(TLDR. The Headlines: on Tuesday, we aren’t running as we are hosting the Nidd Valley HDSRL Race, but you’ll know that by now, surely. On Wednesday, there is the Chevin Fell Race (non-champs) and on Thursday there is the Kettlewell Anniversary Fell Race (champs). On Thursday, we have a club run through the Valley Gardens, leaving the club at 7pm as per usual arrangements. Saturday is the one and only Great Knaresborough Bed Race – not to be missed! Read on for other information about the Cleveland Relays, up and coming races, and some record breaking).
I’ve just seen the sad news that Rob Burrow died earlier today. 41 years is really no age at all, and he surely has a real place in the hearts of the regional running community through the work of his foundation and the Leeds Marathon. That image of him being carried over the finish line is one that won’t quickly be forgotten. It reminds us all that the ability to move and run is not one that we should take for granted. Life is, as they say, incredibly precious. So as you head out to run this week – whether pounding pavements, running in the hills, or pushing a bed around an otherwise quiet market town – enjoy every moment, and do it for Rob.
Results from the Week That Was…
The mop up of missed race results continues, so we’ve got a retrospective well done for Adam Kirk who came fifth in the Pontefract 10km a fortnight ago, finishing in an impressive 35.18. Equally as impressive, Lisa Gibson finished in a brilliant time of 1:05.09. Well done to the two of you.
Last week, Andrew Davis was the Nidd north of the border (could be a weekly thing? #niddnorthoftheborder). He completed the Edinburgh Half Marathon, getting himself a PB of 1:34.49. He did send it via email last Monday, and asked if we’d include it this week, and asked if it would “be one for next week to keep morale up!!!?!”. Well, we love nothing more than to have our peckers in an elevated position, so more than happy to include it in the write up! Well done, Andrew.
On Bank Holiday Monday, Roger Duckworth and Sarah Chalmers were down in Ilkley to take part in the Ilkley Trail Race, and if a seven mile jaunt with fine views of Wharfedale isn’t a great way to spend a day off work, then I don’t know what is. Roger finished in 1:18.45, with Sarah not too far behind in a great time of 1:27.17. Great efforts, I’m quite sure that you’ll agree.
Staying on the themes of Sarah Chalmers and Wharfedale, Sarah was joined yesterday by Theresa Oldroyd and the lesser-spotted Chris Orr to have a crack at the Wharfedale Trail Half Marathon. Well, the results make very interesting reading indeed. Chris was the first to declare, finishing in 2:16.59, with Theresa (2:30.10) never too far behind. Sarah finished in 3:27.32. Make sure you say well done to them when you see them, they certainly deserve it.
Outstanding.
Yesterday, FRP headed up into the Dales for the irresistible Pen-y-Ghent Fell Race. Certainly, not an easy race by any stretch, with some 1,500ft of climb crammed into about seven miles, but if anyone can face up to a challenge like that then it has to be FRP. He said that exact results probably wouldn’t appear until July but – will wonders never cease? – I’ve found them online and am delighted to tell you that he finished in 1:29.30, 149th out of 167 runners. Well done, FRP!
And it’s back to Lisa Gibson and Adam Kirk once again to celebrate their results from the Northowrun 5 earlier today. This five mile run round Northowram near Halifax (see what they did there? Changed Northowram to Northowrun. Very good…) gave them the chance to nail some great times again, with Adam finishing in 29.43, getting himself onto the podium with a third place finish, and Lisa finishing in 54.04. Congratulations, both.
Erm, just WHAT are you wearing, Adam?
Incidentally, you might notice that Adam doesn’t appear to be wearing his Nidd Valley vest in this photo. We promptly dispatched the full weight of our legal department, curious to know just exactly who the No Club Running Club are. Adam reassures me that they are just a brand he likes and not a running club, and that he remains a “fully fledged Nidd”. Rightly so. We made that man who he is today. He owes us EVERYTHING.
John and Susie Mallett. Possibly my joint-second favourite Mallett (after Timmy), and they’ve only gone and got a marker on their eponymous map with a trip to Sittingbourne Parkrun. James Braddon took one for the team and got the second MallettMap marker with a trip to North Walsham, where he was one of only 42 parkrunners on what looks like an interminably long and boring course. Talk about taking one for the team.
Emily Wighton was down at Wakefield Thornes, where she was joined by Steve Newton and Sarah Gore. Adam Kirk headed over to York Knavesmire, Sue Ball did her usual thing at Ferry Meadows and Martin Luxton was living his best life at Sedgefield. Rob Northfield continued his journey back to full strength with a trip to Nostell, and Pauline Hogg was down in Selby. Can’t be helped, Pauline.
Colleen Gruenwald took a leaf out of Andy Todd’s book and followed in his footsteps with a trip to Millfield. Juniors Owen and Freya Dart were up in Scotland, where they both got great times in the Ury Riverside Parkrun near Inverurie. As you’ve come to expect, Sylvia Morten did her thing on Otley Chevin, and Sue and Chris Rogers headed for a return trip to North Yorkshire Water Park. WEll done, as ever, to the hoards who descended to run at Conyngham Hall, Fountains Abbey, and Harrogate. Everyone’s results are now locked, loaded, and ready for you: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
Here beneath the stars I’m landing / I’m here beneath the stars not ending / Why on earth am I pretending? / I’m here again, the stars befriending / They come and go of their own free will: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
We’ve got quite a busy week ahead, and with plenty to whet the athletic appetite. We start on Tuesday with the Evening League race in Ripley that Nidd Valley are hosting. Karen Mills and Jo Lane have done sterling jobs in co-ordinating all of the volunteers, so thanks to all who have agreed to help out. As we are hosting this race, and as so many Nidds have given up the race to marshal and volunteer, we’d be grateful if you’d refrain from taking part. Karen has sent out all of the final marshal instructions, and we’ll be in position from 6.30pm on the night. Thanks for being part of this.
If you want something of a ball-breaker, then there is the Otley Chevin Fell Race on Wednesday night. It’s only 2.9 miles, but it packs a lot of climb and a thrilling descent into that short distance. It’s not in the club championships, so there won’t be any points on offer, but who needs them when you know you’ve conquered the Chevin and secured all bragging rights? It’s only £8 in, and all the relevant details are here: https://tinyurl.com/yj84ah2s.
We’ve got a double offering on Thursday. The first of these is the Kettlewell Anniversary Fell Race, which appears in our club championship. This five mile beauty in the hills above Wharfedale and Littondale is one of my all time favourite races, and certainly not one to be missed, especially as entry is only six quid. The climb is brutal, but the descents are some of the best available and – if the weather is good – is the closest thing to running perfection. Don’t miss it: https://tinyurl.com/ms43a47y.
If a fell race ain’t your bag, then there’s another lovely Thursday club run lined up for you. I suggest we have a trip through the Valley Gardens, as this gives lots of options to do different distances, and so hopefully there’s something to keep everyone happy. Leaving the Hockey Club at 7pm, head down into town, and up through Valley Gardens. Your first turn back point soon appears, taking you back along Harlow Moor Drive and Otley Road. If you want to push further, you can head up through the Pine Woods, and return either via Harlow Carr and Otley Road, or via Birk Crag and the Duchy Estate. Doubtless, there’ll be pints and thrilling conversation in the bar afterwards.
Saturday brings with it the Great Knaresborough Bed Race. Whether you are one of our club teams taking the ultimate challenge in trolley-pushing or whether you are running as a mercenary for another team, then the very best of luck! Thanks to those Nidds who are marshalling and supporting the event, and I hope that everyone who spends the day drinking beer and enjoying the sun-soaked revelry has an otherwise excellent day!
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
The Harrogate 10km has nearly sold half of their places, and there’s less than a month to go until the starting gun is fired on Sunday 30th June 2024. This is a race in our road championships (possibly pushing the definition of road running somewhat, but we are where we are), so we’d certainly encourage you to get involved and to support our friends at Harrogate Harriers: https://tinyurl.com/5n7834kk.
Phil Ventress is still looking for a couple more runners for the Cleveland Relays on Sunday 16th June 2024. There are a couple of vacant legs, and also a chance to double up and run with a partner. Even if you don’t see yourself as a seasoned off-road runner, the route is really accessible and within the range of most people in the club, so do think about getting involved. Let Phil know if you want to be part of this.
Record Breakers
FRP and I were chatting about trying to compile some Nidd Valley records… ie. the fastest times recorded for a parkrun, a 5km, 10km, half-marathon, full marathon, and maybe some iconic stand alone races like the London Marathon or Three Peaks Fell Race or Bed Race… that kind of thing. If you think you have a viable time or if you know who maybe does, can you let me know the name, the race, and the year, and we’ll try and get it logged. Even if you’re pretty sure that you don’t have the fastest, that’s no worry, as it’s good to get some times down as a start anyway, and is good to celebrate people’s achievements in any event. We’ve had 40 years of the club now, and it would be a shame to see some great results lost in the mists of time. You know where to find me: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
Word to the Wise
Nothing this week, and that’s probably for the best.
Have a great week, and see you soon.
Chairman Sam x