Over a weekend, when the weather was more suited to canoeing, the Peel Road Runners were out in force both locally and much further afield, despite the rain.
This weekend saw the return of Equinox 24, which is a 24-hour running event held in the beautiful grounds of Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire. The 10k course through the castle grounds, which is both picturesque and challenging, can be run solely or as a relay team. Runners’ complete laps of the course either through the day, or if brave enough through the night too. Despite the torrential rain, 14 Peelers took part with Sophie Galloway completing the most laps, with an impressive 8 laps completed. Ben Dorkins and Jo Insley completed 7, Stuart Hatton and Neal Dempsey completed 6, Helen Dempsey completed 5, with Wendy Bowyer, Alison Dolphin, Roger Eastaff, Ann Hill, Stephen Andrews, and Kelly Potter all completed 10k during the day and 10k during the night. Joy Sykes and Sarah French helped volunteer during the day and then incredibly completed 10k during the night session.
Meanwhile, the annual Stafford 10k also took place this weekend, with the start and finish being in the beautiful Victoria Park and taking runners through the town of Stafford. Peeler Stuart Baker ran the course in a fantastic PB of (51:55).
Going on holiday doesn’t stop the Peelers from lacing their trainers or volunteering, with husband and wife, Mark and Sarah Boffey proving just that by completing the Depot Park, Gainesville Park Run while on holiday in America. Mark completed the course in (25:24) and Sarah in (37:27). Steph Attenborough and Joanne Sharman also volunteered as park walkers at Zalew Wrzensinski Park Run in Polland. Well done to all of you!
The Peelers also took full advantage of the local Parkrun events too. Runners attended the local Tamworth Castle Grounds Parkrun with Tracy Ford the first Peeler back in an impressive (28:27) followed by George Hope (28.51), and Lisa Barnes (30.43).
There was also a strong attendance at Kingsbury Waterpark Parkrun too. With Mike Shelton the first Peeler to cross the line in a fantastic (21:10); followed by Phil Neale (21:26), Allen King (22:11), Darren Truman (26:50) and Jackie Tierney (30:23).
Many Peelers travelled further afield too with Roger Lloyd finishing in (24:36) at Sence Valley Forest, and at Leamington Michael Stevenson came in at (37:24). Garth Cox ventured to Babs Mill and finished in (26.59), Ian Cooper ventured to Fleetwood Promenade and finished in (26:16). Michael Hughes attended Conkers and finished in (45:19). Ian Orton attended Epworth Equestrian and finished in (24:26) and Martin Hemming attended Dolgellau and came in at (31:19).
Peelers walking group Peel Road Runners are also launching a new walking group from the 1st October. Meeting on a Tuesday evening in the carpark by the Tamworth Castle skate park at 6.50pm, the group will walk various routes for around 1 hour each week. Come along and give it a try, details can be found at www.peelroadrunners.co.uk
