The first weekend of June did not disappoint, with the Peelers taking full advantage of the lovely sunny weather on both Saturday and Sunday.
On Sunday it was the annual Royal Sutton Fun Run 2024, as almost 5000 runners took part in the glorious sunshine. The route takes runners on an 8.5 miles hilly course including the infamous ‘Cardiac Hill’, finishing with a nice down hill run back into Sutton town Centre. As always, the spectators were out in force along the course route with many cheering on friends and family in the beautiful Sutton Park.
Luke Collins was the first Peeler home in an amazing PB time of (57:48) followed by Ian Orton (1:12:57), George Hope (1:19:15) and Lisa Barnes (1:42:48). Wendy Bowyer, Ann Hill and Nicola Pearce all crossed the line together in true Peeler’s fashion in (1:59:00).
Earlier in the week Peeler Wayne King took part in the ‘Trent 5’ on Wednesday 29th May. Taking a scenic route along Beeston Canal and the banks of the river Trent, the course is a fast and flat surface for runners. Wayne did not fail to impress with a fantastic 9th place finish and a time of 29:56.
Parkrun events
The Peelers took full advantage of the lovely weather, attending many of the local Parkrun events too. Many runners attended the local Tamworth Castle Grounds Parkrun. Chris Bennett was the first Peeler back in an impressive (22:51) followed by Lorna Carlin (24:00); Roger Lloyd (24:25); Helen Chyla (26:40); Sophie Galloway (28:51); Wendy Roe (31:41); and Dave Fern (31:42).
There was also a strong attendance at Kingsbury Waterpark Parkrun too. With Ashley Goodman the first Peeler to cross the line in a fantastic (24:12); followed by Darren O’Leary (25:48); Sarah Boffey (34:04); Alison Perry (34:37), Chris Taylor (34:37); Ann Hill (35:16); Vickie Bowyer (37:03); Stella Taylor (37:43); Caroline Evans (38:30),
Many Peelers travelled further afield too with Ian Cooper finishing in (23:22) at Babbs Mill, and at Beacon Park Mike Shelton came in at (21:01). Tim Mudd ventured to Brunswick Park and finished in (25:31), Garth Hughes ventured to Hastings High School and finished in (25:28). Emma Pick attended Monsal Trail and finished in an amazing (19:16) and was the first female back. Ian Orton attended Oxford and finished in (24:24) and Ben Dorkins attended Sence Valley Forest Park and came in at (22:11).
Hadrians Wall
When he isn’t running Peeler Simon Gordon is taking on some amazing trekking challenges. On Sunday Simon completed the Hadrians’s Way long distance path. Last year Simon completed the Western Half over 3 days. This year Simon completed the Eastern Half over 4 days walking from Bowness on Solway near Carlisle, covering 84 miles in total, and finishing in Wallsend in Newcastle on Sunday. Stretching from coast to coast across Northern England, the trail takes in some stunning scenery. What a fantastic achievement.