First timers and fast times

Having withdrawn from York Marathon a few months earlier, Lee Dalton made the decision to go and defend his Shaun Lee Johnstone 10 mile  title instead. The course was a lot drier than the previous year and as Lee headed out he was accompanied by eventual winner, Ian Fisher. After the first mile Lee had to settle for second place as Fisher surged ahead and went onto break Lee’s course record. Phil Robinson joined Lee on the start line and finished in 83.33.

 

The second big marathon of the month was at York for the inaugural Yorkshire Marathon, an oversubscribed event that attracted an international field. First back for Nidd Valley was an old hand at marathons, Andy Todd, crossing the line in 3:05.31. First lady back for Nidd Valley was Kathy Coates, this being her first marathon she managed an impressive time of 3:59.20. More first timers at the marathon distance were Dave Rushton 4:28.24 and Jillie Townend 4:28.34, both starting running less the two years ago at parkrun and progressing up to the iconic 26 mile event. Lizzie Medwell, another established marathon runner, crossed the line in 4:32.00 followed by the Moorse sisters, doing their first marathon, Phillipa recording 5:02.34 and Helen 5:11.02.

 

Across the valley in Bridlington Mike and Fiona Deacon tackled the popular Bridlington Half Marathon, a well established race along the coast. Both were pleased with their times, Mike with 1.35 and Fiona with 1.41.

 

Emma David has been ticking the miles off, the last of the Run Further Series saw her complete the Rotherham 50 for 3rd lady, this gave her enough for 2nd lady overall in the series and 1st in her age catagory. Meanwhile Mark David headed to Todmorden for the Race to the Summit and completed the 5 mile event in 41.05.

GB selection and last points opportunity

Bill Hitchcock is a relatively new member of Nidd Valley Road Runners but has been enjoying great success recently. He secured the fourth and final qualification slot for the GB team for next years European triathlon championships which will be held in June in Kitzbuhlen. The qualifying race was at Grafham water in Cambridgeshire and whilst he was only second in his  group out of the water he managed the fastest bike split to then loose ground on the run to drift back a couple of places.

Fell expert Carol Morgan took to her favourite area and completed the Langdale Horseshoe in 3 hours and 1 minute on what was a beautiful day. In the opposite direction fellow fell comrade Emma David was tackling the Wye Valley Ultra 50, a great triumph ensued as Emma took 3rd lady in 9 hours 30 minutes.

Andrea Bowen and Sarah Chalmers decided Withens Skyline fell race was their weekend outing and headed to Haworth for a mudtastic event. Andrea came home in 77.56 and Sarah in 87.18.

Two people who like a continental feel to their racing are Simon and Michelle Smith, this time heading to the amazing city of Munich for their annual marathon. Simon made his way round comfortably in 3:55.31 followed by Michelle in 4:32.31.
The last of the club championship races took place at Richmond and those needing to add their final points grasped the opportunity. Mike Deacon was first across the line for the club in 43.28, Christine Holleran had a tremendous run and took 2nd FV45 in 49.15, Dave Seaman crossed the line in 51.31 followed by Helen Gregory in 53.20, still recovering from Chester the week before, Rachael Prince finished in 59.31 and Judy Greenwood took 1st FV55 in 64.56.

October pb marathon, part one.

A procession of Nidd Valley Road Runners headed to Chester for the first of two pb potential marathons this  October. Chester greeted everyone with unseasonably warm weather but it still did not hold Nidd Valley back in their pursuit of a best time.

Carol Morgan swapped her fell shoes for her roadies and had an amazing run finishing sixth in her age group and eleventh lady overall in 3:10.11. Next up were the sub 4 hour group, a target much revered, this included Alan Davidson 3:39.44, Paul Geary crossing the line in 3:45.46, Phil Fernyhough 3:47.12 and a magnificent sprint finish from Brian Sherwood for 3:59.59. Not far behind came Paul Manning with a great pb 0f 4:02.34 followed by a string ladies, Debbie Gibson 4:11.10, Helen Gregory smashing her pb for 4:12.47, Jenny Manning, trimming her time to 4:17.53, Janet Carling 4:32.27, Rachel Eastaff 4:42.49 Anne Marie McPherson 4:49.52 and Brenda Loades 4:53.11.

 

Not to be out done Tony Ledwaba Chapman headed to the seaside at Mablethorpe for the East Coast Marathon, although disappointed with his time of 4 hours and 3 minutes he was running at 3 hour 30 pace for much of it.

 

Keeping the Nidd Valley flag flying on the fells Mark David has visited some local races. At the Orton Autumn Fair their 10km race gave his legs a good stretch and finished bang on the hour. The following week he headed over to Saddleworth for  a slightly longer race of 13km, finishing with 1 hour 30 minutes.

Leading ladies, leading the way

Nidd Valley Road Runners have had a string of leading ladies recently, across all terrains and a variety of distances. The Hardmoors 60 attracts a dedicated crowd and friends are made along the way, Carol Morgan needed just such camaraderie, as with 10 miles to go found the company of another lady runner a great help, both crossing the line in 11 hours 31 minutes for joint first lady and 7th overall.

Further north Jillie Townend completed the Redcar Half Marathon for Nidd Valley, an easy option on paper but with a coastal finish the wind had other ideas. However it was no match for Jillie as she recorded a new pb for a half in 2:03.21.

 

Another Nidd Valley lady giving it her best was Kathy Coates taking part in the Major Series North 10km, she had the bit between her teeth and the scars to prove the obstacle course was no walk in the park, finishing as 3rd lady overall.

 

A more traditional race over at York was the destination for Mike and Fiona Deacon, the Sutton on the Forest 10km is a low key event over mixed terrain. Mike Deacon was first back in 42.53 and Fiona secured 2nd F45 with 46.09