(TLDR. On Tuesday, our interval season kicks off with time trial runs around West Park, meeting at the Hockey Club for 6.45pm or West Park for 7pm. Our Thursday run kicks off from the Hockey Club at 7pm, and we’re heading round the supermarkets. On Saturday, we have Robert Hill’s 80th birthday parkrun. Read on for up and coming events, the Awards Night, and a committee meeting…).
Here’s the strange thing. Driving the van back from Ripley after the Guy Fawkes Ten yesterday, I didn’t feel the usual sense of relief and immense satisfaction that we all normally feel after the event. Instead, I actually felt quite blue, aware that this might have been the last time that the race will be based in Ripley. It felt like the end of an era, made all the more bittersweet in that everyone had come together to deliver such a successful and well received race. The feedback we have had has been nothing but brilliant, and I cannot thank our race director Mike Deacon and chief marshal Sarah Chalmers enough for all of their work, and each and every one of you in the club who helped in so many different ways to make the event such a success. We showed Team Nidd at its very best and we should be able to hold our heads high. Thank you all.
We now get on with the job of planning what Guy Fawkes might look like but – if I have anything to do with it – we’ll be back with just as many hills, just as much chocolate, and the best marshalling team on Planet Earth.
Results are thin on the ground this week, with most of us having been occupied with the race, but there are still a couple of snippets to celebrate. Shall we have a look?
Results from the Week That Was
What with fell running being fell running, you’d be a fool if you were to think that the results from Saturday’s Kilburn Kanter were available today. So you’ll have to forgive me for the lack of information and instead settle for me congratulating Brian Hainsworth, Phil Ventress, Amy Sheppard and Emma Kicks for tackling the 24 mile route, the 3,500ft of climb and what appeared to be a not inconsiderable amount of mud. Phil tells us that Amy made a comment more than worthy of word to the wise but did not wish to repeat it for fear of being booted off Facebook. And if Phil is thinking twice before hitting the ‘post’ or ‘send’ button then you know you’re dealing with something suitably explosive. Anyway, we may now never know. Well done to the four of you, though.
On the other side of the pond, we find Steve Newbould, tired but no doubt delighted with his performance of 2:51.14 at the New York Marathon yesterday. A brilliant result, I’m sure you’ll agree.
I know that we don’t normally have Nidders running in our very own Guy Fawkes Ten, but as Girish Patel had entered the race long before he had joined the mighty Nidd, it seemed a little churlish to deny him the chance to run it. He finished in 1:17.10, which is a great result. You might also be interested to know that second-claim and occasional Nidder Ruth Sinclair (1:05.13) took the prize for the second female finisher in her Stockport Harrier vest, and ex-Nidder Sue Ball (1:30.24) was the first FV65, representing Yaxley Runners & Joggers. Yeah, I know all well and good, but not a patch on the Black and Gold glory. Seriously, though. Well done to you both.
In the happy world of 5km running that is parkrun, we had a delegation of Nidders heading to the home counties, with Karl Chillmaid running at St Albans and Ian Hesford at Oxford. Closer to home, Adam Kirk ran at Woodhouse Moor, Philly Thompson ran at Northallerton, FRP ran at Dalby Forest, and the Malletts were down in Selby.
Pauline Hogg headed into the unchartered waters of South Yorkshire and completed her 5km at Frickley Country Parkrun near Doncaster. Andy Todd was at Millfield Park as per all the usual traditions, Karen Mills headed over to Beverley Westwood, and we found Emily Wighton in Robert’s Park at Saltaire
We say it every week, but the quality of the running makes the repetition worth it: most of the Nidders were down at Harrogate, Fountains and Conyngham Hall, and you can read up on all of their results here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
Don’t wanna be an American idiot / one nation controlled by the media / information age of hysteria / it’s calling out to idiot America: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
And as we leave the Guy Fawkes Ten behind us and as autumn fades slowly into winter, we come to start our winter intervals. On Tuesday, we’ll be kick starting these off with a time trial exercise round West Park. This will be something that we will revisit at the end of the interval season as a way to benchmark progress in readiness for the 2025 racing season. Meet at West Park neat the Prince of Wales roundabout (///friday.bend.secret, if you use what3words) and be good to go for 7pm, or you are welcome to meet outside the Hockey Club and jog down at 6.45 – whatever works for you.
Once the interval season gets properly underway next week, our coaches will be offering two sessions, one at 6pm and 7pm, so hopefully there will be enough space and flexibility to accommodate as many of us as possible. Particular thanks for our head coach Emma and all of the other coaches who give up their time to support us in this.
On Thursday, we have ourselves another club run and it has been a while since we did some shopping, so this week we will be heading out to do the supermarket sweep. We’ll leave the Hockey Club at 7pm and head down by the railway towards ASDA, coming up past the bus station and to Waitrose. This gives the first chance to cut back, running along York Place to the Hockey Club. Alternatively, you can head to the Showground and Sainsburys, running either over the Stray or via Leeds Road M&S. The route then takes us past Morrison’s to Starbeck, returning to the club via Kingsley Road. As is now the usual arrangement, we’ll regroup in the Hockey Club bar for a pint after our run and it would be lovely if you might join us.
The weekend brings with it the hottest ticket in the calendar. Yes, indeed, our very own Robert Hill is going to be 80 years old! In predictable fashion for such a habitual creature, Robert would like to celebrate with a trip to Harrogate Parkrun on Saturday. He’d be delighted if you might join and run with him, and would be delighted yet further if you could come for tea and cake afterwards at the Chocolate Factory Cafe next to the Odeon Cinema.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
Don’t forget that the PECO starts next Sunday, 17th November 2024. Who would have thought that misery could be so compelling? It’s only £17 for five races, so this is incredibly good value, or at least it is if running around a waterlogged field in south Leeds if your idea of a good time and of money well spent. Seriously, though, we always manage to put in a great showing at these races, and there is a certain level of enjoyment to be had in communal grim suffering and struggle. Plenty to look forward to, then: https://tinyurl.com/ymeaudam.
Committee Meeting: Wednesday 13th November 2024
The committee gathers once again next week. Verily, my cup runneth over with joy. If there is anything that you would like to bring to our attention or would like us to discuss, then please do let us know. Either nab me on a club run or just send me an email. The lights are on but there’s nobody at home: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
Note to self: buy biscuits.
Awards Night: Saturday 25th January 2025
We have now sold more than two thirds of the available places for the Awards Night. If you would like to come (and why wouldn’t you, I hear you cry!?), then please don’t hang around too long. Can you imagine how you’d feel if you missed out, all of your mates heading out for a glamorous night out, leaving you on the sofa in front of some crappy repeat on the TV with nothing but a family pack of kettle chips for company, sobbing as you realise that you have nobody to share them with? Tragic, right? Get involved: https://tinyurl.com/4ztnctpw.
In addition to the category prizes for the three club championships, the committee awards two discretionary awards: the first being to the most improved runner, which is reasonably self-explanatory, and the second being the most meritorious award, which is given to someone who has gone out of their way and above and beyond to contribute to the life of the club. If you have some insider knowledge about why someone might be a worthy recipient for either of these awards, then the committee would love to hear from you. You can dob someone in right here: https://tinyurl.com/dutu497t.
Word to the Wise
Some of you might know Sue Harris. Parkrunner, poet, eccentric, and mother of Fingers. She joined us in the castle yard to watch the finishers at yesterday’s Guy Fawkes Ten race yesterday, climbing over the taped barrier to get herself into prime position.
“Look, look. I can still get me leg over…!” – Mrs Harris, leaving an impression that is unlikely to fade without lengthy professional help.
So from Mrs H., from me, and from everybody else here at Nidd Valley House, have a wonderful week.
Chairman Sam x