News Report 17th March 2006

Recent wintry conditions have led to inactivity on the competing front for all but 3 of the local athletes affiliated to Bro Dysynni and Meirionnydd Running Clubs.

Two of the three were in action in Cheshire recently at the Farndon 10k road race held just outside of Wrexham. In a race which attracted a field of over 250 competitors on an out-and-back course there were top half finishes for both Bob Chilton of Hermon and Malcolm Taylor of Criccieth in respective times of 44.45mins and 46.50mins.

Meanwhile, Nick Bradley of Dolgellau was the only local competitor at the Pipe Dream fell race held at Dolgarrog in the Conwy Valley. In a race which coincided with the worst of the winter weather and resulted in virtually the whole of the 4.9mile course being covered in snow, the Dolgellau GP completed the race which included 1700 feet of climbing in a very creditable time of 50.31mins to claim an overall 37th place finish on the day.

Hopefully conditions will be more favourable this coming Saturday (25th) for the 'Organic Aran Lamb' sponsored Ras Yr Aran which is also the final fixture of three in the Meirionnydd Winter Fell Race Series. The 10 mile race which includes 2500 feet of climbing is due off at 1.00p.m. with the race headquarters being at the Eagles Inn, Llanuwchllyn. Bearing in mind that the course record, set in 2005 by Eryri Harriers athlete Tim Higginbottom, is 1hr 31.32mins then the first of the competitors should be due to cross the finish line at around 2.30p.m. In addition to the main race, this year will also see the introduction of a 2 mile fell race taster event. This race is open to all over the age of 10 years, from children to adults who wish to experience fell race conditions, but over a far shorter distance. This race is due off at 1.15p.m. with the Eagles Inn once again being the race headquarters. Futher details regarding the above are available on either www.brodysynniac.co.uk or www.aran-lamb.co.uk.

A.Unwin