(TLDR. The Headlines: On Tuesday we are back at the intervals, with 6pm and 7pm sessions on Slingsby Walk. Our Thursday club run takes us towards Knaresborough, and we have Wetherby Parkrun on Saturday as a fixture in our cross country championships. Stanbury Splash is the offering to the fell runners this Sunday if more mud is required in your life. Read on for up and coming events and the new 2024 club championships).
Happy New Year! I hope you managed to see out the old and ring in the new in a suitably celebratory style. There was some talk of the committee doing Dry January, which we have decided is a tremendous idea. Dave is having a dry cider, Jonathan and Jane have opened a bottle of dry white wine, and Sylvia is mixing herself a dry martini. So while they enjoy those, let’s take a look at the recent batch of results.
Results from the Week That Was…
Thanks to Darren for covering the results from the Boxing Day Chevin Chase. Some really great results there, so well done to everyone who got involved and got muddy.
Unfortunately the results for the New Year’s Eve Auld Lang Syne Fell Race weren’t available when Dazzler put fingertips to keypad, but I’ve managed to locate the results here. So it’s full marks to Nigel Scaife (1:05.41) who decided to wear a dress while running over a hilltop pursued by a dinosaur – if you haven’t seen the photo, then this will make no sense to you – and we cannot do anything but celebrate the achievements of Sarah Bracher (1:34.30) and Sarah Chalmers (1:38.18) who also made easy work of the tough course.
Although Daz didn’t have the luxury of cramming in all of the results from the Jolly Holly Jog during his short lunch break at the British Library – and, yes indeed, those books won’t stamp themselves – we always celebrate all of the runners if we can, so without further ado. Adam Kirk (40.35) was hounded to the line by Rob Kingston (41.22) as he was the first Nidd to finish, while Ruth Sinclair (42.32) brought home the bacon as the first overall female finisher. Tremendous. Captain Dazzler (43.11), Martin Lofthouse (45.43), Kev Clark (46.01), Andrew Iddon (46.06) and Matt Rickard (48.42) finished just ahead of Theresa Oldroyd (48.52) who, given she was waving and smiling at the photographers, clearly wasn’t trying hard enough ;-). Chris Carvey (49.42) was just ahead of Simon Cocker (49.55) and young Josh Bryer (50.03), while Richard Evans (50.41) had to work hard to keep Nick Crebbin (51.00), Lule Tucker (51.24) and Mark Tyrell (51.49) in his rearview mirror.
Try as I might, I (52.28) couldn’t catch Fiona Deacon (52.14) on the final run in, and was also getting squeaky bum about keeping my advantage of Sarah Staiano (52.46), Emma David (54.09) and Jeremy Scott (54.27). Mike Deacon (54.28) continued his impressive return to form, and we also enjoyed splendid performances from Ian Wighton (55.09), Mark David (55.40), Christine Holleran (55.44), Rachel Mills (57.11), Nick Smith (57.25), Russell Geraghty (57.45), Michael Shaw (58.23) and Helen Gregory (58.29).
Streuth, this is taking a while isn’t it? Me and my big mouth. Anyway, we press on. Dianne Winnard (58.35) finished with Roger Duckworth (59.13), Vicky Thomas (59.55), Chatty McChatface (1:02.04), Katharine Woodhead (1:03.03) and Jenny Manning (1:03.45). Hannah Kempson (1:04.08) finished alongside Martin Luxton (1:07.10) who, incidentally, decided to take a flying lesson mid-race. Get well soon, Martin. Jane Evans (1:07.24) and Guy Parker (1:09.03) watched on anxiously as Moira McTague (1:09.04) was chased to the line by a Christmas Tree (dear reader, she won), and we also had brilliant results from Susy Rhodes (1:12.56), Sarah Gore (1:13.05), Dave Seaman (1:14.05), Michelle Smith (1:15.51) and Liz Ahmed (1:19.17).
We didn’t have long to wait to see Graham Hyde (1:19.17) finish, and it was equally as fab to see Hannah Peagram (1:20.50), Sylvia Morten (1:22.00), Martin Weeks (1:23.47), Andrew Peagram (1:25.01). Our final three finishers were the ever-wonderful Jill Hornsby (1:26.13), Lianne Coiley (1:26.14) and Mrs Robinson (1:29.58).
Yesterday, Sarah Chalmers took herself to the Lake District to compete in a Kong Series Fell Race in Braithwaite. This one is appropriately named SOB and, having made your way from the village to check off the peaks Stile End, Outerside and Barrow, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was called Son of a Bitch. Anyway, Sarah hasn’t bitched at all and was rather pleased with her time of 1:39.46. And so she should be, too. Well done, Sarah.
Now I am not too sure how I feel about celebrating people who run in the colours of a different running club. I mean, who’d want to swap the glorious Black & Gold for the colours of a lesser club. Still, if Kev Nicholas wants to run with muggles then I suppose that he knows his own business best. Anyway, Kev joined up with Leeds & Bradford Tri Club to compete in the West Yorkshire Winter XC LEague earlier today. Results aren’t out yet, but Strava tells me that he ran five miles round a muddy field near Huddersfield in just over 47 minutes, so there you are. Consider yourself updated.
In parkrun, we have two more results on the MalletMap. Karen Mills ran at Ilfield Mill Pond, and the Ventresses were down under running at Pakapakanthi parkrun in Adelaide. Call me obtuse if you want to, but doesn’t it strike you as odd that Phil and Rebecca are currently upside down? Anyway, Owen and Freya Dart ran at Woodhouse Moor, Isaac Morland ran at Cardiff, and Adam Kirk and Lisa Gibson ran at Middlesborough’s Albert Park. Martin Luxton ran at Sedgefield, as per usual arrangements, and Sylvia Morten headed to Roundhay, as per unusual arrangements for her as she is usually somewhere up the Chevin.
Liz Ahmed ran at Gadebridge (nope, me neither), Laura Francis was over in Skipton, Iain Scott was at Nostell Priory, Ian Wighton was at Bramley, Sue Ball was at Rutland Water, Pauline Hogg ran at Cliffe Castle, and the Robinsons took their weekly constitutional at Epworth Equestrian Park. As you’d expect, plenty of people did the rounds at Harrogate, Conyngham Hall and Fountains Abbey, and you can see all of the results here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
I’ve got to have your word on this / or none of it is true / and all I’ve said was just instead of / coming back to you: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
On Tuesday, we are back at the intervals as we kick start the stamina building set. If this won’t help shift those residual mince pies and pigs in blankets, then I don’t know what will. This week we are down on Slingsby. Meet at the corner of Slingsby Walk near Wetherby Road, oppose the hospital. As per usual, we’ll have sessions at both 6pm and 7pm, so come to whichever one works best for you. Jane and Rachael will be your hosts for the first session, whereas Nigel and Sarah will be on hand to put you through your paces at the 7pm meet.
We have a club run lined up for you on Thursday, and I’m sure that you’re nothing if not delighted to know that we’ll be heading down to Knaresborough. I know this is a bit far for some, and so we have a longer and a shorter option. Set off from the Hockey Club at 7pm, and head down Kingsley Road and into Starbeck. Cross over the lights and head up to the crossroads. The shorter route group takes you down Forest Lane to the double roundabout. The longer route takes you down the hill to Knaresborough, along Waterside, and back up Forest Moor. Rejoining the shortened route, head up Hookstone Chase, cut through Morrisons car park to Starbeck, and head back up Kingsley Road to the club. For those that have little better to do with their spare time, we’ll be going to the bar for a couple of beers or soft drinks and a catch up. All welcome.
On Saturday, we have the next fixture in our cross country championships with a trip to Wetherby Parkrun. Assuming that Wetherby Ings isn’t submerged in several feet of water, kick off is at the usual 9am. Make sure that you are registered as a Nidder on your parkrun profile and don’t forget your barcode! It’s a safe bet to assume that we’ll retreat somewhere for a cup of tea and some breakfast. Hope to see as many of you there as possible. All the deets: http://tinyurl.com/yc47ypc7.
Although not in the club championships, there is the Stanbury Splash Fell Race on Sunday. Always a popular one with the Nidds (and some still wake up with a start in a cold sweat at memory of the water crossing), entry is only a fiver and it’s a really cracking run round Bronte Country. Prepare for mud, but fun is certainly guaranteed. Why not have a look?: http://tinyurl.com/37a86y53.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
So the penultimate PECO, on 28th January 2024, is the morning after Awards Night. I see absolutely no way that this could go wrong. Incidentally, this is the race that we are co-hosting and Dazzler has sent out an email appeal for volunteers to marshal. If you’re not running or will likely be too hungover to consider running round a field in South Leeds, then please let him know. He would gladly hear from you. If, however, you relish the chance to try your hand at running the morning after the night before, then here is the essential preparatory material: http://tinyurl.com/bfksjx6y.
Although this does not require pre-booking, the fell championships kick off on 4th February 2024 with the Runners & Riders Fell Race. For some, the memory of Fiona Deacon’s shortcut last year may be a little too raw, but she’s promised that she’ll read the map properly this time round. It’s ten quid in, but it’s a thrilling five mile chase around Wharfedale as a tangle of runners, cyclists, limbs and metal all crash towards the finish in Appletreewick. Not to be missed: http://tinyurl.com/32vhx7j4.
Club Championships 2024
As per the email comms, the 2024 club championship is now finalised. I know, exciting doesn’t even begin to cut it. Thanks so much to Fell Running Phil and Captains Emma and Dazzler who have put in a stack of work to get a balanced championship and avoid the all too inevitable date clashes. Get your dates in the diary, and get booking: http://tinyurl.com/bdzhtfzr.
Word to the Wise
Nothing for you this week, I’m afraid. So I shall leave it there. If you’ve gone back to work after CChristmas, then I hope it hasn’t been as bad as you might have feared. If you’re back to school tomorrow, have a great term. And, whatever you do, get out for a run, ideally with Nidd Valley. There’s no better way to get yourself through the dark nights of January.
Take good care, and see you all soon.
Chairman Sam x