(TDLR. The Headlines: On Tuesday, we have interval sessions on the Oval at 6pm and 7pm, and on Thursday we have a club run up Valley Gardens and a head torch run up the Greenway. On Saturday morning, we have our XC championship race at Conyngham Hall Parkrun, and on Saturday evening we have social drinks at the Starling Bar in Harrogate.)
Hello,
Welcome to another week at Nidd Valley House. It looks like not even the big freeze could deter the Nidds from getting out in their running shoes and pounding the roads, the trails and the fells. If you did get out, well done! The club run to Pannal last week was baltic and, had I been a brass monkey, I’d have been looking for a welder. Anyway, enough talk of nuts, we’ve got some fantastic results to review and an exciting week ahead. Let’s get stuck in.
Results from the Week That Was…
We start this week’s results with an oversees fixture where Brian Hainsworth and Phil Ventress did a mountain marathon on Majorca. The Galatzó Trail Run has been described by Phil and Bri as one of the toughest runs they’ve ever done (and they’ve done some daft stuff in their time, make no mistake). 43km with over 7,000ft of ascent. The weather looked a bit warm, too. Anyway, our Bri finished in 6:55.47 and Phil finished in 7:55.34. The last we heard from them was that they were heading off to drink beer so not sure when we’ll see them again. But for now, it’s just a huge well done to them both.
Now, to be totally honest with you, I’m not sure that naming a race after how an injured runner moves is particularly good marketing, but there we are. Still, it didn’t stop Jim Cook from taking part in the Haworth Hobble on Saturday. Jim did far more than hobble round the 20 mile course, finishing in a brilliant 5:02.09. Well done, Jim. A great achievement on a difficult course.
The fell championships took us off to race the At the Double Fell Race on Saturday, a challenging seven mile run over the fells along the coast from Skinningrove (near the British Steel factory just south of Saltburn. FRP takes us to all the best places, I tell you…). Heading down off the cliff before a lung busting climb back onto the hills, we meandered along the sloppiest and slippiest of tracks along the cliff edge, with nothing but our grippiest shoes and a good dose of luck saving us from a one way trip to Davy Jones’ locker. From there, it was back over the fields and through the village, along the dunes – and if I ever try and enter the Marathon des Sables, then shoot me – before a final climb back to the finish. Afterwards we retreated back to the base for tea and cake. Much to the cake-loving Martin Lofthouse’s chagrin, though, as he has given up sweet treats for Lent. Apparently, he doesn’t believe in God but he does believe in diabetes.
Anyway, let’s have a look at the results and see how everyone got on. Martin Lofthouse (1:00.14) was the first to finish the course – getting himself a bottle of wine for first MV55 – while Nigel Scaife (1:02.42) slipped in just behind him. Russell Geraghty (1:16.17) was on sparkling form as he negotiated the challenging course up hill and down dale, while FRP (1:20.14) took a sneaky advantage over me on one of the big descents and put a gap between us that I couldn’t recover. Emma Kicks had to pull up with an injury, and walked back to the start with Jane Evans – get well soon, Emma, and thanks to Jane – meaning that it fell to me (1:23.32) to finish next, with Sarah Chalmers the last to finish the might black and gold in 1:37.46. Well done to you all!
I’m afraid the course description for the Thirsk 10 is not as exciting or as daring, but the results make an equally thrilling and exciting read. Ah, now this is nice. Good to see that Steve Newbould (1:02.02) got the top spot for the club and was able to relegate Captain Dazzler (1:02.20) to the second spot. Don’t get me wrong, obviously. No one loves Dazzler more than I do, but it doesn’t do him any good to keep winning everything. He needs the competition. Kevin Dalton (1:02.40) was never too far behind them both and able to snaffle the third sport for the squad, while we enjoyed great results from Andy Todd (1:03.57), Ian Hesford (1:06.14) – and yes, just how nice is it to see newbie Ian in his black and gold colours? He looks smashing – and Loz Hawksworth (1:07.23). Simon Cocker (1:40.00) finished neck and neck with Alex Crowton (also 1:14.00), while Jamie Dilasser (1:15.19), Andrew Croft (1:18.03) and Andrew Gilbertson (1:19.37) also clocked remarkable times. Three cheers all round, then. Kirsty Walter (1:21.28) took the top spot for the ladies, showing Martin Luxton (123.48) and Chris Morris (1:24.16) how it is done. Phily Thompson (1:24.45), Sue Ball (1:27.06), Katharine Dolman (1:28.20) were chased round the course by the resplendent Jeremy Leggings (1:28.36), while Hannah Percy (1:30.02) and Karen Mills (1:30.29) were on top form. Our trio of Thirsk finishers were none other than Victoria Thomas (1:30.42), Yvonne Skelton (1:38.36) and Carolyn Jones (2:10.44). Very well done, all.
Parkrun-wise, Emily Wighton was running at Roundhay, Adam Kirk was wandering at Wetherby, I was meandering round Marshall Drive, and Colleen Scott was on form at Oriam. There was the usual crowd at Harrogate, although Fountains and Conyngham were closed due to the snow. Read all the chilly updates and see the full results here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
In the words of Marc Bolan… Telegram Sam, Telegram Sam, you’re my main man. I’d love to hear from you: samfugill@gmail.com.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
On Tuesday we enter the home straight on our intervals – only three more to go! – with a trip back to the Oval. As ever, meet at the Club House at 6pm or 7pm for a gentle jog to the start, where the warm-up and main session will begin at quarter past the hour. Emma and Darren will be your hosts for the first session while Martin joins Lynsey as your athletic maître d’ for the second. You won’t want to miss it.
Well, where shall we go on Thursday? Well, I’ve checked with our treasurer, Sylvia, who has asked to do Valley Gardens. A splendid idea, if you ask me. Let’s meet at the Hockey Club and be ready to run for 7pm. Head down Claro Road and into the Stray, cutting into town, through One Arch and down to Valley Gardens. If you’ve a head torch, run through the gardens, through the woods and onto Harlow Moor Road. If you feel happier on the roads, you can run up Cornwall Road. Turn left at the top (though the headtorch-ed and/or foolhardy can continue through the woods to Harlow Carr). You can return to the club via Otley Road and York Place, or can extend via Beckwith Road, Leadhall Lane and Leeds Road.
Also on Thursday, Martin Lofthouse and James Knapp fancy a stretch out along the Greenway. Leaving the club at 7pm, they’ll head over the iron bridge and get their head torches on for a run up the path to Ripley, before heading back via Killinghall and Bilton. So you’ve got a couple of choices for your club run. As ever, keep an eye out for those around you and don’t leave anyone behind. We’re not that kind of people, we’re not that kind of club. We’ll regroup in the bar after Thursday’s run for a drink and a chat. Maybe even a bag of crisps, too. It would be lovely if you wanted to come join us.
On Saturday, we’ve got the last in the cross country championships with a trip down to Conyngham Hall Parkrun. This won’t cost you a penny, but you’ll need your barcode if you want to get yourself a time and a place in the rankings. More details here: https://tinyurl.com/nryp2apt. As an aside, Captain Dazzler tells me that they’re often a few marshals short at Conyngham, so if you’re not running but available to volunteer then I think they’d be more than happy to hear from you. You can contact them on conynghamhall@parkrun.com. #doitfordazzler.
On Saturday evening, we’re meeting in the Starling Bar in Harrogate for drinks. No particular reason other than social drinks for social drinks’ sake. We’ll be in position from about 7-7.30pm (ish), so come and say hi. There’s a good range of boozy and non-boozy options, plus a rather good selection of pizzas on sale. It’d be great to see you, if you can make it.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
On Sat 01 Apr 2023, we’re back in action with the Pendle Fell Race, the next counter in the club fell championships. It’s only 4.5 miles but it packs a fair bit of climbing and descending into the distance. It’ll be a great day out – as Nige says, the fellies are a friendly bunch – and entry is only £5-£7 on the day. I can’t think of much that there isn’t to love. More details here: https://tinyurl.com/ym3br5y5.
On Easter Sunday (that’s 09 Apr 2023 for those of you who, unlike Martin, are not counting down the days until you can eat chocolate again) we’ve got the Guisley Gallop. This is a 10k race and one that gives the chance of some all important points in the club road championship. Entry is just short of £18 for club members, and it’s a great chance to support another club. All the details here: https://tinyurl.com/mr4yjydr.
Word to the Wise
We end the last week and begin this new one without any words of wisdom. Thick as mince, the lot of us. And so, on that note, let’s call it a day.
From me and from everyone here at NVH, have a great week. See you soon.
Chairman Sam x