(TLDR. On Tuesday, our club run takes us down to Knaresborough, and on Thursday we have a run up Cold Bath Road. On Sunday, we have the fell championship finale with the Lockon Limping Fell Race. Read on for other news about up and coming events, the PECOs, the GF10, the Awards Night, pace groups at club, and a wise word after the night before…).
What a weekend! We’ve had the Yorkshire Marathon, the British Fell Relays, an off-road trail run, a fell race, and a village 10km. Everybody is walking much more gingerly, and the marathon runners have asked if they can sleep downstairs tonight as they can’t face the stairs. We don’t normally let people have sleep overs, what with it being a school night and all of that, but if the marathon runners want a pyjama party in front of the television with bucket loads of their favourite sugary snacks, then who am I to say no? They’ve more than deserved them with the times that they achieved today, that’s for sure. Read on to see what they – and all the other many Nidds who donned the Black and Gold this weekend – have achieved. In the words of Clive Myrie on Mastermind: let’s go!
Results from the Week That Was
So we had only the one team that made the draw to get a place in the British Fell Relays in Appletreewick yesterday: the Nidd Valley Ladies. I mean, not that the men complained (much), but it was a bit galling not to be able to complete in the event when it’s on our very own doorstep, but that’s the way that the muddy cookie crumbles in the world of fell running and mixed-metaphors.
Still, we couldn’t be prouder of Team Captain Sarah, who got things off to a cracking start in the hills above Ted Mason’s farm, before Emma David and Amy Sheppard headed out to do the first paired leg. Those of you who remember the event last year will recall that Catherine Barber had to stop Laura Francis from losing her mind as she had decided that FRP just wanted her dead, so it’s full marks to Babs for teaming up with Laura again for the navigation leg on the challenging Wharfedale Terrain (and wasn’t it just lovely to see Cath back out and racing in the club colours again?). Laura, as you’d expect, had the best of lovely times, and has been quick to tell everyone that she has been to hell and back and that this is the second time that FRP has tried to kill her by encouraging her to enter a national competition. I feel duty bound to tell you that fell running is a perfectly safe, enjoyable and wholesome activity. I digress, and if I continue to do so I’ll never get round to telling you that Kat Woodhead rounded things off for the team with the final solo leg, bringing the party to an end in an overall time of 7:45.36. Well done, ladies! You did yourselves proud.
At the time of writing (unusual that I’m writing this on a Sunday, I know), the results from the Grewelthorpe multi-terrain race aren’t yet available, but as I know that we had a delegation of the Black and Gold up there in tractor land, I’ll be sure to include them next week when, hopefully, they will be available.
I’ve just seen from Facebook that Theresa Oldroyd competed at the Amsterdam Half Marathon earlier today. It’s a great run with a fantastic finish in the Olympic Stadium, although there is always the added risk that you’re going to snap your ankle if you accidentally slip in a tram rail, or alternatively hit by the tram Coronation Street-style (outdated cultural reference #36 there). Anyway, Theresa and partner Jon Jackson both finished in 1:48.17. Well done to you both!
I learn that, last night, James Braddon took part in the Nidderdale Dark Skies Festival Marathon. Unencumbered by pram, James still had to battle with broken walking poles and disintegrating shoes (which just makes the adventure even more adventurous), finishing in a great time of 6:45.21. As you do. Well done, James!
You can’t beat a good old Roger, that’s what I say, especially when it happens to be a Roger Duckworth. Roger was over in Whixley to take part in the Whixley 10km Race this morning. He did it in 49.45, which is marvellous news for him and for everyone here in the results department at Nidd Valley House. Josh Bryer was up in front, finishing in 40.54, which was first for Team Nidd and ninth overall. It was the pleasure it always is to read that Jeremy Scott and Martin Luxton also threw their hats into the ring, finishing in 56.12 and 59.04, respectively. Very well done to the four of you.
Further still down the A59 in York, Rachel Mills and the lesser-spotted Marcos Montana took part in the Yorkshire 10 Mile Race, with Rachel finishing in a wonderful time of 1:22.59 and Marcos doing his thing in 2:00.06. Excellent work, guys.
In the Yorkshire Marathon, I the results page doesn’t seem to be working properly, and so I’ve had to find who I can from the tracker and Strava. Apologies if you are missed out. Kev Clark was the first Nidd to finish, doing so in 3:09.37, with Steve Newbould finishing in 3:28.20. Hannah Percy (4:39.29) was just ahead of Jemma King (4:51.08), who herself finished ten minutes ahead of hubby Ali (5:02.13). Well done also to Susy Rhodes (5:09.05) and Jo Lane (5:17.13) who got out and gave it their best while Storm Ashley did its worst. Congratulations to you all.
Now, you might think it would be a reasonable question to ask whether or not there is anything more stupid than taking part in a marathon during Storm Ashley. To which the fell runners in Nidd Valley would simply reply, hold my beer. Indeed, it was back to Appletreewick for the penultimate race in the fell championships – an autumnal running of the Charlesworth Chase. Normally held in May, this felt like very much a different race with the muddy climb made more challenging, and the driving wind and rain making the final ascent to the top what might be charitably described as “challenging”.
Still, never one to shy away from a challenge, Andy Iddon was the first Nidd to get up and down Simon’s Seat, sink a beer and cross the finish line, having snatched the advantage from Martin Lofthouse on the descent. Martin did get the prize for 2nd MV55 and graciously shared his beers with us, though, so you won’t find either of us complaining. Ian Hesford just managed to hold MAtt Rickard at bay, finishing just seconds ahead, while it didn’t take long for Iesten Shapey, Simon Cocker and Nigel Scaife to find the finish line (Nigel has never had too much trouble finding a beer, apparently). Yours truly (that’s Sam Fugill if you hadn’t realised) was the next to finish, with Laura Francis and her tired legs in pursuit, with Di Winnard, FRP, the ChatBot and Sarah Bracher all finishing in strong style. Particular well done to Andy, Martin and Ian who took the prize for the men’s team, much to the amazement of those gathered in the barn for the results who are certainly unaccustomed to road running clubs taking team prizes in fell races.
Oh, and Nigel got his baps out, which was very much appreciated.
Is it something we said, Katie? I’ve no idea why Katie Coppack was all on her lonesome at York parkrun yesterday, but we shalln’t take it personally (well you can’t, can you? Especially with a time like 31.19). We might say the same for Adam Kirk, back from his honeymoon and running around Roundhay Park, or Andy Todd who found time during his trip to the Lake District for a run at Keswick.
Lizzie Hugill took Andy’s usual spot at Millfield, and Emily Wighton was down near Doncaster doing her parkrun thing at Cusworth Hall. Theresa Oldroyd was in Zuiderpark in Den Haag, getting herself the rare ‘Z’ in the parkrun alphabet challenge.
Sylvia Morten had the delightful company of Christine Holleran as they made their way around Chevin Forest parkrun, while Rob and Lou Kingston decided to test their legs with the hilly challenge on Hamsterley Forest. Alistair McQueen was the #niddnorthoftheborder with a run at Erskine Waterfront, and Billy Fox keeps it glamorous with his down under travels. He went to Bay East Garden Parkrun in Singapore.
Same old story in the same old places, too, and if you want to read up on all of the results from Harrogate, Conyngham and Fountains, not to mention all of the results from the parkruns in further flung parts of the forest, then there’s only place you need to be: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
Oh well, she told me on Sunday, she was checkin’ me out / Long about Monday she was nowhere about / And here it is Tuesday, I ain’t had no news / I got them gone but not forgotten blues: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
On Tuesday, it’s back to Knaresborough for another club run. Meet at the Hockey Club for 7pm and head out down past Kingsley Road, Starbeck and up to Forest Lane Head. You can cut out Knaresborough all together by heading down Forest Lane to the double roundabout, or you can run down the big hill, along Waterside, and come back up Forest Moor. From there, turn right and pass by Morrisons, before heading back up through Starbeck and up Kingsley Road to the club.
Who fancies a run down Cold Bath Road on Thursday? You do? Well, marvellous. Get yourself to the Hockey Club for 7pm, and join us as we run down Skitpon Road and Kings Road. From the bottom of town, cut by the Crown Hotel and up Cold Bath Road to Otley Road. This is your first turn point, and you can return to the club from there, or you can easily extend by heading round Arthur’s Avenue, Green Lane and Leadhall Lane, returning to the club via Leeds Road and York Place.
Well, Catholics have the Pope, the Tibetans have the Dali Lama, and we fell runners have Fell Running Phil. And when we he calls, we can but answer. We are summoned for the last hurrah in the fell championships with a trip to do the Lockton Limping Fell Race on Sunday. It’s a good fell race (described by Andy Iddon as more of a trail race, the right old show off that he is), and a great introduction to the joys of the muddy life, although is somewhat hampered by a long-ish drive past Pickering to find the start line. Unusually for fell running, it’s pre-entry, and you can find the link here: https://tinyurl.com/38p6avuu.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
You might find that we have a little Halloween treat lined up for you on Thursday 31st October 2024. You never know the kind of thing that goes bump in Nidd Valley House.
We have the Guy Fawkes 10 on Sunday 3rd November 2024 and I am sure that RD Mike Deacon and Chief Marshal Sarah Chalmers will be sending out more details in due course. However, please do keep an eye out on your emails and, if you are not on the marshal plan but are able to help out, then please let Sarah know. This is a great opportunity to showcase Nidd at it’s very best and the friendliness of our marshals is a central part of that.
Please also remember that we will be having the race ‘after party’ at the Hockey Club on the Sunday evening, and there’ll be takeaway pizza a-plenty for everyone. If you are planning to come, please either accept the invite via the Facebook group if you use such things, or let me know via email: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The PECO XC Series starts on Sunday 17th November 2024. Yes, I know, I too couldn’t be happier. Despite the prospect of driving rain and trench foot, these runs do have a certain something about them, a certain je ne sais quois, if you will (that of course being the Parisian shorthand for ‘please, just make it stop’). It’s only £17 for the season, and all five of these races are included in our cross-country championships, so plenty of opportunities to get yourself plenty of points. All the relevant details here: https://tinyurl.com/ymeaudam.
Steadier Runners, Pacing & Club Nights
I’m aware that a few people feel unable to come to a club run on a Tuesday and Thursday evening as they aren’t confident that there will be anyone else running at their pace, worried that they might be left behind etc. I’m thinking about how we might manage this a bit better and, aware as I am that there is no immediate solution that will work for all people all of the time, I’m keen to see what we can do. If this is you, please drop me a text or let me know via email: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
Awards Night: Saturday 25th January 2025
We’ve sold more than half of our places for this event already, and we already have the staff from Hello! Magazine keen for an inside scoop on the awards, who will be coming with who, and what shoes Captain Dazzler will be wearing. If you want them to be snapping you as you walk up the red carpet, then you need to get yourself a place right here: https://tinyurl.com/4ztnctpw.
Word to the Wise
This Sunday, it falls to Matt Rickard to provide us with our dose of weekly wisdom and – as you’d expect from someone as wise and sage – he doesn’t let us down. This week, he shares his thoughts on the PECO XC series.
“It’s like all of the worst possible bits of PECO at school, but with an added hangover…” – Matt Rickard, who won’t let the five miles the morning-after spoil the night before.
So from Matt, from me, and from everybody here at Nidd Valley House, have the best of the weeks. I know you will.
Chairman Sam x