Spreading the running love far and wide

Nidd Valley Road Runners were spread far and wide last weekend, taking in a multitude of race distances. On the hills Carol Morgan tackled the Wadsworth Trog, a 20 mile route in Calder Valley, finishing fifth lady in 4:02.77. Across the county four Nidd Valley runners took on the Liversedge Half, billed as a Yorkshire style route, its hills were unrelenting. Mike Deacon was first back in 1:31.31, Fiona Deacon, fourth in her age group finished in 1:47.35, Lizzie Medwell, first in her age group, 2:09.35 and Sarah Chalmers 2:19.04.

Over a shorter distance Stuart Hatfield was in Blackburn for their popular 10km, Stuart finished in 54.35. Jillie Townend was also in Lancashire but on the coast at Southport for the oddly named Mad Dog 10km, Jillie had a fantastic run and recorded a pb of 56.28. Up in Ripon St Wilfrid’s School held their annual Muddy Boots 10km and Christine Holleran and Rick Dallston from Nidd Valley went up to support it. Christine was first back for Nidd with 51.49 and Rick finished in 55.51.

At Harrogate parkrun it was pb conditions on the Stray and Nidd Valley had a string of them. Alan Davidson was fourth overall with a pb of 19.09, then Dan Eagling 21.30, Sarah Donaldson 25.07(pb), Stuart Hatfield 25.37, Jillie Townend 26.50 (pb) Pam Bagot 2913, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 30.11 and Clairwyn Richardson 31. 28 (pb).

An awards night to remember.

Nidd Valley Road Runners have just completed one of their most successful running years and rounded it off with their annual awards night at Harrogate Golf Club. The most successful runner was Carol Morgan who picked up three awards, Ladies Club Champion, Ladies Fell Champion and Summer Road Race Champion. Lee Dalton won the Senior Men’s Trophy, Paul Stalker, Club handicap Trophy , Andy Todd, Men’s Vet Trophy, Phil Fernyhough the Short Course Trophy and Lee Welsby, Men’s Summer Road Race .

In the Ladies Category Fiona Deacon won the Ladies Vet Trophy, Annie Burns, Senior Vets and Helen Gregory won the Short Course Trophy. In the Fell Championships Tim Harvey picked up the Men’s Trophy and Alan Davidson won the Fell Handicap award. Over the year the most improved runner was awarded to Rebecca Ventress and Most Meritorious Achievement went to Amanda Metcalfe. There were a number of participation awards, Gold went to Simon Smith, Paul Manning, Judy Greenwood and Jenny Manning. Silver went to Helen Moorse, Sheena Jackson and Michelle Smith.

On the running front Emma David was in action at Rombalds Stride, a 23 mile off road event. Emma took it steady and finished in 4.20.06. Across the county Mark David took in a bit of off road action in the Northern Runner Winter Fell Series with the Broughton Wood Wobble, Mark finished in 61.38.

Harrogate parkrun had another great turnout. Eleven Nidd Valley runners ventured across, Andy Todd managed a top ten finish with 19.31, followed by Maurice Kelly, 21.17, Dan Eagling 21.36, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 25.32, Stuart Hatfield 27.07, Jillie Townend 28.28, Rachel Binns 29.08, Kate Edgar 31.50, Clairwyn Richardson 33.15, Margaret Manning 38.31 and Fiona Robinson 40.56.

Snowbound runners

With much of the fixture list abandoned due to the heavy overnight snowfall it was always going to be difficult for race organisers to put something on. However Harrogate parkrun, with an adjusted course, put on a run for those who wanted to, it even attracted some runners from their own parkrun which had been cancelled due to that same snow.

 First across the line for Nidd Valley Road Runners was Paul Eagling 22.40, again showing his brother, Dan Eagling 23.11, a clean pair of heels. Next in were Jon Reast 29.32, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 29.54 and Sue Reast 32.12.

Another race which survived the weather was the Ferriby 10 mile road race over in East Yorkshire, a popular race with Andy Todd who has become a regular participant. Andy ran strongly for a time of 64.54.

 A late result in is from the Hebden 22 mile race, an off road route which this year had the added challenge of deep, uninterrupted snow. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Emma David showed true grit and completed the route in 4 hours 51 minutes.

And the winner is......?

The worldwide awards season is gathering pace and not to be out done Harrogate parkrun held its own Anniversary Awards to celebrate its first birthday. Three Nidd Valley Road Runners were on hand to receive awards, Dave Rushton, Most Improved Male Runner, Jillie Townend, Most Improved Female Runner and Tony Ledwaba-Chapman, Most Times Volunteered. Conditions on the Stray were difficult and patches of ice laid under the thick layer of snow. Maurice Kelly made his way back safely in 22.14 and sibling rivalry saw Paul and Dan Eagling in a sprint for the line, Paul taking glory with 22.38 and Dan with 22.47. Next in was Paul Manning 25.23, Julie Mooney 28.13 and Jillie Townend 30.05.

With the weather taking its toll on many sporting events across the district a quick course change at Haworth meant the Soreen Stanbury Splash could go ahead. Over 300 runners donned their fell shoes to make their way through the heavy snow covered course. Tim Harvey was first Nidd back in 45.58 followed by Simon Harris 53.11, the ever improving Paul Geary 54.33, Alan Davidson 54.57, Chris Buck 58.13, Brian Sherwood 58.34, Phil Robinson 61.35, Mark David 62.46 and Sarah Chalmers 80.13.

A result just in from Esk Valley confirms Mark David’s run in their popular Clay Bank race. Mark finished in 50.27.

2013 running bank accounts open

Many Nidd Valley Road Runners chose to open their 2013 running bank with a run at Harrogate parkrun. It was a record turnout with 274 finishers on a very cold morning. First two finishers for Nidd both gave a good account of themselves and recorded pb’s. Dan Eagling 21.12 and Sheena Jackson 24.30 have been putting in the hard work at training and it is starting to pay off.

 

Next in was Julie Mooney 26.42, followed by Jillie Townend 28.21, Sue Reast 28.39 and Gill Douglas 29.13. Following closely were two first timers to parkrun, Racheal Binns 29.47 and Susan Streather 29.54. Another runner starting the year with a pb was Kate Edgar 30.31 and completing the line up was Clairwyn Richardson in 32.30.

A popular league race in West Yorkshire drew Phil Robinson across the county. The PECO league headed to Bramley for an off road race and  Phil cruised round in 43.54.

Yorkshire Grit

With the Yorkshire Cross Country Championships being on our doorstep this year Nidd Valley Road Runners took the opportunity to take part in this quality event, rubbing shoulders with Olympians and International athletes alike. Heading over to Lightwater Valley eleven men and three ladies took the plunge on a fast all grass, undulating course.

 

 The ladies were first away in their own race, completing two long laps and one small, Helen Gregory was first back for Nidd in 30.44 then Julie Mooney 35.01 and Sarah Chalmers 35.25. The men’s race was last to get underway and in a quality field they went off at a rate of knots and with four long laps to complete they were quick to settle into a pace. Tim Harvey was first Nidd in 41.49, next Andy Todd 43.22, Paul Stalker 45.34, Lee Welsby 45.48, Alan Davidson 46.54, Paul Geary 48.18, Maurice Kelly 49.19, Phil Robinson 51.58, Brian Sherwood 53.05, Chris Buck 53.16 and Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 57.42.

Earlier in the day those with New Years resolutions to start chose Harrogate parkrun to get them started and with 224 finishers it was a busy morning. Dan Eagling for Nidd Valley finished in 21.50 then Lizzie Medwell 28.11, Sue Reast 29.00, Gill Douglas 29.04, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 29.58 and Clairwyn Richardson 32.47.

For those with a bigger challenge in mind Captain Cooks Fell Race was just the thing. Carol Morgan was first Nidd back and third lady overall in 40.44. Then with just two minutes between them, Chris Buck 47.21, Emma David 48.58 and Mark David 49.36.

Mud glorious mud

The best way to complete a very successful 2012 season is to end it with a resounding win and that is what Lee Dalton at Nidd Valley Road Runners did. Having recced the route for the Ripon based Jolly Holly Jog just days before Lee knew exactly what conditions on the course were going to be and chose his footwear wisely. From the gun Lee took the field out quickly, ploughing through the deep mud holding the lead throughout, eventually finishing in 36.30, over 30 seconds ahead of the second man.

 

Nidd Valley put out a strong men’s team including Tim Harvey 40.48 (21st), Andy Todd 41.56 (32nd),Paul Stalker 43.14, Mike Deacon 44.34 and Maurice Kelly 46.17. First Lady for Nidd was Emma David 52.03 followed by Dave Rushton 58.49, Simon York 58.53, Stuart Hatfield 59.04, Lizzie Medwell 65.19 and Rebecca Ventress 65.45

For those who had refrained from excess parkrun gave runners the chance to start the New Year with the first run of the year on New Year’s Day. Brian Sherwood led Nidd Valley home with 23.52 then Paul Manning 24.28, Helen Gregory 24.39, in his first parkrun, Dave Seaman 25.17, Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 25.27, Jenny Manning 26.06, Julie Mooney 27.24 and John Manning 29.32