News 3rd March 2007

Half-marathons have been the order of the day recently for local athletes, with runners appearing at three races over the 13.1 mile distance.

Four runners appeared at the 12th Village Bakery Half Marathon in Wrexham recently. In a race won by Tarus Elly (Salford Harriers) in 1hr 09.11mins, the local quartet were led home by Meirionnydd Running Club athlete, Tony Hodgson of Llanelltyd, in a time of 1hr 26.33mins. Dolgellau's Frankie Vaughan followed in 1hr 37.06mins with the sole Bro Dysynni runner on the day, Malcolm Taylor of Criccieth, following in 1hr 46.25mins. The quartet were completed by Rob Thomas of Llanelltyd, pleased with his efforts, as he crossed the line in 1hr 51.44mins.

Another local runner in recent half marathon action, albeit in far different surroundings from the above was Kate Williams of Aberdyfi. Having taken up a teaching post in the Falkland Islands, the Dysynni runner followed up her time of 54.54mins set in the Playa Union 10k race in Chubut, Patagonia in late January by completing the Stanley Leisure Centre Half Marathon in the Falkland Islands, in an outstanding time of 1hr 58.05mins.

Closer to home, Dolgellau runner Rebecca Dallimore completed her first ever half marathon as she crossed the finishing line of the Ras Cors Caron Half Marathon in Tregaron in a time of 2hrs 14.15mins. Next on the agenda is the Reading Half Marathon with the expressed desire of breaking the 2hr mark.

Finally, the Rhyd duo of Will and Adam Haynes ventured to the Llandegla Moors for the 3rd and final event in the 'Dash in the Dark' series. As the name suggests, an evening fell race run in the dark, makes navigational skills a necessity. On the occasion son, Will, pipped father, Adam, as the duo came home in 7th and 9th positions resepectively in a race which attracted a strong calibre of entrant.

A.Unwin