News Report 1st October 2006

Closer to home, local athletes have, as ever, been busy competing, with last weekend seeing local representation at three seperate events.

The best local turnout was in Colwyn Bay for the opening fixture of the Majestic Travel North Wales Cross Country League. A total of 6 Bro Dysynni athletes were welcomed by glorious Autumnal conditions for the races in Eirias Park. In the ladies race, Sheila Jones followed up her recent hometown victory in the female section of the Pwllheli 5 Mile Road Race by claiming 43rd position on this occasion in a time of 21.37mins. She was followed home by Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd in 23.43mins, Marit Evans of Dolgellau in 25.36mins and the ever-green Marjorie Griffiths in 25.48mins. There was a welcome site in the mens race as Richard Griffiths of Tywyn returned to cross country racing after a break, showing he had lost none of his off-road strength as he finished in 40.51mins. The other male Bro Dysynni finisher on this occasion being Barrie Jackson of Bala in 48.07mis.

Further up the A55, a total of 5 local athletes were in action in the Flint 10k road race, forming part of a field of over 400 competitors. The first of the five home, in 12th position overall was Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog in 37 mins. He was followed by Tywyn's Jos Jones in 40.01mins with Nigel Evans of Dolgellau creeping ever closer as he finished in 41.11mins. Having returned home from Switzerland, Meirionnydd Running Club athlete, Graeme Stringer, was grateful for a somewhat flatter course than the previous weekend, as he finished in 46.36mins, whilst Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau claimed the only local age category success on the day, winning the female over-70 section in an impressive 71.25mins.

Having competed in Colwyn Bay on the Saturday, Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd took on another coastal event on the Sunday, with the Lytham St. Annes 10 Mile Road Race also counting as the British Masters 10 Mile Championships. The Bro Dysynni veteran is now surely considered to be amongst the cream of British veteran road runners as she claimed her 4th British Masters success over varying distances in as many months in the female over-65 category as she finished in a magnificent time of 1hr 26.40mins.

After a 3 year absence, this Saturday sees the return of the Penmaenpool 10 mile race which is due to start at 12.00noon from the George III Hotel in Penmaenpool. There will also be an affiliated 2 mile fun run, due off at 12.05pm. Further details regarding the event can be found on www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk.

A.Unwin