Peel Road Runners pride themselves on being a friendly and enthusiastic group of runners, willing to take on a variety of challenges and this week has provided plenty of opportunities to do just that!
On Saturday evening, a group of Peelers joined Santa and his Sleigh Team as they travelled around Wilnecote collecting money for local good causes. Despite initial dry weather turning to squally winds and heavy rain, the Peeler spirit prevailed and Santa was able to safely and successfully complete his whistle stop tour of the area.
On Sunday, the annual St Giles Rudolph Run in the Castle Grounds drew in a group of intrepid Peelers who completed the event dressed as unicorns! Representing the Club were Chris Norris, Nicola Peace, Alison Dolphin, Claire Guffick, Lee Guffick, Sarah French, Moira Bucknell, Wendy Bowyer, Roger Eastaff, Steve Andrews, Jeanette Faulkner and Ann Hill. Club Secretary, Alison Dolphin, said that the costumes were not easy to run in and made it one of the hardest events they had done! Mini Peelers Sally and Emma (plus mum Zoe Schnepp running in her famous Rudolph costume) also completed the run.
Also on Sunday, another group of Peelers competed in the second round of the Derby Runner (Staffs & Derby) Cross Country League race at Anslow near Burton upon Trent. After overnight rain, the going was definitely “soft” and an icy wind made the 5.5 mile course energy sapping but this did not deter the runners. First Peeler across the line in the men’s race was Rob Dyjak, finishing in an impressive third place in a very competitive field. Next Peeler home was Wayne King in 10th place, followed by Rob Mace in 14th place, Mike Shelton in 31st place, Scott Chapman in 34th place, Darren O’Leary in 68th place, Chris Bennett in 69th place, Roger Lloyd in 73rd place, Darren Truman in 77th place and Tony Bryan in 88th place. In the Ladies’ race, Sophie Galloway was first home for the club in 35th place, closely followed by Sandra Ingram in 39th place, Jackie Tierney in 48th place and Val Lawson in 54th place.
At Kingsbury parkrun, Zoe Schnepp made a solid return to parkrun completing the 5k course in a time of 24:38, closely followed by Garth Cox in 25:01. Other Peelers running on Saturday included: Stella Martin in 28:02; Jackie Tierney in 28:45; Chris Taylor in 28:57; Joy Sykes in 29:18; Ann Hill in 36:59; Sarah French in 37:03; Lee Guffick in 38:18; Alison Dolphin in 38:30; Stephen Andrews in 41:32; Nicola Bannister in 46:56 and Chris Norris in 46:58. Parkrun tourists included Rob Mace at Cannock parkrun finishing in 10th place and a time of 20:33; Tim Mudd at Rosliston in 28:10; Andy Pickard at Concord, Sheffield in 23:34 and Mick Stevenson at Warwick Racecourse in 30:37.
