News Report 23rd June 2008

Bro Dysynni A.C. can lay claim to yet another British Championship Gold Medal this week, as Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd retained her 5k Championship Gold Medal in the Female Over-65 age category at the Emerson Group British Masters Athletics Federation 5k Road Running Championships held in Horwich, Lancashire. Having won the same age category in 2007, it was a case of retention in 2008 and this was achieved in a fine finishing time of 25.16mins over the same course as 2007 in deepest Lancashire. Also making the journey north was Bro Dysynni team-mate, Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau who, having achieved a fine 3rd place finish in the Female Over-70 category in 2007, went one better this year, claiming runners-up spot, as well as a Silver Medal, in the same age category, finishing in a fine time of 37.04mins.

Another 5k road race held recently was the Park Hall 5k event in Oswestry. The race also saw the long awaited comeback of Nigel Evans of Dolgellau, who after an 18 month lay-off from competitve action, showed he had lost none of his competitive prowess as a finishing time of 19.59mins claimed a strong 42nd place finish in a field of 134 for the Bro Dysynni athlete. Pushing him hard was Frankie Vaughan of Corris, as the Meirionnydd Running Club athlete improved his personal best time over the distance by finishing in a time of 21.03mins. Barrie Jackson of Bala was the next local finisher as he, and Bro Dysynni team-mate, Malcolm Taylor of Criccieth claimed a '1-2' in the Male Over-65 age category in respective finishing times of 23.21mins & 24.22mins. Using the race as a precursor for Horwich was Brenda Jones, as ever dominating the Female Over-65 category, claiming victory in a time of 25.08mins.

Moving on from Oswestry to Prestatyn was Malcolm Taylor who travelled to take part in the River Bank Run which also incorporated the Eddie Faure 10k Memorial Race. Putting in a strong performance in difficult running conditions, a time of 52.13mins was good enough to secure victory in the Male Over-65 age category 

Moving away from the road and into the mountains, Nich Bradley of Dolgellau continues to plough a lonely furrow within the Eryri Harriers' Great Arete Tuesday Night Race Series. After the last two events, which saw times of 32.20mins at the Cefn Drum race in Llanberis and 34.50mins at the Moel Fabon event in Bethesda, the Meirionnydd Running Club athlete currently stands in 54th position overall after 7 of the 8 races which make up the popular series.

There is popular local action this coming Saturday lunchtime (28th) as Ganllwyd plays host to the Tyn-Y-Groes Hill Race. The 2.1 mile race, which includes a steep climb of 700 feet is due to start at 12.00 noon. Race registration will be held at the Tyn-Y-Groes Hotel who once again are generously sponsoring the event this year. Minimum age on race day is 14 years. Further details relating to the event can be found on either www.brodysynniac.com or www.tynygroes.com.

A.Unwin