Category: Weekly round up

Val Lawson took on a new challenge at the end of the year, taking part in the Black Moon Rising trail half marathon on 30^th December. Hosted by First Light Adventure Ltd, the race took place at Sutton Scarsdale, Derbyshire starting in daylight and ending in darkness illuminated by headtorches for the rising of the Black Moon, the second new moon of the month. Running through Sutton Spring Wood before climbing to the Five Pits Trail, Val completed the undulating course in 2:36:59, finishing 67^th out of a field of 79 runners and the 22^nd woman out of 32.

Many Peelers were up early on New Year’s Day to bring in the new year on a high. At Leamington parkrun, Joanne Sharman and Stephanie Attenborough ran together, finishing in 51:06 and 51:07, respectively. At Oxford parkrun, Emma Pick delivered an impressive performance, finishing as the second woman overall in 19:48.

Kingsbury Water parkrun saw Mike Shelton finish as first Peeler in 22:02, followed by Ben Dorkins at 25:42. Jacqueline Tierney and Claire Guffick completed in 31:08 and 31:21. Sarah Boffey finished in 33:57, while Helen and Neal Dempsey crossed the line together in 36:27 and 36:28. Lee Guffick completed in 37:58, with Wendy Bowyer wrapping up in 50:28.

At Fountains Abbey parkrun, Michael Stevenson finished in 38:21, while at Jubilee parkrun, Ian Orton recorded a time of 30:25. Michael Hughes completed the course in 54:47. Tamworth Castle Grounds parkrun saw Lee Rickards finish in 25:15, just ahead of Chris Bennett at 25:16. Sophie Galloway completed her run in 28:10, with Darren Truman finishing in 32:16. Mark Boffey volunteered as tail walker to complete the event in 1:00:59.

Peel Road Runners braved the icy conditions across multiple parkrun events on Saturday 4^th January. At Conkers parkrun, Allen King finished in 24:58, followed by Chris Bennett in 27:32 and Darren Truman in 29:48. Ian Orton represented the club at Malahide parkrun with a time of 26:18.

Kingsbury Water parkrun saw a large turnout from the club. Luke Collins completed the course in 20:58, with Mike Shelton close behind in 21:29 and Philip Neale in 22:45. Garth Cox finished in 26:35, while Katie and Lisa Stretton crossed the line in 26:40 and 26:43 respectively. Roger Lloyd ran in 27:29, and Simon Gordon and Tim Mudd finished in 30:28 and 30:29. Claire Guffick ran in 31:27 and Lisa Barnes in 33:22. Lee Guffick completed the run in 35:39, just ahead of Emma Whorwood at 35:55. Wendy Bowyer completed in 45:57, Nicola Bannister in 48:02, and Ann Hill in 48:03.

Further afield, Michael Hughes ran in 48:21 at Hereford parkrun. At Evesham parkrun, Ben Dorkins finished in 24:23. At Rutland Water parkrun, Mark Boffey clocked 23:58, with Jacqueline Tierney finishing in 29:48 and Sarah Boffey in 32:21. Stephanie Attenborough and Joanne Sharman crossed the line together at Doddington Hall parkrun with times of 31:32 and 31:33. Meanwhile at Belvoir Castle parkrun, Emma Pick achieved an outstanding result, achieving first finisher with a time of 20:21.

As we reach Christmas week the events are winding down for the year but Steph Attenborough and Joanne Sharman still managed to fit in two this weekend! One as participants and one as volunteers.

The duo firstly tackled a very windy 19 miles across The Long Mynd with the Long Distance Walking Association. The Long Mynd forms part of the Shropshire hills and has 1693ft elevation. They then gave their time on Sunday and volunteered at the Birmingham Running festivals event which took place in Sutton Park raising funds for Birmingham Hospice . The event features a 5k,10k, half marathon and juniors race option.

Park run was well attended despite local storms and flooding ….

Battlestead Croft

Mark Boffey 32:47 Sarah Boffey 36:06

Brueton

Ian P Cooper 32:29

Chasewater

Wayne King 18:26 finishing 2^nd overall ),Emma Pick 18:38 (finishing 4^th overall),Garth Cox 24:23

Leamington

Billy King 25:51,Chris Bennett 28:17,Allwn King 28:50

Pavillion Gardens

Ian Orton 25:27

Sutton Park

Mike Shelton 22:34,Stella Taylor 33:32

Tamworth Castle grounds

Ben Dorkins 24:24 ,Sophie Galloway 27:14,Jackie Tierney 31:21,Helen Manton 32:23

Sandra Ingram 32:38, Claire Guffick 34:57,Emma Whorwood 35:19,Wendy Roe 35:27

Whilst many were unwrapping presents or getting the turkey in the oven, it was an extra busy week of running with the Christmas Day parkrun events taking place at 9am. There is always a great atmosphere at these with many festive outfits & santa hats on display.

Garth Cox was at Babbs Mill (24:53), Sandra Ingram further afield at Bolberry Down (31:58). Michael Hughes at Cheltenham (51:36), Ian Orton at Conkers (26:31), Michael Stevenson at Northallerton (37:51), Joanne Sharman (54:13) and Steph Attenborough (54:56) at Northwich and Emma Pick 1^st female at Rosliston (19:49). 

The most popular event was Tamworth Castle Grounds : Ben Dorkins (23:26), Billy King (24:04), Allen King (24:09), Mark Boffey (24:58), George Hope (26:32), Rich Satchwell (27:05), Sophie Galloway (27:34), Jackie Tierney (30:37), Christie Rosser (30:48), Claire Guffick (30:54) and Sarah Boffey (44L14).

There are very few events held between Christmas and New Year, however, over 400 runners took on the Wheaton Aston 10k. Wayne King finished in an impressive 13^th position and in addition a new PB at 36:10.

And on Saturday, everyone was out again to run off those extra Christmas treats. The popular events were again Tamworth and Kingsbury Water Park. At Tamworth, there were some impressive times as three of the club ran under 20 minutes as well as Emma picking up the Female course record coming in 4^th overall in 18:14. She was followed by Wayne King (18:46), Lee Rickards (19:30), Matt Salisbury (22:12), Allen King (22:27), Ben Dorkins (23:48), Rich Satchwell (24:46), Simon Gordon (25:57), Luke Collins (26:52), Roger Lloyd (27:46), Tim Mudd (30:02), Helen Manton (30:46) and Emma Livingston (32:05). 

At Kingsbury first home was Darren O’ Leary (27:52) then Darren Truman (29:57). Claire Guffick (33:25), Alison Upton (37:54), Roger Eastaff (38:04), Lee Guffick (39:04), Alison Dolphin (58:54), Sarah French (58:57), Stephen Andrews (58:59), Christine Norris (65:42) and Alison Perry (65:44). 

Around and about we had runners at Quakers Walk, Joanne Sharman (36:09) and Steph Attenborough (36:11), Jackie Tierney at Melton Mowbray (30:08), Mark & Sarah Boffey (25:35 & 34:53) at Itchen Valley Country, Michael Stevenson at Fountains Abbey (36:36), Ian Orton (25:42) and Michael Hughes (46:37) at Forest of Dean, Wendy Roe (34:45) at Conkers, Garth Cox at Cannon Hill (24:23) and Mike Shelton at Beacon Lichfield (21:01). 

And to end the year there was pacing of a different nature going on as the annual Beer run took place. The run took in seven local pubs with more focus on PB’s (Pints of Beer) than Personal Best running times!

After a quiet weekend of racing last week due to bad weather, this week saw Peel Road Runners back out setting PB’s and course records.

The Telford 10k is a flat 2 lap course known as the fastest 10k in the UK. Two Peelers attended and did not disappoint on the results table. Lee Rickards claimed a new PB with a fast time of 37:29. Not to be outdone Emma Pick also ran an extremely fast time of 35:38 claiming a new 10k PB and a new Peel Road Runners club record.

Nottingham Holme Santa Run has three races of different distances, 5k, 10K and half marathon. Allen King and Chris Bennett both took part in the 10K race which consists of 2 flat laps. Allen King completed the race in 47:31 and Chris Bennett finished in 52:16.

Three Peelers took on the Chasewater Christmas Pudding Dash 10k. Claire Guffick was first back with 01:07:24, followed by Lee Guffick and Roger Eastaff both finishing in 01:21:28.

In the Castle Grounds Simon’s Heroes held their 5k Abbott Antler Run which Mark and Sarah Boffey attended.

The weekend races wouldn’t be complete without Steph Attenborough and Jo Sharman continuing their impressive tally of marathon’s. The race in question was the Maratona Di Pisa in Italy. The course is described as a flat single loop which starts at Miracles Square in the centre of Pisa and finishing next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Both Steph and Jo completed the race in 05:54:04.

With Parkrun’s back on this week Peel Road Runners were back out in force at various venues.

This weeks international tourism goes to Steph Attenborough and Jo Sharman who attended the Mura di Lucca parkrun in Itlay ahead of their marathon on Sunday. Jo finished in 29:02 and Steph finished in 29:24. This was also Jo’s 250th parkun.

Other Parkrun tourism included Mike Shelton at Beacon (22:12), Mike Hughes at Clumber Park (49:17), Ben Dorkins at Forest Rec (23:27), Emma Pick at Rosliston (24:06) and Ian Orton at Rutland Water (24:00).

At the ‘home’ Parkruns both Kingsbury Water Park and Tamworth Castle grounds drew some a number of Peelers.

At Kingsbury Water Park Tim Mudd was first back for the club in 29:29, also completing his 250th parkrun. Tim was followed by Jackie Tierney (32:15), Alson Upton (37:25), Sarah Boffey (39:04) and Stephen Andrews (43:01).

At Tamworth Castle Grounds Jamie Abbiss was first back in another fast time of 19:01. Next up for the club was Allen King (23:56), Chris Bennett (24:53) and Garth Cox (25:05).

Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at the Castle Grounds Skate Park car park at 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start. We also have our new walking group meeting on Tuesdays, same time and same meeting place. New members always welcome.

While storm Darragh battered parts of the UK this weekend with high winds and lots of rain mercifully the race calendar was fairly empty !

Local Park runs were cancelled but we still saw some Peelers take part in events –

Conkers saw Emma Pick complete the course in 20:19 and picked up 1st in Gender position and 10th overall -Amazing effort

Michael Stevenson took part in Northallerton in 37:13

Mark and Sarah Boffey both visited Glasgow for Queens Park run course in 25:43 and 44:27

With the calendar year drawing to a close the last pre Christmas Social session will be Tuesday 17th December and The 19th December will see the last structured session – both meeting at 6.45pm at the Skate park and both encourage Christmas fancy dress

Please note there will be no club runs Tues 24th or Thursday 26th December.

If you haven’t joined us this year and would like to trial a session or 2 before considering joining , the next session after Christmas will be a structured session on Thursday 2nd January

Enjoy the Festive sea

Stuck for something to do on an overcast and damp Sunday morning? Why not run 5.5 miles around a shoe-sucking muddy cross country course complete with log jumps and water hazards!!  This is exactly the challenge that an enthusiastic group of Peel Road Runners took on at the Poplars Farm Equestrian Cross Country course near Burton Upon Trent in the second race of this winter’s Burton & Derby Cross Country League.  First home for the club in fourth place overall was Wayne King, closely followed by Martin Hollamby in 11^th place, Lee Rickards in 12^th place, Chris Samson in 16^th place, Luke Collins in 21^st place, Mark Boffey in 89^th place, Simon Gordon in 97^th place and Lee Guffick in 128^th place.  In the ladies’ race, Sam Cart (in her first cross country race) was first home for the club in 58^th place, followed by Gemma Pritchard in 59^th place, Claire Guffick in 68^th place, Val Lawson in 74^th place, Emma Petricca (also running her first cross country race) in 75^th place and Sara Boffey in 89^th place.  Supporting the club by covering essential volunteering roles were Lisa Fletcher, Chris Bennett, Tracy Ford, Elizabeth Young and Sandra Ingram.  The next cross country race will be held at Sinai Park, Burton Upon Trent in January.

In their quest to run as many marathons in as many different locations as possible, Steph Attenborough and Joanne Sharman completed the world’s first marathon run completely underground!  This required runners to complete 91 laps of a cold, twisty and surprisingly wet course wearing head protection and head torches at the UCAP Bunker in Portsmouth (a former underground headquarters for the Royal Navy to plot the progress of the allied troops during the invasion of Normandy on D-Day).  Steph and Jo completed the course in 6:17:00.

Running in the canicross event at Trail Betws in Eryri, north Wales Helen Dempsey (running with Sydney) and Neal Dempsey (running with Banana and Elvis) completed the 10k course in a time of 1:20:15.

At the weekend’s parkruns, Emma Pick broke her own club record by running a time of 17:48 over 5k at Long Eaton parkrun!  Other Peel parkrunners this weekend included:  Michael Hughes running at Upton Country Park in Dorset in a time of 49:10 whilst at Kingsbury water park, Darren Truman finished in a time of 28:48 followed by Ann Hill (49:44), Sarah French (52:29) and Stephen Andrews (60:25).  Running at Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire, Mick Stevenson finished in 37:38; at Melton Mowbray Ian Orton finished in 24:42 and at Babb’s Mill, Garth Cox finished in 25:57.  Running closer to home at Tamworth Castle parkrun, Luke Collins and Jamie Abbiss were first back for the club in a time of 22:46, followed by Roger Lloyd (25:19); Chris Bennett (25:43); Simon Gordon (26:51); Tim Clark (28:30); Joanne Harvey (28:50); Stuart Hatton (28:53); Dave Fern (30:20); Jacqui Tierney (33:38) and Sarah Boffey (48:20).

A happy group of Peelers and their families also supported Santa on his Round Table charity sleigh run through Wilnecote and Hockley on Sunday evening. 

The arrival of Storm Bert on Saturday did nothing to dampen the celebrations at Kingsbury Waterpark parkrun as the location achieved its 500^th milestone. Twelve Peelers were there to join the merriment and  recognise the hard working volunteers without whom parkruns wouldn’t be possible. Phil Neale led the pack, celebrating his own 100^th parkrun with a time of 22:27. Coming in next were Mike Shelton (24:24), Allen King (24:28), Ben Dorkins (24:44), Billy King (24:46) and Garth Cox (26:14). Mother and daughter duo Lisa and Katie Stretton finished in 27:45 followed by Claire Guffick (33:44), Chris Taylor (33:51), Dave Fern (34:07) and Lee Guffick (38:47).

Mark and Sarah Boffey travelled to Oxford to take part there, completing the course in 23:54 and 36:15, Aylesbury hosted Michael Hughes (45:30), Jamie Abbiss ventured south to Panshanger, Hertford (41:06) whilst Jackie Tierney travelled north to Bury finishing in 33:04.

Local parkruns hosted Emma Pick at Rosliston (20:20) and Luke Collins (20:13), Sophie Galloway (25:35), Chris Bennett (26:22) at Tamworth.

Selecting to visit our European neighbours Ian Orton journeyed to Zielony Jar in Krakow, Poland and achieved a time of 24:57. At the same time Joanne Sharman and Steph Attenborough were taking in the sights at Judarskogen, Sweden finishing in 35:54 and 35:56.

Ever the hardy bunch, as Bert continued to linger into Sunday, 13 members showed true Peeler grit travelling 60 miles to the start line of the much-loved Clowne Half Marathon. An undulating course involving 656ft of ascent, the route starts and finishes in the centre of Clowne town taking in the surrounding villages of Whaley, Elmton, Creswell and Whitwell. Facing into the less than ideal conditions Phil Busby brought a wet and windswept team Peel home in 1:45:03, followed by Phil Neale (1:45:14), Allen King (1:50:29), Lorna Carlin (1:53:49), Simon Gordon (1:55:45), Mark Boffey (1:59:00), Sarah Boffey (1:59:01), Billy King (1:59:46), Ian Orton (1:59:50), Richard Satchwell (2:03:50), Tony Bryan (2:03:53), Helen Chyla (2:04:22) and Michael Hughes (2:13:19). A fantastic turn out to represent the club, well done to everyone who took part.

Michael Hughes completed the New York marathon recently, it was his fourth major, following on from completing  London, Chicago and Berlin. He finished in a time of 4:46, over a hard course particularly the tough New York bridges. 

Sarah and Mark Boffey paid tribute at the Windmill Remembrance Day 10k in Lytham St Anne’s in times of 1:08 and 50 minutes respectively.

As usual, many members took part in Parkrun, to brighten up a gloomy Saturday morning. 

Starting closest to home with Tamworth Castle Grounds, an excellent first place position for Lee Rickards in 18:41, then Matt Salisbury (21:01), Roger Lloyd (24:41), Sophie Galloway with a new PB in 25:07, George Hope (27:46), Stuart Hatton (27:59), Marcus Fairburn (28:28) and Dave Fern (29L00).

The busiest location for Peelers this weekend was at Kingsbury Water Park, Phil Neale was first of the 13 finishers (22:34), followed by Ben Dorkins (23:05), Lisa Stretton (25:02), Kaite Stretton (25:39), Emma Whorwood (33:28), Claire Guffick (35:00), Roger Eastaff (36:14), Ann Hill (36:21), Lee Guffick (36:42), Darren O’ Leary (37:02), Sarah French (49:13), Alison Dolphin (54:58) and Chris Norris with a top age position  (64:13) .

Other locations attended were Emma Pick at Rosliston in 4th position (19:56), Chris Taylor at Penalta (28:17), Oxford Joanne Sharman (33:45) and Steph Attenborough (33:49), Llangollen Ian Orton (23:44) and Michael Hughes (43:13). Up in Northwich Jackie Tearney (30:51), Sarah Boffey (34:20) and Mark Boffey (44:28). Michael Stevenson was at Hove Promenade (36:37), Gath Cox at Clifton (25:35) whilst at Conkers Allen King (22:47) and Chris Bennett (61:47) and finally at Babbs Mill Ian Cooper in 27:11.

 If you would like to join us with social running, structured run sessions and a walking group, then please visit www.peelroadrunners.co.uk

This week saw the return of the winter track sessions at Tamworth Athletics Club. A large contingent of Peelers took part in a structured session with vigorous warm-up drills followed by a pyramid session, expertly coached by Derek Bolton from Tamworth AC.

Cross country also made a return this week with the first race of the season at Shipley Park in Derby hosted by Smalley Road Runners. A loud cheer greeted the announcement that the course had been reduced slightly to 4.5 miles, but there were still plenty of challenges across the grassy, undulating course with some testing muddy sections. 18 courageous Peelers earned their post-race cake, with five Peelers making their cross-country debuts.

For the women’s team, Lorna Carlin was the first Peeler to complete in 28^th place, followed by Sophie Galloway (47^th), debutant Gemma Pritchard (60^th), another debutant Tracy Ford (80^th), Jackie Tierney (90^th), also making her debut Lisa Barnes (97^th), Val Lawson (94^th) and Sarah Boffey (106^th).

In the men’s team,  Wayne King returned refreshed from his holiday to finish as the first Peeler back in 9^th position, followed by debutant Chris Samsom (19^th), also making his debut was Jamie Abbiss finishing in 23^rd place, with Lee Rickards (26^th), Luke Collins (28^th), Martin Hollamby (35^th), Mike Shelton (74^th), Mark Boffey (113^th), Simon Gordon (127^th) and Lee Guffick completed in 155^th place. The 2^nd cross-country race of the season takes place on 1^st December at Anslow, Burton-on-Trent.

It was Peeler Cell Block H for Steph Attenborough and Jo Sharma, who ran round former jail HMP Dorchester, completing 55 laps over four floors and covering around 8800 steps both up and down. The following day, the pair also completed a junior parkrun alphabet challenge by tail walking at Yeovil Rec.

Peel Road Runners were out in force across various parkrun events this weekend, showing dedication and impressive times. At Leamington parkrun, Ian Orton represented the club with a time of 24:38. In Delamere, Emma Pick completed the course in 21:02. The Kingsbury Water parkrun saw many Peel Road Runners on the course. Allen King finished in 22:34, followed by Billy King at 24:12. Neal Dempsey completed in 29:18, Helen Dempsey in 35:58, and Claire Guffick in 36:24. Lee Guffick crossed the line in 36:44, Darren O’Leary in 39:31, with Christine Norris at 1:05:22, Stephen Andrews at 1:05:23, Sarah French at 1:05:47, and Alison Dolphin at 1:05:50.

At Watermeadows parkrun, Jacqueline Tierney ran 29:20, whilst in Babbs Mill, Garth Cox finished in 23:58, while Simon Gordon clocked in at 25:05. At Warwick Racecourse parkrun, Michael Stevenson completed the course in 37:24. In Beacon parkrun, Mike Shelton ran with a time of 21:36, Roger Lloyd finished at 24:33, and Dave Fern completed his run in 30:08.

At parkrun Zielony Jar in Krakow, Poland, Ben Dorkins gained a Z for the alphabet challenge with a time of 23:19. Holbrooks parkrun saw Mark Boffey clock in at 24:11, while Sarah Boffey finished in 33:15. In Battlestead Croft parkrun, Tim Mudd made a return to parkrun after 9 weeks out injured, crossing the line in 28:21. Finally, at Veterans Park parkrun, Michael Hughes represented the club with a finish time of 41:15 as a warm up for the New York Marathon the following day.

The Peelers meet every Tuesday evening at the skate park car park at 6.45pm for a 7pm start with a choice of different paced running groups and a walking group.

Some great events and some great results this week from the best club in the Midlands!!

Several Peelers represented the club at the Eryri Marathon. It’s a demanding and breathtaking course taking in the stunning views of Snowdonia.

Ian Orton ran his course PB of 5:08.31 – smashing his previous course time by a whopping 33 minutes. What an incredible achievement. Joanne Sharman and Stephanie Attenborough both came in at an amazing 6:26.33.

Much more local to home, this weekend saw the return of the Tamworth 10K. Luke Collins (Pictured) came in 15^th place with an impressive time of 38:49 and this also secured him 1^st in his age category. Roger Lloyd smashed the course in 52:21 and Sophie Galloway was not far behind him coming in at an amazing 52:29.

It’s safe to say we’re a club that keeps our activities varied. This weekend marked the return of the Canicross season with the Canicross Midlands Alcester Race. Rob Mace took 2nd place with Drama and Glory and Neal Dempsey took 3rd place with Banana and Elvis on the longer course.  Neal was on a roll and also took 3rd place on the short course with Paddington and Minstrel. Helen Dempsey also took part on both the long course with Pine and Sydney and the short course with Hugo, Well done everyone.

9 Park runs were in attendance this weekend,

Beacon Park  Garth Cox 23:34

Cannock Chase Ben Dorkins 23:19

Chasewater Lee Guffick 36:54, Roger Eastaff 37:02, Claire Guffick 39:47, Stephen Andrews 53:52, Alison Dolphin 53:52, Sarah French 54:11, Chris Norris 1:06.14 ( A big congratulations to Chris who walked the course and came in 1^st in her age category )

Kingsbury Water Park

Emma Pick 19:53, Mike Shelton 21:42, Allen King 24:26, Phil Neale 24:27, Chris Bennett 57:03

Llanishen Park Chris Taylor 30:59

Marine Parade Mark Boffey 24:33, Sarah Boffey 40:52

Pavillion Gardens Micheal Hughes 41:48

Stratford upon Avon Simon Gordon 24:08

Tamworth Castle Grounds Matt Salisbury 21:26 , Marcus Fairburn 28:37, Jackie Tierney 30:42

The upcoming weekend will see the first Cross country race of the season with a team taking on the course in Shipley Country park Derby.

Dont forget we also now have a walking group every Tuesday evening, meeting at the skate park at 6.45pm for a 7pm start. The group will walk for approximately one hour. Feel free to pop along for a taster session. Hope to see you there.