Mother Nature firmly in control

Its hard sometimes to find the motivation to go out in such prolonged cold conditions especially when Mother Nature is in control. However, the need to run takes over and Nidd Valley Road Runners have braced the elements to pursue their passion.

A newcomer to the race calendar is the Lightwater Valley 10 km Challenge, in aid of servicemen and women, it is growing in popularity and four Nidd Valley Ladies went to try it out. The course had something for everyone, first back for Nidd was Lizzie Medwell in 55.49, Rebecca Ventress, running at the top of her game, with a pb of 57.56, next came Julie Mooney 58.06 and Aimi Blueman 63.50(pb).

Over the Pennines two half marathons attracted Nidd Valley support, Liverpool saw Mike Deacon, 1 hour 27 and Fiona Deacon, 1 hour 38 finish fourth in their age groups. Meanwhile Stafford welcomed Stuart Hatfield, 1:55.16(pb) and Judy Greenwood 2:15.36.

The concept of parkrun sees thousands of people roll out of bed early on a Saturday and two Nidd Valley runners got up that little bit earlier to head to York, an all tarmac affair around the race course. Amanda Metcalfe pushed hard for a pb of 24.31 and Clairwyn Richardson, with tremendous encouragement ran a pb of 30.49. At Harrogate Andy Todd ran 19.34, Dan Eagling 21.35, coming back from injury, Dave Rushton managed 27.00 and Tony Ledwaba-Chapman ran 30.01

Off the beaten track

With a plethora of 5km and 10km races being organised its great to find races which challenge a runner that bit more. Haworth Hobble is a 32 mile route up and down the valley’s near Keighley. Taking the bit between their teeth, Nidd Valley Ladies, Carol Morgan and Emma David ran a fantastic time of 5 hours 44 and took first ladies team. Earlier in the week Mark David travelled over to Sedbergh for a fell race dominated by young athletes, Mark finished the 3.8 mile course in 48.12.

Further south the Windmill Whizz is part of the Fell Race for Life series, two Nidd Valley Runners went over, Sam Fugil was first home for the club in 51.57 and Mark David quickly followed in 53.40. Another popular but low key event in the Dentdale 14, a challenging race with steep climbs. Mike Deacon finished in 1.42:16, first time in a Nidd Valley vest, Kathy Coates ran 1.54:58 and Fiona Deacon ran 1.57:29.

At Harrogate parkrun the cold weather was ever present but the highlight of the morning was Andy Todd breaking 19 minutes for the first time with 18.57. Next for Nidd was Maurice Kelly 21.36, Dan Eagling 21.53 and Tony Ledwaba-Chapman 28.01.

Variety is the spice of life

When it comes to anything in life variety is the key to keeping things fresh and exciting. Nidd Valley Road Runners have certainly been doing just that. Trollers Trot is an 25 mile off road challenge through Wharfedale and two Nidd Ladies were on the start line. Carol Morgan ran an exceptional 3hr 43 for 3rd lady and Emma David recorded a pb of 3hr 55.

 

 A new fixture to the running calendar is the Major Series, a set of 10km runs battling through mud, water and the odd obstacle. Two Nidd’s took up the challenge, Kathy Coates went round in 1:15.20 for 1st Lady over 40 and Nick Iles finished in 1:24.28.

 

 Across the county the first fell running championship race took place at Glaisdale Rigg, a tough 8.5 mile course. Tim Harvey was first Nidd home and 8th overall in 65.16, Alan Davidson 72.23, Carol Morgan 73.06 and 1st lady overall, Brian Sherwood 80.25, Mark David 82.30, Phil Robinson 87.34, Emma David 88.10, Dave Seaman 100.03 and Sarah Chalmers 120.00. The ladies took third team.

Lizzie Medwell has been continuing her long distance training at the Haweswater Half and finished in 2:03.07.

 

Harrogate parkrun attracted is usual high numbers and saw a large number of pb’s. Andy Todd was first home for Nidd 19.04, Dan Eagling 21.13, Steve Newton 26.11 (pb), Sheena Jackson 22.39(pb), Amanda Metcalfe 25.53, Stuart Hatfield 26.11, Jillie Townend 26.45 (pb), Sarah Mattocks 28.16, Gill Douglas 29.55, Clairwyn Richardson 31.45 and Dave Rushton 36.49.

A not so slippery start to the year.

Race calendars have become very congested over the years and clubs try and entice you to enter theirs. However two such races that always attract a loyal following are the Snake Lane 10 mile at Pocklington and the Ilkley Fell Race, unfortunately they are often on the same day so runners have to choose either or. At Pocklington, on a very cold day, Nidd Valley’s Andy Todd continued his good form with a time of 1:02.45(pb), closely followed by Paul Stalker, 1:04.01. The Ladies had a good day, Lizzie Medwell 1:30.22(pb), Annie Burns 1:31.55, Rebecca Ventress, 1:32.39(pb) and Judy Greenwood 1:38.14.

Over in Ilkley the fell runners had little to bother them on a relatively dry course. Tim Harvey was first past the post for Nidd in 45.42, followed by Carol Morgan 51.28, then a close battle between Brian Sherwood 58.33, Mark David 58.59 and Phil Robinson 59.03. Sarah Chalmers finished in 85.28.

Harrogate parkrun continues to grow and Nidd Valley were in the thick of it. Dan Eagling was first back for Nidd with 21.24, Rick Dallston had his first parkrun experience in 24.24, then came Jon Reast 25.53, Jillie Townend 27.15, Stuart Hatfield 27.16, Lizzie Medwell 27.41 and Clairwyn Richardson 31.40.

A quiet week at the office

Racing was thin on the ground last week for Nidd Valley and many took the opportunity to get some long training miles in for forthcoming marathons. For those choosing to race Harrogate parkrun is always a good bet and numbers on the ground are growing every week. Dan Eagling kept his good form and ran 22.56, Stuart Hatfield 24.52 and Julie Mooney 25.51 both recorded pb’s. Jillie Townend was next across the line with 27.29 followed by Kate Edgar 30.57 and Clairwyn Richardson 31.58.

On the Sunday Mark David continued his involvement in the Northern Runner Winter Fell Race Series over at Commondale in the Commondale Clart, the tenth race of the series. Mark ran well and recorded 49.18 over the 5 mile course. Phil Robinson travelled over to Cross Gates near Leeds for the fourth PECO XC League race. An incredibly muddy route around Barnbow Woods left many runners unable to stay upright but Phil soldiered on for a time just over 47 minutes.

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.