Double Trouble

Over indulgence at Christmas is common place and people often make New Year resolutions on the back of it. However, Nidd Valley Road Runners have a better solution, run through Christmas and New Year to get ahead of the game.

Harrogate parkrun had double helpings last week with a run on the usual Saturday and for those in need of an extra fix, a run on Christmas Day. The Saturday crowd came out in force and Paul Stalker from Nidd Valley recorded a pb of 20.16 on a wet course.

Consistent Dave Rushton ran 26.40 and Tony Ledwaba-Chapman ran 27.11. Christmas Day was an unknown quantity, having never been run before, would anybody turn up? 102 runners appeared in all manner of fancy dress to blow away the cobwebs, first back for Nidd was Maurice Kelly 21.19, then Chris Buck 24.04, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 24.10, Paul Manning 25.53, Dave Rushton 26.52, Stuart Hatfield 27.18, Jenny Manning 28.40, Steve Newton 29.24, Sheena Jackson 29.30, John Manning 29.57, Yvonne Manning 41.13 and Margaret Manning 41.15.

For those wanting a bigger challenge the Chevin Chase at Guiseley offered a wet course with some steep climbs and the chance to rub shoulders with Olympic athlete Jonny Brownlee, the eventual winner. Nidd Valley sent two runners over, Andy Todd ran strongly with 49.20 and Sarah Chalmers ran round in 80.00.

Santa Claus is coming to town.

Runners everywhere are donning their Christmas attire for the festive seasons races. One popular event is The Stoop over at Haworth, a five mile course rising 800 metres. No one dodges the fancy dress rule as a Santa hat is provided for every runner and is compulsory to wear. Three budding Santa's went over from Nidd Valley Road Runners to complete this challenging course. Simon Harris took the mantle of first Nidd in 44.36, Paul Geary finished in 45.42 and Chris Buck, wearing the new Nidd Valley Road Runners vest, completed the team in 47.56.

 

On more familiar territory Nidd Valley were represented at Harrogate parkrun by Dave Rushton 25.35, Stuart Hatfield 27.04, Lizzie Medwell 29.50, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 31.05 and Clairwyn Richardson 32.21.

Thursday evening saw 25 plus runners take part in the annual Santa/fancy dress run through town. There were angels, Santas, pixies and three of Santa’s reindeer, plus an array of other costumes following a route through town which included an impromptu but hearty session of carol singing, a tour of the local retail outlets and a visit to a local house lit up by hundreds of Christmas lights for charity. Runners were then joined by some other club members at the Hockey Club for pizza, mince pies and drinks.

The Ice Factor

Winter training is starting to pay off at Nidd Valley Road Runners, six weeks into a eighteen week programme and times are starting to tumble at the 5km time trials. Harrogate Stray gave parkrunners an extra challenge with a coating of ice on the course last week. Conditions under foot were slippery and runners had to pick their running line carefully, however the two front runners did not let that stop them and charged round, Lee Dalton from Nidd was just edged out into second by Mike Appleton from Ripon in a new pb of 16.58, despite taking a tumble on lap two.

Giving chase was Andy Todd 19.05, next with a sprint to the finish was Dave Rushton who just piped Stuart Hatfield 25.23 to the post. following on was Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 27.27, Sarah Chalmers 28.37, John Manning with a pb, 28.37, Lizzie Medwell 29.36, Ann Rushton with a pb, 30.20 and newbie Clairwyn Richardson also with a pb, 31.31.

It's starting to look a lot like winter

The cold weather has not dampened the racing spirit at Nidd Valley Road Runners as a number of members pulled on an extra layer to go out to compete. Harrogate Stray greeted parkrun with an icy chill and a few soggy patches as the kids from Harrogate Juniors adopted the weekly run for the first time. 203 runners braved the morning and first back for Nidd was Maurice Kelly with 21.01 followed by Dan Eagling 21.59.

First lady back was Sheena Jackson who recorded a pb of 24.45, breaking 25 minutes for the first time. Other Nidd Valley runners were Dave Rushton 26.05, Julie Mooney 27.50, Fiona Holtman 29.08, a pb, Lizzie Medwell 29.38, Gillian Douglas 30.50 and Ann Rushton 31.10.

Not too far away on the outskirts of Bradford Paul Geary toed the line with some like minded runners for ‘The Pain Barrier’, with its uncompromising terrain of mud, lakes and hills it was the ultimate test. Paul navigated the course superbly finishing in 73rd out of over 500 in 1:02.20

Pulling on her running shoes for the second time Lizzie Medwell travelled over to Leeds for the inaugural Leeds Christmas 10km at Middleton, a two lap off road race blessed with super weather. Lizzie was very pleased with her time of 58.56, breaking the hour for the first time since London.