(TLDR. The Headlines: On Tuesday, we have the second Evening League race, and this one is in Harrogate. On Thursday, we have a club run down the Gorge. No racing this weekend, but I’ve added a few links to up and coming events to keep your appetite suitable whetted).
Evening, all.
I hope you’ve all managed to make the best of this brilliant weather. It’s lovely in the gardens here at Nidd Valley House. Dazzler, Sylvia and Emma are playing volleyball, Dave is behind the BBQ, the Sarahs are mixing the cocktails, and Fingers is in the paddling pool. Everyone is having a lovely time. Agreeable as all of this is, there is plenty to update you with and lots of exciting news. But before we get to that, we need to have a look at the results from this past week. Read on, my friends.
Results from the Week That Was…
Right, let’s get one issue sorted out. It has been pointed out to me that I missed a few folk from the results from Rudding Park 10k when I did the write up last week. This was due to a system error with RaceBest, it appears, rather than my usual carelessness. Anyway, I hope that the belated write up for Susy Rhodes (1:12.36), Marcos Montana (1:14.46), Graham Hyde (1:17.34), Sue Rogers (1:18.01) and Chris Rogers (1:26.16) rights any wrongs. All are included, and all are congratulated. Well done, all.
Now this is also a little bit awkward. It looks like I missed Phil Ventress from the results from the Leeds Marathon. Reb has written to us here at Nidd Valley House to tell us that our Phil is feeling a bit left out and all upset. Well, we can’t have this little trooper feeling sad for any longer than needs be. So let’s turn his frown upside down and celebrate his brilliant marathon result of 3:57.56. Well done Phil. Reb loves you. Brian loves you. We all love you.
Martin Luxton has got in touch to let us know that he ran the Derwent Reservoir 10k in County Durham last weekend. Not only did Martin finish in a smashing time of 54.01, but claimed the prize for the first MV60 and MV70. Say well done to him when you see him, why don’t you?
Two weeks ago, I promised you the results from the Dick Hudson’s Fell Race (that’s the one from Ikley, over the Moor into Airedale, and then back the way you came to Wharfedale). Well, I’m a man of my word and, now that they’re finally available, it’s great to be able to celebrate Andy Iddon (1:00.53) as the first to finish the seven mile climb, with an injured Martin Lofthouse (1:02.51) more than holding his own ahead of Richard Willis (1:04.01) (who ran in a Nidderdale Fell and Trail vest – shocking!) and Nick Andralojc (1:04.37) (who ran in a Harrogate Harriers vest – equally as shocking!). Sam Fugill (1:06.22) found that blistered feet are unhelpful in a fell race, while Jim Cook (1:11.53) looks like he had a great run out. Sole Nidd lady, Jane Evans, finished in 1:21.05. Congratulations to all who took part.
On Wednesday, we had the first of the pop-up parkrun events, and thanks to all who got involved and supported this bit of silly fun. Well, with only a few hours notice, 25 Nidds had made it to the Roosters Brewery to complete their 5k run. We shan’t mention the Nidders who got lost on an out and back course, thorough ;-). So, to the results. First taxis off the rank were Steve Newbould (20.26), Fingers Harris (20.48), and Theresa Oldroyd (20.58). Andrew Davis (21.01) was just ahead of James Braddon (21.21) who was glad to get out for a run after the kids had gone to bed. Laura Francis (21.53) was in a tussle to the line with Simon Cocker (21.53), John Mallet (22.47) and Nick Andralojc (23.09). James Coulthard finished in 23.47, while Jeremy Scott (24.42) held the advantage over Katharine Dolam (24.53), Kev Nicholas (25.17), Christine Jones (25.36) and Jonathan Kay (25.41). Jenny Manning (26.11) was just ahead of Nadene Wilkinson (26.21) and Michael Shaw (26.41), while Nigel Scaife (26.59) almost missed the start altogether. Jane Evans (27.03), Emma Kicks (29.02) and Sarah Fabron (32.02) were the next to finish, while Moira McTague (32.10), Guy Parker (32.38) and Fiona Robinson (41.11) finished things off before we retreated to the brewery for a swift half. Well, it would be rude not to have done so, don’t you think?
Now, talking of beer, we had the Charlesworth Chase in the Fell Championships yesterday. This is the five mile run up and down Simon’s Seat with the requirement to sink a beer outside the Craven Arms in Appletreewick before they let you cross the line and clock a time. Official results are not yet available, and I’m basing this write up from the photos of the results board. I’m bound to miss someone out, doing it this way, so apologies if that’s you. Also, the times don’t appear on this and I can only give you the finishing order, but that’s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Martin Lofthouse managed to beat Captain Dazzler to the line, so he must have had to do some fancy footwork, as Dazzler was in the lead when they reached the trig point. Give Martin a double congratulations, too, as he claimed the 3rd MV50 prize to boot. Brian Hainsworth had a close run with Andy Iddon, beating him to the line in a whisker, with the lesser-spotted Matt Rickard just behind them both. Matt Wilkinson, Simon Cocker and Richard Holding were the next to show for the team, while Theresa Oldroyd claimed the 2nd FV50 prize. Phil Ventress was just ahead of Nick Andralojc who picked up a spot prize for being the most supportive cheerleader to other runners as they finished (he’s like Tigger, he really is). Russ Geraghty was delighted that I had a birthday hangover and that he could claim the win over me, with Emma David sneaking in between us both like a rose between two thorns. Jim Cook and Fell Running Phil had got menacingly close on the descent although I regained ground on the run by the river. It wasn’t long until we welcomed Jane Evans, who was feeling especially pleased for herself in her new shoes, before Katharine Woodhead and Dave Prince appeared to sink their well-deserved drinks. Chatty McChatface claimed 1st FV60 prize, Bev Aspin, Roger Duckworth were the next to show, with Christine Holleran just holding her advantage over Rachael Prince and Susy Rhodes, Sarah Gore, Graham Hyde, and Sarah Chalmers.
Dazzler won a box of liquorice allsorts for having completed his first fell race, and Sarah Chalmers won a spot prize for being the last female to finish, so it just goes to show that you don’t need to be speediest to bring home the athletic bacon (or bottle of wine, in her case). Also extra celebrations to Theresa Oldryod, Emma Kicks and Jane Evans who put their best feet forward and got the prize for the fastest female team. Brilliant effort, ladies! Whether you got a spot prize, a category prize or a team prize or – like me – got nowt, it doesn’t matter. That wasn’t an easy race in that heat, so well done to all who got involved and who got round.
Parkrun results make very interesting reading indeed. Marcus Shaw and Andrew Davis could both be found on York Knavesmire, whereas junior Josh Bryer joined old hands Adam Kirk and Lisa Gibson at Pontefract. Juniors Owen and Freya Dart were at Roundhay (I assume that they didn’t drive themselves there), John Mallet was at Heslington, Sylvia Morten was up on the Chevin, and Katharine Morton was down in Somerset doing her parkrun ablutions at Salthouse Fields (no, I hadn’t heard of it either, but it looks rather lovely). In addition, we had the holy trinity of three Nidds at Fountains Abbey (so amen to that, that’s what I say), six Nidds at Conyngham Hall, and Ian Hesford led nearly thirty Nidds to the line at Harrogate. Read all about it: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
If you have a result to share or if you’ve been accidentally missed out and would just like to be included, drop me a message: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
On Tuesday, we have the second fixture in the Evening League, and this time we are in Harrogate with a race organised by the lovely people at Harrogate Harriers. Kick off is at 19.30 from Cardale Park (near Harlow Carr), and the post-race bun fight is available at the Squinting Cat pub. All the details here: https://tinyurl.com/28ycpnmx. We had a great turn out at the race in Knaresborough, and we are currently third in the league out of 13 teams. If you can get yourself out to Harrogate, then please do. It’ll be a great race with great people and – hey – what Tuesday night can’t be improved without a few miles in the glorious Black & Gold?
There will be no run from the Hockey Club on Tuesday.
On Thursday, our club run is a return down the Gorge. Well, I know it is a bit routine now, but it isn’t often we can get down there and it does one good to make the best of the warmer and lighter nights. Meet at the Hockey Club and be good to run for 7pm. Head up the Greenway to Bilton Crossing, and from there you can head into the Gorge to either the left or right (choice is yours). You can continue all the way through the Gorge and come up the big hill at the end, or there is a shorter route if you turn right half way along and come up by the Gardeners Arms. There’ll be pints and snacks in the bar afterwards with the usual suspects. I think it was Ernest Hemmingway who said that he drank to make other people more interesting. Anyway…
There isn’t anything in the club calendar for the weekend. Don’t let us stop you from getting out, though. If you fancy a few miles but would like someone to chat to while you run, why not get a message on social media or email? You’re sure to find someone who would be glad of your company.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
On Thursday 08 Jun 2023, we have the Kettlewell Anniversary Fell Race in the championships. Entry is only £6, but as an A-grade race you get some real fell running bang for your buck. It looks like a toughie, but the usual muddy fun will be guaranteed. Pre-entry is available, so make sure you give it a look and don’t rely on being able to enter on the day: https://tinyurl.com/2vp5uh4f. Incidentally, this clashes with the Evening League Race at Yeadon, so the lesser numbers might make for more points being available if some of our muddier brethren can be tempted to the Evening League. Don’t say we never give you a choice, hey?
Guy Fawkes 10, 2023
This is your polite reminder, now that the booking page has opened, to please not enter the Guy Fawkes 10. This is the race which our club hosts each year, and is our contribution to the running life of the region. This sell-out race is a big event, and our Race Director Mike Deacon will need all hands on the Nidd Valley deck to make it the success that it always is. Please keep 05 Nov 2023 free, as we’re going to need you to be marshalling.
Word to the Wise
Yesterday, at the Charlesworth Chase, we were enjoying a pint in the sunny beer garden at the Craven Arms, enjoying each other’s company and the lovely views over Wharfedale. This prompted the following reflection from Martin Lofthouse and Nigel Scaife.
“What lovely May sunshine. We don’t get many days like it. At our age, there won’t be many more like them for us, Nigel…” – Martin Lofthouse, in a soberly morbid mood.
And so from the Grim Reaper, from me, and from everyone else here at Nidd Valley House, have a wonderful week.
See you in a couple of weeks.
Chairman Sam x