Category: Weekly round up

Peel Road Runners were once again in action this weekend on a muddy and hilly 5.5 mile cross country course at Boothorpe near Swadlincote on Sunday. The scenic and challenging course, promoted by South Derbyshire Road Runners, formed part of the Derby & Staffs Cross Country League and was the fourth race in the 2021/22 series.

First home for the club was second claim Peel runner Robert Dyjak who improved on his previous results to finish in an impressive second place. He was followed by in-form Club Chairman, Lee Rickards, who had moved up through the field during the race to finish in 11^th place. Wayne King was next over the line for the club in 15^th place, followed by Rob Mace (25^th); Zac Gibbons (31^st); second claim Scott Chapman (37^th); second claim Andy Pickard (50^th); Allen King (76^th); Mark Boffey (81^st); Tony Bryan (85^th); Simon Gordon (87^th); Chris Bennett (89^th); Roger Eastaff (103^rd) and Lee Guffick (104^th).

First home for the ladies’ team was Emma Pick, who ran a very strong race to finish in 5^th place on what was (by the second lap) an increasingly muddy course. Rachael Rickards was next Peel lady home in 15^th place, followed by Lisa Stretton in 20^th place. Lorna DeSylva (36^th); Carolyne Browne (44^th); Sophie Galloway (48^th); Claire Guffick (63^rd); Sarah Barber (64^th) and Nicola Peace (74^th) also represented the club and competed for the ladies’ team. 

Full results for the club placings were not available at the time of going to press, but Peel Road Runners will be hoping to maintain their strong presence in the League and build on this at the next race in Derby on Sunday, 20^th February.

Veteran Peel marathon runner Bob Donovan was back out ticking off the miles on Tuesday 1st February running at the Big Bear Ryton Pools trail marathon. Enjoying sunny and calm weather conditions for the majority of the run, Donovan (78 years young!) completed the course in 5:36:37.

Parkrun once again proved a draw for the Peelers, with Kingsbury proving the most popular. First home for the club at Kingsbury this week was Ben Dorkins, who finished the 5k course in 22:46 and 23^rd place overall. Mike Shelton was the next Peeler home in 23:41 followed by Chris Bennett in 24:57. Mark Boffey (25:52); Stella Taylor (completing her 50th parkrun in 26:07); Roger Eastaff (34:46); Sarah French (34:51); Kelly Porter (36:59); Nicola Bannister (37:21); Stephen Andrews (40:54) and Christine Norris (46:49) also ran at Kingsbury. Club Secretary, Alison Dolphin, volunteered as a “hi-vis” hero at Kingsbury parkrun. 

Parkrun tourists this week included: Rob Mace (20:06) at Cannock Chase; Tanya Murphy (33:31) at Perry Hall; Tim Mudd (26:26) at Bedworth; Jackie Tierney (29:38) at Sutton Park; Joy Sykes (28:59) at Blyth Links in Northumberland and Mick Stevenson (31:27) at Warwick Racecourse.

The Peel Road Runners were once again out and about at different parkruns across the region on Saturday. The lure of Kingsbury proved the strongest again with the greatest number of Peelers attending. First across the line and in fourth place overall was Martin Hollamby in a time of 20:12. His swift finishing time was all the more impressive as he was pushing a running buggy with his daughter in it!

In 25^th place overall, Allen King finished in 23:08 equaling his personal best time from 2021. Other Peelers running at Kingsbury included Chris Bennett (24:20); Simon Gordon (25:03); Ash Goodman (25:35); Mark Boffey (28:23); Jackie Tierney (28:27); Joy Sykes (29:56); Claire Guffick (30:45) and Nicola Bannister (36:52). Meanwhile, Sarah French, Alison Dolphin and Stephen Andrews made great ‘hi-vis heroes’ by volunteering to scan the runners’ barcodes as they crossed the finish line, whilst Mike Shelton was this week’s Run Director.

Parkrun tourists this week included: Tim Mudd at Coventry (26:51); Rob Mace at Cannock Chase (20:42); Ian Cooper (27:02) and Tanya Murphy (33:50) at Brueton, Solihull; Andy Pickard at Rotherham (23:10); Garth Cox at Chasewater (24:12) and Mick Stevenson at Warwick Racecourse (31:46).

With the Staffs and Derby Cross Country League in full swing, Peel Road Runners Men’s team are in fourth place out of fourteen teams, whilst the women’s team are currently in seventh place out of fourteen teams, meaning that there is lots at stake at the next league race on Sunday, 6^th February at Boothorpe, near Swadlincote. The teams are hoping that the dry weather holds out to make for good running conditions on what can be a very muddy course.

Peel Road Runners welcome new runners of all abilities. 

Peel Road Runners took part in the third race in the Derby Runner Staffs & Derby Cross Country League on Sunday. Travelling to Allestree Park in Derby, the Peelers were faced with slightly drier conditions than would normally be expected in January, although the dreaded “hill of mud” still proved as challenging as ever on both laps of the race! Although unable to run due to injury, Team Captain Sandra Ingram described the day saying, “it was a struggle to get the teams together (due to injury and illness), but it worked out well in the end. The camaraderie of the other clubs was amazing, they all waited to cheer in our last runner. It was really heartwarming!”

Although men and women run together over the 5.5 mile course they score separately. Rachael Rickards ran a strong race to finish first of the Peel ladies in 13th place overall. Close on her heels, Lisa Stretton put in a great performance finishing in 17th place, followed by Lorna DeSylva, Sophie Galloway and Claire Guffick. Running for the men’s team, second claim runner Robert Dyjak continued his impressive performance this season by finishing 3rd overall in a very competitive field. Second Peeler home for the men was ultra runner Martin Hollamby, who is well used to running on technical terrain and ran strongly finishing in 8th place. Club Chairman Lee Rickards crossed the line in 10th place overall (though maybe regretting his choice of white XC spikes!), followed by Wayne King, second claim Scott Chapman, Darren Truman, Ben Dorkins (on his cross country debut), Roger Lloyd, Simon Gordon and Lee Guffick. The team were also able to take shelter before and after running in their recently purchased and branded gazebo, which was well appreciated and will prove to be a godsend in less favourable weather!

Peel canicross runners were busy this weekend at the Canicross Midlands event held at Lincomb Equestrian Centre near Worcester. Neal Dempsey, running with Banana and Hugo on the 5k course, finished in third place overall. Helen Dempsey ran the same course with Sydney, but was not placed. Both Neal and Helen ran the fun short course (around 3k in distance) with Paddington and Sydney (Neal) and Minnie (Helen). Rob Mace also ran a strong race on the 5 k course with Axis. All six dogs are rescue dogs living their new lives to the full!

The National Running Show at the National Exhibition Centre is always a draw for runners both locally and from further afield. Several Peelers took advantage of the occasion to meet some of the “stars” of the running world and to check out the latest gear and equipment to tempt their credit cards. Mark Boffey was able to chat with the astounding Scott Jurek, an American ultra runner whose impressive record of distance wins include the Hardrock Ultra, the Badwater ultramarathon, the Spartathlon and the Western States 100 mile race. Definitely a day to remember!

Saturday morning parkruns once again proved popular for club members with Kingsbury Water Park drawing the largest number of Peel runners. First to cross the line for the club was Mike Shelton in a time of 22:31, followed by Ben Dorkins (23:21); Darren O’Leary (25:41); Stella Taylor (26:15); Jackie Tierney (29:34); Claire Guffick (30:50); Emma Whorwood (35:19); Ann Hill (35:38); Sarah French (35:41); Nicola Bannister (36:44); Alison Dolphin (38:47); Stephen Andrews (39:46); Wendy Bowyer (40:22); Lee Guffick (41:58) and Chris Norris (47:05). Parkrun tourists included: Andrew Pickard at Hillsborough, Sheffield (23:31); Garth Cox at Chasewater (23:56); Ian Cooper (25:20) and Tanya Murphy (33:06) both at Babb’s Mill, Solihull and Mick Stevenson (32:12) at Warwick Racecourse. Joy Sykes was the sole club hi-vis hero this weekend, volunteering at Carlisle Park parkrun in Morpeth, Northumberland.

Although a quiet time of the year for running races, Peel Road Runners have been working hard at improving their fitness levels on their weekly club runs and structured training sessions. Combining this with parkruns has helped to bring variety to their training and the opportunity to celebrate individual successes, which has always proved popular with the Peelers. 

At Kingsbury parkrun this weekend, Mike Shelton was first across the line in a time of 21:55. He was followed by Lisa Stretton (24:54); Darren Truman (25:32); Darren O’Leary (26:31); Ashley Goodman (26:41); Mark Boffey (28:18); Simon Gordon (28:32); Joy Sykes (30:55) and Nicola Bannister (39:26). Celebrating Stephen Andrew’s 50th parkrun, a group of enthusiastically attired Peelers had a more leisurely paced run around the course at Kingsbury finishing together in around 51 minutes. It’s suspected that Wendy Bowyer, Alison Dolphin, Sarah French, Claire Guffick, Roger Eastaff, Christine Norris and Lee Guffick enjoy the opportunity to dress up, as much as the opportunity to run!

Parkrun tourists this week included: Jackie Tierney (29:03) at Highbury Fields, London; Tony Bryan (24:36) at Conkers; Tim Mudd (36:28) at Dishley Park, Loughborough and Chris Bennett (26:33) at Sutton Park.

Despite the Christmas and New Year holidays, Peel Road Runners have been busy over the festive period. Anyone seeing a group of festively clad runners on the streets of Tamworth may have rubbed their eyes and questioned how much they had had to drink, but they can rest assured it would have been the Peelers celebrating the season on one of their social club runs!

Peeler Stella Taylor was definitely celebrating on New Year’s Eve, as she completed an arduous year of running 5k every day in 2021 to raise money for Cancer Research UK. To date she has raised over £2800 and ran every day in 2021 whatever the weather, even getting up very early on her wedding day to run 5k! Anyone wishing to support her challenge can donate at https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/stellas-5k-everyday-in-2021.

Club Secretary Alison Dolphin started off 2022 on a high note by running her 100^th parkrun at Kingsbury. She was accompanied by Peelers Sarah French, Roger Eastaff, Claire Guffick, Lee Guffick, Chris Norris and Nicola Bannister and they all finished together in a time of 54 minutes. Also running at Kingsbury were Rob Mace (21:37), Mike Shelton (23:10), Phil Neale (24:24), Lisa Stretton (25:39), Stuart Hatton (26:39), Ben Dorkins (26:49) and Clara Walton (30:01). 

Parkrun tourists this week included: Simon Gordon (25:51) at Brighouse near Leeds; Mick Stevenson (32:51) at Fountains Abbey, Ripon; Ian Cooper (25:21) and Tanya Murphy (34:33) at Babbs Mill, Solihull and Jackie Tierney (31:32) at Watermead Country Park, Leicester.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday on the Skate Park carpark in the Castle Grounds. 

With so much in the news that can be quite depressing and worrying at the moment, running is seen by many as hugely beneficial for their mental health and general wellbeing. For many Peel Road Runners the ritual and routine of a Saturday morning parkrun can mean so much more than a 5k run around a local course. Every Saturday at 9.00 am, at events all over the country, people young and old line up on the start line of a parkrun aiming to earn a new personal best, or ready for a steady run without the worry of traffic to contend with, or just a run and chat with friends. Parkrun is all encompassing and welcoming to everyone, whatever their ability …. a philosophy shared by the Peel Road Runners!

As usual Kingsbury drew the largest number of Peelers with Mike Shelton first home for the club in a time of 22:01, closely followed by Rob Mace in 22:51 (who was running with Mollie, his 12 year old collie!). Other runners included: Chris Bennett (23:26); Darren O’Leary (23:40); Stella Martin (25:37); Mark Boffey (26:24); Ben Dorkins (26:39); Simon Gordon (26:55); Clara Walton (29:14); Claire Guffick (34:13); Emma Whorwood (34:27); Roger Eastaff (34:37); Ann Hill (35:08); Nicola Bannister (39:29); Sarah French (39:39); Alison Dolphin (39:39); Ian Grigg (40:02); Lee Guffick (42:02); Christine Norris (47:11) and Stephen Andrews (47:12).

Parkrun tourists this week included: Ian Cooper (28:41) and Tanya Murphy (30:17) at Brueton; Garth Cox (23:54 at Walsall Arboretum; Andy Pickard (23:12) at Concord, Sheffield; Tim Mudd (27:19) at Sandwell Valley; Jackie Tierney (28:36) at Sutton Park and Michael Stevenson (30:39) at Warwick Racecourse. Meanwhile, Joy Sykes volunteered as a tail walker at Beacon parkrun in Lichfield.

After a recent busy period of racing, this weekend saw things a little quieter on the racing scene for the Peel Road Runners. 

Emma Pick made an emphatic return to racing by crossing the finish line of the Eton Dorney half marathon on Sunday in a time of 1:35:23. This finishing time meant that she was third in her FS age group in a very competitive field and fifth female finisher out of fifty five females overall.

At the Sneyd Runners Christmas Pudding 10 mile race in Bloxwich, four Peelers were lured to the West Midlands by the promise of a fast course and a Christmas pudding when finishing! Martin Hollamby ran a strong race to finish in a time of 1:03:37 and 20^thover the line out of a field of 228 runners. Kathryn Adams was first and only lady home for the club in a time of 1:17:41 making her the 11^th female finisher and 4^th in age category. Garth Cox finished in a time of 1:25:39 with Darren Truman hot on his heels in a time of 1:26:09.

The Peelers were well represented at Kingsbury parkrun on Saturday with Wayne King the first Peeler to cross the line putting him in second place overall in a time of 19:06, only 27 seconds off his best ever parkrun time. He was followed by Chris Bennett in 23:01; Darren O’Leary in 23:35; Lisa Stretton in 24:49; Mark Boffey in 25:53; Simon Gordon in 26:12; Stella Martin in 27:44; Jackie Tierney in 28:35; Joy Sykes in 29:19; Ben Dorkins in 31:29; Emma Whorwood in 33:29; Alison Upton in 33:45; Alison Dolphin in 38:31; Christine Norris in 48:00 and Stephen Andrews in 48:01. Meanwhile Garth Cox volunteered his time as a “hi-vis” hero at Kingsbury, one of a group of volunteers who enable the parkrun to happen each week.

Parkrun tourists this week included: Tim Mudd in 27:30 at Leamington; Rob Mace in 19:49 at Cannock Chase; Andy Pickard in 23:31 at Hillsborough, Sheffield; Tanya Murphy in 31:02 at Babb’s Mill and Michael Stevenson in 31:09 at Warwick Racecourse.

Peel Road Runners pride themselves on being a friendly and enthusiastic group of runners, willing to take on a variety of challenges and this week has provided plenty of opportunities to do just that!

On Saturday evening, a group of Peelers joined Santa and his Sleigh Team as they travelled around Wilnecote collecting money for local good causes. Despite initial dry weather turning to squally winds and heavy rain, the Peeler spirit prevailed and Santa was able to safely and successfully complete his whistle stop tour of the area. 

On Sunday, the annual St Giles Rudolph Run in the Castle Grounds drew in a group of intrepid Peelers who completed the event dressed as unicorns! Representing the Club were Chris Norris, Nicola Peace, Alison Dolphin, Claire Guffick, Lee Guffick, Sarah French, Moira Bucknell, Wendy Bowyer, Roger Eastaff, Steve Andrews, Jeanette Faulkner and Ann Hill. Club Secretary, Alison Dolphin, said that the costumes were not easy to run in and made it one of the hardest events they had done! Mini Peelers Sally and Emma (plus mum Zoe Schnepp running in her famous Rudolph costume) also completed the run.

Also on Sunday, another group of Peelers competed in the second round of the Derby Runner (Staffs & Derby) Cross Country League race at Anslow near Burton upon Trent. After overnight rain, the going was definitely “soft” and an icy wind made the 5.5 mile course energy sapping but this did not deter the runners. First Peeler across the line in the men’s race was Rob Dyjak, finishing in an impressive third place in a very competitive field. Next Peeler home was Wayne King in 10^th place, followed by Rob Mace in 14^th place, Mike Shelton in 31^st place, Scott Chapman in 34^th place, Darren O’Leary in 68^th place, Chris Bennett in 69^th place, Roger Lloyd in 73^rd place, Darren Truman in 77^th place and Tony Bryan in 88^th place. In the Ladies’ race, Sophie Galloway was first home for the club in 35^th place, closely followed by Sandra Ingram in 39^th place, Jackie Tierney in 48^th place and Val Lawson in 54^th place.

At Kingsbury parkrun, Zoe Schnepp made a solid return to parkrun completing the 5k course in a time of 24:38, closely followed by Garth Cox in 25:01. Other Peelers running on Saturday included: Stella Martin in 28:02; Jackie Tierney in 28:45; Chris Taylor in 28:57; Joy Sykes in 29:18; Ann Hill in 36:59; Sarah French in 37:03; Lee Guffick in 38:18; Alison Dolphin in 38:30; Stephen Andrews in 41:32; Nicola Bannister in 46:56 and Chris Norris in 46:58. Parkrun tourists included Rob Mace at Cannock parkrun finishing in 10^th place and a time of 20:33; Tim Mudd at Rosliston in 28:10; Andy Pickard at Concord, Sheffield in 23:34 and Mick Stevenson at Warwick Racecourse in 30:37.

The indomitable V75+ Peel Road Runner Bob Donovan has been out running another marathon to add to his impressive tally of well over 100 marathons run since the age of 75. On Thursday he took on the Big Bear Events ‘Big Foot’ Challenge at Daventry, an event where runners have 6 hours to complete as many (or as few) 5k laps of the trail course as they wish. Not wishing to waste a minute of the opportunity, Donovan used 5 hours, 52 minutes and 28 seconds of his 6 hours to cover a distance of 27.8 miles. He commented that in sections where a loose chipped path had been laid, his feet really suffered but that the cool and sunny weather compensated for the pain!

On Saturday at the Betwys-y-coed trail challenge in North Wales, canicross runners Helen and Neal Dempsey with their dogs, Banana and Sydney, took on the “most technical run we do” as Helen described the course. However, the scenic course and sunny weather conditions compensated for the toughness of the route and made for enjoyable running conditions. On Sunday, Team Dempsey moved to Newborough Forest on Anglesey to run the 5k course paired with their other dogs, Minstrel and Hugo.

On Sunday, three Peelers travelled to Clowne in north east Derbyshire to compete in the Clowne half marathon. This iconic race organised by the Clowne Road Runners is renowned for its undulating course and excellent organisation. This year proved to be no different, although the very cold temperature (around 2° at the start) and exposed parts of the course made for a very chilly run. Chris Bennett was first back for the club in 1:59:59, with Darren Truman crossing the line in 2:02:46 and Val Lawson in 2:19:18.

Also on Sunday at the Sphinx AC Coombe 8 mile trail race at Combe Abbey near Coventry, Kathryn Adams ran a great race under difficult conditions. Having gone off course at one point and having negotiated the infamous water crossing, she rallied round to finish in a very impressive time of 1:04:00.

With many local parkruns cancelled due to Storm Arwen, only one Peeler managed to run on Saturday. Michael Stevenson crossed the line at Warwick Racecourse in 31:56.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at the Skate Park car park at 6.45 pm

A quieter week this week for most Peel Road Runners with fewer local races to tempt our club runners. However, parkrun still had a good turnout of Peelers with Kingsbury luring the most to run 5k at 9.00 am on a Saturday morning. First home was Club Chairman, Lee Rickards who finished in 5^th place in a time of 18:45. He was followed by Rob Mace in 19:43; Mike Shelton in 21:29; Malcolm Bembridge in 22:13; Ben Dorkins in 22:31; Judith Matthews in 26:21; Marcus Fairburn in 26:22; Sophie Galloway in 29:00; Darren Truman in 29:02; Jackie Tierney in 29:12; Clara Walton in 29:34; Sandra Ingram in 29:41; Lee Guffick in 36:09; Alison Dolphin in 36:21; Chris Norris and Nicola Bannister in 46:59.

Parkrun tourists this week included: Roger Lloyd at Cannock Chase in 45:07; Ian Cooper (28:21) and Tanya Murphy (30:11) at Brueton; Garth Cox in 23:39 at Walsall Arboretum; Wayne King (19:08) and Sarah French (35:51) at Conkers; Andy Pickard in 22:01 at Concord, Sheffield; Michael Stevenson in 32:25 at Northallerton; Stuart Hatton in 25:18 at Holkham, Norfolk; Joy Sykes in 29:34 at Milford Waterfront, South Wales and Tim Mudd at Dallas Burston Polo Club, Southam.

Emma Whorwood acted as a ‘hi-vis hero’ at Kingsbury parkrun by volunteering to help run the event.