(TLDR. The Headlines: Loads on. On Tuesday, we have a club run up the greenway to Killinghall. On Wednesday we have the Otley 10 in the road championships, and you have the chance of Beamsley Beacon Fell Race on Thursday, although that isn’t in the championships. There will also be a club run down the gorge on Thursday, and the York 5k Evensplits series is back on Friday night. Plenty more going on with away from club runs and a parkrun takeover and, unfortunately, some sad news. Read on).
Hi team,
Right. Back from Spain and it’s lovely to be back at Nidd Valley House. All of the committee wanted presents, as you can imagine. Sylvia looks quite something in her flamenco dress, Dave is already getting stuck into the rioja, and Darren is delighted with his castanets. So, while they get on with that, let’s have a look at the results. They are pretty lengthy this week so, if you’re short of time, then you’d easily be forgiven for scrolling down to see what’s in the diary this week. But still, we try to include and celebrate all, so here we go.
Results from the Week That Was…
First off, we’ve got the Knaresborough Bed Race. As ever, it turned out to be one of the highlights of the running calendar, and we are able to celebrate six teams from Nidd Valley, plus a host of other Nidds who ran as mercenaries for muggle teams. The Nidd men’s team, not only claiming second place for their dress outfits as Tetris blocks, claimed sixth place in the race, and so it’s a huge well done to Ian Hesford, Matt Wilkinson, Luke Scorer, Billy Fox, Sam Heathcoate and their captain James Knapp. Captained by the ever-capable Chris Orr and dressed as clowns, the Nidd Valley ladies took 28th place overall, so it’s a huge well done to her and also to Sarah Staiano, Theresa Oldroyd, Alison Isles, Laura Francis and Christine Holleran. Hot on their heels, and having dressed as showgirls for the parade, we had a second team of ladies come through in 35th place, so let’s have three cheers for Rachel Mills, Katherine Dolman, Philly Thompson, Hannah Percy, Lisa Medd and Katie Coppack.
Chris Morris captained our only senior mixed team round the course, and they brought it home in 79th place, having impressed the crowds with a Happy Valley themed bed. Well done to Chris, and also to Graham Hyde, Jonathan Kay, Emily Wighton, Carolyn Jones and Susy Rhodes. Nidd Valley Juniors fielded two of the six teams for the mighty Black & Gold, and I want an extra big cheer for the Junior Men (Finlay, Harry, Jack, Josh, William, Sam and their passenger Eva) who set a new course record for a junior team and finished in seventh place, and for the Junior Mixed (Isaac, Finlay, Hugo, Imogen, Jessica, Eleanor, and their passenger Jessica) who got the fastest junior mixed team and finished in 20th position.
Steve Newbould and Craig Mills took their places on the Early Bird Run Crew bed, completing the challenging course in fourth place. Nick Crebbin and Jeremy Scott ran with the Parkrun Team, finishing in 12th position, claiming the prize for the fastest mixed team and second place in the eco-bed decoration, while Andy Iddon and Cath Barber ran for the National Trust Team. They finished in 54th place. Sarah Chalmers completed her first (and she tells us her last) bed race with the Taylors of Harrogate Team, and finished in 73rd place. Steve Flood ran with North Yorkshire Horizons and Sarah Gore ran with Switalskis Solicitors, finishing in 75th and 80th respectively. I think that’s all the Nidds who took part, but let me know if you’ve been missed out and I’ll get you in the next write-up.
If you’ll indulge me for a moment on the bed race thing, it’s only appropriate to drop a few thankyous. Thanks to Emma Kicks for working so hard to source the beds (I have only begun to appreciate how much work it was for Emma), and to Guy and Moira for storing them for us. Thanks to John and Michelle Beaumont who have worked so hard to train our junior teams and for giving them the chance to take part in this wonderful event. Thanks to all of those who marshalled for Nidd and for other teams, those who went in the water to act as frogmen, those who volunteered in all the many other ways, and to all who cheered our teams round the course (well, that beer won’t drink itself). You’ve made it a special day for Nidd. Thank you.
Martin Lofthouse (44.39) was the first to finish the Burton Leonard 10k yesterday – and spent the afternoon in bed recovering – with Fingers Harris (48.52) snapping at his heels. Ian Wighton (58.19) was the next to finish in those sweltering conditions, while Bev Aspin (1:00.35) followed just behind. Clearly not having had enough with the bed race, Jeremy Scott (1:02.00) took a spin out with us and rounded things off for the team.
Also braving the heat, Kev Clark set off to Hull – not something you want to say every day, if you can help it – and took part in the Hull Half Marathon yesterday. Kev finished in a spectacular time of 1:24.44, which is a great achievement given recent injuries. Just make sure you take some time to recover, Kev! Well done.
If you thought the UK had a bit of a scorcher this weekend, then spare a thought for Jim Cook who has been down in South Africa this weekend to take part in the Comrades 90km Ultramarathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Jim completed this unbelievable challenge in an incredible 10:10.20, which basically leaves me without any more superlatives to describe his achievement. Well done, Jim, you’ve done something incredible. I hope you’ve managed to find yourself a cold beer or two.
Brace yourself. Here come the results from the Evening League race at Yeadon and, as you might imagine, there are plenty of them. Let’s go. Craig Mills (34.07) denied Captain Dazzler (36.13) his usual top spot, while Kev Clark (36.23), Martin Lofthouse (38.09), Andy Todd (38.33) and Fingers Harris (38.58) didn’t take long to appear. It was as lovely as you might imagine to see Marcus Shaw (39.06), Luke Scorer (39.59) and Steve Newbould (39.59), while Alex Crowton (40.24) continued in his usual speedy ways. The ever-lovely Matt Rickard finished in 40.27, soon to be joined by the lesser-spotted Steve Turner (40.35), Andy Iddon (41.18) and Andrew Davis (41.31). Theresa Oldroyd drew first blood for the ladies in 41.40, with the ever-speedy Laura Francis (41.47) just behind her. Jonathan Easton (42.24) finished just ahead of Nick Crebbin (42.38), Andrew Croft (43.57) finished ahead of Richard Evans (44.31), who himself finished ahead of Sam Heathcoate (45.09), John Mallett (45.12), Kate Morton (46.06), Chris Morris (46.20) and Alister King (46.55).
Captain Emma (46.59) was joined by Helen Gregory (47.14), while Chandra Shekar (47.19) and Andrew Gilbertson (48.24) led Karen Mills (48.33), Paul Manning (49.28), Ian Wighton (49.31), Jose Jimenez (50:00), and Rob Northfield (50.42) to the finish line. The Nidds were out en masse at the end to cheer in Martin Luxton (51.24), Sue Ball (52.09), Nick Smith (52.43), Michael Shaw (52.50) and Roger Duckworth (53.11). Nadene Wilkinson (54.01), Steve Newton (54.13), Jemma Escreet (54.50) and Dave Seaman (55.24) were just ahead of Nikki Brady (56.08), Angela Pattinson (56.13), Rachel Capstick (57.28). Our finishers were none other than the indefatigable Sarah Gore (57.38), Susy Rhodes (59.52), Graham Hyde (1:02.48), Sylvia Morten (1:07.50) and Mrs Robinson (1:14.40). A very well done to you all.
Leaving the tarmac behind, we head to the hills for the results from a few fell races. Susy Rhodes and Graham Hyde popped over to Otley to race in the Otley Chevin Fell Race on Wednesday evening. It’s a short and sharp fell race with a tough old climb but an absolutely brilliant descent if you’re feeling brave. Susy finished in 36.32, and Graham finished in 39.19, so well done to you both.
The fell championships kept the good times rolling with the Kettlewell Fell Race on Thursday evening. The weather was perfect for the lung-busting climb from the village before we got to enjoy some thrilling off-road running down to Arncliffe and then back over the top to Kettlewell. Our very own Brian Hainsworth (49.34) just held Nigel Scaife (50.20) at bay, while Nick Andralojc finished in 52.22. Phil Ventress (55.28) was soon followed by Amy Sheppard (57.06), while Sam Fugill (1:01.47) snuck in ahead of Fell Running Phil (1:04.53). Jane Evans (1:07.53) and Dave Prince (1:08.20) were just ahead of Bev Aspin (1:08.53). Rebecca Ventress was pleased to have finished her first ever fell race in 1:08.59, while Liz Ahmad (1:21.42) rounded things off for us. In terms of prizes, Brian took the prize for the first MV40 and Liz took the prize for the first FV60. Dave Prince also won a box of chocolates for having had a birthday the previous day, so well done to all of you athletes and birthday boys! A great night out and a great showing for Team Nidd.
Moving away from running completely, can we please spare a few cheers for Jez Salmon who completed the Great North 5k Swim in Lake Windermere in 2:27.31. That’s a brilliant effort, Jez. I mean, you could have gone for a run instead, but we are where we are ;-).
While you’re at it, and while we are on the subject of Windemere, can we also have a few cheers for Sarah Chalmers who walked the Dales Way from Ilkley to Windermere at the beginning of last week. Sarah completed the 80 mile challenge over several days, enjoying the best of the weather and catching up with some Nidders past and present who joined her along the way. Sounds like great fun, and certainly a great achievement. Well done, Sarah.
In parkrun, Karen Mills completed Mile End Parkrun in London with what she describes as a banging hangover. Frankly, I’m astonished. These people who think it is okay to drink the night before a run, I don’t know. That never used to happen in Nidd Valley ;-). Adam Kirk and Lisa Gibson were at Nostell Priory, John Berger was at Wallaceneuk, Sam Fugill and Jane Evans were in Morpeth, and Ian Doughty was at Tooting Common (reminds me of the joke about the dog that learned to play the trumpet on the London underground. It went from Barking to Tooting in under half an hour). Sylvia Morten was at Chevin Forest, Mr and Mrs Robinson were in Todmorden, and the usual suspects were at Harrogate and Fountains. Read all about their exploits at your leisure: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
A heartfelt plea. If you have a result and you want it included, please let me know and don’t rely on me spotting it on Facebook or in the murkier corners of the internet. My attention span isn’t that great: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
We’ve got a beaut of a club run lined up for you on Tuesday. Be at the Hockey Club and good to run for 7pm. Head over the railway bridge and up towards Bilton Lane. Continue up the Greenway, over the viaduct, and keep going until you reach the Killinghall bridge. You can run back along Ripon Road, through Knox Mill and up through Bilton, or you can take the cross country route pastb the farm from the bridge to Knox Mill. As ever, feel free to lengthen, shorten or amend the route as the mood takes you.
On Wednesday evening, we’ve got the next race in the road championships with the somewhat hilly Otley 10. Fortune may favour the brave, but it looks the other way when it comes to that hill. Seriously, your quads will have checked into witness protection by the time you reach the finish line. It looks like it’s going to be great weather, though, and the views will be spectacular. Entries are still available online for only £14.50, although you’ll be able to get them on the night for £16.50. All the relevant information is here: https://tinyurl.com/bden6fcc.
Our Thursday club run is going to be down the gorge. This is a well rehearsed route, so you hardly need to me to tell you that we’ll leave the Hockey Club at 7pm and run up to Bilton Lane. From there, head into the gorge, and you’ve got a choice of whether you come back out near the Gardeners Arms, or whether you want to run the full length to heartbreak hill. We’ll be having a pint at the club afterwards, and it would be great if you’d come and join us.
If Otley doesn’t give you enough hills for your liking, then there is Beamsley Beacon Fell Race on Thursday night. This isn’t in any championships, and is very much just for fun. It always attracts a few Nidds, though, and it’s a great and accessible local race. In this little 9k beauty, you follow a defined route from Addingham to the top of the beacon, but you can pick your own route back down. All good fun. Entry is on the day and only a fiver, and you can fully appraise yourself of the details here: https://tinyurl.com/59s6wez3.
On Friday, there’s the next in the Evensplits York 5k series. This is based on the sports track at York University in Heslington. Yes, you too could be running five laps of a flat and sharp course for only £9/£11. Remember that the York 5k series is part of the road championships. You can race as many times as you like throughout the season and submit your best time for inclusion in your championship tally. More details here: https://tinyurl.com/4kfma9vh.
Good luck to everyone taking part in the Cleveland Relays on Sunday. It’s a great event, and last year it felt really good to be part of a long distance team event. Have a great run, and thanks especially to Phil Ventress who has herded the cats and knitted the fog and pulled the team together.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
Don’t forget that the fourth of the Evening League races is next Wednesday 21 June 2023 when we head to Sicklinghall to see what pleasures that chaps at Wetherby Runners have in store for us. Again, the more people we get out to run, the points we get in the bank, so please come and have a go. All the details are here: https://tinyurl.com/3wrd3szh.
Again, we’ve got the Mob Match against Knaresborough Striders on Sunday 02 Jul 2023, and this year the battle lines are drawn at the Harrogate 10k. If you can, please think about entering this event. It’s a great race and a great chance to enjoy some friendly inter-club rivalry. Let’s bring that trophy back to Nidd Valley House. Get involved: https://tinyurl.com/5n9yyz7v.
In the road championships, we have the Ilkley Half Marathon on Sunday 16 July 2023. Entry is a bit pricier than most races, coming in at £34, but it’s a great route and a popular event, and well worth the money. This is the longest race in the road championships, so a sure way to test your stamina. If you fancy a go (and why wouldn’t you?), then this is where you need to be: https://tinyurl.com/57fwmx88.
Summer Pub Runs
We have long enjoyed a tradition of away-from club summer evening runs in the wonderful countryside on our doorstep, made all the more enjoyable by the fact we go for a pint or a soft drink and a chat afterwards. We’re still finalising some of the arrangements, but these are the dates we have in the diary already. Why not put them in your diary?
- Thurs 06 Jul 2023 – Pateley Bridge, led by Sarah C.
- Tues 18 Jul 2023 – TBC, led by Cath B
- Thurs 03 Aug 2023 – TBC, led by Sam F
- Tues 29 Aug 2023 – TBC, led by Emma K
- Thurs 07 Sep 2023 – Fish & Chips in Knaresborough, led by Sarah S
Parkrun Takeover: 05 Aug 2023
Here is your advanced notice that Nidd Valley will be painting the Stray black and gold when we do a parkrun takeover. We’ll need all volunteer roles filled, from timers and scanners to marshalls and pacers. Please put this date in your diary. We’ll be coordinating the rota nearer the time, but if there is a role in particular that you would like to do, then please let me know: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
Sad News
I’m sorry to tell you that Sarah Jane Bromley died on 22 May 2023, aged 49. Sarah joined Nidd in January this year although, to the best of the committee’s knowledge, she never managed a run with us. Our thoughts are with Sarah’s family and friends. If you knew her (and I imagine that someone will, as most people join the club through a personal connection), then please look after yourself and speak to your friends. Life is precious and life is short.
Word to the Wise
We’ve got another one from Martin Lofthouse, who this week commented upon our men’s bed race team coming second in the bed decoration competition.
“Do they not know we never win awards for decorating? We’re runners and not artists. They’ll be giving us a bad reputation…” – Martin Lofthouse, in an uncharacteristically disgruntled mood.
And so from Martin, from me, and from everyone else here at Nidd Valley House, have a wonderful week.
See you in the week.
Chairman Sam x