News Report 15^th August 2009

A Friday evening visit to Montgomery was on the agenda last weekend for three locally affiliated athletes, their chosen event being the Neil Howells 4.5 Mile Multi-Terrain Race held in and around the Powys town.

The first of the trio home in a magnificent 2nd position overall was Ifan Richards of Brithdir, the Meirionnydd Running Club athlete continuing his recent rich vein of form as he completed the event in an excellent time of 29.44mins. Two athletes from Bro Dysynni A.C. were also in action, with both achieving age category success within the female section of the event. Claiming success in the Female Over-65 section was Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd, home in a time of 45.24mins whilst Sheila Symonds continued to roll back the years as the Dolgellau-based athlete claimed victory in the Female Over-75 category in a stunning time of 63.14mins.

For Ifan Richards, this was his second outing of the week as the previous Wednesday he had been in action at the Ponderosa Fell Race held around the Horseshoe Pass in Llangollen. A mist-shrouded 4 mile course which included 951 feet of climbing made for a difficult race, the Brithdir-based athlete completing the event in a time of 28.52mins. Also in action at the event were his Meirionnydd Running Club team-mate, Arwyn Jones of Penmachno, home in a time of 32.38mins and Barrie Jackson of Bala, the Bro Dysynni athlete completing the challenge in a time of 42.21mins.

Another Meirionnydd Running Club athlete continuing his recent busy schedule was Mark Atherton of Llan Ffestiniog who headed to Nant Peris last Saturday afternoon for the Elidir Fawr Fell Race. Adverse weather conditions led to the original course being shortened to a new distance of 3 miles which included approximately 1,300 feet of climbing. A total of 42 athletes took on the new course with the Meirionnydd based athlete being the 14th of these to finish in a pleasing time of 41.43mins.

Andy Unwin