(TLDR. The Headlines: on Tuesday, we’re heading down to Knaresborough to watch people throw shopping trolley-esque beds around town and through the river, and on Thursday we have a more normal club run through Hookstone Woods. Both runs depart the Hockey Club at 7pm. On Thursday, we have the (non-fell champs) Dick Hudsons Fell Race, and then the Mob Match on Sunday. Tense times. Other usual baloney follows. Ignore at will, read at your peril).
The moment is here. Cometh the hour, cometh the Nidd. The Mob Match has sold out and we have lined up our very best squad for the annual grudge match against Knaresborough Striders. This year, the lines of battle are drawn at Melmerby. There’s a tense atmosphere here at Nidd Valley House. This is, I suppose, the calm before the storm. We have the building on lockdown. Treasurer Syliva has finalised our defence budget. Membership Secretary Nick has confirmed the latest round of conscription. Captains Dazzler and Emma anxiously pace the Briefing Room, and we’ve just received a briefing from FRP on the forecast for mud.
We can only wait.
Nidd Valley expects that everyone will do their duty.
Results from the Week That Was…
Let’s thank the Great God Almighty that the results write-up is a darn sight shorter than it was last week. Took a right old time to get that compiled, too, so it’s with a sense of relief that we’ve only got a few off road miles and the usual spin round the MallettMap.
Yesterday, we summoned six intrepid Nidds to take part in the fresh instalment of fell running hell that is the Yorkshire Three Peaks Fell Race. You know the one, some 24 miles from Horton in Ribblesdale, up Pen-y-Ghent, onto Ribblehead, a lung-busting and energy-sapping climb up to the summit of Whernside, before engaging in the battle of mental strength not to sack it off and go to the pub but instead run up Ingleborough before the four mile run in back to the line. Tough stuff.
Anyway, Captain Dazzler came first (if you’d pardon the manner of speaking) for the club, finishing in 4:28.07. For some reason, Ruth Sinclair was still registered as a member of Stockport HArriers AC, and I’m not right sure what I think about that to be honest. Still, we’re a broad church here at Nidd Valley and we’re always ready to welcome those who have seen the error of their ways, seen the light, repented and joined the glorious Black and Gold. She finished in 4:49.08, too. Tidy.
Amy Shepphard 4:54.06 snuck in just below the five hour barrier, while Fingers Harris must have been properly squeaking as he narrowly got through some of the cut offs with only minutes to spare, but dug deep and brought it home in 5:32.57. For someone who is regularly plagued with so many injuries that he’s surely entitled to some form of financial benefit, that’s a great result. Jim Cook (5:40.13) wasn’t far behind Andy, and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate his result with him. Spare a thought for Matt Wilkinson, though. It wasn’t his day for racing and he missed the cut off point at the Hill Inn after Whernside, and so decided to throw in the towel and call it a day. He should have known that a race number of 666 was somewhat ominous. Ah well, some you win, some you lose. I don’t doubt for a second that he’ll be back out there and stronger than ever.
Given that fellow Nidders (for that, you can read Emma Kicks, Rebecca Ventress and Jane Evans) were dropping like flies with numerous ailments, affiliations and injuries, it fell to Helen Cook to be the sole representative at the Howgills Trail Half Marathon this morning. Helen made great work of the course, completing the 13.1 miles and 3,271ft of climb in a marvellous time of 3:38.31. Well done, Helen! Great work!
In parkrun, we’ve had an email from Sue Ball (formerly of this parish, but she then decided that the grass was greener near Peterborough and moved down there. Not a mistake she’ll make again, I’m quite sure). At Nidd Valley we’re like a jealous ex who just can’t let go and so insisted that she stay with us on a second claim basis. Anyway, Sue asked if we would give her a special shout out because she raced at Ferry Meadows where she got herself a 12yr PB in a time of 24.55, getting an age graded score of 82.66%. She attributes this to her high-level training regime at Nidd Valley. Damn right she should, too. She also says that she misses us all. We miss you, too, Sue.
Anyway, let’s park the pain we feel from Sue’s rejection and get back to parkrun. Emily Wighton and dad Ian headed to York and were joined by Theresa Oldroyd in a trip around the Knavesmire. Adam Kirk came first at Pontefract, doing so in 18.13, the right old show off… Kate Morton headed to Roundhay, Philly Thompson was at Darlington South Park as per the all too familiar and predictable arrangements, while Guy Parker and Moira McTague joined those parkrun heroes MapMan and MapWoman (John and Susie Mallett, but with their pants over their trousers) at Wetherby.
Jeremy Scott/Parkrun/Leggings smashed Blackpool in 23.11, Connor Featherstone was down at Cliffe Castle (near Keighley, if memory serves), and Syliva Morten was joined by Pauline Hogg on her home turf of Otley Chevin. I’m not sure whether we have any new lights flashing on the MallettMap, although I don’t remember anyone doing Talkin Tarn near Carlisle (that was Karen Mills) or South Boulder Creek Parkrun in Colorado (Billy Fox, there), and I would stake all of Jane’s savings on a Nidd never having run Presint 18 Parkrun, Putrajaya in Malaysia, so I think that Rob and Louise Kingston can take credit for that new marker on the map. To finish, we had the usual suspects at Harrogate, Conygham and Fountains, and all the usual results are now in the usual place. Here, to be precise: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
Hotel in my home town / The saddest room I ever woke in / “Try to enjoy yourself out there” / The saddest words you’ve ever spoken: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
With bed race training coming on a-pace, I think it would be good to get out and give our teams a bit of support. On Tuesday, then, we’ll head off from the Hockey Club at 7pm. Over the iron bridge, the route is as well rehearsed as it is familiar, heading past the Gardener’s Arms and along Bilton Lane and onto the Beryl Burton. Once in Knaresborough, you can head back the way you came, or can continue along Waterside, over the Low Bridge, and back up over Forest Moor and past Morrisons. I appreciate that this a longer route than some would like to do, so please feel free to peel off at the top of Beryl Burton and return via Starbeck, or do whatever alternative run suits.
For the fell runners, there is the Dick Hudsons Fell Race in Ilkley on Thursday evening. This isn’t in the club championships, but is a great little seven mile romp over the moor and back. Other than the initial climb, the route is really runnable and it’s a great introduction to the joys of muddy running. Entry is on the day, and is only a fiver. I know, you can’t get a pint for that in some places these days. All the information is right here: https://tinyurl.com/5x3t7wap.
There will be, of course, a normal club run on Thursday evening. Not that normal is a word oft associated with Nidd Valley but you get my drift, I’m sure. What’s that? You’d like to run round Hookstone Woods? A capital idea, if I say so myself. So we’ll leave the Hockey Club at 7pm and head over the Stray, through the cut and onto the Saints before crossing Hookstone Chase. It’s a lovely run through the woods past the Squash Club, and then round the path towards Hornbeam Park. Remembering that you can turn back for the club at any point, we can then head towards Fulwith Mill Lane, over LEeds Road, and then over the fields towards Leadhall Lane. The routes vary enormously at this point – past the cricket club, up past Rossett School, further round – but all of them lead back towards the Hockey Club and a refreshing pint in the bar. Come and join us, why don’t you?
Sunday. The sold-out date with destiny. Melmerby is calling.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
I will keep making the case for the Evening League. If you’re not normally a racer (and, hey, I’ll be honest. If I do race, it’s normally on the fells, as normal ‘racing’ isn’t my thing) please do give the Evening League a second look. They’re a set of local races between running clubs, and are competitive and social and there is a good chance you’ll end up with a plate of buffet food and a pint in your hand. I really like the fact that those who don’t see themselves as competitive come and have a go – and rightly so, too! Nidd Valley is all of us. So come on, get yourself a number and get on the start line. Every adventure starts with a first step, and that first step is here: https://tinyurl.com/y7a2rab9.
As a host club this year in the Evening League, Nidd Valley will give you a discount to reflect that you’ll be marshalling and not racing that one race. Use the code NIDD24 at the checkout. Don’t share it with people in other clubs, though. Someone did it once, which was a shame as he really liked his kneecaps. Ah well.
On Sunday 12th May 2024, we’ve got the Thornton in Craven Fell Race, the fourth fell race in the season this year. Its a 15km distance, which is an usual race distance but, if we’re being honest, fell race organisers have always had a relationship with race measurements that might be best described as ‘friends with benefits”. The finish line will be where the finish line will be and, if you get to it, then well done you. Still, it’s rated as a BM race (M means not too far, and B means you’re reasonably unlikely to break your ankles), so please do think about giving it a go. FRP lives the taste of fresh blood: https://tinyurl.com/ypbxf78e.
Word to the Wise
Right, I’ve ummed and ahed about this one. Possibly a bit too edgy. But I’ve cleared it with all the people involved and they agreed it was too good not to share.
You may well know Jonathan Clipston, a long time member and friend of Nidd Valley. You may also know that Jonathan does not have a lower right arm. You may also know Janet Jarvis, also a long time member and friend of Nidd Valley. You might not know that Janet also broke her wrist in a cycling accident recently.
So, to Harrogate Parkrun. Jonathan is marshalling. Janet turns up, arm in a sling.
“Oh there you are, I’m just like you now. I know what it must be like…” – Janet, with a bold opener when a simple good morning might have been better,
An unbelievably awkward silence ensues, and time grinds to an almost-near halt.
“What? I know, I can’t do anything, I can’t even peel potatoes” – Janet, digging the hole yet further.
Yes, I know.
Have a grand week.
Chairman Sam x