(TLDR. The Headlines: On Tuesday we have intervals at both 6pm and 7pm, and are meeting on St Catherine’s Road. On Thursday, we have our 40th anniversary club run, and we’ll be doing the Cornwall Road route, meeting at the club at 7pm. We’ll regroup afterwards for drinks and birthday cake in the Hockey Club Bar. On Sunday we have the first race in the fell champs – Runners and Riders – and please read on for the usual up and coming events, some news about the AGM, and the usual wise word).
It’s the morning after the night before here at Nidd Valley House after an incredible Awards Night down at Oakdale Golf Club. Although I was enjoying far from optimal health, it was great to spend the evening with you, have some wine, talk a load of rubbish, and hand out the awards. It was also a pleasure to see Andy Iddon in his pyjamas as we presented him with his Most Improved Runner Award via a video link. As I said last night, so many people have put in a stack of effort to make the evening such a success (the committee, Nadene, Mark, Moira, and others). Thanks very much to them and to all the rest of you.
Results from the Week That Was…
As you might expect the morning after a post-midnight finish, there weren’t as many adults as usual at the PECO XC in Middleton Park this morning, but we still had a good showing from the juniors. So let’s hear a big cheer for Smiti Chandrashekar (08.55), Tobi Dolman (10.53), Jessica Webster (11.13) and Freya Dart (11.47), all of whom gave it their all on the one mile course. And give me a whoop whoop for those intrepid juniors who got themselves round the two mile course. I couldn’t be prouder to tell you that there were none other than Eleanor Easton (15.45), Eva Anwyl (17.37), Fraser Dobinson (18.43) and Owen Dart (19.49). Well done, Niddlings!
And so to Theresa Oldroyd (38.39) who kicked things off the ladies on senior course, with Fiona Deacon (39.42) and Sarah Staiano (39.49) just behind. Christine Holleran (41.30) had clearly had her weetabix this morning, and was able to hold the advantage over Karen Mills (45.49) and Chatty McChatface (45.58). Sarah Bracher (53.24) put in a sparkling performance with Susie Rhodes (53.49) and the incorrectly spelled Sarah Gole (also 53.49) – I assume they mean Sarah Gore – while our four female finishers were the remarkable Jo Lane (54.04), Jill Hornsby (56.13), Michelle Smith (57.57) and Liz Ahmad (58.43).
Thin Lizzy were right, all along. The boys were indeed back in town with some sterling races from young whippersnappers Jack Brierley (29.28), Will Bailey (30.51) and Finlay McCreanor (32.08). Steve Newbould (32.11) manages to keep Martin Lofthouse (34.38) and Matt Rickard (35.21), while the gloves were off in a tussle for the line between Chris Carvey (37.30), Mark Tyrell (37.34), and Nick Andralojc (37.46). The lovely Jon Easton had it all wrapped up in an impressive 38.21, while Nigel Scaife (40.19), Michael Shaw (42.16), and Chandra Shekar (42.17) soon joined him in his finish line celebrations. Nick Smith (43.34), Mike Deacon (43.46) and Jeremy Scott (44.12) were just ahead of our inexhaustible trio of finishers: Dave Seaman (54.50), Marcos Montana (56.24) and Graham Hyde (57.03). Well done to you all.
I think that’s it for races this week, although I’m quite sure that someone will point out if I have missed them out.
Oh, actually, that reminds me. John Beaumont was straight on the old WhatsApp last week to ask why I hadn’t included him in the results from the Brass Monkey Half Marathon. Probably because you weren’t down as a Nidder, John, but let’s not fall out about it. Anyway, he’s a cracking little runner and he got himself a time of 1:38.41, which certainly isn’t to be overlooked. Well done, John.
Now, John says that there are two new parkruns on the MallettMap this week, the first being Kaymay Parkrun in Sydney, Australia. Well done to Phil and Reb Ventress who ran that before heading back to the UK for a festival of jetlag and laundry. Katharine Woodhead ran at Heaton Park in Manchester. Now, I’m pretty sure that I have had this in a write up before, but will gladly defer to John and technical authority of the MallettMap. Martin Luxton ran at Sedgefield, Adam Kirk and Lisa Gibson did their thing at Dewsbury, and the Wightons and the Deacons ran at Potternewton (I did it once. Hilly as you like. Would not recommend). The Robinsons decided to go and do their parkrun at Northallerton – heaven knows why – and Sam Wheeler, Jane Evans, Emma David and Dazzler had a run at Chevin Forest. I hadn’t heard of a place called Levengrove, probably never would have done and would seen out my years in blissful ignorance if Rob Northfield hadn’t been up there for his parkrun. Well, everyday is a school day, and I can tell you that Levengrove Parkrun is on the banks of the River Clyde, and is easy reach of Dumbarton Railway Station and the local Wetherspoons. As ever, we had plenty of Nidds at Harrogate, Conyngham Hall and Fountains Abbey, and you can investigate the full results in depth should the mood take you: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
I know the burden’s heavy / As you wheel it through the night / Some people say it’s empty / But that don’t mean it’s light: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
When we meet on Tuesday, we’ll be meeting for intervals as we do each Tuesday through the dark nights of winter. This week, we are meeting to do the stamina-building loop on St Catherine’s Road. We hope that you’ll be able to join us for either the 6pm or the 7pm session (lead by Dazzler and Jane, and by Emma and Bri, respectively). The meet point is the junction between St Catherine’s Road and St Winifred’s Road, so just down from Co-op and the Brew Bar. I can’t pretend that it’ll be particularly enjoyable, but nothing ever came easy did it? As ever, please wear something hi-viz and carry a head torch if you have one.
And so to Thursday and to another club run. This week we are heading up to do Cornwall Road and that neck of the (pine) woods. Meet at the club and be good to run for 7pm. Head across the Stray, past Christchurch, and through the cut into town. From the bottom of Valley Gardens, make your way up Cornwall Road before turning left to run along Harlow Moor Road. The shortest route is then to run back towards the club, running back down OTley Road and along York Place, although you are of course welcome to extend by running round Beckwith Road, Green Lane, and Leadhall Lane, before heading for home from Leeds Road M&S. Don’t be out for too long, however, because…
… Thursday marks the 40th anniversary of Nidd Valley Road Runners. I know, and we’re looking very good on it, too. We’ll be regrouping in the Hockey Club Bar for some drinks and for some birthday cake. It would be great if you could join us. If you are able to help with baking (and thanks to those of you who have offered), then I would love to hear from you. You can get hold of me here: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
On Sunday we have the first fell race of the 2024 season and the opening skirmish in the battle for the championship trophies. Brian, Amy, Martin and Emma won them last year. It doesn’t mean you have to let them keep them without a fight this year. This race is the Runners and Riders Fell Race at Appletreewick, is entry on the day and, at less than 10km, it’s well within the grasp of the novice and hopeless amateur like my good self. The highlight has to be the chance to regroup in the barn afterwards where they have fires going, the kettle on, and enough cake to make Martin think about bringing extra sandwich backs and tupperware. All the details here: http://tinyurl.com/32vhx7j4.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
If you have a look at the club championships (and you can do so, here: http://tinyurl.com/bdzhtfzr), you will notice that most of the races in February and into March don’t require any pre-booking as they are PECOs and Parkruns, so you can reassure your inner Yorkshireman and put your wallet away. However, the one to watch is the Keighley 10km, which is in our cross-country championships and seems to be selling at a fairly brisk rate. This is on Sunday 10th March 2024, so it’s worth getting yourself booked in while you remember. Crack on: http://tinyurl.com/576t7drf.
AGM: 7th March 2024
This is a quick reminder that we’ve got our AGM coming up. Further details, instructions and other information will follow in due course from our secretary Jonathan, but we’d be really grateful if you would get the date in your diary.
Bed Race 2024
Watch your inboxes, everybody. The team selections for the 2024 bed race will be published soon. Captains Emma and Dazzler are just finalising the details.
Word (Speech?) to the Wise
Some people have asked that I reprinted the speech from the Awards Night yesterday. Well, if you have nothing better to do for the next 30 minutes, without further ado…
So another year, and it’s time to see,
What’s been happening at Nidd Valley,
And (although I shouldn’t exaggerate),
All the many things that make us great,
Or make you glad that you paid your subs,
To be part of this best of clubs.
And it’s with the club champs that we start,
As we lined up eager to depart,
On cross country, trail, road and fell,
With lots of other Nidds as well.
We’ve raced at Thirsk and Melmerby,
At Tadcaster and Wetherby,
Where, I’m sure, you all had fun,
At that “cracking little Yorkshire run…”.
We’ve run thirteen miles down in Ilkley,
And, in Knaresborough, some crag-rattery,
Then to Tholthorpe and then – quite the lark -,
We got bobble hats at Rudding Park.
We’ve completed the athletic shift,
That is six dreadful k at Sessay Swift,
Then run round Guiseley and, even then,
We did that bloody hill at the Otley Ten.
But it was way back in July,
When Nidders raised the battle cry,
And laced our shoes upon our feet,
As we would not accept defeat,
From Squash Club down to Crimple Beck,
We fought with Striders, neck and neck,
Up to the woods, the road, and still,
One last push up Showground Hill.
As to the breach we ran once more,
‘Gainst Striders in the Mob Match War,
And in response to gauntlet thrown,
We brought the Mob Match Trophy home!
In contrast there’s the misery,
Of a PECO race, or cross country,
When Nidders, shivering, have found,
Themselves lining up on sinking ground,
Or wading deep in icy flood,
Or through those endless miles of mud,
For a winner’s trophy clearly needs,
One to get trench foot in Leeds.
And the fellies (when time has allowed),
Have disappeared into the cloud,
To run up Fairfield, or down Bradley,
And back of Pendle, or by the sea,
Or go for some far flung slog,
To themselves arse deep in bog.
The grinding climbs! The plashing brook!
Not to mention sheep shit stuck,
On each and every runners’ limb.
Nigel prayed for plateau rim,
Less steep, where he could run once more,
And not be chased by dinosaur.
And well done to those brave teams three,
Who went out to bat for Nidd Valley,
On those lofty Lakeland ways,
In the British Fell Relays.
We ran through mist on rain-drenched slate,
In the hills above Braithwaite,
But FRP said it would be fine,
And promised us all a right good time,
But on the hillside, Laura said,
“I’m sure that Phil just wants me dead…”.
Perhaps you have been once to face,
The challenge of the old Bed Race,
From Conyngham Hall to Waterside,
With child, you teams of six have tried,
That cruelest of athletic things:
The endless climb up Castle Ings.
Still, your efforts have been most impressing,
Your fancy dress (but no cross dressing?!),
The opposing teams that you have thrashed,
And the records that our young lads smashed!
But if running races you’ve not done,
Or if competition sounds not fun,
Remember that it’s quite alright,
To run with us on a club night,
And have a chat with your running mates,
As you head round town and the estates,
Or go for a sprint or for a jog,
Or head out for a longer slog,
Do intervals or do time trials,
Or go with Kevlar: run for miles!
And afterwards, having run so far,
Have a pint with Dave in the club house bar.
There’s a whole lot more that you’ve all done,
That makes Nidd good, that makes it fun.
For instance I should like to say,
Your weekly parkruns on the Stray,
Are now joined by parkruns here and there,
And parkruns nearly everywhere,
That they all appear on one handy app,
Is down to the trusty MallettMap.
There are those who meet at Empress Pub,
For a warm up run en route to club,
Or marathoners who will go,
To New York, Berlin, Chicago,
And London in their medal quest,
All showing our club at its best.
And the legends who, you will find,
Ensure that no one’s left behind,
And are sure to always make the space,
For those who want a gentler pace.
There are social runs round reservoir,
There are reccie runs both near and far,
And for early birds, in Ripley,
There’s a solstice run with Jeremy.
And while we are down in Ripley,
It has, in fact, occurred to me,
That you’re probably wondering when,
I’ll talk about the Guy Fawkes Ten.
For as our flagship race, it did,
Show the very best of Nidd.
My thanks to those who, on the day,
Cheered the runners on their way,
Round country lanes to the finish line,
Up some hills including Swincliffe Swine,
The Birstwith Brute – Oh! For Fawkes Sake! -,
Before kindly giving them to take,
As they made their way back to their cars,
A new tee-shirt and chocolate bars.
Sure, other races are available,
But the Guy Fawkes Ten is unassailable,
And that’s down to Mike and Debbie D.,
Who took it on themselves to be,
The ones in charge who took the lead,
And made it a success indeed.
And of course it would be quite the pity,
Not to recognise our fab committee.
For keeping the club alive and humming,
With all the chances to go running,
On fell and trail and road and lane,
It’s thanks to Nick, Phil, Bri and Jane,
And J.K., and Sarahs S. and C.,
Plus Dave, and Daz, and Emma D.
And because we have cash in the bank,
It’s Sylvia that we must thank.
And thanks to every one of you,
For all you’ve done, for all you do,
Each of you gathered in this space,
Has made our club a better place.
Well, that’s your lot – we’re out of time,
I’m out of words, I’m out of rhyme -,
And soon – at last – t’will be our chance,
To drink more drink, and have a dance.
So, thank you all! Our tale is told!
Here’s to our club: the black and gold!
Although not running due to this wretched knee, I’ll certainly be there on Thursday, so look forward to catching up with you then.
Chairman Sam x