Category: Weekly round up

On Sunday 8^th August, Peel Road Runner Malcolm Bembridge competed in the Compton Verney sprint triathlon. The race consisted of a 400m open water swim in Compton Verney Lake, a 21km mostly flat bike ride and a 5k run around the tracks and trails of Compton Verney estate. Bembridge completed the course in a creditable 1:30:00.

With the return of parkrun, many Peelers headed to Kingsbury Water parkrun on Saturday to take part in the 5k timed run. First Peeler over the line was Rob Mace in a speedy time of 19:57, followed by Phil Neale in 23:10, Ash Goodman in 23:33, Garth Cox in 23:58, Jenna Wilson in 24:33, Stuart Hatton in 24:53, Darren O’Leary in 25:27, Carolyne Browne in 25:49, Darren Truman in 26:58, Simon Gordon in 27:27, Tim Mudd in 27:40, Jacqui Tierney in 30:05, Claire Guffick in 30:21, Roger Eastaff in 36:41, Lee Guffick in 36:44, Alison Dolphin in 36:58, Sarah French in 40:45 and Stephen Andrews in 40:49. Peeler parkrun tourists this week were Andy Pickard running at Penistone (Sheffield) in a time of 23:57, Ian Cooper (24:53) and Tanya Murphy (30:02) running at Babbs Mill near Solihull and Mick Stephenson (31:12) at Warwick racecourse.

The Montane Lakeland 100 is renowned for being one of the hardest and most challenging events on the Ultra running calendar. The circular route encompasses the whole of the Lakeland fells, includes in the region of 6300 m of ascent and consists entirely of public bridleways and footpaths. The route starts in Coniston and heads south before completing a clockwise loop which takes in the Dunnerdale fells, Eskdale, Wasdale and Buttermere before arriving in Keswick. From here the route heads to Matterdale and continues over to Haweswater before returning via Kentmere, Ambleside and Elterwater to the finish at Coniston.

Peel Road Runner Martin Hollamby took on this unique challenge, starting on Friday 23^rd July at 6.00 pm and finishing 29 hours 48 minutes and 14 seconds later, having run 100 miles with minimal stopping through the night and day! This was Hollamby’s first attempt at the Lakeland 100 and he finished in 75^th place out of a starting field of 524 (of whom, only 338 finished). When asked to describe his adventure he said, “It’s difficult to put a nearly 30 hour journey into words. I had a massive smile on my face all the way around – even in the last 20 miles when I slowed somewhat. The scenery was inspiring, made all the better by clear skies and a full moon on Friday and Saturday night. I’d thoroughly recommend this to anyone!”

The winner of the race was Mark Darbyshire (one of the top ultra runners at this distance in the country) in a time of 19:10:27.

Meanwhile following in their dad’s footsteps (or showing him how it’s done?), Sally and Emma completed the Lakeland 1 (mile) event on Friday, collecting their medals without a blister or broken toenail in sight!

Closer to home, but also taking on their own endurance challenge, a group of Peelers were camped out at Catton Park running the Conti Thunder Run 24 hour race starting on Saturday and finishing 24 hours later on Sunday. The Challenge requires runners to complete as many laps of the 10k course in the time as they can. The route is a great mix of terrain and surfaces keeping it engaging lap after lap, covering twisty trails, technical woodlands, open fields, stone tracks, climbs and descents. The race can be entered as either solo runners, pairs or teams.

Running in the solo categories, Ian Cooper completed an impressive 70km whilst Tanya Murphy managed 40 km before frustratingly having to withdraw due to shin splints.

In the team event, Team Peel Road Runners (comprising of Sophie Galloway, Sandra Ingram, Kathryn Adams, Jo Insley, Natalie Walker, Ash Goodman, Darren O’Leary and Andy Pickard) completed 23 10k laps, with an average lap time of 1:02:33. They finished 33^rd out of of 146 mixed teams of between 6 and 8 runners. Meanwhile, Team Peel Pips 1 (comprising Chris Norris, Sarah French, Ann Hill, Chris Bennett and Ian Grigg) and Team Peel Pips 2 (comprising Alison Dolphin, Kelly Porter, Claire Guffick, Stephen Andrews and Lee Guffick) both completed 14 laps, finishing 133^rd and 134^th out of 146 teams. “We are completers, not compeeters!” said Club Secretary, Alison Dolphin, demonstrating the inclusivity of the Peel Road Runners for runners of all abilities.

Finally, the long-awaited return of parkrun was celebrated by runners all over the country on Saturday. Running for the first time since parkrun was cancelled due to the Covid19 pandemic, five Peelers tested out the course at Kingsbury Water Park. First home was Rob Mace in 20:28, followed by Garth Cox in 23:52, Lisa Stretton in 24:41, Tim Mudd in 30:31 and Jacqui Tierney in 31:20. Doing a spot of parkrun tourism, Mick Stevenson represented the club at Northallerton parkrun finishing in 32:31.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 6.45 pm at the skate park car park in the Castle Grounds.

Temperatures of 31° and high humidity did nothing to dissuade some enthusiastic Peel Road Runners from taking on road and trail challenges last weekend.

Travelling north west to Chester, Malcolm Bembridge ran the popular Aldi Chester 10k finishing in a time of 48:14, which put him in 26^th place in a very competitive M50 category. Overall he finished 359^th out of a total field of 2232 runners.

Closer to home, four Peelers ran the Brooksie’s Bash 10 mile trail race based at Foremarke Hall in Repton. This scenic and undulating course raises awareness and funds for the charity Mind (Derbyshire) and appeals to runners of all abilities. Wayne King was first Peeler to cross the finish line in a time of 1:12:25, which put him in 8^th place overall and 4^th in the M40 category. Next Peeler home was Emma Pick who finished in a time of 1:22:41, 4^th lady and 2^nd in the FSEN age category. She was closely followed by Zac Gibbons in a time of 1:25:40, 30^th overall and 12^th in the MSEN age category. Carl Hole-Maloney had a brilliant race; the Bash being his first trail race and his first 10 mile race. He finished in a creditable time of 1:44:56 and 113^th overall out of a total of 242 runners, stating that it was the hardest running event he had ever done!

Despite other sporting occasions taking precedence this weekend, an enthusiastic group of Peel Road Runners have been testing their running prowess over the distance of six miles as part of the Burton and District Summer League. Due to Covid restrictions, the midweek Worthington 6 miles race organised by Ivanhoe Runners (Ashby de la Zouch) has had to go virtual this year, but would normally be an ‘out and back’ run on the Cloud Trail (a disused railway line, but now a traffic-free cycle route) at Worthington.

First Peeler to cross the virtual line was Wayne King, who clocked a very speedy time of 36:01, closely followed by club rival Martin Hollamby in 36:53. Running well in warm and humid conditions, Richard Satchwell finished the distance in 43:44 a week after his half marathon personal best. Mike Shelton finished in 46:13, whilst Zoe Schnepp was first woman home in an impressive time of 46:24. Lisa Stretton ran strongly to finish in 47:43 followed by Jenna Colin in 48:13, Chris Bennett in 48:59, Mark Boffey in 49:52, Donna Lancaster in 51:02, George Hope in 51:03 and Simon Gordon in 51:18. Carl Hole-Maloney ran a personal best time over the distance of 51:35, taking 6 minutes of his previous best time. Stuart Hatton finished in 51:42, followed by Marcus Fairburn in 51:45, Joanne Harvey in 52:03, Rachel Browne in 52:10, Carolyne Browne in 52:28, Sophie Galloway in 54:23, Emma Livingstone in 55:24, Sandra Ingram in 57:3, Helen Manton in 60:11,Tanya Murphy in 61:05, Sarah Barber in 61:0, Claire Guffick in 61:51, Emma Petricca in 62:39, Emma Whorwood in 64:08, Alison Upton in 64:40, Owen Slater in 67:00 and Joy Sykes in 70:35.

Peel Road Runners meet in the Skate Park car park in the Castle Grounds every Tuesday and Thursday evening. Contact us for more information.

With the racing scene in the UK slowing returning to some sort of normality, the Peelers have been out in force all over the country! 

Heading north to the beautiful countryside of Northumberland, Neal Dempsey completed the 100km Heineken Race to the Castle event over the weekend of 26th and 27th June in a time of 19 hours, placing 434th out of 669 finishers. Competitors in the ultra race had to contend with difficult weather conditions, running through the night over mixed and undulating terrain, whilst running from Kirkhale to Bamburgh Castle following the long distance path of St Oswald’s Way.

Meanwhile on the south coast, Tricia Bunn completed the equally arduous North Devon AONB Marathon in aid of North Devon Hospice on Sunday, 27th June. The race advertised as “the toughest and most beautiful race in the UK” started and finished in Woolacombe and for the most part followed the coastal path with its many ups and downs! Tricia, who said that “it could be my 100th or 110th marathon … I’ve lost count!” completed the course in a creditable time of 5:16:52 and was 7th in age category and 17th lady. Richard Bunn completed the equally difficult half marathon in a time of 2:15:00.

On Saturday 3rd July, Richard Satchwell ran the Birmingham and Black Country half marathon. This is a unique point to point race along the canal towpaths from Wolverhampton city centre to Brindley Place in Birmingham. Although largely flat with locks and bridges the only inclines, the route is famous for including the 350m Coseley tunnel and for providing refreshments on canal boats along the way. Satchwell crossed the finish line in 1:45:17 and came 125th out of 636 runners achieving a personal best over the distance of 4 minutes 58 seconds.

On Sunday 4th July, the Peelers turned out in force to run the Florette Fradley 10k road race. This is a very popular local event where runners race over a two lap flat and fast course. With the hot and humid weather against them, first Peeler home was Emma Pick who finished in a creditable time of 41:16 and was 9th female and 5th in age category. She was followed by Zoe Schnepp who finished in 48:15 and was 33rd female and 16th in age category. Chris Bennett crossed the line next in a time of 53:53 followed by Clara Walton in 1:01:38; Emma Whorwood in 1:02:43; Claire Guffick in 1:04:28; Alison Upton in 1:05:25; Martyn Candy in 1:07:00; Ann Hill in 1:13:24; Sarah French in 1:13:38; Lee Guffick in 1:15:30; Alison Dolphin in 1:17:48 and Stephen Andrews in 1:23:00.

The Peelers next challenge will be the Burton and District Summer League Worthington 6 mile event. This race, which is normally held on the Cloud Trail in Worthington near Ashby de la Zouch, is a “virtual” race this year and a new distance for the runners to race over.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With little race activity over the festive period, parkrun was the main focus for many Peelers.

New Year’s Day parkruns always prove popular and this year was no exception with a record crowd of 820 at Kingsbury Water park, making it one of the most popular events in the country. Uniquely at New year, different park runs take place at different times to allow keen runners to do the double.  This year a local double was available with the Sutton Park event taking place at 8 30 followed by Kingsbury at 10.30. Several keen Peelers successfully completed the double, with the Kingsbury leg generally being faster than the hillier Sutton Park course.

Congratulations go to Martin Hollamby (22.17 mins at Sutton Park and 19.44 mins at Kingsbury), Mike Shelton (22.26 and 21.49), Carl Hole (28.41 and 27.29), Claire Guffick (32.07 and 31.00), Emma Whorwood (33.58 and 35.18), Wendy Bowyer (37.22 and 36.10) and achieving her 50th parkrun in the process, Sarah French (36.12 and 36.32) and Lee Guffick (38.48 and 38.22) for doing the double.

Several other Peeler presumably fancied a lie in and just completed Kingsbury. Marcus Fairburn finished in 27.16 mins followed by Stuart Hatton (27.23), Darren O’Leary (32.42), Alison Dolphin (38.37), Stephen Andrews (39.44) and Christine Norris (40.06).

Saturday dawned dry and bright and Kingsbury parkrun was again well attended despite only being 3 days since the previous running. First Peeler home was Mike Shelton in a decent 22.00 mins. Not far behind was Chris Bennett in a new personal best time of 22.20 mins then Phil Neale (23.45), Garth Cox (24.15), Darren O’Leary (24.40), Tim Mudd (27.20), Sophie Galloway (28.30), Carolyne Browne (28.31), Claire Guffick (31.45), just ahead of Jackie Tierney (31.52) and Mark Boffey on his return from injury (32.36). Lee Guffick finished in 33.17 mins, ahead of Sarah French and Ann Hill (both 33.24 mins) and Wendy Bowyer who completed the course in 38.37 mins. Congratulations also go to Jackie Tierney who completed her 150th park run over the Christmas period.

Several Peelers were in tour including Emna Pick who finished as first lady at Conkers in 21.11 mins and Andrew Pickard who finished the Sheffield Concord event in 22.58 mins. Zac Gibbons (23.32) and Nickolas Neale (25.32) both attended Sutton Park and Michael Stevenson completed the Warwick Racecourse event in 30.31 mins.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.00pm in the reception area of Tamworth Snowdome. Please see our club website for more information and contact details.

Photo: Wendy Bowyer’s 50th parkrun[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1228″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The main event of the weekend was the third round of the Derby  Cross Country League, held at Smalley near Ilkeston in Derbyshire. After all the recent rain, the 9km course was extremely muddy and proved challenging, described by some as the hardest course they had ever run.

In the men’s competition Lee Rickard was first home for the club in 21st place, followed by Mark Webster in 33rd, Ash Goodman (70th), Mike Shelton (71st), Chris Bennett (82nd), Craig Strong (84th), Simon Gordon (89th), Carl Hole (109th), Mark Boffey (111th) and Lee Guffick (117th).

In the ladies competition, Kathryn Adams was 17th followed by Rachel Rickard (18th), Donna Lancaster (24th), Sophie Galloway (43rd), Sandra Ingram (55th), Claire Guffick (61st) and Sarah Rober who was 65th on her first outing for the club! Thanks also go to Ray Rogers for his help and enthusiastic support during the event.

Bob Donovan was in action completing another marathon, this time the Poplar Challenge at Sence Valley Forest park in Ibstock, finishing in a time of 6:08.52 hrs.

There was a good turnout at Kingsbury Water Park for parkrun on Saturday morning. Once again mud and high water levels forced a change from the usual course.

Chris Bennett was the first Peeler home in a time of 23.26 mins followed by Darren O’Leary (26.36), Jackie Tierney (28.57), Claire Guffick (32.05), Alison Upton (32.23), Ann Hill (34.14) who finished just ahead of Sarah French (34.15), Emma Whorwood (37.06), Wendy Bowyer (37.17) and Lee Guffick (40.36). Alison Upton volunteered to help the event run smoothly.

Elsewhere Garth Cox completed the Bedworth event in 24.45 mins. Stuart Hatton (26.02) and Marcus Fairbutrn (26.03) were at Brueton Park in Solihull. Andrew Pickard finished Rotherham parkrun in 23.45 mins, Sophie Galloway visited Chasewater, finishing in 29.54 mins. Tim Mudd completed the new Oaklands parkrun in Yardley, Birmingham in 27.12 mins and Michael Stevenson cantered home in 29.35 mins at the Warwick racecourse event.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.00pm in the reception area of Tamworth Snowdome. Please see our club website for more information and contact details.

Photos:
1 & 2) Smalley Cross Country
3) Bob Donovan completes another marathon[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1222″ img_size=”full”][vc_single_image image=”1224″ img_size=”full”][vc_single_image image=”1223″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There was a select turnout at Kingsbury Water Park on Saturday for parkrun. Chris Bennett led the club home in a new personal best time of 22.38 mins. He was followed by Ash Goodman (23.42), Kathryn Adams (24.13, a personal best), Darren O’Leary (25.55), Simon Gordon (27.49), Sophie Galloway (29.09), Michael Stevenson 31.02), Claire Guffick (31.17), Stephen Andrews (36.14), Christine Norris (37.38) and Lee Guffick (38.49). On tour were Andrew Pickard who completed the Rother Valley event in 23.53 mins, Jackie Tierney finished in 27.02 mins at Market Harborough, Zac Gibbons who clocked 27.29 mins at Lyme Park and Sarah French completed the Conkers event in 33.20 mins.

On Sunday two Christmas themed races took place in unseasonably good weather. The Sneyd Christmas Pudding 10 mile race in Walsall and, closer to home, the Rudolph Run 3k and 6k fun runs in the grounds of Tamworth Castle.

At the Sneyd event, Dave Fern and Kathryn Adams both finished in 1:25 hrs, a personal best for Kathryn, and Simon Gordon finished in 1:37 hrs. In the Rudolph 3k fun run, Martin and Sally Hollamby finished in 32 minutes and in the 6k event, Sophie Galloway finished in 33 minutes, Ian Grigg in 38 minutes and Sarah French in 45 minutes.

Lee and Claire Guffick both ran the Telford 10k and both achieved personal best times for the distance. Claire finished in 1:00.39 hrs and Lee in 1:04.41 hrs.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.00pm in the reception area of Tamworth Snowdome. Please see our club website for more information and contact details.

Photos:
1) After the Sneyd 10 mile#
2) The Rudolph Run[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1218″ img_size=”full”][vc_single_image image=”1219″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The main event of the weekend was the annual Chasewater Pudding Run on Saturday morning with the club represented in both the 5k and 10k races. In the 5k event Chris Bennett finished in a time of 25.11 mins with Ann Hill and Sarah French, who finished in a time of 36.25 mins. In the 10k event, Dave Fern was first home for the club in a time of 51.55 mins. Bob Donovan was next home in 1:01.26 hrs followed by Claire Guffick who set a new personal best of 1:02.32 hrs and husband Lee, who finished in 1:09.37 hrs.

Bob Donovan also competed in the Oak Challenge race in Ashby earlier in the week. This was a marathon length course and Bob crossed the line in 5:34.33 hrs.

There was a good turnout at Kingsbury Water Park on Saturday for parkrun, despite the freezing temperatures. Rob Mace led the club home in third place overall in a time of 19.21 mins. He was followed by Zac Gibbons in 23.16 mins, then Simon Gordon (24.14), Sophie Galloway (26.50), Jackie Tierney (28.42), Neal Dempsey (32.40), Helen Dempsey (32.42), Alison Dolphin (37.58), Emma Whorwood (38.19) and Christine Norris (39.29).  Ash Goodman volunteered as lead bike, which crucially involves staying ahead of the winning runner to lead the race around the course. Unfortunately Ash made parkrun history for the wrong reason as the first lead bike to finish in last place, having punctured en route. Luckily, after over 300 events at Kingsbury, most runners already know the way!

On their travels were Andrew Pickard who completed the Penistone, Sheffield event in 20.28 mins, Chris Taylor who clocked 37.21 at the Penallta event in South Wales and Michael Stevenson who finished the Warwick Racecourse event in 29.22 mins, Chris Taylor (37.21 mins), Ann Hill (34.03) and Sarah French (34.05) used the Cannock Chase event as a warm up before racing at Chasewater.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.00pm in the reception area of Tamworth Snowdome. Please see our club website for more information and contact details.

Photo: after the Chasewater Pudding 5k[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1215″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The main event of the weekend was Round 2 of the Derbyshire Cross Country League. This round was on a new course at Cliff Lakes and was an undulating 9 km route designed by Sandra Ingram and the event was managed by the club. Thanks go to Sandra, Ash Goodman and the numerous volunteer club members who helped make the event a success; a lot of work is required behind the scenes.

Conditions were drizzly following several days of constant rain and the route was muddy to say the least, perfect cross country conditions in fact!

In the men’s competition Martin Hollamby was first home for the club in a strong fifth place in a time of 35.51 mins. Lawrence Williamson was next in 12th place followed by Lee Rickards (27th), Troy Lancaster (34th), Mark Webster (37th), Mike Shelton (65th), Darren O’Leary (84th), Simon Gordon (90th), Craig Strong (96th), Nick Barlow (98th), Roger Lloyd (101st), Chris Bennett (102nd), Garth Cox (111th), Carl Hole (119th) and Lee Guffick (129th).

Emma Pick was first home for the club in the ladies event in sixth place overall. She was followed by Kathryn Adams (26th), Rachael Rickards (29th), Judith Matthews (36th), Sophie Galloway (65th), Sandra Ingram (72nd), Jackie Tierney (76th), Val Lawson (79th), Helen Manton (83rd) and Claire Guffick (86th).

Elsewhere Rob Mace finished in sixth place overall at the BSSF Canicross British Championships with his dog Axis.

There was a good turnout at Kingsbury Water Park on Saturday for parkrun, given the recent weather it was good to see the event taking place although it was still very muddy in places.

First Peeler home was Chris Bennett in a new personal best time of 23.00 mins. He was followed by Tim Mudd who clocked a respectable 26.37 mins given that he had run from Fazeley before taking part. Carolyne Browne was the first lady Peeler home in 27.54 mins followed by Jackie Tierney (28.10), Helen and Neal Dempsey (28.37), Stella Martin (30.01), Alison Upton (30.41), Michael Stevenson (30.49), Claire Guffick (31.01, a new personal best), Chris Taylor (31.32), Sarah French (34.56) and Christine Norris (38.36).

Away from home Sophie Galloway sampled the delights of the Conkers parkrun finishing in 28.19 mins and Martin Hollamby finished in tenth place overall at the Whammy parkrun in Newcastle under Lyme in a strong 18.42 mins. Nickolas Neale was the sole club representative at Sutton Park finishing in 24.57 mins and Andrew Pickard ran a strong 20.49 mins to finish in 21st place at the Millhouses event.

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.00pm in the reception area of Tamworth Snowdome. Please see our Facebook page or club website for more information and contact details.

Photos: 1. Before the Cliff lakes Cross Country
2. Martin on his way to fifth place[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1210″ img_size=”full”][vc_single_image image=”1211″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]