Author: PeelRR

With summer drawing to a close, the Tamworth 5 mile race provides the final competition in the Burton & District Summer League. Hosted by Tamworth Athletics Club, the course follows cycle paths and footpaths through Stonydelph, Green Lane (Birchmoor) and Wilnecote before returning to a rewarding finish on the athletics’ track. The race was won by Peter Hackett of Tamworth AC in a time of 26:41. The first Peeler back was Martin Hollamby in 31:12 followed by Emma Pick, who finished second lady in a time of 32:57 and first in age category (FSEN). Next home for the club was James Stretton (35:00); Michael Shelton (35:36); Phil Neale (36:39); Allen King (36:50); Mark Boffey (37:20); Ian Orton (38:56 – personal best); Darren O’Leary (39:11); Chris Bennett (39:34); Simon Gordon (40:16 – personal best); Lisa Stretton (40:27); Billy King (41:28); Roger Lloyd (42:41); George Hope (44:54); Sophie Galloway (45:30) and Sarah Boffey (45:44).

Meanwhile, disappointed not to have been able to run the Thunder Run 24 this year as the event was cancelled, an intrepid group of Peelers took on the equally infamous challenge of the Equinox 24 race at Belvoir Castle. Stephen Andrews, Alison Dolphin, Sarah French, Kelly Porter, Wendy Bowyer, Lee Guffick, Roger Eastaff, Ann Hill and Claire Guffick took part in the 10k Day and 10k Night Runs, supported by Peelers Chris and John Norris. Ben Dorkins also represented the club in a different team at the race, completing 4 x 10k laps. 

Another Peeler taking on a challenge this weekend was marathon addict Steph Attenborough, who completed her 100^thmarathon with Phoenix Running enabling her to join the prestigious ‘100 Marathon Club’, an achievement that many runners aspire to. After running her 100^th event she stated that she had run “100 full marathons which had been completed in 714 days between 3/10/21 and today, with 61 in the last year l believe.. apparently 1 in every 4.25 days”.  She celebrated by completing her 101^st marathon on Sunday by running laps of Chasewater with Yabba Dabba Doo events.

Peel ultra runner Luke Collins had a very strong run at the Ultra X 50 km Peak District race on Sunday. The 31.4 mile course with 6604 ft of ascent started and finished in Edale, taking in iconic hills such as Back Tor, Lord’s Seat and Lose Hill. Luke finished in a time of 6:17:58 and 3^rd in age category. 

On Sunday Val Lawson ran the Charnwood Challenge 10.5 mile trail race, an event organised by Nanpanton Scouts and taking in the scenic and undulating countryside around Windmill Hill, Beacon Hill and Jubilee Wood near Loughborough. She crossed the finish line in 2:20:42.

At Saturday’s parkruns, Darren O’Leary was first home for the club at Kingsbury in 23:46, followed by Garth Cox (24:50); Mike Shelton (25:30); Chris Bennett (25:50); Emma Pick (25:45); Sophie Galloway (27:49); Jackie Tierney (28:52) and Dave Fern (30:41). Parkrun tourists included: Ian Orton (23:47) at Valentines; Mick Stevenson (35:35) at Warwick Racecourse; Claire Guffick (31:54), Ben Dorkins (32:33) and Lee Guffick (45:09) at Belvoir Castle. Claire also celebrated her 100^th parkrun at this event! Mike Hughes took on the Thames Path parkrun at Woolwich, crossing the line in 26:42, while Mark Boffey (23:27) and Sarah Boffey (30:25) ticked off another of their alphabet challenge parkruns at Quakers Walk, Devizes.

At Sunday’s Spitfire 10k at the RAF Cosford Air Museum near Albrighton, a well organised and flat course lured a good number of runners to take on the race including Peelers Neal Dempsey and Helen Dempsey who ran together to finish in 1:11:00 and Alison Upton, who finished in 1:16:55.

With the temptation of a Bank Holiday weekend away camping by the sea, Peel parkrun tourists took on the notorious Woolacombe Dunes parkrun course in Devon. Renowned for its course that includes sand dunes to sap the energy of even the strongest runner, Mark Boffey was first back for the club in 26:56, followed by Ian Orton (27:32); Michael Hughes (33:30) and Sarah Boffey (38:01). 

Closer to home, there was a good turnout of Peelers at Kingsbury parkrun with Emma Pick both home first for the club and first lady overall. She finished in a time of 20:22, followed by Simon Gordon (24:35); Darren O’Leary (25:32); Jackie Tierney (28:14); Dave Fern (30:01); Sandra Ingram (31:08); Roger Eastaff (31:40); Joy Sykes (31:54); Jo Insley (34:38); Martyn Candy (35:02); Alison Perry (36:20); Alison Dolphin (40:00); Stella Taylor (51:37); Chris Taylor (51:39); Chris Norris (66:44); Stephen Andrews (66:46) and Ann Hill (68:30). 

Other parkrun tourists included Mike Shelton (22:07) at Cannock Chase; Ben Dorkins (23:23) at Rosliston; Garth Cox (23:40) at Walsall Arboretum; Sophie Galloway (29:31) at Netley Abbey, Southampton; Allen King (22:52); Chris Bennett (24:15) and Darren Truman (26:30) at Beeston, Nottingham; Mick Stevenson (34:21) at Northallerton; Tony Bryan (24:46) at Exmouth and Tim Mudd (31:31) at Abbey Park, Leicester.

Never ones to miss an opportunity, going on holiday for some Peelers opens up opportunities to run a parkrun in a different location and this was exactly what Caroline Evans did!  Running at the Whinlatter Forest (Lake District) parkrun meant taking on one of the hardest and hilliest routes in the country but Caroline crossed the line in 33:57, finishing first in her age category.

Closer to home, Tim Clark was first Peeler to finish at Kingsbury parkrun in a time of 22:24, followed by Phil Neale (23:19); Ben Dorkins (23:32); Darren O’Leary (24:06); Simon Gordon (26:03); Sophie Galloway (27:56); Dave Fern (29:23); Emma Livingstone (29:41); Neal Dempsey (29:53); Claire Guffick (31:35); Sandra Ingram (32:27); Roger Eastaff (32:56); Martyn Candy (36:12); Helen Dempsey (36:50); Lee Guffick (37:30); Jo Insley (44:43); Stephen Andrews (50:31); Sarah French (58:05); Wendy Bowyer (58:53); Chris Norris (62:04) and Alison Dolphin (62:37).

Parkrun tourists included: Joy Sykes (35:01) at Conkers; Mark Boffey (24:57) and Sarah Boffey (31:27) at Pontypool; Mick Stevenson (34:12) at Warwick Racecourse; Emma Pick (19:44); Mike Shelton (21:28) and Roger Lloyd (25:56) at Beacon Park, Lichfield; Allen King (21:56); Chris Bennett (25:14) and Jackie Tierney (28:45) at Abbey Park, Leicester and Mike Hughes (37:36) at Holbrooks, Coventry.

Peel Road Runners meet at 6.45 pm every Tuesday in the Skate Park car park in the Castle Grounds. New members always welcome. See website for further details.

Like buses, after a quieter few weeks for the Peel Road Runners it would seem that races all come at once!

The Burton 10k race hosted by Hatton Darts is the seventh race in the Burton & District Summer League race. It is an undulating road route starting near Queen’s Hospital in Burton before following country lanes out to Anslow then returning to Burton Athletics Club for a finishing lap of the track. The race winner was unattached Lloyd Biddell in a time of 32:42, but first Peel Road Runner home was Wayne King in a personal best time of 37:27 and claiming first prize in the M40 category. Emma Pick was first Peeler home for the ladies’ team in a time of 41:03 and 2^nd in FSen age category. Michael Shelton was next home for the club in a time of 44:29 followed by Allen King (46:41); Mark Boffey (48:05); Ian Orton (49:29); Darren O’Leary (49:49); Lorna Carlin (50:30); Lisa Stretton (50:36); Simon Gordon (50:47 – personal best); Tim Mudd (51:36); Roger Lloyd (53:58); Billy King (54:26); Michael Hughes (55:40); Caroline Evans (58:07 – personal best); Steph Attenborough (59:26) and Helen Manton (62:06). 

Meanwhile, Sarah Boffey (3:34:23.) and Val Lawson (3:54:37) took on the challenge of the Belper Rover 30k trail race over a very scenic and, at times, hilly course. 

Several Peelers took on half marathon challenges this weekend with Donna Reid (1:50:25); Judith Matthews (1:53:49) and George Hope (1:57:28) racing at the Solihull half marathon, whilst Phil Neale had a very good result (1:40:12) and Maisie Griffiths (1:59:46) at the Newark half marathon.

Joy Sykes took on the Gateshead Trail 10k, a two lap route on relatively flat and mainly hard-packed trails, finishing in a time of 1:12:08.

Peelers were out in force at Saturday’s parkruns: at Kingsbury, Garth Cox was first home for the club in 27:40, followed by Neal Dempsey (28:50); Dave Fern (29:34); Claire Guffick (29:54); Ann Hill (33:41); Lee Guffick (35:38); Helen Dempsey (36:04) and Martyn Candy (36:52). Parkrun tourists included: Tim Mudd (25:44) at Brueton; Chris Bennett (24:59) and Darren Truman (27:09) at Conkers; Mick Stevenson (34:17) at Northallerton; Billy King (26:12 – personal best) at Gorleston Cliffs; Steph Attenborough (30:42) at Babbs Mill; Sophie Galloway (38:48) at Great Yarmouth North Beach (literally run on the beach!).

Finally, a determined group of Peelers helped Jackie Tierney celebrate running her 100^th parkrun each run at a different venue, so that she could claim membership of the Cowell Club (named after Chris Cowell, the first parkrunner to run 100 parkruns at 100 different locations). Mark Boffey (23:13); Ian Orton (23:32); Sarah Boffey (28:26); Jackie Tierney (29:05) and Michael Hughes (34:58) ran at the Somerdale Pavilion parkrun, Bristol (famously known as the Curly Wurly run due to its unique twisting course!).

Last week, Peeler Steph Attenborough completed the Great Barrow Challenge Ultra (a distance of 32.73 miles with 873 ft of ascent) in a time of 7:22:08, averaging 13.30 miles/hour over the distance. Her second fastest time over the distance! This, in itself, was a great result but not content with this, Attenborough then completed two more marathons over the weekend .. the Saturn Running Hawaii 5-0 at Runnymede, which she finished in 6:29:03 and the Enigma Gameboy marathon, which she completed in 5:52:01.

At the weekend’s parkruns, Mike Shelton was first home for the Peelers at Kingsbury in a time of 23:06, followed by Phil Neale (23:38); Garth Cox (25:52); Claire Guffick (32:49); Ann Hill (34:31); Lee Guffick (35:33); Alison Perry (54:21); Stephen Andrews (54:21); Alison Dolphin (55:16) and Sarah French (55:17). Parkrun tourists included: Darren O’Leary (24:55) at Burgess, London; Allen King (22:44) and Chris Bennett (24:05) at Loughborough; Tim Mudd (29:15) at Woolacombe Dunes; Steph Attenborough (34:07) at Chasewater; Mick Stevenson (33:02) at Warwick Racecourse; Ian Orton (22:45), Mark Boffey (23:40) and Sarah Boffey (28:06) at East Park, Wolverhampton; Michael Hughes (37:32) at Trentham Gardens, Stoke and Jackie Tierney (28:45) at Yarborough, Lincoln.

Ever since the Peel Road Runners were established as a running club for Tamworth runners over 35 years ago, the club has welcomed runners of all abilities. For some of the club’s members, parkruns are the highlight of their week whilst for others, it is all about pushing the boundaries to see what they are capable of doing. Two such Peelers are Martin Hollamby and Steph Attenborough. 

At the weekend, Martin Hollamby completed the Lakeland 100 mile trail race. This iconic race follows a circular trail route emcompassing the whole of the Lakeland fells, including around 6300 m (21000 ft) of ascent. The route starts and finishes in Coniston and heads south before completing a clockwise loop taking in the Dunnerdale fells, Eskdale, Wasdale, Buttermere, Keswick, Matterdale, Haweswater, Kentmere, Ambleside and Elterwater before finishing in Coniston. Completing the route in 31.5 hours, Hollamby stated that he had had a great adventure, but that fatigue set in in the last 10 miles which caused him to lose some time there.

Meanwhile, ticking off more marathons in her 100 marathon challenge, Steph Attenborough completed 12 marathons in 12 days with Zig Zag Running with an average time of just over 6 hours, taking her marathon total to 84!

In Sunderland, Joy Sykes took part in the World Triathlon Championship Series Sprint distance triathlon completing the 0.75 km swim in 22:28; the 16.9 km cycle ride in 44:15 and the 5 km run in 33:49 finishing 12^th in the F55-59 age category.

At the weekend’s parkruns, Phil Neale was first home for the Peelers in 22:06 followed by Ben Dorkins (22:57); Simon Gordon (24:18); Tim Mudd (25:40); Dave Fern (29:41); Darren O’Leary (30:36); Claire Guffick (31:40); Laura Bowyer (32: 59); Lee Guffick (33:57); Helen Dempsey (36:05); Neal Dempsey (36:14); Roger Eastaff (36:27); Wendy Bowyer (39:40); Chris Norris (63:08) and Sarah French (63:39). Parkrun tourists included: Mark Boffey (23:46) and Michael Hughes (27:32) at South Manchester; Samantha Harris (36:30) at Brueton; Jackie Tierney (30:12) at Merthyr; Emma Pick (20:47) at Conkers; Garth Cox (28:10) at Sutton Park; Mick Stevenson (36:07) at Warwick Racecourse and Ian Orton (23:36) at Chipping Norton School.

The Worthington 6 mile race is the fourth race in the Burton & District Summer League and is an out-and-back race run along the Cloud Trail from Worthington, hosted by Ivanhoe Runners. The race always attracts a competitive field and this year was won by Matt Scarsbrook of Birchfield Harriers in a time of 31:13. First Peeler home was Wayne King in a time of 35:29 and 2^nd M40 and 13^th overall. He was followed by Luke Collins in 40:52; Emma Pick (41:25) and 2^nd Senior Female; Scott Chapman (43:15); Phil Neale (44:18); Ian Orton (46:02); Chris Bennett (47:51); Allen King (47:53); Tim Mudd (48:53); Darren O’Leary (48:53); Catherine Tieley (49:11); George Hope (51:19); Michael Hughes (51:58); Roger Lloyd (52:19); Emma Livingstone (59:41) and Billy King (70:15).

At the weekend, Caroline Evans completed the ‘Piece of Cake’ trail half marathon at Cardingmill Valley, Church Stretton in a time of 3:03:49. The scenic and hilly route threw all types of weather at the runners, making for an even more interesting experience than would usually be expected!

Also taking on a trail race over equally tough terrain, Sarah Boffey completed the Tittesworth Trail 10k race from Tittesworth reservoir near Leek in 1:32:18. The challenging route took in the Roaches and Hen Cloud, offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenery and the interesting weather conditions!

At the weekend’s parkruns, Phil Neale was first home for the club at Kingsbury in 22:41, followed by Ben Dorkins (29:14); Dave Fern (29:45); Laura Bowyer (36:22); Sarah French (41:08); Alison Dolphin (41:10) and Ann Hill (41:12). Parkrun tourists included: Mick Stevenson (33:18) at Fountains Abbey, Ripon; Tim Mudd (26:21) at Gedling, Nottingham; EmmaPick (21:27) at Sutton Park; Ian Orton (25:42); Mark Boffey (25:43); Sarah Boffey (31:57) and Michael Hughes (34:21) at Henley Wood, Oswestry; Joy Sykes (33:36) at Tyne Green, Hexham; Garth Cox (25:12) at Woodgate Valley, Birmingham; Allen King (23:39) and Chris Bennett (25:16) at Market Bosworth and Jackie Tierney (32:02) at Beacon Hill, Loughborough.

Despite the hot, humid, and stormy weather, Peel Road Runners were not deterred from their usual
weekend running antics.

The Wyre Forest Trail Race saw runners tackle the “undulating” off-road route with 1200ft of
elevation over the half marathon distance. Michael Shelton was first Peeler back in a time of 2 hours
7 minutes, followed closely by Allen King (2:08), Simon Gordon (2:08) and Chris Bennett (2:11).
At the weekend’s Parkruns, first Peeler home at Kingsbury was Emma Pick (21:05), who was the first
female finisher, followed by Michael Shelton (21:33), completing his 200 th run at this location; Tim
Clark (22:51); Judith Mathews (25:37); Darren O’Leary (25:46); Roger Lloyd (26:03); Ben Dorkins
(27:46); Sophie Galloway (28:18); Dave Fern (30:27); Jacqueline Tierney (30:33); Helen Dempsey
(35:28); Neal Dempsey (35:29); Joy Sykes (36:06); Chris Norris (1:01:49); Chris Taylor (1:01:54) and
Stella Taylor (1:01:57). Parkrun tourists included Tim Mudd (24:57) at Highbury Fields, and Steph
Attenborough (32:36) at Henley Wood in Oswestry. A group of Peelers also travelled to Salcey Forest
in Northamptonshire: Allen King (22:56); Ian Orton (23:22); Mark Boffey (24:12); Chris Bennett
(24:43); Darren Truman (26:26); Sarah Boffey (30:46); Michael Hughes (32:55).

After a busy year of running and racing, Peel Road Runners were able to reward the hard work and achievements of club members at their annual Presentation Night held at Bolehall Swifts on Friday evening. Prizes were presented by Club President, Ray Rogers and Club Chairman, Lee Rickards in the following categories: Best Male Runner of the Year – Wayne King; Best Female Runner of the Year – Emma Pick; Best Over 40 Male – Luke Collins; Best Over 50 Male – Phil Neale; Best Over 35 Female – Rachael Rickards; Best Over 45 Female – Carolyne Browne; Marathon Award – Lee Guffick; Most Improved Male Athlete – Allen King; Most Improved Female Athlete – Sarah Boffey; Best Potential (Male) – James Stretton; Best Potential (Female) – Catherine Tierney; Club Members of the Year (an award voted for by Club members) – Sandra Ingram and Mark Boffey; President’s Award – Sophie Galloway and Emma Whorwood.

At the Peel Road Runners Gate Gallop race (in aid of St Giles Hospice) on Sunday, with many of the club members and their families on marshalling duties, Peel were only able to put out a smaller team to brave the very hot and humid racing conditions. The first Peeler home was Wayne King crossing the line in 39:32 and 1^st M40. He was followed by Emma Pick in 45:54, 3^rd FSEN and 5^th overall. James Stretton showed great promise to finish as 3^rd MU20 (48:03), followed by Tony Bryan (61:58); Chris Bennett (who threw away his chances of a faster time to help another injured runner – 63:28); Sarah Boffey (65:52); Gemma Pritchard (67:19); Claire Guffick (72:11) and Clara Walton (74:15).

Meanwhile, at the Leamington Spa half marathon in aid of Myton Hospice on Sunday, George Hope completed the one lap 13.1 miles route on closed roads in 2:11:51. As with many other events this weekend, the hot and humid weather took its toll on runners’ results with many achieving slower times than normal.

On Saturday, Val Lawson ran the hilly, but very scenic Big Bear Cannock 10 trail race on Cannock Chase finishing in 2:14:48 and 27/56 runners.

At the weekend’s parkruns, Mike Shelton was first home for the club at Kingsbury in a time of 22:44, followed by Garth Cox (25:58); Dave Fern (30:38); Alison Perry (33:22); Matthew Shaw (35:25); Martyn Candy (36:41) and Chris Norris (60:28). Parkrun tourists included: Sarah Boffey (31:10) at Valentines, Ilford; Steph Attenborough (61:49) at Southport; Mick Stevenson (34:20) at Warwick Racecourse; Ben Dorkins (28:14) at Edgbaston Reservoir and Tim Mudd (24:47) at University Parks, Oxford. A group of Peelers supported Lichfield’s Beacon Park parkrun’s 100^th event, made all the more special as it coincided with Michael Hughes (37:15) 100^th parkrun! Running at Beacon Park were: James Stretton (19:17); Tim Clark (22:54); Chris Bennett (23:25); Ian Orton (23:28); Lisa Stretton (24:22); Mark Boffey (27:51); Darren Truman (28:00) and Jackie Tierney (29:39).

As an inclusive club which welcomes runners of all abilities, Peel Road Runners were keen to put out teams at last Wednesday’s Washlands Relays hosted by Washlands Women Runners in Burton on Trent.

The relays, always strongly contested by eleven local running and athletics clubs, consisted of two mile laps around the Trent Washlands and on a beautiful sunny evening, the route was particularly scenic had the runners time to look at the scenery! 

Peel RR put out 8 teams with 4 runners in the male and mixed teams and 3 runners in the female teams. The first female runner to finish the two mile route was V35 Abigail Halcarz from Tamworth AC in an amazing time of 11.51.

The Peel ladies finish results were: SL Emma Pick (13.30); SL Catherine Tieley (15:51); V45 Lisa Stretton (15:58); V40 Gemma Pritchard (17:03); V50 Judith Matthews (17:04); V45 Sarah Boffey (17:39); V40 Steph Attenborough (18:15); V45 Caroline Evans (19:09); V50 Helen Manton (19:25); V50 Sandra Ingram (19:40); V60 Val Lawson (19:50) and V50 Jackie Tierney (20:15). In the men’s overall results, Matthew Orford of Lichfield Running Club was first home in a staggering time of 10:30!

First Peel male runner home was V45 Wayne King (12:13); V40 Luke Collins (12:46); V35 Allen King (14:14); V45 Ben Dorkins (14:33); V55 Phil Neale (14:34); V50 Mark Boffey (14:58); V35 Ian Orton (15:02); V45 Chris Bennett (15:09); V50 Tim Mudd (15:18); V50 Darren O’Leary (15:30); V45 Simon Gordon (15:57); V35 Michael Hughes (16:00); V50 Tony Bryan (16:08); SM Billy King (16:16); SM George Hope (16:56) and V70 Dave Fern (18:47). 

At the weekend, Steph Attenborough completed two back to back marathons over two days at the Phoenix Denbies event. Her first marathon was completed in 7:14:26 and the second in 9:46:01. She also celebrated receiving her 52 marathons in 52 weeks running top!

Helen Dempsey ran the Rise of the Solstice race at Beacon Hill park near Loughborough after her canicross event was cancelled due to the hot weather. She completed the 5 mile trail run in 64 minutes.

At the weekend’s parkruns, Peel results for this week included: Tim Mudd (25:25) at Gloucester North; Claire Guffick (27:39), Sophie Galloway (28:09), Roger Eastaff (31:57), Lee Guffick (34:51), Laura Bowyer (35:05), Martyn Candy (36:10), Wendy Bowyer (38:22), Sandra Ingram (38:53), Chris Norris (61:56 – 1^st V75+) and Alison Perry (62:03) at Kingsbury; Mick Stevenson (34:43) at Horton Park, Bradford; Ian Orton (24:01), Chris Bennett (24:23), Mark Boffey (24:32), Allen King (26:21), Darren Truman (26:37), Sarah Boffey (29:24), Jackie Tierney (31:15) and Michael Hughes (38:14) at Sherwood Pines and Garth Cox (24:48) at Babb’s Mill, Solihull.

Finally, a group of irrepressible Peeler Pips took part in the St Giles Soltice Safari walk starting at Lichfield Rugby Club on Saturday.