(TLDR. The Headlines: On Tuesday we have intervals at both 6pm and 7pm, and are meeting at West Park. On Thursday, we’ll be back to a little bit of club running with the reverse showground route. Friday evening brings an opportunity to take part in the York 5km Evensplits, whereas there is plenty of chance to get muddy with a couple of non championship races at the weekend. Read on some other irrelevant rambling and a chocolatey wise word…).
How’re we all doing? I’ve been away all weekend down in Hampshire and it seems that I have spent a good deal of that on the M1. I’m back in Nidd Valley House and – as Dorothy said – there really is no place like home. Talking of homecomings, it’s also lovely to see that Phil and Rebecca Ventress clicked their little red heels and have come back from their tour of Australian breweries, distilleries and vineyards. Brian had been missing Phil terribly, and having him back back home was the best birthday present that he could have wished for. He was there at the airport with ‘welcome back’ painted on a makeshift bed sheet banner and everything, it was really very sweet. So while they catch up on a month’s worth of chat and missed quality time, let’s have a look at the results.
Results from the Week That Was…
We start this week with the results from the Dewsbury 10km. Now, I don’t know whether the intrepid Nidders were tempted there by the prospect of a personal best course, or whether it was the chance to get another tee-shirt with a logo shaped remarkably like the male appendage, but I can tell you that we had seven Nidds out doing battle on the West Yorkshire course. The first of these to finish was Craig Mills (36.03) whereas Andrew Davis was as pleased as punch to get himself a personal best time of 41.56. Theresa Oldroyd (42.46) was the first of the ladies to finish, joined in speedy succession by Laura Francis (42.53), Sarah Staiano (44.16), Fiona Deacon (45.47) and Katharine Woodhead (54.47). A very well done to you all.
PB, baby!
And so to the annual festival of tangled metal and cake that is the Runners and Riders Fell Race in Appletreewick. Captain Dazzler led the way, clocking a great time of 41.23. Martin Loftrhouse (42.30) gave challenge, but was never close enough to pose a genuine threat. Brian Hainsworth (42.49) had Martin firmly in his sights, with Andy Iddon (43.56) also putting in a top-drawer performance. Amy Sheppard (45.38) was the next to finish, while Theresa Oldroyd (48.51) must have been knackered having run at Dewsbury only a few hours earlier. Nick Crebbin clocked in at 49.51, while Jim Cook (50.27), Phil Ventress (51.43) and Laura Francis – yes, she also ran Dewsbury – (53.38) weren’t ever too far behind.
There for the cake.
Russ Geraghty (54.28) was just ahead of Mark David (54.46), whereas it was an absolute pleasure to see FRP (59.12) out in his natural muddy habitat. Hammah Kempson (59.58) snuck in just under the hour, Dave Prince (1:00.25) snuck in just over the hour, and Chatty McChatface (1:02.11) probably found someone’s ear to chew off up on those hills. Sarah Bracher (1:08.15), Sarah Chalmers (1:10.57) and Liz Ahmad (1:13.56) rounded things off for the squad. Great efforts all round, I am sure you will agree.
Good grief, you mention John in a poem one week and the next he thinks that he can take the week off updating the MallettMap. Some people, honestly. Anyway, let’s have a quick look at all things parkrun. It turns out that not only is Hampstead Heath known as a popular cruising spot, but also for its parkrun, as Chris Carvey was delighted to discover this weekend (by which I mean that he did the parkrun, and didn’t go cruising). Anyway, here is the thing that has always bothered me about cottaging. If you didn’t know that cottaging was, well, cottaging, then you’d probably think that it was a wholesome activity and jolly good fun. Someone would ask if you wanted to go cottaging with them, and you’d expect them to invite the family as well and tell you not to forget your wellies. The scope for misunderstanding doesn’t bear thinking about.
Anyway, moving on. The Robinsons were in Oldham, although heaven only knows why. Yours truly and Jane Evans ran at Eastleigh in Hampshire (where Jane’s mother, Mrs Evans, finished in 42.29). Continuing the theme of family reunions, Guy Parker and Moira McTague used a trip to see their son as a chance to parkrun at Worcester, while Carl Read ran at Bury St Edmunds, Sue Ball ran at Ferry Meadows, and Karen Mills ran at Northallerton. Vicky Thomas did her thing at Morecambe Bay Prom Parkrun, Ian and Emily Wighton got muddy at Middleton Woods, and the Malletts were joined by the Darts at Keswick. Sarah Gore was on her lonesome at Conyngham Hall, we had eight Nidders keeping it holy at Foutnains Abbey (amen to that), and we had the usual heathens out on the Stray. All the results here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
Two of my favouritest Nidds. Ever.
Remember when our songs were just like prayers / Like gospel hymns that you caught in the air? / Come down, come down sweet reverence / Unto my simple house and ring: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
On Tuesday, we’ll be meeting for intervals at West Park. It’s a well rehearsed formula now: we’ll do a warm up and then the coaches will make us run around in circles in the dark. Jon E and Chris C will be keeping an eye on proceedings for the 6pm session, while Lynsey B and Karen M will be your hosts for the 7pm session. Meet on the corner of West Park by the Prince of Wales roundabout.
Thursday brings with it another club run, and this week’s outing takes in the delights of the showground. Meet at the club and be good to run for 7pm. Heading down Kingsley Road to the mean streets of Starbeckistan, cut through to Morrisons and along Forest Lane to Wetherby Road. Pass along by Sainsbury’s, through the Showground, and come out by the Squash Club. You can head directly back to the club via the Saints, or you can extend out via Oatlands Drive or Leeds Road. As ever, feel free to run whatever distance or pace that suits you. We’ll divide up into groups and no one will be left behind – join us! Depending on the status of bar renovations, we’ll be regrouping in either the Hockey Club Bar or the Devonshire – watch this space.
On Friday, we’ve got the first instalment in the York 5km Evensplits race series. Not something that I can get it up for, admittedly, but it’s a good chance to push for a personal best on a sharp and flat course, not to mention log a time for the 2024 road championships. Inform yourself here: http://tinyurl.com/b3t8sc5v.
Now on Saturday, there’s the St Aidan’s Beast. This was in last year’s cross country championships but hasn’t made the discerning cut by our captains this year. They have very exacting standards, I don’t mind telling you. Now, if the fact that this cross country race isn’t spooky enough at 6.66 miles long, it’s also nestled between the towns of Garforth, Kippax and Castleford, which is enough to scare the living bejaysus out of anyone. Fortune favours the brave: http://tinyurl.com/2p84rpe2.
Talking of dreadful races, there’s also the Windy Hill fell race on Sunday. This hasn’t returned to the championships this year, thankfully. Last year, FRP put it in, telling us we’d all have a lovely time. Well, did we b*llocks. The mist came down, and we couldn’t see a frigging thing as we squelched our way round Saddleworth Moor for the best part of 12 miles. Still, I may be a little biassed. You can make your own mind up: http://tinyurl.com/4vp7tw3e.
Oh, you might also like to know that Graham Hyde is organising a reccie of the We Need Talk About Chevin Fell Race. He’s doing so this Sunday, meeting at 10am. The rendezvous point is the far end of Queen’s Terrace in Otley (///solid.roadshow.atomic for those that use what.three.words). Graham promises a steady adn social pace, walking the hills, and the chance for snacks. He’s set up an event page on the Facebook page, so do get involved if this sounds like your kind of thing.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
The Keighley 10km (which is on Sunday 10th March 2024) is selling fast, and there are not much more than one third of the places remaining. Can you imagine how sad you’d feel if you were stood holding the coats like a right Billy No Mates while everyone else was out running and having a lovely time. Me neither. It doesn’t bear thinking about it. I’d get yourself entered if I were you, especially as this is the last race in the 2023-2034 cross country championship: http://tinyurl.com/576t7drf.
AGM: 7th March 2024
Our much esteemed secretary Jonathan Kay will be sending out the formal notification of the AGM later this week. Please put this date in your diary and keep it there. We need at least 20% of the club in attendance in order to carry any business, and it’ll be a right old faff if we aren’t able to do this.
Word to the Wise
This week’s wise word comes from Andrew Davis, as he was eagerly eyeing up the cake after our fortieth birthday run on Thursday night.
“I know we’re the friendly club and inclusive and all of that, but so we really need to do the nobody gets left behind thing when it comes to chocolate cake…?” – Andrew Davis, doubtlessly now sporting a chocolate smile.
Have a wonderful week. Hope to catch up with you all soon.
Chairman Sam x