(TLDR. The Headlines: On Tuesday we have intervals in Valley Gardens at 6pm and 7pm, and on Thursday our club run takes us round the supermarkets. There’s nothing in the diary for this weekend. Read on for further details about the Harrogate Homeless 10km prize money, the much-anticipated Awards Night and, of course, some wise words).
Hi.
Sorry not to get an email out last week and thanks to Dazzler and Emma for stepping up at the last minute. I was taking part in a novel and experimental rapid weight loss scheme courtesy of a lamb curry of a somewhat dubious and questionable origin. Anyway, normal service and solid foods have been resumed, and it was lovely to see so many of you at the PECO this morning. Yes, the weather was baltic but the sight of the mighty Black & Gold is enough to warm any heart. So while we gradually defrost ourselves, let’s catch up with the results.
Results from the Week That Was…
We’ve got a couple from the back catalogue to get us started. We start with Steve Newton (You know the chap. Ginger. Ex-chairman. Scouser, can’t understand a word he says). Anyway, Steve was in Benidorm and took the chance to complete the Benidorm Half Marathon. He did so without incident in 1:59.38, which is more than can be said for when he and Fingers Harris did it several years ago and arrived at the start line only to find the race had gone half an hour ago. Well done, Steve.
We’ve also got a result from Russell Geraghty who last week took part in the Sale 6km Fell Race. As you’d doubtlessly expect with fell running, this was somewhat hilly. Russell got himself round in 38.17, finishing 119th out of 164 finishers. That’s a great effort, Russ.
A couple of weeks ago, Sue Ball was down in St Neots where she took part in the imaginatively named St Neots Half Marathon. Sue completed the run in a tremendous time of 2:01.01, claiming the prize for 1st FV65 in the process. Brilliant! But yeah, I know what you’re thinking, she doesn’t look like she’s a V65. Keeps you looking young, does Nidd Valley.
Of course the big results will obviously be from today’s PECO at Temple Newsam. That was one hell of a brutal, hilly and muddy course, and Steve Newbould was very upset that he got his trainers dirty. He’s a delicate flower. Anyway, to the results, and this week we will kick off with the results from the men. Jack Brierly (27.33) was the first to show for the men, and was soon joined by Finlay McCreanor (28.22) and Rob Kingston (28.35). Captain! Oh my captain! Yes indeed, Dazzler (29.40) was the next to cross the line, chased over the water jump by none other than Will Bailey (29.49), Steve Newbould (30.14), Andy Todd (31.40), Martin Lofthouse (32.16), Chris Carvey (33.51), and Simon Cocker (34.41). It isn’t often we see Steve Turner (34.48), but it was lovely to see him, especially as he was joined by the magnificent Nigel Scaife (35.09), Jon Easton (35.37)m and Nick Crebbin (36.06). Sam Fugill (37.45) was the next to tackle the sprint finish to the line, with Steve Newton (38.36), Carl Read (38.45), Mike Deacon (39.10) and Chandra Shekar (39.45) never too far behind. Our final five finishers for the men were Ian Wighton (42.29), Nick Smith (42.53), Jonathan Kay (43.07), FRP (44.07) and Dave Seaman (51.08). Congratulations to you all.
Louise Kingston (30.32) was the first Nidd lady to finish, and finished seventh overall, so that’s a cracking achievement. Amy Sheppard (33.24) was just ahead of Theresa Oldroyd (33.41) and Kirsty Walter (36.27), while Fiona Deacon (37.49) had Sarah Staiano (37.58) snapping at her athletic heels. Christiner Holleran finished in 41.31, and was soon joined by Diane Winnard (41.51), Rebecca Ventress (42.15), Anna Bulcock (42.53), Victoria Thomas (42.58), Chatty McChatface (43.22) and Helen Cook (44.29).
Nadene Wilkinson skidded over the line in 46.12, closely followed by Rachel Capstick (47.38), Sarah Gore (49.20), Sarah Bracher (50.29), Michelle Smith (51.40), Sarah Chalmers (53.11) and Joanne Lane (53.59). Sylvia Morten (57.27) wasn’t feeling on top form – more on that below – but got herself safely round the course, and was joined at the finish by the indefatigable Fiona Robinson (1:03.12). Very well done to you all.
In the PECO junior races, we enjoyed performances from seven of our finish Niddlings. In the one mile race, we cheered home Smiti Chandrashekar (8.57), Jessica Webster (10.20) and Ted Carman (15.26). In the two mile race, we were blown away by the incredible efforts of Eleanor Easton (13.18), Fraser Dobinson (14.52), Lily Scaife (17.13) and Preeti Chandrashekar (17.32).
Sue Ball ran at Ferry Meadows Parkrun this week, while Laura Franis and Emily Wighton were a-slippin’ and a-slidin’ at Roundhay. Adam Kirk joined the Robinsons at Wetherby, John Mallet headed to Nostell Priory, Chris Beattie ran at Milford Waterfront, and Karen Mills ran at Holyrood. Maurice Kelly and Sarah Gore headed down to Conyngham Hall, and 24 Nidds took their weekly constitutional around a frosty Stray in Harrogate. You can read up on all of the results here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
Tried to see what it means to say / Break my bones then I praise the pain / Don’t take shelter, stand in the rain / It’s meant to feel that way: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
On Tuesday, we are back with the intervals again. There will be sessions at both 6pm and 7pm, and the meeting point is at the Pitch and Putt Hut in Valley Gardens. I think this means that there will be hills involved, you lucky things. Jane and Cath will look after those at the 6pm session, and Nick and Bec will have oversight of the 7pm session.
Thursday is obviously another club run, and this week the consensus is that we head into town for a bit of supermarket shopping. For this, we’ll leave the club at 7pm and head down past the railway and past ASDA. From there, it is up into town and past the bus station and Waitrose. From there, you can shorten and head straight back to the club, and that will be no more than about 5km. Alternatively, you can head past St Aidan’s School to the showground (and you extend even further round M&S corner if you like), before heading down past Sainsbury’s. Again, you head back up Wetherby Road to the club, or you can continue along Forest Lane and past Morrisons before heading back up the club from Starbeck. Plenty of options.
Whatever distance or speed you feel like running at, please do come and join us. If you’re worried that there won’t be anyone at your pace, then stick a note on email or Facebook. You’re sure to find someone who would like to run with you and has been waiting all week for your message.
We’ll probably head to the bar for a pint afterwards, too, and that’s always nice.
There doesn’t appear to be anything in the calendar for this weekend. Enjoy the time off!
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
We hope to unveil the provisional listings for the 2024 road and fell championships soon enough, so there will be plenty of booking opportunities for you. In the meantime, the only thing race-wise that it might be worth getting on in is the Jolly Holly Jog on 31st December 2023. A perfect end to the year before the night time revelries begin, that’s for sure. Quite a bit of mud, too, I should imagine. This is where you need to be: https://tinyurl.com/yvaak3ru.
Awards Night: 27th January 2024
It’s always interesting to see how well people scrub up here at Nidd Valley. One minute people are schlepping round a muddy field in lycra, and the next thing they’re wearing cocktail dresses, sipping glasses of fizz and exchanging gossip. And that’s just the men. I’m not a one for getting all dressed up, to be honest. When I put a suit on, it looks like that I’m up before the magistrates or that I’ve had a head transplant or something, but needs must. This is the one time if the year when we can get a bit dressed up and celebrate a great year of running. There are awards a-plenty, including the much coveted ‘Most Meritorious’ and ‘Most Improved’. It could be you.
But here’s the catch: we have only seven places left. And once we have sold out, that will be it. We won’t be able to squeeze any more in. If you’d like to come, then all the relevant information, menu choices, payment instructions, can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/2nn75rt5. Please don’t miss out. We’d hate you to be disappointed.
Some Thanks
You might remember that we decided to donate our team prize for the Harrogate Homeless 10km back to the charity, rather thinking that they could use the money more than we could. We got the following message from their volunteer coordinator Frankie: “I just wanted to thank yourself and all the Nidd Valley Road Runners for re-donating the prize money from the virtual run the other week. As you are aware, being a local independent charity, we rely hugely on donations and the generosity of the local community. This donation will be a great addition to the work we do at our Springboard Day Centre, our Hostel, and in our move-on accommodation, to help and provide for the homeless of Harrogate and support their transition back to independent living.”
So, thank you.
Word to the Wise
This week’s sage wisdom comes from Sylvia Morten who was, she told, somewhat fragile before the start of this morning’s race.
“I’m really hungover. Why am I doing this? Honestly, I’m 62 and I turn up to a race half cut…” – Sylvia Morten, preparing for the PECO after the night before.
To think that she’s on the committee, too.
So from Sylvia, from me, and everyone else here at Nidd Valley House, have a great week.
Stay warm and see you soon,
Chairman Sam x