News Report 27^th June 2009

Ifan Richards …the winner Pic by Alastair Tye

Ganllwyd was the venue last Saturday lunchtime for the annual Tyn-Y-Groes Hill Race, an event which can trace its original roots back to 1925 and beyond, with records of past winners kept in the nearby Tyn-Y-Groes Hotel for the sake of posterity. The 2009 edition attracted an enthusiastic field with the local Meirionnydd Running Club being particularly well represented. Indeed, it was they who provided the race winner of the 2..1 mile event, which included 700 feet of climbing, as Ifan Richards of Brithdir completed the course in an excellent time of 17.16mins. Familiar faces followed, as Dafydd Roberts of Dolgellau was 2nd home in 18.16mins with Mark Atherton of Llan Ffestiniog being the 2nd Meirionnydd Running Club competitor home in a time of 18.44mins, a time good enough to claim an overall 3rd placed finish.

The ladies event was dominated by Sian Roberts of Dolgellau as a time of 21.07mins ensured victory in the female section of the race as well as 6th placed position overall. Next female home was Sioned Jones of Brithdir, the Meirionnydd Running Club member home in 29.36mins, whilst the evergreen Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau, one of only two Bro Dysynni A.C. athletes in action on the day, claimed 3rd spot in a time of 45.55mins.

John Smith…pic by Jane Chilton with Peter Douglas camera!

This was the second outing of the week for the Dolgellau-based veteran, as the previous weekend saw Sheila travel to Horwich in Lancashire, to compete at the British Masters Athletics Federation 5k Championships. On this occasion, the popular Dolgellau athlete had to settle for 2nd place in her age category, as a time of 39.48mins claimed the runners-up spot in the Female Over-75 section.

Sheila Symonds at the top of the hill…. pic by Jane Chilton with Peter Douglas camera!

Two other local veteran athletes travelled to Prestatyn recently to compete in the Riverbank Run 10k event. Leading home the duo was Frankie Vaughan of Ganllwyd, the Meirionnydd Running Club athlete home in 44.28mins, whilst Bro Dysynni A.C. counter-part, Barrie Jackson of Bala, followed, his time of 49.36mins claiming runners-up spot in the Male Over-65 category.

There was sole local representation from Meirionnydd Running Club's Arwyn Jones at 'The Druid' fell race held at Foel Fenlli in Llanferres recently, the Penmachno-based athlete covering the 5 mile event, which included 1,200 feet of climbing, in a time of 39.55mins.

Another athlete with strong local connections in action recently has been Rebecca Dallimore, formerly of Dolgellau, now based in the Scottish Highlands. Her two most recent outings have seen times of 49.20mins recorded at the Aberdeen Beach Run 10k & 1hr 54.33mins at the Dundee Half Marathon.

There are two local off-road races being held this coming Saturday (4th July). Firstly, Llanbedr will play host to the Rhinog Horseshoe Fell Race, a 15.5 mile event which includes a staggering 5,200 feet of climbing. The race is due off from outside the Victoria Inn in Llanbedr at 11.00am, further details are available at www.rhinogfellraces.co.uk. Meanwhile, Bryncrug will host the considerably shorter Foel Gocyn Hill Race, the 4 mile event due to start at 2.30pm from the carnival field in Bryncrug. Further details relating to this event are available from www.brodysynniac.co.uk.

A.Unwin