News Report 21^st October 2007

As in 2006, the Aberystwyth Twin Peaks Race once again proved popular with local athletes with a good turnout making the journey to Aberystwyth for the 2007 event recently.

The Twin Peaks the race took in were Pen Dinas and Constitution Hill, with an overall total of 900 feet of climbing covering the 7 mile duration of the race. The first of the local athletes home, repeating his runners-up spot of 2006 was Steve Gilliland of Tywyn (1st Male Over-40), the Bro Dysynni athlete coming home in 46.36mins. His club colleague, Mark Fowles of Aberdyfi, once again showed great promise, claiming an impressive 5th place finish in a time of 48.34mins. Cerist Tri athlete Kevin Hamilton continued his recent impressive form as he claimed 12th place overall in 53.12mins. Mike Palmer of Tywyn followed in 53.43mins with Bro Dysynni team-mate Glyn Lewis of Tywyn forming part of a strong club turn-out as he came home in 55.15mins. Two Meirionnydd Running Club athletes followed as Frankie Vaughan and Andrea Goode came home in respective times of 59.03mins and 1hr 00.08mins. The next Dysynni finisher was Alban Jones of Tywyn who, in an all-to-rare racing appearance, came home in 1hr 02.20mins with a resurgent Debbie Evans, also of Tywyn, following home in 1hr 04.12mins. As in the 2006 event, by far the largest cheer of the day was saved for octogenarian Tom Evans of Tywyn who, at the sprightly age of 85, romped through the challenging course to come home in a fantastic time of 2hrs 13.04mins.

Another Bro Dysynni veteran turning in an impressive, championship winning performance recently was Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd. Her chosen venue was Tadley, as the North East Hampshire town was chosen to host the British Veteran Association Federation (BVAF) 10 Mile Championship Race. Having won her age category at the corresponding championship race held at Lytham St. Annes in 2006, the Dysynni athlete repeated her success as she claimed victory in the Female Over-65 category, in the process showing amazing consistency as her winning time of 1hr 26.39mins was 1 second quicker that her 2006 winning time.

In what has been a most productive October for Bro Dysynni AC, the club had a decent turn-out last Saturday afternoon as Lilleshall in Shropshire played host to the 2nd fixture of the 2007-08 Majestic Travel North Wales Cross Country League. As ever the female team far outnumbered their male counterparts, on this occasion by 5:1. The first of the five home, in 48th positon overall was Debbie Evans in 27.38mins. Having returned safely from Tadley, Brenda Jones followed in 30.42mins with Yolanda Marconi-Nolan next home in 32.08mins. Marit Evans of Dolgellau made her 1st cross country appearance of the season, finishing in 34.35mins with Marj Griffiths of Aberystwyth completing the Dysynni female turn-out, finishing in 34.38mins. Continuing to plough a lonely furrow in the mens event was Richard Griffiths of Tywyn who, for the second consecutive fixture, was the sole Bro Dysynni male competitor. However, unperturbed by a lack of team-mates, a finishing time of 44.05mins still earnt valuable points in the overall league standings.

There is local action this coming Saturday as Llanbedr plays host to the Rhinog Horse-Shoe Fell Race. The 15.5 mile race which includes 5,200 feet of climbing will take in the climbs of Rhinog Fawr, Rhinog Fach, Y Llethr & Moelfre, before finishing outside the Victoria Inn in Llanbedr. For the second year in succession the race takes on even greater importance, as it has been chosen as one of the six races which formulate the 2007 Welsh Fell Running Championships. Entries for the race will be accepted on the day, with the race due off at 11.00a.m. Further details relating to the event can be found on www.rhinogfellraces.f9.co.uk.

A.Unwin