A window of cooler weather.

Racing conditions could not have been better for the weekend as the cloud covered skies gave us a little drizzle early on.

 Harrogate Town Centre 10km greeted four Nidd Valley Road Runners for its two lap course. Rick Dallston had a brilliant run to record 46.35, just behind was Sheena Jackson in 47.04. Sue and Jon Reast ran together and came in under the hour with 59.01 and 59.04 respectively.

 With the Olympic Anniversary coming up it was fitting for Amanda Metcalfe to be inspired to complete another triathlon. The area around Castle Howard is undulating and the grounds provided an ideal setting for the swim and run. Amanda completed the mid distance course in 3 hours 22 minutes ready to move up to Olympic distance.

 The previous day Ingleton Gala held their Ingleborough Fell Race, within easy reach of Harrogate this tough race attracted a large field. Mark David continued his fell season and finished in 74.43, another Nidd Valley at home on the fells is Chris Buck who crossed the line in 79.10. A rare appearance by Helen Gregory on the fells saw her record a time of 85.30.

Sweet smell of success

Burton Leonard was on a knife edge as to whether it took place or not but everyone rallied round and it went ahead. A number of Nidd Valley Road Runners braced themselves for the heat and exposed route to compete over the 10km and came away smelling of success with a number of category winners. Four seems to be the magic number for Lee Dalton at the moment looking at his recent results as he crossed the line in fourth with a time of 36.28, Andy Todd was next back in 42.09 and 1st M50 followed closely by Alan Davidson 2nd M50 in 42.28. Next across the line was Paul Stalker 43.54, Andy Harris 47.22, Phil Fernyhough 47.59, first lady for Nidd and 2nd F45 Fiona Deacon 48.11, Carol Morgan 1st F35 48.51, Rob Snow 49.52, Dave Seaman 54.22, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 1st M70 54.37, Debbie Gibson 54.22, Jenny Manning 56.54,  Helen Gregory 57.07, Michelle Smith 64.04, Ellie Deacon 64.12 running with her Dad Mike 64.14 and Judy Greenwood 69.36.

 

Across in Leeds the Jane Tomlinson 10km had already finished by the time Burton Leonard got under way and avoided the worst of the heat. Paul Manning was first home for Nidd in 49.47, Laura Nixon next in 52.52 and Noel Butler 1:03.33. Over on the west coast the Windmill Half saw Jillie Townend pounding the roads and recorded a time of 2:10.20.

Hot but definately not bothered.

Nidd Valley Road Runners got back to the business of running this week, a common distance but a different venue greeted those doing the club championships. Eccup 10 mile is a popular race over in Leeds and takes in Eccup Reservoir. a large field in extreme conditions took to the course. First back for Nidd was  Lee  Dalton in a superb 58.37 and finished fourth overall . Next up was   Andy  Todd 1:07:52,  Simon  Smith 1:13:32,   Phil  Fernyhough 1:16:41 , first lady for the club was  Fiona  Deacon 1:17:24,  next was Sheena  Jackson 1:21:25,  Rick  Dallaston 1:25:21,   Carol  Morgan 1:26:03,  Tony  Ledwaba-Chapman collected the 2nd V70 prize 1:28:19,  Jenny  Manning  1:28:36,  Sarah  Donaldson 1:34:13,  Emma  Edgar 1:34:21, a welcome return to racing for  Alison  Little  1:40:17,  Michelle  Smith 1:41:26,   Judy  Greenwood  1:50:04 and   Sarah  Chalmers 1:53:33.

The fell championships also had a fixture at Stirton, a pleasant evening drive over towards Skipton. Mark David had a speedy run in 47-42 and was first back for the club to collect his well deserved bottle of beer. Hot on his tail was Carol Morgan 50-30, Brian Sherwood 53-47, Chris Buck 55-00, Phil Robinson 55-35, Emma David 55-55 and Sarah Chalmers 72-18.

A couple of late results from around the area come from Jillie Townsend who ran the BUPA 10km in a time of 55.54 and Mark David who competed  at Eldwick Gala, completing the 3 mile route in 23.57.