(TLDR. On Tuesday, we have intervals on Slingsby Walk, and on Thursday our club run takes us round the supermarkets. Nothing at the weekend that flashes up on the club calendar, but read on for details of up and coming events, the AGM, and the club championships…).
So, did everybody manage to have a lovely Christmas? I do hope that Santa emptied his massive sack once he’d come down your chimney.
We had a lovely Christmas here at Nidd Valley House, and everybody enjoyed the traditional committee Christmas morning walk to church on the Nidd Valley Estate, and were delighted to see so many people turn out to wish us well. Karen and Sarah probably regret that extra Christmas Eve G&T when they realised that the paparazzi press had their zoom lenses trained on them, and of course we had to ask Dave to keep away following that embarrassing incident with the would–be investor who turned out to be a Chinese spy, but other than that it all passed without any other slip-ups or unexpected trips to Pizza Express. Everyone had a wonderful time, and we hope that you did too.
Still, New Year and all of that. Back to work tomorrow for many of us (ffs.) – assuming we can dig ourselves out of the apocalyptic version of Narnia which appears to have engulfed most of the country this morning. And got PECO cancelled, too. Now, I’m a patient man but I feel that a line must be drawn.
So, I hope you’ve got the heating cranked up and a warm drink in your hands as we turn to the week ahead, the very first of 2025.
Results from the Week That Was
Oh, now this is very interesting reading indeed. The hugest of congratulations to Kev Clark who was the first Nidd to finish at the scourge of Christmas indulgence that is the Chevin Chase on Boxing Day. He finished in 49.40, you know. Solid. Andy Todd (51.23), Martin Lofthouse (53.08) and Nigel Scaife (59.21) were the next to tackle the infamous mud bath, whereas first Nidd Valley Lady (59.27) managed to hold her advantage over Kev Dalton (1:05.08), Kat Woodhead (1:05.39) and Pauline Hogg (1:13.27).
Roger Duckworth (1:16.36) was soon joined by Katharine Dolman (1:18.53), Dawn Robinson (1:19.03) and Sarah Chalmers (1:24.11). You’re all totally mad, but you have my deepest admiration nonetheless.
Filling in the disorientating time that is Inbetwixtmas, we had a really good showing of Nidds turn up to tackle the Jolly Holly Jog last Sunday. Makes a change from sitting in loungewear and eating a selection box for breakfast, I suppose. Jack Brierley (40.24) was the first to show, tearing through the line ahead of Kev Clark (42.04), Dazzler (42.45), Andy Todd (44.09), Martin Lofthouse (44.23) and Fingers Harris (47.21).
Chris Carvey (47.53) had his work cut out keeping Amy Sheppard (48.31) at bay, and I was nothing but delighted to read the fantastic results from Kirsty Walter (50.10), Richard Evans (50.21), Mark Tyrell (50.24), Richard Abbott (50.55), Anna Jackson (51.40) and Andy Iddon (51.48). If, like me, you’re wondering just where is Fiona Deacon (52.33), then please don’t worry, she was just behind Andy. She was storming ahead of Michael Shaw (52.42), Jeremy Scott (53.37), Christine Holleran (54.05) and Jo Brierley (54.40).
Kat Woodhead (55.13) and Jim Holding (55.58) were the next to finish and – do mine eyes deceive me?! – we’ve got Mark David. Not seen the chap for at least seven billion years. Still, better late than never. He finished in 55.56, too, so plenty to celebrate.
Hannah Kempson finished in 56.41, and was soon joined in the echelons of athletic achievement by Mike Deacon (56.48), Vicky Thomas (58.08), Jenny Manning (58.50), Roger Duckworth (59.27) and Pauline Hogg (1:00.35). FRP would doubtlessly have been delighted to enjoy the abundance of mud, so we can be sure that it was 1:01.13 worth of unbridled pleasure as far as he was concerned.
Anna Bulcock (1:04.40) finished ahead of Guy Parker (1:05.42) and Moira McTague (1:05.43). And yes, I’ve noticed that he finished ahead of Moira. And to think that we used to think he was chivalrous, too. Martin Luxton (1:06.23) and Karen McCartney (1:09.03) were just ahead of the strongest ever finishing act this chairman could ever hope for: Yvonne Skelton (1:12.03), Susy Rhodes (1:12.09), Martin Weeks (1:25.25) and Fiona Robinson (1:26.25). The biggest of congratulations to the lot of you.
Martin Lofthouse (1:01.07) was the first of five Nidds to finish the Auld Lang Syne Fell Race on New Year’s Eve, deciding to join with Fingers Harris (1:06.04) and Nigel Scaife (1:06.54) in dressing as the Bronte Sisters. I can’t help but that Rue Paul’s Drag Race has the edge in this, and the photos of those three pillocks running over Haworth Moor in dresses, replete with bonnets on their heads, was enough to put anyone off their tea. FRP (1:26.28) and Sarah Chalmers (1:39.35) were on hand to salvage whatever remains of our reputation among fell running circles.
I see that Kat Woodhead did the Captain Cook’s Fell Race on New Years Day, enjoy a five blast in the hills around Great Ayton to get the New Year off to a suitably muddy and bracing start. God only knows where the results are (and I only found them because she’d be good enough to post a photo on Facebook of her posing with two other runners I’ve never met. They’re not Nidds, though. Poor things.). Anyway, well done Kat.
There’s been too many parkruns going on that I have lost track of who has done what and when. You can read up the full results from the past week (https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6) if you’d like, and normal exploration of the darker and undiscovered corners of the MallettMap will begin again next week.
Little darling / The smile’s returning to faces / Little darling / It seems like years since it’s been here: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
Right, well the official notes from the Training Dept. tell me that we restart with our second set of intervals on Tuesday. This week, we are heading down to do some stamina building intervals on Slingsby Walk. We have sessions at 6pm and 7pm, both meeting at the junction where Slingsby Walk meets Wetherby Road. Come to whichever one works for you.
Whatever you do, though, please do have a warm up jog on your way there if you can and please be there in time for the warm up and exercises before the session (it’s also a great chance for a catch up with your mates). Coach Emma has asked me to let you know that, much as she is happy to take your cash to mend you when you are broken, she’d much rather coach you when you are fit and on form. Consider yourselves told.
On Thursday, we have a club run that will take you around the delights of the supermarket sweep. This is a classic, this. Leave the Hockey Club at 7pm, and we’ll head down past ASDA by the railway line, heading up past the bus station and Waitrose. We then head towards the showground and Sainsburys, either by tacking straight over the Stray or by heading via Tewitt Well and M&S on Leeds Road. In any event, you’re then on the home straight, and you can come straight back up Wetherby Road to the club, or head back via Morrisons and Starbeck. All routes do indeed like back to the club house, where we’ll regroup for a pint and a natter in the bar afterwards. Please come and join us.
If you were thinking of entering the Temple Newsam 10 on Sunday, then I’m afraid it’s sold out. That’ll learn ya.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
For now, it’s worth just marking in your diary that the cross-country continues, despite the disappointment today at Stockeld Park. Specifically, we are doing Thorp Perrow Parkrun on Saturday 18th January 2025, and then we have the Conyngham Hall Parkrun on Saturday 25th January 2025. So that’s that.
Club Championships
Yup, we know that Stockeld Park PECO #4 was cancelled today. I’ve already hauled Captains Dazzler and Emma in for an almighty b*llocking (and to be honest with you, I’ve had enough of Dazzler’s excuses. He’s on thin ice enough as it is). They’ve promised me a replacement cross-country race for the championships ASAP, and I expect that on my desk by first thing tomorrow morning, I’ll keep you posted.
Bed Race 2025
Yes, we know that the Knaresborough Bed Race has now a date set for Saturday 14th June 2025. We always have loads of people wanting to take part – which is great – but please just hold your bed racing and cross-dressing horses for a moment. We’ll have a chat at committee when we meet towards the end of January and then be in touch with details for how you can register your interest.
AGM: Thursday 20th February 2025
Please get this date in your diary. We need as many of you there as we can. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend, and we normally bribe you with pizza and an open bar. We’ll send out formal notification soon enough, but please consider if you’d like to stand for any position on the committee, even if the current incumbent is happy to remain and keep the seat warm. Plus, we’ll have to have the usual discussions about the usual things, agree to differ, and – because this is the kind of club we are – finish the meeting as friends.
Word to the Wise
Given the snow, I’ve had far too many comments about whether or not I’ll be getting the full 12 inches tonight. Disgusting behaviour. I’m shocked.
And if you believe that, you’ll believe anything. Have a great week. If you’re going back to work, it’ll be okay. I promise.
Big breath. You’ve got this.
Chairman Sam x