It’s official, Peel Road Runners are the best club in the West Midlands! At last week’s England Athletics Regional Volunteer Awards, it was named club of the year. The awards celebrate and recognise the hard work, dedication and passion demonstrated by volunteers throughout the West Midlands area. The club were shortlisted before facing a successful online public vote, with the award ceremony streamed live on YouTube.
The awards highlighted that the Peelers are an inclusive club where members of all abilities are made to feel welcome. New members are encouraged to try taster runs to ensure it is the right fit for them, with a buddy system in place to help them settle in. They regularly celebrate each other’s achievements with weekly reports and are constantly evolving to do the best for their members. The Committee have also worked hard to ensure compliance with Club Standards. In addition, there are mental health runs, an annual ‘Gate Gallop’ charity event – organised by Peel volunteers – litter picks and club-led running sessions in schools. Representing the club at the awards were Club President Ray Rogers, Chairman Mike Shelton, Club Secretary Alison Dolphin and Membership Secretary Natalie Walker.
The club president Ray Rogers explained: “When you join the Peelers, you join a family”. Members of the club said: “We always want to be a family as it can be a lonely sport. We make sure that we never leave anyone behind and always look after each other.”
From awards success to racing success, the Peelers were in action at the Tamworth 5 Mile, the final race of the Burton and District Summer League season, hosted by Tamworth Athletics Club. The weather warmed up to add some sunshine and heat to an already challenging course. The route starts and finishes on the running track and is characterised by a mid-way mile-long climb, thankfully followed by some welcome downhill sections. Battling the climb and undulations to be first female was Emma Pick
with a fantastic time of 31:09. James Stretton and Scott Chapman ran rapidly to be first men back for the Peelers, finishing in 33:00 and 34:20 respectively. Phil Neale was another standout performer, claiming first place in the M60 age group with a time of 35:38. Additionally, Michael Shelton 35:11 and Luke Collins 35:21 secured top-15 finishes in their respective age groups. Other great performances from Peel Road Runners athletes include: Allen King 36:45, Ian Orton with a 24-second PB 38:22, Lorna Carlin 39:20, Lisa Stretton 39:18, Simon Gordon 40:26, Chris Bennett 40:40, Katie Stretton 5th in her age category with 42:19, Darren Truman 42:32, Roger Lloyd 42:44, Sam Cart marking her debut race in a Peel vest and placing 10th in her age category finished in 44:35, Steph Attenborough 48:26, Jo Sharman 48:27, and Dave Fern finishing in 50:12.
Meanwhile, In Sutton Park, Matt Salisbury took part in the RunThrough Birmingham Running Festival 10k, gaining a new PB of 46.57.
Peel Road Runners took to the parkrun events across the country this weekend, delivering impressive performances at a range of locations. At Cannock Chase parkrun, Billy King and Allen King ran strong races, finishing with times of 24:43 and 24:46, respectively.
Over at Rugby parkrun, Jo Sharman completed the course in 31:25, while Steph Attenborough crossed the finish line in 34:07. At Brueton parkrun, Michael Stevenson completed the 5K course in 35:54. Conkers Parkrun saw Emma Pick lead the way for Peel Road Runners, finishing as first female with a time of 20:39. Darren Truman and Simon Gordon finished with times of 30:46 and 30:49 respectively.
The club had a significant presence at the Kingsbury Water parkrun. Mike Shelton clocked a swift 21:45, with Chris Bennett finishing in 24:15. Lisa and Katie Stretton both completed the course in 26:16. Ben Dorkins came in shortly after with a time of 26:29, followed by Darren O’Leary at 27:08, Roger Eastaff at 34:03, Stephen Andrews at 41:17, and Sarah French at 49:03.
In the scenic setting of Alderford Lake parkrun, Jacqui Tierney finished in 31:03. Up north at Queen’s parkrun, Glasgow, Ian Orton crossed the line with a time of 24:36, while Michael Hughes finished with a time of 29:37. At Yarborough Leisure Centre parkrun, Garth Cox had a good run, finishing in 23:39. Finally, at the Old Railway Trail parkrun in Llangollen, new member Tracy Ford clocked in at 27:45. If you like to go along for a trial run, the Peelers meet next to the Skate Park in the Castle Grounds on Tuesdays at 6.45pm for a 7pm start. More details on the Peel Road Runners Public page on Facebook.
