Peelers out in force at races far and wide...
STORM Kathleen certainly didn’t deter or dampen Peel Road Runners’ spirits this week with many members of the club attending races, despite the weekend’s very blustery conditions.
At the first BDSL race of the season the club were out in force at the ‘Run in the Forest’ held at Conkers Waterside Centre in Derbyshire.
Over a 5-mile course almost entirely off road, comprising of some hard packed trails and canal tow paths, the route takes in some of the finest scenery the National Forest has to offer.
Wayne King was first home in a fantastic time (30:57); followed by Martin Hollamby (31:49); Emma Pick (34:23); James Stretton (36:23); Phil Neale (37:17); Darren O’Leary (39:25); Mark Boffey (39:39) (PB); Tim Mudd (40:49); Ian Orton (41:17); Chris Bennett (41:18); Lisa Stretton (41:29); Kirsty Welsh (42:35); Simon Gordon (44:06); Billy King (45:36); Darren Truman (45:55); Michael Hughes (48:04); Joanne Sharman (48:55); Sarah Boffey (50:30) and David Fern (51:16).
Elsewhere Luke Collins and Michael Shelton tackled a very muddy Challenge Event ‘A Coventry Way.’
The Challenge is a 40-mile circular long-distance trail with the route starting and finishing at the Heart of England Social Club in Meriden. The majority of the route is off-road and passes through mainly agricultural land in Warwickshire
and Solihull.
The Challenge is held annually, with Luke and Michael finishing in a very impressive 9 hours 30 minutes.
With a city centre start and finish, Jacqueline Sheasby completed the Sheffield Half Marathon in a very impressive 2:15. The event boasts a stunningly scenic route with views of the Peak District on some very challenging hills.
Also finishing in an impressive time of 2:15, Lisa Ellen took to the streets of London to see all the sites in the London Landmarks Half Marathon.
Through the City of London and the City of Westminster, passing St Paul’s Cathedral, Guildhall, Tower of London and along the Thames to Big Ben, the route was also filled with musical performances, DJs, dancers and much more.
With the return of the 7th local Lichfield Cathedral to Tamworth Castle run, the Peelers were out again for this much loved event, covering a 10-mile multi-terrain course from Lichfield Cathedral, passing through Hopwas Woods and finishing at Tamworth Castle.
First Peeler back was Allen King with a fantastic PB time (1:16:08); followed by Helen Chyla (1:34:08); Andrew Gillman (1:34:26); Natalie Walker (1:34:42); Stuart Hatton (1:35:14); Sophie Galloway (1:36:19); Emma Petricca (1:43:34) (PB); Val Lawson (1:50:31); Laura Bowyer (1:51:35) (Frist 10 mile event and PB); Wendy Roe (1:59:19) (First 10 mile event and
PB); Claire Guffick (1:59:20); Michael Ball (1:59:38) (First 10 mile event and PB); Helen Dempsey (2:06:19) and Neal Dempsey (2:06:19); Roger Eaststaff (2:07:48) and Lee Guffick (2:07:49).
The busy weekend didn’t put the Peelers off attending many of the local Parkrun events too.
Many runners were at the local Tamworth Castle Grounds Parkrun.
Allen King was the first Peeler back in an impressive (21:56) followed by Phil Neale (22:09); Garth Cox (25:08); Roger Lloyd (25:20); Simon Gordon (26:05); Judith Matthews (26:25); Joanne Harvey (29:33); Sophie Galloway (33:48); Emma Whorwood (36:01).
There was also a strong attendance at Kingsbury Water Park Parkrun with Claire Guffick the first Peeler to cross the line in 28:27; Jacqueline Tierney (28;50); Lee Guffick (37:03); Nicola Bannister (43:04); Alison Dolphin (43:18); Wendy Bowyer (46:02) and Vickie Bowyer (46:03).
At Cannock Chase Parkrun Emma Pick ran 24:13, whilst at Warwick Racecourse Parkrun Michael Stevenson ran 37:05.
Further afield at Blyth Links Parkrun Joe Sykes ran 31:47.
Whilst at Wollaton Hall Parkrun Ian Orton ran 25:33, with Michael Hughes coming in at 48:39; whilst at Battlestead Croft Parkrun Tim Mudd crossed the line at 26:17.