News Report 26^th October 2008

Horrendous weather conditions greeted the two locally affiliated athletes who lined up at Nant Peris last Saturday morning for the start of the 26th Snowdonia Marathon. Taking on the daunting 26.2 mile challenge were Sheila Jones (Bro Dysynni A.C.) of Pwllheli and Juliet Edwards (Meirionnydd Runing Club) of Dolgellau. The race, which started at Nant Peris before a climb up Llanberis Pass, took in Beddgelert and Waunfawr before the final climb up Bwlch Y Groes and a finish in Llanberis. Such an arduous course is an extreme test of fitness and stamina, more so this year due to the inclement weather conditions. However, the duo who took on the challenge, performed admirably with Sheila Jones coming home in 4hrs 41.11mins, narrowly ahead of Juliet Edwards, home in 4hrs 45.19mins.

Halving the above distance recently were a trio of Bro Dysynni athletes who ventured to the capital to take on the 13.1 mile Cardiff Half Marathon Race. Leading home the trio on this occasion was Tom Jones of Aberdyfi, completing the challenge in 1hr 32.28mins, with Gavin Griffiths, originally of Tywyn, following in 1hr 56.39mins and Rhian Jones, also of Aberdyfi, completing the trio, as she knocked 10 seconds off her 2007 time for this event, to came home in 1hr 59.48mins.

Moving closer to home, another trio of Bro Dysynni athletes were recently in action at the Twin Peaks Race in Aberystwyth. In the 7 mile event, which included a combined climbing total of 900 feet up Pen Dinas & Constitution Hill, it was left to Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd to lead home the local trio as she claimed victory in the Female Over-65 category in a time of 1hr 14.14mins. Also claiming age category success, on this occasion in the Female Over-75 class, was Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau, home in an excellent time of 1hr 51.04mins whilst Marj Griffiths of Aberystwyth completed the Dysynni trio in a time of 2hrs 10.23mins.

The day before the Twin Peaks event two of the aforementioned lined up at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre as Telford played host to the 2nd fixture of the Grand Prix Express North Wales Cross Country League. It was again left to Brenda Jones to lead home the Dysynni duo, once again claiming victory in the Female Over-65 section in a time of 24.54mins, whilst Marj Griffiths claimed a valuable 3rd place finish in the Female Over-60 section in a time of 28.17mins.

A.Unwin