News Report 21st August 2006

A 'magnificent seven' athletes from Bro Dysynni A.C. were in action in Montgomery last weekend, competing in the 4.5 mile off-road Neil Howells Memorial Race and three of the seven returned home with age category victories.

In a race won by host club athlete, Tim Davies, in 28.44mins, the first of the Dysynni contingent home was Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog, seventh overall in 30.17mins. He was followed in by the Tywyn duo of Jos Jones, home in 32.56mins, and Richard Griffiths, victorious in the male over-55 category in 35.45mins. At the other end of the athletic age-scale, Kate Williams of Aberdyfi turned in a sterling performance as she was the second female finisher overall in 45.18mins. The fifth Dysynni finisher was Marj Griffiths in 55.45mins who in turn was followed by Helen Williams of Aberdyfi, claiming her inaugural age category victory in the female over-55 section in a time of 64.29mins with running partner, Eirlys Griffiths of Tywyn, claiming the honours in the female over-50 category as she finished in exactly the same time.

With Tywyn athlete, Steve Gilliland, claiming victory in the 4 mile Ras Moel Hebog Fell Race in Beddgelert in 49.56mins, a number of other local athletes impressed in the race which included 2,400 feet of climbing. Following home the Dysynni athlete was Dafydd Roberts of Dolgellau in 52.02mins with Sian Roberts, also of Dolgellau, following in 1hr 02.37mins. Next home was William Haynes of Rhyd, winning the race under-18 category in 1hr 04.12mins as well as leading home his father, Adam Haynes, who followed home a little under a minute later in 1hr 05.07mins. The Meirionnydd Running Club trio of competitors was completed by Nich Bradley of Dolgellau who crossed the finishing line in a battling 1hr 18.07mins.

A busy athlete recently has been Barrie Jackson of Bala, competing in two seperate races over the last week or so. Firstly, there was an outing at the Chariots of Fire 5k event in Oswestry, where a finishing time of 22.32mins ensured a runners up spot in the male over-65 category. Three days after the race, the Penllyn athlete made a return visit to the Oswestry area, on this occasion to Rhydycroesau, to take part in the 4.5 mile Craig Y Rhiw Hill Run where conditions proved very much to his liking as a finishing time of 32.37mins over a course which included 1,000 feet of climbing ensured an age group category victory in the male over-65 section.

A.Unwin