(TLDR. The Headlines: On Tuesday, we have a club run down the gorge, and we get to enjoy our fish and chip run in Knaresborough on Thursday. Sunday brings the Bradley Fell Race for those that like their running with an added dose of altitude. Other dates and details follow… Read on).
Hey hey,
We start with some very exciting news. I’m delighted to tell you that Susie and John Mallett welcomed a baby daughter, Charlotte, into the world on Friday. We’ve had a call from the maternity ward at the Nidd Valley Infirmary, and both mum and her newly-hatched little Niddling are both doing well. Brilliant news, just brilliant. And with the prospect of many sleepless nights ahead, let’s have a look at the results from this past week.
Results from the Week That Was…
We start with the results from the Tholthorpe 10k yesterday. And goodness gracious, there are a fair few of them. Adam Kirk (36.51) and Steve Newbould (37.10) finished in eighth and ninth places respectively, with Captain Dazzler (38.23) completing his last ever race in his forties. Still, he’s looking tremendously good for it, I must say. Oh yeah, Steve got the prize for the first MV40. Yeah, good eh? Marcus Shaw (43.23) was just ahead of Theresa Oldroyd (43.47) as she claimed third female overall. Laura Francis (44.59) was the first female U21, just behind Kev Nicholas (43.45). With these bits of silverware already in the bag, we turned to cheer Simon Cocker (46.14) over the line, before Fiona Deacon (46.41) took the prize for first FV50. Nick Crebbin (47.15), Richard Evans (48.11) and Helen Gregory (49.53) were just ahead of Jeremy Leggings (50.17), Rachel Mills (51.30) and Martin Luxton (51.55).
Mike Deacon (52.35) and Emma Kicks (53.04) faced down some tough competition from Steve Newton (53.14) and Rob Northfield (53.26) in the sweltering heat, while Jenny Manning (54.12) was only seconds ahead of brother Paul (54.47). Katharine Dolman (54.58) was the next to finish, with Chatty McChatface (55.28) following behind, complaining that she’d not found anyone to chat with. Probably for the best, if we’re being honest. Ian Wighton (55.45) was joined by the ever-wonderful trip of Bev Aspin (56.27), Diane Winnard (57.08) and Rachael Prince (57.18), before Dave Seaman (57.26), Rachel Capstick (1:00.20) and Angela Pattinson (1:01.08) came tearing towards the line.
Jillie Townend finished in a cracking time of (1:04.10), and we’ve got some extra loud cheers as we celebrate with Sarah Bracher (1:04.53), Emily Wighton (1:05.37), Graham Hyde (1:09.22), Carolyn Jones (1:09.52), Sylvia Morten (1:13.19) and Jill Hornsby (1:14.07). Its nothing but a pleasure to see Robert Hill finish a race standing up, and he did so in a marvellous 1:17.28. He was joined by the ever-brilliant Tony LC (1:18.08), Chris Rogers (1:20.30) and Fiona Robinson (1:22.28). A very well done to you all.
Also at Tholthorpe, given those tremendous results, it will come as no surprise to you that Nidd Valley cleaned up the team prizes, too, for both the women (Theresa Oldroyd, Laura Francis and Fiona Deacon) and the men (Adam Kirk, Steve Newbould and Darren Townend). Winner winner, chicken dinner.
As I haven’t forgotten him this week, I hope that Brian Hainsworth will be extra delighted when I share his result from the Grisedale Horseshoe Fell Race in the Lake District. On Saturday, Brian headed to Patterdale to enjoy the delights of Catseye Cam, Helvellyn and St Sunday Crag in race which he described as “bloody hot, brutal”. He says that Swirl Edge was “interesting” which, given this is fell running, most likely means that he had a near-death experience. Still, he got safely back to Nidd Valley House with all his limbs intact, and for that we are grateful. Oh yeah, he finished in 2:52.31 which is, of course, a marvellous achievement.
This might have slipped your radar, but we’re nothing if not persistent detectives here at Nidd Valley House. Our investigations have been completed and I am proud to tell you that Craig Mills was down in London where he took part in the Big Half around the Docklands. Craig finished his race in a brilliant time of 1:17.25, finishing 225th out of a field of 15,584 competitors – a profound achievement.
Of course – and you’d expect little else by now – we come to the parkrun results. Iain Scott completed his weekly athletic ablutions at Woodhouse Moor, while Steve Newton and Fingers went to York. Adam Kirk and Lisa Gibson went to Cross Flatts, Colleen Gruenwald was in Keswick, and Katharine Woodhead was at Stamford Park (that’s on the eastern edge of Manchester if, like me, you were wondering). Karen Mills was at Tooting Common while Pauline Hogg was at Dishley Parkrun in Loughborough. We had a handful of Nidds at Fountains Abbey, but plenty more at Harrogate where we celebrated Richard Evans’ 100th parkrun (no, I don’t know what took him so long either, but we are where we are). You can see all the relevant information, parkrun-wise, right here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
I’m still paying for the things that I have done / If I could turn back oh Lord, I would run / I’m still losing at this game of life I play / Now I’m living and dying with the choices I’ve made: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
We’ve had a heartfelt plea from Dave Seaman this week. Given the nights are beginning to draw in (I know, it doesn’t bear thinking about), Dave has asked if we might run the gorge this Tuesday while we still have enough light. Well, I can’t turn him down, especially as he asked so nicely. So we’ll leave the Hockey Club at 7pm and head up the cycle track to Bilton Crossing, and from there you can pick your own route down into the gorge. Run as far as you like, returning via the Gardeners Arms path or further along up the big hill, then you can pick up the cycle track back to the club.
On Thursday, we have the annual fish and chip run in Knaresborough. Last year was a bit of a subdued affair what with the Queen dying and all of that, so hopefully our run this year won’t be overshadowed by a period of national mourning. Not my kind of thing, to be honest. Meet at the Market Cross in Knaresborough and be good to run for 7pm. There’ll be several different groups setting off, covering different paces and distances, so you’re sure to find something that suits you. Don’t worry if you haven’t ordered any chips, as you can obviously still run with us. If last year if anything to go by, Blind Jacks will be selling beer and a pint of bitter goes particularly well with chips (so I’m told).
There will not be an organised club run from the Hockey Club on Thursday.
Please note that the Valley Gardens social on Saturday afternoon has been cancelled due to lack of interest. I mean, if you still want to go to the Valley Gardens, don’t let us stop you. It’s not like the gates will be locked or anything like that. It just won’t be a ‘thing’.
Sunday brings us the penultimate race in the fell championships as we head over to take part in the Bradley Fell Race near Skipton. This is a short and accessible race, but what it lacks in distance it more than makes up for in interest and varied terrain. There are a few junior races beforehand, so if you’re looking for the chance to make the kids run up a big hill, then look no further. All the details here: https://tinyurl.com/4tc87muh.
Good luck to everyone running the Great North Run on Sunday! Great race, great city, great time.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
We’ve got a couple of road championship races coming down the, well, the road. They’re definitely worth a glance if you are after some points in the championship. First up, we’ve got the Wetherby 10k on Sun 17 Sep 2023. Entry is £17 for club members, and you can find the relevant deets here: https://tinyurl.com/4wb5mh8j. On Sun 24 Sep 2023, we have a chance to support our friends at Crag Rat Manor, as Knaresborough Striders host their annual Crag Rat Run. This is a five mile run along Waterside, through the woods near the bypass and down through Calcut. Entry is an absolute steal at just £10, and is certainly worth the investment: https://tinyurl.com/ycyxy4bc.
Don’t forget, also, that we have the Bridlington 13.5 mile trail race in the road championships on Sun 01 Oct 2023. This is fast becoming a favourite outing for the Nidds, who have once again hired a coach for the day so as many of us as possible can get there. You can enter the race here: https://tinyurl.com/yv8tt3t5. You can, of course, get to Bridlington under your own steam, but if you want to come on the bus, then you’ll need to pay £6 to Nidd Valley Road Runners, ac no. 12074796, and sort code 40-23-12. Please include a reference based on your name and let Captain Dazzler know that you’re coming on darren.townend32@gmail.com.
We Need to Talk About Darren
We couldn’t let this pass without mention. Our very own Captain Dazzler is 50 years old today. Congratulations to him, and thanks to him for all that he does for the club.
Ladies Secret Santa Run: 16 Dec 2023
This is a save the date. Sarah C will once again be donning her reindeer antlers and jingling her sleigh bells as she coordinates a festive run and present swap for the ladies. I know, I can’t imagine anyone more jolly. Anyway, more details to follow. This is just for the ladies, though. Sorry, chaps. You’ll just have to go to the pub or something like that.
Word to the Wise
Second week without a wise word, folks. Sorry about that.
Have a great week, and enjoy the sun.
Chairman Sam x