(TLDR. The Headlines: On Tuesday, we’ve got intervals on Rossett Drive, so that’ll be a new experience for most of us. Thursday brings us another club run, and we’re heading behind enemy lines with a trip to Knaresborough. On Saturday, we are going to Thorp Perrow Parkrun, and you are warmly invited to a fundraising quiz by Sarahs F and B on Saturday evening. Read on for up and coming events, including a plea to get as many of you as possible to the AGM next week).
S’up.
Thanks to Captain Emma for holding the fort for me last weekend in getting the weekly missive dispatched. I was up on a remote part of Mull, having some much needed time off grid with nothing much to do other than go for long walks, sleep, read, and sip whisky. It was all rather lovely. Anyway, back here in Nidd Valley House and what celebrations there have been as Captains Dazzler and Emma celebrate some amazing results in the PECO, with the ladies and ladies vets scoring as champions, and the male vets securing promotion. Such an incredible performance from so many people, and a great time to be part of this club.
Results from the Week That Was…
And let’s take a closer look at those results from the Roundhay PECO, why don’t we? The ladies appear first on my list, and so that is where I shall start. Topping the list, we’ve got Ruth Sinclair who finished in a spectacular 33.05, soon to be joined by Theresa Oldroyd (38.45), Fiona Deacon (39.26) and Sarah Staiano (40.05). Babs brought home the athletic bacon in a staggering 41.43, while we enjoyed equally as satisfying performances from Christine Holleran (43.43), Katharine Woodhead (45.42), Rebecca Ventress (45.57) and Chatty McChatFace (48.32). On the other side of fifty minutes, it was great to see Rachel Capstick (50.11) and Susy Rhodes (52.09), who were joined in their superb achievements by none other than Sarah Bracher (54.30), Jo Lane (55.22), Jill Hornsby (59.01), Sylvia Morten (59.48), Michelle Smith (1:00.03) and Lianne Coiley (1:07.01).
The chaps were on equally as stupendous form, and it was great to see Jack Brierley (30.17) effortlessly lead the way as per usual traditions. Finlay McCreanor (31.46) put his foot down to deny Steve Newbould (31.50) the second podium place, while Will Bailey (31.51) was hot on their heels for the full race. It was a couple of minutes until we saw Captain Dazzler (33.41) but it was totally worth it when we did, as I am sure you can agree. Martin Lofthouse (34.52), Andy Iddon (35.31), Chris Carvey (38.06), Nigel Scaife (38.30) and Richard Evans (39.43) soon finished, and we also enjoyed marvellous performances from none other than Jon Eaton (40.34), Carl Read (40.43), Nick Crebbin (41.13) and Steve Newton (42.30). Let’s have three of the cheeriest cheers for Mike Deacon (42.37) and Michael Shaw (43.13), certainly not forgetting Nick Smith (43.30). Fell Running Phil finished in 47.30, and our trio of fine finishers were Dave Seaman (54.47), Marcos Montana (58.38) and Graham Hyde (59.21).
Jessica Webster was the first Nidd Valley Junior to finish in the one mile race, doing so in 9.32, and leading the inexhaustible Freya Dart (9.48) and Ted Carman (12.28) to the finish line. Eleanor Easton (16.08) put a full two minutes between her and Fraiser Dobinson (18.08) in the two mile race, while Eva Anwyl (18.44), OWen Dart (19.34) and Lily Scaife (21.24) also put down spectacular performances. Eight incredible times, eight incredible juniors. Just wonderful.
In parkrun, Sue and Chris Rogers were up at North Yorkshire Water Park, Adam Kirk was at Millfield, whereas Katharine Dolman joined Chatty for a trip down to Potternewton. Rob and Louise Kingston got some more MallettMap points when they completed Ballina Coast Parkrun (which is in Queensland, should you be taking notes), Pauline Hogg was in Cornwall (the one in Auckland, New Zealand, rather than attached the end of Devon) and Sue Ball was down at Newark (which is not in Queensland or Auckland, if you still have the pen in your hand). We had the light smattering of Nidds at Conyngham Hall, a few more braving three laps of the Stray, and an absolute busload who headed up to Fountains Abbey to celebrate with Mrs Robinson as she did a parkrun to mark her sixtieth birthday. I know, she certainly doesn’t look like it, does she? It’s quite remarkable, given that a lifetime married to FRP is guaranteed to put years on anyone. Full results, here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
He’s a great humanitarian, he’s a great philanthropist / He knows just where to touch you, honey, and how you like to be kissed: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
On Tuesday, we’re back with the intervals. There’s a new session for you this time as we continue to work on building our stamina. This week’s session will be on Rossett Drive, meeting on the pedestrianised bit between Rossett Drive and Arthurs Avenue (what3words //votes.fully.salon will get you there). Emma and Nick will be overseeing the 6pm session, and Babs and Darren will be doing their thing with you for the 7pm session. Come to whichever session suits you. It’s always lovely to see you.
It feels like a while since we’ve taken ourselves to Knaresborough, and so I suggest this for our club run on Thursday. Meet at the Hockey Club and be good to run for 7pm. Head out round the back of the club and onto Kingsley Road, running over Starbeck lights and to Forest Lane Head. This gives you a choice. If you want something shorter, then turn a right and head down towards the double roundabout where the Forest Lane meets Forest Moor. If you want a longer run, then head down Knaresborough Road Hill to Knaresborough, run along Waterside, and then come back over the Low Bridge and Forest Moor. From that double roundabout, rejoin the shorter route, and come back behind Morrisons and into Starbeck, before retracting your steps up Kingsley Road and back to the club. If, of course, you would like to do something further, shorter, slower or faster, then feel free to share your plans on the night. Variety is the spice of life. The only thing that won’t be varied is that the usual grumpy gits will be having a pint in the bar afterwards, and you are more than welcome to join them and be grumpy too.
Saturday brings with it yet another notch in the bedpost of the cross country championships, with a trip up to Richmondshire to take part in Thorp Perrow parkrun. This is definitely one for your trail shoes, as it looks like it could be a little bit muddy. On a plus side, it is free of charge and the only thing you will need will be your Nidd Valley top and your barcode. On the downside, you’ll have to get yourself up with the cock to be on the start line for 9am. Still duty can be a hard taskmaster: http://tinyurl.com/253rd6ar.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
On the 10th March 2023, we have the Keighley 10km, which is the final race in the cross-country championship. It’ll be like the Hunger Games as Nidds take to the mud one last time in competition for those final points. There aren’t a right lot of places left, and time is running out. Come on, crack on: http://tinyurl.com/576t7drf.
Fundraising Quiz: 2nd March 2024
I’ve been asked to give a shout out for Sarah Fabron and Sarah Bracher who are organising a fundraising quiz on Saturday night, to run alongside their fundraising for the London Marathon. They will be taking the 26 long miles on the streets of London to race money for the Teenage Cancer Trust and Children with Cancer, causes which I know are really important to them and to so many other people. If you could spare a few hours to throw some money behind the bar, answer a few questions, and otherwise make yourself available to financially fleeced, then they would be delighted. Please give this a look: http://tinyurl.com/27d8pwsx.
AGM: 7th March 2024
All the documentation has now been sent out by Jonathan (thanks, Jonathan), so please do have a read. The AGM will be next Thursday in the Hockey Club after the run, and we need at least 20% of the club (that’s about 45 of you) there in order to pass business and to keep the good ship Nidd afloat for another year. This is your chance to have a say in how the club is run, so please don’t just stay at home on your bum while munching kettle chips in front of the TV.
Evening League: 7th May 2024
We have a volunteer to help coordinate the catering for our Evening Leage race (thank you, Jo Lane!) but we will need an army of people to help with the catering on the night, and quite possibly the day before (which is a bank holiday). If you can spare some time and would rather do this than marshal on the course, then please let Sarah Staiano or Dave Seaman know. They really would love to hear from you.
Word to the Wise
This week’s wise word has been picked up by an eagle-eyed Sam Heathcote, who has sent in this little gem from Fiona Deacon as she commented on our PECO-XC achievement yesterday.
“Another great team effort from everyone , including those who’ve turned out to marshal and cheer us on and make cake and take photos and do gazebo erections…” – Fiona Deacon, perhaps mixing up her words.
I don’t know who has been doing gazebo erections. I’m sure that Sam likes tents as much as the next man but, as he says, one can only hope that no one took photos of them or the club could really be in some trouble.
I think we best leave it there. Have a wonderful rest of the week, and hopefully I’ll see you soon.
Chairman Sam x