(TLDR. The Headlines: Last email before Christmas. We’ve got the carol singing run and the hot turkey sandwiches at the Empress pub afterwards on Tuesday. Meet at the Hockey Club at 7pm. On Thursday, we have a last minute interval session, again meeting at the Hockey Club at 7pm. We’ve got a Christmas Eve run round Studley Deer Park on Monday. Read on for other arrangements about Christmas at Nidd Valley House, some info about the Awards Night, our fortieth anniversary celebrations, the AGM (thrilling), and a somewhat risque wise word).
Everyone is very excited at Nidd Valley House as we have our Christmas Carol Service tonight. We’ll be gathering around the Christmas tree in the drawing room and it’ll be incredibly festive. All candlelit and everything. Dazzler has been making mince pies, Nick and Jane are on the mulled wine, and Sarah has been practising her descant for Hark the Herald Angels Sing. We’re hoping to avoid a repeat of the incident last year involving Sylvia and a bottle of Harvey’s Bristol Cream, as the council certainly weren’t impressed when we returned the traffic cone. Still, we’re good to go, don our gay apparel and get those halls decked with boughs of holly. So with a tra la la la la, let’s have a look at the results from the week that was.
Results from the Week That Was…
I’ve got to start with making a quick fuss of Kev Nicholas, whose result at the Leeds Bah Humbug 10km last weekend slipped under the radar here in the Results Department. Kev completed the event in 58.54, and we couldn’t let it pass without saying well done. So that’s that done.
I know that parkrun is often an afterthought and footnote in the weekly emails, but I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t celebrate our juniors Preeti and Smiti Chandrashekar who completed their hundredth parkrun at Harrogate yesterday morning. That’s a brilliant achievement, and something they should be well proud of! Well done, you two.
100 Parkruns!
And so to that muddy slip and slide that is the PECO. It was a big day for our Dazzler, as he had taken on responsibility for management of the club gazebo, a job successfully managed by Dave Seaman for many a year. It’ll come as no surprise that Dave took the time to inspect the handiwork of his apprentice padawan this morning, and was quick to point out that Dazzler had put the roof on the wrong way round. A solid effort, Dazzler, but I’m afraid Dave is unable to score you more than 6/10 for that rookie error. And let’s be honest, you can say what you like about our Dave, but when it comes to erections then he certainly does know his onions.
It’s probably best that we move onto the results. Smiti Chandrashekar was the first to show for Nidd Valley Juniors in the one mile race, finishing in a superb 8.56. Jessica Webster (10.07) and Tobi Dolman (10.50) definitely deserve extra presents in their stockings for performances like that. Brilliant, just brilliant. In the two mile race, Eleanor Easton (17.10) was on top form, never too far ahead of the also tremendous Preeti Chadrashekar (21.14). Congratulations to all of the Niddlings.
In the men’s senior race, it fell to young Jack Brierley (27.55) to bring home the bacon, while Rob Kingston (28.46) just managed to hold off Craig Mills (28.54). It was all to play for as Finlaey McCreanor (29.22) battled it out with Will Bailey (30.17) and as Kev Clark (31.44) stretched out a one minute advantage over Captain Dazzler (32.44). Andy Todd (33.00), Andy Iddon (33.19) and Kev Nicholas (33.33) were just ahead of Chris Carvey (34.34), Steve Turner (35.40), Jon Easton (35.43) and Simon Cocker (35.56).
Nick Crebbin (36.56) took the early lead and left me (37.20) floundering in the mud, with Mark Tyrell (37.34) taking the lead over a hungover Nigel Scaife (38.13). Jeremy Scott (38.48) was just in front of Carl Read (39.31), while Ian Wighton (40.16) and Nick Smith (41.37) couldn’t quite overtake Chandra Shekar (39.44). Steve Newton (43.19) and Chris Morris (44.18) were just ahead of Dave Seaman (53.51) and Marcos Montana (53.52) who were locked in a tense battle to the line. Graham Hyde (56.44) rounded things off for the chaps.
Louise Kingston (30.36) finished seventh lady overall, with Ruth Sinclair (32.04) just behind. Amy Sheppard (35.07), Kirsty Walter (36.03), Laura Fancis (38.30), Cath Barber (38.57), Sara Stainano (38.58) and Dianne Winnard (42.47) were the next to finish, while Chatty McChatface (42.38) had a job on to keep Katharine Woodhead (42.48), Karen Mills (43.39) and Emily Wighton (46.10) at bay. We then enjoyed great runs from Rachel Capstick (47.51), Susy Rhodes (49.53) and Joanne Lane (52.11). Our top five finishers for the ladies were none other than the incredible Michelle Smith (52.40), Sarah Bracher (53.15), Liz Ahmad (53.44), Jill Hornsby (53.52) and Sylvia Morten (56.20). Congratulations to you all.
Time to get muddy!
I don’t know everyone who provided all the cakes and biscuits at the PECO this morning, although I know that Louise Kingston provided us with the very delicious homemade cake. Thanks Louise. Much appreciated, and good to see that there wasn’t an unacceptable soggy bottom.
It’s been a very Scandinavian affair with parkrun this weekend, with the Deacons feeling the chill when they ran in the Haga parkrun in Sweden. Emma David was in Denmark where she was the first lady to finish in the Amager Fælled parkrun. Hubby Mark also ran it, but isn’t registered as a Nidd on the result. Can you believe it? Yeah, I know. Pauline Hogg was in Brierley Forest in Derbyshire, while Sue Ball was in Ferry Meadows, Martin Luxton in Sedgefield, Philly Thompson in Darlington and Andrew Davis was at Heslington. Katharine Woodhead did her thing at Glossop, Iain Scott did his at Millfield, and the Robinsons were freezing their knackers off at Silloth Promenade on the Solway Firth. As ever, we had plenty up at Fountains and down at Conyngham, and plenty joining the Chandrashekars in their celebrations. You can read up on all the results right here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen…
And I will go if you ask me to / I will stay if you dare / And if I go I’m goin’ shameless / I’ll let my hunger take me there: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
Oh god, it’s that time of year again. The carol singing run. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is your annual opportunity to torment the innocent residents of our otherwise sleepy and peaceful town by punctuating our club run with pauses to belt out Christmas bangers and clangers. Normally in nine different keys at the same time, too. It certainly won’t be a silent night. Meet on Tuesday and be good to run from the Hockey Club at 7pm. Captain Dazzler will plot a steady and social route around town, and the evening will be all about a social catch up rather than covering any great distance at any great speed. Afterwards, we’ll be heading to the Empress Pub for hot sandwiches and beer as arranged by Phil Ventress. Thanks for that, Phil.
On Thursday, we’ve got our last club run of the year. Again, meet at the Hockey Club at 7pm where captains Daz and Emma have lined up a cheeky little interval session for you. There’s the promise of chocolate selection boxes, too. Don’t tell me that we don’t look after you well. Again, this will be a bit of a social get together as well as a chance for some last minute exertions before the excesses of the season well and truly kick in, so I hope that you can join us. All welcome, obviously.
On Christmas Eve, Phil Ventress and Babs have a social run lined up. This kicks off at 10am from Studley Deer Park, and will be about 5-6 miles with the promise of mince pies and mulled wine afterwards. Sounds like a winner to me. If you are planning on going, you need to drive through Studley Roger village (best place name ever. It sounds so deliciously filthy and suggestive that I can’t say it without doing a Lesley Phillips-esque ‘ding dong’ afterwards)., and turn right into Studley Deer Park. Turn right again at the junction, pass the house on your left, and park up in the yard at the end of the road (if you use what3words, then comply.rival.singer will get you close enough to where you need to be). You’ll certainly need your trail shoes, perhaps something a bit more grippy if you have them. It could be muddy.
Christmas at Nidd Valley House
This Thursday will be the last club run of the year. There won’t be any organised club runs on Boxing Day, the 28th December 2023, or the 2nd January 2024. We’ll meet for our first club run on Thursday 4th January 2024, and the intervals will start on the Tuesday after that. If you are heading out or want to meet others for a run, then please feel free to make contact with others via the email or Facebook group. It’s got to be more enjoyable than watching Love Actually, that’s for sure. I couldn’t fit enough pins in my eyes to get me through that rubbish.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
There are still places available for the Jolly Holly Jog in Ripon on New Year’s Eve. This is a chance to get some points in the muddy joy that is the cross country championship, and the 10km route is well within the reach of everyone in the club. If you can join us, it will be great to see you. Come on, why don’t you? Get involved: https://tinyurl.com/yvaak3ru.
Awards Night: 27 January 2024
We have now sold out and there will be no more places available, so sorry if you have missed the athletic boat with this one. Please note that payment is due on 5th January 2024 at the latest to secure your place. The club bank details are account 12074796 and sort code 40-23-12, and you can get hold of Sylvia to confirm payment via sylviamorten1@gmail.com.
Nidd Valley is Forty
Before I was even born (but more than a glint in the milkman’s eye), our founding members came together on 1st February 1984 and Nidd Valley Road Runners was born. In that time, the club has gone from strength to strength, and we’ve enjoyed forty years of friendships, athletic achievements, many miles of running and some incredible achievements, and we’ve certainly picked up plenty of eccentrics and colourful characters along the way.
We’ll be marking the anniversary properly in the summer, but on Thursday 1st February 2023, we’ll be meeting in the Hockey Club bar after our run to toast our birthday with some drinks and cake. We’ll be putting out a shout for bakers nearer the time, but this is worth getting into your diary.
AGM: 7th March 2024
On the subject of dates for your diary, the next club AGM will be on 7th March 2024. I know, I can barely contain my excitement, too.
Word to the Wise
We’ve got a pair of wise words to see us out for the year. The first comes from Nigel Scaife, reflecting upon the challenges of running with a two day hangover at the PECO this morning.
“This is one of those races that unfortunately requires a modicum of athletic ability, which rules me out today…” – Nigel Scaife, with a touch of fragility in his demeanour.
The second comes from Debbie Dilasser, sharing the challenges of getting her hair right with a sub-standard hairdryer.
“I don’t do a good blow. It’s always a bit of a rough blow…” – Debbie Dilasser, and I think we need say no more.
So from Nigel, from Debbie, from me, and from everyone else here at Nidd Valley House, have a wonderful Christmas and the happiest of new years.
Chairman Sam x