News Report 14^th July 2008

Local athletes have been in action far and wide recently over a variety of distances as well as terrain.

Two 5k events caught the eye of local competitors, one in Newtown and one much closer to home, in Llanystumdwy near Criccieth. Five local athletes headed to Newtown for the Maldwyn Harriers BBQ 5K, a Friday evening event which attracted a total of 66 competitors. The first of the five locals, who were all affiliated to Bro Dysynni A.C., home was Malcolm Taylor of Criccieth, finishing in a time of 24.39mins. He, in turn, was followed by Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd, 1st Female Over-65 in a time of 25.28mins, with Marit Evans of Dolgellau following in a time of 28.31mins. There was further age category success for the remaining 2 Dysynni competitors as Marj Griffiths of Aberystwyth led home the Female Over-60 competitors in a time of 29.19mins whilst Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau led home the Female Over-75 competitors in a time of 38.40mins.

The previous evening, three Bro Dysynni athletes formed part of a small, but enthusiastic field who gathered in Llanystumdwy for the Lloyd George 5k Race. Leading home the competitors for the 2nd year in succession was Steve Gilliland of Tywyn in a time of 17.22mins, whilst prolific racer, Malcolm Taylor followed home in 24.36mins with a beaming Andy Unwin of Harlech completing the trio as he finished in 32.01mins.

Four Meirionnydd Running Club athletes chose to concentrate on the hills as they headed to the Horseshoe Pass to take part in the 9.5 mile Moel Y Gamelin fell race which also included a strenuous 2,380 feet of climbing. Continuing her excellent recent run of success was Kate Bailey, formerly of Dolgellau, claiming victory in the female section of the race in a time of 1hr 26.59mins whilst the Corris based duo of Frankie & Andrea Vaughan followed in respective times of 1hr 41.28mins and 1hr 42.14mins. Completing the Meirionnydd quartet was Victor Gretton who completed the event in a time of 2hrs 25.00mins.

The quaintly named Fairy Freckled Cow Trail Race held by Llyn Alwen near Cerrig-y-Drudion also attracted two local athletes recently. Taking on the 11.5k event were the Dysynni duo of Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog and Brenda Jones, with the former finishing in 10th place overall in a time of 43.39mins, the latter claiming victory in the Female Over-65 category in a time of 1hr 02.00mins.

Adam Haynes of Llanfrothen was the sole local competitor at the Darren's Dash Fell Race held at Longtown near Abergavenny recently, achieving a fine third place finish over the 8k course in a time of 37.28mins.

The following weekend, alongside son, William, two legs were swapped for two wheels as they teamed up to take part in the pairs race within the Polaris Challenge held in the Tweed Valley of the Scottish Borders. The race consisted of 2 days of self-supporting mountain bike orienteering. A total points collection of 1,551 ensured an overall 6th placed finish out the 200 or so teams competing as well as overall victory in the competitve 'Parent & Offspring' section of the event.

The name of Adam Haynes also appeared in the final listings of the Great Arete 8 Race Midweek Race Series which recently finished. Leading the way of the 3 local competitors who took some part in the series was Nich Bradley of Dolgellau who finished the series in 45th position, Adam Haynes followed in 62nd position with Tony Hodgson of Porthmadog completing the local listing, finishing in an overall 95th position.

A.Unwin