News Report 6th January 2008

Two local events punctuated the recent festive season for athletes wishing to stretch their legs and to run off their Yuletide excesses.

First up, on Boxing Day, was the Tyn-Y-Groes Hill Race held in Ganllwyd. The 2.5 mile race included 700 feet of climbing with a number of competitors taking the opportunity to don fancy dress to add to the festivities of the occasion. The race attracted a mainly local field although a number of competitors had travelled a fair distance to take part. The race winner was provided by Eryri Harriers as Matthew Roberts beat his old advisory, Steve Gilliland of Tywyn, in respective times of 20.04mins & 20.32mins, although the latter was burdened on this occasion by wearing a Santa outfit and a pair of pink tights! Amongst the local Ganllwyd-based finishers were the Atherton trio of Mark, Malcolm & Robin finishing in respective times of 25.13mins, 26.33mins & 30.09mins whilst Eryri Harriers also supplied the winner of the ladies race as Tina MacDonnell came home in a time 30.43mins. The race also had a charitable aspect as over £120 was raised for 'Ukraine Humanitarian Aid'.

The second local event was held last Sunday, as Bro Dysynni A.C. hosted it's inaugural 'Resolution Run'. The idea behind this event was for competitors to estimate their finishing time for the 4 mile event before the race, with those finishing closest to their estimated time being the event winners. The race, held on a beautiful Winter's morning, set off from the Bailey Bridge in Tywyn heading up-stream towards Ynysmaengwyn before the turn-around point which saw runners return back towards the Bailey Bridge for the race finish. With all runners having been relieved of any timing devices before the start of  the race, estimated times proved difficult to match with a number of competitors proving to be way off their chosen estimates. Indeed, it was the three youngest competitors in the event who proved to be the best judges, as 11 year old Rhys Roberts of Rhoslefain finished closest to his estimated time finishing 4.38 mins away. This proved enough, by a mere 1 second, to pip Ingrid Evans of Dolgellau who beat her time by 4.39mins with Brigitte Evans, also of Dolgellau, completing the podium as she beat her estimated time by a terrific 7.20 mins.

A.Unwin