News Report 4th June 2006

The current spate of midweek races has seen local athletes represented at a total of 6 venues recently.

The largest turnout saw 9 athletes head to Rhyl for the Suncentre 5k road race which also incorporated the North Wales 5k Road Running Championships. Of the 9 competing, 3 returned victorious within their age group categories within the North Wales Championships. The first of the three was Steve Gilliland of Tywyn whose time of 16.44mins ensured victory in the male over-45 category. There was another impressive performance by Tom Roberts of Dolgellau, finishing in 20.43mins, whilst Barrie Jackson of Bala claimed the 2nd of Bro Dysynni's 3 age group category victories, as he came home in 23.27mins to claim success in the male over-65 group. Next home, delighted as ever, was Huw Harrison of Dolgellau, competing in his first race of 2006 and finishing well in 23.59mins. The final age group victory was claimed by Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd who captured the female over-60 category in 24.14mins. Next home, in his first ever competitive senior race, was Gwion Roberts of Dolgellau, who was the 2nd Meirionnydd Running Club finisher in a time of 25.40mins. He was followed by Marit Evans of Dolgellau in 26.43mins whilst Andy Unwin of Harlech beamed widely as he crossed the line in 27.48mins. The local contingent was completed by Roy Peel of Llanelltyd in 33.10mins.

Athletes from both local clubs, Meirionnydd and Bro Dysynni, have also taken to the hills recently, at 4 different venues, the largest turnout of 6 being at the Moel Fabon fell race in Bethesda. The half dozen local competitors were led home by the Rhyd father and son combination Adam and Will Haynes in respective times of 24.36mins and 27.25mins. The Arthog duo of Graeme Stringer and Andrea Goode followed in times of 28.07mins and 28.52mins with the six being completed by Iori Jones of Dolgellau and Bob Chilton of Hermon in 29.04mins and 31.24mins.

A total of 5 athletes also headed to the midweek Moel Y Gest fell race in Porthmadog. Leading home the five, and putting in a most impressive performance, was Kate Bailey of Ganllwyd, whose 41.58mins finish claimed an excellent 25th place overall. Next home for Meirioonydd Running Club was Iori Jones in 42.40mins, he was followed by team mates Nich Bradley of Dolgellau and Graeme Stringer, dead-heating in 42.53mins. The sole Bro Dysynni competitor on the evening was Bob Chilton who finished in 47.28mins.

Atrocious weather conditions greeted the three local competitors who took part in the 5 mile Elidir Fawr fell race in Nant Peris. In a race which included a total of 2,800 feet of climbing, the local trio were led home by Andrea Goode in 1hr 22.11mins with Nich Bradley and Bob Chilton finishing in respective times of 1hr 24.17mins and 1hr 37.53mins.

The sole local competitor at the Mynydd Myfyr Hill Run in Trefonen near Oswestry was Barrie Jackson, who once again claimed victory in the male over-65 category, on this occasion in a time of 30.48mins.

Finally, Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog turned in a tremendous performance at the Shell Chester Half Marathon recently. In a race which saw a total of 1,892 finishers, a time of 1hr 20.58mins ensured a magnificent 36th placed finish for the Ffestiniog based athlete.

A.Unwin