Double Trouble

Over indulgence at Christmas is common place and people often make New Year resolutions on the back of it. However, Nidd Valley Road Runners have a better solution, run through Christmas and New Year to get ahead of the game.

Harrogate parkrun had double helpings last week with a run on the usual Saturday and for those in need of an extra fix, a run on Christmas Day. The Saturday crowd came out in force and Paul Stalker from Nidd Valley recorded a pb of 20.16 on a wet course.

Consistent Dave Rushton ran 26.40 and Tony Ledwaba-Chapman ran 27.11. Christmas Day was an unknown quantity, having never been run before, would anybody turn up? 102 runners appeared in all manner of fancy dress to blow away the cobwebs, first back for Nidd was Maurice Kelly 21.19, then Chris Buck 24.04, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 24.10, Paul Manning 25.53, Dave Rushton 26.52, Stuart Hatfield 27.18, Jenny Manning 28.40, Steve Newton 29.24, Sheena Jackson 29.30, John Manning 29.57, Yvonne Manning 41.13 and Margaret Manning 41.15.

For those wanting a bigger challenge the Chevin Chase at Guiseley offered a wet course with some steep climbs and the chance to rub shoulders with Olympic athlete Jonny Brownlee, the eventual winner. Nidd Valley sent two runners over, Andy Todd ran strongly with 49.20 and Sarah Chalmers ran round in 80.00.

Santa Claus is coming to town.

Runners everywhere are donning their Christmas attire for the festive seasons races. One popular event is The Stoop over at Haworth, a five mile course rising 800 metres. No one dodges the fancy dress rule as a Santa hat is provided for every runner and is compulsory to wear. Three budding Santa's went over from Nidd Valley Road Runners to complete this challenging course. Simon Harris took the mantle of first Nidd in 44.36, Paul Geary finished in 45.42 and Chris Buck, wearing the new Nidd Valley Road Runners vest, completed the team in 47.56.

 

On more familiar territory Nidd Valley were represented at Harrogate parkrun by Dave Rushton 25.35, Stuart Hatfield 27.04, Lizzie Medwell 29.50, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 31.05 and Clairwyn Richardson 32.21.

Thursday evening saw 25 plus runners take part in the annual Santa/fancy dress run through town. There were angels, Santas, pixies and three of Santa’s reindeer, plus an array of other costumes following a route through town which included an impromptu but hearty session of carol singing, a tour of the local retail outlets and a visit to a local house lit up by hundreds of Christmas lights for charity. Runners were then joined by some other club members at the Hockey Club for pizza, mince pies and drinks.

The Ice Factor

Winter training is starting to pay off at Nidd Valley Road Runners, six weeks into a eighteen week programme and times are starting to tumble at the 5km time trials. Harrogate Stray gave parkrunners an extra challenge with a coating of ice on the course last week. Conditions under foot were slippery and runners had to pick their running line carefully, however the two front runners did not let that stop them and charged round, Lee Dalton from Nidd was just edged out into second by Mike Appleton from Ripon in a new pb of 16.58, despite taking a tumble on lap two.

Giving chase was Andy Todd 19.05, next with a sprint to the finish was Dave Rushton who just piped Stuart Hatfield 25.23 to the post. following on was Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 27.27, Sarah Chalmers 28.37, John Manning with a pb, 28.37, Lizzie Medwell 29.36, Ann Rushton with a pb, 30.20 and newbie Clairwyn Richardson also with a pb, 31.31.

It's starting to look a lot like winter

The cold weather has not dampened the racing spirit at Nidd Valley Road Runners as a number of members pulled on an extra layer to go out to compete. Harrogate Stray greeted parkrun with an icy chill and a few soggy patches as the kids from Harrogate Juniors adopted the weekly run for the first time. 203 runners braved the morning and first back for Nidd was Maurice Kelly with 21.01 followed by Dan Eagling 21.59.

First lady back was Sheena Jackson who recorded a pb of 24.45, breaking 25 minutes for the first time. Other Nidd Valley runners were Dave Rushton 26.05, Julie Mooney 27.50, Fiona Holtman 29.08, a pb, Lizzie Medwell 29.38, Gillian Douglas 30.50 and Ann Rushton 31.10.

Not too far away on the outskirts of Bradford Paul Geary toed the line with some like minded runners for ‘The Pain Barrier’, with its uncompromising terrain of mud, lakes and hills it was the ultimate test. Paul navigated the course superbly finishing in 73rd out of over 500 in 1:02.20

Pulling on her running shoes for the second time Lizzie Medwell travelled over to Leeds for the inaugural Leeds Christmas 10km at Middleton, a two lap off road race blessed with super weather. Lizzie was very pleased with her time of 58.56, breaking the hour for the first time since London.

A Tale of Two Temperature Zones

With temperature’s dropping runners are seeking out warmer climes to compete in.Three Nidd Valley Road Runners headed over to Benidorm for the ever popular and pleasant half marathon. The street’s were packed with spectators and the thermometer said a comfortable 19C as the runners set off on the new course. Mike Deacon ran a comfortable 1:44.14 having paced Steve Newton to a pb of 1:45.25. Nick Iles then crossed the line in 1:48.32.

In the more icy surroundings Harrogate parkrun delivered another successful race, Nidd Valley were well represented, Andy Todd, 19.28 was first back, closely followed by Maurice Kelly 21.01 and Dan Eagling 21.24. First lady back for Nidd was Rebecca Ventress in a pb of 27.13, next came Gill Douglas 31.12, Ann Rushton 31.13, Lizzie Medwell 32.18 and Aimi Blueman 32.18.

When the going gets tough the tough wear pyjamas

BBC Children in Need brought the best out in Nidd Valley Road Runners at the weekend. Fourteen members donned their pyjamas and ran around the Stray with Harrogate’s parkrun in aid of the charity and to support Fraser Davidson, the seven year old son of Alan. Lee Dalton, suitably attired in Tigger costume, crossed the line second in a time of 17.50, new member, Jonathon Chandler, in his first competitive race, flew round in 19.33. Next were two first timers, Paul Stalker 20.18 and Paul Geary 21.17 followed by Nick Iles 22.36, Fiona Deacon 22.53, Mike Deacon 22.54, Rachel Eastaff with a pb 26.19, Janet Carling 27.10, Sarah Mattocks 27.46, Julie Mooney 27.57, Sue Reast 29.10, John Manning 29.15 and Maurice Kelly 32.54.

Over the border in Lancashire The Tour of Pendle Fell race attracted a strong field. This tough race gives runners some tricky navigation on the way round. Carol Morgan rounded of a fantastic year with a time of 3:36.44.

Across in Europe Tony Ledwaba-Chapman ran the Seven Hills 15km at Nijmegen. With the winners of the mens and ladies race being current Olympians he was in good company. Tony finished in 68.53 with the last 5km in sub 23 mins and crossed the line as first M70 in a large field.

The Leeds Abbey Dash attracted over 8000 runners this year and had the highest number of finishers. Perfect conditions gave runners the chance to chase a pb and Nidd Valley Runners did just that. Alan Davidson was first Nidd home and was the first pb of the day in 38.26, next across the line was Christine Holleran 45.16, Emma Dooley with a pb of 47.20 and Dave Rushton who took over 10 mins of his previous time and recorded 50.09. Amanda Metcalfe crossed the line in 50.13, Jenny Manning in a pb of 50.30, Fiona Holtman 57.55 and Kim Stewart 59.55.

Near, far, wherever you are.

Nidd Valley Road Runners have been spreading their running wings far and wide lately. Brenda Loades took on the hilly challenge of the San Sebastian Half and with the addition of torrential rain was very pleased with her time of 2:16.00. Down in the southern hemisphere Sam Fugil also opted for a hilly course with the Hong Kong 23km Trail Race. High humidity and a 2600ft climb made going tough but he finished in 2:49.52.

Closer to home at York Racecourse, the aptly named Gunpowder Plod 5km had competitors running in the dark. Phil Fernyhough decided this was for him and headed over to the Knavesmire and ran an impressive 22.57. Further up the A1 at Dalby Forest, the popular Dalby Dash 10km enticed Lizzie Medwell to tackle the off road course and finished in 60.41.

Safely on home soil Harrogate parkrun gave eight Nidd Valley Runners chance to stretch their legs, parkrun regular, Jonathon Easton was first home for Nidd with 20.46, then Dan Eagling 21.23. Steve Newton recorded a pb with 22.03 followed by Dave Rushton 24.51, Stuart Hatfield 25.43, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 26.39 and Ann Rushton 30.57, breaking the 31 minute barrier for the first time.