(TLDR. The Headlines: Tuesday’s and Thursday’s club runs are to Knaresborough and round the supermarkets, respectively. On Saturday, we have the penultimate race in the road championships with a trip to Fountains Abbey Parkrun, and on Sunday we have another reccie of the Guy Fawkes 10. I’ve included the details of some up and coming runs and the last races in the club championships, and Sarah Chalmers has some wise words to round us off for the week…).
Hi all.
“It’s a funny thing”, remarked Emma as we climbed up through the bracken on the fells above Braithwaite yesterday, watching Captain Dazzler bound up enthusiastically into the cloud, “he hasn’t learned the first rule of going on a fell run with FRP”. The rule being, of course, that the faster you go, then the more ground he’ll make you cover and the more hills he’ll add to your route. “Better to take your time, and hang back”, I agreed. “It’s quite sad”, Emma continued, “that Daz actually believes that he wants to do this. That’s the way that FRP works though. He persuades people that they want to do this kind of thing and makes them believe that it’s their choice.” “Sounds like grooming and trafficking to me”, I replied. “Yes, I suppose so.”, said Emma thoughtfully, pausing briefly to take in the view largely obscured by swirling mist, before turning to continue the rocky ascent. “The thing is”, she added, “that me and you are in recovery. We know what he has done to us and the damage that he has caused. We can now see the signs that were there all along. Look at Darren, though. It’s the fell newbies like him that I worry about. They don’t stand a chance…”
The man is a menace. Something must be done.
Results from the Week That Was…
The first results for this past week come from over the border in Scotland. Kev Clark and Katharine Dolman took part in the Great Scottish Run last weekend, which is a half marathon through the streets of Glasgow. Kev finished in a spectacular 1:29.23 whereas Katharine did the club proud in a remarkable time of 2:02.35, so it’s a hearty well done and an och aye the noo to them both (other sassenach stereotypes are available upon request).
Now I had not heard of a place called Curbar until I received a text message this morning, and that text message arrived courtesy of Nick Andralojc. Nick told me that he took part in the Curbar Commotion Fell Race yesterday. If you’re interested in the detail, this was a 9.8 mile mud fest taking in 1,362ft of climb in the Peak District beneath Froggatt Edge. If you’re not too bothered about such irrelevancies, then you’ll have to settle for me telling you that Nick finished in a wonderful time of 1:35.52, coming 121st in a field of 284 runners. Congratulations, Nick.
Now this is rather interesting. Those of you who assiduously follow these results round-ups – and if not, why not? – will know that Chatty McChatface and Michelle Smith have taken part in the Due North series of events, which are half marathon and 10km events at Burnsall, Malham and Kettlewell. A little athletic birdie has sent me the final tables for these events, and it’s dead exciting to read that Michelle Smith has secured the place of third lady overall in the 10km series, which is incredible news. Not only that, though, but Chatty went and claimed the top spot in the half marathon series, finishing as the top lady. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Not only is this incredible news, but it’s a wonder she finished at all given the chance to talk to anyone in the vicinity. A very well done to you both.
In the Richmond Castle 10km today, Ian Wighton was the first of two Nidds to finish the hilly course, doing so in 55.02. If you’re wondering who the second Nidd was, I’m delighted to tell you it was Martin Luxton and he finished in a time of 55.56. Very well done to you both.
A quick glance at Racebest tells me that we had one lone Nidder out at the Morley 10km today. Can you believe it? Yeah, just one. And it fell to Jillie Townend to shoulder the hopes and dreams of the running club on her shoulders. But she bore her burden well, and completed the challenging course in an excellent time of 1:02.25. Great work, Jillie.
And so to Chicago. Marathon watchers will have been amazed to see that Kelvin Kiptum has broken the world record, bringing it down to an inspiring 2:00.35. Kipchoge will need to pull his socks up, then. But never mind all of that. Our very own Steve Newbould cracked an amazing time despite some last minute niggle worries, coming in at 2:43.13. This is apparently a PB for our Stevie, and is just yet another great result in a year of marathon running. Well done, Steve!
Now I know that we don’t normally concern ourselves with muggles here in the wonderful and magical world of Nidd Valley. However, it’s lovely to be able to mention Simon Staiano – formerly of this parish – who took part in the Lakes in a Day Ultra yesterday. This a gruelling 50 mile trek from Calbeck to Cartmel, running along the Helvellyn Ridge, through Ambleside, and down along Lake Windermere to the top of Morecambe Bay. Relishing the high winds and the chance to wade waist deep through flood waters, Simon finished in 15:42.27 and we couldn’t let this pass without saying a quick well done. So that’s that done, then.
We’ve got two new markers on the parkrun MallettMap, the first being from Jack Brierley who zipped round Luton Wardown in 17.59 (what kept you, Jack?), and the second from Karen Mills who did her weekly 5km at Windy Nook (sounds like a film, if you ask me). Adam Kirk took 15th place at York Knavesmire, Katharine Woodhead ran at Marple near Stockport, and Owen and Freya Dart ran at Skipton. I ran with Captain Dazzler at Keswick, where Dazzler was very excited to run through a disused railway tunnel. He’s easily pleased. Kevin Nicholas did his parkrun ablutions at Bramley, Mrs Robinson was down at Wetherby, and Iain Scott ran at Stretford, Hannah Kempson was at the ever-hilly Potternewton, Jeremy Scott was at Millfield, and Sylvia Morten was on the Otley Chevin. Loz Hawksworth and Hannah Percy headed up to Thorp Perrow, and were joined by Connor Featherstone, Sarah Gore, Carolyn Jones and Graham Hyde. Funnily enough, we don’t seem to have any Nidds at Fountains Abbey, but we had plenty at Conyngham Hall and Harrogate, and you can read up on all of the results here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
And I’ve been riding on a ghost train / Where the cars, they scream and slam / And I don’t know where I’ll be tonight / But I’d always tell you where I am: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
On Tuesday, our club run takes us to Knaresborough. Meet at the Hockey Club and be good to run for 7pm. We’ll head down Kingsley Road to Starbeck, over Forest Lane Head and down into Knaresborough. Run along Waterside (or you can extend via town or Stockwell Lane), and come back over the Low Bridge and to Calcutt. From there, run back along Forest Moor, past Morrisons, and back up to the club. If you want something shorter, you can avoid Knaresborough by running down Forest Lane from Starbeck, and then doing the loop past Morrisons and back to the club.
Your club run on Thursday is none other than a trip to the shops. Yep, it’s Supermarket Sweep. Leaving the club at 7pm, head down past the railway tracks towards ASDA, through town and past Waitrose. From there, you head to the Showground, and can do that directly over the Stray or you can extend the route past M&S Food. Once at the Showground, head round past Sainsburys, along Forest Lane and past Morrisons for the second time in the week. After that, head up Knaresborough Road past Lidl, cut up onto Kingsley Drive, and round the back of the school to the club. And if you’re not bored silly by this point, why not join us for a pint and a bag of crisps in the bar afterwards? Not that it’ll alleviate your boredom in anyway whatsoever, but it would be lovely to see you nonetheless.
As ever, with all club runs, feel free to lengthen, shorten or amend as the mood takes you. You’re the master or mistress of your own destiny.
On Saturday, we’ve got the penultimate fixture in the road championships with a swift 5km round Fountains Abbey Parkrun. For an undulating course, it’s the home to many a PB, including mine. I don’t think I have ever run so fast in my life. After I had finished, a marshal came up to me and asked if I was okay, only to find that she was talking to me backside as I was being sick in a bush at the time. All the class. Anyway, you know the parkrun drill by now. You need to be on the start line and good to go for 9am, and if you don’t have your barcode then you won’t get a time. Also, this being Fountains, it can get busy so I’d recommend getting there in good time to allow you to get parked up and to walk down to the start. All the details are here: https://tinyurl.com/2mm4huh8.
Sunday brings us the second of our two Guy Fawkes 10 reccie runs. This one will be led by our Chief Marshal, Debbie Dilasser, and is a great opportunity to familiarise yourself with the course, work out where you will be and that kind of thing. The pace of the reccie will be as steady as you like, and nobody will be left behind, and there is always the chance of a brew in the tearooms afterwards. Meet at the car park in Ripley for 10am.
Good luck, also, to those who are taking part in the York Marathon and the York 10 Mile on Sunday. All your training will be worth it and we don’t doubt you’ll do Nidd Valley proud. Wear your mighty black and gold with pride!
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
Attention! Attention! Entries for the PECO XC series – most of which races appear in our 2023-24 cross country championship – are now open. Entry for five races plus the relay is only £17, which is an absolute bargain. If you can’t resist the thought of running round a muddy field in the driving rain, then this is exactly where you need to be: https://tinyurl.com/hjvrwrj3. The first race is on 12th November 2023 and you can read up on all the general detail here: https://tinyurl.com/ms24a4cw.
We’ve got the final races in both the fell championship and the road championship in November. For our muddy brethren, we’ve got the Wadsworth Half Trog on 12th November 2023, offering nine miles of hilly delights in the Calder Valley. Entry is between £5 and £7.50 depending on whether or not you are a FRA member, and you can get your entry in here: https://tinyurl.com/3n9tt5ub. And yes, it isn’t often that you can race for a fiver is it, but that’s fell running for you and probably explains why fell running is so big in Yorkshire.
For the road championships, entry into the Tadcaster 10 will set you back £18, but this a is a flat and fast course and ideal for those hunting for that elusive PB as well as those final club championship points. This race is on 19th November 2023 and entry is available here: https://tinyurl.com/sknjjra6.
Committee Meeting: 18th October 2023
Just when one finally manages to repress the trauma of the last one, the next one appears in the diary. We battle on. Still, if there is anything you would like us to discuss, then you only need to let us know. Well, I say that. The person you want to badger is our secretary Jonathan Kay. He’d be nothing but delighted to hear from you: secretary@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
Word to the Wise
Your dose of weekly wisdom comes from Sarah Chalmers and Captain Dazzler as they had a conversation on the way up to a Lakeland summit yesterday. The wind was blowing quite the gale and not everyone could be properly heard.
Sarah: “I’ve got pies today”
Dazzler: “What? You’ve got piles?”
Sarah: “No, I’ve got pies. Pies to eat…”
A lovely image, for sure.
And so from Sarah and Dazzler, from me, and from everyone else here at Nidd Valley House, have a marvellous week.
See you soon,
Chairman Sam x