(TLDR. The Headlines: On Tuesday we have a club run down the gorge or the chance to take part in the Danefield Relays. On Wednesday, there is the option of a cheeky fell race with the Inclined to Madness on the North York Moors. On Thursday, we have a joint hill training session with Nidderdale Fell and Trail in Pateley Bridge, or there is also a club run through Valley Gardens and the Pine Woods in Harrogate. On Sunday, Rob Northfield is leading a recce of the Hampsthwaite Feast Run. Read on for the results, some up and coming events, the parkrun takeover, and the away from club runs. And we’ve only gone and let a Crag Rat give us our weekly dose of wisdom…)
It’s coming home! It’s coming home! The mob match trophy is coming home! The open top bus parade around town to rapturous applause and ecstatic celebration was something else. The crowds lined the streets, eager to get a glimpse of the victorious team as we held the mob match trophy in the air, waving to the crowds as the music blasted over the Stray and all the way back to Nidd Valley House. It’s coming home! It’s coming home! The mob match trophy is coming home! The after party at Nidd Valley House was something else. It’s a good job that captains Dazzler and Emma took the day off work, they were certainly partying their little hearts out. I’ve just been in to check in on Dazzler, and he’s hard fast asleep, bless him, holding the trophy tight to his pillow. While we wait for him to wake up, let’s take a look at the results from the week ahead.
Results from the Week That Was…
We couldn’t start the results with anything but those from the Harrogate 10k and our annual mob match against our friends from Knaresborough Striders. Adam Kirk (36.36) was the first to finish for the team, while Captain Dazzler (39.29) found himself surrounded by our increasingly speedy junior contingent of Jack Brierley (38.41), Finlay McCreanor (39.27) and Joshua Bryer (40.46). Kevin Clark (41.04), Ian Hesford (41.08) and Fingers Harris (43.07) were all on top form, and were soon joined in their celebrations by Martin Lofthouse (43.11), Marcus Shaw (43.45) and Andrew Davis (44.16). Laura Francis was the first of the Nidd ladies to reach the finish line, doing so in 44.57, with Steve Turner (45.49), Andy Iddon (45.54), Chris Carvey (46.03), Luke Scorer (46.46) and Ian Doughty 47.16) all giving strong chase. Fiona Deacon (47.32) and Theresa Oldroyd (48.07) found themselves separated by the ever speedy Nick Crebbin (47.38), while James Braddon (48.11) made a welcome return to racing for Team Nidd. Richard Evans (49.20) managed to pip Chandra Shekar (49.42) to the athletic post, and it wasn’t too long before we were able to cheer Kate Morton (50.08), Jeremy Scott (50.09), Sarah Staiano (50.44) and Kirsty Walter (50.49) to the line. Helen Gregory (51.44) was just ahead of John Mallett (51.47), Christine Holleran (51.57), Russel Geraghty (52.03) and Chris Morris (52.05). Karen Mills (52.16) and Captain Emma (52.52) were both on sparkling form, while Katharine Dolman (52.59), Mike Deacon (53.20), Rob Northfield (53.40), Ian Wighton (54.03) and Paul Manning (54.26) all gave performances worthy of their club colours.
Our next five finishers in this most important of athletic contests were none other than Martin Luxton (55.09), Sue Ball (56.10), Alison Iles (56.26), Steve Newton (57.08) and Jonathan Kay (57.23). Let’s have three cheers for Victoria Thomas (57.35), Debbie Gibson (58.03), Jenny Manning (58.25), Nick Smith (58.27) and Bev Aspin (58.31). Pauline Hogg finished in a brilliant 59.14, while Emily Wighton finished in an equally as marvellous a time of 1:00.06. Dave Seaman (1:00.29) was on top form as he battled with Rachael Prince (1:00.34) and Hannah Kempson (1:01.11) on that brutal uphill finish. It’s always lovely to see Moira McTague (1:02.56 and Guy Parker (also 11:02.56) out running, and I couldn’t be happier to celebrate the finish times from Sarah Gore (1:02.57), Susy Rhodes (1:05.12) and Sarah Bracher (1:07.09). Michelle Smith (1:08.26), Graham Hyde (1:10.32), Susan Rogers (1:11.05) were the next to finish, and our four final finishers were the remarkable Robert Hill (1:15.54), Chris Rogers (1:17.03), Carolyn Jones (1:22.41), and Mrs Robinson (1:24.21). A very well done to you all.
Earlier in the week, we had a lone Nidder take part in the Hyde Park Mile Challenge. And that lone Nidder was none other than the ever-lovely Sam Heathcote. I’m happy to tell you that Sam bust a lung and flew round the mile course in a speedy 5.29. Cracking stuff. Utterly bonkers, but remarkable nonetheless.
Yesterday, Brain Hainsworth headed to the Lake District, having decided it would be a good idea to take part in the Skiddaw Fell Race. It takes all sorts, I suppose, and in this case it takes a daft bugger to decide to race up the fourth highest Lakeland Peak but there we are. Brian got up and down the 3,054ft of climb over ten miles in a remarkable 1:43.50, coming 38th overall, the little superstar that he is. Well done, Bri.
Talking of Brian – and yes, why wouldn’t we – Brian joined up with Nick Andralojc and his lover Phil (Brian’s lover that is. Nick and Brian are just friends) to go the Gormire Gamble fell race on Sutton Bank on Wednesday night. Brian was the first Nidd to finish the 9km course in 51.24, while Nick and Phil made easy work of the 820ft of climb in 54.54 and 55.06 respectively. Congratulations to the three of you.
I’ve just seen that Steve Newbould took part in the Total Warrier obstacle run in Bramham yesterday. Not sure if they publish results for this kind of madness, but am happy to tell you that Steve and his colleagues from Morrisons got round the 7 mile course in just under two hours, raising £10,000 for the Together for Short Lives in the process. Well done, Steve, and what a great cause, too.
I know that I promised you the results from the Run Nidderdale last week, and I’m nothing if not a man of my word. However, for some reason I am unable to filter the results by club, and so I’m doing this one by scanning the lists and trying to spot the Nidds. Apologies if I miss you out. Darren Townend (46.23) took eighth place in the 89-strong field, with Fingers Harris (48.35), Brian Hainsworth (49.55) and Andy Iddon (52.50) also putting in strong performances. Nick Andralojc clocked in at 53.23, with Phil Ventress finishing in 55.25. Fiona Deacon was the first to finish for the Nidd ladies in 1:01.38, soon to be joined by Fell Running Phil (1:04.52), Debra Jenkins (1:05.28), Jeremy Scott (1:05.53), Reb Ventress (1:06.12). Roger Duckworth (1:11.05), Sarah Bracher (1:25.06) and Sarah Chalmers (1:25.07) round things off for us in style. Well done to all who ran. The reviews have been great – sounds like a good day out.
Should you be interested in the data and such things, you might like to know that Nidders have completed 12,831 parkruns since the whole parkrunning thing became a thing. And, adding to that total, at the weekend Adam Kirk and Lisa Gibson joined Fell Running Phil at Pontefract, Ian and Emily Wighton at Cross Flatts, Philly Thompson at Northallerton, Roger Duckworth at Seaford Beach (as Roger says, Sussex is very nice and all of that but it ain’t Yorkshire), and the usual suspects at Fountains Abbey, Conyngham Hall and Harrogate. All the details here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
And the silicon chip inside her head / gets switched to overload / and nobody’s gonna go to school today / she’s going to make them stay at home: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
We’ve got a couple of options for you on Tuesday. If you fancy yourself a club run, then might I recommend a trip down the gorge? We’ll leave the club at 7pm and head out down Hambleton Road and over the iron bridge. From there, head up to Bilton Crossing and drop into the gorge. You can either come up on the track behind the Gardeners Arms – pints optional, but probably not a good idea mid-run – or you can run the full length and come up heartbreak hill. From there, just return to the club along Bilton Lane and the cycle track. Feel free to amend and alter as the mood takes you, and don’t leave anyone behind. We’re not that kind of club.
If you fancy something a little different, there is the Danefield Fell Relays on Otley Chevin on Tuesday. Get yourself a team of three together, and each take a turn in running the 4k off-road loop through the woods. It’s always a great evening and great fun, and has become increasingly popular with the club over recent years (even among the road runners. Yeah, I know). We’ve got quite a few teams in already, and it would be great if you could bring your athletic prowess to bear. Entry is £9 per team, and it is entry on the day. Get involved: https://tinyurl.com/ywt429ev.
Apropos nothing, I notice that Nick Andralojc has put a shout out to see if anyone wishes to join him for the Inclined to Madness Fell Race on Clay Bank on the North York Moors. You’re looking at 1,200ft of climb over 11km, all for the bargain price of £7 on the day. If you’ve got nothing better to do and you can get yourself to the start line for 7.15pm on Wednesday night, then this might be just the distraction that you’re looking for.
On Thursday evening, we’ve again got a couple of options for you. Firstly, we’ve been invited to join the new kids on the athletic block, Nidderdale Fell & Trail, for a joint off-road and hilly training session. If you wish to join, then you need to get yourself to the road between Glasshouses and Pateley Bridge, on the other south side of the river and by Glasshouses Houses dam, and parking is at Si Lawson’s house. You can find the address most accurately by using the what3words app, and using the reference //estuaries.wobbles.wonderfully. Aim to meet at 6.45pm, and the training session will begin at 7pm.
If hill training isn’t quite your bag, then fear thee not. We have another club run lined up for you on Thursday night. All you need to do is get yourself to the Hockey Club and be good to run for 7pm. Again, we’ll be heading out into Valley Gardens. So run through the cut by Christchurch, into town, and up through Valley Gardens. You can turn left on Harlow Moor Road and head back to the club via York Place, or you can push up through the Pine Woods to Harlow Carr. From there, return to the club via Otley Road and York Place or via Birk Crag and the Duchy Estate. Whatever you do, why not join us for a pint in the bar afterwards? It would be lovely to see you.
On Sunday, Rob Northfield is organising a recce of the Hampsthwaite Feast Run. Meet at Robs’ house (Stoney Banks, on Hampsthwaite Hill) for 09.30am. It’ll be about 7km when all is said and run, and Rob has promised croissants and teas and coffees for everyone afterwards, so that’s a deal too good to pass by. If you fancy a little run out on Sunday, then this might be just what you’re looking for.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
There’s the Ilkley Half Marathon on Sunday 16 July 2023. Sure, it’ll set you back £34, but it’s a great chance to get some points in the club championships, not to mention the chance to take part in a race which got rave reviews from the black and gold contingent last year. I mean, last year it was so hot that they were sweating like a glassblower’s backside, but that’s probably too much detail and we can just hope for more favourable running conditions this year. Why not have a look? I mean, we’ve just had payday and, well, you know what to do:: https://tinyurl.com/57fwmx88.
The aforementioned Hampsthwiate Feast Run is on Saturday 22 July 2023, and this little 5k race is a great run and has been well supported by Nidders over recent years. We’ve got quite a few Nidds already in, and the only thing that is missing is you. Do yourself, and us, a favour: https://tinyurl.com/ah55k84.
A Little Reminder
We had a Nidd drop out of a race recently due to a calf injury but did not notify marshals / race officials that he had pulled up, and instead went home. This caused a few issues for both the club and the race organisers as we didn’t know where the runner was and if they were okay. Not wanting to make too big a deal of this, but if you do pull out, please let a race official know so that we can account for everyone safely. Much appreciated.
Parkrun Takeover: 05 Aug 2023
Thanks to all who have volunteered for our parkrun takeover. If you have not yet got involved but are able to help, please let me know: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
Pub Runs / Away from Club Runs
We’ve had to rejig the diary a bit, so apologies for any inconvenience. Here are the dates for the away from club runs, with the details that we currently have:
- Tues 18 Jul 2023 – TBC, led by Cath B.
- Thurs 27 Jul 2023 – TBC, led by Sam F.
- Tues 22 Aug 2023 – Weeton (relays), led by Sylvia M.
- Tues 29 Aug 2023 – TBC, led by Emma K.
- Thurs 07 Aug 2023 – Knaresborough Fish & Chip Run, led by Sarah S.
Word to the Wise
Yesterday, I had a chat with Guy Close, the Chair of Knaresborough Striders, and congratulated him on their Mob Match effort. We had a little discussion about whether the scoring system was fair and if it needed revising. His reply was succinct.
“No, we just need to learn how to train properly…” – Chairman Guy, in a frank appraisal.
So from Chairman Guy, from me, and everyone else at Nidd Valley House and Crag Rat Manor, have a great week. See you soon.
Chairman Sam x