(TLDR. The Headlines: as per usual, we’ve got intervals at 6pm and 7pm on Tuesday, and this week we are meeting on the Duchy Estate. On Thursday, we have a wiggle on with a shorter than usual club run round Cornwall Road at 7pm as we need to be back for the AGM at 8.30pm. Sunday is the Keighley 10km, which is the last race in the cross-country championships. Read on for other info re the AGM, Evening League, membership, parkrun, and a cosmopolitan word to the wise…).
Hi all,
And so we come to the end of another club year. Awards Night behind us, and an AGM beckoning on Thursday. An amazing year (if we say so, ourselves), including some brilliant achievements out on the roads, trails and fells, not to mention lots of the fun and laughs and silliness along the way. And – as we enjoy our fortieth year – so much to look forward to, too. But before we get all caught up in sentimental schmaltz, let’s have a look at the results from the past week.
Results from the Week That Was…
Apology of the week goes to Vicky Thomas whose result I carelessly omitted from last week’s PECO write-up. Well, she got in touch – and quite rightly so, too, because who could possibly fail to celebrate a time of 47.41 round the muddy challenges of Roundhay Park? I’m more than happy to set that record straight, that’s for sure. Well done, Vicky.
Although we don’t normally do parkrun write ups in detail, it’s always good to make an exception for them when they appear in the cross country championship. This week is one such event, when the Nidd Massive descended on Thorp Perrow, swelled their numbers, and got themselves wholesomely covered in mud in the process. It was quite amusing when the Run Director gave a special welcome shout out to Nidd Valley Fell Runners, leading to some furrowed eyebrows and worried expressions from half the club, and a hearty cheer from the other half. FRP has been waiting for this day for years. Anyway, it would be really childish and unfair to mention that Kev Nicholas lost a shoe in a bog, and lost valuable time in trying to fish it out, all while the Nidds ran past him. Kev, we weren’t laughing at you. We were laughing with you. Anyway, we won’t mention it, so don’t worry. Your secret is safe with us.
Steve Newbould was the first dog from the traps, finishing in 20.21, joined by Captain Dazzler (20.51) and Andy Iddon (21.24). Andy did have Nell the dog on the lead, though, so surely he loses points for using canine assist. Next in were none other than Martin Lofthouse (21.31), Brian Hainsworth (22.09), Chris Carvey (23.11), Connor Featherstone (23.29) and Richard Evans (24.02). Nigel Scaife (24.05) nipped in just ahead of Laura Francis (24.13), herself maintaining the advantage over Fiona Deacon (24.23), Jeremy Scott (24.29), Sarah Staiano (24.31) and Nick Crebbin (24.45).
Carl Read (25.20) joined Cath Barber (25.49) in making it all look far too easy, while Ian Wighton (25.58), Phil Ventress (26.08), Christine Holleran (26.29) and Mike Deacon (26.37) were all on top form. Michael Shaw (26.43) and Sam Fugill (27.14) were ahead of Kev Nicholas (27.29) – and remember, whatever you do, don’t mention him losing his shoe – Steve Newton (27.31), Emma David (28.03), Guy Parker (28.15), and Emily Wighton (28.43).
Three cheers for Chatty McChatface (29.16), Karen Mills (29.33), Reb Ventress (29.34), Moira McTage (30.29), and Susy Rhodes (33.01). Jo Lane completed her fiftieth parkrun in an incredible time of 33.33, while Graham Hyde drew a loud cheer for his sprint finish to a time of 35.41. Michelle Smith (35.47) finished next, and was soon joined by Owen Dart (36.23). Sylvia Morten (36.45) finished just ahead of Jill Hornsby (37.17), Carolyn Jones (37.35) and Lianne Coiley (38.00). Junior Freya Dart (38.01) was up ahead of Liz Ahmed (47.39) and Jane Evans (51.25). Well done to all who got round, that was one hell of a muddy course.
They say that fortune favours the brave, but it looks the other way when it comes to the Ilkley Fell Race. It’s a staple in the fell running calendar, packing an awful lot of climb and descent into those short five miles, including one of the most hair-raising finishes. All jolly good fun, though, as I am sure that you can imagine. Nick Andralojc was the first to finish for the Nidd Valley team today, doing so in 59.30, while Roger Duckworth had things all tidied up in a brilliant time of 1:28.50. Sarah Chalmers (1:41.00) has sent me a message wondering why it would take anyone so long to run five miles, but we don’t worry about such things here at Nidd Valley House. Every finisher is a winner, especially on a course like that. Well done to all who braved the Moor!
You’ve already had the Thorp Perrow results, but there were still a fair other number of Nidd parkrun showings this weekend. Starting with the MalletMap, Louise and Rob Kingston put Nidd Valley on the map when they ran at New Farm Parkrun in Brisbane, while Theresa Oldroyd did her weekly 5km at West Coast in Singapore. Martin Luxton did his parkrun at Albert Park in Middlesbrough, Lynsey Barraclough and Nadene Wilkinson headed down to Huddersfield, and Helen Trevisani was at Fell Foot near Newby Bridge. Adam Kirk did his thing at Roberts Park in Saltaire and Mr and Mrs Robinson were all collegiate when they did their parkrun at University Parks in Oxford. Caleb Aylesbury was flying the flag for the team at Conyngham Hall, we had a good number of Nidds helping Fountains Abbey celebrate it’s tenth birthday, and we had the usual suspects doing their three laps of the Stray. Results, here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
Of all the stars that ever shone / Not one does twinkle like your pale blue eyes / Like golden corn at harvest time your hair / Sailing in my boat the wind / Gently blows and fills my sail / Your sweet-scented breath is everywhere: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
We’re back on the intervals on Tuesday, and this week we find ourselves down on the Duchy Estate. This will be a session to work on your speed, and as per usual we have two sessions for you to choose from. Jane and Rachael are leading the 6pm session, while Jon and Bec will be taking charge at 7pm. Whichever session you do, the meeting point is at the junction between Rutland Close and Duchy Road. If you use what.three.words, then ///roofs.lists.smart will get you to where you need to be.
On Thursday, we’ll be having a shorter run than usual as we’ll need to be back and good to go for the AGM. Meet at the Hockey Club for 7pm, and we’ll have a run up Cornwall Road. Head down over Christchurch Stray and into town. From the bottom of Valley Gardens, head up Cornwall Road and turn left along Harlow Moor Road. The quickest and shortest way is then to head back down along Otley Road and York Place, although you can extend by heading towards Ashville College and returning to the club via Leadhall Lane and Leeds Road. The choice is yours. Just be sure to be back at the club in good time because…
… on Thursday, we have the AGM in the Hockey Club Bar at 8.30pm. There will be free pizza as an incentive to get your through the door. Plus, if it all gets terribly boring, you can eat yourself into a carb-fuelled coma. We need at least 20% of the club in attendance in order to pass business, vote in the committee, etc., so that’s about 45 of us. Please make an effort to attend. We really appreciate it.
Sunday brings the Keighley 10km. This is the final race in the cross-country champiosnhip. Poor Captain Dazzler doesn’t know what to do with himself. He’s moping around the place like a spare part, sobbing his little heart out and looking like he’s going to trip over his quivering lower lip. Heaven only knows what he’ll be like by Sunday. I dread to think. Anyway, you’re going to have move fast if you want one of the last remaining places before entries close. There’s only one way that you’re going to get those last points, and it’s in this direction: http://tinyurl.com/576t7drf.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
On 23rd March 2024, we have the second race in the fell championships: We Need to Talk About Chevin. This is a nine mile run on the hills above Otley, as the name would indeed suggest. It covers over 2000ft of climb, so it easily packs a punch. Still, a pint and a bowl of chips has always tasted so much better with sore legs. Have a think about giving it a go, and certainl;y have a chat with FRP, Bri, Babs, Sarah C, or any of the fellies. They’re more than happy to advise on footwear, running tops with taped seams, and choice pubs. More info on the race, here: https://tinyurl.com/4e63awyr.
Membership
If you received an email in the middle of the night asking you to renew your membership, then please ignore it for now. This was sent in error. Nick Crebbin has been working his socks off to build a new membership system, but we cannot yet accept renewals until the subscription fees for 2024-2025 are agreed at the AGM. The system should have now been disabled, but apologies for any confusion caused. If you did renew before Nick managed to hit the disable function, we’ll be in touch with you individually to sort out any financial implications.
Evening League: 7th May 2024
Babs is fully busy with sorting out the Evening League Race which Nidd Valley will host. She has sent an email to the whole club, asking for people to confirm their availability to help with marshalling on the night. If you haven’t responded to this, then please do so as soon as possible. Thanks very much. It’s a great chance for us to show the best of Nidd Valley, and we always get complimented on a race well run, so the more of you who can be involved in this the better.
Parkrun
This is a bit of a personal plea from me, so I hope you’ll forgive the intrusion. If you’re a regular parkrunner, then you’ll know that the events rely solely on the goodwill of volunteers to help set up, marshal, time keep and scan barcodes, that kind of thing. If everyone volunteers several times a year (and if you have a race on the Sunday, or are injured, then there are two ideal opportunities!), then this would do so much to help keep the events afloat. Obviously, I’d encourage you to volunteer at whichever parkrun gets your regular custom, and to set your profile to allow for volunteer request emails from the event. If, however, Harrogate is your frequent haunt, then all the information for the locals is here: https://tinyurl.com/bdex2z2k.
Word to the Wise
This week’s wise word comes from our much-esteem treasurer, Sylvia Morten.
“I’m more of a cosmopolitan pornstar kind of person…” – Sylvia Morten, and we all did a double take until we realised she was talking about cocktails.
Have a great week, my lovelies.
Chairman Sam x