportunity to raise money for charity was Tony Bryan, who collected over £2700 in sponsorship for the Stroke Association and finished in 4:38:07.  He was closely followed by Donna Reid who finished in 4:39:03 and Clara Walton in 4:41:06.  Roger Eastaff was the final Peeler to cross the line in a time of 6:24:54 making the most of the party atmosphere out on the course!

Although Peel Road Runners by name enjoy the lure of tarmac, many Peelers also love trail running and the training and mental health benefits that this type of running can bring.  To this end, a group of four Peelers took on the Malvern Hills trail half marathon on Saturday running in unusually warm, sunny and dry conditions which provided the bonus of far-reaching views across Worcestershire and Herefordshire.  Mark Boffey was first to finish for the club in 2:36:15, followed by Chris Bennett in 2:47:20, Simon Gordon in 2:49:36 and Sarah Boffey in 3:11:04.

At the weekend’s parkrun events with Tamworth parkrun cancelled, Peelers travelled far and wide for their Saturday morning 5k parkrun. Running at Oakhill, London Michael Hughes finished in 31:02 whilst Roger Lloyd ran at Conkers (24:51); Allen King (25:49) ran at Kingsbury accompanied by Mike Shelton (25:51); Garth Cox (26:17); Alison Perry (35:44); Nicola Bannister (44:39); Sarah French (60:34) and Alison Dolphin (60:47).  Ian Orton ran at Exmouth (23:42); Darren Truman at Pont y Bala (25:41); Joanne Sharman (35:49) and Steph Attenborough (35:56) at Jubilee, Spennymoor whilst Stuart Hatton (25:00); Tim Mudd (25:34); Marcus Fairburn (28:20) and Wendy Roe (30:33) ran at Beacon, Lichfield.