A Tale of Two Temperature Zones

With temperature’s dropping runners are seeking out warmer climes to compete in.Three Nidd Valley Road Runners headed over to Benidorm for the ever popular and pleasant half marathon. The street’s were packed with spectators and the thermometer said a comfortable 19C as the runners set off on the new course. Mike Deacon ran a comfortable 1:44.14 having paced Steve Newton to a pb of 1:45.25. Nick Iles then crossed the line in 1:48.32.

In the more icy surroundings Harrogate parkrun delivered another successful race, Nidd Valley were well represented, Andy Todd, 19.28 was first back, closely followed by Maurice Kelly 21.01 and Dan Eagling 21.24. First lady back for Nidd was Rebecca Ventress in a pb of 27.13, next came Gill Douglas 31.12, Ann Rushton 31.13, Lizzie Medwell 32.18 and Aimi Blueman 32.18.

When the going gets tough the tough wear pyjamas

BBC Children in Need brought the best out in Nidd Valley Road Runners at the weekend. Fourteen members donned their pyjamas and ran around the Stray with Harrogate’s parkrun in aid of the charity and to support Fraser Davidson, the seven year old son of Alan. Lee Dalton, suitably attired in Tigger costume, crossed the line second in a time of 17.50, new member, Jonathon Chandler, in his first competitive race, flew round in 19.33. Next were two first timers, Paul Stalker 20.18 and Paul Geary 21.17 followed by Nick Iles 22.36, Fiona Deacon 22.53, Mike Deacon 22.54, Rachel Eastaff with a pb 26.19, Janet Carling 27.10, Sarah Mattocks 27.46, Julie Mooney 27.57, Sue Reast 29.10, John Manning 29.15 and Maurice Kelly 32.54.

Over the border in Lancashire The Tour of Pendle Fell race attracted a strong field. This tough race gives runners some tricky navigation on the way round. Carol Morgan rounded of a fantastic year with a time of 3:36.44.

Across in Europe Tony Ledwaba-Chapman ran the Seven Hills 15km at Nijmegen. With the winners of the mens and ladies race being current Olympians he was in good company. Tony finished in 68.53 with the last 5km in sub 23 mins and crossed the line as first M70 in a large field.

The Leeds Abbey Dash attracted over 8000 runners this year and had the highest number of finishers. Perfect conditions gave runners the chance to chase a pb and Nidd Valley Runners did just that. Alan Davidson was first Nidd home and was the first pb of the day in 38.26, next across the line was Christine Holleran 45.16, Emma Dooley with a pb of 47.20 and Dave Rushton who took over 10 mins of his previous time and recorded 50.09. Amanda Metcalfe crossed the line in 50.13, Jenny Manning in a pb of 50.30, Fiona Holtman 57.55 and Kim Stewart 59.55.

Near, far, wherever you are.

Nidd Valley Road Runners have been spreading their running wings far and wide lately. Brenda Loades took on the hilly challenge of the San Sebastian Half and with the addition of torrential rain was very pleased with her time of 2:16.00. Down in the southern hemisphere Sam Fugil also opted for a hilly course with the Hong Kong 23km Trail Race. High humidity and a 2600ft climb made going tough but he finished in 2:49.52.

Closer to home at York Racecourse, the aptly named Gunpowder Plod 5km had competitors running in the dark. Phil Fernyhough decided this was for him and headed over to the Knavesmire and ran an impressive 22.57. Further up the A1 at Dalby Forest, the popular Dalby Dash 10km enticed Lizzie Medwell to tackle the off road course and finished in 60.41.

Safely on home soil Harrogate parkrun gave eight Nidd Valley Runners chance to stretch their legs, parkrun regular, Jonathon Easton was first home for Nidd with 20.46, then Dan Eagling 21.23. Steve Newton recorded a pb with 22.03 followed by Dave Rushton 24.51, Stuart Hatfield 25.43, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 26.39 and Ann Rushton 30.57, breaking the 31 minute barrier for the first time.

A cracking day out.

Nidd Valley Road Runners held their prestigious Guy Fawkes 10 at Ripley last weekend and with the race full sign going up a month before places were highly sought after. Starting in the village the course winds around the villages of Birstwith and Hampsthwaite the usual views over Nidderdale and the impending hills were shrouded in thick mist. Leeds City A.C's Jack Simpson took an early lead and went unchallenged to the end, taking the course record with 54.56. He was followed in by Joseph Kirkup, East Hull Harriers in 58.20 and Chris Miller, Harrogate Harriers in 58.23.
First Lady across the line was Helen Cross, Pocklington Runners in 63.52, second Sarah Clumber, Halifax Harriers in 64.19 and third Emma Yates, York Knavesmire in 64.34.

 The previous day two Nidd Valley Runners headed north for the Helvellyn 15km Trail race. Paul Geary had a strong run with 1:20.57, while Chris Buck recorded 1:29.43. Saturday's parkrun saw six black and gold vests tackle the three lap course. Maurice Kelly swept round in 21.06, Jon Reast recorded a pb of 24.40, and Dave Rushton 25.09, Julie Mooney 27.26, Lizzie Medwell 29.47 and Ann Rushton 31.41 completed the team.

Strength in Numbers

The finale of Nidd Valley Road Runners club championships took place at the Harewood 10 mile trail race and with points up for grabs there was a good turnout. Taking an early lead Lee Dalton found the previous weeks racing had not left anything in the tank and despite a final surge had to settle for second in 60.09. Tim Harvey 64.50 and Paul Stalker 70.05 ran strongly to be first mens team back, unfortunatly no team prizes were awarded. They were followed in by Jonathon Easton 77.02, Simon Harris 77.43, Phil Fernyhough 82.54, first lady for Nidd, Fiona Deacon 84.18, Phil Robinson 84.29, Paul Manning 85.03, Helen Gregory 92.00, Sheena Jackson 93.06, Jenny Manning 99.54, Rachel Eastaff 101.35, Annie Burns 103.25, Bob Sweeting 112.00 and Lizzie Medwell 112.43. Steve Newton opted for the 5 mile and finished in 41.35.
   On familiar ground Carol Morgan and Emma David went to Dublin for the Marathon. All the pieces fell into place for Carol who recorded a pb of 3:13.03, Emma finished in 3:51.38.
  The first snow of the season greeted Harrogate's parkrunners but did not hold them back. Six brave souls from Nidd Valley competed and managed to finish within seven minutes of each other. Alison Iles was first back with 23.43 followed by Jon Reast 24.59, Emma Dooley 25.03, Dave Rushton 26.01, Amanda Metcalfe 26.44 and Ann Rushton 31.17.