It was a quiet week for running races; however, many Peelers also enjoy cycling with Jacqui Tierney and Mike Hughes jumping on the saddle for the London Marathon Events Ride London; a 100-mile challenge giving cyclists the opportunity to cycle on traffic-free roads through some of the most famous streets of London and the picturesque villages and countryside of neighbouring Essex. Jacqui completed the ride in 7:38:25 with Mike finishing in 9:21:12, adding to his London Marathon in 2017 and his Swim Serpentine last year, so completing the London Classics series.
A busy Saturday for parkrun saw 12 different courses covered by Peelers. Closest to home, at Tamworth Castle Grounds, Tim Clark was first Peeler finisher in 24:27, followed by Roger Lloyd (25:06), Judith Matthews (25:08), Tim Mudd (25:45), Laura Bowyer (30:54), and Garth Cox (59:51).
At Kingsbury Water Park, Phil Neale ran 22:26, Katie Stretton (25:09), Lisa Stretton (25:20) and Caroline Evans (38:27). In Aldenham, ahead of their 100 mile Ride London, Jacqui Tierney completed in 28:26 and Mike Hughes in 29:46, and at Beacon Park Mike Shelton ran 23:32. A large contingent of Peelers travelled to Cannock Chase parkrun with Roger Eastaff running 33:11, Alison Perry (34:45), Wendy Bowyer (39:36), Vickie Bowyer (39:37), Alison Dolphin (59:52), Stephen Andrews (59:54), and Sarah French (60:01).
Michael Stevenson ran 35:32 at Fountains Abbey, and at Leicester Victoria Allen King and Chris Bennet completed in 23:05 and 23:25 respectively. At Oaklands, Ben Dorkins ran a 7 second PB in an impressive 21:21, whilst at Osterley parkrun Jo Sharman ran 33:40 and Steph Attenborough 33:42. At Poolsbrook in Chesterfield, Ian Orton achieved a fantastic milestone by completing his 150th parkrun in 24:27. Emma Pick finished in 19:59 at Rosliston, whilst in North London, husband and wife Mark and Sarah Boffey got romantic at the Valentines parkrun, completing in 22:57 and 32:49 respectively.
Last week saw the start of the Bridge to 10K course, led by Dave Fern and Mark Boffey. Over 12 runners took part aiming to increase their distance with the potential goal of competing in the St Giles Hospice Gate Gallop race in July. Six of the participants had previously graduated from the club’s Couch to 5K course, and the Peelers wish all the participants well over the next 10 weeks.
