The main event of the weekend was the Great Birmingham Run half marathon on Sunday. Unfortunately due to a security alert the course was shortened to 11 miles. The club was well represented at the event with Mark Webster the first Peeler home in a fast 1:11.55 hrs. He was followed by Phil Neale in a time of 1:22.09 hrs. Next came Darren O’Leary in a time of 1:29.49 hrs followed by Darren Truman (1:36.28), Tim Mudd (1;39.44), Chris Bennett (1:42.55), Emma Livingstone (1:45), Carolyne Browne (1:45.48), Sophie Galloway (1:49.28) and Sarah French and Ann Hill ( both 2:14.45).
Martin Hollamby competed in the Lakes in a Day ultra race in the Lake District on Saturday, covering a distance of 51 miles with 2.5 miles of vertical ascent. finishing in eighth place overall in a time of 10:43 hrs, a new personal best for the event by 3 hours. Andrew Pickard also completed his first ultra event in slightly less mountainous conditions, the 50 mile Round Rotherham race in a time of 10:29 hrs.
George Hope ran the Manchester Half Marathon in a time of 1:47.22, a new personal best for the distance. Rob Mace completed the Great Dalby Dollop, a very muddy 4 mile course with his dog Axis, finishing in second place overall in a time of 25.27 mins.
Kingsbury Water Park parkrun took place on Saturday for the first time in 3 weeks, albeit on an altered course as the park was still very wet after recent rain. First home for the club was Garth Cox in a time of 23.56 mins. He was followed by Kathryn Adams and Mike Shelton (both 24.31 mins), Tricia Bunn (28.24) and husband Richie (28.25), Alison Upton (32.41), Caroline Evans (32.41), Christine Norris (37.13) and Wendy Bowyer (39.53 mins). Thanks go to Darren O’Leary and Mike Shelton for volunteering to help make the event possible.
There were quite a few Peelers out and about attending other parkruns with Mark Boffey completing the Conkers event in 23.19 mins. Ashley Perks finished in 24.11 mins. Sandra Ingram ran the Aberystwyth event in a time of 26.28 mins and Jackie Tierney cantered round the new Warwick Racecouse parkrun in a time of 27.28 mins. Claire and Lee Guffick ran Chasewater in times of 30.37 and 33.30 mins respectively and Marie LLewellyn finished the Gadebridge parkrun in 24.24 mins. Marcus Fairburn (26.49 mins) and Stuart Hatton (27.03) visited the Brueton Park event in Solihull.
The club is planning to hold a Bridge to 10k course during the Autumn. The course is aimed at runners who are already able to run 5k and will provide coaching to allow them to progress to running 10k. The course is free of charge and anyone interested is asked to contact the club through our Peel Road Runners Beginners Facebook page. We are also planning to run a couch to 5k course for beginners within the next few months.
Peel Road runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at the Snowdome. New members are always welcome.
Photos: Before and after the Great Birmingham Run
