(TLDR. The Headlines: Loads on this week, kids. On Tuesday there’s an Altra try on night round Thruscross Reservoir, and a club run from the Hockey Club. On Thursday, we’ve got a club run to Knaresborough but there’s the Dick Hudson Fell Race at Ilkley for those who fancy a bit different. There are no club championship races this weekend, but there’s Addingham Gala on Sunday afternoon for those who have had more than enough Coronation Quiche).
Evening all,
Well, nobody on the committee expected to be invited to the coronation – no one more than me, that’s for sure – but what an absolute treat it will be for all of us. Something to do with services to the athletic community, or something like that. Sylvia is practicing her courtesy, Dave looks smashing in his morning suit, and Captains Dazzler and Emma are very much looking forward to catching up with the Archbishop of Canterbury. We can only hope to avoid a repeat of the incident the last time that Sarah challenged Princess Anne to a Great British Drink Off. The consequences can only be described as grotesque, and you hardly need me to tell you who won. So, while we continue with our regal preparations, let’s have a look at what you’ve been up to this past week.
Results from the Week That Was…
I’ll start with none other than Brian Hainsworth this week. Brian was up with the cock at 4am yesterday morning and on the move by 8.30am as he tackled the infamous Fellsman race. This is a long distance 60+ mile run from Ingleton to Threshfield, taking in two of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a brief detour into Lancashire, before a long run through the night down Wharfedale. Official results don’t seem to be available, yet (this is fell running, after all), but Strava tells me that this top lad covered 61 miles and 12,316ft of ascent in 16:50.29. Well done, Bri. Kev Clark also lined up with Bri on the start line and, despite a strong start, found that the race was not going his way and decided to pull up at the top of Wharfedale. Say what you will, people, but getting tot eh start line is a battle in itself. Well done, Kev, and we don’t doubt that you’ll be back at the training so you’re match fit for a second attempt.
While we’re in the Dales, we should have a look at the results from the Three Peaks Fell Race. And this makes very interesting reading, indeed, as you wait for ages for a Nidd and then four show up at once. Amy Shepphard (5:07.49) was the first to clock in for the squad, with Theresa Oldroyd (5:21.04) running as if she’d not run a marathon last week. Fingers Harris who, the last time I looked, was unable to walk more than a few metres due to injury, clocked in at 5:27.05, while Nigel Scaife finished in a more than respectable 5:37.44. A very well done to you all.
Captain Dazzler (37.29) led the troops home at Melmbery 10k today, and was soon joined by Andy Todd (38.14), Kev Dalton (38.20) and James Coulthard (39.53). Luke Scorer (40.01) was just ahead the 40 minute barrier, and was hunted down by Andrew Davis (41.59) and juniors Sam Crebbin (44.37) and Josh Bryer (44.38). Nick Crebbin (45.24) was up ahead of Richard Evans (45.27), while Fiona Deacon (45.37) kicked her heels and secured her advantage over Jeremy Leggings (48.44), Christine Holleran (49.36), Emma Kicks (49.38), Martin Luxton (50.03) and Mike Deacon (50.55). It’s great to see Rob Northfield (51.51) nail a pleasingly symmetrical time, while we couldn’t be happier with the results from Sue Ball (51.52), Katharine Dolman (51.50), Jenny Manning (54.43), Bev Aspin (55.19), and Katharine Woodhead (55.43). Dave Seaman (57.03) – and whatever you don’t mention the wall; I did once, but think I got away with it – was just ahead of Chatty McChatface (57.29), while Emily Wighton (57.26), Susy Rhodes (1:03.16) and Michelle Smith (1:03.14) led Graham Hyde (1:03.53), Rachel Capstick (1:04.07), Jill Hornsby (1:06.50), Sarah Bracher (1:07.38) and Sylvia Morten (1:08.06) to glory. How lovely is it to see Robert Hill (1:11.10) back racing? I know, just brilliant, and only improved by our final finishers: Carolyn Jones (1:14.02) and Mrs Robinson (1:20.02).
The results from the Melmerby junior run are not yet formally available, but I’m delighted to tell you that the Nidders did a full sweep and painted the podium black and gold by coming first, second, and third place overall. Isaac Ritson took the first place, Eleanor Easton came second, and Imogen Constable clinched third. This chairmanly heart is bursting with pride, it really is.
I see from Facebook that Katie Coppack has scored the coveted position of the first Nidd at the Kirkbymoorside 10k today. We’ll gloss over the fact that we have not got the official results, and gloss over the fact that Katie was the only Nidd running today. No matter. She finished the course in whatever time it was (I’ll publish it next week, if it is that important to you), and it’s full congratulations for her from the team at Nidd Valley House.
Nadene Wilkinson has been down in that there Londoin seeing the fam (stalk her on Facebook, if you want pictures), but we’re pleased to see that she found time to run at Brockwell Parkrun, and we’re equally as delighted to see Laura Francis in Darlington and Adam Kirk and Lisa Gibson at Rothwell. Chris Morris ran at Leicester, Janet Carling ran at Fort William, and Guy Parker and Moira McTague ran at Ulverston. As ever, the usual faces in the usual haunts of Harrogate, Fountains and Conyngham, and all the results are right where you’d expect to find them. Namely, here : https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
If you’ve got a result to share with me, or if I have missed you from the write up (which I inevitably will do), then get in touch. It’s a total treat to hear from you: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
On Tuesday, we’ve got another try-on night, and this time you can take a pair of Altra off road shoes for a try on spin. Oh, the retail opportunities that abound! We’ll be meeting at the dam at Thruscross from 6.30pm, where they’ll be a range of shoes for try on. The run will leave at 7pm round the reservoir, and this six mile run will be steady, social, and open to all. It goes without saying that you are, of course, welcome to run in your own shoes and just enjoy this as a social run with the team.
If, however, it’s a bit of a bind getting yourself out to the reservoirs, or if it really isn’t your thing, then there will be a club run from the Hockey Club at 7pm on Tuesday. This to be led and organised by our much esteemed Captain Dazzler, who will sort people into groups and organise routes on the night. Again, all welcome.
On Thursday, we’ll doubtlessly have a few bed race teams out training, so I think a run to Knaresborough is the order of the day. Get yourself to the Hockey Club and be good to run for 7pm. We’ll head over the Iron Bridge and pick up the Beryl Burton down to Knaresborough. After running along Waterside, head back over the fields, over the railway and past the golf course to Starbeck, and from there line yourself up for the Hockey Club, where we’ll regroup for some beers, a bag of crisps and a natter in the bar. At risk of sounding like a broken record: all welcome.
There’s also an alternative offering on Thursday, with the Dick Hudson’s Fell Race in Ilkley. This is a great out and back race over seven miles, with a bit of technical climbing and descending to keep you on your toes. Entry is a fiver on the day and, as it isn’t in the club championships, you’ll be doing this for giggles and bragging rights only. There are certainly worse ways to waste a spring Thursday evening, though, that’s for sure. All the details are here: https://tinyurl.com/ymm8mjz9.
There are no races in the club championships this weekend. So you can do what you like. It’s not like there’s any event of national significance and importance, right?
If you do fancy a race, though, then on Sunday afternoon there is the Addingham Gala Fell Race. Entry is only a quid, but you’ll probably need to pay to get into the gala itself. It’s a 10k run – or thereabouts, this is fell running after all – with just under a 1000ft of climb. Well, it’s something to do on an otherwise quiet bank holiday Sunday: https://tinyurl.com/9jy9kavm.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
Now this is important. The Evening League. Please, please get yourselves signed up to this. This is a great series of races against our local rivals (although, to be fair, half of them have jumped ship to the mighty Black & Gold in recent months, and very welcome they are too). This is our annual chance to take the cane from the Nidd Valley cupboard and give them a damn good thrashing. As ever, EVERYBODY counts in this, and everyone who runs gains points for the team so don’t think for a second that you’ve not got a part in this play. The first race, on Thurs 11 May 2023 at Knaresborough, is nearly upon us, so you need to strike while the athletic iron is hot. Hammers out: https://tinyurl.com/86sc49rc (and remember that – with the discount code NIDD23, which is obviously not to be shared with anyone else outside the club, you can get yourself a £4 discount).
Ah, now here is a race that really gets my juices flowing. On 20 May 2023, we’ve got the Charlesworth Chase in the fell championships. You don’t need to do anything other than put it in your diary as, like most fell runs, it’s entry on the day. This is a 10k (or thereabouts) run from Appletreewick up to Simon’s Seat (that’s the big hill you can see from the village) and back down before the race organisers make you sink a pint of bitter at the finish line. Vomit possible, fun guaranteed: https://tinyurl.com/3szd64zj.
Word to the Wise
This week, Alex Crowton pops his wise word cherry, sharing his reflections from Tuesday’s club run where a handful of Nidders gathered in awkward silence in the Hockey Club before the off.
“This is like a support group for people who really don’t like one another…” – Alex Crowton, in perceptive mood.
So from Alex, from me, and everyone else here at Nidd Valley House, have a great week.
See you soon.
Chairman Sam x