Results Roundup – 1st May 2018

Good evening, the weekend just gone was another busy one of running and produced another batch of great results.

Parkrun

We’ll start at Harrogate as Nigel Scaife and Mike Benson both got themselves pb’s – Nigel finished in 20:07, while Mike crossed the line in 23:18.

At Fountains Abbey, Ben Baird was the first Nidd to achieve a pb – he said he wanted to get sub 19 minutes and he managed to finish in 18:51. I managed my fastest Fountains time yet of 20:18, as did Becky Barron who finished in 20:48 (she reminded me that she got also got a pb last week but I forgot to mention it!) John Beaumont got his fastest time to date by finishing in 21:44, Russell Geraghty followed with a pb of 21:57, and Faith Hammond crossing the finish line in 36:23.

Saturday’s parkrun at Fountians was also witness to a momentous occasion featuring four of our much respected club members. Alan Harby, Dave Seaman, Robert Hill, and Tony – Ledwaba- Chapman all form the Nidd Valley ‘300’ club – the 300 refers to their combined age. Their aim was to complete the course in under two hours in total between them, and they did so quite comfortably.

Dave finished in 24:23, Robert in 24:58 (pb), Tony in 27:24, and Alan in 36:01 (also a pb), so the combined time was 1:56:46. An outstanding performance from these guys, they’re a true inspiration and proves that age is just a number.

Sand Dancer 10k

This 10K Multi Terrain originates from the Sunderland to South Shields race, which was the first town to town race ever to be held as far back as 1904. It’s been described as one of the most scenic coastal runs in the country, and on average it gets about 300 entries. Plus all finishers get some soup and a hot bun!

Jane Hill was the sole representative for Nidd Valley at this event, and she put in a cracking performance to get round in 59:33.

Dick Hudsons fell race

Jonny Forster has been busy at running events over the last week. On Thursday night he donned his Nidd Valley vest for the first time and ran at the Dick Hudsons fell race organised by Wharfedale Harriers. This race is ‘straight up, straight down’, with 1100ft of climbing over the 7 mile distance (and for all you fell lovers, it’s classed as ‘BM’ whatever that means). The runners start at the bottom of the track to White Wells in Ilkley, run up to the gate near to Dick Hudsons pub, touch the gate and run back down again. Jonny ran it in 1:09:52, a great effort.

Saturday saw Jonny pacing at Harrogate parkrun and on Sunday he took part in the Hardmoors Wainstones Half. We all know how popular the Hardmoors events are and they always fill up really quickly, so well done to Jonny for getting a place. The results haven’t been published yet but hopefully I’ll include them in the next write up.

Blakey Blitz

Another fell type race, this time organised by Esk Valley Fell Club. 99 competitors ran in this event at the weekend, and faced 2850ft of climbing over the 10.5 mile distance. Luke Wakelin was there flying the flag for Nidd Valley, and he put in a storming performance to finish 5th overall with a time of 1:34:09!

Three Peaks Race

The Three Peaks Race traverses Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside and is one of the oldest, most famous, and best organised fell races in Britain. The race covers 37.4 kilometres with 1608 metres of ascent and descent over the most rugged and spectacular countryside in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, taking competitors to a height of 723 metres above sea level.

Andy Harris decided to take on this event, and in doing so he managed to finish 257th out of a huge field of 701 finishers. Andy crossed the finish line in a great time of 4:11:51 – a brilliant effort in such a tough race.

Fellsman

For those not in the know, this event covers a distance of more than 60 miles and traverses lots of high ground deep in the Dales. As the route doesn’t really stick to defined footpaths, runners have to rely on their own navigation skills to get round. Being competent with a map and compass, and being physically fit are the two main requirements when considering entering this race.

Having already previously grasped the basics of map reading, and showing a reasonable level of fitness, Carol Morgan decided to have go at his event. To be fair to Carol, she had competed in it three times before with three podium finishes so she knew what was coming. Carol completed the event in 14hrs 19mins, finishing as second lady (and 10 mins ahead of third place).

Carol will now be focussing on her next foray into the hills in couple of weeks – she will be representing Ireland at the World Trail running championships in Spain. I’m sure we’ll all be supporting her, she’s a credit to our running club and her home country.

Fountains 10k

Another Sunday in spring, another club championship race. The weather was not very spring like but that did not deter the vast number NVRR taking part in this very popular local race.

The 2k fun run was the first event of the day, and two podium places were occupied by Nidd juniors Blyth and Denholm.

The 10k race got underway shortly afterwards, and the black and gold vests were flying round the scenic but sometimes hilly and muddy course. First back for the club and fourth overall was Adam Kirk, in a time of 37:52, with Alex Patrickson close by in 39:01 and 8th place overall. Captain Martin Lofthouse just missed out on top ten finish, but he finished in 11th with a time of 40:12 and bagged himself 1st M50.

Next was Kevin Nicholas in 42:21 (and 2nd M50), then Brian Hainsworth in 42:56, and Jamie Dilasser in 43:39.
Nigel Scaife crossed the line in 44:17, Phil Ventress 46:05 (PB), John Beaumont 46:39 (PB), Jim Cook 46:41 and Chris Beattie finished in 48:21.

Sue Simpson was the first Nidd lady to finish, and she crossed the line 50:24 – Sue also managed to finish 2nd F50. Damien Handslip was right behind Sue in 50:27, with Helen Cook finishing next in 50:59. Alex Leslie finished in 50:52, followed by Jeremy Scott in 51:15, then Rachel Hebblethwaite in 51:54, and Paul Manning in 52:36.

Dave Seaman managed to finish as first M70 in a time of 53:36, just after he squeezed past Sarah Hughan, who finished in 53:41 – Sarah did well to keep in front of Dave for most of the race but he just pipped her at the post!

Next was Natasha Harrison in 54:07, with Mark Armstrong finishing soon after in 55:34 – a strong run and finish from Mark after returning from injury, it was great to see him back in club colours. Debbie Gibson crossed the line in 55:59, Jenny Manning in 56:10, Moira Mctague 57:23, and Jeff Walker in 57:06.

Next was Susana Shaw, and she finished in 57:48, followed by Carolyn Easton in 59:12. Rebecca Ventress was next in 59:23, Michelle Smith 1:03:25, Rosemary Thompson 1:04:25, and Sarah Chalmers 1:08:53 (Fountains Fact – Sarah last ran this event in 2008, and Sunday’s race was a pb from her efforts ten years ago, 2 minutes faster this time)

Graham Hyde came in at 1:10:21, and running her first ever 10k and first ever race for Nidd, Hannah Ruddy put in a great performance to finish in 1:14:41. Debbie Dilasser was the final Nidd to finish, and she crossed the line in 1:14:42.

We also had Yvonne Skelton finishing for us – she entered the race has a Harrogate Harrier but finished as part of Nidd Valley! Yvonne completed the race in 57:39, and was fourth F60, so well done Yvonne.

A brilliant performance by team Nidd in a well organised 10k race, and it was great to see some well-deserved prizes dished out to our runners. Dave Seaman and Martin Lofthouse both won a huge bottle of fizz for winning their respective age categories, with the first five Nidd men also getting a prize of £100 to share out between them. Our ladies team were second in the competition, and there were vouchers awarded to Dave Seaman, Moira, Sue Simpson, Kevin Nicholas, and Adam Kirk (I believe some of the prizes have not been claimed or received yet by their rightful owners, please get onto Martin or the race organisers if there are any issues)

Some really strong running at Fountains by Nidds more youthful members !

We had another super turn out of Nidd Juniors at this mornings Fountains 2k Fun Run. Denholm Edwards continued his great form and in spite of a wrong turn, still managed to finish second overall in 8.41. James Shaw raced in for fourth place overall in 9.02 and Blythe Warner was hot on his heels and finished as second girl overall in a speedy 9.12. Next for the club was Hugo Edwards 9.21 and Sam Njie 12.12. Then came our younger girls Lillian Scaife 14.35 and Jessica Beaumont 14.56. Finally we must mention Chloe Beaumont (who is desperate to be old enough to join the club) who finished in 17.15. Wow what wonderful performances by all!

Next weekend is very busy. First we have the PECO x-country relays on Sunday 6th May. So far we have Denholm, Hugo, James S, Ellie P, Blythe W and possibly Jess taking part.