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 100th 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 20thover 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 11th female finisher and 4th 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 10th place, followed by Rob Mace in 14th place, Mike Shelton in 31st place, Scott Chapman in 34th place, Darren O’Leary in 68th place, Chris Bennett in 69th place, Roger Lloyd in 73rd place, Darren Truman in 77th place and Tony Bryan in 88th place. In the Ladies’ race, Sophie Galloway was first home for the club in 35th place, closely followed by Sandra Ingram in 39th place, Jackie Tierney in 48th place and Val Lawson in 54th 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 10th 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!
bsh
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 5th 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.
In Durham on Sunday 14th November, Peelers Natalie Walker and Craig Smith took part in the Saturn Running Remembrance Run (a 3.28 mile multi lap course along the River Wear). The race was stopped at 11.00 am so that runners could pay their respects during the two minute silence. Walker and Smith managed to cover 31.5 miles in a time of 5:10:51, whilst raising an amazing £2530 in aid of the Royal British Legion. This is the first event before Walker takes on the Arctic Survival Challenge in aid of the Royal British Legion in 2022.
At the KP Events Tamworth 10k on Sunday the start of the race was delayed until after the two minute silence, which all runners and spectators respected. Running conditions for the race were pretty near perfect with cool and overcast weather and no wind. The two lap course took in Peelers Way, the canal towpath to Fazeley and then back into town via the Ladybridge before finishing in the Castle Grounds. Wayne King was first home for the Club crossing the line in 13thplace and a time of 37:45 and 2nd in M40-44 category. This on its own would be a good finish time, but was even more impressive as King had run the Rutland 10k night run on Friday, finishing in 5th place and a time of 39:45. Chris Bennett was second Peeler home in a time of 46:49 and 13th in the very competitive M40-44 age category. Stella Taylor was the first lady home for the club in a time of 52:11 and 3rd in the F45-49 category. She was followed by Clara Walton in a time of 58:32; Helen Manton in 59:00 and husband and wife team Neal and Helen Dempsey in 1:08:22.
At Kingsbury parkrun, Mike Shelton was first over the line for the club in a time of 21:21, closely followed by Ben Dorkins in 21:50. Other Peelers at Kingsbury included Darren O’Leary in 24:24; Stella Martin in 25:49; Sophie Galloway in 26:36; Jackie Tierney in 29:27 (her 100th parkrun at Kingsbury); Joy Sykes in 29:48; Roger Eastaff in 31:12; Alison Upton in 33:53; Ann Hill in 37:29; Lee Guffick in 37:39; Sarah French in 38:08; Alison Dolphin in 38:11; Wendy Bowyer in 39:11; Stephen Andrews in 39:58; Emma Whorwood in 42:12 and Chris Norris in 44:57.
Parkrun tourists this week included: Marcus Fairburn in 26:11 at Conkers; Andy Pickard in 22:53 at Rotherham; Mick Stevenson in 30:51 at Hove Promenade; Garth Cox in 24:23 at Bedworth; Roger Lloyd in 43:26 (running with daughter, Alicia) at Beacon and Tim Mudd in 26:25 at Watermead near Leicester.
Running is a funny sport that has grown in popularity immensely over recent years. It doesn’t really matter whether you consider yourself to be a “racing whippet” out to get a personal best at whatever distance you choose, or a “back of packer” happy to chat to other runners, whilst taking in the sights and sounds around you. The Peelers are such an eclectic mix of people and the races and events that they get involved in reflect this!
On Thursday night (4th November) and Friday morning (5th November) Mike Shelton ran in the Market Harborough Tunnels Run. This is a unique 5 mile out and back race which required competitors to run through the dark and atmospheric 422 m long Oxenden tunnel. The race on the Thursday evening started at 7.30 pm and Mike Shelton completed this in a time of 35:47 and 21st place. The Friday re-run on the same course started at 6.30 am and he completed this race in a time of 36:47 and 25th place. Very consistent running!
Also on Thursday 4th November, superstar V70 runner Bob Donovan completed the Enigma Running Caldecotte Lake trail marathon at Milton Keynes. The race required runners to complete multiple laps of the path around the lake up to marathon distance, which he completed in a time of 5:47:46. “It was very cold and windy today!” was his only comment after the race …
On Sunday, Val Lawson ran the Dark & White Events Grindleford trail run, which had been postponed from earlier in the year due to Covid. The 9.1 mile run included 1168 ft of ascent and covered very varied terrain. She completed the course in a time of 2:09:04 and 4th out of 5 runners in the F60 category.
At the Canicross Midlands 5k event at Marston Lodge, Rob Mace ran with Axis finishing in 4th position and then ran the 3k course with Molly where they finished in 2nd place. Neal Dempsey also ran the 3k course with his dogs, Banana and Hugo, also finishing in 2nd place in his category. Helen Dempsey competed with Minstrel and Sydney, gaining good experience at the distance.
Disappointed not to be able run the New York marathon that he had trained so hard for (travel restrictions to the USA were lifted the day after the marathon was held), George Hope ran his own version of the marathon around the streets of Tamworth! He completed his 26.2 mile course in a time of 4:31:22, all the more impressive due to the lack of supporters and refreshments out on the course!
There was a brilliant turnout of Peelers at Saturday’s parkrun, perhaps because there were fewer local races to tempt them this weekend. Running at the club’s parkrun “home”, the first Peeler to cross the line was the ever-reliable Ben Dorkins in a time of 21:50. He was followed by Chris Bennett in 22:58, Richard Satchwell in 23:16, Darren O’Leary in 24:23, Stella Martin in 26:22, Simon Gordon in 27:34, Darren Truman in 28:46, Chris Taylor in 29:00, Sophie Galloway in 30:09, Sandra Ingram in 30:27, Jackie Tierney in 30:31, Clara Walton in 30:39, Claire Guffick in 30:57, Roger Eastaff in 31:47, Sarah French 35:26, Nicola Bannister in 38:27, Alison Dolphin in 38:32, Wendy Bowyer in 39:31, Stephen Andrews in 41:22 and Christine Norris in 45:55. Club member Mike Shelton was Race Director for this parkrun on Saturday.
Parkrun tourists this week included Marcus Fairburn with a time of 26:47 at Conkers; Andy Pickard in 26:18 at Concord, Sheffield; Garth Cox 23:36 at Chasewater; Ian Cooper 25:57 at Babb’s Mill and Tanya Murphy in 31:24, also at Babb’s Mill; Joy Sykes in 28:36 (course pb and 1st in age category); Lisa Vickery in 32:34 at Beacon and Michael Stevenson in 31:11 at Dallas Burston polo club in Southam, Warwickshire.
Finally, a keen and enthusiastic group of Peelers were able to take part in some formal structured training at Tamworth Athletics Club on Wednesday evening, lead by Tamworth AC coach Derek Bolton. The Peelers relished the opportunity to run on the quality track at the athletics club and all benefitted from Derek’s coaching expertise.
Light rain? The BBC weather forecast didn’t quite match up to the reality of the weather on Sunday morning, but that did little to deter those hardy Peelers from racing.
At the rescheduled Coventry half marathon, Wayne King ran at an amazing pace considering the weather conditions to finish in a personal best time of 1:22:00. Also running at Coventry, Ash Goodman and George Hope finished together in a time of 1:53:00.
Postponed from last week, the first race in the Derby Runner Derby & Staffs Cross Country League was held on Sunday at Poplars Farm, Anslow near Burton Upon Trent. The League draws in teams from the Derby, Burton, Tamworth and Lichfield and always provides for healthy competition and a great atmosphere between the clubs. The course at Anslow, based on an equestrian cross country course, is always challenging as it includes a log jump, hills and descents and a knee deep water splash, none of which were made any easier after the torrential rain. Despite the change of date affecting the numbers attending, the Peelers were still able to field teams in both the men’s and women’s event. First to cross the line in 5th place and a time of 33:29 was Robert Dyjak, running as a second claim runner closely followed by Club Chairman, Lee Rickards in a time of 36:54 and 13thplace. Rob Mace was close on his heels, finishing in 15th place and a time of 37:24 whilst Mike Shelton finished next in 39:42 and 28th place. Other runners putting in great performances included second claim Scott Chapman in 32nd place, second claim Andrew Pickard in 41st place, Chris Bennett in 55th, Roger Lloyd in 58th , Darren O’Leary in 60th and Lee Guffick in 69th place.
Representing the Ladies, Lorna DSylva was first back for the club finishing her first ever cross country race in 27th position. She was followed by Sophie Galloway in 41st place, Val Lawson in 44th place, Claire Guffick in 48th place and Jackie Tierney in 50th place.
On Saturday, Peelers Claire Guffick, Kelly Porter, Roger Eastaff, Lee Guffick, Stephen Andrews, Wendy Bowyer and Alison Dolphin not content with running a 5k parkrun in torrential rain at Sutton Park also ran the Royal British Legion Poppy Run 5k in the same location. Luckily, the earlier rain had been replaced by glorious sunshine in time for the run, which made for a much more enjoyable experience.
As usual lots of Peelers kicked off their weekends by running at parkrun. At Kingsbury, Ben Dorkins was first over the line in 23:10 followed by Mark Boffey in 25:05 and Jackie Tierney in 30:57. Parkrun tourists included: Mike Shelton and Claire Guffick, Kelly Porter, Roger Eastaff, Lee Guffick, Stephen Andrews, Wendy Bowyer and Alison Dolphin (a warm up before the Royal British Legion Poppy Run 5k!). At Babb’s Mill, Ian Cooper finished in 23:49 whilst Tanya Murphy was a “hi-vis hero” at the same venue, volunteering as a marshal. Finally, Mick Stevenson ran at Warwick racecourse in 32:08, Rob Mace had an impressive finish at Edgbaston reservoir in 19:41 and Andy Pickard ran at Concord, Sheffield finishing in 23:23.
