With impeccable organisation from Ivanhoe Runners, the Aldi Ashby 20-mile race is seen as a local “must do” race for runners preparing for spring marathons such as London and Manchester. The race is always well supported by the Peel Road Runners and this year was no exception with 16 members running the undulating two lap course. First home for the club and 17th lady (168th out of a field of 1296 runners) was Emma Pick crossing the finish line in a time of 2:32:54. Next to finish was Mike Shelton (aided and abetted by Ted the bear who he carried for the race!) in a time of 2:51:22; Tim Mudd (3:09:37 – personal best); Donna Reid (3:18:22); Judith Matthews (3:18:22); George Hope (3:31:15); Carolyne Browne (3:35:38) Sophie Galloway (3:38:09); Stuart Hatton (3:38:10); Claire Guffick (3:43:32 – personal best); Emma Whorwood (3:48:17); Helen Manton (3:57:29); Lee Guffick (4:25:09 – personal best); Helen Dempsey (4:36:31 – personal best); Neal Dempsey (4:36:31) and Roger Eastaff (4:59:27).
Running at the Stafford half marathon on Sunday and, though more used to ultra running in the mountains, Martin Hollamby took to the tarmac in great style running a personal best time of 1:21:16 and finishing in 27th place out of 1800+ runners! An impressive result!
For runners wanting a fast and flat course with personal best potential, the two lap Florette Fradley 10k doesn’t get much better. Taking advantage of this, Luke Collins achieved a personal best time crossing the line in 38:24 and 5th in age category. He was followed by Chris Bennett (50:32); Garth Cox (51:34); Clara Walton (57:15); Helen Chyla (57:17) and Jackie Tierney (58:40).
Running on very muddy and rocky terrain, Val Lawson took on the challenge of the scenic Pennine Trails Leighton Hall trail half marathon near Carnforth, Lancashire finishing in a time of 3:13:13. Despite all the weekend’s races, parkruns both local and further afield drew a good number of Peelers to get their Saturday 5k fix. Running at Tamworth Castle parkrun, Lee Rickards was first to cross the finish line in 18:17, followed by Rob Mace (21:21); Tim Mudd (24:51) and Roger Lloyd (26:27). Further afield at Market Harborough, Steph Attenborough finished in 33:46 whilst at Kingsbury, Mike Shelton finished in 23:34 followed by Ben Dorkins (23:44); Darren O’Leary (24:32); Tim Clark (25:38); Lisa Stretton (26:08); Lee Guffick (57:53) and Claire Guffick (58:05). At the Queen Elizabeth parkrun in Portsmouth, Mark Boffey celebrated his birthday with a 25:00 minute run, followed by Sarah Boffey in 32:38. Running at Evesham, Ian Orton finished in 25:02 followed Jackie Tierney (28:39) and Michael Hughes (41:23). Joy Sykes (33:59) ran at Bramley, Leeds parkrun; Wendy Roe (30:31) ran at Beacon, Lichfield and Alison Perry (44:05), Ann Hill (44:44), Sarah French (50:41), Alison Dolphin (50:42) and Stephen Andrews (50:50) took on the muddy and challenging course at Sense Valley, Ibstock
