News Report 6^th February 2009

Local athletes have been competing far and wide recently, as well as closer to home within the Principality.

On the South Island of New Zealand, two former residents of Barmouth continue to make a name for themselves on the athletics front. Firstly, Adrian Bailey formed one-third of 'Team Ionized' competing at the Challenge Wanaka Ironman event held in and around the Mount Aspiring National Park on the South Island. In an event comprising of a 3.8k swim, 180k bike ride and a 42.2k (26.1miles) run over road and trail, 'Team Ionized' gained a comprehensive victory in the 'Relay Event' of the race, as well as smashing the course record, finishing in an overall time of 8hrs 08.56mins. The former Bro Dysynni member was chosen to run the 42.2k section of the race and duly completed his allocated challenge in an impressive time of 2hrs 29.54mins.

Also in Wanaka was Alun Williams, competing in the Wanaka 5k Road Race before returning home to Barmouth for a family wedding. Another impressive performance ensued as the second ex-Bro Dysynni member in action completed the challenge in a time of 15.12mins, a time good enough to claim an overall runners-up spot at the event.

Also in overseas action recently was Tywyn-based super-veteran, Alan Morton, the Bro Dysynni runner heading to Bermuda to take part in 2 of the events which made up the 'Bermuda International Race Weekend'. After finishing the 'International 10k' event in a time of 1hr 26.21mins, the Dysynni veteran then completed the 'Half Marathon' event in an unbelievable time of 1hr 44.24mins, claiming age category success in the Male Over-70's section in the process.

Much closer to home, a further 3 members of Bro Dysynni A.C. have also been in 10k action recently, their chosen event being the 'Twin Piers 10k', run between Llandudno & Colwyn Bay. Leading home the trio was Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd in a time of 53.01mins whilst club colleague, Marj Griffiths of Aberystwyth followed, claiming victory in the Female Over-60 category in a time of 1hr 02.02mins. Making up the trio was Malcolm Taylor of Criccieth, suffering an on-course injury which resulted in a 'below par' finishing time of 1hr 16.13mins.

A busy recent schedule for the athletes of Bro Dysynni was completed as 5 club members tackled the cross country course set at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd in Wrexham, the venue for the fourth of the five fixtures which make up the 2008-09 Grand Prix Express North Wales Cross Country League. In the 'Senior Mens' event, there were finishing times of 42.27mins for cross country ever-present, Richard Griffiths of Tywyn, whilst club mate, Barrie Jackson of Bala followed in a time of 46.37mins. In the 'Senior Ladies' section, Brenda Jones led home the 'Female Over-65' competitors in a time of 27.51mins, to be followed by Marit Evans of Dolgellau in 29.43mins and Marj Griffiths in 33.02mins.

A.Unwin