News Report 12th April 2007

A relatively quiet Easter on the local athletics front saw three athletes affiliated to Bro Dysynni compete in two local races and one distant event.

The distant event took part in the South Atlantic as Kate Williams of Aberdyfi took part in her 2nd ever marathon, having completed the 2006 London Marathon. On this occasion the crowds and razzamatazz associated with London were very much missing as Kate lined up as one of only 28 competitors at the Stanley Marathon in the Falkland Islands, a race whose geographical base sees it being the 3rd most southerly marathon race on the planet. As one would expect in such terrain, an undulating race with high winds greeted the 28 hardy souls as they lined up at the start in the town of Stanley. A truelly gritty performance saw Kate beat her London time by some 15 minutes as she crossed the line in 4hrs 48.15mins, an inspiration surely to those who will be lining up in London in a little over a weeks time.

Closer to home, Dolgellau super-veteran, Sheila Symonds, claimed victory in the female over-70 class of the National Trust Chirk Castle 10k race in an outstanding time of 1hr 23.27mins, whilst Malcom Taylor of Criccieth continued to ease himself back into active competition as he completed the Chester Spring 5 Mile Race in 39.17mins.

A.Unwin