And the winner is......?

The worldwide awards season is gathering pace and not to be out done Harrogate parkrun held its own Anniversary Awards to celebrate its first birthday. Three Nidd Valley Road Runners were on hand to receive awards, Dave Rushton, Most Improved Male Runner, Jillie Townend, Most Improved Female Runner and Tony Ledwaba-Chapman, Most Times Volunteered. Conditions on the Stray were difficult and patches of ice laid under the thick layer of snow. Maurice Kelly made his way back safely in 22.14 and sibling rivalry saw Paul and Dan Eagling in a sprint for the line, Paul taking glory with 22.38 and Dan with 22.47. Next in was Paul Manning 25.23, Julie Mooney 28.13 and Jillie Townend 30.05.

With the weather taking its toll on many sporting events across the district a quick course change at Haworth meant the Soreen Stanbury Splash could go ahead. Over 300 runners donned their fell shoes to make their way through the heavy snow covered course. Tim Harvey was first Nidd back in 45.58 followed by Simon Harris 53.11, the ever improving Paul Geary 54.33, Alan Davidson 54.57, Chris Buck 58.13, Brian Sherwood 58.34, Phil Robinson 61.35, Mark David 62.46 and Sarah Chalmers 80.13.

A result just in from Esk Valley confirms Mark David’s run in their popular Clay Bank race. Mark finished in 50.27.

2013 running bank accounts open

Many Nidd Valley Road Runners chose to open their 2013 running bank with a run at Harrogate parkrun. It was a record turnout with 274 finishers on a very cold morning. First two finishers for Nidd both gave a good account of themselves and recorded pb’s. Dan Eagling 21.12 and Sheena Jackson 24.30 have been putting in the hard work at training and it is starting to pay off.

 

Next in was Julie Mooney 26.42, followed by Jillie Townend 28.21, Sue Reast 28.39 and Gill Douglas 29.13. Following closely were two first timers to parkrun, Racheal Binns 29.47 and Susan Streather 29.54. Another runner starting the year with a pb was Kate Edgar 30.31 and completing the line up was Clairwyn Richardson in 32.30.

A popular league race in West Yorkshire drew Phil Robinson across the county. The PECO league headed to Bramley for an off road race and  Phil cruised round in 43.54.

Yorkshire Grit

With the Yorkshire Cross Country Championships being on our doorstep this year Nidd Valley Road Runners took the opportunity to take part in this quality event, rubbing shoulders with Olympians and International athletes alike. Heading over to Lightwater Valley eleven men and three ladies took the plunge on a fast all grass, undulating course.

 

 The ladies were first away in their own race, completing two long laps and one small, Helen Gregory was first back for Nidd in 30.44 then Julie Mooney 35.01 and Sarah Chalmers 35.25. The men’s race was last to get underway and in a quality field they went off at a rate of knots and with four long laps to complete they were quick to settle into a pace. Tim Harvey was first Nidd in 41.49, next Andy Todd 43.22, Paul Stalker 45.34, Lee Welsby 45.48, Alan Davidson 46.54, Paul Geary 48.18, Maurice Kelly 49.19, Phil Robinson 51.58, Brian Sherwood 53.05, Chris Buck 53.16 and Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 57.42.

Earlier in the day those with New Years resolutions to start chose Harrogate parkrun to get them started and with 224 finishers it was a busy morning. Dan Eagling for Nidd Valley finished in 21.50 then Lizzie Medwell 28.11, Sue Reast 29.00, Gill Douglas 29.04, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 29.58 and Clairwyn Richardson 32.47.

For those with a bigger challenge in mind Captain Cooks Fell Race was just the thing. Carol Morgan was first Nidd back and third lady overall in 40.44. Then with just two minutes between them, Chris Buck 47.21, Emma David 48.58 and Mark David 49.36.

Mud glorious mud

The best way to complete a very successful 2012 season is to end it with a resounding win and that is what Lee Dalton at Nidd Valley Road Runners did. Having recced the route for the Ripon based Jolly Holly Jog just days before Lee knew exactly what conditions on the course were going to be and chose his footwear wisely. From the gun Lee took the field out quickly, ploughing through the deep mud holding the lead throughout, eventually finishing in 36.30, over 30 seconds ahead of the second man.

 

Nidd Valley put out a strong men’s team including Tim Harvey 40.48 (21st), Andy Todd 41.56 (32nd),Paul Stalker 43.14, Mike Deacon 44.34 and Maurice Kelly 46.17. First Lady for Nidd was Emma David 52.03 followed by Dave Rushton 58.49, Simon York 58.53, Stuart Hatfield 59.04, Lizzie Medwell 65.19 and Rebecca Ventress 65.45

For those who had refrained from excess parkrun gave runners the chance to start the New Year with the first run of the year on New Year’s Day. Brian Sherwood led Nidd Valley home with 23.52 then Paul Manning 24.28, Helen Gregory 24.39, in his first parkrun, Dave Seaman 25.17, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 25.27, Jenny Manning 26.06, Julie Mooney 27.24 and John Manning 29.32