Hi all –
Results
On Thursday, 34 Nidds travelled to Yeadon for the second of the Evening League races, and learned the hardest lesson in the running rule book: what goes down must come up. As we tore down the field and through the woods, it was easy to forget that we’d soon be tackling the hill on the climb back to the finish line. Nonetheless, this didn’t seem to daunt Matt Wilkinson (35:11) who was first home for the club, and 10th place overall. Martin Lofthouse (36:07), Dan Eagling (39:10), Matt Rickard (39:16) and Jon Easton (40:28) followed next. Mike Deacon (40:57) just beat Carol Morgan (41:03) to the line, followed by yours truly and exhaustedly (41:30), Steve Newton (43:57), Fiona Deacon (44:00), Emma Dooley (44:36) and Ian McLeod (44:46). Alison Isles (45:29) battled Alex Crowton (45:30) for the finish line, and was soon joined by Christine Holleran (46:06), Dave Seaman (46:19), Christine Jones (46:39), Jim Cook (47:04) and Sarah Gordon (48:19). Sarah ‘I really don’t like hills’ Hughan (49:33) was next over the line, Debbie Dilasser (49:57) just sneaked under the 50 minute barrier, and Rebecca Ventress (51:22), Dave Rushton (51:48) and Debbie Gibson (51:53) were hot on her heels. Sarah Kennedy (51:55) was next home, followed by Rachael Prince (52:35), Ewa Scott (53:39) and Jane Hill (54:04). Although the route crossed a few roads, Tony Chapman (55:56) managed to avoid any incidents involving motor cars, followed by Michelle Smith (56:31), Alison Little (56:31), Aimi Blueman (56:46), Natalie Lancosova (58:48), and Michelle Dinsdale (62:15). Well done to you all.
If you want to see how you line up against your rivals from the different clubs, then this is where you need to be: http://www.harrogate-league.org.uk/. The next race is held by the lovely chaps from Thirsk and Sowerby AC on June 2. There’s only one point separating us from Knaresborough Striders in the tables, so we need every runner to come and try and make that gap wider: and that includes you!
On Saturday, Emma David popped over to the Lake District to complete the Helvellyn and the Dodds fell race. A staggering 14 miles, taking in over 4,500ft, was the order of the day, and Emma took it all in her stride, finishing in 3:27. Well done, Emma.
Andy Todd (18:43) bagged himself a new PB at Fountains Abbey Parkrun on Saturday. At Harrogate, Rebecca Ventress (25:37) also claimed a new PB, and Dan Eagling (20:05) continued to creep ever closer to the 20 minute mark. Come on, Dan! I know you can do it (and I’m running out of things to say about it, too).
I think that’s it for this week. As ever, I’m bound to have missed something or someone out. Apologies if it’s you. Keep me updated with all your news: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Week Ahead
It’s another quiet week in Nidd Valley without any races in the championships. But we’d hate you to take your eye off the ball and, to make sure you’re racing skills stay beautifully honed, we’ve got some cracking club runs lined up for you this week. Meet at the Hockey Club for 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday. And if that weren’t enough for you, on Thursday there’ll be the chance to talk about the good old days over a few pints of lager in the bar upstairs after the run. It’d be lovely to see you.
Looking further ahead, it’s our annual run up Almscliffe Crag on June 25, and we’ve got some pub runs lined up for July 30 and August 27. More details to follow.
Bed Race
With less than three weeks until the Bed Race, the excitement and mounting tension at Nidd Valley HQ is palpable. The men’s team is really flying at the moment. I ran with them on one of their training runs recently, and I thought I was going to die. I have never run so fast in my life, my legs were burning, and I was trying not to vomit, at which point Lee Dalton suggests that we “ramp it up a bit”. You get the idea. The ladies team is honing a peak performance with some help from Amanda. Dan Eagling has been poached by the Guardian Alarms team, and I’m temporarily putting my chairmanly yellow and black colours to one side and answering a call to race with the Wacky Racers. As my predecessor Steve Newton once wisely remarked: “Bed racing is a calling and a vocation. It’s like the priesthood. You don’t choose the bed racing, bed racing chooses you”. Good luck to all of you who have been called.
The Lions are on the lookout for any additional marshals (I think they’re a few short at the moment). I appreciate it is a bit of a bind to give up your Saturday to try and herd tens of thousands of punters all drinking like sailors on shore leave. However, if you can help, please contact John Dickinson from the Lions on lionbedrace@hotmail.co.uk. He would love to hear from you.
Ripon Races
We’re going to have a club day at Ripon Races on August 15. Prices yet to be confirmed, as this depends on what deal (if any) I can get with the racecourse, and what arrangements we make for taxis etc. I think you’re looking at something to the tune of £25. I’ve already heard from a few people, so let me know if you’re up for it. Again, my email: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
A Word to the Wise
“I didn’t like the downhill bits. I didn’t like the uphill bits either. That flat bit on the road, that was okay.” – Sarah Hughan, sharing her insights on off-road running.
Have a good week, everyone.
Sam x