Saturday saw the Peel Road Runners ‘take over’ at Kingsbury Water parkrun with the Peelers out in force running the scenic 5km course and taking up the vital volunteer roles on the day.
The first Peeler to cross the line was Allen King (21:40) followed closely by Martin Hollamby (21:57) who was also volunteering as a pacer for other runners. Rachael Rickards was next (21:57) followed by Lisa Stretton (23:40), Garth Cox, also running as a pacer (25:39), Ashley Goodman (26:06), Carl Brittain (26:52), Stuart Hatton (27:57 as a pacer), Sophie Galloway (29:47 as a pacer), Dave Fern (33:19 as a pacer), Lee Rickards (34:11), Kelly Porter (36:03), Stephen Andrews (53:13). Nicola Bannister (54:23) and Wendy Bowyer (54:27) brought up the rear as the tail walkers on the day.
Off the course, Event Director Mike Shelton was supported by Richard Benham (volunteer co-ordinator), Ben Dorkins (Communications), Allen King and Donna Lancaster (pre-event set-up). Sarah Barber, Claire Guffick, Lee Guffick, Alison Upton stepped in as barcode scanners at the finish, Mark Boffey and Roger Eastaff were time keepers. Sandra Ingram and Helen Manton managed the finishing funnel, Stella Taylor was number checker, and Ann Hill and Philip Neale handed out the finish tokens. Ian Grigg welcomed the first timers, Darren O’leary took on the lead bike duties and Penny Randell was the photographer. Finally, the all-important course marshals were Chris Bennett, Lisa Fletcher, Sarah French, Jacob Harris, Ken Jordan, Emma Whorwood, Darren Truman and Margaret Jordan.
Elsewhere at Sizewell parkrun, Jacqueline Tierney was the 7th lady to complete in a time of 29:04. Henley Wood saw Tim Mudd complete in 26:06. Whilst at Babbs Mill Ian P Cooper completed in 26:18 and Tanya Murphy in 36:00. At Warwick Racecourse Michael Stevenson ran in 31:02.
Down south in Oxfordshire, Clara Walton completed the 7.4k route around Blenheim Fun Run, set at the World Heritage site of Blenheim Palace. Clara ran with her beautiful dog Nanook completing in 54:08, Clara’s son Dylan at just 6 years old completed the 1-mile Fun Run in 11:18.
At Coombe Abbey Park in Warwickshire, Robert Donovan took part in the Big Bear Swan Challenge; an event where you choose to run as many 3.3-mile laps as you like. Robert ran an impressive 8 laps which is the equivalent of just over the marathon distance.
Last Saturday (7th May) in the stunning Heartlands of Wales, Luke Collins made his ultramarathon debut in the HOWUM 2022, a challenging hilly 30 mile race that meanders through the scenic areas of the Sarn, Glyndwr’s Way, Severn Way and Wye Walk. Luke finished in 22nd place with a time of 5 hours 30 minutes.
Peel Road Runners organise the annual Tamworth Gate Gallop in aid of St Giles Hospice, a race that has been run for over 25 years and has raised over £100,00 for such a worthy cause. The Gate Gallop is an enjoyable event comprising of a 10km off road run, a 4.4km fun run and a children’s run. Entries are invited for this year’s event which is due to take place on Sunday 26th June 2022 at Anker Valley Sports Complex. There will be family entertainment and refreshments with proceeds going to St Giles Hospice.
