| News Report 19th January 2009 |
 Kevin Evans of Brithdir on his way to a finishing time of 26.35mins at the recent Tyn-Y-Groes Hill Race held at Ganllwyd, near Dolgellau. |
Local athletes were kept active over the festive season with 3 events being held relatively locally.
Boxing Day saw the annual running of the Tyn-Y-Groes Fell Race, held at Ganllwyd, near Dolgellau. The race attracted both the 'serious' and 'not so serious' athlete, eager to take on the 2.1 mile hill race which incorporated 900 feet of climbing. Leading home the 24 competitors on the day was Rhyd-based athlete, Adam Haynes of Eryri Harriers, who completed the challenge in a time of 21.15mins. Next local to finish, in third place overall, was Mark Atherton of Llan Ffestiniog, home in 22.45mins, with elder brother Malcolm Atherton of Ganllwyd following in a time of 26.19mins to claim an overall 6th placed finish. Kevin Evans of Brithdir was the 1st Meirionnydd Running Club finisher, home in a time of 26.35mins, with Hugo Iffla of Tywyn leading home the Bro Dysynni contingent in a time of 26.45mins. There then followed a quartet of Meirionnydd Running Club competitors as John Smith (Dolgellau), Adam Preston (Dolgellau), Nich Bradley (Dolgellau) and Pete Nicholls (Llanfachreth) came home in respective times of 27.00mins, 27.05mins, 27.06mins & 27.41mins. The first junior finisher then followed, as 15 year-old Bro Dysynni athlete, Jack Iffla of Tywyn, finished strongly in a time of 29.25mins, with the first female then following, as Janet Preston of Dolgellau claimed victory within the category, the Meirionnydd Running Club athlete home in a time of 33.26mins. Her club-mate, Robert Thomas of Llanelltyd, then followed in a time of 34.34mins whilst the evergreen Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau completed the entry list of the locally affiliated athletes as the Bro Dysynni athlete, now into her 75th year, completed the challenge in a remarkable time of 55.02mins.
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Early January saw the 2nd running of the Bro Dysynni A.C. 'Resolution Run'. Competitors at the
Tywyn based event were offered the choice of a 2 or a 4 mile course, with each competitor
predicting their overall finishing time. Those whose predictions were closest overall
to their finishing times were then classed as category winners. Leading home the junior
predictors was Ingrid Evans of Dolgellau, whose time of 18.22mins for the 2 mile
course was 8.57mins away from her predicted time. Ladies victor was Brenda Jones of
Llanelltyd, a time of 18.23mins for the 2 mile event being a mere 47 seconds away
from her prediction, whilst the wily veteran from Llanelltyd, Roy Peel, was
victorious in the male section, a time of 23.47mins for the 2 miles being 3.34mins away
from his overall prediction.
Two local competitors, both affiliated to Meirionnydd Running Club, braved sub-zero temperatures on New Years Day to head to the Llandegla Moors to take part in the 5 mile Hangover Hobble Fell Race. The severe cold led to the course being shortened with attrocious conditions reported on higher ground. Leading home the duo was Nich Bradley in a time of 47.41mins, whilst a time of 49.52mins suggests 2009 could be a bumper racing year for Graeme Stringer of Llanelltyd. There is local action this coming Saturday (24th January), as Abergynolwyn will play host to the Railway Inn sponsored Tarren Hendre Fell Race. The 6 mile event, which includes an overall 2,000 feet of climbing, is due off at 12.00 Noon from outside the Railway Inn. Entries will be aqccepted on the day. Further details relating to the event, which incorporates the 2nd race of the 'Meirionnydd Winter Race Series' are available from www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk A.Unwin |