A quiet week at the office

Racing was thin on the ground last week for Nidd Valley and many took the opportunity to get some long training miles in for forthcoming marathons. For those choosing to race Harrogate parkrun is always a good bet and numbers on the ground are growing every week. Dan Eagling kept his good form and ran 22.56, Stuart Hatfield 24.52 and Julie Mooney 25.51 both recorded pb’s. Jillie Townend was next across the line with 27.29 followed by Kate Edgar 30.57 and Clairwyn Richardson 31.58.

On the Sunday Mark David continued his involvement in the Northern Runner Winter Fell Race Series over at Commondale in the Commondale Clart, the tenth race of the series. Mark ran well and recorded 49.18 over the 5 mile course. Phil Robinson travelled over to Cross Gates near Leeds for the fourth PECO XC League race. An incredibly muddy route around Barnbow Woods left many runners unable to stay upright but Phil soldiered on for a time just over 47 minutes.

Spreading the running love far and wide

Nidd Valley Road Runners were spread far and wide last weekend, taking in a multitude of race distances. On the hills Carol Morgan tackled the Wadsworth Trog, a 20 mile route in Calder Valley, finishing fifth lady in 4:02.77. Across the county four Nidd Valley runners took on the Liversedge Half, billed as a Yorkshire style route, its hills were unrelenting. Mike Deacon was first back in 1:31.31, Fiona Deacon, fourth in her age group finished in 1:47.35, Lizzie Medwell, first in her age group, 2:09.35 and Sarah Chalmers 2:19.04.

Over a shorter distance Stuart Hatfield was in Blackburn for their popular 10km, Stuart finished in 54.35. Jillie Townend was also in Lancashire but on the coast at Southport for the oddly named Mad Dog 10km, Jillie had a fantastic run and recorded a pb of 56.28. Up in Ripon St Wilfrid’s School held their annual Muddy Boots 10km and Christine Holleran and Rick Dallston from Nidd Valley went up to support it. Christine was first back for Nidd with 51.49 and Rick finished in 55.51.

At Harrogate parkrun it was pb conditions on the Stray and Nidd Valley had a string of them. Alan Davidson was fourth overall with a pb of 19.09, then Dan Eagling 21.30, Sarah Donaldson 25.07(pb), Stuart Hatfield 25.37, Jillie Townend 26.50 (pb) Pam Bagot 2913, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 30.11 and Clairwyn Richardson 31. 28 (pb).

An awards night to remember.

Nidd Valley Road Runners have just completed one of their most successful running years and rounded it off with their annual awards night at Harrogate Golf Club. The most successful runner was Carol Morgan who picked up three awards, Ladies Club Champion, Ladies Fell Champion and Summer Road Race Champion. Lee Dalton won the Senior Men’s Trophy, Paul Stalker, Club handicap Trophy , Andy Todd, Men’s Vet Trophy, Phil Fernyhough the Short Course Trophy and Lee Welsby, Men’s Summer Road Race .

In the Ladies Category Fiona Deacon won the Ladies Vet Trophy, Annie Burns, Senior Vets and Helen Gregory won the Short Course Trophy. In the Fell Championships Tim Harvey picked up the Men’s Trophy and Alan Davidson won the Fell Handicap award. Over the year the most improved runner was awarded to Rebecca Ventress and Most Meritorious Achievement went to Amanda Metcalfe. There were a number of participation awards, Gold went to Simon Smith, Paul Manning, Judy Greenwood and Jenny Manning. Silver went to Helen Moorse, Sheena Jackson and Michelle Smith.

On the running front Emma David was in action at Rombalds Stride, a 23 mile off road event. Emma took it steady and finished in 4.20.06. Across the county Mark David took in a bit of off road action in the Northern Runner Winter Fell Series with the Broughton Wood Wobble, Mark finished in 61.38.

Harrogate parkrun had another great turnout. Eleven Nidd Valley runners ventured across, Andy Todd managed a top ten finish with 19.31, followed by Maurice Kelly, 21.17, Dan Eagling 21.36, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 25.32, Stuart Hatfield 27.07, Jillie Townend 28.28, Rachel Binns 29.08, Kate Edgar 31.50, Clairwyn Richardson 33.15, Margaret Manning 38.31 and Fiona Robinson 40.56.

Snowbound runners

With much of the fixture list abandoned due to the heavy overnight snowfall it was always going to be difficult for race organisers to put something on. However Harrogate parkrun, with an adjusted course, put on a run for those who wanted to, it even attracted some runners from their own parkrun which had been cancelled due to that same snow.

 First across the line for Nidd Valley Road Runners was Paul Eagling 22.40, again showing his brother, Dan Eagling 23.11, a clean pair of heels. Next in were Jon Reast 29.32, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 29.54 and Sue Reast 32.12.

Another race which survived the weather was the Ferriby 10 mile road race over in East Yorkshire, a popular race with Andy Todd who has become a regular participant. Andy ran strongly for a time of 64.54.

 A late result in is from the Hebden 22 mile race, an off road route which this year had the added challenge of deep, uninterrupted snow. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Emma David showed true grit and completed the route in 4 hours 51 minutes.