The Athens Marathon is one of the most iconic sporting events in the world due to its deep
connection with history and mythology. It commemorates the legendary feat of Pheidippides,
who is said to have run from Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory over the
Persians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. Runners run through picturesque landscapes,
with views of the Aegean Sea, olive groves, vineyards, and historical sites like the Panathenaic
Stadium, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games in 1896. The Athens Marathon with its
historical significance and demanding terrain, represents a particularly rewarding change.
Joanne Sharman and Stephanie Attenborough accepted the challenge and last Saturday found
themselves standing on the start line in the pouring rain. Both Steph and Jo found the course
tough but as always dug deep and finished together in 6:07:02/6:07:06. A great achievement.
Closer to home, but equally picturesque, is Anglesey, an island off the Welsh coast. The
Anglesey Trail Half Marathon is set in the beautiful surroundings of Newborough Forest; the
course takes you through the trees onto the stunning Llanddwyn Island, across sand dunes and
onwards to beautiful winding woodland trails which once hosted the Commonwealth Mountain
and Ultra Distance Running Championships. Runners catch glimpses of Snowdonia amongst
other incredible views. Helen and Neil Dempsey accepted this challenge, completing the
course in 2:56:22 for Neil and 3:05:00 for Helen.
A yearly tradition for a group of Peelers has become the London Landmarks run. The group
travel to London by train and then complete a fourteen mile run; passing by numerous
landmarks, through four royal parks and stopping at the odd watering hole! This run is purely
for fun and a great day out.
Making her debut as a Run Director for Parkrun was Wendy Bowyer. The role entails being
overall responsible for event safety and proceedings during the event and at the finish line.
Wendy is a regular volunteer/participant at Kingsbury Water Park so was in an ideal position to
take on the role. As usual there was a good turn out of Peelers with Ash Goodman finishing first
in 23:25. He was followed by Katie Stretton in 26:11; Garth Cox in 26:14; Lisa Stretton in 26:19;
Tim Mudd in 27:43; Darren Truman in 27:59; Stuart Hatton in 28:01; Claire Guffick 30:30; Lee
Guffick 32:53; Emma Whorwood 33:33; Alison Upton in 33:37 and Steve Andrews in 54:32.
A 5k parkrun is often the way Peelers like to start their weekend. Emma Pick was the first
runner to cross the line at Bestwood Village parkrun, completing the course in 19:49. Black
Rocks was the course of choice for Jonathan Allen, finishing in 26:02. Ian Orton chose to run at
Dishley, Loughborough and completed the 5k in 22:30. Michael Hughes ran Nant y Pandy
parkrun in 23:42; Oaklands College, Hertfordshire was the choice of Mark and Sarah Boffey.
Mark ran in 25:36 and Sarah in 29:22. Roger Lloyd completed Sence Valley Forest Park in
24:22 and Jacqueline Tierney ran St Albans in 33:06.
Much closer to home, Tamworth Castle Grounds saw Lee Rickards complete the course in
19:17; followed by Jamie Abiss in 20:20 and Anne Whitby-Smith in 25:19.