Parkrun
Another Saturday, another parkrun – we just can’t get enough of our weekly 5k fix. As usual, most Nidd’s were at Harrogate and there were some PB’S to be had. Matt Wilkinson managed to secure a 2nd place finish with a time of 18:10, while Nigel Scaife got himself a PB with a time of 20:20. Also getting a PB was Brian Hainsworth who crossed the line in 21:03, and Jane Hill celebrated her 100th parkrun by ensuring NVRR junior Jessica Beaumont got a new PB of 34:17. Well done Jessica, and well done Jane for your encouragement and enthusiasm! Lisa Clipston also ran her way to a new PB – she finished in 39:14. Once the interval sessions kick in properly, all these PB’S will start tumbling….
Martin Lofthouse was in Newark to have a go at the parkrun there, and finished 4th overall in a time of 19:14, and Ben Baird was at Horton parkrun in Bradford – Ben finished in a time of 22:02, and 7th place overall.
Paul Manning wins this week’s prize for ‘Most northerly parkrun attended by a runner from Nidd Valley’ – he was in Norway at Toyen, Oslo to have a go at their parkrun (I’m assuming that Paul didn’t just travel all the way to Norway to do parkrun, it’s more than likely he was on holiday, but runners are a strange breed) There were only 44 runners taking part so hopefully the club colours worn by Paul stood out in the low winter sun! Paul finished in a time 25:53 – well done!
Kirkstall Abbey Trail running festival
This event is organised by Its Grim up north running – check out www.itsgrimupnorthrunning.co.uk for more races – there appears to be something for everyone. Nidd Valley had 5 runners there on Saturday, and although there were plenty of distances to choose from, the 8.8 mile option seemed the most popular by far. Adam Kirk was there – he only went and came first! Adam won the race in a time of 49:33, with Alan Davidson finishing 3rd overall in a time of 53:43. Not content with having only 2 Nidds in the top ten, David Shores managed to bag himself 10th place and a time of 58:02, while Christine Jones and Michelle Smith represented Nidd ladies – Christine finished in 1:07:18, and Michelle crossed the line in 1:21:06. Great running by all who attended and great to see three in the top ten!
Harriers vs Cyclists
What’s not to like about running 5.5 miles with 900ft of ascent, taking in muddy fields, moorland and forest tracks in and around Bingley? And competing against cyclists on cyclo-cross bikes? Sounds like fun, and it was fun by all accounts (even those not on bikes enjoyed it). Nidd had 13 non cyclists take part on Saturday afternoon, with the race being the last of the fell champs for 2017, and brilliantly organised by Bingley Harriers.
Andy Harris was first back for Nidd in 46:07 (he was going to try harder but he’d already done parkrun in the morning), followed by Alex Robinson in 47:03. Jamie Dilasser completed his first fell champs race in 48:11 despite being nearly taken out by a rogue tree branch, and Mark Armstrong was next in 53:09.
FRP Robinson, Jim Cook, and Mark David all had a sprint finish to the line and they all crossed it in 55:17, then Emma David was the first Nidd lady to finish in a time of 56:55. Chris Beattie was not too far behind in 57:25, with Dave Prince next in 58:23. Cath Barber finished in 64:50, followed by Rachel Prince in 67:47, and Sarah Chalmers in 89:23.
The push iron reigned supreme on this occasion as the overall winner was on a bike, but never mind!