The Peel Road Runners have been running on the roads, paths and tracks around Tamworth since the club was founded in 1991. The club prides itself on being a social running and walking group, catering for all abilities. Achieving Regional Club of the Year in 2024 confirmed the Peelers are a club with their members at the heart of everything they do. The benefits of running/walking with like-minded people to help with any of life’s issues, have a laugh; all help with one’s well-being.
Raymond Rogers, our Club President, was one of those who helped launch the Peelers. He continues to be a very active member of the club and is also a member of the Tamworth FC supporters club. Ray recently linked up with Simon’s Heroes charity and decided to take on a personal challenge. On Boxing Day, Ray set off from Tamworth football ground and walked the 18 miles to Solihull Moors ground, a distance he hadn’t covered in many a year. Ray’s motivation…” to see a simple smile on the children’s faces”. The money Ray raised was used to support local children with life-limiting illnesses over the festive season. Just over £2,000 was raised.
On a personal note, Ray says it has given him a more positive attitude toward himself and his health after eighteen months of health issues. “All the Peelers have given me so much help when I’ve been feeling down, it’s been, as they say, ‘life changing” With the walking group being the catalyst for change. Ray walks with the walking group on a regular basis; they meet at the same time as the Peel runners and enjoy an hour social walk.
Despite the weather disrupting many events, Wayne King was able to compete in the Staffordshire County Cross Country Championships held at Betley Court Farm in Stoke. Wayne came 38th and 3rd in his age category (Masters 45-54), completing the course in 38:24 mins. A great achievement to start the year.
Many Parkruns were cancelled last Saturday due to weather conditions. A few hardy souls however, managed to track down a course which was on. Tim Mudd took on the 5k course at Battlestead Croft, Burton. The course is run entirely on grass, so trail shoes would be the footwear of choice. Tim completed the course in 27:12. Conkers was the choice of Roger Lloyd, who ran the 5k in an impressive 24:01. Three Peelers chose somewhere slightly further afield – Ludlow. This course is a mixture of pretty forest trail paths, together with hardcore paths. Darren Truman ran the course in 31:05 swiftly followed by Mark Boffey in 31:22 and Sarah Boffey in 34:36. Michael Hughes completed the 5k trail run at Queenswood Country Park in 46:47; Jacqueline Tierney ran Rother Valley parkrun, in Sheffield in 29:17; Ash Goodman completed Sence Valley Forest Park, two laps on gravel paths which go alongside lakes and through woods, in 23:30 and finally but not least Ian Orton ran the parkrun at University of Stirling in 27:42.
To conclude, the Peelers are well known as a sociable group of runners. One run that did not have any timings against it over Christmas was the annual Beer Run. The Peelers like to support the local community, so a run took them around the town via a few watering holes. It is an opportunity to run with someone new and have time to enjoy each other’s company. If you’re interested in joining the Peelers for a run/walk, please visit our website for more information. www.peelroadrunners.co.uk
