(TLDR. On Tuesday, we have intervals on Knox Avenue and Ripley Drive, at both 6pm and 7pm. Our Thursday run takes us around Duchy, leaving the Hockey Club at 7pm. On Saturday, we have some 300 parkrun celebrations and an 80th birthday, and read on for more news about the Ladies’ Secret Santa Run, the Awards Night, the AGM, and other up and coming events. A new Nidder makes his wise word debut, too. Well go on, then. What are you waiting for?).
Hi folks,
Well, the cold weather is on the way. We’ve cranked up the heating here at Nidd Valley House. Sarah and Emma are making mulled wine, Sylvia is throwing logs on the fire like they’re going out of fashion, and Nick and Jonathan are looking forward to roasting their chestnuts. Yes, it’s warm jumpers and thick socks all around, but you cannot possibly feel cold and miserable when you see the results from this past week. Let’s have a look.
Results from the Week That Was
Kev Clark – you know the one, the one with the colourful socks – kicks things off for us this week, with a result from the Alton Towers Half Marathon on Saturday. He finished in 1:28.55, which is certainly no mean feat. Scream if you want to go faster, and all of that.
We’ve got several results from fell races this weekend, but, as you’ll doubtlessly be aware by now, the results can take some time to filter through the ether. I’m aware that Sarah Chalmers did the Litton Birks 5km and, although the final results are unavailable, Sarah has messaged to let us know that she had it all done and dusted in about 1:02.something, coming second FV60. A great result, so well done Sarah.
Amy Sheppard was out in Lancashire (always a high risk strategy, if you ask me) to compete in the challenging Tour of Pendle Fell Race. I’m not sure which sicko decided running up and down the same hill several times had the makings of a good fell race, but there we are. Amy had the 17 mile run and accompanying 5,000ft of climb sorted out in 3:40.something, which is a brilliant achievement. I have a hunch that club captain Emma was maybe doing this race, too, but both Emma and her strava account are silent on such things. I’ll include her when I do the proper results if I need to.
Unusually for fell running, it has been great to get prompt results from the Baildon Harriers vs. Cyclists Fell Race, which allows us to celebrate the time of 58.41 secured by Russell Geraghty as he headed onto Baildon Moor as cyclists and fell runners battled round the five mile festival of hills and mud. Congratulations, Russ!
And as sure as night follows day, the PECO season got off to a flying start yesterday at Temple Newsam. We had five juniors tackle the one mile course, and we couldn’t be prouder than to share the achievements of Jacob Freeman (8.24), Darcy Nurcome (8.44), Tobi Dolman (8.50), Beau Shea (9.11) and Lawrence Facey (9.26). The good times just keep rolling with the juniors who tackled the two mile run, so let’s have three cheers for Eleanor Easton (11.06), Lily Aspin (11.56), Hannah Lowe (11.58) and three cheers for more for Eva Anwyl (12.34), Fraser Dobinson (13.20), Freya Dart (14.12), and Owen Dart (14.13). Fantastic achievements all round, I’m sure you’ll agree.
There was a tussle at the top in the senior race with Josh Bryer (27.44) holding Caleb Aylesbury (27.45) at bay with only a second between them. Louise Kington (29.04) took the place of fourth lady overall, and wasn’t too far ahead of the ever-speedy Darren Townend (29.12), Andy Todd (30.12) and Martin Lofthouse (30.20). Ian Hesford (31.05) got a great time, but also takes the prize for the best water jump crossing of the day.
Fingers Harris (31.40) was just ahead of Matt Rickard (31.42), while Matt Wilkinson (31.49) was just behind them. Amelie Aylesbury (32.58) put in what looked like a remarkably strong finish, while Jon Easton (33.03), Nigel Scaife (33.10), Chris Carvey (33.38) and Sam Wheeler (33.44) surely have plenty to be proud of with their performances.
Girish Patel (34.49) was just ahead of Anna Jackson and Mark Tyrell (both 35.01) and Richard Evans (35.24), while Steve Turner (35.27) had his work cut out to maintain his advantage over Richard Abbott (35.29). Nick Crebbin (35.34), Theresa Oldroyd (36.00), Michael Shaw (36.58) and Sam Fugill (37.02) were the next to finish, and it wasn’t long before we could join Paul Manning (39.01), Kat Woodhead (39.54), Roger Duckworth (40.09) and Nick Smith (40.14) in their celebrations.
Talking of celebrations, everybody went absolutely bananas to see Jonathan Kay (40.28) get back to the finish line with incident – for some, the memory of last year is still too raw, and for others, well, we’ve only just stopped laughing – and then we were able to cheer just as loud as Bev Aspin (40.56), the ChatBot (41.05), FRP (41.54), and Sarah Bracher (43.03) stormed up the hill to the finish.
Lizzie Hughill (44.09), Jo Lane (44.56) and Rachel Capstick (45.47) were the next to finish, and our final finishers were none other than the remarkable Karen McCartney (46.11), Susy Rhodes (47.18) and Dave Seaman (50.59). Very well done to everyone!
In what must surely be a complete contrast to the mud and hills of the cross country, the Tad 10 played host to nine intrepid Nidders who maybe enjoy their running more on tarmac. Steve Newbould (1:02.24) was delighted to win a tenner for claiming 2nd MV45 – don’t spend it all at once, Steve – and we had equally as impressive results from Sarah Staiano (1:15.33), Jeremy Scott (1:18.18), and Laura Francis (1:19.08). The lesser-spotted but always remarkable Christine Holleran (1:21.29) finished just ahead of Rachel Mills (1:22.17), while Chris Morris (1:27.10), Vicky Thomas (1:29.12) and Martin Luxton (1:30.50) finished things off for us in spectacular style. Congratulations!
Ah, now this is well sweet. Emily Wighton was down in London where she ran at Valentines Parkrun with other half Arthur. Nice. Adam Kirk was over in Roundhay Park as a sole delegation from Team Nidd, while it’s lovely to hear that our beloved treasurer Sylvia is safe and well in Australia (she did Cairn Parkrun, if you’re taking notes). Phil and Rebecca Ventress did their parkrun at Skipton, and Karen and Craig Mills were our #niddsnorthoftheborder when they took a turn around Edinburgh’s Portobello Park.
Theresa Oldroyd got the sole new marker on the MallettMap this week, running as she did at Woking Parkrun, whereas Mr and Mrs Robinson did their parkrun at Glossop in the Peak District. Pauline Hogg was down at Stratford upon Avon, and Chris Carvey joined Andy Todd at his usual haunt of Millfield Parkrun.
Hannah Percy was at Chevin Forest, Rachael and Dave Prince were at Thorp Perrow, and Annabelle Lodh took a trip to this chairman’s hometown of Morpeth to run the Carlisle Park run. As ever, more Nidds than I have time to name took part in parkruns at Fountains, Conyngham Hall, and Harrogate, and you can see all of the results right here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
‘Cause I’m a wild god flying, and wild god a-swimming / And I’m old sick god dying, and crying / And singing: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
If you thought that Tuesday was hilly, just wait until you see what the sick and troubled mind of Captain Emma has cooked up for you for Tuesday night’s intervals. This week, we are down at the bottom of Bilton to run the Ripley Drive and Knox Avenue session. There’ll be sessions at 6pm and 7pm – led by Emma and Jane, and Lynsey and Jon, respectively – and the meeting point is down at the bottom of Knox Lane by the sawmill (///laptops.herds.guideline). Hope to see as many of you there as possible.
Our Thursday run this week takes us down the Duchy. Meeting at the Hockey Club for 7pm, the route takes you up Skipton Road, turning left onto Kings Road before a right turn down Coppice Drive onto Ripon Road. You can head back to the club along Parliament Hill if you want, although you can also continue along Duchy Road to Harlow Moor Drive. From there, it’s a left turn to Otley Road, and then you can head back to the club along Otley Road and York Place, or extend further round Beckwith Road and Leadhall Lane. The choice is all yours. Why not join us for a drink in the bar afterwards? It’s always lovely to see you.
Although there isn’t any racing in our club calendar, there are plenty of parkrun celebrations going on this Saturday. First up, Fiona Robinson will be celebrating her 300th parkrun (I know, not a thing) at Fountains Abbey on Saturday, and everyone is invited to join her for coffee in the cafe afterwards. If you’re are staying close to Harrogate, then you’ll be able to join Rebecca Ventress and Lynsey Barraclough as they celebrate their joint 300th parkrun (again, not a thing) with a trip around the Stray. On top of all that, Martin Weeks celebrates his 80th birthday this weekend (and doesn’t he just look very well on it, too?) and would love it if people might join him for a trip round Harrogate Parkrun and then coffee in The Saints Coffee Shop afterwards. Plenty of choice!
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
If you still need some points in the road championships, or if you need to try and improve your ranking, then the last opportunity appears on Wednesday 27th November 2024 with the EventSplits Leeds 5km. You know how it works by now, surely: https://tinyurl.com/2kvxhbv3.
I’ve been asked to publicise a charity event by Harrogate District MIND who are holding a fundraising 5km on Sunday 1st December 2024 called the Mental Elf. It’s down in Conyngham Hall, fancy dress is encouraged, and you get to make some money for a really good cause. Please do think of supporting this if you can: https://tinyurl.com/bddnfnv9.
Ladies Secret Santa Run: Saturday 7th December 2024
Sarah Chalmers has diligently organised this for several years now, but is ready to take a break and pass on the baton. Enter Jo Lane, who innocently asks on Facebook whether the event is happening this year. We took a quick vote and agreed that Jo would be an ideal person to organise it for us and, as Jo wasn’t actually present, the motion passed unanimously.
Anyway, the run will be as it always is – a steady run somewhere (probably the reservoirs) with some shared food and gift swapping afterwards. It is, as tradition dictates, a ladies-only event, and Jo will be in touch in the next few days with some more details.
Sorry chaps, but you’ll just have to go to the pub and talk about fast cars, football and breasts or whatever it is we’re meant to do.
Harrogate Homeless
You might remember that a couple of months ago we took part in the virtual 5km challenge for Harrogate Homeless Project. Well, congratulations everybody! We only went and won the prize for the most money raised in the challenge, and so secured ourselves a £100 running voucher. Happy days.
Anyway, as they hadn’t bought the voucher at the time, we invited them to keep the money with our best wishes. Maybe it’s just me, but maybe some people could use somewhere safe to sleep more than we could use another pair of running shoes. The charity has gratefully accepted this, and asked me to pass on their thanks to you. So it’s a thank you from them, and it’s a thank you from me, too.
Awards Night: Saturday 25th January 2025
Places are continuing to sell for the Awards Night, so if you do want to come, then please do get yourself registered sooner rather than later. Once we have sold out, we won’t be able to squeeze in any more. You can get registered here: https://tinyurl.com/4ztnctpw.
If you would like to nominate someone for one of the discretionary awards, then the committee would love to hear from you. There’s a chance that you will know of some achievement that has passed us by, and someone might be relying on you to put their name in lights. You can make your nominations here: https://tinyurl.com/dutu497t.
Finally, I’m collating images for the presentation, so if you have any great photos from this past year in Nidd Valley, then please send them to me. You can send them via WhatsApp if you have my number, or via email here: chair@niddvalleyroadrunnersco.uk.
AGM: 20th February 2025
You’ll get the formal notification in due course and nearer the time but, for now, please put this date in your diary. We will need as many people to attend as possible, and it’s your chance to have your say in how the club is run, to vote in a new committee, and maybe to even consider standing for position yourself? I know… the power. Imagine.
Word to the Wise
It’s always a source of pride for a new Nidder when they score their first wise word. This week it goes to Richard Abbott, who was chatting to Jo Lane about the water jump at the PECO yesterday. Jo felt that it wouldn’t cause much trouble to someone of Richard’s height.
“Maybe so, but you’ll probably need a snorkel…” – Richard Abbott, supportive and encoruaging to the last.
So from Richard and Jo, from me, and everyone else here at Nidd Valley House, have a great week. Keep well and warm.
Chairman Sam x