Author: PeelRR

As a local, ‘gold standard” race organised by the Ivanhoe Runners in Ashby de la Zouch, the Ashby 20 road race has always been well supported by the Peel Road Runners.  Lured by the promise of sweatshirts and cheese cobs at the finish line, several Peelers took on the challenge of the undulating two lap course.  Despite a cold damp start, the weather improved as the morning went on and Tim Mudd was first back for the Peelers in a time of 3:14:12, closely followed by Carolyne Browne in a time of 3:19:17. Sarah Boffey ran a well paced race to finish in 3:44:27 with Emma Whorwood not far behind in 3:52:03, a particularly good result for Emma as a period of injury and illness had negatively impacted her training.  Running her first race at this distance, Claire Guffick was close on Emma’s heels crossing the finish line in 3:56:49 with husband Lee (also first time at distance) finishing in 4:28:30. 

Continuing with her quest to run 100 marathons, Steph Attenborough ticked off her 54^th marathon at Staines-on-Thames with Saturn Running’s ‘Chasing the Numbers’ 7 lap marathon on Friday in a time of 6:34:48. On Sunday, she ran the Phoenix running half marathon event at Walton on Thames, crossing the line in 3:10:00.

Parkrun events proved as popular as ever over the weekend with Kingsbury drawing the greatest number of Peelers. First home for the club was Ben Dorkins in 22:39, followed by Phil Neale (23:03); Tim Clark (23:52); Darren O’Leary (24:13); Mike Shelton (24:34); Jackie Tierney (30:04); Roger Eastaff (34:55); Wendy Bowyer (37:55); Ann Hill (37:56); Alison Dolphin (1:04:16) and Sarah French (1:04:17). Parkrun tourists included: Garth Cox (23:47) at Walsall Arboretum; Stuart Hatton (25:50); Tony Bryan (28:12); Marcus Fairburn (28:55) and Dave Fern (30:05) at Conkers; Allen King (23:29); Chris Bennett (24:54) and Darren Truman (25:41) at Clifton, Nottingham and Mark Boffey (23:14) at Chasewater.

With warm weather on the horizon but not quite here yet, Peel Road Runner Phil Neale flew out to Spain to take part in the sunny Barcelona marathon at the weekend. He finished the flat and fast course in a very respectable 4:17:38 commenting that the course was “definitely a PB course, but I suffered a bit with the heat at the end … however I still absolutely loved the marathon!”

Many Peelers run a 20 mile race prior to their marathons as a way of seeing how their training for the distance is progressing. With this in mind, Wayne King travelled to the flat and fast Twin Lakes 20 near Milton Keynes where he finished in 6^th place overall and covered the 20 mile route in 2 hours and 7 minutes! 

Last week, Malcolm Bembridge also showed a clean pair of heels when he ran the Chester 10k and finished in 48:44, while Chris Bennett and Helen Dempsey took on the Stafford half marathon finishing in 1:56:57 and 2:53:21. Also running on Sunday in the beautiful grounds of Staunton Harold, Clara Walton competed in the 5k Canicross event with Nanook, finishing in 29:40. 

From the weekend’s parkruns: at Kingsbury, Mike Shelton was first home for the club in a time of 21:19, followed by Tim Clark (23:14); Darren Truman (25:55); Michael Hughes (25:57); Dave Fern (29:12); Claire Guffick (30:10); Roger Eastaff (36:09); Wendy Bowyer (37:56) and Lee Guffick (37:56). Parkrun tourists this week included: Jackie Tierney (29:01) at Colwick, Nottingham; Sarah and Mark Boffey (27:26) at York; Ian Grigg (35:44) at Torbay Velopark; Garth Cox (23:49) at Arrow Valley, Redditch; Tim Mudd (25:17) at Mansfield; Stuart Hatton (26:01), Marcus Fairburn (29:00) and Tony Bryan (29:38) at Conkers; Martin Hollamby (19:12) at the Whammy, Newcastle Under Lyme; Mick Stevenson (33:43) at Warwick Racecourse and Ian Orton (27:26) at Beacon Hill, Loughborough.

After a series of six races, Sunday saw the final race in the Derby/Staffs Cross Country League with Peel Road Runners racing on a scenic and relatively dry two lap course at Foremark reservoir. A good turnout ensured some great racing from team members with second claim runner Rob Dyjak first to finish for the club in 4th place overall in the men’s race. Finishing his first full season with Peel, U20 runner James Stretton showed great form and maturity to cross the line in 11^th place overall with Ben Dorkins (38^th); Mark Boffey (81^st); Simon Gordon (84^th); Billy King (87^th); Michael Hughes (90^th) and Lee Guffick (98^th) making up the men’s team. First home for the ladies’ team, Emma Pick finished in 4th place overall closely followed by Lisa Stretton in 8^th place. Catherine Tieley was next for the ladies in 17^th place, followed by Lorna D’Silva (21^st); Sarah Boffey (43^rd); Jackie Tierney (45^th); Val Lawson (49^th) and Sandra Ingram (54^th). 

This race brought the cross country season to a close with some great racing over the winter and the best ever turnout of club members participating. Eight Peelers ran every race and, in the individual results, Emma Pick finished 3^rd senior lady over the series; Lisa Stretton finished 1^st V45 over the series and Rob Dyjak finished 1^st V40 and 2^nd male over the series. Peel ladies’ team came 2nd overall with the men 4^th, making for 3^rd placed team on the combined score.

Away from the cross country field, Steph Attenborough ignored everything the weather threw at her this last week and completed her 7 marathons in 7 days ‘Week at the Knees’ challenge! With finishing times ranging from 5:42:35 through to 6:52:05, she showed a huge amount of resilience and self belief to complete the challenge under such difficult weather conditions. She was joined by Peeler Michael Hughes on Wednesday, who completed his marathon in 4:50:41.

Chris Bennett was the sole Peeler to take on the Stafford half marathon this year, crossing the finish line in 1:56:57.

With many local parkruns cancelled due to icy conditions, parkrun Peelers had to travel to get their 5k fix this week. Sarah Boffey (27:58); Mark Boffey (27:59) and Jackie Tierney (28:51) ran at Brueton; Stuart Hatton (25:18) and Marcus Fairburn (28:50) ran at Conkers; Chris Bennett (22:54); Darren Truman (25:18) and Ian Orton (26:17) ran at Babb’s Mill and Tim Mudd (25:37) ran at Irchester, Wellingborough.

Cool, dry and calm conditions provided near perfect running conditions for those Peel Road Runners who took on the challenge of the Florette Fradley 10k race on Sunday.  The two lap flat course is renowned as a fast course which, continuing his recent run of good form, Allen King took advantage of and was first home for the club in a time of 46:12 followed by Darren Truman in 49:49.  Billy King finished his first ever 10k race in 51:12, showing great potential.  Next to finish was Stella Taylor in 57:57, then Jackie Tierney (57:59); Emma Barley (59:43); Clara Walton (1:00:41); Emma La Planche (1:03:02); Emma Whorwood (1:04:27); Ann Hill (1:08:05); Alison Upton (1:08:43); Lee Guffick (1:13:29); Roger Eastaff (1:17:06); Wendy Bowyer (1:18:27) and Sarah French 1:18:28.

At the weekend’s parkruns, Mike Shelton was first home for the club at Kingsbury in a time of 20:39 followed by Tim Clark (23:39); Phil Neale (24:21); Garth Cox (25:51); Sophie Galloway (26:26); Stella Taylor (27:46); Jackie Tierney (28:49) and Joy Sykes (31:11). Parkrun tourists included: Stuart Hatton (25:10) and Marcus Fairburn (29:19) at Conkers; Allen King (23:16), Chris Bennett (23:43) and Darren Truman (25:13) at Rushcliffe, Nottingham; Mark Boffey (22:41) and Michael Hughes (36:19) at Alvaston, Derby; Mick Stevenson (33:00) at Warwick Racecourse and Tim Mudd (25:56) and Steph Attenborough (54:34) at Market Bosworth Country Park.

On Sunday, Peeler Gemma Pritchard ran the Birmingham Festival of Running half marathon in Sutton Park. Gemma finished her second half marathon on the undulating multi-lap course in a time of 2:09:26. Steph Attenborough also ran strongly to finish in 2:23:04, a day after completing the Winter Railway Ultra 28 mile event in 7:26:56!

Being part of the Peelers is not just about running but also about supporting other clubs and runners, so when the call went out for additional marshals to help Ivanhoe Runners (Ashby) at their cross country race at Ravenstone in Leicestershire on Sunday the club was happy to help. With sunny weather and a scenic course, it felt good to be on the ‘other side of the fence’ for a change!

Peel Road Runners were represented at a variety of parkruns this weekend with a good turnout at Kingsbury. First to cross the line there was Ben Dorkins in 22:00 and 17^th place, followed by Tim Clark (22:48); Lisa Stretton(25:05); Stella Taylor (28:17); Jackie Tierney (28:43); Claire Guffick (30:12); Joy Sykes (30:34); Ann Hill (35:32); Roger Eastaff (35:37) and Lee Guffick (38:02). 

Parkrun tourists included: Sophie Galloway at Torbay (26:07); Tony Bryan at Rosliston (27:08); Allen King (22:35) and Darren Truman (25:59) at Brueton; Garth Cox (23:36) at Walsall Arboretum; Stuart Hatton (25:35) at Conkers; Mick Stevenson (33:53) at Northallerton; Mark Boffey (22:17) and Michael Hughes (37:11) at Warwick Racecourse and Mike Shelton (20:32) at Beacon Park, Lichfield.

Peel Road Runners were well represented on Sunday at the fifth race in the Derby/Staffs Cross Country League at Shipley Country Park near Heanor. Drier ground conditions than last year made for some fast times and Peel runners did not disappoint! First home for the club was second claim runner Rob Dyjak in 3^rd position overall. Next over the line for the club was Wayne King in 8^th place followed by Luke Collins (42^nd); Scott Chapman (46^th); Allen King (66^th); Mark Boffey (81^st); Billy King (96^th); Simon Gordon (103^rd); Chris Bennett (107^th); Michael Hughes (113^th) and Lee Guffick (126^th). First home for the Peel ladies was Emma Pick in 6^th place overall followed by Lisa Stretton (21^st); Lorna Carlin (22^nd); Catherine Tieley (24^th); Ling Zhuang (40^th); Sarah Boffey (50^th); Stella Taylor (61^st); Claire Guffick (66^th); Sandra Ingram (70^th); Jackie Tierney (71^st) and Val Lawson (72^nd). 

Meanwhile in Shrewsbury on Saturday, Steph Attenborough completed the Charles Darwin Day marathon at the Shrewsbury Sports Village. This was her 44^th marathon and consisted of 43.5 laps of a cycle track, which she completed in 5:33:52.

At the weekend’s parkruns, Mike Shelton was first back for the club at Kingsbury in a time of 21:12. He was followed by Ben Dorkins (22:26); Darren O’Leary (24:25); Wendy Bowyer (40:15); Claire Guffick (50:58); Sarah French (57:50) and Lee Guffick (57:52). Parkrun tourists included: Mick Stevenson at Leamington (33:38); Stuart Hatton (26:18) and Marcus Fairburn (29:09) at Conkers; Sarah Boffey (27:41), Mark Boffey (27:43) and Jackie Tierney (28:46) at Newark; Michael Hughes (37:49) at Sixfields Upton, Northampton; Garth Cox (26:32) at Sutton Park; Joy Sykes (29:34) at Blyth Links, Northumberland; Roger Lloyd (24:50) at Chasewater and Allen King (22:56) and Chris Bennett (22:56) at Oaklands, Birmingham.

After a quieter few weeks for racing, this weekend saw Peelers travelling far and wide to take on road and trail challenges. In his first race since the New York marathon in November, George Hope ran the Warwick half marathon and finished the 13.1 mile undulating course in 1:49:53 surprising himself with his speedy result at his comeback race!

The perennial Peel favourite of the Stourbridge Stagger tempted Claire and Lee Guffick back for a second time. Claire finished the hilly and muddy trail 10 mile route in a time of 2:01:22 ( 5 minute course PB) and Lee in 2:23:08 (a huge 24 minute course PB!). Val Lawson also ran an undulating 10 mile trail race, the Winter Bash which started in Ticknall, Derbyshire and followed trails around the National Forest. She finished in 1:55:31, knocking 3 minutes off last year’s result.

Ultra Runner Steph Attenborough completed a challenge, a quarter of which would be enough for most runners! She ran 4 marathons in 4 days at the Enigma Running Quadzilla races. Each marathon consisted of 7.5 laps of Caldecotte Lake at Milton Keynes, which had to be completed within 7 hours. Steph ran consistently each day with a best marathon time of 6:12:59.

At the weekend’s parkruns, Ben Dorkins crossed the line first for the club in a time of 22:11, closely followed by Mike Shelton in 22:14. Other Peelers included Chris Bennett (27:29); Allen King (27:29); Stella Taylor (28:24); Joy Sykes (32:17); Sarah French (53:49); Alison Dolphin (54:04); Ann Hill (54:53) and Wendy Bowyer (54:56). Parkrun volunteers included: Stephen Andrews, Alison Dolphin, Wendy Bowyer, Roger Eastaff, Sarah French, Claire Guffick, Ann Hill and Mike Shelton.

Parkrun tourists included: Stuart Hatton (27:40) and Marcus Fairburn (29:08) at Conkers; Jackie Tierney (30:05) at Jersey Farm, St Albans; Garth Cox (23:50) at Babb’s Mill; Mick Stevenson (33:07) at Warwick Racecourse; Mark Boffey (21:46 – a parkrun pb of 11 seconds!) and Michael Hughes (32:15) at Yarborough, Lincoln.

Peel Road Runners turned out in force at the Derby/Staffs League cross country race at Boothorpe near Swadlincote on Sunday. Running two laps of an undulating course over a reasonably dry course, second claim runner Rob Dyjak was first back for the club in 4^th place overall, with James Stretton snapping at his heels in 9^th position overall. Wayne King ran a strong race to finish in 10^th position, followed by Luke Collins, Scott Chapman, Ben Dorkins, Allen King, Mark Boffey, Tim Clarke, Simon Gordon, Tim Mudd, Mike Hughes and Lee Guffick.

With the ladies’ team hoping to build on their successes this season, Emma Pick was first across the finish line in 14^th place followed by Lisa Stretton, Catherine Tieley, Lorna D’Silva, Sarah Boffey, Claire Guffick, Steph Attenborough, Sandra Ingram and Jackie Tierney. 

The next race in the League will be held at Shipley Park in Derby in two weeks time.

In Northumberland, Joy Sykes and her dog Charlie, ran the Traildog Kielder 10k race crossing the finish line in 1:10:01.

At the weekend’s parkruns, Kingsbury drew a good turnout of Peelers with Allen King first to finish in 22:22. He was followed by Ben Dorkins (23:12); Michael Hughes (26:16); Jackie Tierney (29:09); Emma Whorwood (25:23); Wendy Bowyer (46:14) and tail walkers Claire Guffick (1:01:47) and Lee Guffick (1:01:51). Stephen Andrews, Wendy Bowyer and Mike Shelton also volunteered at this event.

Parkrun tourists included Ian Cooper (29:27) at Brueton; Steph Attenborough (33:03) at Telford; Garth Cox (23:57) at Babbs Mill; Mark Boffey (26:32) and Sarah Boffey (27:25) at Cusworth Hall, Doncaster.Sarah celebrated her 100^th parkrun at Cusworth’s Hall 100^th event … very good planning!

In the week ending Saturday 14^th January, Peel Road Runners distance specialist Steph Attenborough took on the Zig Zag Running Mid Month Mayhem half marathon consisting of laps of Hichingbrooke Country Park in Cambridgeshire. Due to flooding the course had to be changed at the last minute, but Steph completed 7.5 laps in a time of 2:40:11. She also ran the Phoenix Running Doughnut Dash 10k out and back trail run at Walton on Thames in a time of 1:36:00.

At the weekend’s National Running Show at the NEC, Birmingham Peeler Mark Boffey was lucky enough to meet the incredible distance runner Damian Hall, the winner of this year’s Montane Winter Spine race. (Hall had only finished the race several days earlier … the ‘race’ being a non-stop running of the Pennine Way, 268 miles from Edale to Kirk Yetholm!).

Closer to home, Clara Walton took part in the Midlands Canicross event at Solihull at the weekend, running with Nanook in the novice class (2.1 km) on both days and with a combined time of 20:47.

At the weekend’s parkruns, Tim Clark was first to finish in a time of 23:39 followed by Ben Dorkins (24:10); Darren O’Leary (26:41); Michael Hughes (27:53); Stella Taylor (27:57); Jackie Tierney (28:24); Claire Guffick (30:03); Joy Sykes (31:42); Roger Eastaff (34:39); Ann Hill (34:53); Lee Guffick (38:55); Wendy Bowyer (42:20); Sarah French (50:40) and tail walkers Allen King (61:55) and Chris Bennett (61:56).

Parkrun tourists this week included: Stuart Hatton (27:14) and Marcus Fairburn (28:34) at Conkers; Tim Mudd (25:59) and Ian Cooper (33:50) at Babb’s Mill, Solihull; Mick Stevenson (33:10) at Warwick Racecourse and Steph Attenborough (33:25) at Queen’s, Glasgow.

Following on from last week’s Derby Runner Derby & Staffs XC race at Allestree Park, Peel Road Runners men’s team are now standing in 8^th place out of 18 teams (and 8^th out of the 11 teams to class as counting teams), whilst the Peel ladies’ team are now 4^th out of 16 teams (all counting) … an amazing performance from the Peel ladies! The next race in the League will be at Boothorpe, Moira on Sunday 29^th January.

Another wet weekend failed to deter a good turnout of Peelers at parkruns far and wide. Kingsbury again proved the most popular with James Stretton first home for the club in a time of 20:33. He was followed by Mike Shelton (22:06); Tim Clark (22:55); Lisa Stretton (27:12); Claire Guffick (30:49); Lee Guffick (39:08); Alison Dolphin (55:55); Sarah French (56:07) and Wendy Bowyer (56:34). At Kingsbury, Sarah French and Wendy Bowyer both celebrated volunteering 25 times at the parkrun!

Further afield, Peel parkrun tourists included: Steph Attenborough at Bushy Park, Teddington (33:36); Tim Mudd at Daventry (27:12); Allen King (22:32), Chris Bennett (25:05) and Darren Truman (25:42) at Bedworth; Garth Cox at Sutton Park (25:57); Ian Orton (24:58) and Michael Hughes (36:59) at Babb’s Mill; Sophie Galloway (25:56) at Beacon Park, Lichfield; Jackie Tierney at Woodgate Park, Birmingham (31:26) and Mark Boffey (26:52) and Sarah Boffey (27:49) at University Parks, Oxford.