On Wednesday evening, Peel Road Runners were out supporting the Commonwealth Games Baton Relay in the Castle Grounds. Along with many other local clubs setting challenges for children, the Peelers put on a mini hurdles relay so that children could collect a sticker on their challenge cards which, once the card was filled, they could exchange for a lovely medal to show for their achievements. The challenge proved very popular and lots of children took part over the evening, whilst also giving the club an opportunity to showcase what they do.
At the weekend many Peelers were looking forward to taking on the challenge of the Conti 24 hour Thunder Run trail race based at Catton Hall, Walton on Trent. With runners coming from all over the country to take part in this race, for the Peelers to have such a major annual event on their doorstep just made for a perfect weekend of racing and socialising! Four mixed teams from the club took part in the 10k trail race, with the aim being to cover as many laps as possible of the challenging and technical course over 24 hours whilst running through the day and night.
‘Andy’s Angels’ comprising Sandra Ingram, Andy Pickard, Kathryn Adams, Darren O’Leary and Phil Neale managed to complete 22 laps in the time available (a distance of 220 km/137 miles) finishing 18th out of 65 mixed teams. ‘Jo’s Jetts’ comprising Jo Insley, Emma Livingstone, Donna Lancaster, Mike Shelton and Sophie Galloway completed 21 laps in the time available (a distance of 210 km/130 miles) finishing 24th out of 65 mixed teams. ‘Pips Team 1’ comprising Alison Dolphin, Stephen Andrews, Moira Bucknell, Alison Perry and Roger Eastaff completed 13 laps in the time available (a distance of 130 km/81 miles) and ‘Pips Team 2’ comprising Sarah French, Chris Bennett, Wendy Bowyer, Claire Guffick and Chris Norris completed 14 laps in the time available (140 km/87 miles).
At this weekend’s parkruns, Kingsbury drew the most Peelers with James Stretton the first across the line in a time of 21:17 and 16th place overall. Rachael Rickards was next home in a time of 23:10 followed by Lisa Stretton (24:07); Dave Fern (25:13); Mark Boffey (26:17); Tim Mudd (27:43); Richard Satchwell (27:58); Darren Truman (28:02); Jackie Tierney (31:45) and Alison Upton (32:11).
Parkrun tourists included: Garth Cox at Chester (24:34); Rob Mace at Sandwell Valley (21:36); Joy Sykes at Chasewater (30:42); Ian Orton at Babb’s Mill (23:45); Mick Stevenson at Warwick Racecourse (32:52) and Simon Gordon at Whitby (24:05). Not to be outdone by their parents, mini Peelers James and Sally ran the Junior parkrun at Swadlincote.
