(TLDR. The Headlines: Our club runs for Tuesday and Thursday this week are, respectively, Knaresborough and the Showground. On Sunday, we head to Bridlington to do the half marathon trail race. I’ve managed to get the details for the 2023-24 cross-country season for you, and we have a particularly good wise word to finish us off… Read on…)
Welcome on board the Nidd Valley Express. The crew will shortly be passing through the train, so please ensure that you have your tickets and travel documentation with you. Please ensure that all bulky and oversized luggage is stowed in the racks above your heads and at the end of the carriage. But for now, please sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. Our first stop is the results from this past week.
Results from the Week That Was…
And so, yes, as happens with these things, we start the week with another missed result. This time it’s Chris Carvey who also ran with the Ventresses, Chris Jones and Nick Smith at the Northumbrian Coastal Run last Sunday. Chris completed the scenic beauty of a run in a brilliant time of 1:44.42, and I can only hope that this delay in publishing his result does not in any way diminish his achievement.
As promised – and I’m nothing if not a man of my word – I have the result for you from the Wetherby 10km last weekend. Still, better late than never, eh? Anyway, it was great to get down to near Kirk Deighton and see some of you as you came speeding through. It looked like great racing weather. For a change, we’re going to do the results in reverse, and so we start our celebrations with Carolyn Jones who finished in a brilliant time of 1:12.39, never too far behind Jill Hornsby (1:11.01), Graham Hyde (1:09.48) and newbie Jo Lane (1:07.24). Despite feeling distinctly under-the-weather, Suzy Rhodes (1:07.24) clocked a cracking time on the course, and we also get to celebrate the great result achieved by Guy Parker (1:01.50), who came in just a second behind Moira McTague (1:01.49). He’s just like Prince Philip. Always a step or two behind, that man ;-).
Rachel Capstick (59.58), Angela Pattinson (58.13) and Katharine Dolman (53.49) were just ahead, whereas it was lovely to see John Mallett (53.23) out following the arrival of Mallett Junior. We’ve not seen Ali King (53.05) since his wedding to Jemma, so it was equally nice to see him, and it was just as lovely to see Ian Wighton (52.37), Chris Morris (50.31), Emma Kicks (50.16) and Philly Thompson (49.57). Helen Gregory (48.22) got the full championship points as the first Nidd lady to finish, and was just behind Henry Waddington (46.31), Kev Clark (40.40) – yes, dear reader, you read correctly. He’d done the Bishop Monkton 10km that morning… – and Ian Hesford (39.58). Our top four finishers were none other than the amazing Andy Todd (39.38), josh Bryer (39.34), Jack Brierly (37.59), who came first MJ, and Craig Mills (35.43), who was seventh overall and first in the MV45 position. Very well done to you all.
On Saturday, we had a couple of Nidds sneak off into Leeds to compete in the Golden Mile time trial. Fingers Harris got round the mile in an incredible time of 5.26, while the lesser-spotted Sam Heathcote clocked a remarkable time of 5.40. Congratulations to you both! Speedy!
Achtung! Achtung! Upping the distance considerably, we have some brilliant results from the Berlin Marathon this weekend. Steve Newbould, and get this, brought it home in 2:43.24, while Luke Scorer clocked an amazing time of 3:11.29, coming 81st and 880th out of a field of 48,000 runners. I might be wrong – and if I am, someone will correct me, I’m quite sure of that – but I think Steve has laid claim to a new Nidd Valley Marathon record. Either way, well done to you both. A profound achievement.
While we’re talking about Berlin, I’m going to give a quick mention to Kev Dalton, who was prevented from racing by a bout of COVID-19, probably brought home from school by one of his kids. I know, children spoil EVERYTHING. Kev had trained so damn hard for this race and was determined to run, having had to drop out in previous years due to injury and the like. This race is beginning to feel like his nemesis. Chin up, Kev. You’ll get there and, when you do, Berlin will be all the more enjoyable.
Up on the fells, we had a few Nidds take part in the Kong Mountain Marathon in the Peak District yesterday. The usual thing of trying to cover as many big hills as you can within a four hour time limit. Fell Running Phil was out as a solo runner, while Cath Barber and Andy Iddon and Dave and Rachael Prince went out and competed as pairs. Well done to you all. The results are impenetrable to those without a degree in advanced statistical analysis, but feel free to have a look if you are feeling brave: https://tinyurl.com/u2dkwpaw.
Oh, now this is interesting, we’ve got a couple of results from the Sutton 10km near York yesterday. Martin Luxton (55.05) was the first of the two Nidds to show, with Jillie Townend rounding off things in style with a great time of 1:03.55. Well done to you both.
And so let’s have a look at the results from yesterday’s Knaresborough Crag Rat Run. Jack Brierley (29.39) took third place overall. He was denied second place by a Harrier, which is quite awkward, but we can be prepared to overlook a few things ;-). At least he knows where to focus next time. Captain Dazzler (31.07) took the first MV50, showing us all how the elderly can achieve great things. Bounding along with the effortless and youthful exuberance we’ve come to expect from our junior recruits, Finlay McCreanor (31.13) and William Bailey (32.50) were just ahead of Ian Hesford (33.00), Josh Bryer (33.43) and Fingers Harris (34.00). Martin Lofthouse (34.02) was just behind, and faced some stiff competition from Chris Carvey (34.22), Matt Rickard (35.20) and Fiona Deacon (38.00). Richard Evans (38.02), Nick Crebbin (38.14), Nigel Scaife (38.26) and Jeremy Scott (also 38.26) were just up ahead of Russell Geraghty (38.56), Helen Gregory (39.19), Jess Harby (40.12), Mark Tyrell (41.06) and Chris Morris (41.32). Rachel Mills (41.34) made easy work of the Crag, managing to keep ahead of Ian Wighton (42.02).
Guy Parker (43.03) was doubtless surprised to hear that he’d been registered as a female athlete, but at least we can congratulate him on his 2nd FV60 position. Katharine Dolman (43.13), Nick Smith (43.49), Sue Ball (44.23) and Roger Duckworth (44.24) were the next to make it back to the Cricket Club, and were surely delighted when Chatty McChatface (45.05) joined at the finish line for a catch up. Katharine Woodhead (45.34) was on sparkling form, just ahead of Anna Bulcock (45.39), Jonathan Kay (46.42), Rachel Capstick (47.32), and Moira McTague (48.26). Angela Pattinson finished in 49.05, Susy Rhodes in 49.23 and Sarah Gore in 50.54. We also got to enjoy great performances from Marcos Montana (52.34, Jilly Hornsby (54.04), Sarah Bracher (54.31) and Michelle Smith (55.12). Graham Hyde finished in 55.13, and Tony L-C brought the curtain down on a great show in a brilliant 1:03.54. Very well done to you all.
If you’ve already had a look at the MalletMap, you’ll have seen what the lie of the land is at Planet Parkrun. Liz Ahmed was running in Perth, Katharine Woodhead was in Barnsley (can’t be helped, I guess), Sarah Gore was at Cross Flatts (again, can’t be helped), and Kev Nicholas was at Castlewellan in County Down. Reb and Phil Ventress stopped at Druridge Bay Parkrun on their way home from their week long tour of Northumbrian Pubs, while Karen Mills was down at Clapham Common and Ian Wighton ran at Wetherby. Adam Kirk and Lisa Gibson ran at Cusworth Hall near Doncaster (no, I hadn’t heard of it either), while we had the usual suspects at Conyngham Hall, Fountains Abbey and Harrogate. Well done to all who got out and got their 5k in. You can read their, and all other club, results right here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
Watching, I keep waiting, still anticipating love / Never hesitating to become the fated ones / Turning and returning to some secret place to hide / Watching in slow motion as you turn to me and say / My love, take my breath away: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
On Tuesday, our club run takes us to Knaresborough, leaving the Hockey Club at 7pm. We’re making the most of the last of the light here, and so we’ll head up to Bilton Crossing and then along the Beryl Burton into Knaresborough (you can, of course, run to Knaresborough down the road if you’d prefer). From there, we’ll run along Waterside, over the bridge by the pub, and back to the club via Forest Moor and through Starbeck. If you want something shorter, you can turn right off Beryl Burton before the descent into Knaresborough, and do a loop round Starbeck before heading back. Choice is yours, innit.
Thursday gives us yet another club run, and this time I suggest a spin round the Showground. Leaving the Hockey Club at 7pm, we’ll head round the back of the school, down Kingsley Road and into Starbeck. Cutting through Morrisons, head through the park towards Sainsburys, picking up Railway Road past the Showground. From there, you can return through the Saints or Wetherby Road, or you can extend via Oatlands Drive or even Leeds Road. So much choice and so many options.
Afterwards, we’ll be heading for a pint in the bar. Why not come and join us? Rumour doth tell that Mr Seaman might be making an appearance, but don’t let that put you off ;-).
On Sunday, we have our annual trip to Bridlington to compete in the 13.5 mile trail run. Entries have now closed, although we’ve got a few places left on the bus for those that want to come for a day out by the seaside. The bus will leave the Hockey Club at some unholy hour of 6.30am (yup, it doesn’t bear thinking about) and, if you wish to come, 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.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
The fell and the road championships are now winding up, with only one race left in each. Sad times, right? But as these championships come to the close, it can mean only one thing: the cross country championships are back! So, without further ado, here is the provisional list for the 2023-2024 cross-country championship:
- 12.11.2023 PECO @ Middleton Park
- 26.11.2023 Chevin Forest Parkrun
- 03.12.2023 PECO @ Temple Newsam
- 17.12.2023 PECO @ West Park
- 31.12.2023 Jolly Holly Jog
- 13.01.2024 Wetherby Parkrun
- 03.02.2024 Muddy Boots 10km
- 18.02.2024 PECO @ Roundhay
- 24.02.2024 Conyngham Hall Parkrun
- 02.03.2024 Thorp Perrow Parkrun
- 10.03.2024 Keighley 10km
The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that there are not the full five PECOs in the cross-country championships. This is because the PECO on 28.01.2024 is being hosted by Wetherby Runners. Nidd Valley will be supporting with some of the marshalling, and so it didn’t seem fair to include it in the championships.
The entry for the PECOs is £17 for a whole season pass, so is ready good value (well, it is if you’re idea of money well spent is spaffing your hard earned income on the chance to run round a muddy field). Entries are not yet open but we’ll be the first to let you know when they are.
Word to the Wise
This week’s wise words come from Moira McTague, reflecting on Guy’s success as 2nd FV60 in yesterday’s Crag Rat Race.
“He’s not impressed… I must have entered him as a they them. He’s upstairs now trying on one of my dresses…” – Moira McTague, in a somewhat bemused mood.
So from Moira and Guy, from me, and from everyone else here at Nidd Valley House, have a great week.
See you soon,
Chairman Sam x