London was calling for many as all eyes looked south for the first big road
event of the season. The marathon has dominated the conversation at Nidd Valley
Road Runners for the past months but now it was race time. Mike Deacon had a
tremendous run and was first Nidd back in 3:14.09, next across the line was Phil
Fernyhough running an incredible 3:48.57. First back for the ladies was Jenny
Manning clocking a pb of 4:19.24 followed by Sarah Gordon in her first marathon
with 4:38.19.
Not to be out done the second race of the club championships took in a new
race at Hawksworth, Over The Odda 10km was a primarily off road route organised
by the local school. Nidd Valley had a very successful morning, Alan Davidson
collected the 1st M50 prize with 49.10 and Carol Morgan won the 1st F35 with
50.52. Phillipa Moorse was next back with 1:13.02 followed by Sarah Gordon
1:18.00.
Simon Harris and Chris Buck were flying the flag for the fell runners over
at Guisborough, superb conditions saw Simon back in 111.32 and Chris in 133.05.
Another off road race that doesn’t get much press is the Runsunday event on
Otley Chevin, a 3 mile route run every Sunday and is free to enter. Jillie
Townend gave it a go and set a new F55 record of 27.31.
Duathlon’s seem to be enticing Emma Dooley on to the racing scene, heading
over to Newby Hall for her latest foray. A run/cycle/run event Emma secured
second lady in 1h 36 mins. Harrogate parkrun also saw Nidd Valley runners
heading to the Stray for their weekend exercise. Dan Eagling has been chasing a
new pb at Harrogate for some weeks and it all came together last week for a time
of 20.57. Maurice Kelly was next to finish with 21.36 followed by Jillie Townend
26.58 and Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 30.14.