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.

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.