News Report 5th November 2007

Athletes and mountain bike specialists from far and wide were attracted to the Coed Y Brenin Visitor Centre near Ganllwyd recently to take part in the Coed Y Brenin Off Road Duathlon, an event comprising of a 5k run, followed by a 20k mountain biking section, before the final leg, another 5k run.

Competitors entered as either individuals or as part of a relay team of 2 members, 1 runner and 1 cyclist. With 109 teams or individuals entered, the competition was fierce, however the overall event winners were from local stock as the Meirionnydd Running Club father and son team from Rhyd, namely Adam & Wil Haynes, completed the event in 1hr 39.09mins to ensure victory by a mere 40 seconds from their nearest competitors. The event attracted strong local interest and amongst those to finish were the 2nd Meirionnydd Running Club duo, on this occasion Frankie Vaughan & Ifan Richards, whose time of 1hr 49.34mins ensured an overall 12th place position. Two places behind were the Cerist Tri Club/Dysynni C.C. team of Kevin Hamilton and Dylan Jones, finishing in 1hr 50.07mins. There was an excellent 34th place finish for the Dysynni C.C. duo of Kara Chesworth & Lindsay Parry, home in 2hrs 01.46mins, whilst Tom Jones of Dysynni C.C. was the first of the local individual finishers, his time of 2hrs 05.06mins earning an overall 46th place finish. The strong Dysynni C.C. turnout continued as Glyn Lewis came home in 2hrs 09.26mins whilst the 3rd Meirionnydd Running Club duo of Rob & Ben Thomas followed in 2hrs 17.10mins.

Meanwhile, a number of athletes headed north to Abergele last Sunday morning for the Abergele Harriers Slaters 5 Mile Race, an event which also incorporated the 2007 North Wales 5 Mile Road Running Championships. With local runners having collected 2 age category championship medals in the corresponding race in 2006, it was heartening to see a triumphant trio returning home this year as North Wales Road Running Champions over the 5 mile distance. The first of the triumphant trio home was Steve Gilliland of Tywyn, 2nd overall finisher out the 250 or so competitors, as well as claiming victory in the Male Over-40 section 27.38mins. Sheila Jones of Pwllheli was the 2nd age category victor as a time of 39.34mins ensured a memorable success in the Female Over-45 category. Completing the age award winners was the third successful Bro Dysynni athlete, as Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd not only claimed success in the Female Over-65 category, but her time of 41.56mins also set a new record within North Wales for her age category over the 5 mile distance. Amongst the other local competitors at the event were Gwyn Jones of Pwllheli, home in 34.50mins, a busy Frankie Vaughan of Corris crossing the line in 35.43mins, whilst Debbie Evans of Tywyn continued her terrific form since returning to competitive action as a time of 37.31mins ensured a 2nd place in the Female Over-50 category for the Dysynni athlete. Three Bro Dysynni A.C. stalwarts followed as Malcolm Taylor of Criccieth, Bob Chilton of Hermon & Barrie Jackson of Bala finished in respective times of 38.55mins, 39.11mins & 40.25mins, the latter time proving good enough to claim 2nd place in the Male Over-65 category for the Penllyn-based athlete. The final local finisher was Marit Evans of Dolgellau, the Dysynni athlete pleased with her time of 45.33mins.

Two local athletes were also in action in Abergavenny recently as they headed south to take part in the Sugar Loaf Mountain Race, a 7 mile event which included 1,725 feet of climbing. The race attracted strong South Walian interest, but very much holding his own on the day was Steve Gilliland, the Dysynni veteran finishing in 6th place overall, in a time of 40.19mins. There was also club representation from Meirionnydd Runing Club at the event as Victor Gretton came home in a time of 1hr 04.37mins.

There is local action this coming Saturday (10th) as Llanfachreth, near Dolgellau, hosts the Rhobell Fawr Fell Race, the 1st of the 3 events which constitute the Meirionnydd Winter Race Series. The 6 mile race which includes an ascent measuring 1,900 feet is due to start at 12.00 Noon whilst the race organisers have also added a shorter 3 mile event, due off at 12.05pm for those interested in trying out a fell race, albeit over a relatively short distance. Entries for both races will be on the day only, further details are available at www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk.

A.Unwin