(TLDR. The Headlines: On Tuesday, we have a run to Knaresborough via the Beryl Burton and on Thursday we have a club run through Hookstone Woods, On Sunday, we’ve the much anticipated Ilkley Half Marathon. Plenty of other stuff on, as you’d expect, plus a few dates and an explosive word to the wise…)
Now then, folks. Did you get a place in the London Marathon? Will you be one of the thousands assembling on the start line or, more likely, joining the many more thousands jealously watching the race on the TV and wishing you were there? No matter and no worries. Not only do we anticipate a couple of club places for a ballot of our own (more on that in a few weeks), bur I’ve got some utterly cracking results from last week that can only help to keep your pecker up. Read on, my friends, read on.
Results from the Week That Was…
On Tuesday night, we had the Danefield Relays on Otley Chevin. Taking in the first bit of the parkrun course to the top of the park, the route then descends at a pace through the woods down as far as the road, before two lung-busting climbs bring you back to the end of the three mile loop and the chance to tag your partner who then goes off to do their thing. Nidd Valley Norseman (Dazzler, Fingers and Ian Hesford) finished in 1:04.09 and Nidd Valley Team Z (Martin Lofthouse, Kev Nicholas and Steve Newbould) had it all tied up in 1:07.19. In third place, Nidd Valley FFS (Richard Willis, Laura Francis and Sam Fugill) were done and dusted in 1:15.35, while everybody’s favourite athletic threesome Try b4u Bri (Phil Ventress, Rebecca Ventress and Brian Hainsworth) were just behind in 1:16.10. Team JaneAmyEmma (Jane Evans, Amy Shepphard and Emma Kicks) finished in 1:24.49 while also putting themselves firmly in contention for the most original team name ever.
Nidd Valley – Any Tarmac is Merely Incidental (Mark David, Jonathan Kay and Fell Running Phil) clocked a fantastic 1:27.40, while Team Prince (Rachael Prince, Chris Jones and Dave Prince) were out in force to claim a brilliant time of 1:31.29. I don’t know how long it took them to come up with their team name, but the Nidd Valley Sarahs (Sarah Chalmers, Sarah Fabron and Sarah Staiano) completed the challenging circuit in 1:32.36. LMS Nidd Valley (Sue Ball, Moira McTague and Susy Rhodes) finished in 1:37.16, bringing to conclusion what I think is the largest ever Nidd turnout at this event. Spare a thought for Sue Ball, though. She looked a little disheartened at the end, not having run as well as she had hoped. She described her performance as “crap”. I disagree, Sue. You got out there, you gave it your best shot, and you got round. Well done. Anyway, it’s my job to write the reviews… ;-).
On Wednesday, recent recruit to the Nidd Valley Campaign, Nick Andralojc, took part in the Inclined to Madness Fell Race. That’s not a reflection on Nick’s mental state, you must understand, but something of an indication of the foolhardy disposition you might need to tackle such hills and thrilling descents as the North York Moors has to offer. Still, incline himself he did, and completed the seven miles and 1,300ft of climb in a more than respectable 1:03.14, coming 45th in a field of 91 other nutcases. Well done, Nick.
On Friday night, Susy Rhodes was singing her homesick lonesome blues as the only Nidd to take part in the St Aidan’s 10k at Swillington. But hey, even without the support of her fellow Nidd comrades, Susy still finished the race in a great 1:10.16, so well done to her! That is brilliant, Susy, a great effort.
On Saturday, Brian Hainsworth was back in the Lake District to compete in the Wasdale Fell Race. A 21 mile heroic effort and 9,000ft of climb over some of the most unforgiving open country, including Pillar, Great Gable and Scafell Pike itself. Brian says that the wheels started to fall over on the climb to Pillar, and unable to get the food in due to feeling sick, he took the only sensible decision and withdrew from the race after 15 miles. He also used some rather choice language to describe the race to me, which I won’t repeat here ;-). Sometimes the cards just ain’t in your favour, Bri, but well done for giving it a go. We know you well enough to know that you’ll be back to give it another shot.
In the Eccup 10 Junior Runs from earlier today, we’ve got some great results to celebrate so clap those hands, stamp those feet, and make as much noise as you can for Leo El-Etriby (7.11), Hugo El-Etriby (7.41), Freya Dart (9.03) and Edward Carman (10.13) who completed the one mile loop. And we couldn’t be any prouder – really, we couldn’t – of those Niddlings who took part in the two mile loop, and they were none other than the remarkable Imogen Constable (16.00), the unstoppable Jess Beaumont (16.39), the astonishing Owen Dart (21.20) and the inspirational Chloe Beaumont (25.34). Well done to you all!
In the boring world of the grown ups, we have some crackers from the Eccup 10 senior race. Andrew Davis (1:12.06) had the hilly course done and dusted in an incredible time and Martin Luxton was on top form to finish in 1:25.25. Chatty McChatface (1:36.23) gave a performance more than worthy of the mighty Black & Gold (quite remarkable, given that she spends most of the race chatting to anybody who will listen to her), and we can do nothing but celebrate with Michelle Smith who brought things home for the squad in a brilliant 1:51.09.
On Planet Parkrun, Susy Rhodes got her 5k fix with a turn around the Knavesmire at York, while another Sue (of the Ball variety) was at Ferry Meadows near Peterborough. Ian Wighton was at Darlington South, the Malletts were at Wetherby, and the Ventresses were in Penrith. Paul Manning did his athletic ablutions at Marlborough Common, Andy Iddon and Cath Barber ran at Chevin Forest, and Ian Doughty was at Sandringham. In amidst all these Nidds parkrunning all over the country, we need to take a quick moment to celebrate with Fingers Harris who took first place at Ury Riverside Parkrun in the Highlands. He did it in 19.02, if you’re taking notes. Less inclined to travel, we had the usual Nidd homebirds staying close to Nidd Valley House and ran at Conyngham Hall, Harrogate and Fountains Abbey. You can read all of their results here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
I am just an ageing drummer boy / and in the wars I used to play / and I’ve called the tune to many a torture session / now they say I am a war criminal / and I’m fading away / Father, please hear my confession: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
Ah, now this is a beauty. On Tuesday, let’s have a run down to Knaresborough and enjoy the trip down the Beryl Burton Cycle Track. Meet at the club at 7pm, and we’ll head out over the iron bridge and to Bilton Crossing. Keep on down past the Gardeners Arms pub and follow the cycle track to Knaresborough. You can then head along Waterside, over Low Bridge, and then come back over the fields, over the railway tracks, and then back through Starbeck. If you want something shorter, you can turn right at Starbeck from the Beryl Burton Track before you drop down into Knaresborough. The choice – as it always is – is yours, and feel free to amend as the mood takes you. Think of Nidd Valley as a jazz club. We provide the theme, and you create a myriad of variations and improvisations.
On Thursday, let’s have an off-road run through Hookstone Woods. Get yourself to the club, have double knots in your laces and be good to bounce for 7pm. We’ll head out across the Stray, through the Saints, and through Hookstone Woods. From there, follow the path round past Roosters Brewery and over the railway bridge, and then you have a choice. You can either cut across the Leeds Road and through Stone Rings, crossing the field to Throstle Nest Drive and onto Leadhall Lane, coming back to the club past the cricket ground and over the Stray. Alternatively, you can head down through the woods towards Pannal, and come back up Church Lane (if, of course, you want more hills in your run, which you obviously do). Afterwards, there’ll be pints, wines and soft drinks in the bar for those of you that don’t need to dash, and who can tolerate Nidds talking about the good old days and how things aren’t quite what they used to be.
On Sunday, we have the longest race in the road championships with the Ilkley Half Marathon. Entry is £34 and closes on Thursday, so if you want to get yourself a race number and get yourself on the start line, then you are going to need to get a wriggle on. It’s a great run, and takes in some brilliant scenery around lower Wharfedale and, let’s be honest, the only thing that could make the whole thing any more beautiful is you: https://tinyurl.com/57fwmx88.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention. The next pop-up parkrun will be….
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
On Thursday 20 July 2027, the much esteemed Evening League comes to its ecstatically climatic conclusion with the handicap relays at Ripon. Rumour dost tell that we owe a nod of acknowledgement to Graham Hyde for crunching the numbers in sorting the running order (pun intended) for the handicap – nothing I can pretend to understand, that’s for sure. Thanks to him for getting the numbers in the right place and the ducks in a row. Arrange your own ducks: https://tinyurl.com/axvk8fvb.
On Saturday 22 July 2023, we’ve got the Hampsthwaite Feast Run, At only 5k and costing you only the merest of pennies, then this would be a great chance to get involved and show that of which the mighty Nidd are capable. Duty calls: https://tinyurl.com/ah55k84.
Parkrun Takeover: 05 Aug 2023
Thanks to all who have volunteered for our parkrun takeover. We’ve got most of our positions filled now, I think, but I need a couple more people to double up as pacers for 20m, 21m, 22m, 29m and 31m. This could be your moment: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
Even if you are not ‘officially’ volunteering, please come down and take part in your club colours. Let’s paint the Stray black and gold.
Word to the Wise
This week, our wise words come from our very own Steve Newbould as he explains his winning marathon technique.
“I do the first three miles steady just to get my heart rate going, then I make an effort for the next three miles. After that, for the next ten miles or so, I just play with myself…” – Steve Newbould, who knows his own business best.
And so from Steve, from me, and everyone else at Nidd Valley House, have a great week. See you soon.
Chairman Sam x