Early March and with spring just around the corner can mean only two things, Chester 10K and Fradley 10k, both firm favourites with Peel Road Runners.
Fradley 10k is a fast, flat two-lap course around the roads and country lanes around Fradley village with a lot of PB potential. Each year, Peel Road Runners turn out in force, and this year was no exception, with 13 peelers representing the club. First back was Roger Lloyd with a great time of 48:49. Followed by Lizzy Young (56:32), Sandra Ingram (57:24), Stuart Hatton (58:07), Claire Guffick (59:19) a new PB and the first time sub 60mins, Emma Whorwood (01:00:58), Amy Davis (01:04:00), Dave Fern (01:05:07), Kelly Sippitts (01:08:22), Roger Eastaff (01:09:58), Wendy Bowyer (01:10:02), Wendy Roe (01:10:06) and Lee Guffick (01:10:27).
The Chester 10k is described as a fast course and the best city centre 10k in the Northwest, and is also the first event of the Chester Triple Series, where runners must complete the 10k, half marathon and either the full or metric marathon within the same calendar year. Seven peelers made the trip with an extremely early start to begin their quest for the coveted triple medal. Matt Salisbury was first back for the club in a fast time of 43:16. Closely followed by Allen King (46:18), Samie Futrill (49:13), Tracy Ford (53:15), Lisa Barnes (01:02:04), Helen Dempsey (01:10:17) and Neal Dempsey (01:10:17).
In Parkrun news, we have two groups contending for this week’s tourism trophy.
Firstly, Steph Attenborough and Jo Sharman decided to go to Gibraltar Botanical Gardens. An out-and-back course (3 times) on tarmac paths through trees and planted gardens, Steph completed the run in 38:39, with Jo Sharman hot on her heels with 39:57.
Secondly, three peelers made the trip to Lithuania to attend Kulturos Ir Poilsio Parkas. The course is two laps along surfaced paths that run alongside the river. In snowy conditions, Mark Boffey completed the course in 26:49 with Mike Hughes close behind with 26:52. Jackie Tierney completed the trio with 32:36.
More local parkrun tourism, Peel Road Runners appeared at several events. Tim Mudd ran Black Rocks in 26:32. Garth Cox ran Chasewater in 53:51. Coronation Park saw Emma Pick run in a time of 24:18, and Graham Lane ran 27:47 at Northwich.
Ian Orton travelled to Great Denham parkrun, where he joined the 20-minute club with a fantastic time of 20:32.
At Beacon Park parkrun, Samie Futrill ran 23:43. She was joined by some fellow peelers who, with marathon/Ashby 20 training in full effect, took the opportunity to include Beacon Park parkrun as part of a training long run (starting in Tamworth, running to Lichfield, completing parkrun and then running back to Tamworth). Mike Shelton completed Beacon Park in 24:37. Followed by Sam Cart (26:23), Simon Gordon (26:56), Chris Bennett and Lorna Carlin (both 27:29), Lydia Trenfield (27:38), Sophie Galloway and Georgie Mead (both 29:11).
As the norm, both Kingsbury Water Park and Tamworth Castle grounds were well represented.
At Kingsbury Water Park, Katie Stretton was first back for the club with 25:16. Followed by Lisa Stretton (25:35), Darren Truman (28:17), Darren O’Leary (29:19), Wendy Bowyer (01:08:39) and Roger Eastaff (01:08:49).
At Tamworth Castle Grounds, Lee Rickards was first back (for club and 1st place overall) in an incredibly fast time of 18:14. Ash Goodman finished in 22:15 with Wayne Richardson (23:37), Tracy Ford and Jon Allen (both 25:20), Cheryl Flint (27:36) and Jo Bovington (40:16) completing the Peel contingent.
Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at the Castle Grounds Skate Park car park at 6.45 pm for a 7.00 pm start. We also have our walking group meeting on Tuesdays, at the same time and in the same meeting place. New members are always welcome.