(TLDR. The Headlines: on Tuesday, we have a club run down the gorge, but you also have the option of the Danefield Relays on Otley Chevin. Thursday brings us an election-based running challenge from the Hockey Club, and Sunday introduces us to the delights of the Eccup 10m. Read on for the longest results write up in living memory, some up and coming events, and a double word to the wise).
Hello, and welcome back to Nidd Valley House from wherever you’ve been this week. We’ve had runners tackling the hills of Ilkley, we’ve had the masses racing in Harrogate, and we’ve had Nidds rounding round in circles at Bramham. So come on in and put your feet up. The kettle is always on, there are some cold ones in the fridge, and you know where the corkscrew is. Let’s have a look at what’s been going on this past week.
Results from the Week That Was…
We start with the fourth of the Evening League races, with fifty magnificent Nidds taking on the challenge of “that hill” at Ilkley. Craig Mills (29.33) was the first to show, with Dazzler (31.30), Steve Newbould (31.46) and Rob Kingston (33.00) in his wake. Ian Hesford (33.38), Martin Lofthouse (33.43) and Kev Clark (34.03) were just ahead of Marcus Shaw (34.23) and Connor Featherstone (35.08), and we did not have long to wait until Chris Carvey (36.03), Alex Crowton (36.05) and Laura Frnacis (36.23) lead Sarah Staiano (36.32) to the line.
Nick Andralojc (37.39) had Andrew Croft (38.21) hot on his heels, while Tom Broadley (38.26), Jon Easton (38.28) and Kirsty Walter (38.32) had their work cut out to stay ahead of Nigel Scaife (39.–7), Jeremy Scott (39.18) and Richard Evans (39.25).
It was lovely to see Kate Morton (39.28) out and on such good form, along with Fiona Deacon (39.37), Russell Geraghty (40.05), Chandra Shekar (40.44), Rachel Mills (41.07) and Emma David (41.22). Kev Nicholas (41.53) was the next to show, and was soon joined by KatharineDolman (42.09), Christine Holleran (42.29), Jo Brierley (43.05), Michael Shaw (43.15), Jenny Manning (43.37), FRP (43.44) and Lizzie Hugill (43.52).
Martin Luxton (44.17) was on sterling form, and we were nothing but most impressed with the runs from Paul Manning (44.17), Hannah Kempson (45.20), Rachel Prince (45.31) and Emily Wighton (46.16). Rachel Capstick (47.53) was just ahead of Moira McTague (48.02), Guy PArker (48.03) and Sarah BRacher (48.11).
Susy Rhodes (52.23) then led home our final runners, who were none other than the magnificent Nick Smith (52.25), Angela Pattinson (52.33), Jo Lane (53.35), Sylvia Morten (54.59), Jilly Hornsby (55.11) and Liane Coiley (55.15). Well done to you all!
Over the weekend, we have had a few Nidds out racing at the Endure 24 Event in Leeds. You know the one: seeing how many laps of a five mile course round Bramham Park that you can achieve in 24 hours. Mental.
Anyway, we had two Nidds attempting the solo challenge. The first was Laura Francis, who put down 17 laps (85 miles) with only forty minute’s sleep, with an average lap time of 1:10.22. Nick Crebbin was raising money for Sue Ryder Hospice in memory of his mum (I don’t normally share sponsorship links, but to hell with it. Give him some money: https://tinyurl.com/tmec85z8). Nick finished 13 laps in total 65 miles), with an average lap time of 1:46.04. I passed him this morning and he was staggering along and mumbling incoherently. I’ve never heard language like it. Anyway, well done to you both!
The young ‘uns (Jack Brierley, Will Bailey, Finlay McCreanor, Josh Bryer and Sam Crebbin) were joined by Nicola Crebbin to form the team named Nidd Valley Youngsters and a Token Old Lady. They completed 34 laps (170 miles) in the 24 hour period, with an average lap time of 43.05. It’s okay. Like Jonathan Kay says, they’ll discover pies and beer and fags before long, and it all be downhill from there.
The Nidd Valley Quatros (Kev Clark, Chris Morris, Connor Featherstone and Jonathan Kay) landed 27 laps (135 miles) in the allotted time and with an average lap time of 53.56, although I am not really sure that anyone needed to see Connor’s striptease from his tent. It’s enough to put you off your tea. Still, what happens on tour… Jemma King teamed up with Hannah Percy, Jess Harby, Carolyn Jones and Ali King to form the team known as Iplod. They finished 22 laps (110 miles) with an average lap time of 1:03.43).
I found myself roped in as a last minute addition to the team known as the Nidd Valley (Un)happy Campers with Karen and Craig Mills and Sarah Staino and Steve Newbould. A right old ménage à cinq, but they did make me a cheese sandwich so that makes everything better. They completed laps (125 miles) with an average lap time of 57.17 (the average time being lowered by the decision to sack it off during the night and go to bed).Congratulations to all who took part, especially the solo runners.
And so to the second of the long result write ups for the week: the Harrogate 10km. We had 38 Nidders out to tackle the challenging run round Crimple Valley, and we’ve got some great results to show for it. New recruit to the Nidd Valley Campaign, Caleb Aylesbury (39.54) snuck home in just under the forty minute barrier to draw the first blood for the team, with Dazzler (40.31) and Martin Lofthouse (42.56) just behind him. Ian Hesford (43.09) managed to pull clear of Chris Carvey (46.02), Fingers Harris (47.52), Kirsty Walter (47.53) and Tom Broadley (48.01), and it was lovely to see Henry Waddington (48.25) back out racing for the team.
There’s someone in the results by the name of Richard Evens, but I assume that it refers to the usual Richard Evans, so I am happy to record his time as 48.48. Whichever Richard it was, he wasn’t too far ahead of Fiona Deacon (49.35), Amelie Aylesbury (50.23), Jeremy Scott (50.03), Kate Morton (51.03), Russell Geraghty (52.05), Rachel Mills (53.03) and Katharine Dolman (53.54).
Michael Shaw (54.41) was just ahead of Paul Manning (55.17), while Susie Mallett (56.21) had her work cut out to maintain the advantage over Martin Luxton (56.45) and Amjid Khan (56.53). Jenny Manning (57.23) was soon joined at the top of the big hill by Sarah Fabron (59.50), Rachel Capstick (1:00.29), Mike Deacon (1:00.54), Nick Smith (1:02.09) and Chatty McChatface (1:05.58). Jo Lane (1:06.19) nailed a brilliant time in the company of Karen McCartney (1:07.09), Dave Seaman (1:08.32), Sarah Chalmers (1:12.02) and Sylvia Morten (1:13.18). Our famous four finishers were the inexhaustible Yvonne Skelton (1:17.07), Martin Weeks (1:17.08), Robert Hill (1:17.42) and Craig Robson (1:18.35). A very well done to you all.
The aforementioned Caleb Aylesbury did his parkrun thing at Woodhouse Moor, Colleen Gruenwald was up in the wonderful North East to do her 5km at Whitley Bay, and I’ve no idea what Martin was doing in Princes Park in Liverpool. Why don’t you ask him? Liz Ahmed gets the first marker on the MalletMap with her trip to Bressay in Shetland – the northernmost parkrun in the UK – which required a morning ferry trip, while the second MalletMap notch goes to Christine Holleran who found herself dispatched to Croxteth Hall (nope, me neither). FRP was down at Sheffield Castle for his parkrun, while Phil and Reb Ventress joined Sarah Crawshaw and Jim Cook at the Pastures parkrun in Alnwick. John and Susie Mallett did amazing things at Millfield near Easingwold, Emily Wighton was on marvellous form at Jubilee Park near Spennymoor, and Adam Kirk was our #Niddnorthoftheborder with his trip to Holyrood Park. Other than that, it was the usual suspects in the usual haunts of Harrogate, Conyngham Hall and Fountains Abbey, and you can read their (and all the other) results here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
Pink petal-pushers, red blue jeans / All the pretty maids, and all the old queens / All the old queens from all my past lives / I carry four pistols and two large knives / I’m a man of contradictions, I’m a man of many moods / I contain multitudes : chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
You’ve got yourself a choice for Tuesday evening. The first option is the Danefield Relays on Otley Chevin. It’s a short and sharp three mile off-road route and is completed by teams of three runners. The first bit is a thrilling downhill run, but the last climb back to the finish really is a sting in the tail. In any event, it’s always a popular outing with Nidds, and we always put a few teams out there. Read up and get involved: https://tinyurl.com/54emn9na.
If throwing yourself around the Chevin at breakneck speed isn’t your idea of a good time, then there is always a club run from the Hockey Club on Tuesday. The run this week will be down the gorge (well, we may as well make the best of the summer while it is with us, yes?). You know the drill by now: we’ll leave the Hockey Club at 7pm, head over the iron bridge, up the greenway to Bilton Crossing. Take the right turn onto the field, and head down into the gorge. You can either resurface on the track by the Gardner’s Arms pub, or continue all the way down to the big hill. You can make your way back along Bilton Lane, returning to the club the same way that you came.
What with Thursday being the general election day, our club run sets you a little bit of a challenge. Starting at 7pm, your challenge is to divide yourselves into teams or groups, and to visit as many polling stations as possible and get back to the club by 8.30pm at the latest. Just a bit of silly fun. I’ll get a list of the polling stations and the addresses out to you during the week so you can start planning your most efficient route. There’ll be pints in the bar afterwards for those that want to join.
And, yes. Make sure you vote. Make your voice heard and your vote count!
On Sunday, we’ve got the Eccup 10 Mile in the road championships. This had a little bit of a hill in it, but it’s a really enjoyable run and always gets rave reviews. There are still places left, so if you want to be part of the Nidd Valley outing, then this is the one place that you need to be: https://tinyurl.com/5t4k43uj.
Well, what are you waiting for?
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
A date for your diary: the Beamsley Beacon Fell Race is on Thursday 11th July 2024, and is your next chance to get points in the fell championships. It’s only 5.5 miles long, and the views can be really enjoyable on a fine evening. If the clag comes down then the views won’t be views at all, so you needn’t worry about that. It’s only £5 in and is entry on the day, so nothing more is required of you other than to note the date in your diary.
Word to the Wise
We’ve got a double for you this week. Two contrasting evaluations or two contrasting races, you might say.
The first comes from Nick Crebbin, as he staggered round the Endure 24 course this morning.
“I am broken. I hate this event. I am never, ever, ever, doing this f*cking event ever again…” – Nick Crebbin, feeling every step.
And the second comes from Sarah Chalmers from the Harrogate 10km, and my thanks to the anonymous informant who dobbed her in. Now, most of you will know Sarah for her relentless positivity, broad smile and sunny outlook. Defo a glass half full kind of person is our Sarah. Anyway, at the Harrogate 10km this morning, Sarah shared her thoughts on the race.
“I really enjoyed that…” – Sarah Chalmers, leaving us all to ask: where is Sarah and what have you done with her?
Have a wonderful week. I’m sure you will.
Chairman Sam x