There was a Meirionnydd Running Club '1-2' at the recent Dyfi8 Trail Race held near Pantperthog as club athletes grabbed the top two places on offer. Ifan Richards of Brithdir continued his recent fine form, covering the eight mile course in a time of 51.42mins, well clear of club-mate, Mark Atherton of Llan Ffestiniog, who followed home in a time of 57.36mins. There was also a strong representation of athletes from Bro Dysynni A.C., led home by a resurgent Hugo Iffla of Tywyn who covered the distance in 1hr 05.05mins, ahead of fellow Tywyn-based team-mate Richard Griffiths, home in 1hr 06.56mins. There were rare race outings for the Dysynni trio of David Phillips, Graham Jones & Iestyn Richards who covered the distance in respective times of 1hr 08.41mins, 1hr 08.41mins & 1hr 10.24mins. Meirionnydd Running Club athlete, Alison Price, claimed an excellent runners-up spot in the ladies race, the Fairbourne-based runner home in 1hr 12.47mins whilst Alison Sayes of Aberdyfi was also pleased with her run as a time of 1hr 30.33mins claimed 2nd spot in the Female Over-50 category for the Bro Dysynni athlete. Undoubtedly, the performance of the day came from Tom Evans of Tywyn, now well into his 87th year, the Bro Dysynni octogenerian covering the distance in a staggering time of 2hrs 14.00mins.

There was also strong representation recently at the Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon event as a total of 11 locally affiliated athletes took on the 13.1 mile challenge. The first local to complete the course was Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog, the Bro Dysynni athlete home in a time of 1hr 23.34mins. Next local home, and setting a new Meirionnydd Running Club record for the distance was Kevin Jones of Dolgellau, in a time of 1hr 25.30mins, followed by team-mates, Adam Preston of Dolgellau & Kevin Evans of Brithdir, in respective times of 1hr 29.18 & 1hr 42.20mins. Two Dysynni athletes then completed the event in quick succession, John Tee of Llan Ffestiniog in a time of 1hr 59.15mins with Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd claiming victory in the Female Over-65 category in a time of 1hr 59.48mins. Janet Preston of Dolgellau followed, the Meirionnydd athlete home in 2hrs 08.30mins, well ahead of her Dysynni counter-part, Marit Evans, also of Dolgellau, home in 2hrs 18.30mins. Bro Dysynni stalwart, Marj Griffiths was next home, the Aberystwyth based athlete home in 2hrs 26.12mins with Tracey Evans of Brithdir following, the Meirionnydd athlete home in 2hrs 32.05mins. There was another superb effort from a Bro Dysynni veteran as Sheila Symonds claimed success in the Female Over-75 section, the Dolgellau based athlete completing the course in a time of 3hrs 03.38mins.

Also recently, Juliet Edwards of Dolgellau took part in the 8.5 mile Pedol Peris Fell Race, an event which included 4,500 feet of climbing, the Meirionnydd Running Club athlete eventually claiming 2nd spot in the Female Over-40 category in a time of 2hrs 33.54mins.

Also in action, on this occasion at the 18 mile 'Stretton Skyline' event in Church Stretton, Shropshire was Tarren Hendre athlete, John Marsh. Taking on a course which included 4,450 of climbing, the Tywyn based athlete produced a stunning performance, claiming success in the Male Over-60 category as well as placing 23rd out of the 97 competitors in an overall time of 3hrs 20.25mins.

Two Meirionnydd Running Club colleagues also took part in the 9-mile Llyn Brenig Trail Race recently, a busy Mark Atherton home in 1hr 02.42mins, whilst team-mate, Andrea Vaughan of Ganllwyd, claimed victory in the Female Over-35 category as she came home in 1hr 10.59mins.

One athlete in overseas action recently was Ffestyn Williams, originally of Llanbedr but now based in Chester. His chosen event was the Stockholm Half Marathon in Sweden and a finishing time of 1hr 44.14mins claimed a finish in the top 25% of the race and continued the fine family tradition of competitive running.

Finally, to round off a particularly busy time for local athletes, the youngest competitor in action was Aaron Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog whose time of 6.12mins claimed 2nd spot in the Under-12's category at the North Wales Junior Fell Running Championships held at the Great Orme, Llandudno recently.