Racing takes a back seat at Nidd Valley.

Nidd Valley Road Runners kept the competitive streak alive last weekend even though races were thin on the ground, a growing Harrogate parkrun always has a Nidd Valley runner to be found on the start line. Andy Todd moved up an age group but still crossed the line first for Nidd with 19.46, followed by Maurice Kelly 21.20, a tie for Chris Buck and Paul Geary in 22.42, Tony Ledwaba- Chapman 27.20, Nick Iles, running with  his daughter in 30.53, Katie Edgar 32.07 and Clairwyn Richardson 32.40.

 

Mark David headed to Addingham for the mid week Beamsley Beacon Fell race, a great 5.5 mile route, Mark finished in 48.46. The final Harrogate Summer Race League race took place at Wetherby and Nidd Valley ladies secured their best placing with third team in the ladies and vet ladies sections overall.

Seasoned runners tackle new horizons.

New races and seasoned runners go hand in hand. The Three Lakes Classic at Rother Country Park tempted four Nidd Valley Ladies to give it a go with its country location and superb vistas. Philippa Moorse has been racing the longer race and this 15 miler suited her finishing in 2:32.05, Debbie Gibson was back next in 2:36.47 followed closely by Annie Sweeting 2:37.06 and Judy Greenwood 2:50.44.

 

A fell race not commonly heard of locally is Model Hebog and Mark and Emma David showed their expertise over the 4.2 mile route, climbing 2461 feet along the way. Mark crossed the line in 86.22 and Emma in 94.20. Mark also ran at Buckden Fell Race, a slightly less arduous route in 55.31.

More locally Staveley Stampede had a good turn out, Jillie Townend was first back for the club in 56.35, Aimi Blueman next in 60.46(pb) and Pam Bagot 61.09.

Harrogate parkrun had its largest turnout so far with over 300 finishers. Nidd Valley’s first back was Andy Todd 19.31, Paul Stalker 19.47, Paul Geary 20.29, Rachel Eastaff 24.29, Sarah Donaldson 25.26, Jillie Townend 27.21, Tony Ledwaba Chapman 30.06, Katie Edgar 31.00 and Clairwyn Richardson 35.22.

Bed Race Bonanza

With one of the largest crowds and no repeat of last year’s wet weather three Nidd Valley teams joined the other 87 for a record Great Knaresborough Bed Race.

 

Nidd Valley’s Men’s A team of Paul Stalker, Andy Todd, Alan Davidson, Lee Welsby, Lee Dalton and Nat Welsby ran their fastest time of 14.13 to finish 4th, the Men’s B team of Steve Newton, Dan eagling, Phil Fernyhough, Chris Buck, Paul Geary and Andy Robinson recorded their highest placing of 14th in 15.54 and the Ladies team of Amanda Metcalfe, Fiona Deacon, Christine Holleran, Sheena Jackson, Helen Gregory and Alison Iles finished 4th in 19.09.

Not so fortunate was the Otley 10 mile, hosted by Otley A.C, where the rain made an appearance. Nidd Valley Road Runners was represented by Lee Dalton (5th) 59.14, Andy Todd 1:07.11. Alan Davidson 1:09.42, Carol Morgan (3rd Lady) 1:10.03, Fiona Deacon 1:18.17, Sheena Jackson 1:19.54, Steve Newton 1:21.04, Christine Holleran 1:22.08, Jenny Manning 1:28.58, Debbie Gibson 1:31.26, Sarah Donaldson 1:32.46, Michelle Smith 1:38.36 and Judy Greenwood 1:41.07.

Keep on running.

Race distance and race terrain are no object for runners at Nidd Valley Road Runners, weather it is a marathon or a quick burst around the Stray there is always a streak of black and gold to follow. On the fells at the Charlesworth Chase over at Appletreewick there were some great results, Carol Morgan was first lady overall, Sarah Chalmers took a well deserved 3^rd FV40, Alan Davidson was first MV50 and Tony Chapman, was first MV70. They were joined by Tim Harvey 12^th 46.35,Carol Morgan 49.48, Alan Davidson 50.10, Brian Sherwood 54.35,Phil Robinson 56.52, Chris Buck 57.12, Tony Chapman 70.25 and Sarah Chalmers 80.08.

A few miles away the Ripon 10 was underway and a battle for top spot saw Lee Dalton 58.58 pipped at the post into 2nd followed by Andy Todd 1:08.16, Mike Deacon 1:09.06, Fiona Deacon 1:18.35, Maurice Kelly 1:19.15, Emma David 1:20.12, Christine Holleran 1:21.40, Dave Seaman 1:23.32, Helen Gregory 1:28.19, Debbie Gibson 1:31.10, Annie Burns 1:36.41, Phillipa Moorse 1:37.59, Michelle Smith 1:41.13, Judy Greenwood 1;42.36, Rebecca Ventress 1:43.33 and Aimi Blueman 1:50.33.

The Jack Bloor Fell Race gave Mark David a midweek outing, he finished in 58.40 over the 8.4km course. Another midweek fixture Badgerstone Relays at White Wells in Ilkley had Brian Sherwood, Sarah Chalmers and Mark David competing over 3 legs of 2 mile and managed 26th team in 70.25.

Saturday morning saw Harrogate parkrun at it’s usual venue, Paul Stalker led Nidd Valley home in a pb of 19.58, next in was Dan Eagling 21.36, Sarah Gordon 24.39(pb), Jillie Townend 27.46, Sue Reast 30.48 and Katie Edgar 31.17

Compasses at the ready

North, South, East or West, what ever direction the compass points there seems to be a Nidd Valley Road Runner at the end of it. A target race for a few was the Leeds Half Marathon, not the easiest of races for first timers. Dan Eagling, Paul Eagling, Julie Mooney and Jillie Townend made their debut at the distance with some great times. Dan 1:39.01, Paul 1:41.21, Julie 2:06.08 and Jillie 2:11.30 were joined by Lizzie Medwell who ran 1:54.45.

The latest Claro orienteering event headed to Knaresborough where Mark David finished second in 25.25 followed by Maurice Kelly in 32.15. Further South Emma David continued her running exploits with an outing to the Brecon 40 ultra, 40 miles and 9000 feet of climb into the wind and hail and finished in 9 hrs 30.

Taking the opportunity of a race on their doorstep, Knaresborough 10km at King James’s School had five Nidd Valley runners don their club colours. Lee Dalton was 3rd overall in 39.28, next up was Nat Welsby 43.20 (7th) followed by Nick Iles 53.48, Rob Snow 55.32 and Alison Iles 56.47.

Harrogate Evening League got under way midweek and Nidd Valley ladies had a good result with first in the vets and second in the ladies team results. nat Welsby also made his debut for the club placing 21st overall.

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.