(TLDR. On Tuesday, we have intervals at the showground at both 6pm and 7pm, and our Thursday run takes us round Bilton and Ripon Road. I’ve shared details below about this week’s races, the PECOs, the awards night, and a really encouraging wise word so you start your week with a smile).
Evening,
I’m just back from a weekend in London – family duty calling, and all of that – and haven’t long been back here at Nidd Valley House. Indeed, Samuel Johnson may have said that when one is bored of London then he will surely be bored of life, but I’m more inclined to agree with Dorothy for there is surely no place like home. We’ve got loads going on, too, such as committee meetings, preparation for the awards night, not to mention all things to do with the c-word (no, not that one, I mean Christmas), so the whole place is awash with activity. Plenty to be getting on with, but not before we put the kettle on and have a look at the results from this past week.
Results from the Week That Was
Given that we didn’t have the results from the Kilburn Kanter last week, I know that you will most certainly be on tenterhooks to know the details. And just what are tenterhooks, anyway? It’s one of those phrases that we use but we don’t understand. Like warming your cockles. I wouldn’t have the first clue where to start looking for my cockles, much less know that I needed to gently heat them through. Anyway, the results page tells us two things. Firstly, that Emma David, Amy Sheppard, Phil Ventress and Brian Hainsworth all finished in exactly 5:00.00 and, secondly, that chip timing and goal line technology clearly haven’t yet reached the world of fell running.
Alfie Willis was the first of eight Nidds to finish the final York 5km at Heslington on Friday night, finishing in 17.34. Captain Dazzler finished in 18.25, and was soon joined by Kev Nicholas (20.21), Chris Carvey (20.59) and Connor Featherstone (22.00). Carl Read was also done and dusted in 22.00, and our two final finishers were the wonderful Chris Morris (24.21) and Sarah Bracher (27.53). Congratulations to you all.
Louise Kingston – flying under the radar with her maiden name of McLeman – was the third lady overall at the Dalby Dash this weekend, securing some more silverware for the trophy cabinet here at Nidd Valley House. Theresa Oldroyd took the prize for 2nd FV50. They finished in 40.20 and 45.31, respectively. Mark Tyrell was also out giving it his all, and hit the finish line in 47.45. Very well done to you all
Here’s a bit of salutary advice for you, although I hope that you should never need it: if you happen to bugger up your nav in a race, then don’t tell Sarah Bracher. It looks like Martin Lofthouse and Nigel Scaife may have made a couple of navigational errors at Bolton Abbey races this morning. Sarah was straight onto the socials to let me know that Martin has turned a half marathon into a 15.4 mile race, whereas Nigel put an additional mile and a half onto the ten mile course. Talk about a knife in the back. It’s always the ones you love that hurt you the most, Nige.
Anyway. To the results, such as they are. Fingers Harris was the first to finish the half marathon distance and did so in 2:12.16. He was joined by Martin Lofthouse, who, by the grace of the good Lord God Almighty, found the line in 2:12.33. Fiona Deacon claimed the prize for FV60 with a brilliant finish time of 2:17.33. In the ten mile race, we were delighted to see strong performances from Nick Crebbin (1:37.34), a navigationally-challenged Nigel Scaife (1:45.19), and that right old gossip Sarah Bracher (2:05.34).
We had two Nidds do the 10km course, and I’m confident you’ll be as thrilled as I am to be able to celebrate with Vicky Thomas (59.25) and Bev Aspin (1:01.25). In the 4km race, we had a good showing from our junior section with the support of a couple from the senior club. They were the wonderful Hannah Lowe (20.11), Fraser Robinson (20.21), Owen Dart (20.39), Tobi Dolman (21.44) and his mum Katherine (21.47). Amber Ireland (23.17) was the next to finish, soon joined by Freya Dart (23.59), Bec Carman (26.19), Darcy Nurcombe (25.58) and Ted Carman (26.53). A great effort all round, that’s for sure.
Our international parkrunners this week were Steve Newbould and Sarah Staiano who, being state-side, headed over to Roosevelt Island DC in the hope of securing a much coveted spot on the MallettMap. They even wore their matching NVRR training tops as well. Cute. Alas, it didn’t take John Mallett long to have a Jimmy Riddle on their French fries, and reminded them that Chris Carvery has indeed got there before them. Snooze you lose.
Christine Holleran very much took the ball and ran with it down at Rugby Parkrun, whereas Josh Bryer came second down in Pontefract. Actually, that reminds me of my favourite jokes: a chicken and an egg are in bed having a post-coital cigarette, and the egg turns to the chicken and says “well that answers that age-old question, then”. Oh, okay. Never mind.
Emily Wighton continues in what appears to be a one-woman mission to run every parkrun on Planet Earth, running this week at Rother Valley. Philly Thompson did what she always does and ran at Darlington South Park, and Adam Kirk took himself for a spin around the Ings at Wetherby.
Debbie Gibson doubtlessly chewed the ear off the 348 other poor souls who decided to do their parkrun at Lincolnshire’s Belton House, whereas Mr and Mrs Robinson (Jesus loves you more than you will know, whoa whoa whoa) did their weekly 5km over in Kew Woods in Lancashire. Louise and Rob Kingston were up on the Chevin to do the Chevin Forest Parkrun but – what fresh hell is this? – just where was Sylvia? Turns out that she’s down under in Australia, so we hope to see her slam another shrimp on the barbie and get her parkrunning shoes on sometime soon.
In addition to the usual crowds at Fountains and at Wetherby, there was the spectacle of Robert Hill kicking off his 80th birthday celebrations at Harrogate Parkrun. Everyone wanted to run with the great man, and he was very moved by the celebration in the cafe afterwards. Happy birthday, Robert!
The parkrun results in full, right here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
When love just seems so far away / Keep haulin’, keep haulin’ / The tide will flood your heart someday / Keep haulin’, boys: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
Intervals kick off properly this week and on Tuesday the festival of athletic misery continues with intervals at the Showground. Meet in the car park by the Squash Club and prepare to feel the burn. Sarah S and Rachael P will be leading the session at 6pm whereas Karen M teams up with Brian H to keep the 7pm squad in order. I know, you’ve got a choice of session. You really have no excuse now.
I’ll be sorry not to join you on Thursday for the club run, especially as it’s a run around Bilton. Always hilly, and always a pleasure. Anyway, meet at the Hockey Club and be good to go for 7pm. It’s out over the iron bridge, along Woodfield Road, over Bilton Lane and down through Tennyson. Head up towards Crab Lane, turning either back to the club or going over Knox Drive to Skipton Road and the Little Wonder Roundabout. The second half of the run takes you up Ripon Road and Parliament Hill, passing West Park before turning left for York Place and the Hockey Club. Drinks in the bar afterwards, as per.
Although not in the club championships, there’s the exciting prospect of the Harriers vs Cyclists fell race at Bingley on Saturday. Entry is £10 and there doesn’t seem to be EOTD, but plenty of excitement is guaranteed in this five mile beauty. Why not have a look?: https://tinyurl.com/ypjh26br.
On Sunday, the PECO season (and our very own cross country championships) kicks off with the PECO at Temple Newsam. Mud, sweat and tears! If you haven’t got yourself a number for the season, then please do, as we always manage to get a really good showing. The running is tough – I’m not going to lie – but the sense of camaraderie is really something else. Be part of something special: https://tinyurl.com/ymeaudam.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
Nothing for now, unless you still haven’t booked onto the PECO.
What? You haven’t? I don’t expect to have to tell you a second time: https://tinyurl.com/ymeaudam.
Committee Meeting: Wednesday 13th November 2024
Yes, it’s all high stakes drama in corridors and halls of power here at Nidd Valley House as we prepare for our next committee meeting. Committee members are moved from meeting to meeting by teams of special advisors, fielding questions from the press and downplaying rumours of a power struggle between Captains Emma and Dazzler that threatens to break out into the public.
Actually, it’s nothing like that. We’ll have a cup of tea, some biscuits, and talk about anything you want us to discuss. Contribute to our agenda: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
Awards Night: Saturday 25th January 2025
Well, I must say that I haven’t seen the kitchens at Nidd Valley House this busy for a long time, and all of the chefs are planning and tweaking the menus. You know how it is, if you can’t dazzle them with brilliance then you can always blind them with balsamic. Dave and Nick have been tasting the wines from the cellar and Jonathan is making some table centrepieces. He certainly likes his glitter, I’ll say that much.
All of the above aside, though, we only have about 25 places to go, so if you do want to come then you’ll need to strike fast: https://tinyurl.com/4ztnctpw.
Awards
At the awards night, we’ll be giving a could of discretionary most improved and the most meritorious award. Although these awards are decided by the committee in a process that starts with the secrecy of a papal conclave and finishes leaking like a cauldron, we’d love to hear your thoughts on who any worthy winners might be. You can submit your nominations and information anonymously, and do it here: https://tinyurl.com/dutu497t.
Word to the Wise
Sometimes, word to the wise can be a pit of sexual innuendo-ridden depravity and base schoolboy humour, and rightly so too. Sometimes, however, it can provide you with such a fuzzy feeling of happiness and gladness and warmth (that’ll be your cockles again). Today is one of these moments, courtesy of birthday boy Robert Hill as he surveyed the crowds who joined his celebrations yesterday.
“I hadn’t realised that I was so popular…” – Robert Hill, deserving of every kind word.
From Robert, from me, and everybody here at Nidd Valley House, have a wonderful week.
Chairman Sam x