(TLDR. The Headlines: our club runs on Tuesday and Thursday take us round Hookstone Woods and down the gorge respectively, both leaving the Hockey Club at 7pm. They book-end the Evening League Handicap race in Otley on Wednesday night. We have the Hampsthwaite Feast Run on Saturday morning, and read on for up and coming events and some wise words about your knackers).
Hello,
So it’s not coming home, then. These things happen, my friends, and try not to be too despondent. The world is indeed still a beautiful place. If you’re feeling fed up and disappointed, and if those many years of hurt weigh heavily on your shoulders, then come for a run with Nidd Valley. You’ll be bound to feel better, I promise. But, before anything else, come and have a look at these results. They really do make rather excellent reading.
Results from the Week That Was…
I start with an omission from the back catalogue. It was back at the end of June that young Josh Bryer took part in the Run for All Leeds 10km. I know, and to think I missed his result too. Josh finished in an incredible time of 36.52, and I’m delighted to right that wrong and set that record straight. Well done, Josh!
We had the next counter in the fell championships with the Beamsley Beacon Fell Race on Thursday evening. This being fell running, we won’t expect the official results for several months yet, and so you’ll have to settle for the finishing order as best we can remember it. Dazzler was the first up and down the beacon, chased back to the line by the lesser-spotted Matt Rickard. Brian Hainsworth was the next to finish, and Phil Ventress dug deep to keep running up the last big climb while most of us had reverted to walking. The man is a machine. Nigel Scaife and Chris Carvey were the next two to finish (I think in that order, I can’t be sure), with Nigel overtaking me on the descent having picked a better racing line. I’ll get him next year. It wasn’t then long until Russell Geraghty and Fell Running Phil made it back into Addingham and to the finish line, and it was all cheers as we welcomed Hannah Kempson to the fell running squad. Watch out, Hannah, FRP will have you entered into all sorts if you’re not careful. The man is a menace. Sarah Bracher, Debbie Gibson and Sarah Chalmers were the final three finishers, and then we retreated for a pint and several bags of crisps in the local pub as per the usual fell running traditions. A grand time had by all.
Yesterday, Anna Bulcock was the sole Nidder out in action to represent Nidd Valley at the Laketrails 14km at Ambleside. It’s a jolly good job that she decided to advertise her achievements on Facebook as she isn’t down as a Nidder in the official results. Can you believe it? Nah, me neither. We’d have never found her. No matter, I’m delighted to tell you that Anna finished in a great time of 1:44.48, so we’ll overlook this gross disloyalty just this once ;-).
Despite not being in the road championships this year, we still managed to field an impressive eleven Nidders to tackle the Ilkley Half Marathon in the driving rain this morning. And you won’t find Nidders more impressive than our very own Captain Dazzle Brush (1:33.20), Fiona Deacon (1:43.31) and Theresa Oldroyd (1:45.15). The weather may well have been appalling but it didn’t p*ss on the parades of Richard Evans (1:45.36), Alister King (1:59.25) and Vicky Thomas (2:00.18). Jenny Manning had it all done and dusted in a cracking time of 2:00.29, and we’ve got nothing but the highest of praise for Hannah Percy (2:03.24), Jemma King (2:12.47), Karen McCartney (2:18.12) and Jeremy Scott (2:25.15). A very well done to you all!
And while we had those Nidds doing their thing at Ilkley, a little birdie tells me that we had a couple of Nidds doing the Run Bramham 10km at Bramham Park this morning. Adam Kirk was the first of those two nidds to finish, doing so in 35.56, while we’re delighted to see that Katharine Woodhead finished in 54.40. Excellent work, I’m sure you’ll agree.
In parkrun, we had three Nidds doing the #niddnorthoftheborder thing, with Colleen Gruenwald at Montrose and Phil & Rebecca Ventress at Holyrood Park (they were up in Edinburgh celebrating Rebecca’s birthday, so a very happy birthday to her). At the other end of the country, Jim Cook and Sarah Crawshaw completed their parkrun at Medina on the Isle of Wight, and Jeremy Scott was our international correspondent this week when he ran at Malahide near Dublin (yes, you remembered correctly, a load of Nidds did this one last weekend). Martin Lofthouse did his parkrun in Jersey, so it’s lovely to see the crown dependencies getting a look in alongside all of the domestic and international 5km runs.
Elsewhere in the UK, Anna Jackson did her parkrun in Sheringham in Norfolk, Pauline Hogg did Riverside parkrun near Chester-le-Street, and Emily Wighton headed down to Goole. Martin Weeks and Yvonne Skelton get the award for the best-named parkrun this week, as they visited Y Promenâd which, as won’t surprise you from the name, is in the middle of Wales (the Brecon Beacons, to be precise).
Closer to home in Yorkshire, we had Adam Kirk at Roundhay Park, FRP in Rotherham (heaven only knows why), Katharine Woodhead in Millfield, Sylvia Morten up the Chevin, James Braddon in Saltaire’s Roberts Park, plus the usual masses at Conyngham Hall, Fountains Abbey, and Harrogate. Read all about it: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
I don’t care how long this lasts / We have no future, we have no past / I write this now while I’m in control / I’ll choose the words and how the melody goes: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
On Tuesday, I right fancy a run down through Hookstone Woods and maybe even down into Crimple Beck. We’ll leave the Hockey Club at 7pm and out across the Stray. Heading through the Saints, we’ll cut through Hookstone Woods, round past the Hospice and onto Fulwith Mill Lane. From there, you can head back to the club up Leeds Road and back across the Stray, or can head out over the fields onto Leadhall Lane and come back via the Cricket Club. If you want to go even further, you can run down into Crimple Valley and come back up past Pannal and up the hill on to Leadhall Lane. Plenty of options to choose from. But just don’t go off too fast and overdo it because…
… the Evening League reaches its toe-curlingly exciting climax on Wednesday with the handicap race at Otley. You’ll need to have done enough races in the League to qualify for the chance to win the handicap but anything could happen as all of the runners clamour for the finish line within a couple of minutes of one enough. Elbows out, then. The winner could be you. As you’ve come to expect, all of the details are available via the Evening League website (make sure you have a look so you know what starting time you have been allocated): https://tinyurl.com/4vs9d8zy.
Now, Rachael Prince is away this week (family holibobs in Cornwall), but this hasn’t stopped her from choosing a run for Thursday night. She’s chosen the gorge, and I must say I am delighted with her selection. We’ll meet at the Hockey Club at 7pm, and head out over the iron bridge. The route is as well-rehearsed as it is familiar, heading over Bilton Crossing, turning right into the gorge, and then continuing as far as you like, coming up either by the Gardener’s Arms or up the big hill at the top. Whatever you do, return to the club via Bilton Lane, and join us for a pint and a catch up in the Hockey Club bar.
Although not in the club championships, we’d be delighted if you might have a look at the Hampsthwaite Feast Run on Saturday. This is a short-ish and accessible trail run, is organised by our very own Rob Northfield, and is a great chance to raise some much needed funds for the village. Entry is cheap enough and, as it doesn’t start until 11.30am, you have the chance to squeeze in a quick parkrun before you head up there if you get a wriggle on. All the information is here: https://tinyurl.com/2248h4a8.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
A date for your diary: the Kings Challenge Fell Race is on 8th August 2024, and completion of this six mile, 1,200ft beauty will get you some valuable points in the fell championship. Easily accessible in Silsden, entry is £5 on the day, and so there isn’t anything that you need to do today other than mark the day in your diary. If you want to read up beforehand, then you can do that here: https://tinyurl.com/492xat34.
I’ve just seen the Sessay Swift (https://tinyurl.com/3z3szz9z) on 14th August 2024 has now sold out. I really hope that you managed to get a place!
Away from Club Runs
This is just a quick reminder that, as the Evening League season closed for another, we will start a series of away from club runs, giving us the chance to enjoy some different scenery while nights are light and the weather is good (yeah, funny). They normally end up in a pub, too. Here are the dates for your diary:
- Tuesday 23rd July 2024: Swinsty & Timble, led by Emma.
- Thursday 1st August 2024: Pateley Bridge, led by Sarah.
- Tuesday 13th August 2024: Kirk Deighton, led by Sam.
- Tuesday 20th August 2024: Weeton Relays, led by Sylvia.
- Thursday 29th August 2024, Harewood, led by Nick.
- Thursday 12th September 2024, Knaresborough Fish & Chip Run.
Word to the Wise
The weekly wisdom this time round comes from Phil Ventress, sharing his reflection on climbing over stiles during races.
“I love a slippery style… that feeling of fear… am I gonna get cramp or am I gonna slip and crack me nuts on the fence?” – Phil Ventress, with health and safety at the forefront of his mind.
Have a great week.
Chairman Sam x