Category: Weekly round up

Emma Pick continued her impressive form to finish as the fastest female at a UK Parkrun this weekend , completing Alvaston parkrun in 16:57.  It was Emma’s first time at this course, and is also her first time running under seventeen minutes. Her previous parkrun best was 17:48, run at Long Eaton in November, so this was a considerable improvement. Emma has also qualified for a Championship place in the 2025 TCS London Marathon!

The winter sunshine provided ideal conditions for the cross-country league meeting this week at Boothorpe, Moira. The course is two laps of National Forest Land, approximately 5.5 miles, mostly on grass land with some steep gradients. The men’s team consisted of nine runners. Wayne King’s position was 7th, Martin Hollamby 18th, Luke Collins 20th, Lee Rickards 31st, Mike Shelton 42nd, Mark Boffey 81st, Chris Bennett 101st, Simon Gordon 104th and Lee Guffick 126th. The ladies put out a team of seven. Sophie Galloway’s position was 41st, Sam Cart 50th, Claire Guffick 66th, Emma Petricca 71st, Lisa Barnes 79th, Sarah Boffey 88th and Jacquie Tierney 89th. The race was finished in the usual way with a hot drink and an excellent selection of cakes – all well deserved. 

Vingis in Vilnuis, Lithuania, launched a weekly parkrun event in September 2021, becoming the 23rd parkrun country around the world. The parkrun takes place in the beautiful Vingis park, a short walk from the historic city. It is a two-lap course through the pine forest.

A group of Peelers enjoy spending their weekends seeking out parkruns slightly further afield. Mark Boffey led the pack with a time of 23:58, closely followed by Ian Orton 25:14, Jacquie Tierney 30:08, Michael Hughes 30:43.  Mark and Jacquie drove straight from the airport on their return to the UK to compete at Boothorpe cross-country.. hat is dedication.

Closer to home.

Ian Cooper completed Babbs Mill parkrun in 32:44 and Garth Cox ran Bedworth in 25:27. A very muddy run greeted parkrunners at Kingsbury Water Park. Mike Shelton completed his run in 22:24. This was also the 300^th parkrun for Mike which is a great achievement. Katie Stretton in 26:36, Darren O’Leary 27:50, Claire Guffick 32:45, Sarah Boffey 34:39, Lee Guffick 36:24, Emma Whorwood 36:51, Alison Dolphin 46:32, Steve Andrews 46:33, Wendy Bowyer 49:36, Nicola Bannister 49:36 and Ann Hill 49:37.

Tamworth parkrun was the choice of Chris Bennett 24:41, Allen King 25:47, Sophie Galloway 26:21, Darren Truman 28:04, Stuart Hatton 28:19, Roger Lloyd 29:32 and Stella Taylor 29:48.

University of Stirling saw Joanne Sharman complete the parkrun in 31:47 and Steph Attenborough in 32:52. Finally, Warwick Racecourse was the choice of Michael Stevenson completing the course in 39:26.

Another week of typically British winter weather (a named storm, freezing temperatures, fog!) failed to deter the Peelers from training for upcoming races and parkruns.

Taking on the challenge of the Tissington trail half marathon (an interesting traffic free out and back course, with the ‘out’ section being net uphill making for a potential quicker second half), Natalie Walker crossed the line in 1:54:04, closely followed by Lorna Carlin in 1:55:09 and Lizzie Walker (personal best) in 2:09:43.  Running the Tissington trail 10k race, Roger Lloyd finished in a time of 54:14.

Completing a slightly longer trail challenge, Steph Attenborough and Joanne Sharman ran the Wilmot Wander following a route that started and finished at the 27^th Derby Scout Headquarters in Chaddesden and circled Derby taking in strenuous hill sections, field paths, parkland and canal tow paths.  They finished the 32 mile route in 10 hours 30 minutes. 

At Tamworth parkrun, Lee Rickards crossed the line first for the club in third place overall and a time of 19:03 followed by Phil Neale (23:02), Stuart Hatton (28:16), George Hope (28:42), Emma Livingstone (30:36) and Chris Bennett (46:20). 

At Walsall Arboretum, Garth Cox stopped the clock on 23:16, whilst at Kingsbury parkrun a larger contingent of Peelers were headed home by Ben Dorkins (27:16) followed by Darren O’Leary (28:28), Jacqui Tierney (29:59), Claire Guffick (31:10), Sarah Boffey (33:32), Lee Guffick (36:39), Roger Eastaff (35:56), Wendy Bowyer (39:14), Nicola Bannister (50:58), Ann Hill (50:58) and Sarah French (51:03).

At Great Denham, Bedford Michael Hughes finished in 28:48 and at The Wammy, Newcastle-Under-Lyme Joanne Sharman finished in 37:18 and Steph Attenborough (37:21).

Simon Gordon ran at Babbs Mill, Kingshurst in 27:41 and at Chipping Norton Christie Rosser ran the 5k course in 29:51.  Meanwhile, Club Chairman Mike Shelton ran closer to home at Beacon Park, Lichfield finishing in 24:16 and at the new parkrun venue of Vicar Water Country Park, Mansfield, Ian Orton finished in 27:09.

However, star of the ‘parkrun show’ this week has to go to Emma Pick who finished first female at Conkers parkrun in a time of 17:50 and achieved the sixth fastest time of all female parkrunners running in the UK on 25^th January!  Emma commented that she thought that “everyone else must have been having an easy week!” but knowing that Conkers parkrun is not an easy or flat course, the Peelers think that she is being very modest!

This week was an extremely cold and icy one, with many Parkrun events cancelled.  The freezing conditions didn’t deter 3 Peel Road Runner members along with their amazing four-legged friends though.  Rob Mace along with Helen and Neal Dempsey travelled to Eland lodge to compete in the Canicross weekend, which is renowned for being a challenging course.  Team Peel put in an amazing effort with Rob Mace, along with Drama and Mystery (Miss) finishing in a fantastic 1st place in the 2-dog long course.  Neal Dempsey, along with Paddington and Elvis, completed both the long and short course and came in a fantastic 3^rd place in the 2-dog short course.  Helen Dempsey, along with Minstrel and Sydney completed the long course, and along with new Boy Patch, Helen completed the short course female finishing 4^th, which was amazingly Patch’s first full race weekend.  Great job patch!

Parkrun Events

With so many of the local Parkrun events cancelled due to the icy weather, Peelers had to travel further afield.

Several Peelers travelled to Conkers with Emma Pick finishing in an amazing 2^nd place and the 1^st lady back in (18.47), which was also a new course PB.  Alan King was second back for Peel in (26.57) and Roger Lloyd in (27.26).   

Travelling to Beacon Park were Mike Shelton, who was first back for Peel in (22.47), Tim Mudd followed in (27.38), with Claire Guffick (34.00) and Lee Guffick (36.37).

Travelling slightly further a field to Abbey Park was Ian Orton (26.35).  Garth Cox travelled to Babbs Mill and finished in (26.13).  Jacqueline Tierney finished Hackney Marshes in (30.07).  Joanne Sharman and Stephanie Attenborough finished Illaunmanagh in (31.59) and (32.33) respectively and finally Michael Hughes finished Marlay in (47.54).

Peelers walking group Peel Road Runners walking group meets on a Tuesday evening in the carpark by the Tamworth Castle skate park at 6.50pm.  The group walks various routes for around 1 hour each week.  Come along and give it a try.

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.