(TLDR. The Headlines: Tuesday’s run is a club run up Coldbath Road, while Thursday gives you a choice between the Duchy or a magical mystery interval tour with Emma. All of these will leave the Hockey Club at 7pm. On Saturday, we have the British Fell Relays in the Lake District and on Sunday we have a final reccie of the Guy Fawkes 10 in Ripley at 10am. Please read on for details about up and coming races, a committee meeting, and winter intervals. We finish with a wise word worthy of Humphrey Lyttelton…).
Hi all.
I’ve got to dash out, so I am going to cut to the chase. Plus, we’ve got a much longer results write up than I expected, so without further ado…
Results from the Week That Was…
As usual, a quick apology to start off the results write-up. This one goes to Chris Carvey, who raced at Chicago last week but who found himself rather unceremoniously left out of the results write up. A tad harsh when you’ve put in the effort to run a marathon, I suppose. So let’s get this record straightened: Chris completed this monumental challenge in a brilliant time of 3:20.08. Well done, chris. That’s an incredible time and a testament to the training miles that you have put in. Well done.
At the York 5km Even Splits series, young Jack Brier wasn’t hanging about. He zipped round the five lap course in a mind-blowing 17.22. Equally as awesome, Chatty McChatface hit the line in a pleasingly repetitive 26:26, and was joined in her achievements by the incredible Jillie Townend (28.52) and the spectacular Mrs Robinson (39.42). Brilliant achievements.
Now I know that we don’t normally make a habit of reciting the parkrun results in full, as the write up would take several days to write and almost as long to read. However, with Fountains Abbey being in the road championships this last weekend, then I think we can make an exception. Junior Josh Bryer (18.10) found himself as the athletic rose between those speediest of thorns, Steve Newbould (17.56) and Captain Dazzler (18.31). Junior Will Bailey (18.32) was just behind the captain, but managed to sneak just ahead of Fingers Harris (19.13), Andy Todd (19.15) – yeah, a long time since we’ve seen him isn’t it? – and Ian Hesford (19.38). Marcus Shaw (20.00) hit the twenty minute marker on the nose, while junior Henry Waddington (20.24), Loz Hawksworth (20.27), Laura Francis (21.11) and Jeremy Leggings (22.05) all put in really strong performances.
Richard Evans finished in a remarkable 22.15, and we have nothing but gushing praise for Connor Featherstone (22.34), Helen Gregory (23.16), Kevin Nicholas (23.16), Ian Wighton (24.01) and Rachel Mills (24.12). Mike Deacon (24.16) managed to key Captain Kicks (24.17) at bay with a second to spare, while Philly Thompson (24.54), Guy Parker (26.08), Bev Aspin (27.11) and Rachel Capstick (27.17) all put in performances worthy of their mighty black and gold. Jess Harby (27.57 was just ahead of Emily Wighton (28.07), Moira McTague (28.35) was just ahead of Sarah Staiano (28.47), and Karen Mills (28.48) snuck ahead of Hannah Kempston (30.03).
With all still to play for in the mad dash for championship points, Angela Pattinson (31.53) stormed to the line, with Carolyn Jones (33.13) leading the charge of Sue Rogers (33.26), Sylvia Morten (33.35), and Jill Hornsby (33.37). I genuinely couldn’t be happier to see Dave Seaman (34.45) back out racing as he makes his recovery from illness, and who better to accompany him on this triumphant return than the incredible trio of Lianne Coiley (36.01), Chris Rogers (36.19) and Fiona Robinson (41.44)? A very well done to each and every one of you.
Sunday was one heck of a busy day, with both a marathon and a ten mile race at York. Connor Featherstone (3:33.39) was the first Nidd to finish the marathon. Sarah Staiano (3:41.53) was the next to finish, getting herself a qualifying time for a trip to compete in Boston in the future. Excellent effort, there. Alex Crowton (3:50. 57) was the next Nidd to cross the finish line, so a very well done to him. Incidentally, we’ve almost missed his result as he didn’t enter as a Nidd. Can you believe it? Seriously, some people can be so fickle. Anyway, another Sarah (Sarah Mkandawire, to be specific) was the next Nidd to finish, and did so in a brilliant time of 4:28.02, while Victoria Thomas (4:35.20) had more than enough to celebrate as she completed her first ever marathon. Those are all profound achievements, and so very well done to you all.
In the ten mile event, Craig Mills (57.24) took the coveted position of first MV45, and was joined in clocking a spectacular time by Adam Kirk (59.09), Mark Tyrell (1:19.58) and Jeremy Scott (1:21.33). It isn’t often that Debbie Dilasser (1:38.34) and Marcos Montana (1:48.44) get out and race, but it was fabulous to see them achieve brilliant results on this trip out, especially when out running with the fearlessly unstoppable Robert Hill (1:52.03). Those speedy peas in the athletic pod, Michelle Dinsdale (2:11.58) and Melissa Thomas-Peters (2:11.59), finished together, and rounded off a great showing for the team in York. Congratulations, everyone.
On the other side of the Pennines, we had a trio of Nidds take part in the Manchester Half Marathon. Kevin Nicholas put down a cracking time of 1:31.43, while Laura Francis bounced round in a brilliant time of 2:19.11. I shall make a little bit of a fuss of Jeff Walker, though, as he got himself a new PB of 2:09.10. Now, I’m not drawing any unwarranted conclusions here, but I can’t help but notice that the minute Jeff returns to the Nidd Valley Massive that he starts getting PBs again. You can, of course, come to your own conclusions. #justsayin’.
I’m not sure what it has been with half marathons this weekend, but we’re also able to celebrate a great result from Sue Ball, who was down in Peterborough where she raced in the Great Eastern Half Marathon. I know she has moved away from Harrogate now but she’s still technically a Nidder, and with a time of 2:25.51, it’s not like we can leave her out. She wants you to know that she’s missing you all, too. Well, of course she is. She moved away from God’ Own County and God’s Own Running Club. What did she think would happen?
In the final half marathon of the weekend, Debra Jenkins was all international and jet-setting when she competed in the Palma de Mallorca Half Marathon. She was delighted to finish under the two hour barrier in 1:59.55, and we’re equally as delighted to hear it. She’s gone off to drink wine and eat lots of tapas, so we’ll catch up with her when she gets back. Nice work, Debra.
On the fells, we enjoyed great results from a couple of nidds who took the muddy option as the Castle Carr Half near Calderdale. Yes, it says a ‘half’, but in reality this is more of an eight miler. Still, never mind splitting the hairs, Nick Andralojc finished in 1:29.27 and Kat Woodhead (2:08.55) also put in a great time. Well done to you both.
In addition to the results from Fountains above, we’ve still had plenty of other odds and sods going on in the world of Planet Parkrun, including Chris Carvey racing Stateside at the Roosevelt Island DC parkrun. Far less glamorous, Nigel Scaife and Sarah Bracher ran at Keswick (and when I see less glamorous, I’m obviously referring to the location. Nigel and Sarah are among the most glamorous people you might ever hope to meet). John Mallett ran at Wetherby, Mollie Mitton was down at Clapham Common, and Jo Lane was at Marshall Drive near Saltburn.
Phil and Reb Ventress took their weekly 5km at Millfield parkrun, Colleen Gruenwald headed up to Thorp Perrow to see what all the fuss was about, and Adam Kirk only went and got first place at Bowling Park. Right show off. ;-). Ian Doughty was at Northala Fields (near Northolt in West London, if you’re taking notes), while closer to home Martin Luxton was at Sedgefield and Iain Scott was at Temple Newsam. A few of us stuck close to home at Harrogate, and we had a few indulging in a little light crag-rattery at Conyngham Hall. You can read all of the parkrun results for the club in full here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
I know I’m just a pilgrim, I’m only passing through / It’s a choice I’m making tryin’ to be true / I don’t know if there’s a Judgment Day or a master plan / But I wanna be ready if before the Lord I stand / And I know I’m just a pilgrim, only passing through: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
Our Tuesday club run has been chosen by none other than Laura Francis. Laura quite fancies herself a run round Coldbath Road and I’m certainly not going to stand in her way. We leave the Hockey Club at 7pm and head out onto Skipton Road. Turning left onto Kings Road, cross over the crossroads by the Royal Hall and Spoons, cut past the hotel and over the Crown Roundabout. From there, push on up Coldbath Road. After this, you can head back to the club down Otley Road and York Place, or you can extend by running down Pannal Ash Road, Green Lane and Leadhall Lane. Whatever you do, the choice is yours. Just don’t leave people behind. That isn’t our style here at Nidd Valley House.
Laura’s mate Emily Wighton has chosen the run for Thursday, and she has asked that we run the Duchy Road. Again, leaving the club at 7pm, we’ll head out onto Skipton Road and Kings Road, but turn right onto Coppice Drive and over Ripon Road onto Duchy Road. From the top, you can head to Harlow Moor Road and back to Otley Road, and then it is up to you if you would like to head back to the club from Otley Road or if you would like to extend down Beckwith Road and past Ashville College.
If you fancy something a little different, then Captain Kicks wants to try out a new venue for the winter intervals. If you can get to the club for 7pm on Thursday night, she’ll lead a small jog to a mysterious venue and then will probably make you run round and round in circles or up and down a big hill, something like that. If you are (a) fearless or (b) a guinea pig, then please feel free to subject yourself to whatever creatively sadistic workout she has dreamed up.
Regardless of whether you do intervals or a club run, on Thursday, we’ll go for a pint and a catch up in the bar afterwards, and it would be lovely to see you. The conversation is, as I am sure you can imagine, thrilling.
Good luck to those who are lacing up their shoes to represent the club at the British Fell Relays in the Lake District on Saturday. You’ll need it.
Sunday brings us the second of our two Guy Fawkes 10 reccie runs. Debbie Dilasser will be leading this run, which will start from the carpark in Ripley at 10am. The pace will be as social and steady as needed, and it is a great chance to familiarise yourself with the course and the street corner where you will spend a couple of hours clapping and saying encouraging things to strangers.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
If you have not got yourself entered into the PECO XC series, then this is the time to do it. For five races plus a relay, most of which appear in our 2023-24 cross country championship, £17 is an absolute bargain. Trenchfoot is an optional extra, totally free of charge. Entries can be made here: 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.
The final races in the fell and the road championships are the Wadsworth Half Trog on the 12th November 2023 and Tadcaster 10 on 19th November 2023, respectively. You can enter here: https://tinyurl.com/3n9tt5ub and here: https://tinyurl.com/sknjjra6. If you want to get yourself some points for the championships, perhaps leapfrog that friendly rival to the top spot, then these are your last chances for points. You know what you need to do.
Committee Meeting: 18th October 2023
I find committee meetings incredibly exciting, and I mean exciting in the sense of Dante’s Seven Circles of Excitement. Ah well, hopefully there will be biscuits. If there is anything onto which you would like the committee to bring its enlightened and collected wisdom to bear, then you only have to let our much esteemed secretary Jonathan know. He’s normally lurking behind this email address: secretary@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
Intervals
A couple of weeks ago, someone asked on the Facebook page if and when the club winter intervals would begin this year. The dates are still provisional, but they will be on a Tuesday as per the usual arrangements, and we’ll have 6pm and 7pm shifts to enable as many to attend as possible. It looks like the first block of six will start on 7th November 2023, and run us through to Christmas. Blocks two and three will start in the New Year, and this should take us through to some gradually lighter nights and the beginning of the racing season. We’ll announce the particular sessions in the weekly email.
Word to the Wise
So last night, Jonathan Kay was eating a bag of posh crisps. You know the kind, where it’s all balsamic or cider vinegars, vintage cheeses and more chorizo than you can shake a stick at.
“I do like some long horn in my mouth…” – Jonathan Kay, midway through a bag of beef crisps.
First, he was being pleasured in Pleasureland and now this. Terrible.
Some from Jonathan, from me, and everyone here at Nidd Valley House, have a wonderful week. I am sure you will.
See you soon,
Chairman Sam x