News Report 18th September 2006

Nine local athletes were amongst the 1256 finishers at the recent Severn Trent Water/ASICS Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon. The male and female sections of the race, which circumnavigates the lake, starting and finishing in Llanwyddyn, were both Kenyan as Marc Yattich won the male event in 1hr 05.31mins with Catherine Mutwa winning the ladies section in 1hr 12.43mins.

The first of the local contingent to finish was Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog whose time of 1hr 20.27mins earned a terrific 25th place overall. The next local finisher was ex-Bro Dysynni athlete, Rosie Naish, now representing Kendal A.C., whose finishing time of 1hr 30.33mins ensured an age category victory in the female over-45 section. Jos Jones of Tywyn followed in 1hr 32.35mins with Tony Hodgson of Llanelltyd hot on his heels in a time of 1hr 33.33mins. Making a surprise appearance at the event was Nigel Evans of Dolgellau and a time of 1hr 45.19mins suggests the Dysynni veteran has lost none of his athletic prowess. Another veteran followed as Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd became the 2nd local athlete to claim age group success as she narrowly missed setting a course record time in the female over-65 section. However, a time of 1hr 49.06mins claimed a comfortable category victory. The 2nd Meirionnydd Running Club finisher was Robert Thomas of Llanelltyd who claimed runners up spot in the Junior Male section with a time of 1hr 54.11mins. Two Bro Dysynni stalwarts completed the excellent turn out as Marj Griffiths came home in 2hrs 18.20mins, whilst Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau followed in 2hrs 44.25mins, claiming runners up spot in the female over-70 category in the process.

Tonight (Thursday) sees the inaugural running of the Fairbourne Race the Train event. The race, which aims to attract the serious and not-so-serious runner is due to start at 6.00pm from Fairbourne Steam Railway Station. Enries will be taken on the evening of the event.

A.Unwin