(TLDR. On Tuesday, we have intervals down by Knox Mill, with sessions at 6pm and 7pm. On Thursday, we head up Cornwall Road for our club run, and at the weekend we have the ladies’s secret santa run on Saturday morning and a run for the men on Sunday. Read on for up and coming events. We finish with some reflections on tugging).
We’ve opened the first door of our Advent Calendars here at Nidd Valley House. Sylvia obviously kept hers very classy with a Hotel Chocolat one, Dave played it safe and settled for Dairy Milk, and Dazzler has his Spiderman one. He’s very excited, as I am sure that you can imagine. He’s already written his list for Father Christmas (and rewritten and expanded it several times), has hung his stocking by the fireplace and is already asking if he can wear his Christmas pyjamas. I don’t know what we’ll do, to be honest with you. If he’s this giddy at the start of the month, heaven only knows what he’ll be like when his playgroup breaks up for the Christmas holidays. Still, we’ll deal with that when we have to. For now, pour yourself another mulled wine and grab yourself a mince pie, as I cannot wait to share these results with you.
Results from the Week That Was
The first result for the week comes courtesy of Martin Luxton, who was the sole Nidd at the Croft Pitstop 10km yesterday. I cannot find official results but Martin kindly put this result on Facebook to let us know that he took the First MV70 place in a great time of 53.44. Well done, Martin!
Also on Sunday, we had two intrepid Nidds up in the Pennines to take part in the classic Mytholmroyd fell race. Despite being only 10km, this packs in a lot of challenging terrain, so we can’t be anything but delighted to read the results from Russel Geraghty (1:22.16) and Kat Woodhead (1:37.15), who finished 108th and 150th out of a field of 169 starters. Massive congratulations to the two of you.
We’ve just received important news from the Misión Diplomática de Nidd Valley en España, informing us that Theresa Oldroyd was down in Valencia competing in their marathon this weekend. It looked a bit warm but she made good work of the course, getting to the finish line in a brilliant time of 3:54.03. Felicidades, Theresa!
Juniors Jacob Freeman (7.41) and Ted Carman (9.12) kick off this weekend’s PECO results at Pontefract for us with two banging results from the one mile race. In the two mile race, Eleanor Easton (13.54) stole ahead of Lily Aspin (14.01), while Eva Anwyl (14.31) was hunted down by Hannah Lowe (14.39) in a nail biting finish. Fraser Dobinson (15.10) knocked it out of the park with his time, too. Well done to you all!
Staying in Ponte Carlo, Young Josh Bryer kept this youthful exuberance going as he led the Nidds home in the senior race, finishing in 20.55. Caleb Aylesbury (21.20) and Andy Todd (22.34) were not too far behind, and just ahead of Louise Kingston (22.41) as she drew the first blood for the ladies. Captain Dazzler (22.56) held his advantage over Kev Clarke (23.01), and we didn’t have to wait long to see Matt Rickard (23.17). Ian Hesford was doubtlessly relieved to know that there wasn’t a water jump this week, meaning he was drier than last time as he clocked a finish time of 23.18. That must have been weird for the spectators, though, seeing Matt and Ian finish within a second of each other. They are basically identical, after all.
Martin Lofthouse did his two laps of the racecourse in a great time of 23.17, leading the way for the ever-wonderful Amelia Aylesbury (25.10), Sam Wheeler (25.11), Chris Carvey (25.13), Jon Easton (25.25), Carl Read (26.05) and the lesser-spotted Steve Turner (26.27). Girish Patel (26.34) was just up ahead of the the second Nidd lady, Anna Jackson (26.47), both of them holding their own against Mark Tyrell (26.51), Richard Abbott (27.15), Michael Shaw (28.18) and Hannah Kempston (28.52).
Christine Holleran (29.03) was joined by Paul Manning (29.51) while Roger Duckworth (29.57) gave chase to the finish line. Nigel Scaife (30.00) and Nick Smith (30.31) were the next two Nidds to finish, while we also delighted to be able to cheer Bev Aspin (30.55), Jenny Manning (32.10), Lizzie Hugill (32.17), the ChatBot (32.32) and Pauline Hogg (32.36) over the line. Our final finishers were none other than this famous five: Sarah Bracher (33.05), Rachel Capstick (33.48), Jo Lane (34.42), Susy Rhodes (37.48) and Michelle Smith (38.08). A great effort all round, I’m sure you’ll agree.
I note that Richard Evans and Karen McCartney were down in Knaresborough to compete in the Mental Elf Charity 5km yesterday. I’m not sure that it is the type of event that actually does results and, if it is, then I certainly cannot find them. Still, good on them for getting down there and making some money for the MIND Charity. However, if you want to see a photo of them in fancy dress and looking like pillocks, then I am only too happy to oblige.
Matt Wilkinson took a trip down to London where he completed the Bushy Parkrun, the home of the first parkrun to ever take place and the spiritual home of parkrunners the world over. Christians have Jerusalem, Muslims have Mecca, and parkrunners have Bushy Park. Pauline Hogg was at Blackhill park (I’ve no idea where that is), Lizzie Hugill was in Keswick, and Emily Wighton was at Myrtle Park near Bingley.
Andy Todd did his parkrun at Millfield, and Andy Iddon went with Cath Barber to Cockermouth (oh, grow up). We had a few Nidds down at Conyngham Hall, and even more at Fountains Abbey as we celebrated Fiona Robinson’s 300th parkrun. In Harrogate, the crowds gathered to cheer Lynsey Barraclough and Rebecca Ventress round their 250th parkrun while Rosemary Thompson took her 100th spin around the Stray. You can read up on her and all of the other results right here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
Red Cadillac and a black mustache / Rings on my fingers that sparkle and flash / Tell me, what’s next? What shall we do? / Half my soul, baby, belongs to you: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
Here’s a question for you. Who do you like most: Emma Kicks and Carl Reed, or Jon Easton and Martin Lofthouse? That’s your question for Tuesday, as Emma and Carl are your hosts for the 6pm interval set, and Jon and Nigel will be taking charge for the 7pm session. This week’s athletic popularity contest (formally and more commonly known as intervals) takes place down at Knox Ford and will doubtless involve some running up hills. Meet by Knox Sawmill (///pleaser.screamed.boot) for whichever session you choose. Apparently it’ll do you good. I’m far from convinced.
And so to our club run on Thursday, and we find ourselves once again taking a trip into town and up Cornwall Road. Meet at the Hockey Club and be good to go for 7pm, and we’ll head past Christchurch and through the cut into town. Going up Cornwall Road and along Harlow Moor Road, you can turn back for the club along Otley Road and York Place, or can extend further round Beckwith Road, Green Lane and Leadhall Lane, before coming back to the club via Leeds Road and the Stray. Whatever you do, the choice is yours and we’ll make sure that nobody is left behind. Please come and join us for a pint in the bar afterwards, as it would be lovely to see you.
Saturday brings with it the first of our athletic festivities with the Ladies Secret Santa Run. Obviously, this is only for the Ladies, so the chaps can scratch this one from their diaries. Meet in the carpark by the Memorial Hall for 9.30am and Jo has a cracking little five mile route lined up for you. The pace will be social, and people will regroup in Sophie’s cafe afterwards for food and drinks. If you want in on the secret santa, then please bring a wrapped gift worth ten quid. Fancy dress is encouraged but not mandatory, and I for one will be disappointed not to see Jo doing her Santa Baby routine. Maybe another time, hey.
Thank goodness for Fingers Harris, that’s what I say. Fingers will be leading a run for the chaps round the Guy Fawkes route on Sunday, meeting in Ripley for 9am. There’ll be no secret santa, but the conversation will be top draw, the company will be sparkling, and we’ll probably go for a coffee afterwards. It would be great to see as many of you there as possible.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
Don’t forget that on Thursday 19th December 2024, we’ve got our Christmas carol run (massacring Jingle Bells and traumatising some unsuspecting late night shoppers). Afterwards, we’ll be retiring to the Old Bell pub in town for hot turkey sandwiches. If you want sandwiches, then please stick £7 in the club account (40-23-12 12074796) and let both Phil Ventress and Sylvia Morten know.
Club Championships
We’re in the process of finalising the results from the club championships and working out who will get to take home the silverware this year. If you have a best time from the EvenSplits 5km events at either York or Leeds that you want to be considered, then please let Captain Dazzler know.
Awards Night: Saturday 25th January 2025
There’s always that awkward moment at Awards Night when, unaccustomed to seeing a fellow Nidder wearing anything other than running kit, you end up telling them that you didn’t recognise them with their clothes on. If you too would like the chance to embarrass yourself (and enjoy a lovely meal, some drinks and fine company while you’re at it), then you need to get yourself registered for a place now. We’ve only 15 left, and expect them to go quite quickly. Chop chop: https://tinyurl.com/4ztnctpw.
We’re after a bit of gossip from you about who you think would make a worthy recipient for some of our awards for the night. Perhaps you have someone in mind who would deserve nothing more than to have their name in bright shining lights. You can dob them right in, just here: https://tinyurl.com/dutu497t.
Word to the Wise
This week’s dose of highbrow and intellectual wisdom comes from Nigel Scaife, who last night shared his experiences of travelling to the PECO yesterday morning.
“I thought I’d put it in, but then realised that I had put it in Sarah’s hole. Then I couldn’t get it out, even though I gave it a good tug…” – Nigel Scaife, and it took us a few moments to realise he’d been talking about his seatbelt.
And so from Nigel and Sarah, from me, and from everybody here at Nidd Valley House, have a great week.
See you soon.
Chairman Sam x