Category: Weekly round up

After so many events were cancelled last weekend due to flooding, this weekend has been the opposite with many different events to tempt the Peel Road Runners to lace up their running shoes and get running.

Having worked hard to regain fitness after a long period of injury, Club Chairman Lee Rickards had a fantastic run at Saturday’s Eryri marathon in Llanberis. The race is renowned for its scenic but testing course taking in the Llanberis Pass, Beddgelert, Waunfawr and the infamous last mile down a track from Bwlch-y-Groes, but this didn’t stop Rickards running a course personal best time of 3:26:45, nearly 30 minutes faster than his last best at this race! Also running at Eryri (Snowdon marathon), Neal Dempsey ran well over the testing course to finish in 5:09:55.

The clocks going back on Saturday night could only signal one thing … the start of the cross country racing season! The first race for the Peelers running in the Derby/Staffs XC League was held at Anslow near Burton on Trent on a challenging and undulating course of 5.5 miles complete with water feature! First home for the club in 6^th place overall was Wayne King followed by Luke Collins (23^rd), Scott Chapman (41^st), Ben Dorkins (63^rd), Allen King (72^nd), Chris Bennett (108^th), Mark Boffey (110^th), Darren O’Leary (111^th), Billy King (115^th), Simon Gordon (116^th), Ian Orton (121^st), Tim Mudd (129^th), Michael Hughes (150^th) and Lee Guffick (156^th). In the ladies race, Lisa Stretton was first home for the club in 16^th place, followed by Lorna D’Sylva (29^th), Sophie Galloway (56^th), Claire Guffick (61^st), Caroline Evans (67^th), Sarah Boffey (77^th), Jackie Tierney (78^th) and Helen Manton (82^nd). 

At the Coventry half marathon on Sunday, Mike Shelton ran a well paced race to finish in a season’s best time of 1:37:32. Building on her recent good form, Emma Pick raced well at the second running of the Brewers 10k road race in Burton finishing in second place in a time of 41:04.

Meanwhile at the Tamworth 10k, Anthony Trueman ran a strong race to cross the line in 48:51 as did Clara Walton finishing in 56:49. At last week’s Big Bear Events Headtorch 10k at Cannock Chase, Val Lawson ran the night time trail run in very wet conditions to finish in 1:09:30.

At the weekend’s parkruns, four Peelers took their “alphabet challenge” to new levels by flying out to Poland to collect their letter Z at the Zalew Zyrardowski parkrun to complete their challenge! (They even returned in time to run cross country for the club on Sunday!). Ian Orton was first to finish this international challenge in a time of 22:46, followed by Mark Boffey (23:08); Michael Hughes (25:54) and Sarah Boffey (27:04). 

Closer to home at the Tamworth Castle parkrun, Ben Dorkins was first home for the club in 22:19 followed by Sophie Galloway (27:20); Jackie Tierney (29:04); Claire Guffick (29:28); Roger Eastaff (31:36); Joy Sykes (31:59); Wendy Roe (32:00); Emma Whorwood (33:01); Lee Guffick (36:58) and Steph Attenborough (53:12).

Other parkrun tourists included: Mike Shelton celebrating his 250^th parkrun at Kingsbury in a time of 23:27, followed by Phil Neale (23:45); Tim Clark (23:58); Darren O’Leary (24:57); Lisa Stretton (25:09); Emma Pick (25:59) and Stella Taylor (30:25). Tim Mudd (25:52) ran at Snowden Field, Lincolnshire; Allen King (23:36), Chris Bennett (25:59) and Darren Truman (28:03) at Beacon Hill Country Park and Martin Hollamby (28:24) at Blaise Castle, Bristol.

The 2023 Burton & District Summer League culminated in the Presentation Evening on Friday and several Peel Road Runners were able to celebrate their successes.  Emma Pick finished a superb season of racing winning the SL category, having run every race in the series with distances from 2 mile relays through to half marathon! Wayne King finished first in the highly competitive M40 category, a prize he has had in his sights for several years.  James Stretton came second in U25 category, with Billy King third in the same age group, showing the strength of talent among the younger Peelers.

At Sunday’s Carsington Water trail half marathon, Peeler Billy King ran a strong and well paced race to finish his first half marathon in 1:56:47, just behind Allen King who finished in 1:55:17.

Over the weekend, Steph Attenborough ran the Enigma Death Star half marathon (2:44:48) and the Southend Pier marathon (consisting of 11 out and backs along the world’s longest pier) in 5:56:29, which completed her 100 marathons in 100 weeks challenge!

Taking on a different challenge, Luke Collins ran the North Arden Heritage Trail in a time of 4:21:15, which if verified, will give him the fastest known time for this run taking 00:04:43 off the previous record! (The North Arden Heritage Trail covers canal towpaths and public footpaths and trails around Atherstone, Mancetter, Arley, Fillongley, Shustoke, Nether Whitacre, Hurley, Baddesley and Merevale).

After years of planning, Tamworth Castle parkrun held its inaugural run on Saturday. As is normal with inaugural parkruns, the event was not advertised but still managed to entice over 200 runners to try out the new course (possibly aided by Kingsbury’s parkrun being cancelled due to flooding). Representing the Peelers, Emma Pick was first across the line in 19:55 followed by Ben Dorkins (22:17); Garth Cox (23:59); Chris Bennett (24:39); Darren Truman (25:55); Allen King (26:01); Sarah Boffey (28:01) and Jackie Tierney (28:58).

At the weekend, Neal and Helen Dempsey took part in the Thoresby Leafkick 10k canicross race running with dogs Banana, Elvis, Minstrel and Sydney. They crossed the line together in 1:13:01.

Parkrun tourists included Ian Orton (23:09) and Michael Hughes (34:34) at Northampton; Sarah French (51:56) and Ann Hill (51:56) at Conkers; Steph Attenborough (parkwalker – 51:13) at Rushborough; Mike Shelton (22:53) at Sutton Park; Tim Mudd (25:37) at Babb’s Mill; Michael Stevenson (34:22) at Warwick Racecourse and Sophie Galloway (27:12); Dave Fern (30:29) and Joy Sykes (31:49) at Beacon Park, Lichfield.

The Chester Triple is a series of races of different distances over the summer culminating in the Chester marathon. Peel Road Runner Malcolm Bembridge (M55) was the sole Peeler to achieve the ‘triple’ starting with the Chester 10k on 12^thMarch, which he finished in 48:44; the Chester half marathon on 21^st May, which he finished in 1:53:35 and the Chester marathon on 8^th October, which he finished in 3:51:00. He was joined at the marathon this weekend by Wayne King, who ran a very well paced race to cross the line in an impressive 2:52:00 and by Trevor Thompson, who finished in 3:54:00.

In other events, Joy Sykes completed the Kielder Gravel Duathlon in 4:41:17 and Rob Mace, Neal Dempsey and Helen Dempsey took part in the Canicross Midlands event at Box End Water Park, Bedford last weekend with results showing good promise for the upcoming season.

With Kingsbury’s parkrun cancelled due to a hornets’ nest on the course (!), all Peelers were parkrun tourists this week. Running at Sixfields, Upton Tim Mudd crossed the line in 25:35, whilst at Sutton Park Garth Cox was first Peeler to finish in 26:14 followed by Claire Guffick (29:14); Jackie Tierney (30:26) and Lee Guffick (45:25). Other results included: Ben Dorkins (22:14) at Chasewater; Emma Whorwood (32:06) at Babb’s Mill; Sophie Galloway (28:00); Dave Fern (30:21); Sarah French (63:37) and Chris Norris (63:42) at Beacon Park, Lichfield; Simon Gordon (24:46) at Roberts Park, Baildon; Darren O’Leary (23:59) at Pavilion Gardens, Buxton; Chris Bennett (25:48) and Darren Truman (28:19) at Beacon Hill, Loughborough; Mike Shelton (22:16) and Ian Orton (24:38) at Sence Valley, Ibstock.

Peel Road Runners welcome runners of all abilities.

Several Peelers took on the iconic challenge of the Baxters Loch Ness marathon on Sunday. The race followed a linear route with competitors taken by bus to the start at Knockie Lodge before running back along the loch side to the finish in Inverness. Tim Mudd was first home in a time of 4:39:03 followed by Claire Guffick, who ran a personal best time of 5:12:04 (taking over 6 minutes off her previous best time) and Lee Guffick (6:20:38).

Over the weekend, Steph Attenborough completed her first ever 100 mile race at the Hootiful 100 at Samphire Hoe, Dover. The multi-lap course was made up of a mix of very high quality gently rolling trail, bike paths and a flat sea wall all within the shadow of the White Cliffs of Dover. She completed this immense challenge in 33:35:00.

Closer to home, Ben Dorkins took part in the Dovedale Dash on Sunday. This very popular trail race attracts up to 1400 runners who run an often muddy and technical 4.5 mile cross country course taking in a crossing of the River Dove (either using, or not using, the stepping stones!). Dorkins ran strongly to finish in 42:51.

Whilst not a running event, the fitness earned from running helped Peelers Craig Smith and Natalie Walker to an amazing achievement of conquering Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania on Friday. At a height of 19,341 feet (5859 metres) many hikers who start this walk fail to reach the summit due to the effects of altitude, which can be very debilitating. Wearing their Peeler bobble hats with pride and raising money for the Wooden Spoon charity they said that it was “Without doubt the most challenging thing we’ve ever done … left camp at 00:01 Friday (Kili time) and summited at 07:04am. It took every ounce of strength and determination on summit day but was well worth it”.

Following on from last week’s result of finishing first lady at the inaugural Sence Valley parkrun, Emma Pick was first home for the Peel Road Runners at Kingsbury parkrun on Saturday. She finished in a time of 20:39 and came in as second lady. Tim Clark was the next Peeler over the line in a time of 23:33, followed by Simon Gordon (23:50); Sophie Galloway (26:52); Jackie Tierney (27:50); Dave Fern (30:33); Roger Eastaff (30:45); Laura Bowyer (31:44); Joy Sykes (34:09); Martyn Candy (36:02); Ben Dorkins (36:11) and Ann Hill (61:20).

Parkrun tourists included: Mark Boffey (22:57) and Sarah Boffey (31:58) at Coventry; Garth Cox (23:55) at East Park, Wolverhampton; Roger Lloyd (24:41) at Beacon Park, Lichfield; Tim Mudd (28:38) at Torvean, Inverness; Ian Orton (23:01) and Michael Hughes (33:08) at University of Northampton and Allen King (22:52) and Chris Bennett (24:50) at Sence Valley, Ibstock.

A beer mile? Who knew there was such a thing or that it would be contested at Tamworth Athletics Club on Thursday, 21st September? Well there is, and it was! Described by Beermile.com as ‘in equal parts gastric challenge and athletic endeavour, competitors are required to drink a 355 ml beer (5% minimum ABV) before every quarter of a mile of the track, totalling four beers in the one mile course’. Peeler Wayne King brought home the winners’ trophy for the Peel Road Runners in a time of 7:44, beating his nearest Tamworth AC rival by just 4 seconds!

Peel Road Runners had a good turnout of runners at the Tissington Trail half marathon on Saturday and Sunday. Running Saturday’s event in beautiful sunshine, Claire Guffick was first home for the club in a personal best time of 2:10:36, followed by Ann Hill (2:31:17 PB), Roger Eastaff (2:31:26 PB); Lee Guffick (2:58:07) and Wendy Bowyer (3:12:52). At Sunday’s event on the same course but with cloudier and overcast conditions, Sarah Boffey ran a personal best time of 2:08:40.

On Sunday, George Hope ran the second of his marathon ‘Majors’ at the Berlin marathon, having completed New York last year. He ran a solid first half but he reported that he “couldn’t keep it up in the second half as my hips, quads and hamstrings all gave up on me at about 34km”. However, he still crossed the line in 4:30:24, which was a great run under the circumstances and he could say that he had run the race on the same day as the women’s marathon world record was broken at Berlin (Tigst Assefa from Ethiopia finished in 2:11:53, taking 2:11 off the previous record!)!

At the weekend’s parkruns, Darren O’Leary was first home for the club at Kingsbury in a time of 22:52. He was followed by Chris Bennett (23:31); Simon Gordon (24:05); Lisa Stretton (25:17); Roger Lloyd (25:26); Jackie Tierney (28:17); Wendy Roe (31:21 – Personal Best); Dave Fern (31:22) and Emma Whorwood (34:22). Parkrun tourists included: Tim Mudd (27:24) at Severn Valley, Bridgnorth; Mark Boffey (28:44) and Sarah Boffey (31:35) at Irchester, Wellingborough; Mike Shelton (21:32) and Sophie Galloway (26:34) at Beacon Park, Lichfield; Ian Orton (22:51) and Michael Hughes (30:40) at Quakers Walk, Devizes; Steph Attenborough (33:15) at the inaugural parkrun at Clarence, Bury and Allen King (23:35) at the inaugural parkrun at Sense Valley Country Park, Ibstock. Steph Attenborough also volunteered at the Queen’s Park junior parkrun in Bolton on Sunday.

With summer drawing to a close, the Tamworth 5 mile race provides the final competition in the Burton & District Summer League. Hosted by Tamworth Athletics Club, the course follows cycle paths and footpaths through Stonydelph, Green Lane (Birchmoor) and Wilnecote before returning to a rewarding finish on the athletics’ track. The race was won by Peter Hackett of Tamworth AC in a time of 26:41. The first Peeler back was Martin Hollamby in 31:12 followed by Emma Pick, who finished second lady in a time of 32:57 and first in age category (FSEN). Next home for the club was James Stretton (35:00); Michael Shelton (35:36); Phil Neale (36:39); Allen King (36:50); Mark Boffey (37:20); Ian Orton (38:56 – personal best); Darren O’Leary (39:11); Chris Bennett (39:34); Simon Gordon (40:16 – personal best); Lisa Stretton (40:27); Billy King (41:28); Roger Lloyd (42:41); George Hope (44:54); Sophie Galloway (45:30) and Sarah Boffey (45:44).

Meanwhile, disappointed not to have been able to run the Thunder Run 24 this year as the event was cancelled, an intrepid group of Peelers took on the equally infamous challenge of the Equinox 24 race at Belvoir Castle. Stephen Andrews, Alison Dolphin, Sarah French, Kelly Porter, Wendy Bowyer, Lee Guffick, Roger Eastaff, Ann Hill and Claire Guffick took part in the 10k Day and 10k Night Runs, supported by Peelers Chris and John Norris. Ben Dorkins also represented the club in a different team at the race, completing 4 x 10k laps. 

Another Peeler taking on a challenge this weekend was marathon addict Steph Attenborough, who completed her 100^thmarathon with Phoenix Running enabling her to join the prestigious ‘100 Marathon Club’, an achievement that many runners aspire to. After running her 100^th event she stated that she had run “100 full marathons which had been completed in 714 days between 3/10/21 and today, with 61 in the last year l believe.. apparently 1 in every 4.25 days”.  She celebrated by completing her 101^st marathon on Sunday by running laps of Chasewater with Yabba Dabba Doo events.

Peel ultra runner Luke Collins had a very strong run at the Ultra X 50 km Peak District race on Sunday. The 31.4 mile course with 6604 ft of ascent started and finished in Edale, taking in iconic hills such as Back Tor, Lord’s Seat and Lose Hill. Luke finished in a time of 6:17:58 and 3^rd in age category. 

On Sunday Val Lawson ran the Charnwood Challenge 10.5 mile trail race, an event organised by Nanpanton Scouts and taking in the scenic and undulating countryside around Windmill Hill, Beacon Hill and Jubilee Wood near Loughborough. She crossed the finish line in 2:20:42.

At Saturday’s parkruns, Darren O’Leary was first home for the club at Kingsbury in 23:46, followed by Garth Cox (24:50); Mike Shelton (25:30); Chris Bennett (25:50); Emma Pick (25:45); Sophie Galloway (27:49); Jackie Tierney (28:52) and Dave Fern (30:41). Parkrun tourists included: Ian Orton (23:47) at Valentines; Mick Stevenson (35:35) at Warwick Racecourse; Claire Guffick (31:54), Ben Dorkins (32:33) and Lee Guffick (45:09) at Belvoir Castle. Claire also celebrated her 100^th parkrun at this event! Mike Hughes took on the Thames Path parkrun at Woolwich, crossing the line in 26:42, while Mark Boffey (23:27) and Sarah Boffey (30:25) ticked off another of their alphabet challenge parkruns at Quakers Walk, Devizes.

At Sunday’s Spitfire 10k at the RAF Cosford Air Museum near Albrighton, a well organised and flat course lured a good number of runners to take on the race including Peelers Neal Dempsey and Helen Dempsey who ran together to finish in 1:11:00 and Alison Upton, who finished in 1:16:55.

With the temptation of a Bank Holiday weekend away camping by the sea, Peel parkrun tourists took on the notorious Woolacombe Dunes parkrun course in Devon. Renowned for its course that includes sand dunes to sap the energy of even the strongest runner, Mark Boffey was first back for the club in 26:56, followed by Ian Orton (27:32); Michael Hughes (33:30) and Sarah Boffey (38:01). 

Closer to home, there was a good turnout of Peelers at Kingsbury parkrun with Emma Pick both home first for the club and first lady overall. She finished in a time of 20:22, followed by Simon Gordon (24:35); Darren O’Leary (25:32); Jackie Tierney (28:14); Dave Fern (30:01); Sandra Ingram (31:08); Roger Eastaff (31:40); Joy Sykes (31:54); Jo Insley (34:38); Martyn Candy (35:02); Alison Perry (36:20); Alison Dolphin (40:00); Stella Taylor (51:37); Chris Taylor (51:39); Chris Norris (66:44); Stephen Andrews (66:46) and Ann Hill (68:30). 

Other parkrun tourists included Mike Shelton (22:07) at Cannock Chase; Ben Dorkins (23:23) at Rosliston; Garth Cox (23:40) at Walsall Arboretum; Sophie Galloway (29:31) at Netley Abbey, Southampton; Allen King (22:52); Chris Bennett (24:15) and Darren Truman (26:30) at Beeston, Nottingham; Mick Stevenson (34:21) at Northallerton; Tony Bryan (24:46) at Exmouth and Tim Mudd (31:31) at Abbey Park, Leicester.

Never ones to miss an opportunity, going on holiday for some Peelers opens up opportunities to run a parkrun in a different location and this was exactly what Caroline Evans did!  Running at the Whinlatter Forest (Lake District) parkrun meant taking on one of the hardest and hilliest routes in the country but Caroline crossed the line in 33:57, finishing first in her age category.

Closer to home, Tim Clark was first Peeler to finish at Kingsbury parkrun in a time of 22:24, followed by Phil Neale (23:19); Ben Dorkins (23:32); Darren O’Leary (24:06); Simon Gordon (26:03); Sophie Galloway (27:56); Dave Fern (29:23); Emma Livingstone (29:41); Neal Dempsey (29:53); Claire Guffick (31:35); Sandra Ingram (32:27); Roger Eastaff (32:56); Martyn Candy (36:12); Helen Dempsey (36:50); Lee Guffick (37:30); Jo Insley (44:43); Stephen Andrews (50:31); Sarah French (58:05); Wendy Bowyer (58:53); Chris Norris (62:04) and Alison Dolphin (62:37).

Parkrun tourists included: Joy Sykes (35:01) at Conkers; Mark Boffey (24:57) and Sarah Boffey (31:27) at Pontypool; Mick Stevenson (34:12) at Warwick Racecourse; Emma Pick (19:44); Mike Shelton (21:28) and Roger Lloyd (25:56) at Beacon Park, Lichfield; Allen King (21:56); Chris Bennett (25:14) and Jackie Tierney (28:45) at Abbey Park, Leicester and Mike Hughes (37:36) at Holbrooks, Coventry.

Peel Road Runners meet at 6.45 pm every Tuesday in the Skate Park car park in the Castle Grounds. New members always welcome. See website for further details.

Like buses, after a quieter few weeks for the Peel Road Runners it would seem that races all come at once!

The Burton 10k race hosted by Hatton Darts is the seventh race in the Burton & District Summer League race. It is an undulating road route starting near Queen’s Hospital in Burton before following country lanes out to Anslow then returning to Burton Athletics Club for a finishing lap of the track. The race winner was unattached Lloyd Biddell in a time of 32:42, but first Peel Road Runner home was Wayne King in a personal best time of 37:27 and claiming first prize in the M40 category. Emma Pick was first Peeler home for the ladies’ team in a time of 41:03 and 2^nd in FSen age category. Michael Shelton was next home for the club in a time of 44:29 followed by Allen King (46:41); Mark Boffey (48:05); Ian Orton (49:29); Darren O’Leary (49:49); Lorna Carlin (50:30); Lisa Stretton (50:36); Simon Gordon (50:47 – personal best); Tim Mudd (51:36); Roger Lloyd (53:58); Billy King (54:26); Michael Hughes (55:40); Caroline Evans (58:07 – personal best); Steph Attenborough (59:26) and Helen Manton (62:06). 

Meanwhile, Sarah Boffey (3:34:23.) and Val Lawson (3:54:37) took on the challenge of the Belper Rover 30k trail race over a very scenic and, at times, hilly course. 

Several Peelers took on half marathon challenges this weekend with Donna Reid (1:50:25); Judith Matthews (1:53:49) and George Hope (1:57:28) racing at the Solihull half marathon, whilst Phil Neale had a very good result (1:40:12) and Maisie Griffiths (1:59:46) at the Newark half marathon.

Joy Sykes took on the Gateshead Trail 10k, a two lap route on relatively flat and mainly hard-packed trails, finishing in a time of 1:12:08.

Peelers were out in force at Saturday’s parkruns: at Kingsbury, Garth Cox was first home for the club in 27:40, followed by Neal Dempsey (28:50); Dave Fern (29:34); Claire Guffick (29:54); Ann Hill (33:41); Lee Guffick (35:38); Helen Dempsey (36:04) and Martyn Candy (36:52). Parkrun tourists included: Tim Mudd (25:44) at Brueton; Chris Bennett (24:59) and Darren Truman (27:09) at Conkers; Mick Stevenson (34:17) at Northallerton; Billy King (26:12 – personal best) at Gorleston Cliffs; Steph Attenborough (30:42) at Babbs Mill; Sophie Galloway (38:48) at Great Yarmouth North Beach (literally run on the beach!).

Finally, a determined group of Peelers helped Jackie Tierney celebrate running her 100^th parkrun each run at a different venue, so that she could claim membership of the Cowell Club (named after Chris Cowell, the first parkrunner to run 100 parkruns at 100 different locations). Mark Boffey (23:13); Ian Orton (23:32); Sarah Boffey (28:26); Jackie Tierney (29:05) and Michael Hughes (34:58) ran at the Somerdale Pavilion parkrun, Bristol (famously known as the Curly Wurly run due to its unique twisting course!).

Last week, Peeler Steph Attenborough completed the Great Barrow Challenge Ultra (a distance of 32.73 miles with 873 ft of ascent) in a time of 7:22:08, averaging 13.30 miles/hour over the distance. Her second fastest time over the distance! This, in itself, was a great result but not content with this, Attenborough then completed two more marathons over the weekend .. the Saturn Running Hawaii 5-0 at Runnymede, which she finished in 6:29:03 and the Enigma Gameboy marathon, which she completed in 5:52:01.

At the weekend’s parkruns, Mike Shelton was first home for the Peelers at Kingsbury in a time of 23:06, followed by Phil Neale (23:38); Garth Cox (25:52); Claire Guffick (32:49); Ann Hill (34:31); Lee Guffick (35:33); Alison Perry (54:21); Stephen Andrews (54:21); Alison Dolphin (55:16) and Sarah French (55:17). Parkrun tourists included: Darren O’Leary (24:55) at Burgess, London; Allen King (22:44) and Chris Bennett (24:05) at Loughborough; Tim Mudd (29:15) at Woolacombe Dunes; Steph Attenborough (34:07) at Chasewater; Mick Stevenson (33:02) at Warwick Racecourse; Ian Orton (22:45), Mark Boffey (23:40) and Sarah Boffey (28:06) at East Park, Wolverhampton; Michael Hughes (37:32) at Trentham Gardens, Stoke and Jackie Tierney (28:45) at Yarborough, Lincoln.