Local athletes have been in action at five different venues recently, three of the venues hosting road races with the other two hosting fell races.

The highest turnout of the above was in Dwyfor as five locally affiliated athletes headed to compete in the Abersoch 10k and affiliated 3k road races. In the 10k event, the local athletes were led home by Kevin Jones of Dolgellau, the Meirionnydd Running Club athlete claiming an outstanding 8th placed finish out of the 377 finishers in a time of 37.33mins. A mere 12 seconds later, the second local finisher home was Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog, the Bro Dysynni A.C. athlete claiming a 10th placed finish in a time of 37.45mins. Next home was the ever-improving Graeme Stringer of Llanelltyd, the 2nd Meirionnydd finisher in a time of 44.20min with John Tee of Blaenau Ffestiniog following, the Bro Dysynni athlete crossing the line in a time of 52.32mins. In the affiliated Abersoch Wombat 3k event aimed mostly at the younger competitors, there was a pleasing time of 16.38mins set by Bro Dysynni's Dion Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Four local athletes also travelled to Newtown recently, their chosen event being  the Newtown Carnival 5k Road Race. One of the quartet also claimed race victory at the event. The victorious athlete was Ifan Richards of Brithdir, the Meirionnydd Running Club athlete leading home the field of 47 competitors in a time of 17.19mins. He was followed by his Meirionnydd club-mate, Malcolm Taylor of Criccieth, in a time of 28.20mins before two of the strong Bro Dysynni A.C. veteran female contingent came home, both claiming age category success as Marj Griffiths of Aberystwyth was victorious in the Female Over-60 section in a time of 32.15mins with Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau, once again turning back the clock, as she claimed victory in the Female Over-75 category, crossing the line in a tremendous time of 41.47mins.

Having crossed the finishing line in a time of 28.20mins at the Newtown event, Malcolm Taylor showed remarkable consistency as he also completed the Park Hall 5k Road Race in Oswestry in exactly the same time of 28.20mins.

Having won the event at Newtown, Ifan Richards completed a memorable double as he also led home the field at Y Garn Fell Race in Rhyd Ddu, the latest event in the Eryri Harriers Great Arete Midweek Series. On this occasion a time of 26.24mins was enough to secure race victory, his recent impressive performances have not gone unnoticed, with the Brithdir-based athlete being chosen to represent Wales at the forthcoming Snowdon International Race which is due to be held on 24th July. Also in action at Y Garn was Nich Bradley of Dolgellau, the 2nd Meirionnydd Running Club finisher in a time of 41.00mins.

A further two athletes affiliated to Meironnydd Running Club were also in action at the Foel Fras Fell Race held in the Caerneddau Range. In a course measuring 13.5 miles and including 3,100 feet of climbing, there were pleasing finishing times for the Dolgellau based duo of Adam Preston & Juliet Edwards in respective times of 2hrs 09.46mins & 2hrs 29.40mins.

There is local action this coming Saturday lunchtime as Ganllwyd will play host to the short, sharp Tyn-Y-Groes Fell Race. The 2.1 mile course which includes 700 feet of climbing is due off at 12.00 Noon with race registration being at the Tyn-Y-Groes Hotel. Race entries will be accepted on the day only with further details relating to the event available at www.brodysynniac.co.uk.

A.Unwin