A thorn amongst so many roses.

With many runners away for their summer holidays it was a chance for some to bag a good crop of points in the latest Club Championship race. Mike Deacon secured the biggest haul by being the first Nidd Valley runner across the line in 44.17, not far behind and keeping it in the family Fiona Deacon was first Nidd lady home in 44.38, taking 3rd LV45 to boot. Next came a parade of Nidd Valley ladies all eager for points, Debbie Gibson was next to arrive in 49.39, Sarah Donaldson 50.40, Jenny Manning 51.03, Jillie Townend 54.59, Phillippa Moorse 55.38, Rachel Prince 56.41 and then Aimi Blueman, breaking the one hour for the first time and taking a massive 9 minutes off last years time, recorded 59.54.

Doing the rounds of the local fell races, Mark David has been a familiar face in the past weeks. Starting at Arncliffe Gala Mark had a storming run and finished in 17.35 for the 3.3 mile route. Four days later at the Guisborough Grunt Mark took 2nd MV50 in an equally tremendous 55.17. With the bit between his teeth he made the short journey to Gargrave Show with Emma David and cruised round in 32.45 followed shortly by Emma in 34.34. Twenty four hours later Mark was back in action at Cray up in Wharefdale for their low key fell race, he had a good run recording 36.50.

Points mean prizes.

During the summer the racing scene continues with a mixture of on and off road fixtures to suit every taste. Nidd Valley Road Runners took to the hills in the search for points in the latest Fell Championship race. Round Hill Fell Race starts in Timble Village and winds it way across Blubberhouses Moor, it always attracts a good following and the recent Summer Fell Training saw a number of improved times across the Nidd Valley crew. Tim Harvey led the club home to finish 13th overall in a time of 1:02.54, he was chased home by Carol Morgan 1:11.35 who managed to edge out Alan Davidson, 1:11.35. Next across the line was Mark David 1:13.40, Brian Sherwood 1:16.05, taking to the fells for the first time this season, Rob Snow 1:18.13, Sheena Jackson 1:21.08, Chris Buck 1:23.21, Phil Robinson 1:25.36 and Sarah Chalmers 1:51.31.

For those wanting to stay on the tarmac, York Race for All had four Nidders heading that way. A crowded route had Dan Eagling securing a pb with 43.43, Emma Edgar crossed the line in 55.28, closely followed by Jillie Townend 56.07 and Kate Edgar 1:04.06.

A new race on the calendar is The Saltaire Shaker, an unusual 15 km distance in the familiar surroundings of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. Tony Ledwaba- Chapman rocked up and came away with first V70 in a time of 1:20.54.

A Fell race or not a Fell race, that is the question.

When is a fell race not a fell race? When it is included in the Nidd Valley Road Runners main club championships. Although The James Herriot Trail Race  is included on the Fell Runner website Nidd Valley use it as a long race for calculations. There is a great team vibe up in Wensleydale as many clubs have a strong turn out. Ideal conditions gave runners a fantastic experience of an off road race. First back for Nidd was Andy Todd, 26th overall in 66.06, Paul Geary was next with 69.38 followed by Phil Fernyhough 72.32, Mark David 73.34, first lady for Nidd, Fiona Deacon 76.48, Rick Dallston 78.36, Paul Manning 79.05, Emma David 82.40, Dave Seaman 83.54, Debbie Gibson 88.03, Jenny Manning 90.02, Rachel Eastaff 90.11, back from injury, Dave Rushton 90.27, Phillipa Moorse 93.07 and Michelle Smith 100.12.

The previous day Emma David had travelled up to the Lake district for the Old Crownhill Round Fell Race, an incredible 24 miles of rugged terrain on the Caldbeck Fells. Emma had a fantastic run completing the run in 6 hours 10 mins and her efforts were rewarded with 2nd Lady.

A couple of late results saw Rachel Eastaff and Phillipa Moorse enter the Yorkshire Wolds Half, an incredibly tough race in some challenging conditions. Rachel crossed the line in 2:06 and Phillipa finished in 2:20. Jillie Townend has been travelling as far to races as the miles she has been competing. Laxton 10km saw Jillie running in 77 degrees of heat and finishing in 56.57.