(TLDR. The Headlines: on Tuesday we have a club run up the Greenway to Killinghall, and on Thursday we have a club run down the Gorge. Saturday sees the road championships open with a trip to Fountains Abbey Parkrun. The rest of the email is some well-rehearsed nagging about membership renewal, a few up and coming races, and the usual wise words…”
Hi all,
Grand National weekend. It’s always a bit nail biting watching it, isn’t it? Just knowing that any minute your horse could take a tumble and find itself at the mercy of the medical teams on the track side. Those that have watched Robert Hill racing will recognise the sensation, I’m sure. Anyone back the winner? Nah, me neither. But that doesn’t matter here in Nidd Valley House. When it comes to racing, we celebrate the lot. It really doesn’t matter if you come first or last, and whether you bring home silverware or not. Who cares? You got out there, you ran, and you (hopefully!) enjoyed yourself. We can ask no more than that. And on that note, let’s have a look at the results.
Results from the Week That Was…
Let’s start with a quick blast from the past, and celebrate the results from the Sheffield Half Marathon last Sunday. With only three Nidds on the start line, it was definitely a case of quality rather than quantity, but I can’t think of three better ambassadors for the glorious Black & Gold than Susy Rhodes (2:18.20), Sarah Gore (2:29.15) and Carolyn Jones (2:31.50). Very well done to you all.
I also note that last Sunday, John Beaumont completed the London Landmarks Half MArathon, and did so in an impressive 1:49.29. So he gets a well done, too.
While we’re at all things last week, I couldn’t not mention that Pauline Hogg took part in the Baildon Boundary Way last Sunday, finishing in a rather good time of 2:42.41. Well done, Pauline!
The last from the results from last week is none other than Sarah Staiano who headed to Paris (Oh! La la!) to take part in the marathon out there. Sarah put her best foot forward and was round the Parisian course in a cracking time of 3:40.28. Très bien!
On Friday, Connor Featherstone was the lone soldier in the Nidd Valley Campaign at the Evensplits 5km Series at Heslington. I know, I’d sooner submit myself to the excruciating agony of natural dentistry than run round in circles on tarmac, but horses for athletic courses and all of that. Given that this is a results write up, I should probably tell you that Connor finished in 20.14, which is a superb time. Good effort, Connor.
Never mind performance enhancing drugs, one has to wonder whether it was all vodka, stimulants and late night raves for Joanne Lane who headed out to Ibizia to compete in the Ibizia Half Marathon. Well, clearly not, as she stuck to her training plan to the letter, and brought that Balearic race to heel in a remarkable time of 2:32.04. Anyone who knows Joanne will know how much time she has put into this race, so that’s a brilliant achievement. All of those miles were worth it. Well done, Joanne.
Ah, now this is rather sweet. Yes, Nidd Valley’s premier couple Phil Ventress and Brian Hainsworth were out in the Lake District to compete in the LDWA Spring in Lakeland. Despite spending the evening getting smashed in a pub in Windermere with the locals and their ferrets, they managed to finish the hilly 24 mile challenge in a more than respectable time of 5:08.00. It even looks like they were wearing matching tee-shirts as well. #cuteAF #bless.
Just as cute, we had Roger Duckworth and Sarah Chalmers run at the Hooded Horse 10km near Kilburn today. I’ve had a hunt and I can’t see any results anywhere, although Sarah has emailed in with her characteristic good cheer and joie de vivre to let us know that she was so slower than last time. That’ll have put a right smile on her face, that. Well done to you both.
James Coulthard wasn’t mucking about when he headed to Manchester today, finishing the marathon in a remarkable time of 3:17.34. Spencer Pearson – he’s a reasonable new addition, but totally lovely, so be sure to say hi and get to know him – clocked a great time of 3:27.34, while Laura Francis was all over it to finish under the four hour barrier in 3:57.50. Rachel Mills finished in 4:06.10 and Mark Tyrell saw the line in 4:25.21. A massive congratulations to you all. Running a marathon is no mean feat, so well done. You’ve done Nidd Valley proud.
With a quick look at the parkrun results from the week, I’m delighted to tell you that he have two new notches on the bedpost that is the MallettMap. The first of these comes courtesy of James Braddon who went over to run at Preston. And, yes, James, what have we told you before about going off to Lancashire without telling one of the grown ups? Heaven only knows what could have happened to you. The second comes from Karen Mills, who did her 5km thing down on Hackney Marshes, which sounds like it’s the setting for the opening of a Charles Dickens novel or something like that…
…Actually, that reminds me. I read Great Expectations once. It wasn’t all I’d hoped for.
Owen and Freya Dart did their parkrun at Woodhouse Moor, and Nigel Scaife was all the way down on the south coast to finish Poole Parkrun in a cracking time of 25.17. Martin Lofthouse and Kevin Nicholas had a run at Rothwell, finishing 6th and 12th respectively, while Kirsty Walter was at the Eden Project. John ‘Map Man’ Mallett was all on his lonesome at Roundhay (well, there was 404 other runners but you know what I mean), Martin Luxton was at Sedgefield as per all the usual tried and tested arrangements, and Chris Carvey took his life in his hands with a trip to Middlesbrough and a run round Stewart Park. Adam Kirk was at Crossflatts, Colleen Gruenwald was at Millfield, and Phil and Fiona Robinson were at North Yorkshire Water Park. Pauline Hogg was doubtlessly getting incredibly muddy at Thorp Perrow, and the usually singular Syliva Morten found herself in the good company of Christine Holleran, Connor Featherstone and Carolyn Jones as she did her two laps of Otley Chevin.
As usual, we had plenty of Nidds at Fountains Abbey, Harrogate, and Conyngham Hall, but Ian Wighton has asked that I single out daughter Emily for a special mention as she completed her 200th parkrun (yes, I know, #notathing) at Fountains Abbey yesterday, taking another ten seconds from her personal best. Well done, Em. You can read her results, and all of the results from the holy at Fountains and the heathen on other courses, right here: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
Staring at the bottom of your glass / Hoping one day you’ll make a dream last / But dreams come slow, and they go so fast: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
Well, the nights are getting lighter, although it feels that spring is yet to properly get springing. Still, the lighter nights do mean that we can hopefully start to get off road a bit more and enjoy somethings a bit more varied than the mid-winter pavement pounding. What do we fancy, then?
Tell you what. How do you fancy a run down the greenway on Tuesday? Leave the Hockey Club at 7pm, over the iron bridge and to Bilton Crossing. From there, head straight down the path, over the viaduct, and all the way to Killinghall Bridge. After that, you can stick to the roads and come back over Knox Bridge and back to the club through Bilton, or you can take a cross-country route over the fields from Killinghall to Knox (more mud and a few more cows, but a bit more interesting). I appreciate this is a longer run, so if you want something shorter, feel free to peel off by the viaduct, and come back to the club round the fields. It’d be great if you can join us.
On Thursday, we have another club run for you, and this week, I’m up for another trip down to gorge. I make no excuses. It’s great down there and we are so lucky to have this on our doorstep. Same start, then: over the iron bridge and to Bilton Crossing. This time, peel right onto the fields and into the gorge. You can come back up the first path by the Gardner’s Arms, or can continue on to the further path. Both bring you back to the club via Bilton Lane. Meet a the Hockey Club for 7pm, finish your run at whatever time suits depending on your pace, but be sure to join us for a pint in the Hockey Club bar afterwards. It would be lovely to see you for a catch up.
On Saturday, the road championships kicks off for another year, and this year’s opener is Fountains Abbey parkrun. It’s a sharp and fast 5km route, with some beautiful scenery to boot. And it’s free to enter. All you need is to have your barcode and to make sure that you have registered as a Nidd Valley Road Runner on your parkrun profile. Parking can be a bit of a hassle and there is a fair walk to the start, so we recommend you share cars where possible and get there in good time. I shall be in Liverpool so not able to join you, but hope you have a great run. All the relevant deets are just here: https://tinyurl.com/23h2t8sh/.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
What do you mean you’ve not entered the Evening League, yet? Good grief, people. Your club needs you! More details about the league can be found here (https://tinyurl.com/4vs9d8zy) and you can get entered here (https://tinyurl.com/y7a2rab9).
On 5th May 2024, we have our Mob Match Meet with Knaresborough Stirders. This year, the battle lines are drawn at Melmerby where we take part in the 10km. EVERY runner counts in this, and we need as many of you as possible to get onto the start line. The Mob Matchy Trophy belongs in Nidd Valley House. It went to Crag Rat Caravan once, and it had a horrible time. Didn’t like it one bit. Let’s make sure we bring the Mob Match Trophy back to where it belongs. Everyone has a part to play, including you: https://tinyurl.com/pcea9enw.
Membership
Not renewed?
Get on with it.
Word to the Wise
We have a double act for our weekly wisdom, this week courtesy of Brian Sherwood and Paul Manning.
Brian: “I didn’t give my children middle names. I mean, nobody likes them…”
Paul: “What? Your children?”
Brian: “No, middle names”
Keep smiling, and see you soon.
Chairman Sam x