News Report 16th July 2007

Steve Gilliland of Tywyn continued his recent domination of the Ras Foel Y Gocyn event recently as he claimed his third race victory in the last four years. The four mile race, held as part of the Bryncrug Carnival festivities, attracted a good quality field, with the sunny conditions no doubt making the event a more attractive proposition. Despite a good turnout of athletes from Eryri Harriers, it was left to the Bro Dysynni A.C. athlete to lead home the rest of the field as he crossed the finishing line in 27.28mins. A Dysynni colleague followed in third place as Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog finished in 29.57mins with Mike Palmer of Tywyn being the third Dysynni athlete to claim a top five finish as he crossed the line in 31.58mins. The first junior home was 11 year-old Iwan Jones, seventh overall in 36.26mins, with Aaron and Dion Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog following in 37.46mins and 37.50mins. The ladies race was won by Meirionnydd Running Club athlete, Alison Price of Fairbourne, who knocked 4 minutes off her 2006 time for the race, to claim victory in 39.14mins. Whereas, those who led home the field deserve much praise, perhaps the loudest applause of the day was reserved for the last two competitors to finish the tough 4 mile event as 74 year-old Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau came home in 60.31mins whilst the sprightly 85 year-old Tom Evans of Tywyn followed in a truly remarkable time of 72.55mins.

Elsewhere, two members of Meirionnydd Running Club headed to North Yorkshire to compete in the Kilburn Feast 7 Mile Race held near Thirsk. With over 240 competitors, there were strong finishes for Frankie Vaughan and Andrea Goode of Dolgellau as times of 55.03mins and 58.18mins claimed respective 90th and 115th placed finishes.

Closer to home, a trio of Bro Dysynni athletes ventured to Cerrigydrudion for the 11k Llyn Alwen Trail Race. Barrie Jackson of Bala led home the trio, claiming a top half finish in 55.47mins, whilst Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd claimed her customary victory in the female over-65 category in 1hr 03.57mins, with colleague Marit Evans of Dolgellau hot on her heels as she came home in 1hr 03.58mins.

Finally, a busy Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog was back in action at the Faenol 10k event, held in Felinheli. In a race which continues to grow in popularity, the Ffestiniog athlete claimed a strong 7th place finish out of the 250 competitors on the night, as he crossed the finishing line of the multi-terrain event in 36.30mins.

A.Unwin