(TLDR. The Headlines: on Tuesday, our club run takes us into the gorge, and on Thursday we get to enjoy the delights of Hookstone Woods. Both runs leave the Hockey Club at 7pm. There’s an offering of the Otley 10 on Wednesday if you fancy the hill, and we’ve got a club team out on the Cleveland Relays on Sunday. Read on for up and coming events, and your weekly dose of wisdom).
And so once again, that’s another Knaresborough Bed Race in the bag. We leave nothing but footprints and take with us nothing but happy memories and, if tradition is anything to go by, hangovers. The afterparty at Nidd Valley House was, as you’d expect, carnage. Dave had ordered the beer, Sylvia was mixing the cocktails, and the Sarahs were sampling them faster than she could do the mixing. Emma was on the decks banging out the playlist “Now That’s What I Call Bed Racing 2024” and she had people on the dance floor until the sun came up. A great day for a great club. Read on for the results, and to find out who else has been chasing down the finish line in the past week.
Results from the Week That Was…
We start off with the results from Thursday’s Kettlewell Fell Race. Fiona Deacon decided to join the usual muddy brethren, having concluded that any race which this chairman gushes on about so enthusiastically must be worth a second look. It was as she remarked that she’d promised excellent weather that the heavens opened and we endured the race brief in the pouring rain. Fiona gave me one of those looks which reminded me that she was indeed holding me responsible for the weather.
With only the shortest of runs on the track before a sharp left up the hill and through the chimney, the race didn’t give any space for a warm up, and the first mile was a solid uphill effort. Dazzler was all athletic and strong on the climbs, but was no match for Brian’s technical ability on the descents, with Brian (47.41) claiming a minute advantage over Dazzler (48.43). Nigel Scaife (53.38) was a whisker behind Nick Andralojc (53.34), and our first lady Amy Sheppard (56.24) was not too far behind the two of them. By the time that Simon Cocker (56.25) turned for the second climb out of Littondale, the weather had really set in, and he was joined in the sodden climb by Theresa Oldroyd (57.49), Phil Ventress (58.02) and Chris Carvey (59.23). Things were brightening up by the time that yours truly (1:06.01) and Fingers Harris (1:08.47) begun the descent back to Kettlewell, and I don’t think that Fiona Deacon (1:14.15) has ever been so pleased to see the finish line. Sarah Bracher (1:22.29) and Sarah Chalmers (1:25.16) were our final two finishers.
Afterwards, Phil and Brian suggested a pint in Grassington. I thought it would be rude to decline. They’re great believers in supporting local business.
It hardly seems necessary to put the parkrun results in the write up, given that Facebook is awash with them, but surely once more can’t do any harm. The Nidd Valley Men’s Team (Steve Newbould, Archie Willis, Finlay McCreanor, Will Bailey, Jack Brierley and Josh Bryer) took a third place finish, losing the second place to Knaresborough Striders in a tough fight towards Bond End. They finished in 13.44. Nidd Valley Ladies (Hannah Percy, Sarah Staiano, Kat Woodhead, Katharine Dolman, Jo Brierley and Anna Bulcock) took 35th place in 20.49, and the mixed senior team (Graham Hyde, Jeff Walker, Susy Rhodes, Bec Carmen, Rachel Capstick and Craig Robson) finished in 28.26, claiming 73rd place.
The Nidd Valley Junior Team (Hugo Edwards, Fraser Dobinson, Owen Dart, Zoe Frankland, Imogen Constable and Eleanor Easton) took their passenger Freya Dart for the ride of her life, finishing in 20.49, giving them not only 43rd place but also the prize for the fastest junior team.
We had some mercenaries running for other teams, including Sarah Chalmers who ran for Taylors of Harrogate (27.28; 70th), and Jeremy Scott who ran with the parkrun team (16.01; 7th). You might have noticed from Facebook that Jeremy is delighted to have been on a team that claimed the prizes for the fastest mixed team and the fastest non-club mixed team. Well done to all who got out there and competed yesterday, and thanks to all who cheered on and supported, and those who gave up their time to marshal.
Over in the Lake District, we’ve had some Nidds taking part in the Ullswater Trail Races around Ullswater (unsurprisingly, given the name). Phil and Reb Ventress took part in the 20 mile event, finishing in 4:40.21 and 5:02.10 respectively. Well done to you both! In the ten mile challenge, Helen Cook (2:26.18), Christine Jones (2:26.19) and Nadene Wilkinson (2:26.20) all put down some excellent times. Well done to you all.
Rumour doth tell that Laura Francis has been doing some off-road ultra marathon in Wales. The diplomatic corps here at Nidd Valley House have been in touch with their equivalents across the border, but we haven’t been able to verify any times for you. We will, of course, have the results with you as soon as we can.
Sarah Bracher (1:01.56) was the sole Nidd out at the Ilkley 10km this morning, but I’m more than happy to celebrate her result. Well done, Sarah.
To parkrun. James Braddon did his parkrun at York this week, although I don’t know if he took the pram with him and so don’t know if he gave the kids the chance to experience shaken baby syndrome on a different course. If you want to know why Theresa Oldroyd went off to Roundhay Park on her lonesome, then you shall have to ask her yourself, and the same applies Adam Kirk at Temple Newsam and Chris Carvey at Redcar. Sylvia Morten was back on the Chevin again, although there are very few surprises there and we have come to expect it by now. Chris Rogers was without his over half Sue as he took a turn around North Yorkshire Water Park, although Yvonne Skeltoon and Martin Weeks were very much a couple as they enjoyed the muddy and rural delights of Thorp Perrow.
Lizzie Hugill gets the only new marker on the MallettMap with a trip to Donaupark in Austria (and Mapman himself tells us that this is the first time we’ve had a Nidd doing a parkrun in Austria, although there are only four Austrian parkruns so you’ll need to get a shifty on if you want to get any of the firsts).
There was no parkrun in Knaresborough due to the Bed Race, and Andy Todd and Matt Wilkinson were the only Nidds up at Fountains Abbey (so we didn’t even get the holy trinity on that hallowed ground), but we had more than our fair share of Nidds on Harrogate Stray. You can see all of the results here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
And maybe you can cry all night / But that’ll never change the way that I feel / The snow is really piling up outside / I wish you wouldn’t make me leave here: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
Tuesday will be a brilliant day as we’ll be going for a run down in the gorge. You know the route by now, heading out over the iron bridge and over Bilton Crossing, turning right into the gorge and coming back up either by the Gardener’s Arms or further along up Heartbreak Hill. The longest route is about 6-7 miles all in, whereas the shorter route will have you back at the club in just over four miles. Meet at the club and be good to go for 7pm.
Although not in the club championships, there’s the Otley 10 Mile Road Race on Wednesday evening. Captain Dazzler tells me that there are 12 Nidds entered already, and I’m sure they’d be delighted if you would swell their numbers. This is a tough race with a tough climb, but the views into Wharfedale are beautiful and the fast descent back into the town is as welcome as it is exhilarating. Entry will set you back a modest £15. Go on, you know you want to: https://tinyurl.com/yc4huexf.
Thursday brings us the delight of a run round Hookstone Woods. Leaving the Hockey Club at 7pm, we’ll head over the Stray and through Hookstone Woods, passing over the railway by the hospice, and following the path round to Leeds Road. If you head over Leeds Road and take the cut to Throstle Nest Drive before you head back to the club, then you’re looking at about seven miles, although you can cut short up Hornbeam Park and be done and dusted in about four and half miles. Whatever you do, why not come and join us for a pint in the bar afterwards?
On Sunday, we are heading onto the Moors to field a team for the Cleveland Relays. Thanks to Phil Ventress for his efforts in pulling a team together. There is still space on some of the legs for a couple more runners, so if you fancy a few miles of beautiful off-road running over God’s Own Country, then do let Phil know.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
Don’t forget that it’s the third instalment in the Evening League with a trip to Thirsk on Wednesday 19th June 2024 – get the date in your diary if it isn’t there already.
On Tuesday 25th June 2024, we’ll be having our annual club run up to Almscliffe Crag for our class photograph. More details to follow.
There are less than half the places available for the Harrogate 10km on Sunday 30th June 2024. Although it seems to be pushing the definition of a road race somewhat, this is a popular race and was an obvious choice for inclusion in this year’s road championship. So if you want thos championship points, then this is the one place that you need to be: https://tinyurl.com/5n7834kk.
New Balance Try On Night: Monday 17th June 2024
Up & Running are organising a try on night for the new New Balance trainers (the 1080, 880 and 860, if that means anything to you). They’ll be getting started at 6pm, with a social 5km run at 6.30pm, after which I’m sure the lovely people at Up & Running will gladly relieve you of your hard earned pennies. Meet at the shop on Station Parade.
Nidd Valley Juniors
Please read this important update regarding Nidd Valley Juniors: https://tinyurl.com/mc4sat89. The reality, without people stepping up into committee and coaching roles, is that Nidd Valley Juniors will fold at the end of July 2024. There’s no way to sugar coat this, so please consider if you can help in any way.
Word to the Wise
Another week, and still nothing…
Have a grand week, and see you soon.
Chairman Sam x