The main event of the weekend was Round 2 of the Derbyshire Cross Country League. This round was on a new course at Cliff Lakes and was an undulating 9 km route designed by Sandra Ingram and the event was managed by the club. Thanks go to Sandra, Ash Goodman and the numerous volunteer club members who helped make the event a success; a lot of work is required behind the scenes.
Conditions were drizzly following several days of constant rain and the route was muddy to say the least, perfect cross country conditions in fact!
In the men’s competition Martin Hollamby was first home for the club in a strong fifth place in a time of 35.51 mins. Lawrence Williamson was next in 12th place followed by Lee Rickards (27th), Troy Lancaster (34th), Mark Webster (37th), Mike Shelton (65th), Darren O’Leary (84th), Simon Gordon (90th), Craig Strong (96th), Nick Barlow (98th), Roger Lloyd (101st), Chris Bennett (102nd), Garth Cox (111th), Carl Hole (119th) and Lee Guffick (129th).
Emma Pick was first home for the club in the ladies event in sixth place overall. She was followed by Kathryn Adams (26th), Rachael Rickards (29th), Judith Matthews (36th), Sophie Galloway (65th), Sandra Ingram (72nd), Jackie Tierney (76th), Val Lawson (79th), Helen Manton (83rd) and Claire Guffick (86th).
Elsewhere Rob Mace finished in sixth place overall at the BSSF Canicross British Championships with his dog Axis.
There was a good turnout at Kingsbury Water Park on Saturday for parkrun, given the recent weather it was good to see the event taking place although it was still very muddy in places.
First Peeler home was Chris Bennett in a new personal best time of 23.00 mins. He was followed by Tim Mudd who clocked a respectable 26.37 mins given that he had run from Fazeley before taking part. Carolyne Browne was the first lady Peeler home in 27.54 mins followed by Jackie Tierney (28.10), Helen and Neal Dempsey (28.37), Stella Martin (30.01), Alison Upton (30.41), Michael Stevenson (30.49), Claire Guffick (31.01, a new personal best), Chris Taylor (31.32), Sarah French (34.56) and Christine Norris (38.36).
Away from home Sophie Galloway sampled the delights of the Conkers parkrun finishing in 28.19 mins and Martin Hollamby finished in tenth place overall at the Whammy parkrun in Newcastle under Lyme in a strong 18.42 mins. Nickolas Neale was the sole club representative at Sutton Park finishing in 24.57 mins and Andrew Pickard ran a strong 20.49 mins to finish in 21st place at the Millhouses event.
Peel Road Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.00pm in the reception area of Tamworth Snowdome. Please see our Facebook page or club website for more information and contact details.
Photos: 1. Before the Cliff lakes Cross Country
2. Martin on his way to fifth place