News Report 7th October 2007

Glorious sunny conditions prevailed last Saturday afternoon as competitors gathered to compete at the Penmaenpool 10 Mile Trail Race, an event which took in the stunning scenery of the Mawddach Estuary.

The 2007 race proved to be very much a re-run of the 2006 event as both the male & female victor of the previous year returned to successfully defend their titles. In the mens event, Mark Garratt (Road Runners Club) knocked 7 seconds of his 2006 time as he claimed a relatively comfortable victory in 56.55mins with Steve Gilliland (Bro Dysynni A.C.) stepping up from his 3rd place of 2006 to claim runners-up spot this year in a time of 58.11mins (1st Male over-45). Claiming impressive top-10 finishes were Kevin Hamilton (Cerist Tri Club), 6th overall in 1hr 04.41mins (1st Male Over-40), and Michael Palmer (Bro Dysynni A.C.) of Tywyn, 10th overall in 1hr 06.41mins. Splitting the 2 local runners was the victorious female as Phoebe Webster (Aberystwyth University Harriers) claimed 8th place overall as well as being 1st Female home for the second year in succession in 1hr 04.58mins.

As ever, a large percentage of the 74 race finishers were local representatives of either host organisers, Meirionnydd Running Club, Bro Dysynni A.C. or indeed unattached runners. Among the local finishers were Dave Whittey of Llanelltyd in 1hr 10.37mins, Glyn Lewis of Tywyn in 1hr 11.07 and Paula Tunnadine of Barmouth, finalising her preparations for next months New York Marathon, as she finished 3rd overall in the ladies race in 1hr 12.44mins. Frankie Vaughan of Corris followed in 1hr 13.47mins, ahead of Kevin Evans of Dolgellau, home in 1hr 15.41mins. There was a titanic tussle as Nich Bradley of Dolgellau just got the better of Richard Griffiths of Tywyn in respective times of 1hr 16.21mins & 1hr 16.28mins. Another tight local battle ensued, on this occasion Nick Patrick (Meirionnydd Running Club) just getting the better of Debbie Evans (Bro Dysynni) of Tywyn in times of 1hr 19.27mins & 1hr 19.28mins. Next local to finish was Bob Chilton of Hermon in 1hr 20.36mins, with the Meirionnydd Running Club duo of Alison Price and Estelle Brown following in 1hr 22.18mins & 1hr 23.04mins. Criccieth's Malcolm Taylor followed in 1hr 23.47mins ahead of Jaspa Wynne-Williams (1hr 25.13mins) and Andrea Edwards (1hr 26.48mins), with Rhian Jones of Tywyn following in 1hr 30.11mins. There was age category success for Bro Dysynni's Marj Griffiths whose time of 1hr 35.52mins ensured victory in the Female Over-60 category, whilst Jean Napier, Tracey Evans & Christine Owen were all pleased with their respective finishing times of 1hr 38.27mins, 1hr 42.04mins & 1hr 42.15mins.

As ever, the event organisers were extremely grateful to the support of the local landowners over whose land the race crossed as well as to the numerous individuals, in particular the support of the Mawddach Rotary Club, for their generous assistance in ensuring the event continues to be a resounding success.

Elsewhere recently, a trio of local athletes were in action at the Arenig Fawr Fell Race near Bala. Leading home the trio was a busy Steve Gilliland, 4th overall, as well as being 1st Male Over-40 in 59.25mins. There were also strong performances from Juliet Edwards of Dolgellau as the Meirionnydd Running Club athlete came home in 1hr 27.05mins ahead of her Bro Dysynni counter-part, Bob Chilton, who followed home in 1hr 31.42mins.

Finally, Malcom Taylor of Criccieth was the sole local representative at the recent Flintshire 10k in Mold and to make his journey worthwhile, his time of 48.02mins claimed 2nd place in the Male Over-60 category.

A.Unwin