(TLDR. For those short of time…. On Tuesday, there are intervals in Knaresborough with the Striders, or a run up through Valley Gardens, whereas on Thursday we have a club run to Knaresborough lined up for you. On Friday, the road championships gives us another trip to run the Evensplits at York University, while on Sunday we have the all important Mob Match against the Striders. Quite a few results, too, this week, so read on if you want to see what your fellow Nidders have been up to).
Evening folks.
As you’d expect, the flag is flying at half-mast over Nidd Valley House and – like the country at large – the mood here feels somewhat sombre, muted, and grey. I have never pretended to be a passionate monarchist but know that many are feeling bereaved and lost at the moment. These are indeed unsettling times. If you are struggling, then please do come to club. Give yourself a break from the 24 hour rolling coverage on the news, and come to be with friends. Run as much as you want and as far as you feel able. It’ll do you good, I promise. And with that, let’s have a look at the week ahead.
The Week Ahead
On Tuesday, you’ve again got yourself a choice. For those wishing to suss out the mob match competition, we’ve got a joint interval session with Knaresborough Striders. Meet at Knaresborough Cricket Club at 7.15pm where Emma and Brian will team up with Eric Morley from Striders to deliver a cracking workout for you. You won’t want to miss it.
Still, if intervals aren’t your bag this week, then don’t stress yourself as we’ll have a run from the club on Tuesday as per usual arrangements. Meet at the Hockey Club and be good to go for 7pm. For this week’s route, let’s have a crack at the Valley Gardens. So it’s out from the club, through town, and up through the gardens. You can turn left at the top and come back via Otley Road and the Stray, or extend further through the woods and turn back from Harlow Carr. It’s probably going to be too dark to come back through Birk Crag, so I’d recommend coming back down Otley Road.
How about a little jaunt to Knaresborough on Thursday? We’ll leave the club at 7pm and head out over the iron bridge and pick up the greenway and Beryl Burton down to Knaresborough. Head along Waterside, back over the bridge, along Forest Moor and back through Starbeck. If you fancy something a little shorter, you can always turn back at Forest Lane Head before the descent to Knaresborough, or you can come straight back up the hill from Knaresborough without extending out down Waterside. If it is good for you, then it is good for us. Don’t leave anyone behind and keep an eye out for others, you know the kind of thing. Afterwards, beers and a chat in the bar. Come and join us, why don’t you?
In the words of Leonard Cohen, the summer’s almost gone and the winter’s tuning up. If you’re coming out running with us, please think about wearing a hi-viz top or maybe using a head torch if you have one. It isn’t so much about seeing as it is about being seen, and the last thing we need round this place is an accident.
On Friday evening, the only thing that will stand between you and some road championship points is five laps of the track at York University. Yes, it’s another trip to Evensplits 5k series. Read all about it here: https://tinyurl.com/34dbttxu.
On Sunday, we have a date with destiny: the Mob Match. If you haven’t yet entered, then we really need you to get involved. Every runner counts in what is our annual grudge match against Knaresborough Striders. So, you need to get yourself online and get yourself a number if you have not done so already. Let’s get ready to paint Bishop Monkton in the mighty black and gold, and bring that trophy back to Nidd Valley House: https://tinyurl.com/knu6s9b2.
Results
Let’s start up in Newcastle at the Great North Run where we celebrate the achievement of Emily Wighton (2:24.45) who completed her first ever half marathon, and in a spectacular time to boot. She was ably paced round the Geordie course by fellow Nidd Laura Francis (2:24.47), so it’s a big well done to her as well. We also celebrate the achievements of three other veterans of the half marathon campaign: Kevin Clark (1:24.32), Nigel Moscardini (1:31.04), and Marcos Montana (2:25.43). Well done to you all.
Oh hang on, I’ve just seen that Rachel Mills ran the GNR as well. She wasn’t down as a Nidder so her result didn’t come through to me, but luckily she’s been outed on Facebook so that we can sing her praises. And sing them we shall, as she (1:59.33) clocked a brilliant time and snuck in under the two hour marker.
Sarah Chalmers has been in touch to let me know the results from the off-road Yorkshireman race on Sunday. Amy Sheppard (4:48.53) claimed the 7th lady position in the full marathon distance (Amy emailed me as well, and quite right, too, as it is a great result), while Jim Cook (5:39.01) showed that a night in a brewery is no impediment to clocking a quality time. In the half marathon distance, we’ve got lovely results from Christina Taylor (3:13.48) and Sarah Chalmers (3:43.36) so we shall give them a hearty well done while they all scrub the mud from their legs. Incidentally Sarah tells us that one the one road section of the route, she was asked by a passer by if she was doing the Great North Run. Sarah reassured him that not even her nav skills are that bad, and she’d like you to know the same.
Back on Wednesday, three of us took part in the Ilkley Incline, a one mile race up from Darwin Gardens in Ilkley to the top of the moor, covering 560ft of ascent in that short distance. Not one to be repeated if you want my opinion, but I suppose it was a night out and something different. From the results, it’s well done to Fingers Harris (09.18) and Jane Evans (13.01) who accompanied your truly (11.41) out on heart attack hill.
Roger Duckworth was all on his lonesome on Saturday (was it something we said, Rog?), when he took part in the Meanwood Valley Trail Race. Roger completed the seven mile run in 1:15.18 and, if that isn’t a cause for celebration, then I don’t know what is.
Oh, I don’t belieeeeeeeeeeeve it, Fiona Robinson took part in the One Foot in Gargrave LDWA race (see what I did there? Never mind…). Fiona rattled round the 22.5 mile course in a spectacular 6:30. Well, that’s the time on her certificate anyway. She forgot to stop her watch as she had already slinked off for a cheeky little drink. Well, after that performance, you certainly deserve it Fiona. Well done.
Captain Dazzler (1:22.05) knocked it out of the park with his time at the Vale of York Half Marathon yesterday. He’s on fire, he really is. Fingers Harris (1:24.49) was never too far behind as he battled to keep Steve Newbould (1:25.00) in check. Martin Lofthouse (1:27.08) and Luke Scorer (1:34.19) were the next home, with Kevin Dalton (1:36.27), John Beaumont (1:42.10), and the lesser-seen Damien Handslip (1:43.47) the next three to finish. Karen Mills (1:54.10) was the first of the ladies to finish, managing to snaffle the win over Christopher Morris (1:54.10) and Chairman Mike (1:58.58). Victoria Thomas (2:04.18) and Chris Nelson (2:19.26) were the last two finish for the club, and they get our heartiest congratulations.
In addition to the usual suspect at the usual parkrun haunts of Conyngham Hall and Harrogate, if you want to know which Nidds headed to Ponefract, Workington, Cassiobury (sounds like a calculator, if you ask me), Rutland Water, and Millfield, then you’ll need to have a look at the results. You can do that here: https://tinyurl.com/4cbrfjde.
The papers are full of bad news these days, and it’s all a bit glum. If you’ve got a good news story or some results to share then, go on, let me know. I’d happily put your name in lights: samfugill@gmail.com.
Apology of the Week
Got a couple here for you this week. I can’t do right for doing wrong, I tell you. Anyway, Captain Sarah has been the first to rap my knuckles for failing to mention last week that Laura Francis got the first under F35 prize at the Tholthorpe 10k. Well, a weekly update wouldn’t be complete without mentioning that, so that’s that done. Second, we’ve got a result from Sarah Chalmers who competed in the Keswick Lakeland 15k last weekend. Sarah finished the run in 2:15.30, which is a brilliant time. Incidentally, Sarah describes her time with some undue negativity and some naughty words, but we’ll have none of that self-depreciation here. Well done, Sarah.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
On Sat 24 Sep 2022, the fell runners are getting their romper suits out to take part in the Rombalds Romp. If you fancy covering some 1200ft over a muddy eight mile terrain, then we would love to see you out there. It’s only £8, too. Bargain. Have a read up and get yourself booked in. You won’t regret it: https://tinyurl.com/36y3n998.
Coming straight after, we’ve got the Knaresborough Striders Crag Rat Run on Sunday 25 Sep 2022. I’dreally encourage you to have a look at this one and get booked in. It’s good to support our friends and local rivals, especially as they always put in a strong showing at our Guy Fawkes Event. This is only five miles and the terrain is varied and accessible. Go on, why don’t you treat yourself: https://tinyurl.com/5eup2yax.
On Sunday 02 Oct 2022, we’ve got the annual club trip to Bridlington to take part in their trail race, to eat chips, to go on the two penny slots, and to have a couple of scoops in Wetherspoons. You can read up on the race here: https://tinyurl.com/fyhj6zkv. If you want a place on the club bus (I think there are still a few seats remaining), please deposit £5 in the club account (Nidd Valley Road Runners, acc 12074796 and s.c. 40-23-12) referencing your name and the bus trip, then let Martin Lofthouse know that you want to come: 07849 759764.
Sarah Chalmers would like me to tell you that entries for the Litton Birks Loop Fell Race on Sunday 13 Nov 2022 are now open. It’s the last in the fell championships, and so your last chance to grab some points before the season ends. I think this is the race where chip butties are available afterwards and, if that isn’t enough to persuade you, then I’m not sure anything ever will be. All the information can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/2p8k8w28.
Word to the Wise
Thinking of the sad news from last week, I leave you with the words of Rod Clements (one of the few original members of the band Lindisfarne, so appropriately chosen for the Great North Run weekend):
“And all through the ages, the sages maintain that nothing good ever lasts. But what is true for the sun, must be true for the rain. This, too, will pass…”
Have a great week, keep your chin up, and look out for each other. See you soon.
Sam x