News Report 1st October 2007

Three athletes from the Meirionnydd Running Club made the long journey to the Vorarlberg region of Austria recently to take part in the World Masters Mountain Running Championships. The trio, in their respective age categories, all competed over a 9.2k course which included an overall 800 metres of climbing from the race start in Bludenz to the race finish in Muttersberg. Leading home the Meirionnydd contingent, as well as claiming a creditable 120th place finish in the Male Over-50 category, was Nich Bradley of Dolgellau in a time of 1hr 08.37mins. Following home in 1hr 10.25mins was Andrea Goode of Corris, claiming 95th place in the Female Over-35 category, whilst Frankie Vaughan, also of Corris, claimed 142nd in the Male Over-50 category in a time of 1hr 11.45mins.

Much closer to home, a trio of Bro Dysynni athletes were also in championship action, as Newtown played host to the British Masters Athletics Federation 10k Championships. Yet again, the trio performed admirably, with all three claiming success within their respective age category status. Leading the trio home was Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd (2nd Female Over-65) in 52.05mins with Marj Griffiths (2nd Female Over-60) of Aberystwyth following in 58.10mins. It was left to Dolgellau veteran, Sheila Symonds, to claim the only age category victory on the day as she stormed to victory in the Female Over-70 category in a time of 1hr 10.06mins to add a 10k Championship medal to the Half Marathon Championship medal won recently at Leek, Staffordshire.

A number of those highlighted above were also in action last Saturday afternoon at the opening fixture of the Majestic Travel North Wales Cross Country League with the opening fixture, as per tradition, being held in Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay. With Bro Dysynni and Meirionnydd Running Club both placed in Division 2, an interesting season long battle should unfold as the two rivals battle it out over the seasons 5 fixtures. It was left to the sole Meirionnydd female in action, namely Andrea Goode, to lead home the local ladies in Colwyn Bay, 35th overall in a time of 21.03mins. The 5-strong Dysynni female team followed en-masse as Debbie Evans (42nd in 22.11mins) of Tywyn, Sheila Jones (46th in 23.00mins) of Pwllheli, Brenda Jones (60th in 24.29mins), Yolanda Marconi-Nolan (70th in 25.44mins) and Marj Griffiths (81st in 28.22mins) ensured Dysynni take an early lead in the league standings after the 1st fixture. Frankie Vaughan of Meirionnydd led home his Dysynni counter-part in the mens race as a time of 43.19mins was just enough to pip Richard Griffiths of Tywyn, home in 43.25mins.

Elsewhere, there was victory recently for Steve Gilliland of Tywyn at the Lloyd George 5k race in Llanystumdwy in a time of 17.38mins with Sarah Kleeman claiming victory in the female section in a time of 19.04mins.

One of the younger local runners also shone recently at the inaugural running of the North Wales Junior Fell Running Championships held in Llandudno as Aron Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog claimed runners up spot in the Boys Under-10 race as he covered 1 mile race in a terrific time of 8.49mins.

There is local action this coming Saturday (6th) as Penmaenpool will host the annual 10 mile race along the Mawddach Estuary. The 10 mile race is due off at 12.00noon with a 2 mile fun run due off shortly afterwards at 12.10pm. Entries for both races will be accepted on the day with the registration point being the George III Hotel. Further details relating to the event can be found on www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk.

A.Unwin