News Report 2nd July 2006

Extremely sunny conditions greeted the athletes who turned out for last Saturdays Foel Gocyn Hill Race in Bryncrug. Whereas the conditions were ideal for the accompanying carnival festivities, the heat made for an arduous slog up to the peak of Foel Gocyn and back down to the carnival field for the finish.

The race was won by an athlete from Bryncrug as Iestyn Richards used his local knowledge to claim an eventual comfortable victory in 32.33mins. He was followed by two other local competitors as Richard Hunter led home Bro Dysynni athlete Glyn Lewis in respective times of 33.26mins and 33.43mins. In fourth place, in an all to rare race outing, was Llanelltyd based Meirionnydd Running Club member Dave Whittey in 34.00mins whilst promising youngster Gerwyn Pugh followed in 34.11mins. In the ladies race, Rachel Skinner made the long journey from her Yorkshire home to retain her title won in 2005, on this occasion finishing in 37.29mins. Meirionnydd Running Club athlete, Alison Price, was second female home in 43.05mins whilst Carys Evans had the double satisfaction of a third place finish in the female section as well as first local female finisher in 44.52mins. The first local male finisher on the day was Richard Watterson of Bryncrug in 39.37mins. It was also pleasing to see a greatly increased race entry to 2005, a fitting reward to the hard working race organisers.

Elsewhere, local athletes have also taken to the hills elsewhere recently as the Eryri Tuesday Evening Race Series reached it's climax. Firstly, six athletes tackled the Moel Eilio fell race and, not for the first time in the series, the local contingent were headed home by the Rhyd based father and son combination of Adam and Will Haynes. On this occasion, Adam leading home his son in times of 39.21mins and 46.56mins. Stepping up his athletics comeback was Trystan Evans of Dolgellau, the third Meirionnydd Running Club finisher in a time of 47.07mins. The MDC onslaught continued with Nich Bradley leading home Iori Jones, with the Dolgellau duo finishing in 49.48mins and 51.02mins with Bob Chilton of Hermon being the sole Bro Dysynni finisher on the night in 53.58mins.

The action then switched to Beddgelert for the Cwm Bychan fell race. Once again, Adam Haynes led home Will Haynes, on this occasion in times of 41.04mins and 49.51mins. Next local finisher, in his first outing of 2006, was Andy Sanderson of Llanbedr in 52.11mins whilst Nich Bradley followed in 52.34mins, a mere 8 seconds ahead of Andrea Goode of Arthog, herself 26 seconds ahead of Bob Chilton who finished in 53.08mins.

The final fell action saw a quartet of Bro Dysynni athletes head to Ceredigion for the 5.5 mile Pumlumon race which included a tough 1550 feet of climbing. The conditions suited Tywyn athlete, Steve Gilliland, who produced a storming run to claim second place behind Shrewsbury athlete Michael James, in a time of 44.50mins. Walter Marsh of Tywyn continued his recent impressive form, finishing in 56.43mins whilst club newcomer Peter Nightingale led home seasoned campaigner Juliet Edwards of Dolgellau, the former home in 63.24mins, the latter in 64.19mins.

Finally, to complete yet another busy week of competing, three Dysynni athletes headed to Felinheli for the 'Ras Y Faenol 10k'. A high turnout of 269 athletes ensured a quality field. Finishing in 6th place out of the huge entry was Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog in 36.33mins. He was followed home by Gwyn Jones of Pwllheli in 42.48mins whilst Sheila Jones, also of Pwllheli, claimed 3rd place in the female over-45 category as she finished in 50.34mins.

A.Unwin