(TLDR. On Tuesday, we have intervals at West Park, and on Thursday we have a club run to Pannal. There is the PECO XC at Beckett Park on Sunday. Read on for other information about the Awards Night, AGM, and injured runners making unwarranted demands of my time).
So we’re all a little bit starstruck here at Nidd Valley House, having had the Olympian Roger Black come and join us at Harrogate Parkrun on Saturday. Our very own Jeff Walker was run director for the event, and we had plenty of Nidds in attendance in the hope of getting a chat and a selfie with the great man himself (Roger, that is. Not Jeff). I saw Chandra having a good old chat with Roger as they were out on the course, and I’m sure that Roger was just as thrilled to be in the company of such athletic brilliance as Chandra was to see Roger. Anyway, as I am sure you now know, we are not all about the cult of the celebrity and the speedy here at Nidd Valley, and everyone is welcome to tip up and have a go. And this week provides some excellent opportunities for you all to shine. Let’s have a look, why don’t we?
The Week Ahead
On Tuesday, we have the third in the stamina building intervals and will be out on West Park. Meet at the club house for either 6pm or 7pm, and there’ll be a gentle jog down to the main event. Feel free to meet near the Prince of Wales roundabout for quarter past hour, when the warm ups and sessions will begin.
On Thursday we have a cheeky little club run lined up for you and will be heading down to Pannal. As ever, meet at the Hockey Club and be good to go for 7pm. We’ll head out over the Stray and down Outlands Drive towards Leeds Road M&S. From there, we turn left and head down Leeds Road to Pannal, before heading back up Church Lane and past the Cricket Club back to base. Obviously, feel free to cut short at M&S if you want something shorter and less hilly. Please don’t leave anyone behind, we’re not that kind of club and you’re not that kind of runner. Afterwards, we’ll regroup in the bar for a couple of scoops and a bit of a chat about the good old days. Why not come and join us? I mean, that paint will dry perfectly well without you watching it.
On Sunday, we are heading to Beckett Park in Leeds where we have the third of the PECOs. There’ll be plenty of mud, but you hardly need me to tell you that. From memory, parking can be a right faff so be sure to leave lots of time and try and car share if you can. Junior races kick off at 10am, and the seniors will go off from 11am. You can get all the updates and relevant information here: https://tinyurl.com/538wpj2v.
Before we get onto the results, we return to a feature which is becoming worryingly frequent…
Apology of the Week
And this week’s apology goes to Graham Hyde and Kev Clark. Kev emailed in to tell me that they competed in the Temple Newsam 10 Mile last Sunday. I’m pleased to report that they both made it round in one piece, with Kev clocking 1:10.46 and Graham checking in with 2:13.13. Well done to you both.
Results
Well, it’s cold enough today to freeze the nuts off a brass monkey, so it’s appropriate that I bring you the results from the York Brass Monkey Half Marathon. We had four intrepid Nidds join the start line on York Knavesmire, and what impressive results they achieved. The indefatigable Andy Todd (1:24.04) managed to sneak in just ahead of Matt Wilkinson (1:24.29). As an aside, Matt has posted on social media that he is particularly proud of pacing so it’s an extra well done to him, the little superstar that he is. Phil Ventress (1:36.14) took a break from off-road running and reacquainted himself with tarmac, and we have a great result from Martin Luxton (1:53.05). Well done to all four of you!
Finishing off with a look at parkrun, Matt Rickard was with his Brummie Brothers at Wolverhampton, John Mallet was at Gadebridge (a district in Hemel Hempstead, should you be taking notes), Adam Kirk and Lisa Gibson were at Darlington, and the Deacons joined the Davids and Robinsons at Skipton. We also had the usual suspects in all of the usual haunts of Harrogate, Fountains and Conyngham Hall, and you can see all the results in all of their glory right here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
Whether you’ve run a marathon or run for the bus, if you’ve got a result that you want to share then I can’t wait to hear from you: samfugill@gmail.com.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
There’s a chance for a bit of devil worship and satanic ritual with the St Aidan’s Beast near Selby on 29 Jan 2023. With a sinister distance of 6.66 miles, this will be the chance to sweat out the excesses of Awards Night (more on that below). It’s in the cross country championship, so you’ll get your chance for some valuable points. To get yourself a number (whether the number of the beast or just a bog standard race number), then this is where you need to be: https://tinyurl.com/34d3kj5f.
Also on 29 Jan 2023, we start the 2023 fell championships with the Runners and Riders fell race at Appletreewick. There is something particularly exhilarating about competing against mountain bikers, not to mention somewhat foolhardy. It’s highly recommended, if only for the tea and cake round the fire in the barn afterwards. You don’t want to miss it: https://tinyurl.com/59yxna4c.
Committee Meeting: 18 Jan 2023
I’m not particularly sure what I did so wrong in a previous life but I notice that there is a committee meeting in my diary for this week. Couldn’t be happier. Anyway, some chocolate digestives normally make the process bearable while we discuss the state of the nation. If there is anything that you’d like us to discuss, then please let Plips know. You can find her here: pwilinson79@hotmail.com.
Awards Night: 28 Jan 2023 (CHANGE OF VENUE)
You’ll have seen the communication regarding the change in venue but it bears repeating: the venue has now changed from the George Hotel in town to the Pavilions near the Showground. If you have not redone your menu choices form, then please do so using the link that has been emailed out to you. I appreciate that the menu choice is somewhat more limited than it was at the George, but I guess that’s a casualty of a last-minute change. The hugest of thanks go to Nadene Wilkinson who negotiated the alternative arrangements at really short notice and at no extra cost, and so has in a very real sense saved the day. Buy her a drink when you see her and make it a double. Anyway, it’s always a good night and a good laugh. And it’s also a bit weird to see people all dressed up in their glad rags rather than in their running kit. It’ll be great to see you and we hope you’re looking forward to it.
Annual General Meeting: 23 Feb 2023
Again, the formal notification will be on its way, but for now this is just a reminder that we have the AGM on 23 Feb 2023. It’ll be a busy meeting and we’ve got lots to get through but – and this is the most important bit – the most useful thing you can do is to turn up. We need to get a certain proportion of the membership through the door so that we can pass motions (and thanks for your message, Reb, but not those kinds of motions), carry business, make decisions, vote in a committee and that kind of thing. Please put it in your diary, and please make all efforts to attend. Thanks very much.
Word to the Wise
As I’ve been afflicted with lurgy and have pebble-dashed my living room wall with chunks of coughed-up lung, I haven’t made the club to hear what weekly wisdom may have been shared, so once again it’s a week of ignorance rather than wisdom. As an aside, though, Karen Mills has been in touch to say she remains injured and unable to run (give her a hug when you see her) but says that this entitles her to a poem.
We’re sad to hear you’re injured, Karen,
The club without you just feels barren.
We see your hubby Craig and your brother Steve,
But we’re gutted that you’re on sick leave,
Because you’ll always be a welcome sight,
When you turn up to each club night,
To run round Duchy and Bilton estates,
With your lycra-clad running mates,
Or to run to Knaresborough, or just round town,
Up Cornwall Road, and in the summer down,
Along the Gorge, before heading back,
To the Club along the cycle track.
Please get well soon, repaired and mended,
So that your absence is swiftly ended,
And we hope that we shall quickly see,
You back with us at Nidd Valley.
So from Karen, from me, and from everybody here at Nidd Valley House, have a great week. See you soon.
Sam x