Celebrating the May Day bank holiday weekend with a run, four Peelers popped down the M1 to Milton Keynes. Neal Dempsey achieved ‘legend’ status, completing his 5th consecutive MK marathon in 4:56:06, way to go Neal, whilst Helen Dempsey took on the half marathon finishing in 2:36:42. Steph Attenborough and Joanne Sharman also undertook the marathon crossing the line in 5:56
Sticking with Steph and Jo who are always looking for a challenge, the ladies travelled this weekend to South Wales where they tackled the LDWA Rhondda Rollercoaster, 16 miles of trails, finishing in 7:26.
27 Peelers were out in force across the country supporting Park Run. In alphabetical order we saw Garth Cox finish Alvaston in 23:22, Allen King (23:24), Chris Bennett (23:35), Billy King (23:52 – a new PB) and Darren Truman (27:36) completed Arrow Valley, Beacon Park hosted Mike Shelton (21:41), Michael Stevenson ventured to Ripon to Fountains Abbey (38:10), Ian Orton remained within the county at Isabel Trail (22:27), whilst closer to home at Kingsbury Water Park, ten Peelers donned their trainers to appreciate our local beauty spot; Tracy Ford (27:13), Claire Guffick (29:26), Sarah Boffey (33:40), Lee Guffick (35:21), Roger Eastaff (36:09), Wendy Bowyer (39:22), Laura Bowyer (39:22), Chris Norris (66:16), Stephen Andrews (66:22) and Phil Neale (66:36). Markshall Estate accommodated Michael Hughes (25:38), Emma Pick (43:53) ran at Newborough Forest, Jamie Abbiss (21:04), Roger Lloyd (24:30), Ben Dorking (25:06), George Hope (27:14) all stayed home at Tamworth, whilst Y Promenad had a visit from Tim Mudd (27:27).
On the volunteering front, Lisa Ellen took part in her first Junior Park Run at Beacon. Meanwhile, at Newport Junior Park Run, Steph Attenborough celebrated her 50th junior volunteer milestone, while Jo Sharman achieved an impressive total of 200 volunteer events.
Throughout the summer months the club take part in the Burton and District Summer League. The league was created back in 2005 to create friendly rivalry between running clubs in the area. There are 9 races scheduled this summer and Sunday saw the second of those races. Uttoxeter Festival of Running consists of a 10k and a half marathon, runners can sign up to either but only the half marathon is counted towards the summer league. Not only is it the longest distance race in the league, the event if renowned for being a challenging, undulating route. Starting and finishing at the racecourse it takes place on partially closed roads, along lanes and villages in the local area. Throw in some glorious sunshine and all runners were in for a character-building run!
First home for the Peelers was Wayne King, achieving first in his age category and 9th overall in a time of 01:24:25. Next across the line was Chris Samson in 01:36:25 followed by the first Peel lady, Lorna Carlin, second in her age category in an impressive 1:50:15. A further 9 members completed the half marathon course Simon Gordon (2:01:03), Sam Cart (2:03:24), Chris Bennett (2:04:26), Mark Boffey (2:12:06), Helen Chyla (2:16:54), Natalie Walker (2:16:57), Darren Truman (2:24:20), Helen Manton (2:29:00) and Jacqueline Tierney (2:35:52). Meanwhile Gemma Pritchard represented the club in the equally challenging 10k, finishing fourth in her age category in 59:55.
