News Report 15th October 2006

Having last been run in the late 1980's, the Aberystwyth Twin Peaks Race made a welcome return last weekend and in doing so, attracted a great deal of interest from local athletes.

Measuring just under 7 miles in distance, the race included two tough climbs, namely Pen Dinas and Constitution Hill before a finish on the promenade in Aberystwyth. Well suited to the tough course was Steve Gilliland of Tywyn whose hill strength came to the fore as he claimed a terrific 2nd place in the race in a time of 47.23mins. Other local finishers in the race included the Tywyn based quartet of Jos Jones, home in 53.25mins, Walter Marsh, 54.51mins, Mike Palmer, 55.58mins and making an all to rare race outing, Alban Jones, who finished strongly in a time of 57.31mins. The first of the Meirionnydd Running Club finishers was Kevin Hamilton in 57.52mins and he was followed by club-mate, Andrea Goode, who won the female over-35 category in a time of 58.10mins. A terrific battle ensued between two of Bro Dysynni's Tywyn based veterans as Glyn Lewis narrowly beat Richard Griffiths in respective times of 58.28mins and 58.31mins whilst Graeme Stringer of Arthog followed in 1hr 00.35mins with Nich Bradley of Dolgellau hot on his heels in a time of 1hr 00.46mins. Frankie Vaughan of Ganllwyd produced another solid performance as he finished in 1hr 02.46mins whilst Margaret Roberts of Dolgellau and Julie Sutherland of Tywyn both finished well in respective times of 1hr 10.56mins and 1hr 11.17mins. There was age category success for the remaing two local finishers, both affiliated to Bro Dysynni, as Marj Griffiths was victorious in the female over-60 category in 1hr 21.52mins whilst at the unbelievable age of 84, Tom Evans of Tywyn raised the largest cheer of the day as he claimed the male over-80 section in a stunning time of 1hr 52.18mins.

Also recently, six local athletes took to the hills, on this occasion to the Bala area for the Arenig Fawr Fell Race, run over a 6.1mile course and including 1900 feet of climbing. Treacherous conditions prevailed on race day with non-stop rain and high winds. The conditions did not, however, deter the 51 competitors who turned up to take on the challenge. The first local finisher was Steve Gilliland, once again claiming runners-up spot in 1hr 04.08mins with the added consolation of victory in the male over-40 category. Tony Hodgson of Llanelltyd followed in 1hr 17.05mins with Hugo Iffla of Tywyn close behind in 1hr 17.50mins. Two Meirionnydd Running Club athletes followed as Kevin Evans and Nich Bradley had respective finishing times of 1hr 24.42mins and 1hr 26.09mins whilst Hermon-based Bro Dysynni athlete, Bob Chilton, completed the local turnout as he finished in 1hr 32.58mins.

A lap of the Millenium Stadium greeted Gavin Griffiths, originally of Tywyn but now based in Penarth, as he completed the Cardiff Half Marathon last Sunday. In his first competitive race over the distance, there was a pleasing finishing time of 2hrs 09.56mins.

This coming Saturday morning at 11.00am, Llanbedr will be a hub of activity as the village hosts the Rhinog Horseshoe Fell Race. The 15.5mile race which includes an overall 5,200 feet of climbing has added significance this year as it has been chosen as one of the 6 fell races which make up the 2006 Welsh Fell Running Championships. The Llanbedr race is the 5th race in the series and as such a bumper field is expected to turn out. Further details regarding the race can be found on www.rhinogfellraces.f9.co.uk. The race officials are still looking for helpers on the day. Anyone willing to help out is invited to contact Andy Sanderson on (01341) 241511.

A.Unwin