Peel Road Runners were once again in action this weekend on a muddy and hilly 5.5 mile cross country course at Boothorpe near Swadlincote on Sunday. The scenic and challenging course, promoted by South Derbyshire Road Runners, formed part of the Derby & Staffs Cross Country League and was the fourth race in the 2021/22 series.
First home for the club was second claim Peel runner Robert Dyjak who improved on his previous results to finish in an impressive second place. He was followed by in-form Club Chairman, Lee Rickards, who had moved up through the field during the race to finish in 11th place. Wayne King was next over the line for the club in 15th place, followed by Rob Mace (25th); Zac Gibbons (31st); second claim Scott Chapman (37th); second claim Andy Pickard (50th); Allen King (76th); Mark Boffey (81st); Tony Bryan (85th); Simon Gordon (87th); Chris Bennett (89th); Roger Eastaff (103rd) and Lee Guffick (104th).
First home for the ladies’ team was Emma Pick, who ran a very strong race to finish in 5th place on what was (by the second lap) an increasingly muddy course. Rachael Rickards was next Peel lady home in 15th place, followed by Lisa Stretton in 20th place. Lorna DeSylva (36th); Carolyne Browne (44th); Sophie Galloway (48th); Claire Guffick (63rd); Sarah Barber (64th) and Nicola Peace (74th) also represented the club and competed for the ladies’ team.
Full results for the club placings were not available at the time of going to press, but Peel Road Runners will be hoping to maintain their strong presence in the League and build on this at the next race in Derby on Sunday, 20th February.
Veteran Peel marathon runner Bob Donovan was back out ticking off the miles on Tuesday 1st February running at the Big Bear Ryton Pools trail marathon. Enjoying sunny and calm weather conditions for the majority of the run, Donovan (78 years young!) completed the course in 5:36:37.
Parkrun once again proved a draw for the Peelers, with Kingsbury proving the most popular. First home for the club at Kingsbury this week was Ben Dorkins, who finished the 5k course in 22:46 and 23rd place overall. Mike Shelton was the next Peeler home in 23:41 followed by Chris Bennett in 24:57. Mark Boffey (25:52); Stella Taylor (completing her 50th parkrun in 26:07); Roger Eastaff (34:46); Sarah French (34:51); Kelly Porter (36:59); Nicola Bannister (37:21); Stephen Andrews (40:54) and Christine Norris (46:49) also ran at Kingsbury. Club Secretary, Alison Dolphin, volunteered as a “hi-vis” hero at Kingsbury parkrun.
Parkrun tourists this week included: Rob Mace (20:06) at Cannock Chase; Tanya Murphy (33:31) at Perry Hall; Tim Mudd (26:26) at Bedworth; Jackie Tierney (29:38) at Sutton Park; Joy Sykes (28:59) at Blyth Links in Northumberland and Mick Stevenson (31:27) at Warwick Racecourse.
