Swim, cycle, run, rest!!

 

You could feel the anticipation around Fountains Abbey at the weekend as the biggest event in the area slowly took shape. National interest surrounding the Brownlee Triathlon had attracted a wide variety of people to both enter, marshal and spectate, in what was to be their first triathlon experience.

 

Four runners from Nidd Valley went up, the atmosphere was amazing and the Brownlee brothers were in attendance for most of the event, Christine Holleran had an amazing day, drawing on her previous experience she came in 3rd lady in her age group with a time of 50.03. First timer Phil Fernyhough admits he is not the strongest swimmer but made up tremendous ground on the bike and run leg, finishing with 51.50. Another first timer, Helen Moorse, may have found her calling, with an outstanding swim  and bike section she hung on in the run, crossing the line in 53.36. Jenny Manning celebrated her birthday with her entry and did herself proud with a solid time of 1:00.50.

 

Not too far away the rescheduled Yorkshire 10km was being run at Newby Hall. One Nidd Valley runner flashed the black and gold, Jillie Townend finished in 55.39. Meanwhile the fell runners at Nidd Valley were on the move for the Viking Chase 4 Peaks on the North York Moors, organised by Cleveland Fell rescue, this is a tough race over 13km of tricky terrain. First back for Nidd was Simon Harris in 1-22-36, followed by Mark David 1-25-26, Brian Sherwood 1-28-38, Sam Fugill 1-29-55, Phil Robinson 1-31-55 and Sarah Chalmers 2-05-05

Solid performances on solid ground

There’s nothing like a tough sounding race to get the juices flowing and The Yorkshireman Full and Half Marathon do not disappoint. Taking in Upper Wharfedale it certainly is a value for money event and refreshments at the end make the finish all the more welcome.

Tackling the Full Marathon was a ladies only affair for Nidd Valley Road Runners but they didn’t disappoint. Carol Morgan had a fantastic run, securing 3rd lady overall and 1st FV40 in 3:58.18, next in was Emma David in 4:33.51 followed by Sheena Jackson in 5:23.31. Seven Nidd Runners took on the Half Marathon distance which was not half the effort by any means. Tim Harvey had one of his best runs of the year, finishing 9th overall in 1:51.07, Alan Davidson followed him in with 2:13.01,then  Mark David 2:17.32, Brian Sherwood 2:23.14, first lady for Nidd was Christine Holleran 2:39.55, Andrea Bowen 3:04.08 and Sarah Chalmers 5:04.32.

 

Over at Wetherby the slick organisation of the Wetherby 10km suited four Nidd Valley Road Runners. Andy Todd found the cooler conditions this year to his liking and finished in 38.41, Lizzie Medwell was next home in 51.58. Two ladies making great improvements over the year are Emma and Kate Edgar, Emma timing at 52.05 and Kate breaking the hour in 59.56.

 

Tucked away in Leicestershire Emma Dooley set about her first Half Ironman, a 1.9km swim, 85km cycle and 21km run. After an eventful start in the swim Emma clawed her way up the rankings in the cycle and run elements, crossing the line in 6 hours 10 minutes in the top half of the field.

--

Bank Holiday Bonanza

With any Bank Holiday it brings the opportunity to race an extra day and Nidd Valley Road Runners sought out two popular events. Kilnsey Crag Fell Race is one of the shortest but toughest around and not many come away unscathed, thankfully  Tim Harvey and Mark David  were part of the few and recorded great times of 10.30 and 15.52 respectively. On more even terrain Spofforth Gala 10km will be remembered for quite different reasons as many of the runners were attacked by a swarm of hornets at the 4km mark and the medical services had to intervene, Rib Snow made it back safety in 49.05 followed by Andrea Bowen in 68.39.

The following weekend nothing quite as dramatic at the Tholthorpe 10km where the ladies at Nidd Valley were in charge. Carol Morgan finished 4th overall and 1st FV35 by some margin in 41.52 while Fiona Deacon was 2nd FV45 in 44.43. Other results were Mike Deacon 42.02, Dave Seaman 49.23, Sarah Donaldson 50.33, Dave Rushton 51.53, Ellie Deacon 53.49(pb), Jillie Townend 54.30, Phillipa Moorse 55.34 and Judy Greenwood 62.16. Up in the Dales the fell runners were having their own race at Bradley Show, Mark David had a strong run with 32.42, Andrea Bowen in her first fell race finished with 42.29 followed by Sarah Chalmers with 44.55. 

The fell runners also managed to slip a few smaller races in too. Tim Harvey tackled the Burnsall Classic in 19.00 while Mark David continued his involvement in Esk Valley’s Summer Fell Series with the Inclined to Madness race running well for 57.33 and then the unusual Ilkley Incline of 1 mile straight up in a time of 10.40.