News Report 25th March 2007

A total of six local athletes recently took on the challenge of running the 20-mile Rhayadar Round the Lakes race, with five of the six using the run as preparation for the forthcoming London Marathon. However, it was the one athlete not competing in London who led home the local challenge as Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog achieved a fine overall 20th position finish in a time of 2hrs 20.19mins. His Bro Dysynni team-mate, Mike Palmer of Tywyn, followed in a time of 2hrs 31.01mins before the Meirionnydd Running Club quartet present were led home by Tony Hodgson of Llanelltyd in a time of 2hrs 33.09mins. There was another strong run from Frankie Vaughan of Dolgellau who finished just ahead of club-mate Kevin Evans, also of Dolgellau, in respective times of 2hrs 53.07mins and 2hrs 56.25mins. Also pleased with his run was Rob Thomas of Llanelltyd, demonstrating the necessary stamina to finish the London race as he crossed the line in 3hrs 27.57mins.

Whilst the six were completing their tough challenge, two athletes from Bro Dysynni took part in the affiliated five mile race. The duo were led home by Malcolm Taylor of Criccieth in 37.48mins with Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd following in 39.00mins, a time good enough to claim victory in the female over-65 category of the race.

There was also Welsh Championship victory for Bro Dysynni recently as veteran competitor, Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau, headed to Cardiff to compete in the British Military Fitness 5k event held at Bute Park. The race also constituted the Welsh 5k Road Running Championships and a finishing time of 36.10mins ensured victory in the female over-70 category, as well as setting a new Bro Dysynni female age category record for the distance for the current Bro Dysynni Handicap League Trophy holder.

Finally, a duo of Bro Dysynni athletes headed to Rachub, near Bangor recently to take part in the Moel Wnion Fell Race. Covering the 1200 feet of climbing involved in the 4 mile race in a time of 39.08mins was Steve Gilliland of Tywyn whilst busy club-mate Dewi Roberts followed in a time of 42.16mins.

A full report on last Saturday's Ras Yr Aran fell race held in Llanuwchllyn will appear in next weeks edition.

A.Unwin