A quieter week this week on the running front but one which still saw some impressive achievements and adventures from the Peel members.
The weekend was the 50th anniversary of the Berlin Marathon. The marathon is one of just 6 in the world that have the honour of inclusion in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the others being Tokyo, Boston, London, Chicago and New York. Notoriously difficult to gain entry, achievement of all six marathons gives the athlete the opportunity to claim the greatest prize, the Six Star Medal.
Two members lucky enough to take part in Berlin this year, on their journey to attaining the six, were Jo Sharman and Steph Attenborough, Steph completing Berlin for the second time and already having 4 stars in the bag in Berlin, London, Tokyo and New York and Jo achieving star 2 with New York under her belt. In fine weather and enjoying the party atmosphere the pair achieved their fastest joint finishing time, 5:18:55 for Jo and Steph pipping her by the finest of margins in 5:18:54.
Back on home soil Martyn Hollamby embarked on the Salmon Run Ultra. The 50 mile event celebrates the epic journey of the migratory salmon as it struggles to reach its destination and survive in a changing climate. The route follows the River Ex from Exmoor to Tarr Steps on the edge of Exmoor. With a weather warning in place the athletes faced some very real struggles and the organisers took a late decision to reduce the distance to 40 miles. Martin completed the event in an impressive third place in just under 6 hrs 30 mins.
In nearby Nottingham Shane Lewis completed the 43rd Robin Hood half marathon, a hugely popular event with some 10,000 participants. Blessed with fair weather conditions Shane finished in 1:39:26.
Despite local cancellations at Kingsbury and Tamworth due to flooding, Park Run continued to attract runners both at home and away.
Conkers was the choice for Allen King (24:02), Sarah French (53:08) and Ann Hill (53:09) whilst Mike Shelton (20:48) and Simon Gordon (24:38) opted to run at Beacon Park Lichfield. Jackie Tierney headed over to Chasewater running a time of 29:00, Babbs Mill attracted Ben Dorkins (25:10) and Garth Cox (26:02) and Ian Orton (22:52) plumped for north Wales Nova Prestatyn.
Across the pond and successfully dodging Hurricane Helene, the sunny climes of Clermont Waterfront Florida was the choice of Mark and Sarah Boffey who completed the course in 25:59 and 35:34 respectively. In Milan, Italy, Michael Hughes ran Milano Nord in 28:42 and as a warm up to their marathon Steph and Jo took the opportunity whilst in Germany to run Allrepark, Wolfsburg, finishing in 33:21 and 33:22
