News Report 4th November 2008

Abergele Harriers played host to the North Wales 5 Mile Road Running Championships last Sunday morning as well over 200 athletes lined up at the start of the 'Spillane & Co. Wealth Management Abergele 5 Mile Road Race'.

Amongst the competitors were 6 locally affiliated athletes, three of whom returned home as age category North Wales champions. In a race won by Nick Swinburn (Bangor University) in a course record time of 25.21mins, the first local athlete to finish was the sole Meirionnydd Running Club competitor, as Frankie Vaughan of Ganllwyd crossed the finishing line in a time of 34.40mins.

Barrie Jackson of Bala then followed, leading home the five strong Bro Dysynni A.C. contingent, his time of 38.57mins claiming 2nd spot in the Male Over-65 category. Going one better was Bob Chilton of Hermon, putting in an extraordinary spurt in the last mile to cross the line in a time 41.12mins, a time good enough to claim a North Wales Championship Gold in the Male Over-60 category. Also claiming Championship Gold, on this occasion in the Female Over-65 category, was Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd, a mere six seconds behind her team-mate in a time of 41.18mins. Marit Evans of Dolgellau followed in a pleasing time of 45.40mins whilst Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau completed the medal haul, claiming Championship Gold in the Female Over-75 category in a time of 1hr 03.16mins.

There is local action this coming Saturday lunch time as Llanfachreth, near Dolgellau, will play host to the Rhobell Fawr Fell Race, a six mile challenge which also incudes an overall 1,900 feet of climbing. The race, which is the first of the 3 race 'Meirionnydd Winter Race Series' is due off at 12.00 Noon, with a shorter 2 mile event off shortly afterwards aimed at either junior competitors or those who would like to compete in a fell race, albeit over a much shorter distance.

Race entries for both events will be accepted on the day, with further race details available from www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk.

A.Unwin