Girl power all the way.

Girl power at Nidd Valley Road Runners was on a high over the bank holiday weekend. At the Cake Race deep in the heart of the Lancastrian Pennines, 10 miles and 1700 feet of climb across some of the Moors murderers territory was a tough outing. First back for Nidd was Carol Morgan 1:21.15, then Alan Davidson 1:21.38, Simon Harris 1:26.28, Mark David 1:30.57,Emma David 1:32.36, Sheena Jackson 1:34.32, Phil Robinson 1:35.09, Chris Buck 1:37.05 and Brian Sherwood 1:37.47. The girls managed to claim first Ladies team prize.

More girl power was in evidence at the Tadcaster Triathlon, three first timers, Emma Dooley, Amanda Metcalfe and Clairwyn Richardson took on the sprint distance and came out smiling. Emma was first back in 1hr 22, Amanda next with 1hr 28 then Clairwyn with 1hr 40.

Over in Halifax the aptly named Bluebell Trail Race covered 10 miles of beautiful countryside, Mike Deacon completed the course in 1:27.49 and Fiona Deacon managed 1:36.56 and scooped 2nd F45.

On home soil Paul Geary tackled the Belfast marathon, his first and was very happy to go under 4 hours with 3hr 56.

A few Nidders have been tackling the odd Orienteering event locally, two recent events at Bilton have seen Phil Robinson and Mark David competing. Phil taking the honours in the first with 39.08 and Mark 40.05 followed by Richard Kavanagh in 60.08. In the second event Mark reversed the outcome with 26.53 and Phil next with 29.28. Richard ran the short course in 30.51.

The most inspirational bunch by far.

Inspiration and aspiration are two words closely associated with anyone who runs and no more so than at Nidd Valley Road Runners where most have one foot in each camp. With twenty five athletes competing in a very diverse range of events at the weekend it is difficult to highlight just one performance, the one thing they did have in common though was running.

The largest contingent of Nidd Valley runners was at the Fountains 10k, just outside Ripon. A popular race won by Lee Dalton from Nidd Valley in 35.35, some 30 seconds ahead of his nearest rival. Next was Paul Stalker 42.53, Maurice Kelly 46.33, first Nidd Valley lady, Fiona Deacon 47.42, Sheena Jackson 48.40, Paul Manning 50.26, Dave Seaman 51.59, Helen Gregory 53.16, Debbie Gibson 53.22, Sarah Mattocks 58.46, Philippa Moorse 59.13, Judy Greenwood 59.49, Michelle Smith 1:00.33, Rebecca Ventress 1:03.02 and Aimi Bluman 1:04.46.

The longest distance covered was by Carol Morgan and Emma David, both running The Fellsman, a 60 mile tour of the Yorkshire Dales, carrying all your own kit. Carol covered the distance in an incredible 14 hours 42 mins and was rewarded with second lady, Emma came home in 16 hours 15 minutes.

Over in the Lake District the Hawkshead 17km Challenge saw Annie Burns and Bob Sweeting on the start line. Annie 1h 59 crossed the line just ahead of Bob 2h 04. Tim Harvey was in action at the Three Peaks, in a stellar field he came 13th out of 1000 in 3h 56.

Closer to home Christine Holleran made her way to Harewood for the re-arranged Wrap Up Warm 10km and finished 2nd F45 in 49.35. The Fleetwood 10 mile saw Jillie Townend tackle a windy, sandy course in 1:34.09(pb) and was 2nd F55.

Meanwhile it was Sam Fugil’s turn to make his marathon debut at Manchester. He was rewarded with a time of 3:55.28. RaceKit Mini Mountain Marathon is a race with a difference, rather than distance limiting your run, it is time. Phil Robinson and Mark David navigated themselves around the Peak District, covering as many miles and checkpoints as they could in 3 hours. In the end they managed a total of 13 miles and were 20th pair to finish.

A good mix of what we do best....run.

London was calling for many as all eyes looked south for the first big road event of the season. The marathon has dominated the conversation at Nidd Valley Road Runners for the past months but now it was race time. Mike Deacon had a tremendous run and was first Nidd back in 3:14.09, next across the line was Phil Fernyhough running an incredible 3:48.57. First back for the ladies was Jenny Manning clocking a pb of 4:19.24 followed by Sarah Gordon in her first marathon with 4:38.19.

Not to be out done the second race of the club championships took in a new race at Hawksworth, Over The Odda 10km was a primarily off road route organised by the local school. Nidd Valley had a very successful morning, Alan Davidson collected the 1st M50 prize with 49.10 and Carol Morgan won the 1st F35 with 50.52. Phillipa Moorse was next back with 1:13.02 followed by Sarah Gordon 1:18.00.

Simon Harris and Chris Buck were flying the flag for the fell runners over at Guisborough, superb conditions saw Simon back in 111.32 and Chris in 133.05. Another off road race that doesn’t get much press is the Runsunday event on Otley Chevin, a 3 mile route run every Sunday and is free to enter. Jillie Townend gave it a go and set a new F55 record of 27.31.

Duathlon’s seem to be enticing Emma Dooley on to the racing scene, heading over to Newby Hall for her latest foray. A run/cycle/run event Emma secured second lady in 1h 36 mins. Harrogate parkrun also saw Nidd Valley runners heading to the Stray for their weekend exercise. Dan Eagling has been chasing a new pb at Harrogate for some weeks and it all came together last week for a time of 20.57. Maurice Kelly was next to finish with 21.36 followed by Jillie Townend 26.58 and Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 30.14.

Awesome athletes

Goals are not just for football, athlete’s set them throughout the year and dedicate a lot of time and effort to completing them. Nidd Valley Road Runner Rachel Eastaff set her sights on Brighton Marathon, her first attempt at that awesome distance. Having trained through one of the toughest winters she toed the start line with other first timers. Rachel recorded a time of 4:20.05 of which she was incredibly pleased.

 

The ultra distance runners at Nidd Valley were also out at the weekend. Emma David headed south for the Calderdale Hike, taking in the Calderdale and Pennine countryside Emma opted for the 37 mile route. This event requires a lot of navigation towards the end and Emma managed to secure second lady overall. Andy Harris had a little further to run with the 53 miles at The Woldsman, he crossed the line in an incredible 12 hours 30 mins.

 

A mere 10km tempted Amanda Metcalfe and Jillie Townend over to Wakefield. the blustery and warm conditions gave runners an added challenge. Amanda crossed the line in 52.55 followed by Jillie in a pb of 55.23.

Harrogate parkrun saw four Nidd Valley Road Runners role up on Saturday. Alan Davidson was first back in 19.21, then Jillie Townend 27.01, Gill Douglas 30.28 and Kate Edgar 34.31.

Yorkshire Grit

Never shying away from a challenge some Nidd Valley Road Runners have been testing themselves to the limit. The Baildon Boundary Way is a very tough half marathon, all off road with some challenging terrain and not much in the way of level running. Three Nidd ladies took to the start line and came back un-scathed, Annie Burns was first back in 2:23.28, Sarah Chalmers next with 2:31.38 and Judy Greenwood 2:42.06.

Another tough cookie taking the bit between her teeth was Kathy Coates. As part of her preparations for The Yorkshire Warrior Kathy has taken on some 10km’s with a twist. The Wolf Run at Leamington was full of mud, obstacles and hills but Kathy feels it was all justified and is ready for April 20th.

Mark David has been continuing his quest in the Esk Valley Winter Series with a run in the Pinchthorpe Plod. With the previous fixture cancelled due to the weather Mark was keen to get back to it and on the dry solid ground made good time with 53.00 over the 6 mile route. He managed to squeeze another race in over the same weekend in Rossendale at Liver Hill and finished in 47.21 for the 5 mile course.

Nidd Valley also continued their support of Harrogate parkrun and sent the following runners. Andy Todd 18.28, Jonathon Easton 20.55, Christine Holleran 22.42, Stuart Hatfield 24.51, Dave Rushton 26.15, Jillie Townend 26.20, Michelle Smith 28.16 and Katie Edgar 33.47.

Normal service has resumed.

Normal racing service was resumed over the Easter Weekend, with the snow receding and the winds reducing runners were able to compete. Guiseley Gallop was given the go ahead just 24 hours before the start and even the walk to the start had some struggling to stay up right. The mud didn’t prove too difficult for Nidd Valley Road Runners, it’s part of their running regime and Sheena Jackson managed to tear round in 52.21 and finish 2nd F35. Following her round were Julie Mooney 59.59, Lizzie Medwell 64.30 and Aimi Blueman 70.42.

 

The previous day Harrogate parkrun welcomed back its runners after a weeks break due to the snow. Nidd Valley saw a few new faces on the Stray for their first attempt at the 5km course. Dan Eagling gave another consistent run with 21.54, Christine Holleran was trying it for the first time and ran 23.14, followed by Jillie Townend 27.54. Another first timer was Michelle Smith with 29.29 and also running in her first parkrun Emma Edgar 30.52. Next across the line was Katie Edgar 32.56 just finishing in front of Clairwyn Richardson 33.10.

 

Over the Easter weekend the long awaited Bilton to Ripley bridleway opened and on Tuesday Nidd Valley ran from their headquarters at Harrogate Hockey Club along the route. Twenty Five members took advantage of the lighter nights and ran to Ripley returning through Killinghall and Knox Mill Lane.

Nothing stops the Nidd Valley Crew

Quite often the weather stops sport in its tracks, recently many fixtures have been cancelled and participants have been left wanting. Occasionally though there is a race that beats the odds and brings surprising rewards. The Grizedale 10 Trail Race in the Lake District gave runners amazing views covered in thick snow, two Nidd Valley Road Runners who experienced it first hand were Judy Greenwood and Annie Burns who both described it as ‘Like running through Narnia’. The finishing time of 117 minutes was just reward for a super event.

  The first race of the Nidd Valley Road Runners Championships was the Thirsk 10 mile, battling strong winds on parts of the course, the going was hard. First back was Lee Dalton in 57.54 followed by Alan Davidson 1.04.14, Andy Todd 1.04.26, Fiona Deacon 1.16.36, Jenny Manning 1.23.18 (pb),Helen Gregory 1.26.02, Stuart Hatfield 1.26.19, first time in a Nidd vest for Sarah Donaldson 1.31.21, Helen Moorse 1.34.07, Phillipa Moorse 1.36.24, Jillie Townend 1.38.31 and Aimi Blueman 1.48.14.

  Two Nidd Runners doing something different were Steve Newton and Emma Dooley, both competing in the Stokesley Duathlon, a run/bike/run competion. Steve finished in 2.08.06 and Emma finished in 2.15.53.