Wind, Wet and Winners

St Wilfreds RC School in Ripon held its annual Muddy Boots race at the weekend. Two members of Nidd Valley Road Runners' junior section took part, with Sam Riley storming home in first place and Sarah Lofthouse finishing sixth also taking the prize for first in her age group.

Kelly Furniss and Lizzie Medwell represtented the club at a blustery and hilly Liversidge Half marathon, finishing in 2.01:56 and 2.06:47 respectively.

Driving rain, wind and lots of mud were on the agenda when Sam Fugill, Brian Sherwood and Paul Manning when they had a go at the Hardmoors Night fell race over by Roseberry Topping. Sam completed it in 2.12:44 with Brian behind in 2.16:33. A gallant effort from Paul Manning but he was forced to turn back due to sustaining an ankle injury. The club wishes him a speedy recovery and we hope to see him back on the fells soon!

There is a race for everyone.

Over the last couple of weekends, Nidd Valley Road Runners were once again well represented in a number of events across Yorkshire.

Four Nidd Valley Road Runners headed over to Dewsbury to take part in the towns 10k race, with Rebecca Ventress and Aimi Blueman each achieving a PB time of 56.05 and 59.03 respectively. Also Kelly Furniss finished with a time of 51.11 followed by Lizzie Medwell with 53.19.

Staying in West Yorkshire, six intrepid Nidd Valley runners ventured to Guiseley to have a go at the icy but muddy Rombald Stride. The route of the 23 mile challenge event organised by the LDWA took in the splendour of Otley Chevin and Ilkley Moor. First back for the club was Carol Morgan in 3.33.32, followed by Emma David at 3.57.30. Chris Buck was the solo Nidd Valley male finishing in 4.39.08 and the trio of Phillipa Moorse, Rachel Eastaff, and Sheena Jackson finished as a collective at 5.45.40.

Across in Humberside, Rick Dallaston was the lone Nidd Valley runner taking part in the Skidby 10 mile event and achieved a PB with a time of 80.35. 

It's a family affair at Ripon

It was a family affair at this years Jolly Holly Jog at Ripon with both Senior and Junior runners from Nidd Valley combining for the first time. A muddy course and sunny weather made for a great mornings running around the Fountains Abbey route. First back for Nidd was Lee Dalton 36.23 finishing fifth overall on his way back to full fitness. Next was Martin Lofthouse 41.07, wearing a Nidd vest for the first time. Club regular Andy Todd 41.37 was next followed by Paul Stalker 44.41,Brian Sherwood 48.14, Fiona Deacon 48.54, Mike Deacon 48.55, Kathleen Coates 49.49,David Rushton 54.59,Jenny Manning 56.22 and Sarah Chalmers 63.52.

In the juniors the field was dominated by Nidd Valley Junior vests with many in the top half of the field.

First home was Jack Smith in a superb time of 5:32, 2nd place overall, narrowly missing first place by 1 second. Next home was Harrison Iles, first in the M9-11 category and an amazing third place overall. Jake Stalker stormed home in 5th place winning the M6-8 category. James Harvey followed close behind in 6th place, 2nd in the M9-11 category. Jessica Jones proved her hard work at training sessions has paid off, coming home in 9th place overall, 2nd female and winning the F9-11 category.
Completing the team were Daniel Dalton (4th M9-11), Sarah Lofthouse ( 3rd F9-11), Jacob Kavanagh ( 6th M9-11), Oliver Kavanagh ( 4th M12-16), Benjamin Smith ( 5th M12-16), Will Harvey ( 5th M6-8), Adam Coates ( 10th M9-11) and Lauren Coates ( 2nd F6-8).

Racing to the end of the year.

Nidd Valley Road Runners are continuing to compete in a variety of races as the year draws to a close. The Tour of Pendle saw three runners head west for this tough event over 16.8 miles and with nearly 1500 metres of climb . Carol Morgan lead the way for the group and finished just over the 3 hour mark with 3:03:20, Emma David showed great determination and crossed the line in 3:42:33, Chris Buck followed with a time of 3:52:56, a great achievement in his first full year on the fells.

In warmer weather Andy Harris took on the Florence Marathon and faired well with a time of 3 hours 57 minutes. Jillie Townend never passes up the opportunity to race at different events and went to Oakham for the Nene Valley 10 miler described as a  diverse 2 lap course through parks, urban areas, a woodland trail, through underpasses, down steps and over motorway bridges avoiding bollards and posts with a bit of road thrown in, it keeps the senses alert all the way around. Jillie took full advantage and set a new 10 mile pb with 89:40.

Guy Fawkes goes with a bang

Ripley Castle was the fantastic venue for the start of the Up and Running Guy Fawkes 10 organised by Nidd Valley Road Runners at the weekend. It has become one of the most popular 10 milers in the North of England and has constantly received great reviews for its organisation and marshalling in recent years, although the route is one of the most challenging with three big climbs.

Local lad Jack Simpson took the lead from the off and was never challenged, finishing in 55.26, just shy of the course record. At the finish he commented, ‘It is one of my favourite races and the undulating route suits me well’.

Second went to Paul Marchant from Rothwell and District Harriers in 56.24 and third went to Ian Fisher from Otley in 57.14.

The ladies race was not that cut and dried as Emma Yates was over taken by eventual winner Helen Cross just after half way, Helen from Pocklington Runners recorded 1:06:48 and Emma from York Knavesmire Harriers crossed the line in 1:07:57. Third lady went to Sarah Fawcett from Hallamshire Harriers in 1:08:41.

It is with great thanks to the sponsors of this years event, Harrogate Spring Water, Harrogate Osteopaths, DK Darts and Ridgeway Fitness and Health that it was all possible.

Making History at Nidd Valley.

For the first time in the clubs history Nidd Valley Road Runners sent a junior team out to race, for the past 30 years Nidd Valley have been exclusively an adult only running club but have recently taken the plunge to form a junior section. Valley Striders put on a group of races  held on mainly trail paths within Harewood Estate and include a 10 mile, 5 mile and 2 mile race. The juniors took on the 2 mile event and had a great experience. In the Year 9-10 group Sam Riley was 3rd and Alex Robinson was 6th, in the Year 7-8 group Oliver Kavanagh was 5th, brother Jacob was 8th in the Year 5-6 group and in the Year 3-4 group Jake Stalker was 6th, Dan Dalton 7th and  Daniel Burrell 9th.

 

In the 10 mile event Lee Dalton put the disappointment of the previous weeks 2nd place finish and went one better, at the 5 mile turn around he had forged ahead and finished a good minute in front of his nearest rival, his time of 63.18 reflected the tough conditions from the wind and recent rain. Next back for Nidd was Phil Robinson in 85.11, closely followed by first lady back for Nidd, Fiona Deacon 87.36, Annie Sweeting 108.31 and Sarah Chalmers 113.23. Opting for the 5 mile route Paul Stalker got caught up in the misdirection of the first 20 runners home and crossed the line in 39.37, Fiona Robinson finished in 57.22 and Bob Sweeting 58.35.

 

With Halloween came the chance to run in the first Chevin Chiller, a very scary 4.5 miles in the dark requiring head torches. Four brave Nidders took on the challenge, Carol Morgan was 2nd lady in 33.11, Chris Buck 37.30, Phil Robinson 38.14 and, first time for Nidd Valley, Vicky Marlow 54.00.

 

Mark David has been doing his stuff, firstly at Great Whernside, in a time of 48:34,  with 1500 feet of climb over 3.9 miles, straight up and back from Kettlewell. The following day he ran at Guisborough Three Tops, crossing the line in 1:31:19, climbing to 1600 feet for a  full blast of autumn on Roseberry Topping.

First timers and fast times

Having withdrawn from York Marathon a few months earlier, Lee Dalton made the decision to go and defend his Shaun Lee Johnstone 10 mile  title instead. The course was a lot drier than the previous year and as Lee headed out he was accompanied by eventual winner, Ian Fisher. After the first mile Lee had to settle for second place as Fisher surged ahead and went onto break Lee’s course record. Phil Robinson joined Lee on the start line and finished in 83.33.

 

The second big marathon of the month was at York for the inaugural Yorkshire Marathon, an oversubscribed event that attracted an international field. First back for Nidd Valley was an old hand at marathons, Andy Todd, crossing the line in 3:05.31. First lady back for Nidd Valley was Kathy Coates, this being her first marathon she managed an impressive time of 3:59.20. More first timers at the marathon distance were Dave Rushton 4:28.24 and Jillie Townend 4:28.34, both starting running less the two years ago at parkrun and progressing up to the iconic 26 mile event. Lizzie Medwell, another established marathon runner, crossed the line in 4:32.00 followed by the Moorse sisters, doing their first marathon, Phillipa recording 5:02.34 and Helen 5:11.02.

 

Across the valley in Bridlington Mike and Fiona Deacon tackled the popular Bridlington Half Marathon, a well established race along the coast. Both were pleased with their times, Mike with 1.35 and Fiona with 1.41.

 

Emma David has been ticking the miles off, the last of the Run Further Series saw her complete the Rotherham 50 for 3rd lady, this gave her enough for 2nd lady overall in the series and 1st in her age catagory. Meanwhile Mark David headed to Todmorden for the Race to the Summit and completed the 5 mile event in 41.05.