On Sunday 4th September, Sophie Galloway took part in the Sheffield 20 mile race. Organised by Hillsborough and Rivelin Running Club, the race was run on pavements and good quality, well compacted trails and had little elevation. The course began with 2.5 laps of the main lakes in Rother Valley Country Park, after this it followed the Trans Pennine Trail to Staveley, returning along the same route before finishing with another half lap of Rother Valley. It was billed as being an affordable 20 mile race for runners preparing for autumn marathons and was a perfect race for Sophie, who will be running the London Marathon on a Peel RR Club place in October. She finished the race in a personal best time of 3:26:00.
On Sunday 11th September, several Peel Road Runners journeyed north to take part in the Great North Run. The iconic half marathon was being held on its traditional course this year, after having a change of route enforced last year due to Covid restrictions. First back for the club was Stephen Baker in 1:35:51, followed by Rob Mace in 1:43:09 with Ian Orton crossing the line in 1:53:30. Judith Matthews was next to finish in 1:54:47, followed by Sandra Ingram (returning to fitness after a long period off running due to injury) in a time of 2:16:59.
With their race cancelled at short notice last year due to over-running roadworks, and their usual course unavailable due to HS2 works, Lichfield Running Club were relieved to be able to hold their annual and very popular 10k race on a new course this year. The undulating route started in Beacon Park before taking runners out to the west of the city along undulating country lanes and then returning to finish in the park. In-form Peeler Wayne King ran a brilliant race to finish in a personal best time of 37:37, 8th overall and first in the M45 age category. Next across the line was George Hope in a time of 50:11, followed by Michael Hughes (also in a personal best time) of 52:37; Garth Cox in 52:59 and Emma Barley in 1:12:14.
There was a good turnout of Peelers at Saturday’s parkruns, with Kingsbury the biggest draw again. First to cross the finish line for the club was Tim Clark in 23:01, very closely followed by Phil Neale in 23:31 and Mike Shelton (24:20); Darren O’Leary (25:46); Jason Church (26:38); Dave Fern (26:50); Darren Truman (26:55); Richard Satchwell (27:05); Owen Slater (27:15); Lisa Stretton (27:29); Jackie Tierney (29:18); Claire Guffick (29:25); Roger Eastaff in a personal best time of 29:32; Clara Walton (29:50); Alison Upton (32:50); Ann Hill (37:36); Sarah French (38:04); Lee Guffick (38:59) and Wendy Bowyer (44:58).
Parkrun tourists included: Ian Cooper at Brueton (29:12) and Mick Stevenson at Warwick Racecourse (32:06).
