(TLDR. The Headlines: On Tuesday we have the two interval sessions and we are meeting on the Duchy Estate. Thursday’s club run takes us around Bilton. On Saturday, we have the ever glamorous Awards Night at Oakdale Golf Club, before we go and compete in the PECO at Middleton Park to clear our heads on Sunday morning. Read on for other news about forthcoming races, a committee meeting, and our fortieth birthday party.).
Sorry that this is late out this week, as we have been dealing with all of the storm damage here at Nidd Valley House. Yes, even the most opulent and exclusive of country retreats with world-class baroque architecture isn’t immune from the ravages of Storm Isha. We’ve got rain dripping in through the ceiling of the grand ballroom, a falling tree missed the orangery by less than a metre, and a flying chimney pot almost took out the duck house that we had sneakily managed to put on expenses. Still, we’ve piled up the sandbags, lit the fires, and have sat down for the first brew of the day. Why not join us and see what everyone has been up to?
Results from the Week That Was…
First up, we’ve got a result from the athletic delight that is Andrew Davis. Andrew headed up the Geordie Land for a fishie on a little dishie and the chance to run the Newcastle 10km. Andrew finished this sharp and fast course round the Quayside in a remarkable time of 42.17 – a great effort! Well done, Andrew.
Steve Newbould was the first of the Nidd Pack to complete the Brass Monkey Half Marathon in York yesterday, doing so in 1:18.58, joined by the ever speedy Luke Scorer (1:25.50). Sarah Fabron continued in her quest to race a stack of money for the Teenage Cancer Trust (and yes, you can sponsor her, dear reader), finishing in 1:59.00, just ahead of Sarah Bracher (2:24.41). A very well done to the four of you.
And it has been a really busy week for the team in the Admin and Results Department as they update the MalletMap with new parkruns completed this week by Nidders. Richard Evans was down in Great Notley in Essex (can’t be helped, Richard), whereas, in Australia, Paul Manning ran at Marina parkrun near Perth, while the Ventresses ran at Nantu Wama parkrun in Adelaide. Hannah Kempson added to the map with a trip to Chipping Norton School, Sam Fugill took a trip round Old Deer Park Parkrun in London, and Steve Newbould and Karen Mills had a twins day out to Babbs Mill. Treading familiar ground, Sue Ball ran at Manor Field, Pauline Hogg ran at Middleton Woods, Iain Scott ran at Dalby Forest, and Laura Francis and Emily Wighton joined Map Man John in Wetherby. Martin Luxton headed to his usual haunt at Sedgefield, Adam Kirk and Lisa Gibson were down at Crossflatts, and we had the usual suspects taking a spring around the local courses of Harrogate, Fountains, and Conyngham Hall. You can read their, and all the other, results just here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
The echoes slow / The bottle lands / The echoes slow / And there she stands: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
You’ll have come to expect this by now: on Tuesday, we’ll be doing intervals. This week, we are continuing the stamina building with a trip to the Duchy Estate. Meet at the junction between Rutland Close and Duchy Road (if you use What Three Words, head for file:///.roofs.lists.smart.). Your 6pm session will be led by Nick Crebbin and Bec Carmen, while Lynsey Barraclough teams up with Karen Mills to put you through your paces for the 7pm session. As always, please think about wearing something a bit hi-viz or reflective, as the last thing we need is someone going underneath a car.
Thursday brings yet another club run, and this week we will be heading out to take in the delights of Bilton. I know, I can think of nowhere more delightful. Meet at the Hockey Club and be good to go for 7pm. The route takes us from the Hockey Club, out over the iron bridge and onto Woodfield Road, and we then follow round to Bilton Lane. Head down onto Tennyson Avenue, and you can head back up Hall Lane and onto Bilton Lane, cutting back to the club through Bilton. That’ll be about 5km all in. Alternatively, continue round Batchelor Gardens, Knox Lane and Knox Avenue onto Skipton Road. Head down to the roundabout, and then brace yourself for the slog back up the hill, down the hill to the Royal Hall, and back up the hill into town. Head up the Prince of Wales Roundabout before turning right and heading back to the club. We’ll be having a pint in the bar afterwards and you will be, as well you know, extremely welcome.
On Saturday, we have our much-anticipated Awards Night. If you’ve ever wondered what your fellow Nidders look like when they’re not wearing running kit (no, not like that), then this will be your opportunity. If you’ve got a ticket, then we can’t wait to see you. If you don’t, then we’ll be sorry to miss you. Watch out for the final details coming out from Nadene in the next day or so.
Although it isn’t in the cross country championships (no one will be running that competitively after Awards Night, that’s for sure), we’ve got the penultimate PECO on Sunday, and we’ll be running around Middleton Park. We’ve done enough PECOs by now to know our onions, but if you need further information, then this is where you need to be: http://tinyurl.com/bfksjx6y. Good luck to all heading out, and a very big thanks to all of those Nidders who have stepped up to help marshal and make sure that these events have a viable future.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
Just another friendly reminder that next Sunday 4th November 2024 is Runners and Riders Fell Race in Appletreewick. It’s less than 10km, although hilly and with its fair share of mud if previous years are anything to go by. It is a great event, though, and a chance to compete against mountain bikers, so something a bit different. It’s entry on the day, so no need to fret about getting a number in advance, and the promise of tea and cake by the fire in the barn afterwards is enough to tempt many a Nidd to the start line. Be informed: http://tinyurl.com/32vhx7j4.
The next race that requires pre-booking is the Keighley 10km, which is on Sunday 10th March 2024. They’ve sold nearly half of their 1200 places already, so you might want to think about getting your place secured now, especially if you want to get those last few points in the cross country championships. Go on, it’s not like you’re doing anything else: http://tinyurl.com/576t7drf.
Committee Meeting: 24th January 2024
This is your last minute call for anything that you’d like us to discuss. I mean, we’ll have plenty to do, what with sticking those pins in our eyes and so on, but we’ll happily squeeze in any last minute pressing matter that you’d like to bring to our attention: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
Nidd Valley is 40: 1st February 2024
Remember that we are meeting in the Hockey Club bar after our run on Thursday 1st February 2024 for a pint and some birthday cake to celebrate the 40th year of Nidd Valley Road Runners (which was founded on this same day back in 1984). The Hockey Club has confirmed that the bar will be open and able to cater for the increased numbers. It would be great if you can join us and, if you are able to help with some baking, then I would love to hear from you. Please just let me know: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
Word to the Wise
Nothing for you this week, what with having been away over the weekend and unable to run much due to an injury.
Stay well and warm, folks, and I hope to see you all soon.
Chairman Sam x